Previously on “My Little Pony: Elements of Equestria”...

Princess Twilight and Dragonlady Ember have been kidnapped by the sinister Count Scorch, who was a Unicorn known as Aethon Lampos and was Princess Celestia’s husband, until he mysteriously turned evil and Celestia was forced to imprison him in Mt. Furnace. Now, he has awakened and has brainwashed into Twilight turning against Equestria and her friends. Meanwhile in Canterlot, Twilight’s friends are with Princess Celestia and are trying to figure out how to save Twilight and Ember.

Rainbow, Pinkie, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Spike, and Heph were all waiting in one of the hallways of the Canterlot Castle. Waiting for what exactly? For Starlight to finish up analyzing Spike and Heph’s DNA to see if they were related. Needless to say, it was pretty boring. So, Heph decided try to teach Spike some Dragon magic to pass the time.

“Remember, Spike, an open claw allows you to let your magic flow freely, while a closed fist builds up that magic,” said Heph, demonstrating the lesson by manipulating the fire of a candle.

Spike tried to replicate it, but as anypony could guess, nothing happened. Despite his attempts to do this basic pyromancy, nothing happened. “Ugh, this is impossible!” he said frustratedly.

“Well I’m not surprised. It took me three months to master basic pyromancy, but in my defence my father wasn’t very good at teaching. I wouldn’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it.”

“Thanks, but I not worried about this. I’m worried about Twilight,” said Spike, “She’s like a sister to me. Though since she hatched me from my egg, I guess she could be like my mother? Whatever. I’m confusing myself. I’m just really worried about her and Ember.”

“Hmm, that’s it! I know how to get your magic to work. Just take that worry and direct it your magic.”

“Well how am I supposed to do that?” Spike asked.

“It’s all about visualization. Visualize your worry flowing out you like a stream. Then direct that worry so that it manipulates the candle’s flame.”

“I’ll try that.” Spike closed his eyes and visualized his worry making the flame bigger. There was sudden ‘floom’ sound and a slight flash of light. When Spike opened his eyes he saw the flame was twice its original size and the purple scales on Heph’s face were scorched black. Being a Dragon, of course he wasn’t harmed. Dragons are fire-proof. Everypony couldn’t help but laugh.

“Hilarious,” Heph said sarcastically, with an ‘are-you-kidding-me’ face. He then coughed out a bit of smoke, which made Spike laugh even more.

A couple more minutes passed and Starlight finally came out of the room she had been analyzing Spike and Heph’s DNA in.

“Mr. Vulcan,” she said happily, “The test confirmed it. Spike is your son.”

Heph’s eyes lit up and he shouted, “Yes! Finally! After all these years of searching, I’ve finally found my son!” He then quieted down when he saw Fluttershy hide behind a pillar. “Oh, um, sorry. I didn’t mean to be that loud.”

“It’s alright,” Fluttershy said, quiet as usual.

Spike was, for some reason, silent. The reason, in fact, was that he was too happy to say anything (like Rainbow when Spitfire told her she was now a Wonderbolt).

“Mazel Tov!” said Pinkie, “You know what this calls for?”

“Let us guess. A party?” asked Rarity.

“A party!” Pinkie confirmed. She then pulled her Party-cannon out of nowhere and fired it. Colorful confetti filled the air.

“Hold on, Pinkie. Ah don’t think we should be partyin’ at a time like this. Twi’s still missin’, ya know,” said Applejack.

“Ahh, way to poop the party, party pooper.”

“Applejack’s right,” agreed Rainbow, “Twilight is still Scorch’s prisoner and we have no idea how we are going save her.”

“Perhaps I may be of some assistance,” said the guard from earlier as she came around the corner.

“Mwahahahahahahahahaha! Yes! This is turning out even better than I anticipated. Soon Equestria will be within my grasp, and Celestia will pay for betraying me!” shouted Count Scorch.

“I agree,” said Twil…I mean, Evening Flare, “Celestia mislead me. She tricked me into making friends, made me believe that all the problems in the world could be solved by working together, but I realize now that all that hogwash about friendship is complete rubbish. Thank you for showing me the light, Count.”

“You are welcome. Now, how do you suggest we start our conquest?”

“I suggest we start by rallying your troops.”

“Already done,” said Blaiz.

“Then where are they?”

“You’re looking at them, Princess,” said Wildfire, “And may I be the first to say that they’re really pathetic.”

“Hey!” protested Inferna.

“Well it’s true, Mom.”

“So how do you suggest we fix that?” asked Scorch.

“I’m always thinking ahead, that’s why I, with the help of a kindred spirit, foalnapped, or rather dragonnapped, Dragonlady Ember. Dragons are unintelligent, but they make great soldiers. With their leader out of the way, you’ll be able to easily convince them to join us. You won’t even need to use your Scorch Smog.”

“I like that plan. Who is this kindred spirit you speak of?”

“Garble is one of the more intelligent Dragons, who also seems to have a grudge on the Ponies. He’s already an ally of ours.”

Scorch walked over to Wildfire. “And that’s why you are my favorite,” he said, “Come, Wildfire. We are heading off to the Dragonlands!”
“As you wish, master.” The two of them headed for the tunnel.

Back with the rest of Mane 6…

"Were you eavesdropping on us?" asked Rainbow.

"Technically yes, but I prefer the term 'overheard'," said the guard.

“So who are ya?” asked Applejack.

“The name’s Lieutenant Rosanna Dodger, though you can just call me Rose,” she said.
Rose was a Pegasus with snow white fur, an equally white mane and tail, eyes as red as, well, roses, and freckles on her cheeks. Parts of her mane stuck out from under her helmet, and her tail was surprisingly short for a mare.

“So what exactly can you do to help?” asked Spike.

“I know a guy. He runs a little cafe that I often visit, and he might know somepony who can help.”

To be continued...

Author's Note

How does Scorch plan to convince the Dragons into joining him? Who is this person Rose knows who might be able to help? These questions and more next time on "My Little Pony: Elements of Equestria".

I'll admit, this is my least favorite chapter so far, but don't worry, readers, the next chapter will be better. Maybe.