With a Blaze

Re-Encounter

"Spike." an agitated voice called "Wake up"

"Can't you let a dragon sleep?" Spike asked drowsily.

"Not if we want to stay on schedule." she answered "Come on, we have a day of studying."

Everything had gone back into it's usual routine after Spike received the necklace. Twilight would either study or leave with her friends and rarely invite Spike. He still went to help Rarity but started cutting back in fear of eating her gems. They may have lacked luster but he was still hungry and they were food.

At least it's just us he thought as he watched her study.

-Buzz-

"What was that?" Spike asked.

"What was what? Twilight asked into her book.

"TWILIGHT!" a hyper pink mare shouted "SOMETHING HAPPENED!"

"Pinkie, how did you get in here?" Twilight asked in surprise.

"No time!" Pinkie answered "It's Gummy and I need you."

"What's wrong?" Twilight asked "What can I do?"

"I need you to attend his party." Pinkie answered with joy. The pink Earth pony began bouncing around throwing streamers.

"A... party?" The purple mare was confused "Why?"

"Gummy grew his first tooth!" Pinkie answered in unrivaled joy "I'm so proud."

"So you decided to throw Gummy a 'First Tooth' party." Twilight spoke a matter-of-fact tone

"No, that would be silly." Pinkie spoke with a wave of her hoof "I'm throwing him a renaming party."

"Renaming?" Spike asked "Why does he need a new name?"

-Buzz-

There it is again! For some reason the mares didn't seem to notice.

"He can't be Gummy with teeth!" Pinkie answered as if it were obvious.

"Did you name him Gummy just so you throw this party?" Spike asked skeptically "And isn't pretty early in the morning for a party?"

"The better question is when will I get to throw this type of party this early again?" Pinkie asked "So are you coming?"

"Pinkie, it's very early in the morning and..." she looked into Pinkie's hope filled eyes "Well..." the Unicorn thought on it "I am head in my studies."

"YES!" Pinkie bounced in joy "Let's go."

"Spike take care of the library!" Twilight managed to say as the pink Earth pony grabbed the purple Unicorn and dashed off. They were gone in a pink blur leaving the purple dragon in the library.

Alone.

-Buzz-

What is that noise!?

The purple dragon had sat in isolation as the time passed, it had been hours. He knew how long Pinkie's parties could last and knew not to expect Twilight for awhile. So he sat there sulking instead of cleaning.

He was tired of cleaning.

-Buzz-

He was also tired of that buzzing noise! It had been going constantly and only got louder.

-Knock-knock-

The baby dragon went to answer the door and was shocked. Spike's green eyes met a pair of ruby reds.

"You!" Spike shouted.

It was the black and red dragoness Spike had met a few weeks ago. She stood in front of the door staring down at the baby dragon in curiosity.

"Yes, me." she replied amused

"What are you doing here?" Spike asked nervously

"I'm here for you hatch-ling." she answered. "You didn't answer my calls."

"What calls?" Spike asked "How did you find me?" He tried looking around her "Has any pony seen you?"

"No." she answered "Would that be bad?"

"Very!" Spike answered hastily "Come inside!"

"I'm a bit... to large for these doors." she stated with a small chuckle "I have a better idea." she spoke getting a mischievous look in her eyes "You come with me."

She never gave Spike a chance to reply. The black dragoness grabbed Spike in her claws and took to the skies.

"What the hay are you doing?" Spike asked in fear as he got a glimpse of the ground.

"Don't worry." she spoke "We're above the clouds so none of the ponies will see us."

"Why are you pony napping me?" Spike asked

"I'm not." she answered "I'm dragon napping you."

"That doesn't make me fill any better!" Spike snapped

"It wasn't supposed to hatch-ling." she admitted bluntly "Just correct you."

At least the buzzing stopped. The thought didn't make him feel any better.

The dragoness had flew them all the way to her den, Spike's former haven. She dropped him off and landed inside the cave near the waterfall.

Before he could ask any questions on the dragoness mental state, a sparkle stopped him. It was a gem-No it was a hoard of gems. Spike had never seen this many gems since the Everfree dragon's hoard.

"Give me a moment hatch-ling and I will free you." she stated making a her way to him.

"Free me?" Spike asked backing away "From what?"

"From those ponies." she stated, as if obvious.

"But I am free." the baby protested.

"I don't think so." The dragoness pointed to the necklace Zecora gave him "Last I checked, those who wear collars are pets."

Spike was starting to understand, he wasn't liking it. "I wear this necklace of my own free will" Spike growled "I don't wan't them to know how I really..."

"You are... ashamed of what you are?" She asked in disgust "Is that why you let them shackle your true form with Zebra magic?"

"I... wait, how did you know what I look like?" Spike asked tensely as he stared at her still form "You knew what would happen didn't you?"

"I am a dragoness" she answered in a amused tone "I saw that you were being stunted from eating only gems and pony food." She continued "I gave you the meat so that you could be free of that form and those ponies."

"You're crazy!" Spike shouted "Those ponies are my friends, Ponyville is my home." he gave her a sharp glare "When I changed I put them in danger because of you!" he pointed at the dragoness "I could have hurt Twilight or one of her friends."

"Her friends?" The dragoness asks.

"T-They're my friends too!" He spoke.

"They use you!" the dragoness countered "I've been watching you hatch-ling."

"...You have?" Spike asked uncomfortably "How long?"

"Long enough to know that they leave you alone, a lot." she answered "To know they don't say thank you as often as they should." she pointed to his enchanted necklace "To know that they collar you like a pet."

"They don't." He tried to deny, but she didn't listen.

"The purple one has used you for labor." The dragoness stated.

"She...I...I'm her assistant!" He reasoned.

"So is the owl." She countered "Does the Unicorn use it for her magical experiments."

"...No."

"The Rainbow and Pink ones humiliates you." She continued "A lot."

"Friends prank each other." Spike responded.

"And then forgets them?" She asks.

"...No."

"The White one..." She was cut off.

"Do. Not. Bring. Rarity. Into. This!" Spike hissed, all deep fear gone.

"...The yellow one fears you."

That one hurt Spike "And the Orange one?" He asked trying to speed her along.

"You tell me."

Spike thought he had the advantage for this one. "We barely...even...talk." How wrong he was.

"You see?" She asks

"I'm not a pet!" Spike shouted angrily as he continued flailing his arm "Twilight may not be a dragoness but she's still family to me." he pointed to his necklace "I wear this necklace, this collar, so I don't hurt them."

The dragoness gazed into Spike's eyes as is she was searching for something. A hint of doubt or even a sign of regret. When she didn't find it, she lowered her head in shame.

"Hatch-ling, I...have caused you a grave insult." the dragoness admitted.

"My name is Spike." He stated.

"I know hatch-ling."

They sat in silence for a few minutes until it was broken, by Spike's stomach. The baby dragon turned his head from embarrassment while she gave from him an amused look.

"Hungry?" she asked

"I'm always hungry." Spike whispered without thinking.

"I know." she answered "What are you in the mood for?" she asked looking around "A bear, beaver or..."

"Gems" Spike stated firmly "Gems only."

"Well." she drawled "Let's find some." Spike's eyes turned to the hoard "Some that aren't mine."

She grabbed him by his legs and took off into the air. Spike had the suspicion that she enjoyed his fear of heights.

"Here we are hatch-ling." she spoke.

Spike didn't need her to announce it, he could smell the gems in the area.

They were near the area he and Rarity used to gem hunt. They never returned after the Diamond dog incident. From the looks of it the Diamond dogs had been taking advantage of that. There were holes from their digging everywhere.

"The Diamond dogs will be back soon." she warned "Eat now, I'll return shortly." she took off in a hurry.

Spike didn't know what to do so he began digging in a spot where he smelled gems. He found a decent pile and began munching away in peace.

He never noticed the dragoness' return.

He did notice her tongue across his back.

The feeling of her tongue caused him to shudder. He was beginning to get used to the moist, warm sensation. Once his shock was over he jumped to his feet only to slip. He looked up to the female dragon's amused eyes.

"I see you're enjoying the gems." she spoke "Full yet?"

"Yes." he lied.

"Do not ever lie to me." she spoke in a calming tone

She reached behind herself, out of Spike's vision, and pulled something. There was a wet tearing sound as she finished pulling. It was meat, a large piece of dead boar.

"Want some?" she asked as the drool fell from his mouth.

"N-no." he answered "Gems are fine."

"I told you never to lie to me hatch-ling." she spoke calmly.

She held the meat and bit into it dramatically. Spike watched as the meat disappeared into her maw. They didn't break eye contact. Another piece was torn away from the boar, and then another, until it was gone.

Almost.

There was one piece of the boar left, the heart.

Spike watched as she slowly reached for the boar, never breaking eye contact. With a light pull the heart came free of the ribs.

"A hungry dragon will have a pitiful blaze." she spoke "Eat."

She wanted him to eat and Spike definitely wanted to eat.

No, don't give in. "I'm not hungry..." Spike forced out "For meat."

"Are you sure?" she asked amused

Don't give in. "Yes."

"Fine." She stated no longer telling him not to lie.

Slowly, painfully slowly, she raised the heart to her mouth.

Don't give...

"It's going to be delicious."

Don't...give...

She opened her mouth.

Don't...

"WAIT!" Spike cried, he tried to close his mouth as soon as he opened it.

Too late, the word was out and the food was gone. The dragoness only gave Spike an amused look. He tried not to look at her but her gaze burned into him.

She placed Spike into the palm of her hand and walked toward the woods. Spike said nothing as she carried him.

They stopped in the middle of the woods, it was pretty empty. Not completely, there were animals, just no ponies.

"What are we doing here?" Spike asked looking around.

The dragoness said nothing as she placed Spike down.

She moved several paces from the baby dragon in slow strides. When she finally stopped she stayed completely still, as did Spike. With a flick of the rear her tail flew into the bush.

There was a short cry of pain then silence. When she retracted her tail there was something on it.

His eyes narrowed in on the crimson stain on the dragoness' tail. Spike could smell it, the coppery tint in the air. He didn't need to be told what it was, instinct took care of it.

Blood.

He was drawn to it.

Spike hesitantly walk forward. He tried to fight it, but his body wasn't listening.

When he was within arms reach, the dragoness growled. This froze Spike's every muscle on the spot.

The dragoness waved the blood stained tail seductively in front of Spike's face. He could smell the warm liquid as it beckoned for him.

He wanted it so badly.

The dragoness brought her tail to her face and coiled her tongue around it. She washed the blood all off slowly forcing Spike use his self-restraint so he wouldn't lunge for a taste.

And to keep his spines down.

Spike made his way toward her. She eyed him as he eyed her muzzle, though they had different intents.

Spike began to lean in to her face, which was about the size of his body. The smell was too much for the baby dragon, he couldn't resist.

Hesitantly, he began to lick her maw. The taste of blood sent in into a familiar trance, he couldn't stop.

Soon the little blood that was left was gone, but Spike didn't stop. There was something else, something just as divine.

No, it was better.

It was her!

He could actually taste her. It was as if she was the core flavor to every gem he'd eaten. He didn't want to stop, just-

He wanted more!

That was the only way he could describe it.

"Careful hatch-ling." She spoke waking him up. "Don't start what you can't finish."

Spike was confused until he saw her motion to her back. Like him, her spines were standing up.

"Hungry?" she asked again getting a silent nod from Spike "Then eat."

Before Spike could ask what she was talking about, it came.

A bear, only half grown and angry. Spike saw blood pouring from it's shoulder as it glared in their direction.

"You want me to eat a bear?" Spike asked in disbelief "How, it's still alive!"

"Either it becomes your meal." she spoke "Or you become it's."

With nothing else to say the dragoness began to take to the sky. She was high enough for the bear to lose sight, but she could still see them. The bear gave the baby dragon a fierce roar before charging on all fours.

Before Spike could comprehend what was happening the bear struck. The blow was powerful on the baby dragon's small form. It sent him flying into a tree with a hard impact.

Even with his tough scales he was hurt, he was protected not invincible.

The bear took a second swing at Spike. It's claw grazed the scales on his neck knocking away the necklace.

Pain.

That's all Spike knew. It was the pain of his body transforming, again. His body seemed to explode into it's slightly larger form in mere seconds. For spike, it felt like hours.

When it was done he stood on all fours.

I should run! Was the though going through Spike's head.

But he didn't, he couldn't.

The bear had attacked him, hurt him. Spike couldn't-No, wouldn't allow such...disrespect. He was a dragon and a they took 'A burn for a burn literally'.

Spike glared at the wounded bear and roared. The bear backed away in fear, it seemed to know what it was up against.

A dragon.

But there was a chance.

Spike was small in height and size. At two legs, he would be equal to a mare like Fluttershy in height. If he were on all four, he'd be equal to a filly. This equaled to youth, which also equaled to inexperience.

The bear stood and gave another roar in an attempt to scare Spike.

It didn't work.

Spike charged forward and dug his claws into the bears hide. Using his momentum he continued on and pushed the bear into a tree.

Desperate, the bear struck Spike on the side of his head. This caught the dragon off guard giving the bear a chance to act. It raised itself to it's full height and brought it all down on Spike.

This knocked the dragon onto it's back exposing himself. The bear never stopped, it was on Spike in a second. It wrapped it's mouth over Spike's exposed neck and began to squeeze.

Thanks to Spike's scales the teeth did nothing to hurt the dragon. The power in the bear's mouth, however was causing Spike's throat to close, blocking all air.

Not. Like. This! Was all Spike could think.

Using his new claws, he grabbed the bears neck and squeezed. The bear was forced to release Spike as it's own breathing became difficult.

Spike took this chance to take a deep breath...

And release it.

The small red flames covered a large part of the bear's side. Thanks to Spike's claw, the bear could only endure it.

When Spike finished he released the bear. It fell into a painful heap and laid motionless. It was severely wounded but not dead, yet.

Spike moved in for the kill.

"Now that was a blaze!" the voice brought Spike back "I'm impressed hatch-ling." The dragoness landed on the ground near the wounded bear "Enjoy your meal, they taste better after you've hunted them yourself."

Spike looked at the beast in front of him. It was wounded, scared and trying to drag itself away. There was no more fight in it, a truly pitiful sight.

He wasn't hungry anymore. Now, he was only sick to his stomach.

"No." Spike mumbled "I'm... going home."

"You're just leaving?" she asked him before looking to the bear "You really should kill it."

Spike said nothing, he just turned away. He was searching for the necklace from Zecora on when he hear a squish like crunch.

Spike looked back and was horrified with the sight. The dragoness had crushed the bear's skull.

"Why?" Spike shouted in outrage and disgust.

"Death was the only option." she answered with a shake of her head.

"It was my prey!" Spike shouted "I let it live!"

"Exactly, you let it live." she spoke in a reasoning tone.

Spike couldn't understand how this dragoness could be so cold. When they had first met she had been... warmer.

"I'm not like you!" Spike stated."You're a monster!"

She only gave him an amused look.

"Well know this." She spoke mockingly "You're just as much of a monster as me."

"N-no..." Spike protested hastily "I chose mercy!" He pointed to the bear "You chose death."

"I watched you." She stated "Your heart was pounding as if were going to explode. Your blood boiled from the rush."She continued "Deep down, you enjoyed yourself."

"No..." Spike tried to deny.

But she told the truth.

"This bear would have tried to drag itself to safety." The dragoness spoke "The wounds would have gotten worse and infected." she wasn't finished "The bear would have died slowly and painfully." she raised her bloody claw "It was a mercy kill, no more suffering."

Spike was... beginning to understand her words, but he didn't like it.

"I have a friend." he spoke, more to himself than her "She takes care of animals, she could have helped him."

"How would you have explained the bear's wounds?" she asked "How would you explain why you were out here?" she gave him an amused look "Obviously you don't want them to know about me." Her words put Spike at a loss. "See, you'd have let it die just to keep this secret."

Spike was silent, he had no answer. Everything she had said was true.

"Eat." she ordered "You don't want this meal to go to waste."

He was tempted, the bear could have helped satiate the pain in his stomach. "...No" Spike answered, he just couldn't do it.

"What?" she was mildly shocked.

"You killed him, not me." he continued "I chose to give him a chance."

"...Fine." Spike was a little shocked that she had nothing more to say.

He ignored it and continued searching.

"Looking for this?" she asked holding his necklace.

When he reached for it she pulled away. She gazed at it with an intent Spike didn't like.

"This would make a fine addition to my hoard." she mused out loud.

Spike felt something inside him boil at her words. He didn't like them.

"It's mine!" Spike growled "Hand it over."

"No, I don't think I will."

Spike's body tensed as he tried to make himself look bigger. He gave a low growl of warning toward the dragoness. She simply stared at Spike with amusement in her eyes.

"Then I'll take it!" Spike shouted as he lunged

Spike had expected her to strike him. To burn him with fire or even claw at him. She did none of these, but she did react.

As Spike tackled her, she latched her claws around him. In a single sweep she knocked him to the ground. He tried to stand stopped with the dragoness pinning Spike under her with a single arm. I forgot how big she was.

"Pinned." She stated releasing him.

Spike usually wasn't shallow, prideful, but not shallow. However, he was a young boy, and to lose to a girl was embarrassing.

As he was standing up he noticed something, her back was turned.

Without so much as a warning, he tackled her, hoping she'd fell flat on to her back. The outcome was the same as the first, Spike pinned under a single clawed hand.

However, as the dragoness held Spike there was a difference. The dragoness added more pressure on Spike, hurting him.

"Pinned again." she stated "As advice hatch-ling, dragons do not attack each other with such cowardly tactics, we meet each other head on." Her eyes became cold "As a warning, I will kill you if you attack me like that again."

"I-I'm not scared." Spike was terrified, but he did his best not to show it.

"Impressive, but I know your scared." she stated taking a small sniff "I can smell the fear on you." she then added more pressure to his chest "And I feel your heart beating rapidly."

"Since you showed bravery I'll forgive you." she gave him a warning growl "This time."

The dragoness added a bit more pressure onto Spike's ribs before letting him up.

Before he could speak, something fell over his neck. He felt the familiar pain of his body shrinking. It was faster this time, but no less painful.

"W-why?" he asked groggily once he was a baby again "Why did you give it back?"

"You showed such determination to get it back." she answered "Like a dragon protecting his hoard, you had a real blaze."

There's that word again Spike thought.

The dragoness looked toward the sky, Spike followed her gaze. The sun was beginning to set.

How long have we been out here?

"Return to your so called life." She spoke "I will see you again."

Spike didn't say anything to her, he just left. He wanted to get home, eat a few gems and sleep.

When Spike finally returned to the library he relaxed, the day was finally over.

Spike tried to creep inside the library as silently as possible. Twilight would kill me for being out this late. He hadn't even come up with a good excuse.

As he finished making his way to the stairs he stopped. He listened through the door to hear Twilight, nothing.

Asleep he thought relieved.

He slowly pushed the door open, trying not to make a sound.

What he saw broke his heart.

Nothing.

No Twilight. No letter. No nothing.

Twilight wasn't home, he was alone.

Again.

-CRACK-

What was that?