Several clangs woke me from my rustic sleep. A quick stretch and a stifled yawn later, I sat up on the stone that made up my bed. Long ago have normal beds stopped doing the trick for me. I kept breaking them and every time I slept in one, certain memories returned to me. Groggily turning towards the source of the sound, I took a quick glance around the room. Cobblestone, spacious, toilet that fit my body's size, and thick metal bars with the radius of a pop can.

Outside the bars stood a pony two feet shorter than me; a gentle mare in a uniform reminiscent of the Royal Guard armour, the only difference being cloth. White fur, light blonde mane and tail in an up-do fashion and purple eyes. Her Cutie Mark... didn't matter. She gave me a big, bright smile as she knocked on the bars with a billy club.

"Mister Spike, today's the day," she said with excitement in her voice.

I smiled at her, scratching my head sheepishly. I was three feet taller than when I first came in here which was long ago enough that I felt like I wanted to go through with this. I stood up, stepping towards the bars of the cell. I leaned against the wall and she sat down right in front of the bars.

"So, what's new with the world today, Miss Shutter?" I asked, smacking my dry lips.

"Well, Princess Celestia announced the date of the Grand Galloping Gala and Peach Shutter got the lead role in the school play. Mister Shutter got a job at the Las Pegasus company, The Archive," the mare replied.

Leaning back, clinking my head on the stone walls, I sighed. "The Archive . . . that brings up some memories I'd like to forget. I wouldn't accept it if I did, however, so that's out of the question. Ah well, how's he liking it?" I asked.

"Starts today, but he's ecstatic. He peppered me and Peach with about thirty-thousand kisses before leaving, however," she responded.

"How many boy cooties does Peach have now?" I asked, chuckling.

"Enough that she tried using a Cold Card to get out of school, the little bugger," she responded, giggling.

We both laughed for a few seconds before silence took over. We both allowed our thoughts to run for several minutes, enjoying the silence. We glanced at each other, smiling. This was going to end... maybe.

"150 years in prison, and I still feel just fine," I said. "I get out today, so these daily meetings are going to end."

She shook her head. "I wouldn't allow that. Peach and Mister Shutter have heard me relay stories about you to the point where Peach brags to her friends about having a dragon as a friend. I wouldn't want to make her a liar, and I bet you'll need someone to help you get back on your hooves, or feet." She folded her forelegs, smirking. I looked at her, unsure about the whole choice. "Tonight, I'll show you to my place. You can meet my family, finally, and we'll have a nice dinner. And we'll talk about the reason you're in here. Help you get over it."

Smirking, I sighed. "Peach shouldn't be hearing about murder."

Miss Shutter shook her head, shaking a hoof. "No, you got big time for stealing a pack of gum, don't lie to me, mister."

"Right. All the kids were raving about Steelfire Sonic Rainboom Heat. I didn't have the five cents, and the rest is history," I said, chortling.

"Did you at least taste it?" she asked.

"Swallowed the whole package, wrapper and all," I responded smugly, folding my arms.

"Haha, well . . . how about it? Dinner before going back to your new suite? Or stay the night, I know how you young dragon's get scared without your mommy or nightlight," she quipped, poking me in the nose.

Crinkling my snout, I smiled at her, snorting. I thought for a few seconds before nodding my head. "Sure. I'll visit your family, and spend the night. Where and when, though? I have a few errands to run that I've waited far too long to do," I replied.

"What erra—" she stopped. She looked at my face, her smile slowly vanishing as a solemn look took over. She looked away, avoiding a tearful outburst. She nodded, her smile taking over as her eyes slightly watered. "Sorry for the tears, but even thought you don't want me to, I feel sad for you when I hear you talk about them."

"Ah, it's fine," I said, standing up, doing a proper stretch. "Ah, nothing like a bit of cobblestone against the ol' spine."

"51 Carousal Ave., Ponyville. Next to the Carousal Boutique which is, by the way, a total coincidence." She stood up as well, dusting her uniform off. She smiled at me, wiping her eyes. "7:00 PM is dinner."

"Alright, and if I'm not there, I'll be visiting my mother. Come get me if I'm not there by 6:30, alright?" I replied.

She nodded, and she extended her forelegs through the bars. I looked down at her before facing her, shaking my head. "I wasn't going to hug you the first time, and I won't do it now." She pouted at me and I looked up to the ceiling in thought. "Actually, when you see me in the outside world, I will probably need one."

"It's a promise," she said, merrily skipping down the hall.

"A promise? Dammit, now I can't take it back," I joked, shaking my head.

A laugh was the only response I got, followed by a door opening and closing.

[*][*][*]

The air was reminiscent of an arid desert, but being the middle of summer, it was expected. There was a massive heatwave, but I never covered up. I basked in the inferno of the sun, reflecting sunlight off my scales like a disco ball. New shine after being released and a quick swim in the lake near Ponyville was all I needed. Prison didn't have swimming, which may have been my biggest complaint. Oh well.

I gave myself a quick retour of Ponyville, having been away for 150 years... and my, did those years speed by. I remembered how broken I was when I last heard her voice.

"NO, GIVE HIM BACK! YOU CAN'T TAKE HIM AWAY FROM ME! HE'S MY SON, LET HIM GO!"

It always made me tear up, no matter how good I felt. I wanted my last memory of her to be nothing but love and typical Twilight. Instead, I got pain and suffering. I guess I deserved it, but I can make amends.

Finally, I reached my destination. The tour only revealed the everlasting expansion of Ponyville. Sweet Apple Acres, still thriving. The Carousal Boutique was run by one of Sweetie Belle's grandchildren. Rarity never bothered to marry or date another after. I heard this from Princess Luna after some of the guards bullied me by saying that Rarity became a worthless whore after I left. The others pursued their careers, typically. Rainbow got her dream, and Fluttershy continued being Fluttershy. Same with Pinkie Pie. Smiling until the end, even when the others couldn't. And then I came to it. Looking at it, I read the engraving in the stone:

TWILIGHT SPARKLE

1984 ANMS-2067 ANMS

Loving mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, and Element of Magic.

Rest In Peace.

Then the engraving next to it...

RARITY

1982 ANMS-2074 ANMS

Loving daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and Element of Generosity

Rest In Peace

As if I was kicked in the gut, I lost the ability to breath and felt a huge pain in my chest. I fell to the ground against my knees, hugged my legs, and bawled once more.

"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I just wanted to protect Rarity, and I hurt so many more in my stupid, bitchy fit."

I laid there for several minutes that quickly turned to hours. I noticed the engravings on the tombstones that had their Cutie Marks as well as something else; Twilight had what was probably the design used on her Wedding Anklet while Rarity had the Fire Ruby necklace engraved into it. I caressed it, feeling a heat radiate with my touch. The jewel seem to glow, and I laid in between the two graves, staring up at the blue skies.

. . .

"6:47, Mister Spike."

Tilting my head down, I saw the mare that kept me company for decades waiting. Adorned in a black dress, she stood in silence for a few minutes until I stood up. Without words, I stepped forward and we embraced each other in a hug. It lasted for minutes until I started bawling, where the hug then turned into a semi-tackle. I withheld my sobs in respect for the dead ears. After several minutes, I managed to compose myself and stood up, wiping my tears off.

"Hello, ma'am. My name is Spike the Dragon, loving son and lover, and I am at your service," I said, saluting her before extending a claw to shake.

She saluted with me and shook my hand, smiling. "Lieutenant Gold Shutter, loving wife, mother, granddaughter, and protector of Equestria, at your service."

We released each other and smiled. One final moment of praying to the tombstones followed, and I felt... much better. No more weight on my chest, and I sighed. Gold Shutter turned to leave, and took a few steps.

"Spike, come on. Come meet your new family," she said. "Dinners gonna be molding by the time we get there."

I chuckled, waving to her. "One more minute, please."

I stared at the tombstones, sighing. All of the chaos came rushing back to me, and I felt myself shudder. A nightmare ended long ago haunts me to this day... but it's over. It's done, and no longer do I feel the urges to slaughter many at a whim. I turned away and followed Gold Shutter to the door before stopping. One final glance back, and I smiled.

"I've got some letters to write."