Regenerate

by Skaltrox Defiance Knight

A Dream?...Nightmare?... or Visions

Darkness. Total utter darkness, that’s what Spike the dragon could make out. He knew straight away that this was nothing more than one of his recurring dreams or more accurately.... nightmares. He had been having these nightmares nearly every night since the events that took place at the Crystal empire just a few weeks ago. After having them near constantly, Spike felt like they were important somehow, mainly because of something else that resided in these nightmares. King Sombra.

Spike wished he would never see that Tyrant again, but yet here he was, in Spike’s thoughts and every time he was muttering or shouting out something. At the moment he was speaking words that were the most common to Spike “My Empire is lost to me, but my body will not follow. I will be creative in making a new one…” The imaginary version of Sombra turned towards Spike ‘this is new’ the young dragon thought. “And you are going to help me with that!” Sombra snarled at Spike. With a giant leap the King came down on the dragon, covering his face with his arms, Spike waited for the worst...which never came. The dragon opened his eyes slowly, groggily, he felt weird inside the pit of his stomach and it wasn’t just hunger. “That was different from the normal ones” Spike mumbled to himself.

“SPIKE! Are you awake yet!?” a voice yelled from downstairs, Spike knew very well who that was. Twilight Sparkle: Princess Celestia’s prized pupil and all round saviour of Equestria, she could freak out over the tiniest things and very easily blow a hole through the Library, she and Spike lived in, if she was that over edge about something. Spike being her personal assistant got the brunt of these outbursts she was known to have and had to help in anyway possible to stop them. But besides her crazy organized ways and outbursts, she was an enjoyable pony to be around and Spike wouldn’t want anyone else to be his honorary sibling.

Getting out of bed, Spike takes a few stretches before yelling out to inform Twilight that he was awake. “Yes Twilight, I’m awake now!” he replied.

A small pause and Twilight had responded “Ok cool, do you want to start breakfast yet? I’m not eager if you are wondering, just thought I’d ask.”

Spike stepped down the stairs and thought of another thing that needed to be explained about Twilight. She never was a great cook. She could do basic things, but when it came to cooking with ovens and stoves, she was as useful as a single torch in a snowstorm.

Spike replied as he entered the kitchen after giving a brisk wave to the lavender unicorn “I might actually start it now. I’m pretty hungry now that you mention breakfast”

Gathering the required ingredients and tools, Spike began to make some simple pancakes. Twilight was busy reading a book (like she does all the time) but she idly asked a light question without breaking contact with her page “Did you sleep well?” Spike’s eyes sprang open wide, any semblance of sleepiness was all but gone now.

“I-I well it wasn’t bad, I guess” he spluttered trying to focus on his pancake flipping. Spike never actually told Twilight he had these nightmares involving King Sombra, he didn’t want to make her worry and make it a big deal when it may just be stray fabricated thoughts from staring at the beast head on. He wondered about asking Princess Luna, but that would be a terrible idea. The lunar princess had the ability to peer into the dreams of others, so he imagined she knew about his strange dreams or maybe she didn’t. Either way, Spike had no intentions to tell anypony...not even his honorary sister.

Twilight didn’t seem to approve with Spike’s response and this time she looked up at him “Did you have a bad dream?”

‘Great, now she is on to me about having a bad dream’ Spike thought “Y-Yeah, nothing too serious though hehe” he laughed hesitantly.

Twilight raised an eyebrow “Mind telling me what it was? I won’t give you a hard time about it” she replied.

Spike was freaking out, he needed to make up a bad dream that she would be fooled by. Or at least related to something he enjoyed greatly that she’d understand. Looking over at his surroundings, he came across a lone piece of topaz. ‘Aha!’ he thought, picking up the gemstone he turned towards Twilight explained his fake bad dream. “My dream was that all the gemstones in Equestria and beyond had vanished completely, without a trace. To put it simply, I was devastated. But now-” he stopped to devour the precious stone, “I find that it was all a dream” he finished, going back to finish making breakfast.

Twilight still felt like Spike wasn’t telling the truth, but she didn’t want to go into a massive discussion first thing in the morning, so she let it slide. She pulled a small warm smile and replied “I’m glad you told me the “truth” Spike”

Spike could only chuckled...very nervously.
======================================================

Spike finished off making breakfast and helped Twilight set the table. Their meals were served and Spike dug into his with gusto. Small chatter was what the two roommates engaged in as they ate their breakfast, Spike dodged any questions that involved his fake dream and King Sombra (which only piqued Twilight’s suspicions). After some time, breakfast was over and done with and Twilight started to go over a checklist. She muttered some things, most likely what she was going to do today, Spike was about to depart for upstairs when Twilight shouted, causing him to freeze in place. “Spike I need you to do a some things for me today. Is that okay?”

Twilight hovered the checklist over to Spike, he took it in his claws and flipped through it. Fortunately it was only two pages and many of the tasks were pretty straightforward and quick to do. Spike drew out a long sigh and gave his answer “Sure Twi”, Twilight gave him a smile in return.

Thank’s Spike, I’m going to be out with Fluttershy for a little awhile and I may not be back home till later. Just so you know, bye” she explained exiting the library.

Spike waved until she left “Ok, seeya then Twilight”

Now alone, Spike went over the list. “Help Rarity with broken window…” the page said “well at least my day is off to a good start” Spike grinned as left the Library for Rarity’s boutique.
=============================================

Spike’s day was eventful to say the least. Helping multiple ponies with problems was annoying, but the praise and thanks for helping out was what Spike cherished.

“Ok last few things on the list. Let’s see…” Spike muttered to himself as he read over the next task. ‘Help AJ remove, quote, pesky Stump preventing a new tree to be planted’ Spike thought ‘AJ needs help with a stump huh? I guess a bit of fire could help with that’ Spike now with a grin placed the checklist back under his arm and sped off for Sweet apple acres.

“Heeya ther Spike!” the farm pony Applejack hollered out to the young dragon.

Spike returned the greeting “Hey AJ, so I’ve been told to help you with removing a stump. Is it?

Applejack nodded, she pointed to a medium sized tree stump, the ground around it had been dug out and the roots were visible. “That sure is right Spike, I could try and hack these here roots off myself, but that probably take forever to do. Do yer think ya could maybe-”

“Burn the roots to charcoal so you can remove the stump all together? No worries” Spike finished off for Applejack.

Spike took a stance by one side of the stump and focusing his breath, he unleashed a stream of green fire directly over the roots, turning them to nothing but burning pieces of coal.

“You’re a lifesaver Spike. Kinda like with the crystal empire and all” Applejack chuckled as she thanked Spike.

“Y-Yeah..hehe” Spike also chuckled but like that morning, nervously. Applejack took notice of this raising an eyebrow.

“Spike can ya just help me move this thing out of the way? Mac is out in the west orchard and I’d hate to trouble him for something like this” Applejack asked.

Spike nodded “Sure”

After a few failed attempts, Spike and AJ were able to remove the stump from the hole it came out of. Wiping some sweat from her head, Applejack took the chance to question Spike’s nervous behaviour at the mention of the Crystal Empire.

“Spike, why did ya seem..shakened by the mention of the Crystal Empire?” Spike tried to splutter a response but AJ stopped him, by raising a hoof “Don’t go lying to me about it either. You can do that with Twi or anypony else, but with me, you need to be nothing but honest.”

Spike sagged his shoulders, he said he wanted to keep this to himself, but now with Aj on his trail, the chances of that staying as it was, were probably lower than dismal. “Can you at least keep it secret?”

Applejack gave him a snort “Spike, I can’t promise you I’ll keep it secret... If it comes up that is, if it doesn’t get mentioned then I won’t tattle.”

Spike smiled “That will have to do. Right, so basically every now and then, maybe three times a week now, I’ve been getting these weird dreams about... King Sombra” Spike explained, pausing before he names the monster that was defeated not very long ago.

Applejack’s eyes widened at the name “King Sombra? What kind of dreams?” Applejack asked with easily readable fascination and fear.

Spike shrugged “Nothing extravagant if you are expecting that. Basically he mutters or yells to himself about not being defeated and that he will never lose his body...weird things like that” Spike answered.

Applejack rubbed her chin “That is weird…” she then gives a semi angry look directed at the dragon “And if I’m correct, Twilight doesn’t know about these dreams?” Spike nodded.

Applejack messed about with her hat for a second, she then gazed off into the distance letting out a deep sigh. “Ok Spike, I’ll keep it secret...for now” she patted Spike on the back “I’m glad you decided to tell me the truth”

Spike was semi relieved to have gotten that secret off his chest, it may of been one pony, but it was a start.

Collecting up the checklist Spike checked off the stump task. Reading over the last few tasks, he gives a big wave to Applejack and leaves to accomplish his next task.
===================================================

“Twilight you home yet!?” Spike shouted out in the dimly lit library late at night. No answer. “Hmm must still be out. Well I’ll just take a light nap until she returns” Spikes says to himself. Lazily, he stumbles into his bed and falls asleep as soon as his head made contact with the pillow.

Once more, Spike was in darkness. His only companion was the vision of King Sombra... but it was... different this time. The King was focused on Spike, like he could see him.

“I can see you. Don’t think I’m oblivious to my surroundings little dragon. These ‘dreams’ you have been having are not dreams.”

Spike was taken aback by King Sombra addressing him directly, ‘This can’t be happening’ Spike thought.

Sombra grinned “Oh but it is”, the King noticed Spike’s freaked out look “Yes I can read your thoughts”

Spike could only mutter a single word “H-How?”

Sombra’s grin turned to a scowl “Did you really think I was defeated that easily!? Did you think I wouldn’t have a backup plan?!” he spat every word, moving closer to Spike.

Spike in turn moved backwards “A small portion of my soul is entwined with yours. I am in your mind and I need your help to release me!”

Author's Note:

Sorry if anything was rushed. I don't have a great deal at the moment to take my time, but I was too eager to publish this and start up the story now.

Comments

[Calcen]

I can see that this story is going to be great. Nice work!

[Skaltrox Defiance Knight]

7913823 Thanks

[Alterend]

You have peeked my interest.

[Skaltrox Defiance Knight]

7915489 I'm glad