Dangerous Dog and Pony Show

Chapters

Chapter 3 - Finding the gem
Chapter 4 - Help, I need somepony...
Chapter 5 - Waiting for the day to happen
Chapter 6 - Mountainside standoff
Chapter 7 - Wake Up
Chapter 8 - Highs and lows
Chapter %i% - Leftovers
Chapter %i% - ...of their eyes
Chapter %i% - New Beginnings
Chapter 1 – Captured (Parts 1 & 2)

Chapter 3 - Finding the gem

As they entered the next cave, if the five ponies could have done around their bits, they would have gasped when they saw Rarity. Either that, or thrown up.

Their friend was hooked up to a cart, was wearing a bridle like them and was casting a spell to locate gems. Welts and bruises covered her body, and her pristine white fur was covered in dirt and blood from various injuries. Her mane was a tangled mess, also filled with red blood stains, and her tail was nearly destroyed, half seemly ripped out at the root from the cart behind her. She looked miserable, disheveled, thirsty, dirty, beaten and broken…

…and their unicorn friend was indeed all of these things.

What the others couldn't tell, but was clear to Twilight, was just how bad Rarity’s mind was. It was clear that Rarity had not been given any rest or sleep since her capture and had been up for more than a day. But worse for a unicorn was that she had clearly been overdoing, or more accurately forced to overdo, her magic casting.

Rarity could of course use her magic for long periods of time when dress making, and in that regards actually had more magic stamina than the average unicorn. In fact, hardly anypony would be able to spend the amount of time levitating fabric and running sewing machines like Rarity did on her epic Idea nights.

But even so, she was no mage level unicorn and clearly was on the verge of complete magical collapse. With her physical body also damaged and unlike Twilight not trained in advance magic recovery techniques, Twilight was worried what that would mean for Rarity’s abilities and mental state permanently should the worse happen...

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

This truly was the worst possible thing! Since allowing herself to be captured in order to protect her little Spikey Wikey’s life, Rarity had never experienced anything like it before. To start off with she was forced into these old fashion bindings, and warned not to use her magic unless instructed.

Of course with Spike out of harms way she was tempted to start fighting, but she was massively outnumbered. She had tried to learn from Twilight shield casting or teleportation spells, but she simply wasn't a powerful enough unicorn to do that sort of magic. Levitation, tool use and of course her gem finding spell was as far as her skills went. So she had little choice but to comply with her captors orders until help arrived.

Within minutes her beautiful tail was ruined by the cart, but that was only the start. Pulling the heavy cart and using spells to find and dig up gems quickly made her tire. But as soon as she slowed down, the dogs whipped her flank. Of course the pain spurred her on, but as her physical and mental energy reserves faded the punishment increased in frequency and severity. She retreated into her mind, started acting on instinct, just hoping rescue would come soon.

After what seemed like years, Freedom and fun seemed like a distant memory in Rarity’s mind. But she suddenly looked up in hope when she heard the familiar sound of five groups of pony hooves clicking on the floor. When she saw her friends ridden or led in, seemingly as helpless as her, her mind and body just gave up. Her magic stopped working and she slumped to her knees.

“Keep going pony” one of the dogs near her yelled at her, but Rarity simply could not continue anymore – she needed to rest her magic, she needed water and food, she needed sleep. The dog grabbed a whip and struck it against her flank, but the unicorn didn't respond as she simply had no more to give.

“You will keep working!” the dog yelled again, and struck Rarity round the face with his paw. This knocked Rarity over, and blood started seeping from the cuts from the claws. She just lay there and looked over at her friends despondently.

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

This was too much for them all to witness, especially Twilight who was the only one currently able to do anything about it - it was time for action. Originally she thought she needed a good ten second cast time to be able to protect all of them with one spell – with the anger inside of her spurring her on this was down to eight. But she needed a distraction in order to have enough time to free her and her friends, keep Fluttershy safe and do something about Rarity.

She started looking around the cave for anything to help her. Unfortunately, there was nothing in the cave she could set fire to, or make explode. There were no loose boulders to make a landslide, and no creatures nearby she could summon for help. Things were looking a little bad for an instant escape attempt, but she had to think of something...her friend needed her.

The unicorn must have been concentrating too hard on planning her move as suddenly she noticed a bit of pandemonium around her. She turned her head and saw a large dragon had joined them, but then realised this was not just any dragon…it was her dragon assistant.

Twilight recognised what had happened from her books – Dragons came in all shapes and sizes, and most were driven by greed which made them grow huge. But a very small subset were not greedy dragons, but protectors. She stood there starting to recall everything she had learnt about dragons...this was a lot as when she hatched Spike she was tasked of bringing up the young dragon. A knock from Applejack brought her mind back to the present more dire situation.

With all the chaos being caused by Spike, Twilight first cast a spell to destroy the bindings around her and her friends…

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

Spike was laying helplessly in the cage looking on as he saw Rarity get hit for the first time. He was already distraught from seeing his secret crush in such a state, but to see the most beautiful pony in all the land being treated like this was too much. His blood started to boil with anger, and then literally started to boil inside him. When the dog then drew blood from his love, that sealed the canines fate.

Spike burst out of the cage with pure raw strength, and jumping off Fluttershy’s back started growing. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but he just knew what he had to do. He let out a piercing roar that grabbed every creature’s attention, and then swatted away the dog threatening Futtershy like he was a parasprite.

He continued to grow to at least ten times his former size and felt his whole body start to feel tighter – this was his skin thickening up into a nearly impenetrable armour, taking on a dark metallic look. His vision changed as he eyeballs became crystal coated, and felt a popping sensation as his old spine bumps turned into vicious looking spikes. But the strangest physical sensation was when two massive wings sprung fought from his back and unfurled.

Yet, he barely noticed these changes as his mind went into fight mode. He instantly sized up his opposition, their strengths and weaknesses and the location he was in, working through all the permutations and possibilities like a trained expert. He seemed to have a vast physical and also magical armoury at his disposal, but there was no need for any that against these pathetic creatures.

Spike roared as the majority of the Dogs raced towards him. One threw a spear, and it simply snapped against his chest plate. Spike let out a massive burst of purple fire, causing every dog and pony to dive for cover. Another dog attacked him from behind with a sword, but the tool just snapped against his thick wings. A group of dogs were batted away to clear some space around him.

Enraged, he started seeking out a certain dog who he had decided was the first on his list. But He then saw his muse, the white pony that meant more than the entire world to him.

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

Rarity looked on from her position on the floor as this strange beast stormed towards her, and unable to move or defend herself she fell into a blissful unconscious at the sight and thought of what was to come. Spike carefully scooped her up in a claw, turned, and started running down the path they had come. His five pony friends, who had just watched as all this had happened, jumped out of the way, then started running after pair.

The dogs began to give chase and hearing them, the pony group turned to fight. However, four of them were surprised to find Twilight having a strange dark aura emanating from her horn. Growing up she had always been given nearly unrestricted access when reading by the Princess, with only one section of the vast canterlot library off limits. But like most young fillies she had disobeyed orders and had read things she shouldn’t have...that nopony should ever read.

“DOGS, COME ONE STEP CLOSER AND YOU DIE!” she yelled in full Canterlot voice, streaks of lightning flashing randomly off her horn exploding in front of the dogs “WHAT YOU DID TO MY FRIEND IS INEXCUSABLE!”

The leader of the dogs looked at the large Dragon escaping and the powerful unicorn channelling dark magic in front of him, and made one of the best decisions of his life “Retreat!”

“AND YOU BETTER HOPE SHE RECOVERS FULLY OR I WILL HUNT…YOU…DOWN…AND…KILL…YOU…ALL!” Twilight yelled after them, not sounding like herself but almost as evil as Nightmare Moon. Despite the dark surroundings, her fur and mane suddenly seem a little darker than usual, almost like it was absorbing anylight that came close to it.

Her friends looked at the powerful unicorn in a mixture of confusion and worry. They had seen Twilight have little breakdowns before, but this was on a different scale. But then, what the dogs had done was on a different scale than anything they had seen before...and they had seen a lot in the past few months. Thinking it best not to mention it, they just started running after Spike and Rarity, followed closely by a lavender unicorn that seemed to have a few seconds gap in her memory.

Chapter 4 - Help, I need somepony...

Spike ran out of the cave into Celestia bright sunlight and no sooner as there was space either side of him, he spread his wings and took flight. The five ponies were second behind him and just gasped as the large dragon speed off at a very fast pace, and although he was appearing smaller as he flew away, he still somehow seemed to be growing.

Twilight quickly got her bearings “Rainbow, he’s flying the wrong way! You need to get Spike to take Rarity to Ponyville hospital. She needs professional help to cure her injuries!”

“On it!” the Pegasus responded, and flew off after the dragon.

The other four ponies started running towards Ponyville, but were quickly stopped by the captain of the guards from earlier.

“What on Equestria was that…thing?” he stammered, his training slightly faltering as he saw the massive dragon fly away.

“That…was Spike…Twilight’s baby dragon” Applejack responded first, the least out of breath

“Baby Dragon?” the captain, as well as a few other guards overhearing, yelled out in surprise.

“Well, he was my baby dragon. The dogs had badly beaten our friend Rarity, and this caused him to grow…” Twilight explained

“Much like that time in Canterlot…Wait, the dogs injured your friend, one of the bearers of the elements of Harmony?” The anger was clear in the captains eyes “We better get those dogs into custody then!”

“No. Keep a perimeter around the caves, don’t let any escape, but leave them for now. I’ll be back, probably with the Princess, to sort them out with you once Rarity’s safe” Twilight told the guard. The guard bowed and the four friends ran off. Harm one of the elements of harmony? That will not stand!

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

Rainbow Dash was surprised. Now, not many things could actually surprise the brash Pegasus. Her beloved friend Fluttershy often surprised her on just how soft and gentle she could be. Twilight was sometimes surprisingly dull, and Pinkie was a constant surprise and therefore actually had become unsurprising.

But for the first time since her very first sonic rainbow, something about flight surprised the fastest Pegasus in the land…just how quick Spike was going. She was struggling to keep up with the dragon as it was flying up into the sky, let alone getting close enough to talk to it.

However, once the dragon had levelled off into cruising altitude, Rainbow found she was a little faster on the level, no doubt helped by being a little more aerodynamic than the dragon Still, if this is the new Spike, looks like I’ve got a new flying buddy…and a fast one at that! the multi coloured mare thought to herself.

As soon the pony drew level with the dragon, Rainbow called out for him to turn around and head back to Ponyville. Spike just ignored her like she wasn't even there, a steely look focused forwards in the former young dragons eyes. Rainbow was surprised at being simply ignored, and flew on ahead of the dragon. She turned and stopped right in the dragons path, causing it to come to a stop - the mare unbraced herself from the impact she was worried she may had recieved if the dragon had just ignored her

“Hey...Spike!” she called out cheerfully, not sure how to address the creature in front of her. The dragon just eyed up the small pony in it’s path, which made pegasus very nervous.

“Look Spike, I know you care about Rarity, but she needs help. Twilight, you remember Twilight right?” The dragons focus didn’t really change, but Rainbow swore she noticed something change in the darkness of the dragons eyes.

“Well, she says Rarity needs proper help, and you know when it comes to knowing things nopony knows more than that egghead!”

Spike brought up the claw holding his precious pony to his chest, and despite not saying anything Rainbow worked out the dragon was indicating he would be the one to help Rarity. A large tear formed in his eyes, and Rainbow slowly approached the large creature.

“Look, Rarity needs help…you might love her, and I’m sure you would do anything to protect her. But she needs more help than me or you could ever give her, she needs to go to the Hospital!”

The dragon hovered there, and slowly opened his claw when he had been holding Rarity. The unicorn looked like she was sleeping, and almost had a peaceful air about her. But his love was covered in blood and looked in a very delicate state. He gently closed his claw, turned around and started flying back the way he had come. Rainbow breathed out deeply, glad that she had managed to get through to the dragon, and flew off besides Spike towards Ponyville.

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

As soon as Ponyville was in sight, Twilight teleported her and her three friends the final few miles from outside town right in front of the hospital. Panting from the magical exertion, Twilight turned to her friends.

“Applejack, Futtershy, Pinkie…go inside and get the doctors ready for Rarity’s injuries. Let them know about her physical state, and that I’ll fill them in later regarding her mental state”

“Where are you off to?” Applejack replied, eyes spinning slightly from the teleportation spell

“There’s a few things I need to sort out before Rarity arrives, and also a few medical books I need to gather to help”

“Understood…I’ll go speak to the medical staff now” Fluttershy responded with a very serious face, having acted as a medic to numerous animals from the Everfree Forest she knew that time could be of the essence.

“Shouldn’t we get a message to the Princesses?” Applejack asked

“Good idea, try to find a Pegasus to fly to Canterlot and let them know…something tells me Spike-mail is out of commission for a while”

With that, the four ponies broke into three groups, with Pinkie following Fluttershy to the hospital.

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

Spike approached Ponyville and saw the hospital. Luckily the building was stood a little apart from others, and he could land in the space next to it, where he saw a number of ponies waiting outside.

It was only once he was landed and stood next to the hospital that everypony saw just how big he had grown – he was twice as tall as the three story building, and about as long. Some of the ponies from the town started screaming and running as the large creature landed in the middle of the town. However, other ponies soon calmed them down.

Twilight was glad she had found the Mayor in order to prepare them for Spikes arrival. If the town sirens had gone off, it would have been much worse, but instead the word had spread that the dragon was in fact Spike and should be friendly. Of course this was a little white lie from the Unicorn – she had no idea what Spike was capable of.

Rainbow had landed next to the Dragon, and Twilight shot her a look of thanks for getting the Dragon to turn around. The doctors approached the dragon, but he seemed reluctant to let his precious cargo go.

“Spike, let us look after Rarity. I know you want to protect her..." Twilight cooed to her 'little' brother

The Dragon looked down at the lavender unicorn that he had known his entire life, and despite all the feelings towards the white mare in his claw, he knew he could trust Twilight. He opened his claw and Twilight levitated Rarity down to a waiting gurney. As soon as she was down, the hospital staff rushed her inside.

“Spike, wait here. We’ll keep you informed” Twilight looked up at the powerful dragon in front of her “I promise she’ll be okay”

Spike watched as Twilight followed the medical staff inside, and the dragon stood there not sure what to do. He desperately wanted to know what was going on, but was way too big to enter the hospital – he also wanted to go and teach a lesson to the dogs that did this to his love, but he didn't want to leave Rarity's side.

Fluttershy flew up to Spike and landed softly on his nose. The dragon focused on the yellow pegasus that landed on him, who was gently stroking him. Of course through his thick skin he couldn't feel the gentle caresses, but he knew that his dear friend was doing what she could to comfort him

“There there Spike. I’m sure the doctors and Twilight will have Rarity back on her hooves before we know it” the element of kindness gently cooed. How the timid pony had the bravery to approach such a large dragon was beyond anypony watching. A large tear fell down from the dragons face and he gently raised his claw and picked up Fluttershy, causing her to emit a gentle squeak.

He then used the back of one of his nails to gentle stroke the pegasus’s back, the only way he could communicate with the pony. Fluttershy knew this was an act of kindness, much like when a normal pony would comfort a pet or a foal. She then giggled slightly I suppose to Spike now we are all like little animals or foals to him!

Fluttershy flew gently back to the ground, and looking back at her large dragon friend, entered the hospital. Spike then proceeded to lay down, creating a semi circle around the hospital, and just waited for news.

Chapter 5 - Waiting for the day to happen

Hours had passed since Spike had seen Rarity enter the hospital, and the warm afternoon was started turning into a cooler evening. Ponies had been watching the dragon for hours, not sure what to make of their new town resident - he seemed harmless enough as he lay outside the hospital.

But Dragons were dangerous and large creatures to be feared, despite the non aggression pact between the dragon and pony cultures. As long as the ponies didn't enter the Dragon kingdom, they were safe from being eaten, and it was a rule of the pact that only the Princesses were allowed to interact with any dragon. Of course Spike had always been an exception to this, which was easy for the average pony to understand when he was a baby dragon. But now he was larger than anypony else, they wondered what that now meant for him, and them.

Two of the cutie mark crusaders approached Spike – the third had long gone inside to be next to her sister, and the other two had been told they had to wait outside. They slowly moved towards their old friend, wondering if he would recognise them. The fear of the large creature, and everypony elses reactions, was being negated by the young fillies natural curiosity. The dragon saw his two friends approaching and as soon as they were in range he reached out, picked them up in a claw and deposited them gently on his head.

The two fillies were at first shocked, but then realised that was all he could to be nice to them. Spike may now be larger than anything else they had ever seen, but to them he was still their friend. And besides, perhaps they would get their cutie marks in something relating to dragons Cutie Mark Crusader Dragon Tamers, YAY!. They then lay down either side of his head, waiting for news from the hospital and gently nodded off to sleep.

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

The pegasus sent to Canterlot returned that evening with well wishes from the Princesses, who were relieved that Rarity had been recovered relatively safely. Luna had entered Rarity dream, only to find the unicorn was asleep within her dream. Having then gone inside the dream within a dream, she found a filly Rarity simply sat in a field playing with a foal which the Princess presumed was Sweetie Belle.

Twilight mused on this for a moment and flicked through one of her books “That is a good sign I think. Sounds like Rarity has regressed in her mind, which should help protect her magical functions. And the fact that she is with family indicates that she is in a happy place. That in itself won’t actually help…but it’s nice to know” she comforted Rarity's friends and family, as well as herself.

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

As night started to fall, Twilight came out of the hospital alongside her friends and Sweetie Belle. Noticing the two napping fillies on her assistants head, she gently levitated them down onto Applejack and Rainbows back, without them being woken. Spike noticed this, and slowly rose back to his feet stretching out his limbs, causing massive popping sounds that made everypony in a mile radius jump. He then looked down to his adoptive mother with an expression of concern.

“Spike, Rarity is going to be physical fine. She’s going to be kept in for a while whilst the hospital monitor her. She had to have a number of IV’s to help rehydrate, shes had to have some stitches and her wounds have been cleaned – she should recover fully and probably won't even have any scars”

The dragon looked at Twilight with a little glint in his eyes, having read between the lines at what she didn't say, rather than what she had. Having grown up around Twilight, and other powerful unicorns, he was more than aware of the dangers of unicorn magic complications. He gently pointed at Sweetie Belle’s horn.

“I know what you are thinking” Twilight gulped “Well, she’s still asleep so we don’t know what her mental state is like. But I’m not going to lie to you, her magic…is currently empty.”

Spikes eyes narrowed a little aggressively and his skin began to grow a little darker. Everypony noticed this, and they all started forming their own escape plans should things turn nasty – earth ponies noting the quickest escape route, Rainbow ready to fly away and pick up Scootaloo as she did, and Twilight ready to cast a shield to protect the hospital.

Twilight continued “Look, as soon as she wakes I can start recovering it with her. I don’t see why she won’t eventually have a full recovery. The fact she is sleeping is a good thing, and we’ll keep her sedated tonight”

Spike looked down at Sweetie Belle, who was close to tears, and his eyes softened a little. He raised his snout in the air and puffed out a bit of smoke. He then picked it out of the air, and nudged it down to the unicorn. When sweetie took it in her hooves, everypony noticed it was a cloud shaped like her sister, complete with the proud pony's unique mane and tail styling.

“Wow, that’s beautiful Spike” Applejack gasped, as Sweetie started hugging the soft toy made out of dragon smoke. “But how on Equestria did you manage to do that?” the earth pony question.

“Its like some cloud magic” Rainbow gasped "Awesome!"

“Yeah, Spike will now have all sorts of abilities now he’s grown” Twilight answered her friends “Normally it would be defence and offensive magic only, but I suppose our little Spike would have a different outlook on life wouldn't he?”

The ponies looked up at their dragon friend, and despite still towering above them, suddenly he still seemed like their old baby dragon friend, eager to please and comfort others. “Thanks Spike” Sweetie Belle cried, as Fluttershy started leading her back to her cottage for the night.

Spike looked at Twilight, who had a little tear in her eye “Well number one assistant, I guess it’s time to sleep. You can either stay here if you want, huh lets face it you can do whatever you want really” the unicorn laughed “but I think some of the other hospital patients are feeling a tad nervous with you outside. So perhaps it would be better if you slept outside the library?”

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

Celestia’s sun crept into Twilight’s bedroom at Golden Oaks Library, causing the unicorn to gently stir. She looked down instinctively at her Spikes basket, expecting her baby to be curled up asleep, but of course it was empty. Remembering what happened the previous day, she opened the curtains and squinted into the new morning's daylight.

Spike looked the same as he had the evening before, and also looked exactly the same as he always had every morning when he was asleep, except for instead of being curled up in the basket next to the fillies bed, he was curled up around the tree that they called home. Twilight took a second to saviour and capture the image in her head, but then started getting ready to go to the hospital – Rarity needed her.

Once she had quickly washed and brushed her mane, she gently woke Spike who was blocking the front door. The dragon slowly rose and smiled a little at his mother, and for a second didn't look like a massive powerful dragon. However, the smile soon faded as the memories of the day before came flooding back.

Twilight trotted towards the hospital, with Spike flying overhead – he was too large to walk through the town but Twilight was certain he had slightly shrunk a little from the day before. When they got to the hospital, Twilight went inside leaving Spike to lay down outside and wait.

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

Twilight made her way into the ICU, where Rarity was the only patient. Fluttershy was already there with Sweetie Belle, watching the sleeping unicorn. She was still under sedation, had a couple of IV’s still providing fluids and had numerous machines monitoring her vital signs.

The nurses, led by Nurse Redheart, approached Twilight as she entered but Twilight just looked at the machines and the charts. The nurses just backed off, leaving the friends alone. Fluttershy knew more about medicine than any of the nurses, almost as much as the doctors, and nopony in the mostly earth pony village knew magic like Twilight. The pair of them didn’t need anypony to tell them what’s going on.

“I think it’s time to stop the sedation” Fluttershy turned to Twilight

Twilight cast an aura over the unicorn “I think you're right – BP’s, Sats and Bloodworks are all good, and her body is well on the way to recovery.”

They got the nurses attention, and asked them to stop the sedation. Nurse Redheart went to fetch the doctor, who confirmed the order. He knew that the sedation was only needed for magical purposes, and he was out of his league by a large magnitude here. The drip was stopped, and they expected Rarity to awake within a few hours.

The other elements of harmony and Rarity's parents shortly arrived and everypony waited for their friend, sister or daughter to awaken…

Chapter 6 - Mountainside standoff

Meanwhile, 14 miles outside Ponyville...

The Diamond Dogs were concerned. Not long after the escape of their new prized gem-dowsing pony, helped by a powerful unicorn and this massive dragon, they had went to the entrance of their cave to have a look around. What they found at the first entrance was a large group of armed ponies - earth, pegasi and unicorns, waiting for them. They explored the rest of the caves entrances and found them all similarly guarded. The Dogs were going nowhere, not without a large fight at least.

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

As soon as the Princesses protege had issued the order, the Royal Guard had started posting a garrison at every cave entrance. Subtlety was now not required given that Twilight Sparkles friend had been rescued and the protectors of the kingdom found no reason not to let the dogs know they were here. They scoured the whole mountainside to identify every exit and entrance, and had them all covered.

As the day wore on, all the officers met up to discuss the situation. They had a good perimeter and with a mix of all types of ponies they sure they would be able to fight the dogs if it came to that. Of course they had been given the order just to contain the dogs, but there had been a number of arguments when they had received news of Rarity's injuries.

Lunas Guard were even more outraged than the Day guard - the elements of harmony had brought back their commander in chief to them, and Luna had expressed to them in no uncertain terms how important she regarded the six heroes that her freed her. Therefore, to have one of them injured by these animals was more than they could stand.

The captains of the day and night guards starting arguing over the next steps, with their various officers backing each of them up with cheers and roars.

"We were told to wait for further instructions, and thats what we are going to do!" the day captain thumped down his hoof for dramatic effect

"We could be here days, weeks even!" The night captain complained.

"If thats what are orders are, then we follow them! Got somewhere else to be?"

"Come on, it wouldn't be that difficult to provoke these dogs into a fight, which is all the excuse we need! You know you want to teach these animals a lesson as well as us!"

"Yes, I do. But we were told to wait..."

"From a unicorn filly?" the night captain interrupted

"The princesses put us under the command of their Protege directly, and if you disrespect her by referring to her age or gender again, and you'll find out what I'm capable of"

"Whoo, I didn't mean it like that. It's just I think we know about these things better than the Princesses or their protege. We're the experts, they are just..."

"Rulers of the land, and the pony they singled out as something special?" the day captain replied sarcastically.

"Okay, but what's the worse that could happen?" the Night captain asked.

"Do you really want to annoy the element of magic by ignoring her, especially now she has a dragon pet the size of castle tower?" the day captain quipped "And whose brother is the captain of the whole guard? Think about what their parents, which raised all three of them, must be like?"

"Good point...well made. But we'll see how we all feel in a few days."

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

The leader of the Diamond Dogs was worried - the dogs hadn't been on the back-paw since they took up residence in this part of Equestria, and these mountain caves, many centuries ago. The ponies had driven them away from their main town and cities after they rose to be the more powerful animals in the land. They had gone from being the top dogs, down to be scattered amongst the land, taking shelter in the more rural areas.

But as ponykind continued to expand their kingdom, and the numbers grew, the dogs found it harder and harder to stay out of trouble. They tried fighting back, but they were beaten by the two Alicorns - beasts with the power of the strong ponies, wings like the flying ponies, and magic like the horned ponies. They learnt to live away from ponykind, and only fight the earth kind.

The temptation when seeing the white unicorn finding gems all too easily overrode everything the Dogs had learnt after all these years, and it was clear they had made a huge mistake. The small battle with the lavender unicorn, and their dragon companion, had taught them that ponykind had grown much more powerful and that now they were surrounded their end may be near.

The leader finally decided on a plan - given they had lots of food hoarded, and fresh water supplied, they decided to block all the entrances and seal themselves in. They could wait for months and hope the ponies had left by then.

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

The Royal Guard watched as the entrances were sealed up one by one. This led to a massive argument that they should have acted earlier, but of course it was too late to do anything about it now. Besides, a powerful unicorn could easily move the blockades out of the way.

Chapter 7 - Wake Up

It was a beautiful summer day – it was warm, but not too hot thanks to a cooling breeze, and soft, fluffy, beautiful clouds were scattered in the clear blue sky. Rarity was sat in a field, playing with her baby sister. The foal was just playing with a ball, and every time it escaped her grasp the elder sister would push it back towards her. The young filly couldn’t imagine anything ever being more important than her sister, thought wished she had learnt how to do magic so she didn't have to chase after the ball by hoof.

Twilight and Fluttershy were monitoring their friends’ vitals as the sedation wore off - the doctor stood nearby but wasn't really needed. Everything was looking good from a physical perspective, but everypony in the room was concerned by the look on Twilight’s face

“What’s wrong sugarcube?” Applejack asked

Twilight looked at her friends and especially Sweetie Belle, wondering whether or not to tell the truth. But in these circumstances she was acting as a doctor, and as a doctor she had certain codes to adhere to. Besides, her friends and Rarity’s family deserved to know the truth.

“Her brain waves are still showing she is in a deep sleep – by now we would be expecting her to start waking up. There should be an increase in activity”

Rarity had her foal sister napping on her back as she made her way through Ponyville. The filly was so happy, trotting slowly through the town being passed and greeted by all the adult ponies. But then something struck her. She carefully looked around and noticed everything seemed just a bit bigger than usual. Of course to the filly the buildings etc were the same size as they had always been, but something about them just seemed wrong. She then instinctively started trotting over to a part of the market she didn’t usually go to, away from her parents house where she and her sister lived happily...

Twilight looked through her books, studying her options. She wondered if she was out of her depth here, and if they should perhaps get Rarity over to Canterlot University Hospital, the best unicorn hospital in the kingdom. Or she could get some of the doctors to come to Ponyville – afterall, nopony was going to say no to Twilight Sparkle when she was determined, not even the Princess would be able to deny the unicorn what she wanted.

“It’s like she doesn’t want to wake up…” Twilight thought out loud.

“You can hardly blame her. She spent a day being abused, and then the last thing she saw was a massive dragon bearing down on her. A dream probably seems much more appealing to her right now” Rainbow replied, a little brashly.

“Besides, shes dreaming about her baby sister…that’s going to be such a nice dream to leave behind!” Fluttershy added, using a wing to cuddle Sweetie Belle to comfort her.

“Can’t we enter her dreams to help get her out? Surely there must be a machine, or a spell, to do that. Surely with all the powers Twilight has there must be some way of getting in? And if not, why not?” Pinkie asked, suddenly donning a suit and brandishing a potato gun.

Everypony looked at the pink mare, although Twilight was the least surprised “Only Luna can enter anypony else’s dreams, and whilst she can interact with them I think in these circumstance it would be dangerous. Rarity sleep and dreams are part of her recovery, so it’s best we let them play out...

The young filly approached a familiar, yet unfamiliar part of the market, where there was a large empty space. ‘Something should be here’ she thought to herself, looking around. Nothing was out of place compared to the day before, but something definitely was...well best described as missing. She stood there, and had an image of a building she had never seen before enter her mind.

She focused on the thought, and slowly it started to form out of the mist. A four story round building, with amazing details - the colour was a beautiful shade, there were lots of engravings everything and some ponyquins around the top made it look like a carousel. The filly had never seen the building before, but yet it looked like something she would draw if she ever designed a building. And with that thought, she noticed that she suddenly seemed bigger than before. She looked down and noticed that she now had a cutie mark! ‘Where did that come from, and why is it gems?’

The ponies had been telling Sweetie Belle and her fellow filly friends, a story about how they each got their cutie marks. Of course Applejack had to fill in for Rarity, having been told the story by the unicorn previously. Suddenly, Twilights face started to brighten, which grabbed everypony’s attention “Her brain activity has increased 18%, that’s a good sign”

Rarity entered this strange building, but as soon as she crossed the threshold it all seemed so familiar. Ponyquins, gems and cloth…it all seemed so right! Suddenly she remembered who she was and everything faded to darkness…

Rarity found herself waking up in her bed at the boutique. ‘What a weird dream’ she thought to herself. She got up and started her morning ablutions, which took the best part of an hour. She looked at her calendar and noticed today was pony-pet playdate day “Oh Opal, won’t that be nice” she called out to her cat

Rarity should have been awake over an hour ago, but her brain activity was still improving which was a good sign. Her friends and family didn't leave the unicorns side, and continued chatting about all the good times they had had.

Rarity made her way to Ponyville Park with Opalescence, and met up with her five BFF’s. Fluttershy was there with Angel rabbit, Pinkie had brought that ghastly yet admittedly a little cute alligator gummy and Applejack had her faithful canine companion Winona. Rainbow Dash of course didn't have a pet, but still liked to play chase with Applejack and Whinova.

As they all played and chatted, something was amiss to the white unicorn. All her friends were there, as were their pets, but somepony seemed to be missing. She looked around and noticed Twilight was reading a book…not exactly unusual for the mare. But it was unusually for Twilight to be reading now, she would normally be joining in. But then, she didn’t have a pet.

But she did have something…something was missing. The unicorn thought hard, finding something in the back of her mind. But she couldn't seem to access it properly. But then an image of a purple pony with a green mane filtered into her mind. ‘Urg…a green mane, that doesn’t seem right’ and the image started to transform into something else…

Rarity’s thoughts were suddenly broken by Pinkie Pie screaming out a word everypony dreaded ‘DRAGON’

The group of friends had started discussing Spikes currently status. Everypony was interested in hearing what Twilight knew about the new Spike, but she didn't know too much. Everypony then noticed Rarity start to move about and moan, like she was having a nightmare.

The group of pets and ponies had galloped off in the other direction from the Dragon, but the creature was much faster than them and landed down blocking their path. The giant beast bore down on the group, and Rarity noticed that everypony else had disappeared…she was alone with the brute. But suddenly she wasn’t afraid anymore, as she noticed something familiar about it’s eyes…

Rarity’s eyes slowly flickered open just a tad, and a smile formed over her face “Spike” she croaked. Everypony let out a huge sigh of relief as their unicorn friend had woken up and already talked. Perhaps everything was going to be just fine.

Outside of the hospital, Spike with his super-effective hearing had been listening to all the conversations inside the hospital, and infact all over town. He afterall had nothing else to do and his battle ready mind could easily processes lots of information at the same time. But one word suddenly snapped all of his thought to a single point, his name being uttered by the pony he adored.

A few moments later the front door opened and Rainbow Dash stuck her head outside “She’s awake” but the dragon was already aware and had what passed as a smile on his face.

Chapter 8 - Highs and lows

Rarity was groggy as she slowly regained her senses but once they returned she was glad to see that her friends and family were all around her – regardless of where she was or what happened, with friends and family at her side there was nothing to be worried about.

It took her a while to realise exactly where she was, and then everything started coming back to her. Her first thoughts were asking where Spike was as the last thing she remembered about her dragon helper was seeing his battered body lying on the floor as she stopped fighting to save him. And given he wasn’t at her bedside she started to become really worried - afterall the dragon found any excuse to be near her, his attraction for the unicorn clear for everypony to see since his very first day arriving with Twilight in Ponyville

Twilight calmed down Rarity, explaining that Spike was safe and sound, and that he had fully covered from his injures. She went on to tell the story of how he had come and found them all to start off the rescue attempt, making Spike sound so brave – Twilight was always the best wingpony to her dragon son/brother without her ever realising it.

“So Rarity, what do you remember?” Fluttershy asked gingerly.

“Apart from the…beatings” Rarity sobbed “I don’t remember much about the rescue or anything. I seem to remember you girls arriving, and that’s about it...” she trailed off

“So you have no idea who saved you?”

“Wasn’t it you girls? Ohh, was it a tall handsome stranger, maybe a... a Prince? Prince Blueblood? And now he has saved his damsel in distress he’s going to marry me?” Rarity went straight into her ideal dream mode.

It would have been funny, but everypony looked at each other – they were not sure how to bring up the new Spike to the unicorn

“So…how was I saved?” Rarity composed herself.

Twilight stepped forwards and put her friends hoof in hers “Well, we were in a bad spot…” and the unicorn went on to explain their capture. “I was preparing a spell to save us all, but it wasn't required”

“Oh, so somepony else did save me, I mean us?”

“Not exactly somePONY” Applejack said, her eyes soft

“So, not a pony…was it a griffin, another dog?” Rarity’s eyes then opened up fully “Wait, it was a dragon! I remember one from my dreams, a huge vile beast!”

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie stood there in silence; this was important stuff and knew that their party ideas or brash attitude wasn't going to work right now.

Twilight gulped “Well, hopefully Spike didn’t hear you say that!”

“Oh, but Spikey Wikey is such a kind nice baby dragon, not like the beast that I seem to be remembering!”

“Yes, but the dragon that saved you was also nice…very nice!” Fluttershy added “He saved you, and brought you here, even if he wasn't a baby”

Rarity thought about it and things just started to click “So, where is Spike exactly?”

“He’s outside right now. I think it’ll be best for you to recover more before he sees you…seeing you like this would just break his little heart” Applejack responded.

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

Spike had been listening into the conversation, his super-dragon hearing allowing him to hear. everything. Whilst at first he was glad to hear Rarity awake and smiled when she started asking over him, he became crestfallen when he heard the love of his, albeit young, life describe him as a beast!

He looked down at his new body and the massive claws with sharp talons. They may be claws that carried his precious gem to safety, but could easily tear her, and anypony else, to pieces. He looked over his scales and what used to be a lovely warm and soft scales to hug had become hard, cold and dark. When I was a baby dragon everypony used to think I was cute, but now I am a beast he internally choked on the word Who would love me now?

Everypony inside heard a massive roar, and as Twilight came running out she saw her Dragon assistant flying away. Having brought up the dragon she knew what the base roars of a dragon were – this was not a roar of anger, a fighting roar or even a sulking because he isn’t allowed any more ice-cream roar. This was a roar of pure sadness.

Twilight focused on the dragon speedily moving away from her, and performed some quick calculations regarding his size, speed and distance. She closed her eyes and activated her magic…

…and teleported directly onto Spikes back. She nearly fell off but managed to activate a gravity spell just in time to keep herself on him. It would have been a long fall had she miscalculated but would have given her enough time to recast a teleport to the ground, and also scold herself for miscalculating in the first place!

Spike was obviously upset, so much so he hadn’t even noticed Twilight land on his back. He soared through the air, and quickly reached the edge of the Ghastly Gorge where he landed. Twilight climbed up his back and sat on his shoulder, causing the dragon to finally notice the pony.

“Look Spike, given everything that Rarity went through that day you can’t really expect her to take everything in right away” Twilight started “I'm sure she is going to be delighted when she finds out who really saved her.”

“But we need to take it slowly. Her mind is a bit of a mess right now. I fear that if she found out that she’s changed the little dragon that had a crush on her into this all powerful beast, it may upset her and push back her recovery”

Twilight started using her magic to scratch Spikes back, something he used to enjoy as a youngling. “I’m not sure if you have realised that Rarity doesn't think about you the same way as her other friends” Spike turned and looked at his mother figure “Now, she may not quite have the same strength of feelings that you have for her, but there’s definitely something more there. Afterall, what was the first word she uttered when she woke up?”

The dragons face was hard to read emotion on, but Twilight could swear Spikes face lit up a little. They sat there in silence for a while – Twilight nuzzling the dragon’s neck and Spike just looking out over the land.

Twilight then stood up “I need to get back to the Hospital. Rarity still needs a lot of help with her magic recovery, and I’m sure that she'll want to find out what happened to you. We just need to take it slow, okay?”

Spike stretched out his wings, indicating he was about to fly off. Twilight climbed down off his shoulder and nestled between his wings. The dragon leaped into the air and started flying back to Ponyville. Twilight wasn’t sure what Spike was thinking, but hoped she was able to make her charge’s spirits a little more buoyed.

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

Spike dropped his passenger off at the Hospital before flying off again. Twilight had only been gone half an hour, but on her return Nurse Redheart approached the unicorn before she entered the ICU

“Twilight, Rarity was asking about her magic…she seemed a little upset”

“Well, that’s understandable, what did anypony say?”

“Nopony said anything, and just told her that you were the expert on all that ‘Fancy Unicorn Stuff’ as Applejack put it”

“Thanks” Twilight said with a bit of sarcasm as she walked into the ICU, where Rarity was cuddling up to Sweetie Belle on her bed. Yeah, leave it up to me to break bad news!

“Hello everypony” Twilight said cheerfully “Just had to deal with a bit of an emergency, but it’s all good now!”

“That’s a relief” Rarity replied “I wasn't sure what made that roar but it sounded powerful. But now you’re back, can you explain something to me?”

“Sure, anything Rarity” Twilight beamed a slightly too big a smile back

“Well, I was thirsty so I tried to bring myself over a glass of ice chips, but I couldn't levitate it. In fact, I don’t seem to be able to do any magic right now? Is that a side effect of the drugs?”

“I’m afraid not directly…” Twilight started

Rarity started hugging Sweetie a little tighter “But, my my magic! It’s coming back right?”

Twilight bit her lip then continued “Look, your body and mind went through a lot in a short space of time. Your magic should start to return in due course, but for a while at least I’m afraid you…won’t have any magic”

“Oh, this is just the worse possible thing!”

“Now hang on a darn tooting minute!” Applejack interrupted “Okay, it must be terrible to lose your magic right now, but given the situation we were in we're all lucky to be safe back and sound back in Ponyville!”

Some of the ponies just stared at the earth pony’s brashness “Applejack, how can you say that” Rainbow Dash flew into the farmers face

“No no no” Rarity exclaimed “She’s right. Given how they almost killed Spike, and threatened poor Fluttershy here, this is just…a minor inconvenience. Applejack, I apologise”

“No I apologise, I shouldn’t have snapped like that. It’s just I think back to the situation we were in, and how none of us except Twilight could help you…and it’s just hard okay?”

Before Fluttershy, the natural comforter of the group, could give Applejack a hug, the farmer found a different wing over her shoulder. “Applejack, I know exactly what you are going through” Rainbow half hugged her friend “I mean, when it comes to the rough stuff, it’s usually me and you leading the way…but this time we couldn’t!”

The two brasher ponies of the group gave each other a semi hug, and everypony knew that they must have both been feeling guilty over the whole thing. Still, a hug and the fact they got it off thier chests made everything seem much better.

“So, when do I get out of here?” Rarity asked “Those dresses aren’t going to design themselves”

“Well, I would want to keep you another day in the ICU just to continue to monitor your vitals” Twilight looked over at the doctor, who just nodded

“Another day?” Rarity and Sweetie moaned in unison.

“Afraid yes, and then a couple of days on the ward. It’s best you are in the hospital whilst your magics down. Have you ever had magical fatigue before?”

Rarity and Sweetie Belle both shook their heads Poor old Sweetie hasn’t even used her magic yet their parents thought to themselves

“Well, I have, especially the night after I got my cutie mark. It can create some very nasty pains, enough to make your sick. And, with no offense intended, as you’ve not been trained in magic recovery then it may be really bad”

“Talking of the day of our cutie marks, where is Spike?” Rarity asked, ignoring the potential pain to come.

“To be honest, I don’t know!” Twilight shrugged her shoulders.

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

The next morning Twilight woke up and again instinctively looked down at her former assistants basket. As per the morning before, and when she went to bed last night, it was empty and everything came back to mind.

Spike hadn't been seen all day after he left ponyville, and Twilight was worried about him but looking out of her bedroom window, she saw him sound asleep outside. Galloping outside to greet him, she noticed Spike was now only able to curl up round half the library, and when he stood up he seemed to be significantly shorter than the day before

“Morning Twilight” Spike croaked, cracking his limbs as he stretched.

“Morning Spike” Twilight beamed back “Hey, you can talk again!”

“Wow, you’re right. And I seem to have shrunk quite a bit more” Spike smiled as he looked over his body. He was still a battle ready dragon, but was probably now half the size he was from a few days ago.

Twilight went back inside and shortly brought out all the gems she had, as well as some toast for herself. She levitated the jewel breakfast over to her assistant, and they sat outside for breakfast

“So what did happen yesterday?” Twilight asked

Chapter %i% - Leftovers

Chapter 8 - Leftovers

Spike was flying away from Ponyville with a heavy hurt, as he knew he may possibly ever return. Sure, Twilight was bound to continue to love him no matter what had happened, having brought him up for years. But if a good friend like Rarity thought he was a beast, everypony else is bound to hate him and therefore Equestria had no place left for him.

He wasn’t sure where to head to, but then noticed a tall mountain in the distance. He knew there was an empty cave at the top as his friends…former friends…had only recently persuaded a huge dragon to move on. He therefore knew it would be a good, dry place for Spike to hide as he sorted out his future.

Spike banked towards the mountain and sped up, unaware of the scouts of the Royal Guard watching him…

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

Princess Celestia was holding day-court when suddenly a scroll appeared infront of her. She noticed that this was sealed with the mark of the Royal Guard, not rolled up in a plain manner like her protégés letters. She apologised to the pony talking, explaining that she needed to read this urgent message. Her eyes scanned over the letter, growing a little wider as she read.

“Apologies everypony, but an urgent situation has developed which I must tend to immediately, for the safety of Equestria”

Everypony bowed instantly, and started walking out of the palace, for they knew if the Princess herself was going to be dealing with it rather than her guard or the elements of harmony, it must be serious. Celestia re-read the letter, surprised to be told that the dragon had returned to the mountain so quickly. Had it not been for the situation with Rarity she would have asked Twilight and her friends to deal with the problem again, but instead she decided to deal with it herself.

She trotted out of court onto the balcony, and leaped into the air. A dozen nearby pegasi guards followed their assigned Princess instantly, flanking her as she flew off.

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

Spike explored the cold damp cave he found himself in. The previous tenant had not left with all his plunder, leaving behind low value items. Whilst there was nothing worthy of an adults dragon’s greed remaining, the low quality gems would be more than enough to sustain him for a few weeks. The few broken bits of gold and silver should have meant something to a Dragon without any hoard at all, but Spike still didn't feel the need for physical items - he valued the love of the two unicorns in his life more than anything else!

The cave was way too big for him really, being a lot smaller than the previous tenant, and it’s wide entrance wouldn't provide much cover from the harsh mountain elements. He therefore started digging into the side of the cave to make a smaller hole for sleeping in – having slept in a basket or crib his whole life, except of course for the night before, he found smaller places more natural and comforting. His powerful claws easily dug out a hole the size of Ponyville's town hall, and he was just finishing up when he sensed a powerful being approaching him Has Twilight found me already?

He watched as a group of ponies approached him, seeing that there were six large pegasi, and one alicorn in the middle Oh no, the Princess is coming! I don’t want to have to deal with her right now Spike thought to himself, and hid himself in his newly dug bedroom on the side of the cave. He couldn’t see the cave entrance from his tucked away position, but could obviously hear what was going on.

Celestia and her entourage landed on the flat ground outside the cave. “Wait here whilst I go inside” she ordered her guard.

“What? Princess, we should scout out for any dangers first” the leader responded.

“With all due respect Captain Cherry, you don’t have any magic to defend yourself. Besides, Dragons are honour bound not to eat Alicorns but the same is not true for Pegasi ” the Princess responded with a smile

The guard watched on as the Princess entered. She slowly entered, but was surprised not to see a huge dragon had returned, but instead an empty cave, or more importantly a nearly empty cave. She sensed a familiar presence nearby, and whilst it was slightly different from normal, having help to raise the creature she know instantly who it was.

She continued slowly toward the back of the cave “Well, looks like the cave is empty afterall” the Princess called out a little too happily. Spike heard this, and felt relieved that the Princess had not seen him, for he wanted some time to think rather than deal with the superior immortal being – her knowledge and experience, and excellent debating skills, were bound to mean she would get her way.

Celestia wasn’t sure why Spike was hiding but she wasn’t going to abandon such a young creature, especially an orphan from his own kind, on his own. With a bit of a smirk on her face, the Princess readied to levitate the hiding dragon out of his cave without warning him – she always enjoyed giving Twilight and Spike little pranks, if not just to help teach them to always be prepared for anything. She cast the spell to move him, but she hadn’t fully realised what Spike had become.

The magic repelled off of Spike’s body without him even knowing it, and the feedback came charging back towards Celestia. Being caught completely off guard it struck her with full force, causing her to be flung back against the wall and scream out in pain. Hearing one of his guardians cry out in pain, Spike left his hidey-hole and ran over to the Princess.

The guard came rushing in and saw their Princess with a dragon towering over her. The dragon was only about twenty times the Princesses size, smaller compared to the huge normal dragon, but given it had somehow defeated their ruler they feared just how powerful it must be. Regardless of the danger, they flew towards the dragon, a few of them trying to get themselves between Celestia and the beast, whilst others tried to pull her to safety

Spike roared a little, trying to push the ponies out of the way to get to the Princess to comfort her. The guards were not strong enough to stop him, but Spike was holding back worried about hurting more ponies. The battle therefore wasn't fierce, but was the definition of chaotic given the guards couldn't actually hurt or stop Spike.

“EVERYPONY STOP” Celestia cried out in full Canterlot Voice, and all her guards and Spike just froze. Celestia slowly got to her hooves, shaking her head as if to try to physically remove the haziness “Guards, cease your actions. Spike here did nothing to me, it was just a little prank of mine gone wrong?”

“Wait, Spike?” the captain asked confused, looking over to the dragon who just sort of shrugged his shoulder. The dragon didn't know who the guard was, and the guard knew Spike only as a baby dragon. They sort of stared at each other for a while, until Celestia broke the silence.

“Guards, please wait outside whilst I talk to Spike. And tell no-pony of what you saw today…I don’t want everypony to think I was beaten in battle!”

The guards all saluted, and flew out of the cave, making sure they were gone, Celestia sat down and looked at Twilights assistant. “Oh Spike, what has become of you?”

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

The Princess took off her crown, breastplate and shoes, surprising the young dragon. Of course Twilight and Spike had often seen the Princess in casual mode, but it still surprised him even when they spent evenings sleeping with the alicorn in her bedchambers when they were both young, especially during winter thunderstorms.

Spike lay down on his belly, his head resting in his claws, and Celestia lay down facing him, looking him over. She could sense he wanted to communicate, but that like most dragons couldn't actually speak in pony. “Spike, I know you must be going through alot right now. I'm not exactly sure what has happened, but for you to run away from Ponyville, and Twilight, must mean something is wrong”

“But I’m here for you. And I’m not just saying that as the ruler of the kingdom, nor as one of your guardians, but as your friend. Of course we hadn't discussed the future much, but we are going to spend a long time together in the coming centuries”

Spike looked even sadder, with the thought of his life post Twilight starting to come to mind.

“But that is the future, and for now I expect you to be in Ponyville. It’s a great place for a young dragon like yourself to learn about all sorts of things. And of course Twilight and her friends are there”

Spike thought about his friends, and one in particular, and tears started to form in his eyes

“Oh, I see” she cooed and slowly flew into the air. She hovered just in front of the dragon, and lowered her horn to his forehead, carefully casting a spell as she did. Spike closed his eyes and made sure he didn't react in any way, deliberately or by instinct…

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

Spike found himself in a cloudy mysterious place, like nothing he had seen before. He looked down at himself and found that he looked like he usually did, just as small soft as a few days ago. He then surveyed his surroundings and noticed a pink maned white filly alicorn laying down on a particularly soft looking cloud.

“Princess?” he stammered out approaching the pony

“Yes Spike, it is me” the filly responded with a soft voice

“Where…where are we?”

“We are in the realm of our minds. It’s not quite the same as dreams, and is actually very complicated metaphysical state, but it’s the only way we could talk”

“Meta-what-itical? But why are you a filly?”

Celestia started to giggle “Well, it’s sometimes fun to remember the simpler times. Is that not why you remember yourself as you do now?”

Spike just stood there looking over his body, and Celestia beckoned him over. He came and sat down gingerly and carefully next to the pony who instantly grabbed him, pulled him into the cloud and jumped ontop of him. He tried to push the filly off, but she was too quick and they wrestled for a while ending up laughing away.

Having successfully made the dragon lighten up, filly Celestia got off of spike and they just lay down together.

“So Spike, what's wrong?” Celestia asked.

“You’ve seen how I am now!”

“And?”

“I’m a beast, a monster, an outcast…”

“Oh Spike, you really think that?”

“Rarity called me a vile beast!” the dragon said despondently.

“Really?”

“Well, she didn't know it was me, but she’s right. Now I’m big, I’m a danger to everypony else”

“Oh Spike, come on and don't be silly!”

“I managed to hurt you” the dragon reminded the Princess, looking very guilty as he did

“That was my fault, I didn't realise how powerful you had become and my prank backfired. I should apologise to you…”

“Princess don’t” Spike interrupted “I am a beast, I can’t even talk to anypony anymore. Nopony will want a huge dragon around.”

“Spike, I’m surprised at you” Celestia said in a bit of a scolding tone, although it still sounded soft coming from a filly “You are underestimating your friends, and my subjects!”

“Do you really think Ponyville will accept me?”

“Have you hurt anypony?”

“No”

“In fact you rescued your friends and saved the day. You’re a hero”

“But nopony is treating me like a hero!” the dragon complained

“Well, firstly I think everypony is really worried about Rarity. I trust Twilight’s instincts, and if she’s worried it’s normally for good reasons. And perhaps everypony else just doesn't know how to treat you right now!”

“You did”

“But then I have dealt with dragons for thousands of years. I have had to fight them in anger, I have had to duel with them to gain respect…I have even had to fight off more than one amorous advance!”

“Really? How would that even work?” Spike asked the blushing filly

“Well, that’s a story for when you’re a little older” Celestia laughed “The point is I’m sure your friends are missing you already!”

The two just sat their in silence for a while, until the whole place started to fade away

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

Spike opened his eyes to see Celestia still hovering in front of him. “I must go now. Have a think about what you really want, and if need to talk just come and find me. I’ll inform the Canterlot guards of your current…appearance and I’m sure that you won’t have any trouble should you come to visit”

She landed and gave a hard knock on Spikes armoured scales, causing a large echoing sound “Not that they would cause you much bother anyway” Celestia laughed. Spike looked at his mentor, always enjoying it when she laughed and glad she did so occasionally in real life and not just in her dreams.

The Princess put on her shoes and levitated the crown and armour back over her body and hed. Walking away from the dragon she gave a glance over her shoulder and Spike gave here a bit of a wave with a claw before she was out of sight. Then, he was alone again

A few hours of deep thought later, he gathered as much of the remaining hoard in the one remaining piece of cloth left behind, and started the journey back home. It was dark, but he enjoyed flying under the light cast by Luna’s moon and stars. He was a dragon, and he had a hoard to look after!

Not the items he was carrying, but a hoard of friends back home...

Chapter %i% - ...of their eyes

Chapter 9 - ...of their eyes

Having received permission from Twilight to stash his loot from the day before inside Golden Oaks Library, Spike found himself making his way through the town telling Twilight the story of Celestia’s visit to him. Of course he left out the details of accidentally hurting her, and the playful actions of the filly Princess, not wanting to embarrass the ruler or indeed the protégé.

Now he was smaller than the day before, he could actually walk through town carefully minding his way, especially having to be careful of his tail a good ten pony lengths behind him. But the simple action of waking next to the pony most like family to him made him feel a little more normal.

A few of the ponies they met along the way said a fairly cheerful hello, and the place felt a little more like home. He may have still be as tall as the average house, but now he had could talk again, things were starting to look up Today is the first day of the rest of my life The dragon thought to himself.

They reached the hospital, and Spike just sat down outside.

“Spike, you don’t have to wait here all day. Isn’t there anything else you would rather be doing?”

“Well, You’re going to be here. Rarity…and everypony else, is going to be here. Sweet Apple Acres is quiet, the weather teams have the clouds under control, nothing strange is happening in the Everfree Forest. What should I do?”

“I don’t know…read?”

Spike just looked at his librarian mother and just laughed “With these claws” he said flashing his razor sharp talons “Can you imagine what will happen to your precious books?”

Twilight giggled back, knowing Spike could hide his talons when he wanted, having carried Rarity with great delicacy “Okay Spike, you don’t have to read, no need to lie over it. See you later?”

“Sure, you can’t miss me, right?” he replied with a bit of a grin

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

Twilight reached the ICU, to find that Rarity had already been unhooked from all the machines. Sweetie Belle had stayed the night and was asleep up on a nearby spare bed, with Fluttershy curled up slumbering round the filly having stayed to look after the foal. The yellow pegasus had left Applejack and Rainbow dash to feed and care for her animals…how bad could that be?

Twilight and Rarity started having a whispered conversation, before being joined by some of their other friends. Eventually Sweetie Belle stirred, waking up Fluttershy who jumped out of bed with a gentle eek having being surprised by the filly in her hooves. After a while the nurse came over, explaining it was time for Rarity to be moved to the first floor to spend some time in a private room, as there was no need to be in the ICU or any ward.

“Could we take her to a room on the second floor?” Twilight asked

“Why?” the nurse looked surprised

“I think there is an old friend that would like to say hello”

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

Rarity lay in the private room on the top floor of the building, a room with a view away from town on the other side of the hospital to where Spike currently was laying. The curtains and the window were open and Rarity saw the beautiful sky for the first time in three days. Just having a bit of sun shining in her room cheered her up no end, despite still feeling completely drained.

“Why did you want me up here?” Rarity eventually broke the silence that had descended since they arrived in the room “If it was for the view, I must say well chosen. But you said something about a visitor?”

“Well, I think it’s time to know the truth” Twilight approached Rarity’s bedside

“It’s something to do with Spike isn’t it?” Rarity answered with concern “I know something wrong as he’s not been in to see me. What awful thing befell my poor little spikey wikey”

Spike grew a little grin when he overheard the white unicorn refer to him as “my”

“It’s not bad like you think!” Rainbow responded “in fact, it’s not awful, it’s pretty awesome”

“Awesome indeed!” Pinkie was bouncing with excitement. Or perhaps fear. Or even boredom. For this was Pinkie Pie, and she bounced all the time.

“Yes, Spike is just fine. In fact, he’s doing better than ever” Twilight responded with a fair amount of pride at her charge “You remember that a dragon saved you?” Rarity was about to respond but Twilight held up a hoof to silence her “Well, that was in fact Spike”

“Wait, that was little baby Spike?”

“Yes. It wouldn't be the first time he grew” and Twilight went on to explain how she had caused him to grow when she first hatched him. “Well, obviously seeing you…and all of us…” she quickly added “…in trouble seemed to spur him on. He broke out of the cage, beat back all the dogs and rescued us”

“So, then what happened?”

“Well, once he got outside and started flying…”

“Flying? He grew his wings?”

“Awesome wings!” Rainbow interrupted “He could fly faster than me despite carrying you!”

“Carrying me?” the unicorn asked with a little confusion, struggling to take everything in

Twilight rubbed Rarity’s hoof to calm her down as Sweetie, already cuddling her sister, gave her an extra squeeze. “He continued to grow until he was at least twice as big as this hospital.”

“Oh my!” Rarity gasped

“But the fella's started shrinking back down already, he’s half the size he was…but is still the size of the biggest barns!” Applejack added

“Can…Can I see him?” the unicorn asked gingerly.

“He had changed quite a bit, are you sure you’re ready?” Fluttershy cooed

“Yes, I need to see him!” The unicorn said without a certain level of fear in her voice.

“Okay, Spike why don’t you come round?” Twilight called out. Spike heard this and slowly walked round the edge of the hospital before gently sticking his head towards the window.

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

Spike looked into the window, and Rarity looked out from her bed, and the pair saw each other for the first time.

“Help me up” Rarity called out

“Rarity, you should overdo it!” Fluttershy called out. However, the unicorn was determined and she gingerly got out of bed, and almost fell over. Pinkie Pie was already by her side to keep her upright - she had felt her tail twitch so knew something or somepony was about to fall, and it didn't take an egghead that it was going to be Rarity.

Assisted by Pinkie and Applejack, Rarity made her way over to the window. Spike just rested half a claw on the window frame, and Rarity placed her hoof across the top.

“Spike…I…I…” the unicorn tried to speak.

“Rarity…thank you”

“Thank me?” the unicorn gasped “No no no it is I…”

“Hush now, Quiet now!” Spike ordered “If you hadn't bargained with the Dogs…I wouldn't be here now. I owe you my life” His face still couldn't express emotion like before, but his eyes were expressing deep gratitude. Rarity looked back at the dragon in a way he had never seen before, but he just put it down as mutual gratitude.

Feeling weak from having stood for the first time in a few days, Rarity slowly slumped to the floor. Twilight picked the white unicorn up in her aura and levitated her back to the bed. “I told you not to overdo it” Fluttershy scolded softly as she placed a damp towel across the patients head and Sweetie was comforted by Applejack.

Spike looked on helplessly as all this happened, too big to do anything to help. However, laying back down Rarity soon had a smile back on her face. It was only then, once the dragon realised she was fine that he noticed Rarity’s body for the first time. The welts and bruises on her body had started to fade, and only a few bandages remained. However, her head was completely shaven and not a single purple hair remained. Her tail was cut right back as well.

The dragon was obviously staring a little too obviously as Rarity noticed, and gave a big sigh. “Yes Spike, they had to shave off my mane to clean and repair the cuts and damage. And my tail was cut back to let it all grow back properly” Rarity said with a rather large pout.

“You still look beautiful…as you all do” Spike responded with a stammer

Rarity giggled a little “Of course it will grow back…but it does mean I’ll have to wear hats all summer to prevent sunburn on my scalp. And what a year for large hats to be out of fashion!” the fashionista finished with a playful dramatic sweep of her hoof.

“I know” Spike called out as he moved away from the window and a moment later returned, pushing a dragon-breath cloud through the window. Twilight picked it up in her aura, and brought it over. Spike had blown a cloud wig the size and shape of Rarity’s mane, even with a hollow top to go over the scape and a hole for Rarity’s horn to stick through

The white uniform looked at it “Grey? That would make me look so old” Rarity playfully complained, pawing carefully at the wig.

Spike rolled his eyes exaggeratedly “Rainbow, would you do the honours?” and with that Rainbow took the cloud and kicked it, breaking it up into thin air. Spike moved away from the window again and in a moment pushed another cloud through the window. This was the same shape as the previous cloud, but this time was coloured in green, his magical smoke colour.

“Green? Oh my, green manes are worse than grey” the unicorn spoke in the whiniest voice she could muster.

Spike rolled his eyes with even more exaggeration “Okay, pass me that back”. Fluttershy carefully pushed the cloud back and Spike disappeared again for a few moments. He then returned, pushing the cloud back in, but this time he had clumsily arranged some flowers in it.

Rarity faked gasped “Oh, that is so much better! Oh course the nature theme would suit Fluttershy delicate skin tones more than mine, but it’s exquisite!”

Everypony stood there for a moment and then they all, along with Spike, just started laughing uncontrollably. It wasn't really that funny, but it was just a mutual release of all the stress that they had all been through, both worrying about Rarity and then how things would develop with Spike. But it seemed things were starting to return to normal, or at least a possible new normal.

As they all started to regain composure, Spike and Rarity looked at each other and their eyes transfixed on the window to the others soul. Both wanted to turn away in either embarrassment or bashfulness, but just found they couldn’t. If eyes could have a conversation, Rarity’s would have been saying “Thank you” whilst Spikes would be saying “Anything for you”

Before it became too awkward, Rarity blinked and they both managed to break the unspoken connection, their minds reeling from the simple look they had shared. Spike has often stared at Rarity for long periods before, but never had Rarity quiet looked at him this way. The dragon was confused, but luckily for him his dark scales covered the flush of blood to his skin

Rarity of course was not so lucky. Her white fur showed up her blushes beautiful, and everypony just looked at her. “Rarity, are you getting a little hot?” Twilight asked

“Why yes, could somepony be a darling and get me some water?”

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

The rest of the day had been spent with Rarity's friends and family in her room, playing games, chatting or just spending time with the Unicorn. Spike spent some time talking to the ponies, grateful for being able to speak again.

That evening, as Spike made his way back to the library with Twilight, his mind cast back to a few words celestia had said Dragons making "amorous advance’s” towards her? So, I wouldn’t be the first dragon to feel this way about a pony? I will need to find out more…somehow

Chapter %i% - New Beginnings

Chapter 10 - New Beginnings

Twilight woke up to the sound of rain pattering on the leaves of her home, and a knocking on the door. As per the previous few nights she looked down at the basket by the side of her bed, only to be heartbroken to see it empty of her…well, what was Spike to her? More than just an assistant, was he her brother, son? Of course, there was no need to keep the basket around anymore, at least whilst Spike was so big, but even a compulsive neat freak like Twilight couldn't bear to remove it from sight.

Another knock on the door drew her attention back to the real world There’s probably somepony seeking refuge from the rain Twilight thought to herself as she trotted down the stairs Best not keep them waiting on a night like this!

The unicorn opened the door and stuck her head out to see spike trying to shelter himself under the branches. He had clearly shrunk a bit more during the half of the night that had passed (based on the position of luna’s moon) and was probably now only the size of a two story building.

“Oh Spike, you're getting soaked!” Twilight gasped “Why don’t you find a nice cave to shelter in”

“The rains nothing really and I don’t even feel the cold” the dragon boasted, as steam came off his scales

“Then what's the problem?” Twilight asked

“Well, I may not feel the cold, or the rain, or the wind but I do feel something…” Spike trailed off at the end.

Twilight looked up at her baby dragon and knew how to finish off the sentence, a tear forming in her eye as she did so “…Loneliness?”

Spike smiled back at his unicorn friend and gave her a stroke of her mane with his claw. “I know I’m still a little big, but I should be able to fit inside, laying down at least. The ground floor wide enough and I know the ceilings are high enough having fallen from the top shelf enough times!” he half laughed

“Of course Spike, this is your home as much as mine! Twilight replied, walking into the home

“Yeah – don’t suppose you could teleport me inside. The doors way too small for me” Spike laughed. Twilight giggled as the dragon just stuck his head through the door.

“Of course” and with that Spike lay down and curled himself into the size of the Library. Twilight readied herself for the teleport and with a large effort managed to teleport Spike into the ground floor. It was a squeeze with his body curled up round the edge of the room, but given this is how he slept he didn't mind the cramp condition.

Twilight jumped over the tail in front of her and entered the gap in the middle of the room. “Hmmm, I want to get in the kitchen, but you’re sort of in the way” she mused “And I’m too tired to teleport again"

“Just clamber over me”

“I couldn’t do that…that’s just rude!”

“Meh…you didn’t think it was rude to teleport onto my back the other day” he replied deadpan

“That was to help you!" Twilight pouted, causing Spike to laugh.

“Go ahead, it won’t exactly hurt”

Seeing there was no alternative, Twilight clambered over the dragon to get a glass of water in the kitchen, and then clambered back. “Wow, I never had to do an obstacle course to get a drink before” Twilight

“So, I’m an obstacle now?”

“Well, given you haven’t done any work round here for a few days, you’re about as useful as a pile of hay!”

Spike looked Twilight with a laugh “Wait, that was quiet a funny joke…for you!”

Twilight bopped her dragon friend on the nose “Okay Mr Sarcastic, you may be bigger than me but I’m still your mot…well…I’m still in charge! And you’re not too big to be sent to bed without dessert.”

The both smiled at each other, and then let out a yawn. “Well, time for me to sleep, it’s going to be a busy day with Rarity tomorrow.”

“Goodnight” Spike replied, and settled himself down. Twilight looked up to her balcony bedroom but it seemed dark and lonely compared to the ground floor. She instead levitated down a blanket and pillow, and climbed onto the dragons shoulder. He turned to see her settling herself in for the night

“Glad to have you back” the lavender mare sleepily cooed as she lay her head.

“Glad to be back” the dark purple dragon replied with a yawn

Golden Oaks Library started to feel like a home again with its reptile resident back under the comfort and warmth of its branches.

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

Rarity lay in bed at the hospital, listening to the small storm outside. Sweetie Belle had gone home this night with her parents, and all of her friends had also left for the night at the request of the doctors.

The white mare was having trouble sleeping. Of course being in a strange, hard hospital bed rather than the exquisite silk sheeted, soft divan back at the boutique was one reason. But it was also the first time she had been alone, at least awake, since the incident and everything kept playing around in her head. Of course she was safe now, and her actions had in fact protected a good friend.

And then Spike popped into her mind, and it was a difficult subject to shift. First came the feelings of guilt – she had placed him in the dangerous situation in the first place by taking him to the mountains. And then, he had saved her but seemingly at the expense of his innocence and foalhood or would that be hatchling-hood the mare pondered.

But then came a sense of pride in her, and everypony’s, friend What a dragon he has become. He’s tall, grew his wings and seems to have some basic magic. He also seems to be rather battle ready – of course whilst there’s no need for that most of the time here in Ponyville, Dragons are a bit more of a…feisty bunch, for when he returns to his kind.

And then her thought went elsewhere. She had gotten used to the baby dragon chasing around after her, idolising her and doing anything she asked of him. And when he was a cute little thing there was no harm in a little puppy love, even if she did slightly abuse it for some help – of course she rewarded him and was really teaching the youngster about an honest days work for an honest days pay, something that he wouldn't have learnt in the same way from Twilight’s more unusual lifestyle as the Royal Protégé.

But now he was a physically mature dragon, things could get a little more complicated. Rarity had spoken to Twilight previously about dragon maturity, not being completely oblivious to how her actions may affect Spike. But Twilight explained dragon’s growth and physical maturity was based on greed and the amount they hoarded. Mental maturity was different, especially for Spike who was much more like a young colt than a young drake. There would be no real harm in his little infatuation.

But Spike had grown and matured, and it wasn't from greed or hoarding items, it was because of her. Of course this had saved everypony from a very tricky situation, but something niggled at the back of her mind. Rainbow had explained how she had to persuade Spike to return Rarity to Ponyville, who was at first hesitant. Have I somehow become part of his hoard? Does Spike now think of me as his to own? Afterall, he has been mostly just waiting outside for me. This could get a little tricky

But then she thought back to the brief moment they touched, and some of the looks that they had shared. The unicorn realised that he didn't see her as an object he owned, and his words certainly reflected that, but that he still really found her the object he may desire, but probably knew he could never have.

Having been awake for half the night, Rarity found herself thirsty and she looked over to the glass of water next to her in a weird way, before giving herself a facehoof “Of course, it won’t just come over to me. Spike may have got his magic, but I’ve lost mine…for now” she gulped at the end.

She got out of bed and awkwardly picked up the glass to drink, spilling a little as it had been a while since she had drunk the earth pony way. She grew a little frustrated, but then thought about Sweetie Belle - her sister was still having to cope without magic and if the foal could, Rarity thought that she could easily ‘rough it out’ until her magic returned.

She got back into bed and settled herself down, tiredness slowly taking over IF my magic returns was the last thought to go through her head as she fell asleep.

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

In a small house on the outskirts of town, a young white unicorn with a pink and purple mane was having trouble getting to sleep. Sweetie Belle was worried about the sister that she wanted to emulate, that she loved…that she idolised! The fact her sister was rushed to hospital was scary enough for the foal to think about, but when she first arrived to see Rarity in a drug induced sleep with all the machines around her, she was really frightened.

No-pony as young as her should have to worry like that.

But then she realised she was being foalish. Her sister was alive thanks to the action of her friends, and from what she had overheard about what had happened, it could have easily turned out a lot worse for her, Fluttershy and maybe the others. If it wasn't for Spike, who knows what would have happened.

But what was still of great concern for the foal was Rarity’s lack of magic. The unicorn knew what it was like to not be able to do magic, for she was starting to get a little too old herself not to be able to do basic spells. But for her sister to lose her magic must be awful, especially Rarity’s business relied on her gem finding and magic sewing skills.

Nopony knew how long it would take for Rarity’s magic to return, and despite nopony saying so there was a clear concern that it may never recover again. Sweetie stood up on her bed and looked out of the window at Luna's night “As Celestia and Luna as my witnesses, I will learn magic to help my sister through this!”

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

Rarity knew almost instantly that she wasn’t at the Grand Galloping Gala, and that this was clearly a dream. No, it wasn’t because she was using her magic to hold her drink. It wasn't because they were all talking to Canterlot Royalty and Prince Blueblood himself seemed to be singling her out. It wasn’t even because Pinkie Pie was just standing around without causing chaos by acting in the foal-like manner that her friends really loved about her.

No, it was Applejack, wearing a beautiful long flowing dress and having her mane and tail styled in a very feminine way with ribbons and gems. Of course Applejack could be stylish, and didn’t object to dressing nice for occasions, but this was clearly not how Applejack would want to look, or even how Rarity would want her to be. The farmer had her own style, and she made it work!

“Okay, what’s going on?” Rarity suddenly blurted out, causing everypony to look at her “I’m not sure what this is, but it isn’t real!”

Princess Luna then stepped forwards, as the rest of the dream came to a freeze “My apologies dear Ms Belle” the Alicorn spoke gently

Rarity instinctively bowed in front of Equestria’s newest Princesses, who they themselves had helped restore “Pri..Princess Luna. What are you doing here…wherever this is?”

“Raise Rarity, for this is your dreamspace and there is no need to bow”

“My Dreamspace? So I’m imagining you?”

“No dearest Rarity, I am projecting myself into your dreams”

“Why Princess?” Rarity replied in shock

“Well, I wanted to give you a perfect dream tonight. I sensed that you were sad and lonely, so I felt compelled to paint this wonderful dream for you!”

“I’m honoured, but there’s no need for that your Highness. I’m sure you have better things to do than worry about me.”

“Better things? You think I have better things to do than worry about the element of generosity?” Luna laughed. Rarity was surprised to see the Princess laugh how she did, much more relaxed than they had ever seen Celestia.

“I’m fine Princess, really.”

“Okay, I will leave you be, but pray do tell me…what gave away that this was a dream?”

“Pinkie Pie is never this calm!” Rarity half told the truth. She didn’t want to give away the main reason, just in case Luna tried this again.

“Oh, I see. Well, I haven't yet had a chance to properly find out about the heroes that saved me, nor indeed how ponies now act after a thousand years. All the more reason for me to come and visit soon!”

“We would be delighted to see you!” Rarity called out, as everything faded to black, as Rarity slept without dreams for the rest of the night.

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

The guards sat on the mountainside, the rain pounding on the canvas tents they were resting in. Of course the guards were more used to being in the comfortable barracks back in Canterlot than out in the battlefield, given peace had reigned for more than a thousand years. They weren't used to having to rough it, but somehow they felt a little more like an army by actually doing something rather than just being on show.

Of course they were notionally in charge of protecting the Princess, now Princesses, and their protégé. However, they could easily handle themselves better than the guards could, as shown by the whole Nightmare Moon incident, where the guards were useless and six fillies had saved the day.

But they were collectively starting to become determined to become a stronger force again, and all this waiting had meant that they were spending more time training. Already in just a day they had felt more battle ready than ever. The captains had met and agreed that they had all be slacking in their training, probably for decades, but the guard were eager to change and show everypony what they were.

When these Diamond Dogs showed themselves, they were determined to be ready!

Chapter 1 – Captured (Parts 1 & 2)

The others, and in particular Twilight, were getting very worried about Rarity and Spike. The pair had gone off first thing in the morning hunting for gems, and nopony had heard from them since. Unfortunately they had not advised where they were heading and nopony apart from the fashionista knew where the best gem mines where, so they had no idea to even where to begin searching.

The five of them were sat in Golden Oaks Library when suddenly Spike came through the door, collapsing to the floor as he did. Twilight rushed over to her number one assistant, and picked him up in her aura. He was blooded, bruised and beaten, and obviously tired from making his way back to town.

“Spike, what happened? Where’s Rarity?” Twilight asked

“Dogs…” was all Spike to muster to say, his voice indicating he was exhausted. Fluttershy brought over a glass of water, which she had put in a few ground leaves she had in her bag. Spike sipped the drink, and the water and herbs had an almost instant effect on his voice “Thanks Fluttershy…Rarity’s been abducted!”

“What?” the others cried out.

Spike explained that they were about 14 miles east of Ponyville, hunting for gems in the mountains, when they were suddenly confronted by five large dogs. They said they had seen the pair working together to get gems, and wanted to capture them so they could use them to gather gems for them.

“Rarity and I started fighting off the dogs, but they were much bigger and stronger then either of us. She was able to use her magic to fight them off, but couldn’t protect me at the same time. I was taking a number of bites and cuts from their teeth and claws, but nothing I couldn’t handle” the dragon looked down at his battered body, not sure if anypony was believing him.

“I told Rarity to get out of there, to leave me, but she wouldn’t abandon me. One of them then grabbed my be the throat, lifted me off the ground, and started choking me…”

Spike broke down at this point, and was being comforted by both Fluttershy and Pinkie. The other ponies had their hooves over their mouths at this tale of violence against such a young creature as their dragon friend. After a few moments, Spike regained a bit of composure and continued.

“I couldn't fight him off, and was starting to lose consciousness. I heard Rarity cry out for him to stop and she said she would go with them if they let me live. The dog dropped me to the ground…” Spike started crying some more “…and I watched helpless as Rarity was grabbed and carried off with them”

“Well girls, let’s go get her back” Rainbow Dash broke the silence that had fallen over the library

“Wait! No, we need to get backup first. From what Spike has said, these creatures seem to be dangerous, willing to kill for what they want.” Twilight ordered.

“There’s no time to wait for backup, Rarity needs us!” Rainbow snarled, and started flying towards the door.

Applejack grabbed the pegaus by the tail and yanked her back down to the ground “Hold on there sugarcube. I may not like it either, by Twi’s right. We don’t know anything about these creatures, how many they are…or what they are willing to do” the farmer gulped at the end. The five ponies just looked at each other – Nightmare Moon had put them in danger and the dragon could have attacked them, but these dogs seemed to be willing to kill all too quickly.

“Right. Girls, have a look for any book that may tell us more about these gem loving dogs whilst I write to the Princess for help. Twilight grabbed a quill and some parchment, and quickly penned a letter to the Princess. Spike managed to just about to squeeze out enough fire to send the letter, and then collapsed back down exhausted. After a very short time, they received a response, which Twilight read aloud

“Faithful Student, and Friends

It is indeed a most serious situation. I am arranging for three battalions of royal guards, some of mine and Luna’s finest, to be sent to Ponyville shortly.

However, a full out assault by the guards is likely to be very dangerous for Rarity, and must be a last result. It would also be wise for Luna and I to stay here in Canterlot. Diamond Dogs may not have magic, but I believe they would sense our arrival and not only put them on alert, but may cause them to do something foolish.

I fear it is up to you and your friends to rescue Rarity. Be warned, these animals are dangerous, in some respects more than any wild creature. For they are pack animals and intelligent like ponies, but they are greedy and remember the dark times when ponies were considered an expendable tool for other creatures to use. This is a highly dangerous combination.

The guards will be sent to the edge of the mountain and will await your commands, Twilight. If you also need me, of course I will come with no delay. But I fear stealth and cunning is what will save your friends, not raw power. Luckily, due to all of your connections of friendship to Rarity, your presence should go unnoticed by the Dogs senses until you are in sight.

I attach a list of books you should review before starting the rescue, which must wait till tomorrow. Dogs have better night vision than us and will be expecting an immediate response. If none comes tonight they will think Rarity is alone, and their guard will fall.

We await your news of a safe return of Rarity

Princess Celestia and Luna

“You heard the Princess” Pinkie was the first to speak “Lets grab those books and study”

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

The next morning, having read up on everything known about these Diamond Dogs, the five pony rescue party was being led by their baby dragon guide to where Spike last remembered they were.

On the edge of the mountain they were greeted by one of the Captains of the royal guard, although Twilight was disappointed it wasn’t Shining Armour. She had thought that the colt would have been the first pony to respond after hearing what had happened to his little dragon brother.

“Twilight Sparkle – Your brother sends his regrets but the Princess was worried that he would be too emotionally involved to be here.” The captain of the guard started, as if reading Twilights mind “As I think the Princess explained, only the six of you would be able to get close without the dogs knowing. But I doubt Shining would let you or Spike go in alone, so he was held back by the Princess…literally.”

The captain smiled a little “I probably should say this, but your brother was so insistent on coming it took the Princess and eleven guards to actually stop him…he really must care for you both”

“That’s why he’s my BBBFF! But family aside, what can you tell us?” Twilight got right back to the point, showing the leadership she always had.

“I’m afraid we haven’t been able to find out where they are exactly from our aerial scouts…we dare send over too many in case it arouses suspicion.”

“They will be back underground” Twilight responded “They won’t resurface for days in fear of an attack in response. But they will feel safe in their caves, and that will give us the element of surprise. Just make sure your guard is ready to respond if things don’t go to plan”

“We await your signal” the captain signed off with a bow.

As the five ponies, with Spike on Twilights back moved off, Fluttershy turned to Twilight “Why did the Captain bow you?” she asked

“Oh, that. Well, as the Princess Protégé I am technically treated by the guard as Royalty, just under the Princesses themselves. They have to protect me and do anything I say, as long as it’s not a counter-command to any of the three Princesses.”

“I never knew that…so couldn't you get them to help me around the farm?” Applejack laughed

“That would be an abuse of my power” Twilight laughed a response

“Oh, and ordering Shining to give you his hayfries, or half of his desert, at every family meal isn’t?” Spike questioned

“Not at all”

“Oh, whys that?” Rainbow asked

“Because he’s my big brother - He has to do what his little sister says anyway!”

The six friends trotted into the mountains, outwardly smiling and giggling but all worried about what lay ahead.

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

Spike had soon led them to where the fight took place, signs of the battle still on the ground and some of the stains of green dragon blood were still visible. Fluttershy and Applejack used their tracking and hunting skills to find and follow the trail of the five dogs. They worked out that Rarity had been carried by two of the dogs (there paw prints were deeper than the others, suggesting the extra weight). They knew they were on the right path as every so often they found a single Indigo hair.

“Rarity must have remembered to leave a trail. I’m glad she has remembered her training” Twilight mused, levitating a hair in front of her.

“What? When do you teach her that?” Pinkie asked

“As us unicorns aren’t as physical as you Earth and Pegasus ponies, we get taught at a young age some things to help us if we get foalnapped. Leaving trails, how to try to win over your captors etc”

“So, Rarity will be able to handle this then?” Rainbow asked

“The problem is, all the tricks that may work on a fellow pony, even an evil one like Nightmare Moon, aren’t likely to work with these creatures.”

The six picked up their pace, and soon came upon a cave entrance. They were a little surprised to find it unguarded, but then all pony knowledge of the canines suggested that after a few hours of no response, the dogs would think it was safe. Quietly, the friends ventured into the unknown...

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

The five ponies and dragon companion were slowly closing in to where they suspected Rarity to be. Twilight had used a very discrete finding spell to give a rough idea of where Rarity was – she couldn’t use too many spells or it may tip off the Diamond Dogs that a rescue was on it’s way

They were trotting through the caves in near darkness, when suddenly a group of dogs surrounded them and jumped on their backs. Applejack quickly bucked off the one on her back, with Rainbow Dash flying quickly to throw off hers. Twilight cast a repulsion spell to break some space round her, whilst Spike was throwing flames in all directions. Pinkie was just bouncing around, too quick for any of the dogs to actually get their paws on her.

The element of surprise was all the dogs thought they would need, but it was not so. Unlike the Earth ponies they had captured in the past, the unicorn they had captured the day before and this lavender one in front of them were too much for them to handle. The same was also true for the blue Pegasus, whose speed and flight had them at a disadvantage. The two earth ponies were also much quicker or stronger than anything they had fought before.

The tide of the fight was starting to turn in the ponies favour, not at least due to Spike. With his precious Rarity in danger, he was using his flames to hurt the dogs. He hadn’t caused any pain to any creature before, and he felt wrong doing so, but with the most beautiful pony in the land in trouble, he was feeling different than usual.

“Stop fighting, or this yellow one dies” one of the dogs suddenly screamed above the noise. The four other ponies looked over to see a sharp metal object against Fluttershy’s neck, the timid pony frozen in fear. Twilight took a split second to decide a plan.

“Girls, Spike, stop fighting, they’ll kill Fluttershy” she announced, discharging her glowing horn.

The three other ponies stopped for a second, looking over towards their unofficial leader. Noticing the seriousness in her eyes, they stopped fighting or moving

“That’s a good pony” The lead dog rasped “No fighting, nopony gets hurt”

Each pony was then grabbed by a large dog “Yesss…No fighting, no magicks, no fire” The lead dog hissed, pointing to Twilight and Spike at the end. “Else we hurt this one, and the white one”

A couple of dogs approached carrying lots of equipment, and dumped it to the floor. The dogs started putting saddles around the ponies, teaming up to overpower some of the resistance from the ponies. Rainbow and Fluttershys wings were forced painfully against there body’s by the saddles, making flying impossible.

The five then felt bridles being put around their heads and metal bits were forced into their mouths. There were some natural resistance from the ponies at this, but a few threats against Fluttershys safety soon got them all to comply. The bridles and saddles were tightened a little too hard and painfully, but the dogs didn’t seem to care if it hurt or not.

Spike meanwhile was being held by one of dogs, before another came up with a small cage. The Dragon was squeezed into the cage, and it was locked shut. The cage was clearly too small for the Dragon, with his tail and arms sticking out of the bars, but there was nothing him or any of his pony friends could do about it.

The dogs then put chains around the hooves of the ponies, long enough for the ponies to walk but not to go faster or to fight. Four of the dogs then mounted the ponies and they were ridden onwards. Fluttershy was being led with a knife still at her throat, with Spikes cage being placed on her back.

♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦---♦

Twilight looked over at her five friends worried about their mental state. Of course, if she wanted she could get these things off of her via a simple magic spell. But for her earth and pegasus friends, there would be no way of getting out of the binds – you needed either magic or nimble claws to undo the buckles. Perhaps a free mouth would do, but with bits in their mouths making grabbing anything impossible, basically the four were now helpless.

She expected Applejack and Rainbow to be suffering the most, being the two who would normally be in charge of protecting the others – this meant they could do something silly. Fluttershy had probably retreated mentally away from the situation, whilst anything could be going through Pinkie’s mind. Spike might be able to fight his way out, or help with his claws, but he wouldn’t do anything to risk Rarity or Fluttershy.

With growing worry about what her friends may do in fear or panic, the unicorn was torn. She could send a rescue beacon out, knowing that she could probably protect the six of them for long enough for help to arrive. But she still had no idea where Rarity was and the Princess warned against a full out attack.

She had to try to keep on top of the situation, but as they couldn't talk she thought about using a mind connection spell to comfort her friends. However, she knew she couldn’t risk the Dogs seeing her cast any spells. As she passed under a torch, she cast the spell as quickly as she could, taking every magical shortcut possible. She hoped her rider didn’t notice and was relieved that none of the dogs said anything – she guessed their eyesight couldn’t notice her very quick aura compared to the extra light from the torch.

Girls, can you hear me Twilight reached out with mind

Twilight, is that you? Rainbow replied first

Yes, I’ve created a mental connection between us. It may drop out every so often as I can only boost the spell when none of the dogs are looking

I’m scared Fluttershy meeped

Don’t be sugarcube, we’re all here for you!

Twilight, can’t you use your freaky magic to get us out of this? Rainbow asked

Yes, but if I do I worry about what will happen to Rarity. We’ll have to be patient until we find her

This dogs heavy Pinkie moaned I can’t bounce with him on my back

Is that all you can think about? Rainbow snarled

Well, I bet you’re thinking about how you can’t fly

How did you know that? Rainbow and Fluttershy responded in unison.

It’s pretty obvious Pinkie retorted

Girls. Focus! Applejack snapped We can all bicker when we get Rarity back

We were bickering, I’m sorry Fluttershy responded.

Twilight was glad to hear (or was that think) her friends were being their usual selves Fluttershy. I promise nothing bad will happen to you. I can protect us, we just need to wait

With that the connection dropped, and the five ponies trudged on in silence. After what seemed like an entirety at the slow hard journey, the ponies were guided into a large chamber, where they saw Rarity for the first time…