"I never knew you had a baby Phoenix, Spike!"

Zephyr was visiting the Golden Oaks Library one day when he saw Spike tending to his Phoenix chick, Peewee. Ignoring the naming convention, Zephyr displayed a lot of joy over the young life, something Spike was more than happy to share.

"Yeah, he hatched when I brought his egg home after protecting it from some teen dragons. I learned that you don't always have to 'fit in' with your own kind to belong."

"I could've taught you that myself." Zephyr gives Spike a wry smile as the Dragon chuckles. "Regardless, I'm sure you've had your claws full with taking care of a new life."

"It really was tough... Owlowiscious helped a lot being a fellow bird, but lately it's been difficult keeping Peewee's flames in check." Twilight piped up from up above.

That got a raised eyebrow from Zephyr. "I'm guessing it's similar to pony baby 'Zips' where a Phoenix chick starts spewing flames every once in a while?"

Spike nodded solemnly. "As much as I hated to do it, we had to move Peewee into the basement where books weren't in danger of being burned. But I don't like it because doing so feels like putting a bird in prison for no reason!"

"It's part of why I keep suggesting to return Peewee to his parents." Twilight comes down and nuzzles Spike with a sad look. "I know it hurts, but... it's just as you say. Keeping a Phoenix in the basement doesn't feel right."

Spike hugs Peewee as the two share a sad look. Zephyr let out a sigh. "Sometimes, the best way to show your love... is to let the one you love go free. I learned a lighter version of that lesson, but... it seems I still have yet to truly learn the full version as well."

After fighting with himself on it, Spike decides that it really would be for the best if Peewee goes back to his parents. "Sorry, Peewee, but... I don't think I can take care of you well enough..." Peewee let out a sad chirp.

"I'll accompany you to make sure his parents understand why you took his egg. My connection to birds extends to Phoenixes as well and I was the reason why you had to make such a hard decision all of a sudden."

Twilight shook her head. "It would have come eventually, due to the chick being an unintentional fire hazard. I'll come with to keep you company as well."

"I'll ask Fluttershy if she wants to come as well. I'm sure she'll want to make sure everything goes well, since she's used to things like this."

Spike, seeing the two ponies in front of him wanting to do their best to help, nods tearfully. "Thank you. I really hope we can do this successfully."

"Let's prepare for the journey, Spike. Zephyr needs to inform his sisters about what's going on as well." Twilight puts a hoof on Spike's shoulder as everyone exits the basement.

The first thing Zephyr did was ask Fluttershy if she wanted to come with. While she did want to, she was hesitant to leave her animals for an extended period of time. Angel made sure to shove her along, indirectly telling her they'll be fine, though Fluttershy grabbed the feather Philomena gave her and put it in her mane.

Scootaloo was a bit disappointed that both of her older siblings were taking a trip, but cheered up when Spike let her interact with Peewee. "Just be careful, all of you! You may be traveling with some of the coolest family members this side of Equestria, but you never know!"

Fluttershy hugs Scootaloo with a smile. "We will be."

"I made sure there were enough bits in the house for you for meals if you need them, Scoots. I already told Rainbow to watch out for you if you need anything, so be good." Zephyr also gives his little sister a hug.

Everything outstanding dealt with, the group retraced Twilight and Spike's steps towards where the Dragon last saw the Phoenix nest. Along the way, Fluttershy and Zephyr were filled in on the events leading up to Spike getting Peewee's egg. Both were furious with the teenage Dragons. "Smashing an egg out of spite... how horrible!"

Zephyr shook his head. "It was probably a good thing I didn't go with you during that. I would have been SO tempted to 'teach' them a lesson..."

"While you might stand a better chance matching up to a Dragon due to being a Falconite, I doubt you could handle 3 at once by yourself." Twilight made sure to point that out. She doesn't like using magic for violence unless forced to like during the Changeling invasion.

"Twilight, Rainbow would have been more than happy to help him." Spike knew the Pegasus was the most willing out of the 3 who rescued him to scrap. "Though... it still would only be 2-on-3 in that case. Still not good odds."

Zephyr had to back off and concede to Twilight's judgement on that scenario, as much as it upset him. "I guess getting into what-if's doesn't help us. How's Peewee?"

"Doing good. He's getting his bonding time with Spike in as much as he can." There was a hint of sorrow in Fluttershy's voice. She knew all too well what Spike was going through and it never gets easier.

After some more traveling, Spike and Twilight recognized the forest they were entering. "The nest of the parents should be in here somewhere... provided they haven't moved on yet..."

Having researched Phoenixes after her whole debacle with Philomena, Fluttershy shook her head. "They only leave their nest for the winter. Even after their last fledgling has left the nest, the parents stay put until the nest is either destroyed or they're incapable of raising more chicks."

"Why does it sound similar to what Garudas do?" Zephyr's question got confused looks from everyone present. "They're also birds known for sticking with their mates and offspring to the bitter end."

Twilight thought about it more. "Perhaps it's a difference in aggression levels. Garudas are more known for their family bonds because they're willing to fight from the start. Phoenixes, on the other hoof, prefer to trick and lead potential predators away from the nest and only fight if cornered."

That got a chuckle from Spike. "Ironic the birds with power over fire are less aggressive than bigger green birds."

"I suppose size does make a difference-- oh is that it?" Fluttershy pointed out a nest in one of the trees.

Spike looked around before nodding. "This is the place." He was startled when two cries rang out as the mother and father Phoenixes landed at their nest, glowering at the Dragon.

Zephyr recognized the aggression and flew up to them. "Please do not worry, we mean you no harm. One of us simply wished to return a chick to where he belongs." When the Phoenix parents looked at each other, uncertain, Zephyr flew back down to Spike. "I'll give you a lift with Peewee. Explain yourself and apologize, they should understand you had no ill will."

Spike nods and gets on Zephyr's back. The Phoenix parents continue to leer at him until he presents Peewee to them, changing their looks to a mix of shock and happiness. "I'm sorry about what happened before. I didn't realize I was in with the wrong crowd when I came here. But I-I did my best to protect your egg from them with my friends and family and your chick was born safely! All I ask... is that you take good care of him."

Peewee, while technically hatching in front of Spike, recognized his biological parents and chirped happily at them. The two Phoenixes, recognizing their chick was happy and healthy, took him back before bowing to Spike in thanks, no longer resentful to the young Dragon. The exchange gave everyone peace of mind, though Spike was doing his best not to cry. Twilight made sure to take a magical photo of the scene.

"Hah, so the loser Dragon and his pony friend came back with others, huh?"

Spike locked up when he heard a voice he never wanted to hear again. "G-Garble..."

"Fluttershy, get ready to flee with the Phoenixes." Zephyr made sure to whisper that to his sister, already getting a distinct feeling as to the Dragon's intentions. Thanks to Philomena's feather, the family trusted Fluttershy and were more concerned with the returning Dragons.

The red, teenage Dragon grins maliciously with his two friends, the brown and purple Dragons that joined him in the Phoenix nest raid all that time ago. "What? Came to beg for forgiveness regarding what happened before? Not likely, especially with you not being a REAL Dragon--"

"I've already heard enough of this." Zephyr slams into the ground in front of the Dragon trio with a death glare. "Spike is 10 times the Dragon you ugly mugs could ever hope to be. Do us all a favor and screw off!"

Garble wanted to mock the Green pony in front of him, but he knew this one meant serious business due to his posture. The last confrontation was hilarious to the Dragons because their fighting poses looked more funny than intimidating. "Huh, this pony has a spine! Well... more spine than the other two, that purple one in the back I recognize from last time!"

While Twilight was willing to back off again, she was not about to take insults to her friends lying down. "My two absent friends certainly have more spine than a bunch of Dragons wanting to smash a defenseless Phoenix egg!"

"Says the one who ran away like the scared pony you were!" Twilight winced at that. "I WOULD have had more respect for you three if you DID stay and fight, but now? No dice."

"What am I, chopped spinach over here?" Zephyr wasn't overly pleased with getting ignored. "You want a fight? I'll give you a fight!"

Garble laughs at the notion. "You really are a brave one. But you really think you can stand up to ALL of us?" Without warning, all three Dragons belch fire at the Falconite. Zephyr conjured a rather sizable ball of wind to deflect and scatter the flames, though it took great effort on his part. "Huh?! A Pegasus that can use magic?!"

"Please don't tell me you're getting cold claws already." Zephyr grins as he throws the ball at the Dragons, causing them to get blown into the nearby trees. Fluttershy, while worried sick for her brother, knew it was time to evacuate the Phoenix family who entrusted the Pegasus with their chick for transportation.

"You wish! Looks like I'll have to take you seriously!"

Garble launched himself off the tree with claws at the ready. Zephyr, taking advantage of his smaller stature, ducked before countering with a buck to the Dragon's chest before taking flight after the launched opponent. He got bashed with a sudden tail-swipe which launched him in turn, causing Spike to hold on the best he could.

The brown Dragon prepared to follow up on Zephyr when he got sniped by a magic blast from Twilight, who was now righteously infuriated. "You attacked my friend without warning?! I'll make you wish you NEVER came back here!

Zephyr managed to recover and Air Strafe out of the way of another fire stream from the purple Dragon. Spike whimpered a bit. "I-I should get off and join Fluttershy. I can't help--"

"Spike, do me a solid and breath some fire into my wind ball." That threw Spike off guard, but did as Zephyr asked. The small green flame suddenly infused itself into the wind ball and expanded as the Falconite threw it at Garble. The bright-green orb promptly exploded in the Dragon's face with much more force than the larger wind ball used. "Well would you look at that? Even a spark can become an inferno if the wind is high enough!"

Spike was astonished at the display before grinning. "Right, your wind can't do much on its own while I can't breath big streams of fire yet. Combine both, however, and they make up for each other's shortcomings!"

"Now you're getting it! Even so, be prepared to get off if things get too dicey because I don't want you taking too much punishment. Twilight will be worried sick for you."

While Zephyr had great agility, especially with wings as large as his, he still took knocks from the Dragon trio as he did his best to keep Spike out of the firing lane. Twilight's ability to teleport meant none of the Dragons could keep a lock on her, causing them to ignore her as best they could to deal with the easier threat. Thanks to Spike supporting Zephyr's wind magic with his fire, it was an even match. The problem was the durability of the teenage dragons ensuring they could win a battle of attrition.

The set-up crumbled a bit when the brown Dragon managed to get a good shot in as he managed to bash one of Zephyr's secondary wings. Due to their heightened sensitivity, it caused the Falconite to keel over in pain after he was done sliding from the knock back. "Got you now! You're finished!"

Before he could breath fire, a savage cry rang out as a green bird barely bigger than the fat Dragon suddenly swooped down and dragged him away. The sudden attack distracted the other two Dragons, allowing Twilight to check up on Zephyr. "Are you okay?!"

"Never better..." Zephyr fought through the pain as best he could before looking at the newest combatant. "I wasn't expecting a Garuda here of all-- wait this one looks familiar..."

"You dared to attack not only my former companion's nest, but even my chick's savior?! You're mine!"

"The father Garuda I helped a while back!"

Twilight was stunned. "You mean the Garuda not only remembered you, but wanted to return the favor? You really do have a special connection with all birds, huh?"

Spike was in awe of the green bird's power. "They might not get as large as adult Dragons, but they can sure hold their own against teen ones!"

"Let's focus! Now it's 4-on-3 to our advantage!"

Between the Garuda reinforcement and the reinvigorated attacks from the ponies, Garble knew his prospects were now in the negatives. "R-run away!!!"

The three Dragons ran with their tails tucked between their legs. The Garuda, knowing the enemy was fleeing, went back to the pony group. "Savior of my chick. With this, my debt to you has been repaid. May the wind ever be at your back.

"Thank you for your help. May your family prosper!" The Garuda nods before he takes off.

"Big brother!" Fluttershy reappears with the Phoenix family in tow. "Are you alright!"

"I'll live. How're the Phoenixes?" The family sounds off to the positive, getting a smile out of the Falconite. "As long as you're all safe, that's all that matters."

"I-it was startling when the father Phoenix suddenly went off on his own. Not long after he returned, that Garuda appeared and helped you fight those nasty Dragons off!"

The father Phoenix caws something which shocks the two siblings. Twilight and Spike looked confused. "Care to translate for those of us who don't speak bird?"

Zephyr chuckled. "You might wanna write this down, Twilight. Apparently Garudas and Phoenixes co-exist just fine and it is common for males of both species to flock together until they find mates. Seems the father Garuda I saved before happened to be former wing-mates with the father Phoenix here."

"Wait, that's a HUGE revelation!" Twilight teleported in a scroll and quill to quickly write down the information in bullet points. "This might help us ponies understand Garudas better if we can enlist the help of the Phoenixes!"

Fluttershy noted something as well. "I... I feel like I can understand that Garuda better than I could most other animals..."

"You too, Shy? They do feel like they SHOULD be on the same level as ponies, griffons, and the like. It's just the language barrier and their instincts getting in the-- ow..."

Zephyr's heavily bruised secondary wing made him wince in pain. When he started stumbling a bit, Fluttershy started supporting her brother as Twilight sighed. "We should put some distance between us and those Dragons before we make camp for the night. While it would be nice to quickly get home, you're in no shape to make that journey."

"Sorry, but I can at least say "they started it" and you'll believe me." That got a snort of laughter from Twilight, feeling a bit better thanks to Zephyr maintaining his sense of humor.

While Zephyr's wing was still somewhat bruised by the time the group got back to Ponyville, he was able to fly with it without flinching in pain. Fluttershy immediately went back to her cottage to ensure her animals were fine while Twilight want back to the library with Spike to spend some family time together.

Zephyr checked up on Scootaloo, who seemed rather happy. "Looks like I had nothing to worry about. You're in a good mood."

"Am I ever! I just got back from a camping trip with my friends, their sisters, and Rainbow Dash! It was so much fun... outside of a few hiccups, and she feels even closer to being my big sis than before!" Scootaloo had a thought and grins at her brother. "So when are you two getting married?"

While Zephyr had the question lobbed at him in jest many times before, he could tell Scootaloo was partially serious with her asking. He was about to when he choked, realizing he COULDN'T answer it properly. "I... I don't know... and I don't want to give you the milquetoast answer of "whenever Rainbow is ready", but that'll have to be what I say. Because she still has her dream of joining the Wonderbolts and I don't want to distract her from her goal."

Scootaloo nuzzles her brother, understanding his hesitance to take the next step in regards to that. "She did mention to me that she had put in an application to the Wonderbolt Acadamy, but perhaps even if she gets in it's too soon."

"There's three 'ranks', in a manner of speaking, to the process. Successfully getting into the Academy makes you a 'Wonderbolt-in-training', meaning your hoof is in the door but you won't be considered for actual team performances or activities. After you've proven your mettle for long enough, you're given a chance to become a 'Wonderbolt Reserve Member', where you're still not considered over official members but will be called upon if they need more help or if an official member gets injured or sick.

"Since there's only so many slots for official Wonderbolts, Reserve members have to stick it out until one quits or retires. When that happens, typically you're given a chance to take part in an official performance as an actual Wonderbolt and, if you succeed, the position will officially be yours."

Scootaloo looked dumbfounded at the rather in-depth explanation. "Big bro... are you sure you're not part of the process somewhere? You seem to know a lot about it."

"Well, one of my step-mom's cousins was a former Wonderbolt, plus my foalhood friend from so long ago is a current one. That's why I had a good look behind the scenes, so-to-speak."

Shaking her head, Scootaloo processed the information a bit before coming up with an idea. "How about proposing to Rainbow Dash when she becomes a Reserve member? While not quite a full member, perhaps she'll be more willing to marry you once she gets that far in her aspirations?"

Zephyr frowned at that a bit. "With the massive time-span between steps 1 and 2, I'm worried she'll get sick of me being her boyfriend before then. But... the idea does have merit." He rubs Scootaloo on the head with a smile. "Thanks, Scoots. I'll think on the idea more once Rainbow gets closer to realizing her dream. No sense distracting her from it."

Author's Note

Since I wanted to keep "Sleepless in Ponyville" untouched, I came up with the idea of having both Zephyr and Fluttershy absent helping Spike releasing Peewee back into the wild. The action scene with the Dragons was more of an extra bonus.