Dangerous Dog and Pony Show

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!

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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.

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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.

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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.