Spike's Shadow

by DraconequusMaximus

Staring Into The Abyss

Despite not getting all that much sleep the previous night, Spike and Sombra were both quite fulfilled from their time in the bedroom. After a long hot shower the two headed to the Dining Hall to refuel before attempting the errand that had been forced upon them. There was no telling exactly what would happen once they headed down into the abyss, so they wanted to be ready.

On top of the veritable feast of breakfast dishes Spike consumed, there was one small, but extremely significant addition. In the excitement and anger of the previous night Spike had neglected to devour the electric gem Gavin had given them. Spike devoured the strange glowing stone in a chorus of crunching noises, looking excited at the prospect of wielding a new element.

In no time at all it was gone, but Spike soon found his tongue lolling out of his mouth involuntarily.

"Uh... Muh vaith ith num. Ah cun feew duh elegtridity (My face is numb. I can feel the electricity)." Spike attempted to say.

"Ah. Temporary facial paralysis. I suppose that is to be expected, since you essentially just consumed lightning. I wish I had a camera to preserve how absurd you look right now." Sombra giggled quite uncharacteristically.

As if some minor deity had happened to hear the fervent desire in Sombra's innocent request the telltale flash of a camera went off somewhere behind Sombra.

Spike and Sombra turned to see Gilda holding a camera on a strap around Fluttershy's neck. In a matter of second a perfect Polaroid of Spike's momentary silly expression was produced and stowed away in Fluttershy's saddlebag.

"We'll get you a copy of that one when we're back in Equestria. The rest of the film is for the kids though." Gilda told the pair smugly.

Spike rolled his jaw experimentally as the feeling returned to his face. The unexpected effects of the gem were wearing off quickly as his body acclimated to the new magic.

"I bet you two are excited. It's the big day." Spike exclaimed, looking into the eyes of the parents-to-be.

Gilda seemed nervous, almost scared even. Spike knew she wasn't convinced she'd be a great parent, but he had met enough people in his time to tell who would be good in what situation. Though he had a fair share of help, being raised by ponies who carried the dominant traits of their personalities tattooed on their rear ends.

Regardless, Spike was sure Gilda would be a perfect tough-but-fair parent, even if she found herself walking on eggshells at first.

Fluttershy was nervous, excited, and already perpetually in the mindset of a loving mother. The only worries Spike had were that Fluttershy would want to adopt every child in the orphanage upon seeing them. Or that Fluttershy wouldn't be able to stop herself from spoiling the kids absolutely rotten.

But Gilda would inevitably balance things out. As a couple they complimented each other very well, what with them being complete opposites.

Sombra was both comforted and caught off guard by the downright paternal look in Spike's eyes. Despite being younger than either Fluttershy or Gilda Spike took immense pride in seeing them grow. It was a trait that must have developed itself when Spike came to terms with his unlimited potential lifespan.

Spike wasn't merely looking at his loved ones, he was looking beyond them and into the future. Their children, and their children's children, and so on. New memories to add to his hoard of love and devotion. Living jewels more valuable to Spike than anything else in the world.

"We're nervous, but we've been preparing for this for so long. I read every book on parenting in Twilight's library, and I already bought them all sorts of toys and outfits." Fluttershy cooed excitedly.

"And I baby-proofed everything, after I built more rooms onto the cottage. Worth it though. What are you two gonna do all day while we're gone? More hob-nobbling with the big wigs?" Gilda added.

Sombra and Spike had foreseen the question coming up, having been in this sort of situation many times.

"We're gonna go to the Abyssal Abyss and get Gavin the Idol of Boreas. He gave us the electric gemstone I needed up front, so we're gonna pay him back." Spike explained, not really lying.

Gilda seemed a bit surprised, but she just shrugged.

She hadn't lived in Griffonstone since before the sudden renovations and upgrades Gavin implemented. While the homeland would always be important, Equestria was now where her heart considered home. It was the country that her children would be raised in.

"Feh. I guess all the old-timers are still obsessed with that thing. Good luck finding it though. They say nobody has ever come back from the bottom of the abyss, but that's probably just an old wives' tale." Gilda warned.

"Old-timers we may be, but Idol of Boreas is part of griffon heritage. Brother is right to want it back."

The group turned to see they had been joined by Jay, looking as chipper as usual.

Spike couldn't help but feel uneasy in Jay's presence, knowing his brother's true identity and past deeds. Sombra was likewise on edge, but neither showed the apprehension outwardly. Gilda and Fluttershy weren't any the wiser, and that was how it needed to stay.

"Good morning, all. Brother wishes for me to accompany you into the abyss. I am prepared to leave whenever you are ready." Jay told Spike and company with a bow.

The unnecessary gesture only served to annoy the couple, but they couldn't risk declining the offer.

As Fluttershy and Gilda sat down to breakfast the newly formed trio left through the main gates.

Not wanting to waste time, Spike carried Sombra as he and Jay flew. The abyss was a fair distance from the settled areas of the mountainous kingdom of New Griffonstone, and the temperature was significantly lower. Sombra was quite grateful for his scarf, though it's power was relative to Spike's own thermal tolerances.

The chill of the cold nation's skies seemed to bit too much for Spike's boiling insides to completely counteract. Sombra was however unfazed, having thick fur due to his time in the Crystal Empire.

Eventually the group came to the abyss, which had been fenced around for safety reasons.

Fortunately Spike didn't need to resort to tearing the chain-link fence apart. Jay produced a key, opening a large section. Spike saw the gap was wide enough to accommodate his full size and released the cloaking spell. Being at his biggest was a necessary precaution for the unknown threats awaiting them.

First there was the matter of confirming a known threat.

With a lightning-fast motion of his tail, Spike wrapped Jay in a powerful hold.

Jay resisted the hold briefly, but even a griffon of his size couldn't compete with the crushing power in Spike's python-like tail. He was caught, and he was completely at Spike's mercy.

With a quick gout of fire, Spike summoned Sombra's sword. They hadn't been able to bring it into the country in their bags, but there weren't any security checks beyond the borders. Once the weapon clattered to the ground Sombra wasted no time equipping himself and drawing the sword.

"We'd like to trust you, Jay. But your brother has us a little on edge. We know how he's still alive, or at least a lot of it. But what about you, and the other White Ravens? Are you taking life from other griffons too? Are they?" Spike asked, looking Jay directly in the eyes.

Jay frowned deeply, dropping his happy facade.

"No. Jay and the ravens are not like Brother. Brother's magic keeps Ravens half alive, but Jay and his comrades are all dead inside." Jay spat contemptuously.

Jay struggled to free his arms and extended the talons on either hand, plunging them into his chest.

Spike and Sombra were shocked to say the least, but the horror-show had only just begun. Without so much as flinching, Jay pulled his flesh backward to reveal disturbingly clean insides. Everything seemed to be in order, but it was as though Jay had no blood whatsoever. More disturbing still was the red light shining out from behind Jay's ribs.

"Brother keeps our hearts alive in jars, using us as puppets to his will. Jay and Roderick are only ravens with free will. Roderick is actually our uncle... He loves his family, in sick twisted way. But the rest are soldiers and staff Brother liked in days before he became like this.

Gavin has always been strange, and no sense of morals... But something happened to brother, over a thousand years ago. It was very near fall of Discord. Brother went away on business, then came back with half his face terribly injured. The next day Idol of Boreas stolen, and Brother put us Ravens on ice." Jay revealed.

Once his explanation was through Jay let the halves of his flesh go, which settled into place. A force which resembled red electricity showed through the wound, knitting the relatively minor wound back together. The cosmetic damage was easily restored, Jay looking as he had before.

"Brother is paranoid. He cannot trust anyone. White Ravens cannot betray him. Jay can only tell you this because Gavin allows it. He knew you would be wary of me. I cannot forgive what he has done to us, himself, or our race, but he is still family. Blood is blood, even when twisted and perverted by magic." Jay sighed.

Spike placed Jay back on the ground, feeling like a heel for being so hostile with him.

"I'm sorry. I don't really think there's anything we can do to stop your brother. He's kinda got us by the bits right now." Spike apologized.

Sombra seemed just as pennant and defeated as Spike, but as he hung his head an idea formed in the back of his mind.

"Your brother intends to impart some knowledge to us when we retrieve the Idol. Perhaps it might shed some light on whatever happened to change him into what he is today? Since you still possess a portion of your free will you could stay and listen with us. We would be relieved to help you at least that much. I have a sense of foreboding that tells me Dootha is involved, making it our problem to deal with as well."

Sombra's words seemed to catch Jay by surprise, which could be said of Spike as well. Sombra seemed to be taking Dootha's wrongs a bit too personally, but Spike could see why. Even if Sombra knew the actions of Dootha weren't his responsibility he felt a tie to them. A subconscious need to take responsibility.

While admirable, Spike was worried that Sombra would get in over his head if he tried to fix all of the wrongs.

Still, helping Jay in a relatively low-risk manner was sweet, and Spike himself could be there to make sure everything was fine.

After getting mentally prepared and discussing just how to descend into the abyss, Spike grabbed hold of Jay and Sombra. Without much warning Spike jumped over the edge, carefully grabbing the ledge with his free arm and nearest foot's claws. It was a much longer drop than the grand staircase down to the Tree of Harmony, but Spike stuck fast to the rocks.

Though the inconsistent shape of the abyss wall required a bit of earth magic to ensure a safe descent.

It took an absurdly long time to reach the bottom, and all three of them felt the air change as they got further down. It was easy enough to explain away thanks to the depth at first, but as they got even further down it became clear it was unnatural.

When they finally hit solid ground it was impossible to see even anything, even with Spike's draconian vision. Even with a trio of green fire wisps, it was impossible to see more than three feet ahead of you. Which was to say nothing of the dampening effects on the other senses.

The air was almost cold enough to be freezing, and in general breathing was a chore. It was as though the gravity and atmosphere of the abyss belonged to another world. The thick syrupy feel made one think they were draped in a thin, yet heavy cloak. Everything about the experience was entirely suffocating.

Were the trio of them normal adventurers the rumors of no one ever returning might ring true.

Though surviving and thriving were two entirely different things.

"Holy hell... This is not what I expected. I feel like we're on the moon or something." Spike managed to say.

"Is heavy here... Do not like it." Jay agreed.

Spike looked over to see how Sombra was faring, but was shocked at what he saw.

Sombra was prancing about as if he were light as a feather. Contrary to Spike and Jay's reaction to the abyss, Sombra seemed more energetic and confident than before. Something about the unnatural dark had revitalized Sombra to the point of elation. It was as if Sombra had just entered his natural habitat.

Yet when Sombra saw Spike and Jay being beaten down by the very same force his expression turned to one of worry.

"Perhaps... Gavin was right about there being darkness within me. Whatever is producing this haze of shadow has me feeling right at home, where the two of you are suffering." Sombra deflated.

Sombra purposely had avoided talking about Gavin's tampering at breakfast. Spike knew it was because Sombra feared he was some kind of villain, with or without Dootha. It was something of a valid concern, even though Sombra had decided what sort of person he wanted to be. Spike would just have to remind him of that fact.

"Sombra, just remember who you are. Whoever you were, your a good person now. Whatever you remember, or whatever we find out, you know who you are now. Who you want to be." Spike reminded Sombra.

Sombra nodded, allowing a smile to force it's way onto his face.

"You're right of course... But I forget that from time to time. For now, I suppose I should take the lead. Unless either of you feel you are more physically capable at present." Sombra agreed, fully intending to take advantage of his boost.

Neither Spike or Jay saw fit to deny Sombra the position of leader right now, being as weakened as they were by the dark atmosphere.

Sombra marched forward, his fireball trailing shortly behind. In addition to his immunity to the disturbing atmosphere it seemed Sombra could see, even though Spike and Jay were forced to carefully watch their steps. Spike and Jay followed the fireball closely, as Sombra's naturally dark color scheme rendered him incredibly hard to distinguish in the unnatural void.

It seemed there was nothing living in the darkness, likely because whatever was generating the powerful atmosphere made it impossible.

It was entirely silent too, the only sounds being the heavy breathing of the group and their footsteps.

They walked for what seemed like hours until Sombra stopped abruptly. In the deafening silence Spike could actually hear Sombra's heart beating rapidly. Whatever was in the darkness ahead of them clearly had Sombra on edge.

"Sombra? What's wrong?" Spike asked, trying to see ahead of him and feel for anything odd on the ground.

As soon as Spike took another step forward a familiar crunch met his ears.

Picking up the now fragmented object Spike knew what it was by touch alone.

"Bones."

Sombra barely registered the fact that Spike had spoken to him.

He was staring at a veritable valley of bones. Not only bones, but nearly all of them seemed to belong to complete skeletons. There were also a great many bones that were broken, or even crushed to bits. So much so that there was a layer of chips and fragments covering the ground.

Most seemed to be griffons, and there were remnants of what must have been weapons, armor, and climbing gear scattered about.

Fallen adventurers that had tried to recover the Idol of Boreas.

Sombra had seen such a scene once before in the airborne temple, but this was different. Among the uncountable numbers of skeletons there were some who had quite recently been among the living. The stench of death and decay didn't seem to travel to Spike or Jay in the unnaturally thick atmosphere of the abyss, but it was all around Sombra.

"I think I'm going to be sick." Sombra eventually replied.

Spike walked forward, his senses becoming immersed in the same air as Sombra was.

Spike had long since grown accustomed to the scent of death as a hunter, but he realized Sombra had much less experience.

Sombra swallowed his urge to vomit, carefully marching forward. Despite everything, Sombra knew there was still a task at hoof. He was certain to avoid stepping on any sort of recognizable or complete bones, hoping to go without disrespecting the fallen adventurers.

Spike and Jay continued on the grim march behind Sombra until the macabre scene ended.

The darkness and oppressive atmosphere seemed to simply vanish at a certain point.

The clearing was still dark, but only in the normal sort of way one would expect to see at the bottom of an abyss. The group could even see a small amount of sunlight filtering down. It was cast directly upon the very object that the group had set out in search of. The Idol of Boreas, a solid gold wing-like swirl based around a jewel reportedly full of magic collected from the sun itself.

The one thing which could truly bring the griffon together as a people.

"Is just as beautiful as Jay remembers." Jay said excitedly.

Before Spike or Sombra could stop him Jay took wing and rushed forward into the obvious trap. Jay speedily retrieved the idol, stopping to bask in the faint golden light of the national treasure. He even went as far as holding it aloft, as if reclaiming the idol in the eyes of the heavens above.

From behind a rock formation a rush of shadows, or some kind of cloud of darkness shot towards Jay.

Jay was launched into a wall and fell to the ground in a broken heap, the idol falling to the ground with a clatter. While the magic instilled into him by Gavin immediately began fixing Jay, it seemed as though it was going to take some time. Jay was barely recognizable, a testament to the horrid shade that attacked him's power.

In the meantime Spike and Sombra would be forced to deal with the shade, no doubt the source of the malevolent darkness permeating the abyss.

The shadows coalesced into a vague shape, shifting and growing until it began to become more defined. While much of the shadowy presence sank to the ground the upper portion soon began branching into the recognizable shape of arms.

Suddenly it was as if all the darkness of the abyss was flowing into the clearing, joining with the shadowy figure that had assaulted Jay. The chaotic flurry of shadows whisked past Spike and Sombra, taking mere seconds to travel the unknowable distance of the abyss's bottom level. The visage of the creature became cleared and clearer the more dark power filled it's being.

In the span of thirty seconds everything was over.

The abyss had been reversed, the clearing now full of darkness and the rest in the state of an ordinary chasm.

Standing before Spike and Sombra was a bipedal monstrosity the same size as Spike, if not a bit larger. Bones could be seen through the darkness, and a horrid skull slipped out of the shade's chest. It had great spiral ram horns, and one enormous eye. It would have been disturbing enough, but the eye was electric green and red.

Even though it was the strange horizontal pupil of a goat, it was clearly the sign of Dootha. The purple miasma flowed about it's shadowy form instead of it's eye, but it was easily recognizable. This strange beast was as servant of evil, shrouded in the power responsible for so much pain and destruction.

"Arimaspi. The goat-thing that stole the idol. Seems like he's been guarding it from beyond the grave. Whenever anyone touches the idol he must wake up and do away with them." Spike pieced together.

"I would think death might have stopped it, but I suppose it wasn't quite up to the task. I should hope we fair better. Though I doubt this brute will go easily on us." Sombra growled through the handle of his sword.

At a glance it was easy to see that Jay would be useless for the duration of the coming battle. While Jay seemed responsive his limbs and his wings were still broken beyond the point of even most magical healing. It would be some time before he could be accountable for anything.

For the meantime the specter that had once been Arimaspi seemed content to stare at them, still guarding the Idol of Boreas.

Spike and Sombra were both on guard, ready for battle. Yet Arimaspi seemed no more threatened by them than he did Jay in his current condition. He seemed particularly interested in Sombra, a thought that sent a chill down Sombra's spine.

Purple dragon... Sickly... Weak... Unimportant... Arimaspi declared.

The phantom's voice was like ice in a blender, cold and rough with an unnatural growl nearly overshadowing his words.

Pony feels familiar.... Do I know you pony? ... Is pony after Idol of Boreas? Did the order send you to collect Idol, so Arimaspi can finally rest?

Arimaspi seemed to fade out of existence briefly, reappearing just inches in front of Sombra. Sombra could only freeze on the spot in response, trying to process what was going on. Though Arimaspi had no breath Sombra could feel miasma brushing against his fur.

It was cold, and the contact reminded Sombra of the deep dark solitude of his time beneath the ice. It stunk of the death in the abyss and a feeling of hopelessness. It was so familiar, and so very sickening to Sombra.

Fortunately his fear of Arimaspi outweighed his hatred for Dootha and his influence.

It took Sombra a moment to process the phantom's words, what little sense they made.

"Yes, I am from The Order. You are quite late in your task of delivering the idol to us. I have come to relieve you of your duty." Sombra lied in as charismatic and villainous of a tone he could fake.

Spike got a chill down his spine, though not the same sort he got from Arimaspi. Spike internally cursed himself for his continued attraction to what he affectionately referred to as Sombra's 'villainous voice'. It had made more than a few appearances in the bedroom.

Thankfully Spike was able to keep his senses under control as Arimaspi was still processing Sombra's words.

Arimaspi faded out again, reappearing behind the idol.

Spike and Sombra shared a relieved smile, the last-minute ploy seeming to have paid off. At least until Arimaspi grabbed the idol and absorbed it into his body of writhing shadows and miasma. The flow of Arimaspi's unnatural body became much more violent, and the miasma redoubled.

Arimaspi... Relieved of duty?! No...! You never destroy Arimaspi! Arimaspi defeat death! Arimaspi defeat everyone! Arimaspi roared.

"Well, I for one enjoyed your performance." Spike tried to console Sombra as he readied himself for combat.

Spike had no intention of holding back during this fight, Arimaspi being already deceased and confirmed as a minion of Dootha.

With very little warning Spike took in a great volume of air, preparing a blast of fire. This time however it was different. Spike's body began crackling with green electricity, which seemed to be drawn into Spike's maw with the air. The power Spike was giving off was warping the air, distorting Arimaspi's view.

Arimaspi seemed to rethink his previous statement of Spike being of no concern, fading out and reappearing directly in front of Spike.

This was however a grave mistake on the gargantuan specter's part.

With a sound Sombra could only compare to a powerful bass note from one of Lyra's records Spike made his move. Instead of a jet of emerald flames a beam of greenish white-hot plasma shot from Spike's jaws and tore through Arimaspi like a water spigot through a single sheet of tissue paper. The shade was dispersed throughout the immediate area, and his skull fell to the ground.

The massive bone had a hole the size of an oil drum shot through it's right side, the edges of which were burning embers.

The abyss itself took similar damage, the wall missing a straight line as far as the eye could see.

"That... Was so fucking cool. It used way more mana than I would have liked, but I think the results speak for themselves." Spike laughed triumphantly.

When Spike turned to see Sombra he was met with a look of disbelief, and possibly a touch of hostility.

"Can you not feel that? He isn't gone. You seem to have just agitated him. He'll reform himself very soon." Sombra assured Spike.

The shadows which lingered just above the ground like early morning fog began to drift towards the skull. They seemed to lift the injured bone off the ground, spinning a weaving around it in an effort to amass their power again. Before long, the bones hiding in the darkness could be seen reassembling themselves as black and purple shadows and miasma rebuilt their master.

The eye reappeared in the incomplete socket, and a sudden resurgence of miasma began reforming the bone.

Just as Sombra had said, despite the sheer destructive power of Spike's plasma fire Arimaspi was no worse for the wear.

"That's insane. How are we supposed to fight him? I can't scratch or bite a ghost, and I don't know light magic. We can't touch him." Spike exclaimed, feeling quite frazzled.

"Keep your composure. He seems disoriented and not very bright in general. Despite being intangible he was afraid of your attack, as if he forgot his condition. I believe we can get the idol from him and flee if we play it smart." Sombra pointed out.

Spike took a deep breath and tried to calm his nerves. He couldn't bring himself to take his eyes off of Arimaspi, but he was keeping a cooler head at the very least.

"Okay, let's make it happen Cap'n. What do you think we should do?" Spike asked, ready to follow orders.

Sombra wasn't used to being in charge, but he quickly examined their surroundings and tried to form a plan.

"Alright, ignite my sword like in training. Then try and dissuade him with something big. If he forgets he's incorporeal he might try and block or flee. Hopefully we can gauge his reactions and go from there. We must keep away from his attacks. Jay can attest to that." Sombra suggested.

Spike quickly applied the necessary magic to Sombra's sword, his way of agreeing to the plan.

Sombra's sword certainly looked wicked enough once lit, ready to cleave anything and everything in twain. Spike followed Sombra in a charge, Spike scooping up handfuls of rubble with his claws as he ran. He didn't want to touch Arimaspi with his bare claws, and he had yet to try earth magic as an attack.

As soon as there was enough earth to fill Spike's tremendous hands he propelled the gravel-sized bits through Arimaspi's shadowy form like buckshot.

The first handful shot straight through and elicited a pained roar from the phantom beast. The second handful however didn't seem to penetrate the shadowy mass. As with the first attack, the gravel launch seemed to serve no purpose other than to anger the deceased monstrosity.

Sombra's sword was grabbed mid swing, the fire and the impossibly sharp blade going ignored.

It was clear Sombra and Spike were both outmatched, as Spike was caught off guard as well when Arimaspi stretched his arm and grabbed the dragon. For the first time in a great while, Spike found himself being thrown about as if he were still a whelp.

Sombra had dropped his sword as soon as it was clear it would be ineffective. Unfortunately even then he was fated not to escape as Arimaspi grabbed him as well just as soon as his hand was dragon free.

Idol belongs to Gavin... Gavin sends you to steal it back... Gavin's lackeys... Gavin betrayed us... Gavin needs to pay! You pay for Gavin's betrayal!

Arimaspi's broken psyche and ramblings did little to assuage the fear creeping up on Sombra's confidence. The sudden sound of straining metal did even less, as Sombra realized Arimaspi was doing what should have been impossible. Whether it was strength Arimaspi had while alive or part of his unnatural existence it was unclear, but Sombra's sword was breaking.

With a sound that Sombra would never forget, his prized possession shattered into several pieces.

Sombra honestly had no idea which hurt more. The loss of the weapon, the very first gift Spike or anyone had ever given him, or the act of being speared with the end shard of the sword itself. Sombra's vision quickly became a field of red, which soon faded into black.

Everything was going dark. Thoughts, feeling in every part of his body, and even his emotions. Everything was being swallowed up. Sombra's last thought was a fleeting curiosity. Wondering if what he was experiencing was anything like what Spike and Jay had experienced in the abyss.

All there is, is darkness. All I am is darkness.

Author's Note:

Don't hate me yet. Things get better.

I'm releasing this chapter in two halves, one directly after the other. Mostly because I really wanted to use the titles, and to build up some drama. I dunno.

Gilda didn't manage to grab the idol, so Arimaspi didn't wake up BTW.

Even still, updates will continue as usual since I'm counting this one and the one right after as one. So next week will be a Q&A, then the next Friday after that will be a regular chapter. So yeah, without further ado, I'll let you get right to the next bit.

Comments

[Lord Olympius]

Once more unto the breach dear friends.
1. First haha, dirty dancing and silly faces what could be better.
2. They way the Ravens are still alive remind me of the heart thing from once upon a time and something else but I can't put my finger on it.
3. Also can't wait to see flutter's kid.
4. Why did Arimaspi think Spike was sickly, I think that if he was alive he wouldn't have stood a chance against Spike.
5. I love that villain voice one of Spike’s kinks.
6. Shame about the sword, I hope they use the remaining parts to make a new one.