Spike woke up in his bed and Ember was with him, nothing unusual for them, but what was unusual was the fact that Celestia was standing in the room. Spike noticed his mother in the room and decided not to give a fuck. "Ok." Said Spike as he leaned up on the bed. Thankfully all dragon important bits are hidden inside, and ponies have fur that covers them, so modesty wasn't much of a concern for them. Spike looked at Celestia. "Did Twilight put you up to this?" Asked Spike.

Celestia shook her head. "No, don't worry Spike, she's still passed out in the hall."

Spike sighed. "Are you the reason I keep seeing Aunt Luna in my dreams at night?"

"Yes, I asked her to check up on you to make sure you were doing ok, but please refrain from having her enter your more explicit dreams."

Spike shrugged. "What, I got a nessfriend that I often let into my dreams. But that's here nor there, what are you doing here so early?"

Celestia hummed. "Well, I thought we could have breakfast like we used to Spike."

Spike sighed. "Well, that doesn't sound so bad, but what about my crew?"

Celestia hummed. "Spike, it's 8:30 in the morning, everyone else is up."

Spike sighed. "Right, can you head outside while me and Ember get cleaned up?"

Celestia nodded. "Sure." Celestia then walked over to the door and opened it, showing that Twilight was still on the floor. "Come on Twilight, let’s get you some coffee." Celestia used her magic to pick up Twilight and close the door.

Spike sighed. "She really is trying to make up for it?"

Ember nodded, she was awake the whole time. "Yeah, it's pretty easy to tell."

Spike looked at his nessfriend and kissed her cheek. "Morning Ember."

Ember yawned as she sat up and stretched her back. "Morning Spike."

Spike smiled at his nessfriend and noticed that she was cuddling with him, in her own way. Ember's tail was wrapped around his. "Hey Ember, can I have my tail back?"

Ember blushed, she looked at her tail and quickly removed her tail from Spike's, she then shot him a glare. "You saw nothing."

Spike chuckled. "I didn't see anything Ember, but the rest of me is a lot warmer." This earned Spike a punch to the arm. "Ok, I'm sorry." He leaned over to his nessfriend and kissed her. "But it was nice to know that you like to cuddle my tail." Said Spike. "But I won't bring it up again." Spike got out of the bed and headed to his bathroom to take a quick shower and clean up.

Ember sighed as she already missed having Spike's warmness, but she needed to get up for the day, so she decided to hop in with Spike, much to his joy and then his disappointment, they didn't have any shower fun.

When Spike and Ember got out of the shower, Ember went to her room next door to get her horn file and scale polish. But when she walked back into the room, she noticed that Spike had gotten out his ceremonial armor from his closet. Ember looked at the armor, it was just a set of the academy armor every dragon cadet was given, but once they graduated, they had the honor of customizing it for battle if they wanted. Ember made hers dark blue and with gold trim, along with a pair of thick gloves, that went up her elbow. While Spike made his gray, green, and purple, with large armor shoulder plates that had the emblem of the Strom Dragons on it. Spike chuckled at seeing his ness looking at the armor. "Reminds me of the day we graduated, and the first night we spent together, before I was shipped out to Blitzkrieg's watch."

Ember sighed. "No, it reminds me of the time when I caught you changing it before graduation, and then helping you steal one from storage because my father would have had your head if you showed up in this during the ceremony."

Spike laughed as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Nah, you know he loves me, he just hides it with insults."

Ember sighed, Torch was loud, angry, impulsive, arrogant, quick tempered, but he was also very protective of Ember, and he loved her very much, going so far as to deny any request from any Sky Knight's that wanted to recruit her into their squads, for her protection. The only reason she was with Spike, was because she told her father that she wanted to be with Spike, and the only reason he agreed was because Spike was the best Knight of that year and the only one to earn his respect. "You know, just one word from me, and we could have a great place back home and we can finally start a family?"

Spike nodded. "Yeah, but then we would get bored all day, and just run out and fight the Empire anyways."

Ember laughed. "Yeah, besides, you're lazy, if I let you laze around all day, you would lose those good looks you have."

Spike shrugged. "Probably, but to me, you will always be beautiful."

Ember smiled. "You bolder head."

Spike nuzzled his head on her neck. "I love you too Ember."

Ember purred at the feeling of Spike's scales. "So, why is your armor out?"

Spike sighed. "Well, I got a message from my aunt, she wants to see me at the academy today, and I can't just show up in my scales. Hey, you want to come with me? She's seen some of my dreams, and she should know the dragoness that is in most of them."

Ember blushed. "Ok, first off, what kind of dreams, second, why would she see them, and lastly why am I not in all of them?"

Spike smiled. "Explicit, she can enter the dreams of creatures, and you're in like 90% of them, the rest are my cooking dreams or just memories before I met you."

Ember sighed. "Sure, I would love to meet your aunt, just don't make things weird."

Spike snickered. "No promises."

So, after getting their armor on, Spike and Ember joined the crew at the meeting table in the helm, but what was weird was that the table had been replaced with a larger table. This new table had 12 seats and a massive platter of food on it already. Everyone was already sitting down and chowing on the spread. Celestia noticed Spike and Ember. "Well, I was wondering if you 2 decided to have some early morning fun, but I see I was wrong." Said Celestia, she used her magic to place a large portion of food onto 2 plates and placed them at the two empty seats. "Well, come and eat, we have a few things to discuss."

Spike and Ember shrugged and took a seat, they started eating with everyone. After a few minutes of just eating, it was time to discuss matters. "Ok mom, what matters are in need of discussion?" Asked Spike through a mouthful of eggs.

Celestia sighed as she shook her head. "Spike, don't talk with your mouth full."

Spike swallowed. "Sorry, what's up?" Asked Spike.

Celestia nodded. "Nothing too important. I just received word from the academy that the Elements I.T.I units will be arriving some time midday."

Spike nodded. "Good, Ruby, Twi, Pinkie, do your things and check them out, Ruby, make a list of parts so we can send them to Capper in Atom."

Ruby nodded. "Sure thing Spike, I have one already started, but it's going to add up quickly."

Spike nodded. "That's fine, we have plenty of bits in the hold, make sure to use that first."

Celestia looked at Spike. "Spike, why do you have so many bits?"

Spike shrugged. "Raided an Empire safe house, found 75000 bits, gave 30000 to the nearby town, took the rest for us to use."

All the girls dropped their jaws, their salary was 2000 bits a year, and the dragons had the same, but Spike and his crew were just sitting on 45000 bits.

Spike looked at Ruby. "Also, stop using my scale polish, Ruby."

Ruby shrugged. "No, it's nice on my scales and I love the scent."

Spike sighed. "I'll buy you a few jars."

Ruby smiled. "Sweet."

Spike looked at Celestia. "What else mom?"

Celestia sighed. "I have an important meeting today with the nobles, about trade with some of the smaller islands in the area, so for most of the day I will not be able to oversee the repairs."

Spike nodded. "Garble, you make sure they don't screw up the place, Smolder you're with Gar-Gar."

Smolder's eyes lit up as she smiled at her older brother. "Don't worry Gar-Gar, I'll do my best."

Garble smiled as he rubbed his little sister's head. "I don't doubt that."

Spike smiled at the loving relationship between the 2 siblings. "Twi, you and the girls help where you can, make sure the I.T.I units are loaded and are ready, then make sure Dash and Ruby clean the hangar."

Twilight nodded, but it was half hearted. She didn't get much sleep last night, I wonder why? "Sure Spike, what are you going to do, and what's with the armor?" Asked Twilight as she yawned.

"Well, Aunt Luna asked for me to meet her today in her office at the academy, and Ember is going to join me. As for the armor, I just thought, if I'm going to walk into the Sky Guard academy, might as well show them what a Sky Knight looks like." Said Spike.

Celestia nodded. "Very well, it will be nice for Luna to see you again, outside of your dreams. But Spike, please do not resent her for my actions, she was against the idea of sending you away, but I let my worry cloud my mind."

Spike sighed. "I'll try my best, but you could have told me the reason in the first place, you know?"

Celestia shook her head. "I wanted to, but I knew you Spike, better than any other, if I told you the truth, you would have done anything in your power to help me, even if your life was on the line."

Spike looked at Celestia. "Mom, I would have, but- No, it is not a child's job to protect his mother, it is the other way around. I didn't care about my own safety, just as long as you were safe." Started Spike but he was interrupted by Celestia.

"But, why not send me to the Guard Academy?" Asked Spike.

Twilight chimed in at this point to tell the truth about why that wasn't a good idea as well. "Because Spike, soon after we found out about Sombra's plot to kill Celestia, the whole academy was searching for anyone that was planning on killing Luna or me. We found that 2 teachers, and Luna's assistant were spies that were waiting for an opening to kill us both."

Spike was surprised to hear that. "But what about Cadance, is she safe?"

Celestia smiled. "She is Spike, the moment we found out about this plot, she was relocated to the northernmost island in the kingdom."

Spike sighed in relief. "Thank god." He looked at Celestia, and her horn was glowing. "Um...Mom, why is your horn glowing?" Asked Spike.

Celestia sighed. "That's a spell telling me that someone is waiting in the courtroom. I need to go now." Celestia looked at Spike. "I love you Spike."

Spike gave her a small smile, he wasn't ready to tell her the same, but he still felt it. It hurt Celestia a bit, but she understood that it would take time. She teleported away to get to work for the day, leaving Spike and his crew to go about their business. Spike looked at his crew and noticed that Twilight was looking at him a little worried. "Twilight, I know you; you only make that face when you're worried." Said Spike.

Twilight sighed as she looked fully at Spike. "I just always remember you saying I love you back to Celestia."

Spike sighed. "Twi, even if I don't say it, it doesn't mean I don't mean it. I'm just not sure if I'm ready to say it after so long."

Twilight nodded. "Sure, it takes some time."

Spike nodded. "Yeah." Said Spike as he kept eating.

After the food was gone, Spike sent Ruby and Rainbow to work cleaning the hangar, and the rest of the crew went to work as well. But for Spike and Ember, they were walking down the loading ramp, headed for the Sky Guard Academy. The Sky Guard and The Sky Knights were the 2 protectors of the skies. The guards were the shield and the knights were the sword. Together they fended off and pushed back the ever growing fear of Sombra.

The Sky Guard academy was built on the edge of the island, built in the same style as the castle as a show of loyalty and devotion. But it was more so, that it matched the rest of the city. Large halls, giant windows, white tiled floors, and even whiter cadets.

The Sky Knight academy was more for action, hard stone halls, massive training fields, magma pools for when a cadet got stupid and tried to prove that they were ready to fight. This happened a lot, the knights had a custom, if you could defeat a full-fledged knight in a single fight, you would be allowed to instantly graduate from the academy and would be placed in a squad. On record, those fights usually never got past the minute mark, most never even got past the 20 second mark. Spike even tried, and he got his tail handed to him by Torch, but the fight lasted for a whole 5 minutes, the second longest to ever happen. The first was from Torch himself back in his younger days. He actually was the only dragon in history that actually defeated a knight and jump started his career as a knight.

Spike and Ember walked over to the large golden entrance of the academy. Many ponies were walking around in the school’s uniform, a simple set of pony armor, similar to the dragon armor, but pure white, with either Celestia's cutie mark or Luna's cutie mark on the chest. Those who wore Celestia's mark were more fit for leadership roles, and those with Luna's mark were training to be on the front lines with a squad. Ember looked around at all the ponies, who were all looking at the two knights in the courtyard. "Spike, why are they looking at us?" Asked Ember.

Spike sighed. "Ember, it's not every day that a dragon walks the academy, let alone 2 full knights, and really not with our reputation." Ember nodded and gulped as she stayed close to Spike.

But a large white stallion with a blond mane walked over to them. "So, you're finally back Spike."

Spike smiled at hearing the voice, he turned around and smiled at one of the instructors of the academy. "Well if it isn't Mr. Jackass." Said Spike as he looked at Professor Blueblood. "I see Twilight didn't actually kill you for giving her a B in your magic class."

Blueblood laughed. "Nope, she was close though." Said Blueblood as he pulled Spike into a hug. "Look at you, all grown up and not making my life a living hell."

Spike chuckled at the memories. "You took my comic away, so I burned your lesson plan, I call that a fair trade."

Blue smiled at Spike. "Spike, what my aunt did was not right, I was with Luna on that."

Spike sighed. "It's fine Blue, what happened, happened, and I'm actually ok with how it turned out. I'm a knight, I got my crew, and most importantly..." Said Spike as he wrapped his tail around Ember's waist. "I got my Ness."

Blue smiled at hearing his cousin was happy. "Well, she's clearly crazy, I've known you since the day you were hatched, and 99% of that time you were a pain in my flanks."

Ember smiled. "Oh, he's still a pain, but it has its charm at times."

Blueblood smiled. "Well, I think introductions are in order. I am Duke Blueblood Solaris, the head of magical defense and attack classes at the Sky Guard Academy, and Spike's cousin." Said Blueblood holding out his hand.

"Ember, Ember Torch, second in command of the Storm Dragons, and Spike's nessfriend. It's a pleasure to meet you." Said Ember taking the hand.

Spike smiled. "Well Blue, Luna asked me to come see her, and I thought I would bring Ember, so..."

Blueblood nodded. "Don't worry, I have class now, but do drop by my room, we're going over fire defense spells today, and a dragon is a better stand in than a dummy with a fire gem."

Spike nodded. "Sure." Said Spike. Blueblood nodded and walked away to get to his class. Spike looked at Ember and smiled at her. "So, let's head to the armory and then we can go to my aunt’s office." Said Spike. Ember was confused about why they needed to head to the armory first, but she just went with it.

After heading to the armory, Spike grabbed a lightning staff, and checked out a shock gem from the check out, while Ember went with a pair of daggers and one ice and one fire gem. Ember was still very confused on why they needed to be armed to see his aunt, but her question was answered the moment Spike and Ember walked into Luna's office. But it was very clear when a sword was thrown through a solid wood door, about 6 inches from Ember's head, why they needed to be armed. "Spike!" Yelled Luna as she ran over to her nephew. Spike smiled as he pulled Luna into a chockers hold, but Luna was nimble and brought her hoof onto the top of his head, forcing him to let her go.

"How have you been Aunt Luna?" Asked Spike as he pulled out his staff and popped in the gem.

Luna smiled. "Pretty good, and thank you for coming today, I was worried that after seeing Tia, you would've said screw it and left." Said Luna as she pulled out her sword from the door, that's when she saw Ember. "Oh, it's nice to meet you, please feel free to help Spike, he was never able to take me down when he was younger."

Spike chuckled. "Sorry, you're what, 1500 years old, I was 13 the last time we fought, and you didn't hold back." Spike then took a jab at Luna, who used her wings to dodge the attack.

Luna landed on her desk and smiled at Spike. "Really, shock staff, I thought you were a sword user and loved to use fire?"

Spike shrugged. "I still have Percy in my ship, but my engineer kinda stole my gems." Spike got closer to Ember. "Oh, Aunt Luna, this is Ember, Ember, this is my aunt, Princess Luna Solaris, ruler of the moon, dreams, and unofficially the strongest fighter in the kingdom."

Ember sighed as she got her daggers ready, she looked at Spike. "Really, is this how you were able to send 5 dragons to the hospital on the first day of combat training?"

Spike shrugged. "Well, kinda, mom was really against the idea of me fighting, but Luna wanted to make sure I was safe. One second." Said Spike as Luna decided to lunge at Spike and Ember, but Spike kicked her in the gut sending her back, all while not taking his eyes off Ember. "Also, just have some fun Sweetie, it's relaxing." Said Spike as he kissed Ember's snout quickly.

"Awe, I can tell that Cadance would love to meet her, make sure to stop by the next time you're in the north." Said Luna.

Spike shrugged. "Sure, we need to head to Atom first, but it's not too far from the northern islands, so we might stop by. Do they still call me Spike the brave and glorious?" Asked Spike as he tossed his staff and rushed Luna to take her to the ground.

But Luna was expecting that, she had taught him that move, so she stood her ground and used her sword to deflect the staff. "Oh, well, you did save the region from Sombra 2 years ago, but I think they added a new statue last month."

Spike groaned. "Really, why, I told them not to do anything, that's why I left the island before they started a parade."

Luna giggled at Spike's opinion as she jumped over to the wall with a shield on it and pried it off. She attached it to her arm and got into a defensive stance. "Well, you did save 9 foals from being taken."

Spike looked at Luna and her shield. "Really, I'm that much of a threat to you now, either I'm getting better or you're getting old." Said Spike, in all his training with Luna, she had never gotten a shield out, mostly because she never needed one to take Spike down.

Luna smirked. "Oh, don't flatter yourself." Said Luna as she was more like a knight than a guard, she rushed Spike and used the shield as a weapon and tried to bash Spike's snout in. But she was stopped by Ember cross blocking the shield. "Oh, so the lusty lizard can fight?"

Ember blushed. "Hey, only Spike can call me that!" Yelled Ember as she used her strength to push Luna back. Ember looked at Spike. "And you, why does she know that?"

Spike gulped, he was prepared for a 2 on 1, but not a 1 on 2 fight. "Remember, I said she can see my dreams, I call you that in them."

Luna smirked. "He also calls you his scaly bitch as well." Said Luna taking full advantage of Ember's anger.

Ember looked at Spike with death in her eyes. "You What?!"

Spike gulped. "Um... I say it with love?" Spike then shot Luna a glare. "Shut up, are you trying to get me killed?" Asked Spike.

Luna smirked. "No, I was just waiting for the perfect opportunity to do this." Said Luna as she pointed to the floor.

Spike and Ember looked at it and found a gem trap placed between them. "Mother Fucker. Ember don't move, its motion sensitive and can detect the slightest movement. I can deactivate it, but you'll have to take Luna on." Spike bent down and started working.

Ember gulped as she looked at Luna. "Oh, don't worry, I'm not going to attack you, I'm just going to ask some questions. First, how did this all come about?" Asked Luna.

Ember blushed. "How we met, how we started dating, or how we started sleeping together?"

Luna smiled. "I know how you started sleeping together, it's one of his favorite memories. Let’s talk about how you 2 met?"

Ember nodded. "Well, it was the first week of our first year at the academy, Spike was really upset about getting shipped off, so he decided to try and take the quick route to graduation. He challenged my father to a fight, no weapons, just fist and fire, my father cleaned the floor with him, but he was impressed at how strong he was for a little youngling, so he asked me to take Spike to the magma pits and the medical wing of the academy, where I yelled at him for doing something that reckless."

Spike smiled. "Yeah, good times."

Luna nodded. "How about how you 2 started dating?"

"It was during a training mission, I was assigned with Spike, when we were attacked by a Roc, my wing was damaged and I had to bale over an island, Spike saved me from falling to my death and flew me back to the camp, but because of that I had to go on a date with him next time we had a break." Said Ember.

Spike hummed; he was really close to finishing defusing the trap. "You looked so weird out of the armor and in a dress, I didn't even recognize you when we met up outside of the academy gates." Said Spike.

Luna smiled. "Ok, do you love Spike?" Asked Luna, she wanted to know if this was real.

Ember smiled. "As much as one can love a boulder head like him, but I'm still here after 2 and a half years with him, so yeah."

Spike nodded as he finished defusing the trap, now it was time for him to repurpose it. "Well, I can say the same, though she snores at night, but I find it cute." Said Spike.

Ember blushed, and Luna smiled. "Ok, can I expect some grand nieces and nephews that I can spoil rotten?"

Ember blushed even harder. "Wow, too personal, I mean, we have talked about it before, but..."

Spike sighed as he got the trap ready. "We have talked about it, Aunt Luna, but we both agreed to start trying after Sombra is gone. Also think fast." Said Spike as he tossed the trap over to Luna, but it wasn't a trap anymore, it was now a grenade that exploded into a large burst of shock energy, frying Luna, and thanks to the shield she had, it was not going to tickle.

Spike smiled at seeing Luna on the ground, she was still breathing, and spike couldn't smell burning fur or flesh. "You good?" Asked Spike as he walked over to Luna.

Luna coughed out a puff of smoke. "Yeah, I guess I got distracted, but she seems perfect for you, don't screw it up Spike."

Spike nodded as he helped Luna to her hooves. "Don't worry, I'm not planning on doing anything to piss her off, she's terrifying when she's mad."

Ember smirked. "Damn straight." Said Ember as she had a proud smirk on her face.

Luna laughed. "Well, she definitely has Torch's blood in her." Luna walked over to the dragoness and pulled her into a hug. "Though if you hurt him, I will skin you and turn your scales into a nice belt."

Ember gulped as she didn't think that was an idle threat, so she nodded. "Yes ma'am."

Luna smiled, because it really wasn't idle, but also because she knew Torch raised her to be honest. "Good, well, now that we're finished, it's time to get down to business, please come take a seat, so I can give you the girls files and recent mission history." Said Luna. Spike nodded and took a seat near the desk; Ember did the same. Luna got to the back of her desk and pulled out 6 files, each with the girl’s cutie mark on them. "So, the 6 of them are considered the best squad in the Guard, and they have proven themselves time after time. But this has taken a toll on them mentally and physically, their last mission even more so."

Spike nodded and took Twilight's file. "WHAT!?" Yelled Spike as he looked at the report of the last mission the girls were on. "How, why, but that's?"

Luna nodded. "Yes, Ponyville was raided by Sombra a month ago. Thankfully, the girl’s families were evacuated, but 40% of the population was captured. We tried everything in our power to stop the transport from crossing over the border, but they had a day ahead of us."

Spike looked at the files, he knew all the girls minus Twilight came from Ponyville before joining the academy. "Why Ponyville?" Asked Spike.

Luna sighed. "To show that the Elements and the Guard that Sombra can get to their families, even if they are so far into the kingdom." Said Luna.

Spike growled as he started shredding the file with his claws, Ember placed her hand onto Spike's shoulder. "Spike, calm down, anger is going to cloud your judgement."

Luna nodded. "Yes, please listen to her dear nephew, we have word that many of those ponies are being held in a facility not too far from the border, but still too far for the guard to not get slaughtered if we try and invade. But a single leviathan shouldn't make too much noise." Said Luna.

Spike took a deep breath. "One week, one week and I'll have them back home." Said Spike as he got out of the chair and walked out of the office.

Luna sighed as she looked at Ember. "Please, keep him safe."

Ember smiled. "It's Spike, safe doesn't exist in his vocabulary, only come back alive, but when he means one week, he means one week." Said Ember. She got out of her chair and followed Spike.

Luna sighed as she looked at the door to the office. "Oh, I know, I'm a big fan of his work." Said Luna as she pulled out a magazine of recent Sky Knight activity with the Storm Dragon's Flame Wing on the cover, but the head line was 'Biggest Problem Squad.'

Spike was stomping down the halls, trying to figure out the best attack plan for taking that facility, normally the Storm Dragons would go in gems a blazing, but with ponies on the line, that wasn't going to be an option. 'Ok, Peewee will scout and report back with guard locations, buildings, and possibly a route in and out. Garble is going to be our main wall breaker, while me, smolder, and Ember infiltrate and extract. Ruby can man the defense cannons while we do our jobs.' Thought Spike, but he was thinking only with half a deck. 'Wait the girls! But I don't know their styles or their pitfalls. Ok, we're starting training tonight.'

Ember sighed as he looked at Spike's face, that was his planning face. "I'll get the report started." Said Ember, when Spike was in charge of plans, it always ended up with a long report about how much they blew up, or how they got captured and broke free, and the only reason the Storm Dragons weren't disbanded was because Torch got the reports and Ember always wrote them.

Before leaving the academy, Spike and Ember stopped in the magical defense and attack department of the school to see Blueblood. Spike found the directory and after walking to the right class, he proceeded to interrupt with the loudest entrance he could make. "Blue, throw up a shield, I need to vent." Yelled Spike. This outburst startled the whole class of unicorns and the professor himself.

"Spike, I'm in the middle of teaching them how to project an elemental shield to counteract gem blasts, instead of conjuring up an all-purpose shield and draining their magic." Said Blueblood.

Spike sighed as he grabbed a piece of chalk and started drawing the correct magical equations for elemental shields while changing the variables for which type of shield. "Look at this, read this, memorize this, and practice it, fire and water, air and earth, plant and lightning, with the variations of elements, they can be nullified by one of the others, but if you are unsure which attack is coming, use a full shield and don't die." Said Spike.

Blueblood sighed as he checked the math, and it was all right. "Well, I guess that moves us to the demonstration part of the class. First, I will show you all a flame counter shield, with our intruders as a stand in for the gem." Said Blueblood as he walked to the middle of the class and started projecting a water shield, the best counter for fire gems. "Ok, Spike I'm ready." Said Blueblood.

Spike growled as he started breathing a large amount of fire from his mouth, filling the room with steam, but Blueblood noticed that his shield was starting to evaporate away. "Ok, so this is the best for a flame gem, but right now it appears that the dragon is producing stronger flames, who can tell me what to do?" Asked Blueblood.

The class raised their hands. "Yes Lyra?" Asked Blueblood.

A green unicorn stood up and answered. "If he is producing more power than a flame gem, it is best to change to an Ice or glacier shield."

Blueblood nodded. "Right, I will be changing to an ice first, then to the glacier." Said Blueblood, he could feel that he was going to need that glacier shield. Blueblood concentrated his magic and soon the shield was now a solid piece of ice. Then it changed to an even harder piece of ice composed of salt water, making it a glacier shield. Thankfully Spike's fire wasn't strong enough to melt through it, so Blueblood was fine.

Spike stopped breathing his fire after a solid 3 minutes, he looked visibly calmer and more composed. "Thank you." Said Spike as he really needed to vent.

Blueblood was huffing but smiled when he dropped the shield. "No problem, but what gives?"

Ember sighed. "He got word about the town raid last month, he's not taking it well."

Blueblood nodded. "Oh, that is understandable, if you need to go, please, don't feel obligated to stay." Said Blueblood.

Ember smiled, but Spike looked to the class. "Ok, what the professor just demonstrated was only a taste of what really could happen on a mission, so all of you, it is important to practice in teams, and changing elements on the fly, the Empire won't care about what you learned in a class room. So, you need to be prepared for it." Said Spike. Ember nodded; she knew that Spike was 100% right in his statement.

And Blueblood agreed, he was in a squad before becoming a teacher, and he had seen how quickly the battle field could all blur together. "Well, take that to heart students, that can be the difference between life and death on the battlefield. Now, I'm sure that our guest has somewhere to be, so let us not keep them from their duties."

The class thanked Spike and Ember for helping with the demonstration, and the 2 walked out of the halls, out of the school, and back to the Flame Wing to get everything ready.

When Spike and Ember got back to the Flame Wing, they arrived just in time for the girls I.T.I's to be loaded into the hanger. Spike walked over to a cream coated unicorn mare with her mane of crimson with two highlights of purple done up into a bun, and a pair of thick framed glasses resting on her muzzle. "Careful, but hurry up, we don't have all day, the princess gave us orders to have these I.T.I's loaded by noon and it’s only a quarter till." Yelled the mare.

This seemed to get a fire lit under all the movers. Spike walked over to the mare and smiled at her. "Still as much of a perfectionist as ever aren't you Moony." Said Spike.

The mare turned around and gasped at seeing her old friend and her first crush standing behind her. "Spike?" Asked the mare.

Spike nodded. "Yep, long time no see Moondancer." Said Spike.

Moondancer smiled as she pulled Spike into a hug, pressing her chest into his, much to Embers rage. "I can't believe you're back, I missed you so much."

Spike smiled at the mare. "Well, I've been told I'm hard to get rid of." Said Spike.

Moondancer smiled and chuckled as she looked at Spike's eyes. "Spike." Said Moondancer getting closer to Spike's lips.

Spike looked at Moondancer and he could tell that she was trying to kiss him. "Oh, where are my manners, Moondancer, this is my nessfriend Ember, Ember this is my old friend Moondancer."

Moondancer looked at the dragon in question and the first thing to pop into her head was 'fuck off bitch, he's mine', but Moondancer was smart enough not to kill her chances with Spike, so she played nice for now. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know that he was attached, please can we start over?"

Ember was none the wiser and snorted some smoke out. "Fine, but just don't get so close to him."

Spike sighed. "Ember, she's an old friend." Said Spike.

Ember sighed, and internally Moondancer was flipping her off. "Fine." Ember stuck out her hand. "Ember Torch, it's nice to meet you Moondancer."

Moondancer smiled and took the hand. "It's nice to meet you Ember, as you know my name is Moondancer, but I'm head of the technology department for the Sky Guard's. Was that you're hydra in the hangar?"

Ember nodded. "Yep, though she's not a normal Hydra, she's more like a Paragon with how fast she is."

Moondancer was surprised. "Really? But it looks like an older model, there's no way it's as fast as a Paragon?"

Ember shook her head. "Normally no, but me and our engineer, Ruby installed a prototype gem fuel converter."

Moondancer gasped. "Can I meet her, please, oh please?" Asked Moondancer, begging to meet Ruby.

Ember looked at Moondancer a little confused. "Um... Sure?" Ember looked to the ship. "YO, RUBES!" Yelled Ember.

Soon Ruby came into view. "What's up?" Asked Ruby as she looked at the group. Spike motioned for her to come down and meet Moondancer.

Spike smiled at Ruby. "Ruby this is my old friend Moondancer, she's the head of the tech department for the Sky Guard."

Moondancer was shaking as she stuck out her hand. "It's an honor to meet you." Said Moondancer.

Ruby Smiled as she took the hand. "It's nice to meet you too, and might I say, your thesis on gem harmonization was really great."

Moondancer blushed. "You read my thesis?"

Ruby nodded. "Yep, it really helped with my work."

Moondancer gasped. "It did, but it was only a theory about gem fusion, there's no way it should have helped?"

Ruby grinned as she pulled Moondancer to her workshop to show her the fusion machine. "Oh, you're going to love this." Said Ruby.

Spike groaned. "Just make sure to not blow up the ship." Shouted Spike.

Ruby hollered back. "No Promises."

Spike sighed as he rubbed his eyes. "Come on, let’s go see the girls I.T.I's." Said Spike, really annoyed that Ruby can’t promise not to blow up the ship.

When Spike and Ember got onto the ship, all the girls were helping load their I.T.I's into their new work areas. Spike walked over to the first one in the line, it was Fluttershy's. "Hey Flutters." Said Spike.

Fluttershy eeped but she calmed down when she noticed it was just Spike who was behind her. "Oh, thank Celestia it's just you Spike, how did your meeting with Luna go?" Asked Fluttershy.

Spike sighed. "She told me about Ponyville." Said Spike, he then pulled the shy mare into a hug. "I'm sorry that happened to you guys." Said Spike as he started to cry.

Fluttershy sighed as she gave her friend a rub on his back. "Shh, it's ok Spike, I know the Guard and Knights will save them." Said Shy, trying to comfort Spike.

Ember was surprised to see Spike crying, she had seen him do a lot of things, but cry wasn't one of them, and for some weird reason, it irked her that she didn't know how to help. But clearly Fluttershy did.

Soon Spike stopped feeling so bad and released the mare. Spike wiped his eyes and nodded. "Thanks Shy, but that's our mission, after we make 2 stops, we're going to the location of the ponies and breaking them out, so I need you to get ready for some training." Spike looked to all the girls. "Girls, were going to do some training, you have 5 minutes to get ready, that's an order."

All the girls nodded and started getting ready to move out, Spike looked at Fluttershy. "We're going to save them." Said Spike.

Fluttershy smiled as she ran off to get into her I.T.I. Spike looked at Ember. "What are you standing around for, we have one week to train the girls to think like Storm Dragons."

Ember sighed. "I swear you like seeing me do paperwork, don't you?"

Spike smirked. "Well, yeah, but it's mostly because if I wrote anything, Torch would know it's a lie."

Ember sighed as she just walked away to get her hydra ready. Spike walked over to the ship’s intercom. "Attention all members of the Flame Wing, we are going to be doing a little training today, the sky is clear, the winds are light, but the defense system is going to be aiming for you, so if you want to make it back for dinner, I suggest you learn quickly. Can Smolder and Gar-Gar please report to the rear gem canons and shoot anything that takes to the sky, except me and Ember, we're going to be doing Ariel fighting."

Smolder responded back. "But what about your wing, it's still super charged?"

Spike nodded. "Right, Smolder, I'm taking your Paragon so don't shoot it. Ruby, once you're done breaking Moondancer in your workshop, get off your tail and plot the fastest course to Atom. Spike out." Said Spike as he walked over to Smolder's area, and sitting inside of it was a dark orange Paragon, it had a great system, but unlike Spike's it was a little smaller, perfect for a dragoness the size of Smolder, but for a quick training session it would be fine. Spike hopped onto the wing and started moving it out of the hangar, waiting for Ember to show up.

She did soon after with her Hydra ready. "So, what's the plan?" Asked Ember.

Spike shrugged. "We go out, ahead of the girls, and we try to beat them, but keep an eye on how they work together and where they fall apart, and please do hold back a tad, they're guards, not knights."

Ember huffed. "Fine."

Spike smiled as he pulled the throttle on Smolder's wing and flew out to the sky. Ember did the same and joined him in the sky waiting for the girls to get ready.

5 minutes later Spike and Ember were joined by all the girls in their I.T.I's. Twilight was in a Alicorn, Rarity was in a white Unicorn, Fluttershy and Pinkie were in a heavily modified Earth Pony, with Fluttershy acting as pilot and Pinkie as a support gunner, Rainbow was in a stripped sky blue Pegasus that looked more ready for a race than combat, and AJ was in an orange Earth Pony. Spike looked at the odd combination of mares and there were some serious concerns. "Ok, first off, what the hell are Pinkie and Fluttershy in?"

Pinkie smiled. "Meet the Butterfly, a fully customized Earth Pony I.T.I, that acts as an emergency repair, and medical station. A design built by yours truly, but we're still trying to find a place for the picture of a stick of butter with wings on it." Said Pinkie as she hummed.

"Ok, after we're done you have to show me how it works." Said Spike.

Pinkie nodded. "Okey dokey."

Spike looked to Rarity. "Ok, Rarity, we're going to change that paint job when we land as well, you're too much of a target in that."

Rarity smirked. "How about now?" Asked Rarity as she used her magic to do something making the Unicorn change colors to a muted gray. Spike was surprised which made Rarity giggle. "A Twilight original, magical camo, just a little magic and I can blend into the sky without being seen."

Spike nodded as he looked at AJ's. "Let me guess, you're the tank?" Asked Spike.

AJ smirked as she deactivated her flight mode and changed into hover mode, letting a arsenal of gem guns and cannons pop out and show Spike. "12 blasters, 4 cannons, 5 inch thick armor, and enough gems to level a city."

Spike nodded as he inwardly freaked at how much fire power AJ was sporting. "Ok, keep in mind this is training." Said Spike. "Rainbow, that hunk of metal better be quick, because I don't think it could take a single blast."

Rainbow growled as she sped off into the sky and got back in less time it took Spike to figure out that she was gone. "Never been hit once, and never going to be." Said Rainbow.

Spike was impressed, but he needed to make sure Rainbow knew that never was not always a thing, so he moved onto his older sister. "Ok Twi, I'm just going to take it that you did a lot of work on it, so tell me about it later." Twilight huffed, she wanted to tell Spike about her Alicorn. "Ok, today we are going to be your opponents, me and Ember are going to try and knock you off your I.T.I's while Garble and smolder will try to shoot you with the ships defense cannons. If you can all stay up for 15 minutes, we'll call it a day and I'll cook dinner for everyone, fail and we'll go until mom lowers the sun. The training area is the back of the Flame Wing."

All the girls looked confident that this was going to be a piece of cake, they had been on dozens of missions and they worked great as a team. "Fine, let’s start." Said Twilight.

Spike smirked. "Garble, Smolder, activate triple gem defense cannons, they're ready to start."

"On it." Responded Garble. This made the girls a little less confident, but still pretty sure they were going to be fine. "Should I switch to wide spread blasts?"

"Sure, make it a little interesting, in fact activate the secondary single gem blasters as well, we don't want to make it too easy." Said Spike.

Garble shrugged. "Fine, it's your head." Said Garble as he activated the secondary defensive blasters. "Ok, all set Spike."

Spike nodded as he dropped the communication. "Ok, training test 1 starting now." Said Spike.

Author's Note

It doesn't go well for the girls. Sorry about the little updates to this one.