The weeks passed rather fast and Rarity found herself visiting Spike every week. And although in truth her real reasons for visiting him were to see if he found the Fire Ruby yet, she couldn’t help but be nice enough and bring other types of crystals for him to try.

He told her they each had different flavors, prompting Rarity to bring him some garnets to try. From his reaction as well as the way Spike describe the flavor being so hot, she could have sworn he had tasted a massively hot chili pepper. It would actually have been no surprise since garnets were typically found in volcanoes. That day she enjoyed the most and could not stop giggling in laughter.

Another time Rarity found out that Spike wasn’t particularly fond of onyx, so she thought that if she was ever going to wear any crystals around him it would probably be best to wear onyx and garnet, which worked perfectly because she had been thinking of a new costume to go with her crystal blade. She decided that onyx paired with some purple garnets would look fabulous.

******

They wanted to move it to monthly visits so she could keep up with training. Instead, they stayed as weekly visits for the longest time. Then eventually it became daily visits. Rarity didn’t know what it was, she just found herself truly enjoying her visits with Spike. He was so kind and gentle. Every time she would visit him, he would completely demolish her theories of a male’s mind.

They came to know each other so well. As a full year passed Rarity felt herself growing closer to Spike with each visit. It eventually got to the point where she no longer cared about finding the Fire Ruby, just simply visiting with Spike.

As another year passed, there were times that she had to stop visiting Spike for long periods of time so it would not draw suspicion from her peers. And every time Rarity did this she, felt her chest twist. Then the twist would go away as soon as she saw Spike again.

Rarity had hoped nopony would notice, but somepony already had noticed without her realizing it. The problem now was why wasn’t this unknown somepony doing something about it. Was it because they didn’t care or maybe it was because this mysterious unknown could see the truth on Rarity’s face? It was something Rarity believed she herself could never feel for a male.

******

Time eventually passed enough for Spike to finally tell Rarity who is it was that had hatched him, and the two ponies that had subjected him to horrible experiments. From Spike’s description, she knew this dark figure had to be ‘Father’. Spike continued to talk to Rarity about his past and she found it sickening that one of the rulers of the Empire used to allow such experiments.

After Spike was done talking he got so scared, Rarity decided to go against her code and stay the night with Spike. Nothing happened - they just stayed to their own sides of the room, and in the morning, Rarity went back to base.

******

<Rarity’s POV>

Rarity was heading back to base, arguing with herself the entirety of the way. She felt annoyed that she had done such a thing. ‘I can’t believe I actually stayed the night with Spike,’ she thought to herself. ‘I mean sure, nothing happen. We didn’t even sleep near each other,’ she argued in her mind.

‘And yet I was almost wanting him to sleep near me, or maybe right…….next….. to….. me,’ At that moment she mentally slapped herself.

‘Look at yourself, Rarity, you’re blushing massively, and just almost allowed a vulgar idea to pop in and ruin everything!’

‘That idea wasn’t vulgar. I mean, I’m not thinking like I wanted to have sex with him. I just wanted him to hold me like he’s done before.’ Her blush was getting brighter with each of those words moving through her mind. ‘How could that be wrong?’ she questioned herself.

‘It is very wrong. You know what Mistress Chrystal told you.’

‘I know, males are only after one thing, and if you allow a little bit of any closeness, then you’re just allowing them to take everything from you.’

‘Exactly.’

‘I know, but Spike is different. He wouldn't try to defile me, would he?’

‘Rarity, he’s a male. That's all they do.’

Finally, Rarity’s mind argument had to stop as she had arrived back at the base. Rarity got out of the airship and noticed something was up. The base was empty. There was nopony anywhere. This place was usually so busy in the mornings, but now there was nothing.

“Where is anypony?” Rarity questioned, as she walked. She kept walking until finally, she heard some noise in the training area. ‘Oh Mistress Chrystal must be waiting there,’ thought Rarity.

But what Rarity did not know was that behind that door was not what she would be expecting. And little did she knew that her whole world was about to fall apart.

Rarity stepped inside only to find several soldiers getting ready for battle. “What is this?” asked Rarity, as she stood there in shock. “What's going on here?”

Suddenly a voice from behind her spoke, “Oh, I'm sorry Princess Crystal Star, we were supposed to meet you there.”

Rarity turned upon hearing the voice, only to be knocked across the head and out cold. Rarity laid there on the ground unconscious as a plan that had been set forth two years ago was soon to be completed. “Oh, Rarity, you have become my,” the voice paused for a moment and then finished with the words, “best pawn.”

******

<Spike’s POV>

Spike was searching through the broken-down laboratory’s library. He had discovered it only a few months ago. Spike would often look in the library for answers he couldn't figure out and today was no different. Spike remembered last night and how Rarity had spent the night with him. He told her that it would best if they had slept on separate sides of the room, but in truth, he wanted her near him. He had felt like that would be wrong to ask her that.

Spike had always felt close to Rarity. He cared for her greatly, but he didn’t want her to see him as some evil monster like that Blueblood she had told him about. Spike felt deep down in his soul that he would never be like Blueblood. If Rarity would only ever give him some chance to prove that he would never try to defile her in any way.

Spike never knew how to approach her on his feelings without the possibility that she would look at him with disgust. He just wanted to show her that he would treat her properly as a lady was meant to be treated, with care and kindness.

Spike kept rummaging through the books until he found it. “There it is,” said Spike as he opened a special, colored book. The book was the same color as Rarity's mane. “Still safe,” he said as stared at what was inside. “You are my ticket to prove to Rarity the truth, but you’re not quite ready. You need more shining.”

Sudden a voice spoke behind Spike, “It will have to be ready because we can wait no longer.” Spike went into utter shock upon hearing the all too familiar voice. But before Spike could see the voice’s owner, he was knocked out. As Spike laid there, the owner of the voice grabbed out a mechanical long range communication device. The voice spoke into the communication device. “My end is complete. How did it go on your end?”

“Flawlessly. Phase two is complete,” another voice replied back.

“Yes now we can begin phase three, and after seventeen years of waiting, the Ryu shall rise.”

******

Spike could only see darkness before him. “Hello, are you awake my beast?” he heard a voice, an all too familiar voice. “Wake up,” again he heard it, but all Spike could see was darkness. “I said wake up SpI146, NOW!!” the voice yelled as Spike felt a slashing pain in his chest. Spike slowly started to see some blurry figures.

As his vision cleared, Spike saw the voice’s owner was a batpony. “YOU!” Spike yelled in anger, as he tried to lunge forward. But Spike was stopped by the new chains that covered him.

“Oh, so you do remember me,” said the batpony, as he stood there with a raised eyebrow. “Can you at least speak my name, beast?”

Spike looked with utter hatred at the dark purple batpony that had worked alongside the yellow pegasus of long ago. The two had experimented on Spike for the first seven years of his life. Spike knew the yellow pegasus was dead, but he had never found out what happen to the batpony.

“I said speak my name, monster,” said the batpony, as he swung the whip he had in his hand.

Spike kept his eyes on the batpony as he spoke the batpony’s name, “Night Fright.”

“See, that’s better,” said Night Fright as he walked to the other side of the room. The room was massive, well over a hundred feet tall and wide, and yet it was mostly empty. At one side of the room, Spike was in chains, then on the other side there a massive curtain. As Night Fright walked, he began to monologue as he always did, “As you know dragon, I am after your Ryu form. Now it’s been ten years since we last saw each other, I am certain by now that I can get you to transform.”

“I’ll tell you what I told you last time. I don’t know how to transform into this Ryu form you and your partner always spoke of. Your partner tried every kind of experiment on me to get me to transform and it didn’t work,” Spike tried reasoning with Night Fright, however, at the same time, Spike also felt unusually weak.

Night Fright just smirked. “Yes, Richard Sentry was always so weak in the long run, he didn’t have enough guts to truly push you.”

“Listen, whatever you got planned, it isn’t going to work. I still don’t know how to transform,” said Spike.

“Well you better learn fast,” said Night Fright as he grabbed a rope that was hanging from the curtain, “After all, you don’t want to disappoint our guest,” as he pulled on the rope. This moved the curtain aside revealing what was behind it.

Tied to her own chains was a white unicorn mare with a purple mane. Spike froze in horror, as he slowly said her name, “Rarity?”

Rarity woke up and tried to answer him, but she couldn’t for her mouth was taped shut. “Blueblood, get over here, and hold my whip,” said Night Fright, as a white unicorn stallion walked over.

“But,” he hesitated then continued. “Of course, Night Fright,” Blueblood walked over and grabbed the whip from Night Fright’s hand.

“Now, SpI146, you obviously know who this is,” Night Fright paused for a moment. “But of course you’re probably wondering why is she wearing that,” Night Fright pointed to the fact that around Rarity’s neck was the Fire Ruby.

Spike looked at Rarity and the Fire Ruby. “Rarity, why are you wearing that, it isn’t ready yet, I wanted to make it perfect for you,” said Spike. He looked again at her, only to see tears in her eyes. But he could also see something else in her eyes. Like a longing, he had never seen in her before. Something had changed.

“Well I guess you’re out of the loop,” said Night Fright, as he grabbed a special gem. “Here this should fill you in.” He threw it into the air and then signaled Blueblood to charge it with his magic. This caused it to show a sort of hologram into the room. “This video should show you everything that happened just an hour before you woke up.”

******

<One Hour Ago>

“Rarity, time to wake up, dear,” said a voice. Rarity heard the voice as she slowly woke up. “Seriously, you know not to keep a lady waiting.” At that moment Rarity’s eyes shot open. “Oh, so you’re finally awake.”

Rarity looked in horror of the voice’s owner. “Mistress Chrystal,” said Rarity, as she struggled only to find herself covered in chains. “Mistress Chrystal, what is going on here? Why am I tied up?”

“All questions will be answered in good time, lady Rarity,” said Mistress Chrystal as she walked over to Rarity. She put her face close as she started to take deep smells as if Rarity had an odor. “Almost ripe, unlike the dragon,” she took a moment as she moved back. “He was perfect, but now, I need your half of it, as well, dear.”

“What are you talking about? What did you do to Spike?” said Rarity, as she spoke with rage.

“Spike is that what you call the dragon because we call him SpI146,” said Mistress Chrystal.

“What?” said Rarity, in shock, “You knew of him?”

“Of course we did. That was part of the plan,” said Mistress Chrystal with a giggle.

“What? You planned this,” said Rarity as she began to shake.

“Well of course. You were always my best pawn,” said Mistress Chrystal, as she took another sniff. “You're almost ready, soon your love will be the perfect meal, just like SpI146 was.”

Upon hearing those words Rarity felt utter confusion. “What are you talking about? What love?”

“Oh, Rarity you are so blind. Get the hint. I only ever took you in because of the prophecy, and now it will soon be complete.” Mistress Chrystal then turned to grab something out of a nearby chest.

“What prophecy?”

“Why, the prophecy of the Fire Ruby, of course,” said Mistress Chrystal, as she turned back, showing Rarity the Fire Ruby on a gold chain. Rarity's face went into complete shock. The Mistress moved closer and continued. “You see Rarity, there is a prophecy based around this Fire Ruby. It is said that this Fire Ruby will bind together a powerful love.” Then Mistress Chrystal stepped forward, bringing it closer to her. “Of a pony mare and a dragon male,” She placed the chain over Rarity’s neck.

“And what does this prophecy have to do with me?”

“Well, that’s simple dear. It states that the mare in question can wield crystals.”

“But you were the one who taught me how--” but Rarity was stopped by the Mistress’s hand.

“I never taught you a thing. I just woke up what was dormant within you, deary.” The Mistress then lowered her hand. “And now you will use that power to scan this Fire Ruby.”

Rarity looked down at the Fire Ruby. She knew she had the ability to scan a crystal to see what it had seen. To sense how much work went into it. She closed her eyes and scanned it. She didn't know what she would find or even what she was supposed to be looking for, but what she found, what she sensed, changed her whole world. Rarity could sense all the work that Spike had put into making it perfect. That he had already found the Fire Ruby nearly a year ago. And yet he didn’t show it to her because he wanted it to be perfect for the mare he cared for. For the mare he loved.

Upon sensing that final part, Rarity felt tears going down her cheeks. But they weren’t tears of sadness, they were tears of joy. In that moment Rarity felt that the twisting that she always had in her chest, in her heart, could finally be answered. It was love. Spike loved Rarity and Rarity loved Spike.

Suddenly she felt an abnormal pain coming from her body. Like something was being forcibly ripped from her. Rarity snapped her eyes open and saw the most shocking thing of all. Mistress Chrystal was harvesting magic from her. “What are you doing to me?”

“Isn’t it obvious, dear. I’m feasting on your love,” said Mistress Chrystal with a twisted grin.

“Why?” said Rarity, slowly as she felt her body weakening.

At that moment, Rarity looked to see a green aura around the Mistress, as she began to change shape and show her true form. Rarity looked in horror, as the Mistress’s beautiful white fur become pitch black, and her flawless flesh filled with holes. And the Mistress’s luxurious teal mane and black dress began to rip apart.

“Because I am a changeling, my dear. But not just any changeling, I am their Queen, Queen Chrysalis." At that moment, Rarity got so weak she could barely keep her eyes open. "And once I am done harvesting the magic from you, I shall leave you to Night Fright for his plans." Finally, Rarity's eyes closed and everything went black once again.

******

<One Hour Later>

After the video finished, Spike looked at Rarity. She still had that face, and now Spike knew what it meant. Spike wanted to say something, “Rarity, the truth is I… I…. lov--Ahhhhh!!!!” but Spike was stopped by the new chains as they shot electricity through his body.

Rarity struggled upon seeing Spike in pain, tears going down her face as she tried to reach him. She couldn’t for the chains holding her prevented her. It was truly painful to watch.

Finally, Night Fright spoke. “My poor monster, you’ll find speaking those words with those chains on you quite hard. They're designed to zap you when I choose,” as he held out a device. “Now, dragon you will transform.”

“I already told you, I don’t know how--Ahhhh!!” Spike wailed in agony, as he was shocked.

“You still won’t listen will you,” said Night Fright.

“I told you, no matter how much torture you put me through, it won’t work--Ahhhh!!”

“Oh I know,” said Night Fright, as he signaled Blueblood, “That’s why I'm going to torture you two ways.”

“What are you talking about?” said Spike.

“Blueblood begin,” said Night Fright, with a twisted grin.

Spike saw Blueblood lift the whip, as time seem to almost go in slow motion, and everything went silent. The whip fell slashing into Rarity. Rarity struggled in pain, unable to scream with her mouth taped shut.

Spike screamed “No Rarity--Ahhhh!!” as he was shocked again by his chains.

“Again,” said Night Fright, as Blueblood continued with another slash into Rarity.

“No, stop it, pleas--Ahhhh!!” yelled Spike.

“Again.”

“I don’t know ho--Ahhhh!!”

“Again.”

“Stop--Ahhhh!!”

“Again.”

Spike wanted it to stop. But he didn’t know how to transform into his Ryu form. Seconds felt like millennia and minutes felt like eons, as each slash tore into Rarity’s flesh. But it just continued back and forth, Rarity being slashed and Spike being electrocuted. It soon got to the point where Rarity's body was now covered in slashes, and Spike's own body started to go numb.

Spike tried his best to keep his eyes on Rarity. Rarity herself could no longer cry, she had weeped her tears away in agony. And what was worse, the wounds were getting deeper.

Spike lay there. his body completely numb. He looked at Rarity. She was barely recognizable, the whip had torn away much of her flesh. There was blood everywhere and Rarity was trying her best to not pass out from the pain. Rarity looked at Spike almost pleading him to do something. She loved Spike and she did not want their world to end like this. They could sense each other's love for one another but were unable to say anything. Not allowed to speak the words that were screaming in their hearts.

Rarity tried her best to reach Spike, but then another painful slash struck into her. This one left a massive gash across her face, tearing the tape open as Rarity began to take heavy breaths of air into her mouth. Night Fright spoke “Well it looks like she can only take one more slash, before she keels over and yet you still won’t transform,” he place his hand on his chin. “Hmm, maybe I got the wrong mare,” he paused. Then he put his hand down. “Or maybe Chrysalis was wrong, and that a monster like you can never love.” Night Fright then decided something more twisted. “Tell you what dragon, Blueblood will deliver the final slash and kill her. If you don’t do something she will die. And I will be gracious enough to let you speak your final words to her,” then he turned to Blueblood. “Ready in ten seconds.”

Spike heard the words and although his whole body was numb, Spike tried to speak his last words. As the whip got ready, Spike slowly tried to speak, “Rarity…. Rarity….. I ….. I…..”

Rarity weakly lifted her head to speak, “Please Spike, please,” she begged, but Spike could no longer speak for his voice was gone. And now it was too late as the final swing headed straight for Rarity. She closed her eyes and braced herself for the end.

Spike looked in horror as time stood still. His thoughts were the only sound he could hear. 'No, I can’t lose her, she means the world to me, I love her, I LOVE HER, AND I WILL NOT LOSE HER.’ At that moment Spike felt a spark with himself.

As time began to move forward. A massive wave of magic shot forth from Spike and he transformed for the first time. Blueblood felt a slashing pain in his own body, as he looked at himself only to see that Spike had torn into him with his claws. Night Fright turned back upon seeing the massive claw rip through Blueblood. “So you finally transform-- ” but Night Fright could say no more as Spike knocked him to the wall, broke the chains and lunged forward, grabbing Rarity, breaking her chains in the process.

He shot a massive flame which tore a hole in the roof. Without even thinking on how he jumped into the sky and flew out of there while holding Rarity close to him. He tried to find a place to land where they couldn’t follow him. He flew so fast he manage to find a cave far from Night Fright. Landing inside it, Spike turned back to his normal size and then placed Rarity on a long stone.

******

Rarity was losing blood fast as she laid there. Spike didn’t want to lose her, but he didn’t know how to stop the bleeding. Thinking back to the many books he read Spike looked at Rarity, who was passed out from the pain. His mind was running at a thousand miles a second. ‘What should I do? I can’t stop the bleeding, I can’t stop the bleeding,’ the words kept repeating over and over in his head. He didn’t want to lose her, he loved her, more than anything. Rarity was always so good to him, so kind, so warm-hearted, and so generous!

Finally, it hit him. There was only one to stop the bleeding. Spike said to himself, “No I will never do that, she would never forgive me, I could never hurt her,” Spike grabbed his chest as it ached from the idea going through his head. “No, I can’t do that. No, I won’t.”

Then Spike felt it, the slash in his chest. It was the slash that Night Fright had given him. It was at that moment he knew what to do. He couldn’t take the idea of hurting her, but Spike could accept hurting himself.

Spike tore at his slash, the pain of his body slowly returning. He took the pain and got ready. It would be the hardest part of all. He lit a flame, ready to do the most painful thing he could ever go through to save Rarity.

******

Author's Notes:

Okay you have notice the obvious change, considering the pain and torture was in a separate chapter before. Now you are probably wondering why I moved that much wording into a already long chapter. Well this is do to the fact after a few scenes after this chapter will be a certain scene that got somewhat lengthy(which was originally a semi-clop) is now a full clop. So next chapter, the middle part is a clop.

I am so sorry for spoilers. But I felt this had to be pointed out.