Supremacy

Curse my younger brothers....the two of them can't seem to make a single good decision on their own. Word has just arrived of the events dubbed "The Hearth's Warming." The tales surrounding this remarkable "Hearth's Warming" are unreal, but, exaggerated or not, the end result is what has our tribe in uproar. Apparently, the three pairs of explorers from the three respective tribes actually befriended one another, and decided to share the magnificent land they had all taken claim too, calling their mutual territory Equestria. I, for one, am glad to see that the unrelenting winter is dying down, the windigoes now somewhat subdued by this courageous group of unlikely friends. I even look forward to visiting this new nation in due time, but, as always, my idiot brothers have spoiled my good mood with another one of their half-brained plots. They insist on preserving our tribe's "proud legacy" by refusing to journey to this new land, and instead are gathering unicorns for something they call an "exodus." Why they can't accept that something good has happened and simply go along with it, I can't understand, but I know that this rash, poorly thought out decision of their's will inevitably lead to disaster. However, other, less sensible members of our tribe actually seem to agree with the nitwits, and are readying themselves for this great "exodus." I'd ignore my brothers, and let them get lost at sea by themselves, but now they're involving dozens, even hundreds of naive innocents....and any harm that befalls them will ultimately be my responsibility. I suppose, if I can't stop those fools, that I'll have to guide this ill-prepared expedition personally. But, once those numskulls are satisfied, and their followers are out of harm's way, I will travel to Equestria, and indulge in the much needed peace that Gorgeous Verity and I have been seeking for so long.

The spectators only stared blankly as Pinkie Pie fled, unsure why she would do such a thing. After a moment, however, they converged on Opulent Majesty, who they simply had to comfort and care for. Opulent now bore a nervous, somewhat crazed smile as dozens upon dozens of ponies worriedly tended to him. Okay, now they're invading my personal space. Seems I came off as a bit too friendly for such a 'touchy' crowd. He wanted to protest against the suffocating mobs that prodded him and asked him stupid questions, but a sideways glance from Silver told him not to fight the crowds. With a sigh, he allowed the concerned ponies to make their "observations," and did his best not to yell at those who asked him ridiculous questions. Against his will, the crowd began to usher him in the direction of the doctor's office. Of all the things I don't have time for, this is something I absolutely do not have time for! He thought, forcing himself to move with the crowd and retain a relaxed smile.

As the carriage was abandoned by the audience, Patsy Craft giggled, watching the horde of ponies as they escorted Opulent Majesty to the clinic.

"Maybe I overdid my modified Joy Spell just a bit." She observed, trotting back to the carriage. "After all, Opulent Majesty could never earn that much attention on his own." Her horn glowed as she began retrieving her luggage from atop their vehicle, levitating down one item at a time as she examined it and set it aside. "No matter how prestigious he thinks he is."

Silver stepped next to her, doing the same. "Seems you've made the poor stallion into something of a local celebrity. You know he's not especially comfortable with any of his admirers coming into physical contact."

Patsy shrugged, adjusting her glasses as she glanced at a small suitcase, then set it aside. "He's the best at speaking to large crowds out of the four of us. Not my fault that he does such a good job at it." She snickered quietly, snorting as she laughed.

Silver gave a good-natured chuckle, then turned and began walking toward the silver stand he had conjured. He readied magical energy in his horn, then gave the pillar a quick tap. The metallic pedestal glowed the same white it had been created from, then shook as it sank into the ground. The remaining circle of white light quickly faded, disappearing without a trace. Silver raised an eyebrow, however, when he saw a purple-maned mare staring in disbelief, her object of worship now gone as quickly as it had appeared. Rarity's expression was that of shock, horror, and utter devastation as she placed a hoof upon the ground where the silver had once stood.

"It was so beautiful...now...it's gone." She sounded choked up, ready to burst into tears.

Silver laughed at Rarity's melodramatic anguish, saying, "Milady, I assure you, that was nothing compared to the quantities of silver I've transmuted in the past."

Rarity's expression suddenly snapped from sullen to hopeful as she jumped at Silver Gleam, her hooves propped on his fairly muscular shoulders. "You've created silver in the past?" She asked, pressing her nose against his, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "Does that mean you can make more?" She glanced to his cutie mark, a trio of silver bars stacked in a pyramid, then smiled brightly as she returned her nose to his.

Silver chuckled at Rarity's sudden interest, then nodded, answering, "I can transmute any amount of just about anything into pure silver." He backed away from her as her bright smile widened. "The only thing that can interfere with such transformation is my own magic. Otherwise, the silver is permanent."

Rarity squealed with joy, then paused for a moment, putting a hoof to her mouth as her face reddened slightly.

Silver shook his head, then offered an outstretched hoof to the embarrassed white unicorn. "I can guess that you probably know my name already, but I'd like to introduce myself anyway. The name's Silver Gleam. Might I ask yours?"

Rarity giggled nervously as she accepted the hoofshake, answering, "Rarity. Owner of the Carousel Boutique. Admirer of all things fashionable...." She seemed to think briefly as she dropped her hoof, adding, "Bearer of the Element of Generosity..."

Silver gasped, bowing his head as he said, "What an honor it is to meet one of the six heroes of Equestria!"

Rarity waved a dismissive hoof at Silver Gleam, but couldn't help but smile smugly as she said, "Why, the honor is all mine, Mr. Gleam."

Silver raised his head, grinning as he said, "Please, call me Silver."

Rarity batted her eyelashes without thinking as she responded, "Oh, if you say so, Silver."

Patsy Craft, who had seemed to materialize from thin air, was glaring bitterly at Rarity, interrupting with, "I see you're already making friends, Silver."

Silver smiled awkwardly, about to say something to Patsy when Rarity offered a hoof to her, saying, "And you must be Patsy Craft. Judging by Opulent Majesty's introduction, you sound like a mare that a friend of mine would be pleased to meet."

Patsy accepted the hoofshake, retaining her venomous glare as she asked, "Are you referring to the Element of Magic, Twilight Sparkle?"

Rarity nodded, answering, "I most certainly am. She's big on reading about and practicing magic also."

Patsy's expression turned from contentious to slightly interested as she said, "Sounds like the kind of pony I can get along with."

Rarity dropped her hoof, saying, "Oh, she loves new friends. Would you care to meet her?"

Silver casually inched away, unnoticed, as the two conversed. Patsy smiled lightly, her hostility stemmed. "I'd love to."

Rarity turned to where she had been standing, but frowned when she saw that Twilight Sparkle and Applejack had disappeared. "Hmm. Twilight was here." She turned back to Patsy, smiling apologetically. "Sorry that you couldn't see her sooner. But, I'm sure you can find her at the local library within the day."

Patsy nodded, returning to the carriage to continue unloading her luggage. "I'll see if I can't find time to visit her later, but we're terribly busy right now."

Rarity nodded, already headed in the direction of the Carousel Boutique. "Of course. Ta ta for now, Miss Craft."

Shortly after Rarity was out of sight, Silver gave Patsy a questioning look. "We are?"

Patsy pointed to a pile of assorted bags and containers, answering, "We not only have to unpack our own things, but Opulent isn't here to unload his possessions. There's plenty of items to sort through and separate, Silver."

Silver frowned, always a bit disconcerted by Patsy's excessive neatness. "We could always just bring everything to the inn, then determine what belongs to whom once we're there."

Patsy shook her head, laughing lightly at the suggestion. "Silly Silver. One does not simply transport first and sort out later."

Silver breathed a sigh, then glanced upward. "Well, if Opulent's absence is a problem, then you're not going to like this."

Patsy looked to him, then to the top of the carriage. She scoffed when she saw that Aqua Grace had disappeared as well. "Curse her! She's so quiet!"

Silver grinned at Patsy's frustration. "She's a mute unicorn who's practiced lithe steps across the heavens. What do you expect?"

She growled, mumbling something unintelligible under her breath, then gained a tired expression as she said, "Well, now it's down to two ponies unloading the luggage of four." She levitated down a small briefcase, then set it aside, grouped with other cases that belonged to Opulent Majesty.

Silver rolled his eyes, wanting to say something, but only continued unloading the carriage. The majority of this we could do without. We're carrying so few essentials. Yet, Patsy is treating the unpacking like a crucial component of the mission. He examined a small blue purse, then set it with Patsy's items. I suppose taking everything seriously does make her a top-notch agent....But it also makes her a lousy friend. At least when we're working.

Twilight Sparkle and Applejack had removed themselves from the crowd, watching Pinkie Pie as she fled. Twilight scowled as Pinkie and the bewildered Pound Cake rounded a corner.

"Of all the bizarre impressions Pinkie Pie has made before, this one is unacceptable!" Twilight exclaimed, stomping after her friend.

"Darn tootin'!" Applejack agreed, walking alongside Twilight. "She's been quirky, peculiar, and just plain out weird before. But violent? We need to catch up with 'er, set 'er straight, and find out why she'd do that."

Twilight glanced back to the carriage behind them, adding, "And she needs to apologize to Opulent Majesty. He's done nothing wrong. He was only holding Pound Cake."

Applejack nodded, looking back as well. "Ah've ne'er seen Pinkie hit an' run before. Opulent's gonna have 'imself a right good shiner after a kick like that." Twilight grimaced as the two quickened their pace, trying to make up lost ground as they pursued Pinkie Pie.

"One Grass Sandwich Deluxe for the lady." A waiter said as he sat a plate in front of Rainbow Dash, one that held a sandwich that could only be called staggering. "And one Hayburger for the filly." He sat another plate on Scootaloo's side of the table, the burger that rested upon it substantially smaller than Rainbow Dash's meal, but still scrumptious for the eyes. "Is there anything else I can get for you two mares?" The waiter asked the two ponies, who were eyeing their food with anticipation.

Rainbow Dash shook her head, absently answering, "No, we're good."

The waiter glanced between the two, then turned and walked to the next table without a word.

Scootaloo licked her lips as she leaned closer to her burger, whispering, "Ready..."

Rainbow Dash put her hooves on either side of her plate, following up with, "Set..."

They paused, then shouted in unison, "Go!" The two snatched up their respective sandwiches then proceeded to tear into them, hardly chewing with each bite before swallowing. Condiments, sauces, and crumbs flew every which way as the barbarous feast continued. Several other diners shot the pair looks of confusion, disapproval, and disgust. After about a minute of the inelegant eating, the two mirrored each other as they took their respective last bites, gulped hard, stomped one hoof on the table, pointed across to each other, and belched loudly before shouting, "I win!" They're synchronized actions continued as they both stomped their pointed hooves on the table and stood, leaned closer to one another, and shouted, "No, I did!" The two plopped back to their seats with a scowl, then burst into laughter. Many of the eyes they had attracted turned back to their meals with a few quiet chuckles, along with a few annoyed grumbles.

Rainbow Dash sighed, cocking her head as she said, "It's hardly fair that you only had to finish that wimpy Hayburger. It was half the size of my awesome sandwich!"

Scootaloo shook her head, responding, "Yeah. And my mouth is half the size of yours. It was fair and square!"

Rainbow Dash sputtered, pushing forward her empty plate with a couple bits as tip. "Whatever." She winked at the young pegasus. "Squirt."

Scootaloo laughed as she did the same, standing. "It was a tie, Dash. Neither of us won."

Rainbow Dash stepped next to her and ruffled her mane, saying, "I know. Which means you've just earned yourself a rematch with me, the fastest pegasus in Equestria."

Scootaloo nodded, a confident smirk on her face. "Challenge accepted. I look forward to it."

The two strode away from the restaurant, laughing merrily as they went.

From high above the pair of happily chatting pegasi watched one cerulean unicorn, her silken mane flowing with the breeze, like the mists of the sea. She walked along her pathway of condensed aquatic steps, grinning happily as she listened carefully to Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. Odd. Thought Aqua Grace. No family resemblance. Perhaps they share a mother, but not a father? Maybe one was adopted? Oh, it doesn't matter. Two sisters, even being so many years apart, with that much love for one another is splendid! Aqua Grace smiled as the two embraced for a moment, but frowned when the older pegasus took off suddenly, the young Scootaloo left alone with a sullen expression. Aqua Grace glared at Rainbow Dash as she flew into the clouds, oblivious to the unicorn that stood in the sky behind her, then glanced back to Scootaloo, who looked exceptionally depressed as she walked the other direction. Aqua's heart sank at Scootaloo's distress, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. Why don't you fly with her, young pegasus? She can't just abandon you! Fly away, little pegasus! Her thoughts, however, did nothing to send Scootaloo skyward. Aqua Grace turned back to where Rainbow Dash had flown off, then bolted forward without hesitation. She began trotting up her conjured stairs, determined to follow the cyan pegasus to wherever she'd gone. Nopony should just leave their little sister in the dust!

Pinkie Pie, breathing hard and heart thumping, finally came to an uneasy halt at Sugarcube Corner. Pound Cake, surprisingly, had not even attempted to fly off, sitting reverently on Pinkie's back the entire rushed way there. She leaned forward and panted for a moment, then straightened herself, her heavy breathing now quieted as she entered the bakery. Many customers greeted her with a friendly smile, which she returned as she trotted past them, walking behind the counter.

Mrs. Cake, who was busy at the register, asked Pinkie without turning to her, "Isn't Pound Cake supposed to be napping? Why is he with you?"

Pinkie answered happily, "Poor little colt woke up screaming. I decided to take him for a ride. You know, see if I could calm him down."

Mrs. Cake glanced warily to Pound Cake, then smiled when she saw a quiet little pegasus who looked ready to quietly doze off. "How thoughtful, Pinkie. Thank you very much." She nuzzled Pound Cake, drawing a giggle out of the pegasus. "If you don't mind, could you put him back down for a nap, now that he's calmed down?"

Pinkie Pie nodded, continuing forward. "Will do, Mrs. Cake." She passed Mr. Cake as he carried a tray of cupcakes, exchanging a congratulatory wink with a "you're welcome" wink. Pinkie trotted up the stairs, then quietly entered the twins' bedroom. She approached the crib, then picked up Pound Cake and gently set him inside. She turned to walk, but the foal made a sound of protest, moving to the rails with a quivering lip. Pinkie Pie sighed, then hoisted him out of the crib.

She held him, cradled in her leg, then thought for a moment, before smiling and beginning to rock him back and forth, singing quietly, "Rock-a bye, Pound Cake, in the sweet shop. When the bell dings, the cupcakes will rock. When the yeast puffs, the bread will be done. Relax, little Pound Cake, enjoy all the fun! Pound Cake is sleepy, lovely and fair. Pinkie sits near him, watching with care. Keeping him quiet, she tells him these things. And though he may doze off, to him still she sings. Pound Cake snored quietly in Pinkie's cradle, a happy smile on his cute little face. Pinkie sighed, sitting him gently in the cradle. She inched out of the room, then silently shut the door. She hummed her lullaby's tune to herself as she trotted down the hall, moving downstairs once more.

Arriving at her quaint cottage outside of Ponyville, Fluttershy landed at her doorstep and was about to enter, when suddenly a stray sound caught her ear. She paused, listening carefully to where it had come from.

"What could that have been?" She asked herself. "It was so faint...but I could have sworn it sounded like-"

A similar noise, one loud enough to startle her, resounded from the same direction. She worriedly stared in the direction the noises were coming from, whispering to herself, "No...not good."

A third noise pierced the air. A bestial roar, one that seemed to shake the earth, deafened the poor pegasus for a moment. She groaned at the noise, then shook her head frantically, her worried expression becoming fearful.

"Dragons! Dragons don't come this close to Ponyville!" Fluttershy shouted at the nearby Everfree Forest, only for it to retort with another feral bellow and localized earthquake. Fluttershy cringed at the noise, but donned a serious expression as she spread her wings and took off toward the Everfree. "I sent away a pestering dragon once, I can do it again!" She wasn't sure why she was so brave at the moment, but she decided that it wasn't important. All that was important was that this uproarious beast be sent away before he or she did any more harm (Fluttershy never calls any animal or mythical beast 'it'). She halted however, when another roar erupted from the dark woods. This roar, however, was deeper, more penetrating, and far more paralyzing than the three that had come first. Fluttershy dropped to the ground, a bit rattled, then tried to put in order her muddled thoughts. Okay....that roar wasn't the same as the first three....that means that there isn't one dragon in the Everfree....there's actually two..... She shivered at the thought, but recoiled in fear when the bellows overlapped each other, one distinctly higher pitched than the rumble of the fourth roar. Fluttershy ran toward the forest as fast as her trembling legs could carry her, but almost stopped and turned back when a gargantuan bout of sapphire-blue flame shot from the treetops, another roar of the higher pitch joining it. Fluttershy, however, quickly went from cowardly to observant. Wait a minute. She thought. That sounded different from those first three....the first three sounded pained....agonized, even....this one sounded aggressive....that means these two dragons are.....fighting.... Her eyes grew wide as she stared into the maw of the forest, whispering, "Which is very, very, very bad...." A thunderous baritone bellow and the lurching of the ground, which knocked over poor Fluttershy, seemed to confirm this. She stood shakily, gulping hard as she meekly commanded herself, "Go Fluttershy....split up the fighting dragons....it won't be that hard...." This command was immediately challenged by an earsplitting screech of rage, but she pressed forward nonetheless, all the while wanting to flee back to the safety of her cottage.

Stepping out of the clinic, ice pack held to his black eye, Opulent Majesty greeted his eager horde of escorts with a tired smile. Patsy, what have you done? He thought as a barrage of questions was directed at him.

"Want a tour of Ponyville? I can show you around!"

"Is there bad blood between you and Pinkie? What'd you do?"

"I've never heard of New Unicornia! What's it like there?"

"Your cutie mark looks just like Twilight Sparkle's! Is your special talent magic, too?"

Opulent Majesty sighed at the bombardment of questions, but suddenly perked up. He activated his Booming Voice spell with glowing horn, then shouted, "HEY!"

The crowd was shocked into silence, allowing Opulent Majesty to speak regularly as he said, "I'd be happy to answer some of your questions, but first, I have a few of my own to ask." He glanced about the crowd, which had brightened up again, and said, "Forgive my ignorance, but I have to ask. Are dragons plentiful in Equestria?"

Many answered all at once, much to Opulent's frustration, but he could glean the occasional "yes" or "you bet they are" from the torrent of replies. He raised a hoof to quiet the crowd, then nodded, saying, "Okay. So, with that in mind, I also ask. Are draconic conflicts common near Ponyville?"

Many pondered the question for a moment, then an answer sounded from a pony further away from Opulent Majesty. "They're really rare, but Ponyville's seen a couple of dragon-related squabbles recently."

Opulent seemed to consider this, then said, "One more question. Is there any location nearby that is known for the unknown, and is considered unusual, frightening, or even dangerous?"

The answer came in unison from every member of the horde. "Everfree Forest."

"Ah. Would anypony care to show me where this forest is?" Opulent asked, his escorts quickly motioning for him to follow as they trotted off. He removed his ice pack and carelessly discarded it, then gingerly replaced his monocle, which had been floating nearby. Good. Now I have room to breathe. He trailed behind the group, secretly hoping they were all burned to a crisp by the dragon he could so clearly hear in the Everfree Forest.

After waiting for a mass of peppy ponies to pass, and shooting the smug unicorn that strode behind them a curious glance, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle continued forward, on the lookout for one orange pegasus.

"Applebloom, do you really think we should go after Scootaloo?" Sweetie Belle asked, glancing back at the huge crowd that paraded down the street. "She seemed really upset. Maybe we should just give her some space for now?"

Applebloom sighed, answering, "Ah don't know. On one hoof, she did seem like she needed to jus' be alone. On the other, she might jus' be in need of 'er friends, but she doesn't know how t' tell us."

Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes, saying, "Pfft. If she needed us, then why did she leave?"

Applebloom shook her head, saying, "Ah don't know....but if Scootaloo's actin' strange, then maybe she's jus' confused, 'cause she's upset." Her answer sounded more like a question.

Sweetie Belle considered this as she silently stared ahead, then said, "Well, we won't know until we find her." Applebloom nodded, quickening her pace. The two trotted along, occasionally shouting for the pegasus as they went. They asked around, hitting up anypony that hadn't gone to Everfree on Opulent's whim. After a good hour of diligent searching, however, their luck proved to be rotten.

"Well, no Scootaloo." Applebloom mumbled, hanging her head. "Maybe she's tryin' to avoid us?"

Sweetie Belle frowned at the notion, saying, "She's never this good at hiding from us. Maybe she's just not in town at the moment?"

Applebloom looked up again, putting a hoof to her chin. "Ah reckon that she ain't got that many places to go outside o' Ponyville....'cept the tree house, o' course."

Sweetie perked up at the suggestion, but quickly hesitated. "She might go to the tree house. However, if she's trying to avoid us, then what are the chances she would go to the Cutie Mark Crusaders' base of operations?"

Applebloom stomped, holding her head high. "It can't hurt t' check. 'Sides, who else is gonna help poor Scoots in 'er time o' need?"

Sweetie Belle nodded, responding, "Fair enough. Let's go see if she's there." The two broke into a gallop, heading toward their trusted base in search of Scootaloo.

"Alright. That should do it." Rainbow Dash said as she examined the monstrous black cloud she had just assembled. "Evening is an awful time to start a storm. But, I'm not complaining." She shrugged, gliding away from her work. "I don't have to set it up or set it off, so I think I'll just enjoy the rest of my awesome day with a little stunt practice." She jerked, ready to dart upward, but stopped suddenly, remembering her severed engagement with Scootaloo. I did just leave her hanging on short notice. Probably need to find her now. She glanced to the ground, but her attention was captured by a plume of sapphire-blue flames in the distance. Rainbow gasped at the sight, then took off toward Everfree forest. Scootaloo can wait! No dragon will get near Ponyville on my watch! Despite Rainbow Dash's encounters with dragons never actually ending in her favor, she was brimming with confidence as she sped toward the pair of terrifying beasts that fought in the Everfree.

Aqua Grace stepped from out of the billowing black storm cloud, not a drop of stray water staining her coat from the moisture within. She watched Rainbow as she halted her ascent, then glared when the pegasus took off toward the Everfree. So much for sisterly love. Thought Aqua. Where is she going? Is there some urgent matter in- Her train of thought was lost, however, when she spotted the target of Rainbow Dash's concern. By the seas! What a grand flame! No wonder that pegasus is worried! She broke into a gallop as she pursued Rainbow Dash through the heavens. I may not be much of a fighter....but, I know there's something I can do to subdue that dragon! Her horn glowed brighter, and the air rippled as nearby clouds unraveled themselves, the water surging to and clinging to Aqua's mane and tail. The soft rose-red sparkle of the flowing water made Aqua Grace's now comet-like mane and tail dance with the wind as she sped along. I just hope this isn't too flashy...

Twilight Sparkle and Applejack, who had just arrived at Sugarcube Corner, watched Rainbow Dash speed toward Everfree forest with her tail of rainbows flowing behind her. The pony they saw pursuing Rainbow, however, did not fly toward the Everfree. She galloped, her mane and tail literally rippling with a pale rose-red light.

"Well, gah-lee! And ah thought she was showy 'fore!" Applejack exclaimed.

Twilight's look of awe, although not as awed as Applejack's, was quickly replaced by an observant expression. "Probably just some illusion. She wants attention, so she runs across the sky and gives herself a flowing mane and tail. Pretty basic magic, if you ask me."

Applejack rolled her eyes, then glanced to Rainbow Dash, seeing she had disappeared into the Everfree Forest. "What ya reckon Rainbow Dash is headed t' Everfree fer?"

Spike, who was staring in the direction of the Everfree, answered in a monotonous tone, "Fire."

Twilight squinted in the same direction that Spike was looking, saying, "What fire, Spike?"

Spike answered blankly with, "Dragon fire. I saw it just a second ago. And I can still hear those two...."

Applejack's eyes widened as she asked, "Two? As in two dragons? Both of 'em over yonder, in the Everfree Forest?"

Spike nodded, his expression still mesmerized. "Yep. Sounds to me like they're fighting...."

Twilight gained a fearful look for a moment, but quickly shook it off. "We'll talk with Pinkie later. Right now, we have to deal with these rampaging dragons!"

Applejack took a deep, nervous breath, then nodded. "Well, no time like th' present, right?"

Twilight's horn glowed, and in a flash of violet light, the three of them vanished, reappearing just outside of the Everfree Forest, only to find themselves surrounded by the same crowd that had greeted the embassy. Now, however, they were panicked and skittish, none of them daring to enter Everfree.

"What in tarnation?" Shouted Applejack. "This ain't no place for these spectators t' be spectatin'!"

Twilight glanced about, confused as to why a crowd had gathered here, but shouted, "Everypony! Go back to Ponyville! We'll handle this!" Her words, however, were heard by few, and heeded by less. That is, not a single pony left the horde, every last one of them content to nervously shuffle about until the sounds of combat halted. She groaned, but blinked suddenly when something caught her eye. She hadn't seen it clearly, but it had looked like a small explosion of black smoke. Twilight stared at where she had thought she'd seen it, asking Applejack, "Did you see-" Her question was cut short by an earthshaking roar from within the forest. The crowd shrieked and hollered in fear, but refused to flee. They simply had to see Opulent Majesty's safe entrance into the forest. Twilight turned and stared at the forest, Applejack doing the same.

"Have ah seen Spike? Not since he done leapt off yer back and high-tailed into the forest." Applejack said, not answering the correct question.

Twilight glanced to her back, then put a hoof to her face. "He went in alone! What was he thinking?!"

Applejack shook her head, suggesting, "Ah'm thinkin' he was thinkin' that he could actually do it alone. He's real confident, but ah've got mah doubts on whether're not he'll do any good without us."

Twilight gave a frustrated growl, then began shoving through the crowds toward the entrance, Applejack following closely behind.

Patsy Craft eyed the skittish horde of ponies that stood at the entrance to the Everfree with disdain. "What fools! They actually believe they can do something to quell those rampaging dragons!"

Silver stepped next to her, sighing. "They were made fools by your horn, Patsy Craft. They were led here by Opulent Majesty, and they remain because he has yet to direct them otherwise."

"Hmph. You'd think they would have a little more mental willpower than that. Following Opulent about as if he's to be trusted or believed is simply-" Patsy's scorn was interrupted by an explosion of black smoke from the nothingness that resided next to her, Opulent Majesty materializing in the plume. She yelped at his appearance, but was soon shooting a glare his way.

He grinned at the masses as they reacted to the quake of the roar, then dropped his grin when he looked to Patsy. "Why so spiteful, Patsy?"

Patsy answered earnestly, saying, "You're here. Why else?"

Opulent Majesty scoffed, turning away. "I approach one of my colleagues, presenting her a request, and she only scorns me? How dismal."

Patsy raised an eyebrow, asking, "Request? What request?"

Opulent turned back to Patsy, grinning deviously, then answered, "Oh, only a little test for you. How skillful are you at crowd control spells?"

Patsy tossed aside her mane, which only shuddered stiffly, and said, "Is that a joke? I could make the entire lot of them drop their panic and commence dancing!"

Opulent considered this with a hoof to his lip, then shook his head. "As amusing as that would be, why not do something a bit simpler? Just have them all ignore the crisis. Blot out the roars, flames, and quakes of this cataclysmic-" There came another high-pitched screech and heaving of the land, which drew a larger smile from the lavender-gray unicorn. "-clash of titans. Surely, you can do that?"

Patsy snorted, returning her glare to Opulent's sinister face. "In my sleep." She turned to the crowds, then focused her magic, her magenta horn crackling with electric-blue energy. The worried murmurs and discomforted stirring in the horde halted suddenly, as each of its members gained a relaxed smile and began walking away from the forest. The two who had been headed to the Everfree entrance, however, were not so quick. They halted their advancement, certainly, but seemed to hesitate, not turning back.

Opulent smirked at the resistance by the two, saying to Patsy as snidely as possible, "In your sleep, eh? You must be much better at magic while you slumber."

Patsy snorted indignantly, the light of her horn intensifying. "Shut it, Opulent...." Her cutie mark, bizarrely enough, actually began glowing as she cast this new spell. The pony marionette that rested on Patsy's flank would signal when the magenta mare was utilizing her signature spell.

Opulent chuckled as the two resisting ponies, which he hadn't recognized as the Bearers of the Elements of Honesty and Magic at the time, shuddered, and suddenly turned, walking with blank faces back toward Ponyville. "Well, well, Miss Puppeteer. I see you haven't lost your touch, after all."

After the two mares had been guided out of sight and back into the town, Patsy dropped the spell with a gasp, her horn and cutie mark losing their glow simultaneously. She panted for a moment, then cleared her throat, holding high her head. "Nothing to it....although, those two ponies did seem out of the ordinary when I seized their minds...."

Opulent was about to speak when a glorious eruption of ruby-red flames shot from the forest, causing him to turn his gaze to the skies and stare in awe. "Well....no matter. They're gone now, and should effectively ignore this chaos. At least, they will long enough for those beasts to do a little damage to Ponyville." Opulent Majesty chuckled in a satisfied tone, then turned, walking back into town.

Silver sighed, watching the stream of flame as it continued for a moment, then glanced to Opulent when it had died out. "It's a bit spontaneous, don't you think?"

Opulent glanced back with a smile, then looked forward again, saying, "Perhaps. But, opportunities are opportunities. Can't let mayhem go to waste, now can we?"

Patsy gave the forest an indifferent glance, then quickly pursued Opulent Majesty with a scowl. "While you were parading around with your horde of lame-brained subordinates, Silver and I had to unpack everything and take it all to the inn!"

Opulent laughed, shaking his head. "You poor things. I'm oh so very sorry that you had to lug around a few parcels more."

Patsy growled at him, but didn't pursue the matter further. Silver glanced ruefully to the forest, feeling that it would be burned to the ground because of them, then trailed behind Patsy Craft and Opulent Majesty.

Rainbow Dash, undeterred by the glow of flame or the thunderous roars, dashed about through the forest, ready to strike at the battling dragons with surprise on her side. She flew from tree to tree, nearing the two warring beasts, but stopped when she heard a pained shriek echo through the growth. This shriek, however, had not come from either of the dragons. Rainbow Dash, recognizing the pony in need, rushed toward the source of the noise, then gasped in horror when she found a young orange pegasus, with two legs on her left side bent out of place and half of her frightened little face burned and gnarled. Rainbow Dash landed next to her, examining the filly's mangled legs with a revolted look.

"Scootaloo....what happened?" Rainbow asked, even if she already knew just what Scootaloo was about to say.

Scootaloo sniffled, the charred half of her face twitching as she weakly answered, "I...tried to help. I tried to stop those dragons...."

Rainbow Dash now bore a scowl as she shouted, "What were you thinking!? Dragons are serious business, Scootaloo! You could have been killed!"

Scootaloo whimpered at Rainbow's scorn, sniffling again. "I-I....I was just...."

"You were just what, Scootaloo? Huh?" Rainbow asked furiously.

Scootaloo shrunk at Rainbow's fury, but answered meekly, "....trying to be brave." She began sobbing lightly. "Like you...."

Rainbow Dash sighed, releasing her anger, then eyed Scootaloo's injuries again, saying, "Now, don't cry...just, uh, tough it out, I guess..."

Scootaloo hopped on her two good legs toward Rainbow Dash, using her wings to keep balanced. She buried her head in Rainbow's leg, sobbing more violently as she whimpered, "Oh, Rainbow Dash! I was so scared! I-I thought I could stand a chance against those dragons! But, I got caught, in the c-crossfire...." She sobbed for a moment longer before continuing, "They didn't even notice me....I was burned by one of them....th-then one of those monsters swatted me with its tail, like a bug...." She looked up to Rainbow Dash, who was now sorrowfully staring down at the little pegasus.

"Celestia's mane..." Muttered Rainbow Dash. "And you just....walked away from that?"

Scootaloo glanced to her gruesomely twisted out of place legs, nodding slowly. "It wasn't easy....but yes. I'm just glad to be alive after...." She sniffled, sounding ready to begin her sobbing again, but concluded, "After losing so miserably to those dragons...."

Rainbow Dash backed away from the filly, then circled around her, hovering just above the ground as she reached down and gently scooped up Scootaloo in her front legs. "Don't sweat it, kid. I'll get you to a doctor, then come back and deal with these dragons. Just hang tight, and-" Rainbow Dash was swamped by an unearthly roar of agony, one that caused even her to cringe. It was followed by a quick series of tremors, then the sound of mighty wings carrying away one of the two ferocious beasts.

Rainbow shook her head, lifting Scootaloo. "Well, one of them lost. Let's hope that means they won't cause any more trouble..." She flew off with Scootaloo held tight, careful not to move too quickly, lest the suffering pegasus suffer further.

Spike sighed as he uncovered his ears, his pulse thudding as he looked to the treetops. "Geez....never heard anything that loud in my life..." He continued forward, nonetheless, running full speed toward the source of the earlier commotion. He wasn't sure why, but he had to get to the dragon that remained as quickly as possible. Call it instinct, but I just know that I have to be there, and fast. He thought as he sprinted down the gloomy forest path. As he neared the site of the aftermath, and the lone dragon that had remained, for whatever reason, he could begin to hear labored breathing, defensive snarling, and something that sounded far too meek to come from a dragon. Almost like a voice....oh no.... Spike put just a bit more effort into his run, desperate to aid Fluttershy and, if necessary, defend her. I'll at least be a decent fire shield. After that, I just hope she can fly out of here fast enough.

Fluttershy took a cautious step toward the glowering behemoth, provoking her to tense and curl her tail. The freshly bloodied tip seemed to twitch about as the dragoness uneasily set her tail on the ground. The dragoness's fuchsia scales rippled with every hesitant motion she took; every adjustment to her posture, the heaving of her chest with every pained breath, the shuddering of her brutally mauled wings, and the half-curious, half-hateful neck movements she made as she examined Fluttershy. Her partial glare was fixed on Fluttershy, who was scared beyond words by not only the semi-hostile titan that stood before her, but by the gruesome gashes and rips that riddled the dragoness's skin, which oozed blood. The dragoness didn't move to attack Fluttershy, but refused to relax. So, the two stood in silence, one sneering, the other quivering. The tense silence, however, was broken as Spike, breathing raggedly, exploded from the undergrowth. The dragoness turned her drilling sapphire eyes to Spike, hissing at him.

Fluttershy smiled nervously as the young dragon caught his breath, then whispered, "Hi Spike. I don't know if you can help here, but thanks for coming."

Spike glanced to Fluttershy, then looked to the tense dragoness. He frowned, seeing how badly injured she was, then said, "If you don't like us being here, then why stay? Just fly off. Go somewhere else."

The dragoness furrowed her brow, wings twitching as she rumbled, "You'd like that, wouldn't you? So you and your pegasus cohort can make off with my egg!" Her voice was perfectly commanding, and her tone bellowed with the intimidation that was to be expected of a dragoness full-grown, but Spike could detect the slightest hint of fear in her voice.

"Egg?" Spike asked, trying to glance behind the dragoness. "I didn't know you were protecting an egg..."

The dragoness scoffed, shifting slightly to further obstruct Spike's view. "What does it matter to you, hatchling? My egg is under my protection, and no living thing shall dare lay their greedy little eyes upon it!"

Spike gained a thoughtful expression, then quietly asked, "Is that why you were fighting that other dragon? To protect your egg?"

The dragoness opened her maw and released a bestial roar, but it sounded weaker and more subdued than the cries she had given during her battle. She glared at Spike, who hadn't been phased in the slightest by her roar, puffing a small pair of smoke plumes from her nostrils.

Spike laced his claws, his expression still soft. "Fluttershy and I mean no harm to you or to your egg. We only want to help you."

The dragoness cackled briefly at Spike's words, then shouted, "Help me? More like strike down the weakened mother and steal her precious child!"

Spike took a step toward her, causing the dragoness to bare her fangs and raise a massive foot slightly off the ground. "If you don't trust us, then at least listen to reason. Even if you won't allow Fluttershy and me to help mend you and tend to your egg, you can't expect to stay here and defend your offspring all alone. At least, not in your condition."

The dragon mother snarled at him, but looked to one of the particularly large and painful cuts on her foreleg warily. "I may not have a lot of fight left in me....but that doesn't mean I will surrender my child to anyone! Especially you two!"

Spike glanced to the same wound, then gave a mournful shake of the head. "We don't ask you to surrender. We ask you to allow us to help you. Can you not allow the Element of Kindness to be kind to you?"

The dragoness's eyes widened as she glanced to Fluttershy, then back to Spike. "She is the Element of Kindness?"

Fluttershy grinned sheepishly as Spike confirmed this with a nod.

The dragoness gave Fluttershy a dubious look, then mumbled, "Last I heard, the legend that was the Element of Kindness could banish the mightiest of dragons by ferocious command alone, and could paralyze in fear the foulest creatures of Tartarus....."

Fluttershy shrugged, laughing weakly, which caused the dragoness to sigh. "Are you sure this is the same individual?" She asked.

Spike nodded once more, saying, "She only ever shows her forceful side when she has to. Otherwise, she's nothing but compassion and kindness."

Fluttershy pawed the ground, looking embarrassed, as she said, "Really, I'm not that special....I'm just....Fluttershy."

The dragoness raised an eyebrow at her, Spike adding, "And nopony in Equestria is as good with animals as she is. Dragons included."

The dragoness shifted about, grimacing as she accidentally agitated a few of her more severe wounds. "If what you say is true....then....perhaps...." She exhaled, exhausted, then said, "I could ask a small favor of you?"

Fluttershy trotted forward, a relieved smile on her expression. "Oh, of course! Whatever you need!"

The dragoness turned, groaning in pain, to face the thicket that surrounded them. She lowered her head, sniffing about the bushes, then seized a seemingly random shrub with her teeth, plucking it from the ground as if it were as weak as a single blade of grass. She set it aside, then reached a serpentine tongue into the hole it had been concealing. Gently, she retrieved an egg with an onyx base color, which was ringed with stripes of fuchsia that exactly matched the color of its mother's scales. Holding the egg with as much care as a genteel dragon could muster between her teeth, the dragoness turned back to Fluttershy, setting the egg in front of her with a sigh.

"I would request...." She drew in a deep breath, the simple task of retrieving her egg proving to have been more draining than she would have first thought. "....that you examine this egg, and ensure that the poor thing was not harmed when I brought it here, or during my....conflict."

Spike stepped next to Fluttershy as she stared in wonderment at the black egg that lay quietly before her. "It's so beautiful...." Fluttershy whispered as she hovered a hoof just above it.

The dragoness interrupted Fluttershy's blissful reverie with a pained cough, mumbling, "Please, just make your examination, Miss Kindness."

Fluttershy looked to the dragoness with worry, flying up past the egg to rush toward her. "We have to tend to you, too, mama-"

The dragoness brought up a massive set of claws to block her, coughing more violently. "No...." She coughed again, sounding drained. "No....care for the egg first....I've lived a long and fulfilled life....see that my child will have the opportunity to do the same...."

Fluttershy put a pair of hooves to her mouth, then turned back and fluttered down to the egg. "O-okay....I'm not completely sure what to do, but..."

Spike tapped her shoulder, catching her attention, then said, "Dragon eggs are healthy and well if they have a sturdy, firm shell, and are radiating the right amount of heat."

Fluttershy glanced to the egg, then back to Spike. "What's the right amount?"

Spike held out a hand, saying, "Give me your hoof." She hesitated, then set her hoof in his palm. "The shell should feel about this hot." He held up a pointed claw on his free hand, then blew a small stream of his green flame on it. He held the stream for a moment, then touched his heated claw to Fluttershy's hoof, causing the pony to yelp in surprise. "If the entire egg is about that temperature, then we have nothing to worry about."

Fluttershy looked back to the egg, glancing to the dragoness, who looked as if simply standing required tremendous effort. Fluttershy blinked, looking over the egg once more, then put a shaky hoof to the black surface. She nearly pulled away as she was met with the small sear of energy that surged into her hoof. She ran her hoof across the shell, feeling for cracks or faults, then smiled as she laid her head on the onyx egg, much to the dragoness's surprise.

"This little egg is right as rain, mama dragon. I'm sure that this little guy or girl will hatch to be a strong and healthy baby dragon." Fluttershy said, rubbing her cheek against the tepid shell.

The dragoness nodded, then stirred lightly for a moment. Suddenly, however, she fell to her left, landing with a heavy thud. Fluttershy and Spike both gasped, rushing to her side. Her eyes fluttered, and she weakly said, "Miss Kindness....I...would ask....another favor of you...one.....a little more....tasking."

Fluttershy scanned the dragoness, sputtering, "You aren't that badly hurt! Y-you can't be-"

Spike jabbed at her leg, saying, "Fluttershy. This mother has another favor to ask you."

Fluttershy's expression grew fearful as she asked, "What is it, m-mama dragon?"

The dragoness coughed, answering, "If....you are truly....without rival, in regard to caring for....animals....then I would ask....that you care for my child."

Fluttershy bit her lip, whispering, "You can't be serious....I....I....can't even....I don't know how to care for a dragon baby...."

The dragoness sighed weakly, then mumbled, "Neither do I....you're just as qualified as I am.....or rather, as I will have been."

Fluttershy put a hoof to the dragoness's snout, whimpering, "No....don't...."

The dragoness smiled ever so slightly at Fluttershy's touch, saying in a tone that was barely audible, "Just....teach the little one....how to be kind.....like you." She spoke not another word. Fluttershy, eyes gleaming, tears threatening to spill from her eyes, reverently stepped away from the deceased mother.

"She.....she's....." Fluttershy stuttered, her voice already cracking.

"She's gone, Fluttershy." Spike said, his tone morose as he offered the egg to Fluttershy. "And her last words were that you care for this egg." He offered it to Fluttershy, whose lip quivered as she looked it over. "Are you going to ignore the last words of a caring mother?"

Fluttershy lifted up off the ground, her wings suspending her trembling form, then gently seized the egg, wrapping her front legs around it and nuzzling the onyx shell. A tear trickled down her cheek as she whispered, more to the egg than to Spike or herself, "Don't worry....your real mommy is going away for a while....but, I'll take care of you...." She sniffled, then smiled down at Spike with eyes shining. "I'll take care of this little dragon, Spike...." She sobbed quietly as she glanced to the smile on the mother's lips, then buried her face on the warm black surface of the egg. Her egg.