Ember emerged from her bedroom and let out a loud yawn as she walked down the hallway. She had a bleary look on her and her eyes were halfway closed. She felt halfway dead with how little sleep she got last night. Despite her efforts, Ember’s mind raced all night about Spike, and the fallout between her and Rarity at the party. She almost wanted to turn around and go back to bed, but that thought was put down the moment she saw Matches waving at her.

“Hey, good morning, Ember,” he said. “How are you feeling?”

Ember let out another yawn and said in a small voice, “I’ve been better. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

“I hear you,” said Matches. “That bed was really comfortable, but maybe a little too comfortable. It needs something more firm in them.”

“You can talk to Twilight about that. Speaking of which, have you seen her?”

Matches shook his head. “Not at all, but I think she’s probably in the dining room eating breakfast. I just hope she isn’t too upset after last night.”

“What do you mean?” wondered Ember.

“Eh… I kind of went a little overboard with the dancing with her,” he replied as his cheeks went red. “I didn’t exactly dance all the great, and I think she was a little embarrassed with me dancing with her.”

“Don’t worry about it,” said Ember. “Spike showed me how to dance, and he thought I did fine.”

“Speaking of Spike, do you think today you should talk to him about his problem? I figured the sooner you talk to him about his wing issue, the better. Besides, Twilight did talk to me last night about wanting to know about our use of magic.”

Ember paused and put a hand to her chin. Hmm… this wouldn’t be a bad idea. I think Spike does need to learn more about dragon customs. This would be a great time to learn about it. Besides, I’m sure it’ll beat him doing more work for Rarity.

Rarity. The mention of the name made Ember frown as she said it in her head. However, instead of feeling angry, she felt relieved. Best of all, Rarity won’t be getting in the way. Once she sees that I’m helping Spike out with some dragon stuff, maybe she’ll leave me and him alone. It’ll be killing two birds with one stone. Rarity leaves us alone, and I get to hang out with Spike and see that wonderful smile of his, the way he looks out for me, and his kindness that…

The dragoness shook her head and sighed. Stop it, Ember, she told herself. He’s a friend only, and that's it. No more, no less. I already get enough grief with Matches poking fun about it, and I don’t want him to get any ideas.

“Ember?”

She broke out of her trance and looked at Matches. “Yeah… that is a good idea. Be sure to get everything to show after breakfast.”

“You got it,” said Matches.

“I’m going to go shower,” she said.

“Alright, see you then.” Matches waved and walked down the hallway.

Ember let out a sigh and slowly walked down the hallway. She looked at each door and tried to think. She walked for a little bit and frowned as she passed the same exact door.

“I never noticed how every door looks so similar,” she said with a tinge of frustration in her voice. “How do Spike and Twilight live here and remember where everything is? You’d need signs to be told which room is which.”

She soon came across another door and stopped. She shook her head. “I’m just going to choose this one and hope for the best.”

She turned the knob on the door and opened it. Steam poured out of the room, which blinded Ember for a moment, but it quickly disappeared. In its place was a sight that made Ember gasp and her face turn crimson red. Spike, who too had a shocked look and his face red, was stepping out of a glass shower and Ember got a good look at his toned body, his big muscles, and her eyes drifted to below his waist, where a white towel was barely covering his–

Ember slapped herself and quickly looked the other way to hide the embarrassment on her face. “Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!” she cried out.

Spike quickly ran over and closed the door. “I–it’s okay!” he called from the other side. “I d–didn’t think about locking the door!”

“Let’s just forget what just happened, okay?”

“Um.. fine with me,” he replied.

“I’ll see you at breakfast then!” Ember turned around and tried to run for it, but was stopped when she saw Starlight Glimmer standing behind her with a bemused look on her.

“Oh! H–hi um… Starlight, is it? How long have you been there?” she wondered in a nervous voice.

“I heard you saying you were sorry when I came up,” Starlight answered. “Don’t feel bad about walking in like that. I’ve done that a few times myself.”

Ember felt a little relieved, but her heart and mind was racing at a fast rate. “Is there another place to shower? I kind of need a little time to myself.”

Starlight nodded and pointed down the hall. “There’s one at least ten doors down on the left. I don’t think anypony else is using it, so–”

“Thank you!” Ember complimented and quickly ran down the hallway.

Starlight heard a door slam a little down the hall, and she was left with a puzzled look on her. The bathroom door opened up and Spike, fully dressed now, stepped out and saw Starlight. They both looked at each other for a moment with awkward looks on them.

“What just happened?” asked Starlight.

Spike held up a hand and walked past her. “Nothing,” he bluntly said.

Starlight wanted to ask more about it, but Spike quickly walked down the hallway and out of sight. She shrugged indifferently and went into the bathroom.

Ember pushed open the double doors and walked into the dining room. In the center of the room, Spike, Twilight, Starlight, and Matches were sitting at large round purple table with plates and silverware on it. Spike and Ember’s eyes met each other, but they both looked away as they still felt a little uncomfortable. She looked over to see Matches and Twilight talking to each other.

Twilight looked over. “Good morning, Ember,” she said.

“Hello, Twilight,” she greeted. “I see you and Matches are becoming good friends.”

The alicorn blushed a little. “Well, it’s easy to do so when you find somepony else who can’t dance well like me.”

“I can relate to that,” said Ember.

“Matches also talked to me about showing your method of magic, and teaching Spike some more about dragons,” said Twilight. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to show Starlight how you all use magic.”

Starlight nodded and looked at Ember. “I figured since Twilight has been teaching me about friendship, maybe I can learn something about magic from you all. I always thought dragons were immune to magic from the stories I’ve heard.”

“That’s a myth, but we’ll talk more about it after breakfast.” Ember looked around the table and frowned. “Speaking of which, where is breakfast?”

Spike rubbed the back of his head. “Well usually I make breakfast, but somepony else came over and insisted on making it this morning.”

“Who?” wondered Ember.

The sound of the door opening caught the group’s attention.

“Breakfast is ready, darlings!”

Ember froze in place and felt her anger slowly building. No… You gotta be kidding me.

She slowly turned around and saw Rarity with a pleasant smile on her face and levitating a large silver dinner tray that had eggs, toast, pancakes, and some orange juice. She walked up to the table and levitated each dish around it while the others watched in awe. Ember gripped the armrests on her chair hard and her eye twitched a little.

Rarity noticed the dragoness and said in a forced happy tone, “Good morning, Ember. I hope you don’t mind, but I just wanted to come over and cook breakfast for all of you. Spikey does it so much that I thought of doing it for him this morning out of the generosity of my heart.”

“Yeah right,” whispered Ember sarcastically.

Twilight smiled at her friend. “Rarity, you really didn’t have to do this. I’ve never even seen you offer to cook breakfast for any of us before.”

“I was feeling very generous today,” answered Rarity. “Besides, I wouldn’t want my Spikey Wikey to work so much while he shows Ember around Equestria.” She looked at Spike. “I even made your favorite, Spike. Gem filled pancakes for you, Matches, and Ember.”

“Wow! Thanks, Rarity!” said Spike enthusiastically.

“Anything for you, my Spikey Wikey,” said the unicorn.

Ember could’ve sworn that for a brief moment, Rarity looked right at her with a smug triumphant look. She felt her anger building more and bit her tongue to not say anything.

Rarity walked over to Ember and levitated some pancakes and eggs and put them on the plates. “Don’t be so upset, darling,” she told Ember. “Just relax and eat the food I worked so hard to make. I made this batch especially for you.”

Ember glared at Rarity for a moment, and took the plate of food. She poured some syrup on it a pancake and cut a piece. She took a bite out of it, and her eyes went wide. She gagged and spat the piece out and coughed a little.

“Are you okay, Ember?” wondered Matches.

She took a quick drink of orange juice and coughed a little. She looked at Rarity with a glare. “What was in those pancakes? It tasted so salty!”

Rarity smirked a little, but covered her mouth with a hand. “Whoops! I must have gotten the sugar and salt mixed up while putting it on your pancakes. My apologies, Ember.”

Somehow, I have a hard time believing that, the dragoness thought to herself.

Suddenly, Ember’s plate was taken away and she looked to see Spike putting his remaining pancakes in front of her.

“What are you doing, Spike?” wondered Ember.

“I don’t want you to go hungry,” he replied. “I’m sure Rarity didn’t mean it, so take my pancakes instead.”

Rarity gasped. “But, Spike!”

Spike waved a hand. “I don’t mind it at all. Besides, I can just have those eggs and toast.” He looked at Ember with a smile. “Hope you enjoy these more than what you got.”

Ember felt the anger melt away into a sense of calm. She blushed a little and hugged Spike. “Thank you, Spike.” She leaned back and smirked at Rarity. “I’m sure these will be really good.”

Rarity huffed a little and sat down to begin eating. Ember looked at the sullen look on her and smiled triumphantly like Rarity did as she ate.

Twilight had an eager look on her as she waited outside the library with Ember, Spike, Starlight, and Rarity. Ember looked at Twilight, and then at Spike.

“What’s her problem?” she wondered.

“Twilight always gets this way whenever she gets the chance to learn about something; especially when it comes to other species and their history,” he said. “You should’ve seen how she acted once Gilda and Rainbow became friends again.”

“Who?”

Spike waved a hand. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you about it some other time.”

Matches came down the hallway carrying two of the suitcases in each of his hands and a scroll. He put them down and let out a sigh of relief. “Sorry I’m late. I just needed to make sure that I didn’t end up taking something along for the trip.”

Ember raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean by that?” she wondered.

“Take a look at this, Ember,” he answered and held out the scroll.

Ember walked over and took the scroll. She unrolled it and began reading it.

Dragon Lord Ember,

We are writing this letter to you in regards to a missing magical crystal. During an inventory check, it has come to our attention that one of the magical crystals was stolen. The crystal in question is one that allows the user to transform into any creature they want to be. We are currently trying to figure out the whereabouts of the crystal, and we thought that maybe you were given it by mistake.

We eagerly await your response to this grave matter. If you don’t have it, we fear then that some dragon may have taken it for their own uses. In the meantime, watch yourself and observe those you have seen. If you see anydragon, or anypony at all, that acts suspiciously then let us know immediately and we’ll send the guards to arrest this thief.

Sincerely,
Master Ash of the Dragon Council

Ember looked at Matches with a concerned look on her. “Tell me you have that crystal,” she whispered.

Matches shook his head in response. “I was checking through the suitcase and found nothing. I already wrote to the Council about this and told them we don’t have it.”

Ember frowned to herself. “This isn’t good. Do you think maybe this has anything to do with our trip?”

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence this happened around the time of our trip, but what can we do right now?”

Ember looked at Spike and the others, all of whom had confused looks on them, and then back to Matches. She bit her lip and thought to herself for a moment.

“... As much as I hate to say it, there’s nothing we can do at the moment,” she said. “Don’t say anything about this to Spike or Twilight. I don’t want to make them worried. For now, we need to get to teaching them about some of our culture.”

Matches grimaced, but slowly nodded. “You’re right. We’ll deal with this later. Shall we get started?”

The dragoness nodded and turned towards Spike and the others. “Sorry about that,” she apologized. “I just needed to read something from the Dragon Council.”

“Is everything okay?” wondered Spike.

“Y–yeah,” she hesitantly said. “They were just telling me how impressed they were about the welcome I got yesterday.”

“That’s great,” said Spike. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“Well, no time to waste,” said Matches. “Why don’t we go ahead and get started on this?” He handed Ember one of the suitcases.

She took it and nodded in agreement, but raised an eyebrow as she saw Rarity preparing to go in. “Why are you coming? All we’re doing is showing some history and magic.”

“I was wondering the same thing,” inputted Twilight. “I thought you didn’t like history, Rarity.”

Rarity chuckled weakly. “Well, I just figured since dragons and ponies are technically friends, I would want to know more about them myself. Since I’ve met Spike, I’ve slowly grown more curious about dragons and their culture. There’s nothing wrong about learning about that now is there?”

Twilight thought to herself for a moment and then smiled. “I don’t mind at all, Rarity. I’m glad you’re being so open and willing to learn about dragons like we are.”

“I wouldn’t miss it at all.” Rarity rubbed Spike’s head and smiled at him. “Besides, maybe I can learn some things that could help you, Spike.”

The dragon laughed a little and blushed. “No use in standing here. Let’s go!”

The group started to move into the library, but Rarity felt her arm being tugged. She turned to see Ember with a stern look on her.

“You all go on ahead,” she said. “I want to talk to Rarity alone for a moment.”

The group nodded and walked into the library. As soon as they disappeared, Ember pulled Rarity close to her and glared at her.

“Look. I know what you’re trying to do with all of this,” she said in a cold tone. “That whole breakfast thing, and now this?”

Rarity glared back at Ember. “I told you I wouldn’t give up Spike so easily.”

Ember sighed and released her grip on Rarity. “I’ve already told you that Spike and I are friends only. Do you really think I’m just going through all of this trouble of helping Spike with a problem he has just to kiss him or something?”

“I’m not sure, but I’m not going to risk it either,” she said. “Besides, I’ve already told Spike that he has nothing to worry about his lack of wings, and that he was perfect enough.”

Ember opened her mouth to argue again, but a thought crossed her mind. She raised an eyebrow at Rarity. “You mean to tell me that Spike told you about his problem?”

The unicorn nodded. “Indeed. It’s a rather sensitive thing to talk about, and I wanted to reassure him that he had no reason to feel so inadequate about his size and having no wings.”

Ember said nothing and turned away. Let’s see. What would Spike do? I don’t think he’s ever gotten into a big fight with any of his friends. Maybe I can try to find some neutral ground and try to put this whole thing to rest.

She let out a deep breath and looked at Rarity. “Look, I know we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot, but I don’t want to spend this whole visit just fighting with you. I want to help Spike out, and he wants to help me by making sure this visit goes well. Since you are aware of Spike’s problem, how about I make a proposal?”

Rarity thought for a moment, and then nodded. “I’m listening.”

“You can sit with me and Spike as I tell him about some of the dragon lore and why he doesn’t have wings,” said Ember. “I promise you that I won’t do anything else, alright? All I ask for you is to please not get in the way, and let me teach Spike some our history. Does that sound fair?”

Rarity thought to herself while Ember waited. The longer she took in reaching a decision, the more on edge the dragoness became. A minute later, Rarity nodded slowly and smiled softly.

“Very well, darling.” Rarity’s smile turned to a glare. “But I’ll be keeping an eye on you just to make sure.”

Ember gritted her teeth and held back a sigh. “Fine, whatever. I’ll keep my eye then on you just to make sure you’re not going to do anything yourself.”

Rarity turned and huffed. “Fine.” She walked into the library and left Ember alone.

The dragoness let out a sigh and rubbed her forehead. “That could’ve gone better.”

As Ember walked into the library, Hot Steak looked around the corner and smirked to himself.

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that, Ember. I think things are going better than I thought.”

In the library, Ember and Matches looked around the numerous bookshelves of books that lined the walls and the hall.

Matches let out a loud whistle. “I thought our library back home was huge. All these books here. I can’t imagine anydragon being able to stand reading all of these books.”

“Oh, please,” said Spike with a scoff. “Twilight could read all of these in a weekend if she wanted to, but she’s already read all of these books.”

Matches had a shocked look as he turned to Twilight. “What are you anyway?”

“Just a pony who really loves to read,” she replied. “And Spike is exaggerating a little. I could read all these books in a week.”

Matches laughed a little. “You are a very interesting pony, Twilight.”

The alicorn blushed a little. “Thank you.”

The sound of a door creaking caught the group’s attention. They looked back and saw the library door was shut.

“What was that?” asked Spike.

“I’m not sure,” replied Twilight. “Maybe it was just the wind.”

“That’s got to be the weirdest sounding wind then,” said Starlight.

Twilight continued looking at the door for another minute, and then shook her head. “Must have been something else I guess. Come on, let’s get going.”

They all walked off again, and from around the corner, Hot Streak poked his head.

“That was too close,” he whispered. “I think I know what I need to do, but I just need some paper.” He looked around the room and saw the various books lining the bookshelves. He grinned and chuckled a little. “I think I know where to get some.”

Twilight and the others soon came across a circular clearing with several round blue tables and chairs around the area.

Ember took the suitcase from Matches’ hand. “Okay, me, Spike, and Rarity will take what we’ll need. Matches, I want you to take the magic crystals we brought along with this trip and the tome of magic in there and show Twilight and Starlight how to use them.”

“Yes, Ember,” he said with a salute. Matches, Twilight, and Starlight walked off to another table across the room.

The dragoness placed the suitcase down and scrolled through some numbers on the lock hatch. A soft clicking noise rang out and Ember unlatched the suitcase to open it. Spike eagerly looked in the suitcase, but Rarity held him back with an arm. Ember pulled out five large and thick books that looked as big as a dictionary. The covers were worn and the pages were yellow with age. Each cover had some gold imprint that neither Spike nor Rarity could make out.

“My goodness,” said Rarity. “I don’t think even Twilight could read something so thick like this in a day.”

“Especially with those weird words,” said Spike. He looked over at Ember. “Is that really everything we’ll need?”

The dragoness nodded. “Oh, it is indeed. These five tomes contain most of our history and heritage.” She pointed to a green book that had a golden triangle, a circle inside it, and the shape of a flame in the circle. “This book covers the entire history of the Dragon Council from when it was formed, to around a hundred years ago.”

Rarity’s eyes went wide. “How can you fit so much into that book?” she asked in amazement.

“We dragons make sure to put as much detail as we can in writing our history. Whenever anydragon reads upon our history, we make sure to explain into detail about important events like wars, the past Dragon Lords we’ve had, and the formation of our kingdom.”

“Whoa,” said Spike in awe.

She took the green book and pushed others aside. “This book is probably the best place to start. It’ll give some insight about certain things dragons do; including about dragons and wings.”

Spike looked eager and jumped for joy. He quickly sat down and grinned. “What are we waiting for? Hearth’s Warming Day?”

Rarity and Ember laughed a little and both sat down. Ember opened the book and muttered to herself as she flipped through various pages and muttered to herself.

“The Dragon Civil War… the rise and fall of Dragon Lord Boiler… “ she said to herself. She finally came upon a page and smiled. “This is it. This describes about the different kinds of dragons across the land.”

Spike and Rarity looked at the page and both had confused looks on them. The text in the book had various symbols and letters in it ranging from what Spike could tell as triangles, weird looking b’s and a’s, and upside down horseshoes.

Rarity looked up with a frown. “I’m afraid we can’t exactly tell what ‘it’ is.”

Spike rubbed his chin. “It kind of looks like greek letters,” he said. “I can’t really read it though. I’ve only been learning the basics of the language.”

Ember smiled and rubbed Spike’s head affectionately. “So you’re already familiar with the language, huh? Don’t worry though, I’ll read it out loud for all of you to listen.”

She took the book back, but something caught her eye. She looked over and saw Rarity glare at her. She mouthed something that Ember figured it meant, “I’m watching you.” She shrugged it off and looked back at the book.

“Much like how there are four kinds of ponies in Equestria, there are at least three kinds of dragons known around the world. Earth, Flying, and Water. Each type of dragon has their own purpose and abilities. Earth dragons have a ability to find gems and are often pathfinders for the Dragon Army. Water dragons can manipulate the currents and tides, and are protectors of the sea. Flying dragons serve as the scouts of the Dragon Lands and are the most common type of dragon around.”

“What does this have to do with me?” wondered Spike.

“I’m getting there,” said Ember. She turned the page and mumbled to herself as she dragged a finger down the page. She smiled and pointed it out. “Ah, here it is. Flying dragons are often born with their wings already, but there are times where those types of dragons are born without them.”

“So how do they get them then?” asked Rarity.

“You know how there’s growing pains as you get taller?” Spike and Rarity nodded at Ember. “For those dragons without wings, they can have growing pains as well along their backs. As they grow up, they can get some pain in their back as their wings try to grow out.”

Spike waited to hear more, but Ember just looked up at him. “Is… is that it?” he inquired. “Is there anything else?”

“There’s some detail about how these dragons fly, but I don’t think you’d want to hear that,” said Ember.

Spike’s smile faltered a little. “Come on. There has to be more to this, right? I got to know more about this.”

“I’m sorry, Spike, but that’s really it,” said Ember. “Maybe you were born as an Earth dragon and that’s why you have no wings.”

“But I can’t be,” argued Spike. “You said that they are really good at finding gems, but I can’t.”

Ember raised an eyebrow and frowned. “That doesn’t make sense. I saw in Rarity’s shop yesterday all those gems, and she told me that you help her with getting them.”

“I can explain that,” said Rarity. “I actually am the one who finds gems with my magic. Spike helps me out with gathering and carrying them while I look for more.”

Ember shot an evil eye at the unicorn. In other words, you use him for work again. What does Spike even see in her?

Rarity saw the evil look she got from Ember and glared back at her. “For the record though, Spike volunteers to help me out, and does so out of the kindness of his heart, Ember.”

She shook her head and sighed a little. I can’t let this get to my head. I promised Rarity that I wouldn’t try anything, and I don’t want to keep fighting with her.

“So I got to be able to grow wings, right?” asked Spike.

“Have you felt any pain in your back as you grew up?” inquired Ember.

Spike shook his head in dismay. “No… no I haven’t.” He looked down and sighed sadly to himself.

Rarity put a hand on his shoulder. “Spike, there’s no need to be upset,” she said.

“She’s right,” agreed Ember. “Maybe you are an Earth dragon, but have trouble finding gems.”

He broke off the embrace and forced a sad smile. “It’s really okay, Rarity,” he tried to say in a convincing tone. “I guess I just got my hopes up a bit too high about learning more about myself.

Ember saw the discouraged look on him and panicked a little. She looked at the other books and her eyes darted across each of them.Her eyes fell upon a blue covered book and took it. She opened it and muttered to herself again. “Average height of a dragon… types of cells in a dragon… types of wings…” She grew more impatient as she flipped through the book quickly. “Where is it?”

She turned another page and she something that made her smile. She pointed and said, “I think I figured it out, Spike.”

The dragon looked over at the book and saw some lines and two images of a small dragon and a large one with wings on it. He looked up at Ember. “What does this have to do with me?”

Ember slapped herself in the forehead. “I forgot that you can’t read this. This book is actually about the anatomy of dragons, and this page goes into more detail about their wings. I think I have figured out what may be the problem.”

“And that is?”

“The growth of your wings may be delayed.”

Rarity raised an eyebrow and had a perplexed look on her. “Now hold on a moment, Ember,” she objected. “How can something like wings have a delay in growing?”

Ember looked back at the book and read the lines. She stopped at one part and her eyes went wide. “What the?” she asked herself.

Spike looked at the book. “What is it, Ember?” he wondered.

“According to this book, apparently there are cases where Flying dragons never grow their wings.”

Spike felt like somepony sucker punched him and his eyes went wide with shock. “W–what?” he whispered horsely.

“You can’t be serious,” said Rarity in an appalled tone. “I’ve never heard of something happening like that with a pegasus, or any other type of pony.”

Ember sighed and frowned. “That’s what the book says. It says that some Flying dragons just are either born without wings, or it could also be the delay in growth.”

“What happens to those dragons who don’t ever get their wings?” wondered Rarity. “Do they remain grounded forever?”

Ember grabbed the green history book and flipped a couple of pages. She stopped at one and read it. “There are ways to get around that. The book says that Flying dragons that are born without wings actually build mechanical ones to take to the skies.”

Spike’s mouth was agape in awe. “That’s impossible,” he said in a low voice. “There’s no way something like mechanical wings can work, right?”

“I have to agree with Spike,” said Rarity. “I’ve never seen anything like that before in Equestria.”

“The wings are made of a special type of metal that makes them possible for flight,” Ember explained as she read the book. “Wingless dragons take the materials needed to one of the blacksmiths and they forge it together for them. The process can take several days as wingless dragons are measured to take into account how big the dragon is, and how large the wings need to be.”

“So it’s like getting measured for some clothes,” said Spike. “Except far more complicated. That sounds pretty cool though.”

“How exactly do they fly though if they are just metal wings?” wondered Rarity. “I can’t imagine you’d just put them on and immediately fly.”

Ember looked back at the book. As she read more about the book, her expression changed to disgust and she shuddered a little. “You’re right about that, Rarity,” she said. “They aren’t just wings you put on; they’re surgically placed on those dragons.”

Spike’s smile turned into a horrified expression. “Um… maybe this isn’t such a good idea after all.”

“The book says that wingless dragons undergo surgery to place them onto their backs, and it takes several weeks to recover from it,” said Ember. “Though it’s been stated that cases like this are very rare, and that the last one reported was well over 200 years ago.”

Spike said nothing for a moment as he took it all in. He looked down and placed a hand to his head. The images of some doctors taking a scalpel to his back and some large metal wings sticking out made him shudder in fear.

He looked up at Ember with a worried look on him. “Is there any other way? I’d rather not end up being more machine than dragon.”

Ember flipped through the book and skimmed each page as quickly as possible. She soon came upon a page that made her eyes widen again. She read the page over and over again and she couldn’t help but grin.

“I think there is one other possible way,” she said. “It’s a bit out there, but I think this may be the only chance.”

Spike shrugged. “Anything has got to be better than having metal attached to you.”

“It says that it’s possible that wings that aren’t grown sometimes needs some force it seems,” said the dragoness.

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Force? Do you mean something like magic?”

Ember shrugged and said, “I’m not sure. The book says that there’s been only one case like that, but the records about it were lost in a fire before they could be written down about it.”

Spike let out a sigh. “So it’s back to square one.”

Ember rubbed her chin and closed her eyes. There has to be some way around this. What would the Council do about this? Suddenly, something clicked in her head. “That’s it. The Dragon Council.”

“The Council?” asked Spike.

Ember nodded. “Yeah, they may know about this kind of thing. It’s a longshot, but I think it’s the only chance we got at figuring out why you don’t have wings.”

Spike smiled and felt his despair melt away. “That’s great, Ember! When should we see them?”

The dragoness held up an arm. “Hold it there, Spike,” she objected. “I need to set up a meeting for you first. I can’t promise this will work out, but I figured it would make you feel better.”

Spike smiled a little. “Thanks, Ember,” he said. “Even if I don’t get the answer I want, I am thankful for all the help you’re giving me. I think leaving you as Dragon Lord was for the best with how helpful you are.”

Ember felt her stomach do a little flip she looked at Spike. She quickly looked away and tried to hide it, but could feel the heat on her cheeks rising. “I–it’s nothing,” she said. “I was just helping you out is all like any friend would. It’s nothing to get all sappy about.”

Spike chuckled weakly and rubbed the back of his head. “I really mean it though, Ember,” he said. “I know you’re still trying to learn about friendship, but I am grateful for everything you’ve done to help me.”

Ember covered her face to hide her blush. “I was just doing what you taught me, and that was to help other friends.”

“So how soon can I see the Dragon Council?” asked Spike. “I’ve got so many things that–”

Rarity clamped a hand over Spike’s mouth and shushed him. “Spikey, I know you’re excited, but don’t be asking her so much.” She looked at Ember with a forced smile. “I think you should leave her alone for a while.”

Spike frowned. “I’m sorry, Rarity. I just wanted tooooo!”

The drake’s words were cut off as he felt a strong gust of wind blew by. Spike, Ember, and Rarity looked nearby to see Starlight standing nearby and smiling like she got something she wanted.

“Spike, you and Rarity have got to try this!” she implored. She held out her hand and opened it to reveal a white crystal that was glowing. “Who knew crystal magic could be so interesting? It’s nothing at all like what I learned. This crystal can make you really fast!”

“Don’t go running around the library, Starlight,” Twilight warned. “I just reorganized these books a few days ago.”

“Sorry, Twilight.” Starlight looked at Spike and Rarity. “You two should see what these other crystals can do. There’s one that grants you resistance to the elements. Another makes a shield around you. There’s also one that can make you shoot out ice bolts!”

Rarity smiled and got up. “I’m not one to use magic like that, but I do want to see this.” She looked at Spike and took his hand. “Don’t you want to see what magic dragons can do, Spike?”

Spike looked down and saw she was holding his hand tightly and then looked at her to see she was smiling warmly at him. He felt his heart soaring a little as she looked at him.

“Um… sure!” he said. He got up and Rarity pulled him to her side. He tried to hide the redness on his cheeks.

Rarity, however, saw it and smirked. I got Spikey Wikey where I want him; rightfully next to me.

Ember watched as Rarity wrapped her arm around Spike, and her left eye twitched angrily. That cheater! Just because I’m not trying to do anything doesn’t mean you should get a pass too!

Ember stomped off with Rarity and Spike, and muscled her way in between them. She looked at Rarity with a cold expression. “I think I’ll come along just to demonstrate a few more crystals. I think Spike needs some time alone anyway to think about what he’s learned.”

Rarity glared back at Ember and turned away.

As the group went over to Twilight and Matches, Hot Streak watched from the shadows of the bookshelves. He quietly stepped forward and poked his head around the corner.

“It’s about time,” he whispered. “I never thought she’d stop talking about history. I felt like I was back in school again.”

He saw the others were looking at some gems and were facing away from him. He smirked and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

“How about something else to read?” he asked as he snuck up to the table. “It’s a mushy romance note by yours truly.”

He snuck up to the table and lifted the pages of the history book left open. Hot Streak looked up to see the group was still looking at the magic crystals. He put the note in the cover and then set the pages down on top of them. He made sure the note was visible enough to be seen, and then quickly walked back to a row of bookshelves and hid himself in the shadows.

“Let’s watch some fireworks,” he said with a sinister smile.

Matches put a purple crystal in Spike’s hand. “Remember to concentrate on the crystal,” he said. “Focus on the energy coursing through your body and let it flow through you.”

Spike nodded and gripped the crystal. He closed his eyes and felt some aura coursing through him that made him feel like he was hit by a bolt of lightning. He shook off the feeling and concentrated on the crystal in his hand. He kept his eyes for nearly a minute before a flash went out.

Starlight gasped. “Look at yourself, Spike.”

The drake opened his eyes and he was shocked at what he saw. Around him was a purple shaped dome that made everything and everypony around him look purple from the inside.

Spike laughed as he looked around. “Check me out, Twilight! It’s just like the shield spell you use!”

Twilight laughed softly. “It sure does. A lot of these magic crystals are like spells used by unicorns.”

“I guess that’s one thing that dragons and ponies have in common,” said Matches. “That’s only some basic magic as well. You should see some of the advanced crystals for dragon mages.”

Twilight gasped and a smile formed on her. “There are dragon mages!?”

Matches laughed a little and nodded. “Yeah, but it’s in that book Ember was showing Rarity and Spike.” He looked at Ember. “Speaking of which. Are you all done with that?”

Ember nodded. “Just wrapped things up. I couldn’t give Spike the answer he wanted, but we’ve decided to try and see what the Council can do.”

“Can I see it?” inquired Twilight.

“I don’t see why not,” replied Ember. “We’re all friends here.” She looked over at Rarity. “Can you grab it? I want to show Twilight a few more crystals.”

“Very well, darling.”

Rarity walked over to the desk she, Ember, and Spike sat at and looked at the books. “Which one was it?” Her eyes fell upon an open book with green covering, and picked it up. “Here it is.”

Suddenly, something fell out of the book that caught Rarity’s eye. She grabbed it out of the air and put the book down. “What’s this?”

She opened her hand to see a crudely folded piece of paper. “What is something like this doing in a book?”

Rarity thought for a moment and suddenly gasped as a thought crossed her mind. She glared and her hands were shaking. “She did not do what I think she did.”

Rarity quickly opened the paper and saw a note in it with sloppy handwriting in black ink.

Spike,

You are so handsome, dreamy, and cute! I love you so much!

XOXO Ember

Rarity’s eye twitched and she had a repulsive look on her. I don’t know what’s worse; this crude and mushy romance note, or that Ember thought she could get away pulling something like this!

Rarity stomped over and tried to maintain a straight face. She looked around and saw Spike and Ember were gone.

“Twilight, where is Spike and Ember?” she asked in a strained voice.

The alicorn looked away from Matches. “Oh, she went with Spike to go get some books. Do you have that history bo–oof!”

Rarity threw the book into Twilight’s chest and quickly walked away before Twilight could say anything. She frantically looked down each row of shelves and panted a little.

“Did she really think she could get away with doing something like this?” she muttered to herself. “When I get through with her, she’ll be lucky to ever write again.”

Rarity turned her head and saw Ember and Spike both looking at a bookshelf. She quickly hid behind it and quietly walked down the hallway. She heard both dragons’ voices getting louder until she was right behind some books. She pulled a few off the shelf and got a look at Spike and Ember looking at each other.

“Thanks again for the help,” said Spike.

“It was nothing,” said Ember. “Friends do help each other out, right?”

Spike nodded. “Yeah, but I really do appreciate it. I’m just happy that we can hang out again.”

Ember blushed a little. “W–well, you know I’m just here for business.”

Spike’s smile drooped a little. “Oh,” he said dejectedly.

Ember saw the gloomy look on him, and slapped herself. “No, no, no. That’s not what I meant at all. I mean… well, I’m happy to see you too. I figured since you were in trouble, I wanted to both help you and make relations better between dragons and ponies. So far I’d say things are going well.” She looked away for a moment and glared. “Except for Rarity,” she muttered.

“What?” asked Spike.

Ember shook her head. “It’s nothing. I was just thinking to myself.”

“I’m glad you’re here. I know we’ve only been friends for a month, but I really did miss you.”

Ember’s heart skipped a beat. “I’m not sure what you mean. Don’t you like the other pony friends you have here?”

“Oh, I do,” said Spike. “They are my best friends, and they appreciate my help; especially Rarity.”

The unicorn couldn’t help but smile. I haven’t forgotten at all, Spikey Wikey.

Ember’s eyes narrowed a little. “I’m sure she does appreciate your ‘help,’ but that doesn’t really answer my question.

Spike felt his cheeks turn red. “The thing is that you’re really the only dragon I’ve run into who’s not… well…” He found himself unable to speak as he suddenly grew scared to say anything.

“Bad?” wondered Ember.

Spike winced a little, but nodded. “Yeah. Every dragon I’ve met has either been greedy, violent, or willing to kill innocent phoenixs. Even when you abandoned me to win the Gauntlet of Fire, you still saved me and chose friendship; no matter how weird it sounded to you.”

Ember blushed again. “Well as weird as friendship sounded, I think somehow it did feel right, and that you were right about it. You may not be like any dragon I’ve met before, but you’re really something else.”

Spike felt Ember place her hand on his head and rub it. He smiled a little and giggled. “I was just doing what I do best; helping others and trying to pass on what I’ve learned as well.”

“I think you’re doing a good job being a teacher.”

Spike laughed a little. “I don’t think I’m anything like that, but I do like the sound of it.”

“I’m serious,” said Ember. “You really are a very interesting dragon. I am glad to have met you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” Ember turned and huffed a little. “Just don’t think that this whole thing means something deeper or something. Got it?”

Spike looked at Ember with a perplexed look, but nodded anyway. “Okay…”

Ember let out a sigh. “Listen, Spike. You really are a good friend. I don’t think I’d be where I am today if it weren’t for you.”

“Heh… thank you,” he said with a blush on him.

Ember moved closer to him and put a hand on his shoulder. “You know. Sometimes I do miss seeing you around. I think maybe one day I’d like to give you a personal tour of the Dragon Lands myself. I think you’d like it.”

The drake look awestruck and smiled. “Really?”

Ember nodded. “Really.”

Spike moved a little closer to Ember and embraced her into a hug. Ember had an embarrassed look on her, but she returned it as well.

Rarity could feel her blood boiling and gritted her teeth in anger. She looked up and saw a loose book above both of them. She grinned wickedly and her horn lit up.

Oh, no you don’t! she said to herself. You’re not going to sway him that easily, you lizard!

Ember chuckled a little and patted Spike’s head. “Come on. We need to get the book that we were looking fo–ow!” Ember winced and rubbed her head in pain.

A loud thud echoed and Spike gasped. He looked down and saw a large book nearby.

“Are you okay?” he asked in a worried tone.

Ember groaned in pain. “I’ll be fine,” she replied. She opened her eyes and noticed the book nearby. “How did that even happen? We weren’t looking at that shelf.”

“I’m not sure,” said Spike.

Rarity smirked as she walked around. She quickly hid as she turned the corner to look at Spike and Ember. “What’s wrong, Spikey?” She feigned a gasp as she looked at the book on the ground and at Ember. “Did that book fall on you, Ember?”

The dragoness nodded. “I’ll be fine,” she insisted.

“Nonsense, darling.” Rarity looked at Spike. “Why don’t you go get Twilight for me, Spikey Wikey? I’ll tend to Ember.”

“But she looks fine, Rarity,” said Spike.

“Just go on and let her know that she needs to be careful putting books away,” said Rarity. “We don’t want anypony else getting hurt.”

The drake hesitated for a moment and then nodded. “Alright, I’ll be back.”

Rarity watched as Spike ran down the hall and turned the corner. She waited until Spike’s footsteps faded, and then looked at Ember with a furious look on her.

“You better watch out, Ember,” she warned in an icy tone. “Sometimes knowledge hurts.”

Ember froze for a moment as something clicked in her head. She clenched her fist and glared at Rarity. “You did that to me?” she accused. “You were the one who hit me with that book!?”

“Be glad it was just that one loose book. I just needed to make sure you weren’t going to try anything with Spike.”

Ember’s body shook violently and she looked almost beside herself. “We had an agreement!” she barked. “You agreed you wouldn’t get in my way!”

“That was before I saw you trying to charm Spike with that talk of yours, and before this!” Rarity pulled out the folded note.

Ember looked at the paper with a puzzled look. “What is that?”

“Don’t pretend to play innocent with me,” said Rarity. “You know what’s written here. I gotta say though that your cleverness is as bad as your way of writing a love note.”

Silence fell upon the two for a moment. Ember looked shock and then her expression turned into an enraged look. “What!? Love note!?” she yelled. “What in Tartarus are you talking about!? I didn’t write any letter!” She reached out a hand to grab it.

Rarity pulled her hand back and put the note in her jeans’ pocket. “Another lie!” she argued. “You thought you could pull a fast one on me, but you aren’t as clever as you think you are.”

Ember’s eye twitched wildly and she got up in Rarity’s face. “You know, I’ve been trying to be nice and didn’t want to fight. You’ve done nothing but treat me like as if I’m some sort of murderer. You watch over me constantly whenever I’m with Spike even when I’ve told you I’m just his friend.”

“I’ve already told you I’ve seen the way you look at him,” Rarity shot back. “You like him more than that. I’ve seen it in your eyes and the way you act. I’m just reminding you to watch how you act around him.”

“Maybe you should be the one watching yourself,” warned Ember. “Remember that Spike created this alliance, and I don’t think he’d be happy to know that I’m breaking it off because of one jealous bimbo.”

Rarity looked like she was about to explode. “What did you say!?” she bellowed.

“You heard me!” shouted Ember. “One. Jealous. Bimbo.”

Rarity closed her eyes for a moment and let out a deep breath. She opened them again and she had fiery look on her eyes. “So that’s how it’s going to be, huh? I was kind of hoping that maybe you’d learn something instead of being a bitch. I guess you’ll have to learn things the hard way.”

Ember opened her mouth to speak, but suddenly heard another voice.

“What’s going on here?”

The two ladies broke off their stare and looked over to see a distressed Spike.

“I heard yelling, and I ran back over here,” he said. “What’s wrong, girls?”

Ember and Rarity turned away from each other and scoffed. “Nothing, Spike,” they both said in unison.

“But… but I heard you both yelling,” he said in a small voice. “I couldn’t hear the words, but it sounded like you were both angry.” He walked over and put himself in between both Ember and Rarity. “I don’t know what’s going on, but let’s just try to calm down. I can’t find Twilight and could use your help. After we find her, I’ll make all of us some lunch to eat.”

Rarity and Ember looked at Spike and both felt their anger melting away. They both smiled at him and hugged him. They briefly looked at each other, but looked away quickly.

“That sounds like a plan,” said Ember.

“Let’s go find her then,” said Rarity.

A loud scream suddenly rang out through the library that caught the group’s attention.

“That sounded like Twilight!” said Spike in a panicked voice. “Come on!”

As they all ran down the hallway, Spike suddenly felt a sharp jab in him and yelped in pain. He stopped and leaned over onto a bookcase.

Ember and Rarity stopped and both looked with worry on them at Spike.

“Spikey!” cried out Rarity.

“Are you okay!?” asked Ember.

Spike nodded and got up. “I’ll be fine,” he assured. “I just felt… something for a moment.”

“Do you need help?” inquired Ember.

Spike grunted a little as the pain went away. “I’m alright. I guess I must’ve pulled something.”

Rarity looked unsure, but nodded anyway. “I hope so, Spike.”

Spike took off running again and looked back. “Let’s go!” he ordered.

The group ran off and started running down the hallway. Hot Streak emerged from another row of book and looked both furious and a bit worried.

“That didn’t do go how I planned,” he said. “That scream I heard didn’t sound so good either. I think it’s time I get out of here and try not to push my luck.” He quietly walked out into the hallway and silently followed Spike and the others.

Spike, Ember, and Rarity ran as fast as they could and soon reached a small clearing near the entrance. They all looked over and saw Matches holding onto an upset Twilight, and Starlight standing there with a spooked look on her. On the ground was an open blue book that was upside down.

“What happen?” asked a frantic Spike. “Did somepony try to attack Twilight? Did you find one of my magazines?”

Starlight looked at Spike with a puzzle look. “Magazine?”

Spike waved a hand frantically and laughed softly. “Nothing! Nothing!” He looked over at Twilight. “What happened here, Twilight?”

The alicorn looked up with a livid expression on her face. “What happened?” she asked coldly. “I’ll tell you what happened. I was going to show Matches some of my favorite books that he may like to read.” She pointed to the book to the ground. “I was going to let him read one of my Daring Do books, and I found it not just lying on the ground, but somepony did the unthinkable to it!”

Spike looked at the book, and then at Twilight. He moved towards the book and picked it up. He looked at the cover and back, and saw nothing wrong with it. He flipped through some pages and saw nothing out of the ordinary. That was until he reached the final page, and he gasped. There was a large tear on the final page of the book. Some of the text was still on the page, but most of it was removed forcefully.

“How did this happen?” wondered Spike.

“I don’t know,” said Twilight angrily. She broke Matches’ grip and took the book from Spike. “This book was a limited edition too. I can’t think of anypony who’d do this.”

Starlight pulled Twilight in for a hug. “I’m not sure what’s going on, Twilight,” she said. “I don’t think any of us will know why somepony did this, but they’re probably long gone by now.”

Twilight looked down and let out a heavy sigh. “You’re probably right. I just can’t understand why they would do this.” She walked over to the door. “Come on, everypony. I think I need to relax after seeing something like that.”

Matches picked up the book and gave it to Twilight. “I think you better hold onto this,” he said. “You probably want to keep it safe after this.”

Twilight blushed a little and smiled. “Thanks,” she said in a soft tone.

“I better get going as well,” said Rarity. “I just remembered I have some fabric to go get.” She looked at Spike with a seductive look on her. “Would you like to help me, Spikey?”

Spike nodded. “I’d love to, Rarity.” He looked over at Ember. “I’ll see you later, Ember! Thanks again for the lesson today!”

Rarity smirked sinisterly as she looked at Ember. “I’ll see you around as well, darling. In fact, you’ll be seeing me around quite a lot.” She scoffed and walked out the door with Spike.

Ember stood there and clenched her fists so hard, she thought she could break a diamond.

Matches saw the livid expression on Ember and raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong, Ember?”

“I’m… fine,” she muttered through her teeth. “I just need to be alone for a while.”

“But, Ember…”

“Just stay and help Twilight.”

“Shouldn’t I come with you to–”

Ember held up a hand. “Just do it!” she barked as she stormed off.

Twilight, Starlight, and Matches stood there in shock.

“What’s with her?” Starlight asked Matches.

He shrugged. “I’m not sure. Maybe she’s upset about what happened here.”

The group watched as Ember walked down the hallway and disappeared around the corner.

Ember muttered to herself angrily and felt like wanting to punch something to give her some relief. She soon came across her room and went in, slamming the door shut. She leaned against the door and let out a loud groan.

“I don’t know how much more I can take!” she yelled. “I’ve tried being nice and reasonable, and this is what I get! I get accused of writing some love letter and then hit with a book when I was just talking with Spike!”

She walked over to her bed and fell onto it. She closed her eyes and could see the image of Rarity smiling smugly as she walked with Spike. She huffed and turned around tirelessly in her bed.

You’ll be seeing me around quite a lot, Rarity’s voice echoed in her head.

Ember’s eyes opened and she had a fierce look on her. She sat up and lowered her head. She looked around the room and noticed a picture frame on a small desk. She leaned over to pick it up. The picture was that of Spike smiling warmly and relaxing on a red chair. Ember smiled softly and rubbed a finger against the picture.

“I can’t believe he would think some manipulative unicorn like Rarity is perfect for him,” she said in a cold voice. “Alright, Rarity. If this is how you want to be, then I’m through playing nice. I didn’t want to do this, but you’re about to learn what happens when you cross a dragon.”

She looked at the picture of Spike again and grinned. “Wherever you go with Spike, I’ll be sure to follow.”

In the middle of the Everfree Forest, Hot Streak panted as he ran through the bushes and between the trees. He soon came across a clearing and came to a stop. He panted wildly as he looked around and saw only thick brush and the sounds of various wildlife in the forest. He pulled out the crystal in his jacket and in a flash turned back into Garble.

The dragon punched a tree in frustration hard enough to leave a fist print in the tree. “Damn it!” he yelled. “I was so close to having those two go off on each other!”

He kicked the ground and let out a frustrated growl. “I can’t even go back to that castle. That pony princess is onto me, and she’s probably going to keep an eye out for any suspicious dragons or ponies. I can’t even believe she got all worked up over some stupid book like as if it was her child or something.”

Garble paced around a little. “I’m never going to get this alliance broken off by playing matchbreaker it seems. I think I need to rethink how I do this.”

He took off into the air and flew above the trees. In the distance, Garble saw Ponyville and glared.

“I can wait though,” he said. “All I need to do is wait for that opportunity and take advantage of it.” He smiled to himself. “Sooner or later, Ember, you and Rarity are going to slip up, and I’ll be there to see it all come apart.”

Author's Note

At last, the new chapter is out. A major problem I had with this chapter was just coming up for the various types of dragons and their wings. I discussed it with some of my friends and they suggested a few things to me.

I'm not sure when the next chapter will come out since I have a lot of stuff coming up, but hopefully it won't be as long as this one was. Enjoy!