Chapters Spike sighed as he watched the larger dragons fly overhead. It was the second migration he'd seen, and even though he was taller and stronger, had wings, and was smarter, he couldn't fly with them. He was a pony on the outside and a dragon on the inside. He was Spike. But who was Spike?
"It says here that the second migration of the Dragon Tribe is when all of the dragons belonging to that tribe fly or ride to the Queen's Lair." Twilight read from her book. "The Queen's Lair is the most sacred part of the Dragon Tribe, and it is a great honor to venture anywhere near it. The Queen has never been seen, but those who've spoken with other dragons quote, 'She is the largest and oldest dragon, the daughter of the previous king. He died a long time ago and she took over almost three thousand years ago.' Apparently, this was all any pony could get out of any dragon."
"My, that sounds frightening." Fluttershy cowered in the dugout.
"Oh, don't fret, Fluttershy, the Dragon Queen is probably really really far away," Applejack cooed. "She won't hurt ya."
"Spike, isn't this interesting?" Twilight asked.
"Yeah, I guess so." Spike sighed.
"Oh Spike... here, read this." Twilight said, levitating her book over to him. "It's the only book about the Dragon Tribe in all of Equestria. I want you to have it. I think only a dragon could understand the Draconic markings in it. I can't really tell what it says, but other parts say that a dragon could read them properly."
"You're giving this book to... me?" Spike asked, confused.
"I think it belongs in the claws of a dragon." Twilight smiled.
Spike hugged the Princess tightly. "Thank you, Twilight."
Spike sat in his room, a little lamp on while he read the book. Twilight Sparkle, his adoptive sister, had told him to read the book and maybe even translate the words for her, so every pony could learn about dragons. Spike was excited to, since he was being relied upon for a very important task.
He read the book cover to cover, a quill and a bottle of ink next to him with parchment. He flipped back to the Draconic letters and wrote down the alphabet, putting an equal sign after each letter, and translating. He finished quickly, the Draconic letters easy for every and any dragon to read. He turned the lamp off and crawled into bed, ready for sleep to overcome him.
Spike sat up from his bed, stretching and yawning. He picked up the parchment and book and walked into the den, where Twilight was sat drinking tea and reading The Art of The To Do List. She smiled and put her cup and book down, looking at Spike.
"I finished translating the letters, Twilight." Spike mumbled, putting the parchment on the table and setting the book down next to it.
"Spike, you can keep the book. It should be in the claws of a dragon," Twilight sighed. She picked up the parchment and looked at it, confused. "You only translated the letters, not the text."
"Oh, sorry, I guess I got kinda lazy, Twi." Spike smiled sheepishly. "I could read it to you and the others if you want."
"That sounds pleasant. I'll go gather them while you make some snacks. Sound like a plan?" Twilight queried.
"Sure!" Spike smiled, walking to the kitchen.
Twilight knocked on Rarity's door, waiting for a response. The door chimed as it opened, the Unicorn stepping out and smiling.
"Hello, Twilight. What brings you by?" Rarity asked.
"Spike is going to translate a book for us, would you like to join us?" Twilight asked, smiling.
"Oh, of course, darling! It'd be so very fun!" Rarity smiled. "Sweetie Belle! I'm going to Twilight's, can I trust you and your friends to be good while I'm gone?"
Sweetie Belle galloped into view and smiled, Applebloom and Scootaloo behind her. They were almost as tall as their sisters now. "Of course, Rarity! I'll be sure to make appointments and take phone calls, don't you worry, sis!"
Sweetie Belle levitated a clipboard over and smiled, looking at the board. "I'll call Berry Punch and tell her that you're busy for today. I'll see if I can arrange for her to stop by tomorrow at 3 o'clock. Sound good?"
"Thank you, Sweetie Belle!" Rarity praised. "You're the best little sister in the whole wide world!"
Rarity and Twilight Sparkle cantered off as Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Applebloom started the phone calls and scheduling. The duo cantered to Sugar Cube Corner.
"And so I said that it was impossible to do that many outfits within a time span of eighteen hours and she paid me triple to finish it in thirty hours! I finished them on time and she was so pleased with the outfits that she paid me an extra fifty bits!" Rarity finished her story, Twilight praising her smarts.
They knocked on the door to Sugar Cube Corner and Pinkie Pie ran to the door, the usual smile on her face. "Hey'a, girls! What's cookin'?"
"Spike is going to translate and read that dragon book for us, would you like to join in?" Twilight asked.
"That'd be awesome!" Pinkie smiled. "Mrs. Cake, is it okay for me to take the rest of the day off?"
"Oh, don't worry about it, Pinkie Pie! We have a back up foal sitter so don't you fret!"
"Thanks, Mr. and Mrs. Cake!" Pinkie smiled and hopped outside with her friends.
The trio made their way to Sweet Apple Acres, finding Applejack bucking apples as per usual. They cantered over to her, the orange farm pony stopping and wiping the sweat from her forehead.
"Howdy, girls! What's up?" Applejack asked.
"We were wondering if you'd like to join us. Spike was going to read us a book all about dragons!" Pinkie Pie smiled.
"That sounds like a hoot in a hat! I'd love to come, jus' let me check with Big Mac. Hey, Big Mac!"
"Eeyup?"
"Can I take the rest of the day off? I'll do extra buckin' tomorrow!"
"Eeyup!"
"I'm in!"
The four quickly ran to Rainbow Dash's home, Twilight flying up and knocking on the door.
"Coming!" Rainbow yelled from inside, putting a bookmark in her Daring Do book. "Oh, hi, Twilight. What's going on?"
"Spike is gonna read us a book about dragons!" Pinkie yelled from the ground.
"Oh, dragons! I'm totally in!" Rainbow smiled. "But we should hurry, it's supposed to rain later today."
The five gathered Fluttershy and quickly returned to Golden Oaks Library, just in time for the rain to begin its dance, and the wind its run. They all sat in the den with Spike, cookies and milk provided. He sat on the 'story telling' chair, with the book in his claws, candles lit for ambiance.
Fluttershy looked over the Draconic letters, raising her brow a few times. She looked at the paper and the sounds, thinking of how to say the letters and words. After about two hours of saying each and every letter over and over and over, she thought she had at least a hold on it. She started conversing with Spike to check her authenticity.
"Spike, am I speaking Dragon correctly? " Fluttershy asked, making Draconic hissing sounds as she spoke.
"Yes, that's... almost right. Can you understand me? " Spike asked.
"Oh my! Your mother was a piggy? " Fluttershy spoke, confused. "I got confused, say it again?"
"Yes, you have a hang on it, but it's still choppy. Repeat that to me, okay? " Spike smiled.
Fluttershy cleared her throat. "You said... " She thought a bit. "Yes... you have a hold on it... but it's still chippy? Retort that to me, right? "
"Close enough," Spike laughed.
"Oh, what did I say?" Fluttershy asked.
"You said, 'You said yes you have a hold on it but it's still chippy. Retort that to me, right?'" Spike smiled.
"What did you actually say?" Rarity queried.
"I said, 'Yes, you have a hang on it, but it's still choppy. Repeat that to me, okay?'" Spike smiled.
"Okay, Spike, read us the story!" Rainbow Dash smiled, folding her wings, ready for a new adventure.
Spike opened the book and cleared his throat, getting ready to speak.
The Dragons are a strong and proud race. They are known as the Dragon Tribe, and seem to operate in clans, with one true King or Queen. The Dragon history is not known very much about, but it seems to go along the lines of this:
A very, very long time ago, Dragons and Ponies mingled and mixed together. But after a while, a new force became apparent; the Draconequus known as Discord. He terrorized the Ponies and Dragons both, making life a living Tartarus to every specie in Equestria. Not long after, two Alicorn sisters, known as Celestia and Luna, requested a summit with the Dragon King and Queen. Astarot, the Dragon King, whose name meant Prince of Tartarus, Chief, and the Leading One, ventured into Pony territory with his wife, Queen Adelind, meaning Noble Serpent, the duo speaking to the sisters.
Astarot and Adelind were large and powerful, powerful enough to kill Discord, but the sisters declined their offer to destroy him. They spoke that they needed to not use violence and to stop him without causing his destruction. Astarot was baffled; he thought killing the Draconequus would pleasure every pony and dragon well enough. Adelind agreed with the sisters, speaking.
"We mustn't kill a being who is non-violent. We must subdue him. Violence will only cause heart ache in the end, Astarot."
"I see," Astarot spoke. "What do you suggest we do, then?"
"We will use a new power we have found, called the Elements of Harmony. They can turn him into stone, which should subdue him long enough to know what to do with him statued form." Celestia spoke.
"But our ponies worry about the dragons, sister. They see them as a threat." Luna chimed.
"Worry not, my small friends," Adelind smiled. "The Dragon Tribe will relocate to the Western areas of Equestria. Yes, our clans have different subspecies, but we are in total control of them, since we are the largest and oldest. We shall make sure that every dragon stays in their habitat, if your ponies do not venture to aggravate them."
"Agreed," Celestia and Luna spoke, nodding.
The sisters rose to power and stopped the Chaos Bringer, bringing harmony and peace to the land. They became the Princesses of Equestria, while the Dragon Tribe held their end of the deal. All dragons stayed put and only migrated to see the King and Queen every fifty years.
Almost a thousand years after Discord was defeated, Princess Luna would not lower the moon, bringing sadness to the Dragons of Fire. They spoke to King Astarot, who flew to the castle, angered.
"Luna! Celestia! You've not held your end of the deal as we have! Lower the moon now!" Astarot yelled.
But Luna was already gone, replaced with Nightmare Moon. Astarot looked to Celestia, who dropped tears. He put a claw on her back, nodding.
"Celestia, I know how hard this is, but you must keep peace between our races. You must banish your sister. If the moon is not lowered in twenty four hours, I shall banish your sister myself!" Astarot declared, flying home.
Celestia did as the Dragon King told and banished her sister to the moon for a thousand years. Astarot and Adelind had a daughter many, many years before, who was know the size of a small mountain. Her name was Xiuhcoatl, meaning Fire Serpent or Weapon of Destruction. Astarot died many years later, every dragon mourning his loss by spewing their nature in the air, be it fire, water, light, wind, or anything else. Adelind ruled alone for the remainder of her years, and died shortly after Nightmare Moon was vanquished once again.
During Sombra's horrid reign, the Dragon Tribe did not interfere, as per request of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.
Xiuhcoatl is the current ruler of the Dragon Tribe, know as the Dragon Queen. The Lair in which she resides is in Western Equestria, and most ponies who enter never leave. It is highly recommended that no pony goes near the lair. It is hidden deep inside Dragon Territory, where ponies should not tread.
But, to the dragons who can read this, Xiuhcoatl invites you to her Lair, welcoming any ad every dragon. No pony knows if ponies are permitted, but dragons are allowed.
"Wow." Rainbow Dash said.
"Indeed." Rarity responded.
"Mhmm," Applejack spoke.
"Astonishing," Fluttershy commented.
"Amazing!" Pinkie Pie yelled.
"Interesting." Twilight Sparkle added. "What are you planning, Spike?"
"I'm going to see Queen Xiuhcoatl. She can tell me where I came from." Spike said, smiling.
"We're going with you." Rainbow stamped her hoof.
"You don't have to."
"We want to. And, Twilight's a Princess, so they'll respect her like Princess Celestia and Princess Luna!" Pinkie Pie yelled.
"And you're not gonna try and stop me like last time?" Spike queried.
"Darling, you've matured. Why, you're almost taller than me! How could we stop a teenage dragon from trying to find who he is?" Rarity interjected.
"We should all get ready for a long journey, then." Spike sighed.
The seven broke apart and went to collect things they'd need for the long, dangerous journey ahead. Hours later, Twilight was writing a letter to Princess Celestia.
Dear Princess Celestia,
My friends and I, including Spike, are going into Dragon territory. I know it sounds insane and dangerous, but Spike feels he must do this, to find who he is, where he came from. I know the Dragon Tribe listened to you and Princess Luna, and I'm hoping they'll listen to me as well. I hope my wings and horn are enough to get them on our side, and I do fear that they could hurt us, but there is not much you could do to stop us, or Spike. He has his hopes high. Dangerously high, I might add. I just send you this letter to let you know where we are going and if we need help. Thank you.
Your Forever Faithful Student,
PrincessTwilight Sparkle
3: The Journey Ahead- Part One
Applejack cantered to Sweet Apple Acres, jumping up the stairs and digging her saddle bag out of her closet. She packed warm clothes in case it got cold on the way, and sunglasses in case it got bright, which it could've. She packed water and plenty of- of course- apples. She triple-checked her saddle bag and gathered her family in the living room.
"Y'all, I'm going with Spike so he can meet the Dragon Queen so he can find out about his family. I'll be gone for a while, and I know it's gonna be hard to buck all the apples without me, but y'all can do it. I trust in ya, and I don't know how long it'll take for me ta get back. But in case I don't get back, I love y'all. Big Mac, you're the best brother a filly could ask for. Applebloom, you're the sweetest little sister a mare could have, and Granny Smith, you're like a mother and father ta me. Jus' don't worry 'bout me a'tall." Applejack smiled.
"Y'all be careful or we won't forgive ya, Applejack!" Big Mac said heartily, hugging his sister tight.
"Applejack, stay safe. I won't forgive ya if ya don't come back." Applebloom started to cry a bit.
AJ wiped the tears away and smiled, holding her face. "I'll be back, don't ya fret."
She looked to Winona. Winona had a sad face and a sad look, whimpering slightly. "I'll be back soon, Winona."
"Applejack, you'll be safe, I know it in my heart." Granny Smith smiled, a strong face present.
"Thanks, Granny." Applejack smiled pleasantly. "See y'all in a... eeyup."
Applejack cantered to Golden Oaks Library, ready for the mission ahead.
The happy pink mare hopped to Sugar Cube Corner, hopping up the steps, two at a time, and into her room. Pinkie Pie packed her saddle bag full of silliness. She packed balloons, streamers, and a small party cannon for small parties. She packed warm clothes and put her saddle bag on, walking out of her room. She walked straight to Pound and Pumpkin Cake's room and the two foals were delighted to see her.
"Pinkie Pie! Play with us!" The twins smiled.
"Sorry, Pound and Pumpkin. Pinkie's going on a journey, she won't be back for a while."
The twins looked at each other sadly. "How long?"
"Well, even Pinkie Pie doesn't know how long she'll be gone," Pinkie sighed, scooping the twins up in her hooves. "But Pinkie Pie Pinkie Promises that she'll be back before you know it! Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!"
The pink pony put the twins back on the floor, who looked at her with sad eyes before returning to their toys. Pinkie Pie smiled at them and put the door halfway closed, sighing a bit.
"Pinkie Pie might break her Pinkie Promise this time, though," She muttered quietly, walking down the stairs sadly, her head hung low.
"Oh, Pinkie, dear, be careful on your trip!" Mrs. Cake said, wiping a tear from her eye.
"We made a special cupcake just for you. Be safe, okay?" Mr. Cake asked, hoofing the cupcake to Pinkie.
"Be sure to take care of Gummy while I'm gone. He likes fruit punch, all kinds of cupcakes, but he doesn't really agree with chocolate, and-" Pinkie was stopped by Mrs. Cake's hoof. The three nodded, knowing what to do.
She smiled and nodded, putting the pink cupcake with yellow and blue sprinkles in a case and putting it in her saddlebag before nodding and trotting to Golden Oaks Library.
Rainbow Dash flew home as fast as she could, zooming up to her room. She packed the standard things, a scarf, three Daring Do books in case she got bored, plenty of water, and apples- as well as plenty of apple cider. She slapped the bag over her back and looked to Tank. She sighed. Who'd take care of her precious Tank?
"Hey, Rainbow Dash! Why the rush?" Scoots asked.
"I have a mission to go on with Spike." Rainbow said. "You can stay with Scootaloo and Applebloom, I already checked with Rarity and Applejack."
Scootaloo suddenly hugged Rainbow Dash. "Be careful, big sister."
Rainbow smirked. "Don't worry, little sister." Rainbow smiled, nuzzling her adopted sister's neck.
Scootaloo ran down the stairs and flew out of the house, an orange and pink line racing behind her as she flew. Rainbow sighed, sitting down with Tank.
"Tank, I have to go with Spike on this big mission, and I might be gone for a long, long time." Rainbow Dash scratched her neck. "But, some pony needs to watch you and make sure you're okay in case I... don't come back. So... which pony do you want to stay with, Tank?"
Tank flew over to a map of Ponyville in Rainbow's study, where he put his leg on the school yard. "You want to stay with Cheerilee? If that's what my Tank wants, I guess I can ask her."
Rainbow picked up his tortoise food and water and food bowls in her mouth and flew to the school yard, hoping to find Cheerilee. The dark pink earth pony was just leaving the building, her own saddle bags on her back.
"Hey, Cheerilee!" Rainbow called, muffled, landing close to her and putting the bag and bowls down.
"Oh, hello, Rainbow Dash." Cheerilee smiled. "What can I do for you?"
"Uh, well, I have to go with Spike on this mission, and Tank needs some pony to watch over him, and he really wanted to stay with you, I guess. Could you watch him for me?" Rainbow asked, twiddling her hooves.
Cheerilee gave an awkward look, then smiled. "I suppose I could take him off your hooves for a month or so. The foals would love to see a turtle during class."
"Tortoise," Rainbow corrected.
"Right, of course," Cheerilee laughed.
"If I... If I, uh, don't come back..."
"I'll be sure he stays in great hooves, Rainbow Dash." Cheerilee confirmed, packing the bag and bowls into her saddle bag. "I'll go on ahead and you say goodbye to Tank."
Rainbow hugged Tank, dropping a tear. "I love ya, buddy. Stay awesome while I'm gone, and make sure Scoots stays just as awesome. If I don't come back, you're gonna have to make up for that hole of awesomeness, okay?"
Tank nodded, flying sadly over to Cheerilee, while Rainbow flew as fast as she could to Golden Oaks Library. It wasn't that she wanted to get away from Tank, it was that she didn't want any pony to see the bravest, strongest, most loyal pony in Equestria cry.
Fluttershy cantered home, packing her saddle bag quickly. She looked at her friends sadly, but smiled. She picked up her phone and called her friend, Poesy.
"Hi, Poesy? Could you watch my animals for a... while?" Fluttershy asked.
"Are you going on a trip, Flutters?" The earth pony asked on the other end.
"Yes, sort of," Fluttershy sighed. "Can you hurry over, please?"
"Sure, Fluttershy," Poesy said, hanging up and rushing over.
After about ten minutes of pacing, Poesy was at Fluttershy's door, knocking. The Pegasus let the earth mare in, the duo sitting on the couch. Poesy petted Angel and a few other animals, smiling.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going with Spike on this long trip to see the Dragon Queen. I might not... come back. So, if that happens, can you take care of my animals?" Fluttershy whimpered, a soothing hoof on her head.
"Flutters, we're third cousins, twice removed, basically sisters. I'll be sure to keep every animal safe, from the tiniest Ladybug to the largest Elephant. Don't you worry, 'cause I know you too much." Poesy smiled.
Flutters hugged her cousin, sobbing into her chest. "Th-Thank you, Poesy! It means a lot to me!"
"Fluttershy, you should go. Staying here will just make it harder to leave, and you know it." Poesy stated firmly.
"You're right," Flutters resisted the urge to pet and kiss every pet goodbye, Poesy seeing her cousin struggle.
Poesy gathered the animals out in front of her cottage and all at once they waved goodbye to Fluttershy, who galloped off with a smile on her face, but tears streaming down her eyes, Poesy knowing she was happy that if she didn't come back, some pony would take care of her pets.
Rarity walked home slowly, taking every step with a heavy heart. She opened her door slowly, packed her saddle bag slowly, with a scarf, sunglasses, a sun hat, and a picture of her family. She put her saddle bag on and walked into Sweetie Belle's room after knocking three times.
"Sweetie Belle, I need to talk to you," Rarity said sadly.
"Am I in trouble? Did I do something wrong? I'm so sorry, Rarity! Whatever I did-" Rarity hushed her sister.
"You didn't do anything wrong, Sweetie Belle." Sweetie winced. Rarity only used her full name when she was serious. Like serious serious. "I'm going with my friends to see the Dragon Queen. I might not be back for a while, and maybe even not at all. I love you, Sweetie Belle, and if I don't come back, you're a strong filly, and a smart one. I entrust Carousel Boutique to my little sister. I arranged with Applejack and Rainbow Dash that you stay with the Apples with Scootaloo and Applebloom. You may be here or in Rainbow's house, but the Apples will watch over you, make sure you eat, make sure you go to school, and make sure you don't worry."
"Rarity, you can't go!" Sweetie cried out in her melodic voice. "Wh-What if you don't come back?!"
Rarity petted her sister's mane. "I promise you with all my heart that I will come back, and if I don't, I will die trying."
Sweetie sighed. "Okay, I'll be good, sis."
"I know you will." Rarity smiled, quickly running to Golden Oaks Library.
It wasn't that she wanted to get away from her sometimes annoying sister, it wasn't that she didn't want any pony to see her mascara running, it was that she wanted to leave so she could come back and hug Sweetie Belle and never ever let go of her.
Twilight sat in the foyer, her saddle bag prepacked. Spike had his own backpack filled with everything he'd need. After a while, every pony was regathered in Golden Oaks Library. Twilight sat them down, giving a few a tissue box and others a shoulder to cry on. After calming down, Twilight stamped her hooves on the floor.
"Now, all we need to do is find a map." Twilight Sparkle sighed. "It could be in any of these books, it could be in Celestia and Luna's old castle, it could be in the Canterlot Archives, it could be-"
"Uh, Twilight, I already have the map." Spike said, holding the book up.
"But Spike, that's only a fragment." Rarity corrected.
"Not unless you have special dragon powers, also known as," Spike paused. "Claws."
He opened the book to the very last pages which were empty- at least, seemed empty. Spike scratched the very 'last' page and a tiny square of paper fell out. He picked it up off the ground and closed the book, putting it in his bag. He then unfolded the paper many times, a map half the size of a young mare.
"It's in Dragon," Fluttershy spoke up.
"Yeah, it's a very old map of Equestria," Spike smiled. "See, this is early Canterlot. And they moved West-wards. That means that-" Spike coughed out a letter. "Hmm, Twilight, it's for you."
"Dearest Princess Twilight Sparkle,
I understand completely that you must go, and the Dragons should listen to you, Twilight. I've sent the Queen a letter, but I haven't heard back, so I know not if it's gotten there yet. I trust you all to be safe and sound on your trip. I presume you'll have an old version of the map somewhere in the book, and you only need to travel North West where it says there are mountains. There is only one large one, which is actually an earth dragon. He should be kind enough to tell you how to get to the Queen after that. Good luck, Twilight.
Your Forever Faithful Mentor and Friend,
Princess Celestia