I started this on fimfiction, but no one has been reading it. Hopefully it will be better received over here. I'll be working on both this story and Alive, which are not related to one another in the slightest.
XenoChronicle is rated M for violence, strong language, and strong sexual content. This author doesn't own anything associated with MLP.
Finally, any religious content doesn't reflect the religious views of the author. This story is made specifically for entertainment purposes. Enjoy.
It all started eight years ago.
After Twilight and her friends opened what would much later be called Pandora's box, the world began to change. A new form of magic was unlocked called "Ether". With this, ponies were able to materlialize magic in new ways. Machines became a major part of society, now powered by magic. It wasn't long before Equestria as it was known in the past became something else entirely.
With these revolutions in magic and the emergence of technology, came also the creation of new weapons. Out of nowhere, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna began funding a new type of machine. Unlike farming machines, transportation machines, and machines that allowed communication, these new machines were designed for one thing and one thing only.
Destruction...
These weapons were called Archangels. Titans made to look like alicorns, they were designed to be piloted by someone inside. Though they were just machines, to see such mammoth ponies unnerved a lot of the citizens, who had no idea why they were created.
But they soon found out...
The Griffin Kingdom attacked out of nowhere, demanding that rights to the sun be shared with them. It was as if the Princesses knew ahead of time what needed to be done. The griffins didn't stand a chance, and were soon all but completely wiped out.
Twilight didn't like the turn that Equestria was taking. Now that she was a princess, she could hold counsel with Celestia anytime she felt the need to, and she took full advantage of these privileges.
"Equestria is a peaceful country!" she stated, "These weapons, the Archangels, they're not needed to make Equestria a better place!"
"What would you suppose we do?" Celestia challenged, "We can't afford to surrender rights to the sun and moon."
"Would they have attacked if we had opened up the lines of communication?" Twilight asked, "What if we shared our technology with the other countries?"
"Then that would give them the power they need to bring us down," Celestia stated, "I can't put my ponies in danger no matter what the cost, Twilight. You know this."
"But we're already in danger! The other countries aren't going to accept us as a peaceful nation if we're the only ones with swords!"
Celestia stood up and walked over to Twilight, "I know it looks like what we're doing is promoting death and destruction, but I promise you, there is a plan. What my sister and I do, we do for all of Equestria."
"That's what I'm worried about," Twilight said turning to leave, "We're doing all of this for Equestria, but what about the rest of the world?"
Twilight left the study of her mentor, heart heavy as she knew their relationship would never be the same. She trotted right past Princess Luna, who was standing outside listening to the whole thing.
"Twilight, what are you thinking?" Luna asked herself.
About a week later, Twilight called an emergency meeting with her friends. Oddly she hadn't invited Rainbow Dash or Applejack, who now worked as guards for the castle. As such it was only Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity who came to see her.
They talked for hours, and to Spike who was listening in, it got really heated as Fluttershy of all ponies lost her temper at one point. Spike couldn't make out everything they were talking about, but he opened the door at the end to get the final words of their conversation.
"Are you absolutely sure about this?" Rarity asked.
"Honestly, no I'm not," Twilight said with a sigh, "But I have to follow my instincts. I'd understand it if you didn't want to come with me..."
"Then this is when I take my leave!" Fluttershy huffed, trotting toward the door.
"Fluttershy, wait-" Pinkie Pie called out, getting cut off when the door slammed shut. Everyone was silent for the longest time.
"Pinkie Pie, go with her," Rarity commanded softly.
"But what about-"
"I promise, everything will be fine. I'll be with her. You know how poor Fluttershy gets when she's upset though. She needs somepony to watch over her."
Pinkie Pie sighed, "Okie dokie lokie," she said half heartedly, "Twilight, Rarity, be careful."
"We will, definitely," Twilight said. Spike heard the door open and close, apparently signalling Pinkie Pie's departure, "Rarity, are you-?"
"I promised that I would follow you till the ends of the earth, and I meant that," Rarity said, "Celestia and Luna may run Equestria, but you are my princess."
"Oh Rarity... thank you," Twilight said, breaking down.
"Twilight...?" Spike asked, wishing he could go out there and ask them what was wrong, but they had no idea he was even listening, and he was still too young to make sense of what was probably going on.
"We leave tonight," Twilight said suddenly, "There's an Archangel in the castle hanger that we can take. I hate those things, but there might be a chance that we'll need it."
"Where should we meet?" Rarity asked.
"Right outside the train station," Twilight said, "Let's meet there at midnight."
"I'll see you then," Rarity said somberly.
Spike's heart was racing for some reason. It sounded like they were preparing for a battle of some sort. Why would they need an Archangel? Those things were made for war, right? Was Twilight planning on...
"Spike, could you come here for a second?" Twilight called out startling Spike. He got up and ran into the meeting hall, where Twilight and Rarity were waiting for him.
"What's up, Twilight?" Spike asked.
"Spike, I'm going out tonight, so could you watch the library for me?" Twilight asked softly.
"Sure thing, Twilight. Um, are you..."
"I'm fine, Spike," Twilight said turning away from Spike, "I'll be in my room if you need me."
Twilight ran out of the meeting hall. Now Spike was really worried. He had never seen Twilight so emotional.
"Rarity, what's going on? Is Twilight okay?"
Rarity sighed and looked away, "Honestly Spike, no she isn't. She lost faith in something today, and it's affected her greatly."
"What did she lose faith in? Maybe I can help? Just tell me what's going on and I'll be there too! I'll do anything I can to help!"
"Oh Spike Wikey..." Rarity said sitting down and pulling Spike into her embrace, "I know you want to help, but right now just leave it to me. I'll do everything I can to protect Twilight, I promise."
Rarity was so magnificent. Spike couldn't put into words exactly how he felt about Rarity, but the combination of her beauty, grace, gentle nature, and inner strength made her truly a sight to behold. In all sense of the word, she was beautiful.
"Alright Rarity, I'll always trust you," Spike said tightening the embrace. He had no idea how Rarity truly felt about him, but he was past the point of caring. She appreciated him, and that was enough for him.
After escorting Rarity to the door like a true gentledrake, he walked over to Twilight's room, where he heard crying. He knocked on the door to get her attention.
"Twilight, can I come in?" Spike asked. It took a second, but the sobbing stopped and the door unlocked and opened, revealing Twilight standing there, her eyes red from all the crying.
"Spike, what's... wrong?"
"That's what I want to know. What's going on Twilight?"
"It's... really difficult to say," Twilight said, "I promise, all of this will make sense one day, but if I try to explain it now you wouldn't understand."
"Twilight-" she cut him off by wrapping her forelegs around him in a tight hug, almost like how Rarity held him, but more like how a sister hugs a brother as opposed to the almost sensual/maternal nature of Rarity's embrace.
"Trust me, please."
Spike did trust Twilight, but in his heart he knew that something awful was about to happen. He returned the hug, and for a while they didn't say anything else. They just held one another, comforting each other as best as they could, even if Spike had no idea why he, let alone Twilight, needed comforting.
That night, Spike had a strange dream. He was with his friends outside, and they were having a picnic. The sun was shining, the wind was cool and comforting, and everyone was laughing and having fun. It was a perfect day, the kind he wished would last forever.
Midway though, he heard a voice right next to him. It was soft, almost like a whisper, and whoever it was, they were crying.
I love you so much Spike... Good bye...
After that the sun began to set, but as Spike looked around him, he saw everyone there looking up at the sunset.
Everyone except for Twilight.
"Spike, Spike please wake up, dear."
"Hmm... Rarity...?" Spike asked slowly opening his eyes. It was still dark, but Spike could tell that it would be morning soon. Standing over him was Rarity, but she looked strange. Nothing physically out of place, but something about her air was really melancholy.
"Remember when you asked me if you could help?" she asked softly.
"I remember... why? Is Twilight okay?"
Rarity looked away somberly, and Spike could have sworn that she was holding back tears, "She asked me to give you this. No matter what, you have to keep this safe. No one, not even the Princesses can know that you have this."
Rarity reached into her saddlebag and handed Spike a small star shaped jewel. He looked at it closely, and upon realizing what it was he woke up completely.
"Rarity, this is the Element of Magic!"
"Shh..." Rarity urged, calming Spike down.
"I thought you returned these to the Tree of Harmony last year."
"Well, we did, but this one at least has to be kept safe. No matter what, never let anyone in Canterlot know that you have this. Not even our friends, alright?"
This was scaring Spike, but he nodded all the same. Rarity then reached back into her saddlebag and pulled out a small key, "This is a key to my place. I want you to have it. Sweetie Belle will have one too."
"But what about you? It's your place."
"I... won't be needing it anymore," Rarity said softly looking down. Spike was wide eyed looking at the alabaster mare in front of him. It was beginning to feel like she was saying good bye.
"Rarity, what's going on? Why are you so somber? Where's Twilight? Where are you going?"
"Oh Spike..." Rarity, for the first time in Spike's life, broke down. Not in her melodramatic way when she couldn't get what she wanted, this was genuine sadness and depression.
She reached over to Spike and held him, stroking his back, sobbing the entire time.
"Rarity, I..."
"I want you to know..." she sobbed, "That no matter what happens, and no matter how far away we are, I'll always love you. Please, take care of my sister, and protect her the best you can. Please..."
"I-I will. I promise..." Spike said, oddly he found himself crying as well. In his heart he knew, she was leaving, and he would probably never see her again. She kissed Spike on the cheek, and then slowly stepped away, still looking at him.
"I meant that," Rarity said, "I love you. Good bye, Spikey Wikey..."
She then slowly turned around and trotted toward the door. Spike lied down on his bed, stroking his tail and crying himself back to sleep. He didn't even need to wait until the morning to check the room next door to see it empty.
Twilight and Rarity, the two most important mares in his life, were gone.