One Wrong Turn

Chapters

Wrong Way
What happened last night?... or ever for that matter?
Who's Spike?
Spike's training days part 1

Wrong Way

Everfree Forest 8:00 P.M

The Everfree forest did not have visitors very often, especially not late at night, but tonight was different. A small purple baby dragon by the name of Spike walked down the dirt path used often by animals and ponies. He was not here for a nightly stroll,no not at all. He was running away from home. He believed that his best friend, Twilight Sparkle,no longer loved him anymore. He thought of her as a big sister and that really hurt him, so he ran away. Fate; or the gods (pick your favorite divine force) had planned for him to resolve things with her that night and come to term with his jelousy, the reason he was here. This was because an owl, Owlowiscious, had become twilights new pet and assistant. Spike thought he was there to replace him, though that was not the truth, he was there to work during the night, for Spike became more and more tired as he worked past his bedtime. His jealousy and stubbornness would not let him see this and he tried to get rid of the poor owl by faking a murder. It would have worked... ok maybe not. It was not well planned, he used a mouse plushie, ketchup, and stuffing. It didn't help that he was monologuing with an evil laugh when he set it up. Twilight said she was dissapointed he would try to do that and Spike thought of it as her saying she didn't love him.So here we are, a lone little dragon walking through the forest, cold, hungry, sad, and lonely. As I said before, the fates ( or god) wanted him to learn a lesson and give him a happy ending, although someone, did not. But that's enough of my jabering isn't it? Let's see what's happening with little Spike and his journey.

Spike was walking through the Everefree with his head down and dragging his knapsack across the ground. "Twilight hates me". he said as he trudged through the Everfree forest." I'm cold,hungry, tired, and lonely. Could it get any worse?". As if on cue, Murphy complied. A loud thunderbolt that caused Spike to jump began the rain as it fell steadily to the ground." I guess that's a yes." he said, annoyed at the sudden downpour. He looked around for a place to take shelter from the cold rain and saw a path that split in two. On the left was a cave and on the right the path just kept going. He decided to go for the cave, that is, until he looked back at it and there was a barren mountainside were the cave used to be." That's weird" he said to himself. " I could've sworn there was a cave there, I must be going delusional from the hunger. Better find some food". He decided the right was the right way to go.(*rimshot*...fine, be that way.) As he trudged down the path he heard the slight sound of a snapping twig. He turned around but saw nothing. He decided it was an animal, the problem was what animal? He walked at a faster pace to wherever the path would lead him only to hear rustling. He was running now, his knapsack all but forgotten and the noises getting closer. He came screetching to a halt as a dark figure landed in front of him. It was on all fours and seemed to made of living wood. Timberwolf thought Spike. He knew they were dangerous and usually traveled in packs. They would usually make one to chase the prey towards the rest of the pack and finish it. This one seemed different though. Spike noticed it had a sort of strap around its neck with a golden circle in the middle. Is that a collar? Spike thought. He decided he wouldn't dwell on it and looked around for an exit. The timberwolf was getting closer, growling and snarling at his newley found meat. Spike saw a bush over to his left and jumped through it, running as fast as he could.

Books and Branches library 7:30 P.M

"Spike?" asked Twilight. The unicorn had gone out to get something to eat after scolding her number one assistant and 'little brother' for lying to her and trying to frame her new pet Owlowiscious because of his jealousy.

She came back to an emty library and figuered he was sleeping, thinkinng about what he had done.

She went to the second floor and found it dark, seeing the lump in the little basket that was Spike's bed, she thought he was there. "Spike? can we talk?" She asked with worry in her voice. She continued, although she didn't hear a response. "I'm sorry I said what I said. Although I was a little dissapointed, I should have seen that you were jealous of Owlowiscious and I should have made it clear that you can't be replaced. I was wondering if you could forgive me." She said.

"Spike?"

She pulled his blanket out and was shocked to find a letter instead of her assistant. She levitaded it to her face and began to read it.

Dear Twilight

I get it now, you hate me, you don't love me anymore, and you've replaced me. I'm going to save you the trouble of getting rid of me and am running away. Don't bother looking for me, I'll probably find a nice cave in the Everfree Forest and live the rest of my days alone. Who knows? maybe I'll even die soon, hehe, you'd want that would'nt you? I know I would, without you there's no more meaning in my life. Rarity? She's your friend, you would always be there to shove me away.

Goodbye forever

- Spike

P.S I hope that owl was worth your number 1 assistant and best friend.

It took Twilight a full five minutes to process the letter."This could'nt have been Spike, could it?" She thought.

" Its not his handwriting, but maybe its because he was sad or angry. Either way I have to find him, he has to be in... the Everfree Forest. AT NIGHT!

Twilight Sparkle ran out the door and sped to the Everfree Forest in search of Spike.

Hidden amongst some trees, a hooded figure stood watching everything unfold. He had been watching and planning his revenge for days and finally, his plan would come to fruition, He planted the owl that he had stolen from its mother and raised as his agent. He trained it to kill and it had killed many, shame he had to have his mind... "let's not dwell on that" he thought. Either way soon he would have his revenge. He laughed coldly at the thought of the pests about to suffer his wrath. They would soon regret crossing him. Time for phase two. The hooded pony left and headed towards carousel boutique.

Everfree Forest 8:30 P.M

Spike was running faster than he'd ever run before. His short stubby legs didn't allow him much mobility, but he used the forest to his advantage. He would grab branches and smack the wolf, jump over the occasional mossy rock and set it on fire, causing the wolf to go around it, and he would even swing from the occasional vine(until he grabbed a snake and threw it off, that is).

At one point he stopped panting and gasping for breath. He looked around and saw the wolf nowhere to be found. He sighed, relieved he outran it, but groaned realizing he dropped his knapsack with his food and was now lost. He was gonna try and find it when the timberwolf pounced out of the bushes and tackled him, bitting into his arm. They both rolled onto a clearing that had a big triangular cliff that led to another part of the forest. They rolled onto the left side of the cliff almost on the edge. Spike felt a terrible pain in his arm from the sharp teeth of the Timberwolf and his scales were too underdeveloped to protect him anymore than a small flesh wound. "This is the end" Spike thought, soon the beast would go for his neck and he would die, right there, in the forest, a dragon, killed by a dog made of wood. He let out a pained chuckle at the irony. A firebreathing killing machine, would be killed by the equivilent of mobile wood, one of the most flammable objects there was.At least he would die under Luna's beauriful moon.

SMACK!

The Timberwolf was suddenly thrown off of him by a purple blast and slid off the right side of the cliff while attempting to scrape the ground to regain its balance.

Spike, shocked, looked to his side and saw a lavender colored unicorn slowly walk out from the bushes, her horn smoking and her face, one of anger. Her mane and tail were a dark blue with a hot pink line running through it next to an identical purple one. Her purple eyes were filled with anger and seemed to be searching for any signs of the Timberwolf. Spike almost didn't recognize her, mostly due to the bloodloss and pain, but the cutie mark was unmistakeable. It was a six pointed magenta star, surrounded by five other smaller white stars. The mare that had just saved his life was none other than Twilight Sparkle.

Spike's adrenaline had worn out and he finally noticed the pain in his arm. It felt like it was stinging while a thousand pounds of force were pressing down against it. Most of his scales were coated a crimson red, whilst some lay around the ground. He grunted in pain as he tried to stand up and flee, causing Twilight to stop her searching and run to him.

"Spike!" she yelled as she ran over and hugged him. "I was so worried about you! why did you run away?"

"I thought you didn't need me anymore and that you didn't love me"

"Spike, you are my number one assistant and friend, I could never stop loving you, and I would never want to get rid of you or wish you were dead"

" Let's go home we need to treat your arm" she said with a worried expression.

"I know Twi, and i'm sorry I r- wait what? can we go back a sec? What made you think I thought you wanted me dead?!"he said with a shocked look.

Twilight looked at him with a confused look on her face."umm... the letter you wrote?" she said/asked.

"What letter?" Spike asked.

They were to busy talking that they didn't notice a shadow climbing up the wall.

"Twilight why would I purpously tell you where I was going if I was running away?" Spike asked his friend, who kept insisting he wrote a letter he obviously did not. As Twilight kept naming reasons Spike saw something move and his eyes widened.

"Furthermore, it could have been so yo-" Twilight was cut off by Spike yelling and tackleing her.

"Twilight look out!" Spike yelled. He jumped towards her and managed to knock he aside, away from the pouncing wolf. Unfortunately this caused the wolf to get him instead.

Time slowed down. Twilight watched in horror as her number one assistant and bessed friend fell over the edge of an extremely steep cliff in the mouth of a timberwolf, the last thing she saw him do was mouth the word:Goodbye.

Spike watched as twilight saw him fall of the edge, in the mouth of the stupid timberwolf that was too stubborn to give up. He fell and hit the side of the mountain multiple times, less than the wolf though. He noticed his previous hypothesis was correct. The wolf did have a collar, encrusted with gems, but that wasn't important. He knew he was done for this time and nothing could save him.He felt multiple scales get ripped off of his body and the last thing he saw before he blacked out with a tremendous pain in his head, was the forest canopy coming ever so closer.

Twilight just stood there. Mixed expressions of fear, anger, sadness, and regret swarmed her mind. Her best friend and number one assistant was dead. NO!. Spike is alive! she thought. She found a safe way down and ran towards were she saw him fall through. She was determined to save him, she knew he was alive, she he was safe ,she knew that he was absolutely possitively... dead. She arrived at the bottom and was greeted with a horrible sight. A timberwolf, napping under a tree, with a few scratches, a smile on his face and an extended belly. A trail of Spike's scales led to him and she knew what happened. The timberwolf used Spike to save himself from the blow, killing Spike and removing his scales, making him easier to kill.

Twilight snapped.

Her mane became flowing fire, her eyes red, and the rest of her white, and in a second the wolf, along with a half a mile perfect circle of forest, was incinerated. She winked out and appeared in her room. Throughout all of ponyville wails and sobs of a grieving mare could be heard as Twilight Sparkle cried herself to sleep, oblivious to the azure wave pf energy that spread across the whole of equestria.

Carousel boutique 9:00 P.M

"So, let me get this straight darling". The unicorn, Rarity, said to the hooded pony. Rarity was a fashion designer and the element of generosity, she had a white coat and a purple mane and tail, and her cutie mark was three sparkling blue diamonds. Some hours ago, a hooded stallion( she knew it was a stallion because of his voice) knocked on her door, she said they were closed, but he wouldn't leave. He kept it up for an hour until Rarity gave in. He made her a deal, she cast a simple spell, and he made sure her designs were known worldwide. She accepted immediately of course, but then hesitaded, what was this spell? " I do a little spell for you and my designs are instantly a hit?" she asked the stallion.

" Of course" he said." I have friends in very high places." Do we have a deal?" he asked her reaching out his hoof.

"deal" she said. I know I'll regret this

They shook on it and the stallion took out a small purple scale. " I believe you know who this belongs to, do you not?" he asked her. " Isn't that Spikey's scale?" she asked him.

"Why yes it is"

" Why do you have his scale?" She asked suspisciously.

" I am a close friend of Twilight's and of Spike, I was busy in canterlot with my research and was unable to attend his last birthday, so I asked for one of his scales from Twilight for a spell that is to be his present, and before you ask, I chose you because the caster must be the one that he loves. I gave you this offer because it would be rude of me not to reward you." he explained.

Rarity blushed when he mentioned Spike's crush. She new the young dragon was secretely enfatuated with her, but she never really gave it much thought.

"Very well". "I'm going to regret this aren't I?" she asked herself. She could have sworn she heard a faint "Oh big time" but decided it was just her imagination.

The stallion explained the proceedure of the spell and Rarity began to cast it. When she was done she saw the stallion looking at her with what she thought was a smirk. " well done you foal!" He said. " Phase two of my vengeance is completed and now I bid you adew." and with that he winked out and left Rarity to her thoughts, these were halted when she felt a dizzie spell and blacked out.

Everfree Forest 8:50 P.M

A hooded figure walked outside his cave, it was magically enchanted to be undetectable and only he and those he allowed for, could enter it. He went outside, for something was very wrong. His pet had not returned from his hunt, this worried him, so he went to look for him. He found him about half a mile from his home, next to a bloody, bruised, and almost scaleless baby dragon. He was barely breathing and losing blood.

The figure sighed. " Oh Barky, what have you done this time?" He shook his head and placed the baby dragon on Barky's back.

"Come" he said. " What have I told you about hunting, hunt that which cannot kill you, and that which cannot speak. Barky looked down, ashamed. "It is alright my friend, do not let it happen again. This hatchling requires treatment, run ahead and treat him while I gather an important herb.

Barky did as he was told and returned to the cave. The figure returned with a herb known as poison joke. He grinded it up and mixed it with another salve he had Barky prepare and applied it to the hatchling. Almost immediately his wounds started to heal and his breathing became calmer and steadier." He will live, Barky, you almost killed one of my kind and most likely took him from his family. Forgive me, but, no rabbit pie for you tonight. The timberwolf looked stricken and lowere his head, again ashamed for his accions.

Spike saw nothing but darkness. The never ending void in which he floated in seemed calm to him. Then the calm went away. His whole body began to ache and burn as he returned to conciousness. He began to writhe in pain and tried to scream, but his voice failed him as if his mouth was full of peanut butter. The pain finally subsided and Spike began to open his eyes. At first everything was blurry, but then it cleared up. He couldn't take in the surroundings, for there was a more important matter at claw. In front of him was a dragon, like him but three times his size. His scales were a dull shade of gold as were his head spikes. He had a white fu manchu kinda beard/mustache thing going on and his folded wings seemed to have holes. His eyes were of a deep blue hue and it was obvious he was ancient, even though he was not very big. After a while, the dragon noticed that Spike was awake.

"Ah!" he said." You are awake! that is good. I suppose you wish to know what happened, well, so do I, but first, what is your name?" he asked.

"....." Spike stayed silent for a while

"I don't know"

So? how'd you like my first chapter? feedback is smiled upon. Please tell me if you find any grammar errors.

disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. except the fu manchu and hooded guy. and barky :D ( see wut I did there? Barky. get it?... screw u guys.

(P.S I put disclaimer down here cuz that's how I roll bitches!) naw u guys ain't bitches. I just be teasin' :D

What happened last night?... or ever for that matter?

I'm going to start putting dates for a certain reason that shall be explained soon

Somewhere in the Everfree Forest 10:00 A.M Friday June 23rd

The dragon just stared at blankly at Spike.

"He does not know?" He asked himself."I fear that little 'struggle' he had with Barky may have had undesired results."

" Where am I?Who am I?" Spike said as he sat up and looked at the dragon. The young dragon's words snapped the elder out of his trance and he turned to face him.

"Well to answer your first question, little one, you are in my cave near the center of the Everfree." He said. Spike watched as he went over to a tray near his bed and grabbed a mug. He then returned next to him and sat on a chair. Spike took some time to survey the area. He was in a small section of the cave, the walls were made from a smooth grey stone and there were small stalactites hanging from the roof. He was on a bed with a green cover on the far side of the room. To his left was a nightstand with two drawers made of finely carved wood. To his right was a dresser made of the same material as the nightstand and near a corner of the room was a door that most likely led to the rest of the compound. The tray where the dragon had grabbed the mug had been on the nightstand.

"Here" .The dragon said." Drink it, it will make you feel better". His voice was kind and caring, Spike thought it reminded him of someone, but a slight buzzing in his mind caused him to stop thinking about it.

"But, I feel fi- ERK! Spike clutched his chest and layed back down on the bed as he attempted to get up. He hadn't noticed that he was completely bandaged. "Fine" said Spike as he reached for the cup, or at least tried to. The second he stretched his arm, he winced in pain and retracted it.

The dragon chuckled a bit. "Do not try to move too much yet my child". He said." Your wounds are not yet healed, allow me to help you." He began to spoon feed Spike the mixture, much to his embarrassment.

"My child?". asked Spike." Are you my dad?"

"Yes and no". He replied.

"What does that mean?". Asked Spike.

"Ah, where are my manners?" He began." Allow me to introduce myself. I am known by many names, my secret name I cannot give away, so I will give you another." He paused, for dramatic effect."I am ,or was actually, the Dragon Father or Dragon King as some call it. All dragons pledged there obediance to me and in a way, most considered me their father. I would bring peace to arguing clans and families and would often keep young pages to train in the art of magic and the laws and customs of dragons. That, young one, is why I called you to be my child, I had not intended such confusion." he explained.

Spike did not unterstand many of the things he said. Secret names? Dragon Father? Dragon clans? Dragon Magic?! As far as he knew dragons couldn't use magic. Then again he couldn't even remember his own name so... Still he was kinda sad he wasn't his dad, Zol seemed kinda nice, that and the fact that if he was his dad , he would know his name, although he asked him for it, so that was out of the question.

"So, do you know what happened to me?" Spike asked hopefully. Maybe he knew someone that knew who he was.

Zol winced a little. "Well, you see... I do not, forgive me. All I do know is that I found you in the Everfree, about half a mile from here." He said. " You were severely injured and in need of medical attention. Fate must of smiled upon you, for I am greatly versed in healing magic."

"Do you know how I was hurt?"Spike asked him.

" I was getting to that part. From your position, I deduced you had fallen off the cliff, or at the very least thrown off." His voice had a tinge of regret as he said the last part.

"Thrown? What would have thrown me off?"

Zol hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Well, I will show him to you but he might startle you, although I am hoping it will jog your memory." He replied.

"Jog my memory?" Spike asked confused. As far as he knew his memory was fine, he just couldn't remember his name. He even kne where he was before he 'fell' of that cliff..."Why can't I remember where I was?! Come to think of it, I can't remember my whole past! Not a single memory! What's happening to me?!". He thought. Spike was scared now, he wouldn't be able to know if Zol was actually some sick dragon that wanted to do bad things to him like... "Who told me to stay away from strangers? Think brain think!" His brain started to feel numb after he had hit his skull as a feeble attempt to remember so he decided to try and think when he healed.

"Here he is" Came Zol's voice from the door in the corner.

"Huh?" Spike had been so caught up in his attempt to unlock memory lane, that he hadn't noticed Zol had left the room and had returned with a... " What the heck is that?" Spike said pointing at the wooden construct that seemed to be looking down, ashamed. He was made out of wood, it seemed to resemble that of trees, and had a pair of glowing yellow eyes. He seemed to have the body shape of a wolf and... "Wait, a wolf? Spike seemed to recall such a beast. He began to prod his clouded mind for answers, again a buzzing was present in his mind, but he was determined to remember.

"AAH!". Spike screamed. He clutched his head with his hand, he started to remember something and his nose began to bleed.

Zol, surprised by this left to grab some medicine and some cloth. Meanwhile Spike was busy remembering.

"Running, running, have to keep running, legs aching, heart racing, timberwolf chasing!" Spike said to himself. He was being chased by a timberwolf that came out of nowhere and began to chase him. He dived through bushes and thwacked it with tree branches but he couldn't make it stop.

Suddenly the scene changed and Spike was in mid leap, he saw the Timberwolf snapping its jaws on his body and a sillhoett of a unicorn mare."I know her" Spike thought. Her name was... Spark? Yeah! That sounded sorta familiar, it had to be her! He would have to find her when he healed. The memory continued as he fell through the cliff, he felt no pain yet knew the fall had hurt. Now that he looked at the timberwolf in his memory it looked like the same one...that.. was........... "It was the wolf!" he thought. "He did this to me!" Then as he fell he heard a sickening thud and awoke from the memory.

Spike woke with a start accidentaly bonking Zol, who had been placing a cloth in his nose to stop the bleeding, on the head." Sorry! I didn't mean to hit you!" Spike said apologetically. " It is fine" Zol said whilst piking himself up." I have grown to a state in which pain has no meaning, besides, I was the Dragon Father for a reason" He said chuckling. Spike now noticed the timberwolf looking at him in the corner. "YOU!". Spike bellowed, startling both Zol and the wolf. "You did this to me! It's because of you that I can't remember and that I don't even know what Spark looks like!" He had forced the wolf into a corner, causing it to shake and quiver in fear. The wolf was smaller than most Timberwolves but still bigger than Spike. " If it wasn't for you I would probably be at home or with Spark, or i'd be-" He stopped himself when he noticed the tear streaking down the wolf's eye. It was made from tree sap but a tear nonetheless. The wolf had a look of sadness and regret which told Spike more than words could.Spike crept closer to the wolf as it closed its eyes waiting for the blow. It never came, instead the wolf felt the warm embrace of the dragon. "I'm sorry, I yelled at you, I know you regret it, I can tell. I forgive you, you were just hungry." He said.

The timberwolf just sat there in the dragon's embrace, he clearly did not expect the dragon to accept his apology. So he did the greatest show of affection a wolf can do. He gave him a BIG lick. "Hehe, stop it it tickles!" Spike said as he began to laugh.The timberwolf would not relent, he will show his new friend how much he cares for him. With licks!

Zol watched from the other side of the room. "He has a kind heart. He will do nicely." He said to himself and left the two new friends so he may prepare the training grounds.

Books and branches library 12:00 P.M Friday June 23rd

Twilight has been up for five hours now. She had been crying to herself for four of those. The loss of Spike had taken its toll on her, but now came the hardest part. Telling her friends. She had already sent a letter to Celestia via the postal service and had told Rainbow dash ,who had been checking out a Daring Do book, to gather the rest of her friends. Rainbow had asked her why and she just said it was important as she stopped herself from breaking into tears again.

The rest of the elements had arrived in about another hour, mostly because some were busy. There was Rainbow Dash. A cyan colored pegasus with magenta eyes and a rainbow colored mane and tail. Her cutie mark was a rainbow lightning bolt coming from a white cloud and she represented the element of loyalty.

Then came applejack. She was an orange earth pony with strong green eyes. Her mane and tail were yellow and she had her brown stetson on. Her cutie mark was three red apples and she represented the element of honesty.

Next came Pinkie Pie, an earth pony. She was pink. Really pink. Her mane and tail were frizzy and messed up and a darker shade of pink than her coat. She had cerulean blue eyes and her cutie mark were three balloons, one yellow in the center and two blue ones off to the either side of that one. She represented the element of laughter.

After that is Rarity.

Last, but not least, was fluttershy. She was a light yellow pegasus with a light pink mane and tail. Her eyes were a soft teal and her cutie mark was three butterflies. She represented the element of kindness.

They all came to the library because Rainbow had said Twilight had something important to tell them.Pinkie, being her usual happy self began to guess why they might be there.

"Ooh! What if she found a spell that made infinite cupcakes grow from a candy tree! or *GASP* what if she found a way to throw everpony in Equestria one huge gigantic party! or maybe sh-mfmfmfmfmfmfmf!" Applejack put a hoof in Pinkie's mouth to stop her from continuing to guess the important news that Twilight had.

"Now Pinkie, Twi 'll tell us this important news when she's good'n ready! 'Til then we'll just haf ta wait". She said.

As if on cue, Twilight slowly and glumly trotted down the stairs. Her friends saw her eyes were red and puffy from crying and her face wet with tears. "Darling whatever is the matter?" asked Rarity. "Oh my goodness, did something happen?" asked fluttershy.

"Girls, I need to start from the beggining." Twilight took a deep breath and explained what happened, leaving out the killing of the timberwolf that is. They listened intently to her story and took in the information."... and thats what happened. I couldn't save him. If only I had noticed the timberwolf, or his jealousy, but I didn't." She said sadly as she lowered her head and tears started forming in her eyes. She waited for the gasps of her friends, or the wails, or cries, but none came. She looked up to see them looking at her, some confused, and some concerned.

"Uh, sugarcube. We have absolutely no idea who this, 'Spike' pony is, and we sure as heck don't understand dat dere story you told us." said Applejack.

"Yeah! Is this a prank Twilight? Because I really really really love pranks, but this couldn't be a prank because you're sad and that makes me wanna turn that frown upside down!" Pinkie said as she did a flip in the air.

"Um, Twilight, I what Pinkies trying to say is, we think you're pulling our legs. We've never met any Spike before" Rainbow said.

Saying Twilight was shocked and in a state of disbelief was a complete understatement."WHAT?! HOW COULD YOU ALL BE SO INSENSITIVE?! I TELL YOU THAT SPIKE, OUR SPIKE IS DEAD, KILLED BY A TIMBERWOLF, AND NOT ONLY DO YOU ALL SHRUG IT OFF LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED, BUT YOU HAVE THE NERVE, THE NERVE!, TO THINK IT'S FUNNY TO PRETEND HE NEVER EXISTED?! NONE OF YOU ARE MY FRIENDS! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU ALL! I NEVER WANT TO SEE ANY OF YOU EVER AGAIN! NOW, GET OUT!" Twilight bellowed. Her coat had turned bright white and her eyes a deep red. Her mane and tail seemed to be made of living fire and tears were streaming down her cheeks. She used a powerful magical blast to send her ex-friends out of the library and into the street. She then made a powerful magic shield so that nopony could get in or look in.

Her friends just stared at each other. For a time there was silence, then Pinkie spoke up."She...she doesn't wanna be f-friends a-anym-more?" Pinkie's hair deflated and she ran off crying.

"What in tarnation just happened?" asked Applejack. "I reckon' Twilight is mighty steamed at us, I'm gonna go check on Pinkie."

Fluttershy had run off after the blast, crying. " AJ's right, besides, twilight probably went crazy and imagined up someone from overstudying. Give her a week and she'll be fine." Said Rainbow as she flew up and away.

The only one left was Rarity who was sitting on the ground lost in thought."Sweet Celestia" she said. "What have I done?". She ran to carousel boutique and cried...

Zol's Cave 2:00 P.M Friday June 23rd

Zol had returned later on to see Spike teaching Barky to sit and roll over. He hadn't really told him his name yet, so it was possibly not going very well."You know, it is better to teach when one knows the other one's name". He told Spike." Oh, don't worry, his name was on his collar" He replied. "Well little one, I must ask you a few questions". Zol told him.

"Sure" said Spike.

" Who is this 'Spark' you spoke of earlier? Have you regained your memory when you saw Barky?"

"Well, I think Spark is her name, I'm pretty sure, anyways, she's my best friend, I think, but she lives in a mountain town."

"There appeared to be much doubt in your voice, little one"

"Well, that's because I can't remember much" He pouted.

Zol gave a small chuckle to this. "So you have remembered anything else?"

"No, I just saw a memory when I noticed Barky. It was really blurry and I couldn't get a clear view of Spark"

"It is progress nonetheless. I have another question for you, little one"

"What is it?"

"What will you do once you have fully recovered?"

Spike thought for a moment. He didn't know where he lived and he was sure that if Barky could beat him, almost anything could. Another thing was that he didn't know how to find food and he was sure there weren't any towns nearby.

"I'm not really sure wait I CAN do" he said sadly.

"Well, little one, how would you like to become my page?"

"Isn't that part of a book" Spike asked, confused.

Zol simply chuckled."In a way yes, but I am talking about you becoming my page, or student" He said amused.

"Student?"

"I will teach you dragon magic, how to hone your abilities, physically and mentally, and I will teach you to use your fire."

"Wow!"Spike said in awe. He knew he hadn't been very good with his fire before, but he could teach him, yet, what about his past, he needed to know more. " But what abo-" Spike began, but Zol raised his hand as to silence him.

"Do not worry, little one, Barky will see to finding about your past." He went to a desk and wrote a short letter. He then turned to Barky and said"Ad concilium et libera hoc nuntius, post festina." Barky's eyes began to glow green as he stood up and ran out the door, parchment in mouth.

"Ad concili-what now?" asked Spike bemused.

"It was the language of the dragons, or, latin as some call it. It is a powerful language, used for many draconian spells, I will teach you this soon, but now you must rest. I have sent Barky to the dragon coucil to inform them of my new page." He explained. "I would have gone my self, but these old wings can no longer fly that far" He said as he unfurled his wings. They had small holes in some places and his left wing had a small rip. " So you see, I would not be able to go if I tried. It is a very long way to the mountain where the council resides and it will take two months at best for Barky to return, until then I am afraid I cannot help you in remembering your past".

"It's okay Zol, at least it'll give me more time to learn stuff from you!" Spike said enthusiastically.

Zol chuckled at his enthusiasm." I am glad to see you are not saddened, now to the matter of your name."

"My name? Oh right! but, umm... I can't remember it."

"Do not worry, as Dragon Father one of my many duties was giving young dragons their secret names"

"You mentioned those before right? What are they?"

"A secret name is a name given to a dragon that they only give to their clan members or to their closest friends"

"Oh. So what's mine?!" Spike asked, eager to learn his new name.

"Hmm..." He pondered for a minute before responding."You shall be known as Ladon. It stands for unknown"

"Ooh. cool!"said Spike." My name is Ladon the Unknown!" He then proceded to use his bedsheets as a cape and covered his face like a cloak. Zol simply chuckled. "Yes, yes, now I believe you still need rest, I need to make more preperations to the training room if I am to properly train you.

"Ok Zol!" Spike said happily and curled up in his bed.

"Oh and before I forget, Ladon, please call me master Zol."

"*Yawn* Ok maser Zol" said Spike as he drifted off to sleep and drempt of a mountain city ruled by two princesses.

Master Zol walked through the corridors of the cave towards the training room to prepare Spike for his training."Oh To be young again, so much spirit". He chuckled."What have I gotten myself into" He asked himself as he walked through the maze-like cave, his claws gently scraping at the stone floor. "The boy is filled with the passion to learn. Perhaps he lived with a teacher? I will have to look into that at a later time. Until then, were did I put the keys to the crocodile pit?" he continued to mumble to himself about a rabid mongoose as he walked throught the corridors, not knowing that Spike had not gone to sleep just yet.

Spike sat in his bed, thinking of what to write. He had found a journal when teaching Barky tricks. It was leather bound and old, with one of those red book marks sticking out. He was able to remember the date and opened the book to write.

June 23rd

Dear Spark

Well, I found ou that I got really hurt and now my memories are all fuzzy, I can't remember anything about my past, but everything else in my head is fine though, math ,history, grammar, all that kinda stuff, even my favourite foods!. I'm not even sure if Spark is your real name, but it's as close as I can remember so I'm sticking to it. I found this journal, so I'm gonna be writing you letters for when I find you Spark. Right now a really nice dragon called Zol, well Master Zol for me cuz I'm his new page. (that means student!) Isn't it great? I'm gonna be taught by the Dragon Father! I'm getting off topic though. Anyways, he found me after the accident, which I can remember, except for what you look like. So, before you go blaming Barky, (the timberwolf) just know he didn't mean it. He's Master Zol's pet and he was just really hungry, I happened to look like lunch so... anyway, he found me and Barky on the bottom of the cliff and took care of me. Now he's gonna help me get my memory back and train me on how to be a dragon. I know I'll find you so don't worry about me. I love you Spark and I miss you, I think, yeah I do.

-Ladon

P.S it's my secret name so don't tell anyone. Zol gave it to me!

When he was done he patted the page, proud of his first entry. Unfourtunately, this made some dust float up and made him sneeze. "ACHOOO!".The first page was instantly incinerated and he had to start over. He sighed and gave a grunt of frustration. He then began to rewrite the page, this time, however, he dusted off the book. After he was sure he could'nt burn it and that Zol wouldn't find it, he went to sleep.

So how was chapter two? u like? hooray! u don't? fuck you! Well tell me of any grammatical errors there might be and of what I can do to make the story better. k thanks bye!

P.S If you see the word 'porn' randomly appear somwhere in there, please tell me. My brother put that word somewhere in one of the chapters and I don't know where.

Who's Spike?

Sugarcube Corner 2:00 P.M Monday June 26th

Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy , Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie were sitting at Sugarcube Corner, trying to figure out what was wrong with Twilight. " I just don't get it! Why would Twi coop herself up in er house fer three days? It just ain't like her. I mean sure sometimes she gets into a study frenzy or sometin like that, but she never stays away from us this long!" said Applejack, bewildered at her friends behavior.

"Yeah, AJ's right girls!". Rainbow." Twilight never gets like this, especially so close to the summer sun celebration!"

" Yeah, I heard that it was going to be in ponyville again." said Applejack. " I reckon' we should ask somepony for help, maybe a psychia-whatchamacallit?"

"Now that's crazy! All twiligh needs is a good old fashioned, stress relieving Party! yelled Pinkie. Pinkie, who had returned to her bubbly personality after a talk with Applejack took out her party cannon from and fired conffetti everywhere.

"Umm... Pinkie, I agree with AJ, it might be best if Twilight sees a psychiatrist, um if you don't mind that is... I mean she might have over stressed herself and may need relaxation to clear her mind." Said fluttershy.

Rarity remained silent while they were all talking. "Oh Spikey-Wikey, I can't believe you're really gone. All because of that damn deal I made with that stallion. If only I had been more careful, more alert, or caucious, but instead, I fell to greed. I don't deserve to be the element of generosity, my greed killed Spike." As she thought to herself tears began forming in her eyes. Her friends noticed this and asked her what was wrong.

" Oh, nothing, nothing *sniff* at all, I am just worried about Twilight, that's it." She lied. Applejack could tell something was off, but decided to drop it for now.

"It's settled then, were gonna go an git the best psy-whatsit we can, and help out Twi." said Applejack.

"YEAH!". They all said, save for Rarity. "Girls, I am afraid I must... decline, for now that is"

" What in tarnation da ya'll mean by decline?!"

"Well, I have a very important client I must talk to in Canterlot"She said as she began to sweat nervously.

"Alright that does it!" Applejack yelled, startling everypony there." Rarity , ya'll been tryin mighty hard to lie to us for quite awhile! Now can ya please tell us what this is really about? and be honest, I'll know if ya aren't" said Applejack.

"Girls, I, I... I'm sorry!" Rarity said as she got up and sped away, tears in her eyes. She hated having to lie to her friends, but if she told them the truth, they would surely think she had snapped as well. She needed to fix this, somehow. All she had to do was find that stallion and somehow force him into reversing the spell, and hope that that would bring Spike back. The stallion said he was Twilight's friend but that was impossible if he did that to Spike, but still it was her only lead. She couldn't ask Twilight of course, if she found out she caused this... She had to go to canterlot then. With her mind made up, Rarity packed her saddlebags and trotted of towards Ponyville station, where she would get a ticket and head off to interrogate the two ponies that were close enough to Twilight to know about the stallion: Shining Armour and Princess Cadance.

" Oh the poor dear, she must be very stressed." said Fluttershy, her voice full of worry for her friend. "We have to help Twilight as fast as we can, then Rarity will feel better."

" Ah reckon ya'll are right sugarcube. Let's go get that whatchamacalzit"

"Oooooooh oh oh oh oh! girls I know just who we can get!" Anounced Pinky Pie. " Follow me!" and with that, she was off. The three had no choice but to follow her and shortly arrived at a big white building. It had no windows, save for two small ones on the first floor and had a regular wooden door. On the building itself there was a sign that read "Proffesor wackjob's mental clinic". "Pinkie Pie, how the heck do you know about this place?" asked Dash.

"Oh, that's easy! I know every pony in ponyville silly! Plus, I used to be a patient of his!" With that she bounced off towards the building, oblivious to the looks of puzzlement she received from her friends. Dash was the first to recover. "Wait, did Pinky just say she used to be a mental patient?"

"Ya know, a am not surprised in the slightest" AJ stated as she began to follow Pinkie.

"Same here". responded Fluttershy, who had not spoken since their departure and began to follow AJ. Both mares leaving a confused mare slowly hovering after them.

The inside of the building was mostly white, white furnature, white walls, white pony even! The building had a waiting room with three large sofas and a glass toped cofee table. There were some potted ferns in the corner, but they paid them no mind. The table was covered in stacks of magazines from a magazine that told you how to get a mare, to the Equestrian Inquirer. There was no secretary at the front desk, only a stallion whith his back turned.His coat was, surprise, white, while his mane was a dark brown. He was a unicorn and was using his magic to scribble notes into a clipboard. He appeared to have been talking to someone, a strange earth pony mare with a pink coat and a purple and white swirly mane that seemed to move on his own. She wore a white and yellow propeller hat with a green propeller amd her eyes were swirly and colored just like her mane. Her cutie mark was a screw and a baseball.

"Now Screwball, what did we learn today?" The stallion asked. The mare , apparently named Screwball, replied." Daddy Discord is not my daddy". The stallion sighed. "Close enough, I will see you next week screwball." he said. Screwball then started walking out the door and looked at the main six." yddad drocsid lliw evah sih ecnaegnev no lla uoy" she said as she glared at them.

Meanwhile in the canterlot statue garden

Discord's spirit floated around his stone prison smiling in the direction of ponyville. "That's my girl!" he said.

They just stared at her as she left the building and deicided not to worry about a possible death threat from a mental patient. The stallion took notice of them and turned around. "Pinkie Pie!" he said with a smile on his face. " How's it going? Still having those nightmares?" he asked her. "Nope! Thanks to you, I can even make zap apple cucpcakes without fainting or throwing up again!" replied Pinkie Pie. "Good to hear!, now, what can I do for you?"

" Our friend twilight went cookoo and we need you to go and help her!"

"Hmm... very well but might I ask what is making her 'cookoo'?"

"Oh thats easy!... ok maybe not that easy"

"Pinkie, I think its best if ya'll let me explain this here situation." said Applejack. " Look here mister Wackjob"

"Please! Mr. Wackjob was my father, call me Wacko"

"Umm... alright. Anywho, we think our friend twilight has been overworkin' herself too much on her studies lately. Now thinks that she has a pet dragon named Spike who died in a freak timberwolf attack and now she won't come of the library, its been three days already! Plus she set up some magical barrier thingy! We're mighty worried 'bout her." She finished. Wacko just nodded." I believe I know what is going on here, your friend has clearly been so overstressed with her studies that she created an imaginary friend or assistant. She gave it a name, gender, race, the whole enchilada" he said as he began pacing. "Tell me, has she recently gotten into an encounter with timberwolves?" he asked them. Everyone but Pinkie shook their heads.

"Yeah! she did! Three days ago my Pinkie sense told me a friend was in danger so I went to look all around Ponyville fro you guys! Then, when I was gonna look for Twilight This big blue wave thingy came and I fell asleep! Then when I woke up my ears flopped, my eyes popped, and my legs locked, which means everything was ok!"

"I believe I have enough information. Your friend simply created this 'Spike' because of stress and with the traumatizing timberwolf attack, she must have imagined it perish. Yes, I have seen many cases like this before. Direct me to her." said Wacko.

They all nodded, agreeing with his logic, before walking off in the direction of the tree house. Little did they know, that the hooded stallion had been watching them from an alley." All according to plan" he thought. "Now to make sure that no one else remembers that pesky dragon, none of his friend do. good. Now for that captain of the royal guard and that alicorn." The stallion began a slow walk towards the train station, removing his cloak. " Can't have any suspicious namby- pamby ponies after all".

Canterlot Castle Saturday June 24rd 6:00 P.M

Princess Luna walked towards her sister's study. She had called her there, talking about a journal entry. " What could tia possibly want with a journal entry? and why would she call me for it?". She thought. As she arrived at her sister's study she began to hear light pacing. Luna's eyes widdened. " Oh no, please dont let it be *THAT** journal entry. I was young and drunk! it wasn't my fault, besides Star Swirled only lost half of his ear, and his coat grew back."* She hesitated when opening the door. "Tia would'nt be mad at me after all this time would she?" Luna asked herself. She decided everything would be fine and went inside.

She had been in her sister's study before, it had rows upon rows of books on rows upon rows of bookshelves. They were organized in alphabetical order and dusted every week. The only other thing there was Celestia's desk. It had only one piece of paper on it, pressumably the journal entry. Celestia took notice of Luna and spoke.

"Ah, Luna, thank you for coming" said Celestia. " I suppose you know why I called you here".

"Sort of, the guard you sent mentioned a 'journal entry'. What is going on Tia?"

"You see Luna, last night at around seven, this appeared in front of me in a puff of smoke." said Celestia as she stopped pacing and levitated a parchment towards Luna. "The hoof writing does not seem to be magical, nor hoof drawn. I am led to believe that it was written by a being with a hand, much like a griffin or a dragon. Even a Diamond Dog could have written it, although most are illiterate." She explained. "I am very puzzled on who sent the entry and why, and I was wondering if you knew who sent it."

"Let me see that" aid Luna as she used her own magic to take the entry and began to read it.

Dear Spark

-Ladon

P.S it's my secret name so don't tell anyone. Zol gave it to me!

"strange" Luna thought to herself."From the many friendship reports I have read, this appears to be Twilight Sparkle's assistant's hoof- err claw writing. How could Tia not recognize it?" She wondered. Luna's eyes shot open."Could it be?".

Outskirts of Canterlot Friday June 23rd 8:00 P.M

Luna had raised the moon a few hours ago. She had resumed her royal duty of raising and setting the moon once she had adjusted to modern equestria. She liked the old tradition of raising the moon, when she would fly out into the night sky and instruct the moon to follow her, like the mighty apollo and his flaming chariot, except with the moon and without the chariot. Often times she would find herself flying for hours, feeling the wind against her face, the speed, and the quiet. This night, however, was different. She felt a magical disturbance coming from ponyville. As she turned to inspect the town, she noticed an azure wave stretching out from the town. Seeing it she cast a protective magical barrier around herself and felt the wave wash over it."Dark magic". She thought. As the wave passed her, she watched it flow through canterlot and many miles before she could see it no more. She hurridly flew towards canterlot, hoping that Celestia was not yet asleep. Unfortunetly, she was. Luna decided not to wake her, for she needed her energy to raise the sun. As she trotted over to her bedroom she told herself she would tell her tomorrow.

Canterlot Castle 6:30 P.M

"How could I have forgotten?!" Luna screamed at herself, her sudden outburst startling Celestia.

" Forgotten what, dear sister? Do you know who wrote this?" asked Celestia.

"Yes, maybe, I need to send a letter to your student, please do not disturb me." said Luna as she rotted away with the letter. Luna arrived at her room and placed the letter on her desk, she then began to write on the back of the letter.

Dear Twilight Sparkle

It is I Princess Luna, I have written to you for two things, one is that I happen to have in my possesion a journal entry with your assistant's claw writing, it arrived here on the 23rd, at around seven at night. It is the one on the back of this letter. I would like you to please ask him if he sent this and what was its purpose. The second is because I sensed Dark magic coming from Ponyville, I was able to identify the kind of spell and found the need to notify you. The spell was a-

Luna's letter was cut short by a knocking on her door. Being a princess, she answered in the most pricess like way she could. "What do you want? Didn't I say I did not want to be disturbed?" She asked the cowering guard, annoyed. "F-forgive me, P-princess Luna, b-but I was told to remind you that you have a moon to raise. Luna sighed and aplogized to the guard. As she flew off to raise the moon, the guard regained his composture and smiled evily. He walked towards the letter and read it.

"Ah, ah, ah. Can't have you finding out just yet" He said." I need your stupid little friendship broken first." The guard then grabbed the letter, crumpled it up and threw it out the window."There, that will ensure my plan's fruition" The guard walked down the hall and turned a corner, he then took off his armor and placed it on the unconcious guard that lay proped against the wall." Now, where was I, oh yes the Royal couple." With that, he doned his cloak and snuck his way towards Shining Armour and Princess Cadence's room in the palace.

Canterlot Catle Front Gate Monday June 26th 6:00 P.M

"But, I need to speak with them right now! It is of great importance!" Rarity yelled at the guard. "Sorry ma'am,but captain Armour and Princess Cadence specifically said they did not want to be disturbed." The guard stated. Rarity had been trying to gain acces to Canterlot Castle for hours now. She had told the guard it was a matter of life and death, unfourtunately for her, a canterlot guard is trained to obey any and all duties given to them by the princesses and their captain. "Fine! I'll come back later." She had no intention of giving up that easily though. Rarity said her farewells and trotted off, minutes later she managed to teleport herself into the Canterlot Statue Gardens, home to many beautiful statues, a hedge maze, and a mischeveous draconequus. It also happened to be the scenery for the new married couple's room.

Rarity silently drifted through the castle corridors, avoiding guard patrols and servants. She finally arrived at her destination. A large white double door with golden trimings... guarded by two royal guards. She couldn't get in without being spotted, or so it appeared. A small smirk appeared on Rarity's face as she began her brilliant plan. She crawled out the window. Rarity was now hanging on to the edge of the window ledge, slowly inching her way towards her target. After a few minutes, she made it, just in time to see Shining Armour and Cadance.................................. Rarity spent the next few minutes attemting to erase that image from her mind as the couple finished.

Rarity watched as they got out of bed and were preparing to leave. She was running out of time and decided it was a good a time as ever and tapped on the glass with her hoof, startling the couple. Their bedroom was amazing, it looked just like the one she had when she had gone to Canterlot and Celestia had generously given her a room at the Castle, only bigger and fancier. "Rarity?! What are you doing here.?!" Shining asked.

"It's a long story, but I need to ask you something"

"Umm... okay? I guess"

"Do you know if Twilight or Spike had a friend that works in Canterlot? A stallion, a very close friend?"

"No, not really, I'm pretty sure i'd have known if she did."

Rarity sighed. Her ownly hope of finding this mystery stallion had been dashed. "Sorry for bothering you". Rarity said saddly as she left for Ponyville, dissapointed.

Shining Armour was just confused as he watched Rarity leave through the window." Why would she be wondering about Twily or Spike's friends from Canterlot?" Shining asked his wife. She shrugged.

"Tsk tsk tsk". A menacing and moking voice echoed throughout the room.

"Who's there?" asked Shining as he took up a fighting stance.Out of nowhere, a stallion appeared and quickly jabbed Cadence's neck and dissapeared. Cadance's eyes grew wide from the shock of the blow, until the closed and she slipped into uncounciousness. "CADANCE!" He bellowed. "You bastard! Show yourself coward!". A hooded stallion came up from behind Shining Armour and jabbed him as well. The stallion dissapeared as Shining slowly fell to the ground, his vision growing black.

Ponyville Monday June 26th 11:00 P.M

Rarity was trotting through Ponyville, a hundred thoughts running through her head. How she was a dissapointment, a horrible friend, a... murderer. She shivered. She still couldn't believe she had done that to poor little Spikey Wikey. Her train of thought was abrouptly stopped when she noticed movement out of the corner of her eye. When she looked she gasped as her eyes went huge. Standing, in an alley, was the hooded stallion. Without so much as a thought she charged at him. He had been expecting this and simply retreated deeper into the alley where Rarity followed."YOU!" She screamed, her nostrild flaring.

"Me". He said nonchelantly, as if the meeting was boring.

"You made me cast that spell and kill Spikey Wikey! Whats more, none of my friends remember him!Tell me how to reverse it!" Rarity's face was now red with anger.

The stallion stood there for a moment until he fell to the floor and burst out laughing,"BWAHAHAHA!"

Saying that Rarity was beyond mad was an understatement. How dare he laugh at Spikey's death and of her friend's misfortune! The nerve!

The stallion stopped clutching his sides and wiped away a tear." Oh that is rich! Spikey Wikey? Ha! I knew he wasn't a real dragon."

Rarity had enough."How dare you?! Spike is the nicest most generous dragon I have ever had the pleasure of meeting! what would you know about dragons anyways?!"

He just laughed again." That's why he's not a real dragon. Real dragons are feroucious, strong, and most of all, don't live with namby-pamby ponies!" The stallion snorted.

"Who do I know that talks like that?". Before Rarity could ask if they had meet before, the stallion continued.

"And another thing, you really think I would kill him?... yet. He's a part of my plan and I won't let anyone stop me, so I have to eliminate a slight nuisance." He said, snarling as he said the last part, although Rarity failed to notice this.

"Alive?! he's alive?!". Rarity's expression was that of pure happiness, not only was Spike alive, but he was safe. "Where is he? TELL ME!". She demanded.

"He's in a magically concealed cave in the EverFree, not that you'll remember.". As he said those words he leaped and jabbed her many times in the neck and head."Good luck finding your precious little Spike now". Then he dissapeared.

As Rarity fell, she had only one thought on her minds as she felt a buzzing in her mind.

"Who's Spike?"

Spike's training days part 1

Zol's cave 6:00 A.M Tuesday June 27th

Spike was walking through the peppermint forest, eating an ice cream cone, when his faithful assistant,Peewee the baby pheonix , spotted their destination. Gemtopia. It was the most beautiful thing Sir Spike had ever seen, everything was made of gems, delicious, ripe, gems, and they were all his! The saphire skyscrapers, HIS! The ruby coliseum, HIS! The emerald town,HIS! As Spike was thinking of his gems, they began to fade away. He looked to Peewee with a face of horror." Peewee what's going on?!". The pheonix opened his beak to respond, but only a loud banging came out.

"AHHHH!"

Spike tumbled out of his bed, dragging the sheets with him, and fell flat on his face. He sat up and noticed Master Zol was holding a gong that seemed to still be vibrating from its recent bang. Today he was not wearing the simple grey robe he usually wore, instead he had a black robe with a gilded trim that intertwined with some red. The sleeves reached up to his wrists and on his left sleeve, several small purple scales dangled from many thin strings. In his right claw he held a red staff. It had a red dragon snaking its way to the top of the staff, where it held a red crystal ball in its mouth that seemed to glow lightly. Master Zol had a small scowl on his face and was looking right at Spike.Those scales looked just like his own scales, which had grown back thanks to Master Zol's remedies and magic. He took a mental note to ask him about them later.

"Ladon, rise and meet me in the dining hall in ten minutes." With that he left the room before Spike could ask him anything. Spike grumbled and made his bed, then he went and did his morning rutine. When he was done he walked out of his room and made his way to the dinning hall. Master Zol had given him the grand tour of the place when he was healthy enough to walk. The only place he hadn't shown him was The Pit as he had called it. Apparently he was never to go there, for it was exremely dangerous and he was not yet ready. When Spike saw the dinning hall he gaped. There was a pile of assorted gems in the middle of the table next to where Master Zol was sitting. He drooled as he ran over and jumped towards the pile, only to be caught by Master Zol's staff, which then placed him on the chair across the table from Master Zol.

"Ladon, do not succumb to gluttony, wait for me to explain the meaning of this feast." Master Zol told Spike with a serious face.Spike nodded. "Now that you are here, allow me to explain. Your training begins today, right now. A dragon must now that a gem with flaws is only good for a hoard. It is the perfect ones that you must eat. Todays exercise will be for you to pick gems out of the pile, if they are flawed set them aside, if they are perfect, you may eat them. When we are done, you may keep the flawed ones for your hoard." He said as he grabbed a gem." Now. To see if a gem is flawed, you must look at it very carefully, for you have never done this before I pressume, if you notice a flaw set it aside, if it is perfect, then eat it." He threw the gem into the air and chomped on it."You may begin."

"What?! I thought you were gonna show me how to be a dragon and get stronger and get my flame stronger and-" Spike's complaining ceased when he noticed the glare Master Zol was giving him." This is a skill all dragons must know, if you cannot learn this simple task, then I will not teach you."

Spike gulped and grabbed a saphire."Umm, good?" He opened his mouth and tried to eat the gem, until Master Zol's staff swiftly came down and shattered it."Wrong!" He said."It had a small crack on the bottom. Inspect them next time." Master Zol grabbed a ruby and ate it. Spike grumbled and drabbed another gem. He looked it over and set it aside. He kept sorting the gems until he had a small pile of gems, an empty stomach, and a sore claw.

Master Zol looked at the pile of gems for a second and then back at Spike."How'd I do?" asked Spike.

"Ladon, I believe I instructed you to set aside the bad ones, not the good ones."

"You're kidding." Spike couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had spent all of that time sorting gems and somehow ended up getting the flawed pile filled up with non-flawed gems. Master Zol probably wasn't even gonna let him eat any of the gems and just keep them for himself. He had only lost his memory, not what he knew, and he knew dragons were very greedy.

"Well, you can try again at dinner, until then, are you hungry?" Master Zol asked, as he handed him some gems.

Spike was surprised to see him offer up the gems, but took them gratefully. "Ladon, I am not as greedy as other dragons, you have no need to think about me like that." said Master Zol as Spike finished his meal.

"How did you know what I was thinking?!" said Spike. Could one of his dragon spells be reading minds?

Master Zol gave a light laugh. "Because you just told me!" Spike also joined in the laughter.

Spike then noticed there was an empty plate at the far end of the table , along with a half full (go positive thinking!) glass of water. Why was that there? Could there have been someone else living here? As he was about to ask Master Zol about it, he got up and motioned for him to follow. "Come,Ladon, your next exercise will be through here."

Spike stood up and followed him. They passed through several tunnels until arriving in a large room that looked a like a gym crossed with a combat training ground. There was a rope leading all the way to the cealing, a huge track that seemed like it was made for the one hundred meter dash, weights, training dummies, a shooting range, and what seemed to be hoops suspended on the cealing. Spike gulped. He had an idea of what the next exercise was, asnd he did not like it.

"Your next exercise, my young page, is physical training!" said Master Zol happily as he grabbed a whistle and a coach hat from his robe. Spike groaned. His assumptions were correct, he had to exercise.EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.Until Master Zol said so. He let out a long sigh.

Master Zol noticed this and chuckled." Come now. Is it really that bad?" He asked, knowing full well what the answer would be.

"Yes! It's awful. I get tired real fast, my legs are too short, and umm..." He trailed off, looking around for an excuse. He noticed the rings in the air, and got an idea." And I don't have wings, so I can't take the full course!" He said crossing his arms and smiled smugly, praising himself on his quick thinking.

"Hmm... you are correct young one, very well, to make it even, you shall run all the courses twice." said Master Zol with a sly grin. Spike's jaw dropped." T-t-twice?! But the laps alone are huge! I can't run that much without getting exhausted! I don't have any upper body strenght so I can't pull myself up! My-"

"SILENCE!" Master Zol bellowed as he slamed the end of his staff on the ground, causing Spike to shut up." You will do as I say! No more complaining,whining, or any of the sort! You will run the courses twice, thrice if you continue this immature behavior! Now begin!" As he said the last part, he took out his whistle and blew into it, causing the sound to echo through the caverns.

Spike scurried off and began the courses. Running the one hundred meter dash, lifting small weights, and climbing the rope( and by climbing I mean hanging on for five minutes in a futile effort to get more than one foot off the ground).

Spike was exhausted. All of his limbs were sore and his bones ached, and to top it all off, his face hurt when his legs buckled from the intense training. Master Zol had him run two extra laps, saying he looked kinda chubby and needed to lose a couple pounds. He was too tired at that point to complain, and even if he did, he'd just end up running another lap.

"Rise,Ladon, it is no time for napping. Your next exercise begins now." Spike slowly moved his head and looked at Master Zol in disbelief."More?! But I can't even move!." Spike shut up as soon as he saw the death glare Master Zol was giving him. His gaze then softened and he grabbed a vial out of his robe." Ah, yes, I had nearly forgotten you are but a hatchling. You are not used to such exersion. Here, take this and follow me. It shall help." He handed Spike a vial, which he thankfully grabbed. Spike uncorked it and the stench of fish, burning pinecones, and worms filled his nose. "Yuck! This stuff smells nasty!". It didn't smell good, but if Master Zol said it was ok, then it was ok.He drank it and the sweet taste of cherry and vanilla entered his mouth. The stuff may smell bad but it tasted great! Spike also felt as the aches and sores slowly left his body and he hoped to his feet."Wow! I feel great! Is there more of that stuff Maste Zol?" Spike asked excitedly.

"No Ladon, you cannot drink more than one per day, it is very dangerous. That rejuvinating potion you just drank will give you enough energy for the rest of the day. Now come, so we may continue with today's training."

Spike nodded and followed Master Zol to the training dummies. They were all aranged in a circle, and some were attached to mechanisms to make them move for better combat training. Master Zol led Spike over to some racks filled with dozens of weapons. Ranging from flails to bows to knives to polearms, those things had it all." Pick your primary weapon. you shall train with it, master it, and fight with it. It shall be your closest ally in the battlefield, so choose wisely." said Master Zol as Spike gawked at the many items.

"But, they're all too big for me. They look like they were made fro someone like you." Spike said, dissapointed he couldn't learn to use any of the weapons presented to him.

"Not to worry Ladon. Just select your weapon." Master Zol said, sitting down and waiting.

Spike looked at all the weapons there were and looked them all over. He was having trouble deciding which one to pick. There were so many! He saw some he instantly didn't want and settled on a polearm. He was about to grab it when he saw a glint out of the corner of his eye. He went over and noticed it came from under a pile of daggers, bows, and rusty sword behind a rack laid against the wall. He moved the blades and bows and found a set of weapons where the pile once was.

They were the weirdest weapons Spike had ever seen and it seemed to call out to him. The side of the hilts extended into a crescent moon for slashing enemies that got to close and at the ends of the hilts were sharp dagger like points. The hilt were also wrapped in sturdy purple cloths and the metal of both blades was black. The weirdest part was that the blades were curved into a hook shape at the end. Spike fell in love with them on sight. These were his swords. These were his allies.

Spike eagerly took them over to Master Zol and showed them to him."Ah." He said. "The Hook Blades, a fine choice."

"Tell me Ladon. Why did you pick these blades?" He asked.

Spike thought wether or not he should tell him it was a feeling he had or if he should say something else.Then again, Master Zol seems to know when he's lying."Well" Spike began. "I was looking for a weapon like you said, when I saw a glint, so I went to check it out. I saw a pile of old weapons and moved them to the side and under them were the hook blades. I know this might sound a little stupid, but it felt like they were calling to me. So I took the." As Spike finished his story, Master Zol smiled and nodded.

"Ladon, you should know that some weapons seem to choose their weilders. Some simply do not care about who uses them and some know were to find those who can. I believe that these blades selected you for a reason. though I cannot fathom what this may be, I am certain it is important." He said." or they simply wished to be removed from under that pile." Spike and Master Zol shared a laugh before continuing." Now, show me what you can do with these"

"Umm... Master Zol?"

"Yes?"

"They're too big."

Master Zol looked at the oversized blades in front of him and noticed that they were indeed too big for the small dragon."That they are, that they are. allow me." He said as he grabbed the blades. He closed his eyes and concentrated. A moment later he breathed a bright golden flame on them and when the flames were gone, the hook blades had shrunk! They now fit Spike easily and comfortably.

"That was amazing!" exclaimed Spike. He grabbed the hook blades and held them for a while, balancing them on his hands. He ran to the dummies, ready to practice , and started attacking them. It's safe to say, he was horrible. Each move was sloppy and barily cut the dummies. Spike panted as he kept attacking, but to no avail. Master Zol decided he needed help.

"Ladon, perhaps if you used the sharp edge?" he told him.

Spike looked and noticed he had been hitting the dummy with the blunt hook side and not the other, much sharper side. He smiled sheepishly at Master Zol and turned the blade around. After some slashes, the dummy was slain."Victory!" yelled Spike as he raised a hook blade into the air. He swore he heard chuckling coming from the door, but when he turned, there was no one there.

"Good, you have slain your very first hay practice dummy" Master Zol said chuckling.Spike noticed he was standing on top of the defeated dummy, striking a heroic looking pose. He blushed and stepped down from the 'corpse'.

"Now let's see how you use that against a moving opponent." Master Zol rose from the floor and grabbed a cutlass from a nearby rack.

"Whoa! Master Zol, I can't take you on! I don't even know how to use these things very well!" protested Spike, but Master Zol would have none of it

"Now, now Ladon, you can only learn to properly use those things if you spar with someone, not against a dummy. Now, have at thee!"

Spike didn't have time to respond as Master Zol performed a forward thrust(Not the pedo kind). Spike dodged and parried, only to have master Zol kick him against a dummy."Use the hooks Ladon!" He yelled. Spike got up and ran at Master Zol, who slashed at him. Spike expected this and used one of the hooks to grab Master Zol's leg and topple him. He quickly got up and slashed at Spike, making a small cut on his left cheek. Spike then had an idea. He connected the two blade via their hooks and began spinning them."Impressive" said Master Zol. Spike then stopped spinning and the momentum caused a hook blade to be sent flying directly at Master Zol who, unfortunately, sidestepped. "That was a very good move Ladon, you almost had me." he said as he approached Spike ready to finish it. Spike smirked."That wasn't my move Master Zol. This is!" Spike leaped at Master Zol and connected the hook blade to his rapier. They were both caught in a battle of strenght as they pushed against each other." This is not a very good move Ladon. I am stronger than you, you canno-" Master Zol suddenly gasped as something sharp stabbed his back. He looked behind himslef and noticed Spike's other hook blade attached to his back. It had somehow flown off and spun around the rod like base of the training dummies until impaling Master Zol. Spike looked confidant, until he felt something near his throat. He looked down and saw Master Zol's tail holding a knife, pointed at his throat." I win" said Master Zol.

Both combatants stepped away from each other and gathered their weapons. Spike placed his in a special rack Master Zol brought out and sat down next to him. "Very impressive Ladon, you almost bested me at my easiest." said Master Zol.

"Well, I woulda won, but I didn't know you had that knife, I didn't even see you take it out!"

"Your enemies might not fight with honor, so I thought I should prepare you for that.It is getting late though, dinner should be finished." Master Zol said as he got up and motioned for Spike to follow.

Spike got up and followed Master Zol. "Who made dinner if you were with me?" He asked.

Master Zol seemed to ignore the question and instead told Spike about tomorrow. "Ladon, tomorrow you shall perform the same exercises, except instead of combat I will teach you to harness your fire and the basics of alchemy. How does that sound?" He asked. Spike looked at him suspiciously before his suspicios gaze turned into one of exitement.." That sounds awesome!". Both dragons sat down in front of the gems that lay on the table and Spike again noticed the empty plates. He gave them a quick glance before begginning to sort gems. This time he got 23 gems for his hoard and 56 for his belly. He gave a content sigh and wished Master Zol a good night as he went to his room.

Spike closed the door and turned the candles on. He walked to the cupboard and grabbed his journal from it's hiding place and began to write.

June 27th

Dear Spark

The last few days have been amazing! Well, except for the recovering and staying in bed part. But anyways, still amazing! Today I trained with Master Zol, although my whole body felt like it was gonna explode or something, I was really tired, but then Master Zol gave me this thingy that made me feel a whole lot better. Then I got my own weapons, the hook blades! I can use them pretty well, and I even have a move down already, I call it the turnabout smack! Pretty neat huh? Well anyways I almost beat Master Zol at his 'easiest' or something,but he pulled out a dagger at my throat and even cut my cheek a little, but i'm alright. I think I should name my weapon or something, I'm not sure what though, although i'm pretty sure i'll think of something. I hope I get to see you again someday.

-Ladon

As Spike finished the entry, the little dragon yawned and placed the journal back in it's hiding spot. He then got on his bed, curled up in his blanket, and fell asleep, snoring peacefully.

Hey guys, chapter 4 is ready as you can see, and I hope you guys can make suggestions towards what could Spike's hook blade's names be. See you all later. By the by, I'm gonna be writing a chess game of the gods story, so updates might be slow. See ya!