> A new life > by Gamel_Lightshow > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Hooves and Hearts; Hearts and Hooves > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The days have come and gone with seconds becoming minutes, the minutes into hours, the hours into days, the days into weeks, months, and finally years. Time never ceased moving forward as the life of every creature big or small continues ever onward. Sure there have been a few hiccups here and there in this wonderful world of Eqeuestria, but the one thing that hasn't been changed is the path that Spike and Twilight have taken together one hoof and claw step at a time as their little fruit of their labor grows bigger and stronger with each breath and ever new knowledge gained. Her destiny will shine brighter than all others. And speaking of such fruit, it's about time she got up so she doesn't bet late for school. Now arise Spike. Spike's eyes crack open slowly as he feels his bio-metrical clock tell him to awaken from slumber in order to complete his daily tasks. The first being of waking his loving and caring wife, Twilight Sparkle, from her all too restful slumber. The drool from the corner of her mouth as she squeezes Spike's soft scaled body against hers proves this all too much that someone is enjoying their dream all too much. Spike can only chuckles as he leans over her and places a kiss on her snout before shaking her body purple furred body lightly while rubbing her side. "It's time to wake up Twilight." Spike says in a whisper finding himself unconsciously smiling at his wife, "You gotta wake up our special girl before breakfast is ready remember." Twilight lets out a grumble of something incoherent as she presses her body closer against spike's own. Spike lets out a blissful sigh looking down at Twilight's happy drooling face. He chuckles and starts shaking her ever so slightly harder while leaning down closer to her ear drooped ear that's catching a slight ray of sunlight. "Princess Celestia is down stairs waiting for a report on our child~" Spike says his smile getting bigger as he talks. Twilight's eyes shoot open faster than a speeding rocket as she flings herself from the bed in a array of erratic motions. Her hooves hit the floor and soon her muzzle follows as she trips over herself and the blue purple sheets that done the bed before sliding across the floor slightly in a heap of a mess. She groans and untangles herself while Spike, with a more than pleased smile and chuckle, watches as his wife frantically go around collecting this and that that the Princess may call for. If there was a Princess of course. "Spike! Why didn't you tell me before that Celestia was coming down here! I would've been up earlier! Come on get out of bed we need to make sure that Wishful Volcano is up and ready for the Princess!" Twilight yells levitating the sheets back onto the bed as well as clothes their little girl and possibly herself with the way she's looking at herself in the mirror, "We need to shower and clean Wishful because you know how she can get with water when it touches her scales." Spike can only chuckle at Twilight's antics as he climbs out of the bed himself. He can't help but marvel at how eager she gets when it comes to A. The princess, and B. Their daughter. When the two are combined, she seems unstoppable and incoherent. Of course she's completely right about Wishful with water... "Twilight, calm down. Princess Celestia isn't downstairs, but you should probably go wake up our daughter for school. You wouldn't want her to be tardy would you?" Spike asks raising his eyebrow at a now stock still Twilight. She glares at Spike as he exits out of the room with a smile on his face before sighing. Despite how he's gotten a lot more... "masculine" she just can't help but to forgive her lover and the father to her daughter. She knows no matter what he does or says, he means well and would never wish harm upon the family in anyway. She looks to the calendar they have hanging on the wall besides the window and smiles. Today just effectively became even more special upon looking upon the date. "Heartshaped Pancakes!" Twilight yells leaving out of the room soon after Spike. Spike can only smile as his eyes scan over the card in front of him from his loving daughter. She has just came home from school with a card in her mouth the shape of a heart all covered in pretty colours and glitter. And on the front is a picture of her, Twilight, and Spike all holding hooves and paws with hearts around them. Of course its crudely made being a young filly dragonling, but its the thought that truly counts. And the thought here is the thought of familial love. Love that can not be topped by any other. "Come here sweety!" Spike exclaims sweeping his daughter into his arms and close to his chest. The little bundle of love giggles happily burying her muzzle snout into his neck and chest while latching on with her front paws. This amalgamation of love between a pony and dragon is Spike's pride and joy as he rubs her back slowly bring her further into the home fromt he front door where they had been standing. Upon sitting on the couch she hops off of him and lays beside her father her body glowing a light purple as the door closes. "So how was your day daddy?" She ask eagerness sparkling in her eyes. "Pretty well. Momma ended up going out with her friends today on another adventure, but I'm sure when she gets back she'll tell you allll about it." Spike says ruffling her shiny purple mane. "Yay! I hope she brings me something back with her." She says beaming a smile up at him. "Oh I'm sure she will. You know how Twilight is. Her little daughter comes first." Spike says looking towards the door with a smile. > Hopping into the rhythm! > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Come on now Wishful Volcano its perfectly fine. Spike has worn it before and I promise you he liked it very much." Twilight Sparkle says magic clutching a very white and pink suit while trying to corner her daughter like a lion on prey, "I'm sure you'll enjoy wearing it too." As Wishful Volcano's flank bumbs into the corner of the room her eyes flick up fear beaming from them. Her eyes stare into Twilight's hunger filled ones. A brief moment of no movement passes before Twilight leaps a twinkle in her eyes. Wishful takes the opportunity to dash away underneath her mother as said mother collides muzzle first into the wall just behind her. Twilight groans as she slides down to the floor still clutching the furry suit in her magic above her head. Wishful giggles in girlish delight before slamming the side of face into something harder than the all natural wooden walls of the room. She slowly looks up to see Spike looking over the scene slowly. Twilight turns back hunger still in her eyes, but after seeing Spike her eyes go as big as saucers before the suit disappears and a sheepish smile appears across her muzzle. "Oh h-h-hey Spike!" Twilight stammers slowly rising from the floor. "Hey Twi... What are you two doing?" "Mommy is trying to-!" Is all Volcano can get out before her mouth is closed by a familiar purple glow. "Haha me and Wishful were just playing tag when I jumped a little too far to uh catch her is all." Twilight quickly stammers out while walking up to her husband batting her eyes innocently. "... You know you're not a great lier right?" Spike says leaning down and planting a kiss on her snot while picking Wishful up in his claws, "Now before you terrorize our girl anymore, I'm a take her down stairs so she can get ready for the contest." Twilight's ears flop down and she kicks her hoof brushing up some dust in the process. Spike rolls his eyes and exits from the room. Twilight conjures the suit back up and holds it in her hooves. A bunny suit made of white and pink cloth ready for her filly to fill its space. She clutches it in her hooves and smiles deviloushly. "You WILL be mine..." Twilight says staring at the closed door. Spike's right eye twitches at the scene before him. He can't really recall everything that led up to this point, but it has certainly been quite... something. Is there even a word for how he feels as of right now? Probably, but thinking about that would be pretty redundant since he should be putting his thinking process into what he's looking at. The scene before him is a fluffy tailed Twilight bunny rabbit. How can he tell the cute little critter is Twilight? Well the streaks of purple and violet as well as the horn poking from the top of its head is a pretty hard cue. On top of that, there's also the sheepish look that Twilight gets whenever she gets caught in the act of something. If that wasn't enough, there's a open book about transformation right on the table right behind the Twibbit. "Twibbit..." Spike says a slow smiling spreading across his face, "I'll keep that one." > Of Love and Hate > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "What's that you got there?" A happy Cherilee speaks out looking over one of the many shoulders of her student all strewn about the classroom in different sorts of activities. Wishful Volcano and her filly mate who's been one of her few friends since the beginning, Seaful Gaze, quickly turn to the voice of Cherilee mirth in their eyes and giggles bubbling out like an overheating pot of cabbage stew. Wishful is the first to respond to Cherilee's question as she produces forth an item of her care and patience. "It's a present for Mama! I just hope she likes it..." She says bringing the item closer to her suddenly becoming shy and bashful about her creation while Seaful consoles her. "Come on Wishful! You're Mama will love! Especially since it came from you." Seaful quickly says changing half her body into Twilight's, "She'll be all like, Oh my darling Wishful! You are the sparkle in my eye!" Wishful and Cherilee chuckle as Seaful turns back into her regular half-ling self which is that of a regular filly with dark green eyes, a sea foam green mane and tail, and a coat of light black scales. Seaful then throws an arm around Wishful's shoulder and points up at the ceiling, "I bet even Celestia and Luna will be all like, we wish Wishful could make us something as great as that." "Yeah right. Maybe so they could show off how bad of a crafts pony you are." A snide comment comes in breaking through Wishful's thinking and daydream causing it to crash around her with the sound of glass. The snide comment coming from one of the three foals close by. The main one being in the middle with a vicious grin plastered on her face. Her raspberry coat and well done pink and red mane give her fiery attitude an even bigger edge. Her name is Heart Clover, but most ponies just call her Clover. She's a regular old Earth ponies who's parents have taught her that the cross breeding of races is wrong and unforgivable. There are so many close minded ponies these days that it really has upset a lot of things in Equestria. Celestia, Luna, and Twilight have been doing their best to calm the fire that has been rising in the hearts and mind of every pony. They've been trying to usher in this era of peace with the changelings, but every pony can't get over their fears quite easily. "Now Clover! That is not nice! And if you keep being mean I'm going to have to revoke your privileges." Cherilee says giving the filly a very stern glare while the lackeys chuckle behind her. "Sorry, Cherilee. I was just trying to make them be more realistic." Clover says moving away from the two fillies who have their gazes downcast. Its always been a problem with these fillies. Between the fighting, bullying, and harassment of words, things don't seem to change no matter how much she punishes either side. For she knows Wishful is very impulsive with the taunting of others. Cherilee has had to sit down with both sides parents and have a better insight on what they get from their parents. It's easy to say that Wishful's impulsive attitude comes from Twilight. "Why are they always so mean?" Seaful asks looking up at Cherilee, "I didn't want to be born this way, but I have. Mom and Dad are always getting hateful words whenever they're together sometimes. I thought ponies were supposed to be accepting of others?" "Well, Seaful. A lot of ponies are accepting of others that are like them. And because your mother is in love with your father, they don't see her like them anymore. But one day all of this will be over and every pony, a Changeling or not, will be able to be happy and loving of one another. You just have to stay strong for me okay?" Cherilee says lifting up her little pony's head. "Alright my little ponies!" Cherilee says moving away from the two, "It's time for recess!" The bell rings noisily signaling to those inside and out that another school day has just passed. Foals begin filing out of the building bumping into one another playfully while discussing homework and the prospect of fun activities planned or otherwise. Most speak of venturing to the park after stopping by home for some four square and tetherball. Other speak of visiting the local librarian for magic lessons and the prospect of being read the next book of the latest adventure series known as Perry Johnson. Yet the school house is far from quiet as arguments can be heard not far away from the door leading into Cherilee's office. Inside sits four important figures that have a foal attending this school. And each has their own quarrel with the other. "I do not see what you're getting at," Twilight says glaring at the parents of a certain spoiled Clover, "It is fine if it is us, adults, talking about this in a respectful manner, but to teach these foals to hate and discriminate like your daughter does? That's just down right nasty!" Spike nods his head watching the stallion who is simply sitting passively while the mare at his side grinds her teeth slightly in annoyance. Spike knows that they'll watch their tongues in Twilight presence due to the fact of how much power she has in the sway of things around Ponyville being Celestia's student and all as well as helping a lot of the unicorn fillies and colts learn and gain better control of magic. Being the controller of the element of magic is a bonus as well. "Because it all starts with the children, Twilight. If the children learn what's wrong, they'll know what to avoid in the future." The stallion says matter of factly. "But this is not something to avoid! We should be teaching them to embrace this change! These will be a whole new era of peace that none have seen before. Even right now my friends are off towards the dragon king to speak with him." Twilight pleads forth hoping to reach through to a more common sense side of the stallion. "Now Twilight. Even more dragons, like Spike here, come than that just means, even more, halfbreeds will have to take sides if a war were to break out between us and them. We have a long history with all the different nominations of our beautiful world, and I just don't see a reason to try to make it longer. It'll hurt the economy more than anything trying to reconfigure rates of sell and transfer value." Spike's eyes slant towards him as low growl emanates from his throat, "You're just in it for the money..." "Money is power. I thought Twilight would be smart of enough to teach her pet that." "How dare you!" Twilight yells shooting to her hooves anger apparent on her face. "Indeed." Cherilee says quickly intervening getting in between Twilight and the target of her hate, "Both of you have very good points and I don't need to remind you that your foal's future is at stake here if they can't reconcile past this. I know I should teach you how to raise them, but you got to understand that these kids are too young to be thinking about these sort of things. Now Mr. Diamond I would like to ask you to leave and please with your wife so I can speak to Twilight and Spike one on one." Diamond nods his head and leads his wife out of the somewhat cramped office leaving the three older members alone with each other. Cherilee sighs as she sits back down rubbing a hoof against her temple. "I don't know why ponies like that come here to disturb our peaceful town," Twilight says with a humph sitting down here mane having flickers of fire. Spike quickly begins to stroke her back and kisses her forehead, "It's okay honey. We'll deal with whatever they try to do together. After all, Wishful is bound to do something great one day. I just know it." Twilight smiles and nods her head nuzzling Spike. Cherilee coughs to regain their attention before smiling sweetly, "Yes. It can be problematic on the foals if more stallions like Mr. Diamond were to come and invade so to say. But I do have a solution if you would like to hear me out. At least for short term." "I'm all ears," Twilight says. "I'm sorry." Wishful says quietly as the door to the library closes behind Spike the last to enter. "It's not your fault Wishful." Twilight says nuzzling her joy. "But.... But I really hurt her... I didn't mean to. I-I...." Wishful's eyes fill with tears as she clutches on to Twilight as she begins to violently sob into her coat. Twilgith sits down and holds her daughter close while Spike watches on unsure of what to do. He's never been put in a situation like this and he knows neither has Twilight. The idea Cherilee has could both hinder and help everypony. Though in the end, only time will tell whether the world can accept this new vision of love or come to hate it. > The Flames of Hate May Never Be Quenched > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spike can only stare with hatred at the scene unfolding before him. Everything used to be so calm, and now this just had to up and happen. Though he supposes it was eventually inevitable, it would have been nice if it would never happen in the first place. People so filled with hate that they feel they have to take unnecessary actions in order to make sure that their hate is justified and understood. But this? This was just sick and demented. He's not sure what type of sick demented mind would do such a cruel thing to creatures that are so much like them. He can understand being scared and angry at those that have attacked you before and now your allies for a while, but up and just doing this because of your own bias on creatures that want to change and help? That's just cruel! To earn someone's trust and just turn around to spit on it in front of their eyes. A growl emits from Spike's throat as his anger rises his eyes turning to Ponyville. He's not sure who had done this, but he was going to make sure to find out who and make them pay. This is now more than hate. They're trying to terrorize the creatures of the town and make sure they understand that their lives mean nothing. No. More than nothing. That they're nothing but livestock for the slaughter. Spike thinks enough is enough. It's time to take action and he already knows what his first move should be. He moves closer to the tree and begins to climb its truck to the first set of branches where a rope hangs with the lifeless body of changelings attached to the end. He uses his claws to cut each and every one of them down from the tree before beginning to dig a grave for each and every one of them nearby. This was all he could do. Mourn the dead and alert Twilight and others of what has transpired here. He turns to see the sign before him nailed to the tree. Your lives or theirs. Pick a side. He rips the side down and engulfs with a small burst of fire from his mouth. He turns to the graves and gives a silent prayer for their souls to have a safe trip into paradise. The crackles of the flame behind them grow louder as more fuel is added while people punch, kick, and tackle one another. Spike picks up one of the ponies wearing brightly colored clothes the supremacists wear. He tries his best to break free from the grasp of the dragon, but he lacks the strength as he's thrown down the road rolling and popping in the air a few times. Nearby, Twilight is holding back spells of unicorns with a shield worked on together with Cadence a few years back. She turns with tears in her eyes towards Spike. "Why? Why are they doing this?" Spike moves towards Twilight the fighting loud and in full motions around them, "It's because they're one track minded Twilight. You know how that is. You've seen it happen to me when I started to fall to greed. They've fallen to their hate." "But the changelings and their children are good! There's no reason to hate!" Twilight yells back. "There will always be a reason to hate. Years down the road, it may be forgotten the first reason of why the hate started, but the hate will always be there. Just like the tension of the Griffins and the Ponies." "But that's different. This is more of in fighting." Spike sighs and looks back over the sea of ponies and changelings fighting one another. Spike stands up and looks down at her. "But I will be here with you until the end Twilight. For you and our child. I will never allow anything to harm you or our child." "I just wish Celestia and Luna were here..." The embers illuminate the light as ponies sit together holding one another, crying, and whispering to their families and kids. Spike stands at the back of the ground his right eye covered by a clean wrap of cloth. Beside him, Twilight lies the fur under her eyes matted down by tears and their child asleep in Spike's arm. He continues to stroke her mane watching over the crowd silently as everyone mourns in their different ways. Zecora had come once the fighting was calming down with medicine to help the mind and body. Another reason why branching is good. The attackers fled town out into the plains east of the town. To where, no pony really knows. And nobody knows when they will be back either. All they can simply do is try to move on while living in fear and worry at the possible idea that another attack like this may come again. Blood, tears, and sweat have been shed today. Along with those dreams, hope, and lives have been shattered and lost. Their numbers will increase as like-minded people seem to always come together. > Even in the dark there is light. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spikes tucks away his bundle of joy and lays a kiss upon her head. It's been several months since the incident of Ponyville, now known as a day of remembrance, yet the night still hangs heavy on his mind. He's worked hard for a good life for Wishful Volcano. The creatures around him try his patience sometimes, but he knows its all for her and her mother. Spike creeps out of the room and down the stairwell to the living room below. After crossing the foyer, he moves into the kitchen jumping as Zacora closes one of the cabinets above the stove. "As awake as ever I see. Tell me, what causes you to be? Is not your lover waiting? Best not keep her long while the night is fading." Spike says nothing as he looks up the stairs to where not only his child but his wonderful mare are. He knows he should be with Twilight yet something has been nagging at him this past couple of days. School is going fine, their friends have been by to visit from time to time, and they've managed to get jobs to keep them afloat and then some. Yet for some reason, he can't help but have a feeling of anxiousness. "I could ask you the same, Zecora. Shouldn't you be asleep by now? I know you're not as young as you used to be." Spike sits at the kitchen table watching as the Zebra prepares and brews herself a kettle of tea using various ingredients gathered and bought from various places around town. "Speaking of age will put a mare to shame. Have you no tact you merciless gnat " Zacora says with playfulness I'm her voice. "Sorry! Sorry. It's just... I feel... Odd. I feel like there should be something more. Something I'm missing. Something I've overlooked. Ever since Wishful was born and Twilight's injury, I've been scared. More scared than I've been in years, Zecora. And... I don't know what to do. And it might just be eating away at me." Spike says staring at the wooden table and his own hands. "The power you seek comes with a price. And the consequences it begets are never nice. Too much of one thing can be a undo much you have brought. But is it worth it to be consumed by those thoughts?" "No... No, I guess you're right. " Spike looks up as Zacora places a cup upon the table before him. The steam of the tea rises into the air and his nose is filled with a pleasant smell. "Be calm, young drake. For you have much left before your fate." Zecora says before pouring her own and joining him at the table. Spike nods once before drinking away at his cup, "Thank you." Zecora gives a smile and nod before the drake makes his way to his lover's side. (Week later) Spikes pushes the Minotaur back and ducks at the erratic punch at his face. The two move about one another, eyes locked. A feint and a swipe low causes the Minotaur to misstep. The drake pushes his advantage and lands a blow into the stomach of the other. The larger creature grunts pain but doesn't give up. He staggers for a moment, but that moment is all Spike needed. Another fist follows up from the first to land against the bovine's jaw casting him into the air and on his back moments later. The bell rings and the ref comes forward counting. The drake backs away breathing heavily while hitting his gloved hands together. The cheers of those around him are quiet compared to the beating of his own heart. "He's out!" The Pegasus stallion ref yells flying over to Spike and raising his more dominate arm into the air, "Winner of tonight is Dragon of the South!". The crowd grows louder and feverish as the drake drops his head to bask in the glory. Within this moment of everything, he feels a burning passion within his soul. As if everything about the world is right. He knows when he passes through the locker room, after getting checked up, and finally getting talked at, he'll have to change his form once more. From Spike the fighter to Spike the loving father to Wishful Volcano and husband of Twilight Sparkle. The two may be the same person, but the two may never blend. He has to be strong, yet gentle. It's almost necessary for him to remain strong for everyone. Many, like himself, have become symbols of change. And some wish to see that change put down. Those same creatures never consider what their actions will bring. How it will warp and change the world despite trying to fight the change. Foolish and brash until they destroy themselves. "What. Did. You. Just. Say." It wasn't much of a question, but more of a statement. "Y-you're daughter has gone missing. We tracked down one of the key suspects in this event and we are doing everything to track her down as well as all the other children they've taken. It seems that only mix blooded children were taken so we are labeling this down as a species crime." Spike's grip breaks through the table and Twilight is quick to nuzzle him. Tears mat the tuff underneath her eyes and further beyond the room her friends, angry and saddened, question what they should do. After all, Dragons are known to be volatile in extreme situations. The nervously shifting bubble gum and lavender Unicorn across from him don't help either. "What do you know." "W-w-we can't discl-" "Shut up. Tell me everything. Or I swear to Celestia I will walk my way into his cell and get them myself. And we both know what would happen." Spike says glaring down every officer in the room. The lone griffon in the room clears his throat and moves to stand beside his fellow officer. The griffon in question is the chief of the police force. He now sees fit to put in his own two bits before things start to get out of claws. "I understand how you feel. My daughter was taken. Your opponent's son from last night was taken. Not only that, but his wife was killed protecting their daughter. Everyone has lost something within the last few hours. And that's not even the most recent report. I'll be dammed if I let this turn into any more of a tragedy. If you see anything. Anything at all. Tell us. Delay them if possible. Watch your wife. These bastards have gone too far and are going after the children now. And if I fail. I'll let you and everyone else in this town do what they like against me. I'll take all that anger and sadness. Then I will step down from the police chief because I wouldn't be deserving of such a title anymore. " The Dragon and the Griffon hold eyes. They look into each other's very soul. And then they nod. > Chapter 6 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Several days have gone by since the night forever known as the Children Plague. That cursed day when children all across Equis went missing. Reports came filing in from every town, village, and privately owned villas. Nowhere was safe from these wretched villains. This only further increased the problem of mixed breeding as the majority of the ones taken were of such. Wishful Volcano and all of her friends were taken beneath the nose of those that would've been watching and caring for them. Twilight still mentally berates herself for losing their daughter and it has taken its toll on her mental and physical health. The same could be said for all the other element bearers as well as Luna and Celestia. These actions have also brought about riots and public fighting. Creatures on both sides of the political scope have come to blame each other for the events that have transpired. One side demands the other to give up the kids so they can return to their homes while the other insists that they give up this charade of having lost their children to pretend predators. Caught in between it all are those that are suffering from both issues. Parents wondering and worrying their lives away. Parents who have taken it upon themselves to hunt down the villains who have dared to enter their lives. And the vigilantes and heroes that truly wish for a happy ending. But this is no their story. Their story takes place far beyond the current one. Whether they find a happy ending is beyond the scope of this. For currently, Spike has found something that could break everything apart. Spike folds the letter in half before laying it on the nightstand beside him. To his right lays his wife, Twilight Sparkle, who, once again, has woken him up after being racked and ravaged by nightmares and visions of their daughter. His claw continues to stroke her body even after her body has fallen into calm sleep once more. These episodes have only gotten worse since the latest information passed onto their family. The police force managed to get a hold of some critical information after a drug bust. It turned out one of the Griffins they were taking their products to wasn't prepared to be caught. Upon seizing him they found a hoard of some very unpleasant discoveries locked away beneath his home. Bodies were checked, families were called, and many began to dread where their children were at this very moment. From there, the searches and busts only grew bigger. Next came something no one was expecting. Tapes were delivered to each home of the victims. The content of the tapes varied from creature to creature. Some got the voices of their children calling out for their parents, some screaming out in pain, other begging to be released, others can't even be talked about. The main thing they all had in common was the voice giving the parents and officers an option. To those whose thoughts remain on the remaining children in the waking world, you can have them. But only if you can afford them. We'll be in close contact with you when we decide to auction off your child. And to the police officers who will most likely see these tapes, give up. This is a losing battle. You'll only ever find what we want you to find. With that said, I wish you a good day. Needless to say, the tapes have put everyone on edge. Everyone has been waiting and watching. Spike more so than others. He's begun to gather up his own party of defenders much like Twilight has with her friends. They might not have elements of harmony to help them, but they have the instinct abilities they were born with. As well as parental senses that could never be explained. Though his group has yet to uncover anything the police haven't, they have been taken note of. It seems that the villain is very aware of what he and his comrades are up to and he doesn't appreciate it one bit. Especially since the police have decided to look the other way despite knowing whose responsible for the destruction they usually find in the morning. It probably helps that the police chief so happens to be part of this splinter cell as well. But that's only a rumor. "I'll find her, Twilight. I swear this to you." Spike whispers glancing down to her gentle form and unkept form. The sun slowly creeps above the horizon. The day was today. The scent of death and who knows what else lingers in the air as Spike and several other creatures make their way through a destroyed unkempt hallway. All five figures have their identifies covered by masks, cloaks, and various spells. They are constantly being watched by several burly figures wielding weapons in either claws, hooves, or paws who continue to lead them down this distraught place. They only part ways when they enter a pitch-black room. Even those whose eyes would naturally penetrate the darkness couldn't see anything. They find themselves blinded by a spotlight and defined by the sound of speakers starting up. "Welcome. Welcome! To this year's auction! Today we have all sorts of beasts and former ponies in hope to pique your interest. And later we will have a special deal on an up and coming slave of ours! And I assure you if you value something as much as we do, you'll be happy to part with every. last. bit." Spike suppresses a growl in the back of his throat knowing the last bit was for him. If he wants to save his daughter, everything would need to go right here. Nothing could be left to chance. It was now, or never.