Chapters “Ember!” Twilight shouted as her friend started to wake up.
“What happened?” The dragoness enquired massaging her forehead with one claw as she used the other to help her stand up from off a strange sofa.
“You fainted, darling,” Rarity chimed in, “Right after you saw Spike.”
“I don’t faint.” Ember asserted a slight edge to her voice.
Applejack countered, “Then you sure picked an odd time to take a nap.”
Ember glared in response to the statement.
“Now, now” piped in Fluttershy who had found some courage after seeing Ember so vulnerable while resting. “I think we all want to know what Miss Ember knows of Spikes condition.”
Ember slumped back onto the sofa an annoyed smile forming on her mouth as she addressed Twilight, “You shouldn’t scare me like that, Twilight.”
“Huh,” came the reply of multiple ponies
“I flew here from the dragon lands at my top speed,” Ember answered, “I’m exhausted.”
Twilight was having some difficulty masking her annoyance, “Alright, but what about Spike?”
“He’s molting,” Ember responded flatly, “could I get some gems, I’m starving from the long flight.”
“Well,” Rainbow budded in, “how long is he going to be like this?”
“Depends on the hatching method,” Ember offered in a matter of fact tone, before her eyes caught sight of a bowel of gems on the counter, “would it be alright if I had some of those?”
Starlight levitated the bowel toward her, “Alright Ember, please try to stay focused.”
Ember paused before reaching for the bowel’s contents.
“Sorry,” she offered, “I guess you must all still be worried since you don’t seem to know anything about a dragon’s molting.”
“It’s alright darling,” consoled Rarity, “we just want to know what we can do for him.”
“Okay,” Ember set the bowel down and began, “There are three main methods to helping a young dragon finish molting.”
Raising her index claw, “One, fire-bath.”
She noted the confused looks before explaining, “Usually, for a dragon’s first molting, one or both parents will envelope the crystalized whelp in their fire-breath until the young dragon is ready to break free of its shell.
“It’s perfectly safe for dragons,” added Ember feeling a little nervous when she saw the horrified reactions of a few members of her audience, and then covered her own arm in flame to demonstrate her point.
After a minute, the ponies in the group that had shown fear seemed to calm down and Ember felt she could continue.
“The second method is burial,” the faces of all the ponies present contorted in shock at what they just heard.
Reading the change in atmosphere, Ember quickly added, “It sounds worse than it is.” Then she explained, “the molting dragon is put in a hole or cave with some gems then is sealed inside,
“That came out wrong,” she defended, seeing some of the ponies’ expressions, “you see, the entrance is sealed for the dragon’s protection, and when they’re finished molting they should be able to easily dig their way out.”
Accepting the explanation, the group was able to relax.
“And the third?” Twilight asked.
“Oh,” Ember remembered, “That would be the hatching alter. Some of the wealthier dragons will pay a lot to ensure a speedy molting on the alter. The special crystals in the alter’s cavern quickly transfer the necessary energy to the paying dragon’s molting form.”
“Wow,” responded Twilight, “that one sounds pretty good. How much would that cost?”
Ember thought for a moment, studying the walls of the castle.
“I guess if you chipped this whole place down you might have enough.”
The ponies waited for some kind of punchline.
Rarity was the one to break the silence, “Why would that be so expensive?!” She demanded.
“It takes a lot time and labor to keep an alter like that functioning.” Ember replied with a shrug.
Applejack turned to Twilight, “I know the other methods don’t sound all that appealin’, but I don’t think the alter is an option.”
Twilight nodded, a little disappointed. She then asked, “How long will burial take?”
“Hmm,” Ember scratched under her chin as she calculated, “Well, since this is his first molting, if we can get enough high-quality gems, it should only take about fifty years or so.”
Everyponies jaw dropped, with the exception Pinkie who had done a spit take.
“Pinkie!” Rainbow Dash confronted, “When did you even start drinking that?”
“Well,” defended Pinkie, “our reactions were getting kind of repetitive so I thought I’d mix it up a bit.”
Eyes rolled, at Pinkie’s explanation, before everypony shrugged it off.
However, not being accustomed to the party pony’s antics, Ember still wore a bewildered expression. Hearing a throat clearing noise her attention returned to Twilight.
“Is there any way to speed up the process?” Twilight pleaded, “I don’t want Spike to wake up only to find everything’s changed. On top of that, we’d all miss him.”
The rest of the ponies nodded their agreement.
All Ember could do was shake head.
Everypony became crestfallen, Pinkies hair even deflated a little.
“So,” admitted Twilight with a defeated sigh, “that only leaves the fire-bath option.”
Ember spoke with encouragement, “Don’t worry. Granted having the dragons who hatch him would be ideal, but it should be okay. Even if we can’t find Spike’s parents there are dragon’s that can do the fire-bath for a pretty modest fee.”
“Well,” Twilight hesitated, “Finding the one who hatched him isn’t the problem.”
Author's Note
Sorry. I know this is mostly dialog. Hope you still enjoyed this chapter.
Chapter three- Flame Script
Ember sat mouth agape after having heard Twilight’s story.
Between the Sonic Rainboom, the Cutie Marks, and the sudden power serge that allowed Twilight to hatch a dragon egg, she was beyond her capacity to process it all.
“Ember?” Twilight attempted, “Are you okay?”
The Dragon Lord blinked rapidly, as if she had just come out of a trance. Then, she looked at Twilight so intensely that it might have even matched Fluttershy’s trademarked stare.
“Okay,” Ember finally announced, “I believe you.”
“Huh?” all but Twilight responded.
Ignoring the outburst, Ember breathed a puff of magenta flame summoning a polished alabaster tablet, then continued speaking as she lightly rubbing the stone with the palm of her claw.
“Sorry for doubting you, but what you’ve told me is unlike anything I’ve ever heard.”
“It’s okay,” Twilight reassured, “but, what are you doing?”
“I’m writing my father. He might be able to help.”
Removing her claw from the tablet Ember took a deep breath and started speaking in a language completely unfamiliar to all the ponies present. Stranger still, with each word she spoke a spark of flame erupted from her mouth taking on a foreign shape that landed on the alabaster leaving a scorch mark. After the white stone surface was about two-thirds covered in those markings, Ember stopped and studied her handywork. A few moments passed and she nodded before enveloping the whole surface in a quick blast of her flame. When the fire disappeared so too did the markings. Ember then set the now blank stone on the seat next to her as she leaned back.
“What was that?” Starlight asked, still a little taken aback.
“Flame script,” Ember replied matter-of-factly, “We don’t have much paper or parchment in the dragon lands so it’s more convenient for us.”
“Can all dragons use it?” Enquired Twilight.
“Yeah, but not many know how. I only know how to because my father wanted to keep in touch while he was away on dragon lord business.”
“Oo!” Pinkie chimed in while appearing inches from Ember’s face, “Can you send it out to more than one receiver? Does it work for birthday invitations? Will it send pictures as well? Can you…”
Noticing Ember’s discomfort, Twilight levitated Pinkie a few feet back, “I think that’s enough. We’ll look into all that later.”
Ember gave Twilight a grateful smile.
Twilight replied with a nod. Then asked, “So you really think your father will know what to do?”
“Well, he had been Dragon Lord for a thousand years, and he’s a lot smarter than he lets on.”
“Okay…”
Ember’s stone tablet began to glow. The light enveloping it broke up into smaller sections then concentrated into little characters that turned black as the light faded.
“Oh,” responded Ember, “that’s a lot sooner than I expected.”
As she read the message Ember’s expression grew more and more agitated, her irritation causing her to stand until finally her anger erupted into a fiery roar aimed at the ceiling.
“Stupid old Croc!” She ranted as she used her forearm to hurriedly wipe the tablet clean. Though still covered in grey streaks, a new message was already being applied to the alabaster surface.
While still not able to read them, Twilight could tell the written characters had jagged, more threatening look to them.
Once she finished sending the message, Ember chucked the now blank tablet onto the couch before slamming herself down next to it.
Before Twilight could even question Ember about what just happen, the Tablet started to glow again.
Snatching it up Ember studied the message as it settled. All the ponies present showed obvious surprise as quickly Ember’s anger disappeared and her expression became crest fallen.
“What’s wrong sugar cube?” Applejack enquired, gently resting a hoof on Embers free claw.
Ember slowly gazed at each of the ponies, wearing a look of apprehension she explained, “To get my dad to help he insist I take all of you to the Nest Lands.”
“Nest Lands?” Twilight asked cocking her head in confusion.
“It’s were most dragons are born,” answered Ember somberly, “the region between here and there is dangerous, so much so that we dragons usually leave the Nest Lands in mass in order to protect the little ones.”
“The Dragon migration.” Rainbow Dash announced with realization.
Ember nodded.
“Um,” Fluttershy, who had just calmed down from her shock at seeing Ember’s outburst, piped in, “excuse me, but what did you mean when you said he wanted all of us?”
Ember looked a little confused before answering, “Uh…all seven of you.”
“Oh, I see,” Fluttershy responded, now noticeably shaking.
“Wait,” interjected Starlight, “Why would he want me to come too? I didn’t see the rainboom.”
“Sorry,” apologized Ember, “I’m not really sure.
Scratching he chin she added, “Seven is an important number among dragons, so it could be for a just about anything.”
“Well,” interjected Twilight, “I guess we’ll find out when we get there.”
“Great!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash, before her tone dropped from excitement to curious, “So, how Do we get there?”
“Let’s take a look at the map and plot our course.” Announced Twilight.
Author's Note
Sorry it took so long. Now that the current and previous seasons have destroyed my head-cannon about dragons I wasn't sure if I should continue the story the way I had planned. In the end I decided to just go with my original outline.
Chapter one- Panic in the Kitchen
Twilight sat at her desk, in the office she set up to manage paperwork, make plans, and get some general alone time. She had just finished putting away the last of the files for her next meeting with Mayor Mare, when Starlight burst through the door.
“Twilight!” she gasped as loudly as she could, “The kitchen… Something’s wrong with spike!”
Without another thought Twilight enveloped the two othem in her magic and teleported them both to Spike’s location. There she spied him curled up in a ball between a fallen stool and the cutting table. Running up to him she noticed the little guy’s right claw clenched in agony, a strange shine coming off the fingers. Getting a closer look, she was shocked to witness his scales crystalizing.
“Starlight!” She commanded franticly, “get me every book you can find on dragon, and anything on the crystalizing of living tissue, hurry!”
Bolting from the room, Starlight left Twilight to look after Spike.
Twilight then attempted a healing spell in an effort to alleviate her dear friend’s pain. However, as her magic enveloped Spike’s claw, the appendage seemed to draw the violet energy into itself then proceeded to vacuum the magic directly from Twilight. Thinking fast she was able to sever the connection before losing to much power. Shaking herself out of the shock she looked back at the claw. Gasping in horror to see it now completely crystalized.
With a panic attack chipping at Twilight’s grip on reality, a ring from an egg timer brought her back just enough to reminder her that she had to regain her senses if she wanted to help Spike. Taking some deep breaths, she was able to calm down.
“I may not know what is going on, Spike, but I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure that you’ll be okay.” She promised, uncertain if he could hear her.
She then closed her eyes as she focused her magic. Her horn began glowing as her thoughts conjured images of anyone she could think of that might help. Calling out to them her voice echoed through the castle walls.
“Everyone, please listen,” she pleaded, “This is Twilight Sparkle. I’m using a long-range mass telepathy spell to contact you. Something is happening to Spike and I’m at a loss, if anyone knows anything about dragons turning into crystal, please help.” Twilight collapsed from the spell’s drain.
A yell came from down the hall, “Twilight,” Starlight galloped into the room several stacks of books levitating around her, “I have the… books…!” She panted “What was shaking the castle?!”
“Never mind that.” Twilight groaned as she got to her hooves. “What did you find?”
“Oh, Yes!” Starlight responded, “Unfortunately there were only a few books on dragons or Crystallization, and I couldn’t find anything that covered both,” she paused, “I’m sorry.”
Repeating her breathing exercises, Twilight fought desperately to keep her panic in check. Regaining her composer, she consoled her student, “It’s alright, we just need to start looking and hope there is something that can help us.
In less than a minute after the two mares had begun their search Rainbow Dash zoomed into the room.
“What happened?!Where’s Spike?! Was it an attack?! Who was it?! I’ll make sure that anypony dumb enough to mess with my friends gets the full Rainbow Beating Experience!” Dash announced, furry radiating off of her.
Twilight tried to calm her friend, “Rainbow relax. We don’t know what’s going on, but if-”
A shrill voice cut in, “Twilight!”
Rarity, still wearing a facial mask and robe from the spa, rushed in with Fluttershy right behind her.
“We came as soon as we heard your message.” Rarity explained, before pleading, “How’s my Spikey-Wikey doing?”
“Sorry I took so long.” Apologized Applejack galloping through the open doors. “I’m just glad I was in town.”
“Spike!” Pinky Pie’s horrified scream from filled the room. A pale expression of terror blanketed Pinky’s face as she stared at Spike’s unconscious body.
The other ponies Rushed pass both Twilight and Starlight to see their little friend’s condition for themselves.
Panic erupted from the small group, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack blurted frantic ideas of what to do, while Pinky and Fluttershy stared on.
“Girls!” Bellowed Twilight, demanding all their attention. “I appreciate you all coming but if you want to help, then please calm down and help me and Starlight search these books for anything that might be of use.”
Settling down the band of mares quietly obeyed and each grabbed a book.
The hours passed. Several books lay thrown into a pile, most of them finished by Twilight. Though, in order to search more carefully, she was only reading at half her average speed, she was still much faster than any of her friends.
Finishing a page, Twilight became aware of the sound of claws rapidly scratching at hallway floors, followed by a familiar voice hollering, “Twilight!”
“Ember!” Twilight responded, jumping too her hooves, “Ember, follow my voice!”
The scraping footsteps quickly grew louder as Ember rampaged through the halls. A few moments later she barreled past the door.
“Ember!” Twilight shouted, dashing into hall.
A sound much like very large nails on a chalkboard came as the dragon dug her talons into the crystal floor.
Once stopped she raced to meet Twilight, halting just short of crashing into her.
Twilight having braised herself for impact, relaxed when Ember was able to break her speed.
“…where’s… Spike…?” The Dragon Lord pleaded through gasps of breath.
“In here,” Twilight replied, leading her friend through the door.
Fluttershy suppressed her fear while all the ponies present watched on with hope.
“I’m so glad you’re here Ember,” she continued, “none of my books have anything about this”
The two stopped as they now stood before a green and purple oblong crystal ball, with Spike’s curled up silhouette faintly visible from within.
“Well?” Twilight asked, as she stared up at her draconic friend.
Intently, Ember scanned Spike’s condition before her body went limp and she collapsed.
Author's Note
This is an idea I had a while ago. Let me know what you think.
