Spike, and the Infinite Sadness

Gemstones
Chapter One
By: Lukas

Rain pelted against Spikes amethyst scales, as he reached up to his throat and removed a necklace. Spikes large claws fumbled with his most prized possession, part from sadness and partly due to the size of his claws; as he plucked the heart shaped ruby from it. The great hulking dragon lightly trembled, as he placed the gem Into a Heart shaped socket on the tombstone. Lighting tore through the sky, lighting up the drenched valley, as the writing on the granite marble headstone became visible.

'Here lies Rarity, |Element of |Generosity, Daughter, Sister, Dressmaker, and Friend. - Lived a long, happy life. Two hundred and ten years before she was called to her final resting place.'

Thunder shook the heavens as a scream echoed throughout the dimly lit library, causing a purple coated princess to drop her book. Princess Twilight Sparkle scrambled to get out of bed, and rushed to the sounds of Spikes' cries. "Spike?! Spike! Whats wrong?" She burst through the bedroom door, seeing the large dragon siting on the edge of his bed. Spike had grown considerably in his years in Ponyville. Spike had just turned eighteen a few months back when he had started to have the same dream for weeks now. He stood slightly taller then Big Mac, and he had put on some muscle. Spike was no longer the chubby little dragon, yet in this moment Twilight saw him as any mother would.; small, broken, and afraid. Upon looking at him Twilight knew what had happened, and he wasn't looking too good. The Last few weeks Twilight had noted Spikes lack of appetite, and his sarcastic attitude had faded as well.

"Spike..." Twilight made her way to his side lightly placing her hoof on his back, lightly rubbing it as she spoke. "Was it the same dream again?" only a slight nod came from the dragon next to her, as he tried to calm him self down. "Spike look at me." she spoke softly, as the dragon slowly turned to look her way. she could see the pain he felt through his eyes, she lightly nuzzled him. "It will be just fine, it was all just a dream, but...I believe I need to talk to Luna about this." She slowly kept rubbing his back, her voice full of concern. This wasn't normal, nopony or dragon should have the same dream two weeks straight.

Spike stood slowly. "I-I think I need some air, I need to clear my head" he choked out as he made his way to the door of his room, Twilight was hot on his heels. "You cant go out now, it's two A.M. and it's pouring out there." Twilight lightly stamped her hoof, her voice full of concern. Spike had been crying in his bed moments ago and now he wanted to go on a stormy night stroll? as his adopted mother and friend she wasn't going to have that. Twilight wiggled past him, and blocked off the door. Spike simply grabbed her around the waist and picked her up, lightly wiping his tears away with his other hand. "Twi I will be fine...I just...I just need to clear my head. I will be back soon, but don't wait up." Spike carried her up to her bed and set her down. Twilight felt like she needed to keep him close and safe but he was far to stubborn sometimes and it didn't help he was extremely resistant to her magic now so she couldn't just teleport him to his room any more. "Fine, but if you sneeze even once when you get back you're going to be reorganizing this entire library." Twilight sighed and picked her book back up as climbed back into bed. Subconsciously she knew he was going to be fine, but she just worried about him, and these dreams he kept having. as she watched him leave she noticed the nubs on his back had started protruding more so then before, maybe the dreams were just due to the pain of his wings coming in?

Once outside Spike heaved a heavy sigh as he felt the rain pelt against his scales, just as it had in his nightmares. Taking a few slow shaky steps Spike was soon lost in his thoughts, as he pondered just why he kept having these dreams, he stopped dead in his tracks. 'Rarity', her name rang like a bell inside his head, the mare he had a crush on since the day he, and Twilight had arrived in Ponyville all those many years ago. As Spike grew, so too did his crush on Rarity, as well as the bond between them It was now a full blown love, but he still had yet to open up to her. Everypony in Ponyville knew how he felt, he never tried to hide it, but he was never verbal about it to her or to anypony. Spikes' mind was flooded with fuzzy warm thoughts of his white angel and before he knew it he was on the move again as his feet carried him deep into the mountains outside Ponyville, past the spots where he would hunt for gems with Rarity.

Spike snapped his fingers, as he thought of something to take his mind off everything. Gem hunting! This would also give him an excuse to see Rarity after he collected the spoils from the hunt and share his find. He started digging, his claws perfectly adapted for it. Over the next hour Spike had made countless holes stacking up only the best gems to take back to his number one gem and eating the rest, finding his appetite. Suddenly he pulled his hand back as he felt a sharp pain. Spike carefully puffed out green flames to get a look at what he hit. It looked like a gem, but as he carefully dug around it he noticed it was fused to rock. Spike had never seen a gem like this before. It was as large as the fire ruby he had once given to Rarity, but it had what appeared to be its own light, and warmth! he...he wanted it, Bad. he dug around it and deeper and was able to get into the hole now, putting his foot on the odd rock and griping his prize he pulled with everything he had. breaking the odd gem from the rock, it was warm and seemed to have another gem inside the semi clear body of the crystal.

Spike felt odd, not like when the greed had took hold of him in his youth, it was more like finding this jewel was full of meaning. While it was true it did mean something, he wouldn't truly understand what he had found. not just yet, as a bolt of lightning crashed next to him bringing him back to reality. Spike decided that now was probably a good time to head back home. Taking a look around Spike found him self completely unaware of his surroundings, as lightning decided to strike twice, sending the teen dragon running to the nearest cave for shelter clutching the gem in his claws. He may have been nearly magic proof but, he was certainly not immune to the effects of a lightning bolt. Sitting down in the cave to wait out the storm, Spike was completely unaware of the eyes watching him from further inside the darkness. A few minutes passed before the scales on Spikes' neck began to itch, and he felt as though he were being watched. Slowly turning his head Spike thought he heard a shrill cry from inside the cave, or from out where he had discovered the rare gem he couldn't tell . Lighting flashed across the sky once more drawing his attention outwards from his shelter, he noticed two large shadows, confirming he wasn't alone.

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Twilight was starting to get worried, it had been nearly two hours since Spike had left the castle. She placed the book she was reading up on and researching just what Spikes' dreams could have meant down before marking her page she sat up and got out of bed. Heading down stairs she peered out the window looking for any trace of her brother, she was met with nothing but harsh rain and the sound of a thunder clash. The thunder even shook the tree its self, she lightly jumped back from the window.

"Oh, Spike..." The Princess lightly spoke to her self, worry heavy in her tone, as she moved back to the window. After a moment she decided to take matters into her own Hooves and write a letter to her fellow Princess; Princess Luna then she'd head out to find Spike. Twilight could feel her anxiety building back up. Moving away from the window she lit a nearby candle with her magic, then proceeded to write her letter and send it off before rushing out the front door. Twilight was sure Luna would still be awake at this time of the night, right? She pushed such thoughts from her head, as she quickly cast a light barrier over her to keep her dry from the downpour of rain. Her horn lightly lit casting light as she made her way through Ponyville in search of her dragon brother. However it seemed the Princess of the Night was very much asleep as the letter made it to her.

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The earth seemed to shake as lighting once more struck, this time hitting a tree igniting it almost immediately, knocking Spike off his feet and sending the odd crystal into the dark bowel of the cave. Spike tried to pick him self up off the ground, but alas his snout met with the cold wet ground as he felt the entirety of the cave shake. To his left the blazing tree lit the entrance of the cave, and to his right, deeper in he could see nothing. Spike attempted to stand a second time, this time catching him self as he was shaken down by the immense thunder, noticing rocks around him jump as well.

"What in Celestias' alabaster flanks is going on..." Spike spoke to him self as he finally got to his feet, looking outside of the cave entrance, and then back into the darkness. Then everything was silent, even as lighting continued to light up the cave, there was no thunder. In the flash of lasting light Spike finally realized thunder didn't make him fall. As he stared into a pair of large amber eyes, they were slit and void of feeling. A massive claw reached out from the shadows gripping onto the wall as its claws dug into the solid stone as the dragon pulled its self from the dark. Spike was clearly outmatched, he couldn't even run if he wanted. The dragon in the cave was jet black, and towered over Spike like a castle to a house. It stood slouched using the wall as support to hold its massive weight, but then letting go of the cave wall. Lightning flashed again letting Spike see something very curious, it's under belly was coated in what seemed to be solid topaz as if it grew on the dragon. but quickly Spike was pulled from such thoughts as 'why?' When a roar shook him to the core making rocks fall from the ceiling. The dragons chest started to expand puffing him self out, Spike knew what came next. He may have been fire proof, but the immense heat and power this dragon could likely produce would kill him...slowly. Black flames emitted from the corners of its massive maw, as Spike couldn't move he could only clench his eyes shut hoping for it to end quickly.

"Enough!" a voice boomed as light came from inside the cave, forcing Spike to open his eyes. The pitch black dragon seemed to be forced to swallow its own flames back down as smoke came bellowing from its nostrils, as he came down surprisingly lightly onto its forearms turning to the light. Spike had to pinch himself to believe what he was seeing, but sure enough Luna was walking to the side of this great dragon and stopped what easily could have been Spike's last night.

"Lulu, you're awake..." a oddly smooth and cool voice escaped the Dragons lips, as he turned to face her, lightly moving his head aside."Sorry I must have woken you...but it seems we have an intruder" The dragon turned again facing Spike,but it seemed as if life had returned to his eyes no longer filled with bloodlust. Spike was in total shock, as many questions flooded his reptilian mind.

Dreams and Dragons ( incomplete )

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Spike could not believe what he was seeing, let alone what he just heard. "P-Princess Luna." He choked out after finally coming to his senses, he had noticed this couldn't be an illusion. "What...who's..." he took a moment to breathe before speaking once more. " What's going on? Why are you in this...cave and who is this Dragon?" Spike was baffled, did Luna come because of Twilight? 'Twilight! She must be worried sick!' He thought to himself. 'Wait...did that dragon just call the Princess "Lulu"?' Once again spike was lost in his thoughts not really understanding the situation at hand but being thankful he was alive.

"Spike, Twilight has expressed some deep troubles in a letter about you. That is what had awoken me..." Luna light turned to the dragon. "but that doesn't mean you can roar at the top of your lungs any time you think some possible intruder walks in..." Luna's tone was icy, as was her stare. but she ruffled her wings a bit before walking over to Spike. "maybe you should speak with me about these nightmares that plague your mind so." Now standing beside Spike, she lightly placed her wing around him trying to comfort him as he lightly nudged him and lead him deeper into the dark cave. Walking past the much larger dragon, he only seemed to sigh and puff out some smoke before he slowly turned and fallowed. lightly stopping to pick up the gem that had been slung across the cave floor, and keeping it hidden in between his claws as he moved behind them.

As they entered deeper Spike could no longer see anything in the pitch black, turning around he couldn't even see the hulking monster of Dragon behind them. But he could hear his breathing and claws hitting the stone floor and scraping into the ground. Soon he saw what seemed to be a glimmer of light and as they moved, he noticed it grew in size and brightness. as his eyes adjusted he found himself in a room, a very luxurious room,but noticed he could no longer hear or feel the dragon behind him. 'the entrance of this room must be too small for a dragon of his size.' Spike thought to himself, as Luna motioned to him to sit.

Luna turned to the shadows, speaking. "Topaz, there is no need to sulk in the darkness. I'm not that mad at you." Light clacks could be heard as a Dragon no bigger than Celestia walked into the light on its hind legs. Spike couldn't believe his eyes, here was a spitting image of the huge beast that nearly killed him moments ago. Maybe this was a Different dragon. his scales were midnight blue and his wings seemed to come together at the front of his neck, the curved claw on his wings hooked together making a sort of cape. this seemed to add a bit of Class to the dragon, but his under belly was covered with the amber crystal like the larger one. Spike couldn't help but stare, as he peered closer he noticed that he could see a rather large scar cutting deep and wide under the crystal. spike had heard that gravely wounded Dragons would burn gems and gold into there outer scales to protect there deep scars and soft underbelly's.

Topaz held the gem Spike had fought to dig out, walking past spike he let out a low grumble. "ill be keeping this..." He moved over to a vanity placing the gem next to Luna's crown and necklace. Shortly after he returned with two very large sapphires, lightly tossing one at Spike, without so much as a 'here' or 'catch'. softly chuckling as Spike had to juggle the gem as not to drop it, as Topaz sat down next to Luna. Crunching into his gem, but kept up appearance by eating with his mouth shut. To Spike he seemed odd, and sat a little close to the Princess of the night.

Luna turned to Spike ignoring Topaz, lightly speaking. "Tell us what is troubling you so? What of this nightmare, it must be triggered from something happening resonantly." her eyes were like icy pools, yet they seemed warm and inviting to spike. Luna shifted a bit as if trying to get conferrable, ready to hear Spikes tail of trauma.

Spike took a large bite of the Sapphire, noticing the high quality of it giving Topaz a look of thanks. Then taking a deep breath he finally spoke. "The first time i had this dream was a few weeks ago after my birthday. everything seemed to be perfect, Rarity even was paying more attention to me."

At the Party

Spike couldn't help but enjoy him self as his birthday party was in full swing, he had no idea how Pinkie Pie was able to get DJ PON3 in with Twilight's permission. The Library was a bit crowed and looked like a night club, but what did it matter? He was here with all his friends, and they were having a great time, even Twilight was dancing. As he looked around he noticed Rarity, stunning as ever, but something was a miss. she was off talking to Princess Celestia and Luna, levitating a wine glass. 'Celestia? Luna? When did they get here?' rummaging past a few ponys spike made it over to the trio. "Mother, glade you could make it." spike spoke lightly audible though the constant wubs, hugging Celestia lightly. Celestia wrapped her foreleg around her "son" Celestia had raised Spike until Twilight was old enough to take care of him herself.

"Did you think your mother would miss such an important birthday?" she smiled lightly nuzzling him, after a moment braking there embrace.

Spike lightly rubbed his arm blushing a bit, before turning and hugging Luna to her surprise, but she didn't try to wiggle away. All of this seemed to entice a giggle from his one true goddess behind him. "Rarity, enjoying the party?" Spike noticed a light blush on Rarity's face, she must have had more then the half glass of wine she was levitating.

"But of course, darling. And how could i not be? Pinkie has out done her self, I was just chatting with the princesses." she took a sip of her glass, before moving closer to Spike. "If you'll excuse us princesses i have something to talk to Spike about. " Rarity bowed before walking off. Spike was close behind her, but felt a slight tug on his left arm. turning to see it was enveloped in a golden aura.

"Rarity I hate to intrude but there is something i need to speak with Spike first, then he is all yours." Celestia gave Spike a grin as she pulled on his arm once more, Leading him to the kitchen. Rarity seemed a bit unwilling but nodded and diapered into the crowd. Celestia stopped short of the kitchen as Luna walked up to them.

"Sister, Spike, I'm afraid I have to leave early. I have...Some things I need to over see, Tia do you think you can lower my moon? I feel I may be too tired to do such after tonight's...events" Luna seemed a bit nervous, as Celestia eyed her. but she gave her a sly smile and nodded. "Spike, Happy Birthday. I hope you have a wonderful night." and in a flash of deep blue aura Luna was gone.

Once she was gone Celestia pushed Spike through the door before shutting it behind her. Celestia's mask dropped, the warm motherly smile gone replaced with concern. "Spike." She took a moment, as to collect her thoughts. "I feel that I need to bring some information to light, as it seems your old enough. It would seem that your affections for Rarity have started being returned. As this was at first a simple crush that has blossomed into true love on your part, Rarity is just now seeing it as such. Now if this will turn into a relationship, I do not know. But you need to understand that your lifespan and hers are on much different levels." Celestia took a moment to allow Spike to absorb this information.

Spike knew that he would age much slower and live longer, but not to what extent. He took a stool near by and sat, know knowing that this conversation wasn't going to end well. "So what are you trying to say? That i shouldn't persist her? That i should just walk away and forget her?" he had started ball his claws up into fists, as his discomfort was made apparent.

Celestia moved over to Spike and wrapped her wing around, him and lightly nuzzled the crook of his neck. "No, no, no..." She softly sighed, as she pulled her 'son' closer. "I just wanted to make sure you knew... After thousands of years and a dozen lovers, the pain...it never subsides Spike. Unicorns live around two hundred years, but you- you will live hundreds of thousands." Celestia's voice seemed to brake up and weaken, as she held Spike close.

Spike reached up and lightly ran his claw though her ever flowing mane. "Mom...-" Spike tried to comfort his Mother. "I-I." All words seem to fail Spike. As he slowly realized not just her pain, but the pain he himself would soon feel as every one would soon die in what would be a blink of an eye to Celestaia. Spike steeled him self if only for this moment. "Mother, please its alright I understand. Even if it is just fleeting happiness. Isn't worth it all the same?" He now held Celestia hugging her tightly. "Did you not do the same for the ones you loved, Knowing that they would eventually fall? Would you not do it again? Just for the short blissful happiness?"

Celestia nodded and slowly pulled her self from Spike. "Yes, but its never easy. But I thought you deserved to know and will need to prepare your self for the future." Taking a moment, Celestia turned away from Spike and slowly turned back around as the warmth seemed to return to her. " Now enough of such talk... You have a party to be the life of." she smiled and started to push him out the door with her magic. "And i do believe a white mare was looking to speak with you as well. Ill out shortly... I still have a gift to give."