Adventures of Equestria

Chapter two: Dragon Quest 2

The sun rises on the burnt remains of Ponyville. The fire department hastily works to squash any remaining flames that could ignite another blazing inferno. Heavy smoke chokes the air around the town and forest, and the smell of burnt wood and other agents favor the choking smoke. The town people hurry to the safety centers around the outskirts of the town. Medical personal along with other first responses sport smoke breathing mask as they help escort the citizens in the oxygen tents.

Back at Sweet Apple Acres, the main six and Spike gather back together. Rainbow Dash and Twilight land nearby, seeing Apple Jack and Rarity have burnt pieces of wood in their manes along with their clothes riddled with burn patches. Rainbow cradles her burnt arm to keep pain from increasing to a new level. Twilight tears a strip of cloth from her miniskirt to and wraps it around the sky blue Pegasus' injured left forearm. "Dammit that hurts!" Rainbow shouts.

"We need to get the doctor to make sure it doesn't get infected, but this will have to do for now," Twilight comments.

"Twilight, Rainbow Dash are you ok?" Apple Jack questions then look off in the direction where the attacker flew off, "Twi, were those dragons that just attacked us?"

Twilight finishes binding Rainbow's injury, "I'm afraid so AJ, and those weren't just any random dragons. Do remember the bullies Spike fought off not to long along after the Great Dragon Migration?"

Spike's eyes widen recalling the memories, "That can't be! Garble and his freak show friends returned with others to the lands of the Dragonicion! It has to be someone else!" He nervously messes with his claws.

Twilight looks at her loyal assistant with a sad expression, "I definitely sure that it was Garble leading the other dragons in the attack." She then turns to everyone else with her expression changed to a serious look, "And I have no doubt that he will make good on his threat and destroy Ponyville whether or not he fights Spike."

Rarity jumps in with a motherly tone, "We can't let him hurt Spikey-Wikey, or destroy my shop." Everyone gives her the 'you're kidding look' then she clears her throat, "I mean Ponyville."

"Right…," Rainbow comment then turns to the purple alicorn, "Ok what's the plan?"

Twilight starts to think, but Spike taps her elbow drawing her attention and everyone else's, "Twilight I'll just fight Garble and make him promise not to hurt Ponyville or anyone else if he wins."

"You mean, 'when' he wins. Spike he'll mop the floor with you!" Rainbow replies.

"I can do it, I can fight and…" Spike claims, but he is cutoff.

"Absolutely not Spike!" Twilight replies, "I will not let you fight him. He will kill you in a heartbeat."

"But Twi, I can't just let him hurt everyone," Spike counters.

"No Spike and I mean it," Twilight states with a growing anger.

Spike face goes angry and he shouts, "WHY WON'T YOU LET ME HELP! I CAN…"

She shouts even louder with a voice equal to Princess Luna with her eyes glowing purple with energy tail following from the side of her eyes, "ENOUGH SPIKE I HAVE MADE MY DECISION AND THE MATTER IS CLOSED! YOU WILL NOT FIGHT HIM I FORBID IT! NOW STAND THERE AND REMAIN QUIET!"

Spike goes silent and Twilight turns back to look at the others. A tear falls from the dragon's widened eyes never hearing Twilight talk like that to him.

She takes a second to calms herself and looks at the shock on everyone's face. She remains stoned face and states, "I know what you're going to say, but we don't have time for foolishness. We have to plan and prepare for the next attack! Rainbow go to Cloudsdale get as many Pegasus as you can to help with weather control. We need rain clouds over the hotspots to help the fire department, and we need you to clear the smoke hovering over the town."

"Roger princess!" Rainbow salutes and takes off towards Cloudsdale.

As she takes off, Twilight shouts out, "AND GET YOUR ARM CHECKED!" She looks back, "AJ what's the status here? Can you leave to help with other things?"

Apple Jack looks back towards the fields and sighs, "Yeah! Big Mac, Granny, Apple Bloom, and the other workers should be able to handle things from here. We got most of the major fires out."

"Ok! You, Rarity, and Fluttershy held into the woods and help all the animals. You are going to have to move them to a safer location away from Ponyville; the animal rescue teams should be heading over that way have them help you," Twilight orders.

"But…" Rarity starts, but she sees the angry glare in Twilight's eyes returning, and goes quiet.

AJ smirks and shakes her head at Rarity reaction, then she gives a thumbs up, "Consider those critters moved."

"In the meantime, Pinkie Pie and I will head into town and help with rescue, evacuations, and emergency management. Spike, I know what you can do. Go back to the library and..." she turns around to find him missing. She frantically looks around shouting, "SPIKE! SPIKE! WHERE ARE YOU?!" The other girls look around calling out the young dragon's name. "Where are you Spike?" she says softly.

"Don't worry Twi, maybe he just went back to the library," Apple Jack theorizes.

"She's right, you were a little harsh with him dear," Rarity comments.

"All he wanted to do is help," Fluttershy quietly whispers.

"Yeah, but you were all *roar* and *growl* with the crazy eyes," Pinkie Pie hops around mimicking all her words and opening her eyes widely and spinning them.

Twilight feels a wave of guilt wash over her remembering how harshly she talked to her adopted brother. She lowers her head and softens her voice, "Maybe I was a little too harsh with him." She lifts her head back up, "Once all this is over, I'll make it up to him some way, but right now we have to remain focus on the job at hand. We have to protect Ponyville. Let go girls!"

"Right!" They say in unison and run off in opposite directions.

Spike walks slowly through the burnt down areas of Sweet Apple Acres kicking the burnt cinders of the once beautiful sweet fruit producing tree. ~Stupid Twilight, all I want to do is help, but what can I really do? I'm a sad excuse for a dragon; I don't have the powers of Twilight and Rarity, or the skills of Rainbow Dash and Apple Jack, and fuck it, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie even more abilities than me. Who am I kidding, if I fight Garble, I'll get creamed. Besides why would Rarity want to be with a guy whose balls haven't even dropped yet, ~ Spike thinks. He looks up and sees that he walking out of Sweet Apple Acres and stands on a overlooking the Everfree Forest. "Maybe I should just disappear into the forest. Then Garble will hunt me down and kill me there, so my friends don't have to see me get destroyed," he says as he walks towards the forest.

Just outside the forest, he stops in his tracks looking inside the shaded dark forest. "Rarity, I'm sorry I couldn't… I wanted to be with you so much, but… Dammit if I just had more power I would show Garble his place. If I could change into my ancient dragon form again, Garble wouldn't be able to stop me, and I can claim Rarity as my mate. Shit! That would solve everything, but how the fuck would I…" Spike pauses his rant looking into the forest thinking; a second later one word comes to his lips, "Zecora." His eyes light up with hope, "She might have an answer, potion, or brew to help me transform into my ancient form. Yes Zecora is the key."

Spike smiles balling his fist, and he runs into the forest. He jumps over fallen trees, through streams, and other obstacles making his way towards Zecora's hut. After an hour of running through the forest, he sees the first sign that he is reaching his destination. He sees a wooden oval African mask with a smile carved into its mouth. He finds a two story wooden hut with the green-brown palm leaf room tucked in-between two giant redwood trees. Zecora's front yard has several traditional African masks posted on the outside walls on the surrounding trees. Two tents are pitched on the right side with five black pots over a fire pit.

Spike walks up the hut's bamboo door with another wood mark with green palm leaves for hair. He gulps lifting his hand to up the door and knocks.

Zecora wakes up hearing the knocks on the door. She starts to sit up, but finds her lover's red muscular arm wrapped around her nude body. She kisses his blonde covered face and moves his arm. She gets up from bed and grabs her black and white striped robe, but she feels a hand grab her striped tail. She looks back and sees her lover smiling at her trying to coach her back in to bed; she leans over allowing him a straight view down her skin matching robe at her D size breasts. Zecora gives him a quick peck on the lips then says, "You must wait before can we mate. From what you can hear we have a visitor." She walks out her bedroom then heads downstairs and answers the door. She sees the three foot tall purple dragon with a black shirt and black pants with small tears. She smiles at the young dragon and invites him inside.

As Spike enters, he smells the strong scent of herds and other plants used in Zecora's brews and potions.

They walk into the living room, and she offers him a seat on the grass colored couch. She seats in her grass color chair; she crosses her legs and folds over the lower part of her robe, so her womanhood cannot be seen. She looks at Spike with and a smile, "Now my friend, if may request what brings you to my humble nest?"

Spike stares at her matching robe with her spiked hair sitting on her shoulders. He can see a fine amount of cleavage showing from the top of her robe. ~ Damn I wonder if Rarity is that big. I must make an effort to find out, ~ he begins to smirk, but quickly shakes his head to refocus his mind. "Zecora I need your help. Ponyville was attacked!"

Her eyes grow wide hearing the news, "What this cannot be! Who is responsible for this misdeed?!"

"Garble and other dragons from Dragonicion fire bombed the city," he explains.

"This is quite a troubling feat, what has led them to commit this deed?" she replies with a questioning look on her face.

Spike looks down with a depress look on his face, "Garble wants to fight me to get payback for beating them back during the dragon migration, and he said if I don't meet him in combat he will destroy the rest of Ponyville."

She leads back in her chair bringing her hand to under chin thinking about the current situation. Then she calls upstairs, "My mate a tragic event has occurred. Spike tells me that Ponyville burns!"

Suddenly massive amounts of ruffing go on upstairs; Big Mac comes rushing down stairs fully nude with shock and terror fill in his face. "What's happens to Ponyville! Was the farm attack?!" Big Mac cries out, but his questions go unanswered because Spike's mouth is drop wide open looking at him. He rushes over to where Spike is sitting. He grabs hold of Spike's shoulders, and starts softly shaking the young dragon. "Please tell me what is happening to Ponyville," he pleads, but Spike continues to wear his shock look on his face. "Why aren't you saying anything?! Look Spike the answer is yes; Zecora and I are together. She is my very special somepony; we are going to tell everyone soon. Now tell me what's going on NOW!"

"My Big Mac can you not see your own nude body." She looks over her seven foot tall red bodybuilder stallion mate with his 9 inch relax manhood; then she smiles, "However I must confess, I want to possess, but now is not the time for that. I suggest you go upstairs and get dress." He looks down and lets go of the shaken shell shock dragon. He covers his manhood and runs back to the bedroom. She gets up and sits next to the young dragon giving him a comforting arm around him. "Now Spike tell me of this plight," she persuades getting conformable next to the purple dragon.

An hour passes as Spike retells the events of the attack on Ponyville, Big Mac sits, dressed in sweat pants and a white T-shirt, listening and squeezing hands to the point that his red knuckles turn bone white from growing angry and hate of the ones who attacked their home. Zecora sits showing hardly any emotion, yet when she glances at her mate a spark of emotion shows, but she is able to cover it without much notice from Spike or Big Mac. "After Twilight yelled at me, I just wondered off trying to figure out what to do. Then I thought of you Zecora, I think you might have a way to help me."

Zecora exhales and gets up and walks over to her enraged mate. She tilts his head slightly up and gives him a passionate kiss melting the boiling tension and anger in his body. A moment later, she breaks the kiss giving him a loving caring smile. "Return to your home, I will not be far long," she smiles making the towering one and a half taller red giant get up and take her into his strong arms.

"I will see you soon," he states looking down at her.

"Eup," she smiles back. Once Big Mac is gone, Zecora stands at the door looks back at her guest rubbing her chin, "So what is it that you seek?"

Spike looks down at his hands nervously twirling his fingers then an image of Rarity being attacked by the invading dragons strengthens his will and he says, "Zecora during my birthday I was able to transform into ancient dragon form, and if I'm able transform into that again, then I can protect Ponyville and fight Garble on an even level."

"I hear and understand your plight, but how can I make it right?" Zecora asks sitting back in her chair that her red mate recently occupied.

"Is there a potion that you can make that will allow me to go into that form again," Spike pleads with his hands folded together in begging pose.

"Humm," she responses getting up once again and walks over to the impressive wall size bookshelf. She runs her finger across a series of books' shines reading the titles of the books softly to herself. She keeps looking until she finds the tome that she needs. "I found what you need, this book will help indeed," Zecora states reading the contents for the potion. "Young Spike, I have all the items needed for the brew, except for one I need from you."

Spike gives a confused look that turns into worried expression thinking about the item she needs from him. ~I'm doing this for everyone in Ponyville, so I can't wimp out!~ He takes a deep breath and says, "What do you need from me? Please don't say a pound of flesh!" he shuts his eyes awaiting her response with fated breath. A second later, he hears Zecora softly snickering at his last comment as his slowly opens his eyes.

She walks over with the book in hand opened to a certain page, "You are like the silly pony folk when it comes to jokes." She turns the book open to towards Spike pointing to a picture of a flower with lite-pink leaves and yellow balled tips at the end of each leaf. At the center of the flower, three purple blooms spout out from the center. "I require this flower to give to my brew ultimate power," she states turning the book back to her. "This flower lies deep within the Everfree."

Spike gives a nervous gulp and says in a shakily voice, "Deeper in the Everfree forest, are you sure you don't have it here in stock."

She gives him a serious glare and says, "If you wish for a brew from me, you must bring this flower to me."

Spike stares straights into her eyes and sees that she isn't kidding; he takes a deep breath and softy says to himself, "I'm doing this for Ponyville, and more importantly Rarity." He hops off the couch and walks over to tall busty, zebra skin pony. He says with a serious tone, "Tell me what I have to do!"

"This flower is called the Dragonmare, but you must know that this rare flower only appears during the full moon. That gives you three days to find it and return it to me, because once the moon is no longer full the flower will wither away," She explains while walking over to one of the cabinets pulling out a shoulder bag. She puts small glass tubes each with a different color into the bag. "Your journey will take about a day to find the fields with the flower."

"Are those potions for me to use on the trip?" Spike asks walking up behind her.

She giggles and pulls a rolled up map out her bag, "The only thing you will need to take with you is this." She turns around and hands him the map, "Within you lies everything else needed for your quest." She puts her hand on his shoulder and escorts him to the front door. At the threshold, Zecora gives an ensuring smile seeing the nervous look in his eyes. "Young Spike, tell me who you are trying to protect?"

"I told you, I want to protect my friends in Ponyville," Spike replies with wavering confidence.

"Very well, now tell me who you are really trying to protect?" Zecora questions crossing her arms, "If you wish to complete this quest you must speak with your heart."

Spike lowers his head as his face reddens thinking about the name of the one he loves, but in a flash he sees Garble and the dragons destroying everything as she calls out him. His head shots up and he yells at the top of his lungs, "RARITY!" He then looks eye to eye with Zecora and says with a deeper tone of voice, "I will claim her as my mate, and I will not let Garble or any motherfucker harm her. She is the one I will forever protect and love."

She smiles at him hearing his answer and the change in his tone of voice. "Good luck and remember the key to your quest is determination!" He nods and starts running back into the forest waving back at Zecora before he disappears into the grove. "Am I correct that you have been listening the whole time?"

Two figures walk out from a shaded area inside the house, one woman in form fitting white armor with bright yellow sun paint on each thigh, and the other woman sports the same type of form fitting armor, but hers is dark blue with a black spot with a white shining crescent moon painted on top. "Your scents are just as sharp as ever," Celestia comments.

Zecora gracefully bows and smirks seeing the princesses' blush a little seeing the zebra's well-endowed chest through the open portion of her robe. "Please forgive me, I have not had a chance to get dress. You are aware what has happen in Ponyville. Should you not be there to aid?"

"Twilight should be able to handle things for the time being, but Spike is a whole other matter. Do you think he is ready to learn about his heritage and the power that comes with it?" Celestia replies sitting on the couch slightly sifting her tail.

"Tia this time I will take the leap of faith. After hearing what he said about how he wants to protect the ones he loves, I think he has the right know what happened to his parents and the legacy he carries," Luna pauses wrapping her arms around herself trying not recall a traumatic event. "After all Ashkore, saved me from that monster! Spike sounded just like him, so I know he is ready. Besides he has a very special somepony he wants to court." Luna smiles then starts to giggle drawing odd confuse expressions from Celestia and Zecora.

"Luna?" the elder sister questions.

Luna looks at her sister laughing, "I guess you can say father and son have more in common than most would believe."

Zecora and Celestia burst out laughing, and Zecora walks over to the stairs and says, "Sun and Moon be on your way to go prove aid. I will see Spike in three days and prepare him for war by then he will know the truth and be ready for the next step in his journey."

They nod and head for the door, Celestia turns around and says, "Zecora please keep our whereabouts secret during Spike's quest. I'm afraid that Twilight will not be able to focus knowing that Spike is in grave danger."

"I understand sister and good luck; I hope everything goes well," Zecora replies seeing the women walk out and fly into the air. She heads upstairs throwing her robe on the bed and walks over the window looking out towards the forest. She closes her eyes then reopens them, but her eyes glow an earth green, "I will watch over you, young dragon to help when I can, but this quest is yours and yours alone to complete."

The sun begins to set as, Spike fights his way through the forest jumping over earthen roots, sliding under line branches, plowing through bushes of all types. After mildly jogging for hours, he finally stops falling to ground propping himself up against a close tree. He pulls out the map from his pocket; he opens it and sees a small shining purple dot close to the field Zecora states that flower grows in, "I'm almost there. This is easier than I thought, I all have to do…"

"Beware, Beware Danger is quite near!" a voice echoes through the air.

"Huh!" Spike jumps up and looks around then starts to smell something foul and rotting. He looks at ground and sees a dark green mist washing over the ground. Spike feels his body start to shake, "Oh no, Celestia please No!" he turns around and sees three giant wooden green growing eye timber wolves licking their wooden teeth eyeing their next meal. Spike stuffs the map into his pocket as he slowly backpedals from the hungry wooden wolves. The animals spring forward at the 3 foot dragon, "FUCK!" he screams as he turns around and runs for his life. Spike bobs and weave avoiding chomp after chomp of the pursuit predator. One wolf lounges hard forward with his jaws wide open getting the tip of the fleeing dragon within its mouth, and before he could chomp down Spike grabs his tail yanks making the hungry beast eat only air.

Spike yells backwards, "Hey watch it that was too close! You shouldn't put things in your mouth that don't belong to you! Ah!" he screams as he falls down over a low cliff and down steep leaf cover hill. He rolls head over heel until slams a wall of trees. He looks up seeing the timber wolves slowly making their way down; he goes to get up, but he feels a sharp pain in his left ankle. He looks and sees it swollen black and blue; he looks back up at see the wolves getting closer and closer to him growling and snarling at the injured dragon. Spike forces himself up leaning against the tree trying to still escape. He starts scoots to the left but a wolf barks forcing him to back. He moves to the right but another wolf growls as him forcing him back into center.

The wolves keep a 7 feet semi-circle distance away from their prey. Spike shakes nervously waiting of in the eminent attack. A tear streams down his face as he softy says to himself, "I can't let it end here," *ahh* he cries trying to stand on his foot again, "I want to fight! I need to fight! I must fight! I WILL FIGHT TO PROTECT THE ONE I LOVE!" he yells as the timber wolves charge at him unison. "I WON'T DIE HERE!"

The sound of howls and shouts echo in every direction from the Everfree Forest as the first day ends and the bright starry night begins. Twilight looks away from the table hearing the faint echoing sounds Mayor May Mare looks notices the new princess attention weaver as the fire marshal explains the current situations and status of the city. The meeting lasts for about ten minutes, and everyone begins to walk away, but Twilight still stands at the table looking blankly at the tactical map of Ponyville and the surrounding area. May taps Twilight on her shoulder breaking her concentration, "Twilight are you ok? You seem a little distracted is something wrong?"

Twilight shakes her head, "No I'm alright, I'm just worried about Spike. I haven't had the chance to see if he's back at home yet. I was a little harsh with him and…"

May smiles pats her on the shoulder then Pinkie jumps in, "Twilight! Terrible news Sugar Cube Corner is out of cupcakes and cookies. Oh and Spike isn't at the library."

"WHAT!" Twilight screams running to the library and busts through the door shouting and yelling while tearing up anything and everything searching for her adopted brother. "Spike! Spike! Where are you? Please Spike I'm sorry for yelling at you! Please don't this!"

Pinkie stands outside the door dodging anything that comes flying out of the door. AJ, Rarity, and Fluttershy walk up to the wild chaos going on inside Twilight's house. "Pinkie Pie what is going on? And…"

"DUCK!" AJ shouts as they avoid a flying chair rocketing out the door thanks to the alicorn's magic. "Tarnation Twilight! What are you looking for? If it's a book don't you think that you're going a little over board!"

"It's not a book, its Spike he missing," Pinkie replies calmly.

"WHAT! SPIKE-WIKEY IS MISSING!" Rarity shouts dashing inside to help turning the tree shape library upside down searching for the young dragon.

"How long has the little guy been gone?" AJ asks as she watches the two women jointly pick the house apart.

"No one has seen him," Pinkie puts her hands up and looks inside, "Duck!" she yells as another chair comes flying out of the door. "What makes matters worse is there's no more party foods or cakes! Mr. and Mrs. Cake made several special cakes and other yummy desserts for the party and I didn't a chance to try them. I mean come on there was the Marzipan Meringue Madness and the Chocolate Mousse Moose…"

Pinkie continues on about the different desserts at the party; AJ looks at Fluttershy holding her hand to her chin while folding her other arm over her stomach, "Where could have that little rascal have ran off to?"

Fluttershy replies with her soft gentle voice, "You don't think he went to fight that big meanie? Do you?"

AJ shakes her head and says with a concerned tone, "No! I know Spike said that he wanted to help protect the city, but I don't think he is that stupid. He has to be somewhere in the town or on the outskirts."

Twilight and Rarity walk outside with worried expressions on their faces. "He's not in there," Twilight states looking down at the ground recalling how cruel and harsh she was when she yelled at her little brother.

"Twilight is there another place he could have run to in Ponyville? Perhaps my shop, Spike-Wikey might be hiding there," Rarity offers to her worried friend while putting her hand on Twilight's shoulder.

Twilight looks at her friend with watering eyes and a weak smile when Rainbow Dash comes flying in with hundreds of others working quickly to clear the air and sky of the lingering smoke and smog in the air from the burning fires revealing the starry night sky with shining silverlight moon. While the Pegasus bring rain clouds to soak any possible hot spots, Rainbow sees the others huddle outside Twilight's house and noses dive towards, and with the superior maneuverability she is famous for; she pulls out of the dive at the very last second and lands graceful in front of her friends. She looks at her friends and sees Twilight on the vague of tears while Rarity sports a face that makes her look like she as presaging winkles. "Hey what's with you two?"

"Spike has gone missing," AJ states with blunt expression.

"WHAT! What are we waiting for lets split up and go find the little guy. Fluttershy and I will…"

Rainbow is interrupted by Twilight as she wipes away the tears forming in her eyes, "No Rainbow! We have other duties we have to handle, and it kills me to say this, but we don't have time to waste to search for Spike while Garble and his forces are out there getting ready to attack Ponyville again. We have too much to do."

"But Twilight, are you sure? Spike could be…" Rarity coves her mouth thinking about the possible dangers he could be in.

"Yes, Spike chose to run off, but people are depending on us to protect them. They are our main concern," the princess replies.

"Well Twi if you're sure," AJ states looking at her purple friend who only nods in response, "What's our next move?"

"Rainbow go back to Cloudsdale, and tell General Spitfire that we need assistance to fight the dragons along with more weather control Pegasus. Apple Jack, you and Pinkie Pie go to Canterlot; tell Princess Celestia about what happen here, and we need the military to help defend the city. The rest of us will stay here and get things ready for the battle. We've no time to waste lets get going!" Twilight orders. The three nod and take off to complete their missions; she look eyes with Fluttershy and Rarity, "Fluttershy you're with me and Rarity please do your best its up to you," She states then Fluttershy and her disappears in purple flash.

Rarity smiles and dashes off to her shop, ~Spike where are you? Just please be ok I don't want to anything bad happen to you. ~

Sunlight flows through the forest and brings light to a gruesome scene at the clearing in the forest. Blood stains the ground along with torn pieces of wooden like limbs littered over the ground. The bright light moves further into the clearing shining down on purple body with ripping muscles and long muscular arms with large hands with sharp nail claws, strong tone legs, long slim tail with green spikes running along the back up to the neck. The youth's face is covered with a thick patch of long flowing green hair.

His hand twitches and moves to his face to cover from the bright sunlight. Then he says in a deep mature voice, "Huh where I'm? Twilight…"He calls out but then he recalls the recent events, "That's right! I not with her," he sits up look rubbing the sleep from his eyes and stands up. He opens his eyes and looks outward; he is shaken when he sees the ground so far down he almost loses his balance, "What's going on here? And…" He pauses again looking the ripped up bodies of the Timberwolves and the blood spread along the ground. Then he looks at his hands and is shocked at the sizes of them. The seven feet dragon looks over his newly grown body along with his four foot long tail and muscular build. Only small scarps of his clothes remain covering part of his chest and manhood, but his shoes are completely destroyed leaving the purple dragon barefoot. Spike takes a calming breath then flashes of him savagely fighting the Timberwolves last night sweep his vision. He sees himself clawing, biting, tearing, punching, and using the detached limbs of his attackers to beat the other to death.

Once the flashback ends, Spike holds his head, "Damn I can't believe I did that!"

Then a voice echoes through the forest, "One day is gone, and only two remain. Hurry now or your quest will be in vain!"

"Shit that's right I got to hurry! Where's the map!" he shouts reaching for his pockets, but he finds that there are none. "AH FUCK! WHERE'S THE MAP! I HAVE TOO…. AH FUCK ME!" he shouts picking up what left of his torn map. "Now what do I do!" he flops to the ground looking at the torn pieces of this his map. "No I can't give up! I just got to…wait," he pauses picking up a familiar spicy-sweet flower scent, "I remember that smell from Zecora's house, but there are two of them. One that leads out the forest and the other… hot damn! Its coming from deep inside the forest!" He jumps up and starts running, "Who needs a map! Just you wait Rarity when I get back you're going to see a whole new Spike." He laughs dashing onwards.

The new day's light brings clear blue skies and conformable weather, but it allows everyone to fully take in the damage and remains from the deadly attack.

Zecora arrives at the charred remains of Sweet Apple Acres. She wears her signature multiple gold ring choker with matching wristbands with a x-cut earth colored top with matching colored short grass skirt with a small splits running up each side. Along with her outfit, she wears a pair of brown low heel sandals and a reddish brown hooded cloak. The sexy zebra wears long black and white hair in pony tail (no pun intended LOL!) with a gold ring for the clip. Her tail has three rings clipped down it. The nature sage carries a big brown shoulder bag.

Big Mac looks over to see his striped mate at the entrance with her hood down, and he throws down some steel pipes and runs over to her with smile on his face. He reaches her and grabs her by the sides lifting her up and spinning around ending with her in his arms. They exchange a quick kiss until three pre-teen girls wearing green overalls with black shirts and their hair tied into pony tails come up to the couple. Apple Bloom and other cutie mark crusaders walk over and ask, "Big brother what are you doing to Zecora?"

The sweet couple breaks away from each as their face glow red with embarrassment while red stallion sets his mate back on the ground. Big Mac tried to say something to explain the situation, but only mumbles and jumbles of words come out. Until Zecora says with great wisdoms, "Oh dear sweet Apple Bloom, I have come relieve the doom!" She points to destroyed apple trees, "With some of my special brews. The apple trees will soon re-bloom."

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle give each other a suspicious look as Apple Bloom eyes her brother and earth sage friend. "Ok then why were you two kissing and… hold on a second; big brother is Zecora your…"

"Land sakes younglings!" the green skin white hair elder with matching clothing, "We have work to do! Zecora sweetly what do we need to do?"

"We need to spray the trees then inject the roots with another potion," Zecora explains.

"Well sweetly come on back to barn and we'll get you what you need. Apple Bloom head back and get things ready," Granny Smith orders. The girls look like they are about to object, but they change their minds when Granny gives them the evil eye making the girls fall silent and nods in compliance.

"Elder Smith I need to tell you…"

Granny jumps in, "Please sweetly these eyes have seen a great deal, and know a mated couple when I smell one. Also just call me Granny your apart of the Apple family. Well time to go crack the pots and hit the pans."

Zecora and Big Mac stand there watching Granny Smith heading back; the two smile and grab each other's hand. "Granny is very wise, and wait," Zecora pauses as her eyes glow green.

"Zecora is something wrong?" Big Mac ask looks at his zebra mate.

"Young Spike next opponent approaches to test his strength and will," She states as her eyes glow bright green.

Spike races through the humid early morning forest till he comes to lake. He slows down to a walking speed and heads to lake; he looks at his relaxation in water. "Wow!" he smirks checking out his new developed figure, "Oh yeah Rarity is definitely going to like the new Spike. Hum I wonder," he slyly looks back and forth. Then he looks down into the remaining part of his pants. He starts to laugh looking at his manhood, "Well shit! Rarity is going to love and hate when we get together. Hell I could give Big Mac a run for his money! Ha ha ha!"

After few a more minutes of admiring himself, Spike drinks a couple hand full of water then splash himself to wash away any extra sweat. He sniffs the air, "Ok by the smell of flowers, I should be at the field soon hopefully I'll their by nightfall if I book it for the rest of the way." He start stretches getting ready to run again. "Ok that enough rest lets…" the ground starts shake violent with trees collapsing in the background.

*RRROOOOAAAARRR!*

Spike twists around and sees a monstrous hydra charging at him, "You've got to be kidding me!" He runs away as one of the four heads tries to take a bit out of the fleeing dragon. Spike swiftly dodges still running, but massive 30 foot tall monster is able to easily keep pace with seven foot swift purple dragon. Two of hydra heads launch a simultaneous attack at Spike one misses his, but other one slams the ground on the heels of the dragon making him trip up from the shockwave. "Shit!" he yells he falls, but he quickly springs himself into a head over head over front flip back to his feet, "Ok that is something new." Another hydra head attacks, Spike scenes that take and twists around just as the head gets close he balls up his fist and throws a strong forward punch. Spike's fist connects with the stone like scales and rock hard head. The powerful punch sends the hydra's inner right head back making it fold up like an accordion snapping it neck with each fold. The creature releases a monstrous howl at the pain radiates into other heads as the injured head fall backwards dead. "Wow I have gotten stronger, but I think I pissed the other head off at the same time!" Spike exclaims as the hydra heads attack fiercely over and over.

Spike jumps and dodge each attack with greater and greater ease. "I got to admit this pretty fun, but I don't have any more time play," Spike states looking ahead a giant boulder in his path. "Lets just see how strong I have gotten!" He come to sliding stop and grabs the four times his size boulder and lounges it into air at the chasing hydra. An eclipsing shadow floats over the hydra; it looks up but it's too late. The boulder smashes down killing the left outside head unleashing another power yell of pain for the remaining heads. "Ha! You best give up before you run out of heads!" Spikes laughs with his arms folded across his chest. "I'm too powerful for you to beat me!" The ravenous hydra unleashing an ear splintering roar that fills like waves passing through the air. Spike uncovers his ears after the roar, "I got a bad feeling about this."

Apple Jack and Pinkie Pie sit on the express bullet train to Canterlot. AJ looks out the window and watches the passing landscape with bored expression on her face as she thinks, ~ What do I say to Princess Celestia? ~ Suddenly, Pinkie Pie starts shake, bounce, and rattle inside their private car. AJ sits up with widen eyes, "Pinkie don't tell me!"

"YYYYUUUUUPPPPPP!" she replies still shaking. Then she stops looking out the window, "And it's one whammy of a combo happening in the Everfree forest!"

The ground starts to violently shake once again with the sounds of more thunderous footsteps and collapsing trees. "Now what?!" Spike states looks into the forest, "You got be fucking kidding me!" He turns and starts running at full speed as six more hydras come charging after him. "Looks like bog breath had some friends who wants play as well. Fine with me more the merrier! I'll kick all your asses!" He turns around and charges at the seven hydras. Nine of the twenty-six hydra head launch down on the lone dragon.

He pivots dodging the open mouths of the monsters while using to tail to whip one or two of them in the eyes after his dodges. ~Wow I can believe how fast I am. I might be faster than Rainbow on foot! ~ He thinks dodging another barrage of attacks. He swiftly runs up a tree and springs himself off one of the branches toward incoming hydra head. He greet it with a powerful round house kick smashing it into another attacking head making them knock into each other; causing two of huge creatures with the attached heads off course and making them run into each then go clashing to the floor. Then Spike lands perfectly on the ground kneeing with one fist and the other arm extended. "Ha! And Twi said that those karate lessons from Rainbow wouldn't be useful."

Another hydra coming charging at for him, Spike stands with a smile on his face and charges directly it. The one of heads launches at him, but Spike jump over the head doing a graceful twist in the air landing on the hydra's neck. He dashes up the neck towards the main body. Another head attacks the climbing dragon, yet once again the nibble dragon dodges the attack landing on top of one the heads. He smirk jump up then dives down shouting, "HERE GET A TASTE OF MY NEWEST ATTACK! METEOR SMASH!" Spike smashes down on top of the hydra's breaking the skull and crunching the neck killing the head while forcing the body down into the ground snapping the breast's leg bones in half. The monster whines in pain making one of its closest allies come rushing to help.

Spike lands in one of the trees and sees the incoming hydra. Spike puts another smirk on his face jumping to his last opponent. He grabs it is tail and pulls with all his might dragging the disabled monster along the ground spinning it around him, "I call this the Dragon Spin!" He lets go of the tail sending it at another hydra. The two monsters smash into each and flying in opposite direction into the forest. "Well two down and five to… WHAO!" he shouts dash out the way of four incoming hydra heads. The heads hit the ground. "You guys are never going to learn!"

The sun begins the set ending the day, and two hydra dead bodies litter the ground with blood pooling out of several wounds in its body. Spike stands in a clearing breathing heavy feeling the gathering fatigue from constant fighting, and to add to his troubles is surrounded by the original now two headed hydra and its two allies. "Damn it!" he says breathing deeply watching for movement from the hydras. His hands have transformed into powerful talons dripping with torn flesh and blood from the fleshly killed hydras. "Ok Spike now you're in trouble. I have to end this!" The ten hydra head look down at the lone purple dragon. Spike growls then shouts, "ALRIGHT FUCKERS IF YOU WANT SOME COME AND GET IT! I DON'T HAVE ALL FUCKING NIGHT TO WAIT ON YOU!"

The hydras growl and four of the heads attack. Spike is able to dodge three of attacks, but the fourth attack connects with the strenuous dragon sending him flying through trees. Spike quickly recovers, but another hydra launches another three head missile keeping him off balance sending him flying into more trees. Spike sits up, "Ok that hurt. AHHHHH!" he cries as a hydra slams it foot on back and picking him up then throwing him again. Spike flies through the air smashing into trees with his rough landing. He lies at the end of a path broken and fallen trees. Spike coughs up blood sitting up with his arm wrapped over his abdomen. His vision starts to go blurry, but he can feel the ground shaking with approaching footsteps. He is able to get to feet and limp away, but the quickening footsteps are on his heels.

Night finally takes hold of the sky, and Spike leans up against a rock face catching his breath. He fights with what little strength he has left to stay awake, but his eyes betray him and close for a few minutes. A familiar bog smell fills the air; he opens his eyes seeing the hydras standing in front of him. He tries to flee the two headed hydra smashes him against the wall with such great force the air knocked out his lungs. Spike struggles to look up seeing the hydras licking their lips. "LET ME GO!" he shouts out and struggles to get free. Hydras draw their heads back preparing to attack. "LET ME GOOO!" Spike shouts again as the heads dive at him with their mouths wide opened. "LET ME GOOO…." He yells then a giant cone of green fire comes erupting out of his mouth melting one of the remaining two off it. The hydra falls back releasing the young dragon screaming in pain; then he smiles with a puff of green flames coming out the side of his mouth. "Ok now things are getting fun!" Spike exclaims blowing another massive cone of green burning flames engulfing the one headed hydra in fire. It falls to ground died as the fire continues to feed on its flesh. The other hydras charge at the dragon, and he takes a deep breath and blows out more flesh melting flames igniting their feet on fire making them panic and run around to put the flames out with little success.

Spike looks up at the clear starry night sky and smirks, "Damn I played with them to long!" He sniffs the air picking up multiple scents from burning flesh to the blood of the hydra. He picks of the scent of the flowers once again then looks over at the still panicking hydra, "I'll roast you some other time. Later!" the young dragon laughs running away from the battle site.

Big Mac walks into his room and sees Zecora sitting on the floor with her eyes glowing green; he heads into the bathroom pulling off his shirt leaving his mate alone. A minute later, her eyes return back to normal and gets up just as he coming back into his bedroom. She giggles and he gives a smirk, "What so funny? You see something while meditating and doing that funny eye thing?"

She laughs even more, "Yes young Spike is becoming quite a warrior. His quest will come to an end tomorrow evening. Big Mac when the fighting begins will you bring Granny and the children my house?" she asks striping off her clothes and getting into bed.

"Yeah that's not a problem, but why?!" he asks removing is boxers and climbing into the bed with his mate wrapping her nude body in his embrace.

"Because this battle will be fierce and dangerous, and I will feel better knowing that you all are safe with me in forest," she replies running her hand up and down his bare red chest. Suddenly her eyes glow green again showing her new vision. "Oh my, the final trial begins," she reports as green glow fades away.

"Whatcha you see?" he asks looking down at her.

"Spike will have to feast in order to pass and gain what was taken from him," she retorts. "For now time to rest." She kisses him and gets comfortable.

"Good night," he states turning off the light.

The moon shines down with awesome majesty and beauty bathing the ground with it pure pale light. Spike makes continues to follow the scent of the Dragonmare; he looks at his hands that have transformed back to normal. "This is some errand Zecora has me on. Hear I taught it would be a simple run in here and grab the flower and head back to get the potion I need, but it's been completely different. First, I'm attacked by Timberwolves and the next morning I changed into this. Then, I get attacked by a Hydra who for shits and giggles calls six of his buddies to make it a seven on one fight, but I find out that I have super strength, I can form dragon talons, and gained a breath weapon. Its like someone wants to keep pushing me to my limits and for some added kicks I find out that I'm a fast healer. After all this is over, Twilight is going have a field day with poking and examining my maturing body," he says to himself *crunch*. He stops in tracks and looks down seeing the ground littered with decaying bones. He leans down examining the bones, "These are chimera bones! There all over the place! What the fuck could have done this!?" He goes farther ahead and exhales, "From the looks of things and the scent of the flower, I'll find out very soon. Who comes up with this shit!" he curses taking off ahead.

The clock gets close to striking two in the morning, and Twilight is still in city hall reviewing the recovery activity logs, evacuation procedures, and sentry reports. She tosses the current report on her desk that is littered with other reports.

She jolts a little shaking her head to wake up and focus her mind. "Come in," she welcomes. Rarity and Fluttershy walk into room to find the purple's alicorn hair fizzy, her eyes blood shot, and her clothes all wrinkled. "Hi girls, why are you up so late?" she greets.

"Sweetie, we should be asking you that," Rarity redirects the question.

"Twilight have you slept yet?" Fluttershy questions.

"Who can sleep with everything happening and with Spike missing; I can't close my eyes without having a nightmare that something horrible is happening to him. Rarity please tell me that you found some kind of lead on Spike's whereabouts," Twilight requests.

"I have been all over town and no one has seen him. It's like he never returned from Sweet Apple Acres," Rarity reports.

*Knock* *Knock* "Twi you in here?" Rainbow calls out entering the room wearing her Wonderbolt uniform jumpsuit. "Damn Twi you look a mess!" A sweat drop appears next to everyone's head. "Anyway General Spitfire says that she is going to mobilize the Wonderbolts Corps and prove equipment for use to in the battle. Check out the new titanium extendable quarterstaff she gave me," she explains holding out seven inch long rod that extends to seven feet long with the push of a button. Rainbow spins it around showing some skill she possesses. She retracts the staff, "So how things going here? Any word from Canterlot?"

"Well…" Twilight sways her tail and extends her wings to work out the stiffness while walking to the door. She opens the door and a Pegasus wearing a Canterlot Royal Guard uniform.

He salutes, "Your highness Princess Twilight Sparkle, I have a message to for you from two ladies of your court." He pulls out a rolled up letter with a seal on it.

Twilight takes the letter opens and reads it. Her eyes bug out, "NO THIS IS HORRIBLE!"

"Twilight what's wrong? Did something happen to Apple Jack and Pinkie Pie?" Rarity questions.

Twilight turns around with the letter gripped firmly in her hands, "No! They made it safely, but when they got there the whole capital was in complete turmoil. They high tailed it to the palace and found the council members at each other's throats. After breaking them up, the council members reported that Princess Celestia is missing!"

"What!" the others shout in unison.

"What about Princess Luna where is she?!" Rarity questions.

"According the council after the attack on Ponyville, they went to tell Princess Celestia, but they found she was missing. They scrambled to contract the Crater Lake Palace, but they find out that Princess Luna is also missing!"

"WHAT THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE BOTH PRINCESSES ARE MISSING!" Rainbow Dash yells flapping her wings hovering the mid-air.

"And things get worst. The council states that they can't mobilize the military without her permission," Twilight continues.

Fluttershy says in her very timid voice, "Twilight well if… you don't mind… I mean you don't have to… but…."

Twilight twists around staring down at the extremely timid yellow pegasus with her glowing purple and empowered aura, "Out with it Fluttershy!" The timid girl yelps then hides behinds Rarity nervously shaking on the brink of tears. Rainbow and Rarity gasp and shot disapproving glares at their alicorn friend. Her eyes go back to normal, and she lowers her head in shame, "I'm sorry Fluttershy, I shouldn't have yell like that to you, but what your idea?"

The yellow pegasus smiles coming from behind Rarity, "Its ok Twilight, but maybe we can ask Princess Cadance for help."

"Yeah the Crystal Empire's military is only second to Canterlot," Rainbow continues off of her fellow pegasus' idea.

Twilight shakes her head, "That wouldn't work. It would take too long for the crystal military to get here."

"Don't those idiots know that there is a princess here?" Rarity comments gaining odd looks from everyone in the room.

The guard clears his throat, "Actually Lady Rarity, the council ordered me to escort Princess Twilight Sparkle back to Canterlot for her own protection, so your highness if you would come with me, we will leave at once."

Twilight crumples up the letter giving the guard the same glowing purples eyes with waving tails, "I will not leave Ponyville or my friends to the fight those dragons. You can tell the council those are my final words on the matter!"

Rainbow Dash looks at the guard and yells, "Hey iron head, why not tell the royal guard to come here and protect Twilight while the real warriors kick some dragon ass!"

The guard gives an annoyed look on his face hearing Rainbow's taunt, but he quickly covers it by responding, "Very well, highness I will do as you command, and Lady Rainbow," he shoots a mean eye towards at her, "I will tell Captain Sentry that the Royal Guard should be sent here to show you how we fight dragons!" The guard bows and walks out the room.

"Rainbow I do wish you would be more graceful with your words," Rarity comments swaying slightly back and forth.

Rainbow smirks and giggles floating back down to the ground; she walks over and places a hand on Rarity's shoulder, "Rarity, Rarity, Rarity you don't know anything about military jargon do you."

Rarity gives the 'oh please look' while eyeing the sky-blue warrior, "Well dear, please do enlighten me!"

"That guy," she states pointing her thumb back towards the door, "is a soldier of the Royal Guard and I'm a member of the Wonderbolts!"

"Rainbow Dash dear be a little more detail in your explanation!" Rarity replies with a smug tone.

"Alright every year there is a competition between the Royal Guard and the Wonderbolts to show who are the better flyers and fighters. For the past eight matches, the Wonderbolts have mopped the floor with them. Now he is going back Canterlot and tell Captain Sentry, the guy that got beat by General Spitfire herself, that another Wonderbolt and not just any Wonderbolt, but a one who is close friends with Princess Twilight that they can sit back and watch us kick some dragon ass. Knowing Captain Sentry, he will mobilize every guard he can get bring them to the party," Rainbow smirks.

"So you're gloating him into the fight," Rarity summarizes while crossing her arms.

Rainbow only smiles and giving a thumbs up. Twilight can only smirk seeing what her loyal friend's plan, "Regardless of how its done, we have more fighters coming to help protect Ponyville. We better go ahead and start preliminary evacuation and…"

"Hold right there Twilight," Rainbow jumps in, "the only thing that you are going to do is go to bed and get some sleep!"

"No look I'm fine," Twilight lies as her mouth unwilling releases a massive yawn and her eyes become more blood shot and redden.

"Twilight dear, you need some rest, and I might suggest a bath because you have a bit of a musky odor darling. I think your mane, tail, and wings will thank you for it," Rarity adds.

"Thanks girls, but I promise you; I'm fine just let me get back to work and I…." Twilight counters moving towards the door.

"NOOO!" a voice shouts making Twilight, Rainbow, and Rarity look at its owner. Fluttershy marches right up face-to-face with her alicorn friend. She gives Twilight her famous unbeatable stare, "Listen Twilight you have been going at nonstop for over 24 hours, and you keep saying that you're fine but you're not! NOW YOU ARE GOING TO GO HOME, TAKE A BATH, AND GO TO SLEEP! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR!"

"But…"

"NO BUTS GO TO BED NOW!" Fluttershy shouts making everyone jump back a step hearing her shout.

"Ok! Ok you win! I'm going," Twilight replies with fear in her voice.

"I'll go with her to make sure she gets to bed!" Rainbow states, "Now march Twilight!" Twilight turns and walks out with Rainbow close on her tail.

Once they are out of the room, Rarity puts a hand on Fluttershy's shoulder and says, "Good job dear! Now I'm heading to Sweet Apples Acres to see if I can pick up Spike's trail."

"Oh no you don't!" Fluttershy exclaims, "I know you have been running yourself rag it looking all over Ponyville, and you need your rest as well, so the same goes for you get to bed!"

"Fluttershy…"

"NO! BED NOW!" she shouts and Rarity nods and leaves the room. ~I think I can get use to this, ~ Fluttershy smirks to herself turning off the lights off in the office and heading out.

Twilight walks out of the bathroom with a robe wrapped around her and uses a towel to get the excess water out of her mane. "Fluttershy and Rarity were right, I needed that. I feel so much better. Hey Rainbow…" she looks over to see her fast asleep. She shakes her head and snaps her finger making them both disappear in a purple flash. They reappear upstairs with Rainbow in the guest bed. Twilight walks into her room dropping the robe. She puts on a pair of matching light purple bra and panties before crawling into bed. Her tail swishes subtlety as she lies her head on the pillow looking out the window, "Three days have gone by and still no sign of Spike and now Princess Celestia and Luna are missing… *yawn* and we only have four days left… I have to think of some…thing… too… solve… this… *snooze*," Twilight fades as her exhaustion takes hold.

The sun sits high in the mid-day sky shining it radiating light down on the world. Spike continues down the path with the scent as his only guide. "I have to reach the field by tonight or I'm SOL!" He wipes forehead, "Wow today is a real cooker!"

*Crunch*

Spike looks down and sees more piles of bones from other animals spread over the forest floor. He exams some of the bones; he picks up a bone and feels some of moisture on it. He checks his hand and finds fresh blood staining it. "This kill is fresh!" he states dropping the bone to ground. He sniffs the air trying to pick up any trace of the predator responsible. "Ah great! I can't sniff the animal out. Ok Spike don't panic, you faced Timberwolves and hydras and beat both of them. What else can be more deadly than that?"

Suddenly a little squeak sounds off behind him, he twists around transforming his hands to sharp purple talon claws, and then he exhales seeing the cause of the sound. His changes claws back to normal reaching out to the little cute creature, "Ah it just a parasprites, you gave me scare little guy." He picks up the little insect holding it in his hand. "Geez you're the safest thing I'll seen around here in the last two and half-days," he says to the parasprite while tickling it under its' chin making it purr softly. He looks back at the bones still tickling his new friend, "Now the real question is what animal could be responsible of this? Whatever it is, I just hope that it full the time being."

Seconds after Spike finishes his statement, more parasprites land on the remains of the recent feasted corpuses. He looks at the other incoming bugs with much worry, "Ok you little guys time to go, I've… OUCH!" He yells fiercely waves his hand as the parasprite bites deeply into his skin causing blood to flow down. Spike growls and smashes the bug killing it. The other parasprites lash out toward the dragon with their mouths wide open and teeth craving for the taste of his flesh. Spike turns and dashes in the direction of the field while swatting away parasprites that are able to get on him.

He zigzags toward the trees in a fail effort to escape the ravenous flesh eating pest. He looks behind him sees the swarm growing in size as they continue their pursuit of their dragon prey. "Dammit I need a plan or I'll be next on the menu!" Spike yells while running; his sharpen hearing picks up the sound of more wing flapping. He looks to his left and sees another swarm coming in to flank him. He growls seeing the new swarm, "FUCK OFF!" The angry dragon yells blowing a powerful cone of blazing fire at the swarm burning most of the incoming insects, but Spike's move allows the other swarm to catch up and overrun him. He fights with all his strength to get out the attacking swarm, but their constant biting and attack on his legs force his to ground.

Spike wills himself into the fetal position crying out feeling the overwhelming pain. The parasprites land on top of their meal and begin feasting mercilessly. Tears of pain run down Spike's face as his scales and skin are literately ripped from his body. The insects work on his back near his shoulder blades revealing two large scars. ~It hurts so much I can't move! Did I come so far to only be eaten alive? What do I do?! I have no strength left! ~ Spike thinks yelping every time he feels a new bite. Then a voice echoes through the forest once again, "If you want to survive this plight, feed on your enemy like a delight."

Spike opens his eyes after hearing the voice, and he reaches out and grabs one of the parasprites then shoves it into his mouth. He chews down on the, at first chucky then chewy, insect. He hums in delight at the ruby gem-like taste; he catches another parasprite shoving it into his mouth enjoying insect's favor. Spike feels a massive pulse throughout his body with a rejuvenating energy coursing through him. He springs up from his fetal position, and the numerous bite marks over his body quickly begin to heal; the parasprites encircle the repowered dragon. Spike looks at his enemy with hungry eyes, "There's been a change in the menu! Today's special PARASPRITE GEMALLAMOD!" He charges at them with great hungry and thirst for revenge.

*BURP* "Now that's what I call a gemerrific meal," Spike says rubbing his gut and using his claw to pick out pieces of chewed up wings. He looks up and sees the starry night sky, and the silver moon shining its pale light down once again. Spike looks ahead and sees the soft radiate glow of pink, purple, and yellow coming from just the other side of some trees. He rushes around the trees and sees the wide open field with the moon and stars directly above the clearing area. The giant field is filled with thousands of Dragonmare gently swaying in the breeze while lighting up the ground.

Spike walks through the field hypnotize by the flowers' beauty. "Wow they're beautiful! Focus Spike, all have I to do get this and…" Spike feels a sharp pain on his back as if his shoulder blades are on fire.

As if a trick by the moonlight and Dragonmare, a solid beam of light shots down increasing the glow of the flowers. A red dragon dressed in black and green armor with his wings folded close to his back and two swords strapped to his hip appears in front of him. The eight foot man walks closer to Spike with his face shrouded in shadow. Spike goes into a defensive posture, but the man holds up his hand and says with a powerful deep voice, "Take it easy son; I didn't come here to fight you!" The dragon gets closer to Spike revealing his face who is a close carbon copy of Spike's, yet his eyes are ruby red. "It's good to see you again son," Spike's father states just stopping within arm's reach of the purple dragon. "Ha! Looks like you're growing into my strong build, but you have your mother's sweet, gentle, and kind emerald green eyes."

Spike gives the man an odd confused look, "Son? Did you call me your son?"

"That I did Spike," the dragon smiles looking down on his son. "Yes Spike I'm your father."

Spike takes a cautious step back shaking his head in disbelief, "That can't be, that's impossible."

"Your mother and I would disagreed especially seeing how cute you were when she gave birth to you," he replies.

"Wait a minute, Twilight and everyone in Canterlot told me I was hatched from an egg and…"

A woman's voices cuts Spike off, "I am afraid that is my fault Spike." The men turn around and see Princess Celestia and Luna walking up to them. "Oh my Spike, you have grown up to be a handsome dragon."

Spike bows in respect to the princesses and says, "What do you mean by it's your fault? What is everyone hiding from me, and is he really my father?"

Luna steps in, "Celestia cannot be held solely responsible; I also am to blame for this, but we had to keep the truth about your real birth and linage secret until the right time." She looks up at Spike's father slightly blushing bring her hand up to her mouth covering it, "Besides as a noble powerful knight, it is only proper that he introduces himself to his own son. After all, this is his first time meeting you, and he should know about one of the greatest, most powerful, bravest, noble, and… and…"

"Luna," Celestia puts her hand on her growing red sister, "I think he gets the point."

"Oh yes! Sorry! Thanks Tia!"

They all laugh for a minute, and then the dragon knight clears his throat, "Spike, my name is Sir Ashkore the Peacebringer of the Knights of the Draconic Core."

"Wait I remember Twilight and I reading something about that order. Yeah! It was in the section during the great war between dragons and ponies, but we never came across your name in the history books," Spike comments. "So how don't I know you're making all this up?"

"As Luna and I said, it is our fault. We had to hide the truth from not only you but everypony. We had ordered all the books and records that had Sir Ashkore's name in it remove or covered up to protect you," Celestia states with the look of disappointment on her face.

"What!" Spike questions with wide eyes. "But why your highness? Why would you hide the truth from me and what were you trying to protect me from?"

Luna exhales with her blushing all gone and displays the same look of disappointment, "Spike do you know why the war ended between Equestria and Dragonicion?"

"Yeah! The everlasting peace treaty between the two nations ended the war and both sides agreed to certain terms that are still enforce today. Like the dragon migration to the ancient birth sites of our ancestors," Spike replies.

"I must thank you Celestia, you choosing a very wise pony for my son to grow up with and learn from. Unfortunately son that is only a third of the truth," Ashkore states crossing his arms looking into the starry night sky.

"Let me guess the other two parts have to deal with me and you," Spike deduces from the clues of Celestia and Luna's actions.

"Damn son you are smart one, I can see why Twilight and you get along so well. You both are as sharp as dragon's claw," Ashkore smiles looking back face to face with his son. "You see Spike yes the Crimson War ended because of the peace treaty, but also because of your birth. You see son your mother is a pony."

"WHAT! YOU HAVE GOT TO BE FUCKING KIDDING ME! MY MOTHER IS A PONY!" Spike yells stumbling backwards over his own tail right on to his ass.

"What are you disappointed son? To find that your mother is a pony?" Ashkore questions with an inquiring look on his face.

Spike gets back up to his feet brushing himself off, "No it's not that I'm disappointed, but the complete opposite it explains so many things about myself and why I always had this deep unknown feeling that there was more to me than just a dragon."

Ashkore starts to laugh saying, "I also see that you've picked up another trait of mine. Don't try to hide it son I know you have a massive love crush on that fine looking mare Rarity. A little fatherly advice, when you go back take some extra Dragonmare with you; mares love the smell of it and if you uses it in a cologne, she will be all over you. Trust me son it works all the time how do you think I became mates with your mother. Ha! Ha!"

*Cough* "Sir Ashkore can we save the fatherly advice for another time? Spike needs to learn the truth behind the end of the Crimson War," Celestia comments with her arms crossed giving a 'come on' look.

"Sorry your highness, anyway son before the war officially ended; I was sent to Canterlot by the Council of Elders to help with negotiate the peace treaty with the princesses and their council. When I arrive in Canterlot I was greeted by a woman who was Princesses Celestia and Luna's personal student. She is the most beautiful and strong willed unicorn I have ever met, and she has the most attractive emerald green eyes. After we arrived at the palace, Princess Celestia told me that Starlight Sparkle would assist me while I was there," Ashkore explains slowly trailing off to look at the sky thinking about his mate.

"Starlight Sparkle wait you don't mean that…" Spike fights to put the pieces together.

Luna jumps in, "Yes she is the great-great aunt of Twilight Sparkle."

"I'll be damn! Are you telling me that I'm related to Twi?!" Spike exclaims with unspeakable shock filling his face.

"You got it kiddo!" Ashkore comments then looks back at his son, "This makes what I have to tell you next so much easier. You see Spike the negotiations took about five years to complete, and Starlight and I started to get to know each other until the point; I ask her to become my mate. Then we found ourselves in bed performing the mating ritual. Then before we knew it, Starlight tells me that she's pregnant with you."

"And that's when things took a turn for the worst," Celestia states walking over to Ashkore putting a compassionate hand on his right arm. "You see Spike, we were just days from signing the treaty and knowledge about your mother's condition came to light."

"As a result, this sent shockwaves throughout both nations. Some were calling for the death of Starlight, Ashkore, and you Spike, but others found it as a good way to unite the nations. The Dragon Lord at the time agreed that your birth will show that ponies and dragons can live together in peace," Luna explains walking over to Spike giving a loving smile. "So after the treaty was signed, your parents were officially announced as mates to the world."

"But that peace didn't last long because of that selfish son of a bitch!" Ashkore growls while squeezing his fist.

"What do you mean?" Spike questions seeing his father's anger grow and a sad look sweep over his face.

"Only two years after the treaty was sign, the Dragon Lord died and…"

Ashkore jumps in growling cutting off Luna, "BULLSHIT! THAT MOTHERFUCKING BASTER KILLED DRAGON LORD CHAZORE! JUST SO HE COULD GRAB POWER!"

"Be calm Ashkore, go on sister," Celestia says rubbing the now teary eyed dragon.

Luna nods and asks, "Spike, what do you know about the Crimson Blaze War?"

"Well it started after Lord Chazore was, after what dad said, was killed, and the new Dragon Lord Azet came to power, and it was considered to be the bloodiest war in history," Spike states looking at the others for approval.

"You are quite correct Spike. When Lord Azet overthrew Lord Chazore, he made it quite clear that he was opposed to the treaty, and he was convinced that they would have won the war if Chazore hadn't signed the peace treaty. Then everything fell apart from there," Luna exhales recalling the events of the past. "All of Equestria was at peace enjoying our lives no one was prepared or expecting war but in one morning over ten thousand were killed in the opening attack."

"The news was unbelievable the Dragon Lord's forces were pushing through our lands unlike anything we have seen before. The dragons were relentless and deathly cruel to any ponies in their path. By the end of the first day, we had found out that over one million were killed and still the body count kept soaring at an incredible rate," Celestia comments remembering the feeling of heartache and pain to hear that her people were being killed by the thousands.

"At the time, I was living in Canterlot with Starlight waiting for the moment you would be born. When we got the news about what happened, we rushed to the palace to offer our help. Starlight wanted to fight, but we all agreed it would be too dangerous especially in her condition. However I was able to make up for it with the aid from my friends. Shortly after that piece of shit became ruler, dragons still loyal to Dragon Lord Chazore, those who believed in the peace treaty, and who like the idea of taking ponies as our mates stood together and pledged our loyalty and power to protect Equestria," Ashkore explains with a great pride in his voice.

"These noble warriors, these great dragons, whom stood up to protect us were given the title of Dragon Knights of Equestria," Celestia proudly proclaims.

As Twilight sleeps, the young new alicorn enters the dream world, and finds herself flowing in the air over Ponyville then in an instance flash she rockets through the night sky air. Less than a blink of an eye, she hovers over a field seeing four figures down below. Twilight starts to bring the figures into focus, ~Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, what are they doing down there? And who are those men with them? Wait they're dragons! ~ She sees them talking about something and the red dragon getting upset about what is said, but all their voices are muted. Twilight focuses more on the purple dragon, and she gasps as her eyes bug out, ~This is impossible! That can't be SPIKE!~

As if hearing her outburst, Luna looks up in Twilight's direction waving her hand to go away; Twilight's body lightens up and rockets back through the night sky.

She comes crashing down into her physical body screaming while waking up. Rainbow Dash comes bursting into Twilight bedroom seeing the irate alicorn shouting and exhaling like crazy; she rushes over to her friend's bed grabbing her by the shoulders gently shaking her while yelling, "TWILIGHT! TWILIGHT! CALM DOWN! DAMMIT SNAP OUT OF IT! *SLAP*" Rainbow slaps Twilight across the face forcing back into reality.

Twilight has tears running down her face as she rubs the area where Rainbow slapped, "Thanks Dash I needed that!"

"No prob! If you ever need another one, I'll be glad to help, but Twi what happened to you? Did you have some kind of nightmare or something?" Rainbow inquires.

"Maybe, I don't know it was something, but I saw the princesses with some dragons. I think one of the dragons was Spike, but when I shouted out his name Princess Luna only looked at me then next thing I know; I feel you the slapping the shit out me," Twilight replies still rubbing the sore spot.

"Well there nothing we can do about it now, so just get back into bed, and I'll get an ice pack for your face," Rainbow states getting up from the bed and walking to the door.

"Hey Dash," Twilight calls out and Rainbow stops in her tracks to look at her friend, "Thanks for not using your fist." Rainbow smiles and laughs walking out the room. Twilight looks out of her window and softy says, "If that's was you I saw Spike, I'm glad you're safe and sound."

Luna looks back down at the others. "Your highness is everything ok?" Spike questions.

"Yes I just had to send someone back to bed to rest. I am sorry, Tia please go on with the story," Luna conveys with a smirk on her face.

"The Dragon Knights took lead in the fight against Azet's Army. They fought alongside our warriors with great passion and power to protect Equestria. Sir Ashkore was and still is the bravest knight to protect our people," Celestia praises making Ashkore smirk in pride. "With Ashkore and the Dragon Knights not only did they stop, but they were able to push back Azet's Army reclaiming a great amount of ground. Then the war went into a stalemate both sides not able to neither advance nor fall back."

Ashkore then chimes in, "Things ran like than for about two years, and I was on the front lines when I got word that Starlight was having labor pains. Word reached my troops, and they practically force me to go back to Canterlot. Mindful, I couldn't thank them enough because I wouldn't want to miss the birth of our child; plus if I did, after Starlight recovered, she would have come to the battlefield and after beating the shit out of me. She would turn around obliterate the enemy forces single handedly. Although I wouldn't lie that would be something to see." He breaks out into laughter, but he is met with silent annoyed stares from everyone. He slowly stops laughing and brings his fist to cover his mouth coughing once clearing his throat, "Sorry."

Spike slightly shakes his head at his dad's sad attempt at jokes, then a light bulb goes off in his head, "Hey something doesn't make sense, you said that mom was pregnant two years before the second war broke out then that she was still pregnant two years after words." He softly counts to himself the number of years, "Mom was pregnant with me for four years. I learned normal pregnancy only take nine months for ponies, but…"

"Right kiddo you weren't a regular birth, no one could guess how long Starlight would be pregnant with you. Also you were off by one year son, Starlight was pregnant for five years," Ashkore comments with a smirk and happy to know that there are still things he could correct his son on.

"Ok thanks dad," Spike smirks back at his father with his smartass remark.

"I got back into Canterlot two days later, and your mother was cursing up a storm. Hell it was enough to make both of the princesses blush in embarrassment," Ashkore giggles.

"Oh stop your giggling Sir Ashkore, you would do the same if you had to go thought twenty false alarms within a day's time," Luna fires back.

"Fuck I sent mom into false labor twenty times," Spike comments.

"Yup yup! Anyway after Starlight curse the red off my face, we settled in for hopefully for a quiet night, but that wasn't going to happen because as Starlight said, 'I don't know if I have a pony or dragon in here, but its kicking like a mule!' I couldn't help, but laugh after hearing that, but then things went completely black. All I remember the next morning, I woke up with a pounding headache," Ashkore states with a clueless expression on his face while others burst out laughing.

"Serves you right dad!" Spike continues to laugh out wiping a tear from his eye. "I'm sorry dad please keeps going, so what happen next?"

Ashkore waits for the laugher to die down when he looks up into the night sky, "Son tell me, do you how the Crimson Blaze War ended?"

"There was an insurrection within the government, and it was said that a high ranking general killed Dragon Lord Azet," Spike responses.

"And did you ever learn the name of the general who killed Azet?" Ashkore questions still looking up into the endless black starry abyss.

"No the name was never… dad it was you wasn't! You killed Dragon Lord Azet! Why?" Spike inquires with great wonderment.

Ashkore looks back at Spike with eyes filled with sadness and anger, "Because that gutless, backstabbing, worthless piece of shit so called lord tried to kill you and your mother. It happened three days later, a dragon assassin infiltrated Canterlot, and tried to kill us in the middle of the night. I woke up and discovered him in our home. I'll tell you son I have never been in so much rage before in my life. Hell I almost transformed into my ancient dragon form and ate the coward!"

Celestia rubs Ashkore's back trying to calm the dragon, "Lucky guards heard the fight and rushed in stop it."

"We interrogated the would-be assassin and found out that he was sent there on the direct orders of Dragon Lord Azet. He was told to run his blade through the belly of the whore that was caring the soon-to-be-born abomination. Hearing him say that with so much pride in his voice, something inside me broke and I lied to Starlight saying I would be right back. I walked out of that room, and without a second thought I took off. I flew to Dragonicion right up the palace. When I walked in Dragon Lord Azet was sitting on the throne looking right at me," Ashkore pauses with tears streaming down from his eyes.

"And you killed him," Spike finishes.

Ashkore nods, "Right again son, but Dragon Lord Azet wasn't just any dragon. He was my father."

Spike's eyes open wide, and he says with a voice full of disbelief, "My grandfather was responsible for the greatest massacre in history, but dad what happened to you and Dragonicion after you slayed that monster Azet?"

More tears race down Ashkore's face, "Son, I paid two great prices and cause the complete downfall of Dragonicion. First after I killed my father and stood over his corpse in his ancient form, the fight took all the strength I had to slay my father and in turn it caused me my life. The second price was even greater than the first; I abandoned my family, I failed to return to my mate, and missed your birth."

Ashkore falls to his knees with even more tears streaming down his face. Celestia and Luna start to cry understanding the pain that he is feeling. "After we got word about what happened, Starlight was devastated and all of Canterlot was in grieving. A week later, representatives of Dragonicion came to Canterlot to resign the peace treaty, and Starlight had given birth to you Spike. Unfortunately the representatives were also informed about your birth and stated that if word about your birth reached Dragonicion they couldn't guaranteed peace between our nations."

Spike's body begins to slightly shake with overwhelming confusion trying to guess what they were going to do him. Luna looks at him with grief filled eyes, and Celestia continues, "What they wanted to do to you was something I would never allow to happen to my people, but they were adamant about this. I went to your mother's hospital room and… and," Celestia pulls her hands over her face feeling the greatest amount of shame and disrespect at the actions she took. "I still can hear Starlight's pleads and cries as I took you from her."

"Princess Celestia what did you do to me?" Spike asks in an emotionless filled voice.

"Oh Spike baby," Celestia reaches out to touch him, but he jumps back out of her reach with his eyes now full of distrust and anger. Celestia steps back clenching her hand, "Spike I promise you I would never do anything to threaten your life, but Luna and I had to a make the most difficult decision in our lives. In order to ensure the peace treaty is enforced, we choose to seal you away inside an egg for your protection. The spell we cast sealed you in an egg and could be broken by Luna and I at any time."

Ashkore gets up and walks over his son putting his hand on his shoulder, "Years passed and tension between Equestria and Dragonicion settled down, and the dragons were obeying the terms of the peace treaty."

Celestia then says, "I felt that the time was right to release you from your egg, but something terrible happened."

Spike's eyes widen still filled with anger and distrust and says with disgust in his voice, "What happened this time?! It's not bad enough I lost my father; you took me from my mother just after I was born. Now you tell me that I would have been release but…"

"It was my fault Spike," Luna jumps in with the sound of great sadness in her voice. "Because of my selfishness and growing jealously of my sister, I gave into my darkness, and Celestia was force to seal me in the moon."

"This left me without a way to break the spell, so I changed it so that only a member of your family would be able to release you," Celestia comments wiping away her last tears.

"So that's how Twilight was able to hatch me," Spike concludes. Celestia nods in agreement, then he asks, "but why didn't mom just break the seal after you changed the spell?"

Celestia, Luna, and Ashkore look at each other then at Spike, and Celestia says, "Spike, after I took you from Starlight, she disappeared. No one has seen her since."

"So how long was I sealed in the egg before Twilight broke the spell?" Spike questions with a shaking feeling.

Celestia exhales, "Three hundred years," Spike's eyes start to turn cold when a massive pulse of pain clashes through his body sending him falling to the ground. He cries out in pain as the two scar marks on his back glow red. "Oh no we are running out of time. Luna, we must act now!"

Luna nods and the two alicorns stand in from front of him. They hold their hands at Spike, Celestia's hand glows bright burning yellow, and Luna's hand glows dark starry midnight blue. Their eyes start to glow the same color as their hands and they say in unison, "WE WHO HAVE TAKEN FROM YOU WHAT IS TRULY YOURS! RETURN IT BACK TO YOU!" Powerful beams fire from their hands and hit the stricken dragon. Spike is wrapped in an orb of the mixed energy; he is lifted off the ground and energy orbits around him faster and faster until the orb burst. Then Spike floats down to the ground. His eyes open up and he releases another monstrous cry of pain as two long pointed tip bones shoot out from his back.

The new bones grow out six feet in upper semi-arch then four bones one and half feet apart grow out from under the first two bones. The lower bones also extend six feet. Spike unleashes another ear shattering scream as the newly exposed bones light up with green fire. The fire coated bones starts to grow muscles fibers around the bones. Celestia and Luna can only watch at the pain stricken dragon as the next phase of growth begins. The muscle covered bones begin to turn purple as scales cover each part of the muscles, but with every new scale Spike's screams of pain grow louder until his eyes blacks out and he falls silent. Ashkore feels another tear form in his eyes, but it was not a tear of sadness but of pride and joy seeing his son's wings enter the final stage of growth. The gaps between the bones fill in with lime green colored skin matching the dragon's hair.

Once the last bit of skin grows in, the green fire extinguishes itself revealing a pair of new wings. Spike starts to regain consciousness feeling the burning hot sensation replace with a cooling smoothing feeling. He slowly gets up and looks to his side seeing the new addition to his body. "Well done son! I know if Starlight was here she would be as proud of you as I am. You have regain that was taken from you. Your dragon blood has been unlocked!"

"I have wings. I HAVE WINGS!" Spike shouts flapping his wings to start hovering off the ground then starts to fly around.

"Son listen!" Ashkore commands. Spike looks at his father seeing a serious expression on his face. He lands in front of his father, Celestia, and Luna. "Son my time on this plane is running out, so you must listen carefully. You have the power needed to defend your home, but Garble will be a formable opponent don't let your guard down other than that go kick some ass son!"

"Spike take the Dragonmare back to Zecora and prepare for battle," Luna states with a smile handing him one of the flowers.

"Spike you have come a long way, and I am very proud of you," Celestia smiles handing him another Dragonmare. "You have learned how the power of friendship can change everything in one's life. One last thing like your father stated go kick some ass and get your special somepony! Other than that good luck with your match against Garble and remember your determination will light the way to your victory also it might save a soul that is lost in darkness."

"Before you go I have to know, dad if you're dead how are you here? And since it been over three hundred years, why isn't mom here with you?" Spike asks.

"To your first question son I will not answer that question just yet, but to your question Starlight is still alive somewhere. See we learned that when a dragon mates with another species, they can obtain some of our longevity and youthfulness, so when I met your mother she was 22 years," Ashkore core explains with a smile on his face.

"So my mom is still alive, this is awesome I will find her and…"

Ashkore jumps in, "Spike you must focus on your current mission. Stop Garble and claim your mate! Knowing Starlight, she has figured out that you have been release from your egg. Don't worry she will come to you son, for now handle your business."

Spike snaps to attention, "I understand father I will make you proud, and your highnesses I will protect Ponyville with every ounce of strength I have!"

"We are depending on you Spike; we know you can do it!" Celestia states with the light of the moon growing brighter absorbing Luna, Ashkore, and herself in the bright pale light.

A second later, Spike finds himself alone in the field with flowers in his hands. He looks at the glowing flowers then at the moon, "Ok let's see what my wings can do!" He gives a powerful flap of his wings rocketing himself into the air. He looks down at the forest hovering in midair. "This is way beyond cool!" He faces his body in the direction of Zecora's home and with another powerful flap of his wings he launches at subsonic speeds. "Awesome! Totally awesome!"

Ten minutes later, Spike lands in front of Zecora's hut. He knocks on the door, and Zecora opens the door and smiling, "You have completed your quest and grown quite strong. Your last phase in this quest will begin now." She holds hand welcoming in him inside. "There are less than three days before you meet your opponent, and we must make sure you are ready for this battle." Spike nods walking into the house. She closes the door and a powerful green light shines out from the all the windows while Spike roams echo out from inside.

The remaining days past by quickly until the fated day arrives, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and the backup pegasus hover in the rain cloud filled sky. On the ground, Rarity, Fluttershy, Apple Jack, Pinkie Pie, and the rest of the unicorn and earth pony forces. Everyone is dressed in either silver full body armor plate or military combat uniforms with their cutie mark printed in tights of the armor. An hour passes, then Garble comes rocketing up with five backup dragons. Garble smiles looking at Twilight and her forces; he says in a mocking voice, "Well isn't this cute. The little princess has put together an army," he holds up his hand, "So did I!" He gives a fanged smile while snapping his claw.

Suddenly thousands of dragons came pouring out the cloud filling the skies behind him plus a massive army of dragons come marching from the north. Everyone eyes fill with fear seeing the number of enemies marching toward them. Rainbow hovers closer to Twilight and whispers to her, "They out number us 50 to 1 what's the plan here Twi?"

"If you two are done talking, I have a fight to win," Garble looks down at the ground and looking for his target. "Don't tell me! The little piss ant ran away!"

"Listen Garble you don't have to do this for the past three hundred years our people have lived in peace; we don't to have fight with each other. We can…"

Garble growls loudly cutting her off, "I DON'T GIVE A FLYING FUCK ABOUT SOME AGE OLD PIECE OF SHIT TREATY! I WANT THE LITTLE TURN COAT BROUGHT RIGHT HERE! RIGHT NOW! FUCK IT BURN THE FUCKER DOWN!"

Author's Note

I do not own My Little Pony Friendship is Magic

Thanks for reading everypony and remember comments are magic