Equestria Noir Season 2 Case 7 "Song of Ran'sea"by Jacoboby1ChaptersChapter 1 "Hey Dragon Sister"Chapter 2 "Among Dragons"Chapter 3 "The Sacred Fire"Chapter 4 "Behind Scaled Eyes"Chapter 5 "Tunnel to Truth"Chapter 6 "Rage of the Dragoness"EpilogueChapter 1 "Hey Dragon Sister"Equestria Noir 2 Case 7 “Song of Ran’sea” By Jacoboby1 Chapter 1 “Hey Dragon Sister” Perspective: Private Eye “Again darlings!” Rarity cried as she stood on the sidelines of the room. Once again Twilight and I tried to walk forward, balancing books on our heads. We’ve been at this for a good two hours now. The goal was to have us learn to walk like royalty or whatever. Sadly, no dice so far. Spike was also watching from the sidelines, probably betting in his mind how long it will take for a book to fall. I gave Twilight a look as I tried to balance the book. It started wobbling the moment I took a step. Twilight tried to maintain her own balance, before one of her wings shot out and hit me on the muzzle. I fell onto my back. Twilight stood over me, “Sorry! Sorry! Stupid wings!” She said, the book then slid off her head and landed on my stomach. “Well,” I said, levitating the books aside, “Nopony ever said being royalty was easy.” “Darlings I wish you both would take this seriously,” Rarity said, trotting over. “The Princess Summit is in two weeks. If you two don’t make a good impression none of the royals will take you two seriously.” “They already don’t take them seriously,” Spike said, walking over, “but who cares what a bunch of stuffy alicorns think anyways?” “Thanks for the help Spike,” Twilight said, “But we really got to get everything down. There’s just so much to learn. I wish used my time better to learn all this stuff.” “Hey,” I said, levitating the book back onto my head, “We’ll get through this alright? I just hope Tailspin’s alright with us being gone so long.” “Your dad is looking after him,” Twilight said. “Tailspin should get to spend time with his dad.” “At least it’ll keep the grandchildren talk to a minimum,” I grumbled. “Less grumbling about royal heirs, Private,” Rarity said, levitating the book onto Twilight’s head. “More preparing! Now remember! Heads up straight! No royal slouches when being presented!” Part of me missed the days when Twilight was just a regular unicorn. Back then, the most we had to worry about was getting an assignment from Celestia. All of that changed when the wings sprouted. I was hesitant to get behind it at first, but after receiving a divine kick in the teeth I learned to accept this new life. It wasn’t going to be easy, that much was certain. Ever since Twilight came back from the mirror it’s been almost non stop training in one form or another. Voidera had me constantly practicing alchemy, combat, and other activities a Princess’ mate should know. Twilight on the other hoof almost always had somepony getting her to do something. Whether it be Celestia teaching her royal etiquette, Rainbow trying to teach her flying, Pinkie asking for suggestions for the after party, all of them put a drain on her that she hid well. Suffice to say, the beds are more than comfortable after a hard days work. The door opened before Twilight and I could begin our rounds again. Flash Sentry stepped in, the guard had a grim look on his face. Twilight and I set our books aside and we walked over to him. “Any sign of Shimmer?” Twilight asked. Flash shook his head and said, “No, we tried tracking down the train she teleported onto. It went to Manehatten and we lost her there. It was almost like somepony was covering her tracks for her.” “What do you mean?” I asked. “We couldn’t find any witnesses that say they saw where Shimmer went after leaving the train station. We tried asking around but it was almost like she vanished. Probably teleported away, there’s little we can do about that,” Flash said with a sigh of defeat. “Keep looking,” I ordered. “Shimmer is probably lost and confused. She suffered a hell of a lot in that mirror, I don’t want to hear about her being found in a ditch somewhere.” Flash nodded. “Alright, but I’m not making any promises,” He said, and then turned to leave. Twilight frowned as she left and said, “There’s no way she could just vanish like that by herself.” “I smell a rat,” I replied, “but there’s nothing we can do until somepony sees her. We put her in missing ponies, somepony will come forward eventually.” “I know you want to get out there,” Twilight said, putting a hoof on my shoulder, “but we’re needed here. We’ll let the guards and police look for her.” I sighed, “You’re right.” “Now that that’s done,” Spike said, walking forward and holding up the books. “Back to the show?” Twi and I rolled our eyes collectively. Before Rarity could give us our cue, a crystal pony guard entered the door. “Your highnesses, I hate to interrupt…” “No,” Twilight said, “it’s okay, what do you need?” “There appears to be a situation,” The guard said. “Apparently a farmer’s house is being eaten…” All four of us blinked at the same time. Rarity was the first one to speak, “Did I hear you right darling? A beast is devouring a crystal pony’s house?” “Don’t look at me,” The guard said with a shrug. “That’s just what he said. He’s down in the courtroom right now, he keeps talking about the beast being a horrible terrifying dragon.” “A dragon?” Spike interjected. “You’re sure?” I asked. “None of us have been down there yet,” The guard replied. “We came to you because nopony in the empire has seen a dragon in the time since we’ve gotten back. You four have had the most experience with dragons if Princess Cadence is to be believed.” “A rather droll experience,” Rarity said, shaking her head. “We’ll check it out,” I said, levitating over Silver Wolf and slinging it onto my back. “If it’s really a dragon, we’ll yell for the guards.” “Yes sir,” The guard saluted and left. Spike hopped onto Twilight’s back and said, “No way I’m missing this!” “Spike are you sure?” Twilight asked. “The last time you met dragons well…” “Darling,” Rarity said, “what Twilight is trying to say is, maybe it’s not the best idea for you to be there.” “Hey, I met my dad the last time we saw dragons.” Spike said, standing his ground on his surrogate mother/sister’s back, “No way I’m missing a chance to learn more about who I am.” Rarity closed her eyes and said, “Alright, I’ll be along shortly. Cadence has asked me to help with trying to simplify the headdress process.” With that, the fashionata trotted out the door. “Looks like another adventure,” Twilight said. “I guess we could use a break from worrying over the summit.” I nodded, “Let’s see this fearsome beast then.” ______________________________________________________ Why do all the houses, here, look like they were grown? The house is what looks like a huge chunk of rose quartz, but more opaque, with a door, and windows carefully carved into it. Behind the house were rows of the native crystal berries. Wonder if Applejack has made a wager with those? The berry bushes were, a teal rather than the usual green. All three of us walked up to the fence to find...not the fearsome beast we were told… It stood about the same height as Spike, it’s scales were white, if she stood outside the barrier she would almost blend in perfectly. Her spines were smooth and the same green...as Spike’s… It looked over, green slitted eyes looking exasperated. Then she spoke in perfect Equish. “About time somebody else showed up!” It yelled, her voice melodious, but very cross. Judging by the voice, I had to guess this dragon was female. “Uh,” Twilight said. “Look, will you please tell that farmer it was an honest mistake?” The dragon said exasperated. “I was walking through the wastes for hours! It’s a pain when you can’t fly yet!” She groaned in annoyance. “I was hungry, and I just happened to see his house. I walk over, expecting a quick meal, then I take a bite and discover it’s pure crystal.” “So, you were trying to eat his house,” I concluded. “The pony screamed,” She said, crossing her arms, “He kept calling me a monster and a beast, I barely come up to his chest. I tried to explain to the dear that it was an honest mistake. Then he goes galloping off like I tried to bite him.” For some reason I’m getting a Rarity vibe off her… “Well,” Spike said, “None of them have ever seen a dragon before.” The dragoness stood stiff, she looked around Twilight’s neck to see Spike. Her eyes grew wide, “My goodness!” She said, covering her mouth with a claw. “A dragon riding a pony? How unusual!” “It’s kind of fun actually,” Spike said, sliding down Twilight’s leg and standing on the ground. He then walked up to the dragoness, “Look, you gotta understand. These ponies have never seen what a dragon looks like in a thousand years. For all they know, we could’ve evolved to spit acid or something.” The dragon just kept staring at Spike, her green slitted eyes blinking. “Uh, do I have something on my fac…” It was Spike’s turn to stare at her. Suddenly...Tha’lan’s last request clicked in my brain…. ______________________________________________________ “Spike…” Thal’lan said weakly “I don’t have much time to explain, but… find Ran’sea, your sister. She’s a dragon white as snow… with spines of green… like yours.” “Where can I find her?” Spike asked desperately. “Her clan had moved far to the north,” he went on. “Near a place called… the Crystal Empire, but… that was years ago. Search for her Spike… she will… help you.” ____________________________________________________ Spike spoke after a moment of silence, “I know you from somewhere.” The dragoness put a claw out, slowly touching Spike’s cheek. She blinked her green eyes and said softly, “You’re...real…” Spike blinked again and said, “Your name, what is it?” “...Ran’sea.” The dragoness said after a long pause. Spike’s face went from shock, to thoughtfulness, to sheer joy before he outright embraced the dragoness, “Ran’sea!” She embraced him just as tightly, tears falling from her eyes. “Oh Spar’kran! I didn’t want to believe I was the only egg to have survived! I knew you were alive! I knew you were somewhere! Oh my brother!” Twilight and I smiled and leaned into one another. Ran’sea and Spike looked at each other and let go of their embrace. Ran’sea then looked up at us, then back at Spike. “Spar’kran, what are you doing with these ponies?” “It’s kind of a long story.” Spike said, rubbing the back of his head. “The short version is that my egg was found and sold to Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. Twilight’s magic hatched me, she’s raised me ever since.” “All this time,” Ran’sea said, shaking her head, “You were among ponies of all things. Had I known Spar’kran…” “Don’t sweat it.” Spike replied, “I knew you were out here somewhere, but, Twilight said it’d be a bad idea to search unless we had more concrete locations.” “But it seems destiny did the job for us,” Twilight interjected. “How did you find out about me?” Ran’sea asked. “Oh, there are so many questions Spar’kr-” “It’s uh,” Spike interuppted his sister, “It’s just Spike, Ran’sea. Spar’kran is my dragon name but, I still need to get used to it I guess.” Ran’sea smiled and said, “Whatever you prefer, my dear brother. Spike does have a certain, how do I say, ‘to the point’ vibe about it.” “I have so many questions Ran,” Spike said, “How long have you been out here? Did you know about dad? Where are you sta-” “THERE’S ONE QUESTION THAT NEEDS ANSWERED HERE!” Twilight and I parted as a very angry Rarity stomped over. She used her magic to pull Spike aside and glared at Ran’sea. “I don’t know how it is with dragons. But among ponies we have a policy. When Spikey Wikey is dating somepony, all dragonesses and other mares back off!” “Uh, Rarity.” I tried to say. “Whatever are you talking about darling?” Ran’sea said, crossing her arms. “So you are a dragoness!” Rarity said. “Trying to steal Spikey Wikey behind my back! The nerve!” Ran’sea covered her mouth, trying not to giggle. “Uh Rarity,” Spike said, still being held in Rarity’s blue magic. “Yes my dear Spikey Wikey?” She said, looking over at him. “Three things,” Spike said. “One, it’s great that you’re jealous, it means you care. Two, you kind of can’t be, because that’s my sister Ran’sea. And third...you just mentioned my pet name to her…” Rarity looked at Ran’sea, who was still trying not to laugh. A blush formed on her cheeks as she gently set Spike down. She gave a nervous laugh, “Um, haha, well, this is quite the predicament.” Jealous Rarity is jealous as they say… “Forgive me,” Ran’sea said. “I just was not expecting Spike to have gotten such an adorable nickname.” “According to Dad it's a family trait…” Spike grumbled. “So you are Ran’sea,” Rarity said. “Do forgive my, outburst from earlier. I am quite protective of my Spikey wi-I mean, just Spike.” “It is quite alright,” Ran’sea said. “If I had a mate, I would feel protective of him as well.” “You aren’t shocked that I am dating Spike?” Rarity said, tilting her head. “It’s not as uncommon as you think.” Ran’sea said. “Dragons always take prized mares every now and again.” “Priz-what!” Rarity said indignantly. “Some dragons snatch mares every now and again and claim them as treasure. Honestly I never saw the appeal in it, too much maintenance,” Ran’sea said. “Though, I doubt Spike snatched you.” “More like she snatched him.” Twilight interjected. “Well,” Rarity said. “I am no prize that Spike snatched up. I am a lady that he wooed with his gentle and sweet nature.” Ran’sea smiled. “Good to know my brother is in good, in this case, hooves.” “Thank you darling,” Rarity said with a smile. “Now that we have the misunderstandings in order.” Ran’sea said, then walked over to Spike. “Spike, I would love to introduce you to Uncle Car’buncle and Aunt Ele’sium. They would love to meet you!” Spike’s voice got excited. “I have an aunt and uncle!?” “Yes,” Ran’sea said. “Car’buncle is our father’s brother. Ele’sium is our mother’s sister. We also have a cousin from Car’buncle and his mate Li’zael, his name is Smog’krok. Oh I can’t wait to introduce you!” “Do they live nearby?” I asked. “Just up the mountain a few miles from here,” She said. “It’s about a half a day’s walk.” “Why did you come here in the first place?” I asked. “Because Far’seer said so,” Ran’sea said. “She said I’d find something here on this day. I went, despite Aunt Ele’sium’s protests, and found my brother. That is enough to lend credence to her.” Twilight looked at me. “There are some ponies that claim to be able to see into the future. But most of them had about as much credit as Trixie.” “Either way,” Ran’sea said, “I’m here, Spar’kran is here, I can have him meet our family.” “Great!” Spike said, he then ran to Twilight and hopped up and down, looking like a kid begging to go to Disneigh World. “Can we go Twilight? Please! I have to know where I came from!” “Are you sure they’d allow us in?” Twilight asked Ran’sea. “I’m sure if I explain things to Uncle Car’buncle, he’ll let you in,” Ran’sea smirked a little as she said, “He has a soft spot for his little niece.” “Like somepony I know,” Twilight said, giving a knowing glance at me. “Well, Spike, you write a letter to make sure that Celestia knows where we are going,” I said. “I’ll snag some gear from our room and we’ll be ready to leave in about an hour.” “You’ll also explain to the farmer about the mistake?” Ran’sea asked. “I think we can handle that,” Twilight said. “I shall remain here then until you all return,” She said. As we were about to leave, Spike ran and gave one last hug to Ran’sea. The siblings embraced one another for a long time. I could feel the love those two shared, despite this being their first meeting… I felt the same way with Tailspin… ___________________________________________________ Twilight and I returned with saddlebags on our backs. We explained to Celestia where we were going. Celestia said it would be a great opportunity to learn about dragons and their culture. Luna seemed a little hesitant to see me leave again, but I assured her we’d be safe with Ran’sea being our host. It’s nice to know she cares...but I worry about Luna sometimes. From there, it was a simple matter of packing food, water, and some winter gear for the cold. I didn’t add much to my clothing except for Twilight’s scarf that she made for me about a year ago. Twilight was wearing simple ear muffs, a scarf and her saddle bags. Even being a princess she liked to keep things simple and practical. Spike was practically jumping on Twilight’s back as we walked over. “I can’t wait! I wonder what my aunt and uncle are like? I bet they’re huge! Just like dad!” “Okay slow down there,” Twilight said with a laugh. “Just try not to kick okay.” “Sorry Twi,” Spike said, calming down a little. “I’m just really excited to see my family! Dragons that knew my dad that aren’t crazy killers.” “Let’s just hope we’ll have an easier time here than with Shar’drel.” I said, leading the way back to the farm. Ran’sea hopped off the porch and walked over to us. I spoke first, “We got the matter settled with the farmer. He’ll be fine, but he may be traumatized for a little while.” “I do hope we can put that little incident behind us.” Ran’sea said, walking up to us. “Yes! So that we may move forward meeting Spikey Wikey’s family!” We all turned...and I rolled my eyes... Rarity was muffled from head-to-flank in a very stylish heavy winter coat, scarf around her neck, and boots on her hooves. Her saddlebags were filled to bursting with who-knows-what, and while she looked stylish, her get-up looked very impractical. “I’d have packed more, darlings, but I thought the terrain would be a scosche rough for my wagon,” Rarity said adjusting her scarf. “Wagon?” Twilight said, shaking her head. “Rarity don’t you think it’s a little, excessive?” “Excessive?” Rarity huffed. “Why, if I’m to meet Spikey Wikey’s family, I should want to look my best.” “You look beautiful all the time, Rarity,” Spike said, smiling dreamily. “Oh thank you, Spike,” Rarity said with a smile and a blush. “Is this going to be a thing?” Ran’sea asked. “Like you wouldn’t believe, Ran,” I said, “Why don’t you hop on?” “To your back?” Ran said, crossing her arms, “Well, it would be better than walking. But you ponies are so tall.” “It’s okay Ran.” Spike said, “Just keep your legs spread and move when they move.” “Very well.” With that, Ran climbed up my trench coat and onto my back. “Not exactly the most comfortable position. But it feels natural for some reason.” “It’s just for the trip,” I said. “Don’t get used to pony back rides.” “He has to save them for Skyla when we get back,” Twilight said with a giggle. “Now, Ran’sea,” Rarity said, “Do lead the way.” “Onward then,” Ran said, pointing forward, with that, our group of five ventured past the barrier into northern Equestria. ______________________________________________________ The snow wasn’t falling today, that we appreciated. Our trek had us huffing it through snow drifts, over hills, and across a cliff on one occasion. Rarity would ask us to stop on occasion for this or that. But she kept the complaining low for the trip. I imagine it was to make a good impression on her future sister in law. Hey, a guy can dream can’t he? Our journey brought us up a small mountain and to a large cave. On either side were statues of dragons, bearing their teeth. “That isn’t ominous in the least,” I said. The cave was wide enough for a full sized dragon to walk into. This had to be how they got in. “Our hiding place is underground.” Ran’sea said. “This is where I’ve lived for the last Eighteen years of my life.” “Eighteen?” Rarity said. “Yeah,” Spike said, looking over from Twilight’s back, “Turns out I’m legally an adult in pony terms.” “Maturity on the other hoof,” Twilight said with a laugh, “Is another story.” “Hey!” Spike quipped. “Nice to know my brother was well cared for,” Ran said from my back, luckily she was about the same weight as Spike, maybe a little lighter. I just hope Skyla doesn’t insist that “unca priwvy give wides!” when we get back… All three of us unicorns lit our horns to illuminate the path ahead into the cave. “So what is this place?” I asked. “About a thousand years ago,” Ran explained, “Spar’kran and my grandfather founded this place. Back then, there weren’t laws against hunting down dragons. So, he tried to find a safe haven for us all.” “Celestia insisted that dragons weren’t to be attacked unless provoked,” Twilight said. “She didn’t want to see them die out before we had a chance to change them.” “Thus the anti dragon hunting laws,” I said. “They were instilled after grandfather helped some astronomer around that time,” Ran said. “The astronomer helped grandfather find this sanctuary. In turn, grandfather helped him find some magical artifact or something. This place is one of the few sanctuaries we have on this world. Here, there is a truce that states that no dragon is to attack another here. You are the first ponies in ages to see this place…” We walked ahead, down deeper into the caverns. Along the way, crystals illuminated the path, along with torches and other items. I couldn’t help but get a familiar vibe about the place. I feel like I’ve walked here before… Ran mentioned an astronomer...could it have been Eclipse? The thoughts were put aside as we stepped into a large underground cavern. It was huge, the space looked like it could hold almost all of Ponyville inside it. The place was illuminated by glowing blue crystals, torches and the occasional bonfire. Carvings in strange characters and pictures dotted the walls and stalagmites. But the most unnerving part...at least a hundred pairs of slitted eyes were upon us as we entered… We have stepped into the world of Dragons... Chapter 2 "Among Dragons"Chapter 2 “Among Dragons” I felt like an ant among a sea of giants. Each dragon was about as big as a castle, all of them with claws, spines, scales and slitted eyes that looked down at us with a mixture of shock, contempt and fear in some of them. The cavern was large enough to accommodate them, even the larger dragons could barely even reach half way to the ceiling. I imagine this allows for them to fly around for exercise. I didn’t see many small dragons among them, they all had to be the adults, or at least young adults. My thoughts were interrupted by a loud booming voice, “What is going on here!” The crowd of dragons parted and standing before us was a huge adult dragon. His scales were a dark shade of violet, his spines were rather short and looked like they were made of brownish stone. There was less of a sheen, more of a roughness to him that wasn’t present in most dragon’s I’ve seen up close. His yellow eyes gazed down at us, “I’ll admit, in all my time of living, I have not known any ponies so bold as to enter our sanctuary.” His voice was gruff, and a more than a little intimidating. I felt Ran’sea try to hide behind my head. Something tells me she didn’t come here with her relatives’ knowledge. “We should kill them where they stand!” A spindly black dragon with beady eyes and a malicious grin said. “Car’buncle! They have violated our sanctuary with the very air they breath! We should not suffer this outrage!” “Peace Tru’sent” I heard a female voice say, gruff but definitely more reasonable sounding. Out from the crowd stepped a dragon with red orangish scales. Her spines were similar to the leader, only they seemed to be crystal like. Her violet eyes glared at the spindly black dragon, “Have you ever stopped to wonder how they got here? Our sanctuary is not common knowledge among pony kind. Plus, if they were really hoping to cause trouble, then they would surely be more well equipped.” The black dragon huffed, smoke pillowing out of his nostrils, “I can’t imagine our chief hearing this nonsense.” “If he wants to sleep in the cave,” The orange dragoness said, giving what looked like a sly glance at the leader, “He’ll listen to his mate over some rat looking to get favor when it isn’t due.” The violet leader smiled and said, “Well said Li’zael, you bring up fair points and I will try to keep my right to alone time.” He gave a dragon version of a chuckle and then became serious and gruff again. He looked at each of us with scrutiny. “You are right, only one of them could be classified as a warrior among the ponies. As for the rest…” The orange dragoness spoke up, Li’zael?, Yeah, that was it. Li’zael spoke up as she looked at Twilight, “This one has wings and a horn, like the princesses.” Twilight smiled and gave a respectable bow, “I am Princess Twilight Sparkle, recently crowned and am honored to be in the presence of…” The violet dragon kept his gruff appearance, “Car’buncle, head of the Northern Clans, know it well...pony.” “Car’buncle!” Spike said, popping out from behind Twilight. The entire group of dragons gasped in shock upon seeing Spike. The black dragon spoke up, “Not only do they defile our home, they have the gall to throw one of our own hatchlings in front of us!” “Silence Tru’sent!” Car’buncle bellowed. He then glared down at us, and then at Spike. Car’buncle tilted his head and said, “Have we met before wyrmling? You look familiar…” Spike rubbed the back of his head, “Uh, I think Ran’sea should explain this one…” he said nervously. “RAN’SEA!” Li’zael yelled. I felt Ran slowly climb off my back. The white dragoness looked up at the dragons with a look of guilt in her eyes. “Uncle Car’buncle, Aunt Li’zael, twas I who brought them here.” “You brought them here Ran’sea?” Li’zael said, and then shook her head. “Child you had us all worried sick! Did you even think about what Ele’sium would’ve felt if she knew you were gone!” “Forgive me Aunt,” Ran said with a sigh. “I only went because Far’seer said I’d find something important in those new pony lands.” “You should know better than to just march into pony lands without telling us,” Li’zael said, her violet eyes narrowing. “But I did find something important!” Ran’sea said, she walked over to Spike and said, “Aunt Li’zael, Uncle Car’buncle, this is Spike.” “An odd name for a dragon.” Car’buncle said. “Uh, it’s kind of the name I gave him.” Twilight said. “I raised him as my own after I hatched him.” “Most unusual,” Li’zael said. “Most ponies would simply smash the egg or serve it for breakfast.” “Not unless she wanted to fail the test,” I mumbled to myself. “The point is, that Spike here has another name,” Ran said, smiling at her brother. “One that we all should be very familiar with.” “And that is?” Car’buncle asked. Spike smiled and said, “Spar’kron” Again, a gasp erupted from the whole group of dragons. They then began talking amongst themselves in disbelief. Tha’lan’s Son is alive?! But I thought only Ran’sea survived… It seems Shar’drel was lying after all! I never trusted that witch! What is he’s the one who’s lying? Any dragon can claim to be his son! Look at his scales! Those spines! He has Fran’salel’s eyes too! He is their child! “ENOUGH!” Li’zael cried, silencing the crowd. Car’buncle glared at Spike, “If this is some fantasy or trick-” “It’s no trick uncle!” Ran pleaded. “I know it’s him! Just look at him!” “Unicorn magic could easily construct a lookalike!” Car’buncle bellowed. “You’re saying that this is my nephew? The one who was destined to come here!? The one who we all thought was lost!” “It is hard to believe Ran’sea…” Li’zael said. “I knew they were liars!” Tru’sent cried. “Keep this thing out of my sight…” Car’buncle said, about to turn around. Twilight sighed, “That didn’t go quite as planned.” “HEY!” All of us turned to look at Spike as he stomped his way towards Car’buncle. “Spikey Wikey wait!” Rarity cried, but I held her back. “Spikey what now…?” Car’buncle said, turning around. “Hey! I’m talking to you down here!” Spike yelled. Car’buncle looked down and said, “Came to try and convince me even more?” “I can’t believe this!” Spike yelled. “Eighteen years of not even knowing if I had family and this is the thanks I get? This is what it all was building up to!?” “Spike…” Ran said nervously. “No way am I going to walk away!” Spike said firmly. “I am Thal’lan’s son! I am his kid! I saw him die again before my eyes when that witch Shar’drel tried to use him for her own sick game!” “You claim this, yet...I find it hard to believe,” Car’buncle said. “My brother and I were the closest any two hatch brothers could be. If you plan to mock him by being a walking lie to what he was, then go find some other soul to torment!” Spike was quiet for a minute, and then said, “When he died...dad cried…” Car’buncle stopped in his tracks before he could turn to walk away again. “I knew Shar’drel was experimenting with evil magics...but a construct…? That is the only possible way...but how do you know it was my brother’s soul in that body?” Spike walked over to Twilight’s saddlebags, reached into it, and pulled out a small necklace, Thal’lan’s last tear before he died was on it. Carved into it were two swirling dragons, made by the souls of Spike’s parents, united in death. Car’buncle looked at is with scrutiny and said, “It is a dragon’s tear, that is certain.” “You believe me now?” Spike asked, sliding the necklace around his neck. Car’buncle was quiet for a minute, all were quiet during this exchange. Finally Car’buncle spoke and said, “Your father’s true name...what was it?” “True name?” Spike asked. “If Thal’lan were to die, he would’ve spoken his true name before his soul entered the beyond.” Car’buncle said. “We told each other our true names many years ago, now tell me, what was his true name?” Spike thought for a moment, gosh it was so long ago I barely remember it. But Spike never forgot it, I doubt he could ever forget what he witnessed. Spike looked up at Car’buncle and said, “Thallos Alan, Precursor to the Light.” Car’buncle’s face turned from shock, to thoughtfulness, to realization. “There is only one way Thal’lan would say that name aloud. It would have been as he was dying.” “So, you believe me?” Spike asked his uncle. “I want to believe it,” Car’buncle said with a sigh. “I want to believe that somehow I have a nephew. But, there will always be doubt in my heart. I’m not the kind to believe in miracles, but this is about as close to one as we can get.” Slowly, Car’buncle lowered his head down to Spike, he looked at Spike, almost like one would look at an old photograph. “You have your father’s scales. You also carry your mother’s eyes and spines as well.” “You knew my mom?” Spike asked. Car’buncle laughed, “Of course I did, Thal’lan wouldn’t shut up about her.” “Uncle…” Ran said, tears in her eyes. “You did a good thing in disobeying me, Ran’sea,” Car’buncle said. “Had you not have left, you would never have brought your brother back with us.” Li’zael then turned to the other dragons and ordered, “Alright! Show’s over! Get your scaly hides back to doing something useful!” The dragons all listened to her and flew or walked away. Twilight wiped sweat from her brow and said, “That was a close one.” I nodded, wiping nervous sweat from my own brow. “I thought we were dragon bait for sure,” I said. “Where’s Rarity?” Twilight asked looking around for the white unicorn. “Probably fixing up to meet the in laws,” I said with a laugh. Li’zael walked over to our group and said, “Forgive our suspicions, you can understand why we found it hard to believe.” “In your position,” I said, “I’d find it hard to believe too.” Li’zael smiled and said, “I’m Li’zael, Car’buncle’s mate and second in command.” Twilight smiled, “I introduced myself earlier,” She then pointed at me and said, “This is my ‘mate’ Private Eye.” “Charmed,” Li’zael said. “A pleasure,” I said. “I must ask though, how would Ran’sea have known where to find Spike?” Li’zael rolled her eyes, “Old Far’seer’s probably where she got the idea from. She’s an oracle, or at least was one for a time.” “An Oracle?” Twilight said, “As in she can see the future?” “Past, Present, Future,” Li’zael said, “It doesn’t matter honestly, she just spouts out cryptic nonsense nowadays. She only seems to tell us a few things every once in a while. In any other dragon clan we would’ve tossed her out. But here we try to hold on to the ancient teachings of our people, and that means we have to offer her a place to stay until she meets her ancestors.” “That’s fairly honorable,” I said. “Not to some dragons,” Li’zael said, and then looked over at Spike. “Yes, I do see Fran’salel in you.” “You do?” Spike asked, looking up at the orange dragoness. “She was the sort who wouldn’t take injustice sitting down,” Li’zael said with a fond smile. “She would’ve done the same thing you did.” “Only she may have smacked me across the head with her tail,” Car’buncle said with a laugh. “That may be a little hard to do,” Spike said, looking at his own tail. “I doubt you guys would even feel it.” “I imagine you have many questions,” Car’buncle said. “Do I ever!” Spike said. Car’buncle chuckled, “All in time my nephew, for now, I have some questions of my own.” He said as he looked at Twilight and me. “I trust you are the ponies who are responsible for his care?” “He’s more or less our adopted brother.” Twilight said with a smile. “I’ve taken care of him ever since he hatched.” “For that we are very grateful,” Li’zael said. “So uh,” Ran said with a nervous smile. “Oh I’m still going to tell Ele’sium young dragoness.” Li’zael said with a stubborn tone in her voice. “Oh posh!” Ran said, kicking a stone in frustration. “I believe I have not formally introduced myself darlings!” Rarity came from behind me and she was dressed to the nines in a gem-festooned gown that sparked in the various light-sources in the cave. It was purple and green, as if in honor of Spike’s scales, but the gems had to have made that thing heavy. “I am Miss Rarity,” She started saying, “I am here to become acquainted with-hey!!” Suddenly Li’zael picked Rarity up in her claws by the skirt of her dress. Rarity flailed about as Li’zael smiled. “Oh, Spike, how thoughtful of your friend to bring us dinner.” “Dinner?” Rarity said, and then looked at the scales. “Oh uh, those are for decoration, actually.” “Shame,” Li’zael said, casually dropping her, Twilight created a cushion of magic to stop Rarity’s fall. Rarity landed on it and sighed, “Things are not going my way it seems ,darlings…” “No meeting with the in laws is ever perfect,” I said knowingly. At least she didn’t have to time travel.. “In-laws?” Car’buncle said. “Uh,” Spike said with a blush, “Rarity is my um, I guess you could say special somepony.” “A pony is your intended?” Car’buncle asked, shock in his voice. “Don’t be a boor Car’buncle,” Li’zael said. “Need I remind you that plenty of dragons in our history have taken on ponies as intended.” “Intended?” I asked. “As in, a marefriend or something like that?” “That may be the term for it,” Li’zael said. “Either way, it is nice to know that Spike shares his father’s attractiveness for white.” “Guess that explains Ran’s scale color,” I said. “Well,” Rarity said, getting back on her hooves and trying to salvage herself. “I imagine we have a great deal to discuss.” “Indeed,” Car’buncle said. “I’d like to meet this Far’seer dragon,” Twilight said. “Plus, if there’s ever a time where we could discuss dragon life and history, this will be a great opportunity to clear a lot of the misconceptions.” “Far’seer lives just over that way,” Li’zael said, pointing with her tail towards the north eastern side of the cavern. “Ran’sea’s guardian Ele’sium lives near there as well. Would you be so kind as to take Ran and Spike there? I’m sure she’d love to meet her nephew.” “We’ll take her there,” I said. “We have much to discuss later my nephew,” Car’buncle said. With that, both dragons flew away. Spike practically leaped into the air in excitment, “This is great! They believe me! I got to meet my aunt and uncle! I wonder what dad was like as a kid? There’s so much I want to know!” “Easy Spike,” Twilight said with a giggle. “You haven’t met all of your relatives yet, so take it easy.” “I just hope Ele’sium hasn’t fretted too much,” Ran said with a sigh. “I also wish that I had thought better about my attire.” Rarity said, looking at her slightly ruined dress. “Forgive my aunt Li’zael,” Ran said with a smile. “She’s rather, headstrong about certain things. Not unlike her son.” “Right, you mentioned I had a cousin.” Spike said. “Yes, though some days I wish that weren’t true…” Ran said cryptically as she walked away, we all followed after her, Spike riding on my back. _______________________________________________________ As we made our way towards Ele’sium’s place, that same feeling of being an ant among giants pervaded throughout. Dragons towered over us as they tried to walk without squishing us. Occasionally one dragon or another would stop and ask to see Spike. Spike indulged them but I told him we couldn’t remain for long. I felt like one of Raiden’s bodyguards that he had while he was still at the top. Raiden… I shook the thought of my ex best friend off and we came to a small cave situated in a cavern wall. Ran sighed as she stood in the mouth of the cave. “She’s going to pluck my scales out when I tell her where I went.” “Ele’sium is your guardian right?” Twilight asked. “She’s my mother’s sister,” Ran said, turning around to us. “She looked after me ever since I hatched. She’s practically the mother I never had.” “She sounds like a great dragonm” Spike said, hopping off my back. “She is,” Ran said, “A touch overprotective, but I know she means well. She and our mother were close.” “Naturally she’d want to protect her niecem” Rarity quipped. “Sometimes I wish she wasn’t so protective…” Ran started. “Ran’sea!” I heard a voice speak up. We all turned to see another baby dragon running over. He was practically the spitting image of Li’zael. Orange scales, violet, almost rocky spines, and violet eyes that looked on Ran’sea with relief. “Smog’krok?” Ran said, looking at him. The dragon ran over to her, huffing as if out of breath. “Where were you? I can’t believe you actually took Far’seer seriously!” “She said I was to look for something important, Smog’krok,” Ran said, crossing her arms. “Just because you're my cousin doesn’t mean you have to be Ele’sium’s watch dog.” “But Ra-” “Uh, hi.” Spike said. It was at this point the orange baby dragon looked around at all of us. Finally he looked at Ran and said, “I heard rumors that ponies were here, what’s the deal Ran?” “Smog’krok,” Ran said as she gestured to Spike with a claw, “This is my brother, Spar’kron.” “Just call me Spike.” Spike replied. Smog’krok glared at Spike, and got within inches of his face. “No way! Dad said that you died!” “Well, to be fair I didn’t even know you guys existed,” Spike said, trying to seem confident. “Nice to meet you cuz,” “Listen!” Smog’krok said, “I don’t know what game you are playing, but you stay away from my cousin you hear?” “Uggh!” Ran said exasperated, “Smog, for the last time, stop acting like I can’t take care of myself!” Smog looked over at Ran and said, “But Ran, you know ponies are all liars and cheats! They could’ve-” “He is my brother,” Ran affirmed. “He has father’s last tear, he knows our father’s true name. That can only mean that Shar’drel’s plot came about.” “You guys knew about her?” Spike said. “Shar’drel was a witch and a liar,” Smog affirmed. “For all we know, they could be working for her.” “Smog, use your brain for once.” Ran said with a sigh. “If they were really working for Shar’drel, then explain why her soul went to the beyond when Far’seer sensed it?” “I...uh…” Smog said, out of words. “You know as well as I do that she has the power to sense when a dragon leaves or enters the afterlife.” Ran said. “Don’t try to pretend that you were never told that by Aunt Li’zael.” “But, he can’t be him!” Smog cried. “A true dragon would never let ponies even touch them!” “You’re listening to Tru’sent again,” Ran said, shaking her head. “You know who he is, and you know what he wants. Have you heard none of Aunt Li’zael’s warnings?” “Apparently you’ve heard none of my warnings…” Smog said, stomping off. “Well, that went about as well as ever.” Rarity said, shaking her head. “I do love Smog dearly,” Ran said, faceclawing, “But he can be such a fool at times.” Spike shook his head, “What’s his deal?” “He’s just listening to Tru’sent’s idiotic idea of going to war with ponies,” Ran said with a sigh. “It’s like he wants us to go back to killing each other pointlessly. Smog is one of the few who take him seriously, sadly.” “Anyways,” Twilight interjected, “We’d better get to your Aunt. I think she’s been waiting long enough.” “Oh how droll…” Ran said, turning back to the cave. ______________________________________________________ The cave was bigger on the inside then the entrance would’ve suggested. On the inside was your typical pile of gems that were present in any dragon cave. Also inside, was a very cross looking dragoness. She wasn’t as large as Li’zael, she had white scales like Ran’s though. She also sported blue, very clean looking spines, and soft gold colored eyes. Her face sported a scowl that was clear even to a pony who barely understood dragon facial structure. “Ran’sea!” She said, her voice cross, but sounded curt and cultured. She looked down at Ran who was scuffing the floor with her foot. “I told you specifically not to listen to Far’seer! Then I wake up today to find you had ran off! Are you trying to give your Aunt a heart attack?” “No, Aunt Ele’sium,” Ran said, shaking her head. “I went, and I found Spar’kron!” “Spar’kron…?” Ele’sium then took notice of Spike. The white dragoness shook her head, “No it cannot be, ponies killed Fran’salel! My sister! Shar’drel only brought you back Ran!” “It’s, kind of a long story…” Spike said. We then spent the next half hour telling the whole story. From Spike being saved by a pony who had a change of heart, to the discovery that Shar’drel was the real killer. Then Twilight went on to explain her raising Spike as her own. Then we told of Thal’lan’s ‘return’ and reuniting with his son. Rarity was adamant to explain Shar’drel’s scheme. To revive Thal’lan so Shar’drel could have the chosen dragon egg. She also went on to tell of Spike’s near death before we saved him. Ele’sium didn’t talk much, aside from asking the occasional question or clarification of pony terms. Ran was also quiet, taking in the story herself. “So, that’s how we ended up here,” Spike finished. “To think Shar’drel’s madness extended to such a length,” Ele’sium said, shaking her head. “But, it does bring me comfort to know my sister’s soul is at peace with her mate…” “Ran’sea told us you were close,” I said. “As close as any hatch sisters can be,” Ele’sium said with a smile. “I was the elder sister, we were born to parents who died of a disease many years ago. I was practically Fran’s mother and sister. She and I did everything together…” “Well, at least you know she’s safe in, whatever the beyond is,” Spike said. “It is where all dragon souls go when their bodies parish,” Ran’sea said. “At least, that’s what Far’seer told me.” “Far’seer is an old windbag,” Ele’sium said, glaring at Ran’sea. “I forbid you to speak to her again.” “But Aun-” “We will not discuss this,” Ele’sium said firmly. Ran sighed and said, “Alright.” Then, Ele’sium raised her brow. Ran started for a moment and said, “I understand, Aunt Ele’sium.” What was that all about? Ran then looked at us, “You should at least talk to Far’seer, to decide for yourself about her.” “Alright,” Spike said, turning around. “It was nice meeting you.” We all turned to leave and Ran suddenly cried, “Spar’kron, wait!” Spike turned around long enough for his sister to hug him tightly. Spike smiled and hugged her back, I could hear Ran’sea say, “I’m glad you’re back, brother.” “I’m glad to be back, Ran.” Spike said, hugging her gently. “Oh Spike…” Rarity said with a smile, “Even to a sibling he’s only known for a day, he is just the sweetest dragon in the world.” ______________________________________________________ Ran pointed out which cave belonged to Far’seer. Ran stayed behind with her Aunt as we came to the cave. Rarity took a step in, and drew her hoof back, “All this dust, somepony could definitely help with a cleaning job.” “Something tells me Far’seer isn’t the most beloved elder,” Twilight said as she lead the way inside. We all followed, Spike walking with us. Unlike the other caves, which had gems or crystals to illuminate the area, this cave was almost pitch black. I had to light my horn to see even beyond my hooves. After about ten minutes, we came to the center cavern. There were no gems, no treasure whatsoever, instead, adorning the walls were thousands of carvings. I couldn’t recognize the characters, they appeared to have been written in some sort of other language. The characters appeared to be made of various claw marks and bizarre shapes. Twilight was going to have a field day in here. We stopped as we came upon the inhabitant of the cave. Before our eyes was a gold colored dragon. It was massive like most dragons, but seemed to be older than the others. Her wings had various holes and just sat there, not even flapping. Her scales seemed to not have the same shining hue that the other dragons had. But the most distinguishing feature, was her eyes...they were clouded… She was blind… She gave a smile and spoke in a voice reminding me of my grandmother. Sweet, wise, and filled with a gentle spirit. “You are Spar’kron, I’ve been expecting you.” “Wha!” Spike said in shock. Twilight looked up at Far’seer and said, “How did you know he was even here, your eyes…” “They see beyond what most see.” Far’seer said, “Although I appear blind, I see life not as what’s in front of me, but as it is. A thousand different lives intertwined with one another...past...present...future...it is all the same story. I just tell certain parts of it once in a while.” “We were told you were some kind of oracle….” I said. “Yes Preventus Eye,” Far’seer said with a smile. “You know my real name?” I said in shock. “It seems Dragons are not the only ones that bare two names. You have come here seeking answers about Spar’kron’s past. I have forseen this, so I told Ran’sea to head towards where I knew Spar’kron would be.” “If you could see into the future,” Spike said, “Why couldn’t you have saved dad?” “Because although dragons hear me, they do not listen,” Far’seer said with a sad sigh. “There was a time when the oracles were held in high regard. But, times have changed, none want to see the future as it is. They only want to know petty things, how to gain advantage over enemies, they don’t understand that I change the future by telling them what they want to hear.” “Hubris…” I said. “You are wise young pony,” She said with a thoughtful smile. “So, prey tell,” Rarity said, “What future can you tell us? I must admit I am curious.” Far’seer gave a small laugh. “Your future, Element of Generosity, is quite an interesting one. You will not have an easy one, but the rewards are great.” “I imagine that is all you are willing to say,” Rarity said. “I say things, but it is up to you to listen.” Far’seer said, a smile on her face. “What about me?” Spike said. “Ah, young Spar’kron.” She said. “Yours is a most interesting future...for you are part of the prophecy I gave many years ago.” “The prophecy about Spike becoming some kind of chosen one?” I asked. “Not now, but soon,” She said. “Though, if he remains as he is now, his greed will eventually consume him.” “I’ll grow big again?” Spike asked. “Yes, you have not bathed in the fire your mother was supposed to make for you.” Far’seer said. “You may have wings now, but you will become a beast if you continue to grow without the fire.” “Is there anything we can do to allow Spikey Wikey to grow naturally?” Rarity asked. “...there is one way.” Chapter 3 "The Sacred Fire"Chapter 3 “The Sacred Fire” “What way are you talking about Far’seer?” Twilight asked. “Is there another way Spike can grow without setting him on fire?” “Sadly, the setting fire part still has to happen.” The blind oracle said, “But, there is one way to bypass the requirements, and allow Spar’kron to grow naturally.” “What is it?” Spike demanded. “I’ll do whatever it takes!” “You may not be so eager when I tell you.” Far’seer said, “But I don’t need sight to know that will do little to stop you.” “So what can we do?” I asked. Far’seer’s head slowly nodded and she said, “Deep below our cavern, there lies a flame. A gift, created millennia ago by a powerful dragon sorcerer. He unlocked the secrets of dragon growth, but died during the process. His spirit now resides in the fire, and he is very particular about who he chooses to grant the gift to.” “How particular?” Spike asked, “Is he going to ask me to do a test or something?” “In a manner of speaking.” Far’seer said, her voice sounding grim. “Only, if you fail, you will at best remain forever a baby dragon, until your greed consumes you like so many of our brothers and sisters.” “And at worst?” Twilight asked nervously. Far’seer’s blind eyes closed as she said, “He will not live to see if his body grows at all.” “This is far too dangerous!” Rarity protested. “Surely there is some other way!” “Without his mother’s flame this is our only option.” Far’seer said. “Surely we can use another dragoness’ growth fire.” Rarity speculated. “I’m afraid that would be impossible. A growth fire only works on the dragon the mother gave birth to. Ran’sea will suffer the same problem you do, Spar’kron.” I looked over at Spike, a look of sorrow on his face. “Ran can’t grow naturally either?” Far’seer shook her head in response. “Then,” Spike got a determined look on his face, “I’ll go to this spirit and convince him to help both of us!” “Spikey Wikey didn’t you hear a word I said?” Rarity cried, “Aren’t you worried that you’ll be hurt?” “I’ll hurt others if I stay like this Rarity!” Spike yelled at her. “I almost killed a dragon when I was big! What’s to say I don’t destroy the whole of Equestria next time?” “But sure-” Rarity started. “I have to do this Rarity!” Spike shouted. “But, you could die Spike…” Rarity said, a tear falling down her eyes. “Rarity?” Spike said, taken aback. “Fine!” Rarity cried. “Go ahead and get yourself killed! It’s not like I won’t be distraught! It’s not like I’d be worried if I lost you! But no! Being a big bad dragon is far more important than your safety!” Without another word, Rarity ran outside. Spike was dumbstruck, he looked as she left the cave and just stood there. He put a claw to his forehead and said, “What have I done…?” “I should probably talk to her.” Twilight said. “Why you Twi?” I asked. “I’ve been at this long then she has.” She replied, preparing to walk out. “Been at what?” Spike asked. “Dealing with stallions, or in this case dragons, that think they can just fly headfirst into danger without thinking about who they’re leaving behind.” She said, and then walked out. “I, can’t believe she’s this worried about me.” Spike said, looking down. I put a hoof on his shoulder and said, “Come on, we’ll go talk to Car’buncle and see if we can’t get your growth ceremony set up.” “Do you think Rarity will be okay?” Spike asked. “She’ll be okay.” I said, “Twilight will help her out.” “I hope so,” Spike said, scuffing his foot. “I can’t stand to see her cry.” ________________________________________________________ Perspective: Rarity Of all the worst things in this world, this has to be… The. Worst. Possible. THING! Why? Why? Why does the drake of my dreams have to go and be so… FOOLISH! There has to be another way. Surely Twilight could figure something out, so my darling Spikey Wikey wouldn’t have to risk death! I sat on the shore of a nearby puddle. My tears may have added to it. Oh my stars, it’s going to take a while to...how can I even think of my appearance at a time such as this? This trip has been one disaster after another! Oh how I wish there could be another way! Oh Spikey Wikey… “Rarity?” I turned to see Twilight standing there, I wiped my eyes and said, “Forgive me for my outburst, Twilight, I’m just, worried about Spike.” “I know,” She said firmly. “But Rarity, you have to understand…” “Understand what?” I asked, maybe a touch too loud. “That my beloved is going to die! That he could perish horribly! That I’d never see him again?! What makes you think that you can understand any of th-” “HE’S MY BROTHER!” Twilight yelled. I stopped my rant as Twilight huffed. “Rarity, I know you love him, but I raised him since he was an egg. I know the dangers that can happen, but if we don’t do this he’ll become huge again. He’ll give into his greed and not even you can stop him if it becomes too much.” I stared at her. “Don’t even get me started about understanding this! Every day of my life it seems like somepony is trying to hurt or harm Private! Of course I’m worried about him, but I trust him!” She said, her voice firm. “I believe that whatever comes his way, he’ll find a way to escape danger. He nearly died more times than I can count. But, I believe that we’ll see each other again, that, is what holds me together during this.” I...have been terribly selfish again...I didn’t trust Spike to be able to overcome this danger… Oh Spike… “Forgive me Twilight,” I said. “I must seem like a horrible pony.” “Not horrible,” She said with a smile. “Just not used to crazy boyfriends, or in my case husband, being heroes.” “To think that you above any of us would be able to hold it all together.” I said, smiling. “I’ve come a long way since Smarty Pants.” She replied with a laugh. We both laughed at the most entertaining memory. I then heard another voice speak up, “What are you two laughing about?” We both looked to see Spike’s sister Ran’sea walking towards us. Oh, what do I tell her? The truth, she deserved it… “Spike is going to try and see if the sacred fire will let him grow naturally,” I said, trying to sound gentle. Ran’s jaw dropped, “What? You can’t be serious!” “It’s true,” Twilight said. “But, I’m sure he’ll be strong enough to get through it, he’s fighting for the right so you both can grow.” “He...is…?” Ran asked. “Spike is, going to do that for me?” “You are his sister after all.” Twilight said. “Of course he’d want to do this for both of you.” “To grow,” Ran said, looking at her claws. “To experience wings, to know what it’s like to breath true fire. To be a true dragon and not a beast, I’ve always dreamed of it. But, I always thought that I would always remain small, since my mother had perished.” Twilight smiled and put a hoof on her shoulder, saying gently, “I’m sure Spike can do it, we gotta trust him.” “Right!” Ran’sea said, sounding a little chipper. “I cannot wait! It will be amazing to grow!” “Absolutely not, young dragoness!” All three of us looked up as Ele’sium walked over to us. For some reason, I always got an odd vibe off her, and I didn’t much care for her tone when addressing Ran’sea. It sounded almost condescending… Look at me, I’ve been accompanying Private for too long, I’m already suspecting every dragon. “What are you doing here, Ran’sea?” Ele’sium asked, looking down at Ran. “I told you specifically to not speak with these ponies.” “I wanted to go for a walk Aunt,” Ran said. “I just happened to come by here. They said Spike is going to convince the Sacred Fire to allow me to gr-” “Like I said, you will not,” Ele’sium said. “The Sacred Fire is far too dangerous, any dragon who goes near it is likely to perish. Be content with what you are, Ran’sea. Do not perform your brother’s foolish endeavors.” “What I am,” Ran said, glaring defiantly at her aunt, “is sick of everydragon treating me like a pity case! I can never grow naturally without my mother’s growth fire! I get it! But Spike will get the fire to work, and I will be able to grow normally!” “Foolish girl!” Ele’sium roared. “Who was the one who took care of you when all turned their backs on you? Who took your egg and warmed it for all those weeks before you hatched?” Ran seemed to become crestfallen, the fire from before fading. “You did, Aunt Ele’sium.” “I did,” Ele’sium said. “What your brother is doing is foolish, and if Car’buncle has any sense he will forbid the ceremony. I will not see my niece get hurt because of some foolish fantasy.” “But I…” Ran started. “What did I say about talking back, Ran’sea?” Ele’sium said, in that condescending tone of hers. Ran’sea sighed and said, “It’s rude to interrupt when one is talking.” “Good,” Ele’sium said, and then glared at us. “If I see you, or your other pony friend near my niece again, you’ll all know why dragons are to be feared.” With that, Ele’sium walked away, Ran’sea walking behind her, her darling little shoulders drooped. Oh the poor dear… “Something’s not right here…” Twilight said. “Somehow, I don’t think Ele’sium is going to win best parent of the year award.” “She was terribly rude to Ran’sea, poor dear,” I said. “We’ll figure this out some other time,” Twilight said. “For now, we got Spike to support.” I smiled and said, “I am glad you are so caring for Spike, Twilight, it gives me hope for when you and Private finally have little heirs.” “RARITY!” Twilight cried as I skipped happily away. Oh it is so much fun to tease them! ________________________________________________________ Perspective: Private Eye I was standing in what looked like the center meeting area for the dragons. Car’buncle towered over several of the dragons present. His mate, Li’zael was beside him, Smog’krok at her feet. He kept casting glares at Spike every once in a while. Geez, and I thought my family was nuts. I noticed the black dragon, Tru’sent, was standing beside Car’buncle, he had to be a dragon of high rank. Other dragons were around us well, that feeling of smallness came back again. I was ready to pull out Silver Wolf just in case. Car’buncle looked down at Spike. “So, you are requesting to visit the sacred fire,” He said. “Yes, Uncle,” Spike said. “I know it’s dangerous, but it’s the only way Ran’sea and I can grow normally.” “A very dangerous way,” Li’zael said. “Many a dragon has ventured to the flame, and came back with scars that would never heal...or they don’t return at all.” “Why should we let him go in the first place?” Tru’sent asked. “He’s been tainted by these ponies! The fire will never accept this abomination as a true dragon!” “Tru’sent!” Li’zael cried. “But, maybe he’s right mother,” Smog said, glaring at Spike. “I mean, he has no idea about anything. He didn’t even know we were alive until this morning.” “Hey! Don’t talk down to me just because I lived with ponies!” Spike declared. “If anything, I think they’ve made me a better dragon than some of the dragons I’ve met! Don’t even get me started on some of the teenaged dragons I’ve met!” “Enough!” Car’buncle cried, spreading his wings for silence. He then looked at me. “You, Pony, do you believe that Spar’kron is ready for the fire?” I looked down, then back up again. “I may not know much about this fire, but I don’t doubt Spike’s courage. I don’t doubt that his heart is in the right place, and I sure as hell don’t doubt the fact that he’s a good dragon. I can’t think of any greater qualifiers for becoming a true dragon.” Car’buncle closed his eyes, taking it all in. “It’s insane, Father!” Smog shouted. “He’s not a real dragon! He never was one!” “Smog’krok!” Li’zael cried. “He is your cousin! Show some decency!” “But it’s true!” Smog cried, stomping over to Spike. “It’s because of ponies we’re stuck living in caves like this! It’s because of them! He’s a traitor waiting to happen!” “Finally, a dragon talking sense…” Tru’sent muttered. “Yeah, like you guys are taking the moral high ground,” Spike said, crossing his arms. “I’m sure there are plenty of pony villages that will say exactly what they think of dragons raiding them. The fact of the matter is, the ponies still see us as monsters. Don’t give them proof…” “Who are you to talk about what it means to be a dragon?” Smog yelled. “How do we know you didn’t just make up being raised by ponies? What if you really are a traitor, stalling us until an entire army comes to kill us all!” Several dragons around us muttered, some agreeing with Smog. I then got between them, glaring down at Smog...a stare that Fenlock once gave me… ________________________________________________________ He’s a criminal! He had a family, he made a mistake, so I made sure he’d get a short sentence… That makes no sense Fenlock! He did something wrong! He should be punished! …. Fenlock...why are you staring at me like that…? Cause you got a lot to learn about the world. It is never black and white, it is never simple. Life is hard on a lot of ponies. So before you start slapping cuffs on every criminal, learn their history, their story, find out the why, not just the how. Who cares about why? I do...kid. _______________________________________________ “Don’t try to blame everything on us. I won’t blame everything on dragons,” My voice was firm enough to silence the whole crowd. “I won’t pretend I have an answer to the problem. But I can say that so long as one side keeps hitting, the likelihood of hitting back skyrockets. So before you start pinning blame...learn to see the bigger picture…” I finished by saying a condescending…”...kid.” Smog looked about ready to claw me, when Li’zael suddenly grabbed him with her tail. “That is enough! Both of you!” She said, keeping Smog close. “But Mo-” Smog tried to say. “Nothing out of you young drake!” Li’zael growled at her son. “You’ve already shamed your family enough with your childish outburst. Don’t make things worse.” Smog had no more words to say after that. Car’buncle looked at me and said, “Your words show wisdom for such a short lived race. You have instilled these values in my nephew. I will allow Spar’kron to visit the fire. You and your pony friends may accompany him. I, as a dragon cannot.” “What can I expect?” Spike asked. Car’buncle’s face turned grim. “Nothing, you can expect none of it.” “I’ll do this,” Spike said, putting a claw to his chest. “Not just for me, but for Ran as well.” Li’zael smiled and said, “There’s that fire in his eyes again. Thal’lan was rather famous for that.” “He also has his father’s stubbornness as well,” Tru’sent muttered. “Oh, I think that’s just a family trait,” Li’zael said with a laugh. “So, where is this fire?” I asked. “I will show you the entrance, but according to our traditions, only Spar’kron may speak with the flame.” Car’buncle said reverently. “I’ll do this…” Spike said, and then looked up at his uncle. “Take me to the fire!” _____________________________________________________ Perspective: Spike Uncle Car’buncle led us to the mouth of a huge cave. He stood there, looking down at me and Private. “This is as far as I can take you.” “What about me?” Private asked. “You and your companions can only accompany him, until you start to see light at the end of the tunnel. Then, and right then, you must stop and let Spar’kron venture forth alone.” “Spike! Wait!” I looked up to see Rarity and Twilight running over. Rarity ran to me, and hugged me tight saying, “Oh Spike, I’m sorry for being terribly inconsiderate. I was just worried you’d get hurt.” I tried not to get a big stupid grin on my face when she did hug me. I just smiled and hugged Rarity back. “I’ll be fine Rarity, I promise I’ll come back.” “Can you make that promise to me as well?” I looked and saw Ran walking towards us. “Ran’sea?” I said. “However did you get away from Ele’sium?” Rarity asked. “She went out for to get some gems for dinner,” Ran said, “I ‘gave her the slip’, as you ponies say.” “You know there’ll be hell to pay when Ele’sium finds out you did ‘give her the slip’,” Car’buncle said. Ran’sea then gave her uncle the biggest puppy dog eyes ever. “But, Uncle, I just wanna help my brother and support him…” Car’buncle sighed, “Very well, as his closest living relative, I will allow you to accompany him to the fire. I could never say no to you.” “Oh thank you Uncle!” Ran said, hugging her Uncle’s claw. Wow, she’s got it down. Ran then practically skipped over to me. “Thank you for doing this, brother, I believe you will help us both.” I gave her a determined nod, “Right, let’s do this!” ____________________________________________________ Ran led the way as we descended into the tunnel. I noticed the tunnel was huge, and had several smaller tunnels all around. “Who made all these?” Twilight asked. “Various things over the years,” Ran said. “Young dragons trying to find a new cave, Quar’ray eels trying to dig around, many things.” “I just hope we don’t run into any nasties during our trip,” Private said. “Don’t worry Private, I’ll protect you from any big nasty spiders we come across,” Twilight teased. “Hey!” Private cried. “There it is,” Ran said, pointing ahead. I saw a light coming towards the end of the tunnel. She then turned to me, “Are you sure you’ll be safe?” I gave her a smile and said, “I got you all to come back too, I promise I’ll be safe.” I turned back to my family and said, “Thanks for coming with, guys.” Private and Twilight pulled me into a hug and Twilight said, “I’m proud of you, Spike, never forget that.” “I know, Twilight…” I said, just basking in my family’s embrace. “Stay safe,” Private said. “I want us all to be able to tell Celestia and the others about this.” “I will, Private.” I said, getting out of the embrace. I then walked to Rarity, I was about to say something, when she just outright kissed me on the lips. I took a moment to take it in, then kissed her back tenderly. After we parted, she gazed at me with her glistening blue eyes and said, “I do love you, Spikey Wikey, never forget that.” I smiled and said, “I never have, and never will.” With that, I marched towards the light. After a couple of minutes walking, I came to my destination. The room was spacious, about the size of a hoofball stadium. A bridge lead up to an altar in the center of the room. All around the walls were carvings depicting dragons and other letters I didn’t recognize. I’d have to ask Car’buncle what they mean some day. The Altar was made of stone, and had all these elaborate dragon carvings on it. At the top of the altar, was a flame, small and flickering with only just enough light for me to see the stalactites above me. I walked over to the flame and said, “This is it? Some sacred flame…” Suddenly the small flicker turned into an inferno. I leaped back in shock. Suddenly, before my very eyes the flame formed itself into the shape of a dragon. I gazed upon it, it seemed to be made of living flame, it’s eyes bright orbs that gazed down upon me. It’s body was long, and almost seemed like those Neighpanese dragons Raiden once told me about, it had a long mane of flame coming from it’s head as well. “You have come in search of the Sacred Flame,” It said, it’s voice echoing around the room. “Who are you?” I asked. “My name has long since left me.” The dragon said, “But, others have taken to calling me Vol’vagia” “Vol’vagia!” I said, getting to my feet. “I’ve come to use your fire to allow me to grow normally! My mother died before I was born, there’s no way I can grow again unless you help me.” It looked at me for a long time and said, “It appears you were immersed in another dragon’s growth fire. That would explain why your wings have appeared so early.” “Early?” I asked. “How old are you young drake?” It asked. “Eighteen.” I said, trying not to seem nervous. “At nineteen you should start to see wings sacks growing on your back.” It said, pointing a claw at me. “ But you have fully grown wings before your time. To grow too fast is a dangerous thing. You are well on your way to becoming a beast again.” “That’s why I need your help!” I cried. “I need you to help me and my sister grow!” “And what makes you think I should?” It asked. “Many have come to me before, demanding I give over my fire. My fire, which I had spent centuries perfecting, which has the power to do what Growth Fire can only dream of, they demand it from me.” “I’m asking you,” I said. “I need it! Not just for myself, but for my friends!” “Your, friends?” That seemed to give him pause. “Yes!” I said. “I grew huge once and nearly destroyed the town! I nearly killed another dragon if Rarity hadn’t stopped me...both times. I don’t want to hurt anypony! I want to stop this beast inside of me before it grows and destroys everything I love! I am not demanding, I’m pleading, imploring, whatever the heck Twilight can come up with that’s a synonym! I need to grow, and Ran’sea needs to grow too...I don’t want her to suffer with this, either.” Vol’vagia looked at me for a long time again, and then he spoke, “Your words ring true, your desire is only to protect and help those you love. I sense no selfish desire for power coming from you. You are…different, young drake.” “Yeah, being raised by ponies does that to you,” I said. “How very curious.” Vol’vagia said. “Very well, I shall grant you my flame young Spike.” “Your...flame…?” I asked. “Yes, I will cast my fire upon you, returning you to your original state, before your wings grew prematurely. Then, once you reach your next birthday, your wings will start to grow in sacks. Then, you will grow taller, by the time you are twenty one, you will tower over your pony brethren.” “When will I become full sized?” I asked. He was quiet for a moment, and then said, “You will achieve mental maturity by the time you reach twenty one, you will be the dragon equivalent of a young adult pony. Then, once you reach your fiftieth year, you will grow into a full sized dragon, reaching physical maturity.” “That long…” I said. Rarity will be an old maid by then...will she still love me…? “A long life is a curse in the end,” Vol’vagia said. “Know this, that your time spent, is more important, than time allotted.” I slowly, nodded and said, “I’ll do it, give me the fire to save my friends!” Vol’vagia opened his wide jaws and a fire started to form in it. I braced myself, ready for the fire that will allow me to become a full dragon normally! “AAARRGHH!!” I looked up, hearing Vol’vagia’s scream. The flaming dragon seemed to be contorting in pain. “No! Get out of my mind!” “What’s happening?” I asked. “Something...is…” Suddenly, his eyes turned...Sombra green…”GET AWAY!!!” Suddenly he fired the flame at the ceiling. I felt the earth shake around me, and turned to run across the bridge. I watched as a stalactite fell on my bath ahead, cutting me off. No! I’ve come this far! I won’t break my promise! I heard a loud explosion, and looked up, I saw a fireball hit the stalactite above me. Funny...the fire ball was blue… I shook my head as I realized that it was about to fall on me. I tried to flap my wings to get away, but I couldn’t get a good air time going. No! I can’t die! Not without...saying goodbye… “SPIKE!” I felt myself get wrapped in magic, the feeling of being zapped in and out of existence, and then the warm feeling of Twilight holding me. “What happened?” She asked. “No time!” I yelled. “We gotta get outta here!” With that, I hopped on her back and we both made a break for it as the tunnel started to collapse. _______________________________________________________ Perspective: Private We barely made it out in time. We all just laid on the ground as the tunnel collapsed behind us. Something had gone wrong….that was for sure… But what...and why...I’m going to find out. Chapter 4 "Behind Scaled Eyes"Chapter 4 “Behind Scaled Eyes” Perspective: Private Eye I shook my head as my vision slowly cleared. I was laying down on the ground, the cave tunnel collapsed and was now covered with rubble. I looked around and saw Twilight was laying on the ground, Spike on her back. I shook her, “Twilight, come on wake up.” I said. Twilight groaned and shook her own head. She opened her amethyst eyes and looked at me. “Private, thank Celestia you’re okay,” She said. “I’m glad you’re okay,” I said, nuzzling her and helping her to her hooves. “Come on, let’s wake the others.” I walked over to Spike who was lying down on the ground. I nudged him awake and the baby dragon opened his green eyes. “What happened?” He asked as he got to his feet. “I was hoping you could tell us,” I said as I heard Rarity coming awake thanks to Twilight. “That was rather close, darling,” Rarity said, getting to her hooves and leaning against Twilight. Spike ran over to Ran and roused her as well. The dragoness looked at Spike and said, “Thank goodness you’re alright Spike. What happened?” Spike shook his head and said, “I don’t know. One minute, Vol’vagia was going to give me the fire, next thing I know he gets Sombra eyes and starts to freak out.” “So, dark magic,” Twilight concluded. “Dark magic?” Rarity said. “As in what Sombra used?” “He’s not the only one…” I said, trying to forget the things I did when I got a taste of the evil power. “Whoever did this,” Ran’sea said, “obviously did not want the ceremony to go as planned.” “What happened to Car’buncle?” Spike asked. I looked around and saw Car’buncle flying over, with Li’zael at his side. The two dragons landed and gazed down at us. Li’zael was the first to speak. “There was a quake a while back, we feared there would be a cave in. What happened?” “It wasn’t us,” Spike said. “It was Vol’vagia! He went nuts and we nearly got squashed to death.” “Vol’vagia?” Car’buncle said. “So you did manage to reach the Sacred Fire.” “But we have a bigger problem now,” Li’zael said, and then looked at Spike. “Tell me young one, did Vol’vagia put the fire in you?” Spike was quiet for a moment, and then shook his head. Car’buncle and Li’zael’s eyes went wide. “I warned you both this would happen!” I looked over and saw Tru’sent flying over. The lean black dragon growled, “I warned you that Vol’vagia would never accept this tainted brat!” “Tru’sent!” Car’buncle growled in turn. “You forget your place!” “Am I the only dragon that isn’t blind?” Tru’sent cried. “This dragon has been rejected by the Sacred Flame. That’s the only explanation for the quake! The only explanation for why he’s still here!” “I didn’t do anything!” Spike said. “It was somebody using dark magic!” “A likely excuse for a miserable excuse for a wyrm,” Tru’sent said with sheer venom. “You can’t talk to him like that!” Twilight yelled. “Back off pony,” Tru’sent growled. “I’ll squash you right here!” Twilight’s horn glowed and for a minute her eyes glowed white. “If you lay one claw on him…” “ENOUGH!” Car’buncle yelled, getting between them. “This fighting will get us nowhere! Whatever happened down there, the fact remains there is a mystery to solve, and we will not do so if we’re clawing each other for no reason!” “You side with them Car’buncle!?” Tru’sent roared. “I side with the needs of the clan,” Car’buncle growled. He then turned to glare at Twilight. “While it is admirable that you would defend my nephew, I will not tolerate any fighting here.” Twilight’s horn dimmed but she retained her glare. “Don’t think I’ll forget this…” “Now on to-” “Ran’sea!” We watched as Ele’sium landed almost on top of us. She glared down at Ran and said, “Where were you? I told you to stay in the cavern!” “I wanted to see my brother!” Ran said firmly. “What happened here?” Ele’sium demanded, glaring at the rock fall. “Ele…” Li’zael said nervously. “Answer me!” Ele growled. “There was an accident.” Li’zael said cooly. “No dragon or pony was hurt.” “I could care less about these ponies!” Ele’sium growled. “The fact of the matter is Ran’sea could’ve been hurt! I demand that these ponies be held responsible for putting my niece in danger!” “Mother, I went of my own volition!” Ran’sea yelled. “SILENCE!” Ele’sium growled. Ran...wilted almost. “I’ve done nothing but care for you for the past eighteen years. Then you repay my kindness by disobeying me and putting yourself in danger,” Ele growled, her eyes reminding a little...of Glimmer. Ran, didn’t even fight back. “I’m sorry Aunt Ele’sium…” I thought I heard a snarl coming from Ele’sium… Ran simply nodded and said, “I will never disobey you again.” “Good!” Ele’sium said, reaching out her tail and pulling Ran close to her. “Remember Ran’sea, I will always love you...so long as you stay with me.” “Yes Aunt Ele’sium…” Ran said, hopelessly walking away. “Ran!” Spike cried. Ran looked back at Spike for a moment and said, “I’m sorry, Spar’kron.” With that, Ele’sium walked with Ran and then looked at Car’buncle. “I hope you make the right choice, my chief.” “I make my own decisions Ele, just as Fran did…” Car’buncle said, an edge to his voice. Ele’sium simply walked away, Ran at her side. I walked up to Car’buncle. “Sir, if I may speak.” “What do you have to say, rat?” Tru’sent growled. “Hold your tongue, Tru’sent,” Li’zael growled. “Li’zael,” Car’buncle said, a little gruffly. Li’zael simply nodded and said no more. Car’buncle then looked down at me. “What is it you wish to say?” “That I believe this was a sabotage operation,” I said firmly. Everypony and dragon in the room looked at me as if I’ve suddenly grew a second horn. “What is this nonsense?” Tru’sent growled. “I say we toss out this pony, he’s obviously mad!” “No, let him speak,” Car’buncle said. I cleared my throat and said, “The timing was too good. Spike just happens to enter the cave, and we can expect the outburst to be a coincidence?” “Of course not,” Tru’sent growled. “It was obvious that Vol’vagia rejected him!” “He didn’t!” Spike yelled. “He said I was worthy! He was going to give it to me when he went crazy!” “And you believe it was Dark Magic?” Li’zael said, gazing down at me. “I may not have witnessed it myself,” I said and then met the dragon’s glare. “But I believe Spike, he wouldn’t lie about something as important as this.” “This is ludicrous!” Tru’sent yelled. “Surely these ponies are lying! Just as all ponies do! I say we throw them out of here, maybe cut off that one’s wings as a message!” “My mate would never allow such brutal methods!” Li’zael cried. “But even you must admit the insanity of what this pony is saying!” Tru’sent snarled. “ENOUGH!” Car’buncle yelled, silencing all. He gazed down at us for a long time. Finally he sighed and said, “I’m only doing this because you are my nephew. I know Thal’lan would haunt me forever if I didn’t at least give you a chance to prove yourself.” “You mean you-” Spike began. Car’buncle held up a claw and said, “I am giving you and your pony friends a chance to prove this was a sabotage job. If you can prove to me that this was a sabotage and expose the culprit, I will believe you and we will figure out a way to recover the sacred flame.” “And if we don’t?” Rarity asked. “Then you will leave here and never return.” Car’buncle said, though I could tell it pained him so. “But,” Spike said, and then shook his head and looked determined. “We will find this out! Private is the best detective I know, he’ll prove it!” I smiled at Spike and said, “We’ll figure this out, and we’ll make sure the culprit is revealed.” Car’buncle slowly nodded and said, “I wish to take your word at face value, but as chief I cannot afford risks.” He then turned to his mate. “Take the white pony.” “WHAT?!” We all yelled. Before any of us could protest, Li’zael reached out with her tail and pulled Rarity up by wrapping the tail around her belly. Rarity struggled a little and glared at Li’zael. “Untail me you brute!” “Hey what’s going on!?” Spike cried, he tried to rush Li’zael but found both Twilight and I’s magics held him back. “We need to make sure that you do not try to flee or do something equally as stupid,” Li’zael said. “I will not harm your intended, Spar’kron. She will be returned once this is over. Until then, she’s coming to stay with me for a while.” Rarity’s blue eyes showed understanding and she looked down at Spike. “I will be fine Spikey Wikey, just find the brutes who ruined your special day.” She then got an evil look on her face. “So that when I see them I’ll rip their scales out one by one and-” THE FOLLOWING RAGE INDUCED MONOLOGUE HAS BEEN CENSURED SO AS TO PROTECT OUR YOUNG READERS FROM RARITY’S SCARILY CREATIVE IMAGINATION. All of our jaws dropped at that, even Car’buncle’s. Li’zael however, just smiled and said, “I think we’ll get along just fine.” Tru’sent simply huffed and flew off. Li’zael turned, Rarity still in her tail as they walked off as well. Car’buncle looked down at Spike and simply said, “I’m sorry…” With that, he turned to follow his mate. Spike stomped the ground, “I hate this! I can’t believe they’d just take Rarity like that!” “She’ll be fine Spike,” I said. “They won’t hurt her.” “Either way, we gotta get back to the tunnel.” Twilight said firmly. “Come on boys, let’s get digging.” “Hold on Twi, I wanna try something.” I said, walking up to the rocks. I then concentrated and my horn sparked. The rocks blew forward like a giant hoof just shoved them. “Here’s hoping the tunnel leads to the same spot.” “Come on,” Twilight said, walking forward. We then ventured back into the dark. __________________________________________________________ Perspective: Rarity Well this is embarrassing. Me! Being held hostage by… Well… Honestly, it could be worse. At least Li’zael, and Car’buncle are rather civilized, as opposed to that Tru’sent brute. He’d probably pull out my horn, and do horrible, unprintable things with it. Unprintable? Where did that come from? Honestly, I’ve got to stop hanging around Pinkie Pie so much. She may be contagious. Ahem. Anyway, here I am being held hostage by a rather civilized dragoness, and the aunt of my beloved. Well… I guess it couldn’t hurt to get to know her better. Thankfully she hasn’t put me in any sort of restraints like those Diamond Dogs did. She just put me in a cave and I got the impression it wouldn’t be a good idea to go out of it. The cave was small, about the size of a room at home, with only a single exit which was blocked by my dragoness guard. Li’zael stuck her head inside the hole and said, “Sorry about this, you seemed like an alright sort of pony. But, you understand why we do this.” I wanted to be polite, but my tone was a little tired and could easily be interpreted as it being a long day. “You don’t trust Spike, and you expect him to find the culprit or else.” “It’s not that I don’t trust my nephew,” Li’zael said, “I just know the rest of the clan doesn’t trust him.” I sighed and layed against the wall, sliding down it onto the floor. “This isn’t what I expected at all.” “What were you expecting?” Li’zael asked. “I don’t know, something sensible,” I said with a shake of my head. “First, I mistook Ran’sea as another suitor for Spikey Wikey. Then I bumble up my first impression to his family. Now, I’m trapped in here because no dragon wishes to believe him.” Li’zael blinked and said, “You, do care for him. You remind me a lot of Fran.” “Spikey Wikey’s mother?” I asked. “Tell me, what was she like?” Li’zael gave a dragon’s equivalent of a smirk and said, “Oh, she was quite the heartbreaker back in her day. Not by choice, she was beautiful but she simply couldn’t take on a mate because Ele’sium scared most of them off.” I narrowed my eyes in thought. Ele’sium did seem the protective sort. Maybe overly protective… Li’zael went on, “Fran and her sister were outsiders, their parents died of disease ages ago, they wandered around for most of their lives until they settled here.” “It was kind of your clan to take them in.” I said with a smile. “No dragon was more happy than Thal’lan though.” Li’zael said with a laugh. “Once he caught sight of Fran he was head over tail for her. Followed her around, tried to help her out with this and that, I swear her cave was always the cleanest thanks to him.” I slowly frowned. This did seem to be reflection of my behavior towards Spike. How I thought he would dismiss his crush once he’d had enough of working. But, it seemed with every moment I spent with him, only made him want to work harder to be there for me. “Fran eventually tried to convince him to stop,” Li’zael said. “At that moment, Thal’lan confessed his love for her. Caused a fuss when my father in law wanted him to be with Shar’drel.” “That horrid dragoness!” I glowered. “She’s the one who murdered both of them!” Li’zael nodded “Honestly, I’m not surprised. But the one who put up more fuss than she did, was Ele’sium.” “She did seem rather rude to Ran’sea.” I pointed out. “Yes, she was extremely protective of Fran too.” Li’zael said with a sigh. “I remember wanting to teach Fran how to breath fire better. Ele threw a fit at the very idea of any dragon besides her sister teaching Fran.” Does seem to be bordering on obessive… “Mother!” I heard another little voice cry. “Excuse me,” Li’zael said, and she pulled her head out. I recognized the voice as Smog’krok’s, I heard him say, “What’s going on? Why are you sticking your head in the cave?” “Where were you?” Li’zael asked. “I asked you to stay in the cave.” “I heard Ran had gone missing from Aunt Ele’sium! I also heard rumors that the fire rejected Spar’kron! I told you he wasn’t a real dragon!” Smog’krok’s voice said in such earnestly I had to fight the urge to leap out and strangle the little urchin. Li’zael’s voice was calm but strained, “You’ve been listening to Tru’sent again. Honestly Smog, I keep asking you to stay away from him. He’s trouble, and you should have the sense to listen.” “But, Mother,” Smog cried, “I was right!” “No, Tru’sent was wrong, and you’re just parroting him,” Li’zael scolded. “Now get back to the cave, otherwise you can forget about dinner.” Smog’s little footsteps could be heard as he stomped away. It seems that trick works no matter what the species. I just hope the others are okay… Oh Spikey Wikey… _________________________________________________________ Perspective: Private Eye Dust settled as the rocks blew away from the entrance. We stepped out into the sacred fire chamber, now devoid of most of the light. Twilight’s horn glowed and a ball of violet light appeared which was almost as bright as the sun. It illuminated the entire area and allowed us to see what was in front of us. “Some day, you gotta teach me some tricks,” I said with a smile at my wife. “Only when you teach me that alchemy stuff,” Twilight said with a smile in turn. “Less lovey dovey stuff guys!” Spike cried, running forward. “More investigating!” The chamber was still vast and most of it was now filled with rubble and various rocks scattered everywhere. I saw the remains of what had to be an altar of some kind, along with a bridge leading to it. Thankfully the rubble was piled up enough that we could cross to the altar without issue. Spike stood near a part of the bridge ruins, and pointed at a fallen stalactite. “Here! this is what I saw that blue fireball hit,” He said. I looked over at it, and sure enough, there was a large scorch mark on the side, close to the top. That had to be where it was hit. “Alright, let’s split up and look for clues.” They nodded and I began walking around the rubble near the altar. I walked a little around before my hoof felt something. I looked down and saw something buried in the rubble. I used my magic to dig it out a little, and I got a better look at it. It was a crystal, but mostly resembled the black ones that are Sombra’s trademark. There was no magic or aura coming from it, odd how it would be just hidden among the rubble here. I put it in a plastic bag and slipped it into my trench coat. The crystal was about as big as my head but you’d be surprised how deep my pockets can be. “Private! Over here!” I turned and saw Twilight was standing along the outer walls. I made my way over there and saw that she was standing next to a small tunnel. Spike also walked over with me and Twilight said, “Look at these claw marks,” She said, pointing. “Something was digging here.” Spike looked at the hole. “It’s pretty small. I’ll have a look inside, I think I can fit,” He said, and then proceeded to enter it. After about a minute of waiting, Spike came out of the hole and said, “The tunnel goes around, but some of the rubble fell in the path. I don’t know if it’s a good idea to continue.” “Any idea what could’ve made it?” Twilight asked. Spike slowly put out his palm, and revealed a small orange dragon scale. Spike nodded and said, “I think I may have an idea…” Chapter 5 "Tunnel to Truth"Chapter 5 “Tunnel to Truth” Perspective: Private Eye “Any luck Spike?” I asked, sticking my head in the tunnel where we found the orange scale. “I can’t really see anything, hold on,” Spike called before the tunnel became illuminated. “I don’t see anything weird here.” I looked over at Twilight who was sticking her nose in a book. “Twi? What’s up?” “I’m looking through this guide book to northern Equestria,” Twilight said, shifting through the pages. “Vol’vagia’s fire, no matter how strong, probably didn’t cause an earthquake.” “You think so?” I asked. “Aside from making the place very hot,” She said. “I doubt launching the fire to the ceiling would cause any form of seismic activity.” “Maybe we’re inside a dormant volcano or something?” Spike called from the tunnel. “Unlikely,” Twilight said. “There aren’t any records of volcanos in this area. The closest one isn’t for several miles.” “So what do you think?” I asked. “I don’t think, I reference,” Twilight said, holding a book with various lines over a map. “This, is a chart of the various lay and fault lines under Equestria. With a little calculation, I have determined that that tunnel passes straight through it.” “Hey!” Spike cried. “It does fork off! I didn’t notice it before! This one looks like it was dug in a hurry.” “Might’ve been an escape attempt,” I said. “It probably got scared off by fire shooting everywhere, and dug it’s way right into the fault line, that’s what caused the earthquake.” Spike came out of the tunnel, “It’s too small for you guys to fit through, but judging by the way it went, I think it’s heading straight for the main cavern.” “What about the other path?” I asked. “Blocked off,” Spike said. “Just like I said earlier.” “This scale,” I said, looking at the orange scale. “judging by it’s size, it had to have come from a dragon about your size.” “Smog!” Spike said firmly. “I knew he had it out for me!” “Easy Spike,” Twilight said. “He was probably scared off during the commotion, I doubt he’d have time to stick around to shoot blue fire.” “Why can’t we ever get the obvious culprits?” Spike said with a sigh. “Welcome to the world of detective work,” I said, then turned to the fallen Stalactite. “Twi, could you see if you can lift this back up to where it was? I think I can make a trajectory guesstimate.” “Give me a sec,” Twilight said, her horn glowing and slowly but surely the stalactite lifted off the ground and several rocks as well. The stalactite then floated up to the ceiling and repaired itself as if it never fell in the first place. “Alicorn magic, still awesome,” Twilight said, smiling at her work. I looked at where the soot was strongest on the stalactite. “Alright, if it was shot from there, then it would have to have been shot from...there.” I pointed to the other side of the cavern from the entrance. There, was a rubbled up tunnel. Spike shook his head, “That wasn’t here when I first came in.” “Looks like our culprit was digging too.” I said. Twilight and I walked over and looked at the rubble, “It’ll take us hours to dig through all that. Even with my magic.” “Arrgh!” Spike cried. “This is so frustrating! Rarity is probably worried sick right now!” “Cool it, Romeo,” I said. Then, I looked up...and saw a hole in the ceiling, covered with soot that we didn’t see before… “Come on guys, we got another lead but we have to see about a certain suspect…” “Rarity first,” Spike said. “Then suspect.” ____________________________________________________ Perspective: Rarity “Well, darling, I’m hardly an expert on draconic scales, but any accessories you use would have to harmonise with your natural coloration. My having a white coat makes it relatively easy, but for you… Hmmm,” I said, then lapsed into thoughtful silence. “Gold, of course would go well. As well as oranges, reds, and yellows.” “I must admit,” Li’zael said, looking at me. “I am fascinated about about how much care you ponies make to appearances. If I had known what you just told me, Car’buncle wouldn’t have needed a smack to the head to realize I had a crush on him.” “Oh appearances aren’t everything, darling,” I said. “But every little bit helps in the game of romance.” “Sure as hell would’ve made mating season a lot more interesting,” She said with a laugh. Alright, maybe I was being over dramatic, turns out Li’zael bucks the trend of in-laws being unreasonable. Could’ve done without being picked up like one of Sweetie’s dolls though. In-laws...oh look at me thinking such a thing… I heard some voices outside, Li’zael stuck her head back out. I recognized Private’s voice! “Can we speak to Rarity for a bit?” He asked. Li’zael chuckled, “If you’re going to plot an escape, just remember I took down dragons three times your size when I was a hatchling,” she said. “Wow, you’re kind of awesome, Aunt Li’zael,” Spikey Wikey’s voice said. “Oh don’t flatter me, nephew, just go inside and take care of Rarity. She and I were chatting up a storm before you arrived. Fine catch in my honest opinion,” Li’zael said. YES! I saw Spikey Wikey and my dear friends coming inside. I opened my front legs and hugged Spike ever so lovingly. “Oh Spike, thank goodness you’re okay,” I said. Spike looked up at me and said, “Same here, have they been treating you okay?” I smiled and said, “Turns out, I made a good impression on your family after all. At least, the majority of them.” “That’s good to hear.” Twilight said. “We just came to see if you were okay.” “I will assure you both I am quite alright.” I said, and then saw the look in Private’s eyes. I remained quiet as he walked up to me and whispered in my ear. “If Li’zael mentions anything to do with blue fire, let us know somehow.” He said, rather urgently. I nodded and whispered back, “I’ll see what I can do, I cannot promise much though.” “Just do what you can,” Private said, as the three turned to leave. I watched as Spike looked back at me and just gave a reassuring smile. I was to be free soon enough… I only hope somehow I can aid in this plight… ___________________________________________________ Perspective: Private Eye It didn’t take long for us to find Tru’sent’s cavern. All it took was us asking a few dragons where it was. A few were suspicious after hearing what happened with the sacred fire. But eventually one told us where Tru’sent lived. We arrived at the cave and it was certainly about as dark as Far’seer’s. It was barely illuminated by crystals and torches. Along the walls I saw various carvings, just like Far’seer’s cavern had. “Okay, this is a little creepy.” Spike said. “I knew I was getting a bad vibe off that guy.” “These carvings,” Twilight said, looking up. “What could they all mean?” “A prophecy.” All of us turned around and saw Far’seer standing there. The blind golden dragon towered over us. Twilight was the first to speak, “How did you manage to sneak up on us like that?” “Because I saw how I was going to do it,” Far’seer said matter of factly. “Right, Oracle,” I said. “What are you doing here?” Spike asked. “I’ve come hoping to answer your question.” Far’seer said. “These writings foretell the prophecy that your parents died to fulfill young Spar’kron.” “That one about a dragon leading other dragons to a new age?” Spike said. “The one Shar’drel was trying to work around by having an egg with my dad?” “Shar’drel and her brother were once my students,” Far’seer explained, her tone somber. “I hoped to teach them the old ways, before we were scattered and beastial. But, everything changed when your grandfather heard about the prophecy.” “What, exactly, does this prophecy say?” Twilight asked. “Scale of Violet, Scale of White, one will come to return dragons from this plight. To be led into a golden age of peace and harmony with all,” Far’seer said, as if reciting an ancient text. “Scale of Violet and Scale of White,” I said. “That had to have been Spike’s parents.” “Unfortunately, your grandfather didn’t receive the full prophecy in the translation I just gave you. Because as I was recieving it, I wrote it down in the ancient tongue you see around you.” She said, pointing to the various carvings. “Dragons had a written language?” Twilight asked. “We did, long before you were born Twilight Sparkle,” Far’seer said. “But, time has not been kind to the old ways, most dragons are born and raised in caves, scattered and lost all across the world. They give into the beastial sides of themselves, and only know bloodlust and greed.” “So what translation did Shar’drel get?” I asked. “Shar’drel was not supposed to see the prophecy, but her impatience led her to sneak into my innermost chambers and copy the prophecy I so foolishly wrote down. Her translation skills were poor, the symbols for black and white are very similar, with minute and subtle differences between them. An amateur like Shar’drel would never have noticed the difference.” “And she believed she was the one foretold to mother this great dragon?” Twilight asked. “Exactly, that’s what she told the chief at the time.” Far’seer answered. “And they believed her?” Spike said, shaking his head. “Shar’drel’s strength was great, and her knowledge vast. It was not too hard to imagine her being the mother of a strong and powerful leader,” Far’seer said, shaking her own head. “Like many a species, our kind only sees to what will benefit them. Shar’drel believed the prophecy foretold when she would give birth to a hero of war.” “But, dad didn’t mate with her,” Spike said. “I tried to persuade the chieftain to let me translate the prophecy better,” Far’seer said sadly. “But the old fool wouldn’t listen. He was going to be the grandfather to the greatest hero dragonkind has ever known, who was I to tell him otherwise?” “But Spike’s dad fell in love with Fran’salel,” Twilight said. “Indeed,” Far’seer said with a smile. “Absolutely pure was their love, what Thal’lan’s father failed to see was that a drake that had a good heart was what was needed. One that brought glory for dragonkind not through war, but through compassion and overcoming the lust for greed and blood plaguing our people.” “That’s...me?” Spike asked. “Possibly,” Far’seer quipped. “Possibly?” I said. “You can see the future can’t you? Surely you know who the chosen dragon is.” “I can only see what the future may become,” Far’seer said sagely. “My eyes see few absolutes. This prophecy is an absolute, but I cannot see all the pieces on the board.” “Then can you tell us who tried to kill Spike?” Twilight asked. Far’seer, tilted her head, “Do any of you feel a draft?” “A draft?” Spike said. I turned around, she was blind so she could feel if there was a draft. I then saw a pretty large boulder in the back. I grabbed it with magic and gave it a shove. Sure enough a tunnel appeared before me. “Tru’sent was part of this too?” Spike asked. “This just keeps getting more bizarre,” Twilight said. _________________________________________________________ Perspective: Rarity Well, this has certainly become quite interesting. Here I am, in the middle of a gathering of female dragons. I would have never thought dragonesses would be the least interested in fashion, but here they are. Lucky for me I brought some of my tools along. I had hoped to be inspired, after all. Li’zael let me out of the cave for a minute in order for this gathering to take place in front of it. “So you see, darlings, it’s all about harmonizing the colors,” I said levitating my color wheel so they could get a better look. “The base color should, of course, be the color of your body scales. As you can see, your spines all harmonize quite well with your body color. Any accessories should be the same as your spines, or another harmonizing color. That is usually to the left or right of your base color, darlings.” “Oh maybe Ta’lin will notice me,” One dragoness said. “Please teach us your knowledge, oh Rarity!” Another cried. “Now, darlings, don’t fret, it all comes down to simply being yourself when it comes to love,” I said. “Being honest with yourself is one of the bigger steps to take, really get to know the one you love and care for.” Oh my goodness! I feel like the host of a talk show! Oh, well maybe if fashion doesn’t work out that’s always an option. “Alright girls, that’s enough pony time,” Li’zael said, the dragonesses all flew off at that, most of them looking disappointed. As I put my things back in the case she said, “Seems you’ve left quite an impression.” “I get that a lot, darling,” I said, heading back into the cave. “I do wonder if I’ll be able to open a dragon line when all this is over.” “You certainly are optimistic,” Li’zael said, sticking her head in the small cave. “Well, I just trust my friends. They’ll sort things out,” I said. “I hope so. I would like to get to know my future in-law better,” Li’zael said. I flushed, “Oh, well, that is a little ways off darling I…” Oh my goodness, I’m more flustered than a school filly. Spike has that effect on me it seems… “Li’zael!” Way to ruin the moment you hag… That voice was Ele’sium’s, it came from outside. Li’zael groaned and stepped outside. I heard the two arguing and I decided to listen in, anything to help my friends… “What is that pony still doing here?” Ele’sium snarled at Li’zael. “She’s being held until the culprit can be found for the sacred fire incident,” Li’zael said cooly. “Do we even need to do all this foolery?” Ele’sium snarled again. “It’s clear what happened, that Spar’kron wanna be failed to pass the test. That’s what caused Vol’vagia to become angered and the earthquake to occur. Which nearly got Ran’sea killed I might add!” “Ran’sea is not an egg anymore,” Li’zael said, “She’s well old enough to have known the risks.” “That foul Spike must have tricked her then!” Ele’sium practically roared. “They should be gone from this place! Never to return!” “Is this truly about them?” Li’zael asked. “Or your failure to control your niece?” “How dare you try to tell me how to raise my child!” Ele’sium growled. “She isn’t your child to begin with.” Li’zael replied. “I still raised her when no dragon would!” Ele’sium cried. “She’s practically my daughter in all but laying her egg! I will not see some upstart change that! We don’t even know if that was the real Spar’kron in the first place!” “If you would pay attention, you would’ve seen both Fran’salel and Thal’lan in him.” Li’zael replied. “I refuse to believe that mongrul is Fran’salel’s son!” Ele’sium cried. “If you’re trying to convince me to let you near Rarity, you have another thing coming. Need I remind you who could go claw to claw with Shar’drel back in her prime?” Li’zael said, a bit of a snarl in her voice. That’s when I saw...a flash of blue fire...it had to have come from… “Using your blood’s fire huh?” Li’zael said. “Let this be a warning, this fire I carry inside me is one of the most destructive. No matter how strong you are, my fire can still hurt you.” Ele’sium said with a growl. “Get out, now Ele’sium…” Li’zael growled in turn. “Fine! But I will not hear any more nonsense from you!” Ele’sium said, and I heard her walk away. Blue fire...just like Private said… I had to get the message out! Quickly! Li’zael stuck her head back in and said, “Sorry about that, Ele’sium may be my sister-in-law, but she does irritate me.” “Me as well darling,” I said with a sigh. “I just wish I could get along with the whole family as well as we get along.” “To get along perfectly with somepony or dragon is a pipe dream,” Li’zael said with a laugh. “There’s always going to be something you don’t like about someone. The key, is learning how to overcome it.” “Li’zael?” She stuck her head out again and said to the stranger, “Oh, Far’seer? How can I help you?” “I wish to speak with the white one, I have foreseen I am needed here,” the old dragoness said. Oh thank the stars her foresight is so good! “Alright, whatever you say, you old bat,” Li’zael said, stepping aside. “Always such a charmer,” Far’seer said with a chuckle. Then the blind dragoness stuck her head in, her blind eyes startling when up close. “Hello Rarity, you wanted to have some dragon pass on a message?” She said with a dragon equivalent of a grin. “Your timing is impeccable.” I said, I then went to where her ear would be and said quietly, “I want you to find the others and say this…” ___________________________________________________ Perspective: Private Eye About an hour later, the three of us arrived at the center of the cavern. I saw every dragon gathered around us. Several of them I noticed were now wearing jewelry on their spines...I wonder what was with the fashion bump? Car’buncle was standing before me, Li’zael at his side with Rarity at her feet. Rarity stood there, looking at us with a mix of apprehension and hope. Thankfully, Far’seer got the message to us. Now, I had a case… I saw Tru’sent was standing on the opposite side of Car’buncle. I couldn’t help but detect a note of smugness off him. Smog’krok was at his mother’s side, glaring at Spike the whole time. Spike didn’t look back, just kept moving forward. I noticed Ran’sea among the dragonesses, she was standing behind Ele’sium’s tail. The dragoness was protecting Ran’sea as if she was a valuable jewel… I focused my attention back on Car’buncle as she spread his wings to silence the crowd. Finally, the dragon chief spoke, “I have given you enough time to gather evidence and present your case.” “We have used that time well,” Twilight said. “We shall see,” Tru’sent snarled. “So,” Car’buncle said, looking at me, “I’ve given you the task of finding the culprit responsible for this attempted assassination on my nephew. So, say the name of this culprit.” I gave him a silver eyed look and said, “I’m afraid, it’s culprits, chief.” Chapter 6 "Rage of the Dragoness"Chapter 6 “Rage of the Dragoness” There was a silence followed by murmuring among the crowd. Every dragon was wondering how the hell could more than one culprit be involved. “Explain yourself!” Car’buncle demanded. “What’s there to explain?” Tru’sent growled. “This pony is obviously mad.” “Hardly mad.” I said, I tried not to smirk. “The truth is there were exactly three dragons responsible for what happened.” “Three dragons?” Li’zael said. “That is quite a bold statement.” “Three dragons have unaccounted alibi.” I said. “In laypony, or in this case, lay dragon terms, nopony can recall where they were during the assassination attempt.” “Who are these three dragons?” Car’buncle asked. “You had better have evidence to back it up, otherwise I will reconsider even letting you stand before me.” “Yeah, thanks, Unc,” Spike muttered. “Anyways,” I said. “Allow me to explain. According to Spike’s testimony as he was about to receive the fire-” “He’s a liar!” Smog shouted. “He never did receive it!” “Smog!” Li’zael growled. Smog grumbled something about me and burning. I don’t think I need to put too much thought into that. “As I was saying,” I said. “As Spike was about to receive the fire, he entered the cavern through the only entrance possible. After talking to the spirit, Spike was about to receive it when Vol’vagia went mad and started shooting fire towards the ceiling.” “Why the ceiling?” Car’buncle said. “Surely he could’ve shot in any random direction in his distress.” “Because something,” I reached into my trench coat and pulled out the dark crystal, every dragon gasped at the sight of it. “Something was pulling it up.” “Keep that foul thing away from any dragon!” Li’zael growled. “Then you know what this is?” I asked. “Of course. Who doesn’t?” Li’zael replied. “That’s a dark magic crystal, used in the past to zap the very life essence away from our bodies.” “Luckily it’s busted now,” I said. “Because some dragon dropped it.” “Dropped it?” Car’buncle said. “Li’zael said it absorbs life essence correct? Well, a being made of fire would have it’s life essence pulled towards the ceiling, i.e. the fire itself.” I said. “So, this crystal is the cause of what happened?” Car’buncle asked. “Surely there is a lie conjured up by this pony to hide the truth.” Tru’sent grumbled. “Why are we even listening to this nonsense?” “I want to hear the whole story this, pony, has to offer.” Li’zael said. “Moreover, there does seem to be some logic to this story.” “I do believe you have a point Li’zael.” Car’buncle said with a solemn nod. “But, what were you going about saying the crystal was dropped?” “We found it on the ground with the rubble.” Twilight said. “Whoever was holding the crystal, was hiding in a tunnel above the cavern, using the crystal to drain away the energy. Also, we found the tunnel.” “Turns out, it was in Tru’sent’s cave, and it led us right to a hole directly above the cavern.” I said. “What is the meaning of this Tru’sent?” Car’buncle demanded. “He’s a liar! Nothing more! We have no proof that this thing’s testimony is even valid!” Tru’sent growled. “For all we know, the pony could have conjured up the tunnel and the crystal!” “Explain this,” Car’buncle said. “In actuality, chief, there is a witness to this crime,” I said, and then gazed directly at Smog. “What are you looking at me for, pony?” Smog growled. Spike smirked, and pulled out the orange scale from my pocket. “Recognize this, Smog? Found it in another tunnel by the cavern.” “There’s only one possible way that Smog’s scale could’ve been there,” I said, and then pointed, “is if Smog was there to witness the crime!” There was a loud clamoring among the crowd, before Car’buncle roared to get every dragon calmed. “Silence! All of you!” He yelled and then glared at Smog. “Explain this my son.” “It’s not my scale!” He cried. “It isn’t Dad! The ponies are lying again! Just like I’ve always sa-” I watched as one of Smog’s scales fell off. Spike smiled and said, “Turns out, it’s molting season for dragons. Scales fall off a lot, I should know, I’m a dragon myself.” “You have been leaving scales around the cave,” Li’zael said. “Come on, Mom! You can’t believe him!” Smog yelled. Li’zael glared at him. “You also never explained where you disappeared to during the ceremony…” “I think we can all see that Smog did witness the crime,” I said. “Now tell us, exactly what you saw.” Smog glared at me, then got a glare from both his mother and father. Finally, Smog sighed and said, “Spike...was never a liar…” “Smog…” Tru’sent growled. “I wanted to see for myself,” Smog said. “I wanted to see him fail, but, I was so mad when Vol’vagia said he could get the fire! Then...I saw Vol’vagia go nuts, and shoot the fire towards the ceiling. I panicked, and dug out through another tunnel, and then this rumbling happened.” “That sudden earthquake caused Tru’sent, here, to drop the crystal.” I said. “Now we can clearly see, that Spike’s testimony is accurate, because it’s Smog’s testimony as well.” “Why would you lie to us Smog?” Li’zael asked. “Because I didn’t want to believe that Spike was a real dragon…” Smog said, looking down. “He was raised by ponies for pete’s sake. I...I just wanted to prove that fact true…” “It doesn’t matter where you start, Smog,” I said. “What matters is the steps afterwards.” Car’buncle glared down at his son and said, “I hope you are willing to accept a long and hard punishment, young drake.” “Yes, Dad…” Smog said, crestfallen. “I’m afraid we aren’t done yet.” I said. “For Spike’s testimony has another detail.” “Yeah, I saw a fireball shoot out and hit this rock above my head,” Spike said, “I almost got crushed until Twilight saved me.” “A loose shot from Vol’vagia perhaps?” Li’zael suggested. “Hardly,” I said. “Unless Vol’vagia’s fire is blue.” Slowly, all eyes turned towards Ele’sium. The dragoness growled, “Oh, so now the pony wants to accuse me as well?” “Aunt Ele’sium?” Ran said as she looked up at Ele’sium. “You, you tried to kill Spar’kron?” “This pony is a liar, Ran’sea!” Ele’sium growled. “I’d never do such a horrid thing!” “Then explain how blue fire was there,” Rarity said. “When you said yourself that the only dragon that uses such a thing is you.” Ran took a few steps back from her aunt. “How could you?” “I was only trying to protect you,” Ele’sium said. “I went to that cavern for the same reasons Smog did. To disprove this foul mongrel's claim of dragonhood!” “He’s my brother!” Ran cried. “As well as your nephew!” “He is an abomination, tainted by ponies! He is not worthy of even being counted among our family! He’s constantly led you astray! Causing you to disobey me! To turn away from the only dragon who cared for you!” Ele’sium said, an edge in her voice. “Just because I decided to look for him?” Ran asked. “You tried to murder him!” “No family member should ever do that!” Spike yelled. “Be silent, mongrel!” Ele’sium growled. “From the moment you set foot in this cavern you’ve caused nothing but distress for me and my neice!” “Distress for Ran?” Spike narrowed his eyes. “Or just you?” Ele’sium’s slitted eyes became even more menacing. “So, what is the conclusion?” Car’buncle said. “That all three had a claw in what happened,” I said. “Specifically, Tru’sent disrupted the ceremony, Ele’sium tried to murder her own nephew, and Smog paid witness to it all, and lied.” “THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!” Tru’sent roared. “Li’zael,” Car’buncle said. “Yes, my love?” Li’zael growled. “See that his mouth stays shut for a while…” Car’buncle growled in turn. “With pleasure…” Li’zael said, baring her teeth. “You’re listening to the words of ponies over your own trusted dragons?” Tru’sent roared again. “YOU ARE NO LONGER WORTHY OF BEING OUR CHIEF!” “This is ludicrous!” Ele’sium yelled. She then put her tail around Ran. “Come Ran, let us go ho-” Suddenly, Ran took her claws and stabbed them into the tail. Ele’sium screeched in pain. She then glared at Ran’sea and whipped her tail around, hitting the little dragon across the face. “I tried to be nice, Ran’sea...but it seems more punishment is in order…” I looked at Tru’sent...his eyes showed dark magic…”As well, as a change in hierarchy…” Suddenly his jaws opened and black mist spewed forth…. “TWI! BARRIER NOW!” I yelled. Twilight’s horn glowed and the three of us were encased in a violet shield. The smoke didn’t penetrate the shield and we were safe from it’s effects. The same couldn’t be said for the rest of the drakes and Rarity. One by one they all fell, unconscious, to the ground. “It’s the same stuff Shadowhoof used at Fluttershy’s wedding!” Twilight said. “Can you clear it?” I asked. “Give me a sec!” Twilight’s horn glowed brightly, and her wings glowed in turn. She then flapped them and a gust of wind blew out at the smoke. The wind blew itself around until it completely dissipated the smoke. We watched as Tru’sent was about to bring down his claws on Car’buncle. I lifted a nearby rock in my magic and threw it at him. “Hey! Big guy!” I yelled. “We’ll handle him Spike!” Twilight said, “You get to safety!” Spike looked around and looked off in a direction. “Ran’s being taken! Ele’sium got away before the smoke got to her!” “Don’t leave your sister hanging,” I said with a smile. “I won’t!” Spike said, “Take care of Rarity!” He then took off towards where Ele’sium was flying away. Tru’sent laughed as he looked down at us, “I won’t ask how you pathetic ponies knew I was going to use dark mist. But I’m going to make your deaths slow, and painful. Then I will kill this pathetic weakling, and then bring war upon your kind, and have you worthless ponies enslaved for our meat!” “You apparently haven’t heard of our track record with dragons,” I said, drawing Silver Wolf from it’s sheath. “Oh, is that toothpick supposed to scare me?” Tru’sent said with an evil grin. “Sadly I can only use dark mist once without draining my power. But I am more than strong enough to-” I ran towards him, Silver Wolf held in my magic, and took a swing at his leg. The blade cut through his scales like a hot knife through butter. Tru’sent yelled in pain. He then looked at my sword, “Mithril…? But that’s impossible, the last mines were collapsed…” “Apparently you missed one,” I said with a smile. “No matter! I will sla-” Twilight fired a bolt of magic at his face. She then huffed and said, “Oh, you have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to do that.” “Foul filthy equines!” Tru’sent roared, and his mouth opened. I dodged a jet of fire coming at me. I then ran under his belly, and sliced at each of his legs. He yelled in pain and almost came down on me before his wings carried him into the air. Twilight still hadn’t mastered flying yet, but she could still hit him from the ground. Her horn glowed and five magic missiles shot from it, hitting Tru’sent in the chest. I then sparked my horn, and the ground below me shot me up like a spring board. I managed to get on his back, and slice part of his neck. He roared and his tail reached back, it hit me before I could react and I took a blow to the chest. I fell off his back and I almost hit the ground before Twilight summoned a cushion of magic to soften my landing. Twilight ran to me and said, “Are you alright?” “I’ve been better,” I said, getting back on my feet. “Any idea how do that magic we did back in the mirror?” “I’ll have to get back to you on that one,” Twilight said. “Right, well,” I said, brandishing Silver Wolf. “Looks like it’s the hard way for us.” “What else is new?” Twilight said, smiling. “DIE PONIES!” Tru’sent roared. “Let’s end this!” Twilight yelled, and we both charged into the battle. _______________________________________________________ Perspective: Spike Geez, Ele’sium is a pretty fast flier. But I wasn’t about to let her take Ran’sea! I saw how she treated her! No dragon hits a family member of mine! Not even my own family… I saw Ele’sium touch down, Ran was in one of her claws. I hid behind a rock and watched Ele’sium set Ran on the ground. Ran glared up at Ele’sium and said, “What the heck is going on!” “Ran’sea, you know that’s no way to speak to your aunt…” Ele’sium growled. “You are far from any family I would want! A true aunt would never want to murder Spar’kron!” I yelled. “Why do you disobey me!” Ele’sium yelled. “I’ve done nothing but love and care for you. You are practically a daughter to me. I’ve protected for you, fed you, and loved you for eighteen years. Now you repay me by disobeying me?” “All I’ve wanted was to get to know the family I lost.” Ran’sea said. “Spar’kron was dead, now he’s alive. What sister wouldn’t find joy in that?” “I told you Ran’sea! That mongrel is not Spar’kron! He’s a trick conjured up by ponies!” Ele’sium roared. “He’s certainly acted more like family than you ever have.” Ran said, glaring at Ele’sium. “He cared for me, asked me what I thought, and above all, he came here because I asked. He let me make decisions for myself...something you seem vehemently against…” Ele’sium suddenly whipped her tail around...and HIT HER AGAIN! Ran’sea fell to the ground, flat on her face….that...evil...witch…. “All I’ve ever done is look after your welfare,” Ele’sium said, standing over her. “But like your mother you insist on disobeying me...I’m all you need Ran’sea...I am all you’ll ever need….say you’re sorry…” I saw tears...Ran’sea was crying…”I’m...sorry…” No...how could she do this to her… “Say...you love me for what I do for you..” Ele’sium said, evil dripping from her voice. “I...lov-” Ran’sea was about to say. I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!! I charged towards Ele’sium, roaring at my loudest, and I suddenly grew…. I tackled Ele’sium as a full sized dragon. She flew back into a nearby rock. I roared at her as she regained her composure. “You keep away from my sister you witch!” “So, it seems you’ve let you beast out to play, Spar’kron…” Ele’sium said with a growl. “So you’ve shown your true colors after all…” “Speak for yourself,” I roared. “You’ve treated Ran’sea horribly ever since I’ve arrived!” “She is my niece! Everything I do is for her!” Ele’sium cried. “You will not take her from me!” “You don’t love her as a niece,” I said. “You love her as a pet! You couldn't stand the fact that mom left you for dad! Ran'sea your replacement for Mom! Just so you have some dragon that listened to everything you say!” “Everything I’ve done was to protect my family!” Ele’sium roared. “No, everything you’ve done is for yourself.” I growled. “If you truly loved Ran’sea, you would never have hit her. You would never have tried to kill me…” “I knew Fran’salel was making a mistake being with that foul lizard Thal’lan!” Ele’sium roared. “Don’t you dare insult our father like that!” I roared. I then looked back at Ran’sea, she was still on the ground, crying. “Ran…” I said gently. She looked up at me, tears still in her eyes, “Spar’kron?” she sniffed. “You okay?” I asked. “I, I’ve been the worst fool,” Ran’sea said. “I had no idea I was a prisoner instead of a niece.” “It’s okay Ran,” I said, lowering my muzzle to her. “When all this is over, you get to decide what you want to do in your life. Not Ele’sium, not me, not any dragon can say what you want to be.” “Spar’kron…” She said, fresh tears coming to her eyes. I suddenly got hit by Ele’sium. I almost flew back before I recovered myself. I clenched my claws into a fist and hit Ele’sium across the jaw. She staggered back and I swung my tail around to hit her across the neck again. She roared and shot her blue fire at me, when it made contact with my shoulder, it hurt! I roared in pain and staggered a little, then she headbutted me hard in the chest. I flew back into a rock. I slammed hard into it, and before I could get up Ele’sium pinned me with a claw. “Oh, I’ve been waiting to do this for a long time.” Ele’sium said, showing me crazy eyes. “The day, when all traces of that thief Thal’lan are erased from this world!” “NOOOO!!!” Suddenly I watched as Ran’sea grown into a full sized, lithe dragoness. She charged at Ele’sium, tackling her hard and sending the dragoness back. I took a breath to recover from my neck getting clenched. I saw Ran, she was a little shorter than I was, but no less powerful looking. Her spines had extended like mine, only smoother looking. She was skinnier than I was too, it seems her body was more built for speed than sheer power like mine was. She bore her fangs and roared loudly at Ele’sium. Ele’sium looked visibly shaken. Ran’sea then glared at Ele’sium and growled, her voice much more mature, “If you lay one more claw on my brother...I will kill you…” _____________________________________________________________ Perspective: Private Eye I dodged another fireball heading my way. My body was covered in bruises, some scrapes and cuts. But I was okay otherwise. I watched as Twilight ran up Tru’sent’s leg and flapped a little bit. She came to his open muzzle and yelled, “Bottom’s up!” She then fired a bolt of magic straight into the dragon’s mouth. Tru’sent roared as Twilight leaped out of the way of a jet of fire. She landed beside me, I noticed she had suffered some wounds as well. “I think we’re wearing him down.” she said. “We’d better end this quick,” I said, breathing heavily. “I’m running out of magic.” “Got any ideas?” She asked. I then looked at one of the crystals and saw how many of them there were all throughout the cavern. An idea formed alright. “Twi? Is it possible for you to put magic in me?” I asked. “There is a magical supplement spell,” Twilight said. “I could use it to transfer some of my power to you, but it’ll drain me and it won’t last long.” “Just give me enough to give this dragon an intense acupuncture session…” I said as my horn sparked again. Twilight nodded and put her horn to mine, I felt her magic flow into me and my horn sparked even more. All around me, the crystals began to reforge themselves into glowing crystal blades. At least fifty of them were made in the short amount of magical rush. Tru’sent looked around in confusion and tried to fire another fireball at me. Twilight broke the supplement spell and conjured a barrier to knock aside the fireball. She then grabbed the swords all in her telekinesis. I ran past her as she fired the various swords towards Tru’sent, I grabbed one in my magic as well. I held both Silver Wolf and the crystal blade as I charged with the other shooting blades. One blade stabbed through Tru’sent’s tail and pinned him into the wall. Others shot into his legs, shoulders, and other parts of his body, effectively pinning him to the wall. My horn then sparked and the ground below me shot me again. I put whatever magic was left in me into my two blades. I then swung them rapidly as more and more blades stabbed into Tru’sent. The dragon kept roaring in pain with each stab. I then brought my blades over my head and shouted “Requista in pain you bastard!” I brought both blades down and they shot silver sword beams at the drake, the explosion that followed rocked the cave and I landed on the ground on my hooves. Not gonna lie, that was pretty awesome… __________________________________________________________ Perspective: Spike I swung my tail like a battering ram and hit Ele’sium again. Ran’sea came around and clawed our aunt across the muzzle. Ele’sium roared and was about to fire her blue fire again. But I wrapped my tail around her muzzle, stopping that from happening. Ele’sium clawed my tail, causing me to let go. I then watched as Ran bit into her aunt’s neck….wow..she’s brutal… Ran then got hit by Ele’sium’s tail, knocking Ran’s jaw out. Ran and I stood before Ele’sium, side by side. “I’ve given you everything Ran’sea! Everything!” Ele’sium cried. “You took away the one thing I wanted Ele’sium. I won't be your little doll like mother was. You'll never use me again!” She said, glaring at her. “No, no you will love me! You won’t abandon me! Not again!” She cried, her mouth filling with blue fire. “Let’s end this!” I yelled, my own fire growing in my mouth. “With pleasure, my brother!” Ran cried, I watched as green fire of her own formed in her mouth. All three of us shot our flames at the same time. I kept my jet of fire up as our fires met. Ran kept hers up, too, a determination in her eyes I’ve never seen before, but was glad for. Ele’sium’s eyes grew wide as out fire eventually overpowered hers, and an explosion sent her flying into a nearby boulder. Both of us huffed as the smoke cleared and showed Ele’sium on the ground, blood seeping from her wounds. I watched as Ran marched towards her, a look in her eyes that worried me…. Ele’sium looked up wearily at Ran, “Fran..salel…? You...came back to your sister….you...never betrayed me...never left….” Ran then slammed her claw down on Ele’sium, pinning her to the ground. She glared down at Ele’sium and said, “You tried to take away my brother! I hope you burn in Tartarus for this!!” She raised her free claw, about to bring it down on Ele’sium, before I caught it. She looked at me, her blue eyes wide. “Spike…?” “Don’t kill her.” I said. “After all she’s done?!” Ran yelled. “She tried to kill you Spike! She tried to take you away! To make it so that...I was truly alone…” “I know, Sis,” I said, still holding her back. “But don’t become her. You’re not a killer. She may have done a bunch of rotten things, but killing her will only leave a blood stain on you that will never be removed. I don’t want my sister to become what I almost became.” “Spike…” She said, a tear falling from her eye. “You beat her,” I said. “That is more than enough. Now, let her go, let her dream, and never wake up. That is the punishment she deserves.” Slowly, Ran removed her claw from Ele’sium’s neck. I looked at my sister as I still held her arm. She looked at me and said, “Thank you, Spike. I-I don’t know what I would’ve done.” “I’m just glad I have my sister,” I said. Suddenly, something came out of my mouth. I watched as the red fire formed itself into...VOL’VAGIA?! The fire dragon stood before us both, and smiled, “You have done well, Spar’kron, Ran’sea.” “You were inside me?” I asked, shocked. “I took refuge within you after Tru’sent tried to take my life force.” Vol’vagia said. “It took me a while to rejuvenate within you, but the fire within your heart has allowed me to be reborn once again.” “Oh most honored Vol’vagia,.” Ran’sea said, bowing her head. “Please, allow my brother the gift of sacred fire he so deserves.” “I plan to give him the sacred fire,” He then pointed at Ran, “You as well.” “I, don’t know if I deserve it.” Ran said, shaking her head. “I, almost killed Ele’sium.” “Yes, but Spar’kron was here to pull you out of darkness,” Vol’vagia said. “You learned to follow your heart, to fight for what was right. Spar’kron showed his courage already, when he stayed his claws from killing Shar’drel.” Memories of that horrible battle with her came flooding back into me. But, I focused on Ran and said, “Come on sis, I can’t let you become evil. Dad and Mom would kill me from beyond the grave.” Ran’sea smiled and said, “I know now, who my true family is, Spike.” I smiled at her in turn, and Vol’vagia began to glow. Suddenly streams of fire entered both of our mouths. I felt, liberated. Like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders, I felt my wings fade away off my back, and I was becoming smaller… But...I was happy...to finally have...Ran safe… ________________________________________________________ Perspective: Private Twilight and I ran as fast as we could towards the fire. When we got into the clearing, we saw Spike and Ran standing there. Spike no longer had his wings. Did that mean the sacred fire was the cause? Who cares?! Spike was okay! “Spike!” Twilight yelled, running down to him. “Twilight!” Spike yelled, running over to her. They both embraced each other. Spike looked up at Twilight as I caught up. “It was amazing! Vol’vagia was inside me! He gave us the fire after all!” “I’m just glad everybody is okay.” I said. Ran’sea walked over towards us and said, “I, apologize for my aunt’s part in this.” “You’ve got nothing to be sorry for Ran’sea.” Twilight said. “If anything, you helped Spike take her down at last.” I saw Ele’sium, unconscious and laying off to the side. She wasn’t going anywhere. Ran looked at Twilight and said, “I, also never got the chance to thank you both for all you’ve done. Taking care of my brother, raising him, and allowing us to meet again, is there any way I can repay you?” Twilight smiled, and opened her forelegs, “How about a welcome to the family hug.” Ran smiled wide and ran to enter the embrace. We all soon gathered into a group hug. It felt like we were truly a family. It was all over...and Spike and Ran, were finally together. EpilogueEpilogue Perspective: Private Eye After rousing the dragons from their slumber it was a simple matter of explaining everything. Thankfully with Ran’sea there the process went smoothly. “WHY ARE YOU TAKING ME FOOLS!? KILL THE PONIES! THE LIARS! THE FILTH!” Tru’sent roared as a pair of dragons were shoving him into a nearby cave. “Yeah, keep your muzzle shut, ugly,” One of them growled. I looked up at Car’buncle, the mighty dragon looked down at me and said, “Forgive me for not being of better help in stopping him.” “You aren’t worried about us being liars or trying to kill you?” I asked. “If you were trying to dismantle the tribe, you could’ve killed me in my sleep,” He replied. “So what’s going to happen to him?” Twilight asked as she stood beside me. “We’ll keep a close eye on him,” Car’buncle replied. “he won’t be spouting his insanity anymore.” “And Ele’sium?” Spike asked. Car’buncle simply looked over as a pair of dragons were escorting the dragoness. “Oh, you’re welcome, my dear,” she said not seeing anybody outside of her imagination. “I will always be here for you. I will always take care of you. You will never have to worry…” “She’ll not be any trouble either,” Li’zael said, walking over. “We’ll put her somewhere where she won’t bother any dragon.” “Good riddance to bad rubbish in my honest opinion,” Ran said, crossing her arms. “Now, there’s another matter to attend to,” Li’zael said, and we watched as Smog came walking out from behind her. “Smog?” Ran’sea said. The orange dragon walked up to Spike and said, “Look, I’m sorry about what happened. I-I just didn’t want to believe I was wrong. But, I guess all this time I was just parroting Tru’sent. Bad role model in hindsight.” “If this is an apology speech,” Spike said with a smile, “don’t worry, I don’t blame you. Let’s just say I have personal experience when it comes to latching onto stupid ideas.” “Just, don’t let me listen to him again okay?” Smog said. “Don’t worry cuz, I got your back,” Spike said. “It’s good to see you two getting along now,” Ran’sea said. “All is mended.” “He’s still grounded for a month, though,” Li’zael said. Ran then looked up at her uncle, and then to me. “Speaking of mending bridges, Private, Twilight there’s something I want you to do,” she said. “I think I know what you have in mind,” Twilight said with a smile. ______________________________________________________________ “I must say, this is not what I was expecting when I got up this morning,” Celestia said. We were standing a few miles away from the main city of the Crystal Empire. Car’buncle had followed the request of Ran’sea. That was, to meet with the pony leaders and see if an agreement can be made. Celestia, Luna and Cadence were standing before the mighty dragon. Car’buncle looked down at them and said, “Believe me, I feel the same way, pony.” I looked over at Twilight who was starting to look very nervous. She’s probably freaking out and worrying over the fact that she just plopped a dragon into the Crystal Empire. Luckily Car’buncle didn’t try to dine on any houses. Celestia smiled and spread her wings. She flew up majestically to meet the dragon at eye level. “I do believe I met your grandfather years ago, back when Sombra was in power,” She said curtly. “Ah yes, old Fero’sen,” Car’buncle said with a smile. “If it wasn’t for that astronomer I may not be here today.” “Then you know I harbor no ill intentions towards your tribe,” Celestia said, she looked down at Twilight and winked. Suddenly Twilight’s notebook appeared out of thin air and she was taking notes furiously. “The reason I am here is because I owe a favor to these two,” He said, gesturing at Twilight and I. “Plus, my niece asked and you have no idea how hard it is to say no to a little dragoness.” “Try having a little sister,” Celestia said with a small chuckle. “Anyways, now that you are aware that my tribe is staying here, I believe business talks are in order.” Car’buncle said. Cadence flew up alongside her aunt and said, “Don’t worry, since you’re Spike’s family, I’ll make sure my subjects know to give you all some space.” “Much appreciated,” Car’buncle said. “I think for now a policy of a simple truce is in order.” “Yes, that much we can hope for,” Celestia said. “Um, actually…” We all looked at Ran’sea who was standing next to her brother. Cadence and Celestia flew back down to earth and looked at Ran. Cadence was the first to speak, “You are Spike’s sister right?” “Ran’sea, your highness.” “Aren’t you the cutest little thing!” Cadence gushed going down on her knees to look at Ran’sea better. “And so polite. I’m Cadence. Nice to meet you. You were the dragon who tried to eat that house? I wonder why they were so scared, you’re just so adorable.” “Thank you most kindly,” Ran’sea said with a smile. “Not as cute as Spikey Wikey mind you,” I heard Rarity mutter. “What is it you wish to say, young dragon?” Luna asked. Ran’sea gulped and said, “I think, instead of being totally isolated from one another, there should be an ‘envoy’ so to speak between our peoples.” “Ran’sea you’re saying-” Car’buncle began. “If we don’t understand ponies and they don’t understand us,” Ran began. “Then we’ll only create more dragons like Tru’sent. I want to clear the air, I wish to learn among the ponies, their society, their ways. I think understanding will allow us to one day walk side by side as friends.” “Ran’sea!” Car’buncle’s jaw dropped. “That means you’ll come and stay with us!” Spike cried in joy. “I don’t know if the library will take an extra inhabitant. We already have a big enough family as it is,” Twilight pointed out. “Actually, Twilight,” Rarity spoke up. “There may still be a solution. Why not have Ran’sea stay here at the Crystal Empire?” Cadence smiled and said, “I’d love to have you. I promise we’ll teach you as much as we can.” “You’re sure about this Ran?” Spike asked. “I mean, you’d be leaving behind everything you know.” “I don’t want to be kept in a cage any longer, Spike,” Ran said, putting a claw on his shoulder. “I want to see this world that you’ve lived in. I want to know these wonderful ponies you know. Above anything, Spike, I want to understand.” Spike smiled and said, “Alright, and if any dragon tries to hurt you again, you got big brother Spike to come in and kick some tail!” Ran and all of us laughed at Spike’s enthusiasm and Ran then turned to her uncle. “Uncle Car’buncle, will this be suitable?” “I don’t know…” Car’buncle said. “I mean, I’d be leaving you among po…” “Pleeease…?” Ran said, her blue eyes getting big. Car’buncle sighed and said, “Li’zael is going to have my tail for this. Very well, but do come back when you can.” “Thank you, Uncle,” Ran said with a smile. “I believe there is much Car’buncle and I need to discuss,” Celestia added. “I believe Ran’sea deserves a tour of her new home for a while.” “Gladly, Aunt Tia,” Cadence said, walking over to Ran’sea. “Come on, you’ll love the castle, and I’ll have you meet the cutest filly in the universe!” Twilight and I rolled our eyes at the same time, but smiled nonetheless. “Now if you two will excuse me,” Rarity said, lifting Spike in her magic. “I have a hero to thank.” Spike got this smirk on his face and followed after, not that he had a choice, being held in Rarity’s magic. Car’buncle shook his head and said, “Like father, like son.” _____________________________________________________ Perspective: Spike “And here we are. What do you think?” Cadence said opening the door to the room Ran was to stay in, while she was in the Crystal Empire. Crystal made up a lot of the decor, of course, but it was rather well done, in muted blues. Carpets covered the floors, and some paintings of dragons in flight decorated the walls. All in all, it was really rather homey and comfortable. But then Cadence was never a pony who craved opulence. “It’s amazing!” Ran’sea said. “Oh thank you so much, your highness, I won’t let you down.” “None of the ‘your highness’ stuff,” Cadence said. “Just Cadence is okay.” “Very well, Cadence,” Ran said as I walked by. “If I may have some time to get situated?” “Of course, I’ll introduce you to Skyla later,” Cadence said walking away. I walked into Ran’s room as she asked, “What on earth is a Skyla?” “Something that has been known to cause a lot of heart attacks around here,” I joked. She blinked cluelessly and I said, “Eh, you’ll understand later.” Ran walked out towards the balcony and looked out at the Crystal Empire. “Care to explain why you never told me my brother was a national hero to these ponies?” she asked. “Eh,” I shrugged and went to stand beside her. “Twilight said it’s never a good idea to get a swelled head.” “They did seem to be quite excited when they heard I was your sister,” Ran said with a smile. “Why, I would imagine I may be getting calls sooner or later.” “Calls? As in-” I blinked in realization and said, “Oh no! Don’t even think about it Ran!” “You’re dating a pony,” Ran said smugly. “This is different, you’re my sister!” I shouted. Ran smiled and then simply, walked to me. “I am glad that you are just like I’d imagine you to be. Well, maybe not entirely,” She said. I smiled in turn and said, “I’m just glad I was able to find you. It, gets lonely being the only dragon among a bunch of ponies.” Ran put a claw on my shoulder and said, “I cannot imagine what it must’ve been like.” “Yeah,” I said. “But in the end, I wouldn’t trade the years I spent with Twilight for anything.” “She did raise you well,” Ran said. “I do hope to get to know her better, as well as Rarity.” “Yeah well, Rarity was certainly trying to make a good impression today,” I said. “Maybe she believes that I will one day be an in law…?” She said in a teasing voice. In law… __________________________________________________________ Inside Spike’s Overactive imagination… Do you Spike, take Rarity to be your lawfully wedded wife? I do… Do you, Rarity, take Spike to be your lawfully wedded husband? Oh I do darling… Then I now pronounce you, mare and drake, you may kiss the bride… _________________________________________________________ I snapped back in reality to find Ran’sea giggling her butt off. “That wasn’t funny, Ran’sea!” I yelled. “Oh my goodness, you’re turning so red, Spike,” Ran’sea said with a laugh. “Oh it’s on now!” I said, and we began chasing each other around the room. So...this is what having a real sibling is like… We chased each other for almost the whole time. We did what any siblings would do. Wrestle, tease, play, it felt like I was a hatchling again, playing with Twilight. But, Ran was much closer to my age so we had more to talk about. Both of us watched the stars as night fell over the world. I looked over at Ran who was leaning against the balcony and said, “I’m glad to have you here Ran.” “I’m glad to be here, Spike.” Ran said, smiling, and looking at the stars. “So, what are you thinking about?” I asked. “Well, I was hearing this lovely tune on the way here,” Ran said. “I think, it is most appropriate.” When you're weary Feeling small When tears are in your eyes I will dry them all I'm on your side When times get rough And friends just can't be found Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down When you're down and out When you're on the street When evening falls so hard I will comfort you I'll take your part When darkness comes And pain is all around Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down After that, we both just hugged each other under those stars. My sister was back, I knew I had a real family alive and well… We both just sang the whole night… Sail on Silver Girl Sail on by Your time has come to shine All your dreams are on their way See how they shine See how they shine If you need a friend If you need a friend I'm sailing right behind Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind I will ease your mind....
Chapter 1 "Hey Dragon Sister"Equestria Noir 2 Case 7 “Song of Ran’sea” By Jacoboby1 Chapter 1 “Hey Dragon Sister” Perspective: Private Eye “Again darlings!” Rarity cried as she stood on the sidelines of the room. Once again Twilight and I tried to walk forward, balancing books on our heads. We’ve been at this for a good two hours now. The goal was to have us learn to walk like royalty or whatever. Sadly, no dice so far. Spike was also watching from the sidelines, probably betting in his mind how long it will take for a book to fall. I gave Twilight a look as I tried to balance the book. It started wobbling the moment I took a step. Twilight tried to maintain her own balance, before one of her wings shot out and hit me on the muzzle. I fell onto my back. Twilight stood over me, “Sorry! Sorry! Stupid wings!” She said, the book then slid off her head and landed on my stomach. “Well,” I said, levitating the books aside, “Nopony ever said being royalty was easy.” “Darlings I wish you both would take this seriously,” Rarity said, trotting over. “The Princess Summit is in two weeks. If you two don’t make a good impression none of the royals will take you two seriously.” “They already don’t take them seriously,” Spike said, walking over, “but who cares what a bunch of stuffy alicorns think anyways?” “Thanks for the help Spike,” Twilight said, “But we really got to get everything down. There’s just so much to learn. I wish used my time better to learn all this stuff.” “Hey,” I said, levitating the book back onto my head, “We’ll get through this alright? I just hope Tailspin’s alright with us being gone so long.” “Your dad is looking after him,” Twilight said. “Tailspin should get to spend time with his dad.” “At least it’ll keep the grandchildren talk to a minimum,” I grumbled. “Less grumbling about royal heirs, Private,” Rarity said, levitating the book onto Twilight’s head. “More preparing! Now remember! Heads up straight! No royal slouches when being presented!” Part of me missed the days when Twilight was just a regular unicorn. Back then, the most we had to worry about was getting an assignment from Celestia. All of that changed when the wings sprouted. I was hesitant to get behind it at first, but after receiving a divine kick in the teeth I learned to accept this new life. It wasn’t going to be easy, that much was certain. Ever since Twilight came back from the mirror it’s been almost non stop training in one form or another. Voidera had me constantly practicing alchemy, combat, and other activities a Princess’ mate should know. Twilight on the other hoof almost always had somepony getting her to do something. Whether it be Celestia teaching her royal etiquette, Rainbow trying to teach her flying, Pinkie asking for suggestions for the after party, all of them put a drain on her that she hid well. Suffice to say, the beds are more than comfortable after a hard days work. The door opened before Twilight and I could begin our rounds again. Flash Sentry stepped in, the guard had a grim look on his face. Twilight and I set our books aside and we walked over to him. “Any sign of Shimmer?” Twilight asked. Flash shook his head and said, “No, we tried tracking down the train she teleported onto. It went to Manehatten and we lost her there. It was almost like somepony was covering her tracks for her.” “What do you mean?” I asked. “We couldn’t find any witnesses that say they saw where Shimmer went after leaving the train station. We tried asking around but it was almost like she vanished. Probably teleported away, there’s little we can do about that,” Flash said with a sigh of defeat. “Keep looking,” I ordered. “Shimmer is probably lost and confused. She suffered a hell of a lot in that mirror, I don’t want to hear about her being found in a ditch somewhere.” Flash nodded. “Alright, but I’m not making any promises,” He said, and then turned to leave. Twilight frowned as she left and said, “There’s no way she could just vanish like that by herself.” “I smell a rat,” I replied, “but there’s nothing we can do until somepony sees her. We put her in missing ponies, somepony will come forward eventually.” “I know you want to get out there,” Twilight said, putting a hoof on my shoulder, “but we’re needed here. We’ll let the guards and police look for her.” I sighed, “You’re right.” “Now that that’s done,” Spike said, walking forward and holding up the books. “Back to the show?” Twi and I rolled our eyes collectively. Before Rarity could give us our cue, a crystal pony guard entered the door. “Your highnesses, I hate to interrupt…” “No,” Twilight said, “it’s okay, what do you need?” “There appears to be a situation,” The guard said. “Apparently a farmer’s house is being eaten…” All four of us blinked at the same time. Rarity was the first one to speak, “Did I hear you right darling? A beast is devouring a crystal pony’s house?” “Don’t look at me,” The guard said with a shrug. “That’s just what he said. He’s down in the courtroom right now, he keeps talking about the beast being a horrible terrifying dragon.” “A dragon?” Spike interjected. “You’re sure?” I asked. “None of us have been down there yet,” The guard replied. “We came to you because nopony in the empire has seen a dragon in the time since we’ve gotten back. You four have had the most experience with dragons if Princess Cadence is to be believed.” “A rather droll experience,” Rarity said, shaking her head. “We’ll check it out,” I said, levitating over Silver Wolf and slinging it onto my back. “If it’s really a dragon, we’ll yell for the guards.” “Yes sir,” The guard saluted and left. Spike hopped onto Twilight’s back and said, “No way I’m missing this!” “Spike are you sure?” Twilight asked. “The last time you met dragons well…” “Darling,” Rarity said, “what Twilight is trying to say is, maybe it’s not the best idea for you to be there.” “Hey, I met my dad the last time we saw dragons.” Spike said, standing his ground on his surrogate mother/sister’s back, “No way I’m missing a chance to learn more about who I am.” Rarity closed her eyes and said, “Alright, I’ll be along shortly. Cadence has asked me to help with trying to simplify the headdress process.” With that, the fashionata trotted out the door. “Looks like another adventure,” Twilight said. “I guess we could use a break from worrying over the summit.” I nodded, “Let’s see this fearsome beast then.” ______________________________________________________ Why do all the houses, here, look like they were grown? The house is what looks like a huge chunk of rose quartz, but more opaque, with a door, and windows carefully carved into it. Behind the house were rows of the native crystal berries. Wonder if Applejack has made a wager with those? The berry bushes were, a teal rather than the usual green. All three of us walked up to the fence to find...not the fearsome beast we were told… It stood about the same height as Spike, it’s scales were white, if she stood outside the barrier she would almost blend in perfectly. Her spines were smooth and the same green...as Spike’s… It looked over, green slitted eyes looking exasperated. Then she spoke in perfect Equish. “About time somebody else showed up!” It yelled, her voice melodious, but very cross. Judging by the voice, I had to guess this dragon was female. “Uh,” Twilight said. “Look, will you please tell that farmer it was an honest mistake?” The dragon said exasperated. “I was walking through the wastes for hours! It’s a pain when you can’t fly yet!” She groaned in annoyance. “I was hungry, and I just happened to see his house. I walk over, expecting a quick meal, then I take a bite and discover it’s pure crystal.” “So, you were trying to eat his house,” I concluded. “The pony screamed,” She said, crossing her arms, “He kept calling me a monster and a beast, I barely come up to his chest. I tried to explain to the dear that it was an honest mistake. Then he goes galloping off like I tried to bite him.” For some reason I’m getting a Rarity vibe off her… “Well,” Spike said, “None of them have ever seen a dragon before.” The dragoness stood stiff, she looked around Twilight’s neck to see Spike. Her eyes grew wide, “My goodness!” She said, covering her mouth with a claw. “A dragon riding a pony? How unusual!” “It’s kind of fun actually,” Spike said, sliding down Twilight’s leg and standing on the ground. He then walked up to the dragoness, “Look, you gotta understand. These ponies have never seen what a dragon looks like in a thousand years. For all they know, we could’ve evolved to spit acid or something.” The dragon just kept staring at Spike, her green slitted eyes blinking. “Uh, do I have something on my fac…” It was Spike’s turn to stare at her. Suddenly...Tha’lan’s last request clicked in my brain…. ______________________________________________________ “Spike…” Thal’lan said weakly “I don’t have much time to explain, but… find Ran’sea, your sister. She’s a dragon white as snow… with spines of green… like yours.” “Where can I find her?” Spike asked desperately. “Her clan had moved far to the north,” he went on. “Near a place called… the Crystal Empire, but… that was years ago. Search for her Spike… she will… help you.” ____________________________________________________ Spike spoke after a moment of silence, “I know you from somewhere.” The dragoness put a claw out, slowly touching Spike’s cheek. She blinked her green eyes and said softly, “You’re...real…” Spike blinked again and said, “Your name, what is it?” “...Ran’sea.” The dragoness said after a long pause. Spike’s face went from shock, to thoughtfulness, to sheer joy before he outright embraced the dragoness, “Ran’sea!” She embraced him just as tightly, tears falling from her eyes. “Oh Spar’kran! I didn’t want to believe I was the only egg to have survived! I knew you were alive! I knew you were somewhere! Oh my brother!” Twilight and I smiled and leaned into one another. Ran’sea and Spike looked at each other and let go of their embrace. Ran’sea then looked up at us, then back at Spike. “Spar’kran, what are you doing with these ponies?” “It’s kind of a long story.” Spike said, rubbing the back of his head. “The short version is that my egg was found and sold to Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. Twilight’s magic hatched me, she’s raised me ever since.” “All this time,” Ran’sea said, shaking her head, “You were among ponies of all things. Had I known Spar’kran…” “Don’t sweat it.” Spike replied, “I knew you were out here somewhere, but, Twilight said it’d be a bad idea to search unless we had more concrete locations.” “But it seems destiny did the job for us,” Twilight interjected. “How did you find out about me?” Ran’sea asked. “Oh, there are so many questions Spar’kr-” “It’s uh,” Spike interuppted his sister, “It’s just Spike, Ran’sea. Spar’kran is my dragon name but, I still need to get used to it I guess.” Ran’sea smiled and said, “Whatever you prefer, my dear brother. Spike does have a certain, how do I say, ‘to the point’ vibe about it.” “I have so many questions Ran,” Spike said, “How long have you been out here? Did you know about dad? Where are you sta-” “THERE’S ONE QUESTION THAT NEEDS ANSWERED HERE!” Twilight and I parted as a very angry Rarity stomped over. She used her magic to pull Spike aside and glared at Ran’sea. “I don’t know how it is with dragons. But among ponies we have a policy. When Spikey Wikey is dating somepony, all dragonesses and other mares back off!” “Uh, Rarity.” I tried to say. “Whatever are you talking about darling?” Ran’sea said, crossing her arms. “So you are a dragoness!” Rarity said. “Trying to steal Spikey Wikey behind my back! The nerve!” Ran’sea covered her mouth, trying not to giggle. “Uh Rarity,” Spike said, still being held in Rarity’s blue magic. “Yes my dear Spikey Wikey?” She said, looking over at him. “Three things,” Spike said. “One, it’s great that you’re jealous, it means you care. Two, you kind of can’t be, because that’s my sister Ran’sea. And third...you just mentioned my pet name to her…” Rarity looked at Ran’sea, who was still trying not to laugh. A blush formed on her cheeks as she gently set Spike down. She gave a nervous laugh, “Um, haha, well, this is quite the predicament.” Jealous Rarity is jealous as they say… “Forgive me,” Ran’sea said. “I just was not expecting Spike to have gotten such an adorable nickname.” “According to Dad it's a family trait…” Spike grumbled. “So you are Ran’sea,” Rarity said. “Do forgive my, outburst from earlier. I am quite protective of my Spikey wi-I mean, just Spike.” “It is quite alright,” Ran’sea said. “If I had a mate, I would feel protective of him as well.” “You aren’t shocked that I am dating Spike?” Rarity said, tilting her head. “It’s not as uncommon as you think.” Ran’sea said. “Dragons always take prized mares every now and again.” “Priz-what!” Rarity said indignantly. “Some dragons snatch mares every now and again and claim them as treasure. Honestly I never saw the appeal in it, too much maintenance,” Ran’sea said. “Though, I doubt Spike snatched you.” “More like she snatched him.” Twilight interjected. “Well,” Rarity said. “I am no prize that Spike snatched up. I am a lady that he wooed with his gentle and sweet nature.” Ran’sea smiled. “Good to know my brother is in good, in this case, hooves.” “Thank you darling,” Rarity said with a smile. “Now that we have the misunderstandings in order.” Ran’sea said, then walked over to Spike. “Spike, I would love to introduce you to Uncle Car’buncle and Aunt Ele’sium. They would love to meet you!” Spike’s voice got excited. “I have an aunt and uncle!?” “Yes,” Ran’sea said. “Car’buncle is our father’s brother. Ele’sium is our mother’s sister. We also have a cousin from Car’buncle and his mate Li’zael, his name is Smog’krok. Oh I can’t wait to introduce you!” “Do they live nearby?” I asked. “Just up the mountain a few miles from here,” She said. “It’s about a half a day’s walk.” “Why did you come here in the first place?” I asked. “Because Far’seer said so,” Ran’sea said. “She said I’d find something here on this day. I went, despite Aunt Ele’sium’s protests, and found my brother. That is enough to lend credence to her.” Twilight looked at me. “There are some ponies that claim to be able to see into the future. But most of them had about as much credit as Trixie.” “Either way,” Ran’sea said, “I’m here, Spar’kran is here, I can have him meet our family.” “Great!” Spike said, he then ran to Twilight and hopped up and down, looking like a kid begging to go to Disneigh World. “Can we go Twilight? Please! I have to know where I came from!” “Are you sure they’d allow us in?” Twilight asked Ran’sea. “I’m sure if I explain things to Uncle Car’buncle, he’ll let you in,” Ran’sea smirked a little as she said, “He has a soft spot for his little niece.” “Like somepony I know,” Twilight said, giving a knowing glance at me. “Well, Spike, you write a letter to make sure that Celestia knows where we are going,” I said. “I’ll snag some gear from our room and we’ll be ready to leave in about an hour.” “You’ll also explain to the farmer about the mistake?” Ran’sea asked. “I think we can handle that,” Twilight said. “I shall remain here then until you all return,” She said. As we were about to leave, Spike ran and gave one last hug to Ran’sea. The siblings embraced one another for a long time. I could feel the love those two shared, despite this being their first meeting… I felt the same way with Tailspin… ___________________________________________________ Twilight and I returned with saddlebags on our backs. We explained to Celestia where we were going. Celestia said it would be a great opportunity to learn about dragons and their culture. Luna seemed a little hesitant to see me leave again, but I assured her we’d be safe with Ran’sea being our host. It’s nice to know she cares...but I worry about Luna sometimes. From there, it was a simple matter of packing food, water, and some winter gear for the cold. I didn’t add much to my clothing except for Twilight’s scarf that she made for me about a year ago. Twilight was wearing simple ear muffs, a scarf and her saddle bags. Even being a princess she liked to keep things simple and practical. Spike was practically jumping on Twilight’s back as we walked over. “I can’t wait! I wonder what my aunt and uncle are like? I bet they’re huge! Just like dad!” “Okay slow down there,” Twilight said with a laugh. “Just try not to kick okay.” “Sorry Twi,” Spike said, calming down a little. “I’m just really excited to see my family! Dragons that knew my dad that aren’t crazy killers.” “Let’s just hope we’ll have an easier time here than with Shar’drel.” I said, leading the way back to the farm. Ran’sea hopped off the porch and walked over to us. I spoke first, “We got the matter settled with the farmer. He’ll be fine, but he may be traumatized for a little while.” “I do hope we can put that little incident behind us.” Ran’sea said, walking up to us. “Yes! So that we may move forward meeting Spikey Wikey’s family!” We all turned...and I rolled my eyes... Rarity was muffled from head-to-flank in a very stylish heavy winter coat, scarf around her neck, and boots on her hooves. Her saddlebags were filled to bursting with who-knows-what, and while she looked stylish, her get-up looked very impractical. “I’d have packed more, darlings, but I thought the terrain would be a scosche rough for my wagon,” Rarity said adjusting her scarf. “Wagon?” Twilight said, shaking her head. “Rarity don’t you think it’s a little, excessive?” “Excessive?” Rarity huffed. “Why, if I’m to meet Spikey Wikey’s family, I should want to look my best.” “You look beautiful all the time, Rarity,” Spike said, smiling dreamily. “Oh thank you, Spike,” Rarity said with a smile and a blush. “Is this going to be a thing?” Ran’sea asked. “Like you wouldn’t believe, Ran,” I said, “Why don’t you hop on?” “To your back?” Ran said, crossing her arms, “Well, it would be better than walking. But you ponies are so tall.” “It’s okay Ran.” Spike said, “Just keep your legs spread and move when they move.” “Very well.” With that, Ran climbed up my trench coat and onto my back. “Not exactly the most comfortable position. But it feels natural for some reason.” “It’s just for the trip,” I said. “Don’t get used to pony back rides.” “He has to save them for Skyla when we get back,” Twilight said with a giggle. “Now, Ran’sea,” Rarity said, “Do lead the way.” “Onward then,” Ran said, pointing forward, with that, our group of five ventured past the barrier into northern Equestria. ______________________________________________________ The snow wasn’t falling today, that we appreciated. Our trek had us huffing it through snow drifts, over hills, and across a cliff on one occasion. Rarity would ask us to stop on occasion for this or that. But she kept the complaining low for the trip. I imagine it was to make a good impression on her future sister in law. Hey, a guy can dream can’t he? Our journey brought us up a small mountain and to a large cave. On either side were statues of dragons, bearing their teeth. “That isn’t ominous in the least,” I said. The cave was wide enough for a full sized dragon to walk into. This had to be how they got in. “Our hiding place is underground.” Ran’sea said. “This is where I’ve lived for the last Eighteen years of my life.” “Eighteen?” Rarity said. “Yeah,” Spike said, looking over from Twilight’s back, “Turns out I’m legally an adult in pony terms.” “Maturity on the other hoof,” Twilight said with a laugh, “Is another story.” “Hey!” Spike quipped. “Nice to know my brother was well cared for,” Ran said from my back, luckily she was about the same weight as Spike, maybe a little lighter. I just hope Skyla doesn’t insist that “unca priwvy give wides!” when we get back… All three of us unicorns lit our horns to illuminate the path ahead into the cave. “So what is this place?” I asked. “About a thousand years ago,” Ran explained, “Spar’kran and my grandfather founded this place. Back then, there weren’t laws against hunting down dragons. So, he tried to find a safe haven for us all.” “Celestia insisted that dragons weren’t to be attacked unless provoked,” Twilight said. “She didn’t want to see them die out before we had a chance to change them.” “Thus the anti dragon hunting laws,” I said. “They were instilled after grandfather helped some astronomer around that time,” Ran said. “The astronomer helped grandfather find this sanctuary. In turn, grandfather helped him find some magical artifact or something. This place is one of the few sanctuaries we have on this world. Here, there is a truce that states that no dragon is to attack another here. You are the first ponies in ages to see this place…” We walked ahead, down deeper into the caverns. Along the way, crystals illuminated the path, along with torches and other items. I couldn’t help but get a familiar vibe about the place. I feel like I’ve walked here before… Ran mentioned an astronomer...could it have been Eclipse? The thoughts were put aside as we stepped into a large underground cavern. It was huge, the space looked like it could hold almost all of Ponyville inside it. The place was illuminated by glowing blue crystals, torches and the occasional bonfire. Carvings in strange characters and pictures dotted the walls and stalagmites. But the most unnerving part...at least a hundred pairs of slitted eyes were upon us as we entered… We have stepped into the world of Dragons...
Chapter 2 "Among Dragons"Chapter 2 “Among Dragons” I felt like an ant among a sea of giants. Each dragon was about as big as a castle, all of them with claws, spines, scales and slitted eyes that looked down at us with a mixture of shock, contempt and fear in some of them. The cavern was large enough to accommodate them, even the larger dragons could barely even reach half way to the ceiling. I imagine this allows for them to fly around for exercise. I didn’t see many small dragons among them, they all had to be the adults, or at least young adults. My thoughts were interrupted by a loud booming voice, “What is going on here!” The crowd of dragons parted and standing before us was a huge adult dragon. His scales were a dark shade of violet, his spines were rather short and looked like they were made of brownish stone. There was less of a sheen, more of a roughness to him that wasn’t present in most dragon’s I’ve seen up close. His yellow eyes gazed down at us, “I’ll admit, in all my time of living, I have not known any ponies so bold as to enter our sanctuary.” His voice was gruff, and a more than a little intimidating. I felt Ran’sea try to hide behind my head. Something tells me she didn’t come here with her relatives’ knowledge. “We should kill them where they stand!” A spindly black dragon with beady eyes and a malicious grin said. “Car’buncle! They have violated our sanctuary with the very air they breath! We should not suffer this outrage!” “Peace Tru’sent” I heard a female voice say, gruff but definitely more reasonable sounding. Out from the crowd stepped a dragon with red orangish scales. Her spines were similar to the leader, only they seemed to be crystal like. Her violet eyes glared at the spindly black dragon, “Have you ever stopped to wonder how they got here? Our sanctuary is not common knowledge among pony kind. Plus, if they were really hoping to cause trouble, then they would surely be more well equipped.” The black dragon huffed, smoke pillowing out of his nostrils, “I can’t imagine our chief hearing this nonsense.” “If he wants to sleep in the cave,” The orange dragoness said, giving what looked like a sly glance at the leader, “He’ll listen to his mate over some rat looking to get favor when it isn’t due.” The violet leader smiled and said, “Well said Li’zael, you bring up fair points and I will try to keep my right to alone time.” He gave a dragon version of a chuckle and then became serious and gruff again. He looked at each of us with scrutiny. “You are right, only one of them could be classified as a warrior among the ponies. As for the rest…” The orange dragoness spoke up, Li’zael?, Yeah, that was it. Li’zael spoke up as she looked at Twilight, “This one has wings and a horn, like the princesses.” Twilight smiled and gave a respectable bow, “I am Princess Twilight Sparkle, recently crowned and am honored to be in the presence of…” The violet dragon kept his gruff appearance, “Car’buncle, head of the Northern Clans, know it well...pony.” “Car’buncle!” Spike said, popping out from behind Twilight. The entire group of dragons gasped in shock upon seeing Spike. The black dragon spoke up, “Not only do they defile our home, they have the gall to throw one of our own hatchlings in front of us!” “Silence Tru’sent!” Car’buncle bellowed. He then glared down at us, and then at Spike. Car’buncle tilted his head and said, “Have we met before wyrmling? You look familiar…” Spike rubbed the back of his head, “Uh, I think Ran’sea should explain this one…” he said nervously. “RAN’SEA!” Li’zael yelled. I felt Ran slowly climb off my back. The white dragoness looked up at the dragons with a look of guilt in her eyes. “Uncle Car’buncle, Aunt Li’zael, twas I who brought them here.” “You brought them here Ran’sea?” Li’zael said, and then shook her head. “Child you had us all worried sick! Did you even think about what Ele’sium would’ve felt if she knew you were gone!” “Forgive me Aunt,” Ran said with a sigh. “I only went because Far’seer said I’d find something important in those new pony lands.” “You should know better than to just march into pony lands without telling us,” Li’zael said, her violet eyes narrowing. “But I did find something important!” Ran’sea said, she walked over to Spike and said, “Aunt Li’zael, Uncle Car’buncle, this is Spike.” “An odd name for a dragon.” Car’buncle said. “Uh, it’s kind of the name I gave him.” Twilight said. “I raised him as my own after I hatched him.” “Most unusual,” Li’zael said. “Most ponies would simply smash the egg or serve it for breakfast.” “Not unless she wanted to fail the test,” I mumbled to myself. “The point is, that Spike here has another name,” Ran said, smiling at her brother. “One that we all should be very familiar with.” “And that is?” Car’buncle asked. Spike smiled and said, “Spar’kron” Again, a gasp erupted from the whole group of dragons. They then began talking amongst themselves in disbelief. Tha’lan’s Son is alive?! But I thought only Ran’sea survived… It seems Shar’drel was lying after all! I never trusted that witch! What is he’s the one who’s lying? Any dragon can claim to be his son! Look at his scales! Those spines! He has Fran’salel’s eyes too! He is their child! “ENOUGH!” Li’zael cried, silencing the crowd. Car’buncle glared at Spike, “If this is some fantasy or trick-” “It’s no trick uncle!” Ran pleaded. “I know it’s him! Just look at him!” “Unicorn magic could easily construct a lookalike!” Car’buncle bellowed. “You’re saying that this is my nephew? The one who was destined to come here!? The one who we all thought was lost!” “It is hard to believe Ran’sea…” Li’zael said. “I knew they were liars!” Tru’sent cried. “Keep this thing out of my sight…” Car’buncle said, about to turn around. Twilight sighed, “That didn’t go quite as planned.” “HEY!” All of us turned to look at Spike as he stomped his way towards Car’buncle. “Spikey Wikey wait!” Rarity cried, but I held her back. “Spikey what now…?” Car’buncle said, turning around. “Hey! I’m talking to you down here!” Spike yelled. Car’buncle looked down and said, “Came to try and convince me even more?” “I can’t believe this!” Spike yelled. “Eighteen years of not even knowing if I had family and this is the thanks I get? This is what it all was building up to!?” “Spike…” Ran said nervously. “No way am I going to walk away!” Spike said firmly. “I am Thal’lan’s son! I am his kid! I saw him die again before my eyes when that witch Shar’drel tried to use him for her own sick game!” “You claim this, yet...I find it hard to believe,” Car’buncle said. “My brother and I were the closest any two hatch brothers could be. If you plan to mock him by being a walking lie to what he was, then go find some other soul to torment!” Spike was quiet for a minute, and then said, “When he died...dad cried…” Car’buncle stopped in his tracks before he could turn to walk away again. “I knew Shar’drel was experimenting with evil magics...but a construct…? That is the only possible way...but how do you know it was my brother’s soul in that body?” Spike walked over to Twilight’s saddlebags, reached into it, and pulled out a small necklace, Thal’lan’s last tear before he died was on it. Carved into it were two swirling dragons, made by the souls of Spike’s parents, united in death. Car’buncle looked at is with scrutiny and said, “It is a dragon’s tear, that is certain.” “You believe me now?” Spike asked, sliding the necklace around his neck. Car’buncle was quiet for a minute, all were quiet during this exchange. Finally Car’buncle spoke and said, “Your father’s true name...what was it?” “True name?” Spike asked. “If Thal’lan were to die, he would’ve spoken his true name before his soul entered the beyond.” Car’buncle said. “We told each other our true names many years ago, now tell me, what was his true name?” Spike thought for a moment, gosh it was so long ago I barely remember it. But Spike never forgot it, I doubt he could ever forget what he witnessed. Spike looked up at Car’buncle and said, “Thallos Alan, Precursor to the Light.” Car’buncle’s face turned from shock, to thoughtfulness, to realization. “There is only one way Thal’lan would say that name aloud. It would have been as he was dying.” “So, you believe me?” Spike asked his uncle. “I want to believe it,” Car’buncle said with a sigh. “I want to believe that somehow I have a nephew. But, there will always be doubt in my heart. I’m not the kind to believe in miracles, but this is about as close to one as we can get.” Slowly, Car’buncle lowered his head down to Spike, he looked at Spike, almost like one would look at an old photograph. “You have your father’s scales. You also carry your mother’s eyes and spines as well.” “You knew my mom?” Spike asked. Car’buncle laughed, “Of course I did, Thal’lan wouldn’t shut up about her.” “Uncle…” Ran said, tears in her eyes. “You did a good thing in disobeying me, Ran’sea,” Car’buncle said. “Had you not have left, you would never have brought your brother back with us.” Li’zael then turned to the other dragons and ordered, “Alright! Show’s over! Get your scaly hides back to doing something useful!” The dragons all listened to her and flew or walked away. Twilight wiped sweat from her brow and said, “That was a close one.” I nodded, wiping nervous sweat from my own brow. “I thought we were dragon bait for sure,” I said. “Where’s Rarity?” Twilight asked looking around for the white unicorn. “Probably fixing up to meet the in laws,” I said with a laugh. Li’zael walked over to our group and said, “Forgive our suspicions, you can understand why we found it hard to believe.” “In your position,” I said, “I’d find it hard to believe too.” Li’zael smiled and said, “I’m Li’zael, Car’buncle’s mate and second in command.” Twilight smiled, “I introduced myself earlier,” She then pointed at me and said, “This is my ‘mate’ Private Eye.” “Charmed,” Li’zael said. “A pleasure,” I said. “I must ask though, how would Ran’sea have known where to find Spike?” Li’zael rolled her eyes, “Old Far’seer’s probably where she got the idea from. She’s an oracle, or at least was one for a time.” “An Oracle?” Twilight said, “As in she can see the future?” “Past, Present, Future,” Li’zael said, “It doesn’t matter honestly, she just spouts out cryptic nonsense nowadays. She only seems to tell us a few things every once in a while. In any other dragon clan we would’ve tossed her out. But here we try to hold on to the ancient teachings of our people, and that means we have to offer her a place to stay until she meets her ancestors.” “That’s fairly honorable,” I said. “Not to some dragons,” Li’zael said, and then looked over at Spike. “Yes, I do see Fran’salel in you.” “You do?” Spike asked, looking up at the orange dragoness. “She was the sort who wouldn’t take injustice sitting down,” Li’zael said with a fond smile. “She would’ve done the same thing you did.” “Only she may have smacked me across the head with her tail,” Car’buncle said with a laugh. “That may be a little hard to do,” Spike said, looking at his own tail. “I doubt you guys would even feel it.” “I imagine you have many questions,” Car’buncle said. “Do I ever!” Spike said. Car’buncle chuckled, “All in time my nephew, for now, I have some questions of my own.” He said as he looked at Twilight and me. “I trust you are the ponies who are responsible for his care?” “He’s more or less our adopted brother.” Twilight said with a smile. “I’ve taken care of him ever since he hatched.” “For that we are very grateful,” Li’zael said. “So uh,” Ran said with a nervous smile. “Oh I’m still going to tell Ele’sium young dragoness.” Li’zael said with a stubborn tone in her voice. “Oh posh!” Ran said, kicking a stone in frustration. “I believe I have not formally introduced myself darlings!” Rarity came from behind me and she was dressed to the nines in a gem-festooned gown that sparked in the various light-sources in the cave. It was purple and green, as if in honor of Spike’s scales, but the gems had to have made that thing heavy. “I am Miss Rarity,” She started saying, “I am here to become acquainted with-hey!!” Suddenly Li’zael picked Rarity up in her claws by the skirt of her dress. Rarity flailed about as Li’zael smiled. “Oh, Spike, how thoughtful of your friend to bring us dinner.” “Dinner?” Rarity said, and then looked at the scales. “Oh uh, those are for decoration, actually.” “Shame,” Li’zael said, casually dropping her, Twilight created a cushion of magic to stop Rarity’s fall. Rarity landed on it and sighed, “Things are not going my way it seems ,darlings…” “No meeting with the in laws is ever perfect,” I said knowingly. At least she didn’t have to time travel.. “In-laws?” Car’buncle said. “Uh,” Spike said with a blush, “Rarity is my um, I guess you could say special somepony.” “A pony is your intended?” Car’buncle asked, shock in his voice. “Don’t be a boor Car’buncle,” Li’zael said. “Need I remind you that plenty of dragons in our history have taken on ponies as intended.” “Intended?” I asked. “As in, a marefriend or something like that?” “That may be the term for it,” Li’zael said. “Either way, it is nice to know that Spike shares his father’s attractiveness for white.” “Guess that explains Ran’s scale color,” I said. “Well,” Rarity said, getting back on her hooves and trying to salvage herself. “I imagine we have a great deal to discuss.” “Indeed,” Car’buncle said. “I’d like to meet this Far’seer dragon,” Twilight said. “Plus, if there’s ever a time where we could discuss dragon life and history, this will be a great opportunity to clear a lot of the misconceptions.” “Far’seer lives just over that way,” Li’zael said, pointing with her tail towards the north eastern side of the cavern. “Ran’sea’s guardian Ele’sium lives near there as well. Would you be so kind as to take Ran and Spike there? I’m sure she’d love to meet her nephew.” “We’ll take her there,” I said. “We have much to discuss later my nephew,” Car’buncle said. With that, both dragons flew away. Spike practically leaped into the air in excitment, “This is great! They believe me! I got to meet my aunt and uncle! I wonder what dad was like as a kid? There’s so much I want to know!” “Easy Spike,” Twilight said with a giggle. “You haven’t met all of your relatives yet, so take it easy.” “I just hope Ele’sium hasn’t fretted too much,” Ran said with a sigh. “I also wish that I had thought better about my attire.” Rarity said, looking at her slightly ruined dress. “Forgive my aunt Li’zael,” Ran said with a smile. “She’s rather, headstrong about certain things. Not unlike her son.” “Right, you mentioned I had a cousin.” Spike said. “Yes, though some days I wish that weren’t true…” Ran said cryptically as she walked away, we all followed after her, Spike riding on my back. _______________________________________________________ As we made our way towards Ele’sium’s place, that same feeling of being an ant among giants pervaded throughout. Dragons towered over us as they tried to walk without squishing us. Occasionally one dragon or another would stop and ask to see Spike. Spike indulged them but I told him we couldn’t remain for long. I felt like one of Raiden’s bodyguards that he had while he was still at the top. Raiden… I shook the thought of my ex best friend off and we came to a small cave situated in a cavern wall. Ran sighed as she stood in the mouth of the cave. “She’s going to pluck my scales out when I tell her where I went.” “Ele’sium is your guardian right?” Twilight asked. “She’s my mother’s sister,” Ran said, turning around to us. “She looked after me ever since I hatched. She’s practically the mother I never had.” “She sounds like a great dragonm” Spike said, hopping off my back. “She is,” Ran said, “A touch overprotective, but I know she means well. She and our mother were close.” “Naturally she’d want to protect her niecem” Rarity quipped. “Sometimes I wish she wasn’t so protective…” Ran started. “Ran’sea!” I heard a voice speak up. We all turned to see another baby dragon running over. He was practically the spitting image of Li’zael. Orange scales, violet, almost rocky spines, and violet eyes that looked on Ran’sea with relief. “Smog’krok?” Ran said, looking at him. The dragon ran over to her, huffing as if out of breath. “Where were you? I can’t believe you actually took Far’seer seriously!” “She said I was to look for something important, Smog’krok,” Ran said, crossing her arms. “Just because you're my cousin doesn’t mean you have to be Ele’sium’s watch dog.” “But Ra-” “Uh, hi.” Spike said. It was at this point the orange baby dragon looked around at all of us. Finally he looked at Ran and said, “I heard rumors that ponies were here, what’s the deal Ran?” “Smog’krok,” Ran said as she gestured to Spike with a claw, “This is my brother, Spar’kron.” “Just call me Spike.” Spike replied. Smog’krok glared at Spike, and got within inches of his face. “No way! Dad said that you died!” “Well, to be fair I didn’t even know you guys existed,” Spike said, trying to seem confident. “Nice to meet you cuz,” “Listen!” Smog’krok said, “I don’t know what game you are playing, but you stay away from my cousin you hear?” “Uggh!” Ran said exasperated, “Smog, for the last time, stop acting like I can’t take care of myself!” Smog looked over at Ran and said, “But Ran, you know ponies are all liars and cheats! They could’ve-” “He is my brother,” Ran affirmed. “He has father’s last tear, he knows our father’s true name. That can only mean that Shar’drel’s plot came about.” “You guys knew about her?” Spike said. “Shar’drel was a witch and a liar,” Smog affirmed. “For all we know, they could be working for her.” “Smog, use your brain for once.” Ran said with a sigh. “If they were really working for Shar’drel, then explain why her soul went to the beyond when Far’seer sensed it?” “I...uh…” Smog said, out of words. “You know as well as I do that she has the power to sense when a dragon leaves or enters the afterlife.” Ran said. “Don’t try to pretend that you were never told that by Aunt Li’zael.” “But, he can’t be him!” Smog cried. “A true dragon would never let ponies even touch them!” “You’re listening to Tru’sent again,” Ran said, shaking her head. “You know who he is, and you know what he wants. Have you heard none of Aunt Li’zael’s warnings?” “Apparently you’ve heard none of my warnings…” Smog said, stomping off. “Well, that went about as well as ever.” Rarity said, shaking her head. “I do love Smog dearly,” Ran said, faceclawing, “But he can be such a fool at times.” Spike shook his head, “What’s his deal?” “He’s just listening to Tru’sent’s idiotic idea of going to war with ponies,” Ran said with a sigh. “It’s like he wants us to go back to killing each other pointlessly. Smog is one of the few who take him seriously, sadly.” “Anyways,” Twilight interjected, “We’d better get to your Aunt. I think she’s been waiting long enough.” “Oh how droll…” Ran said, turning back to the cave. ______________________________________________________ The cave was bigger on the inside then the entrance would’ve suggested. On the inside was your typical pile of gems that were present in any dragon cave. Also inside, was a very cross looking dragoness. She wasn’t as large as Li’zael, she had white scales like Ran’s though. She also sported blue, very clean looking spines, and soft gold colored eyes. Her face sported a scowl that was clear even to a pony who barely understood dragon facial structure. “Ran’sea!” She said, her voice cross, but sounded curt and cultured. She looked down at Ran who was scuffing the floor with her foot. “I told you specifically not to listen to Far’seer! Then I wake up today to find you had ran off! Are you trying to give your Aunt a heart attack?” “No, Aunt Ele’sium,” Ran said, shaking her head. “I went, and I found Spar’kron!” “Spar’kron…?” Ele’sium then took notice of Spike. The white dragoness shook her head, “No it cannot be, ponies killed Fran’salel! My sister! Shar’drel only brought you back Ran!” “It’s, kind of a long story…” Spike said. We then spent the next half hour telling the whole story. From Spike being saved by a pony who had a change of heart, to the discovery that Shar’drel was the real killer. Then Twilight went on to explain her raising Spike as her own. Then we told of Thal’lan’s ‘return’ and reuniting with his son. Rarity was adamant to explain Shar’drel’s scheme. To revive Thal’lan so Shar’drel could have the chosen dragon egg. She also went on to tell of Spike’s near death before we saved him. Ele’sium didn’t talk much, aside from asking the occasional question or clarification of pony terms. Ran was also quiet, taking in the story herself. “So, that’s how we ended up here,” Spike finished. “To think Shar’drel’s madness extended to such a length,” Ele’sium said, shaking her head. “But, it does bring me comfort to know my sister’s soul is at peace with her mate…” “Ran’sea told us you were close,” I said. “As close as any hatch sisters can be,” Ele’sium said with a smile. “I was the elder sister, we were born to parents who died of a disease many years ago. I was practically Fran’s mother and sister. She and I did everything together…” “Well, at least you know she’s safe in, whatever the beyond is,” Spike said. “It is where all dragon souls go when their bodies parish,” Ran’sea said. “At least, that’s what Far’seer told me.” “Far’seer is an old windbag,” Ele’sium said, glaring at Ran’sea. “I forbid you to speak to her again.” “But Aun-” “We will not discuss this,” Ele’sium said firmly. Ran sighed and said, “Alright.” Then, Ele’sium raised her brow. Ran started for a moment and said, “I understand, Aunt Ele’sium.” What was that all about? Ran then looked at us, “You should at least talk to Far’seer, to decide for yourself about her.” “Alright,” Spike said, turning around. “It was nice meeting you.” We all turned to leave and Ran suddenly cried, “Spar’kron, wait!” Spike turned around long enough for his sister to hug him tightly. Spike smiled and hugged her back, I could hear Ran’sea say, “I’m glad you’re back, brother.” “I’m glad to be back, Ran.” Spike said, hugging her gently. “Oh Spike…” Rarity said with a smile, “Even to a sibling he’s only known for a day, he is just the sweetest dragon in the world.” ______________________________________________________ Ran pointed out which cave belonged to Far’seer. Ran stayed behind with her Aunt as we came to the cave. Rarity took a step in, and drew her hoof back, “All this dust, somepony could definitely help with a cleaning job.” “Something tells me Far’seer isn’t the most beloved elder,” Twilight said as she lead the way inside. We all followed, Spike walking with us. Unlike the other caves, which had gems or crystals to illuminate the area, this cave was almost pitch black. I had to light my horn to see even beyond my hooves. After about ten minutes, we came to the center cavern. There were no gems, no treasure whatsoever, instead, adorning the walls were thousands of carvings. I couldn’t recognize the characters, they appeared to have been written in some sort of other language. The characters appeared to be made of various claw marks and bizarre shapes. Twilight was going to have a field day in here. We stopped as we came upon the inhabitant of the cave. Before our eyes was a gold colored dragon. It was massive like most dragons, but seemed to be older than the others. Her wings had various holes and just sat there, not even flapping. Her scales seemed to not have the same shining hue that the other dragons had. But the most distinguishing feature, was her eyes...they were clouded… She was blind… She gave a smile and spoke in a voice reminding me of my grandmother. Sweet, wise, and filled with a gentle spirit. “You are Spar’kron, I’ve been expecting you.” “Wha!” Spike said in shock. Twilight looked up at Far’seer and said, “How did you know he was even here, your eyes…” “They see beyond what most see.” Far’seer said, “Although I appear blind, I see life not as what’s in front of me, but as it is. A thousand different lives intertwined with one another...past...present...future...it is all the same story. I just tell certain parts of it once in a while.” “We were told you were some kind of oracle….” I said. “Yes Preventus Eye,” Far’seer said with a smile. “You know my real name?” I said in shock. “It seems Dragons are not the only ones that bare two names. You have come here seeking answers about Spar’kron’s past. I have forseen this, so I told Ran’sea to head towards where I knew Spar’kron would be.” “If you could see into the future,” Spike said, “Why couldn’t you have saved dad?” “Because although dragons hear me, they do not listen,” Far’seer said with a sad sigh. “There was a time when the oracles were held in high regard. But, times have changed, none want to see the future as it is. They only want to know petty things, how to gain advantage over enemies, they don’t understand that I change the future by telling them what they want to hear.” “Hubris…” I said. “You are wise young pony,” She said with a thoughtful smile. “So, prey tell,” Rarity said, “What future can you tell us? I must admit I am curious.” Far’seer gave a small laugh. “Your future, Element of Generosity, is quite an interesting one. You will not have an easy one, but the rewards are great.” “I imagine that is all you are willing to say,” Rarity said. “I say things, but it is up to you to listen.” Far’seer said, a smile on her face. “What about me?” Spike said. “Ah, young Spar’kron.” She said. “Yours is a most interesting future...for you are part of the prophecy I gave many years ago.” “The prophecy about Spike becoming some kind of chosen one?” I asked. “Not now, but soon,” She said. “Though, if he remains as he is now, his greed will eventually consume him.” “I’ll grow big again?” Spike asked. “Yes, you have not bathed in the fire your mother was supposed to make for you.” Far’seer said. “You may have wings now, but you will become a beast if you continue to grow without the fire.” “Is there anything we can do to allow Spikey Wikey to grow naturally?” Rarity asked. “...there is one way.”
Chapter 3 "The Sacred Fire"Chapter 3 “The Sacred Fire” “What way are you talking about Far’seer?” Twilight asked. “Is there another way Spike can grow without setting him on fire?” “Sadly, the setting fire part still has to happen.” The blind oracle said, “But, there is one way to bypass the requirements, and allow Spar’kron to grow naturally.” “What is it?” Spike demanded. “I’ll do whatever it takes!” “You may not be so eager when I tell you.” Far’seer said, “But I don’t need sight to know that will do little to stop you.” “So what can we do?” I asked. Far’seer’s head slowly nodded and she said, “Deep below our cavern, there lies a flame. A gift, created millennia ago by a powerful dragon sorcerer. He unlocked the secrets of dragon growth, but died during the process. His spirit now resides in the fire, and he is very particular about who he chooses to grant the gift to.” “How particular?” Spike asked, “Is he going to ask me to do a test or something?” “In a manner of speaking.” Far’seer said, her voice sounding grim. “Only, if you fail, you will at best remain forever a baby dragon, until your greed consumes you like so many of our brothers and sisters.” “And at worst?” Twilight asked nervously. Far’seer’s blind eyes closed as she said, “He will not live to see if his body grows at all.” “This is far too dangerous!” Rarity protested. “Surely there is some other way!” “Without his mother’s flame this is our only option.” Far’seer said. “Surely we can use another dragoness’ growth fire.” Rarity speculated. “I’m afraid that would be impossible. A growth fire only works on the dragon the mother gave birth to. Ran’sea will suffer the same problem you do, Spar’kron.” I looked over at Spike, a look of sorrow on his face. “Ran can’t grow naturally either?” Far’seer shook her head in response. “Then,” Spike got a determined look on his face, “I’ll go to this spirit and convince him to help both of us!” “Spikey Wikey didn’t you hear a word I said?” Rarity cried, “Aren’t you worried that you’ll be hurt?” “I’ll hurt others if I stay like this Rarity!” Spike yelled at her. “I almost killed a dragon when I was big! What’s to say I don’t destroy the whole of Equestria next time?” “But sure-” Rarity started. “I have to do this Rarity!” Spike shouted. “But, you could die Spike…” Rarity said, a tear falling down her eyes. “Rarity?” Spike said, taken aback. “Fine!” Rarity cried. “Go ahead and get yourself killed! It’s not like I won’t be distraught! It’s not like I’d be worried if I lost you! But no! Being a big bad dragon is far more important than your safety!” Without another word, Rarity ran outside. Spike was dumbstruck, he looked as she left the cave and just stood there. He put a claw to his forehead and said, “What have I done…?” “I should probably talk to her.” Twilight said. “Why you Twi?” I asked. “I’ve been at this long then she has.” She replied, preparing to walk out. “Been at what?” Spike asked. “Dealing with stallions, or in this case dragons, that think they can just fly headfirst into danger without thinking about who they’re leaving behind.” She said, and then walked out. “I, can’t believe she’s this worried about me.” Spike said, looking down. I put a hoof on his shoulder and said, “Come on, we’ll go talk to Car’buncle and see if we can’t get your growth ceremony set up.” “Do you think Rarity will be okay?” Spike asked. “She’ll be okay.” I said, “Twilight will help her out.” “I hope so,” Spike said, scuffing his foot. “I can’t stand to see her cry.” ________________________________________________________ Perspective: Rarity Of all the worst things in this world, this has to be… The. Worst. Possible. THING! Why? Why? Why does the drake of my dreams have to go and be so… FOOLISH! There has to be another way. Surely Twilight could figure something out, so my darling Spikey Wikey wouldn’t have to risk death! I sat on the shore of a nearby puddle. My tears may have added to it. Oh my stars, it’s going to take a while to...how can I even think of my appearance at a time such as this? This trip has been one disaster after another! Oh how I wish there could be another way! Oh Spikey Wikey… “Rarity?” I turned to see Twilight standing there, I wiped my eyes and said, “Forgive me for my outburst, Twilight, I’m just, worried about Spike.” “I know,” She said firmly. “But Rarity, you have to understand…” “Understand what?” I asked, maybe a touch too loud. “That my beloved is going to die! That he could perish horribly! That I’d never see him again?! What makes you think that you can understand any of th-” “HE’S MY BROTHER!” Twilight yelled. I stopped my rant as Twilight huffed. “Rarity, I know you love him, but I raised him since he was an egg. I know the dangers that can happen, but if we don’t do this he’ll become huge again. He’ll give into his greed and not even you can stop him if it becomes too much.” I stared at her. “Don’t even get me started about understanding this! Every day of my life it seems like somepony is trying to hurt or harm Private! Of course I’m worried about him, but I trust him!” She said, her voice firm. “I believe that whatever comes his way, he’ll find a way to escape danger. He nearly died more times than I can count. But, I believe that we’ll see each other again, that, is what holds me together during this.” I...have been terribly selfish again...I didn’t trust Spike to be able to overcome this danger… Oh Spike… “Forgive me Twilight,” I said. “I must seem like a horrible pony.” “Not horrible,” She said with a smile. “Just not used to crazy boyfriends, or in my case husband, being heroes.” “To think that you above any of us would be able to hold it all together.” I said, smiling. “I’ve come a long way since Smarty Pants.” She replied with a laugh. We both laughed at the most entertaining memory. I then heard another voice speak up, “What are you two laughing about?” We both looked to see Spike’s sister Ran’sea walking towards us. Oh, what do I tell her? The truth, she deserved it… “Spike is going to try and see if the sacred fire will let him grow naturally,” I said, trying to sound gentle. Ran’s jaw dropped, “What? You can’t be serious!” “It’s true,” Twilight said. “But, I’m sure he’ll be strong enough to get through it, he’s fighting for the right so you both can grow.” “He...is…?” Ran asked. “Spike is, going to do that for me?” “You are his sister after all.” Twilight said. “Of course he’d want to do this for both of you.” “To grow,” Ran said, looking at her claws. “To experience wings, to know what it’s like to breath true fire. To be a true dragon and not a beast, I’ve always dreamed of it. But, I always thought that I would always remain small, since my mother had perished.” Twilight smiled and put a hoof on her shoulder, saying gently, “I’m sure Spike can do it, we gotta trust him.” “Right!” Ran’sea said, sounding a little chipper. “I cannot wait! It will be amazing to grow!” “Absolutely not, young dragoness!” All three of us looked up as Ele’sium walked over to us. For some reason, I always got an odd vibe off her, and I didn’t much care for her tone when addressing Ran’sea. It sounded almost condescending… Look at me, I’ve been accompanying Private for too long, I’m already suspecting every dragon. “What are you doing here, Ran’sea?” Ele’sium asked, looking down at Ran. “I told you specifically to not speak with these ponies.” “I wanted to go for a walk Aunt,” Ran said. “I just happened to come by here. They said Spike is going to convince the Sacred Fire to allow me to gr-” “Like I said, you will not,” Ele’sium said. “The Sacred Fire is far too dangerous, any dragon who goes near it is likely to perish. Be content with what you are, Ran’sea. Do not perform your brother’s foolish endeavors.” “What I am,” Ran said, glaring defiantly at her aunt, “is sick of everydragon treating me like a pity case! I can never grow naturally without my mother’s growth fire! I get it! But Spike will get the fire to work, and I will be able to grow normally!” “Foolish girl!” Ele’sium roared. “Who was the one who took care of you when all turned their backs on you? Who took your egg and warmed it for all those weeks before you hatched?” Ran seemed to become crestfallen, the fire from before fading. “You did, Aunt Ele’sium.” “I did,” Ele’sium said. “What your brother is doing is foolish, and if Car’buncle has any sense he will forbid the ceremony. I will not see my niece get hurt because of some foolish fantasy.” “But I…” Ran started. “What did I say about talking back, Ran’sea?” Ele’sium said, in that condescending tone of hers. Ran’sea sighed and said, “It’s rude to interrupt when one is talking.” “Good,” Ele’sium said, and then glared at us. “If I see you, or your other pony friend near my niece again, you’ll all know why dragons are to be feared.” With that, Ele’sium walked away, Ran’sea walking behind her, her darling little shoulders drooped. Oh the poor dear… “Something’s not right here…” Twilight said. “Somehow, I don’t think Ele’sium is going to win best parent of the year award.” “She was terribly rude to Ran’sea, poor dear,” I said. “We’ll figure this out some other time,” Twilight said. “For now, we got Spike to support.” I smiled and said, “I am glad you are so caring for Spike, Twilight, it gives me hope for when you and Private finally have little heirs.” “RARITY!” Twilight cried as I skipped happily away. Oh it is so much fun to tease them! ________________________________________________________ Perspective: Private Eye I was standing in what looked like the center meeting area for the dragons. Car’buncle towered over several of the dragons present. His mate, Li’zael was beside him, Smog’krok at her feet. He kept casting glares at Spike every once in a while. Geez, and I thought my family was nuts. I noticed the black dragon, Tru’sent, was standing beside Car’buncle, he had to be a dragon of high rank. Other dragons were around us well, that feeling of smallness came back again. I was ready to pull out Silver Wolf just in case. Car’buncle looked down at Spike. “So, you are requesting to visit the sacred fire,” He said. “Yes, Uncle,” Spike said. “I know it’s dangerous, but it’s the only way Ran’sea and I can grow normally.” “A very dangerous way,” Li’zael said. “Many a dragon has ventured to the flame, and came back with scars that would never heal...or they don’t return at all.” “Why should we let him go in the first place?” Tru’sent asked. “He’s been tainted by these ponies! The fire will never accept this abomination as a true dragon!” “Tru’sent!” Li’zael cried. “But, maybe he’s right mother,” Smog said, glaring at Spike. “I mean, he has no idea about anything. He didn’t even know we were alive until this morning.” “Hey! Don’t talk down to me just because I lived with ponies!” Spike declared. “If anything, I think they’ve made me a better dragon than some of the dragons I’ve met! Don’t even get me started on some of the teenaged dragons I’ve met!” “Enough!” Car’buncle cried, spreading his wings for silence. He then looked at me. “You, Pony, do you believe that Spar’kron is ready for the fire?” I looked down, then back up again. “I may not know much about this fire, but I don’t doubt Spike’s courage. I don’t doubt that his heart is in the right place, and I sure as hell don’t doubt the fact that he’s a good dragon. I can’t think of any greater qualifiers for becoming a true dragon.” Car’buncle closed his eyes, taking it all in. “It’s insane, Father!” Smog shouted. “He’s not a real dragon! He never was one!” “Smog’krok!” Li’zael cried. “He is your cousin! Show some decency!” “But it’s true!” Smog cried, stomping over to Spike. “It’s because of ponies we’re stuck living in caves like this! It’s because of them! He’s a traitor waiting to happen!” “Finally, a dragon talking sense…” Tru’sent muttered. “Yeah, like you guys are taking the moral high ground,” Spike said, crossing his arms. “I’m sure there are plenty of pony villages that will say exactly what they think of dragons raiding them. The fact of the matter is, the ponies still see us as monsters. Don’t give them proof…” “Who are you to talk about what it means to be a dragon?” Smog yelled. “How do we know you didn’t just make up being raised by ponies? What if you really are a traitor, stalling us until an entire army comes to kill us all!” Several dragons around us muttered, some agreeing with Smog. I then got between them, glaring down at Smog...a stare that Fenlock once gave me… ________________________________________________________ He’s a criminal! He had a family, he made a mistake, so I made sure he’d get a short sentence… That makes no sense Fenlock! He did something wrong! He should be punished! …. Fenlock...why are you staring at me like that…? Cause you got a lot to learn about the world. It is never black and white, it is never simple. Life is hard on a lot of ponies. So before you start slapping cuffs on every criminal, learn their history, their story, find out the why, not just the how. Who cares about why? I do...kid. _______________________________________________ “Don’t try to blame everything on us. I won’t blame everything on dragons,” My voice was firm enough to silence the whole crowd. “I won’t pretend I have an answer to the problem. But I can say that so long as one side keeps hitting, the likelihood of hitting back skyrockets. So before you start pinning blame...learn to see the bigger picture…” I finished by saying a condescending…”...kid.” Smog looked about ready to claw me, when Li’zael suddenly grabbed him with her tail. “That is enough! Both of you!” She said, keeping Smog close. “But Mo-” Smog tried to say. “Nothing out of you young drake!” Li’zael growled at her son. “You’ve already shamed your family enough with your childish outburst. Don’t make things worse.” Smog had no more words to say after that. Car’buncle looked at me and said, “Your words show wisdom for such a short lived race. You have instilled these values in my nephew. I will allow Spar’kron to visit the fire. You and your pony friends may accompany him. I, as a dragon cannot.” “What can I expect?” Spike asked. Car’buncle’s face turned grim. “Nothing, you can expect none of it.” “I’ll do this,” Spike said, putting a claw to his chest. “Not just for me, but for Ran as well.” Li’zael smiled and said, “There’s that fire in his eyes again. Thal’lan was rather famous for that.” “He also has his father’s stubbornness as well,” Tru’sent muttered. “Oh, I think that’s just a family trait,” Li’zael said with a laugh. “So, where is this fire?” I asked. “I will show you the entrance, but according to our traditions, only Spar’kron may speak with the flame.” Car’buncle said reverently. “I’ll do this…” Spike said, and then looked up at his uncle. “Take me to the fire!” _____________________________________________________ Perspective: Spike Uncle Car’buncle led us to the mouth of a huge cave. He stood there, looking down at me and Private. “This is as far as I can take you.” “What about me?” Private asked. “You and your companions can only accompany him, until you start to see light at the end of the tunnel. Then, and right then, you must stop and let Spar’kron venture forth alone.” “Spike! Wait!” I looked up to see Rarity and Twilight running over. Rarity ran to me, and hugged me tight saying, “Oh Spike, I’m sorry for being terribly inconsiderate. I was just worried you’d get hurt.” I tried not to get a big stupid grin on my face when she did hug me. I just smiled and hugged Rarity back. “I’ll be fine Rarity, I promise I’ll come back.” “Can you make that promise to me as well?” I looked and saw Ran walking towards us. “Ran’sea?” I said. “However did you get away from Ele’sium?” Rarity asked. “She went out for to get some gems for dinner,” Ran said, “I ‘gave her the slip’, as you ponies say.” “You know there’ll be hell to pay when Ele’sium finds out you did ‘give her the slip’,” Car’buncle said. Ran’sea then gave her uncle the biggest puppy dog eyes ever. “But, Uncle, I just wanna help my brother and support him…” Car’buncle sighed, “Very well, as his closest living relative, I will allow you to accompany him to the fire. I could never say no to you.” “Oh thank you Uncle!” Ran said, hugging her Uncle’s claw. Wow, she’s got it down. Ran then practically skipped over to me. “Thank you for doing this, brother, I believe you will help us both.” I gave her a determined nod, “Right, let’s do this!” ____________________________________________________ Ran led the way as we descended into the tunnel. I noticed the tunnel was huge, and had several smaller tunnels all around. “Who made all these?” Twilight asked. “Various things over the years,” Ran said. “Young dragons trying to find a new cave, Quar’ray eels trying to dig around, many things.” “I just hope we don’t run into any nasties during our trip,” Private said. “Don’t worry Private, I’ll protect you from any big nasty spiders we come across,” Twilight teased. “Hey!” Private cried. “There it is,” Ran said, pointing ahead. I saw a light coming towards the end of the tunnel. She then turned to me, “Are you sure you’ll be safe?” I gave her a smile and said, “I got you all to come back too, I promise I’ll be safe.” I turned back to my family and said, “Thanks for coming with, guys.” Private and Twilight pulled me into a hug and Twilight said, “I’m proud of you, Spike, never forget that.” “I know, Twilight…” I said, just basking in my family’s embrace. “Stay safe,” Private said. “I want us all to be able to tell Celestia and the others about this.” “I will, Private.” I said, getting out of the embrace. I then walked to Rarity, I was about to say something, when she just outright kissed me on the lips. I took a moment to take it in, then kissed her back tenderly. After we parted, she gazed at me with her glistening blue eyes and said, “I do love you, Spikey Wikey, never forget that.” I smiled and said, “I never have, and never will.” With that, I marched towards the light. After a couple of minutes walking, I came to my destination. The room was spacious, about the size of a hoofball stadium. A bridge lead up to an altar in the center of the room. All around the walls were carvings depicting dragons and other letters I didn’t recognize. I’d have to ask Car’buncle what they mean some day. The Altar was made of stone, and had all these elaborate dragon carvings on it. At the top of the altar, was a flame, small and flickering with only just enough light for me to see the stalactites above me. I walked over to the flame and said, “This is it? Some sacred flame…” Suddenly the small flicker turned into an inferno. I leaped back in shock. Suddenly, before my very eyes the flame formed itself into the shape of a dragon. I gazed upon it, it seemed to be made of living flame, it’s eyes bright orbs that gazed down upon me. It’s body was long, and almost seemed like those Neighpanese dragons Raiden once told me about, it had a long mane of flame coming from it’s head as well. “You have come in search of the Sacred Flame,” It said, it’s voice echoing around the room. “Who are you?” I asked. “My name has long since left me.” The dragon said, “But, others have taken to calling me Vol’vagia” “Vol’vagia!” I said, getting to my feet. “I’ve come to use your fire to allow me to grow normally! My mother died before I was born, there’s no way I can grow again unless you help me.” It looked at me for a long time and said, “It appears you were immersed in another dragon’s growth fire. That would explain why your wings have appeared so early.” “Early?” I asked. “How old are you young drake?” It asked. “Eighteen.” I said, trying not to seem nervous. “At nineteen you should start to see wings sacks growing on your back.” It said, pointing a claw at me. “ But you have fully grown wings before your time. To grow too fast is a dangerous thing. You are well on your way to becoming a beast again.” “That’s why I need your help!” I cried. “I need you to help me and my sister grow!” “And what makes you think I should?” It asked. “Many have come to me before, demanding I give over my fire. My fire, which I had spent centuries perfecting, which has the power to do what Growth Fire can only dream of, they demand it from me.” “I’m asking you,” I said. “I need it! Not just for myself, but for my friends!” “Your, friends?” That seemed to give him pause. “Yes!” I said. “I grew huge once and nearly destroyed the town! I nearly killed another dragon if Rarity hadn’t stopped me...both times. I don’t want to hurt anypony! I want to stop this beast inside of me before it grows and destroys everything I love! I am not demanding, I’m pleading, imploring, whatever the heck Twilight can come up with that’s a synonym! I need to grow, and Ran’sea needs to grow too...I don’t want her to suffer with this, either.” Vol’vagia looked at me for a long time again, and then he spoke, “Your words ring true, your desire is only to protect and help those you love. I sense no selfish desire for power coming from you. You are…different, young drake.” “Yeah, being raised by ponies does that to you,” I said. “How very curious.” Vol’vagia said. “Very well, I shall grant you my flame young Spike.” “Your...flame…?” I asked. “Yes, I will cast my fire upon you, returning you to your original state, before your wings grew prematurely. Then, once you reach your next birthday, your wings will start to grow in sacks. Then, you will grow taller, by the time you are twenty one, you will tower over your pony brethren.” “When will I become full sized?” I asked. He was quiet for a moment, and then said, “You will achieve mental maturity by the time you reach twenty one, you will be the dragon equivalent of a young adult pony. Then, once you reach your fiftieth year, you will grow into a full sized dragon, reaching physical maturity.” “That long…” I said. Rarity will be an old maid by then...will she still love me…? “A long life is a curse in the end,” Vol’vagia said. “Know this, that your time spent, is more important, than time allotted.” I slowly, nodded and said, “I’ll do it, give me the fire to save my friends!” Vol’vagia opened his wide jaws and a fire started to form in it. I braced myself, ready for the fire that will allow me to become a full dragon normally! “AAARRGHH!!” I looked up, hearing Vol’vagia’s scream. The flaming dragon seemed to be contorting in pain. “No! Get out of my mind!” “What’s happening?” I asked. “Something...is…” Suddenly, his eyes turned...Sombra green…”GET AWAY!!!” Suddenly he fired the flame at the ceiling. I felt the earth shake around me, and turned to run across the bridge. I watched as a stalactite fell on my bath ahead, cutting me off. No! I’ve come this far! I won’t break my promise! I heard a loud explosion, and looked up, I saw a fireball hit the stalactite above me. Funny...the fire ball was blue… I shook my head as I realized that it was about to fall on me. I tried to flap my wings to get away, but I couldn’t get a good air time going. No! I can’t die! Not without...saying goodbye… “SPIKE!” I felt myself get wrapped in magic, the feeling of being zapped in and out of existence, and then the warm feeling of Twilight holding me. “What happened?” She asked. “No time!” I yelled. “We gotta get outta here!” With that, I hopped on her back and we both made a break for it as the tunnel started to collapse. _______________________________________________________ Perspective: Private We barely made it out in time. We all just laid on the ground as the tunnel collapsed behind us. Something had gone wrong….that was for sure… But what...and why...I’m going to find out.
Chapter 4 "Behind Scaled Eyes"Chapter 4 “Behind Scaled Eyes” Perspective: Private Eye I shook my head as my vision slowly cleared. I was laying down on the ground, the cave tunnel collapsed and was now covered with rubble. I looked around and saw Twilight was laying on the ground, Spike on her back. I shook her, “Twilight, come on wake up.” I said. Twilight groaned and shook her own head. She opened her amethyst eyes and looked at me. “Private, thank Celestia you’re okay,” She said. “I’m glad you’re okay,” I said, nuzzling her and helping her to her hooves. “Come on, let’s wake the others.” I walked over to Spike who was lying down on the ground. I nudged him awake and the baby dragon opened his green eyes. “What happened?” He asked as he got to his feet. “I was hoping you could tell us,” I said as I heard Rarity coming awake thanks to Twilight. “That was rather close, darling,” Rarity said, getting to her hooves and leaning against Twilight. Spike ran over to Ran and roused her as well. The dragoness looked at Spike and said, “Thank goodness you’re alright Spike. What happened?” Spike shook his head and said, “I don’t know. One minute, Vol’vagia was going to give me the fire, next thing I know he gets Sombra eyes and starts to freak out.” “So, dark magic,” Twilight concluded. “Dark magic?” Rarity said. “As in what Sombra used?” “He’s not the only one…” I said, trying to forget the things I did when I got a taste of the evil power. “Whoever did this,” Ran’sea said, “obviously did not want the ceremony to go as planned.” “What happened to Car’buncle?” Spike asked. I looked around and saw Car’buncle flying over, with Li’zael at his side. The two dragons landed and gazed down at us. Li’zael was the first to speak. “There was a quake a while back, we feared there would be a cave in. What happened?” “It wasn’t us,” Spike said. “It was Vol’vagia! He went nuts and we nearly got squashed to death.” “Vol’vagia?” Car’buncle said. “So you did manage to reach the Sacred Fire.” “But we have a bigger problem now,” Li’zael said, and then looked at Spike. “Tell me young one, did Vol’vagia put the fire in you?” Spike was quiet for a moment, and then shook his head. Car’buncle and Li’zael’s eyes went wide. “I warned you both this would happen!” I looked over and saw Tru’sent flying over. The lean black dragon growled, “I warned you that Vol’vagia would never accept this tainted brat!” “Tru’sent!” Car’buncle growled in turn. “You forget your place!” “Am I the only dragon that isn’t blind?” Tru’sent cried. “This dragon has been rejected by the Sacred Flame. That’s the only explanation for the quake! The only explanation for why he’s still here!” “I didn’t do anything!” Spike said. “It was somebody using dark magic!” “A likely excuse for a miserable excuse for a wyrm,” Tru’sent said with sheer venom. “You can’t talk to him like that!” Twilight yelled. “Back off pony,” Tru’sent growled. “I’ll squash you right here!” Twilight’s horn glowed and for a minute her eyes glowed white. “If you lay one claw on him…” “ENOUGH!” Car’buncle yelled, getting between them. “This fighting will get us nowhere! Whatever happened down there, the fact remains there is a mystery to solve, and we will not do so if we’re clawing each other for no reason!” “You side with them Car’buncle!?” Tru’sent roared. “I side with the needs of the clan,” Car’buncle growled. He then turned to glare at Twilight. “While it is admirable that you would defend my nephew, I will not tolerate any fighting here.” Twilight’s horn dimmed but she retained her glare. “Don’t think I’ll forget this…” “Now on to-” “Ran’sea!” We watched as Ele’sium landed almost on top of us. She glared down at Ran and said, “Where were you? I told you to stay in the cavern!” “I wanted to see my brother!” Ran said firmly. “What happened here?” Ele’sium demanded, glaring at the rock fall. “Ele…” Li’zael said nervously. “Answer me!” Ele growled. “There was an accident.” Li’zael said cooly. “No dragon or pony was hurt.” “I could care less about these ponies!” Ele’sium growled. “The fact of the matter is Ran’sea could’ve been hurt! I demand that these ponies be held responsible for putting my niece in danger!” “Mother, I went of my own volition!” Ran’sea yelled. “SILENCE!” Ele’sium growled. Ran...wilted almost. “I’ve done nothing but care for you for the past eighteen years. Then you repay my kindness by disobeying me and putting yourself in danger,” Ele growled, her eyes reminding a little...of Glimmer. Ran, didn’t even fight back. “I’m sorry Aunt Ele’sium…” I thought I heard a snarl coming from Ele’sium… Ran simply nodded and said, “I will never disobey you again.” “Good!” Ele’sium said, reaching out her tail and pulling Ran close to her. “Remember Ran’sea, I will always love you...so long as you stay with me.” “Yes Aunt Ele’sium…” Ran said, hopelessly walking away. “Ran!” Spike cried. Ran looked back at Spike for a moment and said, “I’m sorry, Spar’kron.” With that, Ele’sium walked with Ran and then looked at Car’buncle. “I hope you make the right choice, my chief.” “I make my own decisions Ele, just as Fran did…” Car’buncle said, an edge to his voice. Ele’sium simply walked away, Ran at her side. I walked up to Car’buncle. “Sir, if I may speak.” “What do you have to say, rat?” Tru’sent growled. “Hold your tongue, Tru’sent,” Li’zael growled. “Li’zael,” Car’buncle said, a little gruffly. Li’zael simply nodded and said no more. Car’buncle then looked down at me. “What is it you wish to say?” “That I believe this was a sabotage operation,” I said firmly. Everypony and dragon in the room looked at me as if I’ve suddenly grew a second horn. “What is this nonsense?” Tru’sent growled. “I say we toss out this pony, he’s obviously mad!” “No, let him speak,” Car’buncle said. I cleared my throat and said, “The timing was too good. Spike just happens to enter the cave, and we can expect the outburst to be a coincidence?” “Of course not,” Tru’sent growled. “It was obvious that Vol’vagia rejected him!” “He didn’t!” Spike yelled. “He said I was worthy! He was going to give it to me when he went crazy!” “And you believe it was Dark Magic?” Li’zael said, gazing down at me. “I may not have witnessed it myself,” I said and then met the dragon’s glare. “But I believe Spike, he wouldn’t lie about something as important as this.” “This is ludicrous!” Tru’sent yelled. “Surely these ponies are lying! Just as all ponies do! I say we throw them out of here, maybe cut off that one’s wings as a message!” “My mate would never allow such brutal methods!” Li’zael cried. “But even you must admit the insanity of what this pony is saying!” Tru’sent snarled. “ENOUGH!” Car’buncle yelled, silencing all. He gazed down at us for a long time. Finally he sighed and said, “I’m only doing this because you are my nephew. I know Thal’lan would haunt me forever if I didn’t at least give you a chance to prove yourself.” “You mean you-” Spike began. Car’buncle held up a claw and said, “I am giving you and your pony friends a chance to prove this was a sabotage job. If you can prove to me that this was a sabotage and expose the culprit, I will believe you and we will figure out a way to recover the sacred flame.” “And if we don’t?” Rarity asked. “Then you will leave here and never return.” Car’buncle said, though I could tell it pained him so. “But,” Spike said, and then shook his head and looked determined. “We will find this out! Private is the best detective I know, he’ll prove it!” I smiled at Spike and said, “We’ll figure this out, and we’ll make sure the culprit is revealed.” Car’buncle slowly nodded and said, “I wish to take your word at face value, but as chief I cannot afford risks.” He then turned to his mate. “Take the white pony.” “WHAT?!” We all yelled. Before any of us could protest, Li’zael reached out with her tail and pulled Rarity up by wrapping the tail around her belly. Rarity struggled a little and glared at Li’zael. “Untail me you brute!” “Hey what’s going on!?” Spike cried, he tried to rush Li’zael but found both Twilight and I’s magics held him back. “We need to make sure that you do not try to flee or do something equally as stupid,” Li’zael said. “I will not harm your intended, Spar’kron. She will be returned once this is over. Until then, she’s coming to stay with me for a while.” Rarity’s blue eyes showed understanding and she looked down at Spike. “I will be fine Spikey Wikey, just find the brutes who ruined your special day.” She then got an evil look on her face. “So that when I see them I’ll rip their scales out one by one and-” THE FOLLOWING RAGE INDUCED MONOLOGUE HAS BEEN CENSURED SO AS TO PROTECT OUR YOUNG READERS FROM RARITY’S SCARILY CREATIVE IMAGINATION. All of our jaws dropped at that, even Car’buncle’s. Li’zael however, just smiled and said, “I think we’ll get along just fine.” Tru’sent simply huffed and flew off. Li’zael turned, Rarity still in her tail as they walked off as well. Car’buncle looked down at Spike and simply said, “I’m sorry…” With that, he turned to follow his mate. Spike stomped the ground, “I hate this! I can’t believe they’d just take Rarity like that!” “She’ll be fine Spike,” I said. “They won’t hurt her.” “Either way, we gotta get back to the tunnel.” Twilight said firmly. “Come on boys, let’s get digging.” “Hold on Twi, I wanna try something.” I said, walking up to the rocks. I then concentrated and my horn sparked. The rocks blew forward like a giant hoof just shoved them. “Here’s hoping the tunnel leads to the same spot.” “Come on,” Twilight said, walking forward. We then ventured back into the dark. __________________________________________________________ Perspective: Rarity Well this is embarrassing. Me! Being held hostage by… Well… Honestly, it could be worse. At least Li’zael, and Car’buncle are rather civilized, as opposed to that Tru’sent brute. He’d probably pull out my horn, and do horrible, unprintable things with it. Unprintable? Where did that come from? Honestly, I’ve got to stop hanging around Pinkie Pie so much. She may be contagious. Ahem. Anyway, here I am being held hostage by a rather civilized dragoness, and the aunt of my beloved. Well… I guess it couldn’t hurt to get to know her better. Thankfully she hasn’t put me in any sort of restraints like those Diamond Dogs did. She just put me in a cave and I got the impression it wouldn’t be a good idea to go out of it. The cave was small, about the size of a room at home, with only a single exit which was blocked by my dragoness guard. Li’zael stuck her head inside the hole and said, “Sorry about this, you seemed like an alright sort of pony. But, you understand why we do this.” I wanted to be polite, but my tone was a little tired and could easily be interpreted as it being a long day. “You don’t trust Spike, and you expect him to find the culprit or else.” “It’s not that I don’t trust my nephew,” Li’zael said, “I just know the rest of the clan doesn’t trust him.” I sighed and layed against the wall, sliding down it onto the floor. “This isn’t what I expected at all.” “What were you expecting?” Li’zael asked. “I don’t know, something sensible,” I said with a shake of my head. “First, I mistook Ran’sea as another suitor for Spikey Wikey. Then I bumble up my first impression to his family. Now, I’m trapped in here because no dragon wishes to believe him.” Li’zael blinked and said, “You, do care for him. You remind me a lot of Fran.” “Spikey Wikey’s mother?” I asked. “Tell me, what was she like?” Li’zael gave a dragon’s equivalent of a smirk and said, “Oh, she was quite the heartbreaker back in her day. Not by choice, she was beautiful but she simply couldn’t take on a mate because Ele’sium scared most of them off.” I narrowed my eyes in thought. Ele’sium did seem the protective sort. Maybe overly protective… Li’zael went on, “Fran and her sister were outsiders, their parents died of disease ages ago, they wandered around for most of their lives until they settled here.” “It was kind of your clan to take them in.” I said with a smile. “No dragon was more happy than Thal’lan though.” Li’zael said with a laugh. “Once he caught sight of Fran he was head over tail for her. Followed her around, tried to help her out with this and that, I swear her cave was always the cleanest thanks to him.” I slowly frowned. This did seem to be reflection of my behavior towards Spike. How I thought he would dismiss his crush once he’d had enough of working. But, it seemed with every moment I spent with him, only made him want to work harder to be there for me. “Fran eventually tried to convince him to stop,” Li’zael said. “At that moment, Thal’lan confessed his love for her. Caused a fuss when my father in law wanted him to be with Shar’drel.” “That horrid dragoness!” I glowered. “She’s the one who murdered both of them!” Li’zael nodded “Honestly, I’m not surprised. But the one who put up more fuss than she did, was Ele’sium.” “She did seem rather rude to Ran’sea.” I pointed out. “Yes, she was extremely protective of Fran too.” Li’zael said with a sigh. “I remember wanting to teach Fran how to breath fire better. Ele threw a fit at the very idea of any dragon besides her sister teaching Fran.” Does seem to be bordering on obessive… “Mother!” I heard another little voice cry. “Excuse me,” Li’zael said, and she pulled her head out. I recognized the voice as Smog’krok’s, I heard him say, “What’s going on? Why are you sticking your head in the cave?” “Where were you?” Li’zael asked. “I asked you to stay in the cave.” “I heard Ran had gone missing from Aunt Ele’sium! I also heard rumors that the fire rejected Spar’kron! I told you he wasn’t a real dragon!” Smog’krok’s voice said in such earnestly I had to fight the urge to leap out and strangle the little urchin. Li’zael’s voice was calm but strained, “You’ve been listening to Tru’sent again. Honestly Smog, I keep asking you to stay away from him. He’s trouble, and you should have the sense to listen.” “But, Mother,” Smog cried, “I was right!” “No, Tru’sent was wrong, and you’re just parroting him,” Li’zael scolded. “Now get back to the cave, otherwise you can forget about dinner.” Smog’s little footsteps could be heard as he stomped away. It seems that trick works no matter what the species. I just hope the others are okay… Oh Spikey Wikey… _________________________________________________________ Perspective: Private Eye Dust settled as the rocks blew away from the entrance. We stepped out into the sacred fire chamber, now devoid of most of the light. Twilight’s horn glowed and a ball of violet light appeared which was almost as bright as the sun. It illuminated the entire area and allowed us to see what was in front of us. “Some day, you gotta teach me some tricks,” I said with a smile at my wife. “Only when you teach me that alchemy stuff,” Twilight said with a smile in turn. “Less lovey dovey stuff guys!” Spike cried, running forward. “More investigating!” The chamber was still vast and most of it was now filled with rubble and various rocks scattered everywhere. I saw the remains of what had to be an altar of some kind, along with a bridge leading to it. Thankfully the rubble was piled up enough that we could cross to the altar without issue. Spike stood near a part of the bridge ruins, and pointed at a fallen stalactite. “Here! this is what I saw that blue fireball hit,” He said. I looked over at it, and sure enough, there was a large scorch mark on the side, close to the top. That had to be where it was hit. “Alright, let’s split up and look for clues.” They nodded and I began walking around the rubble near the altar. I walked a little around before my hoof felt something. I looked down and saw something buried in the rubble. I used my magic to dig it out a little, and I got a better look at it. It was a crystal, but mostly resembled the black ones that are Sombra’s trademark. There was no magic or aura coming from it, odd how it would be just hidden among the rubble here. I put it in a plastic bag and slipped it into my trench coat. The crystal was about as big as my head but you’d be surprised how deep my pockets can be. “Private! Over here!” I turned and saw Twilight was standing along the outer walls. I made my way over there and saw that she was standing next to a small tunnel. Spike also walked over with me and Twilight said, “Look at these claw marks,” She said, pointing. “Something was digging here.” Spike looked at the hole. “It’s pretty small. I’ll have a look inside, I think I can fit,” He said, and then proceeded to enter it. After about a minute of waiting, Spike came out of the hole and said, “The tunnel goes around, but some of the rubble fell in the path. I don’t know if it’s a good idea to continue.” “Any idea what could’ve made it?” Twilight asked. Spike slowly put out his palm, and revealed a small orange dragon scale. Spike nodded and said, “I think I may have an idea…”
Chapter 5 "Tunnel to Truth"Chapter 5 “Tunnel to Truth” Perspective: Private Eye “Any luck Spike?” I asked, sticking my head in the tunnel where we found the orange scale. “I can’t really see anything, hold on,” Spike called before the tunnel became illuminated. “I don’t see anything weird here.” I looked over at Twilight who was sticking her nose in a book. “Twi? What’s up?” “I’m looking through this guide book to northern Equestria,” Twilight said, shifting through the pages. “Vol’vagia’s fire, no matter how strong, probably didn’t cause an earthquake.” “You think so?” I asked. “Aside from making the place very hot,” She said. “I doubt launching the fire to the ceiling would cause any form of seismic activity.” “Maybe we’re inside a dormant volcano or something?” Spike called from the tunnel. “Unlikely,” Twilight said. “There aren’t any records of volcanos in this area. The closest one isn’t for several miles.” “So what do you think?” I asked. “I don’t think, I reference,” Twilight said, holding a book with various lines over a map. “This, is a chart of the various lay and fault lines under Equestria. With a little calculation, I have determined that that tunnel passes straight through it.” “Hey!” Spike cried. “It does fork off! I didn’t notice it before! This one looks like it was dug in a hurry.” “Might’ve been an escape attempt,” I said. “It probably got scared off by fire shooting everywhere, and dug it’s way right into the fault line, that’s what caused the earthquake.” Spike came out of the tunnel, “It’s too small for you guys to fit through, but judging by the way it went, I think it’s heading straight for the main cavern.” “What about the other path?” I asked. “Blocked off,” Spike said. “Just like I said earlier.” “This scale,” I said, looking at the orange scale. “judging by it’s size, it had to have come from a dragon about your size.” “Smog!” Spike said firmly. “I knew he had it out for me!” “Easy Spike,” Twilight said. “He was probably scared off during the commotion, I doubt he’d have time to stick around to shoot blue fire.” “Why can’t we ever get the obvious culprits?” Spike said with a sigh. “Welcome to the world of detective work,” I said, then turned to the fallen Stalactite. “Twi, could you see if you can lift this back up to where it was? I think I can make a trajectory guesstimate.” “Give me a sec,” Twilight said, her horn glowing and slowly but surely the stalactite lifted off the ground and several rocks as well. The stalactite then floated up to the ceiling and repaired itself as if it never fell in the first place. “Alicorn magic, still awesome,” Twilight said, smiling at her work. I looked at where the soot was strongest on the stalactite. “Alright, if it was shot from there, then it would have to have been shot from...there.” I pointed to the other side of the cavern from the entrance. There, was a rubbled up tunnel. Spike shook his head, “That wasn’t here when I first came in.” “Looks like our culprit was digging too.” I said. Twilight and I walked over and looked at the rubble, “It’ll take us hours to dig through all that. Even with my magic.” “Arrgh!” Spike cried. “This is so frustrating! Rarity is probably worried sick right now!” “Cool it, Romeo,” I said. Then, I looked up...and saw a hole in the ceiling, covered with soot that we didn’t see before… “Come on guys, we got another lead but we have to see about a certain suspect…” “Rarity first,” Spike said. “Then suspect.” ____________________________________________________ Perspective: Rarity “Well, darling, I’m hardly an expert on draconic scales, but any accessories you use would have to harmonise with your natural coloration. My having a white coat makes it relatively easy, but for you… Hmmm,” I said, then lapsed into thoughtful silence. “Gold, of course would go well. As well as oranges, reds, and yellows.” “I must admit,” Li’zael said, looking at me. “I am fascinated about about how much care you ponies make to appearances. If I had known what you just told me, Car’buncle wouldn’t have needed a smack to the head to realize I had a crush on him.” “Oh appearances aren’t everything, darling,” I said. “But every little bit helps in the game of romance.” “Sure as hell would’ve made mating season a lot more interesting,” She said with a laugh. Alright, maybe I was being over dramatic, turns out Li’zael bucks the trend of in-laws being unreasonable. Could’ve done without being picked up like one of Sweetie’s dolls though. In-laws...oh look at me thinking such a thing… I heard some voices outside, Li’zael stuck her head back out. I recognized Private’s voice! “Can we speak to Rarity for a bit?” He asked. Li’zael chuckled, “If you’re going to plot an escape, just remember I took down dragons three times your size when I was a hatchling,” she said. “Wow, you’re kind of awesome, Aunt Li’zael,” Spikey Wikey’s voice said. “Oh don’t flatter me, nephew, just go inside and take care of Rarity. She and I were chatting up a storm before you arrived. Fine catch in my honest opinion,” Li’zael said. YES! I saw Spikey Wikey and my dear friends coming inside. I opened my front legs and hugged Spike ever so lovingly. “Oh Spike, thank goodness you’re okay,” I said. Spike looked up at me and said, “Same here, have they been treating you okay?” I smiled and said, “Turns out, I made a good impression on your family after all. At least, the majority of them.” “That’s good to hear.” Twilight said. “We just came to see if you were okay.” “I will assure you both I am quite alright.” I said, and then saw the look in Private’s eyes. I remained quiet as he walked up to me and whispered in my ear. “If Li’zael mentions anything to do with blue fire, let us know somehow.” He said, rather urgently. I nodded and whispered back, “I’ll see what I can do, I cannot promise much though.” “Just do what you can,” Private said, as the three turned to leave. I watched as Spike looked back at me and just gave a reassuring smile. I was to be free soon enough… I only hope somehow I can aid in this plight… ___________________________________________________ Perspective: Private Eye It didn’t take long for us to find Tru’sent’s cavern. All it took was us asking a few dragons where it was. A few were suspicious after hearing what happened with the sacred fire. But eventually one told us where Tru’sent lived. We arrived at the cave and it was certainly about as dark as Far’seer’s. It was barely illuminated by crystals and torches. Along the walls I saw various carvings, just like Far’seer’s cavern had. “Okay, this is a little creepy.” Spike said. “I knew I was getting a bad vibe off that guy.” “These carvings,” Twilight said, looking up. “What could they all mean?” “A prophecy.” All of us turned around and saw Far’seer standing there. The blind golden dragon towered over us. Twilight was the first to speak, “How did you manage to sneak up on us like that?” “Because I saw how I was going to do it,” Far’seer said matter of factly. “Right, Oracle,” I said. “What are you doing here?” Spike asked. “I’ve come hoping to answer your question.” Far’seer said. “These writings foretell the prophecy that your parents died to fulfill young Spar’kron.” “That one about a dragon leading other dragons to a new age?” Spike said. “The one Shar’drel was trying to work around by having an egg with my dad?” “Shar’drel and her brother were once my students,” Far’seer explained, her tone somber. “I hoped to teach them the old ways, before we were scattered and beastial. But, everything changed when your grandfather heard about the prophecy.” “What, exactly, does this prophecy say?” Twilight asked. “Scale of Violet, Scale of White, one will come to return dragons from this plight. To be led into a golden age of peace and harmony with all,” Far’seer said, as if reciting an ancient text. “Scale of Violet and Scale of White,” I said. “That had to have been Spike’s parents.” “Unfortunately, your grandfather didn’t receive the full prophecy in the translation I just gave you. Because as I was recieving it, I wrote it down in the ancient tongue you see around you.” She said, pointing to the various carvings. “Dragons had a written language?” Twilight asked. “We did, long before you were born Twilight Sparkle,” Far’seer said. “But, time has not been kind to the old ways, most dragons are born and raised in caves, scattered and lost all across the world. They give into the beastial sides of themselves, and only know bloodlust and greed.” “So what translation did Shar’drel get?” I asked. “Shar’drel was not supposed to see the prophecy, but her impatience led her to sneak into my innermost chambers and copy the prophecy I so foolishly wrote down. Her translation skills were poor, the symbols for black and white are very similar, with minute and subtle differences between them. An amateur like Shar’drel would never have noticed the difference.” “And she believed she was the one foretold to mother this great dragon?” Twilight asked. “Exactly, that’s what she told the chief at the time.” Far’seer answered. “And they believed her?” Spike said, shaking his head. “Shar’drel’s strength was great, and her knowledge vast. It was not too hard to imagine her being the mother of a strong and powerful leader,” Far’seer said, shaking her own head. “Like many a species, our kind only sees to what will benefit them. Shar’drel believed the prophecy foretold when she would give birth to a hero of war.” “But, dad didn’t mate with her,” Spike said. “I tried to persuade the chieftain to let me translate the prophecy better,” Far’seer said sadly. “But the old fool wouldn’t listen. He was going to be the grandfather to the greatest hero dragonkind has ever known, who was I to tell him otherwise?” “But Spike’s dad fell in love with Fran’salel,” Twilight said. “Indeed,” Far’seer said with a smile. “Absolutely pure was their love, what Thal’lan’s father failed to see was that a drake that had a good heart was what was needed. One that brought glory for dragonkind not through war, but through compassion and overcoming the lust for greed and blood plaguing our people.” “That’s...me?” Spike asked. “Possibly,” Far’seer quipped. “Possibly?” I said. “You can see the future can’t you? Surely you know who the chosen dragon is.” “I can only see what the future may become,” Far’seer said sagely. “My eyes see few absolutes. This prophecy is an absolute, but I cannot see all the pieces on the board.” “Then can you tell us who tried to kill Spike?” Twilight asked. Far’seer, tilted her head, “Do any of you feel a draft?” “A draft?” Spike said. I turned around, she was blind so she could feel if there was a draft. I then saw a pretty large boulder in the back. I grabbed it with magic and gave it a shove. Sure enough a tunnel appeared before me. “Tru’sent was part of this too?” Spike asked. “This just keeps getting more bizarre,” Twilight said. _________________________________________________________ Perspective: Rarity Well, this has certainly become quite interesting. Here I am, in the middle of a gathering of female dragons. I would have never thought dragonesses would be the least interested in fashion, but here they are. Lucky for me I brought some of my tools along. I had hoped to be inspired, after all. Li’zael let me out of the cave for a minute in order for this gathering to take place in front of it. “So you see, darlings, it’s all about harmonizing the colors,” I said levitating my color wheel so they could get a better look. “The base color should, of course, be the color of your body scales. As you can see, your spines all harmonize quite well with your body color. Any accessories should be the same as your spines, or another harmonizing color. That is usually to the left or right of your base color, darlings.” “Oh maybe Ta’lin will notice me,” One dragoness said. “Please teach us your knowledge, oh Rarity!” Another cried. “Now, darlings, don’t fret, it all comes down to simply being yourself when it comes to love,” I said. “Being honest with yourself is one of the bigger steps to take, really get to know the one you love and care for.” Oh my goodness! I feel like the host of a talk show! Oh, well maybe if fashion doesn’t work out that’s always an option. “Alright girls, that’s enough pony time,” Li’zael said, the dragonesses all flew off at that, most of them looking disappointed. As I put my things back in the case she said, “Seems you’ve left quite an impression.” “I get that a lot, darling,” I said, heading back into the cave. “I do wonder if I’ll be able to open a dragon line when all this is over.” “You certainly are optimistic,” Li’zael said, sticking her head in the small cave. “Well, I just trust my friends. They’ll sort things out,” I said. “I hope so. I would like to get to know my future in-law better,” Li’zael said. I flushed, “Oh, well, that is a little ways off darling I…” Oh my goodness, I’m more flustered than a school filly. Spike has that effect on me it seems… “Li’zael!” Way to ruin the moment you hag… That voice was Ele’sium’s, it came from outside. Li’zael groaned and stepped outside. I heard the two arguing and I decided to listen in, anything to help my friends… “What is that pony still doing here?” Ele’sium snarled at Li’zael. “She’s being held until the culprit can be found for the sacred fire incident,” Li’zael said cooly. “Do we even need to do all this foolery?” Ele’sium snarled again. “It’s clear what happened, that Spar’kron wanna be failed to pass the test. That’s what caused Vol’vagia to become angered and the earthquake to occur. Which nearly got Ran’sea killed I might add!” “Ran’sea is not an egg anymore,” Li’zael said, “She’s well old enough to have known the risks.” “That foul Spike must have tricked her then!” Ele’sium practically roared. “They should be gone from this place! Never to return!” “Is this truly about them?” Li’zael asked. “Or your failure to control your niece?” “How dare you try to tell me how to raise my child!” Ele’sium growled. “She isn’t your child to begin with.” Li’zael replied. “I still raised her when no dragon would!” Ele’sium cried. “She’s practically my daughter in all but laying her egg! I will not see some upstart change that! We don’t even know if that was the real Spar’kron in the first place!” “If you would pay attention, you would’ve seen both Fran’salel and Thal’lan in him.” Li’zael replied. “I refuse to believe that mongrul is Fran’salel’s son!” Ele’sium cried. “If you’re trying to convince me to let you near Rarity, you have another thing coming. Need I remind you who could go claw to claw with Shar’drel back in her prime?” Li’zael said, a bit of a snarl in her voice. That’s when I saw...a flash of blue fire...it had to have come from… “Using your blood’s fire huh?” Li’zael said. “Let this be a warning, this fire I carry inside me is one of the most destructive. No matter how strong you are, my fire can still hurt you.” Ele’sium said with a growl. “Get out, now Ele’sium…” Li’zael growled in turn. “Fine! But I will not hear any more nonsense from you!” Ele’sium said, and I heard her walk away. Blue fire...just like Private said… I had to get the message out! Quickly! Li’zael stuck her head back in and said, “Sorry about that, Ele’sium may be my sister-in-law, but she does irritate me.” “Me as well darling,” I said with a sigh. “I just wish I could get along with the whole family as well as we get along.” “To get along perfectly with somepony or dragon is a pipe dream,” Li’zael said with a laugh. “There’s always going to be something you don’t like about someone. The key, is learning how to overcome it.” “Li’zael?” She stuck her head out again and said to the stranger, “Oh, Far’seer? How can I help you?” “I wish to speak with the white one, I have foreseen I am needed here,” the old dragoness said. Oh thank the stars her foresight is so good! “Alright, whatever you say, you old bat,” Li’zael said, stepping aside. “Always such a charmer,” Far’seer said with a chuckle. Then the blind dragoness stuck her head in, her blind eyes startling when up close. “Hello Rarity, you wanted to have some dragon pass on a message?” She said with a dragon equivalent of a grin. “Your timing is impeccable.” I said, I then went to where her ear would be and said quietly, “I want you to find the others and say this…” ___________________________________________________ Perspective: Private Eye About an hour later, the three of us arrived at the center of the cavern. I saw every dragon gathered around us. Several of them I noticed were now wearing jewelry on their spines...I wonder what was with the fashion bump? Car’buncle was standing before me, Li’zael at his side with Rarity at her feet. Rarity stood there, looking at us with a mix of apprehension and hope. Thankfully, Far’seer got the message to us. Now, I had a case… I saw Tru’sent was standing on the opposite side of Car’buncle. I couldn’t help but detect a note of smugness off him. Smog’krok was at his mother’s side, glaring at Spike the whole time. Spike didn’t look back, just kept moving forward. I noticed Ran’sea among the dragonesses, she was standing behind Ele’sium’s tail. The dragoness was protecting Ran’sea as if she was a valuable jewel… I focused my attention back on Car’buncle as she spread his wings to silence the crowd. Finally, the dragon chief spoke, “I have given you enough time to gather evidence and present your case.” “We have used that time well,” Twilight said. “We shall see,” Tru’sent snarled. “So,” Car’buncle said, looking at me, “I’ve given you the task of finding the culprit responsible for this attempted assassination on my nephew. So, say the name of this culprit.” I gave him a silver eyed look and said, “I’m afraid, it’s culprits, chief.”
Chapter 6 "Rage of the Dragoness"Chapter 6 “Rage of the Dragoness” There was a silence followed by murmuring among the crowd. Every dragon was wondering how the hell could more than one culprit be involved. “Explain yourself!” Car’buncle demanded. “What’s there to explain?” Tru’sent growled. “This pony is obviously mad.” “Hardly mad.” I said, I tried not to smirk. “The truth is there were exactly three dragons responsible for what happened.” “Three dragons?” Li’zael said. “That is quite a bold statement.” “Three dragons have unaccounted alibi.” I said. “In laypony, or in this case, lay dragon terms, nopony can recall where they were during the assassination attempt.” “Who are these three dragons?” Car’buncle asked. “You had better have evidence to back it up, otherwise I will reconsider even letting you stand before me.” “Yeah, thanks, Unc,” Spike muttered. “Anyways,” I said. “Allow me to explain. According to Spike’s testimony as he was about to receive the fire-” “He’s a liar!” Smog shouted. “He never did receive it!” “Smog!” Li’zael growled. Smog grumbled something about me and burning. I don’t think I need to put too much thought into that. “As I was saying,” I said. “As Spike was about to receive the fire, he entered the cavern through the only entrance possible. After talking to the spirit, Spike was about to receive it when Vol’vagia went mad and started shooting fire towards the ceiling.” “Why the ceiling?” Car’buncle said. “Surely he could’ve shot in any random direction in his distress.” “Because something,” I reached into my trench coat and pulled out the dark crystal, every dragon gasped at the sight of it. “Something was pulling it up.” “Keep that foul thing away from any dragon!” Li’zael growled. “Then you know what this is?” I asked. “Of course. Who doesn’t?” Li’zael replied. “That’s a dark magic crystal, used in the past to zap the very life essence away from our bodies.” “Luckily it’s busted now,” I said. “Because some dragon dropped it.” “Dropped it?” Car’buncle said. “Li’zael said it absorbs life essence correct? Well, a being made of fire would have it’s life essence pulled towards the ceiling, i.e. the fire itself.” I said. “So, this crystal is the cause of what happened?” Car’buncle asked. “Surely there is a lie conjured up by this pony to hide the truth.” Tru’sent grumbled. “Why are we even listening to this nonsense?” “I want to hear the whole story this, pony, has to offer.” Li’zael said. “Moreover, there does seem to be some logic to this story.” “I do believe you have a point Li’zael.” Car’buncle said with a solemn nod. “But, what were you going about saying the crystal was dropped?” “We found it on the ground with the rubble.” Twilight said. “Whoever was holding the crystal, was hiding in a tunnel above the cavern, using the crystal to drain away the energy. Also, we found the tunnel.” “Turns out, it was in Tru’sent’s cave, and it led us right to a hole directly above the cavern.” I said. “What is the meaning of this Tru’sent?” Car’buncle demanded. “He’s a liar! Nothing more! We have no proof that this thing’s testimony is even valid!” Tru’sent growled. “For all we know, the pony could have conjured up the tunnel and the crystal!” “Explain this,” Car’buncle said. “In actuality, chief, there is a witness to this crime,” I said, and then gazed directly at Smog. “What are you looking at me for, pony?” Smog growled. Spike smirked, and pulled out the orange scale from my pocket. “Recognize this, Smog? Found it in another tunnel by the cavern.” “There’s only one possible way that Smog’s scale could’ve been there,” I said, and then pointed, “is if Smog was there to witness the crime!” There was a loud clamoring among the crowd, before Car’buncle roared to get every dragon calmed. “Silence! All of you!” He yelled and then glared at Smog. “Explain this my son.” “It’s not my scale!” He cried. “It isn’t Dad! The ponies are lying again! Just like I’ve always sa-” I watched as one of Smog’s scales fell off. Spike smiled and said, “Turns out, it’s molting season for dragons. Scales fall off a lot, I should know, I’m a dragon myself.” “You have been leaving scales around the cave,” Li’zael said. “Come on, Mom! You can’t believe him!” Smog yelled. Li’zael glared at him. “You also never explained where you disappeared to during the ceremony…” “I think we can all see that Smog did witness the crime,” I said. “Now tell us, exactly what you saw.” Smog glared at me, then got a glare from both his mother and father. Finally, Smog sighed and said, “Spike...was never a liar…” “Smog…” Tru’sent growled. “I wanted to see for myself,” Smog said. “I wanted to see him fail, but, I was so mad when Vol’vagia said he could get the fire! Then...I saw Vol’vagia go nuts, and shoot the fire towards the ceiling. I panicked, and dug out through another tunnel, and then this rumbling happened.” “That sudden earthquake caused Tru’sent, here, to drop the crystal.” I said. “Now we can clearly see, that Spike’s testimony is accurate, because it’s Smog’s testimony as well.” “Why would you lie to us Smog?” Li’zael asked. “Because I didn’t want to believe that Spike was a real dragon…” Smog said, looking down. “He was raised by ponies for pete’s sake. I...I just wanted to prove that fact true…” “It doesn’t matter where you start, Smog,” I said. “What matters is the steps afterwards.” Car’buncle glared down at his son and said, “I hope you are willing to accept a long and hard punishment, young drake.” “Yes, Dad…” Smog said, crestfallen. “I’m afraid we aren’t done yet.” I said. “For Spike’s testimony has another detail.” “Yeah, I saw a fireball shoot out and hit this rock above my head,” Spike said, “I almost got crushed until Twilight saved me.” “A loose shot from Vol’vagia perhaps?” Li’zael suggested. “Hardly,” I said. “Unless Vol’vagia’s fire is blue.” Slowly, all eyes turned towards Ele’sium. The dragoness growled, “Oh, so now the pony wants to accuse me as well?” “Aunt Ele’sium?” Ran said as she looked up at Ele’sium. “You, you tried to kill Spar’kron?” “This pony is a liar, Ran’sea!” Ele’sium growled. “I’d never do such a horrid thing!” “Then explain how blue fire was there,” Rarity said. “When you said yourself that the only dragon that uses such a thing is you.” Ran took a few steps back from her aunt. “How could you?” “I was only trying to protect you,” Ele’sium said. “I went to that cavern for the same reasons Smog did. To disprove this foul mongrel's claim of dragonhood!” “He’s my brother!” Ran cried. “As well as your nephew!” “He is an abomination, tainted by ponies! He is not worthy of even being counted among our family! He’s constantly led you astray! Causing you to disobey me! To turn away from the only dragon who cared for you!” Ele’sium said, an edge in her voice. “Just because I decided to look for him?” Ran asked. “You tried to murder him!” “No family member should ever do that!” Spike yelled. “Be silent, mongrel!” Ele’sium growled. “From the moment you set foot in this cavern you’ve caused nothing but distress for me and my neice!” “Distress for Ran?” Spike narrowed his eyes. “Or just you?” Ele’sium’s slitted eyes became even more menacing. “So, what is the conclusion?” Car’buncle said. “That all three had a claw in what happened,” I said. “Specifically, Tru’sent disrupted the ceremony, Ele’sium tried to murder her own nephew, and Smog paid witness to it all, and lied.” “THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!” Tru’sent roared. “Li’zael,” Car’buncle said. “Yes, my love?” Li’zael growled. “See that his mouth stays shut for a while…” Car’buncle growled in turn. “With pleasure…” Li’zael said, baring her teeth. “You’re listening to the words of ponies over your own trusted dragons?” Tru’sent roared again. “YOU ARE NO LONGER WORTHY OF BEING OUR CHIEF!” “This is ludicrous!” Ele’sium yelled. She then put her tail around Ran. “Come Ran, let us go ho-” Suddenly, Ran took her claws and stabbed them into the tail. Ele’sium screeched in pain. She then glared at Ran’sea and whipped her tail around, hitting the little dragon across the face. “I tried to be nice, Ran’sea...but it seems more punishment is in order…” I looked at Tru’sent...his eyes showed dark magic…”As well, as a change in hierarchy…” Suddenly his jaws opened and black mist spewed forth…. “TWI! BARRIER NOW!” I yelled. Twilight’s horn glowed and the three of us were encased in a violet shield. The smoke didn’t penetrate the shield and we were safe from it’s effects. The same couldn’t be said for the rest of the drakes and Rarity. One by one they all fell, unconscious, to the ground. “It’s the same stuff Shadowhoof used at Fluttershy’s wedding!” Twilight said. “Can you clear it?” I asked. “Give me a sec!” Twilight’s horn glowed brightly, and her wings glowed in turn. She then flapped them and a gust of wind blew out at the smoke. The wind blew itself around until it completely dissipated the smoke. We watched as Tru’sent was about to bring down his claws on Car’buncle. I lifted a nearby rock in my magic and threw it at him. “Hey! Big guy!” I yelled. “We’ll handle him Spike!” Twilight said, “You get to safety!” Spike looked around and looked off in a direction. “Ran’s being taken! Ele’sium got away before the smoke got to her!” “Don’t leave your sister hanging,” I said with a smile. “I won’t!” Spike said, “Take care of Rarity!” He then took off towards where Ele’sium was flying away. Tru’sent laughed as he looked down at us, “I won’t ask how you pathetic ponies knew I was going to use dark mist. But I’m going to make your deaths slow, and painful. Then I will kill this pathetic weakling, and then bring war upon your kind, and have you worthless ponies enslaved for our meat!” “You apparently haven’t heard of our track record with dragons,” I said, drawing Silver Wolf from it’s sheath. “Oh, is that toothpick supposed to scare me?” Tru’sent said with an evil grin. “Sadly I can only use dark mist once without draining my power. But I am more than strong enough to-” I ran towards him, Silver Wolf held in my magic, and took a swing at his leg. The blade cut through his scales like a hot knife through butter. Tru’sent yelled in pain. He then looked at my sword, “Mithril…? But that’s impossible, the last mines were collapsed…” “Apparently you missed one,” I said with a smile. “No matter! I will sla-” Twilight fired a bolt of magic at his face. She then huffed and said, “Oh, you have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to do that.” “Foul filthy equines!” Tru’sent roared, and his mouth opened. I dodged a jet of fire coming at me. I then ran under his belly, and sliced at each of his legs. He yelled in pain and almost came down on me before his wings carried him into the air. Twilight still hadn’t mastered flying yet, but she could still hit him from the ground. Her horn glowed and five magic missiles shot from it, hitting Tru’sent in the chest. I then sparked my horn, and the ground below me shot me up like a spring board. I managed to get on his back, and slice part of his neck. He roared and his tail reached back, it hit me before I could react and I took a blow to the chest. I fell off his back and I almost hit the ground before Twilight summoned a cushion of magic to soften my landing. Twilight ran to me and said, “Are you alright?” “I’ve been better,” I said, getting back on my feet. “Any idea how do that magic we did back in the mirror?” “I’ll have to get back to you on that one,” Twilight said. “Right, well,” I said, brandishing Silver Wolf. “Looks like it’s the hard way for us.” “What else is new?” Twilight said, smiling. “DIE PONIES!” Tru’sent roared. “Let’s end this!” Twilight yelled, and we both charged into the battle. _______________________________________________________ Perspective: Spike Geez, Ele’sium is a pretty fast flier. But I wasn’t about to let her take Ran’sea! I saw how she treated her! No dragon hits a family member of mine! Not even my own family… I saw Ele’sium touch down, Ran was in one of her claws. I hid behind a rock and watched Ele’sium set Ran on the ground. Ran glared up at Ele’sium and said, “What the heck is going on!” “Ran’sea, you know that’s no way to speak to your aunt…” Ele’sium growled. “You are far from any family I would want! A true aunt would never want to murder Spar’kron!” I yelled. “Why do you disobey me!” Ele’sium yelled. “I’ve done nothing but love and care for you. You are practically a daughter to me. I’ve protected for you, fed you, and loved you for eighteen years. Now you repay me by disobeying me?” “All I’ve wanted was to get to know the family I lost.” Ran’sea said. “Spar’kron was dead, now he’s alive. What sister wouldn’t find joy in that?” “I told you Ran’sea! That mongrel is not Spar’kron! He’s a trick conjured up by ponies!” Ele’sium roared. “He’s certainly acted more like family than you ever have.” Ran said, glaring at Ele’sium. “He cared for me, asked me what I thought, and above all, he came here because I asked. He let me make decisions for myself...something you seem vehemently against…” Ele’sium suddenly whipped her tail around...and HIT HER AGAIN! Ran’sea fell to the ground, flat on her face….that...evil...witch…. “All I’ve ever done is look after your welfare,” Ele’sium said, standing over her. “But like your mother you insist on disobeying me...I’m all you need Ran’sea...I am all you’ll ever need….say you’re sorry…” I saw tears...Ran’sea was crying…”I’m...sorry…” No...how could she do this to her… “Say...you love me for what I do for you..” Ele’sium said, evil dripping from her voice. “I...lov-” Ran’sea was about to say. I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!! I charged towards Ele’sium, roaring at my loudest, and I suddenly grew…. I tackled Ele’sium as a full sized dragon. She flew back into a nearby rock. I roared at her as she regained her composure. “You keep away from my sister you witch!” “So, it seems you’ve let you beast out to play, Spar’kron…” Ele’sium said with a growl. “So you’ve shown your true colors after all…” “Speak for yourself,” I roared. “You’ve treated Ran’sea horribly ever since I’ve arrived!” “She is my niece! Everything I do is for her!” Ele’sium cried. “You will not take her from me!” “You don’t love her as a niece,” I said. “You love her as a pet! You couldn't stand the fact that mom left you for dad! Ran'sea your replacement for Mom! Just so you have some dragon that listened to everything you say!” “Everything I’ve done was to protect my family!” Ele’sium roared. “No, everything you’ve done is for yourself.” I growled. “If you truly loved Ran’sea, you would never have hit her. You would never have tried to kill me…” “I knew Fran’salel was making a mistake being with that foul lizard Thal’lan!” Ele’sium roared. “Don’t you dare insult our father like that!” I roared. I then looked back at Ran’sea, she was still on the ground, crying. “Ran…” I said gently. She looked up at me, tears still in her eyes, “Spar’kron?” she sniffed. “You okay?” I asked. “I, I’ve been the worst fool,” Ran’sea said. “I had no idea I was a prisoner instead of a niece.” “It’s okay Ran,” I said, lowering my muzzle to her. “When all this is over, you get to decide what you want to do in your life. Not Ele’sium, not me, not any dragon can say what you want to be.” “Spar’kron…” She said, fresh tears coming to her eyes. I suddenly got hit by Ele’sium. I almost flew back before I recovered myself. I clenched my claws into a fist and hit Ele’sium across the jaw. She staggered back and I swung my tail around to hit her across the neck again. She roared and shot her blue fire at me, when it made contact with my shoulder, it hurt! I roared in pain and staggered a little, then she headbutted me hard in the chest. I flew back into a rock. I slammed hard into it, and before I could get up Ele’sium pinned me with a claw. “Oh, I’ve been waiting to do this for a long time.” Ele’sium said, showing me crazy eyes. “The day, when all traces of that thief Thal’lan are erased from this world!” “NOOOO!!!” Suddenly I watched as Ran’sea grown into a full sized, lithe dragoness. She charged at Ele’sium, tackling her hard and sending the dragoness back. I took a breath to recover from my neck getting clenched. I saw Ran, she was a little shorter than I was, but no less powerful looking. Her spines had extended like mine, only smoother looking. She was skinnier than I was too, it seems her body was more built for speed than sheer power like mine was. She bore her fangs and roared loudly at Ele’sium. Ele’sium looked visibly shaken. Ran’sea then glared at Ele’sium and growled, her voice much more mature, “If you lay one more claw on my brother...I will kill you…” _____________________________________________________________ Perspective: Private Eye I dodged another fireball heading my way. My body was covered in bruises, some scrapes and cuts. But I was okay otherwise. I watched as Twilight ran up Tru’sent’s leg and flapped a little bit. She came to his open muzzle and yelled, “Bottom’s up!” She then fired a bolt of magic straight into the dragon’s mouth. Tru’sent roared as Twilight leaped out of the way of a jet of fire. She landed beside me, I noticed she had suffered some wounds as well. “I think we’re wearing him down.” she said. “We’d better end this quick,” I said, breathing heavily. “I’m running out of magic.” “Got any ideas?” She asked. I then looked at one of the crystals and saw how many of them there were all throughout the cavern. An idea formed alright. “Twi? Is it possible for you to put magic in me?” I asked. “There is a magical supplement spell,” Twilight said. “I could use it to transfer some of my power to you, but it’ll drain me and it won’t last long.” “Just give me enough to give this dragon an intense acupuncture session…” I said as my horn sparked again. Twilight nodded and put her horn to mine, I felt her magic flow into me and my horn sparked even more. All around me, the crystals began to reforge themselves into glowing crystal blades. At least fifty of them were made in the short amount of magical rush. Tru’sent looked around in confusion and tried to fire another fireball at me. Twilight broke the supplement spell and conjured a barrier to knock aside the fireball. She then grabbed the swords all in her telekinesis. I ran past her as she fired the various swords towards Tru’sent, I grabbed one in my magic as well. I held both Silver Wolf and the crystal blade as I charged with the other shooting blades. One blade stabbed through Tru’sent’s tail and pinned him into the wall. Others shot into his legs, shoulders, and other parts of his body, effectively pinning him to the wall. My horn then sparked and the ground below me shot me again. I put whatever magic was left in me into my two blades. I then swung them rapidly as more and more blades stabbed into Tru’sent. The dragon kept roaring in pain with each stab. I then brought my blades over my head and shouted “Requista in pain you bastard!” I brought both blades down and they shot silver sword beams at the drake, the explosion that followed rocked the cave and I landed on the ground on my hooves. Not gonna lie, that was pretty awesome… __________________________________________________________ Perspective: Spike I swung my tail like a battering ram and hit Ele’sium again. Ran’sea came around and clawed our aunt across the muzzle. Ele’sium roared and was about to fire her blue fire again. But I wrapped my tail around her muzzle, stopping that from happening. Ele’sium clawed my tail, causing me to let go. I then watched as Ran bit into her aunt’s neck….wow..she’s brutal… Ran then got hit by Ele’sium’s tail, knocking Ran’s jaw out. Ran and I stood before Ele’sium, side by side. “I’ve given you everything Ran’sea! Everything!” Ele’sium cried. “You took away the one thing I wanted Ele’sium. I won't be your little doll like mother was. You'll never use me again!” She said, glaring at her. “No, no you will love me! You won’t abandon me! Not again!” She cried, her mouth filling with blue fire. “Let’s end this!” I yelled, my own fire growing in my mouth. “With pleasure, my brother!” Ran cried, I watched as green fire of her own formed in her mouth. All three of us shot our flames at the same time. I kept my jet of fire up as our fires met. Ran kept hers up, too, a determination in her eyes I’ve never seen before, but was glad for. Ele’sium’s eyes grew wide as out fire eventually overpowered hers, and an explosion sent her flying into a nearby boulder. Both of us huffed as the smoke cleared and showed Ele’sium on the ground, blood seeping from her wounds. I watched as Ran marched towards her, a look in her eyes that worried me…. Ele’sium looked up wearily at Ran, “Fran..salel…? You...came back to your sister….you...never betrayed me...never left….” Ran then slammed her claw down on Ele’sium, pinning her to the ground. She glared down at Ele’sium and said, “You tried to take away my brother! I hope you burn in Tartarus for this!!” She raised her free claw, about to bring it down on Ele’sium, before I caught it. She looked at me, her blue eyes wide. “Spike…?” “Don’t kill her.” I said. “After all she’s done?!” Ran yelled. “She tried to kill you Spike! She tried to take you away! To make it so that...I was truly alone…” “I know, Sis,” I said, still holding her back. “But don’t become her. You’re not a killer. She may have done a bunch of rotten things, but killing her will only leave a blood stain on you that will never be removed. I don’t want my sister to become what I almost became.” “Spike…” She said, a tear falling from her eye. “You beat her,” I said. “That is more than enough. Now, let her go, let her dream, and never wake up. That is the punishment she deserves.” Slowly, Ran removed her claw from Ele’sium’s neck. I looked at my sister as I still held her arm. She looked at me and said, “Thank you, Spike. I-I don’t know what I would’ve done.” “I’m just glad I have my sister,” I said. Suddenly, something came out of my mouth. I watched as the red fire formed itself into...VOL’VAGIA?! The fire dragon stood before us both, and smiled, “You have done well, Spar’kron, Ran’sea.” “You were inside me?” I asked, shocked. “I took refuge within you after Tru’sent tried to take my life force.” Vol’vagia said. “It took me a while to rejuvenate within you, but the fire within your heart has allowed me to be reborn once again.” “Oh most honored Vol’vagia,.” Ran’sea said, bowing her head. “Please, allow my brother the gift of sacred fire he so deserves.” “I plan to give him the sacred fire,” He then pointed at Ran, “You as well.” “I, don’t know if I deserve it.” Ran said, shaking her head. “I, almost killed Ele’sium.” “Yes, but Spar’kron was here to pull you out of darkness,” Vol’vagia said. “You learned to follow your heart, to fight for what was right. Spar’kron showed his courage already, when he stayed his claws from killing Shar’drel.” Memories of that horrible battle with her came flooding back into me. But, I focused on Ran and said, “Come on sis, I can’t let you become evil. Dad and Mom would kill me from beyond the grave.” Ran’sea smiled and said, “I know now, who my true family is, Spike.” I smiled at her in turn, and Vol’vagia began to glow. Suddenly streams of fire entered both of our mouths. I felt, liberated. Like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders, I felt my wings fade away off my back, and I was becoming smaller… But...I was happy...to finally have...Ran safe… ________________________________________________________ Perspective: Private Twilight and I ran as fast as we could towards the fire. When we got into the clearing, we saw Spike and Ran standing there. Spike no longer had his wings. Did that mean the sacred fire was the cause? Who cares?! Spike was okay! “Spike!” Twilight yelled, running down to him. “Twilight!” Spike yelled, running over to her. They both embraced each other. Spike looked up at Twilight as I caught up. “It was amazing! Vol’vagia was inside me! He gave us the fire after all!” “I’m just glad everybody is okay.” I said. Ran’sea walked over towards us and said, “I, apologize for my aunt’s part in this.” “You’ve got nothing to be sorry for Ran’sea.” Twilight said. “If anything, you helped Spike take her down at last.” I saw Ele’sium, unconscious and laying off to the side. She wasn’t going anywhere. Ran looked at Twilight and said, “I, also never got the chance to thank you both for all you’ve done. Taking care of my brother, raising him, and allowing us to meet again, is there any way I can repay you?” Twilight smiled, and opened her forelegs, “How about a welcome to the family hug.” Ran smiled wide and ran to enter the embrace. We all soon gathered into a group hug. It felt like we were truly a family. It was all over...and Spike and Ran, were finally together.
EpilogueEpilogue Perspective: Private Eye After rousing the dragons from their slumber it was a simple matter of explaining everything. Thankfully with Ran’sea there the process went smoothly. “WHY ARE YOU TAKING ME FOOLS!? KILL THE PONIES! THE LIARS! THE FILTH!” Tru’sent roared as a pair of dragons were shoving him into a nearby cave. “Yeah, keep your muzzle shut, ugly,” One of them growled. I looked up at Car’buncle, the mighty dragon looked down at me and said, “Forgive me for not being of better help in stopping him.” “You aren’t worried about us being liars or trying to kill you?” I asked. “If you were trying to dismantle the tribe, you could’ve killed me in my sleep,” He replied. “So what’s going to happen to him?” Twilight asked as she stood beside me. “We’ll keep a close eye on him,” Car’buncle replied. “he won’t be spouting his insanity anymore.” “And Ele’sium?” Spike asked. Car’buncle simply looked over as a pair of dragons were escorting the dragoness. “Oh, you’re welcome, my dear,” she said not seeing anybody outside of her imagination. “I will always be here for you. I will always take care of you. You will never have to worry…” “She’ll not be any trouble either,” Li’zael said, walking over. “We’ll put her somewhere where she won’t bother any dragon.” “Good riddance to bad rubbish in my honest opinion,” Ran said, crossing her arms. “Now, there’s another matter to attend to,” Li’zael said, and we watched as Smog came walking out from behind her. “Smog?” Ran’sea said. The orange dragon walked up to Spike and said, “Look, I’m sorry about what happened. I-I just didn’t want to believe I was wrong. But, I guess all this time I was just parroting Tru’sent. Bad role model in hindsight.” “If this is an apology speech,” Spike said with a smile, “don’t worry, I don’t blame you. Let’s just say I have personal experience when it comes to latching onto stupid ideas.” “Just, don’t let me listen to him again okay?” Smog said. “Don’t worry cuz, I got your back,” Spike said. “It’s good to see you two getting along now,” Ran’sea said. “All is mended.” “He’s still grounded for a month, though,” Li’zael said. Ran then looked up at her uncle, and then to me. “Speaking of mending bridges, Private, Twilight there’s something I want you to do,” she said. “I think I know what you have in mind,” Twilight said with a smile. ______________________________________________________________ “I must say, this is not what I was expecting when I got up this morning,” Celestia said. We were standing a few miles away from the main city of the Crystal Empire. Car’buncle had followed the request of Ran’sea. That was, to meet with the pony leaders and see if an agreement can be made. Celestia, Luna and Cadence were standing before the mighty dragon. Car’buncle looked down at them and said, “Believe me, I feel the same way, pony.” I looked over at Twilight who was starting to look very nervous. She’s probably freaking out and worrying over the fact that she just plopped a dragon into the Crystal Empire. Luckily Car’buncle didn’t try to dine on any houses. Celestia smiled and spread her wings. She flew up majestically to meet the dragon at eye level. “I do believe I met your grandfather years ago, back when Sombra was in power,” She said curtly. “Ah yes, old Fero’sen,” Car’buncle said with a smile. “If it wasn’t for that astronomer I may not be here today.” “Then you know I harbor no ill intentions towards your tribe,” Celestia said, she looked down at Twilight and winked. Suddenly Twilight’s notebook appeared out of thin air and she was taking notes furiously. “The reason I am here is because I owe a favor to these two,” He said, gesturing at Twilight and I. “Plus, my niece asked and you have no idea how hard it is to say no to a little dragoness.” “Try having a little sister,” Celestia said with a small chuckle. “Anyways, now that you are aware that my tribe is staying here, I believe business talks are in order.” Car’buncle said. Cadence flew up alongside her aunt and said, “Don’t worry, since you’re Spike’s family, I’ll make sure my subjects know to give you all some space.” “Much appreciated,” Car’buncle said. “I think for now a policy of a simple truce is in order.” “Yes, that much we can hope for,” Celestia said. “Um, actually…” We all looked at Ran’sea who was standing next to her brother. Cadence and Celestia flew back down to earth and looked at Ran. Cadence was the first to speak, “You are Spike’s sister right?” “Ran’sea, your highness.” “Aren’t you the cutest little thing!” Cadence gushed going down on her knees to look at Ran’sea better. “And so polite. I’m Cadence. Nice to meet you. You were the dragon who tried to eat that house? I wonder why they were so scared, you’re just so adorable.” “Thank you most kindly,” Ran’sea said with a smile. “Not as cute as Spikey Wikey mind you,” I heard Rarity mutter. “What is it you wish to say, young dragon?” Luna asked. Ran’sea gulped and said, “I think, instead of being totally isolated from one another, there should be an ‘envoy’ so to speak between our peoples.” “Ran’sea you’re saying-” Car’buncle began. “If we don’t understand ponies and they don’t understand us,” Ran began. “Then we’ll only create more dragons like Tru’sent. I want to clear the air, I wish to learn among the ponies, their society, their ways. I think understanding will allow us to one day walk side by side as friends.” “Ran’sea!” Car’buncle’s jaw dropped. “That means you’ll come and stay with us!” Spike cried in joy. “I don’t know if the library will take an extra inhabitant. We already have a big enough family as it is,” Twilight pointed out. “Actually, Twilight,” Rarity spoke up. “There may still be a solution. Why not have Ran’sea stay here at the Crystal Empire?” Cadence smiled and said, “I’d love to have you. I promise we’ll teach you as much as we can.” “You’re sure about this Ran?” Spike asked. “I mean, you’d be leaving behind everything you know.” “I don’t want to be kept in a cage any longer, Spike,” Ran said, putting a claw on his shoulder. “I want to see this world that you’ve lived in. I want to know these wonderful ponies you know. Above anything, Spike, I want to understand.” Spike smiled and said, “Alright, and if any dragon tries to hurt you again, you got big brother Spike to come in and kick some tail!” Ran and all of us laughed at Spike’s enthusiasm and Ran then turned to her uncle. “Uncle Car’buncle, will this be suitable?” “I don’t know…” Car’buncle said. “I mean, I’d be leaving you among po…” “Pleeease…?” Ran said, her blue eyes getting big. Car’buncle sighed and said, “Li’zael is going to have my tail for this. Very well, but do come back when you can.” “Thank you, Uncle,” Ran said with a smile. “I believe there is much Car’buncle and I need to discuss,” Celestia added. “I believe Ran’sea deserves a tour of her new home for a while.” “Gladly, Aunt Tia,” Cadence said, walking over to Ran’sea. “Come on, you’ll love the castle, and I’ll have you meet the cutest filly in the universe!” Twilight and I rolled our eyes at the same time, but smiled nonetheless. “Now if you two will excuse me,” Rarity said, lifting Spike in her magic. “I have a hero to thank.” Spike got this smirk on his face and followed after, not that he had a choice, being held in Rarity’s magic. Car’buncle shook his head and said, “Like father, like son.” _____________________________________________________ Perspective: Spike “And here we are. What do you think?” Cadence said opening the door to the room Ran was to stay in, while she was in the Crystal Empire. Crystal made up a lot of the decor, of course, but it was rather well done, in muted blues. Carpets covered the floors, and some paintings of dragons in flight decorated the walls. All in all, it was really rather homey and comfortable. But then Cadence was never a pony who craved opulence. “It’s amazing!” Ran’sea said. “Oh thank you so much, your highness, I won’t let you down.” “None of the ‘your highness’ stuff,” Cadence said. “Just Cadence is okay.” “Very well, Cadence,” Ran said as I walked by. “If I may have some time to get situated?” “Of course, I’ll introduce you to Skyla later,” Cadence said walking away. I walked into Ran’s room as she asked, “What on earth is a Skyla?” “Something that has been known to cause a lot of heart attacks around here,” I joked. She blinked cluelessly and I said, “Eh, you’ll understand later.” Ran walked out towards the balcony and looked out at the Crystal Empire. “Care to explain why you never told me my brother was a national hero to these ponies?” she asked. “Eh,” I shrugged and went to stand beside her. “Twilight said it’s never a good idea to get a swelled head.” “They did seem to be quite excited when they heard I was your sister,” Ran said with a smile. “Why, I would imagine I may be getting calls sooner or later.” “Calls? As in-” I blinked in realization and said, “Oh no! Don’t even think about it Ran!” “You’re dating a pony,” Ran said smugly. “This is different, you’re my sister!” I shouted. Ran smiled and then simply, walked to me. “I am glad that you are just like I’d imagine you to be. Well, maybe not entirely,” She said. I smiled in turn and said, “I’m just glad I was able to find you. It, gets lonely being the only dragon among a bunch of ponies.” Ran put a claw on my shoulder and said, “I cannot imagine what it must’ve been like.” “Yeah,” I said. “But in the end, I wouldn’t trade the years I spent with Twilight for anything.” “She did raise you well,” Ran said. “I do hope to get to know her better, as well as Rarity.” “Yeah well, Rarity was certainly trying to make a good impression today,” I said. “Maybe she believes that I will one day be an in law…?” She said in a teasing voice. In law… __________________________________________________________ Inside Spike’s Overactive imagination… Do you Spike, take Rarity to be your lawfully wedded wife? I do… Do you, Rarity, take Spike to be your lawfully wedded husband? Oh I do darling… Then I now pronounce you, mare and drake, you may kiss the bride… _________________________________________________________ I snapped back in reality to find Ran’sea giggling her butt off. “That wasn’t funny, Ran’sea!” I yelled. “Oh my goodness, you’re turning so red, Spike,” Ran’sea said with a laugh. “Oh it’s on now!” I said, and we began chasing each other around the room. So...this is what having a real sibling is like… We chased each other for almost the whole time. We did what any siblings would do. Wrestle, tease, play, it felt like I was a hatchling again, playing with Twilight. But, Ran was much closer to my age so we had more to talk about. Both of us watched the stars as night fell over the world. I looked over at Ran who was leaning against the balcony and said, “I’m glad to have you here Ran.” “I’m glad to be here, Spike.” Ran said, smiling, and looking at the stars. “So, what are you thinking about?” I asked. “Well, I was hearing this lovely tune on the way here,” Ran said. “I think, it is most appropriate.” When you're weary Feeling small When tears are in your eyes I will dry them all I'm on your side When times get rough And friends just can't be found Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down When you're down and out When you're on the street When evening falls so hard I will comfort you I'll take your part When darkness comes And pain is all around Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down After that, we both just hugged each other under those stars. My sister was back, I knew I had a real family alive and well… We both just sang the whole night… Sail on Silver Girl Sail on by Your time has come to shine All your dreams are on their way See how they shine See how they shine If you need a friend If you need a friend I'm sailing right behind Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind I will ease your mind....
