Enter The Dragon: Fighting Is Magic

Chapters

Several Months Later
The Inner Struggles of Spike
Growing Darkness Of The Mind
The Students meet the Fighter
Where'd You Learn To Fight?
The Predator’s Call

Several Months Later

Spike blinked his eyes open to find himself, once more, surrounded by the hungry red eyes of the predators who surrounded him, baring their shining pearly white teeth, licking their slobbery chops as they closed in on the little dragon.

Spike had never felt so afraid in his whole life. From delivering the Crystal Hearts to Princess Cadence by scaling from the top of a tall tower to nearly getting eaten alive by a giant bird of prey, this is perhaps one of the most terrifying moment of all. The thought of standing alone, somewhere in the darkness of a deep cavern, which he has no recollection of entering, surrounded by packs of ravenous beasts, who were ready to tear him in the most gruesome way possible, just to satisfy their own starvation.

He looked behind his shoulders, to see his new wings exactly where they were, following his molting. But they're hardly any good if they can't get him out, in one piece.

Then, with a loud roar, the silhouette of a huge tiger lunged forward, claws and teeth unsheathed, ready to tear the young dragon apart.

Before it got the chance, however, Spike quickly sprinted forward, diving beneath the tiger's massive build, narrowly evading its pounce, while avoiding the jaws of a wolf that snapped at him. Without hesitating, the wolf snapped its jaws at Spike again, who retaliated with a scratch of his claws at the wolf's muzzle. Though it flinched from the sharp impact of the little dragon's claws, the wolf snarled as it swiped its paw at Spike, knocking him to the floor, where he was pinned down by the tiger from before.

Spike looked up with dread as the tiger leaned its head forward, snarling aggressively, blowing its filthy horrid breath, with the foul stench of blood fresh in its mouth. The tiger opened its mouth, ready to feast on the young dragon, had it not been interrupted by the surrounding wolves, who all wanted a piece of the little dragon. In retaliation, the tiger snapped its jaws and roared at the wolves, angered for having its meal interrupted.

Using the distraction to his advantage, Spike looked around, before he frantically grabbed a huge rock. With a quick lunge, Spike drove the sharp edge into the tiger's paw, forcing it to release its grip on him, allowing Spike to flap his wings, taking to the air, avoiding the snapping jaws of the predators.

But the danger was far from over. Hanging by the stalactites of the cavern, the shadow of a huge snake hissed at Spike, baring its sharp teeth at the dragon, followed by a spit of poisonous strands that splattered across Spike's front, nearly hitting his eyes. Before Spike could flap his wings in the other direction, his tail was caught in the sharp maws of a wolf beneath him.

"AAAAAAHH!!!" Spike screamed, as he was pulled back down to the ground, where he was thrashed about like a little chew toy for the savage canines, before he was thrown to the stone wall of the cave.

With a loud roar, the tiger stood triumphant, together with the wolves, as they resumed advancing towards the young dragon.

Spike looked around him, seeing he was surrounded, backed against a wall, with no visible exits, and no possible chances of escaping. He can't even call out for help, since who would come to his rescue, let alone hear him, considering how deep the caverns are.

"Do not let defeat be the end," A familiar voice echoed. It sounded commanding, authoritative, yet wise and maternal.

"Like my pa always says: 'Put 'em up!'" Another voice echoed. It sounded almost like Twilight's, with a southern drawl.

"Let us break zhe ice!" A vain voice spoke, with signs of conceit, and dignity.

"Yip, yip!" A small voice shouted frantically.

"I don't have the time or crayons to teach you how to fight!" A stern voice glowered.

"Hee hee hee!" A chirpy voice giggled, which would put Pinkie's to shame.

Tìm Về Chốn Cũ

As the voices all echoed in Spike's head, he felt all the fears and doubts that have numbed his body melting away, in place of something beating loudly in his chest. Feeling the fire coursing through his body, warming him up, fueled by a drive of determination, Spike clenched his fists, snapped his eyes to reveal a look of determination.

"Okay girls," Spike breathed heavily. "I hear you all loud and clear," Looking back up at the predators, closing in for the kill, Spike started snarling back, as he roared louder than the predators. He's not about to go down without a fight, "Well come on! You want a piece of me?! Come and get me, if you can!"

With a loud roar, the tiger pounced. With a flap of his wings, Spike dived beneath the big cat, before he swore upward to deliver an uppercut punch to one of the incoming wolves, followed by a twist of his body to whip his tail, landing blow of his arrowhead to another wolf's snout. Shaking their dazes, the wolves sprinted towards the little dragon again, followed by the rest of the pack, piling on top of Spike. However, the little dragon was able to escape the maws of the hungry wolves as he slips through their legs, before he came out, suffering a few scratches and bruises he'll be having in the coming days.

Just then, the tiger returned, bashing its head into the little dragon, sending him flying into the cavern wall. Using the momentum, however, and remembering a lesson he once learned, Spike curled his body, allowing his feet to land first, before he launched himself off from the wall, and back into the tiger, landing a strong kick to its noise. Doing a backflip, Spike landed back on his feet, before he flaps his wings, spinning around in the air several times to land several kick to the tiger's face, followed by a scratch of his claws to its snout, before he finishes it with a blast of fire to its face.

The tiger roared in pain, as it clawed its face furiously in its attempt to wipe the fire off. The tiger's roar caught the wolves' attention, and they looked to see where their prey had gone to.

When the tiger pounced again, Spike flapped his wings to land an uppercut, knocking the tiger off balance, and sent it rolling to the side, before he once more finds himself surrounded by the wolves, and the snake from before.

Spike watched as the tiger moved its whole form in a smooth, fluid motion, while noticing how the snake's gaze was looking directly into his eyes, piercing his soul. Somewhat hypnotic, Spike didn't let that deter him, as he prepared for what was to come next.

With a loud hiss, and a show of its long sharp fangs, the snake lunged towards Spike, snapping its jaws, which Spike quickly evaded with a sidestep. The snake quickly made a sharp turn as it snapped its jaws at Spike again, only for the little dragon to jump in the air, before he came crashing down, stomping his foot on the snake's head. Though slightly dazed, the snake shook off the blow as it whipped its tail at Spike, ensnaring him by the leg, before it began to coil itself around the little dragon, ready to squeeze the life out of him.

Thinking fast, Spike's mouth was engulfed in green flame, with which he used to sink his teeth into the snake's scaly hides. With a hiss of agony, the snake released its grip on Spike, before it flees to recover, behind the walls of the advancing wolves, and the tiger.

The wolves all pounced forward, only for Spike to retaliate with a strong aerial kick, a whip of his tail, and a blast of his fire as he knocked the dogs to the side, while receiving a few cuts, here and there. But the predators kept on coming. More were filling up the whole cavern, and they all lunged towards Spike.

Having enough, Spike turned to his last resort of tactics.

Concentrating into the fire within him, Spike felt himself overwhelmed by an aura of intense heat swelling from his heart. To further his rapid heart beat, visions of everyone he has loved appeared before him, smiling, laughing, and cheering him on, sending off the all too familiar vibe of family and love. Then, dissolving into multicolored lights, they all flowed into Spike, surrounding his form in an aura of light.

"EXIT THE TIGER!!!!" Spike roared, as his whole world turns white. "ENTER THE DRAGON!!!"

*Thud*

"Ow," Spike moaned, as he got up, rubbing the front of his head, before he checked himself to see the scratches from his battle were gone. Looking around, Spike was relieved to find himself, back in the safety of his room, in Friendship Castle. "Phew," He sighed, before he climbed back into bed, plopping his head back down into his pillow. Though, it may take him awhile, considering the nightmare he just had.

"Has it been that long?" He asked himself.

It's been many months now, since his return from the world of Fœnum. And up until now, Spike had forgotten all about his adventures in that world, when he started running the Friendship Academy with Twilight, while also getting accustomed to his new wings.

"Tianhuo would've been proud of me," Spike smiled to himself, looking fondly at his new wings, while remembering fondly of the tough longma.

Then, his memories flashed as he recalled the incident, where during his molt, he nearly got eaten by a hungry roc, a huge bird of prey that is often dubbed as a thunderbird, and a predator to molting dragons, especially baby dragons. While recalling that frightful event, Spike recalled how the first thing he did when dealing with a huge bird of prey that wanted to eat him, was simply running for his life.

"Huh, I didn't put up much of a fight towards that giant, overgrown turkey, now did I?" He asked himself, before he shook his head and denied himself. "Come on, Spike! Don't think that way!" He berated himself. "You were just trying to get some distance! Besides, there's nothing you can do then! You can't just charge blindly at a roc, and not expect to get snatched up in its sharp talons! And besides, once you got your wings, you fought that bird off to save Rarity and Zecora! So that's a good thing, right?"

Spike smiled to himself, before he frowned to himself, "But that's just it. You only fought that bird, because you have wings. And before that, you've once fought wolves, lions, tigers, bears, snakes, and all sorts of predators that tried to eat you in Fœnum," Spike blinked his eyes in wonder, "Though, come to think of it, most of them don't exactly have wings, so you were kinda on an even playing field, I guess. But still, you should've done something then. You still could've kicked that bird's tail feathers, roast it, or do something to fight that predator off. It's a predator! Just like you!"

Spike smacked his claws over his mouth, shocked at what he just said, "I'm a predator," He repeated. Turning over to see a full bodied mirror in his room, Spike walked over to look at his own reflection. In appearance, Spike looked exactly like he's always been, only with the addition of his new wings, a sign of his maturity. The young dragon looked down at his claws, to see they were slightly longer, sharper, and they glistened in Luna's light, compared to how they were, prior to his molt. Spike forced himself a smile on his face, to reveal his sharp pearly whites.

A dark chuckle echoed within his room, startling Spike, as he breathed heavily, turning his head, frightfully glancing in every directions, failing to locate the source.

"No matter how fast you run, no matter where you go, you can't escape your destiny," The voice rumbled. "Sooner or later, you will taste blood. It is our nature. We kill to survive. We kill to eat. We are predators, you and I," Spike felt himself turning cold, and drenched in cold sweats, as he turned his head, to see the menacing, ravenous eyes of the creature that has followed him into Equestria!

The Inner Struggles of Spike

"No!" Spike breathed heavily, backing away from the dark figure who looms over him. "It can't be! You can't be here!"

The creature chuckles darkly, "Young dragon, you can never truly escape from us," The predator snarled. "We are what we are. And we are predators. Just like you. We are you! And you're a predator, as the little ponies in this world are prey. Don't you know it's bad manners to play with your food?"

"My pony friends are not food!" Spike spatted.

"You keep telling yourself that, little dragon. But it's futile to deny it. Eventually, when you grow up, you will know when to answer the call of the wild. And soon, you will know, the gratifying taste of raw meat is too much to resist. We are predators by nature, you and I. When we're hungry, we hunt. When we smell blood, we kill it," The creature licked its chops hungrily at the mention of blood. "You will know that soon, when you kill your first pony. I'm sure that marshmallow unicorn friend of yours will be just as delicious."

"Never!!! They're my friends! They're my family! And I'll never eat them!!"

“Don’t be a fool!! Why do you continue to deny yourself of the truth! Has it ever occurred to you, how often these 'friends of yours' have left you out on certain occasions? How much less of a value you hold for each of their social gatherings?” Like a bolt of lightning, several memories of when Spike was completely sidelined by Twilight and her girls came rushing back to him.

It began with the pranks Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie had pulled on him. Then there was also the time when Spike first fell into the freezing water of the lake, during Winter Wrap Ups, and nopony wasn't there to save him. Instead, they all laughed at his misfortune. Following that event, was during the Grand Galloping Gala, in which Twilight and the girls immediately ditched him. Then there was when it was Twilight's birthday, and he wasn't invited at the party when the girls moved their party to Canterlot, and he was left behind in Ponyville. Then, there was also when Princess Cadence didn't invite him to the Crystal Empire to assist in the preparations of the upcoming Equestrian game.

"Hurts doesn't it?" The creature growled. "How unfairly they treated you. You are only a baby, and a fledgling now. Pity it doesn't change the fact that you're a dragon. And the ponies are afraid of you. Afraid of what you are, and what you will become! A predator, like me!"

Spike opened his mouth to deny the creature's words, but once more, nothing came out. Another memory he recalled was when he first experience a double dosage of greed, following his first birthday in Ponyville, and how it turned him into a rampaging dragon. Luckily, no pony was hurt....much. But the memory continued to haunt him, together with the thought of how close he was to killing the ponies, his friends, and those whom he has regarded as family from the day he first hatched.

"Yes....it's sad, but it's true. The only reason you are still free and living, is because your dearly devoted 'friends' were there for you. But what happens when they're not around to support you? Eventually, they'll see you as a threat, and they'll lock you away, just like they did to us predators!"

Deciding he's heard enough, Spike shook his head, as he screamed, “Never! I’ll never be like you!!”

With an angry roar, the creature slammed his massive paws, pinning Spike to the floor, before he inched his mouth closer to the dragon's face, breathing the smell of fresh blood from his mouth, "Heed my words, young dragon. Whenever there's prey, there's a predator. And when your time comes, it will say 'thus perish, my little pony.'"

Spike's eyes snapped open, as he bolted up in his bed, breathing heavily, when the door creaked opened, and Twilight slowly stepped in, "Spike?" Twilight asked quietly. "What's wrong? I-I can hear your screaming from-" Twilight was interrupted, when Spike flew up to the alicorn and tackled her to the ground, tightening his arm around her shoulders, not daring to let go, for fear she would leave him, again. "Spike?" Twilight asked with concern, noting his heavy breathing, and how much he was quivering against her.

"Twilight! You're okay!" Spike sobbed. "You're okay...."

"Of course I'm okay, Spike," Twilight replied, wrapping her wings and hooves around the little dragon for comfort. "Shhh, it's okay. I'm here. I got you."

"No, Twilight," Spike began. "I got you," He tightened his arm, while nuzzling his cheek against Twilight's, at the thought this may be the last chance he'll ever have with her, 'And I'll never let anything bad happen to you. Not like last time. Not ever again,' He thought grimly, recalling how he wasn't entirely there for her, every step of the way during the royal Canterlot Wedding, or how he wasn't much help in protecting Twilight from Tempest Shadow.

Looking up, over Twilight's shoulder, Spike's eyes narrowed at a silhouette of Queen Chrysalis and Tempest Shadow, both sending smug grins his way. To further his troubled feelings, Spike's ears perked to the haunting, high-pitched sounds of laughters that frightens both Pinkie's and Paprika's, revealing themselves to be the shadows of hyenas that prowled menacingly behind Twilight's back. Spike snarled at these troubling images, while holding Twilight even closer, and defensively.

"No...no...please, no! Not my brother! Not my mommy! NOT DADDDY!! NOOOOO!!!" Silverstream screamed, jolting herself awake to catch her rapid heartbeat, before she looked around, breathing a sigh of relief to see that she is still in her room, at Friendship Academy.

Silverstream plopped her head back into her soft pillow, but kept her eyes open, just to make sure she was still safe from the Storm King.

The next morning, Spike was bright and alert, as he got up, doing what he usually does. Helping Twilight and the girls run the Friendship Academy, by checking to see how classes were going, and the welfares of the students. Though, on this particular morning, Spike was more alert than bright.

He was passing one of Fluttershy's class, when his ear perked up to hear the bashful pegasus saying, "Okay, class. Today, we'll be observing the proper etiquette, required when joining a friend for a nice cup of tea."

Ocellus simply smiled, while Gallus rolled his eyes, "Lame," Gallus scowled, with a flick of his tail, he inadvertently flipped a tray, which sent several tea cups in the air.

Fluttershy watched in horror, while Spike quickly sprinted into actions, diving into the room, catching two of the cups, tucking them under his arms, catching two more with his claws, while catching the last one in his mouth. The classroom all gasped in surprise at the little dragon's stunt.

"Oh my!" Fluttershy gasped, watching as Spike flapped his wing over to the tray, while carrying the cups in, after he stacked them in one claw.

With a flick of his tail, Spike sent the tray flying in the air, before he caught it in his other claw to set it back down on the table, and puts the cups back to their former resting place, "There. Everyone alright?" Spike asked.

In response, the students all applauded for the little dragon's stunt. Fluttershy could hardly speak, more than usual.

"Wow! That was awesome!" Gallus exclaimed as he walked over to the little dragon. "H-H-How'd you do that?"

"Um....practice?" Spike shrugged, before he said sternly, "Just watch that tail of yours from now on. Got it?"

Gallus was taken aback by the tone in the little dragon's voice, but quickly nodded in response, "Um, got it," The griffon replied.

After a moment of collecting himself, Spike too could hardly believed the tone in his voice, which prompted him to quickly take his leave, "Keep up the good work, Fluttershy!" He said.

"Oh...um, thank you?" Fluttershy stammered, after she managed to find her voice.

In the meantime, Gallus and Ocellus continued to stare in the direction the young dragon had gone to, before the griffon began moving his arms out, trying his best to imitate the movement he witnessed earlier, from Spike.

"How did he do that?" Gallus asked.

"I don't know," Ocellus answered hesitantly.

"Come on class!" Rainbow Dash hollered, while presiding over a game of dodgeball, in the school gym. "What doesn't hit you, won't hurt you! Come on! It's all about team work! Work together! Win together! That's the way!"

"Yaks strong! Yaks helpful!" Yona shouted excitedly. "YONA HELP TEAM WIN!!" With a thunderous stomp, and a thrust of her head, Yona fired a ball at the opposing team, which included the dragon student, Smolder.

"You're gonna eat those words, with a side of smoking humiliations, yak!" Smolder smirked, flapping her wings as she acrobatically dodged the balls being lobbed at her, before she breathed a burst of flame, destroying the balls aiming for her.

With a loud shrill, Rainbow Dash blew her whistle, "FOUL!!" She shouted. "Smolder! What have we talked about the use of fire breath in dodgeball?!"

Smolder rolled her eyes, "What's the point of playing dodgeball if you can't make the balls fire proof?" The orange dragon grumbled. "Besides, fire breathing is what we dragons do. And we're proud of it."

"Well we can't all breathe fire, like you!" Rainbow frowned. "So ya gotta play by the rules! And that's no fire breathing in dodgeball!"

"Well then maybe dodgeball's a lame game! And it's not meant for dragons!"

"Dragons don't play fair!" Yona grumbled. "Dragons cheat! Dragons can't play dodgeball, because dragons are weak!"

Smolder's eyes twitched, hardly believing what she just heard, "What did you say?!" Smolder snarled.

"Dragons can't play dodgeball!" Yona repeated. "Dragons are weak, without fire breath!"

"Nobody calls me a weakling and gets away with it!" Smolder snarled. "Fine! I'll play against ya! With my wings tied behind my back, and my mouth shut!"

"So, Smolder no breathe fire, or fly?"

"As Pinkie Pie would say, 'Cross my heart and hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye,' or whatever," Smolder recited.

"Good! Then play ball!" Yona stomped, thrusting her head, out to strike a ball, launching it towards Smolder, who quickly ducked her head in time.

"Oh it's on, like a volcano!" Smolder smirked, as she picked up another ball and hurled it towards Yona, who jumped over the ball, before she came crashing back down to the ground, emitting another thunderous shockwave that knocked Smolder off her feet.

"Hey, what's going-WHOA!!" Spike screamed, ducking his head to dodge the ball, before he locked to see another ball coming towards him.

"SPIKE!! LOOK OUT!!!" Rainbow Dash shouted.

Time, however, seemed to have slowed down for Spike, from his point of view, and his pupils became a slit. Then, out of impulse, Spike quickly caught the ball in his claws, before he started moving his whole body in a fluid motion, letting the ball travel around him, without breaking the speed of its momentum, before at last, he launched the ball towards one of Yona's teammate, hitting him in the head, knocking him out.

Rainbow Dash, Yona, and Smolder were all amazed at what young Spike just did, "What the what?!!" Rainbow exclaimed.

"Whoa, Spike!" Smolder exclaimed. "Are you, uh....are you playing?" As an answer, Spike flapped his wings, bursting himself into the air, zipping past Smolder's cheek, as he skillfully caught a ball before it hits the dragoness in the back. Flipping himself into a front flip, Spike landed, feet first, before he threw the ball at a blinding speed that knocked another of Yona's teammate, out of the game, literally.

"Ooooh," The pony groaned, after he landed in the bleacher.

Yona turned her head from where the pony had landed, to look at the smaller purple dragon with surprise. With a determined look on his face, Spike held his claws out, in a fighting stance, "Training's over, now give me your all!" He taunted.

Yona was taken aback by his tone, along with Smolder, "Uh, Spike? Are you okay?" Rainbow asked.

There was no answer, since Yona refused to be talked down by a little dragon like Spike. In response, Yona leapt to the air, before she came crashing down, shaking the ground beneath her, sending the balls in the air. With that, Yona thrusted her head, and legs, to launch the balls at Smolder and Spike.

Time slowed down once more for Spike, as he watched the balls became fruits and vegetables, and in Yona's place, stood Paprika. With a quick swipe of his claws, Spike plucked the balls out of the air, like apples from Sweet Apple Acre's trees, before he threw them all at Yona, who didn't have time to react as she was pelted by a powerful storm of balls.

Everyone in the room were further speechless, before Rainbow broke the silence, "Uh...sorry Yona. It looks like you're out," Rainbow frowned.

Yona finally shook herself back to reality, "But...but...Yona can't lose!" She frowned. "Yona hates losing."

"Do not let defeat be the end," Spike said, as he walked over to the yak. "Sometimes we win. Sometimes we lose. But what really matters is whether we choose to get back up, or to stay down," Holding his claw out, Spike offered to help the young yak up. "It's your choice, Yona."

Yona looked at Spike for a moment, then darted her eyes back at his claw, before she gratefully accepted it, and was helped up.

"Wow, Spike!" Smolder gasped, running over to the two, with Rainbow Dash following. "Wh-wh-where did you learn that?"

"What was that?" Another student asked. "How'd you do that?"

"Yeah, can we learn to do that too? Or is it exclusive to just dragons?"

"Yeah, tell us Spike!" Rainbow said, looking eager. "Because that was so awesome! /)^3^(\"

"Uh, I'd like to stay around and answer your question and everything," Spike began, as he snaked his way free. "But I think I hear Twilight calling me. Bye-bye!" Before Rainbow Dash could catch him, Spike was already gone with a flap of his wings. That, and the school bell ring to begin the next class period.

Later, it was recess and the students were out and about to enjoy Celestia's light, in each other's company. Though, not many of them, that is.

Silverstream wasn't her cheerful self, as of late, "Uh, you okay there, Silver?" Sandbar asked. "You looked, what's the word, 'under the wave there.'"

"Under the wave?" Silverstream asked, while struggling to laugh. "That's funny. Ha ha. I'm not under the wave. I'm over the wave. In fact, I'm not in the wave at all. What makes you think I'm under the wave, when I'm not under?"

The only answer Sandbar had for the troubled hippogriff was a confused look, "Oookay then," He hesitantly answered, wanting to get out of the awkward situation, when he looked and noticed the little dragon Spike, walking into the Everfree Forest, pulling a wagon with a blanket covering its large content.

"Hey, Spike!" Sandbar called out, as he and Silverstream came up to him.

Spike turned his head and waved his claw to the incoming students, "Hey Sandbar! Hi Silver!" He returned the greeting.

"Whatchya doing~?" Silver asked.

Spike hesitated, trying to come up a good excuse, when he answered, "I'm...just visiting Zecora! Yeah, that's it!"

"Oh," Sandbar and Silver nodded in acknowledgement, before turning their attention to the wagon. Sandbar starting reaching out to lift the hem of the blanket, "What's under-"

"HEEL!!" Spike screamed, smacking Sand's hoof away. Taken by surprise, both from the shout and the strike, Sandbar held his hoof close, as he and Silver gave Spike odd looks. "Um, sorry. It's just delicate cargo I'm hauling here," Spike stammered, before he started walking away from the scene. "Anyway, have a nice day you two," With that, Spike disappeared behind the trees, leaving Sandbar and Silver alone in awkward silence.

Finally, Sandbar broke the ice, "Should we tell headmaster Twilight about this?" He asked.

"I don't know," Silver shrugged her shoulders, before she scratched her chin. "But as you surface dwellers say. Something smells fishy around here. And it's not me."

After he was about a good 15 feet away from the Friendship Academy, Spike eventually found himself in a clearing, where he lifted the blankets off his wagon, to reveal a pile of logs, sticks, and ropes, which he later used to put together a fighting dummy. Back when he was in Fœnum, Spike once had to learn how to set up a fighting dummy or two, during his trainings to become a fighter.

At last, the first dummy was finished. In appearance, it was in the shape of a pony. Then, he started setting up another fighting dummy, in a different position, in which it was standing on two legs, rather than four, and a more robust build at the upper section of its body, with a pair of sticks at the top of its tiny head, to give the appearance of horns. Then, Spike sets off to work on the rest of the dummy, while picking up a glob of mud to draw faces on the dummies, giving them somewhat intimidating expressions.

Once the first part of his work was finished, Spike took a look at his handiworks, picturing a few of his friends' enemies, in place of the dummies. Looking around him, Spike scowled, seeing the smug grins of Garble and his gang, Iron Will, the Storm King, Queen Chrysalis, even Tempest Shadow still made him mad, just looking at her smug grin.

"HI-YAH!!!" Spike screamed, with a burst of speed, courtesy of his wings, launching himself at Tempest Shadow in a flying kick to literally knock the grin off her face. "Oh! That feels good! TAKE THIS!!!" Spike screamed, as he throws another punch at Tempest, followed by a flick of his tail. "THIS is for attacking Canterlot! THIS is for turning the princesses to stone! THIS is for hounding me and my friends across Equestria and beyond!! THIS is for taking advantage of TWILIGHT!! AND MAKING TWILIGHT LOOK LIKE A FOOL!!" He ranted, after he was done attacking the dummy of Tempest Shadow, and proceeded to beat the living daylight out of the other dummies.

"BASH!!" Spike screamed, blasting a fireball at Iron Will's face, while picturing Tianhuo flying beside him. "TRAMPLE!!" He roared, when he launched himself at the dummies of Garble and his gang, whipping his tail at the last second, to land an impact with the arrowhead at the end. Spike then did a backflip, landing on his feet, before he did a tornado kick at the lead dragon's head, "Cyclone kick!!"

"Yes, Spike!" A voice echoed. "No mercy! You know you want to give it to them! Show them all your strength! Kill them all!! Unleash the PREDATOR inside of you!!! BE the predator you are!!"

"Yes!!" Spike hissed, before he snapped himself out of his trance. "Wait, what?"

"But don't waste your strength on these toys," The voice spoke again. "Trees don't hit back, they say. But for your sake, seeing as how you've been keeping up with your training, then let us test your prowess on some more moving targets."

With that, a cold wind blew through the trees of the Everfree Forest, giving Spike an eerie presence that made his scales stand stand up to the slightest. Looking around, Spike's eyes widened and his pupil turned slit when he looked to see scores of fiery red eyes staring down at him. Then, the shadows came to life as they became solid, walking on all four, glaring and snarling hungrily at the little dragon, cracking their mouth, releasing their drools as they licked their chops.

In response, Spike got into a fighting stance, ready for a fight of his life, "This is the way of life, little dragon," The voice echoed. "Survival of the fittest they say. The creature that lives must fight. But the creature that can't, gets eaten. Now, prove yourself to us!"

With a bark, the wolves all lunged at Spike, who quickly rolled to the ground, dodging the wolves' attacks, before he got up to breath a ball of fire that exploded upon impact with the wolves. Quickly recovering from the fiery attack, the wolves quickly got back on their feet and continued to lunge towards Spike, snapping their jaws, and swiping their paws at the dragon, who kept on ducking his head, blocking some of their strikes with his claws, before he was hit and landed against a tree bark.

Shaking the shock away, Spike quickly looked up to see the wolves running towards him. Thinking fast, Spike flapped his wings, and took to the air, with the wolves jumping and snapping their jaws relentlessly for him. Spike kept flapping his wings, when suddenly...

*HIIIIssssssss*

Spike quickly finds himself wrapped in the coils of a great big snake, flaring its hood, flicking its fork tongues as it and Spike plummeted to the ground, where the wolves all swarmed over Spike and the snake. Spike struggled to escape, but the snake tightened its grip on the little dragon, before with a loud hiss, it thrusted its head forward, and clamped its jaws, sinking its fangs into Spike's neck.

"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!" Spike screamed in agony.

"Aw, you're not going to cry, are you little dragon?" The voice echoed again. "I know it hurts. But it's a price one must pay for being too attached to the little ponies of Equestria. Your friendship for them has made you soft. You have become a prey. And as you know, we eat preys like you!" As if agreeing with the voice, the wolves and the snake surrounding Spike all laughed in their own menacing way, "Now, take one last look at this pitiful world you called home!"

As Spike continued to struggle free, memories of his friends' daily struggles in Fœnum flashed before him. The battles they fought. The bloods that were shed. The wounds they've had to endure. And more importantly, the hearts they've had to struggle through it all. How inspiring, yet intense it was for Spike to have witness such brutality, and how awe inspiring it was for Spike to have such strong friends. Friends who were willing to fight to the very end, even when things got tough. And how he's been with them through it all.

"Do not let defeat be the end!" Tianhuo's voice echoed again.

Eyes bolting wide, feeling the fire burning even more intense, driving him with newfound strength like never before, Spike clamped his jaws on the snake's coil, forcing it to release its grip on him. Then, with a yell, Spike threw the snake off, before a burst of green fire erupted from his mouth, and onto the surprised wolves.

"Yes!" The voice echoed. "FIGHT US, DRAGON!!!"

The wolves continued to run towards Spike, biting and clawing at the dragon, who retaliated with a flurry of kicks, punches, slashes, and tail whips, countering the wolves' bites, slashes, while using his wings as shields against the poisons, shot from the snake's mouth.

"Spike?"

"RAARRRGGGHH!!!" Spike lunged towards the source of the voice, stopping momentarily to see....

"AAAAHH!!! Don't hurt me! It's me! IT'S ME!!!" Thorax yelped, holding his hooves up in defense.

Spike snapped out of his trance, looking to see he had pinned Thorax to the ground, holding him by the neck with one claw, while the other one was a punch that's just inches away from Thorax's face, "Gyaahh!!" Spike screamed, breathing rapidly, processing at how close he was to attacking his best friend. "Thorax! I'm so sorry! I didn't-"

"No, it's okay. It's my fault. I should've known better than to sneak up on you," Thorax replied, as he got up. "But, what were you doing out here, all by yourself?"

"What? Didn't you see? I was attacked by..." Spike turned his head, and was perplexed to see nothing. No one but him and Thorax.

Thorax looked at the area, seeing it was littered with broken sticks, and pieces of the fighting dummies Spike had set up earlier, "You were attacked by scarecrows?" He asked.

"They're not scarecrows," Spike replied, while looking around the area a bit more closely. "They're practice dummies."

"You were attacked by dummies?"

"No. I was.....oh," Spike clutched his head, nearly collapsing to the ground, had Thorax not caught him. "I don't feel so good."

"Here Spike! I got you!" Thorax said, as he lifted the little dragon onto his back. "Don't worry little guy. I'll get you to a doctor. You'll feel much better in no time."

"Oh, thanks Thorax," Spike sighed. "You're a real pal."

"Hey, what are friends for? Besides, who am I to call myself a friend if I leave you behind, like Twilight and the girls?"

As the boys left, several red eyes pierced the darkness of the forest.

"You might have escaped us today, little dragon. But we will catch you in the future. And when we're through with you, your little ponies are next."

Growing Darkness Of The Mind

Twilight was in her office, looking over some important documents, regarding to her school, when the doors to her office opened up, and her friends, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, walked in, "Hello girls," Twilight greeted. "What's going on?"

The two pegasi looked at each other for a moment, before Fluttershy started, "Um, we wanted to talk to you about Spike," The bashful pegasus whimpered.

"What about him?" Twilight asked.

Rainbow Dash scratched the back of her head, "Well, do you notice anything different about him, lately?"

"What? That Spike's got wings?" Twilight asked, dismissively. "I'm kinda used to that now."

"No, not that!" Rainbow shook her head. "Different as in the fact that he's a lot more....stronger."

"And faster!" Fluttershy added.

"Huh? Stronger? Faster? How?" With that, both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy began sharing stories about how Spike acted earlier, in their respective classes. Twilight could hardly believe her ears, "What? Are you serious? Because all of that does not sound like Spike!"

"I wished we could say it was a joke, Twilight," Rainbow frowned. "But believe us, we actually saw it with our own eyes! During the dodgeball game, he was all, hi-yah! Wha! BASH! CRASH!" Rainbow exclaimed, mimicking a few fighting moves.

"And when Gallus sent several tea cups flying in the air, he was all-" Unable to find the words to describe it, Fluttershy simply moved her front hooves in a blur of motions.

Twilight continues to shake her head in disbelief, when the doors burst open again to reveal a changeling, who was breathing heavily, trying to catch his breath, "Princess Twilight! Princess Twilight!" The changeling panted. "Thorax sent me! He found Spike! In the Everfree Forest! He was attacked!"

"WHAT?!" Twilight exclaimed, sharing Rainbow, Fluttershy, and some eavesdropping students' shock.

Spike and Thorax were at the Ponyville Hospital, where Spike was sound asleep, while the doctors checked him over. In the meantime, Thorax was waiting anxiously outside of the room, waiting to hear results from the doctors, hyperventilating and buzzing his wings like crazy.

"Um, are you okay sir?" A little passing filly in a patient's dress asked.

"What?" Thorax asked. "Oh, yeah! I'm fine! Great! Why wouldn't I be? I'm just waiting outside for me friend in there! No need to worry. Why? What makes you think I'm worried? Do I look worried to you?" Thorax asked, trying to put on a fake smile, which only creeped the little filly out as she walked away.

"Whatever," She said.

Thorax took an even deeper breath, struggling to calm himself, "Come on, Thorax. Calm yourself! Spike will be alright. Besides, he was okay when we got him back from that other world. Isn't he? Yeah! He's a strong little guy! He can take care of himself. Why else would these ponies make him the Great and Glorious of the Crystal Empire, right?"

"Thorax!"

"AAAAHH!!!" Thorax screamed, jumping in the air where his pincer-shaped antlers got stuck in the ceiling.

"Oh! Sorry! We didn't mean to scare you!" Twilight apologized.

"Don't ever do that to me again!!" Thorax berated angrily, upon freeing himself. "You nearly gave me heart attack!! You happy?!!"

Twilight and her girls, plus Starlight, shared the same confused looks before the alicorn repeated, "I said we were sorry!"

After a moment of collecting himself, Thorax sighed, "No. I'm sorry. I'm just a little worried for Spike."

"Same here, Sugarcube," Applejack replied. "We came as soon as we heard. Where's the little fella?"

Before Thorax can answer, a loud scream filled the air, "RAAARRRRGGHH!!" Spike screamed.

With newfound worries, Thorax and the girls burst into the room to find Spike, hanging from the ceiling, from a lantern, screaming, "YOU'LL NEVER TAKE ME ALIVE!!!"

"Easy there, little guy," The first doctor began. "We're not going to hurt you. So just come down from there, nice and easy."

"Spike! What is it? What's wrong?" Twilight asked, concernly.

Spike slowly blinked his eyes opened, "Oh, hi Twilight! Hi girls! Hi Thorax!" He greeted casually, before he took a look at his surroundings, "Uh...where am I? Where are we?"

"Don't you remember darling?" Rarity asked. "You were attacked! And-"

"Whoa, whoa! Who said I was attacked?" Spike asked, as he gently flapped his wings for a soft landing.

"HI!" Pinkie chirped, jumpscaring Spike.

"HI-YAH!!" Spike screamed out of impulse, thrusting his leg out, kicking Pinkie Pie in the nose.

"OW!" Pinkie groaned, putting her hooves over her inflicted schnoz. "Oh yeah! Ow, ow, ow. Right in the schnoz....ow."

Realizing what he just did, Spike instantly went paled as he frantically apologized, "Oh my goodness! Pinkie! I-I-I'm so sorry! Really! I didn't mean to kick you!"

"Oh, you really clocked me there," Pinkie groaned, as she took a few sniffs, "Am I bleeding? Ow, ow..." She moaned, with several drops of blood spilling from her nose.

Spike's eyes went slit, when he saw the bloods, and he instantly felt cold, as his body was quickly coated in dews of sweat, and his scales started to tremble.

Horrific imageries of brutality and bloods filled his head once again. Even when his eyes were open, the predators were still there, feasting on the fleshes of their fresh kills, right before him. But it wasn't the blood, or the fleshes alone that frightened Spike. It was the markings, or what's left of the cutie marks of the fallen ponies that made Spike even more sick to the core.

"No, no, no!" Spike cried, trying to deny the visions, clutching his claws over his eyes. But upon touching his face, he felt something wet, yet warm, all over. He looked down, and was horrified to see his claws were covered in a puddle of blood, "AAAGGH!!!"

"Spike!! Spike!!" Twilight's voice rang, snapping the dragon back to reality. "Spike! What is it?! What's wrong?"

Spike shook his head, blinking a few time, breathing rapidly and heavily as he takes in his surroundings, before he was able to reassure himself that he is back home.

"You okay, Sugarcube?" Applejack asked. "You looked kinda.....spooked there."

The only answer they got from the dragon, however, was a quick tackle for Twilight, wrapping his arms tightly around her in a hug that looked as if he was desperate for it.

"Spike?" Twilight asked, looking down with concerns. "What is it? What's wrong?"

Unfortunately, the only best answer Spike can come up with are a few mumbles and sharp breathings that made his words barely audible.

The rest of the friends all shared looks of concerns. Though both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy appeared to be more confused. Earlier, they had just witnessed a different Spike, who was so competitive and determined. But now, he appears as if he was a frightened lost child.

Starlight and Thorax, however, both shared a look of concern, as if they knew what the real problem was.

After signing the paperworks, Twilight took Spike back to Friendship Castle, where he had a cup of hot chocolate, "Oh yeah, that hit the spot," Spike sighed in relief.

"Glad you're feeling better now, Spike," Twilight began. "So, if I may, what were you doing in the Everfree Forest?" She asked.

Spike's eyes widened as he began sweating a storm, "I was....uh, let me think...." Spike replied, tapping his claws to his head, before he lied, "Oh, I remember now. I was just out there for a walk."

"Just for a walk?" Twilight asked, rather skeptical. "Out in the Everfree Forest? Are you crazy?" She berated. "What were you thinking about taking a walk in the Everfree Forest of all places? And weren't you supposed to be helping the girls and I, run the school?"

Scratching his head, Spike came with another excuse, "Well, yeah. I mean, after I finished working. I was on my break, I decided to just go take a walk in the forest. It's kinda quiet, when it's not too spooky and all that."

"But still, it's dangerous. It's unpredictable and unnatural. You could've gotten hurt!"

"So? You and the girls had your friendship retreat in the Everfree Forest, and you all came out okay."

"That was different! Our friendship retreat was by the Tree of Harmony! The start of our friendship together."

At that point, Spike's eyes darkened, "Oh, I see how it's going now," He frowned. "Just because you and the girls were blessed with the Elements of Harmony, and are heroes, it means you're free to come and go wherever you want, as long as it's without me. Is that right?"

"What? No!" Twilight shook her head. "Spike! Stay on topic-"

"No, no. I'd like for this conversation to go on, if you'll please," Spike denied. "I mean, it's okay for you and the girls to go into the Everfree Forest, together, or by yourselves, because the Elements of Harmony made you special. But whenever I go in there, it's not okay. Is that what you're saying? That you don't I think I can handle myself?"

"Spike, you got attacked! By who knows what. You were in the hospital!"

"And who told you I was attacked?"

"Thorax and one his changelings!"

"I wasn't attacked. And even if I were, I had wings! And I can breathe fire! I'm not a helpless little dragon anymore. I can actually take care of myself now, Twilight."

"That doesn't exactly explain how you ended up in the hospital, or the fact you just had a panic attack when you woke up! And besides, the way Thorax described it, you looked as if you were in a fight with something!"

"Thorax was...." Spike hesitated for a moment. Thorax was right about one thing. It was a fight. But it wasn't exactly what he, or Twilight thought. "It wasn't a fight Twilight! I was never in a fight! And besides, I'm fine! Okay?"

"And what about earlier today?" Twilight asked. "Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy both came into my office, saying how you were just...just not like you!"

"What do you mean?"

"How you were just...just different. You're not like yourself. They described how you were all fast, strong.....and scary."

"....It's because I'm a dragon....isn't it?" Spike asked, looking rather hurt.

Twilight's stern gaze softened to worry and concern at what Spike just said, "What? Spike, what are you-"

"I get it, now," Spike frowned, turning his head to look at his newfound wings. "It's because I'm growing up. Isn't it? Is that why you and the girls have always ditched me, once in awhile, over the years? Because I'm a dragon?"

"Since when have we ditched you?"

"Oh I don't know. Maybe during the Grand Galloping Gala, when you girls all wanted a perfect night to yourselves, that you completely abandoned me at Donut Joe's place?" Spike listed. "Or the time when you went to Rainbow Dash's Young Flyer Competition and didn't even bother to use your Walk-On Cloud spell on me? Or the time when you left me behind on you birthday party, when it was moved to Canterlot? Don't think I didn't let that one go!" Spike frowned.

Twilight bit her lip, as all the memories came rushing back to her like a tidal wave. Had she really left Spike out that much?

"And to top it all of, you and the girls had your friendship retreat in the Everfree Forest, at the Tree of Harmony where it 'all started'," Spike said, using quote-unquote fingers. "And where was I? Did you ever asked yourself that? Was I ever a friend to you?"

"Spike, of course you're my friend! I didn't mean to leave you out!"

"I wish I can believe that, Twilight. But I just don't!" Shaking his head, Spike glared, "So let me ask you a question: Are you afraid of me?"

"Afraid of you? Why would-"

"It's because I'm a dragon, isn't it?" Spike asked. "Don't you remember? How you and everyone, including the yaks, were so...cruel, to all dragons as a whole, that you hardly cared about how I feel?"

See issue 55-56: Wings over Yakyakistan.

"I said I was sorry," Twilight whimpered. "But whatever, this doesn't have anything to do with you, Spike!"

"No! I think it does!" Spike frowned, as waters began to well up. "The way I see it, you only think of me as a friend, because back when I was just a hatchling, I'm just that harmless to you, isn't it? But when I start to grow up, you're afraid of me, because historically, dragons are known to plunder and destroy. And you're worried that I might become too dangerous to hang around with, that you don't want me as a friend. Is that it?" Twilight was silent. "Well? Is it? Tell me!" Spike demanded. "TELL ME!!!"

"I DON'T KNOW!!" Twilight shouted, before she sighed. "I...I just don't know..."

".....What do you mean you don't know?"

"I just don't have the answer now, Spike," Twilight frowned sadly. "But being afraid of you is not the answer."

Spike shook his head, as he turned his head away, "You say that now...." Getting up from his seat, Spike spreads his wings, with his back turned on Twilight. "...but I'm not sticking around, waiting to be locked away in Tartarus."

Twilight was shocked at what he said at the last part, "What?! No! I'd never-" Twilight was cut off, when Spike flapped his wings, and flies away, out the window. "Spike, wait! COME BACK!!!"

Once out in the cold night, Spike was flying through the air, feeling the cold winds cutting across his face. He felt terrible with the way he acted towards Twilight. But at the same time, he felt relieved he finally spoke up some pent up tensions he's had over the years. Even if it was the only way to get Twilight to suspect less of what he was really going through.

Though, it felt more like it was a hit to her face.

'No. It's not like that!' Spike thought, until he heard the sinister dark laugh again.

"Deny all you want, little dragon. But it's clear. You're closer than you think to joining us, after your recent falling out with that lavender pony."

"I wasn't falling out with Twilight!" Spike spatted.

"So you weren't really angry with her and the ponies for all those times they've forgotten about you? And left you behind on their little outings? We may be predators, but we and preys have high ordeals to what is considered 'family'. Predators hunt to survive and to feed the little ones. Herds of preys stand together in order to protect the next generation of preys. The ponies of Equestria are no better. Maybe that's the reason why you've been left out so much, little dragon. Maybe it is your calling to learn to hunt, and to strike out on your own."

Spike wanted to retort, but failed to find the words to deny it.

"It's just the way life is, little dragon. You're no different from us than you think. You will be joining our pack soon enough. And we'll teach you everything you need to know, for the day when the ponies completely turn their back on you. A little hunt here, some fresh kills there. Soon you'll never be alone again. Not when a dragon like you can hunt with the rest of the pack!"

And just like that, Spike groaned as another unsettling image of death, blood, and savagery filled his head, pounding his brain, that he stopped on a tuft of cloud to try and calm the tensions.

"Don't fight it, little dragon! Give in to your predatory instinct! Use it! Display it, in combat with your next competitor! Show them you're not afraid!"

Before Spike could respond, a great shadow looms over him. He looked up, and felt his blood run cold. The eyes alone were enough to instill terror in Spike. They were so bright, they killed all sense of serene from Luna's night. They pierced his soul to the core. He can barely move.

The Students meet the Fighter

Twilight was frantically trotting in the streets of Ponyville, searching for Spike.

“Spike?! Is that you?” Twilight asked. "Come on. We can talk about this. Don't take it the wrong way. Please?" Just then, Bon Bon was passing by with Lyra, when Twilight stopped them, "Excuse me girls. But have either of you seen Spike?"

"Can't say we have, Twilight," Bon Bon replied, with Lyra shaking her head.

With a sad sigh, Twilight continued on her way, when she heard the hoot of an owl and turned to see none other than her pet owl, Owlowiscious, "Any luck, Owlowiscious?" Twilight asked the owl.

In response, the owl hooted sadly and shook his head. Then, they heard it. A loud roar shook the sky above them, and the ground beneath them trembled.

"Uh.....what was that?!" Twilight questioned, when the shadow of a huge bugbear looms over her and Owlowiscious.

“No, please no! No, don’t touch me! Stop! NO!!! AAAAAH!!!” Silverstream screamed, bolting herself awake to take several deep breaths, before she looked to see she was back in her dorm room. “Oh, phew. A dream. A horrible hideous dream.”

Then, the young hippogriff’s ears perked up to the sound of voices, chattering outside her room. Curious, the young hippogriff got out of bed to see what was going on.

As she got closer to the door, she can hear the words clearer.

“From what I heard, there were scorch marks all over the place!” Sandbar explained. “It looked as if there was a storm, like several lightning bolts and a tornado was passing through the place.”

“I thought it was a timber wolf that attacked him,” Ocellus commented. “It would explain the sticks and debris lying around.”

“So he was in the forest, and got attacked,” Smolder grumbled. “What’s the big deal? He got out. All in one piece. End of story. I don’t see the point for that Thorax and Headmistress Twilight to make a fuss.”

“What’s going on out here?” Silverstream yawned.

“Oh, Silver!” Sandbar greeted. “Sorry, we didn’t mean to wake you.”

“No, it’s okay. I couldn’t go to sleep anyway.”

“Bad dream?” Sandbar asked, to which Silver confirmed with a nod.

“So why are you guys and gals awake?” Silver asked.

“Oh we’re just talking about Spike,” the young earth pony colt answered.

“What about him?”

“Didn’t you hear?” Ocellus asked. “He was attacked in the Everfree Forest!”

“Oh my Neptune!” Silverstream exclaimed.

“But he’s alive,” Smolder smiled. “So he won. The End. End of story.”

“I don’t know,” Gallus commented. “I’m more interested in how he fights, to be honest. I mean, if he was attacked, but he’s still alive, then he must’ve put up quite the fight.” The azure griffin smiled, “And by Grover, if anyone, griffin or not, can be that strong, then they’re okay in my book.”

“You got that right my griffin friend,” Smolder winked.

“Yona like strong!!” Yona agreed with an excited jump.

Ocellus blushed, “And fast too,” She said. “I still can’t believe he could catch all those tea cups at once like that.”

“Oh yeah, that too,” Gallus chuckled. “That’s a neat trick. I’d like to learn how to do that!” The griffin explained his admiration, while moving his arms in a flurry of motions, before he suddenly got his arms tangled up, resulting a chorus of laughs from his fellow classmates.

“Speak for yourself,” Smolder grinned. “I’d like to learn how to do those tricks he showed us in gym class! With the hi-yah! Or the crash! Or the bash! Or the WaaaaAAAAHH!!!” Smolder screeched, while spinning herself in mid-air, before landed on her feet, and stumbled dizzily.

“Yona agreed!” Yona smiled. “Yona wants to be strong!”

“Aren’t you already strong?” Ocellus asked.

“Not strong enough!”

The students all shared some laughs and agreements.

“Wow, I never knew Spike can be so brave and strong,” Silver smiled.

“I always thought he was just an assistant for Princess Twilight and her friends,” Sandbar said. “They ought to bring him out more.”

“Maybe,” Gallus nodded.

Suddenly, the loud roar of a bear was heard, from outside the school.

“What was that?” Smolder asked.

“I don’t know,” Sandbar answered. "But it sounds kinda like a bugbear."

"Oh d-d-d-dear," Ocellus whimpered. "Maybe it's friendly?"

Then, a loud scream pierced the air, to which Gallus exclaimed, “Is that Headmistress Twilight?!”

“Oh dear!” Ocellus whimpered. “She's in trouble!”

“Well what are we waiting for?” Smolder asked. “We gotta save her! Come on! This is what friendship's all about!”

With that, Smolder flapped her wings into actions, as she, Gallus, Silverstream, and Ocellus took off, flying out of the Friendship Academy, into the night, heading in the direction of the sound.

“Hey! Wait for us!” Sandbar called out, as he and Yona followed close behind, from the ground.

“Yona can’t run fast!” Yona panted.

"Get away from me!" Twilight shouted, flapping her wings for dear life, while blasting magic from her horn and onto the bugbear, just when Applejack and Pinkie Pie arrived on the scene.

"Everypony's been evacuated Twilight!" Applejack announced.

"That's great!" Twilight groaned, while holding the bugbear off with her magic.

In response, Applejack pulled out a rope from her hat. "Hold on, Sugarcube! We'll save ya!" With the rope attached to her tail, and a hurl of her lasso, Applejack ensnared one of the bugbear's arms. Then, with a surge of her impressive strength, Applejack pulled the bugbear towards her, only for her to lose her footings when the massive creature started to fight back.

"Hold on, AJ!" Pinkie chirped as she grabbed ahold of Applejack, only she ended up getting pulled in the air as well. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!" Pinkie screamed as she and Applejack were being spun around by the bugbear. Soon, the terror turned fun for Pinkie, as she broke out laughing, "Wheeeeeeeeeeee!!"

"Wheeeeee?" Applejack questioned.

"PUT 'EM DOWN!!!" Twilight shouted, blasting a magic bolt at the bugbear, cutting the rope, and causing Applejack and Pinkie Pie to fly away, crashing into a nearby house.

Just then, the six students arrived to see the battle that was going on between Twilight and the bugbear, "Whoa! This is intense!" Smolder mused.

"What are you doing here?! Get out!!" Twilight shouted to the students. "It's not safe!"

"We're here to save you, Princess Twilight!" Sandbar shouted.

Before Twilight could respond, however, the bugbear swatted its massive claws at the alicorn, knocking her into a building's wall, knocking her out cold.

The students gasped in horror, before turning to the bugbear, "Oh it's on like Hong Kong!" Smolder snarled, punching her fists together. Then, with a long exhale of breath, the orange dragon breath a long stream of yellow-blue fire, scorching the bugbear's face.

Though a little burnt, the bugbear quickly shook the blow away, before it snarls even angrier. Then, with a loud roar, the bugbear lunged forward, "Yikes! Now it's really mad!!" Sandbar yelped, as he quickly gallops away.

"Hey! Where are you going?" Gallus called out to the colt.

"Yona charge!!!" Yona shouted, as she galloped forward, only to be roared at by the bugbear. "YONA RUN AWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!" Yona screamed as she retreated, together with an equally frightened Ocellus.

Luckily for the yak and changeling, the bugbear was stopped in its track, when Gallus, Silverstream, and Smolder jumped in front of it, "You want her? You gotta go through us first!!" Gallus challenged.

"Bring it on!" Silverstream added, while holding her claws up, like that of a boxing wrestler.

In response, the bugbear snapped its jaws, slashed its claws, and thrusted its stinger at the three young students, who quickly scattered to avoid the piercing blade of the creature's abdomen.

Smolder swooped in and breathed a stream of fire at the bugbear, with Gallus slashing his claws at one of the bugbear's arms. Then, with a loud screech, Silverstream flapped her wings as she dives towards the bugbear. However, as fast as lightning, the Storm King suddenly appeared before her, glaring and laughing menacingly.

"AAAAAAHH!!!" Silverstream shrieked. She instantly froze up in the air, as her wings stopped flapping, and she was met with a sharp slash of the beast's claws that tore the skin on her arm. "OW!!" Silver screamed, dropping out of the sky and landed on the ground, while clutching her wounded arm.

"Silver!!" Smolder and Gallus shouted, before they were snatched out of the air, by the claws of the bugbear.

"Hey! Let me go you stupid bear with bug wings!!" Smolder snarled, breathing a burst of fire that exploded from her mouth. In response, the bugbear tightens its grip on the orange dragon, specifically around her throat, stopping her from breathing, even a single spark.

Poking their heads from their hiding spot, Yona, Ocellus, and Sandbar all watched helplessly as the bugbear was having a moment to relish in its victory over Silverstream, Smolder, and Gallus.

"We've got to do something!" Sandbar moaned.

"But what can we do?" Ocellus asked. "We can't fight! We don't even what to do in a bugbear situation!"

"HEEEEELLLLLPPPP!!!!" Silverstream screeched tearfully.

As if answering Silverstream's plea, help arrived, in the form of a burst of green fire that exploded upon impact with the bugbear's head, from behind.

Turning its head to face its attacker, the bugbear was met with a powerful kick to the face, together with a loud cry that rings its ears, "HI-YAAAAHHH!!!"

With that, the bugbear released its grip on Smolder and Gallus, dropping them to the ground as they scrambled to their feet and helped Silverstream away. Once they were at a safe distance, the students looked up, and were amazed to see Spike, flapping his wings and having a stare down with the bugbear.

Chinese Battle Music - Xian

"Go home!" Spike said to the bugbear.

In response, the bugbear buzzed its wings as it hovers forward, slashing its claws at Spike, who quickly flapped his wings to evade the creature's sharp and mighty claws. While not as big and strong as most dragons are, given to his age, Spike relied mostly on his speed and agility as he weaves around the beast to avoid its swipes, before its four arms were tangled up in a mass of limbs and claws. The bugbear snapped its jaw at Spike in vain, as the little dragon flew upward, before he retracted his wings and dives towards the beast. Then, at the last second, he spreads his wings to pull up and shot a powerful explosive fireball that exploded upon impact with the bugbear's face.

"Whoa!!" Smolder exclaimed. Neither she or her fellow classmates could hardly believed what they just saw.

Enraged, the bugbear lets out a bloodcurdling roar as it buzzed its wings, giving chase for the little dragon. Beating his wings like never before, Spike was flying through the empty streets of Ponyville, with the massive beast following close behind. The bugbear was snapping its jaws persistently, when Spike made a sharp turn into an alley. The bugbear tried to follow, but due to its large size, it was unable to pursue the dragon any further within the narrow structures of the alley, which Spike was counting on.

Spike looked ahead to see he was coming towards a large stone wall. Curling his body up so that his feet would land first, Spike launched himself off the stone structures, flying at a speed that rivals Rainbow Dash's.

"HI-YAAAAAAAHHHH!!!" Spike screamed, as he landed a kick to the bugbear's chest and knocked it back a few feet away from him. Not giving the bugbear a chance to recover from the impact, Spike launched himself from the wall of another building as he landed a tornado kick to the bugbear's face, before he breathed an explosive fireball, while screaming, "BASH!!"

As the fight continues between Spike and the bugbear, the students all watched in awe at the show before them. Never before had they seen a dragon, or any creature about Spike's size and age, fight a bugbear like that. However, to Silverstream, they reminded her of another fighting style she had once witnessed. From an angry unicorn by the name of Tempest Shadow.

"Silver! You okay?" Gallus asked, snapping the young hippogriff out of her trance.

"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine," Silver stammered. "I uh....wh-what just happened?"

"The fight's over!" Smolder exclaimed. "Spike won!"

Turning her head to where Smolder was pointing, Silver's eyes widened to see Spike, standing tired, but triumphant, while the bugbear buzzed away, having enough.

Breathing a long sigh of relief, Spike turned his attention towards the students as he walked over, "Hey, you guys okay?" Spike asked.

"Okay?" Sandbar asked, before he cheered, "Better than okay! That was awesome with what you did back there!!"

"Where'd you learn that?" Gallus asked.

"Yeah, tell us Spike!" Smolder joined in, more than eager to know.

Spike scratched the back of his head, trying to come up with an excuse, when he took notice of Silver's wounds, "What happened to you?" He asked.

"What?" Silver looked down to see the blood dripping from the scratch on her arm. "Oh, that bugbear slashed me and...." Silver hissed, wincing as she clutched the wound on her arm, trying to keep the blood from spilling any further.

Spike grimaced at the sight of so much blood, "Quickly! Let's get you to a doctor! Fast!" He said, before anymore unsettling images could flash in his mind again.

Where'd You Learn To Fight?

Earlier, with his fight

Lords of Iron (Celtic Metal) - Antti Martikainen Music

The specter had presented itself in the form of a terrifying dragon, before Spike. Though not nearly as big as Torch is, the dragon was still an intimidating sight to behold, with blazing red fiery red eyes, and the same black smoky aura that shrouded its muscular, but slender build.

Standing on his cloud, Spike stood in a fighting stance, watching as the dragon reared its head and lets out a burst of fire from its maw. With a flap of his wings, Spike leapt to the air, before he circled around and dropped down for a hi-kick to the dragon's snout. But due to his size, the dragon didn't flinch from the attack, flapping his wings to smack the little dragon away.

Rolling in the air, Spike caught himself in the air, just in time to see the dragon thrusted its claws out to snatch the little dragon. Thinking fast, Spike weaved his way through the gaps of the outstretched fingers of the dragon's claws, evading capture, before he started crawling along the dragon's arm, up to his shoulder, and clings onto his back. Spike held on to one of the dragon's spines, as the dragon did a loop to a barrel roll, attempting to shake the young dragon off.

Still hanging on, Spike climbed up to the dragon's head, and proceeded to unleash a flurry of kicks, punches, and fire blasts at the dragon. The dragon retaliated by scratching his head with one of his claws, knocking Spike off. Then, with a quick, and flexible, turn of its whole body, the dragon cracked a whip with its long tail, and sent Spike flying into a mountain.

"Oof!" Spike grunted, upon crashing and took a few moment to recover and catch his breath.

The young dragon looked up, just in time to see the dragon diving towards him. With a slam of its mighty claws, the dragon tore at the mountain, while snapping its jaws at the little dragon who quickly rolled out of the way. Spike quickly kicked up a large rock at the dragon's eyes, followed by a burst of green fire that exploded upon impact.

With an annoyed growl, the dragon slammed its claw at Spike, sending the little dragon in the air, before he caught him in his jaws. But before the dragon could bite his jaws down on his little opponent, Spike quickly breathed another blast of green fire, exploding within the dragon's maw, forcing his mouth open for the little dragon to escape.

"Impressive," The dragon mused. "My pack members have told me you are strong, but their words do you no just. You are quite the fighter for one so small."

"Well, I did learn from the best," Spike replied.

"Thank you."

"I was speaking of my friends," Spike clarified, while avoiding a slash from the dragon. "And honored sister, Tianhuo!"

"Oh, so you've trained with the longmas as well, did you?" The dragon breathed a burst of fire, which Spike evaded, behind a rock for cover. "Then you know as well as they, that the longmas pride themselves of whom they chose to model after. Horses, which are preys, sniveling, pathetic, and weak, like the ponies of Equestria. And dragons, such as ourselves, who are predators, strong, fearless, and merciless. You're not so different at all, you and I."

"No! I'm nothing like you!" Spike retaliated.

"Of course not. You're hardly a dragon. You were raised by ponies. Like the wild dogs of past, you've been domesticated, just like a dog. The ponies have dulled you of your natural predatory instincts. But it's not too late to remedy yourself of that treachery. There's still room for our pack. Together, we can teach you little one. You can claim your rightful place as the dragon you were meant to be. The predator you were born to be."

"Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll pass," Just then, a loud roar filled the air, directing Spike's attention back to Ponyville, to see it was under attack by a bugbear. "Looks like I gotta go!" With that, the little dragon took his leave, while the dark dragon stayed behind and smirked.

"You are only a fledgling now, little one," The dragon replied. "But in time, you will be one of us."

End of Song

After the bugbear was chased out of Ponyville, every pony were allowed back into town.

“Who-whee,” Applejack marveled at the mess. “It’s like a tornado was passing through town. Gonna take some time before we can get this place to look grand again.”

“Oh what this place needs now is a touch of glamour and a dash of beauty and it will be as good as new!~” Rarity sang.

Twilight, who had just woke up from her coma, was perplexed and was confused at the ruins that surround her, “Is everyone alright?” Twilight asked Madam Mayor.

“Yes, Princess Twilight,” The mayor confirmed. “Every pony are here and accounted for.”

The lavender alicorn turned her head to the sides as she searched for someone in particular, "W-Where...where's Spike?!" Twilight asked in concern. "Is he alright?"

At Ponyville's Hospital

Silverstream was being treated by a doctor, who had just finished wrapping a bandage around her slash wounds.

"Okay," The doctor began. "That arm should be as good as new in a few weeks. Just as long as you don't work yourself too hard on it."

"Thanks doctor," Silver smiled as the doctor took their leave, and left the hippogriff alone with Spike, and her friends.

The hippogriff let out a sad sigh, "What's wrong Silver?" Sandbar asked. "The doctor said you'll be well again."

"I know," The hippogriff frowned. "But I'm still scared."

"I'm not surprised," Smolder replied. "It's not everyday we would fight against a bugbear and live to tell the tale."

"Yona not like bugbear," The yak said in fright.

"Speak for yourselves, " Gallus groaned. "I'm still a little smartened up from that bugbear!"

"Hmmm," Spike pondered as he walked up to the griffon, for a closer examination of his body. Glancing to the side, seeing it's only him and the students, Spike walked over to a nearby cabinet and took out a few glass jars. "These will have to do," He said, bringing the jars over to Gallus, much to the students' confusion.

"Uh, Spike?" Smolder began. "What are you doing?"

"Just preparing a little trick I once learned," Spike replied, as he sets down a tiny bowl, with which he poured out a foul smelling clear liquid, while applying a few of it on his claws. Once preparation was complete, the dragon began by breathing a tiny ember on a cotton ball, dipping the tuft of white fabric into one of the glass jar and puts it on Gallus's body.

"What are you doing to me?" Gallus asked.

"Shhh," Spike shushed, silencing the griffon as he continues to apply more glass jars to the griffon's body.

Then, once he sees the griffin has enough jars, the little dragon scooped up a handful of his fire, rubbing his claws together, and placed them across Gallus's body. The griffin winced from the hot, yet gentle, touch of the little dragon's fiery claws. The other students watched in awe as the young dragon continues to rub across the griffin's body, fiery claws and all, until at last, his work was done.

Gallup stood up and gave a few experimental stretch, "Whoa!" He gasped. "I feel like a new griffin!"

"Wow, Spike!" Smolder gasped, stepping forward with the students following. "What was that?!"

"It's called chauva," Spike explained, while cleaning the area and putting the jars, plates, back in their shelves. "Ancient fire healing technique."

"Chauva?" The orange dragon repeated with piqued interest. "Interesting. But who taught it to you?"

Spike hesitated, trying to come up with a good answer that the students can accept, before he replied, "Let's just say I picked it up from somewhere in my travels."

"By chance, is that also the same place where you learned to fight like that?"

"Um, you could say that."

"Wow, Spike, you're amazing, you know that?" Sandbar began. "We always thought you were just Princess Twilight's number one assistant."

"You think only with your eyes, and you're easy to fool," The little dragon replied, much to the students' confusions. "Don't judge a book by its cover. I'm sure Rarity taught you guys that in her Beauty Class," The students all looked at each other, before they all nodded in agreement.

"Speaking of class," Ocellus began. "Do any of the professors at school even knew about this?"

"No."

The students were perplexed. Surely, Spike's friends would've at least knew he had somehow learned to fight, "Have you ever thought about teaching it to anybody?" Smolder asked.

"Depends," Spike answered.

"On what?" Gallus asked.

"Reason. What do you need to learn how to fight for?" Spike clarified.

"What do we need? What do we need?" The griffon asked. "What do you mean, what do we need to learn how to fight for? You saw how we almost got ourselves killed by that bugbear!"

"Yeah! We need to learn some of that stuff you learned the next time another of those things shows its face around here again," Smolder smirked enthusiastically.

Spike raised an eyebrow as he looked at the students, "Are you sure there's nothing else you want to learn how to fight for?"

The orange dragon scratched her head, "Well, I guess I could use it to crush some competitions now and then," She answered. "Maybe in a fiery duel, display some dominance and be just as strong and tough as Dragon Lord Ember is so I can be the next Dragon Lord."

"Sounds harsh," Ocellus whimpered.

"Actually, that's not a bad idea," Gallus spoke up. "I'd like to teach some griffons a thing or two about disagreeing with me."

"Yak likes smashing," Yona shouted. "Yaks like to be stronger!"

"It'd be nice if we can actually fight for ourselves and for our land," Sandbar noted.

"I hope it's fun," Silverstream beamed.

"THAT'S NOT WHAT MY FIGHTING IS FOR!!!" Spike roared angrily, catching the students by surprise. "I didn't learn to fight, just so I can dominate, or have fun, or anything you guys just listed. I learned it so I can have a bigger role to play in saving Equestria and beyond. It's for knowledge and defense. Not to make war, but to serve and protect friendship and harmony. And especially not to eat ponies!" Spike quickly covered his mouth at the last part, while the students looked at him in bewilderment.

"To eat ponies?" Sandbar asked. "Who would want to eat us?"

"Yeah, who?" Smolder asked.

"Not me," Silver shook her head. "I'm more interested in kelp salads."

"Yona likes vanilla beans, grown only in Yakyakistan," Yona confirmed.

"We changelings have enjoyed ourselves to some chocolates as substitutes for love," Ocellus said.

"I enjoyed a bit of griffon scones from Gilda, and a few fishes," Gallus said, much to Silverstream's discomfort.

"You eat fish?" The former sea pony asked.

"Yeah, it's delicious to us griffons," The blue griffon licked his beak, while the hippogriff looked at him in discomfort. "What?"

Spike then turned to Smolder, "And what about us?" He asked, while gesturing to himself and the orange dragon. "Didn't you say before how we eat meats?"

"Well, yeah, but not pony meats," Smolder reassured. "And besides, if we do eat ponies, then all of Equestria would've been wiped out of ponies by now. Don't you think?"

"Whatever. But my answer is still no!" Spike shouted, stomping his foot down. "I'm not going teaching you guys how to fight. Equestria's already had enough problems with me as a fighter. It doesn't need more fighters who could do some harms."

"Then teach us the right way to fight," Sandbar replied. "Teach us the way you want us to fight. Teach us the way to better protect Equestria."

"Or the Dragon Land," Smolder added.

"Our home," Ocellus joined.

"Yakyakistan!"

"Griffstone."

"Oh! Seaquestria and Mt. Aris could use some fighters! In case there's another....another..." Silver froze in fear at the thought of the Storm King, back from the dead.

"The Storm King?" Gallus finished.

The students continued to crowd themselves around Spike, as they repeatedly plead for him to share his knowledge of fighting, "I don't know," Spike shook his head.

"Oh come on, Spike!" Smolder said. "What's the worst that could happen?"

The young dragon stiffened as the last words from Smolder repeated itself in his mind. The young dragon's eyes narrowed and shrunk themselves to a dot, at the image of predators viciously mauling the helpless ponies, who were outnumbered and overrun. What frightened the young dragon the most was the sight of claws and fangs that tore through the skins, slashing drops of crimson bloods that rained through the air, and the sounds of bloodcurdling screams of dying ponies who were mercilessly slaughtered.

"Spike?" Smolder asked, snapping her fingers to snap the dragon back to reality. "Spike? What's the matter?"

"Gotta go!!" Spike quickly answered, rushing out the door, while clutching his mouth. On the way, he nearly ran headlong into Twilight.

"Oh, Spike!" Twilight exclaimed. "Thank Celestia you’re o-" Spike didn't stay around to reply, when he frantically took another direction. "Kay? Spike? Where are you going?" But it was no use. The young dragon scurried off, blocking his ears, completely ignoring Twilight.

The Predator’s Call

After his narrow escape from Twilight and the students from Ponyville's hospital, Spike retreated back to Friendship castle, locked himself in his room, where he dives under the covers of his bed, putting the pillow over his head, "No! Not now! Not again!" He moaned.

The little dragon felt his blood boiling hot as they run wildly through the veins in his body. His heart pounding rapidly like it never pounded before, with the ice cold chilling sensations of the sweats that coated his whole body, sending his scales to stand on their ends from the clammy feeling coursing through him.

Then, once again, he heard them.

"Are you afraid?" A haunting voice asked. "You can't run forever....we will find you....we will catch you...that is the way of the hunt..."

As if the horror decided to take it up a notch, Luna's moon disappeared, completely swallowed up by the darkness. Without the moon, everything was a blinding pitch black.

"Wh-wh-where am I?" Spike whimpered in fright, before he quietly called out, "Hello?"

A dark chuckle echoed as the voice was heard, "All alone, little one?" Spike stood his ground, ready himself in a fighting stance. "Of course you are. This isn't the first time you've been on your own. I know."

"What do you know?" Spike challenged.

"How you were often left behind by your so-called friends, Twilight Sparkle and her friends," The voice continued to gloat. "How you were disregarded as a friend, by the ponies and yaks. How that pegasus looked down on you, thinking you have little to no value."

"No, that's not..." But Spike immediately silenced himself, as the predator's words struck him to the core, for what it had said was nothing more than the truth.

For almost his entire life, Spike was often forgotten and left behind by Twilight and friends. It was completely unbearable, considering the fact that he's hardly considered part of the group and was often forgotten as the seventh member of the heroes.

It also didn't help that his friend, Rainbow Dash, often teased him and disrespected his heritage as a dragon. Once, calling him a lame dragon, during the dragons' Great Migration. See Season 2 episode Dragon Quest. Then, to add salt to the wound, Rainbow Dash proceeded to make a prejudice comment of comparing Spike to other reptiles. See Season 5 episode Tank for the Memories.

"Oh dear. You're not going to cry, now are you?" The predator said, as the outline shape of a wolf emerged from the shadows, followed by the silhouettes of lions, tigers, and bears. "I know it hurts. But you'll have to accept the truth. Predators and preys don't mix. We can never be friends! These ponies are not your friends! They never were. And sooner, or later, you will become one of us, when you taste the first drop of blood from them."

"Never!" Spike spatted. "I'll never be like you!"

“You don’t have a choice, little one,” The predators continued. “It is in your blood. It is inevitable. You can’t deny your calling. The call of the wild. This has been the way of life. The life of predators. We live to kill and eat the weak. To make room for a stronger generation to thrive.”

“But why do we have to kill?” Spike asked. “Why can’t we just nurture the weak, so they can grow strong, like us?”

“Yes. We nurture the young. Our younglings. It was only tragic that the ungulates of Fœnum could not see our concerns for our children, and chose to banish us to the Hold!”

“Because you were killing them!” Spike argued. “You were hunting and eating every cattle, sheep, alpacas, and everyone you set your sights on. My friends had to stop you. I HAD TO STOP YOU!”

”And that shows us how naive and stupid you were to side with the ungulates. They had dulled your Predator instincts. They’ve brainwashed you, to fight for their battles. And these ponies are no different. To them, you are but a tool.”

Around him, the predators exchanged disgusted and sneering glances at Spike, before they shared an amused, sinister snarl.

”But what could a poor, orphaned, misguided dragon child like you know about these ponies and their heathen treachery? Well, never you mind, little dragon. For soon, they will be out of your life.”

“What?” Knowing he’ll regret to ask, Spike still persisted, “What are you saying?”

“In the coming days, we the predators shall attack, from the shadows. We will pick off, each and every ponies, one by one, in their sleep, until there is nothing left, but bones.”

At the mention of bones, Spike’s mind flashed back in horror, as he recalls the nightmares he had seen, of Ponyville in ruins, ransacked by Predators that roam the streets, scavenging and picking their teeth off of everything they can eat. And worst of all, his friends, slaughtered and eaten.

“No,” Spike panted heavily, feeling the fire inside of him growing hotter and hotter. “No, no, NOOOOOO!!!!” He finally exploded.

With an angry roar, he slashed his claws at the predators that haunted him, in his room, blasting balls of fire, throwing kicks, punches, and a tail whip. But all his futile attacks, only amused the predators.

“Fight us all you want, young dragon,” The predators would gloat. “But you cannot deny yourself much longer.”

"NOOOOOOO!!!!" Spike screamed, panting heavily, looking around to see he was back in his room. However, what really scared him was that his whole room looked as if it had been ransacked.

Everywhere he looked, there are long deep claw marks – his claw marks – running along the walls and the floor. Burnt scorch marks decorated his bedsheets, his bookshelf, and the floor. Noticeably large bite marks are shown on the crystal walls. Furthermore, what's really unsettling was that his Rarity doll was in his mouth.

“No!” Spike gasped, backing away at fright, from the Rarity doll that was coated in his slobber. But to poor Spike, they looked more like blood. “I’m not safe here,” He panicked. “Ponyville’s not safe with me here! I have to get out!”

With a flap of his wings, Spike burst through a window, just when Twilight arrived, having heard the noise from afar.

"SPIKE! WHAT'S WRONG?!!" Twilight burst into the room, and was shocked to find the state his room was in. “What the…What happened here?! What is going on?!”