Prologue: Before The Storm
How can one depict Spike The Dragon? A lovable, handsome, young gentledrake that has developed the personality of a pony? That's how most would describe him, and no one can blame them. Most of that is true, yet what if we went further into the depths of his personality? Some say there's nothing else to be found there, well I say otherwise. Let's take a look into the life of the dragon so far.
Unexpected Turns and Twists
"You got all that, Spike?" Twilight said while carrying a list of preparations that is needed for a trip to Canterlot. Spike was busily scouring the library looking for the supplies that Twilight needed. Of course, the list consisted of many books and scrolls, and few arcane artifacts she had gathered over the years. They usually give her confidence while she is conjuring a spell, and she has always kept them by her side as much as possible. Spike didn't care much for them, however they did look a lot like gemstones. That fact alone was able to catch his eye. However, upon tasting them, Spike found that his eyes played tricks on him and the horrific taste in his mouth was punishment enough.
"Yep, just got the last book." He said while quickly adding the book in his hand to the small pile he created in front of him.
"Good job, Spike. Now all that's left is to wait for the chariot to come by." Twilight sat down with one of her own personal books that she didn't keep in the library shelves. As easy as it was for her to pass the time with her own book, Spike was still wondering about the trip to Canterlot.
"Twilight?" Spike questioned.
"Hmm? What is it, Spike?" She said, her eyes still locked on the book in front of her.
"Don't you find it strange that Celestia wants you to go to Canterlot ALONE? I mean, she even said not to bring any of our friends, let alone tell them anything about this trip. You don't find that one bit of strange?" Spike looked at her quizzically
"It's Princess Celestia, I'm sure it's some sort of business she can't tell anypony. I wouldn't blame her if she didn't even tell Luna."
"But-" Spike was interrupted by the sound of flapping wings and wheels rolling.
"Looks like the escort is here. I have to go, Spike. Remember, keep the library under control, and make sure to feed Owlicious!" She said while trotting over to the door.
Spike quickly followed her to the door opening it while gathered her things in her saddlebag. She took a few steps out the door, sighting the small chariot being pulled by two golden-plated pegasi. She looked back at Spike, who was waving to her from the doorway of the library. She waved back and went inside the carriage, soon taking flight afterwards. Spike went back inside.
The sun was just rising, and Spike was growing quite bored. Twilight was gone and he was going to milk this opportunity as much as possible. With Twilight gone, he had freedom to do anything. He went to the bedroom that he and Twilight shared together and went over to his small basket that he slept in. He moved it to the side and revealed a loose wooden board that would move with little resistance. He opened it to reveal a small stash of gemstones that he kept for just such an occasion. There were all sorts of gems there, from rubys to sapphires to even a few crystals he had snagged from the Crystal Empire.
He grabbed a dozen stones with his tail and went back downstairs to the small couch. He set the gems on the couch and went over to the bookshelves to find a good book to read in order to pass the time. Of course the only book he would ever read would be the Daring Do series, any other books were too boring to read.
Oh yeah, we just got the new Daring Do book yesterday. I remember Rainbow telling me about it, and how 'awesome' it is. I swear, I think that's the only word she describes stuff with. Minus well read it, I've already read all the other ones. He grabbed the ladder on the side and pulled it to where the book was. He climbed up and grabbed the book, putting in under his arm and climbing back down the ladder. He went over to the couch and sat down, grabbing a gemstone and lobbing it into his mouth. He opened up the hard cover book and went to reading.
Daring Do and The Quest for The Haunted Onyx
Chapter One
The trek through the jungle had been a hard one for Daring Do, but she knew she must go on for the treasures ahead were worth all the effort. After resting on a nearby rock, she got up and walked over the temple that was overhead. The front of the temple was shaped in a small patterns that ran up to the top of the temple which ended in a pyramid. There was a small statue that resembled an ancient pony looking towards the sun. The flooring in front of the temple resembled the walls in a similar way, yet they had a different pattern. Along with the different patterns, it was also tiled and seemed to have small drawings on each tile.
Daring went to the doorway of the temple, quickly getting stopped as she pressed her hoof against one of the tiles of the flooring. The way into the temple was slowly being closed by a wall that was coming down from the door. Daring knew she had to enter the temple before the door closed. She galloped with all her strength to the entrance. She quickly slid under the wall, barely getting her head through. She- Spike's reading was interrupted as he realized he ran out of gems.
He went upstairs to refill his stock, until midway up the stairs, he heard a knocking at the door. Aw, I forgot to change the open sign to closed! I wonder who it is.
Spike went back down the stairs and walked towards the door. He opened it to reveal Fluttershy holding a small basket in her mouth. She put the basket down.
"Oh, hello, Spike. Is Twilight here?" Fluttershy said while looking towards him.
Shoot, Twilight told me not to tell anyone about her trip! Aw, it's Fluttershy though, I can't lie to her. This was bound to happen anyway, I guess. "Err, she's not here, Fluttershy. She went to Canterlot on... Royal business." Spike rubbed the back of his head while giving a nervous smile.
Fluttershy looked sad. "Oh, that's too bad."
Spike looked at her confused. "What happened, Fluttershy?"
"Oh, it's nothing. It's just that, I needed her to come with me through the Everfree Forest to pick some herbs to feed my animals."
"How come you need her?"
"Well, she has magic. She can repel any wild creatures that try to attack. Yet, since she had to leave and all, I can't go get the herbs now. I need them for medicine too..."
"Um... How about I come with you? I have nothing else to do anyway." Spike tried to cheer her up by smiling.
"Really? I don't know, Spike. Are you sure you're okay with it?" She put a smile on her face, which relieved Spike.
"Of course, Fluttershy. It's perfectly fine. Besides, I wouldn't want you going into the Everfree by yourself. I know what it's like..." Spike remembered the time when he had gotten saved by Applejack from those timber wolves that attacked him and how he went crazy trying to serve Applejack.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! You don't know how much this means to me." She hugged Spike, which made him blush in turn.
"I-it's alright, Fluttershy. It's what friends do, right?" Fluttershy let go of Spike and turned to head out the door.
"Alright, are you ready to head out?" She waited by the door for the dragon to prepare.
"Sure, let's go." He left the library, accompanying Fluttershy. He locked the door of the library and started on his way to the Everfree, along with Fluttershy.
The two were casually talking about different things, from animals to different types of gemstones and anything in between. Fluttershy wasn't acting at all shy. It was something about being with Spike that brought out her inner confidence. She had always felt this way ever since he first moved to Ponyville. Their bond became closer over time and she couldn't help, but feel something for him, and she enjoyed every second of being with him.
"Hey, Fluttershy."
"Yes, Spike?" Fluttershy said while they were walking.
"You go with Rarity a lot to the spa, right?"
"Yes..."
"What do you guys talk about there? Besides gossip, and stuff like that."
"Oh, just... Um... Mare stuff." Fluttershy tried to avoid the topic.
"Mare stuff? Like what?" Spike looked at her in confusion.
"Well... Personal stuff. Like mane styling and our crushes- OOP!" Fluttershy covered her mouth before she could say more.
"Crushes?! Wait, Fluttershy, you have a crush on somepony?" Spike looked at her in awe. He didn't think the small, timid pegasus was interested in anypony.
"Um... I... Err.... Eek..." She was now completely covering her face in her hooves.
"Aw, come on, Fluttershy. You can tell me, I'm the master at keeping secrets. I'll tell you who my crush is!" Spike was eager to hear her answer.
Can I really just come out and tell him? What if he rejects me? How will our friendship be afterwards? Fluttershy thought.
"O-ok..." She said as low as possible.
"What was that? Didn't hear you." He got a bit closer to Fluttershy, who pulled her hooves from her face.
"I said ok..." Fluttershy repeated, this time a bit louder.
"Yes! Alright, Fluttershy, I'm all ears." Spike was now sitting by Fluttershy, who was still hesitant about admitting her crush.
"Um..." Fluttershy was now blushing fiercely, and Spike looking at her was just contributing to it.
"Don't worry, Fluttershy, you can trust me." Spike smiled warmly at her. "I won't tell anypony." Right then, the sun shined on Spike at just the right angle, making the scales on his body shine. Fluttershy watched him and blushed, emitting a small, inaudible gasp at how amazing he looked.
"M-my crush is..." Fluttershy blushed more than before. "My crush is..."
Right then, Spike heard his stomach rumble, and he felt a belch of flame coming. He aimed away from Fluttershy obviously and belched out the flames, leaving behind a letter in it's wake.
"Err... Hold that thought, Fluttershy." He picked up the letter and opened it to see what the princess had sent him.
When opened up the letter, he expected there to be some words about some sort of royal business. Yet, the letter was blank. Completely blank. Just a white sheet outlined by the gold markings. Why would they send Spike a blank letter?
"There's nothing in here..." Spike was curious as to why he had gotten a blank letter. Could it be somepony playing a prank on him? No, that's impossible. The letter had the royal seal of the princess on it, indicating she personally sent it herself. Maybe she sent it by accident. Whatever happened would have to be dealt with later. Right now, he needed to finish helping out Fluttershy with whatever she needed.
"Sorry about that, Fluttershy. Where were we?" Spike lost his train of thought.
Fluttershy knew this was he chance to avoid telling him her secret. She can't tell him about her crush yet. "Oh, we were just discussing... Err... Gemstones!"
"Oh yeah. Hey, Fluttershy, what's your favorite kind of gem?" Spike was completely oblivous to what they were saying earlier.
Fluttershy sighed in relief. "I've always admired rubys a lot, but sapphires are more prettier to me."
"Same, but I really don't care about their looks, I care more about their taste. Man, I could go for some gems right now." Spike started dreaming about all sorts of different jewels. He started drooling and Fluttershy giggled a bit.
"Well, after we finish up in the forest, I'll give you some gems to snack on. We should get going before it gets too late." Spike nodded.
Canterlot, half an hour before
Back in Canterlot, Twilight had just arrived at the town terrace and made her way to Canterlot Castle. She admired the scenery, of course, being away from her hometown for so long. She remembered how she grew up here with Shining Armor and Spike, who was still barely a hatchling. She remembered all the frustrations it took to take care of him and how Shining Armor would always have to help her. Looking back now, she cherished those memories.
Wasting no time, she made her way to the castle as fast as she could. She was not going to be tardy any time soon. As she arrived at the castles exterior, she said hello to the guards, as they opened up the gates for her to enter. She trotted inside and headed to the throne room on the second floor. As she rounded the stairs and headed for the large doors, she noticed there weren't any guards on either side of the door.
"Well, that's strange. Why are there no guards at their posts? Did they ditch? I thought Shining would have trained his soldiers to be more disciplined than that..." Sensing that something was wrong, Twilight crept up to the doors of the throne room. She opened it as slowly as possible, for the feeling of dread was slowly rising inside her.
A few hours before, at an unknown location
"Ah, with the God of Chaos and the Queen of the Changelings at my disposal, everything is going according to plan... Now nothing can stop me from getting rid of that damn dragon. He will pay dearly..." An unknown figure said with a deep, baritone voice that can pierce through anypony's soul. "And capturing his little friends will surely break him."
Present Time
Twilight opened the door to the throne room and stepped inside, finding it completely pitch dark. Why is it so dark in here? She lit up her horn, only to illuminate the immediate area around her. The light only reached a few inches in front of her and the feeling of dread was growing much larger.
Twilight took a few steps, until she heard a snap in front of her. Before she could investigate what it was, some form of magic hit her on the back of the head and last thing she remembered was falling to the floor.
Back in the Everfree forest, Spike and Fluttershy were picking herbs from nearby bushes.
"Is this the one, Fluttershy?" Spike said as he pulled out a small plant that had a sort of greenish glow to it.
"Yes, that's it. Just put it in the basket, Spike." Fluttershy said while pulling out some of the same plants herself.
"Whatever you say." He went over to the basket and threw the plant inside. "How much more of this stuff do you need?"
"Zecora said this plant lasts a long time after being picked, so I should only need about a dozen of it."
"Looks like I have to get to scavenging." He then started searching some more bushes nearby. Fluttershy started searching the same bushes the other side of where he was.
They both went through all the bushes in no time, picking more than enough herbs that Fluttershy needed.
"I think I have enough, Spike. Let's go home." Fluttershy grabbed the basket and signaled for Spike to follow her. He went to her side and they started their trek back to Ponyville.
They quickly got out of the forest, wanting to avoid any encounters with any of the dangerous animals.
"Thank you so much for helping me, Spike. I really should get home now."
"Here, Fluttershy, I'll walk you home." Spike smiled at her.
"Aw, Spike. You don't need to do that." Fluttershy just wanted to scream "YES!" at that offer.
"I insist, Fluttershy." He ran to her side.
"Oh, alright, if you really want to." She then set off for her cottage, with Spike following along.
The Everfree Forest was right by Fluttershy's cottage, so the walk over didn't take very long. After about a good four minutes, Fluttershy and Spike made it back to Fluttershy's cottage. They walked over to the door and opened it, stepping inside and turning around to say good bye to Spike.
"Thank you SO much for walking me home, Spike." Fluttershy smiled at him and he smiled back.
"No problem, Fluttershy. I should really g-" Spike was interrupted as Fluttershy gave him a quick peck on the cheek and closed the door. She ran inside giggling while she left Spike on the other side of the door blushing.
What was that? She just kissed me on the cheek... Spike started rubbing the cheek he got kissed on. Does she? No, she was probably just being nice. Aw, buck! I gotta get home! Spike ran as fast as he could back to Ponyville, still keeping the kiss fresh in his mind.
