[ONE] Bound (WiP - 7/11/13 1005)

>The circle was etched in the floor, just as written in the dusty old book.  Focusing, Twilight's body lit with magic, reciting the instructions she'd all but memorized.
>At this point, all she'd managed to 'summon' was some dust and a little voice in her head that kept calling her stupid.
>She didn't know why she couldn't get this spell to work, but it didn't help with the final page missing.  She'd improvised, using logic of course, with pitiful results so far.
>It was a book she'd been given by Celestia who'd said it'd make for a good read sometime.  A good read was one thing, but now it was taunting her.

>She knew the solution, she could feel it.  Looking over the instructions one last time, her horn began glowing anew with magic.
>Closing her eyes to concentrate, she began channeling the magic towards the center of the complex figure that was now collecting dust.
>The process began again, air beginning to flow towards the epicenter of the circular diagram.
>Hearing the pages flip as the air flew by her, her annoyance grew at the book's distraction.
>Her body flushing in an angry magic, she cast a bright purple glow from her eyes and horn as her body released more energy than she was anticipating.

>One small explosion later and she was on her rear once more, shaking off the dust.
>Looking hopefully towards the incantation, she sighed in disappointment when there was nothing.  Not even dust this time.
>"It's okay Twilight, maybe the spell doesn't work anymore?"
>"No!" she barked to her assistant.  "This should be working!"
>Spike recoiled at her words, but knew that she was just distressed and didn't mean any ill thoughts towards him.
>"C'mon Twi, just take a break for a minute, will ya?"
>Remaining seated, she started contemplating Spike's suggestion.  She had been at this for hours... maybe she did need a break.
>"You know what Spike?  You're right.  I think I will take a break."
>Collecting herself and shaking off some excess dust, she gently proceeded to close the old, tattered book.

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>Spike was pumping his fist in victory, finally convincing Twilight to cease her anger-infused spell casting.  At least for now.
>Humming to hisself, he began cleaning up the dust that had collected, revealing the etching in the floor completely.
>Twilight had really outdone herself with trying to re-create the old spell's requirements, but it didn't really make sense to him why she'd need to draw on the floor for something to work.
>"Man, how am I going to fix that?" he said to no-one in particular.  Grumbling, he found a broom to begin cleaning.
>As he swept, he kicked a bit of dust into the air, causing him to inhale sharply and sneeze.  This in turn set into play a chain of events that would certainly make for an interesting day.
>The sneeze had caused his tail to swipe out of reaction, smacking the shelf behind him.  This, on top of making his tail throb in pain, shook loose an empty jar seated on the top of the shelving.
>Yelping as he jumped to avoid the jar, he cringed when the thing exploded into shards on the floor.

>"Aww man, Twilight's gonna kill me..." he said, a twinge of disappointment in his voice.  He knew it was an accident, but he wasn't sure she'd think so.
>Grumbling at his own luck, knelt down to start collecting the pieces.  Of course, he wasn't thinking about the fact that it was glass he was picking up.
>Yelping in pain, he instantly dropped the shard from his claw.
>Wimpering to himself, he held his injured claw tightly with the other as deep purple blood started oozing from the fresh wound.
>Thinking quickly, he stuck the injured claw in his mouth to prevent further blood from dripping to the floor.
>"Aw come on!" he said into his claw.  Muttering, he wandered off to find some bandages and towels.

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>Sensing the blood, the scripture Twilight had previously been growing frustrated at started glowing.
>Spike's blood attracted to the etching like a magnet, disappearing into the carvings.
>Quickly spreading to the rest of the scripture, the glow started changing to a deep purple color.
>Purple light now emanating from the circles and scripture, the earth below began groaning and shaking.
>Otherworldly twists and snaps came from the library as stone and soil burst through the floor, destroying the intricate scribblings Twilight had made.
>Hearing the ruckus, Spike began running back to the mess as fast as he could manage.
>Upon arriving, he proceeded to drop the towels he had been carrying.
>Thinking quickly, he made to hide behind the table that had been overturned, cautiously peering out as the tremors continued.

>The rocks began to smooth and pulse, an eerie green glow encompasing them.  Accompanying this glow was a shiny, almost metallic substance that seemed to ooze from the stones.
>No longer behaving like stone should, it began to contort and mold as though it were nothing more than fresh sculpting mud.
>As the glow was changing to a purple hue, the mas was beginning to take a form Spike thought familiar.  Further scrutinizing was revealing what he thought to be arms, legs, and a head.
>A thunderous crack emmenating through the structure sent Spike scurrying back to the safety of his table.

>The stone was melting to large formations, each interlocking with the other.  Vines sprouting from the joints began crawling up and down the mass, gripping the smooth surfaces.
>Yet another resounding crack caused spike to begin covering himself in the towels he'd dropped previously.
>A groan came from the mass as the glowing faded entirely, leaving only the dull glow of two green orbs that were the beast's eyes.
>Its jaw fell loose, snapping into place as it underwent testing, chewing at the air.  Rotating its arms, it brought its hands up for inspection.
>Three distinct sets of smaller stones, two of three, one of two on each hand.  Flexing them, the beast experimentally began opening and closing its fists.
>It clenched its jaw as a surge of the liquid metallic substance flowed back into the rock, giving it what resembled shiny veins.

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>Recovering from its sudden burst of life, the beast began to search for the one it would call master.
>It knew that it had been summoned, and it was eager to serve.
>Seeing nothing resembling a life force, the golem turned and began to wander to the first doorway it found.
>Smashing through the tiny entrance, splintered wood fell around the creature.
>As the solid thumps of its footsteps grew further away, Spike cautioned a peek from his safety net.
>The first thing he laid his eyes on were the impressively large footsteps.  Each a single indentention, they sunk at least three inches into the weak floor.
>His eyes followed the trail, leading him to the destroyed doorway that led to the basement.

>Cringing as a crash echoed throughout the library, he began shedding his towels as he crept towards the massive hole.
>Gasping quietly to himself, he looked down as the tail end of the golem was disappearing into the basement.
>It had managed to shove its way through the stone hallway, pushing the rock and wood into the walls to make room.
>Hearing the creaking of the wood, Spike decided against pursuing the beast.
>Rearing back to lean against the wall, he began to pant as he began taking stock of the damages.
>He was dead.  Twilight was going to kill him.  A broken jar, a shattered floor, and a basement that was even worse off than the rest of the house.
>His list of crimes was growing at a rate he didn't find comforting.

>Heart stopping all together, Spike could practically feel his pupils dialate as the knob of the front door turned.
>As the door opened, he found himself completely frozen in shock and fear as Twilight Sparkle came trotting in, followed closely by none other than Rarity and Sweetie Belle.
>All three ponies came to a stop when they took in the state of the library.
>Collecting herself, Rarity chose to speak first.
>"Twilight, what happened?"
>The purple unicorn didn't respond, looking around in horror at her destroyed library.
>"Spike!  Are you okay?!"
>Sweetie's outburst was what snapped Spike back to reality.  A reality he wanted no part in at the moment.
>Trotting over when he didn't answer, Sweetie waved a hoof in front of the young dragon's eyes.
>"Spike?" she repeated, poking him lightly.

>The mentioning of Spike's namesake garnered him Twilight's attention.
>"Spike?" she said, her voice quickly escalating.  "Spike, what did you do?!"
>Before he had a chance to answere, a low scrape could be heard coming from what was left of the basement doorway.
>Feeling the ground begin to shake, Twilight reiterated.
>"Spike?!"
>"Run!" was all he managed, Sprinting between the two mares.
>Sweetie caught on quickly, following him in hot pursuit.
>"T-Twilight?"
>Groaning in annoaynce, Twilight turned to give chase to the purple dragon.

>"What did you do to the library?!" Twilight bellowed, pouncing on Spike.
>She paid no mind to the few passing ponies, more focused on getting an answer out of Spike.
>"I don't know!  I didn't do anything!"
>"You had one job!" she retaliated.  "One job!"
>"I'm sorry Twilight!" Spike said, shielding himself with his claws.
>Through her angered panting, Twilight took note of Spike's neglected injury.
>Before any of them could continue speaking, a scream caught their collective attention.

>"Rarity!" Sweetie yelled.  As she began sprinting towards the shaking library, Twilight caught her off guard with her magical grip.
>Distracted with Sweetie, Spike managed to dart past them both.
>"Don't worry Rarity, I'm coming!"