Escape and Evade

"Guards! Seize them! Seize them now!" Worry built up in the amethyst drake's mind as he glanced around the arena. From beneath the royal seats, where the wall once touched the dirt, there was a wide open archway where numerous guards piled in. Some of the guards jumped over the walls from the stands after pushing past the wild tangent of dragons trying to rush out. Some of the guards were trampled in their effort, but most made it through the crowd.

"You have nowhere to run Spike! Might as well give up now!" Koren laughed a horrible, evil, wretched laugh that made Spike cringe and want to tear at his ears. "Guards, bring me their heads!" Two guards converged towards Spike, neither of them aware that the amethyst drake could fight. Breathing in steadily, he calmed his body as he prepared for the two.

As they drew near, he took a calming breath before leaping into action. Dropping onto his back, he spun his legs around to knock the dragons off their feet. Both fell to the ground in a cloud of dust. Thinking quickly, the drake brought his talons across their throats, letting them bleed out. While still on the ground, he began to spin around, using his wings and tail to kick up as much dust as he could. The guards coughed as they entered the dirt storm, but said nothing as they began their search.

With a thick smoke screen up, it was easy for Spike to drag Shadow's unconscious body away from the guards, hiding in a small alcove that was hidden from view of his grandfather or the audience. "Mmph." Shadow groaned as he felt his head hit the uneven rock surface. Spike slipped his hands over the drake's mouth to keep him quiet as he thought of a way out of their situation.

"Shadow." A faint voice whispered softly in his ear. If this was a dream, then he never wanted to wake from it. Above him was the night sky, each of the stars twinkling more brightly than he had even seen. The trees around him gave off a soft amber glow, their leaves a distant shade of dark neon green. The grass glowed a vibrant light neon green, while the water in the river was a soft glow of turquoise. The forest that he was in, was alive with light, with warmth, with care. This place, this place was like a dream that never ended, and only got better.

Sitting in the river, her back to him, was a dragoness. Her crystal white scales reflected the light around her, seemingly as though she herself was a diamond. Running along either side of her back was a strip of silver scales that shone more brightly than the white. She was garbed in a faint clear robe, around a tight fitting shirt and drawers. Her wings were spread out, and her tail lazily swished against the ground. She was the definition of beauty.

Creeping forward, he kept his steps slow and quiet so as not to scare the dragoness. His heart began to beat faster as he drew closer. Sweat clung to his palms, making him want to wash them in the river before going over to her. His breath came in shallow gasps. It felt as though there were butterflies dancing around in his stomach. 'What is happening to me?' He wondered.

The closer he drew to the dragoness, the more unsure of himself he felt. Years of working for King Guâlhoran made him feel unworthy of feelings like this for another. In his heart he knew that his whole life he had been following evil by listening to his king, but now he could not stand it. Just to see his own reflection in the calm surface of the water when he glanced over almost sickened him. 'What have I become?'

"You have become free." Shadow's head shot up to see the crystal dragoness staring at him with a warm smile spreading her lips. "When Spike was in danger, you asserted your own will to become free. You no longer have to obey what your king says, you are free to do as you please."

Shadow could not help but glance up towards the stars, remaining silent as he counted each one, remembering what his father had told him. "Yes Shadow, you are in the stars. Every pony, dragon, or even gryphon plays an important role in shaping tomorrow. No matter how small that role may be, it is their choices that shape what the future will yield."

Dragonflies began to fly around the navy drake. Their wings were tinted a light neon orange while their bodies were a darker golden neon yellow. Three of them circled one another, playing a game that was only known to them. One broke away to land on the drake's shoulder, which prompted a soft gasp from the dragoness. "You are truly a special dragon Shadow. Your role in this world is more important than I realized."

Shadow looked from the dragonfly back to the crystal dragoness with a quizzical expression. "In here, in this place, dragonflies are rare. To see one land on a dragon, or any creature for that matter, is something that doesn't happen often. The last one I saw was when Spike was first brought here with Rarity, they were covered in dragonflies."

Shadow kept his quizzical expression, much to the dragoness's dismay. "Dragonflies tell stories of their own. There is a special link with the stars, how they are arranged, how they are aligned, shifted by their will. They choose those who are special by landing on them. It is a great honor to befriend one as well." Letting her arm reach toward the dragon, he watched in amazement as the dragonfly that had landed on him flew over to her arm, landing gracefully upon it.

"They are special creatures my dear Shadow. Just as you will be. For now, I leave you with this." Delicately, she slipped out of the water, while still keeping the dragonfly on her arm. The dragoness placed a kiss on the navy drake's cheek. "Find me when you are awake. I live among the mass, he will show you the way." With that, the dragonfly rejoined the others. Together, they set off among the trees. "Rise now. I eagerly await your arrival."

Spike ducked down another alley way. Behind him he could hear the clatter of metallic boots from the armor that the guards were wearing as they chased him down the cobblestone streets of Lyndoren, the dragon capital. Everywhere he looked he could see dragons walking about, not paying any attention to him. Those that did, quickly averted their gaze elsewhere.

The amethyst drake panted heavily as he made his way to the end of the alley, where he found another street with guards patrolling. "This is crazy!" Spike whispered to himself. "We're never going to get out of here." Up the side road towards the main road was a patrol of seventeen dragons at the minimum, with twelve more at the other end, leading to a backstreet that went straight to the King's castle.

"Here goes nothing." Spike dashed quickly and quietly across the street. The three guards that had been giving chase emerged from the alley just in time to catch a glimpse of a tail disappearing into the shadows of yet another alley way. Tonight, darkness was the drake's ally. Shadow stirred slightly on his back, but he paid him no mind. Right now his main concern was finding a place to stay until Shadow woke up, then they could worry about getting home.

Turning a corner to jump behind some boxes, the drake held his breath as the three guards grew closer. Putting a hand over Shadow's mouth, he waited and listened as the three emerged from where he had just been. Their noses were to the air as they looked around, waiting, listening for anything that would betray where the amethyst drake had went.

From further down the alley another dragon had been sleeping. As he stirred awake, the first thing that he saw was the three guards, searching for something, or someone. Thinking that he had done something wrong, the dragon raced off down the alley, alerting the guards to his footsteps. Since it was too dark to make out and definite shape, the three pursued the lone dragon as he tried to escape the guards.

Spike let out the breath that he was holding. A shiver rocked his body as he lied there in still silence. Lack of water was taking its toll on his body. He could hardly breathe, but that could be in part to his long hours of torture. He fought to keep his eyes open, to keep going, but it was useless. As his eyes went up to the sky he could feel sleep overtaking him. He needed to rest, but he did not want to do so out in the open.

All that he could see was a blurred form leaning over him as his eyes closed. He could hear his name being whispered, but he had no idea who was speaking. It sounded both familiar, yet divine at the same time. It was almost foreign to him, yet he knew who it was. With a final breath, he whispered, "Rarity." Sleep whisked him away to a world where nothing could harm him, where Rarity was always waiting for him, where there was nothing but the stir of morning light to bring him back.

---

Spike. Where did they take you? Rarity stared out one of the many windows in Canterlot castle. Her gaze was lost on the distant kingdom that was beyond sight of Ponyville in the West. Fury raged within her mind, and was only fueled by the lack of response from Shining Armor's scout team. "Should have let me gone." She scoffed in anger. She was forced to grit her teeth as the hours warred on, each one seeming to make her seethe with more anger.

Princess Celestia said nothing as she watched from the end of the hall. She knew that stare all too well, it was the same that she had when Nuyendár was away for long periods of time. It was never this intense though, but maybe that was because she never had her mate taken from her like Spike was from Rarity. Her mate was killed, but for the sake of her subjects, she carried on.

She could see a few tears starting to fall from the silvery-white mare's eyes. Her gaze never faltered as she let out a low moan. It was series of low moans that sounded so sad it made Celestia feel horrible that Rarity was here instead of out there searching for her mate, but she knew that it was better this way. If anyone could find Spike without confrontation, it was Shining Armor.

Rarity fell to her knees while her gaze remained locked in position. Her breaths came n ragged, sharp intakes. Inside she felt her heart shattering to pieces, she could feel the butterflies in her stomach starting to grow more intense. Celestia had to turn away as Rarity lurched forward, vomiting all over the carpeted hallway. Rotten, digested flesh permeated the air, its foul smell wafting into the princess's nose. Blood coated everything, even the clothing that she had tried to digest, but couldn't. "Sorry Princess." Rarity caught the princess's back out of the corner of her eye.

Celestia held her breath as she turned to look at the mare whose beauty was always much more than any normal pony's. To see her regal mane in such a ruined mop atop her head, her tattered clothes matted to her fur by sweat and blood, her beautiful thick white coat ruined by blood, some clinging to her muzzle, was a sight that she never wanted to see again. "Rarity." Celestia gently cooed. "Why don't you go wash up? Make yourself all nice and clean for when Spike gets back."

"Thank you Celestia." Rarity sighed as she wiped the tears from her eyes. Her beautiful sapphire eyes which were at the present a deeper shade of sapphire blue, a clear indication that trying to get her to eat anything was a futile attempt.

Though she knew better than to say anything, Celestia had to ask, "After your shower, I would like to have your permission to examine you now that you are mated to my son."

Rarity looked back towards the West, hoping with all of her heart to see Spike soaring through the sky, racing to see her again. "I suppose you need to." With a deep, heavy sigh, the mare, looking defeated, sulked away to refresh herself.

As she walked down the various hallways that lined the vast expansive network that was called Canterlot Castle, she could not help but marvel at how beautiful it was on the inside, just as it was on the outside. Paintings of old told their own stories. Some were of the past kings, queens, and princess's of the castle, but strangely, none of the princes. She was sure that there had been some at some point, but she could see no evidence of it. She made a mental note to ask Celestia about it later.

Turning another corner in the hall, she entered the hall of glass. Its name came from the fact that on either side was nothing but windows that showed the fields of Canterlot on one side, while the other displayed all of Equestria heading out towards the East. Rarity could swear that she saw the Crystal Empire out in the distance, but that was far away, too far to see clearly.

At the end of the glass hall was a single room that used to belong to both Spike and Ryder, but was recently converted for Spike and Rarity. On the door to the room was a dragon, its eyes a deep emerald color while it was curled around three sapphire diamonds in the center, all carved into the oak that it was made of. Above it read a sign that could easily be reversed, 'Do not disturb'. A small giggle escaped her as she imagined long hours with Spike with that sign in perfect use.

The interior of the room was of Rarity's standards, but with a few exceptions to Spike's way of living. The floor was all carpeted an almost pure shining white, while the walls were colored a light sapphire, darker towards where the bed lay. There was their own private bathroom, and a closet that seemed to go on for miles. Beside of the bathroom was a single dresser with mirror on top and a small jewelery box. The bed was all to Spike's liking, and strangely, to Rarity's as well. It was a pile of emerald green and sapphire blue pillows with a lavender colored blanket over the top.

There were three windows in the room in all. There was a single window to either side of the bed, one with a painted picture of Princess Celestia. But the third window encased the top of the room in a giant dome, with a panel that could pull a cloth over it to shield them from the sun.

Stepping into the shower, Rarity allowed the luke warm water to race over her tired and bloody body. She groaned as she felt something stir inside of her stomach. She began to wash down her body, getting all of the blood out of her fur. As she worked on her body she began to think about Spike. Instead of her normal thoughts of wondering when he was going to return, she instead thought about how he was, if he was thinking of her. She thought about what Twilight had said, and thought it generous of his older adopted brother to hold his spot for him on the team.

It was a lifting experience to cleanse her body. Not only was she washing away the blood of the slain, the dirt from her venture, but also of her despairing thoughts. Sure her heart still ached because of her worry for Spike, not knowing whether he was still alive or dead, but she knew that she had to carry on.

Over the years she had loved, she had lost, but never was it this painful for her. Spike was not her first love, but he was her true love. Being mated to him brought on its own sense of closeness. There was nothing for her without him, and with each passing day that he did not return, she felt like a part of her was dying, very slowly.

Again she felt a stir in her stomach. Looking down, she pressed her fingers against the fur, waiting for anything to happen. Minutes passed and nothing happened. Brushing it off as hunger, she was about to resume her shower when she felt the need to vomit again. It came up roughly, spreading out the rest of the flesh from the dragons all over the shower floor. "What's happening to me?"

Slipping out of the shower, she went over towards the sink, where Celestia had left her a little gift if she ever felt the need. It was a small white box, inside of which was something that she had never seen. Celestia told her that it was simple to use, and when she explained, Rarity got the idea a bit, but it seemed a little crude. Nevertheless, she used one of her newly developed fangs to slice open her arm. Using a finger, she slid some blood over the center of a small pool of water inside of the misshaped gift.

Fear was prominent inside of Rarity's heart as she watched the liquid in the pool dance between various colors of the rainbow. Each hue was a symbol of either an emotion or what ailed her Celestia had said. The one color she was told to watch out for was purple, as its meaning was potentially the greatest, but most terrifying news to a young mare. For one such as her, who was still in school and owned her own shop, it could potentially mean an end to her future career as well.

As she waited for the colors to still on one, she thought about what it could truly mean if she was to get purple. She was mated to Spike now, there was no taking that back. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him, even if it meant that she could not chase her dreams, which he had told her on numerous occasions that she could always do. Spike, should he be a father, would be a drake of his word. If Rarity asked him to, he would move mountains for her in the blink of an eye.

Time slowed down as she glanced down at the pool of water. A gasp escaped her as she took a step back, holding up a hand to her open mouth. "Please come back Spikey." Tears came to her eyes as she watched the pool begin to dissipate from purple back to clear. "I'm going to be a mother."

---

Celestia looked out to the West from her private tower in the North wing of the castle. Through her telescope she could see the dragon city of Lyndoren, the one place that she had not been to since she first met Nuyendár. "What have you become Koren?" Celestia whispered out as she looked down towards the setting sun, waiting to hear from her most faithful Captain with an update on his rescue mission.

Through her telescope she could see various plumes of smoke rising up from the mountain behind the vast city. Guards were more alert as they patrolled along the walls that guarded the city. At the gates, most were turned away, the city preparing for the night.

As the sun dipped behind of the world for a sixth day that her son was missing, she could no longer contain the sense of urgency that was welling up inside of her. She wrote a brief letter to her second son and Princess Luna, which she left on her desk. Running forward, she dove off of her balcony, spreading her wings when she neared the ground. Feeling the drafts of air within her wings guiding her up, she flew on her way towards Lyndoren, eager to help her son. "Koren has much to answer for."

---

Spike awoke with a splitting headache. It felt as though someone had split his head with a piece of wood. Rubbing his head as he sat up did not alleviate the pain that assailed him from the sudden change of position. A groan escaped his lips as the wounds from the previous day struck a chord in his mind. "Don't move too much. Your body is still healing."

The voice that spoke to him sounded like the one that he had often heard in his dreams. It sounded like that of a dragon who is close to his father, and to him. Bright sparkling white glittering scales almost blinded him as his eyes opened. He gasped when he saw that it was Glitter Summerwinds, the dragoness who he had only talked to thrice before. "Glitter?"

"Shh Spike. Keep your voice low." She whispered in a soft tune that made him want to melt, and again he found himself fantasizing about the dragoness. "You are weak Spike. I need you to remain quiet if I am going to get you out of the city in one peace. The Guards are looking everywhere for you. They have begun to search houses. This one is owned by some friends who hate Koren and oppose his rule. They still wait for your father to return." Spike only nodded in return.

"Where is Shadow?" He whispered back.

"He is over there resting." She pointed to a small alcove beneath the staircase that lead up to the main floor of the building. "Listen to me closely Spike. You need to return to Canterlot and tell your mother that Koren is readying for war. His troops are moving into the city as we speak, calling them in from all over the kingdom, promising them glory and riches if they held him to 'reclaim' their sacred land."

Spike's eyes went wide with the news. He knew that his grandfather was maniacal and desperate to resume the war that ended with the death of his father, but still, it felt, wrong to him. There was something more behind of this, there had to be. Mom would be prepared for that though. She knows Koren better than anypony living to date. "Something is making me worry Glitter. Why hasn't my father said anything about this?"

Sighing, the crystal dragoness lowered her voice to a strained whisper. "You father is not who you think it is. Don't trust what he says. Last time we talked, there was something off about him. His voice, the things that he said, made me think that he was just a puppet. There is more to him than meets the eye."

Again all the amethyst drake could do was nod. "What's the plan for getting out?" His eyes drifted back over towards the stairs, then to Shadow.

Upstairs on the main floor he could hear the shuffling of clawed feet as several heavily armored guards patrolled through the house, searching for any possible places where the drakes could be hiding. "Search everywhere! I want those two fugitives alive!"

"Yes sir!" Armor clang together as the various guards rushed around the home, ripping doors from their hinges and turning over every chair or couch. After about ten minutes they came back together in the entrance. "There's no sign of them sir!"

"AHHH! Find them!" The commander bellowed loudly. Shuffling was heard as the guards eased their way out of the home, heading for any other hiding places where the dragons could be. Spike was about to speak, when he heard the commander's voice. "Where are you hiding them?!"

"Sir, I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Stow it! Where the buck are they?! You and I both know they are here!" The commander stomped his foot.

"We do not know what you are talking about. It's just me and my mate here."

"I'll give you till three. One... Two... Three... Fine then, die!" Spike made to stand, to try and save the dragon, but it was already too late. Screaming come from above. A shadow fell across the floorboards, scattering dust and dripping blood. Tendrils of the crimson liquid dropped down from above, forming a dark almost ink looking pool on the concrete before them.

"Final warning, tell me where they are now!"

Unable to sit idly by, Spike rose to his feet. "Down here you damned hatchling!" He roared to extend his words.

"There! Guards, here they are!" Flames sparked in a small arc around where the commander was standing. The boards fell through with ease, bringing down the commander with them. "This ends now!" The commander charged towards the drake, rushing blindly into the darkness of the basement. "AHHH..." His voice fell flat with his dying breath. A long piece of wood, sharpened to the point that it resembled a spear, had been shoved through his heart, the wood the same size as the king's arms put together.

"Buck you." Spike spit in the dragon's face, falling back onto the floor as he clutched his stomach. "We need to move." Already they could hear the clank of boots as the guards came back.

"Hold on!" Glitter slipped an arm around Spike's waist, holding Shadow in the other. Pumping her wings hard, she whistled through the opening in the floorboards to crash through the roof, scattering debris all over the city streets. Below she could see the guards taking to the sky, ready to pursue her. Alarms rang out, and in the distance, she could see guards already blocking her escape. Closing her eyes, she began to pray silently.

Thunder rumbled overhead. Lightening flashed across the sky in a wide arc, sending electric sparks of fear into the two wake dragons. Rain began to pour down in a heavy drift, soaking any to the bone. It was cold to the touch, and made the drake want to shiver. A gentle chilling breeze began to buffet the dragoness's wings, sending her to and fro in the wake of the coming storm.

Spike looked around, noticing how many guards were closing in on them. "Mother, I love you. I love you too Rarity." Tears stung his eyes as he awaited his death. Squeezing his eyes tightly, he buried his face into Glitter's neck, not wanting to see what was coming.

Glitter opened her eyes, expecting to see death, but instead, she gasped at what she saw. On the distant roof of the Quartermaster's Cabin, was a flickering flame. It steadily moved lower until it was right outside of the window. She watched as a white stallion flicked it inside, dropping to the ground and rushing away when it caught.

Explosions from inside of the cabin threw various pieces of wood and metal in every direction. Some flew into the chests of the dragon guards, killing them instantly. Seeing her chance, Glitter flew straight through the opening that had been created. Time was her ally tonight. The wind shifted to carry her upon it's back, the sweet smell of freedom tickled her nose. Water coated her lips the closer she drew towards the outer walls of the city.

Siring pain coursed through her mind as a sharp spear pierced her wing, sending the three dragons tumbling to the ground just outside of the walls. They slid through the mud, scrapes collecting and blood pooling out, a few joints and bones broken. Glitter coughed once, letting the darkness claim her eyes. Spike pulled himself up, finding that his arm was broken, a few scrapes on his legs, but otherwise he was fine.

Guards raced towards them from the open city gates. Spike quickly started. His eyes glanced behind him, where he could see that they were on a cliff face, with at least a hundred foot drop. There's no escape. The clank of several heavily armored guards ceased just a few feet short of the amethyst drake. Stepping forward from them was a dragon with silver scales and a black stripe over both eyes. "Finally, a taste of betrayed loyal blood."

The dragon's fangs were exposed as he dropped low into a sort of pouncing position. Spike glanced over the cliff again, looking at the vast forested land that lay beyond. His tears never ceased as he abandoned all hope, realizing that he was out of options, that he was going to die. Peeking over the distant horizon was the morning sun, and with it, was his savior.

"Spike!" The amethyst drake's head shot around to glance at the sun shimmering through the overcast. There was a shadow in it, one that drew closer and closer to him. "Spike!" Sparks of light flashed towards the guards, some striking the ground and sending up torrents of flames where they had been. Guessers of raging inferno's shot skyward in a bathing ceremony of light, catching any who were foolish enough to fall within their grasp.

Spike felt a surge of energy, of power, of adrenaline course through his veins. "Mom!" He recognized the cinnamon and butter smell mixed with crushed rose petals. Looking at the cliff, he knew what he had to do. Grasping Shadow around the waist, he through him over the edge and into his mother's waiting arms. Next he held Glitter tightly, bracing her for his flight. Hope this works. Taking a deep breath, he ran forward.

Guards from the city threw spears at the drake, trying to slow him down. The face of the world dropped away as he grew closer to the edge. Letting his breath escape, he jumped over the edge, spreading out his wings. Pain assailed his mind, but he brushed it aside. "Spike!" The amethyst drake felt his heart racing, his wings failing as he plummeted to the ground. A gush of air swept beneath him, raising him up towards his mother.

Looking down, he gasped when he saw Ryder. "Mom brought you with!?" The drake shook his head, grinning up at Spike. He crossed his heart, then made a salute over it. "Thank you Ryder."

Spike looked behind to see the center of the city in flames. Plumes of smoke ventured up towards the morning sky. From beneath the smoke came a small silhouette of a shadow. It seemed to wave before vanishing with the smoke. "You have somepony to help my son. A pony lost without her mate."

Spike sighed, "Ah, my mate." As the words sunk in, so did their true meaning. "Here I come Rarity." Spike whispered as the wind whipped at his face. I am coming back to you forever...