Spike had been in the Dragon caves for just about a year and the cold winter weather was beginning to form. Ever since he met that old dragon that opted to train Spike safely (and less painfully), Spike had actually started to grow. He was now three times his baby size, but he was still small for his age.

Spike still disliked the Dragon Caves, but at least he had now grown accustomed to the way things worked. Like knowing how to navigate to the essential caves by their marked smell, and knowing you shouldn’t bother another dragon while they sleep… and knowing that no matter what the Elder Dragons were doing, as long as there were two of them in the same cavern, they were mostly likely arguing… like right now.

Spike was fast asleep along with Garble the other young dragons for winter was coming, meaning it was time for the dragons to start hibernating in their caves. Spike had never done this before and was certainly not going to turn down an extremely long nap. That was until the voices of two older and much bigger dragons boomed through the cave immediately causing Spike and the many other dragons to jump straight up, fully awake.

“You deal with it!” Said one that had just entered the cavern where the young dragons slept. He was tall with dark green scales. Spike recognised him as Sirath.

“No, you deal with it! I’m busy!” said the other who followed in pursuit. This one was slightly smaller with black and grey scales, and was called Kindralth.

“And I’m not?!” Sirath said, turning around to face Kindralth with an angry look. “I make sure everything is in order! I keep this place running”.

“You keep this place running?” Kindralth said, rising to look Sirath in the eyes. “I can’t remember the last time you did something for this place that didn’t benefit you. If it weren’t for me this place would be in chaos! And you do nothing! So deal with it, you old fool.”

“Scaleless idiot!”

“Useless reptilian!”

Meanwhile Garble lay next to Spike and whispered “You’d think for their age they would know that their getting nowhere by bickering like an old married couple.” Spike couldn’t help the small grin forming on his lips and him Garble both snickered.

“But why are they arguing?” Spike asked.

“I don’t know” Garble replied shrugging, “But as always, neither of them can be bothered to do it. I wonder what excuse they’ll make this time.”

After several insults were passed between the two gigantic dragons the young dragons entirely gave up on the idea of sleep with all the noise.

Out the corner of Kindralth’s eye he saw the young dragons, all of them were watching the argument with great interest since sleeping was no longer an option. Then he got a truly wicked idea.

“Why don’t we let them take care of it?” Kindralth asked, gesturing towards the small cluster of dragons.

“Why we don’t let them deal with it” Sirath spat, “is because they’d all die on the spot. They’re our next generation making them too valuable”.

“But if they are our next generation… wouldn’t we want only the fittest survive?” Kindralth said. “Only the toughest dragons would be able to come back unscathed from a hunt for a Hydra…”
Fear came into Spikes mind as he overheard the word ‘Hydra’. Spike had encountered a Hydra before and he certainly never wanted to see another again to say the least. Luckily he managed to stow away his fear before the other dragons noticed.

Sirath pondered this for a while. He could think of several reasons why Kindralth’s idea was idiocy.

“Unless you’d deal with it yourself…”

“Fine…” Sirath growled “But if none of them come back… I will deal with you personally.”

Sirath then turned to the younger dragons and eyed them down, daring any of them to speak before he did.

“Younger dragons!” Sirath bellowed. “As you may have overheard from me and Kindrath’s… dispute, a Hydra has wondered dangerously close to our the Caves. We are tasking you with the job of finding this Hydra and killing it.”

Sirath’s words sunk into Spike mind like a nail constantly hit with a hammer.

“We don’t expect many of you to survive, but that’s the point.” Sirath continued “Besides, if you don’t it will be a lot worse for you…” a snarl came to his snout.

“How do you expect us to kill a Hydra?” One of the younger dragons said.

Sirath growled at the dragon’s disobedience but decided to leave it. “I don’t care how you get rid of this Hydra as long as it dies. Oh, and don’t think this is an excuse to run off. As you all know, we don’t take kindly to those who try to run.”

Spike certainly knew what happened to the deserters of the Dragon Caves and shivered at the thought of it. When Spike came here he certainly didn’t know what he was getting himself into.

Sirath took one final glance at the dragons one last time before turning and walking away. He muttered something under his breath that Spike couldn’t make out and then he took off, Kindralth following in pursuit.

The young dragons stood there, a mix of emotions portrayed on their faces. Some dragons were arrogantly determined, too prideful to believe they’re probably all going to die. Some dragons were fearful, most of the young drakes had never tried fighting something bigger than they were. Even one of the biggest among them was showing signs of pure terror, but fearful was something a dragon couldn’t be…

No matter what they thought about their new task they all had one thing in common… They didn’t have a choice.

Garble, who had snapped out of his trance quickly, didn’t want to think too much about the extreme dangers ahead of him, if he did he’d only lower his confidence and that was certainly not what he needed right now. He looked back at Spike to find the small dragon had disappeared. He didn’t have time to look for the small purple dragon, all he could do was hope Spike new what he was doing.

“So, Sirath and Kindralth want you and the other young dragons to fight a Hydra, you say?”

“Pretty much…”

Spike had gone to the best (and only) one he knew who might be able to help him, the same dragon that offered to train him. Spike had constantly asked for his name over the weeks and the old, big dragon neglected to give him a straight answer. So Spike simply referred to him as ‘Grey’ because of his colour, pure grey, like a shield embossed in silver.

Spike had found Grey where he always found him when he went for his ‘dragon training’, on the surface around the eastern side of the mountains near the cave entrances. The sun was just rising over the new fallen snow setting a beautiful view over the mountains. It was a shame only one old and grey dragon ever cared to see it.

“I’ve never seen the other dragons look this scared” Spike said apprehensively “We have no choice but to find and kill it and none of us barely know how to hunt yet! No one knows what to do; I don’t know what to do!” He then began to hyperventilate, his vision clouding.

I’m going to die… This is it. I’m going to die an-

“Calm down, young drake. You’re only helping yourself pass out and waste the precious time you have” said Grey, his face as expressionless as it always was.

Spike breathing slowly, calmed to a steady pace and his mind cleared. Grey was not the most comforting of dragons, but his consideration and his years of knowledge did more than make up for that.

“So, lets talk about that hydra in a more detailed fashion,” Grey said sounding more serious as he spoke “what do you know about Hydra’s so far?”

Spike shook his head “Nothing really.”

“How many dragons do you have on your side?”

That Spike did know “Twenty-three but… they’re not ones to work together, they don’t exactly like each other” he said drawing in a breath, remembering back to his ‘fight’ with Talon Spire. The pure hatred in his eyes and he just kept hitting him without any care…

“Of course they don’t. Most young dragons are growing to be nothing but savages…” Grey despised how the new generations of dragons were being raised and trained to be nothing but blood thirsty predators without a hint of sentiment, shrewdness, or even smarts. Dragons were looking less like the wise, majestic creatures he remembered and more like animals every day. That was why one dragon stood out to him… Spike.

Spike didn’t like how Grey spoke of the other dragons. Though he hated almost all of them… Garble had helped him more than once here. But Grey was right, Garble was still one of the most aggressive dragons he’d ever seen. But he was still a friend and better company than none.

Spike looked back at Grey to see him deep in thought. “A dragon is a vicious, brutal and majestic creature” Grey said, his dragon “All ponies with common sense know it is insanity to try and converse with us. Even creatures like Timberwolves and Manticores feared the scaled beasts of the sky… Hydras however are different... They are territorial creatures and will kill any large predator that steps on it. The question is why has this one left has its territory and come here?”

Spike waited as Grey thought, his long and decrepit tail moving and rearranging itself round the boulder it had curled round. Spike noted that Grey often went quiet while thought, it better to stay quiet and let the smarter think… Kind of reminds me of someone else… Spike thought solemnly.

“What bothers you, young drake?” Grey said, noticing the sadness Spike emanated.

Spike quickly rubbed his eyes and looked up “I’m fine, really I am. What were you saying about the Hydra?”

“If you insist. As for the Hydra, Maybe a larger creature forced it out… I’ll have to make a note of that” Grey said “But I guess that does not matter to the situation at hand. We need to know about the Hydra itself. What are you going to do?”

Spike heeded Grey’s words and thought of what he was going to do.

“M-Maybe I could sneak up on it while it sleeps?” Spike suggested.

“That most likely wouldn’t work. A hydra instinctively sleeps with one head awake while other two sleep. But a hydra’s size makes him arrogant, try using that against him. A creature’s best attribute is movement, stand still and you will not last long. Those rules still apply for the Hydra. If you can trap him you might stand a chance.”

Spike thought back to when Rainbow Dash had lured Twilight into a corner only to be trapped in there as Pinkie and Dash Hurled Cream Pies at her. Twilight was not amused to say the least.

I doubt pies will do much to a Hydra.

“Oh, and this is most important” Grey said looking at Spike “If a Hydra has any weak points they will be on the body, if you have any will of seeing this battle to the end, do NOT attempt to sever one of its heads.”

“W-why is that?” a small hint of fear in his voice.

“Hopefully by the end of this you won’t have to know…” Grey didn’t just hold back this information for no reason. He knew that if he told Spike that such an already dangerous creature could actually sprout extra heads after taking a fatal wound would dramatically increase his fear of it. And those who are scared fall behind and die off…

Spike thought about his advantages in his head. He then turned to look at the old dragon.

“I appreciate the help Grey, I really do! But what chance does this give me? I’m not even sure I’ll be able to do all this myself and there’s no way I’ll be able to take all three of its heads on in a fight… I don’t see how I could take it on… There’s nothing I can do to hurt it, not with these…” Spike said, showing his stubby talons and baby teeth. He’d barely be able to draw blood with them, they just had not grown enough yet. He looked down, his sorrow showing more by the second.

Grey sighed realising that he did not think of this. He inhaled through his nose… and slowly exhaled through his fangs “Firstly, well done, young drake.”

Spike rubbed his eyes once more “F-for What?”

“I did not consider how you were to hurt the beast, but you did. Broke thought ahead and broke important parts to play down in your head without even knowing you were doing it. That will gives you an advantage and a cut above the other dragons. Well done indeed.”

Spike couldn’t help but let a small smile pierce his lips.

“And secondly, yes, a Hydra does have three heads. But that should not bother you. Didn’t you say you had twenty three?”

Spike walked into the damp cave that he, Garble and Garble’s friends all slept in. Since the entire cave system was massive in size, there was more than enough room for every dragon to claim a space in the seemingly endless caves and caverns.

In the centre of the cave there was a fire that they managed to construct out of coal. Spike saw Garble was sitting at the fire. Spike walked over as Spike drowsily walked over and sat next to him.

“You know, I don’t know why you listen to that old guy” Said Garble, gazing into the fire “He looks so old I’d be surprised if he can still fly!”

“Yeah well, it’s still better than being torn apart by the others” said Spike lazily, “he knows a lot about pretty much everything.”

“But he can’t show you a first-hand experience of what it’s like to fight, or hunt, or kill. The only way a dragon can learn that is doing it himself, that what I always say.”

Well he has given me various tips and moves I could use. Not to mention tactics Spike thought, but decided not to pursue the argument. Dragons could be very stubborn when it came to arguing.

“Can the old guy teach you how to fight a Hydra?” Garble asked pressing the argument.

Spike was about to answer but then he realised something that might help him.

“Actually…” Spike said, finally turning his gaze from the fire to the dragon next to him “Garble, mind helping me with something?”

“Well I ain’t got nothing better to do. What do you need help with?”

Spike stood up and explained his plan.

“This is the most pathetic idea I’ve ever heard!” Talon Spire hissed “I could take this thi-”

“-Would you shut up!” Garble whispered.

Getting all the young dragons to work together was far from an easy task. If Spike had tried to convince them alone he probably would have ended up with his head on a pike. But Garble was one of the toughest dragons around for their age and every other dragon knew it. Being friends with Garble was an advantage Spike needed to survive in this dangerous place. Luckily Garble was happy to help his small friend.

It took a few negotiations with some dragons, and threats and fights with others. But eventually they all agreed.

The journey to the last known location of the Hydra was a long and tedious one, the journey mostly consisted of flight with Spike riding on the other dragons backs. Throughout the journey the Dragons argued over every single imaginable thing there was to argue about.

Since winter was coming the weather was nothing but snow and thunder storms, and when there was neither everything was covered in dense fog. Weather could be extremely brutal at times and for most animals was unflyable, but for dragons the harsh wind was only an annoyance.

Now Spike and the other young dragons silently crawled and climbed through the rocky landscape, closing in on their target.

They had set down a mile away where they had spotted Hydra tracks, they weren’t exactly hard to see from the sky.

As the brigade of dragons surreptitiously moved forward, another dragon by the name of Fanghorn (Named after the unnatural size of his Fangs) sneaked his way beside Garble.

“Hey, Garble. Why are you taking orders from that little shrimp?” He asked, motioning his head towards Spike who was remaining a small distance away from the other dragons.

“I do NOT take orders from him.” Garble said as he quietly peeked over a bolder they were using as cover “Spike is a pipsqueak, yes, but he’s a good dragon to have on your side, that little dragon is cunning and smarter than any of us and personally, I want to live through this. He said he had a plan, do you?”

Fanghorn thought for a while as the dragons constantly moved from cover to cover.

“‘Run in and kill it is my plan” Fanghorn said looking proud of himself.

heh, mine too Thought Garble.

“Look, Spike is the best chance we have” Garble said sternly “And if anyone tries to hurt him I’ll spare the hydra the honour of ripping out the teeth and shoving them in their eyes.”

“Okay, okay! Jeeze.” Fanghorn said taking a step back.

Meanwhile Spike slowly moved by himself, being careful with his footing, just like Grey had taught him.

It was close. He could smell it… hear it… even feel it. It was like he could see beyond his own eyes and pinpoint exactly where the prey was. He looked to the other dragons and saw they had it as well. Most of them looked like they were relishing every moment of it. For Spike, it also felt wonderful like he was a predator itching to strike. It was amazing.

Ohhh just wait until I get my talons on that Hydra. All it will be is me… and the kill… and the-wait that-am-I-thinking?!

“Do not let predatory instincts overcome you like it has the other dragons.” Greys’s words suddenly rang through Spike’s head. “Yes, you are a hunter, an animal at the top of the food chain, but you do not have to be mindless. Letting these instincts overcome you can bring out the worst in you, turning dragons into a creature no wiser than any other witless animal, living off instinct. But do not deny your instinct for that is part of being a dragon.”

“How do I do that?”

“Do not rely on your instinct, instead chose when to use it yourself and come to trust it.”

Spike snapped back to reality from the past memory. But still he regarded Grey’s words. He then tried to sniff out for the Hydra again, this time of his own accord, and like magic he immediately locked onto the scent again.

“100 metres directly” Spike whispered to himself peering into the mass of trees, rocks and foliage.

Suddenly Garble made a motion to hide and all the dragons that weren’t doing so already dropped to the ground laying on their stomachs.

Garble motioned Spike over to his cover. He silently crawled up to Garble who brushed the bush he was hiding behind to the side so Spike could see.

There it was… right on the other side of a small lake… a huge lumbering hulk of a creature around seventy feet tall. Its light brown mass dominating everything around, its legs and body sat firmly in the ground as its snakelike heads busily tore apart what looked like the remains of a Manticore, no doubt its former prey.

Spike almost threw-up when he saw the sight of the Manticore but forced his sick down and turned back to the other dragons.

Talon Spire was brandishing his claws, preparing to fly out and attack.

“No, we need to work as a team” Spike Whispered.

“I said I would work together” Talon spire spat back in a hushed tone “not take orders from some puny flightless lizard!” The other dragons seemed to nod in agreement with this, over ruling Spike completely.
“Will you will listen to him if you want to live through this? Plus I’ll also kill you myself if you try anything else” Garble hissed at Talon Spire who growled at the threat “Spike is the smartest guy here because he’s the only one with a real plan on killing this thing. Give him one chance, it’s not like you guys have one.”

A long moment of silence passed between Garble and the other dragons. Each glaring at Garble and Spike until one of Garble’s Friends stepped up.

“Alright, I’ll give the little shrimp a chance to prove himself.”

“I haven’t a got much better choice have I?” Said another dragon. “Don’t mean I like him but I’ll follow his plan…”

“Fine.” Talon Spire snapped, “what is his plan anyway?”

All of dragons then turned to Spike.

“What exactly is the plan?”

“Well…” Spike said “I’ll need help from all of you. But I think it might work.”

The old Hydra’s head had no idea about the small dragons slowly surrounding it. It was too busy devouring the unlucky Manticore that had stopped to drink from the lake and turn its back to the forest. Its three great heads bit into its carcass, each intent on tearing off its own edible piece. To tell the truth it had not eaten in days. It was too busy moving as far away from its own territory as it could. Not saying the Hydra did not like its former living place, it loved the old murky marshes and foggy bogs; it never wanted to leave… But it had to, to tell the truth, it was running from something. And Hydras are not easily spooked.

“Step one: Distraction”
Then suddenly there was a small yell from the foliage and then without warning, twenty-three dragons took to the sky like a swarm of angry fire-breathing bees. They flew around the Hydra constantly breathing fire and getting occasional bites and scratches at it, driving the Hydra three heads into disarray and anger.

The Hydra’s heads snapped at the attacking dragons, one of which managing to grab a hold of one dragon’s tail with its teeth, but another dragon made a horizontal slash across the back of its head. With a roar of pain and anger it let go of the dragon it caught.

“Step two: Cripple”

While the three heads were distracted, Garble and Talon Spire flew down to the Hydra’s left leg. It seemed it was trying to get up from where it sat but with all of its minds busy it appeared to be struggling.

The two dragons carried two rocks. Talon Spire carried one that was sharp and pointy while Garble’s rock was heavy, hard and rounded.

Talon Spire placed his rock pointy side towards the Hydra’s knee and Garble smashed his rock against it as hard as he could. Like a hammer and nail the sharper rock went deep into the Hydra’s knee with a sickening crack.

If the Hydra didn’t roar in agony the first time, it did now. As its entire weight balanced on its legs they gave way and the Hydra fell to the ground.

As the great beast hit the ground, taking out a large area of forestry in the process, all the dragons moved straight for the body. Biting, tearing, scratching, burning, hurting the beast in any way they knew how. A strange oddity was that all the dragons specifically were not attacking the heads and necks.

As the Hydra writhed in pain helplessly, none of the dragons attacks were enough to kill it. Unable to fight back the Hydra heads desperately refused to accept their fate. But… a head noticed something. Ahead of it was a small green and purple dragon. Seeing its last chance at a kill slowly backing away, just six metres away, it took it. Forcing its head towards the small dragon, it would enjoy its last moments knowing it killed something.

As Spike saw the giant head rearing forwards towards him with murderous intent, seeing there was nowhere to run, he readied himself for what he had to do next.

“Step three” He gulped “kill…”

Author's Note

And here it is! Another chapter done and out there… finally! In this chapter we got to see a small idea of what Spike is going through living with the other dragons. I tried to make the Hydra Battle as realistic as possible (as much as you can make mythical creature battle each other). Note that every now and again you will see these ‘Flashback Chapters’ in future. But for now, I don’t know about you guys but I really want to see more chapters about future Spike. So I do want to do a couple of those before I even think about writing the next Flashback Chapter.

Anyway I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please leave a comment and tell what you think. Constructive Criticism is welcome and appreciated!