Author's Note
Hey Guys! Before you read this I have a few things to say.
1. If you ignored the initial warning in the description, PLEASE consider reading "The Legend" before this. It will make more sense if you do.
2. Iis is spelled with double i in the beginning giving it an EE sound.
4. Fira means Princess.
And that's it! I hope you enjoy this and comment please to help me improve!
Tale of The Tainted
Spike sighed as Twilight raced about the Library of their new castle, preparing for the Dragon Ambassador's visit to Ponyville. He would have been excited by the visit of these dragons, if only his last meeting with his own kind hadn’t gone sour. Twilight had numerous Books in her magical grasp along with a large wall of paper covered in notes and tips. Twilight’s wings fluffed out as she raced around the library, trying to straighten the room despite the fact that the Ambassadors would be meeting her in a separate meeting room.
“Spike! Are you sure you’re fine with watching the Library? I know you have a lot of questions about your kind and-“
“It’s fine Twilight. Really! They’re probably a buncha jerks like Garble and Company.” Spike said, muttering the last bit as he swung his legs from his perch upon a desk. Twilight smiled kindly to her little brother, gently placing her books and notes next to Spike on the desk in a neat pile. She walked up to the young Dragon and wrapped him in a hug.
“Oh Spike. I know that wasn’t a great experience for you. But I also know how curious you are about your own race, so tell you what, if Priestess Iis and Warlock Folla are anything like Garble, I’ll make sure they don’t come looking for you.” Spike smiled at Twilight’s Promise, hugging his Big sister close.
“Thanks Twi! Oh!” Spike exclaimed quickly pulling out of the hug. Spike hopped off the desk and jogged over to a sealed Leather tube. Taking it up he walked over to Twilight holding out the tube. “Guess what came in this morning?”
“The map of the ancient Zebafrican Empires?” Twilight exclaimed in excitement. Spike chuckled as he popped the top off the tube and pulled out a large canvas.
“Nope! Take a look!” Spike held up the canvas. Twilight's gasp of excitement only made Spike smile brighter.
“The Painting! Oh wonderful! It’s just like I remember!” Twilight’s magic took the painting from Spike, leaving Spike to chuckle as his sister gushed over the painting.
“It took you like two months to find an artist who you thought would capture the moment properly. I think they did a good job! I just wish I could have seen the real thing!” Spike mused climbing up onto his sister’s back to get a better look at the painting.
It was of a furious Blizzard Ponyville had over two years ago, towering above the town, was the hazy outline of a massive White bear. It’s glowing ethereal eyes were one of the only clear images on the canvas. Upon the Bear’s back was a small draconic looking figure, piercing ice blue eyes stared out of the painting to the viewer, a glimmering Axe shining upon it’s back. Spike thought the Artist had captured the image wonderfully.
“Of course! I wasn’t about to trust just Any artist with an image like this! To see a legend like Vetal and Myrsky, it deserves the best!” Twilight exclaimed catching a glimpse at the clock. “Oh No! The Ambassadors should be arriving any moment! Spike could you find a place to hang this while I speak to them?”
“No Problem Twilight! You can count on me!” Spike exclaimed, Sliding off Twilight’s back and gently taking the Painting from her.
“Oh thank you! I promise this won’t take more than a few hours! Afterwards we can go visit Pinkie Pie at Sugarcube Corner ok?”
“Sounds great Twi! Now you go and knock the socks off those Dragons!” Spike cheered as Twilight rushed off to the Front gate of the castle. Spike let out a sigh of relief once Twilight had left his sight.
“Now let’s see where I can put you.”
Twilight was thankful she hadn’t missed the Arrival of Priestess Iis and Warlock Folla. Though she mentally cursed her vocal surprise. She hadn’t expected the Priestess and Warlock to be only slightly taller than Celestia! While Warlock Folla walked upon four legs, Priestess Iis walked on two. And the two of them were a sight!
Warlock Folla, was a male Dragon, his subdue brown green scales glistened in the sun. His spines were rounded much like fans and were a lovely burnt orange. His eyes glowed amber and his talons cracked with arcane power as it twisted out from under his talons and crawled up around his front legs. The horns upon his head went back and curled beside his head, veins of dark purple and blue magic pulsed upon them. Swirling Tattoos covered Warlock Folla’s body and wings, each pulsing with the same magic as his horns. He had a kind smile, and a welcoming presence. His posture was both relaxed and alert.
Priestess Iis held herself straight, hard green eyes narrowed towards the castle in suspicion. Her scales were a soft purple similar to Spike’s own scales, with an occasional white scale scattered within. Her Spines were curved and spiked each was a deep blue color. Fins much like’s Spike’s tapered out from the sides of her head, one held a simple gold cuff piercing that attached to a stud upon the bottom of the fin. Priestess Iis did not have the tattoos that Warlock Folla had, however she carried a staff strapped on her back, her wings tucked neatly behind the staff.
“Princess Twilight Sparkle! It’s an honor to meet you!” Warlock Folla greeted. He held out a hand to Twilight, his tail wrapping around his body so that the fan tipped end was level with his clawed hand. Twilight smiled politely and shook the tail with a hoof.
“It’s an honor to meet you as well Warlock Folla. Same to you Priestess Iis.” Twilight replied. Warlock Folla barked out a thunderous laugh as Twilight finished shaking his tail.
“I see you have learned at least our basic customs! Applause to you! Many representatives we have met could not be bothered to do even that!” Warlock Folla replied. Priestess Iis held out her tail to Twilight as well, which the newly crowned Princess gladly shook. However she added in a deep bow for the Priestess.
“Yes. I did not wish for either of you to feel unwelcome!” Twilight said as she led them into the crystal castle. She nervously began to shuffle her hooves, something Warlock Folla caught very quickly.
“Come now, no need to feel nervous! I was told by Princess Celestia that you have an unquenchable curiosity, do not be afraid to ask any questions!”
“Oh well. I don’t want to seem rude, but has Priestess Iis taken the vow?” Twilight asked, anxiety cracking her voice. Warlock Folla’s smile fell slightly to a small gentle smile, from his beaming grin.
“Yes, My sister has. She is in the midst of the second term.”
“Devotion to silence.” Twilight supplied.
“Yes. As such she will not speak lest it’s necessary.”
“Very well I’ll keep that in mind.” Twilight replied, pushing open the doors to the Throne room. “I’m terribly sorry but the meeting room is just across- Spike!”
Twilight's shout was quickly followed by the young Princess shooting forward to catch the falling baby dragon as he fell from his precarious spot on top of a stack of books and a ladder. With a huff and an oof, Spike landed safely on Twilight’s back.
“Sorry Twilight!” Spike said sliding off Twilight’s back.
“It’s fine Spike, just don’t do that again without me present.” Twilight lightly scolded.
“Sorry. I just wanted to get the painting up I thought this would be a good place for it!” Spike said proudly, gesturing up to the painting. Spike Yelped as Priestess Iis appeared beside him, staring at the painting in awe. “Um… Uh…”
A whistle comes from behind Twilight and Spike as Warlock Folla saunters up to the painting.
“That is magnificent Princess! I must say I haven’t seen a depiction of the Lady of Storms quite like this. Who did you get it from.” Twilight’s ears flopped to the side of her head in embarrassment, a slight blush gracing her features. Spike watched the two dragons wearily, specifically Priestess Iis who simply kept staring at the painting.
“Oh, I asked for a commission from a Griffon by the name of Arventus.”
“A commission? What brought about such a vision?” Warlock Folla asked, Twilight gulped.
“I-“
“She saw them.” Spike answered plainly as Twilight floundered from words. Startled Twilight wrapped a wing around Spike as Priestess Iis snapped her head to glare at Spike and Twilight. Even Warlock Folla’s cheery demeanor dropped.
“Spike!” Twilight hissed.
“Hatchling, do not claim more than you can handle.” Warlock Folla growled. Spike glared at the bigger dragon.
“What? That my Big sister saw this scene and even showed me the memory to prove it? I don’t think that’s ‘claiming more than I can handle’ that’s just honesty!” Spike harrumphed back.
“Spike!” Twilight exclaimed this time a bit louder.
“What? I’m just telling the truth!”
“Spike it’s dishonorable to make claims you can’t back up with solid evidence.” Twilight hissed nervously as Spike squirmed in her grasp.
“Oh yeah, and those dragons in the Migration cared one ounce about that!” Spike spat in frustration. “All they cared about was boasting about their ‘great deeds’ most of which were all lies! They hurt others for fun! And yet these two are getting mad because I’m trying to explain that you saw those two in a blizzard two years ago and proved it! Wrong priorities!”
Spike growled out his complaints, not noticing the scales upon Warlock Folla’s body falling, and his glare dropping to a look of pity.
“You are a Dragon yet you have only met the tainted. If that is the only experience you have with your kin then I am not surprised you took our anger the way you have. You wished to help and we attacked. Our apologies.” Warlock Folla said, eyes down cast. Spike watched in confusion as the Drake before him seemed to shrink. “You must understand, to speak of the Mother of Storms Is perfectly fine. To claim any form of familiarity to her, be it claiming conversation or sighting, is seen as an insult for many make these claims as an attack upon our beliefs.”
“Well, ok that makes sense.” Spike whispered, suddenly feeling guilty. “I shouldn’t have judged you both based off a past experience. I’m sorry.”
Warlock Folla smiled gently as a pair of purple arms bent down and gently removed Spike from Twilight’s grasp. Spike squeaked in surprise as Priestess Iis raised Spike up to meet her eyes.
“Princess, why don’t we leave my sister and your brother be? We did come for a reason besides a friendly visit.” Warlock Folla coaxed Twilight gently.
“Sure, just Spike?” Spike twisted in Priestess Iis’s grip to face his sister. “You know where I am. If you need me for anything. And I mean anything, you come get me, ok?”
“Sure thing Twi.” Spike smiled, trying to reassure Twilight he would be fine. When in actuality he was freaking out in his mind. The Dragoness holding him scared him. Her expression was so serious and Spike felt like she would snap him like a twig if he did anything wrong. Twilight and Warlock Folla walked to a door on the far right of the Throne room, leaving Priestess Iis holding Spike like a doll before her.
After a few minutes of the Dragon hatchling and Dragon Priestess staring at one another, Priestess Iis moved, shifting her hold on Spike so that she carried him upon her hip, one arm wrapped around him to keep him stable. Spike yelped in surprise as Priestess Iis began to walk through the Castle, silently searching.
“Uh… What are you looking for?” Spike asked. Priestess Iis simply kept walking, leaving Spike to sigh in frustration.
“I was told there was a library within the castle. Would you know where it is Hiitchen?” Spike gasped in surprise as a kind breezy voice spoke in his mind. Looking around furiously Spike stared up at Priestess Iis. Gulping as she stared down at him with ferocious curiosity Spike nodded.
“Uh yeah. Here, I’ll show-“
“Simply tell me Hiitchen. There is no need to walk.”
“Why not? I can walk just fine!” With no response, and no sign of the Priestess letting him walk Spike huffed and directed her to the Library.
Upon reaching the Library Spike was squirming uncomfortably in the Priestess's hold. It felt nice to be carried like this sure, but Spike felt he was a bit too old to be carried around like this. Despite the fact that he had long since accepted that he wouldn’t be walking anywhere right now. The priestess stopped in the entrance to the Library, scanning the large shelf filled room with a nasty squint.
“Is there somewhere within the library where we may lay and speak Hiitchen?”
“Yeah there’s a spot by the windows. Just head down this aisle and turn left, you’ll see it.” Spike responded. The Priestess followed Spike’s Directions and came to a large dome made of glass, the floor beneath it was littered with pillows and blankets. The Priestess moved into the center of the strewn pillows and blanket and with a flick of her free hand the pillows and blankets flew to form a nest. Spike watched the pillows and Blankets fly about in awe as he was set down into the center of the Nest. Priestess Iis set her staff down just outside the makeshift nest and crawled into the nest.
Spike jumped a bit as the Priestess wrapped herself around Spike, curling around him much like a cat with her litter.
“Um uh… What?”
“You are used to the Pony’s customs. Fear not Hiitchen. For a dragoness to touch and, how do you say it? Ah Cuddle the young, even if they are not their own is normal.” The Priestess’s voice explained within Spike’s mind, soothing him a bit.
“Uh.. Ok.” Spike paused. He had so many questions about Dragons, and while he had the opportunity to ask now, after his little show in the Throne room, he wasn’t sure if the Priestess would be willing to answer.
“You sit rigid Hiitchen. Do not fear. Speak what is on your mind.”
“Well.. um, I was wondering… about, well. About dragons.” Spike stuttered, mentally noting he sounded a lot like Fluttershy.
“What about them Hiitchen?”
“Well uh… That other Dragon, uh… what was his name?”
“My brother? Folla?”
“Yeah! He said that I had only met, The Tainted? What’s that about?” Spike asked. The Priestess curled tighter around Spike, a talon gently picking at his scales, making him shiver.
“I cannot tell you of those wretches, until you know more about your kin. Those who did not stray from Our Storm Mother’s path.” There was a pause before the Priestess continued. “You are going to molt soon Hiitchen. Your scales are growing loose. Tell me what do you know of Dragons?”
“Uh… Well we breath fire? And we grow with greed.”
“No.” Spike winced at the Priestess’s tone took on a very scolding tone. The Priestess sat up, dragging the smaller Drake onto her lap. “While all may breathe fire, only the Tainted willingly grow with greed. We are not meant to grow through greed Hiitchen. We must grow like the Ponies or Griffons do. With time.”
Another pause.
“I see I have much to teach you. You know so little about your own kind. Tell me Hiitchen, what do you think of me right now?”
Spike floundered about looking for an answer. He didn’t want to insult a foreign dignitary, but the way the Dragoness kept touching him was creeping him out!
“You’re kind of creeping me out with all of your touching. I don’t know what a Hiitchen is and I really hope it’s not something that’s in one of those romance novels Twilight says I’m not supposed to read. And you keep glaring which makes me think that you’re going to snap me in half if I make you upset.” Spike instantly shut his mouth watching the Priestess for a reaction. The priestess simply stared at Spike. “I’m sorry I-“
Spike never got to finish his apology as The Priestess’s whole body began to shake. Confused Spike looked up at her face, only to find himself trying to contain his laughter. The Priestess’s face was scrunched up, a smile tugging at her muzzle. She desperately tried to keep the smile from breaking across her face. All in all she looked very funny. After a few minutes of Priestess Iis successfully keeping herself from laughing, she spoke.
“I thank you for your honesty. But I must tell you that I will have to let Lady Twilight know you’ve read those books. One as young as you should not be getting into those.”
“Aw Ponyfeathers!”
“As for your discomfort with my touch. Ponies may appreciate a hug, or enjoy a handshake, from what I understand they draw boundaries around how much touch they will accept in public.”
Spike nodded. Ponies had personal boundaries, and constant touching wasn’t that acceptable. Something he found annoying in his younger years though he could never explain why.
“We have no such boundaries. A mother will treat their own hatchlings the same way they will treat the hatchlings of another. It is not uncommon for a Hatchling to find themselves being bathed by a stranger. Or for a Hatchling to check an adult in the street to see if they are to molt soon. Dragons enjoy and need such stimulus to keep ourselves emotionally healthy.”
“Oh. That, makes sense.” Spike said, his earlier thought about craving touch as a younger child, making more sense. “But um what does Hiitchen mean?”
The Priestess smirked, her wings flapping a bit as she let Spike move from his spot on her lap. Priestess Iis then lay down, wings spread. Spike still getting used to the idea of constant touching, slowly pattered towards the Priestess. Once he was within reach of her, she curled her way around him.
“Hiitchen is Draconic. Hiit is Little. Chen means Spice.”
“You are just calling me Little Spice? Oh come on!” Spike whined, noticing that Priestess Iis was desperately holding in laughter again.
“We have no word to describe the heat of spice. But you’re defense for your sister reminded me of spices. Firey and strong. It fits you well Hiitchen.”
Spike groaned. The part of his mind raised by Ponies was screaming at him that this entire situation was creepy, that this Priestess was creepy. But somewhere in the back of his mind he really felt comfortable with all the touching, cuddles, and even the embarrassing nickname. That side of Spike was slowly winning the battle for dominance in his mind. Or it had already won since Spike had relaxed into the Priestess’s hold, a content rattling vibrating from the Priestess.
“Ok, so Dragons need to constantly hugged and such, and you gave me a nickname. Could you please tell me about these Tainted?” Spike begged.
“They are foul creatures Hiitchen. I cannot bring myself to tell you of them lest your sister grows angry because I scared her brother.”
“What if I got Twilight’s permission? Would you tell me then?” Spike asked. The Priestess seemed to think about it, but nodded.
“Yes. If you can get permission from your sister. I shall tell you.” Spike cheered.
“Alright! I’ll go ask her now!” As Spike moved to go find Twilight, he found himself yanked back, a set of sharp teeth gingerly clinging to one of his spines.
“Your sister and my brother are in a meeting. We should not disturb.”
“You heard Twilight right? She said I should go to her for anything! Come on! It’ll be perfectly fine I promise!” Spike pled. The Priestess stared at Spike, before dropping her head in defeat.
“Very well.”
“Yes! Wah!” Spike yelped as he felt himself being lifted once more. However instead of being held in the arms of the Priestess he found himself sitting upon her back. “Woah! Wait I thought you walked on two legs?”
“We can walk upon two or four. It all depends upon which is preferred.”
“Then why were you walking on two legs earlier?”
“I like to watch as dignitaries try to grasp the idea of a dragon walking upright. Many do not seem to think it is possible and the faces they make can be quite amusing.”
Spike simply thought on that as Priestess Iis walked along the Castle Halls, not noticing when he reached Twilight, or that he had gotten her permission to hear of the Tainted until he was back in the makeshift nest with the Priestess wrapped around him.
“Wait! When did we get back here?”
“Do you not recall? Your sister was quite happy to give you permission to hear the Tale of the Tainted.”
“Huh. I must have zoned out.” Spike shrugged, settling comfortably. “So what’s the Tale of the Tainted then?”
“The Tale of the Tainted, is an unpleasant tale for it tells of our kind at it’s weakest. It begins long ago shortly after the Mother of Storms left to face Death.”
Time had been created in the world during the beginning but now it had a name. Days Years, Month, Hours, Minutes and seconds.
30 Years had passed since Delfin’s death. 23 years had passed since Myrsky vanished from the world. 18 years since Faust became an Alicorn. 13 years since Terra and Skaia had last been seen. 12 years since Klimmik lead the Griffons off to a new land. And 10 years since the creation of the Dragons were created.
The Dragon race had spent ten years learning from Faust, the Ponies and Griffons. Though Faust would not tell the Dragons of the source of their inspiration for she feared they would fall victim to the power Myrsky so readily battled. Though the Dragons yearned to learn what brought about the idea for their existence, the Early Dragons accepted Faust’s wishes and did not bother her.
It was not until nearly a century later, when an orphaned Drake named Egill sought out Faust. Egill was a curious Drake, he yearned to learn of the magic Faust molded and how to control it himself. He was not but a Hatchling, his scales had not molted once, and were still soft, though they were a brilliant crimson. His spines were small and rounded, but they glowed a glistening gold.
Faust had retreated into her home, lost within a distant dark wood, long ago, pouring herself into her research, and hoping to erase the hurt of the past. Egill found the Alicorn’s hidden home. He begged Faust to teach him the ways of magic. Faust initially refused the drake, Seeing no point in teaching one who she would simply outlive and could not even cast magic. Egill was not deterred from his goal.
Egill stayed before the home of Faust for three days and three nights, begging and promising he would be a good student if she would but teach him. Finally Faust agreed she would teach him should Egill prove he could cast a simply spell. Egill accepted the offer and was given instructions on how to cast a simple Levitation spell.
While Faust gave the Drake his instructions Egill bombarded her with questions.
“What force is used to call upon magic, Lady Faust?” He asked. And Faust would respond.
“Your own Might is sent forth and pulls the natural world around you to form a spell.”
“What defines Might, Lady Faust?”
“Your will defines your might. How strong is your own will to further your natural intentions.”
“What are Natural Intentions Lady Faust?”
“Every creature is natural. At birth Nature writes into us goals we will naturally work towards.”
After spending a day answering Egill’s questions Faust left the Drake to practice. Egill spent another three days and nights practicing the spell, but alas he could not levitate even the lightest of feathers. When Faust came to check upon the Drake she found him still trying to levitate stones and feathers. Their prior conversation, during Faust’s instruction of the Drake, Faust had come to enjoy the Drake’s curious nature and willingness to learn. Seeing the hatchling struggle so touched her broken heart.
“Come little one, take a break, walk with me through this wood.”
“As you wish Lady Faust.” Egill walked with Faust as she led him through the woods surrounding her home.
“Tell me little Drake, why do you wish to learn magic?”
“I wish to learn simply to know Lady Faust.”
“You wish to learn to shock those before you with lightning, to teleport great distances, to levitate any obstacle, simply to know how?”
“Not to simply know how my Lady. I wish to know how it works. How magic and Might work together.”
“Little Drake, you will never be able to cast a spell. Not like myself or my kin. You must find the magic you can cast.” With Faust’s advice the walk came to an end and Egill began his attempts at levitation once more. This time Faust did not leave the young drake alone, and helped him develop his own Spells and casting.
The two spent years working together to discover the magic a Dragon could use. Over time the two of them became close friends. Faust looked out for the still growing Egill and Egill kept Faust from forgetting to take care of herself. After three decades of working together Egill was finally able to cast. However he did not cast a spell.
Egill and Faust had been out in the wood once more, the two were discussing the magic Faust had used and discovered over the years, when Faust let slip Asya’s name. Curious Egill had pressed Faust for an answer. However Faust was unwilling to give one.
“It is not something to be spoken of. It brings too much pain.” Faust then left the growing drake, whose curiosity was only burning brighter.
Egill brought up the question of Asya often. Soon both Drake and Alicorn had grown frustrated with the other. Faust was tired of Egill’s pestering and Egill had grown weary of Faust’s habit of keeping secrets. During a particularly heated argument Egill accidentally created the first Invocation. Sending off a powerful bolt of energy constructed of his own soul and passion. He struck the wall beside Faust with the bolt and the stone wall collapsed.
Frightened Faust locked herself within her study. For seven days Faust stayed within her study pouring over memory after memory of the dragon’s creation and of Myrsky looking for some instance in which either showed such power. It was during her single sighted research that Egill entered her study, hoping to make amends.
When the now adolescent drake entered the Study to find himself upon a frozen tundra. Before him a Dragoness of Ice and storms was calling a great Blizzard upon a Skeletal being. Watching the battle rage before him in awe Egill did not notice Faust furiously taking notes beside him. Only when the battle suddenly dissipated did both Egill and Faust notice one another.
Egill flung himself immediately into questioning Faust. He wanted to know who the Dragoness was, and who she was fighting. How she called about the Blizzard and more. Faust was taken back by Egill’s enthusiasm.
“Egill. Why do you wish to know these things?”
“I want to know what power like that feels like.” Faust was devastated by Egill’s answer, and in a fit of disappointment and anger banished him from her home.
Furious and confused Egill wandered the world, learning to cast many more Invocations, he tried to tell other dragons of what he saw in Faust’s home. None listened to the Drake deeming his mind lost.
Over the years Egill grew bitter, his hatred towards his own kin and towards Faust drove him to madness. Egill experimented with his Invocations and after years of experimentation, managed to summon Death himself.
Egill begged Death to give him the power to show Faust and his Kin, that power was not something one should fear acquiring. Death gladly accepted and fed Egill some dust from his own bones. Empowered by the dust Egill was soon driven mad by it. Egill grew addicted to the feeling of Power and kept trying to get more.
Egill gathered a following of Dragons using the Power of Death’s Dust to erase all feelings within them, save Greed, Anger, Hatred, and Pride. Egill trained his army in the art of invocations and began to attack all settlements within his sights.
Faust heard of what her old friend was doing from a small group of 5 Dragons, Flora a pink scaled dragoness with leaf shaped green spines, Eydis a burnt orange scaled dragoness with round brown spines, Hakon a Drake with forest green scales and light purple curved spines, Sindri a Drake with sparkling grey scales and purplish black thin spiked spine, and finally Rut a Dragoness with scales of a speckled off white and deep blue with fan like spines of the same colors.
All of whom had survived one of Egill’s attacks. They begged Faust to help them, but Faust felt there was not much she could do. One Dragoness named Flora suggested Faust taught them the same magic Egill had learned. Faust, while reluctant agreed on a single condition, the five dragons must not abuse their power, or seek power simply for the sake of it.
The Dragons eagerly agreed and the six began to learn.
It took the better part of two decades for the five Dragons to learn how to form Invocations. They soon began to develop their own each aiming to simply learn. Then one day the five Dragons were practicing out in the Woods surrounding Faust’s home when Egill approached them, disguised as a wandering Pony.
“Friends! Why do you toil as you do on something so pointless? No Dragon casts spells!”
“We seek to learn all that we can, to protect our kin.” Flora explained.
“Protect your kin? You can breathe fire without trouble! Why do you need Magic?”
“One named Egill has been abusing his power, he learned a magic called Invocations and destroys those who do not bow to his power.” Hakon told the strange stallion.
“To have power is not an invitation for abuse, or respect.” Sindri stated.
“Yet he demands it all the same, and abuses his power with joy.” Rut added.
“If he is so powerful, then why fight against him? If he is so happy what makes you think that his joy is not genuine? Why would you take his joy from him?” The five young dragons paused to contemplate the question. It was Eydis who spoke first.
“To take joy in learning and understanding is one thing. To take joy in destruction and wanton power and greed is another. This Drake Egill, falls under the latter, he kills for fun. He only learns to grow in his power. He is mad.” The stallion nodded simply, and left the group. The five of them returned to Faust after the encounter and told her of the meeting.
Faust told the five of them she believed the stallion to be Egill in disguise and that they did the right thing not falling for his words. Proud of her newest students Faust decided to show them the same memory that drove Egill to his madness.
Faust took the five Dragons to her study and poured her memories out into the room. Starting from her birth with her friends in the Frozen Waste, Faust told the Five Dragons of her Birth, of Myrsky’s kindness. Of Asya, Klimmik, Delfin, Terra, and Skaia. She explained to the five Dragons as they watched, how the world was born. Then came the memory of Myrsky’s disappearance. Overcome with sadness Faust explained to the Five young Dragons how the loss of Myrsky had been too much for Faust to bear.
“I had never gotten over Asya’s demise, let alone Delfin’s. When Myrsky condemned herself to forever battle Death I could not accept that. Shortly after I became as I am now, I tried to bring back my lost friend. In my endeavours I knew that Myrsky would be furious should I drag her back from her battle. So I tried to remake her. Instead I created your kin. I am no mother of Dragons, merely the conduit that brought you to be. Myrsky shall always be your mother. Egill saw Myrsky’s wrath and sought to have the same power. It has driven him mad. Myrsky would never want this. I can ensure he can do less harm, but you must draw him here.”
The five Dragons touched by their new found knowledge, swore to bring Egill to Faust.
They five of them spent weeks out in the woods surrounding Faust’s home. Together they spoke of wanting the same power their mother has. To call a Blizzard with ease, and to battle Death with amazing strength. This caught Egill’s attention and drew him into them. He left the disguise he had used before and came to the five Dragons as himself. He was a hulking beast, forced to walk on four legs, his eyes shining with a powerful lust and cackling with Dark Purple and Blue magic. The Five younger Dragons drew Egill into a false sense of security, claiming that they too craved the power he sought. When Egill grew comfortable in their presence, it was Rut who signaled Faust to act.
Caught off guard Egill could not even call for aid as Faust’s curse struck him and spread from not only himself but to all those who followed him. When the smoke cleared Egill had changed. He looked more beast like, and the presence of his Arcane Magic was fading.
“You saw your mother, the mother of your race, you watched her fight to defend myself and my friends from a being much like yourself. You took Power from your mother’s greatest foe and used it to attack your brothers and sisters. Now you and your followers shall suffer. You may no longer cast Invocations, your minds shall grow feral with age, and you shall forever be outcasts in your kin.” Faust proclaimed. Furious Egill used the last of his Arcane magic and shot a beam at the five young Dragons. Laughing Egill slowly began to die.
“Now every Dragon shall be like me! Through these five, my ideals shall be kept alive!” Egill then died, leaving Faust in a panic as her Five students began to slowly crumple to the ground, each trying to fight back the Curse Egill had cast. To prevent her Student’s turning Faust placed the five of them outside of time, to sleep until she found a way to help them.
It took Faust a decade and a half to find a counter curse to Egill’s curse. Without a second thought, she cast the counter curse, and let her student’s wake. When her student’s woke Faust was overjoyed to see them as they once were. But Faust was still despondent.
“I’m sorry. I could not fully remove the curse. You five, and every Dragon born will be tempted to Greed and power. If you fall to these temptations you will fall prey to the same curse that befell Egill.”
“Then we shall not fall prey to the same temptations he did.” Sindri said. “Though, we must tell our Kin.”
“Living with other races will be hard. Many seem to be focused upon the material, where we must not. Perhaps we should find our own land?” Hakon suggested.
“There is still unclaimed land to the West. It is your Mother’s birthplace, it will suit you and your kin well.” Faust offered, to the agreement of the Five Dragons. Soon after the Five Dragons left Faust to gather up their Kin. They spread the news of their curse amongst their kin, and told them the story of their Mother Myrsky, then in a great Exodus, the Race of Dragons left for the West to the Home of their Mother. The five Dragons led their Kin into the future, teaching them all Invocations and of temperance.
Those who fell victim to Faust’s curse were left to roam like beasts, and those who fell victim to Egill’s curse were sent to join them. Those who roamed with Greed consuming them became known as the Tainted, for they had tainted themselves with Death’s poison.
Spike stared up at the Priestess in awe. Her story finished, the sun was setting. Spike was relaxed in her hold, buried instincts having surfaced, making him crave touch.
“So, that’s why We can grow from greed? Because some Dragon way back when decided he wanted too much?”
“Yes. Egill, may his name forever be cursed, was a wretched Drake, though he started with pure intentions.”
“Does that mean I could learn In-vo-ca-tions?” Spike sounded out, hoping to get the last word correct.
“Of course. Has your sister not taught you any?”
“Er, well no. Ponies don’t know a lot about dragons. I don’t think the idea even crossed her mind.” The Priestess’s eyes narrowed, a small smirk gracing her muzzle.
“That is unacceptable. Come I shall teach you the basics. You can develop your own from there.”
“Awesome!” Spike exclaimed, jumping up as the Priestess rose.
“First, you must reach within…”
Twilight walked alongside Warlock Folla, eyes heavy with exhaustion. Warlock Folla had put off the meeting in favor of asking Twilight about Spike and giving her a rundown of how to properly raise a Dragon Hatchling. Warlock Folla had been not only surprised but Distraught when he heard that Twilight had not been as “touchy” (his words not Twilight’s) with Spike. After a lecture on the importance of touching and daily contact, not to mention allowing Spike to cuddle up to anyone he wished, checking for loose scales, molting, the growing of his wings, a future change in diet from gemstones to Omnivore, they finally began the meeting. Then said meeting ran until Celestia’s Sun rose to the East once more.
Now Twilight’s head was filing away the information that had been dumped upon her and noting that she should be switching out Spike’s gems for Fish and if possible, red meat. Warlock Folla was once again going over some tips for Molting when the two came upon the Library. Well what was assumed to be the Library. The entire right wing of the Library was filled with books, stack arbitrarily, while the left wing was devoid of tomes. The Shelves and desks were pushed to the side, making a large open space in the middle of the left wing. Charred spots dotted the ground and in the midst of it all was a pile of pillows. The Priestess was curled up in the Pillows, Spike sitting with his back propped up against her underbelly. His eyes were drooping as he fiddled with his claws.
“H-Hold on. I’ve got this….” Spike murmured as deep Purple and Blue sparks dance between his claws. Twilight stared dumbfounded, unsure of what her Baby Brother was doing. Warlock Folla walked forward.
“Been Learning Invocations Hiitchen? These burns yours or did my sister get carried away, showing off?” Priestess Iis shot Warlock Folla a playful glare, her tail flicking about. Spike groaned.
“Not you too! Just cause I’m little doesn’t mean I need a nickname reminding me!” Spike huffed in both tired irritation and playful retort. He then turned his focus back on the sparks in his claws. “I did some of them. The ones on the wall were Iis. My invocation kept blowing up around me.”
“What!?” Twilight exclaimed, racing forward to ensure Spike was unharmed. Warlock Folla simply laughed.
“You then discovered something many Hatchlings find out much later Hiitchen. Since Invocations are spells made of our souls, our essence, our own invocations do us no harm.” Twilight stopped in her furious inspection of Spike in confusion. Spike grumped when he lost the sparks in his claws to Twilight’s fussing. Once she was distracted Priestess Iis’ tail reached around and gently tickled under Spike’s chin. Giggling and ceasing in his grumping Spike went back to practicing, eyes drooping and yawning often.
“What do you mean? What are Invocations? I thought only Unicorns and Alicorns could cast spells!” Warlock Folla blinked at Twilight and laughed once more.
“Unicorns and Alicorns cast much different magic than Dragons do. And since it seems I will be unable to remove my sister from the premise for a while, I shall explain more to you later, perhaps after a nap.” Warlock Folla then slunk forward and curled up next to his sister, within an instant he was asleep. Twilight Blinked in confusion then remembered the Lecture she had received from Warlock Folla on Dragons and their need for physical contact, and their trust with strangers. Twilight figured she could trust the two dragons to watch Spike, but she still wanted to ensure he slept.
Moving closer to Spike Hoping to simply get her brother to sleep, she instead found herself being pulled into the pile by a strong purple tail. Squeaking in surprise Twilight looked around and found the Priestess watching her with a gentle smile. Priestess Iis then looked down to between the two of them. Following her gaze Twilight smiled as she found Spike sleeping peacefully between them, arms out stretched as if reaching for something. Twilight felt herself being pulled closer and weakly thought of how strange a sight this must be. However she did not fight it, and she decided to snuggled closer to Spike and the Two Dragons, silently remembering to have Spike sleep with her more often. Twilight then joined Spike in the realm of dreams.
Priestess Iis looked over the small Alicorn and her Dragon brother. A rumbling Purr coursed through her as she watched the two snuggled together and moved closer to her, searching out the warmth of the dragon fire, burning just beneath her scales.
“I take it he heard the myth in it’s entirty?” Folla’s voice asked within Iis’ head.
“Yes, as best I could remember it. He took it well. I take it you have yet to finish explaining our customs to the young Fira?” Iis responded.
“Aye. It will take a while. I have a feeling I’m going to be explaining Invocations for a long time.”
“Better you than me. You’re the Warlock. I’m just a Priestess. Invocations are not my forte.”
“No but family is. I’ll probably tell the Young Fira that she is now seen as Kin by all but the Tainted of our Kin.”
“That would be best. Wouldn’t want it to be a surprise to her when the Matriarchs and Patriarchs start grooming her during a meeting.” Folla’s Chuckle echoed in Iis’ head.
“ That would be quite a scene. However funny it might be, I would rather not have the Young Fira upset the Matriarchs and Patriarchs. I like her too much.”
“I agree. Young Fira is a kind soul. And Hiitchen would defend her to the end. I can trust you to help me prolong our ‘Meeting’ long enough to safely teach Hiitchen basic Invocations?”
“Depends how long do you think we can get away with stalling?”
“Shall we aim for two weeks and simply deal with any outcome then?”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way. Besides. I need to explain Hiitchen’s name to Young Fira. She’ll get a kick out of it."
