Chapter 10:

Rarity had been horrified when she saw Spirit held up in that cage. Twilight and Rarity had been looking for Spirit everywhere for the past two days. They had searched everywhere from AppleJack's farm to the Everfree Forest. Wolf had helped out every step of the way as well trying to track his scent but something always seemed to get in the way. Rarity hadn't given up either she had gone even through the night going around looking at every corner and every alley way. She was sad to not have found him and then she was scared as the guard had called a town assembly. Well she had found him and she was distrot. He was giving a small speech before what he knew as his soon to be death. She was about to cry as she heard his small speech and mention of her as Beauty as he was the Beast. Then something changed in Spirit and she saw it, he changed from collective and almost ready for death look to a scared and almost dread of something look.

"RUN!" Spirit had yelled. Everypony started muttering to one another about what he had just said in such a tone. They seemed to be in disbelief of what was going on. Rarity also didn't understand what Spirit was getting at, he made a very sad and kind speech to be interrupted by a sudden change to fearful horror movie like quarantine thing.

"Please!" Spirit continued, "Please! If you value your life, you will run as fast as you can away from me!"

"Why should we listen to you? You just want to kill us!" said some pony. Other cheered in agreement at this and some pony threw what looked like a rock. It hit with a thud on Spirit's head but he didn't seem to care. Rarity winced as she heard it resound against his head. This seemed to only give the other ponies reason to keep bombarding him rocks.

Please! Please run away from me! Look up if you don't believe me! If you see the-" Spirit was saying before a bottle flew in a hit him square in the mouth, stopping what he was about to say. Rarity winced again, watching him getting hurt wasn't as easy as very. Yet Spirit as still trying speak to the crowd as if they would listen to him, "Please i beg of yo-RRAARGH". He tries to say something but it was as if an animal had growled in his place of words. Rarity turned away again as this time some one had thrown another bottle but some of hit hat stuck and dug into his face. She looked up in an attempt to think of something happy. The night is so lovely tonight, Rarity thought trying to drive out what was going in. Wait the moon,Rarity began to remember what Spirit had said 'The bet kills to survive, feeding off something called ether. Then she remembered where it came from, she turned to Twilight and said "We have to get out of here now!"

"Why? He is behind bar, there is no way he could-" Twilight was saying but then there was a loud and metallic thud and every stood silent. Another yell that turned into a loud growl, Spirit felt the magic begin to brew under the skin and within the bones. He felt the magic flatten his shoulder blades. He felt his arms growing in length, the magic breaking his hooves and turning in to claws. He felt his fur darken and his face both spread out and wide and his eyes change to view the night better. His ears grew larger and became more pointed. Pain erupted from his jaws as his normally flat teeth became sharp and pointed. The magic began to elongate his spin and he felt the muscle in his already large body grow even more and become more solid. His legs were becoming longer and thing but there was only muscle. The transformation continued for another minute as the final touches were added such as the nose and the added muscle to the tail. Once the transformation was finished, Spirit could feel his mind being pushed back into the small void were the curse lived in his mind.

Inside Spirit mind.

Spirit was being strapped in a strait jacket and being thrown into the cage he knew so well, but this time was different. This time he struggled for what he could remember as the first time ever. The curse looked at him and smiled, "You know it is my turn don't you?"

"Please. Just not these people. Please don't hurt them."

"Hurt them. Or hurt her?" The curse said, his face changing into a face that could be called the epitome of evil grins. Spirit smashed his shoulder into the side of the cage and roared with defiant anger. The curse laughed and said "Like I said. It's my turn to drive. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a show to perform."

The Real World.

The wolf was out and Rarity knew that it wouldn't stop till the sun came up. She turn to leave but a voice stopped her.

"See. Do you people see the beast that wished to kill you. Do you see its vulgarity. Does it not fill you with fear and angry and it disgustingness." Boulder Strong voice boomed over the crowd's murmurs. The Lycan, as if to add emphasize to what he said, gave long and loud howl raising his head towards the moon. Boulder Strong took a sword from one of his soldiers and said "Well people of Ponyville. I shall rid you of this menace and give you freedom of fear. With this silver blade, I shall free you." He took the sword and impaled it right through the heart of the creature. The Lycan stopped and gave a small yelp of pain and then slumped over and landed on his knees and bowed his head. There was no movement. Rarity realized that he had died. He had actually died. And the worst part was that he didn't die as himself. Rarity thought about it and realized that she would have to start living her life without his cool head. His abnormal way of complimenting people. His straight forward attitude and ability to just tell the truth and do what it take to do what's right. She started to cry, it began with the usual small sobs but then it grew to actual tears. She tried to keep them inside but they wouldn't stop. Twilight turned to her friend and said "Rarity, I'm sorry. It will be fine Rarity. Don't worry." Then there was a chuckle. Just audible enough for everyone to hear. Everyone started to turn and look from where it was coming from. Then the chuckling became a laugh, a full hearted laugh. And then the Lycan stood up and roared at the crowd. Then all hell broke loss.

Everyone began to panic and they all began running. Boulder Strong called for more soldiers to back him up but they were too scared to do anything. They had been taught about how the Lycan would react, move and fight but actually seeing it was something entirely different. The Lycan pulled his hand back and then punched the wall of the cage. The cage wall broke and there Lycan casually walked out of the cage and roared at the soldiers. They all charge but this was a vain attempt at stopping the beast and they knew it. The beast swiped once with his claws and manages to take out three guards, all of them dead before they hit the ground. The guards after before the first then began to scare and that is what the Lycan was waiting for. He immediately pounced on one soldier, ripping his jugular with his fangs, then with his claw he reach out and swiped and another two guards knocking them to the ground. Then he jumped on another soldier and clawed his face a couple of times. Then he took another soldier and threw him into a building. Them out of nowhere, Boulder Strong came up with the sword and tried to swing at the Lycan. The Lycan didn't even flinch as he grabbed the sword and broke with his hand. Then he took Boulder Strong who was in shock, and threw him as hard as possible facing the apple orchards.

On the other side of the square Rarity and Twilight were running, running away from the giant beast that could if he wanted to rip their hearts out with one claw. Rarity was very confused, so he had not died. That was a relief, but now he wanted to kill them. Well at least it was an improvement. Now she knew that he was alive they had to deal with a new problem. Spirit wasn't Spirit. Spirit's body was being used to kill other to sustain itself, trying to kill them and suck their life essence as food for himself. There was no way they could escape. He did say that Lycans could run very fast. Then Rarity heard a familiar voice.

"Twilight, Twilight" she heard. She stopped Twilight by grabbing her shoulder and asked "Where is Spike?"

"Oh Celestia I almost forgot about him in the panic. Spike!" She began calling out. A couple seconds later Spike appeared before them. Spike looked up "Twilight are you alright?" then he saw Rarity "Oh thank god you're alright Rarity. I didn't know that they would catch him so quickly. To think the soldiers saved you."

"Catch who so quickl-. Spike you found out that Spirit was the Lycan. And you told them!?"

"Well yes. He was getting close to you and he let you get captured and then I thought that he was with th-" Spike was silenced with a slap.

"We will talk about this later. Right now we need to run. Spirit isn't in there and he will kill us all."

"Actually. Rarity that why I thought of finding Twilight." Spike said slowly still holding the spot where Rarity's hoof had hit. He turned to Twilight and said "We need to try it?"

"No, Spike I haven't even tried the spell. We don't know if its permanent or not. Spike I don't think we should do it"

"But Twilight it is the only way to at least kill time before the moon goes down."

"What are you two talking about?" Rarity asked. They had ignored her however and continued "Are you sure you want to do this Spike?"

"It's the only way isn't. Lets do it." Twilight sighed, and her horn started to glow. She began to chant something that Rarity could to tell was the ancient tongue. Her eyes began to glow and her purple glow was beginning to surround Spike. Spike began to grow. Grow very large. Eventually Spike grew to the size of an ordinary house. Rarity stepped back in fear as he finally stopped growing. Rarity looked up at the giant dragon and said tentatively "Spike?" The dragon shook his head and growled "I am sorry" then he jumped off toward the place people were running from.

"Twilight what did you just do?" Rarity asked Twilight helping her up as she had collapsed. She took a couple of deep breath and then replied "An aging spell. It ages Spike for around a couple decades or so to give him control over the body he has now. It was his idea the first time we heard the Lycan was in town. I am sorry but the Lycan might die, Spirit might die. I don't think anything could survive against full grown dragon!"

"Lets hope not!" Rarity said following Spike wanting to see and if needed stop the fight. Twilight followed her trying to keep her friend safe. On the other side of the square the Lycan was killing many soldiers to which he was getting bored of.

"Why do they keep coming? Don't they know that they will die?" The curse said. His face switching from bored face to bored face. Spirit was still smashing his shoulder against the cage trying to escape, "Well what do you expect? People will always fight for something. If they believe its worth protecting then they will die to protect it." Another smash against the cage, "If your so bored how bout you go find some entertainment"

"Haha. No need. It's found me" the curse said this time with a smile. Spirit looked and saw the dragon that had appeared almost out of nowhere.

"You really goanna go against a dragon? That's insane even for you"

"Yup. But it aint my first time so, let's see if this brute even knows how to dance." The curse and smiled his 'this is going to be fun' smile.

The Lycan swatted a couple of soldiers that were in his way and ran down on all four towards the dragon. The dragon with his big size could really run up to the Lycan nor could he move as much since was just entering the square. The Lycan jumped and lands heavily enough on the dragon's head to slam it down to the ground. The dragon lifted his head up and threw him into a house. The Lycan smashed into the house and almost blew out then entire wall. He gets back up and jumps up immediately as the dragon launches a fireball in the direction of the Lycan. The Lycan lands on the house and uses it to propel himself towards the dragon and overhead smashes his head. Again the dragon's head was smashed to the ground. However this time the dragon was ready, he swung his tail around and smashed it into the Lycan. The Lycan was thrown into the house across the square, he smashed the house to the ground. He got up and saw the dragon move the rest of its body into the square. Now he had room to move, it had room to kill. The Lycan roared and the dragon roared back. Then the dragon took in a deep breath.

"Oh god were goanna get roasted" Spirit said.

"Hey don't count your eggs before they hatch. And don't worry I got plan. Ever heard of the three little piggys?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"I am going to blow his house down"

In the house, the Lycan also took a deep breath and looked straight at the dragons eyes. The dragon released his breath in a green jet of flames. Right before the jet of flame got the Lycan he blew the air he held in. The jet of flames were then stopped by the stream of air that was shoot out of the Lycan. The fire would not go any further yet it licked the edges of the Lycan's fur. The LYcan kept on pushing his air out with ll the force he could must keeping the fire from touching him best he could. Eventually the dragon stopped blowing and the both regained their breath. Once that was done the Lycan then ran towards the dragon and then smashed his head down with both hands. The head of the scaly beast actually managed to bounce off the ground. The for good measure the Lycan threw upper-cut the head of the dragon. Then, when the dragons head was in the air and was dazed by the smashes , the Lycan began furious clawing at the dragon's chest wildly, yet keeping it so that they all cross a specific cent that all of the cuts made. The dragon recovered fast however and made a furious swipe with his clawed talons. The Lycan was smashed into another house but this time he was scared, three large cut that were around two inches deep. However the Lycan just waved his hand over the cuts which then heal crudely. He then got back up and then jumped high, landing down on the dragons head. The dragon was beginning to feel the repetitive blows to the head and it as taking its toll. The dragon this time had to take more time to recover. This was what the Lycan needed to finish him off. The Lycan then took his claw and impaled his claw into the center of all the slashes he had made. There was a breaking sound and then a sickening squelching sound. The Lycan's claw was around shoulder deep into the dragons gut. The game was over. The Lycan pulled his arm out and got reached back for another impaling blow but the spell had run out. The dragon slowly shrunk and become Spike again. The Lycan watched as the baby dragon slump on the ground.

"He was a KID!" The curse said.

"Huh. No wonder the thing looked familiar" Spirit said and resumed his banging on the cage door. He had stopped during the fight just to see the clash of two beast that cause terrible damage. Spirit smashed again and then asked "You gonna kill him?" The curse thought for a second and then acted. The Lycan moved his hand over the stab wound on the dragon and summoned the dark magic and healed him. The curse smiled and said "He might be worth a fight in the future." Then the Lycan Jumped and top of a house and howled a vitory howl.

Rarity feeling a complex stew of emtions, for one she was happy that Spirit was not killed. Two she felt sad and hurt at the sight of Spike who had been defeated by the Lycan. Three she was definitely surprised that the Lycan won over the dragon. And four which was felt more now than before, fear of what was going to happen next. She had decided that now would be a good time to run and so turned and grappled Twilight by the hoof and ran. She drag her around the house and through a small alley way. There was a thud above them and heard a growl. Rarity looked up and saw the Lycan looking down at them, an evil grin on his face.

"Pickaboo! I found your new lover!" the curse said.

"NO. NO. I WILL KILL YOU!" Spirit said actually ripping the straight jacket. And begin slamming his hooves against the cage.

"Oh-ho, that's interesting. You broke through his first defense but that is not goanna stop me"

The Lycan jumped down and slowly walked towards the two mares. He sniffed the air and smelled the fear and flowing blood. He looked at the two mares wondering which one to kill first, the white had much emotion in her which would be delicious, but the purple one emotion were defined fear and sadness which to the Lyan where like tender steak with side order of mac n cheese. This was going to be a difficult decision. The Lycan just decided to kill them both. He raised his clawed hand and raised it high.

"Spirit" Rarity said in a low scared voice that dripped with fear. At that point rage blew up with Spirit. He screamed in a fight of rage and managed to break the second mental defense and smacked the curse down. Spirit took the curse and put him into the cage. Then he smashed the key hole for it to become harder to open. He then began to take control of the body. He began to transform his body back, which was harder than expecting.

"Hey Rarity. How is it going?" Spirit said halfway through transforming back to a pony. He smiled which was kinda wied seeing as half of his face was still a Lycan.

"How is it going?" Rarity repeated in a low tone, "How is it going? HOW IS IT GOING?" she began to yell, "HOW CAN YOU ASK THAT QUESTION AT A TIME LIKE THIS? HONSETLY, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE ANSWER WILL BE? OH I DON'T KNOW WE WERE JUST ATTACKED BY YOUR LITTLE PET WHO MANAGED TO DESTROY CLOSE ENOUGH TO HALF THE TOWN?"

"To be fair I don't think it was half the town" Spirit manage to so say but that only seems to make Rarity only angrier.

"TO BE FAIR? TO BE FAIR? OH EXCUSE ME FOR NOT BEING FAIR! I WAS ALMOST KILLED BY A LYCAN! DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT I WOULD BE FAIR IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS!" She finished. Spirit was still fighting to stop the transformation but he knew that it would come back and he would be in control again. He stood up with one of his legs still in the Lycan transformation and his face half pony and half Lycan and said, "Look I am sorry about all of this but I am not going to be here for very long and I really don't want to give the other guy control, so please I need your help getting out of here." He smiled and looked at the white mare. He then felt a pang of the curse trying to take control of the body, he made a painful gasp of air and Rarity came to his side. He looked at her and smiled and then he looked at Twilight, "Can you do it? Can you get me out of here?"

"O-o-o-h course. Where do you want to go?" Twilight asked getting the spell ready.

"Anywhere but here" He said, his voice growing into a growl. He look at Rarity and said "I am sorry for this." He looked at Twilight and nodded, she began to chant and Spirit began to float slowly.

"Wait Spirit! I have to ask you a question" Rarity said. He smiled and said "Go on". She took a deep breath and asked "Do you love me?" Spirit smiled and said "Well, what do you think?" And he vanished.

Epilogue

Spirit walked into the orchards and pick an up from the ground and bit into it. He had been on a long journey away from Ponyville. It had been three years since he had destroyed around half of the place and no one remembered it much. Wolf barked at the barn that they were passing up on. In the past two years, Spirit had noticed the Wolf and Winona had started to see each other more often then dogs and wolves do. Spirit had decided not to mention it to him but he knew he would have to draw a line eventually. He had actually been looking forward to this return because his last couple of months was spent in a desolate part of Equestria and he missed some company. Not that Wolf was nice it was just that he missed some nice company. He threw the apple core away on the ground and sighing with pleasure. He missed it. He missed his home. Then a loud voice came from the barn, "Spirit, you'v got some explainin' to do!"

"Hello AppleJack, what am I going to have explain?" Spirit said in utter confusion, for one thing he expected to be greeted by the usual 'hello's and 'where did you go this time's. Not being greeted by an angry farmer. Spirit sighed and walked towards the angry mare, once he got there AppleJack grabbed his ear and dragged him towards the barn. Once inside the barn she dragged him even further into the barn till they were next to the work bench. She points downwards and says, "Explain. Now." Spirit looked down and saw Winona with a liter of puppies, with a familiar color tone and longer snots that normal. Spirit looked down at Wolf who gave Winona an affectionate lick, "Come on man, didn't I tell you to use protection?"

"Not like you used it. You got sis pregnant. Figured I cou do the same" Wolf replied indignitly. Spirit laughed. AppleJack wouldn't take any of it, "What did that darn canine say?"

"Easy lady, easy. He really didn't mean too. He told me she tempted him and- Aw who am I kidding, Wolf did it, he likes the lady, what can I say. He gave her some milk, brought the snow early, delivered his goods on time. He-"

"I don' need the details just tell me that I don' have to keep al' of 'em."

"Eh, I don't know if Rarity will allow it. I mean she might not want it with the kid around, but I'll talk to her, you will have my word tomorrow after noon." Spirit said, making it a mental note to tell Rarity about the liter. AppleJack sighed but then realized what Spirit had said "Wait, what kid? You mean Sweetie Bell Right?"

"No, she didn't tell you? She's pregnant. Almost ten months, how did you not see it?"

"SO that's why she hasn't come out in a while. You got her pregnant! Shame on you" she yelled bonking Spirit on the head. Spirit rubbed he spot on his head, "Ow, what was that for?"

"You got a good mare like Rarity pregnant without the marriage. Shame on you!" Apple said mimicking Wolf's indignation. Spirit rolled his eyes saying "I don't think marrying a high class criminal is a bad idea." The one thing that no one had forgotten, except for the residence of Ponyville. He was still a fugitive, murder is still murder even you did or someone used your body to do it. The people of the small town had seen that he wasn't a person to be feared and that he was basically like any other pony, just with a few problems. He looked down and patted Winona on the head, then he bent down further looked down to look at the pups. They all had the familiar smell to them, and they all had a dark fur some of them having blotches of brown. Spirit smiled and decided that it was time was to head home, Rarity might ripe his head off if he was late and forget her gifts. He said goodbye to AppleJack and told Wolf to get back before the sun goes down. He walked down the streets and waved to everybody who said hello. Then Big Macintosh called "Hey there Spirit, did AppleJack get to you?"

"Yeah she did, I am sorry bout Wolf. He is a dog and well, what are going to do?"

"OK thanks, oh and I was just wondering if you got the time could you help rebuild the school."

"Why what happened?"

"Well Applebloom and her friends had decided to try chemistry and managed to get their hands on some very volatile stuff and managed to blow up half the school?"

"OH ok then, figure they would try that. Well I'll see if Rarity will let me go tomorrow. See ya then!"

"Cool, see ya!" Big Macintosh said carrying a cart full of crates. Spirit sighed, he would have to talk about that with Sweetie Bell later. He knew that they used some of Perrisian Frost and Fire salts that he had given her from on of his trips. He had given it to her as one of the makeup accessories since it was used for that where it came from, but she must put some in by accident. Spirit walked up to the door and knocked on it a couple of time. The was a muffled "Coming!", then the door opens and Sweetie Bell appears, "Spirit!" she jumps up and hugs him. Spirit hugged her back, "We missed you! And Rarity is getting cranky and worried at the same time. We are worried!" Spirit put her down, and reached into his backpack saying, "Well first let me give you something fun souvenir" he pulled out a gemmed horned skull, "This is what the people of Engonma call a Dream Replier. They believe that dreams are the gate way to knowing the answer to all the question, so this focuses your dreams to answer questions."

"Does it really work?" Sweetie Bell asked.

"Well try it out tonight. What you have to do is place your hoof on the skull close your eyes and think of the question you want answered hard, and the got to bed." Spirit gave it to her and she went off to her room, saying to herself "Maybe I can find out if Spike likes me!" Spirit over heard her and smiled. Love can be found anywhere Sweetie, just gotta find it' Spirit thought. He went upstairs and knocked on the door.

"Come in" Rarity said. Spirit opened the door and smiled at her, "Spirit, you finally returned. Where did you go this time?"

"Engonma, it's a pretty bad place, but had a great religious beliefs and items. How are you doing?"

"Oh I am fine. The little ones however is giving me trouble, they're always hungry and its making me look big. I don't like it." Rarity whined the last part. Spirit smiled and said "Come on Rarity, you look beautiful just the way you are." Rarity smiled and hugged Spirit. Spirit thought that the line would make a pretty nice song if done right. Rarity released him and felt her stomach, "Oh ho, they're is kicking! Come feel, come!" Spirit bent down and listen the soft thuds of the babies moving. Spirit then thought and realized what she had just said, "Wait. They. There are more than one."

"Oh yes, I forgot to tell you. I went to get a sonogram and I found out there they are two." She smiled, "You're a father of twins" Spirit fell back onto the chair, thinking about him being a father of two little foals. Wow. Rarity reached for him and held his check in her hoof, "Did you get me anything?" Spirit pulled out two little trinkets; one crown and a circlet. Both jewel incrusted and obviously for the young foals. Spirit hastily said "I didn't know what the baby would turn out to be so I just got something for the both the sex." He then pulled out a necklace gemmed with black and red pearls, each one having a different rune, "This is an extreme Mood Necklace, it will also soothe you if you get to emotional."

"Aww thank you" Rarity said. Spirit got down close and tied the necklace around her neck. Then he kissed her again. They both smiled and they hug each other. It had been three years and time will go on for them, knowing that they would be together till the end of their days, hopping, Loving, cherishing memories, creating new ones, preserving the past while creating a future.

The End.

All I want to say to you guys is Thank You. And sorry about the wait between chapters. Thanks for reading!