In a deep forest was hidden a small, but insignificant looking, camp that was deathly quiet. Not a sound could be heard from the tents that surrounded the campfire, only the occasional chirp of a cricket or croak of a frog could be heard. Although suddenly the camps established silence was interrupted by a faint rustling from inside one of the tents. At first, it was barely a shuffle, but then turned into a loud rustling.

When the tent finally opened, it revealed a black pegasus mare wearing a hastily put on white cloak. She looked barely old enough to be considered a mare, and walked with a sort of childish pride. As silently as she could, the young mare walked away from her camp and towards the forest. After a couple minutes of walking, the mare finally stopped, and after a few minutes of searching, found a comfortable spot under a nearby tree. While the mare enjoyed the peaceful silence of the forest as she looked up into the night sky.

As her gaze finally settled onto the moon, she gave the silhouette on its surface a warm but sad smile.

"I'ts been a while hasn't it." The young mare said to the heavenly body. "I'm sorry we haven't talked for so long. It's just that my training has been taking a lot of my energy, so I haven't been able to sneak out much. But it has been fun though." Her smile faded into a neutral frown. "I saw you again tonight." Her eyes started to tear up a little as she recalled her dream. "You, me, and Dad were home. Enjoying another summer night." The mare chuckled a little. "I remember how Dad would stoke the fireplace on nights like that. You always told him that it was too warm during the Summer to light a fire, but he would just say he felt a nip in the air. I even remember how you always called me your shadow." The young pegasus yawned before slowing getting up. "Sorry, but I've got to go. Sleep's calling my name."

As she started walking back to her campsite, the mare could smell wood and canvas burning. She quickened her pace, causing her walk to turn into a trot as her worried mind turned fearful. When she started getting close to the camp, she could see orange and red illuminating the forest. But when she finally broke into the clearing, her fears were fully realized. Her entire camp had been engulfed in a hellish fire. Each tent emitting the smell of burnt flesh. She even saw a couple of her friends bodies lying still on the ground, lifeless and broken.

She heard some shuffling behind her, and before she knew it, she flicked her forelock, the blade on her foreleg sliding out of its sheathe. Before the mare knew it, she had spun around and drove her blade into the pony behind her. But her eyes had grown wide at realization, only for her to let out a deafening scream as she had added one more to the death toll.

Lunar Shade jerked forward, panting heavily from the memory. She was slightly sweating from what she had re-experienced, but was able to calm herself down. When she had finally put herself into a calm state, Lunar Shade realized that someone was whistling a catchy and lively tune from the kitchen. She slowly made her way towards the kitchen, noticing that the pony whistling the tune was about as old as a colt. But when she made her way to the kitchen, she was a bit surprised to find a baby purple dragon making breakfast. She was even more surprised to see said dragon wearing a frilly pink apron while doing so.

Her silent stare lasted a few more moments until the dragon finally noticed her curious stare. Turning his head, he expected his closest friend walking in with her nose in a book, but was shocked to find a black pegasus staring at him. But what she said next just confused and terrified him.

"mel'nakit, ghergo darastrix." Shade said with a warm smile.

To anyone that observed this, the situation would seem a little awkward for the pony and dragon. While the black mare had a soft, but waning, smile, the dragon seemed as though he would bolt for the nearest door at any moment. But the situation had immediately disappeared when a certain lavender Alicorn walked into the kitchen.

The dragons eyes grew as wide as plates when he saw the Alicorn, bolting towards her at an amazing speed. "Twilight!" The dragon shouted as he wrapped said mare in a hug, only to feel both fabric and the usual warmth of the lavender mare. "What happened to you?!"

Twilight looked down at her assistant with a caring smile. "I'll tell you later Spike, but first, I want you to meet somepony." She gestured towards Lunar Shade with a welcoming hoof. "Spike, this is Lunar Shade. She'll be staying with us until she can find her own place to live. And Lunar Shade, this is Spike. My number one assistant and closest friend." Twilight said as she ruffled the green frills on Spikes heads.

"Oh, okay. Sup then." Spike said, meeting Lunar Shades outstretched hoof with a closed fist. "As long as you don't sneak up on me like you did, we're cool."

Lunar Shade nodded in agreement with the young dragon as she took a seat at the table, but was slightly spooked by a deep growl from her stomach. This caused a light chuckle to emanate from Twilight.

"I guess I haven't eaten since we left." Shade said with a sheepish smile.

"I guess we could all get something to eat."

"But Twilight, I could just make you something." Spike suggested, more for him wanting to cook for Twilight than for anything else.

"It's alright Spike, it's my treat." Twilight said, her horn glowing a deep purple. "I'll be back in a flash" And with a literal flash, the lavender mare was gone.

Left with nothing to do, Spike decided to strike up a conversation with Lunar Shade.

"Soooo, how did you meet Twilight?" Spike asked.

"After she was done with her mission, she tripped and fell on a nearby branch, cutting herself. Luckily I was passing by and was able to give her some medical aid. I observed her for three days before deeming she was fit enough to return home But when I heard her stories of Ponyville, I thought it might be a good idea to open an apothecary shop here." Lunar Shade lied, cooly reciting the alias she had imagined.

"Cool. But I was wondering..." Spike said, his expression becoming very curious. "What did you say to me?"

"You don't know draconic?" Shade asked, a little confused why Spike didn't know his own language.

"What's that?" He asked innocently.

"It's the native language of all dragons." Shade sighed. "All dragons know it."

"All dragons?"

"All dragons. I've never met a dragon that doesn't know it."

Spike furrowed his brow as he thought about her answer. Since he was raised by ponies, he didn't know a lot about dragon culture. But after the dragon migration, he wanted to know all about it, but he didn't want Twilight to know. He knew she would start getting worried that he might repeat what happened at the migration, so he kept his studies a secret. But most bools he found about dragons said they were hostile and dangerous, but surely that wasn't the case. He wanted to know more, and the answer to his questions was sitting right across from him. All he needed to do was ask.

"Do you think, I don't know, teach me draconic?" Spike asked, hoping she would say yes.

The only answer he got was Lunar Shade knitting her brow in concentration, but eventually spoke. "I could, but I must warn you, draconic is a difficult language to learn. I've met ponies that have payed for failing to learn draconic. They are never in a 'pleasant' state." Shade said. "Are you sure you want to learn this language?"

"I want to learn not just about dragons, but myself." Spike replied honestly. "I want to learn about what kind of dragon I am, and what my culture is like. Books by ponies don't tell me that. And Twilight wouldn't even let me out of her sight if I tried to travel to where other dragons are. I've kept my curiosity a secret, but I want to learn. Will you teach me?"

Lunar Shade smiled warmly at the young dragon. "I see you're determined about this. So, I'll teach you."

"Thank you." Spike said as a large grin split across his face. "Just don't tell Twilight."

"Tell her what?" Shade said innocently.

"Exactly."

The two unofficial friends chatted for a few more minutes before the kitchen was engulfed with a purple flash of light. When their eyes readjusted, Twilight was standing before them with a welcoming smile on her face.

"Hello there. Sorry I took so long." Twilight said as she walked towards the table. "I was able to buy some food at Sugarcube Corner, but I wasn't able to get a doggy bag. Our breakfast is waiting for us over there, so all I need to do is teleport the three of us there."

Both Lunar Shade and Spike nodded as they got out of there seats and walked over to Twilight.

"Alright, here we go." Twilight said. With another flash, the trio were gone.

The inside of Sugarcube corner was pitch black, causing Lunar Shade to tense up as her assassin instincts started to kick in. Before she could do anything, the lights were turned on and a chorus of ponies uttered a single word in a joyous cacaphony.

"SURPRISE!!!!"

Author's Note

Been a while, hasen't it. I've been a bit preoccupied but I finally found out how to start this. And your probably wondering how I know draconic. I actually found a translator online that helped me, I'll put it in the next chapter. But on another note, I personally think starting the chapter with a dream was a smart move. Tell me what you guys think. And remember, like, fave, and follow!