The Rise of Spike the Dragon

By: MasterBrony Forever

I would like to give a huge thanks to NineTailBeastBallfor Co-Writing, Pre-Reading, and Editing!

DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fanbased work of prose. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is the property of Hasbro, and the reinvention of the lovely Lauren Faust. No copyright infringement is intended, please support the official release.

The Scale Six trained on for several weeks never going past basic physical and always stopping when their powers took over. Like many types of magic, the Scale Six’s powers were affected by their emotions and would cause unfortunate results if bad memories resurfaced. Yet as they trained, they didn’t try to fight or hold back how they felt, but it would always take control. The few times they controlled their powers it seemed robotized, or forced.

Over this time, the dragons of the empire had come to respect the Scale Six as well as their races heritage. What really shocked them was how at peace their kind use to be with the ponies. It was a large contrast to the way things were currently with them being feared by everything.

Luna had started talking with them more just to get to know them better, and was glad they were becoming more open with their emotions, and talking to her about their past. The Scale Six went into greater detail about their lives growing up than Nubuatan had.

She and Lux were currently sitting atop the capitol building shooting the breeze.

“Mother used to always try and get me to eat meat, but at the time, I just wasn’t up for it.” Lux said with a giggle. “It got to the point that she actually had to start making stuff up to get me to eat the prey she and father brought home.”

“Whatever happened to your fathers? If you don’t mind me asking” Luna asked after hearing Lux’s statement. “None of you seem to talk about them at all.”

Lux fell silent and her smile faded and she looked out into the distance. She took a deep breath before beginning her explanation, “Well...Luna as you know we were more or less broken after our mothers were...killed. Our fathers were around but really weren’t too big of an influence, but were they were still the last bit of family we had.”

“We were immediately ready to set out after burying our mothers and sealing the doors, but when our fathers heard what we planned to do...they stopped us. They didn’t want to risk us meeting the same fate, even with our unique abilities, they thought we still had a lot of learning and training to do with Aquila and Celsius. So they went to Equestria to speak with Celestia.”

Lux pulled her legs closer to her body, “Before they left, they told us they would be back in a few days once they settled everything. We didn’t want them to go...they were the only family we had left, but they went. We waited...and waited...and waited...”

There was a long pause as silence filled the air between them, soon the only audible sound, was tears falling to the ground. “But they never came back...” Lux said as she started to cry more openly.

“I’m so sorry.” Luna said sympathetically as she pulled the dragoness into a hug which she gratefully accepted crying into the mare shoulder.

“It’s alright Luna.” The golden dragoness replied as she choked back her sobs. “You know, the reason we never talked about them, is because we never found out what happened to them. We always hoped they are still alive somewhere...somehow...” Lux said breaking away from the embrace and looking out onto the horizon.

Luna sat there in silence thinking on what Lux had said as well as the dragoness’ emotions. The group had been reluctant to show any weakness other than when they broke down in front of their mothers’ graves. How they managed to keep themselves together was beyond the lunar princess.

Unknown to them, Spike was on the balcony below listening to the conversation they had with tears falling from his eyes, trying his best to hold back his cries. Spike always did his best to keep hold of his emotions when around others, but on the inside he was still broken up. The poor drake’s younger self weep openly, it’s been like this ever since he regained the memories of what happened to his parents.

Spike wiped his tears as his grief as he said. “Don’t worry father...we will find you...we will avenge mother...” The shaking drake said storming back inside the building with a worried Peewee following.

Though Spike was the more level-headed of the group, he still had buttons that could be pushed to break him of his usual calm nature. Radiant has hit every one of those buttons.

Unknown to Equestria, the outside world is actually a very sinister and unfair place to live in. Many innocent creatures out there were suffering, yet Radiant keeps civilians ignorant to these misfortunes and exploits it. In reality, Spike knows Radiant is a coward who will eliminate anything she sees as a threat to her position. Yet as his blood started boiling at every thought of that despicable mare, something had come to him, a realization he was too blind by hate to see.

“It’s not their fault...” Spike said under his breath to himself.

Peewee cocked his head to the side in confusion from his master’s quiet statement.

Spike stood there shocked and started internally beating himself up as he thought over everything that had happened. As much as he’s come to despise them from how they had treated him, none of the blame could fall fully on Twilight and her friends. They were given no knowledge of what Spike really was, and the past behind Celestia obtaining him as an egg. And when he looked back he did see good time he had with them.

“If they would have know things would be different...so very different...” He said as his mind worked over everything that would have changed if Celestia had only told them the truth years ago. Or if he hadn't stormed out in a fit of rage at Twilight, and just done what she had told him.

Maybe he could have talked to her about it...maybe... “Agh Dammit!” He groaned as his head throbbed in pain. Peewee screeched with concern for his master, “I’m okay Peewee, I just need to relax.” He said to as he signaled for his companion to come to his shoulder.

Spike went to his chambers and laid on the bed and stared at the ceiling trying to allow the pain in his head to subside but it never did. He sat like this until Luna’s moon was raised high in the sky. It had been hours and the pain would not go away. Infact the pain seemed to grow, even worse Spike’s fury seemed to increase as time passed.

“What in the hell is happening?!” He howled as he grabbed the sides of his head as the pain grew.

“We can’t just hurt Twilight and the others...” Younger Spike said to his past life.

“Why’s that?” Older Spike stated, “Don’t you remember how they treated us? How we were babied, rejected, used, abandoned?!”

There was definitely something off about this older version of Spike. Though they look similar, there was an even stronger hatred in the older Spike than there was in the younger one.

"I know our second life wasn't the best, but at least we had a few good times together!” Younger Spike argued as he glared at his older self.

When he looked at his older self he saw something different than he had the first time he had met him. The once shiny scaled, pure hearted drake from before was no longer there. His past life’s scales and wings were darkened, damaged from battle. His eyes were bloodshot, bags could be seen beneath them. Something obviously happened to him...something dark...

A couple of seconds of silence passed before the older Spike started chuckling, confusing the younger dragon.

"I missed the joke.” He said confused at this sudden amusement the other was having.

“You are the joke.” The elder one responded as he stopped laughing and began circling the younger drake. “The fact you are still able to see the ponies who have alway mistreated you as saveable. After all they put us through, and the fact they follow that so-called benevolent ruler, Radiant.”

The younger Spike couldn’t believe what he was hearing, “What i-is y-your point?” He stuttered clearly outsmarted by his older ego.

“Listen! You know what their kind did to our mother! We don’t know what happened to our father! Because of Radiant, they see us as nothing but monsters and abominations!” the older one shouted, turning his back towards his young self. “Radiant sent those panies all those years ago to kill off any dragons they could! After they finished our mothers, and we found out they were ponies...we hunted them down and made their deaths slow and painful.”

Younger Spike eyes were closed, his fist clenched and his body shaking in absolute rage. “You think I don’t know THAT!? After regaining all my memories...ALL THAT PAIN CAME CRASHING DOWN ON ME!!”

The older Spike felt a wave of power overtake him and his head snapped to his younger self and saw green flames jutting out from around him.

“EVERY SINGLE BIT OF PAIN CAME BACK! THE FINAL LOOK OF PAIN AND DESPAIR OF HER FACE FOREVER ETCHED INTO MY MIND! YOU AREN’T ME! YOU HAVE BEEN CORRUPTED EVER SINCE OUR MOTHER DIED!” The younger Spike yelled as the fire surrounding him grew.

The evil hearted drake glared at him furious, “I AM YOU!! YOU ARE ME!! WE ARE ONE IN SAME!!” He growled as he charged at the smaller drake. He raised his claw engulfed in flames and attacked his younger form.

The young Spike’s eyes widened as he saw his older self charging at him, but he didn’t move. He shook a little in fear knowing what his past life was capable of doing, yet he also knew that the dragon he once, was still there under the dark drake attacking him.

Spike took a deep breath and let out a cry as he charged at himself. The older Spike’s fist, met his younger self’s jaw second’s later send him flying backward. Spike shouted in pain rubbed his cheek as he felt himself spit out a few teeth.

“THAT SHOULD HAVE KILLED YOU!” The older Spike said in disbelief that the runt before him was still standing, "YOU SPIRIT SHOULD BE DESTROYED!"

“You may be stronger than me...” He said, “But I have not become a monster! I have control!” Spike said charging and sliding under the tall drake and grabbing his tail. With all the power he could muster, Spike swung his older self through the air and slammed him into the ground.

He howled as pain shot down his spine and grunted as the smaller drake jumped onto his chest, “Turn back to the drake we know we are!”

“NEVER! I WILL NOT BE CONTROLLED BY YOU! I WILL MAKE EVERYPONY IN EQUESTRIA SUFFER FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE!” He yelled at the top of his lungs as he grabbed Spike by his neck and stood up.

Spike clawed at the hand as his airways were constricted. The older one’s eyes now had trindles of dark energy flowing off of them. Spike knew this was dark magic, fueled by hatred and vengeance.

With whatever air he had, the suffocating drake tried to speak, “P-please... y-you can’t...” He gasped, but the entity of hate wouldn’t let go. It was nearly impossible for Spike to breathe at this point and his vision was starting to fade as the corrupted being before him tightened his grip.

“With you out of the way...I will have total control, and can easily have the others help me scorch the lands of Equestria! Even the lands beyond if they try to oppose me.” The older drake said as a sadistic grin spread on his face.

‘It can’t end like this...’ Spike thought as his body started going limp.

As the evil Spike raised his other hand to finish off his weaker self, something large grabbed his wrist halting his strike.

“What has happened to you Spike...this is not the young drake I remember raising.” a soft voice said from behind the corrupt drake.

Sweet, gentle, loving...motherly, these were the words to describe this all too familiar voice. The older Spike’s head whipped around to face who had stopped him.

Spike’s eyes tripled in size as he gazed upon the dragoness that now stood before him. She was a beautiful figure, her primary scales had a similar color to younger Spike’s, but her underbelly scales and sharp spines were a light pink. Her gentle eyes, dark green colored eyes shined lovingly as she eyed the drake in front of her. Her face read of years of wisdom, and she carried herself with great pride. Even with her great size, the dragoness possessed a gentle grip on the young drake’s wrist.

It was none other than Hemera, Spike’s mother.

“M-Mother?! What are you doing here? How are you here?” The older Spike’s voice began to soften at the sight of his deceased mother. He instantly dropped his younger self who began to cough and gasp for air.

“I've always been here my son, watching over you, both of you.” She said using her tail to lift up the younger Spike who was simply awe struck, at seeing her. “Even though I’m dead, I’ll always still be your mother and a part of you.”

Tears began falling from both of the Spikes’ eyes as they embraced their mother,“You should still be amongst the living. They killed you... I really want to make them pay for what they did to you.” The eldest sobbed as he held on tightly to Hemera, his fist clenched.

Bitterness began to return to the older Spike’s tone but a confronting claw lifted his chin and brushed down his spines, “Don’t let your hatred take over your mind and cloud your judgement sweetheart. You know not every pony in Equestria was responsible for what happened to me or the others.”

Despite their mother’s gentle words, older Spike still had deep hate in his heart after how the Mane Six had treated him. “You’re aware of the negligence I've suffered back in Ponyville during my second life, aren’t you?” His gaze fell on his younger form who looked at him with a glare.

“Of course I am Spike.” Hemera answered bringing them to her chest, “Your younger self is right. Though the elements are not completely excused for their behavior, they still cannot fully be blamed. Despite the loneliness you suffered, we all know you both have some fond memories of your time with them.”

Both Spikes met each others gazes, “Please...we have to give them a chance...they may choose to assist us if we explain...Radiant must still be dealt with, and maybe we can be rid of her.” He said.

He was hesitant as his corrupted soul was still overrunning his mind. Hemera could sense this and placed a single claw to the older drakes chin and turning him to meet her gaze. She inhaled deeply and released a trail of pink fire that wrapped around him. Soon every inch of his body was covered by the pink flames.

“What is happening to him?” Spike asked as Hemera finished encasing him in her flames.

“I am repressing the rage, hatred, and darkness that has taken over his spirit.” She answered as she stopped breathing flames. “It is all I can do, the rest will be up to you my son. You must merge with him so the darkness can truly be dealt with. You recall how he spirit and soul were when you regained your memories?”

Spike nodded, “Yeah, right before I did I met him...or what was him.” He said pointing to the fire encased dragon, “He seemed so proud, and noble, and understanding.” He sighed.

“He still is, he was always a part of you that was locked away deep in your mind. When Nubuatan restored your memories, he was released, yet the darkness that filled his heart after my fall, was liberated as well. The only reason he has not fallen into total insanity, was because your presence was here.” Hemera pointed to the pink flames, “Touch the fire and merge with your other half.”

Spike was hesitant at first, but seeing the look she gave him, reminded him she would never steer him astray. He gulped as she put him down, and he made his way over to the fire surrounding his other half. Spike placed both hands into the flames and felt the fire start to trail down his body, causing his mind to go blank.

Hemera watched as the two forms merged into one, she smiled as she began to see the darkness that once covered his body began to crumble and fall away. His scales that were darkened and damaged, began to shine and turned flawlessly clean. Lastly, the bags under his eyes faded, as well as the blood-shot look.

“My son...I knew you were there.” She said as the two forms became one as her flames vanished in a pink flash.

Spike eyes opened and he looked up and slowly smiled to his mother, “My head is clear now. Thank you mother.” He rushed over and hugged her close. She smiled and returned the embrace.

“I just did what any loving parent would. I know how much you’ve been through Spike dear, and what you choose to do next is completely up to you.” Her body began to sparkle and she slowly started fading away as she sighed, “I must go Spike, my time is short.”

“Wait.” Spike called out quickly as she faded away. “Before you leave, can we hug one more time?”

She smiled “I believe that is possible.” She answered picking her son up and brought him to her soft chest again. “Remember this sweetie, I’ll always be with you, even if you can’t see me.”

“I will mother, I love you.” Spike said as tears streamed down his face.

Hemera also had tears in her eyes as she held onto her beloved child. “I love you too dear, more than anything.” Those were her final words before her body vanished and the loving embrace was lost.

Spike woke up to be greeted by his friends all staring at him with concern. He quickly sat up and wiped away the tears he felt around his eyes, “Oh...hello guys. Why are you all looking at me like that?”

“We’re in shock dude, you've been out for four days!” NightStalker said.

“Four days?!” Spike shouted in disbelief.

Night began burst out laughing at Spike’s reaction, “Haha! Just kidding, you've only be out for a couple of hours.”

Spike rolled his eyes but chuckled at this, “Don’t do that again, you had me worried there.”

“More importantly Spikey dear, are you alright?” Glamour asked placing her hand on his.

“I’m actually doing great.” he smiled as Peewee flew from his basket to rest on his awakened master’s shoulder, “Better than ever really.” His smile formed into a grin.

Cobalt raised a brow “Really? Cause you were shouting and crying in your sleep, you didn’t look fine at all. Looked like you were being possessed or something.” She said.

“Let’s just say I had a lot on my mind.” He responded sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head.

“Like what?” Lux asked tilting her head.

“Well...you all remember what I told you all about the ponies that I hung around in Ponyville right?” Spike asked.

“How could we not remember those ass hats?” Cobalt responded with a bit of venom in her voice.

“It is hard to forget them after seeing how they tried to force you back to Equestria.” Glamour added thinking back to when they jumped the border.

“Well...I don’t really hate them so much anymore.” He said much to their confusion and shock.

“What are ya talkin bout?” Scout asked, “Aft’ah all they had put ya through, ya don’t hate em?”

“Don’t get me wrong, I still dislike them, but they can’t fully be blamed for everything. We can’t take out all of our anger and rage out on them. Looking back, we shared some good times too.” Spike responded.

“We will still be going to Equestria, but we'll only be focused on Radiant. We will not hurt anypony unless they stand in the way.” Spike then rose from his bed and looked out the window. “We’ll take a few more days off of training to travel to the Crystal Empire and calm the citizens.” He said looking to his friends with a smile. “We will be going about this differently, but there is something I need to check first. Where is Luna?” He asked.

“I believe last time I saw her, she was going to check on her bat ponies.” Lux answered tapping her chin, “Why?”

Spike stretched before answering the question, “Just need her help with something.” He answered as he walked past them and gave Glamour a quick kiss.

They each looked to each other in confusion at what their leader was up to.

Lux was correct in saying Luna was with her night guards. Spike found them in their barracks relaxing, and speaking with the lunar goddess. Spike smiled at this, unlike Celestia or Radiant, Luna took time to get to know her subjects and guard more personally. She has made more public appearances since her first Nightmare Night a few years back and ponies began to warm up to her over time.

“Hey Luna.” Spike said getting his good friend’s attention as well as some the bat ponies. The lunar soldiers bowed their heads in respect when they saw Spike. “Please...don’t. It doesn’t feel right.” He said sheepishly.

“Hello Spike,” Luna said as she wrapped her forearms around the drake's torso, “Did you need something?”

Spike smiled at the alicorn. “Yes Luna, I have a small favor to ask of you.” Spike answered.

“Anything Spike.” She responded.

“Since you can travel into others’ dreams, can you also travel into one's subconsciousness?” He asked.

Luna nodded, “I can, why do you ask?” She tilted her head interested in why Spike wanted such knowledge.

“Well, some things have come to light recently, and I need you to check on the others’ subconsciousness. Our plans have had some changes, which I will explain later, but I just want to make sure they are alright.” He explained.

Luna was getting a little concerned, “Spike is everything alright, you seem uneasy.”

“Well...if you meet me in my dreams tonight, I will explain everything,” He said rubbing his head, “It is much more than I can tell you here.”

Luna was really worried now, but nodded to Spike, “Alright Spike...if you wish.” She said.

“Thank you Luna. And I would recommend we bring Discord as well.” He said as he stood to leave and gave a wave to her as he left.

‘What is going on Spike?’ Luna thought to herself as she noticed her bat ponies come back into the room. Saving the suspicions for tonight, Luna resumed with talking to her guards and checking their equipment and supplies.

Late that night, civilians in the Dragon Empire were in a deep sleep. The only ones about, were the Lunar Guard patrolling the forest, and guarding the empire’s entrance from both sides. Glamour was still worried about Spike, so she slept with him. Why they had their own rooms was beyond them, they never slept in separate rooms anyways.

Right now, Spike was fast asleep in his chambers with his lover resting peacefully at his side. Peewee was sleeping in his basket beside the window where Luna’s moon shone beautifully.

Luna walked into her luxurious chambers having just finished her lunar duties. She readied herself as she casted her dream walking spell as she laid in her bed. “Hopefully Spike is ready.” She said to herself as she closed her eyes to let the spell take effect.

Once she opened her eyes again she stood in the Dream Realm. She looked around and saw hundreds of portals into every other creature’s dreams. It didn’t take her long to locate Spike’s dream and retrieve him, as well as Discord from his own twisted imagination.

Once she retrieved them she summoned three chairs for them.

Discord puffed his cheeks like a spoiled child, “May I ask why was I pulled from my dream? It was a lovely experience.” He said stretching and laying down in his chair.

Luna rolled her eyes, “Oh hush Discord, we have more important things to discuss.” She said gritting her teeth.

“Don’t be so harsh on him Luna, he’s just being himself.” Spike chuckled.

“Thank you Spike.” Discord said as he threw a smirk to Luna who simply stuck her tongue out at him.

Spike cleared his throat, “Anyway, I called you two here because I have had some a realization. As it turns out, I was rarely thinking with a clear head ever since I have gotten my memories back. Most of the thoughts and choices I have made up to this point, were because of my own corrupt thoughts taking over.”

The deities nodded in understanding, “Yes, please go on.” Discord urged.

Spike paused for a bit before continuing, “Earlier today I had a mental battle with myself, where I came face to face with a separate personality created from my hatred and anger. This evil Spike, eventually overpowered me and was about to finish me before a miracle happened.”

“Well, what was it?” Discord asked.

“I saw...my mother.” He answered surprising both of them. “She appeared in my mind, telling me not to let hatred cloud my mind. The corruption was hesitant with my mother’s advice, so she suppressed the dark emotions within my mind, allowing this evil to be contained.”

“This separate personality’s creation, sounds similar to when I became Nightmare Moon a millennium ago. Yet, yours seemed to reside on the mental level.” Luna pointed out.

Spike nodded, “Precisely.” He said.

“Well, dark magic practically has a mind of its own and feeds off the negative emotions of the one using it. If not properly controlled, the negativity could take over the practitioner completely, as I’m sure you are aware.” Discord said stroking his beard.

Spike recalled the events in the Crystal Empire, “I’m not aware of the details but apparently the former ruler of the Crystal Empire, King Sombra used dark arts during his rule.” He said thinking back to when he was listening in on Celestia and Twilight’s conversation.

“So your mother helped to control the darkness that was controlling your mind, so you want to change things?” Discord asked with some confusion.

Spike nodded to him, “I discovered that the elements cannot be held completely for the things that they put me through. Not only that, but we can’t just attack all of Equestria for what one mare has done. Things are going to be changed from what were originally going to do, but I must check something first.” He looked to Luna, “Do you remember how I asked if you can go into someone's subconscious?”

“Of course.” She said, “I have been really thinking about what you had planned since you have asked me. Yet after listening to your recent experience, I think I may know why.”

“You want to see if the others are corrupted like you used to be.” Discord said, “Sounds like the perfect thing to check after hearing what you have gone through.”

“I still am Discord, ” Spike said closing his eyes and shaking as he grasped his chest, “...the darkness will never leave. I can still feel the deep hatred boiling inside of me...” He was practically growling as he spoke these words.

Discord held up both his hands, “Just don’t take it out on me.” He said.

Spike couldn’t help but laugh at the reaction, “Don’t worry about that, I’m trying my best to keep it under control.”

Luna couldn’t help but laugh as well at Discord over dramatic reaction, “Well if you want to help your friends we may want to get started now. It may take a minute to make our way from their dreams into their subconscious but it is doable.” She said after coming down from her laughing fit.

“Alright.” Spike said with a smile, “Thanks for doing this.”

“Don’t worry not Spike. It is the least I could do for a friend.” Luna said before looking Spike in the eyes and asking, “Tell me Spike, have you truly forgiven the elements for what they did?”

“Yes. From what we know they treated you awfully.” Discord added.

"I am not fully sure...” he answered as he thought back to the few good times they had. “It will take some time, but I may be able to forgive them.” he said as a faint smile grew on his features.

Luna smiled back before sending a trail of magic through the realm of dreams to locate the others of the Scale Six. After several moments the portals that held their dreams were pulled toward her, Spike, and Discord. “Alright here they are.” She said.

"When I enter the subconsciousness, I need you to be with me in case I can’t help them see reason and their corruption tries to claim me as well.” He said looking to each of the portals with fear rising in him thinking how it was hard for him to fight off his own darkness.

Luna nods and they stepped into the portal leading to the first dream.

First thing...HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYPONY!

Second thing...Sorry for keeping you waiting so long. A lot has been going on.

Third thing...I am trying to fix some of the issues with the story. Like why Spike is emotionless, why they have control of their power so quickly, starting to make Spike hate the Mane Six left to the point of forgiving them.
(Which was something I have been trying to avoid. I have seen it done too many times in Spike FanFics and most the time I don't like it. That is because Spike goes through all this hardship and he just forgives them. I wanted to avoid this but I have seen how people have been reacting to it and decided to change it up a little.)

Forth thing...THANKS FOR THE 600 LIKES!! I know the dislikes have been growing recently but I don't have time to go back and fix everything people hate this story for. Mostly in a few weeks when I will be cut off from the world for several months for basic training.
I am glad people decided to stick with it. I will no longer delete comments but I will block trolls.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ME! I do have a short bi-sexual Spike harem fic coming out soon. I am still working on it and I need help for a sex sense.