The kingdom's railway system was the primary method of transportation for all purposes; business and personal alike. It was well supported, interconnected between cities small and large and for a nominal fee allowed ease of travel to just about anywhere you'd want to go. Not to mention if you had a large quantity of items to move the power of the locomotive allowed you to transport the heaviest and most unusually shaped products available. While all of this was a blessing to those that needed it or even made their business keeping the railroads functioning, it also served a purpose for the less wealthy and business aligned alike.
Within an empty boxcar of a train that was riding along the rails in the middle of the night sat three passengers who had decided to board the empty car without buying a ticket. Not that this train had any cars for passengers in the first place but with the wide open doors and ample space it allowed all three of them to not only travel comfortably but have plenty of space to stretch their legs and lay out for the night during their trip. Currently all three were passing around a can of open baked beans with a spoon inside, sharing their dinner together.
"I was quite the entrepreneur years back. Why I guess you could say I still am in a sense." The man in the heavily worn suit jacket that was probably quite fine at one time explained. A top hat on his head that had seen just as much weathering of time as the clothes and man that wore them. "'Spare Bits could always get himself a spare bit.' That's how they described me. I had ownership of multiple businesses. Was a lot of work back then to be honest. Wasn't until a few of them started to dry up that I was getting tired of keeping them standing. So I sold out of the management game and decided to take my business on the road." Taking a spoonful of beans he passed them over to the stouter man sitting next to him. Wearing a heavier workman's coat that had a railroad company name on the back that had gone out of business years ago.
"Names Box Car, so I guess it's no surprise this is where you'd find me." The stout man said, taking his mouthful of beans and enjoying the taste. "Worked for a lotta different lines in a lotta different positions. Loved the work, even after I had to retire when I was getting on in years. This is just where I'm most comfortable I suppose." The gruff and still sturdy looking man said, passing the can to their third traveling companion who took it eagerly and ate a spoonful of beans himself. "How'd you find yourself on a train like this anyway? You seem awfully young to be traveling like us. Can be dangerous on the rails."
"I'm running from some problems." The new passenger said.
"All too familiar story." Spare Bits added. "You find a lot of people on this path doing the same. Some don't have a choice and others find it was their best choice." Their new friend just nodded in response. "Mind doing that trick for us again? The beans were getting a tad cold."
"Sure thing." He agreed, holding the can of beans up and spitting a small stream of green fire beneath it before passing the can to Spare Bits, who was carefully moving it onto the floor in front of himself to avoid burning his fingers. "The name's Spike. Thanks for letting me hang out here with you guys."
"Don't gotta mention it." Box Car said, eyeing him over. "I'm not one to usually pry into others' business but I can't help but notice you look like you've been up for a while."
"Yeah… haven't slept in… I dunno, don't really remember what the days are anymore." Spike said.
"Gotta be careful with that. Accidents can happen in an open boxcar when you're too tired to wake up before it's too late." At his words Spare Bits shook his head and handed the can of beans to his friend.
"Please, none of the horror stories from the old train yard days. If we want to encourage our friend to sleep, that's the last thing we should put in his head." Box Car let that be and just ate his turn from the can. "So what's your destination, Spike? Box Car and I have been moving from town to town for a while now for the thrill of the road. Besides, during certain times of year you can find tourists and generous individuals if you're in the right place at the right time." Spike smiled, very much enjoying the banter these two had been giving him since he jumped on to the train. Not just for the stories but the interesting tips they both seemed to have.
"I don't really know." Spike admitted. "Away, I guess? Wherever this train stops I'll figure out the next direction from there."
"To the spirit of adventure then." Spare Bits said in declaration as Box Car handed the can of beans to Spike. There wasn't much left at the bottom of the can but he took a small amount on the tip of the spoon and handed the rest to Spare. "You can stick with us for as long as you need. I'll tell you now there's some hardships but the freedom of going where you want is a blessing as well. Might be nice to have some young blood with us old bags of bones for a while. Never really was able to grasp what the next generation found interesting anyway, think that was why the toy shop went under. Couldn't get the product to move like I thought it would. Might have been the economy of the town at the time but-" As he went on Spike felt like his words were drowning out to the sound of the train rumbling along the tracks. The consistent noise and movement was comforting in an odd way. He'd figured the noise of a train would have kept him awake but something about the movement carrying him along felt as though it was urging him to relax. Which was why he'd been grateful to have people to talk to so he didn't have to see her before he was ready.
Unfortunately she found him first.
"They seem like a friendly pair." Luna said, standing next to Spike in the boxcar. Spike scrambled to his feet, startled hearing her voice and backing away. Looking over he saw Spare Bits and Box Car were still talking between each other and didn't react in the least to her presence. "Don't worry, they can't hear us right now. I'm sure you know why."
"Dang it, I asked them not to let me fall asleep!" Spike grumbled.
"You've been awake for days, Spike. That you've avoided me this long is rather impressive. But mostly foolish." She said, looking around the exterior of the boxcar opening. "Hmm… somewhat difficult to tell where you are from this alone but I'm sure the others asleep on this train can help me with that."
"Just leave me alone." Spike said. "Can't you see I don't want to be found?" Luna turned her head from the passing by countryside to Spike, letting out a sigh and approaching him.
"This is about Twilight I take it?" She asked him and Spike couldn't maintain his gaze with her.
"So she told you about that?"
"Yes. And Rarity. And Rarity's sister if I remember correctly?" Luna replied, Spike feeling like he was getting a knife in the chest with each mistake of his selfish actions she brought up. "Are you afraid we're angry with you?"
"How couldn't you be? I messed up so much! I'm… I really am a monster." Spike said, feeling defeated. "Can't you just let me go so I don't do any more harm?" To his question Luna looked him over as if she were studying him. Spike didn't like it, even without making direct eye contact he could feel her eyes on him. As if she were peeling away at his thoughts in his mind.
"Obviously I cannot." Luna said, Spike expecting this answer. It was a dream but there were ways to wake yourself up. Turning on his heels Spike ran for the open boxcar door to leap out. Even if it was just a dream he thought a face first impact would probably bring him out of his slumber. Though when he took to the air Spike instead found himself colliding with a pile of pillows as the scenery had abruptly changed from the boxcar interior he was traveling into a void of stars in the sky and a pile of soft bedding beneath him. "Did you really think that would work? We're in a dream, Spike. This is my realm to control." Gathering himself back up Spike sat on the pillows and looked up at Luna, frustration and anger apparent on his face. "We have this moment together, possibly the most private conversation possible. Let us talk about what happened." She offered him, Luna making a large cushion not unlike what he'd seen Celestia sit on in the past as she took a spot across from him.
"What's there to talk about? I lied to everyone… I used them. There's nothing more to say." Spike admitted. "They would have thrown me out eventually anyway. I'm not even human in the first place."
"You do not truly believe that." Luna said, her gaze as piercing as ever. Spike suddenly realized she never blinked, always staring straight ahead at him. Perhaps because this was a dream and not the real world. "You have convinced yourself this self imposed exile is for the benefit of those around you but there is a far simpler explanation."
"Oh yeah, and what's that?"
"You are running away from home. Like a child." Luna told him. "Because you do not know what else to do."
"Well then what should I do!? If you know so much?" Spike said, feeling attacked by her words and being trapped in this space wasn't helping him to get any more comfortable. He could see Luna take in a deep breath as if to brace herself and all Spike could think of was he was glad he made her feel a little bit uncomfortable. And that it was odd she didn't blink but still took breaths inside a dream.
"Come home." Luna stated plainly. "You've upset many people but that is nothing compared to the turmoil they feel after you disappeared."
"Well… you know where I am now and that I'm okay. Just go back and tell them that."
"You want me to tell Twilight Sparkle that you're refusing to return? After she's been spending her days at the castle waiting anxiously for us to bring you back?"
"I can't go back." Spike said. "I can't face her, can't look her in the eyes. She hates me now because I lied to her."
"She does not hate you. Her love cannot be extinguished so easily and you are underestimating her capability for compassion." Luna explained and Spike felt uncomfortable. Not just at being forced to admit his failings to Luna but the sight of her felt like it was changing. As if she was growing larger… or maybe he was shrinking? Either way it was as if she loomed over him and he wanted to retreat for reasons other than being ashamed of himself. "Besides I need you to tell me about the changeling queen."
"Changeling queen? You mean Damselfly?" Spike asked curiously. "What's there to tell? I let her… you know, feed on me. Then after Fluttershy was attacked-" Spikes eyes widened. "Wait! Fluttershy! Is she okay!?"
"The last I was informed she is recovering and gaining her strength back." Luna answered, almost too coldly for how serious the situation was. "Her life is no longer in danger."
"Good… okay, good. Well that was the last time I saw Damselfly was in her house after she sucked out the venom. I don't really know where she went after that. Honestly, she was upset with me too so I don't expect to see her again."
"I see, so that part was true then. Perhaps a deception to lure you into trusting her?"
"So, even you're trying to blame her for all of this too?" Spike asked Luna.
"A new changeling queen is a threat to the entire kingdom. I cannot allow her to simply wander the land and begin another attempt to overthrow us with a hive."
"What do you even mean by calling her a changeling queen!? She's like... the least queen-like person I've ever met. She didn't even want to bite me and told me I was an asshole for causing all these problems."
"After she polluted your mind how can you even be sure those conversations happened with her in the first place?" Luna asked him. "Once the changeling bit you Spike, you were compromised. Any fantasy she wanted to implant in your head could be used against us."
"Like how you can by going into my dreams?" Spike asked and he could see a visible shudder through her body. Not a shaking as if she was cold or nervous but her form seemed to rattle as if it was coming undone. Still he persisted. "You're in my head right now, telling me what I should and shouldn't do. Heck, I'm the cause of all these problems and all you can think about is bringing me back home and killing the girl that saved Fluttershy's life."
"I am being patient with you. Something you should not be afforded." Luna warned.
"Is that a threat?" Spike asked and the starry sky background around them suddenly went dark. Becoming a field of pitch black that seemed to go on endlessly.
"It is a fact. You, Spike, are a little fool." Luna said, emotion rising in her voice. "The ward of Celestia herself who has run away from home. That alone could cause us many problems but then you also chose to cavort with a monster after sampling the maidens in your village like fresh fruit plucked from a tree. Childish and impulsive, I should swat you on the bottom and carry you home like the whelp you are behaving as." When Luna finished there was a long pause between them, a silence that felt heavy and foreboding even in the vast empty space they seemed to be occupying.
"Why don't you just make me then?" Spike challenged. Feeling a fire in his belly that was both figurative and literal. The truth was Spike didn't really know Luna that well. He'd been raised under Celestia and then spent the majority of his life in the care of Twilight. While Luna was Celestia's sister and the other ruler of the kingdom he almost never got a chance to have a conversation with her. For their first one on one to be her telling him all his sins and what he is supposed to do rubbed him the wrong way.
"I can." Luna said, an arrogant tone to her voice. "Easily. But then why would I have to? Are you on this train, in the middle of the night scurrying away from your home because you are atoning for your mistake or because you are just running away? Like a coward." Spike's hands balled into fists and he felt the sharp points of his fingers pressing against his palm. He wondered what his face looked like to her right now. Maybe he really did look like a monster? Her face seemed to be changing as well, darker in a way he couldn't define but felt threatening.
"Fine, I'm a coward. Is that what you wanted to hear? Does that make you happy!?"
"Not in the slightest. What I want to hear is that you'll come home so everyone will stop worrying about you and we can move past this."
"Yeah? I think I get it now. Why you and I haven't talked before? Because you don't really want to talk with me, do you?" Spike said to her. "I'm Celestia's ward, so what does that make me to you? I'm not your nephew or really your family even, right? Just some stranger you don't want to deal with."
"I have never said that about you." Luna replied, eyes narrowing.
"But you think so, right? This is just one big burden to you. Is that all we all are? Just… things for you to deal with? You're both immortal princesses so we're all just little game pieces on a board to you. I mean, do you even care about Twilight Sparkle? About any of the Elements of Harmony? Do you feel anything?"
"I have emotions." Luna said, her words echoing in the space they occupied. "I have emotions like anyone else."
"Yeah, anger." Spike spat back at her. "You called Damselfly a monster but she saved a life. Last I remember there wasn't a legend about her terrorizing the kingdom a thousand years ago."
"Thou seeks to test me!?" Luna shouted at him suddenly. "Raising thine voice to challenge the princess! The throne itself! Such audacity in thine words as in thine actions! Punishment dealt upon you would be most appropriate, trapped in slumber with unyielding nightmares! Does thou wish to see my power in action, little whelp!?" Her face had changed from the still picture of calm to rage so fiercely that Spike was leaning backwards away from her, realizing as they had been talking her form had become twice it's original size now in this dreamscape. He didn't know if she was intending to be threatening but it was certainly working on him. Slowly but clearly he responded to her.
"I guess we're both monsters then, aren't we?" Spike asked and in that moment Luna was consumed in flames. Not green in color as if he'd spit it out himself but black, still giving off an eerie glow despite them being in a void of black. Her body changed as well, becoming darker and less human as her uniform was burned away in the fire and replaced with steel armor, complete with a horned helmet on her head. Her large, gauntlet covered hand raised up and drove down into his chest, piercing through his body effortlessly like a spear.
Grabbing hold of his chest, Spike sat up off the floor of the boxcar he was sitting in. Gasping for air and looking around himself in a hurry. His fellow passengers looked at him with concern as they had been talking between themselves while he was sleeping. "Have a bit of a nightmare?" Box Car asked Spike, who groaned as he got himself situated and shook the cobwebs out of his head.
"You could say that." Spike answered. "How long was I asleep for?"
"Hard to say without a proper working watch." Spare Bits said as he held up a pocket watch whose face was cracked and had stopped working long ago. "Has to have been over an hour or so at least."
"Night's almost gone." Box Car agreed. "We'll have to depart as we get closer to town."
"Wish I could wait." Spike said, getting to his feet. "Hey guys, if anyone asks you about me don't feel you have to lie about it for my sake. Just tell them the truth."
"Ask about you?" Spare Bits questioned. "Who would come looking?"
"It's… hard to say really. Hopefully no one." Reaching into his pocket Spike shared a handful of bits with them. "Thank you for the beans, they really hit the spot."
"Kid, you ain't thinking about jumping off are you?" Box Car asked as Spike approached the opening in the train car, keeping an eye out for a clear spot. "It ain't safe! You hear me, you're gonna break your neck!" He tried to get up to stop him but Spike didn't give Box Car the chance as he leaped off the train and hit a patch of grass. Curling up he rolled along the ground as his momentum started to come to a halt. The impact hurt but at least it didn't actually harm his body. Once he felt himself stop moving Spike sat up to see both Spare Bits and Box Car leaning out the side of the train. He made sure to wave to them both as they disappeared around the bend and the rest of the train went with them. Picking himself up onto his feet he groaned at the soreness in his body but began to trudge away from the tracks in hopes of finding a place to rest.
"So… that's what Nightmare Moon looks like, huh?" Spike thought as he remembered that moment in his dream with Luna. Maybe he'd been acting like a jerk to her and pushed her too hard when she was just trying to talk. Maybe she was right and he was just a cowardly child, running away from his problems. But he knew for certain if she looked like that when she was angry he didn't want her to be the one to find him again.
Within the depths of the castle in Celestia's private study she stood before the magical tapestry once again as she had many nights before. A mostly blank canvas with lines upon lines that ran in various directions from one end of the long fabric to the other. Every so often altering as she would move a finger, glowing with magic to influence them. Twilight Sparkle had come down here a few times now when Celestia was working with it, stating she just wished to spend time with her teacher. But Celestia could see the fascination in her student's eyes as she tried to understand the meaning behind the tapestry herself and how to manipulate it as she watched Celestia work. So far she still couldn't understand it but Celestia knew Twilight's intelligence was dangerously high. As such she'd taken to not allowing anyone in her personal chambers now without her present as a precaution. This was a magic she didn't need her faithful student learning any time soon.
"You're in a good mood." Celestia spoke to the statue of Discord as he stood frozen across from her at the side of the chamber. "So you took my advice, did you? Well whatever you did to push chances in someone's favor I do hope it didn't cause too much trouble." Outwardly the statue was completely silent, though Celestia turned to look at it with a smile. "See, I knew you'd like her. Even if you didn't want to admit it at first."
"Secluding yourself from others for long periods of time can cause all sorts of strange behaviors to cope, sister.." Luna's voice spoke up from behind her. "Including talking to yourself."
"Is that really so bad?" Celestia asked, finishing up her work on the tapestry and turning to Luna as she entered the study. "I thought you did that yourself during those long nights of work?"
"I was aware that I was the only one in the room at the time I spoke." Luna said, giving a gaze to the statue of Discord. "You don't really believe he's speaking to you, do you?"
"You can't hear him?" Celestia asked. "Perhaps he's doing that on purpose. Even like this it's impossible to erase his influence on things. Chaos is simply a part of reality."
"I'm not doubting his influence…" Luna stated, leaving the statement at that. "Morning is coming soon, have you slept at all tonight?"
"I'm getting by enough, coffee is a wonderful thing." Celestia said, Luna looking at her with a concerned expression. "Oh don't worry so much Luna, I'll be alright. There were more than a few days I had to stay awake for multiple nights in a row before-" Celestia stopped just short of that statement. "Well… when things were harder for me, having to work solo."
"It wasn't my choice." Luna said, letting out an exhausted sigh.
"I know." Celestia said and Luna looked away from her. With a wave of her hand the tapestry rolled up on the wall and a chain wrapped around it, Celestia approaching her sister. "Luna. I know. It's okay."
"You don't know." Luna said softly. "You couldn't know."
"It's in me too, Luna. That… force. That influence. It's in all that are like us."
"But you never gave into it. Or was punished for it." Luna said, taking in another deep breath. "Never mind, that's unimportant."
"Luna, I-"
"I've found Spike." Luna interrupted, Celestia's eyes growing wide with surprise.
"That's… that's wonderful! I knew eventually he'd turn up for you. We can go and pick him up right now together. Perhaps I should go wake Twilight first, I know she's longing to see him again." Celestia said, though the hope was dripping away as she looked at her sister's expression. "Did something happen?"
"There's a complication." Luna stated. "Perhaps I wasn't the right one for this task."
"Luna, you were the absolute best one for this task. Perhaps the only one! What could have complicated things?"
"Celestia, do you love Spike?" Luna asked and the question took her by surprise.
"Well… yes, of course. He's one of my dear friends. And I've cared for him since he was a baby. Almost a son."
"I don't love him." Luna admitted. "I don't even know him, truthfully. By the time I'd returned home he no longer lived in this castle."
"That… I suppose yes, that's true, but to say-"
"Love isn't something to take lightly." Luna stated. "Twilight Sparkle, her friends… our own extended family members. The ones that still live to this day that is. I don't know any of them. Not enough to love them. All I really have is you. And we're a thousand years apart from each other."
"Luna." Celestia began, taking Luna's right hand into both of her own. "You will always have me. No matter how much time passes I will always be your sister that loves you. More than anything in this world. Those thousand years apart were difficult for me, to say the least. I felt every day of it. Every second. Counting the hours until you'd come home."
"As Nightmare Moon." Luna said, raising her left hand to clasp Celestia's. "As a monster. Spike rightfully called me one. Somehow even a child could see through me. That I was just pretending to be a caring adult. But the two of us are not family and we were both painfully aware of it." She looked into her sister's eyes regretfully. "I lost my temper with him." After those words Celestia's eyes grew wide and Luna could feel the grip of her sister's fingers tighten around her hand.
"Luna… what does losing your temper with him mean?"
"Spike is alright." Luna answered, the tension on her wrist releasing. "But I may have yelled at him during our conversation. He can be willful and arrogant when the mood hits him. When I said we'd have to bring him back regardless of his opinion of the matter, things escalated and he woke up."
"Okay, that's… unfortunate but not a problem. I'll talk with him about his behavior towards you, among everything else I'll have to bring up. So where is he now?'
"He was on a train heading to a town that was going East. It didn't require much research afterwards to determine the train and station it would be stopping at."
"So that's how he covered so much ground so quickly." Celestia said, letting go of Luna's hand and thinking aloud. "Well even if he knows we're coming it would be wise to dispatch some guards to see if they can find him and bring him home."
"I've already called in some help on the matter. A friend of mine is going to talk to him." Luna explained and Celestia had the second look of surprise on her face this morning.
"A friend?" Celestia asked, trying to think over who that might be before her eyes lit with realization. "Oh! Them. So you're friends now?" She asked with a smile and Luna frowned, looking away again.
"We have a... working relationship together." Luna said, sounding flustered that her sister seemed so interested in her personal affairs.
"Indeed you do." She agreed with Luna, not looking to push the subject further. "Well if you trust them with this I'll leave it in your hands if that's alright? Things have been difficult enough with all of this and our normal duties on top of it. Shall we get breakfast?"
"I'll pass for today." Luna said, turning back towards the stairs and stopping for a moment. "Sister? Did you believe that I would harm Spike if I became angry?"
"No, of course not Luna. I apologize if that was unclear. Perhaps you're right and I shouldn't be pushing off sleep as much as I have."
"Yes… take care to rest soon." Luna said, heading up the stairs into the castle. Celestia waited for a moment, listening carefully to be sure the door closed and she was gone.
"Stop saying those things, even if Luna can't hear them." Celestia commented to Discord's statue. "Luna is fine, she's just not used to dealing with a teenage boy. It's not an easy task for anyone." Raising her hand the tapestry removed the binding chain from itself and opened up again on the wall, Celestia deciding she could do a little more studying of it before she had to eat. "I don't like you suggesting that I don't trust Luna, that's not why I'm avoiding sleeping at night. She wouldn't pry into my dreams with any ill intentions." Letting out a sigh she began to move the strange lines on the tapestry again with her magic, reading them carefully, particularly the ones that looked incomplete. "... no Discord, you aren't allowed in my dreams either. If you keep saying such suggestive things like that I'm going to throw a blanket over you."
After leaping from a train car into the grass and disappearing into the nearby trees Spike found himself wandering rather aimlessly as he sought out a place to rest. It wasn't completely safe to stay on the main roads but at the same time he needed to buy some food to keep his energy up. Laying down in the shade and taking a nap sounded wonderful but even during the day he didn't doubt Luna could be upon him the instant he fell asleep. Which was how he ended up traveling along the side of the road and keeping an eye out ahead and behind to be sure there wasn't someone looking to snatch him up that might be from the castle.
"I can't believe leaving town has been this difficult." He mumbled, rubbing his eyes to stay awake. The night Twilight had locked him in their bedroom he'd spent a long time wondering what he'd do next. He'd fallen asleep for a little while but with all the stress he was under there wasn't long he could rest for. So in the dark he slipped out the window and made his way out of town on foot. Only getting so far before he realized hopping on an unoccupied train car was the easiest way to make ground and conserve his energy. At first just moving for the sake of moving, to get as far away from home as he possibly could. As far away from his mistakes and shame as his feet would take him. When he realized it was only a matter of time before Luna came to find him he'd already been awake for days and then when she did appear he never thought it would have gone down like that.
He'd been thoughtful enough to take some money with him, not feeling good about running off with the savings combined from Twilight's purse and his own but it was just another sin on the pile at this point. Seeing what looked like an outpost in the distance Spike counted his few remaining lucky stars. There were a handful of buildings but no train station or tracks leading this way. Which meant if Luna was looking for him when that train stopped it wouldn't be here. Wandering the road there were a few other travelers that gave him strange looks as he passed by, all of them looking rougher and stronger than the sort of citizens that usually occupied his hometown. Aside from the small local store and what must have been an inn there was a saloon that seemed to be the largest building on the road and Spike decided that was the best chance for a meal. Walking inside he nearly expected the room to freeze and everyone to stop and stare at him like some scene in a book with a lone hero. But the reality was almost no one inside gave him a second look.
Wandering up to the bar, Spike climbed up onto a stool and that certainly earned a glance from the other patrons there as well as the bar keep. Who walked up to him from behind the bar. An older, portly man that even this early in the day looked as if he was already feeling done with his shift. "Listen kid, I ain't serving you anything."
"Just looking to get something to eat." Spike replied, reaching into his pocket and showing the coins in hand to prove he planned to pay. "I don't need anything to drink but water."
"Well then have your folks buy it for you. This isn't a place for kids to open up a tab and I don't need anyone asking why I'm serving you." The older man told him and Spike felt the weight of his exhaustion hit him from his travel. It might have been the fact he was sitting down but also getting denied so quickly when he was right here and so close to a proper meal was making him get desperate.
"I have money." Spike insisted, deciding that pushing the issue would either get him fed or thrown out and he didn't intend to stay if the first part wasn't going to happen. The owner looked as if he was going to make the later choice right then but another voice spoke up from behind Spike.
"Should he need an adult to vouch for him, it is I that can take that role." A male voice offered, the man who owned it walking up behind Spike and sitting at the bar as well. Spike gave him a glance warily, unsure of what he might be planning but gladly accepting the water he was served.
"Fine, long as he ain't askin' for a shot of whiskey." The bartender agreed reluctantly.
"Oh, that is a fine suggestion! Please, I shall have some. And whatever the boy wants to eat." Spike wanted to protest against asking for help from a stranger but relented as he was too tired to endure another argument. Ordering whatever sandwich his money would let him afford, the bartender agreed. Putting a glass of alcohol in front of the man and walking off to put the order in for Spike. Throwing the glass back and swallowing the liquid the strange man continued to talk. "Hm, not as strong as I would have hoped. But when traveling you must accept what fate deals you."
"I guess." Spike said, not really trusting what this guy might be up to. He was dressed in overalls and a button up workman's shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Not unlike a factory worker or a field hand. There wasn't any logo or such on the clothes so they must not have been a uniform. Around his shoulder was a bag on a strap that seemed like it was heavy with whatever contents were inside and made of stronger, finer material than that of his clothing. His skin was dirty from travel not unlike Spike himself and the man's hair was a bright gold, spiky as it came off of his head that matched his golden eyes as well.
"So what brings thou to traveling on your own? Rather unusual for one at your age to be on the road alone."
"Just out for a walk." Spike answered. Maybe this man was kind like the previous two gentlemen he'd met on the train car. Maybe he wasn't. Something about him made Spike's hair stand on end and he was trusting his instincts first.
"A fine day for such a thing, I agree! The road is welcoming in this kingdom to all its travelers and visitors. Tis a fine change from the days of old."
"Sure, I guess it is." Spike answered, hoping he wasn't going to have to make conversation with a crazy person while waiting for his food.
"Though as I understand it there are still some trouble makers still on these paths. Ones that even catch the attention of the royal guard." The man continued, Spike not really listening anymore to him. "I suppose tis a rare thing in this day and age but it was just this morning I saw them. Patrolling a nearby train station, curious of all places they would be. No where near the castle."
"They get around." Spike replied, wondering if this was some tourist from another country or something? Guy was getting impressed seeing knights of all things.
"Oh I do not want to mislead. I have seen the royal guard in many different places in the past. Why even in my own lands! But these ones had such a unique task they were assigned with. Asking questions of any passerby for the location of someone. I believe it was a dragon-blooded boy." He answered, Spike feeling his muscles lock up and an unknown dread creep up his spine. "Now far be it from me to know what the intentions were of these noble guards but if they were all the way from the castle, looking for a boy in this kingdom who was of dragon-blood, that must be very important to them to find him."
"What are you getting at?" Spike asked, turning to narrow his gaze at the man who was smiling with a confident grin.
"It seems you match the description of who they were after. Now suppose if thou were to seek out the guards you could likely get a meal and a comfortable transport to... wherever it may be that they wanted to take you. Why, even if thou were not the boy they seek, it seems to be a good opportunity for a free meal, is it not?"
"Yeah... I guess it might be." Spike thought, though that was exactly what he'd been trying his hardest to avoid all this time. Expending all this effort just to come crawling home now because the road was too hard for him felt shameful. "If I wanted to do that."
"True enough. If thou did not wish to travel with them, that would mean thou would need to continue on thine own journey. To wherever it is that thy heart desires to be. But, with things as they are now, I do wonder if those guards would offer a reward for the return of a dragon-blooded boy to them. Whoever it may be."
"Is that a threat!?" Spike asked, getting up from his seat to stare down the man. Pulling up his hands into fists.
"Merely a fact. Sit down, or else thou will miss thine meal sought after so desperately."
"I'm not doing anything with you hanging around me!" Spike said, walking out of the saloon and into the street with a quick stride. As predicted the golden haired man followed after him and Spike spun around. "Get the heck away from me!"
"Truly tis not my desire to antagonize you, but leaving here before we have finished our conversation is something I cannot allow."
"Whatever you big creep, you think you can stop me?"
"Oh yes, very much so." He answered. "In fact should I desire it I can deliver thou to Celestia myself. Perhaps be given a large purse of gold as a reward for my trouble."
"Over my dead body." Spike growled, not knowing who this stranger was but letting himself get kidnapped was the last thing on his mind. Calling for help was out of the question too, the only authorities around would likely turn him in just as quickly as this man intended to. So it came to standing on his own two feet to defend himself. Although the man laughed at his response.
"Dramatic! I do enjoy the theater of it all! So how will thou overcome this obstacle, little boy? Can thy continue down thine own path when someone stands in the road?"
"If you really want a fight you freak I'll give you one." Spike said, deciding he was going to put this guy in his place for suggesting he was just a reward to cash in. Approaching him Spike swung a fist up at his face which the man dodged and backed away from. Another swing now from his left hand and the man dodged easily again. Getting frustrated Spike lifted his leg and threw a clumsy kick at him which the man easily stepped aside from. "So after all that talk you're just going to run away, huh!? Guess you're just some backwoods coward!" Yelling his insults Spike swung his right arm again at the man's stomach and this time it connected.
"Oh, look at that. Thou has struck me." The man said with a mocking smirk, Spike swinging another fist and another at his stomach. Each shot connected but if it was hurting him he wasn't acting like it. "Is thine strength enough after such a long journey for this sort of play? We may continue again after thine meal is eaten if thou prefer?"
"Gotcha!" Spike shouted, leaping up and striking him across the jaw as he was asking his questions. Feeling confident now Spike grinned when his knuckles connected and the man's head turned with the hit. "Ready to give up old man? Have you ever even been in a fight before?"
"Oh yes, more than I can count." He said, rubbing his chin with his thumb and looking at it to see if there was blood or not. "I suppose now I can fight back without concern anymore." He said and Spike was almost about to laugh at him until the man's fist collided with his stomach. The strike came so fast he stumbled back and began to cough. "Take a moment now. If thou cannot predict a strike before impact it can injure far more greatly."
"Cheap... shot..." Spike sputtered between coughs. Once he felt he had enough air in his lungs again he tried to approach the man and strike his face like before, though the man easily blocked the hit with his forearm and struck Spike swifter than he could react in the face with a quick jab. "OW! You... fucking... arrrgh!"
"I think now would be the time to reconsider thine options in this situation." He said, approaching Spike. "Or else we can truly fight each other like men instead of boys."
"Stop calling me a boy!" Spike shouted, throwing a wild haymaker punch that was easily blocked. His rage was giving him a rush of adrenaline as he kept punching wildly at the man's face. Shouting without thinking about his words anymore. So fueled by the sudden burst of energy that Spike didn't register the punch that struck him across the face until it had already connected with his jaw and knocked him off his feet.
"And that..." The man began. "Is why thou should keep a jaw clenched in a fight instead of shouting wildly." Spike tried to get up but dropped to his hands and knees shortly after, his head swimming after the strike against it. He'd never been hit that hard before. Truthfully he'd never been in a real fight before today, not against a serious opponent. Not for his life. "Let us stop here, before any real damage befalls thine body over thine pride."
"Real damage?" Spike asked, feeling hazy but slowly getting his wits about him again. Digging his fingers into the dirt road beneath him he felt the extended claws coming off his hands and the sharpened teeth. This was a serious fight and he may as well treat it that way. The heat building in the back of his throat. "I'll show you real damage!" Lifting his head up Spike's mouth opened and spit a stream of green fire upwards at his opponent. He'd never tried something like this in the past against another person. There was the night he'd done it to scare away the changelings but even then he didn't intend to burn them alive. Now though his emotions ran wild and he gave in to those violent impulses. So it was an odd sensation of horror at understanding what he was doing and then relief when he realized his own fire was being beaten back by a stream of golden flame.
Getting to his feet Spike stopped exhaling the flames and the man he'd been facing off against did the same. Though his features had changed much like Spike's own. His eyes were glowing gold and his teeth had become sharper, along with the nails extending from his hands. Most notably though were the leathery wings that sprung out from his back, leaving Spike staring at him in confusion. "So... we are using fire in this duel?"
"You're... you're dragon-blooded!?" Spike asked, feeling his legs shake under him.
"Of course, such a thing should be obvious to thou." The man answered, Spike realizing the signs had been in front of him from the beginning but he just didn't notice for some reason. The hair, the eyes, the pointed ears, all of his features reflected his heritage. "As should the consequences of using thine own flame in a battle. This shall be an important lesson, boy." His voice was no longer the teasing tone as before, but much more serious. Opening his mouth Spike could see a gold color building inside of it. Growing brighter as it seemed to gather between his teeth. Then there was a loud booming sound as something shot out of his maw and collided with Spike's chest.
It was burning hot but that wasn't the worst of it. The small gold ball of flame exploded on his torso like a tiny stick of gold dynamite as it shot him off of his feet and sent him flying through the air. His vision couldn't follow the shapes around him as he went spinning and eventually hit the dirt again, rolling across it and coming to a stop on his stomach. Thankfully his clothes weren't on fire but the shock of it made his ears ring and his muscles felt numb. He couldn't tell if he was hurt or not so he just laid there in the dirt catching his breath. Turning his head to the side he could see the heavy boots of the man approaching him. "Are we done with this performance?" He asked seriously and as Spike tried to pick himself up he could see they had drawn a small crowd to watch their fight. If you could even call it that anymore.
"Dammit..." Spike muttered, feeling tears come to his eyes as everyone had gathered to see him get humiliated. "Dammit... I'm such a failure. I can't... I can't do anything without their help." He stopped trying to get up, laying in the dirt in his shame. "I messed up so much. I keep messing up everything and just making it all worse for all of them. I'm such garbage!" As he lay there crying to himself over all his feelings of failure and guilt crushing him beyond his own strength to stand again, a hand landed on his back and pulled him up.
"Lost thine first fight just now I would hazard a guess?" The man said, settling Spike up on his legs though the boy couldn't bring himself to look up at him. "Using fire during a little disagreement is serious, boy. Had it been anyone else they may have left thou with more than a painful reminder to practice better judgment in the future." He explained and Spike was unable to lift his head to see him during the scolding. Though he could see the audience who had gathered to watch the fight were beginning to disperse now that it seemed to be over. "Well all I did was knock the wind from thine belly. I say thou have earned that meal now. In fact let us feast as a celebration of thine first real battle."
"Okay..." Spike agreed, not really understanding this man at all but deciding it was better than getting knocked around some more. Even if he did intend to turn him in for some reward. As they turned back to the saloon and the last few onlookers cleared a path for them he gave Spike a slap on the back which made him belch some green flame. Causing the man to give a bellowing laugh.
"There is still a spark inside that chest! Would thou be so kind as to share the name of my dueling partner today?"
"I'm Spike... thought you would have got that from the guards you talked to at the train station."
"Oh I never shared a word with them." He admitted, making Spike look at him curiously as they entered.
"Wh-what!? Then why go to all this trouble!?"
"Let us discuss that over some food together. Well met today, Spike. Thou may call me Devour."