Daring Do and the Scaled Titan

The ponies screamed, dying in pain and despair under his claw and fire, just as the ones before them did. They tried to fight, but it was pointless.

He watched them burn and smiled as the scent of it all filled his nostrils.

Daring looked at the drake with sympathy as he slept. He was being plagued by the memories of the destruction he had caused during his rampage in the Crystal Empire.

She regretted lying to him, but knew that it was a necessity for his sake. He was plagued with awful dreams now, she doubted his mind could handle the truth.

It's best for him to think it's a bad dream. She thought. Then it can just fade to memory.

Though she had no doubt in her mind that it was far from over. There would be a backlash in some shape and form.

No, focus on the positive. She ordered.

She looked at the dragon again and smiled. He was just a big mystery and now they had fallen further into it.

Turning her head towards the sky, she kept on steering the balloon. In the distance she could see their next stop.

"What are we doing here?" Spike asked through his yawn as he looked around. "Apploosa?"

"We need to do a bit of restocking." She answered. "The stuff we received from the Crystal Empire was nice, but we need to get some more practical items."

Spike nodded in understanding and agreement.

"Hey Spike, notice anything odd?"

Spike took a look at the mare who was examining the town. He followed her example and did the same, hoping to find what she did. He did, or rather he didn't.

"Where is every pony?" He asked. "And Buffalo?"

"That's the question." She spoke. "Let's find the answer."

They began walking through the town and were greeted with silence. There was no sign of any pony, buffalo or other.

"How about we make this fast?" Spike offered.

"Fine." Daring answered with a roll of her eyes, Spike just wanted to play with his Thu'um. No matter the species, men like to play with their powers.

Spike let the spell wash over the area, showing him everything that couldn't be seen. The ponies were there, but hiding. Each spread out into clusters in spots that concealed them.

What're they hiding from? Spike thought.

The Pegasus began walking a little further ahead when she noticed a rhythmic sensation under her hooves. Looking down, she saw the pebbles on the ground were shaking. The sensation and shaking increased until the ground was and the pebbles were jumping! At this point there was rushing noise, and it was getting louder. It reminded her of an earthquake...but different.

"What's going on?" She asked Spike.

"Stampede!" The dragon answered before taking off into the air, A.K followed.

No sooner had they left the ground had the catastrophe come into full .

Buffalo were bursting though the buildings of the town. They began knocking on everything in an attempt to break them. From carts and stands to building walls. This wasn't like the last time the two had a feud. It was obvious this wasn't about land. This time the Buffalo were out for blood.

"What are you all doing?!" A.K shouted only for them to ignore her.

"STOP!" Spike shouted over the destruction.

They Buffalo came to a sudden stop in their rampage. They all turned around towards the dragon and Pegasus, many looking expectantly towards Spike, some even began bowing.

"Um, what now?." Was all Spike could ask.

His answer came in the form of a lasso grabbing A.K from the sky and pulling her towards the ground. Spike instinctively flew after her. The rope pulled her into a saloon through the window.

"Now!" He heard someone shout behind him as the window shutters closed.

Spike quickly went for the door, knowing it'd be foolish to burst through a wall and possibly get stuck. When he did, he saw a stallion unwrapping A.K from the rope.

"Don't worry, you're safe now." The stallion stated.

"Safe from what?" Spike asked as he entered the saloon.

The pony who had lassoed A.K from the sky, Braeburn, had tensed when he saw Spike.

"Spike?" He questioned as he relaxed. "Applejack said you were different, but woo-nelly, you-"

"Let's skip the pleasantries." Spike spoke tensely. "What's going on, I thought you had a truce with the Buffalo."

The stallion gave a long sigh as he looked down in sadness. "I did too."

"What happened?" Spike asked.

The stallion began the story only for to be halted by a large crashing sound and a cry of pain.

"We can have a history lesson after we make sure this town doesn't become one!" A.K stated as she made her way outside.

Braeburn jumped in front of them, blocking the door.

"You can't go out there!" He stated in a panic. "It's a war zone!"

The Earth pony wasn't exaggerating. The trio took a look outside of the window and saw that the two races were fighting. Unlike the first time the Earth ponies defended themselves, this wasn't in good humor with apple pies. Ponies and Buffalo alike were bleeding and yet they continued on. Though some were on the ground, though they didn't stir even as others rushed over them.

"They're killing each other!" Spike stated. "We have to stop them!"

"The Buffalo listened to Spike!" A.K stated as an idea formed. "We can get them to stop."

"But the ponies won't!" Braeburn stated. "They're too angry to listen!"

"If they're angry, let's make them feel something else." A.K spoke. "Let's make them afraid."

Spike and A.K took to the sky above the conflict. They flew to were the battle was at it's thickest and bloodiest, which happened to be the heart of it all.

A.K made sure to get behind the dragon as soon as he took in an lung full of air.

FAAS. RU.

The words echoed across the sky towards the fray, hitting every pony and Buffalo that was in the struggle.

As Braeburn said, the anger was strong, it practically burned in them. But it was doused as the black liquid of fear washed over them.

They stopped their struggling and began trembling in fear of Spike as he loomed over them. Those that didn't ran as far and as fast as they could.

As soon as the Dismay Shout began to wear off, Spike and A.K landed in the heart of the conflict.

"What's going on here?" He asked.

The leader of the Buffalo, a large male, stepped forward. Spike recognized him from the time he stayed among them in his visit, behind him was his daughter Little Strongheart. Just as they did, Braeburn stepped forward, most likely to speak for the ponies.

"Hello Mr. Spike." The leader greeted kindly.

"Chief Thunderhooves." Spike spoke just as kindly. "What's this about, are they taking more of your territory?"

"No, we haven't!" Some pony shouted. "They attacked us for no reason!"

"Is this true?" A.K asked.

"We have our reasons." The Chief spoke. "And these ponies refuse to respect it."

"I'm sure if we just sit down, we can talk this out like civilized creatures." Spike offered.

"No more talk, now we-!"

Pony or Buffalo, neither side knew which spoke, but both sides agreed once they saw Spike let out another Dismay Shout.

"Generations ago, before my grandfather's grandfather was even swimming in his father's loins, there was a drought." The Chief spoke slowly. "A drought so long and severe, that we Buffalo had dwindled down to such a low number that all hope for a future seemed lost."

"Then why stay?"

"These lands are our home." Some Buffalo stated. "We've been here before ponies knew of it and we'll be here until the last of us passes to the next life."

Many noticed that the Buffaloes agreed to the statement. It was one thing to leave your house, but to leave your land. Your home.

"So what did you all do?"

"Nothing." The Chief answered. "Until he came."

As he said those words, Little Strongheart stepped forward to continue the story.

"He came to us, when we were at our lowest and ready to accept our fates." She spoke. "He told us he could end our suffering and return the water with but a word of his voice. All he asked in return was an offering of gems and worship."

"So he wanted you to treat him like a God?" Somepony asked.

"Yes." A Buffalo answered.

"What choice did we have, but to accept?" Little Strongheart asked. "Then he flew into the air and shouted a spell that, even now, we are unfamiliar with. Then the skies darkened and water fell to replenish the lands and Buffalo."

Spike and Daring Do shared a familiar look that the others failed to catch.

"Now, every few years we have a ceremony to call him to replenish the water." The Chief spoke. "To save the lands and our lives." He turned and glared at the ponies. "But this year, he does not answer our call!"

"And then you blames us and began attacking!" A pony shouted. "We did nothing!"

"Of course you did, none of this happened until your kind arrived!" A Buffalo countered.

"You don't really think it's something as simple as ponies living here, do you?" Spike asked the Chief.

Chief Thunderhooves have a tired sigh as he answered. "It's more than that." He motioned towards the lands. "The dragon took refuge in the area, making it his home, his territory. Then these ponies come and began changing it for progress as they say."

"And instead of razing the lands to the ground, we fear that he has taken the water away from us." Strongheart states sadly. "Allowing us a slow and painful demise."

"What about making a water system for you all and rain clouds for the land?" A.K asked.

This time a few ponies began shuffling nervously, Spike could already feel the bad new coming.

"We never established one." Some pony whispered.

"What?!" Many of the other ponies cried in shock. "We're all going to die of dehydration!"

"Why?" A.K asked.

"Well...the lands were already set." He answered bashfully. "So we just left things as they were."

"Fine, so we have a few Pegusi go to the nearest town and gather a few..."

Daring coughed as she jabbed Spike in the ribs. Once she had gained his attention, she motioned to the inhabitants of the town. All he saw were Earth Ponies and Buffalo.

"This is mostly an Earth pony community." Braeburn stated. "Not that we don't care for the other races..."

Spike and Daring were the only creatures there that could fly and it would take too long to gather enough clouds. Not to mention keeping them from floating away, and Spike didn't really know the different between a rain cloud and a lighting cloud.

"Fine, I'll send a letter to the Princesses." Spike stated as he looked for paper and a quile. "She can have a water system built and rain clouds sent."

"Spike, that kind of process will take time build." A.K informed.

"We don't have time!" The Buffalo Chief bellowed. "Our reserves of water have all but been emptied, we will not last! Our only hope is to expel the outsiders and pray that he has mercy on us!"

"Wait, what if we convince him to give you back the water?" A.K asked. "Can you all go back to living in relative peace?"

"We...can try." The Chief stated.

"Try?!" A pony asked in outrage. "I say we-!"

A.K turned on this pony in a flash. She may not have been able to perform the Dismay Shout, but she was definitely able instill fear into grown stallions.

"You are guests on the Buffalo lands!" She snarled. "You came here as and began a settlement in their home! By right, they could have attacked you from the beginning!"

"T-This is Equestria." He stated pathetically. "A pony nation!"

Spike and Daring Do just looked at the bigot pony and shook their heads. It mat be a pony nation, but it was still Buffalo lands. A land that only they had a right to.

No wonder they were fighting the ponies.

"I can show you the way." Little Strongheart offered. "It's not that far."

"Okay." Daring and Spike stated as one.

"Actually Spike, I think I should go alone." His mare-friend spoke. "No offense, but I can cover the distance faster and-"

"I totally agree." Spike stated, cutting her off. "I was going to offer to stay to keep them from fighting again."

Daring nodded in understanding and smiled in happiness. He didn't get offended by the remark on his flight and accepted it. He also used his mind, knowing that his Thu'um was the only thing keeping the peace.

I chose the right partner. She thought happily as she took to the air. "Lead on."

Littlestrongheart and Daring were moving at top speed towards their destination. As the young Buffalo had stated, it was not far from the town.

They stopped at a large mountain were the dragon made his home. It was a simple cave in the wall like most . It was too dark to peer into, even with it only being noon. A tell-sign was the scorched ground and random bones laying around.

"This is as far as I can go." Little Strongheart stated with her head held low. "Inside there is his cave, but we Buffalo know not to enter. Hopefully he'll be more accepting of you."

"How do you know he's in there if nopony enters?" Daring asked as she tried to peer inside. "He could simply be taking a long nap away from civilization, dragons are said to sleep for years."

"If he is not here, then we are doomed." The young Buffalo answered.

"You all really won't leave your homes, will you?" The Pegasus asked. Her answer was a sad shake of the head.

Daring had to admit she never understood why a pony, or any creature, would be so determined to stay in one spot. There was so much of the world out there to see! Then again, she was a Pegasus, her home was the very sky itself.

I guess I don't need to understand. She thought seriously. It's their home and they care enough to die for it. Let's not let that be an option.

"Please, don't be too long!" The Buffalo pleaded.

With a deep breath, she entered the cave.

The mare held still for a few seconds for two reasons. To let her eyes adjust to the darkness of the cave and to find any signs of life.

Still alive. She thought. There was no giant dragon turning her into deep fried mare. Is that a good sign?

Once her eyes had finally adjusted, she took a look around the cave. It was what one would expect about a dragon's cave. Vast and intimidating.

Daring began walking in to see if she could find anything useful.

There was a pile of gems as one would expect, very large. It would tempt many ponies who crossed here, luckily she wasn't many ponies. As her hoof knocked something over, she realized how glad of that she was. It was part of a pony's skeleton, slight burnt very crushed.

She backed from the pile to be safe.

Wait, something's wrong. She thought as she looked at the pile.

She went further into the cave.

As she went further, she couldn't lose the sinking feeling that something was wrong. It was obvious, that much she knew, and it aggravated her.

Her inner thought had distracted her so much that she never noticed the wall until she walked into it. She hadn't been walking all that slowly either, so she knocked herself onto her flank.

Glad Spike wasn't here to see that. She thought as she stood up.

It was a large wall, separate from the others. It had strange markings on it, still unfamiliar to her, but not knew. It was a word wall, a Thu'um.

This must be what the one the dragon used to make it rain. She thought as she examined it. I can get Spike an-

Daring stopped mid thought as her mind went to a dark place.

What if this isn't the Thu'um to make it rain? She asked herself. This could be part of the Shout we found in the Crystal Empire.

Then again, there was a chance that it wasn't. Just as much of a chance that it was. If it was, she'd basically be dooming all of the ponies and Buffalo in Apploosa. None of them could withstand Spike and she doubted she could cover up such an incident a second time.

Maybe I should leave it. She thought as she backed away. Hide it and pretend I never saw it. Maybe even bury- The mare stopped mid thought and step when she realized what she was doing. Am I willing to doom the Buffalo?

If it wasn't part of that Thu'um, then not telling them about it would still be the same as dooming them. The ponies would leave, but she now knew that the natives wouldn't.

What to do?

"Hello?"

Daring Do didn't scare easily, but if you did manage to sneak up on her, then you would be greeted with two strong hooves to the face. It was enough to knock most ponies flat out, but it wasn't a pony she kicked. Her hooves just barely missed striking the Buffalo, Little Strongheart.

"I'm so sorry!" Daring quickly apologized. How long have I been in here?

She had been in there for so long that she had lost track of time, all because she contemplated on a wall of power.

"Shhh!" The Buffalo begged. "Please, we shouldn't be here this long!"

The Pegasus sighed in relief as she calmed her heart before turning her attention to the Buffalo. She was looking around frantically to see if her death was just behind a rock.

"It's okay." Daring said. "There's no dragon here."

Apparently that was the wrong thing to say. The Buffalo looked down in despair as she processed the information.

"Then all is lost." She stated wistfully.

Daring felt like smacking herself when she saw her disappointment.

"Not true." Daring stated, sparking a bit of hope. "See this wall." She motioned towards the one she would have hidden. "If it's the one your dragon used, then Spike can speak it and bring the rain back."

"This is glorious news!" Strongheart shouted. "My family can live again!"

Daring should have been happy with the declaration, but she only felt crummier.

"Let's get back to the town." Daring spoke.

"Yes, there will be a celebration of the news!" She cheered.

"Hey." Daring spoke gaining the Buffalo's attention. "What were you doing in the cave if it's so forbidden to you and your people."

The Buffalo gained a blush as she looked away. "I knew Spike wouldn't be happy if you were injured or lost your life."

Hmmm.

Once they returned, they were greeted by the sight of a pacing Spike. The moment he saw them he ran towards them.

"Everything okay?" He asked, eyeing Daring for injuries.

"I'm a big girl Spike, I can take care of myself." Daring stated as she puffed out her chest.

"R-Right, of course." Spike stated as he blushed.

Stupid! He exclaimed to himself. She's been doing this for years!

Daring saw the dragon and easily guessed his train of thought. Feeling generous, she leaned to his muzzle and gave him a kiss.

"Was there any trouble while we were gone?" The Pegasus asked.

"No, both sides have avoided the other like the plague." He answered. "I honestly don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing."

"It's...progress." Daring stated uneasily. "They aren't fighting."

"They're back!" A pony shouted in the distance.

It was a matter of minutes before the pair were surrounded by ponies and Buffalo alike.

"We have good new and bad news." Daring spoke.

"We'll take the good news first." The Chief spoke.

"We can live!" Little Strongheart shouted in joy. "The water will be flowing very soon!"

Many of the Buffalo and ponies began cheering in joy of the information. They wouldn't have

"Wait." Spike interrupted the celebration. "What's the bad news."

"We couldn't find the dragon." Little Strongheart stated sadly. "I fear that he may have abandoned us."

Many of the Buffalo turned their angry gaze towards the pony settlers once again. It didn't take a genius to figure out that they were ready to start another fight.

"You all heard them!" Spike stated loudly. "Everyone prepare for a downpour!"

Spike and Daring flew towards the cave, though at a much slower rate than the first trip. Spike noticed the mare was silent and was

"Something wrong?" Spike asked as he moved closer.

"No." She lied.

"Okay." Spike stated as he flew back into position. Not gonna push her on it.

"I'm just-"

"You're worried that this Shout won't be the one to bring the rain." He offered.

It was the nice way of putting it and they both new it. In the front of their mind, both were having the same though, what if this is a bad Thu'um. The first had nearly leveled an entire Kingdom, were there truly more destructive ones? Ahuizotle had once stated that a Thu'um would allow him to control others.

They were basically rolling the dice on the lives of others. It was one thing when they risked their own lives, but this many. It was why the mare never took on a guild.

They arrived at the cave and it was the same as she left it.

What is wrong with this place?! Daring mentally screamed.

Spike must have noticed something was off as well, she noted. He constantly looked around as if expecting to find something, maybe and answer, only to find nothing.

He hesitantly made his way into the cave and stood still, his eyes not needing to adjust. He made his way towards the pile of gems that sat on display. The dragon took a strong sniff of the gems and grimaced.

"Dusty." He stated uneasily. "How long has this place been empty?"

That was it! Daring realized in annoyance. The cave was dead!

The dragon's cave was cold and desolate, yet the dragon left his hoard there. From the look of things, it had been empty for a long while. A dragon would never let his gems be covered in dust, it's insulting. A living dragon that is.

"Let's go, we've got a Shout to learn."

"Alright ponies and Buffalo!" Spike stated. "We have returned with the word that shall give you the water you all need."

"Word, not words?" The Chief asked. "Are you not going to speak all three?"

That caught the couple off guard.

Sometimes, you can really feel like slapping yourself. You would think that a race that has worshiped a being would be interested in the words that kept them alive. Especially when it's been going on for generations! It would save so much time to simply ask if they knew the words, even if they didn't know the meaning.

"Do you know what the words are?"

The Chief smiled.

The Buffalo had gathered items that they thought were essential towards the rain summons. They gathered dozen upon dozens of gourds the size of the chief. Each one capable of gathering enough water to last awhile. They also brought several long metal rods that they buried into the ground, each as tall as the apple trees.

"Let the ritual begin!" The Chief declared.

The Buffalo moved in synchronization around the gourds, making timed movements. They would dance erratically before stopping with their hooves extended towards the sky. They would then continue their dance before pausing again with open hooves, as if embracing something. Once again, they would dance before stopping with their hooves pointed towards the gourds. Once they reached the end, they restarted the dance simply as if it were the next stage.

The Chief was the only one not participating in the dance, he stood in the center of it alongside Spike. The Buffalo came to a sudden halt with their hooves pointed towards the Chief.

The Buffalo leader stood up and bellowed. "A Shout to the skies, a cry to the clouds, that awakens the destructive force of the Heavens!"

They continued the dance again for one full motion before they stopped and pointed a hoof towards Spike. When they didn't move, he knew that it was his cue.

The dragon took off into the air.

STRUN

The skies began to darken with clouds that were summoned through magic. They were gathered through the accumulation of the moisture in the air. Thunder could be heard and lighting seen.

Now I understand the rods. Daring thought.

Lightening began striking at random, only to be absorbed by the rods and harmlessly absorbed into the ground.

BAH

Water began falling from the sky in fat droplets. It started as a small shower before becoming a hard storm. It covered everything in the dragon's view.

QO

The storm increased once again.

The rain went on for a total of three minutes. Once it ended, the clouds were cleared away as if they had never been there before.

Spike came down from the sky exhausted from the Shout, it had taken more from him than expected.

First time using a full Thu'um. He thought. Took more out of me than anticipated.

"Thank you." Little Strongheart spoke. "This shall keep up until the ponies can create the water ways."

"Is that it?" A pony asked.

"That was hardly enough to moisten the ground!"

The Buffalo said nothing as they gathered the gourds and began taking down the rods.

"Where are you going with the water?" A pony asked.

"We are taking it home so that we may drink our fill." The Buffalo answered as if it were obvious.

"What about us?"

"What about you?" A Buffalo asked. "We gathered the water fairly, you all didn't put out any gourds or containers."

"W-We didn't know."

"What, did you expect the land to magically bloom with moisture and vegetation?" Another Buffalo asked mockingly.

The ponies didn't meet the Buffalo's gaze, that was what they expected.

"We need that water as well and you have more than enough to last!" A stallion snapped. "Share!"

"No."

Daring already tell where this escapade was going. Turning to Spike, she saw that he was too exhausted to give another Shout. It would take some time for him to recover.

Going to have to stop them myself. She thought as she looked for a solution.

"Stop!" Spike shouted.

This shout however, was different. It came out almost like a Thu'um Shout, one that echoed across the entire area, shaking the very ground under them. But it didn't carry the magical power they had previously witnessed.

"Whoa." Was all that was uttered as all eyes turned to the dragon.

Gonna question that later. Both Daring and Spike thought.

"There is no 'ours and not yours' for that water, it's mine!" Spike stated as he glared at the two races. "I gave it to you both to share, so both sides can survive. If not, then you better believe I can as easily take it away."

To prove his point, Spike stood tall and flared his wings with fire flickering from his maw.

The Buffalo lowered their heads in submission while the ponies backed away in fear.

"As you wish my lord." The Chief spoke.

"My lord?" Spike questioned.

"You know what, I'm going to let you handle this one." Daring stated as she walked towards the water. "I'm going to go make sure the water get's divided fairly."

"We Buffalo do not pray to Celestia or Luna." The Chief spoke. "We prayed to the our own God's long before the two, and we will continue to do so."

"So...what about me?"

"You?" The Chief chuckled. "You answered our prayers."

"Oh boy."

Spike and Daring were sharing a room in one of the hotels. It was small but accommodated them well enough, even with Spike's size included.

He had just gotten through with telling her the new information.

"HAHAHAHA!"

"It's not that funny." Spike grumbled.

The Pegasus lowered her laughter to a small chuckle so she could speak. "No, but it's pretty close."

"They think I'm a God." He groaned.

"You'll get used to it." Daring assured. "A lot of ponies think I'm some kind of Messiah, a personal savior."

"Really?" Spike asked intrigued.

"Yep, they were even prepared to start a revolt against Princess Celestia for my reign to begin." Daring stated as she drifted down memory lane. "But I settled matters and now they're just a cult awaiting my return to begin a new age."

"T-That's not in any of your novels." Spike stated in disbelief.

With the thought of novels in mind, Spike began searching for his own. This would make a great chapter along with the incident at the Crystal Empire.

"A lot of things aren't in those books, don't want to bring down the wrath of certain ponies or mess up the minds of the youth." She stated casually before gaining a lecherous smile. "For instance."

"For instance?" Spike asked and received no reply.

Spike turned around for an answer and was given a sight to behold. Daring Do had her tail raised as she swayed her rump and smirked back towards him.

Taking the hint, the dragon began moving towards her, tongue already extended.

He never got the chance to come in contact with her before there was a knock at the door.

With a huff of annoyance, Daring opened the door to greet Little Strongheart.

"The Chief is ready to receive you Ms. Yearling." The Buffalo stated.

"You're early." The mare huffed. "Later Spike, enjoy the company."

The mare left, but not before giving Spike another sight by swishing her tail.

Great. Spike thought. So this is how being blue-balled feels...I don't like it.

"Hello again Mr. Spike." The Buffalo greeted.

"Hello Little Strongheart." Spike greeted kindly. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"You've done more than enough to help me and my kind." She stated as she bowed.

"Please, don't bow." He begged. "I'm not a God."

"But you-"

"Did something any skilled Unicorn or Pegasus could have."

"But none of them did." She stated as she got closer. "It was you and for that we are thankful."

Once she was close enough to touch him, she leaned in and kissed him.

Only for him to jump away.

"Whoa!" He exclaimed as he backed away. "I'm flattered and all, but I'm seeing someone."

"I know." She stated as she leaned in. "I don't intend to start a relationship, I just want to show my thanks."

Once again, she leaned in only for Spike to lean out.

"I don't think you understand." Spike stated. "I don't intend to sleep around on my marefriend."

"Am I...not satisfactory?"

"You're attractive, I'm just not that sort of dragon." He stated.

"Why not?" She asked as she leaned into his chest. "You saved us didn't you?" She began nuzzling his chest. "Don't you deserve something?"

Spike went still at the question, not noticing the Buffalo nuzzling him. His mind was telling her to push her away and get out of there, but another part...

I did save them. He thought. Don't I deserve something? He looked at the Buffalo that was attempting to seduce him, she was attractive. She's only trying to reward me. He thought as he placed a hand on her back, near her rump. Don't I deserve some kind of...compensation?

Yes, yes he did. These Buffalo owed their very lives to him. He did deserve this and more! Without him, the Buffalo and ponies would still be killing each other before they died of thirst. They owed him everything!

After all. He thought. All God's are give offerings, even sacr...ifice...s.

No.

"No."

"What?"

He didn't answer, he didn't even look at her. Spike just turned from her and faced the corner wall, he couldn't face her after that thought. It was a-no the part of himself he hated. The monster he wanted to keep down.

"I appreciate the offer, but my answer is no." Spike stated with his back to her. "Please go."

"A-As you wish." She stated.

Little Strongheart began making her way to the door only to stop. She gave the dragon a few hesitant glances before steeling herself.

"Yes?" Spike asked once he noticed her.

"I have something to show you." She stated uneasily.

The Buffalo reached into the satchel she had brought and pulled out the last thing Spike could have expected. It was the fang of a dragon, from size alone he could tell it was an adult's. Or one overcome by greed.

It was large, over four feet in length and two in width. The base still held part of the root and dried flesh, obviously part of the gums. That all pointed to one thing, this tooth had been ripped from the mouth of a dragon.

Spike began searching for his mare-friend for three reasons.

The first, he didn't want to be alone. With the previous greedy thoughts still rummaging through his mind, he didn't trust himself. The second, he was still...pent up. Sure, he could handle it himself, but after truly experiencing a mare, it just wasn't the same. The third and most obvious was the fang.

It had been a dragon's fang! Those things were hard, nearly impossible to come across. Dragon's ate gems as snack, so breaking one was near impossible and stealing one? Ha!

The only way to get a dragon's fang was off of it's corpse. That, or from having it torn from their mouth, which was suicidal.

Spike groaned, Daring may love a good mystery, but it was giving him a headache. He much preferred the adventure.

"Hello, Spike the dragon?" A voice spoke.

Spike turned to see a hooded Pegasus standing behind him.

Spike instantly didn't like this pony. In fact, he would go so far as to say he hated the pony. He didn't know why, he was sure he'd never seen this pony a day in his life. Yet something about him rubbed him the wrong way.

"Do I know you?" Spike asked tensely.

"We've met many times before." The stallion spoke mysteriously.

"Who are you?" Spike demanded.

Spike was too upset at the stallion to wonder why he was so hostile, yet the stallion only smiled. It was as if it were nothing but a

"My name is unimportant, especially when only one matters to you." The stranger stated. "I know your other name as well Spike. I know you Alduin."

Spike found he was growling at the stallion now. It took everything in his will to keep from attacking, but why? Why was he so keen on attacking the stallion? Why was he holding himself back?

"Tell me who you are!" Spike demanded.

"You know me as Dovahkiin."