Spike the Dragon, has to ask a question he wished never to ask: "Was it foul play?"
"Was it foul play?"
Spike the Dragon, a retired Detective of the Manehatten MYPD, has just woken from a ten year nap. Upon waking, he asks himself a question that could change his entire history, and explain things he never thought he'd understand. Join Spike and his Ethereal partner, Dark Shades, as they unravel a mystery that was never seen.
"No! No you're not fine! A bookshelf fell on you!"
"Dragon scales are more resilient than you think Twi. Plus I think pretty much everything we've been through over the years trumps 'unsteady bookshelf' any day of the week."
"(sigh) I guess so, I just...I don't ever want to lose you."
"Twilight...ye...your cho...choking me."
"Sorry."
"Twilight? Are you okay? You seem more worried about this then normal. Like, I get being upset something fell on me, but you're acting like it's the last time I'll ever see you."
"It's nothing Spike."
"You honestly expect me to believe that?"
"Ugh, you read that book on Psychology didn't you? You've always been a little devil."
"Duly noted. Now, tell me what's wrong."
"Hmm...it's...well, Spike, you're a dragon. Dragons live for thousands of years. Who's...who's going to be here for you when I'm gone?"
"...I...uh..."
"You see!? My problem is that knowing that losing you would hurt me, then you losing us could be soul crushing. It's one thing to lose one important pony, or dragon, in your life, but you'll be losing everypony. I know it's kind of depressing but, it's been on my mind a lot lately."
"Twilight I...You're like a mother to me. No, scratch that, you are a mother to me. Yes, I will miss you very much but...worrying about it won't help or delay what will happen. You of all ponies should know this."
"Heh, I guess so."
"Plus, I'll still have the Princesses. They're immortal. Right? I'll also make damn sure you live as long as possible."
"Spike! Language!"
"I mean it Twi. I'll always..."
"...be there for you." Spike said, as his claw rested on a statue in the middle of Ponyville Square. Below the statue a plaque read the words:
Twilight Sparkle EQ 4 Princess Celestias greatest student The Element of Magic A mother
Final Written Words: "Set a book by my grave, and I'll read it to you, my beautiful little child, for I am always by your side."
Hey there, it's me Spike. Sorry if you're busy or anything, I just wanted to make up for some lost time. I really should have written sooner. I understand that. I've been very neglectant in my duties haven't I? So how's your day been? Good? Bad? Glad to hear it...or sorry to hear it, depending on your answer.
Me? I'm doing okay I guess, I've grown, just took a ten year nap as you probably know. I feel like I stepped through one of the those time portals from the old experiments. It's weird seeing all the modern stuff we have now. I mean seriously, video games? cars? Where has this stuff been all my life? Guns are pretty cool too I guess, although I for one would still prefer a classic sword or crossbow.
It's been five days since I woke up, and you'll never guess what I did, I've rejoined the MYPD. I had to retake a few of the tests, but my previous work there gave me some privileges. I totally nailed the Physical Fitness part of it. Those lightweights never saw me coming. Test was a bit harder for...reasons.
Look, I'm not just writing to say hello. I wanted to tell you something important. I'm sorry for opening up old wounds but it's about Twilight. I want to go to the place she died at, I remembered something important. The way the report states it (don't ask me how I got it) she fell from the top balcony of the tree. It says that she simply forgot to teleport or save herself some other way, but thinking back to it...she would have had at least 3-4 seconds before she hit the ground. I've seen her react to things much quicker. It also says that her horn broke upon impact. What I see wrong is in the photos, there are no shards from bits of horn. It had to have been broken before she fell.
I'm afraid of the question, and even more afraid of the answer.
Was it foul play?
Sincerely Spike the Dragon
Spike ran the question through his head several times, as he blew the paper away. His green flames licking the sides of his lips with practiced ease and familiarity. His thoughts still swarmed like honey bees over the possibilities. If Twilight was murdered, who would even want to kill her? He thought about it curiously. He didn't have a chance to think about it for very long however.
"So partner, you excited? This is our first stake out together in like...like twenty years! Eeeee, I'm just ecstatic!" Spike winced at the loud squeal that emitted from his partner.
"Ya know, the whole idea of a stake out is to not get noticed, Shade." Dark Shades, the thestral, beside him merely smiled back, her ivory fangs glistening in the moonlight. "And it was ten years."
"Oh shush. You know very well, if I wanted someone to notice me, they'd notice me." She sat back in her seat and stirred a drink in her hooves. Likely coffee with alcohol or some such of the crap she usual had. Her wings, dark flaps of purple, folded to her sides.
Spike smiled, "Like they did last night?" receiving a hoof to the shoulder, he observed Shade. He wondered how he ended up in a situation where his best and possibly only real friend happened to be a thestral. Oh yeah, friends and family dying and all that.
"I was drunk as buck, and you know it Spike."
"Heh, yeah. Sure." another blow and Spike began rubbing his arm. She could hit pretty hard for a mare.
"We've got movement." Spike dragged his attention out the window seeing shadows creep around the windows of the house they sat by. the house was mostly obscured from his view due to the darkness, but one solitary window was visible due to the light shining from inside. From what he could see, a pony was moving around, doing...whatever he or she was doing.
"Can you see wh--"
"Mare, well built for a unicorn, bad ankles for whatever reason. She seems nervous." Shades interrupted, still staring at the glowing window. Spike chuckled.
"I forgot how good you were."
"How good I am. And don't you go making forgetfulness a habit of yours." as the thestral looked back out the window she squinted slightly, the slits in her eyes becoming a bit wider to collect the light particles. "hey, Spike? Can you hand me the file on the mare we're after real quick?" He did so, and she flipped to the picture they had on the mare. Several seconds past until uncommon surprise appeared on her face. "Oh shit, that mare in the window isn't ours."
The two jumped out of the car and sprinted to the door. Spike pulled out his hand gun, and pounded on the door, "This is the Manehattan MYPD! Open the door or--" a scream from inside interrupted him. He stood back and nodded for Shades to go around to the back door. With one kick the door flew off it's hinges. He ran down the hallway, catching a glimpse of a figure running upstairs. "Police! Put your hooves in the air!" A shot of magic struck him dead in the chest. Luckily it merely burned a little, no serious damage, but he still needed to catch his breath.
He felt a burning in his claw and looked at his gun. The spell charred it, rendering it unusable. "Damn it." Spike threw it down, got up, and took off running up the stairs. He heard the door shut to one of the rooms and ran towards it. At top speed he rammed his entire body into the door shattering it. Looking towards the far side of the bedroom he saw the unicorn mare standing over the mare they were sent to protect, a knife in her magic. Spike had to think fast.
"You idiotic slab of meat!" the room shook violently, "You used unauthorized dragon fire?!"
Spike tried his best not to flinch, but the Broken Pieces voice wasn't exactly normal by most ponies standards. Dark Shades didn't fare much better from the sound. Bat hearing and all. "My gun wasn't an option. By the way I'll need a new one."
"Shut up! I don't want to hear it! What you did was dangerous and stu--"
"Sir, with all due respect, me and my partner saved that mare. The mare I burned isn't dead, far from it. She's even confessed to the crime."
Broken Pieces seemed unamused, "Let me finish. What you did was dangerous and stupid but..." he smiled slightly, "You did good. You and Shade did save the mare, and caused...well...minimum damage. You even caught one of those cultist members in the process."
"Thank you Chief."
"But DON'T let it happen again!" Broken slammed a hoof on his desk to emphasize his seriousness.
Dark Shades jumped into the conversation, "We understand sir. Can we go now? There's this new shop just around the corner, and I am dying for a new dress."
Broken Pieces smiled, which led to chuckling, or at least his version of chuckling, "Eh, fine with me, but before you leave, I have a bit of a surprise for you both. Don't worry it's not paperwork, I'll let you sort through that mountain tomorrow." He reached behind his desk and pulled out two small black boxes.
"Are those what I think they are?" Spike was stunned, as was Shade.
"Yes siree bob. I pulled a couple of strings (well, with the help of a few princess level letters). Didn't think I'd read about you two or something? I visit the library too ya know." He placed the two badges before them. Shades grabbed hers as quickly as possible.
"Yes! I can finally start wearing normal clothes again. These new uniforms are way itchier than the ones we used to wear."
Spike continued to stare at the badge as he picked it up slowly, almost as though he feared it would disappear from his grasp. He rubbed a claw over the engraving with his name on it. He remembered the day he got it. Chief Fly Hard had given it to him. Another reminder of the ponies he'd lost throughout his lifetime.
This isn't the time to be thinking about that right now he pulled the badge out and the stainless steel chain dangled below. Putting it around his neck he felt a swell of pride. He had earned this, he wasn't born into it, like he had been into his dragon heritage. He earned it through hard work and determination. Though she wouldn't say it, Spike could tell that Shade was especially proud of hers too.
His smile wavered slightly as another though ran through his mind This will help me find the truth about Twilight.
I've gotten your letter, and I thank you for writing to me after so long. I'm happy to know that you are still around and kicking. I am never too busy for my favorite dragon.
To answer a few of your questions, I'm doing fine mostly. Thank you for asking. I'm also very glad to hear that you have rejoined the police department. I knew they'd be happy to have you again. I hope you've gotten your original badge. I kept it safe for you.
I have taken your assumption into consideration, much more than you think. It is the main reason why I took so long to respond. I do believe you have a point. If you want I would like to do you one more favor: I'll have your next assignment to go to Ponyville. You'll get to see some friends and even try and make peace with a few of them. Maybe you'll even make some new friends. If you find any evidence that suggest Twilight was, much as I hate to say the word, murdered, then you are to send me a letter as soon as magically possibly.
Lovingly Princess Celestia
Spike watched the stars twinkle like diamonds. His mouth watered at the mention of such rare stones. He wiped his mouth and wiped the slobber on the grass next to him. The moonlight reflected off the grass, creating a natural ambiance. The ambiance felt very similar to something he'd felt...a long time ago.
"Hey sugar cube." a voice said from beside him. He knew that accent anywhere.
"Hey Apples. Come to give me another whack in the head?"
"No, although I wish I could." Spike heard a rustle of grass as he assumed Applejack had repositioned herself, "Spike, look at me." Spike did so. To his right lay Applejack, or at least his memory of her. Her body a silhouetted version of herself. She had a slight glow to her body giving off a radiance that made the grass itself appear to burn.
"Look sugar I know this must be very hard for ya, what with losing everything and all that, but you can't start chasing after things that aren't there." Spike hallucination took a breath, "Just...telling the truth is only a part of honesty, it includes believing that truth. You have to tell yourself the truth before you can tell anypony else."
Spike sat up and looked into the stars, his eyes watering slightly, "I...understand what you're getting at Applejack but...what if...I'm right? What if, in honest truth, Twilight was murdered and didn't commit suicide? I've been sitting around believing she killed herself for over fifty-five years now, ten of those spent sleeping. I need to make sure that what I believe is the truth."
He waited for the response of his minds delusion, expecting something along the lines of 'you don't have to do this' or 'you're foolish for thinking that way'. What he got was a chuckle and a smile. "Sugarcube, I never told you not to go find out. If this is what you need, then you should do it as soon as possible. From what I know you have next weekend off right?" Spike nodded, "Well then, gosh dang it, go for it!"
The drake smiled, a lot of trouble having left his mind. He thought about it. Of course the Element of Honesty would tell him to find the truth.
"Thanks Applejack."
The orange earth pony smiled happily at Spike and stood up. Leaning towards him for a hug the two were about to share an embrace. Instead Spike felt nothing but air, the mare removed from his grasp once again like so many years ago. His claws fell to the ground, the only physical thing there worth touching.
Why? Why did he have to be a dragon? Why couldn't have been born a pony, or maybe even a dog? Any thing was better than watching those he loved pass away into the sands of time. Enveloped like quicksand into the end of the cycle of life.
Spike stood up and looked into the distance, his dark-vision allowing a view of the entire landscape. He imagined it the way it was. Much as he hated it, the world changed, inwardly and outwardly. It had only been a matter of time before he had changed too. He knew that long before Twilight had died. She'd taught him enough, that he would change, and that had terrified him. Now that it's happened, he could only smile at the memory of being afraid. It was a past that no other remembered, a part of his mind no one explored. Now he had to delve as deep into that cave as he could and pull out the truth he wanted.
Spike trudged down the streets of Manehatten. It was surprisingly quiet but Spike wasn't going to complain, at least not until he hears a gunshot. He continued to walk, taking in all the sights, not that that was what he was here for. He had important matters to attend to.
"Oh don't start doing that." Spike looked at Shades with an eyebrow raised.
"Don't do what?"
"That." she motioned a hoof at his face. "The whole, brooding thing you do. You look like you're on your way to a funeral most of the time. If someone had to guess, they'd probably assume you were going to your own funeral with the way you carry about." Spike felt a little offended at the remark and it showed on his face.
"I do not brood."
"Oh yes you do! Your brood a whole lot, and you used to brood before you went to sleep."
Spike set a claw on his face with a groan, "Please tell me why I had to be friends with one of the few creatures that age at the same rate I do." Shades merely giggled, not answering Spike's question. They continued to bicker amongst themselves as they finally reached their destination.
"All aboard! Next stop Ponyville!" a voice over the nearby speakers announced. After a short exchange of tickets, they boarded the train and found their room.
Spike lay on one side of the small room, staring at the roof. His thoughts wandering. His batty compatriot sat reading a book, The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Moowis. As Spike lay their thinking, Dark Shades noticed his other worldly stare and closed her book.
"Alright, I can't read with you like that, so at least tell me what's going on in that head of yours."
The drake didn't say anything for a few seconds and Shades was afraid that he may not of heard her. Her thoughts were held at bay as he spoke. "I'm...just thinking about a few things. Nothing import..." telling the truth is only a part of honesty "Well...on second thought I guess I could use your help. As you know, I'm from Ponyville." the bat winged pony nodded, "And you remember me telling what...happened, right?" another nod. "Well, I think it's time I told you all the details."
Spike awoke from his sleep, his eyes opening slowly. His body begged him to stay horizontal but the need to clean out his mouth from the taste it had accumulated overnight was unbearable. Stumbling to the bathroom he and Twilight shared, he found his toothbrush, and started working at his mouth, choosing to stick with the left over paste from last night. He brushed vigorously, ridding the stale taste from his mouth.
As he brushed he noticed something: a new toothbrush. He'd never seen one like it before, pink, grey, and no bristles. He assumed it is was one of those removable types. It even had a weird screen on it. Twilight must have done some experimentation with it. Oh well, it wasn't his business anyway. Finishing off with a quick wash of his face, Spike exited the bathroom and headed downstairs. He found Twilight resting among her books, sound asleep.
With a snort, Spike started cleaning up the books and laying a pillow under Twilight's head. He placed books in their rightful places. As he did so, however, he noticed a pattern. Most of the books were on Pony anatomy and time spells. Spike chuckled at the idea of Twilight reading a book on the bodies of ponies. He just couldn't see her doing something like that.
"Hey Spike."
Turning around Spike could see Twilight rising from her reading place. She seemed more tired than usual. How long did she study last night? After a yawn Spike surmised she'd been too late and that was the end of it.
"Twilight, How about you go up to bed. I'll clean up and you can sleep in."
Twilight looked at Spike, a somewhat worried look in her eyes, "Oh, there's no need Spike. I can stay awake. I just..." another yawn, "...needed a little wink. Besides I have way too much work to do."
Spike frowned and grabbed her by the hoof, "No you don't." he began pulling her upstairs. Due to her sleep deprivation
"What do you mean? Yes I do."
Spike looked her dead in the eye and repeated with finality, "No. You. Don't."
Twilight sighed allowed herself to be taken to her room and onto her bed, where Spike tucked her in. As he did so, Twilight looked at him sadly, as if something were hurting from inside.
"Twilight? Is something wrong?" Spike asked earnestly.
The purple unicorn thought for a second before answering, placing a smile on her face. "No, nothings wrong. I'm just...very tired I guess. Thank you Spike." And with that Twilight closed her eyes and fell into a dreamless sleep. Spike merely stood there for a few seconds, wondering how things had gotten this far. How had he become the adult in these situations?
2 weeks before the incident
"Twilight are you sure you're okay!?" Spiked demanded a little louder than he wanted. "You've been throwing up all day now. That isn't normal, especially with your diet."
"I assure you Spike, I'm fine. I've probably just caught a bug or something. Ulp." Twilight ran off with her hoof over her mouth, her cheeks bulging. Spike groaned a kicked a book at random in frustration. He was frustrated with Twilight, she knew what was happening but she wouldn't tell him. She was treating him like a foal, or baby, depending on what species you want to concentrate on.
Staring down he noticed the book he had kicked. It was a romance novel: The Notebook. That wouldn't be strange in and of itself, but Spike knew that Twilight wasn't one for Romance novels. She didn't enjoy them and even on more than one account mentioned how useless they were. Why would one be laying in the multiple piles of books of previous reads?
Spike picked it up and scrolled through the pages, as he did he noticed some of the words were circled. Sometimes it was letters, other times it was words, and a few times it was punctuation. Unsure of what it meant, Spike set the book back down and continued to worry about Twilights health. She was going through something, and he couldn't stop it. It wasn't something he could hit or stand in front of. It was something deeper, and he couldn't understand it. What was happening that he couldn't see?
Three days before the incident
Spike hugged Twilight tightly. He didn't want to let go.
"Spike, it's only going to be three days, you'll be back soon."
"I know, I just...I don't want to go. Why can't I stay? Am I being too troublesome? I promise I'll stop asking if you're sick."
Twilight giggled and stroked his spines with her hoof, "Oh Spike. You haven't done anything wrong, I just feel you haven't gotten to visit the dragons for so long. Ember really wants to talk with you again, even if she doesn't admit it. She likes having friends, especially another dragon."
With a reluctant sigh Spike smiled up at Twilight, "Okay. I'll go. Love you."
"I love you too. More than you know." After one more squeeze, the two of them parted and stepped into the carriage that would take him away for a while. He sat down and waved at Twilight as it took him off into the clouds.
The day of the Incident
Spikes carriage landed late at night, around 10:00 in the evening. He'd have been there sooner if Ember hadn't started showing him her collection of weapons. The weapons by far enormously large, likely due to the whole "we're dragons so everything's bigger" rule. Spike wasn't all that interested. True, he got to keep one for himself, which was like totally awesome, but he still wanted to hurry home. Twilight needed her Number One Assistant.
He bolted down the dirt road as fast as he could. He passed houses, only visible because of his night vision. Seeing the Library, he couldn't help but think about all the great times he had there. Rushing in doors he yelled, "I'm home!"
But he heard nothing but his own echo in return. It took Spike a second, until he realized, the lights were all off, the books weren't strewn about, and the Teapot was almost boiling over. He fixed it quickly and started upstairs.
"Twilight? Are you here?" he asked into the vacant rooms. As he made his way to the balcony on the highest place of the tree, he noticed something. A book lay on the ground. It was notebook, completely empty. After glancing around Spike looked over the edge of the railing...
...and his heart stopped. Time slowed down to seconds becoming days, and minutes, centuries. there on the ground was the form of the only mother he'd ever known: Twilight Sparkle.
Spike looked down at the floorboards of the train. That memory always hurt. That moment was one he hated revisiting in his mind. He wished he could just delete that memory, or even better, make sure it never existed in the first place. Spike looked over to Dark Shades who could only look at him in sympathy.
"Well, after that I ran inside and called for an ambulance. I went and cradled her in my arms. She was gone before I'd even arrived. Heh. I guess you could say we were both late." Spike chuckled, though it wasn't genuine.
Dark Shades put a hoof over his shoulder, the only thing she could think of that would help him. He felt broken, like something wrong. A cog in the wheel that hadn't operated properly, a feather out of place. The thoughts began to drum down on him, so at one point the drake asked for some time alone. Dark Shades obliged and exited the compartment saying she needed to get a bite to eat.
For a few seconds the small room was quiet. Only for a few second though.
"Hey buddy! Why so down!?" A cloud of pink could be seen bouncing in front of Spike, a smile on her face, and heart ready to hug, possibly literally.
"Nothing."
Pinkie crossed her hooves, "Hey, Applejack told you to never lie. Now spill the beans.". She attempted to scowl determinedly, barely pulling off a pouty face. Spike chose not to point it out.
"I'm just thinking about whether or not I could have gotten there soon enough. Maybe if I'd stayed home I would know what had happened. Maybe if I hadn't stayed to check out what Ember had in store I could've...I don't know...stopped it?" Spike glanced down past his Suede Jacket, on his left hip, where a second holster was, holding a small Ebony dagger. Symbols were etched into both bolsters and the handles, symbols in dragon tongue. One phrase: Krif Gah Fah Drem.
Pinkie hopped onto the seat beside Spike and put a hoof over his shoulder. Though he couldn't actually feel her, a sense warmth came from the gesture. "You can't beat yourself up over something that could have happened. Just think about the stuff I didn't get to do: Eat Snozzberries, jump out of a plane, throw paper at Rainbows pet turtle. All things I wanted to do but didn't." Pinkie's face went solumn for a second, "Of you keep thinking about the wrong in life, there won't be any room for the good. Rather than think about what could have been, think about what will be." And with that her form slowly disappeared.
Spike thought for a minute about those words. How could he possibly look back on that and not think about what went wrong? How could he? Simple answer - he couldn't. It was his fault that Twilight died. He just should have been there sooner. Pinkie was right about one thing though, he had to find out the truth. That way Twilight could rest in peace.
Suddenly the door opened, Dark Shades standing there, her leather jacket donned.
