> Spike's partial death > by Dark Nightshade > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The death > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spike and Rarity were walking down the dimly light tunnel. "Oh, right here!" Rarity said, pointing to part of the wall. Spike started to dig, and after a couple of seconds he struck something hard and shiny. A gem. "Oh, it's perfect!" Rarity squealed. Just like you, Spike thought. Rarity looked back at the wagon that Spike was towing behind him. "Ok, I think that's enough," she said. "And now, for your reward." Spike turned towards Rarity. "Rarity, you don't have to-" his words caught in his throat. Rarity was starting slowly walk towards him, and was doing it sexily. "Um, Rarity, what are you doing?" he asked. "I'm about to give you your reward," Rarity purred before pouncing on him. Spike woke up breathing heavy. Oh, wow, that dream was so realistic, he thought. Twilight started moving. "Spike, are you ok?" she asked. She then started sniffing the air. "Ah, man, did you have another wet dream?" she asked. Spike looked down at his covers and noticed the smell. He sighed. "It appears so," he said. "Sorry." "Don't be. That's supposed to happen," Twilight said. "Although that is the fourth time this week." "Yeah, maybe this is some kind of warning?" Spike suggested. "I doubt it. Is it just the sheets?" Twilight asked. Spike started sniffing around. "Yes. Good," he said. "When do you think this will stop?" "It might not," Twilight said. Suddenly, there was the sound of screaming outside the house. Twilight and Spike looked out the window. "Stay here!" Twilight commanded. "Why?" Spike asked. "Because you could get hurt!" Twilight yelled as she flew out the window. Sorry Twilight, I have to make sure that Rarity is ok, Spike thought as he ran through the door and towards Rarity's house. Up until this point he hadn't known what was attacking, and he hadn't really cared, but now he saw. "Parasprites? Wow, I thought we would have been better defended for them," Spike said aloud. He managed to make it to Rarity's house without getting hurt. He looked at the house and thought Ok, looks like she's safe, but then the screaming started. Ok, maybe not, he thought as a ran into the house. He looked around, wondering where she was, but then there was another scream, and he ran upstairs. He started looking into rooms, hopping to find her. He was starting to lose hope when he found her and Sweetie Bell, cornered by dozens of parasprites, in front of a window. She was wacking at them with a fly swatter, and was doing really good, until Spike noticed some of them carrying a desk over her. She obviously didn't notice, because she wasn't moving. "Rarity, move!" Spike yelled. She didn't hear him, so he did the only thing he could think of. He charged at her and pushed her and Sweetie Bell out of the window. He was about to jump out after them when the parasprites dropped the desk. The pain he felt was brief. When they found his body, the scales where already falling off and the flesh was mostly rotted. Twilight managed to explained that dragons decomposed faster then poines through her tears, and was comforted by her also crying friends. His funeral was quick, and it was obvious that the entire town had liked him, and was going to honer him, if the grave stone, which was a statue of him, was anything to judge by. By pony standards, he definitely died too young, but by dragon standards, it was basically like he had barely just been born. The crowds were starting to thin, and in no time, it was just his closest friends. After about half an hour, they started walking home back to the castle, comforting Twilight all the way. However, it was when they started to walk away when Spike's skeleton started to move. > Spike's respawn > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- He waited until it was dark. He didn't know how he knew, he just did. But when it was, and when he sensed that everyone had gone to sleep, he started to slowly break out of his tomb. Once he got out, he inhaled. Intresting. My smell is both worse and better, Spike thought to himself, then cocked his head. Why was I in there? I can't quite remember. I remember the attacking parasprites, but other then that, nothing. He started scratching his forehead, and saw his arm. He almost screamed, but stopped just in time, so he didn't wake anyone up. What's wrong with my skin? It looks like bone! He looked at his chest. He started breathing heavily. I think I'm actually dead! I can see straight through my chest! I can even see my heart! Wait, why is my heart still here? he wondered. Eh, Twilight probably knows. Plus, if I did die, she might be glad to see me, and probably even the others! He started walking back to the castle, but started thinking How will she react? What if she kicks me out? Nah, she wouldn't kick me out, no matter what I look like. Hopefully I can put on some kind of disguise, maybe not for Twilight, but for other people who might not like seeing me like this. He stopped at the stairs leading up to the castle. He had some momentary doubt, but decided to enter anyway. He opened and closed the door as quietly as possible, and started climbing the stairs to his room. Usually he slept with Twilight, but thought she might not what to wake up to what he currently looked like. He opened the door to his room, entered, closed the door and breathed a sigh of relief. "Is someone there?" a voice asked. Twilight?! What are you doing in my room? he thought. "I know you're there!" she said, a bit louder this time. Suddenly, there was a bright flash of light, and Spike had to cover his eyes. Twilight gasped. "Spike?!?!" she yelled. "How are you still alive?" He could hear the sounds of the other girls waking up and running to his room. "Not yet! Please don't tell them about me being here!" Spike hissed before jumping into the closet. "Twilight! What was that racket?" Rarity asked. Twiligh tore her gaze from the closet. "Um, sorry, just imagining things," she said. "Do you want us to sleep in here with you?" Fluttershy asked. "No, go back to sleep," Twilight said. "Sorry for waking you all up." "Don't be. You just lost Spike! He was like a brother/son to you!" Fluttershy said. "Ok, I know. Just, go back to sleep, I'll be ok," Twilight said. The girls responded with ok's and good night's, and when they were gone, Twilight pulled Spike out of the closet with her magic. "How are you still alive?" she hissed. > Discovery: Part 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "How are you still alive?" Twilight hissed. "Yeah, I was kind of hoping that you would know that," Spike said. "Why would I know?!" asked Twilight. "Because you're smart. Maybe Celestia knows, she's always been way smarter," Spike said. "That is true. Ok, can you still breath fire?" Twilight asked. Spike shrugged and opened a window. "Let's see," Spike said as he inhaled then exhaled. A stream of fire came from his mouth. "Ok, I can. Why?" he asked. Twilight was levitating a quill, some ink and some paper from her room and handed it to Spike. "I need you to write a letter," she said. "Really? I find it odd that the first thing you do when you find out I'm still alive is have me write a letter," Spike said. Twilight smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, but your handwriting is a lot faster then my hornwriting," Twilight said. "I know. I just find it odd," Spike agreed. "Just write," Twilight said. "Ok," Spike said. Twilight started speaking, and Spike started writing. After a few minutes, they were done. Spike breathed his mailfire on it, and sent it to Celestia. "So, when do you think she'll respond?" Spike asked. Suddenly there was a flash of light from the hall and some crashing. "Ow," the voice said. "Wow, she's already here? That was fast," Spike said. Twilight poked her head out of the room. "Celestia! Over here!" Twilight hissed. "Thank you," Celestia said. She walked into the room, and when she saw Spike, she jaw dropped. "Oh, wow, you look hideous," Celestia said. Twilight started giggling. "Really?" Spike said. "Sorry!" Celestia said. "It's ok," Spike sighed. "I know I'm dead, kind of, but I can still feel." "Don't say that!" Twilight said. "Yeah, we can still see that your heart is beating!" said Celestia. Spike paused. "That is surprisingly comforting," Spike said. There was a knock on the door. "I'm sorry to bother you, Twilight, but who are you talking to? That sounded a lot like Spike," Fluttershy called in. "She doesn't know?" Celestia asked. Twilight shook her head. "No one does. We're the only ones that do know," Twilight said. "Was that Celestia?" asked Fluttershy. "Should we let her in?" asked Twilight. "Might as well" Celestia said. Twilight opened the door and pulled Fluttershy in. She saw Spike and was about to scream, but Twilight covered Fluttershy's mouth before she could. "Are you going to scream?" Twilight asked. Fluttershy shook her head. Twilight removed her forehoof. "Spike? You're still alive?" Fluttershy whispered. "Sort of," Spike said. "Ok, so, we need to do some experiments on Spike, and you need to not tell anyone about Spike being alive, ok?" Celestia asked. "Wait, what kind of experiments?" Spike asked. "Yeah, we need to see how and why you're still alive," Celestia said. "I'm not sure if this is a part of dragon biology, so it might have something to do with what happened when Twilight hatched you." "Yeah, it could be that. She released some powerful magic that day," Spike said. "Actually, I could find most of this stuff out without magic or the possibility of hurting Spike," Fluttershy said. "Really?" asked Celestia. "Yes. Just leave Spike with me for a few days and I'll get some of these answers. Just make sure nobody comes, ok?" Fluttershy asked. "I will get answers." > Discovery: Part 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A few days later, Fluttershy had Spike write a letter to Celestia, telling her and Twilight to come to her cottage. "So, what kind of answers do you have?" Celestia asked. "Well, Spike doesn't need to eat or drink, since he has no organs. However, he still has a heart, which still beats, and he still has eyes, so he can still see and emotionally feel. Interestingly, we found out that he has retractable wings, which is pretty cool. Unfortunately, if his bones crack, they might not be able to heal," Fluttershy was saying as Spike walked in. Twilight and Celestia gasped. "Oh, hey Twilight, hey Celestia," he said. "What happened to your eye?!" Twilight shrieked. "Angel Bunny happened," Spike said. "So, Fluttershy's told you about me not needing anything that organs require, right?" Twilight nodded. "Ok, good. Looks like those wet dreams will no longer be a problem," Spike said, causing Celestia and Fluttershy to blush. "Spike! Why don't you show them your wings?" asked Fluttershy. "Ok," Spike said. He hunched over, rolled his shoulders, grunted, and transparent green wings popped out of his shoulder blades. Twilight and Celestia gasped. "Wow. That is so cool looking," Celestia said. "Yeah, I know right? And it's not the only thing!" Spike said. He turned around and lifted up his tail. A few seconds later, sharp spines started jutting out of it. "I can use my tail as a weapon, if needed. I can also activate this cool armor, but it takes too much energy and time, and kind of freaks Fluttershy out. So, what else has happened in town?" Spike asked. "Well, Pinkie has been throwing a massive party to honer you, which is sweet, and Rarity has begun designing clothes that were based off of you," Twilight said. "Wow, really?" Spike asked. "If I could, I would be tearing up right now. I feel kinda guilty about not telling them about still being alive." There was some knocking on the door. "Hey Fluttershy! Are you ok?" Applejack called from the outside. "Ah know you said you didn't want anyone to come to your house n all, but Ah'm starting to get a bit worried since no one has seen you or any of your animals!" Spike gasped and tried to dive under the couch, but his wings, which he had forgotten to retract, kept him from getting under, causing Celestia and Twilight to yell in panic. "What was that? That kinda sounded like Twilight and Celestia," Applejack said, opening the door. "No!" Fluttershy yelled, trying to get the door closed before Applejack could see anything. Unfortunately, she was unsuccessful, and Applejack saw Spike's legs, which was the only thing he had not managed to get under the couch. Applejack gasped. "What was that?" she asked. "Oh, hi Celestia!" "Um, what was what?" Fluttershy asked, sweating furiously. "What were those legs? Those didn't look like any animal you've taken care of!" Applejack said, pointing at the couch. Fluttershy looked at Twilight. Twilight nodded. "Applejack, before we tell you anything, we need to know. Did anyone follow you here?" Twilight asked. Applejack shock her head. "No, everyone else is to busy, either at Pinkie's Goodbye Spike party or helping Rarity with her dresses," Applejack said. "Ok, good. Spike, please get out from under the couch," Twilight said. There was some thumping under the couch, a growl of frustration, and then it rose of the ground, with Spike lifting it with his wings. Applejack gasped, and Twilight and Celestia shrieked. "Wow. These are some strong wings!" Spike said. > Discovery: Part 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Applejack gasped. "S-Spike? Wait, I thought you were dead!" Applejack cried. "I am," Spike said. "Sort of. We're trying to figure out why I'm still alive." "All we really know so far are cool new features Spike now has," FLuttershy said. Applejack nodded, stunned. "How long have you been alive?" Applejack asked. Spike shrugged. "A few days. I'm not sure what day I woke up, but I woke up in the grave, though, and I when I finally got out, it was night," Spike said. "It was the day he was buried," Twilight said. "The first thing he did was come home." "When do you plan on telling the others?" Applejack asked, starting to get over the initial shock. Spike shrugged. "I'm not sure if I'm going to," Spike said. "I don't want to scare them or anything." Applejack raised her eyebrow. "Ah don't think you'll scare them too bad. Besides, Fluttershy knows you're still alive," Applejack said. "Good point, but....I’m scared of how Rarity will act," Spike said, looking at the ground. "Come on, you know she'll still accept you! All that's changed is that you no longer have scales," Applejack said. "Or organs," Fluttershy commented. "Ok, so a lot of things have changed, but that's besides the point. Rarity will still accept you," Applejack said. "So, what happens to me now?" Spike shrugged. "Well, for starters, you can't tell anyone about this, ok?" Spike said. "Other then that, I'm not completely sure. Actually, where am I going to stay?" "Ether here or at the castle," Twilight said. "Where do you want to stay?" "The castle," Spike said. "Not that you cottage isn't nice Fluttershy, but I think I freak out your animals." "So how are we going to get him to the castle?" Applejack asked. "Well, we're going to need a cart, a tarp, and some rope," Twilight said, formulating a plan. It's happening again! I must take back this dragon! What happened last time cannot happen again! Too many deaths! Too much destruction! I must stop this curse, if it can be stopped! an ancient being even older then Celestia herself thought as it felt time ripple, signaling that a major (and majorly destructive) event was coming. Applejack finished tying the tarp down. Twilight's plan was simple: hide Spike in an apple cart with a tarp over him, and take the cart to the Friendship Castle. She was going to have to have Spike fly through his window, which Twilight was going to open. "Ok Spike, you ready?" Applejack asked nervously. "Yeah. Are you?" Spike asked. "Yep," Applejack said. She put the cart puller onto her back and started walking back to the castle. The route that Twilight had chosen would pass by Sugarcube Corner and Carousel Boutique. I wonder if that's a coincidence or not, Applejack thought. Twi might want Spike to see how much he's being appreciated by Pinkie's party and possible the clothes. And if not, Ah think Ah'll try and show him. As she turned a corner, Spike asked "What's that noise?" "That's the party that Pinkie has been throwing in your honer. It's got to be one of the longest she's thrown," Applejack said. "Probably the longest." "How long has it been going?" Spike asked. "It started the day after your funeral," Applejack said. "Wow, that is a long time," Spike said. "What can Ah say? You were likable!" Applejack said as they passed Sugarcube Corner. "Wow, Pinkie doesn't look to good," Spike said. "You're able to see under the tarp?" Applejack asked. "A little bit," Spike said. "So, I'm guessing We're going by Rarity's boutique next, aren't we? Lets get this over with." > Discovery: Part 4 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As the cart continued on its path, Spike began to wonder what Rarity would be like. If Pinkie looked exhausted and worn out by the party, Rarity must look even worse! he thought. "Hey Spike? You may want to take a look outside," Applejack said. Spike peeked thru a little opening in the tarp to see Rarity's boutique. Inside the windows, he could see multiple outfits that looked like him! Some of the outfits were in one color, either purple or green, and others were purple and green, others looked like they may have been made of diamonds, and there was one that looked like armor. Spike was awed. "Wow, Rarity modeled all of these after me?" he asked. "Yep," she said. "And those outfits aren't the only things. There are also costumes of you in there for fillies." "Really? What, is the school doing a play of me?" Spike asked. "Actually, yes," Applejack said. "But there mostly for Nightmare Night." "Ok," Spike said. "Hello Applejack!" called a voice that chilled Spike's metaphorical blood. It was Rarity. The cart stopped. "Oh, hi Rarity!" Applejack said. "Are you doing ok?" Rarity sighed. "Not really," she said. "I still can't believe he's dead. Or that he died saving me and Sweetie Bell." "Yeah, it's unfortunate. Seriously, why don't we have better parasprite defenses?" Applejack asked. "I don't know," Rarity said. "Do you think Spike would approve of the stuff that I'm making after him?" "I think he would," Applejack said. "I think he would approve of most of the stuff here, but there have been mares that have requested dildo's and vibrates that are Spike colored," Rarity said. Spike made a terrified and disgusted face. EW! Mares actually want that? he thought. "Speaking of which, do you still want me to come over tonight?" Applejack asked. "Yes," Rarity said. "Please do." "Ok. Anyway, I have more....stuff that I have to do," Applejack said. "Ok, bye," Rarity said as the cart started moving again. "What's the thing that Rarity wanted you to do with you later?" Spike asked. "Not important," Applejack said. "Besides, it's....adult stuff." "Ok," Spike said. "Are we almost there?" Twilight was waiting by Spikes room window when the cart showed up. The cart stopped under the window, and Applejack started undoing the ropes holding down the tarp. Once she finished undoing the rope, she said something, and then Spike threw the tarp off, ejected his new very powerful wings and started flapping to the window. Once he got up he looked at the window width and then his wing length. He frowned when he saw that his wings where.much longer then the window. What should I do? he thought.Oh! I need to spin! Spike back up a little bit, then charged the window and spun. Fortunately, it work and he got in, but doing it made Twilight make an "eep". "Spike! Was that necessary?" she asked. "Yeah," Spike said as he retracted his wings." The window was too small." "Yeah, that's true, but I still would have liked a warning," Twilight said. "Ok, I'm sorry," Spike said. "So, what happens now?" Twilight grinned. "Now we get to use the training room," Twilight said. "We have a training room?" Spike asked. Twilight nodded. "Follow me," she said. > Discovery: Part 5 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Spike! You can stop ripping up that dummy!" Twilight called from a viewing room. Spike turned around and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. After the first 5, my adrenaline stared to go," he said. Twilight tilted her head. "You can really still get adrenaline?" she asked. Spike nodded. Twilight looked down at her note pad and scribbled something down. "Are you taking notes?" Spike asked. Twilight nodded. "You're the only creature in written history to ever respawn!" she said. "I need to take notes on this!" Spike frowned as he felt the ground slightly shake. "Did you feel that?" he asked. Twilight looked up at him and frowned. "Feel what?" she asked. Spike shrugged. "It felt a bit like a tremor," he said. "When was the last time we had an earthquake?" Twilight frowned. "I'm not sure," she said. The ground shook again, harder this time. "Yeah, I think we're having an earthquake!" Spike exclaimed. "We need to help people get the safety!" Twilight shook her head. "No," Twilight said. "You need to stay here. I need to help people." "Really?" Spike said. "Why?" "Because you're a skeleton!" Twilight said. "Ponies would freak out! Besides, everyone thinks you're dead." "I still want to help," Spike said. "You can help by staying here," Twilight said. "So stay here!" Twilight disappeared in a flash of light. "Aw come on!" Spike yelled. "Really?" Suddenly, her heard soft laughter behind him. He turned around and saw someone hidden in the shadows of the room. "Yes, really," whoever it was said. "You are finally alone." "Who are you?" Spike asked, feeling a little freaked out. "I am someone you should know," the guy said. "I am Death." "You actually exist?" Spike asked, a little shocked. "Of course I exist!" Death said. "How else do you think I was able to make those tremors!" "That was you?" Spike asked. "Yes. Now, your soul should have risen to heaven when you died, but it stayed in your body. Why?" Death asked. "I don't know!" Spike said. "Wait, I was going to go to heaven?" "Yes, but that's not important right now," Death said. "Your friend is an alicorn, correct?" Spike nodded. "But she wasn't born as one," he said. "I know. But, she did manage to hatch you," Death said. "And the she made you age into an adult for a few seconds. I think that is why your soul didn't leave your body when you died." "Really?" Spike asked. "So, are you going to take my soul?" "No, of course not," Death said. "This has all happened before, you know. And as much as I don't like it, I must leave you as you are. But, head my warning! You are not the first! And beware! Bad things will be happening soon!" And in a sudden flags of light, Death disappeared, even though he had never step out of the shadows. "Wow, I should probably tell Twilight about this," Spike muttered to himself. > Discovery: part 6 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spike jumped when Twilight appeared again. Twilight sighed. "Apparently, those tremors were only around the castle," she said. "Something strange is happening." "You can say that again," Spike said. "I just met Death!" Twilight frowned. "Of course you have," she said. "You died." Spike shook his head. "No, I mean Death himself," he said. "The physical embodiment of death!" Twilight gasped. "He has a physical form?" she asked. Spike nodded. "He's a skeleton, like me," he said. "But much taller, and he wears a cloak. And get this: I'm not the first creature to respawn!" Twilight gasped. "There where others before you?" she asked. Spike nodded and Twilight clopped her hooves together in excitement. "Who where they?" "I don't know," Spike said. "All I know is that I'm not the first." Twilight nodded. "This is good to know," she said. "But will you see him again?" Spike shrugged. "Maybe," he said. "He didn't say anything about meeting again." "Dang," Twilight said. "But if he met you once, then it will probably happen again." "Maybe," Spike said. "But he also said how something bad was happening soon. I don't know what, but something bad is happening." "I have to tell the princesses this," Twilight said, then disappeared. Spike sighed. "This is happening really quickly," he said. "I forgot to tell you something," he heard someone say. Spike yelled and turned around to see Death again. "What?" Spike asked. "I forgot to tell you what exactly it was that you where facing," Death said. "Now that you've respawned, there are ponies that know. Bad ponies. Ponies that have escaped my clutches for thousands of years. They will try to take the source of your life-" Death pointed at Spike's heart-"And use that to raise an undead army. You must stop them." Then there was another flash of bright light as Twilight reappeared. "Well, Celestia and Luna now know about Dea......" Twilight trailed off as she relized who was standing next to Spike. Then she screamed. Death sighed. "Twilight, it's ok!" Spike managed to yelled over Twilight's screams. "He's not going to collect anyponies souls!" Twilight stared at Spike, then stared at Death, then Spike, then Death. "Really?" she asked. Death nodded. "Don't worry, the only pony who's soul is soon going to be collected soon is in a few months anyway," Death said. "Now, go get Celestia and Luna, because I'm going to need to explain what I just explained to Spike, and I don't want to explain what I just did multiple times." Twilight nodded. > Discovery: part 7 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Death spent the next hour explaining things to Princess Celestia, Luna and Twilight. "And these villains are after Spike's heart?" Celestia asked (again). Death sighed. "Yes," he said. "And that's because something, or somepony, " Death glanced at Twilight, "Supercharged his heart." "And you think that this was Twilight?" Luna asked. "Of course," Death said. "Celestia was there when Twilight hatched him." He turned to Celestia. "You saw what she did to him!" Celestia frowned. "I know, but I didn't think that there was anything wrong with him!" she said. Death opened his mouth to say something, but Celestia beet him to it. "And I know what your thinking, but I was told that he was fine. That's why Twilight wasn't allowed to see Spike for a few weeks." "I remember that," Twilight said. "I was worried that I had messed something up and wasn't able to get into Celestia's School for Gifted Unicors." Luna snickered. "Really?" she asked. "Even back then you were concerned about getting good grades and whatnot?" Twilight lightly blushed. "Well, getting good grades is important!" she said. "It helped get me and my friends out of some tricky situations." Luna put up a hoof. "I know Twilight," she said. "I was jesting. I know how important good grades are." "Can we get back to the subject on hand?" Celestia asked. "This is fairly important." "Thank you," Death said. "Now, to get Spike's heart, these villains will be using minions, of course, but they don't have the powers that Spike has. These minions are also skeletons, but most are very weak, and can fall apart with a kick to the chest. You can also use your fire breath, which has increased power in your skeletal state. You also now have a couple of new breath powers that you can use. Your Death Breath, which can kill, or re-kill, anypony it touches. You also have Animate Breath, which will temporarily reanimate any dead bodies you use it on. I will help you practice these new abilities, and you three," Death indicated Celestia, Luna and Twilight, "Will probably want to watch and take notes on these. It might come in handy later."