• Published 22nd Sep 2016
  • 1,206 Views, 5 Comments

Shadows - Penmore



Spike is the first friend and number one assistant to the Princess of Friendship. At least, he was, until he gave his life to protect her.

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Sudden Goodbyes

"Twilight, remember when I said I had a surprise for you?."

"Of course I do Spike. You've been pretty secretive for several months now."

"Well, I'm finally done so I thought I'd let you be the first to read it."

"Read it? Wait... you don't mean."

"I wrote a book!

"That's fantastic Spike!" Twilight rushed to hug him only to be stopped as he presented her with a book. "Sorry. Is this it?"

"Yea. Want to read it?"

"Of course I do Spike. What's it about?"

"It's about our adventures together from my perspective."

"That sounds interesting. I've never thought of asking your side of everything at all. I'll definitely give this a read. Do you plan on publishing it at all?"

"Not really but... Twilight! Look out!" the baby dragon rushed towards her.

Twilight watched as she was pushed out of the path of the magic aimed at her. She watched as it hit Spike dead on and throwing him away like a rag doll against the castle's wall. Following the path the bolt had come from she could only see a shadow disappear into the sky from beyond the window.

"Spike!" she yelled rushing towards her number one assistant.

She stopped a few feet from him to see his body completely blackened from the bolt. She edged closer only to see his figure break apart and crumple. The wind picked up the remains; all the while the alicorn could only watch as the last bit of her first and most trusted friend vanished. She stared at the empty spot for what seemed an eternity and collapsed as the realization finally set in. She had lost her someone important in her life for the first time and it was the youngest of them all.


"Ahhh!" The scream came abruptly and echoed through the empty crystal hallways. The moon shone through the thing curtains and filled the room with only enough light to barely make out shapes.

Twilight started to hyperventilate as her screaming died down and looked around only to see herself alone in bed. She had the same nightmare once again; it had been months since the incident and no clues as to who was responsible. A cold sweat started to overtake her as she tried to calm down and the giant double doors to her room opened with a crash against the walls.

"Twilight! Are you ok? What happened? Is it another attack?"

Starlight rushed around the room using her horn to illuminate the entirety of the space. A soft blue light covered everything in seconds and revealed no magical traps or mechanisms lying in wait. She opened the window to check outside only to be wrapped in a magenta field herself and pulled to Twilight's side as the windows were forcefully shut.

"Don't open them!" Twilight shouted as Starlight arrived in her hooves.

"S-Sorry Twilight, I was just checking to see if anything or anyone was hiding."

Twilight seemed to relax and let her go as she put a hoof to her head. "No, I'm sorry Starlight. I just... had a nightmare again."

"The same one again?"

"Yea, I can't get past it."

"I understand Twilight. None of us saw it coming. It's not your fault that it happened."

"...stand..."

"Sorry?"

"I said that you don't understand!"

Starlight shrunk back as her mentor's voice rose.

"No pony understands! He was my best friend! He was there for me from the beginning and now I'm the reason he isn't here anymore! You have no idea how it feels to have someone by your side through all your dark and good times only to have them gone within seconds because of you! So don't tell me that you understand because you sure as hay don't and I'm sick of everpony else telling me that they do!"

"I-I'm sorry..."

Twilight stopped as she saw Starlight shaking underneath her stare. She took several steps back from her apprentice and rubbed her temples trying to calm herself. Starlight stayed still for fear of her mentor's wrath once more.

"No. No. This isn't me. I'm so sorry Starlight. I don't know what came over me. Thank you, for coming to check on me and for staying with me despite my lack of teaching thus far."

"It's ok... Listen, Twilight, I won't say that I understand but I want to understand. I'm by far the least experienced in things like this with friends but I want to be there for you like you are for me. Please, Twilight."

The alicorn looked at Starlight with shock and answered with a warm smile. "You've come so far Starlight." Twilight hugged her apprentice and turned towards the open doorway. "You're right, I need to stop being like this and at least let you know what it is I'm going through. If not for my sake, then at least for Spike's. I've spent way too long being depressed. Now is the time for action and the first step is searching for his killer."

"But we don't have any clue as to who or what could have been responsible."

"There has to be something. The only thing I saw was something flying away but I can't remember what it was for the life of me. It was so sudden that I just..."

"Don't think about it too much Twilight. It's ok."

Twilight shook her head "No, I have to try. Thank you."

"Well, before we go down that dark road maybe some pony saw what or who flew away at the time?"

"I've thought of that before. No pony saw anything. The window faced the outskirts of town so there wasn't any pony on that side of the castle that day."

"Well did anything seem off? Like the day before or any day afterward? You know how they say the criminal always returns to the scene of the crime."

"Maybe... but I kind of blocked everything out except for the funeral. Did you happen to see anyone suspicious?"

"Can't say that I did... wait... let me think."

"What is it?"

"I think I saw someone I've never met before at his funeral. They were in the back row but I know they weren't any pony I've ever met."

"What did they look like?"

"Sorry, I can't remember. It's like my mind is being clouded in fog when I try to remember."

"Clouded in... hold on." Twilight's horn gathered magic and scanned Starlight. She then scanned herself and her expression darkened. "It can't be..."

"What is it Twilight?"

"We've had our minds tampered with, in fact, I think everyone that was at the funeral might have had the same done to them."

"What? But all the other Princesses were there at the funeral as well. What could possibly be strong enough to tamper with their minds as well?"

"I don't know but that makes me worry about the real reason I was targeted. It also doesn't help that there hasn't been another attempt after so long. Especially since I've been practically vulnerable with being depressed for so long."

"That's right. There hasn't been anything for months now. But, this still doesn't give us much of a clue."

"True. But there is someone who can give us a clue. I just never thought I'd ask for their help on something like this."

"Who?"

"Discord."

"Discord?! Twilight are you nuts?!"

"I understand your reaction Starlight but at this point I want to exhaust all my options. I can't just stand by and let his death go unsolved. If it means asking the Lord of Chaos himself a favor then so be it."

"I've been waiting for you to ask Twilight."

The two mares were taken by surprise as the voice rang through the air. They searched the room and found a pair of eyes appearing between them. The eyes soon took their place on the Lord of Chaos' face and he revealed himself to the two.

"Discord. What do you mean you've been waiting?"

"Twilight, I know that we've had our differences in the past but you must understand that I wanted to wait and see if you would recover before offering to help in this endeavor."

"What's the catch?" Starlight asked taking her place next to her mentor.

"Catch?"

"Yea, you say that you've wanted to wait and see if she'd recover but if you truly wanted to help then you'd have shown up sooner instead of waiting for her to ask a favor."

Discord frowned and snapped his fingers. Starlight found herself turned into a doll and in the Draconequus' paw. "I don't like your tone."

"Discord... Please."

He sighed and snapped his fingers once more returning Starlight to her previous position and form. "There is no catch. I was genuinely concerned and waited to see if you wanted my help."

"Why help us?"

"Twilight, despite everything we've been through I still consider you a friend but Spike was one of my closest friends. The fact that he perished before I could even tell him that hurt me beyond compare. Yet, there are things even I cannot go against unless prompted. I'll help you find who did this but you have to promise me something."

"Anything."

"Twilight!"

"If it can uncover as to who is responsible for his death then so be it. What do you want Discord?"

"When you find whoever is responsible, I want you to give them to me."

"Why do you want whoever is responsible?" Starlight asked before Twilight could speak up.

"They've stolen from something from me even I had no idea could have been done. They took my friend and they'll pay price when I've had enough fun."


"Is this the place?" Starlight asked her mentor as the carriage arrived in front of an Inn.

"According to what Discord said. The clue we're looking for is somewhere in this town."

The town in question was far from any place they had ever been. Further than the town Starlight had once enslaved past mountains and through the territories of dragons. They had enlisted the help of Ember, which she gave without hesitation, once informed of their reasons. The town itself was located in a wide open space carved by time in a side of a mountain. The buildings themselves were similarly carved into the stone giant and paths were paved after years of use to make travel easier. It was a hub of trade and yet fairly unknown to most as it required either flying to arrive safely or safe travel through the dragon lands.

"I still don't see why he didn't just teleport us here or why he didn't say more."

"You heard him Starlight. Discord may be Chaos Incarnate but even he has things he can't do. It only brings up the question as to what exactly is stopping him from doing anything himself." Twilight finished checking into the Inn and proceeded to walk upstairs of the rather simplistic Inn.

With all the buildings being carved out of the mountain it made them relatively cool as mid-day approached and warm during the mornings. The furniture were all made of oak and candles were the main source of light. Once they arrived in the room they noticed that the only other things inside besides the beds were a desk and a large table for when meals were taken in the room. The window looked out into the mountain walls; while most would think of it as lacking much of a view, the sun would help in changing their minds as it shone onto the sides and bathed the town in a wondrous soft hue of red and orange.

"Wow. It's beautiful. Right, Twilight?" Starlight tore away from the scenic view only to have her question ignored as the Princess was busy preparing to leave once more. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to search for whatever clue is here."

"Twilight, come on. Can't it wait until tomorrow? We've been in that carriage for the better part of yesterday and today. Let's at least get some proper rest."

"Wait? You want me to wait? After doing nothing for months you want me to just sit back and let whatever possible clue to his death disappear?"

"Fine! Geez, I was just trying to get you relaxed. You've been wound up for far too long thinking about all this."

Twilight stopped just before opening the door and sighed. She turned once more and put her saddle bag and cloak down on the table. "Sorry, you're right. I need to at least think calmly about this or I might miss something important."

"It's ok. I'm just as anxious to find this clue as you are Twilight. I know that Trixie was my first friend ever but Spike was always there for me as well. I just wish I could have told him that and more."

The mares turned away from each other for a moment in recollection of their friend. The room was silent apart from the wind coming through the window and the flames that danced on the candles.

"I'll go get us something to eat. Try to lay down and relax for a while Twilight."

"Okay, I will. Oh, and Starlight?"

"Yea?"

"Thank you. For everything."

Starlight gave her mentor a warm smile before closing the door behind her. Her hoofsteps could be heard faintly as she reached the end of the hall and descended the staircase. Twilight took her advice and fell face first into the bed, which, was surprisingly soft. She sank into the mattress of what could only be described as made of clouds and closed her eyes. The trip had made her a lot more tired than she thought.


"Twilight? Twilight?!"

""Sp-Spike?" She stuttered as she bolted from under the covers of the bed. She turned to her right to find the drake with a look of concern.

"Are you ok? It looked like you were having a nightmare."

What followed was a mixture of elation and fear as the Princess of Friendship teleported next to the baby dragon and caught him in a bone crushing hug. She cried as the drake was trying to break free of the death grip he found himself in.

"Twilight... stop..." Spike croaked as he finally pushed himself away from the crying mare. "What's wrong with you?"

"Oh, Spike. I had the worst nightmare ever. It felt so real, and lasted for so long."

"Oh? What was it about?"

"It... actually, it doesn't matter anymore. It was just a nightmare. Sorry for my overreaction."

"It's alright. How's about I make you some strawberry shortcake for dinner tonight along with some Bell pepper and Daisy salad? Maybe that'll help ease your mind."

"That sounds wonderful Spike."

She watched as he walked away but felt as a dark feeling in the bottom of her gut as he barely got to the door. "Wait!"

"Yes, Twilight?" he asked with his claw on the door handle.

"I'll go with you."

"Alright, breakfast is ready so let's eat that. Oh, and can you make some time for me afterward?"

"Of course I can Spike. Why do you ask?"

"I've got a surprise for you."

Twilight stopped short of reaching the door and drake. "A surprise?" she asked as her body started to tense up.

"Yea. I think you'll love it. It's something I've been working on for months."

"Spike?"

"Hmm?"

"It's not a book is it?"

The baby dragon turned to face her and a gave her a look of complete shock. "How did you know? I never told anyone... Twilight? What's wrong? Twilight?!"

Spike yelled and rushed forward as the alicorn started to hyperventilate and panic. Before he could get a hold of her she started to scream. Twilight screamed like she'd never had before in her life. It was worse than the ones when she had the nightmares. She had been given a moment's peace only for it to be ripped apart in realization of being fake. The scream echoed through the halls and it wasn't until Starlight shook her violently that her eyes opened and she found herself at the Inn.

"Twilight!"

The princess looked at her pupil as she put her hoof to cover her screaming. She took deep breaths and started to calm down. She nodded after given a look from Starlight and the hoof was removed.

"Was it that nightmare again?"

"No, it was different this time. It felt so real and he responded so differently. It was like... like everything was just back to normal."

Starlight just hugged her mentor silently which caught Twilight by surprise. She got over the initial awkward feeling and hugged her back. It lasted for a moment until a knock came at the door. Starlight stepped back immediately and broke the hug leaving Twilight to wonder why she felt even lonelier when she did.

"Come in!" Starlight yelled.

A pony in a white suit and tie came in with a cart of covered plates. He set them down on the table and set dinnerware along with them. He finished by pulling out a bottle of wine and a pitcher of water before standing still. Starlight looked at him for a minute then realized what he was doing so she floated over a couple bits. He left with a bow and the room was once again silent.

"Let's eat. I tried to get something you'd like so maybe that'll help calm you down."

With a nod, Twilight joined her pupil at the table and uncovered the dishes. They spent the time eating and calmly talking about their plans to search the town. Twilight also took the time to explain her dream for which Starlight didn't have much to say.

"So it was the same dream, yet, the conversation was completely different?"

"Yea. I know that dreams aren't really suppose to follow a set path but I've had the same nightmare ever since that day so it made it feel strangely real."

"Maybe you should send a letter to Princess Luna and ask about it. I know you usually take care of things like this yourself but she's the main authority on these kinds of things."

"Maybe you're right. I'll send her a letter after dinner."

"Great. Oh! I almost forgot. I ordered dessert as well. It should..." she was interrupted by a knock at the door and opened it for the same pony to bring in another cart. He left behind a teapot and cups along with a new plate. Starlight once again tipped him and he left with the finished plates.

"What did you order?"

"One of your favorites. Strawberry shortcake." Starlight took off the cover and served each of them a slice along with a cup of chamomile tea.

Starlight watched her mentor take a bit only to be surprised as she took another instantly. She witnessed the supposedly proper alicorn voraciously eat the cake and levitate another as soon as she was done with her current slice.

"Uh... Twilight?"

"It's the same." She responded with her face full of icing.

"What?"

"It's the exact same taste as the ones Spike used to make."

"Maybe it's just a common recipe?"

"No, he made them specifically for me. I can't stand too much sugar so his recipe called for less of it without sacrificing taste. I need to know who made this."

Twilight rushed out of the room and headed downstairs. She ran and ignored Starlight calling for her and the staff trying to stop her from getting into the kitchen. She teleported past ponies that were coming through the double door and found herself in a kitchen that stopped all motion as they looked upon the intruder. It wasn't until a yell came from an office beyond the kitchen that her senses seemed to come back.

"Why aren't any of you idiots cooking? We have guests to take care of in case you haven't realized!"

"Sorry chef!" the cooks yelled as they immediately got back to work.

The office door opened and steps could be heard coming closer. Twilight stayed silent as each step seemed to echo louder in her head and fear seemed to grip her heart.

"Who the fuck thinks they are so important as to barge in my kitchen and stop my cooks from doing their jo..." The voice stopped as he came into view of the cause of the disturbance.

Twilight took a step forward only for the head chef to kneel as soon as she did.

"I apologize for my negligence Princess. I didn't realize it was you. Forgive my rude behavior. Was there something unsatisfactory with your food?"

The chef found himself enveloped in magic and pulled to Twilight who held him in a hug. He remained confused and silent as the situation was something beyond his comprehension.

"Spike..." Was all he heard from her as he tried gather his wits.

Author's Note:

This was an idea I had suddenly. Not much else to say except to check for any blogs I post. I realize I should just use those as far as updates on my time or conflicts.

As always, thank you for taking the time to read my story. Please leave a comment or critique below as any critique helps me grow as a writer. Have a great day!