Bulletproof Heart
Chapter 27: Post-Credits
Previous Chapter106th of Rising Heat, 1006 BA
Spike let out a hum that shook Rarity’s bones with his proximity. “That is quite the story, Lady Rarity.”
“He says to the pony who lived it.” She was settled upon her Royal-sized mattress with its silk sheets again. Spike had kept it there ever since her departure, ready and waiting for her to claim it once more. Sweetie Belle lay curled up next to her, unable to stay awake for the entire story. Rarity didn’t blame her; they’d had a long journey together. It was also a welcome change, for the teenage filly had produced an endless stream of excited questions ever since she’d been first introduced to the Boss of Howler’s Bank.
Her mother and Coco, on the other hand, had been all too eager to be taken to their respective rooms, prepared well in advance of their arrival. It seemed it would take time to get used to the idea that the protection promised them for so long was coming from a dragon.
“And how are you?”
It took her a moment to register that the question had been asked at all, and longer to realize what it had been. She sighed and shook her head. “I’m getting by. I miss Papa fiercely, but the weeks required to travel here have dulled the sting.”
Another throaty hum. Spike scratched at his throat with a lone talon, his eyes on something beyond the walls of his cavernous, gem-filled home. “I promise to look after your family and Miss Pommel as best I can. They will be safe here, though I question if they will wish to remain.”
“They’ll come around,” she assured him, reaching down to pet Sweetie’s mane. The filly smiled and nestled a little closer to her big sister. “I’m sorry they didn’t take to you right away.”
“I know how it is.” Spike offered that pleasant smile of his, the one without showing all his teeth. She idly wondered how many years it had taken him to perfect that. “I seem to recall a certain pony fainting at the first sight of me.”
She blushed, but returned the smile. “At least they didn’t do that, I suppose.”
They held one another’s gaze for a moment, but then Spike lost his smile. Shuffling in place, eyes filled with concern, he asked, “Are you sure you’re alright?”
“I’m better than I’ve been in a long time.” She chuckled, a hollow note that sounded all the more so thanks to the echo of the cavern. “Stormy Flare’s rage revealed to me what I didn’t want to become. I have a much clearer path now, at least philosophically.”
Spike’s long, sinuous neck brought his head close to her, such that he was able to stare into her face. His breath, as minty as she recalled, blew her mane back, but she didn’t retreat from his gaze. Rather, she met it fully, not sure what to expect from his thoughtful scrutiny.
“You’ve changed, Rarity. You are a very different, far stronger pony than the one I was forced to say goodbye to a few seasons ago.”
She smiled and reached up to rub the tip of his massive snout. “Thank you, Spikey.”
He averted his eyes, and she thought she saw a touch of pink in his cheeks. The idea that a dragon could blush still baffled the mind. She’d certainly never seen Ophelia do that. After a moment’s embarrassment, he retreated back into his sitting position atop his pile of gems. She couldn’t stop smiling; to see something that big be embarrassed was strangely cute.
“So,” he asked with a bit too much quickness, “what happened to the others?”
Her thoughts drifted to the friends she’d parted with recently. It proved an effective dampener on her mood, not that she blamed Spike for that. “I’m afraid Strawberry didn’t take too well to the loss of her arm. When we parted ways, Tiro said he intended to bring her home. It’s probably for the best.
“I offered to escort Roan to her roost, but she declined.” That thought left an unpleasant sting in her chest. “She was determined to make the last leg of her voyage on her own. I fear she wasn’t ready, but… I think it’s time I learned to let some things be. I’ll just have to trust that she made it there alive and well.”
Another of those throbbing hums. Spike stared at his claws, which twiddled and poked at one another in an anxious display. “I know that feeling.”
He would, wouldn’t he? Twirling Sweetie’s mane between her fingers, she replied, “I’m sorry. I knew you didn’t want me to leave. I suppose it worked out in the end. I’ll try to take that as a sign I should be more confident in Roan.”
“I guess so.”
They were quiet for a time. Rarity’s mind was blank, and comfortably so. For the first time in ages, she wasn’t thinking about who she needed to protect, where she needed to get to, or if anypony was out to kill her. It was nice, not having to worry. Even Roan slipped her mind for the time being, though she knew the young griffon would come back to her thoughts eventually. For now she would bask in the peace of Spike’s home and enjoy his company, as well as that of her family.
Speaking of… “I wanted to thank you again, Spike. I know I have no place to ask you to look after them, but I appreciate it with all my heart.”
“Of course. It’s my pleasure. Your sister seems like a delight to have around.” His massive green eyes settled upon the filly, but not for long. “You will stay for a little while? At least until you heal.”
“But of course, Darling.” Rarity grinned even as she took a moment to rub her still-aching shoulder. “Far be it for me to reject your hospitality. You do know how to spoil a girl.”
He placed a claw over his heart and bowed his head in a mildly exaggerated pose. “I live to serve. But if I may ask, what do you intend to do once you leave?”
He hadn’t even bothered to suggest she wouldn’t. But then, it had likely been obvious. He knew as well as she did that her future still wasn’t in these caves and tunnels, no matter how comfortable he made them for her. Indeed, they felt even less appropriate for her now than they had when she’d last been here.
Realizing he was watching her, she shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ll need a way to earn some money, since I’ve lost my entire fortune in the last year. I’d hate to take up bounty work.” She grimaced, the very idea leaving a bad taste in her mouth. “Still, I shall do what I must with the skills I can no longer deny I have. And no—” she added with some bite just as his mouth began to open “—I will not be accepting any financial gifts from the Bank. I started this journey a self-made mare and by the Sisters I will end it that way.”
Spike raised his claws up in a gesture of surrender. “I shall say nothing of it. But,” he added with a hopeful smile, “perhaps if I sent word to you on occasion of lucrative opportunities?”
For that she gave him a warm smile. “I’d be happy to receive that kind of help. Thank you, Spike.”
“You are welcome. In the meantime, might I make a suggestion?”
“But of course.”
A lone talon, almost as wide as she was tall, approached until it was only a foot away, the tip aimed at her chest. “The Elements of Harmony.”
Cocking her head, Rarity reached beneath her shirt and pulled out the golden necklace. “This? I am still not wholly convinced it is what you say it is.”
“It is, Rarity. I know it as sure as I know my own hoard.” His eyes narrowed as he studied the necklace, the tip of his tail flicking and sending coins and gems rolling about in waves. He paused when the noise made Sweetie stir, and waited until she drifted off once more to speak again. But his eyes never left her necklace. “That is the Element of Generosity. And, if I have the details of your story correct, then you’ve already found two others, though I cannot claim which ones they are. That means there are three more.”
“Two more.” His eyes flicked to hers, and she continued, “Don’t forget the one I saw with the buffalo.”
“It is no coincidence.” Spike settled on his belly, all his attention now focused on her necklace. “The Elements are awakening. They are seeking new Bearers, of which you are one. Applejack is likely another.” Ignoring Rarity’s scoff, he asked, “Where is Applejack? I would like to see her Element and determine which it is.”
“She went home,” Rarity replied primly. “She is the leader of her Family, after all, and she’s left them to their own devices for far too long. It was time to check in and make sure everything was still running smoothly.” Rarity didn’t bother to add that she felt a little saddened by the mare’s leaving. Not that she was ready to fully accept Applejack’s presence, of course. Not at all. She just didn’t like travelling alone anymore. “I’m sure she’ll find her way back to me in time. She all but said she would.”
“If she does, let her know she is welcome to come to this place. I would very much like to meet her.” Spike’s gaze, ever thoughtful and now somewhat firm, met hers. “I recommend you seek out the remaining Bearers. It may not be necessary, for the Elements have a way of bringing the right ponies together. I feel something big is going to happen. It will happen soon, and you will be caught in the middle of it.”
The confidence in his tone fed a flame of uncertainty within her. His solemn, sure stare only reinforced that feeling. She pushed it down and focused on straightening Sweetie’s mane with her fingers. “I hope not. I’m ready to face my future, but I don’t know that I’m a good fit for taking on the world.”
Spike was silent for a time, save for his ever-heavy breaths. She didn’t look up, not wanting to know what he was thinking. If her necklace was an Element and it did have plans for her, she preferred not to know about it. It was enough that it was hers. Besides, she didn’t believe his talk of Elements.
“There is somepony you should meet. I would normally suggest her teacher, who was a friend of mine, but I’m afraid she died last year. Her apprentice may be able to tell you more about your necklace.”
Rarity sighed and peered up at him. “If I agree to at least consider doing this and searching for the Elements in my spare time, will you agree to drop it for now?”
His scaled lips turned up in a smirk that suggested he knew far more than he was letting on. “Very well, I can live with that arrangement. A promise for a few days of peace.”
Part of Rarity wanted to ask what his game was, but in the end she found she just wanted to not think about it. So, with a roll of her eyes and an inviting gesture, she said, “Deal. So who is this pony and where would I find her, should I be so inclined?”
“You will find her in Manehattan. She goes by the name of Trixie.”