Dragon Lord’s Guardian

Goodbye to Dragon Town for now

Spike didn’t know how long he stared at the Blade, helmed and made by an Empire that considered him a Hero. It was difficult to think that the Greatest Empire ever to have existed, created such a weapon designed to end his kind. Yet Ivory made it clear that the weapon was forged until long after the Empire disappeared along with the dark king Sombra. But the question remained on who made it specifically for that purpose and why? Even if the ‘Slayers’ had the blade, what way or possibility did they have to mold and bend ‘crystal’ that only the Empire itself could utilize? Not unless they had a ‘Crystal Pony’ with them to help.

That was the only logical explanation but that would mean that the Crystal Empire had some grudge or some malice towards dragons. That made little sense since he saved them and has been their ‘Brave and Glorious’ savior. If they had any malice towards dragons, they wouldn’t have welcomed him to their home.

This circled back to how they acquired this material in the first place. The ‘Crystal Empire’ was banished along with its Tyrant for a thousand years. The material is about 1200 years, so it would only make sense that the ‘sword’ was made after. The slayers perhaps found it and saw its potential to harm ‘dragons’ but that would require them to already know that this crystal already could harm dragons, so that left, ‘How’ did they come to this conclusion?’

The more he studied the weapon, the more questions rose, the more he felt doubt creeping in about the Empire and everything prior to its disappearance a millennium ago.

“You have a ‘Thinkers face, Spike, One who is looking for a solution to a problem that seems impossible to find.” Ivory casually stated to him. Spike blinked and focused on the White Scaled dragon. He gave the younger drake a light smile upon his stoic face. “You have a great mind, one that thinks before leaping into action gathering variables and insight to the problems before you. Never stop seeking knowledge as it can be a great gift that can lend itself later in your ever long life”

Before his growth, Spike rarely relegated himself to a standard of intelligence that could rival his sister’s even with more than a decade of being raised under her wing so to speak. Yet he gained a slow but growing intuition to the world around him that he knew that not everything was black and white, but a spectrum of colors that needed time to be discovered and scrutinized closely, hence why his interest in the sword still remained high.

A small sigh left him. “It’s hard to imagine an Empire that treats me like a hero and has something that could harm a ‘dragon’. I can’t blame them for what the crystal was ultimately used for, especially since they disappeared before it became a sword.”

“Nothing created becomes ‘good’ or ‘evil’ Spike. Those wielding it are the ones who choose to use it as they will. Whether it’s a blade that can be used to kill a dragon or a blade that could be used for surgical purposes to help a dragon. A jewel that can absorb fire and cause destruction can be used to store fire and keep a home heated for a family during winter.” Ivory removed the blade from the hilt, yanking it completely without damaging the hilt itself externally. The blade itself still held its soft gleam even after its removal from its soft energy source. “And crystal forged to be something beneficial, could be turned into something destructive.”

Ivory then placed the blade and hilt on the desk, then wrapped the broken piece in a cloth, and held out the smaller broken piece in front of Spike. “This can be of great purpose, if utilized properly.”

Ember gave a grunt and approached somewhat annoyed, not wanting her mate to touch it.. “I wanted that blade destroyed. We can’t let it-”

“It will not fall into any claws, other than myself.” Ivory stoically and firmly usured, but Spike still took the piece.

Ember snorted, crossing her arms. “And how can we trust that it will be safe in your claws?”

“Do you trust me, Lord Ember?” Blacktip asked as he stood to the side of Ivory. This was to cause in question Ember's ability to choose between personal and knowledgeable beliefs. She trusted Blacktip, as much as she trusted those around her but not the dragon that wanted to keep a dangerous weapon around. While Blacktip considered him a great ally(perhaps more), there were non-contributing variables at play around them that still lingered.

“I do,” Spike inserted himself, giving the piece to Ralph who put it within his own knapsack. Ember turned to him. “If Ivory has been teaching for 50 years and knows how to turn something that can kill us into something that can benefit us, it would be worth keeping.” Ember still didn’t look convinced and even the others seemed skeptical. Too much was relying on a single dragon to keep a dragon-killer close to many other dragons.

Ivory continued to implore with a better pledge. “Lord Ember?” Her orange eyes met his own silver ones. “If I can assure you with anything, it is that I can place ‘contingencies’ and ‘safeguards’ around this to ensure that it will be kept secured under my watch until I can find some benefits for it, and if not, I’ll completely destroy it.”

Frowning, she looked at the blade and his metal coated arm pointing a claw towards it. “You are the only one who can safely ‘hold’ that without injury, while other dragons would be easily cut with it. You are the only one who could handle it safely and without concern; what happens if it slips by you and starts hurting others without you there to stop it?”

For a moment, Ivory remained silent, feeling that he would only further incur the Dragon Lord’s ire. He then turned to Blacktip who felt the same. “Then if I destroy this sword, then may I ask, will you find more of this material and bring me back a sample untampered to be used for more beneficial matters then? As I said, it's the wielder and the blade itself that can harm dragons, not the material itself.”

The green drake pondered on that and looked towards Ember and Spike. “Are we willing to travel to the Crystal Empire and find the source of this?” He inquired.

Spike felt like that was obvious but gave a good confirmation. “If it is where the source of this is coming from, no time like the present. We have four days left before we have to return back home. Any time wasted could be trying to find the source of this. If we can find it and then bring it back for study, then it might be better for us.”

“That will aid us greatly for the future.” Ivory turned to Ember. “Now that we have a binder, do you still wish for me to destroy the blade then?”

Ember pondered angrily to herself. She didn’t like knowing that it was still around but likely, this was not the only blade those ‘Slayers’ had. If anything, it wouldn’t deter them from trying to seek out more and build more weapons. A disgruntled sigh left her as she responded. “Keep it. I can’t trust that it won’t come back to bite us in the tail, but if you can make a promise that it will never leave your sight, then you can keep it. As for finding the source, if we can find out why or who made it with the intent of hurting us, then we can put a stop to it.” Despite the agitated tone, she seemed settled with the resolution of allowing this, which pleased both Blacktip and Ivory. Quickly too.

“I accept that responsibility, Lord Ember.” Ivory responded with the barest of mirth in his voice. “And as I have already found one way to destroy them, outside of just ‘pure strength.’ I have tested other methods and studied weak points that I have discovered are brittle when it comes down to high frequencies and sound.”

“Sound?” Spike asked intrigued. “What kind of sound?”

Giving a barest of grins, Ivory warned them, “You might cover your ear canals if you wish to retain your hearing. All of you.”

Confused but not really questioning, each creature slowly reached up and covered their ear canals. Blacktip seemed giddy but held his ears extra tight by shoving his claws in along with pressing his wings around his head, causing the others to look worried. Ivory faced them away and the smaller piece he had, he held it away from his face. His direction was facing away from them and towards a sectional wall.

Giving a quick glance back to make sure that they were guarding themselves, the white dragon gave a small short, shrill whistle towards the blade and… the blade piece suddenly crumbled into tiny fragments. The echo vibrated through the room, though it seemed as if the dragon already had the room set for his… ‘whistle’.

Despite covering their ears, the dragons still felt the powerful decibels of his whistle echo with their bones even shaking. Their eardrums still could feel the pitch vibrate their canals. He slowly turned to them and revealed the destroyed fragments of the short blade.

They slowly recovered from it and Spike looked at him in awe as he just showed them another ‘innate’ ability for them. “You can use a ‘Sonic Screech’ too?!”

Giving him a nod, he approached them still holding the broken pieces. “I do, as it's my secondary gift. Though before I forget to mention it, I believed that to have studied both of our abilities and perhaps those like us as classifications.” Spike blinked, as if he had forgotten to mention his own to Ivory. “While I know you haven’t asked or demonstrated your abilities to me, Ivory provided me with some details to them.”

Spike gave a glance towards his teacher who gave a small nod, as if accepting what was done. Spike shrugged as it seemed like now it was no longer relevant. That was most of the mood after having some good ‘acid’ in your body.

Ivory then came over to his desk, gently dropping the fragments and then brought up some papers that showed his work and ideas.

“From Blacktip’s description, I’ve categorized how male and female powers work. Females being the majority who inherit them while males like you and I are rarities that have no others to compare two. Female dragons would be ‘Enhanced’ with abilities that may have been dormant in all females. While the likes of ‘Shadescale’ or your ‘mother’ and a few mentioned others here and there-”

“Wait, there are ‘enhanced’ gifted here too?” Spike suddenly cut in.

“Few,” Ivory answered curtly. “But none that stand out more so than those of your homelands.”

“Why not?” Ember quickly added herself in. “Wouldn’t it benefit Dragon Town here if they were to use their ‘enhancements’ here?”

“Here, the laws play differently,” Ivory stated evenly. “If you have ‘enhanced’ powers, you are to register them with the town. While I am aware of how those in your homelands are…I wish to say, ‘Isolated,-” A frown found its way to Ember but she didn’t deny it. “-As here, they are just to keep tabs on them. Believe it or not, their ‘roles’ here are either known or they just casually keep it to a minimum as to avoid the public scrutiny or fear. A documented but famous one, Scaly Sue, is a ‘Mental Projectionist,” Spike blinked and realized that was the author and creator of those ‘Flashfire’ comics that Mina had been selling at comic stores. “She can create ‘visible projections’ with her mind that she manifests to life. Though she uses them to create works of art on them as comics or visual references.”

A small flip of the paper, showed just two candidates of males and that was himself and Spike. “As I was saying Spike, females ‘enhance’ with what they may have been born with. Most females have abilities but are either ‘forced’ or ‘stressed’ into situations that cause their abilities to manifest. A ‘forced mutation’, if you will.”

And suddenly Spike felt like a sick theme song would be played in his mind as he heard that.

Ivory continued on. “As for you and I, we are gifted because males rarely carry any enhancements at birth. Our situations have it that we are one in a millionths of a chance to have these ‘gifts’, regardless of our situations. That includes the many generations before us.”

“We’re a lucky few,” Spike dryly chuckled. Ivory gave a small monotonous grin.

“Indeed. Your ‘gifts’, from what Blacktip has described to me, are classified as ‘Environmental and Reactive Adaptation, a scenario where you either subconsciously or consciously adapt to your current situation. It may not be as instant as you want, but you can overcome certain difficulties in shorter times than other dragons. Pain, mental stress or even understanding your situation could also be attributed factors.”

A pause as he then coated himself in his metallic form. “I have ‘Instant Reactive Organic Metallic Scales’ along with ‘Sonic Scream’ as a whole. While we are both ‘inated’ with them, mine is ‘consciously selective’ while yours is more ‘adaptive’ to either ‘emotions’, ‘stress’ or your current body’s predicament, like if you were to drink ‘acid’ in large quantities, your body would help build immunity over time.” There was a small snort from Blacktip, as if he hadn’t already confirmed this already but a grin formed on his maw. “Your ‘Firebreaking’ is vastly impeccable and quicker to adapt than any dragon in recorded history. That is in part of your innate ability. Perhaps in less than a few years, you will have full control of your ‘gifts’ not just subconsciously reactive but consciously reactive to your will. That is, if you push yourself to control and improve upon it or it may be faster as you continue to grow.”

Spike was satisfied with having a name or ‘title’ to his ‘gifts’ and happy that there was a class for him as well. Now he truly felt like a Superhero or a character from his O & O games. “Oh great, now you just inflated his ego, Ivory,” Blacktip merrily taunted, causing the first actual sign of major emotion to emerge from Ivory. A small snort followed by a slightly larger grin to grow on his snout.

“Oh, I am sure that it’s always been inflated, but it only takes a little initiation to get it to flare out in the open.”

Great, now they were teasing him. However, the issue came up with their original ‘reasoning’ for arriving here.

“Okay,” Spike cut the quirky banter. “Now that we have several things established, we now need to make our heading towards the Crystal Empire. Though that trip in of itself is a ‘mess’ in of itself since its two days track-worth from here.”

“Longer due to weather between here and the mountains to cross it.” Ivory announced, as he gave them a serious look. “Even through wings, you would get lost and perhaps freeze before you would clear the mountains.”

‘Baka!’Spike mentally cursed, as it seemed things couldn’t delay them more.

“Well that fucking sucks, that gonna kill our time massively.” ‘I couldn’t have said it better myself, Amy.’ Spike mentally agreed.

However, as he gazed towards his pink hoard member, his eyes then followed to the yeti that has been with them since the start. Then the idea of who he was involved also entered his mind. Would that work to involve her sooner?’

Spike had no luxury of time to waste, as he felt like the longer they stayed away from their objective, the more resources their ‘enemies’ would gather.

Shaking his head, he turned to Blacktip. “I think I need to send a personal letter to my mom in Canterlot. She needs to get in contact with someone asap who can help us reach the Crystal Empire faster. She was supposed to meet us later but… I feel this requires her services faster.”

Without waiting, Blacktip snapped his claws and conjured a scroll, a quill and a royal seal containing Celestia’s sigil. “I have direct contact with the Princess if we need to do it immediately.”

Spike, for the moment, was briefly, if not immensely stunted that Blacktip had his mom’s seal, let alone direct contact with her. If anything, a huge question mark appeared in his mind at how the ‘fuck’ did he gain access to ‘Fire Mail?’ Even Ember was caught off guard as only she and perhaps his mother Eliysia had direct contact with Celestia.

“H-How do you have-” Spike tried to ask Blacktip though his teacher flashed him a smile.

“Come now, my apprentice. Surely you know that as an ‘Archivist, Historian and Record Keeper for ‘Dragon Matters’ as well as the trades that are starting between us, that I have to keep in contact with Equestria with this? I have direct contact with her because it is my job to keep track and document this for future generations and laws!”

His smile looked genuine but his eyes carried something else, unseen by them but was caught on by Ivory. Yet, both Spike and Ember seemed to take this in stride, almost easily. Though Spike still had to ask, “But why directly to my mother? I mean, I know she is the ruler and all-”

“You told me that your sister, Twilight, gave you a book that is directly linked to her. But what if Twilight is not near Celestia or away from the book or her?” Blacktip answered right away. “Not to mention, that if I sent things through a ‘messenger’, how would the Equestrians react with a dragon flying to and from the Castle on a regular basis without causing panic or concern or even anger to the ponies that we have the ‘Princess’s ears’ so to speak?”

This seemed logical and both dragons were content with the answer as they nodded in understanding.

The lie, the deception hurts him. It hurt his mind and spirit because of what Spike meant to him. What he had swore to do for him. The communication between the Princesses of Equestria(Minus Twilight) and the Elders as well, was to keep an eye on Spike for the better and the worst, from his past from ever returning.

Should Spike’s past ever arise…

Spike smiled at him, which inflicted his heart the more seeing he still had great trust in him. “Well, that helps out since I left the book home. So let’s quickly set this up and hope that we have a ‘trip’ ready and waiting.” Blacktip gave him the scroll to write on. Ivory pulled close to Blacktip and gave him a glance. The green drake looked back at him and there was a silent sad exchange that he had yet to bring up. It would be something that he would have to explain later.

Spike quickly wrote to his mother about acquiring ‘aid’ in an airship from a certain ‘pony’ to the Crystal Empire. He hoped that she would be able to get there quickly enough to help get through the storm and safely to the otherside.

Ember, having already been made aware of this before their trip here, seemed to withdraw and even grew silently resentful at the plan.

“Tell me then,” Ivory queried them. “How will you cross the mountain borders to reach the Crystal Empire with a ship? Any Equestrian flying vessel that they normally carry would not survive the storms through the mountains, let alone that altitude.”

“That’s because we won’t be using an ‘Equestrian Ship’ to get there,” Spike commented. “We need a ship that can handle ‘severe’ and dangerous weather, especially storms without issue.”

Ivory cocked his head, his eyes remaining slightly raised in intrigue. “Are there such ships?”

“Yes there is and it's not even made by Equestrians.” Blacktip half joked, “It’s made by creatures not native to it.”

As if summoned, the yeti who had been quietly standing to the side, finally took steps forward and gave a small pound to his chest and announced, “Made by Storm Yeti! We are built for the Storm!”

Ember quietly fumed to herself, not at the yeti, but who he was formerly involved with. She hated how this trip was getting more and more out of claw, especially now her enemy was aiding them.

The message was sent, a reply was given and if by all the luck in the world, the ship was not that far off, it should be here before nightfall. That gave them roughly four or five hours left to spend here in Dragon Town.

This prompted them to seek out ‘lunch’ and hopefully do more exploring before their ride arrived. Ivory joined them this time, much to the silent joy of Shadescale, as she studied and tried to associate herself with the white dragon more. Blacktip and Ivory were not oblivious to it, as they regularly engaged with her and her questions but also kept her own interests at bay.

Seeing as how this would be the last time that they may step foot here for a while they decided to make their lunch time a bit more memorable with a special and luxurious restaurant followed by shopping.

They headed back to the area yesterday to try and get meals there and pick up last minute souvenirs. Garble and Ralph went to retrieve their belongings and meet back here. It was still at this moment that Spike had so many questions about Dragon Town that as they neared the busy market area, he saw that dragons were entering and leaving office buildings.

“I didn’t know dragons could have business jobs or even handle office work.” He commented out loud. Ivory, who was the more studious and more adverse to the subject of Dragon Town, softly disengaged from Shadescale and spoke outloud to them all in general.

“At first, the boring mundane work didn’t catch on for many,” He clarified to the young drake. “Dragons are normally seeking ‘excitement’, ‘thrills’ and even ‘daredevils’ through adolescents. Once they reach older years, they slow down but still want to find something to do to remain occupied or somewhat active. ‘Office Work’ is both a combination of laziness, low activity and ‘social gathering’ without doing anything really exciting to achieve it. Some dragons have grown accustomed to the slow environment that is their ‘perception’ that this is the ultimate way of being ‘lazy’, or ‘fat’ or even being ‘high’ above others.”

“How so?”

“Well for one thing, you can stare out your window from a very top building and see those below you all the time while feeling like you are… What is the game the homeland plays?” He paused to think before responding, “Ah, I believe it’s ‘King of the Hoard.’ You stand above all those high up, you are making a lot of money and you are doing very little to obtain it. Hence while ‘Office life’ for many creatures may not seem grand, but ponies and dragons, and a few others, seem to think themselves so mighty when they are high above. It’s humorous to see how they’ve taken examples off one another, despite the prejudices between them.”

Blinking, Spike asked, “Who, the ponies or the dragons?”

Ivory gave him a small grin towards him but stayed silent.

They graced the area they were in yesterday, passing by the shops and restaurants. Ember tried to avoid eyeing the masseuse she visited yesterday but failed when the very attractive dragon stood outside once more seeming to glance at her and motion for her back in. Blacktip however passed by the comic shop, where Spike saw Mina. Blacktip, who also happened to be an advent reader of comics, looked in and perked up. “Perhaps we should invite Mina! She is a good friend of mine here and helped keep spirits up during the Firesnail incident. It would do well to get her more public publicity instead of being trapped all day in a shop.” Spike wanted to avoid making things awkward as he was verily aware of her openness towards him. Yet he couldn’t object when they were in front of the shop.

“Is that her?” Amy suddenly asked next to him, almost startling him though he had gotten used to her sudden antics and gave her a small nod.

“Yeah that’s her, though she might be a little bit-”

Amy ignored him and went in confidently, almost ignoring the fact he was trying to warn her before making her way in. He followed in quickly, thinking that the pink dragoness might take her anger or get mad that she was after him. Ember and Smolder walked in followed by Blacktip.

Mina, who had been shelving comics, heard the door open and was about to greet them. “Hey Welcome to the Comic Shop! Can I help you-”

She was met face to face with a studious pink dragoness, who studied her quite intensely. Spike instantly was in between them to protect… or throw himself in front of them to stop any sort of violence they happen. “Hey Mina! Amy means no harm and-”

“Oh, she’s fucking cute!” Amy suddenly announced, suddenly bringing in the shorter dragoness into a hug.

Said dragoness was caught off guard by the sudden hug by some stranger. Amy, despite being overbearing and unfiltered, unsanctioned and… un-everything, quickly let her go.

Mina blinked a lot, seeing this random strange dragoness who came in with Spike, as she was bear hugged tightly into Amy’s chest. He looked embarrassed for her and rubbed the back of his spines.

“Sorry about her, Mina. She is-”

“Hello Cutie!” She let her go but not giving her distance. “I’m Amethyst Maar but you can call me Amy.” She answered with a wink. Again, Mina was left flabbergasted, staring at the odd dragoness as she turned to Spike with a confused and somewhat worried look.

“Uh… Do I need an adult?” As if she wasn’t sure herself.

“I am an adult!” Amy huskily stated.

Face palming himself, Spike gave a groan. “Amy, please leave Mina alone. You're spooking her and not in a fun kind of way.”

“But she would like ‘fun kind’ eventually.”

“Ugh, that shouldn’t make sense but I know what you mean.”

“Hey, we did it before and you had no problems with it!”

Seeing Blacktip, she quickly disengaged herself from the odd and terrifyingly pink dragoness and approached him, possibly because He was the adult here. “Hey Blacktip, um…”

“I apologize for Amy’s unusual behavior.” He quickly stated. “She is a bit rambunctious but not dangerous.”

“And a bit of a pain up the tail,” Ember added as she looked around the shop with Smolder looking very interested in the comics too.

Mina turned to Spike, more worryingly as she softly asked, “Are these your Hoard members?”.

Giving a nod, he pointed to each. “Yeah, Amy, Ember and Smolder.”

She was intimidated by them all, especially Ember as now she realized much to her discomfort, that she may have flirted with The Dragon Lord’s Consort. If that was the real Bloodstone Scepter, attached to her back, she might be in a bit of trouble…

Turning meek, she tried to shy away from him, hugging the leg of Blacktip. “Uh, sorry about yesterday and trying to… uh you know.”

Spike gave a small smile. “Hey, it’s okay. You didn’t know. Besides, I doubt you will be the last to-”

“So she also tried to ‘flirt’ with you too?” Ember was suddenly by them, causing Mina to freeze and fearfully glued herself to Blacktip. Said dragon silently watches curiously but mentally reeling with mirth at this whole interaction between them all. Spike was caught somewhere in the middle in between it all.

He also realized that this may be the part where he felt like Ember might snap and berate or get crossed that another ‘female’ has decided to attach herself to him, much like Shadescale had done. Ember scrutinized her with harsh amber eyes and took a single step forward. Mina didn’t freak but she did seem more bothered by her than ever. Before he could intercept her, Ember surprised him with a shrug and commented. “I don’t see it with her but she is a better candidate than the other one. Amy might like her.”

“I do!”

“Hmm.”

A great pause happened before she turned around to look at the comics. Mina was left with a somewhat bewildered stare while Spike

“HUH!?” Spike’s mind did a hard 180 turn as Ember just stumped him hard. Like, he expected anger or frustration or even peeved but the fact that she gave Mina even a little bit of hope, had him stumped.

Amy beamed brightly. “See, I said it! She is ‘Hella’ Cute!”

“Uh what am I missing here?” Asked a very confused Mina, still off put by the dragons here.

Blacktip lightly chuckled to her. “I think you Survived the Dragon Lord’s Judgment. Not an easy thing to do, but also not a free pass either.”

“Should I run and hide?”

“No, you’re good.” Blacktip assured her. “Just no more passes on Spike.”

“Unless I let you,” Ember commented overhead but her back still towards them. Smolder tittered to herself and Amy, got a lot closer once more than Mina felt comfortable with. Smolder pushed her back but gave her a wave.

Spike was still too much in awe but decided to not push his luck or Mina’s.

He did end up buying a few more comics, along with Smolder and Amy got herself a poster of Flashfire. After that, Mina was invited with them to lunch, with no care from Ember which was enough for her to back off any future advancements towards Spike.

Lunch was at a nearby restaurant which seemed very busy but was very popular with Blacktip and Ivory and even Mina agreed it was one of the best ones in town. However the wait time was half an hour so that left them to shop while they waited.

They remained close but separated to see more shops they did have time for before. Ember however felt like she needed to handle one more massage before they left, seeing as how it was… ‘Well Earned.’

Spike didn’t feel any threat coming from it nor was she jealous that she wanted to return there. A quick half hour massage would do her well.

“Are you sure you don’t-”

“Yes Ember,” Spike emphasized with a smile. “I know you feel bad but don’t think of it like that. Just enjoy yourself here one more time. That’s it.”

She gave a weak smile as she headed back in, but stopped and unstrapped the Scepter. “Can you take it? They were weirded out and asked to leave it out next time.”

“Sure.” Just as he was about to take it from her claw, the Scepter escaped her claws and flew directly to his own, three feet from one another, with slight recoil on his part. Both paused as this happened to them once more, with one another looking at the Scepter than at each other.

Ember’s features lowered into a heavy frown and a look of sadness overtook her before she turned around to head inside, not giving either time to say anything. This left Spike bewildered and wondering if he had fault in this again. He could feel the pulsing warmth and energy that flowed through it, like a living thing in his claws, coursing through it and himself. A small tingle that filled his mind told him that this was a natural circumstance.

“If I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Blacktip commented, astonished as he came up to him. Spike looked up from the Scepter to him, seeing his teacher in curious mirth. “It's rare for the Scepter to react to leaving its host for another, let alone the Dragon Lord to the Dragon Guardian.”
“What does that mean?” He asked, still confused about this ordeal.

Blacktip remained silent for the moment, staring at him with a small, astute look. “That it is something you will have to figure out on your own. The Bloodstone is much more than a simple tool, that much you should know. It is ‘sentient’. It has ‘power’, it has knowledge and if you truly and honestly wish to know how it truly works, You need to spend time with it, not Ember.”

“But it’s not mine to wield. She is the Dragon Lord.” He countered unsurely.

“And you are worthy of its power too. At least… it seems to think so.” With that, he walked on, leaving behind the drake to look down once more to study the Scepter in claw. He sighed and then strapped it to his back, walking after him.

Blacktip and Spike walked, they remained together since Spike was more curious about the Scepter but his teacher remained ‘ambiguous’ about what he knew and didn’t know.

They passed by a small shop, showing a female dragon lingered by the door in exotic light green robes, with her face covered with only snout visible, did it come into view. Blacktip sighed and grumbled low to him. “Ignore her. She may seem like an ‘enhanced’ but she has proven more than not that she’s a-”

“Oh, is that Blacktip I hear?” The voice of the dragoness spoke towards them. Spike and Blacktip looked towards the robed and cloaked dragoness. His teacher rolled his eyes and remained silent, which earned him a chuckle from the dragoness. “Still in doubt?”

A snort left the green drake. “You spew half nonsense with your ‘Psychic’ tellings or your ‘Precognitions’ are half right-”

“Because most only take them half seriously?” She chuckled, her face still hidden by the head robes. “Like you took a half serious approach towards your face hitting the same sign twice?” Her mirth was really not well hidden by her robe.

Grunting, he replied, “How am I supposed to believe that the same sign would hit me twice when you ‘Foretold’ signs would hit me?”

“I never said it at the same time.” A chuckle left her. “And… let’s not forget that I warned you that ‘Something slimy and vile will enter your life.”

His face fell flat. “Yeah, a ‘Firesnail’. I’ll give you that.”

The teeth were suddenly visible on her maw, showing a very cheshire grin. “More is still to come,” Her voice replied ominously, causing Blacktip to frown in confusion.

Her head then turned to Spike who had been listening this whole time wondering what had happened between the two. “Ah, a curious one you are.” Her eyes remained hidden but her mouth showed a smile. “I didn’t see you coming but him talking to you explains a lot-”

“Like you do with all your clients,” Blacktip stated satirically.

“-Yes, but he is special, is he not Blacktip?” Said dragon remained frowning and silent. “If that were not true, he wouldn’t be holding a powerful ‘tool’ in his claws no?”

Spike cocked his head to the side, gently grasping the Bloodstone Scepter behind him. “I’m sure you have heard of me or ‘read’ about me somewhere, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if you know who I am.” He admitted, though he saw that Blacktip shook his head slightly.

A small chuckle left her. “Hearing and seeing are two different things, young one. However, while ‘reading’ is a luxury I do not have,” She paused as she lifted her head to reveal part of her face, causing Spike to look a bit agape at her. “-I do ‘Read’ those who come to me.”

The dragoness's face showed her eyes. Grey as they were, indicating that she was in fact blind with white irises barely visible. Two long marks were on her eyes, showing that she had lost them in some violent way or done to her. Her features were that this was the only inflicted injury upon her, while the rest of her light orange scales reflected the beauty to her. Despite the lack of sight, her eyes remained focused on him and him alone, a sort of hollowed look of her soul into his own.

Feeling bad at saying that, Spike tried to apologize but she beat him to it. “Don’t apologize… I have learned to live with this. Happily mind you. But, you are still wondering if I’m a ‘Soothsayer’ or Fortune Teller’. Call it what you will but I still glimpse into the futures of many.” Her gray eyes then seemed to lock onto Blacktip. “No matter how many tried to deny it.”

Blinking, Spike looked towards Blacktip. “Wait, is she a-”

Sighing angrily, Blacktip responded. “Nothing can be confirmed or denied at this point. Despite being half right with her predictions, the rest is ‘encrypted’ gibberish or rambles most don’t understand or get, according to her, so it's still up in the air.”

A grin worked its way to her snout. “As it should be,” Her focus then came to Spike. “But don’t let your ‘instructor’ try to steer you away. He is intelligent and well educated, but it will be some time before he becomes wise to it.”

Growling to himself, he turned towards Spike. “If you want, I’ll leave you to her Spike, but be warned; Take everything at ‘half measures.’ Unless she could predict everything down to a point, I have no reason to believe all or anything she ‘predicts’ otherwise.”

“And does he have every reason to believe everything you say? Perhaps there is more to share with him, hmm?” A sharp inhale forced its way to Blacktip. Spike turned to him.

“What-”

“I-”

“For now, I ask that you trust that everyone is looking out for the best in you… Guardian.” Spike almost gave himself whiplash as he rapidly turned to her. In disbelief, Spike turned to the grinning dragoness. She then lifted an arm as if inviting him into her little shop. “Come, I can tell you more if you wish.”

Spike, now more curious than cautious, had to find out if this dragoness was the real deal or not, as he hadn’t even mentioned anyone here since his arrival. He looked back towards Blacktip, who still remained frowning. His red eyes lingered on her before turning to Spike. “Just…be careful. That’s it.” Without another word, Blacktip left him and walked away.

Feeling like there might be some trouble to this, Spike turned back to her. “Is he-”

“A stubborn dragon with a big heart, yes, but he is only watching out for his ‘ward’. It is his personal responsibility to care for you after all. You mean alot to him and many others.” She knew so much, yet he has said nothing. And with the attitude he just gave her, Blacktip would have no reason to divulge in providing her with any information about him.

She remained in stance, allowing him to take her invitation and proceeded into her shop. Following, the Soothsayer closed the door and ‘flipped’ the sign to ‘In-session’ with her tail and guided him towards the back. The front was basic with just chairs and a table in front with magazines and a miniature waterfall to give an aura of peace. Yet towards the back, was a large curtain that seemed to blackout everything from the outside world. The curtain revealed a small round table with ‘tarot cards’, a ‘crystal ball’ and other traditional ‘fortune telling’ gimmicks around them like candles, various set pieces and a gentle aroma of lavender, sage with a touch of sulfur that occupied the immediate area.

As he sat down, he laid the Scepter to the other side as she closed the curtains, all sound seemed to disappear from the world with the only light that remained was from the candles and the crystal ball’s illumination.

She sat across from him, pulling back her hood to reveal short horns adorned with jewelry studded into them along with detailed glyphs etched into her horns. What they were, he couldn’t make out, but some of it look like ancient ‘draconic’ text he had read back in the Scrolls from home. Others looked like glyphics or symbols that carried more meaning than he understood. One especially had a spiral with heads and a heart in the middle.

He wasn’t sure how to start, but he gave something honest first. “Uh, how much will you charge me for this and what am I getting?”

Her eyes, gray and absent, showed her mirth with a gentleness that he saw only in those who had warmth to lend like a friend. “Ah, worry not, the payment will be asked later. For now, I only wish to hear what you are thinking right now.” She then reached down to her ‘tarot cards’ and gathered them up. “While you have many questions gathered around ‘me’ and if I am… what was the word describing us?” she paused as she slightly cocked her head to the side, looking at him with a small smile. “I believe it was either ‘gifted’ or ‘enhanced?’ Though I am sure that ‘Ivory’ has clarified that with you?”

Again, she was stating things no one else knew about him so far, even knowing about a dragon he just met. So why did Blacktip or others believe she was a ‘deceiver’ or a ‘liar’ when it came down to ‘precognition’ prowess?

Her pointed teeth showed, grinning as she shuffled her cards. “You don’t doubt me, do you?”

Unsure, Spike gave her a small passive look. “I’m not sure. You mentioned a lot of things, yet we just met.”

“That is the difference between ‘True Soothsayers’ and ‘false prophets.’ The ones who have the ‘true gifts’ will not ask you questions or ‘look’ at what you have to guess things about you. Simple questions from these other ‘prophets’ can reveal many details that can be used to help your mind, blind you to believing in them and perhaps even misleading you with simple ‘words’ or gestures. They will tell you what you want to hear, fill your head with ‘false lights’ of hope, love and happiness. All this done without little effort. You haven’t asked me anything, so that should say something about my ‘insight’?”

Her shuffling was consistent, soft and gentle taps to the otherwise blanketed and mute noise around them other than her voice. Not even the candles burning made any noise. “Blacktip and so many others come to me, seeking the future in some sort of reward. They often think that by learning their future, they can ‘avoid’ or ‘prevent’ or ‘win’ or ‘gain’ something from it. Hence, why I do give them a partial glance, but give them more meaning and insight to their future. But now we come to you. Tell me then, what do you wish to know?”

Spike studied her shuffling, knowing that perhaps she could predict the future, but what could he want from it? To know if his friends would be in danger? To know where the source of this ‘material’ that could end dragons came from in the Frozen North? To know if he and his hoard will remain together forever?

All this and more, he could ask, but he had to know for sure if she was the real thing. If she was a true ‘Soothsayer’ and an ‘enhanced’ one at that. A determination of multiple answers were needed before ‘any’ questions could be asked. So to be it true if she were a ‘true fortune teller’ and not a ‘false prophet’ of sorts.

He leaned back against the chair. “Well, you said that ‘you would ask me questions’ to know me and tell me what I want to hear.” He paused then stared down at her crystal ball wondering if that was a gimmick too. “So, then tell me the answers to my questions I have yet to ask.”

“Ah, now you see how it works, but in a small part, that could also be used against you.” Now he was confused. “Your attitude, your voice, your style, the way you carry yourself, all these little things.” She stopped her shuffling and placed the deck down. “These are ways to give you what you ‘want’ to hear,”

His eyes furrowed. “And… not what I ‘need’ to hear.”

“Mhmm, now the same could go with the deck of ‘Oracle’ cards or ‘Tarot’ Cards. A fortune teller can have all these laying out and about to give the idea of ‘mysticism’ and ‘foresight’ to give you a physical medium to hold onto. A way for you to have a glance on a physical hold rather than just my words alone. Words can only do so much.”

“But… if you were a true ‘Soothsayer’, a dragon who could really see the future, then you wouldn’t need any of this?” He frowned and looked at the rest of the other items. “This is just for show. A gimmick.”

Her smile never waned. “Now you are learning. As much as you are a ‘Guardian’ to your kin, you are also intelligent and wise beyond your years.” She then reached her clawed hand towards the table towards him. Her palm showed tattoos or glyphs on her scales that he couldn’t recognize. There were patterns and intertwined runes with smaller draconic writings from the back of her palm that ran up her wrists hidden under her sleeves.

“While my ‘enhancements’ can give me visions of the future of those who come near me, to really learn about you, I need physical contact. That is… if you ‘trust’ what I have to say.”

While Blacktip warned him about her, he had no reason to not believe what she has stated so far. This all seemed so easy and yet, nothing gave him any sort of negative vibes about it. He was placing some faith into her ‘enhancements’ and leaned over with his own right claw.

He placed it on top of her own, grasping it and he felt warmth and small glows on her ruins that ran up her arms. The rest also glowed but very subtly. “We will start with your past, shall we.”

She then closed her eyes and for a moment, she remained silent. The glyphs on her arms and head all glowed a light orange as she continued to hold his palms. There was squinting, like someone who was dreaming, her eyelids flickering while closed. Her face however frowned almost immediately and she sighed solemnly.

“I see.” A pause and sadness filled her voice. “Your mother… birth mother. She left you.” This turned fast. Spike’s heart suddenly began to beat at a faster pace at the idea of hearing about his birth mother. Would she… could she reveal to him about her?

‘She is… was… troubled. Something happened to her that made her give you up.” Her lids twitched and bounced as she seemed to be receiving more information. “You are… her greatest treasure. One that she had to give away and…” Suddenly, she stopped and her eyes opened up. Despite the lack of pupils, she gazed upon him with great sadness. “Oh Little Emerald, I am so sorry for what she had done for you.”

Spike’s eyes went wide, his heart suddenly hammering in his chest with his mind blinded with a million questions, frenzied into everything she just revealed in such a short time. No one, not even his own mothers, knew of that name. It was only a brief memory, of his past, of his birth mother before he had even hatched, a distant but clear message from her. He began to shake as his emotions swelled and fluxed with unease tension, with those memories resurfacing hard vengeance. The threat of tears forming on his ducts but she quickly clasped his palm with both of her own to ease his tension, ending her reading with her glyphs dead glow.

“Please relax, young drake. Forgive me for bringing up the pain of your past on you. I know that you seek so much from your past and I… I can sadly say, it is not mine to give to you. That is an answer you must face on your own.” She rubbed his palm with her own in a continuous soothing manner. The caress was so welcoming that his heart slowed to a normal pace and his emotions slowly receded. “Know this however, that whatever has befallen your mother, you are not her faults. She is out of your life and you must live your life without her.”

Multiple emotions wanted to erupt from his throat to demand or get answers yet, only one surfaced enough for him to really get through. “I-Is s-she…”

The Soothsayer remained silent, almost contemplating whether to speak or give into his question. Her eyes closed once more and a soft hum left her. “She is… absent and that is all that should matter for now...”

That was not what he wanted to hear. Yet she knew more to it than she let on, just like those around him. Life was starting to taunt him and it burned him with many more annoyances. She soothed him further, quelling his anger, the ruins on her arms glowing once more as she continued to read into him.

“I see that she left you in the care of a ‘true’ mother. One who is seen in the eyes of many as the mother of mothers.” A smile slowly returned as she continued her probing of his past, her gentle rubbing never ceased. “Yes, the Princess of Equestria. Adopted, adorned and given more love for a creature not of her own blood. Not only that, but… a ‘sister’ had been gained. One that helped hatched your egg,” Mirth rejoined her voice and she actually lightly chuckled. “Imagine that, a pony hatched a dragon egg.”

He slowly grew his own smile, at the earliest memories of his hatching, tears still forming but now with wonderful memories re-introduced. “Oh… and a family gained! Two mothers! Such a queer but welcoming inclusion! Such love! Such grace into the pony family!”

The more she mentioned his upbringing and his warm past, the more doubt left his mind about her not being ‘enhanced’. Sure, she could have been notified by all of this, but not by this much details, especially of his mothers. Few outside of Canterlot actually knew of his adoption by Celestia or even in part by the Sparkles.

She continued on, her face remained in delight. “Oh, such a wonderful hatchling hood you had. Treated like a true family member, despite the species difference. The Cheerful Father, the Affectionate Mother, the Brave Brother and the Intelligent Sister. Many years, much love given between homes, between family. Then… oh, adventures since the return of the ‘Fallen Princess.” She obviously meant the return of Princess Luna years back. “Many adventures and many… uh instances where things could have been better for you but still your life was gifted with a much more positive upbringing. With friends gained, a new home, a new lifestyle and even more adventures seen.”

Yeah, there were some mistakes here and there but none that he hated Twilight and or his family for. Heck, even some of the friends Twilight earned, now became his own.

Her features then morphed into something neutral. “Hmm we come closer to your present. Something called you. The Trial of the Gauntlet of Fire it seems. Hmm… Curious, you had won, yet you gave it up? For your Family, Friends.” A nod left her, as if agreeing with his decision.

Something he did not regret and never will. “But it came with a cost you did not foresee.”

‘Ember… and the choice to keep me there,’ He thought. A lie that turned into something… beautiful and magical. Something that he also did not regret. “Love was created afterwards but…”

Then the soothsayer… she began to squeeze her eyes shut, as if struggling with something. The glows of her glyphs glowed a little brighter, almost aggressively red, at the same time her body seemed to spasm slightly, so too did Spike as he felt remorseful and painful memories resurfaced, unsure of what she was seeing. Soft tears ran down the crevices of her eyes while a few formed in his own ducts, feeling her reach into a past he wanted to forget.

“Oh little one… you have suffered so much. The Trials to be her Consort. Wait… why would you… Oh my Goddess… Such pain, the agony.” Distant roars of suffering and rage played, hollowed by memories lost and regained. “You poor… poor soul! The Rage, the sudden changes, how much did you endure? How much endless agony? … No! Wait! Your mind is shattering! At the end, you are so close! Why would they... And you… you…” Her claws squeezed tighter, eyes still tightly shut, tears falling and she shook her head. A gasp left her, as if she was there at that moment. “You… you… died! A part of you did. But you as a whole, that was so close that Death was just at your footsteps. But… you would fall into a sleep. A coma that felt eternal and that nearly cleansed your mind. You nearly died and it is a blessing beyond anything that you had not.”

Spike blinked away tears as she continued to gently caress his palm. Her tears stopped but the mental anguish she just witnessed from his past told him much. “For one so young, you have suffered so much, it's unbearable, it’s unfair! The amount of pain and suffering in such a short life, many wouldn’t survive. Yet, you did and it has not deterred you from living a life worth cherishing.”

Pity for him formed on her features as her eyes briefly opened. “Despite this, you survive and grow stronger everyday because of it.” It was a wave of emotions that seemed to mimic his own. “Now we arrive at your present. Your other palm please.” He offered his other palm, without restraint, grasping those with her other one and she sighed. Eyes closing, they flickered and bounced as she read more, this time her glow was warmer in tone. A low pink hue with the orange, with a flicker of a smile reforming.

“Since your Awakening, I see you have gained… Oh more mothers! Truly delightful! A drake with four mothers! You truly are blessed!”

That he was and despite the pain, he would do it all again to have what he had now, a small smile reforming on his face that slowly was mimicked by her.

“Memories regained and now… a hoard as well!” Something about the way she said it, made Spike blush and she too blush, as her tail swayed behind her. “Your heart grows, as does your love for your hoard. Your love for your friends and family never wavers and you continue to grow into something all of those you love, can see become amazing! You have inspired many and risen through the troubling time.”

Her words continued to make an impression on him, more so that he had ‘needed’ to hear all this. She came close to where he was at now. “Your mother, ‘enhanced’ as well? Curious, one with…” She stopped, then as if being guided away moved on. He felt that… something tickled his mind and she was forced to move away. Her glyphs glowed and flickered. Why was that? Did something come up? No, she was not reading his mind, she was reading his past and recent present. There was no way for her to be affected by anything of his mother’s meddling. Unless it was something placed in his past or or something she was choosing to look away from.

“Hmmm, returning to your home. A pleasant return yes, however something happened. An invasion?” A small frown, which caused him to look at her with curiosity. ‘What… Are you frozen? It’s cold, unbearably so!”

Sighing, he nodded despite her eyes being closed. “Yeah, I was encased by a ‘former’ enemy in Obsidian Stone.”

The soothsayer remained silent, disturbed by the thought. She briefly faced away from him, as if looking to something past him. “Your mate. She hurt many because of you.” He flinched, instinctively squeezing his claws onto her. “What happened after?” Spike remained silent, though he felt her like she was prying deeper. She skipped over parts but not what she felt was important or something he felt was worth bringing up. It was unlike his mother entering his head as if reaching a certain point to-

“The Bloodstone Scepter… it chose you as a worthy dragon. Something far more than just anything previous Dragon Lords have used it for.” Her eyes opened and they seemed to be unfocused, her nearly visible pupils signifying they were not looking at him or anything in general. She then briefly let go of his palms, earning a curious glance from him, with the glyphs losing their glow. The soothsayer leaned a bit back, her face scrounging up in a slightly tense manner. She seemed to study him for a moment before speaking in a low tone manner, “Tell me young dragon, have you interacted with Bloodstone Scepter much?”

He blinked, as if he was the one supposed to be asking the questions, but… “No. It is not mine to wield, it's Ember’s.”

“Why?” Blunt and honest, which stumped him hard but he transfixed on the Scepter briefly to the side.

“She is the Dragon Lord.”

“And you are the Dragon Guardian.” She stated, as if she already knew all there was about it. “You have equal standing power with her,”

“But she-”

“You held the Scepter first, Guardian!” She sat forward quickly to have his focus. “You have as much power to wield it as she does. However, you have access to a power that few have ever touched, even herself.”

Frowning, he looked back down at the Scepter. “And… outside of the immense power it already has over dragons, what more can it have? I don’t want power if it means I can be corrupted by it.”

Her teeth flashed into a warm smile. “And yet, you willingly gave it up in pursuit to live your life. The Scepter deemed you worthy to share its power. You can access it and more.” She then pointed to it. “When you find a space and time to hold it, you may receive some ‘insight’ from it. Few prior who wielded it know of it and even less have accessed it.”

“How-”

“That is for you to figure out,” She chuckled at his frown. “I am very ‘cryptic’ that way, as Blacktip likes to call it.”

“Is that why he dislikes you for it?”

“Many do, many hate it and many will often call me a false and yet… I am still in business.” Oh, she was good then, really good.

“Speaking of how much-

“My payment will come in a moment, but it won’t be from your gems, bits or cards.”

He paused, looking at her baffled. “Then what-”

“My only payment is that of just touching the Bloodstone Scepter. That will be sufficient enough.”

He frowned slightly and grasped it in claw. “Why only a touch?”

“It will act as a medium to see into your future. Believe it or not, the power it possesses can be shared with others… if given permission. While I can see the future, it's only in glimpses or vague impressions, hence while I give them to my clients. Too much information, they will stir the course of time and alter its outcome.”

“Then why risk that with me and telling me about mine?”

“Because if there is any dragon worthy of knowing the future, it is one who devotes their life and their cause to the betterment of other dragons and… non-dragons.” A soft sigh with a sad smile filled her maw. “It is difficult to tell a dragon about their future when it is left blank, Guardian. When I read a dragon and see nothing in the future, it usually means, they do not have a future worth glimpsing at or…” She didn’t finish and that left a certain dread lingering in his body. Did that mean they either died or something happened to them? Was she not able to see into his own because something happened?

“Don’t try to overthink it,” She quickly assured him, cutting his mind from going haywire. “While some dragons can't be read, it is due to them not really doing anything else, other than what they were doing now. Very few have come to me and were not meant to be read because they were already at their ends or have a fate outside of their control or even mine.”

Spike swallowed, his dread still lingering in his mind. “But… if you could help them, would you?”

The soothsayer remained quiet, contemplating on her answer, or rather she was trying to find a way to explain to him how it works. Despite the lack of pupils, her eyes still showed how she was still looking into his own, studying his soul and everything she had witnessed around him. There was a heavy conflict in her, that had him worried, more so than ever, that he wondered if he should still trust her words.

After a few more minutes of silence, she spoke with a small, gentle tone. “I… cannot save everyone. There are those who can’t avoid their futures, their chosen fates, no matter how hard they try.” He sighed, as if that was an answer that shouldn’t have been that easy to hear. “However, there are futures and lives that even I cannot see, young dragon. There are those who have destinies and lives that exist outside of my view. Rarely if ever, but they are there.” Her eyes then shifted hard on him, almost focused more as she leaned forward. “Like yours for example.”

Spike gave a confused look. “Me?”

She nodded. “All the dragons around here, Blacktip, those dragons that you surround yourself with. Their futures are glimpsed with you there, but… you are absent in them, so to speak. Not that you perish or anything but I cannot see you the way I see them. Details and such, you are as invisible to me as my vision is to you.” While it was a blunt and odd way to explain it he found himself a bit miffed really, at the prospect of being ‘invisible’ to others. She then reached over her deck of cards and pulled out five cards from the top and placed them down, the faces hidden on the table. “I see those who interact with you but not directly. You are the true ‘blind’ eye to me, hence why I called you ‘special’ to Blacktip. It is very much true that you are beyond just mere ‘specialness.”

‘Something Shadescale loved to mention when they first met,’ he thought to himself.

She stopped her shuffle and placed the cards down. “Now, may I please just touch the Scepter, if only for a moment?”

So far, everything was trusting almost to a degree, yet he knew not what more power she could show him. He grabbed it from his side, held the hilt firmly and pointed the gem itself towards her.

Despite the blindness from her eyes, they seemed to have just sparkled and glowed as her claws calmly reached out towards it. Upon touching it, Spike felt a sort of ambience as the energy that coursed through him and the Scepter was briefly, albeit tempered, going towards her. She gave a slight gasp and he swore that just for a solid moment, her eyes had restored to their full colors. Her irises returned to a light golden color, briefly illuminating her face and they looked at him, then it was gone. She pulled back, as did he, with his eyes looking at her at wonder. Her face contorted to a smile and she looked… pleased? She said nothing and proceeded to the cards before her. Seeing that she was done, he placed the Scepter back to his side and waited on her. She was going to pull out the cards on him? Why? He chose not to comment and decided to allow her to do her thing.

Of the five cards, she flipped the first one over, revealing a dragon skeleton, wearing a robe with its boney claws reaching out. The moon on the left and an ebony blade on the right. Deathwas written on the bottom and a sharp chill ran up his spine, but she gave it a wave. “You already experienced this, Guardian.” He blinked, as he remembered how she told him he ‘died’ before. At least a part of him. “Your life was nearly forfeited in the pursuit of love, but you went through with it. This only represents a ‘death’ of something you went through, a metamorphosis change and now… a new life for you has begun. Worry not, Death will come in some form, but for yourself and those you love, natural and peaceful, a long time from now…” Despite knowing it would come for long lived creatures like himself, the small comfort was that it would be natural and peaceful.

She flipped over the next card to reveal Sol, Celestia’s form on the bottom with her sun overhead, with her horn almost acting like a dial as it was the center point of the sun.

“Despite the harshness and suffering you have endured, your life remains positive and almost innocent that you will find the good in the many and all. Your life will go through some hardships and pain, but your heart will remain pure and true, for all to be inspired by. Even if there are those that will try to turn you towards the side of evil or corruption, your will and strength will remain untampered, untamed and powerful through to the end.”

The next card she flipped over was that of the Lovers. Two dragons arched their heads to form a heart shape with their necks and the snouts touching. A warm luminescence aura filled the background of the image. “Your heart is grand, to the point you willingly accept those around you. From the lovers you have earned to the family, friends and allies you have gained. A sharing heart is a beautiful one…” A pause as a cheshire grin formed on her snout. “And with more to come.”

‘Okay, why did she have to say it like that?” He mentally groaned, as a blush worked its way to his cheeks. He fidgeted lightly which was noticed by her, even by her ‘sightless’ eyes. Her own tail flickered from behind, almost seeing something else in his future.

She continued her light titter until she sighed. “Ah, your love will continue to grow into something beautiful for many years to co- uh… continue.” His blush hadn’t wavered and she couldn’t help herself, her teeth flashing in such a teasing manner, even her tone much higher now. “Your love will never cease, your heart will expand and your ability to welcome ANY… in or back to you, will no doubt expand your devotion to Harmony.”

The fourth card she flipped over, showed The Sage. A dragon wore a robe, standing on top of a mountain overlooking the lands with one palm ignited with a gentle flame and the other a staff. “You seek knowledge, but not through power. You search for insight, but not to use it through selfish means. And you look towards the future, but not towards just your own but through the many. A future where you want is Harmony, but it seems unattainable. A constant variable is always present that prevents it from happening.” She tapped a single claw down on it. “While it is an admirable goal guardian, you must also pay attention to what’s in front of you and those you surround yourself with. It is of great importance that you do not throw yourself into harm's way all the time. Least… you lose more than just your own heart…”

A small wince as she just told him what everyone else has told him as well. ‘A sacrifice is still a cost, just now with more strings attached.’ He thought solemnly.

Her palm then hovered over the last card. “This one tells you of the future. Not only that but it will help shape what you make of it and perhaps change certain outcomes.”

Spike stared at the card, concentrating and looking unsure. “If I knew my future, wouldn’t I cause something to drastically change and make it worse? And how can a single card tell me my entire future?”

Her eyes sparkled at his intuition, marveling at his vast insight and intuition. “Yes, yes it can, dear Guardian. Me asking to gain a sample of the power of the Scepter gave me a clear vision of what is to await in the future, yet… you are still in blind spot in my visions.” She then giggled, oddly and almost madly cackled out loud, which threw him off in slight concern. “You are the most queer, the most curious and I dare say, the most… ‘fucked’ up dragon to enter my life and I cannot possibly explain how amazing that is to me!”

If he wasn’t already baffled before, he was now thoroughly and terribly lost with what she had just confessed to him. She… couldn’t see into his future or did she not see all off?

“Should I be concerned then?” He asked, a bit of worry creeping in, but the giggle from the soothsayer said otherwise.

“My dear special drake, your future is what you make of it! I can tell you what it is but not fully because it is so random, it is so baffling and utterly ridiculous! Do you know what it's like to know the punchline to every joke before it is even given?! The annoyance of knowing what will be in every present, what lies in every corner and what tomorrow will bring? The future remains present but you walking into my shop was not a part of it! I saw… something enter my shop, some dragon, next to Blacktip but I couldn’t foresee a damn drake that would still remain blind to me! The Bloodstone Scepter’s power, albeit brief, gave me vision, but not just of the future, but a temporary sight of you!”

Her voice lowered, but her energy remained enlightened, as she continued to stare at him. “I thought that seeing into your future would be a gift but it seems that the Scepter just gave me a tease of that ‘future’ and you. I also for the first time in my eyes, see the dragon who is absent in my visions, and I do have to say you are very handsome for a drake. I can see why you keep finding more and more females smitten with you.”

An audible groan left him, his face returning to a blush. “Not you too,” He mumbled, earning a giggle from her. “Can you at least tell me if I will stop gaining more hoard members or more females coming after me in the future?”

Her grin never faltered. “No.”

A frown formed on his own face.

“No, as in you won’t tell me or ‘No’ as in I won’t stop gaining more females coming after-”

He paused as he watched her eyes glint with such tease that he knew he was just going to get more red with embarrassment. Spike refused to fall into her teasing and sighed angrily.

“Well, if you are done making fun of my ‘apparent’ future-”

“Oh young Spike, your future is filled with many ‘surprises’, ‘changes’ and no doubt, many ‘memorable moments.”

Spike had to pause as he heard his name spoken to for the first time. While it seemed slightly insignificant, he noted this was the first time she had called him by name, even after seeing into his past.

“You just said my name.” He stated, almost obviously but with a tone of slight confusion.

“I did,” She said matter-of-factly.

“Why until now?”

“Your name was absent, even in the past or present. But after seeing you, the you that is before me with my own eyes and not in my vision, I see a dragon that has a name worthy of being stated now, more than ever. You are not just a Spike the Dragon. You are ‘Spike Sparkle Sol, Guardian of the Dragonlands. Few in history will ever have names such as yours and none, will ever come close to what you have and will achieve.”

“But I don’t know your name yet.”

She gave a small nod. “And my name is not relevant, at least, not yet. Not until you hear it from another.” He looked confused but was left empty clawed.

She then inhaled softly then exhaled. “I believe that is our time for now.” Cocking her head slightly and turning to behind him, “You have a final meal here with your party, no?”

Blinking, he realized that he had indeed needed to meet with the others. “Oh shoot! I do need to go! I’m probably late!”

She waved him off, “Oh, you’ll be fine, besides you will not be the late one.”

He stood up and she rose with him. “I thank you for everything you have shown me. It's nice to know that there are other ‘enhanced’ here, though I still don’t understand why you don’t-

“-Register and have those ‘keep an eye’ on me as well as the others?” She finished, a small bite to her tone. “While many see it here boon, it will end in only tragedy and even more subjugation.” She made her way over to him and gently grasped his palms with her own. “I foresee this. Yet, just you entering my life, entering my vision, has told me that you can change it for the better, Guardian Spike. Just like you are changing the Dragon Lands there, so can you change it here. Don’t ask how, but know that your adventures and your search for answers, will aid us here as well. Your name will have more meaning than any dragon in the modern age.” She then sighed softly, her face turning a bit sad. “You will struggle, you will fall and pain will no doubt find its way into your heart many times, but you will persist, you will climb back up and rise higher than anyone. As long as you keep your heart open, you will help so many in the end. Just… allow those to help but always listen to your heart first. It may save you later.”

Her words burned into his mind and he couldn’t help but wonder if she truly knew of his future, or those around him and… had kept it to herself. Secrets that many those around him seem to do often. This time, it felt like it was more than just Protection but also a warning. He heeded what she said and nodded.

“I will. Thank you for your words. And I will keep the truth of your ‘abilities’ a secret.” He received a nod and her smile returned warmly.

“Take care, Spike. We’ll meet again.”

Feeling her words are true, he then pulled from his pouch a gem and placed it in her claws.
She cocked her head to the side, feeling the gem in claw. He gave a small grin.

“Something to keep you in ‘Business’.”

A wonderful titter left her, earning a pleased nod.

“Indeed it will, thank you.”

He nodded and left the room. The Soothsayer looked back towards the table, flipping over the card, as she smiled at the image and followed after him. As he opened the door to the shop, he saw down the walkway, and Blacktip was waiting for him. The green drake gave him a look of skeptical caution. Followed by him was the Soothsayer, who he frowned at.

Spike headed back to Blacktip who looked at him with a raised brow. “Did she tell you anything interesting?” he asked his student curiously.

Spike gave a nonchalant shrug. “All of it was very vague, so who knows. She got a couple of things right but the rest…” He left it open for interpretation. “Come on then, let's go eat. I’m starving and I want a good last meal here before we head north.”

Spike walked away, with Blacktip giving a glance at her. Giving him a grin, she pointed at him un-threateningly. ‘“Miss the first sign, you’ll see double on the second, but taking the first sign, your luck will double in the second.” She cryptically half stated, the other half whimsical.

Blacktip frowned, about to retort, but sighed and shook his head. He turned away and followed after.

They all met back at the restaurant and sure enough it was not himself late, but Smolder. She was actually looking a bit brighter and seemed to have a necklace on. Two in fact. “Hey, sorry I’m late! I got held up by this group and they literally held me in until I told them I had a lunch date!”

As she approached, Spike noticed the first necklace up close, seeing five dragon heads encircling on another in an odd spiral. The other one was of a Blue Shield and a dragon on it. Blacktip noticed this too, optimally curious but he remained quiet. “Come on then, let us eat.”

The party went in and were given a meal to remember, as they laughed, talked and enjoyed each other’s company. They brought up the things they’ve enjoyed here in the last few days, what new surprises they found and what they hope to do next time they come back. This enlightened Mina very much.

They actually ate quickly as they wished to explore more of the town before they left. With their bellies full and a half hour, they quickly set out to enjoy more. Ember left with Mina, and Amy for ‘ness’ shopping. Leaving the others to themselves. Garble and Ralph left for a nearby ‘Arms’ shop to check out weapons and armor and such.

As they left, it was Blacktip who pulled Smolder and Spike to the side with Ivory and Shadescale remaining close. “Smolder, where did you get those necklaces?”

She looked down at them. “These? Oh, some odd congregation I passed by asked if I was interested in learning the ‘word’ of our creator. I didn’t really get the full gist of it but, they more or less told me about the beliefs of dragons here.”

“They weren’t like a cult or something, right?” Spike asked a bit haphazardly.

“No clue.” Smolder shrugged.

“Smolder, are you aware of those symbols that you wear around your neck?” Ivory asked the young dragoness.

“Well, they explained that one represents ‘Peace and Wisdom’ and the other ‘Chaos and Change.’ But I kinda zoned out after they started going on and on about their history.”

Ivory gave her an odd look before he explained, “What you wear around your neck are the symbols of the Gods of Dragons. Bahamut and Tiamat.”

Smolder blinked owlishly at hearing those names, which explained her lack of knowledge on them. Spike only briefly knew of Tiamat, though Bahamut remained oddly absent in his arsenal of knowledge, which prompted Ivory to turn to Blacktip in what looked like stunted annoyance. “What is the current Era for the Dragon Lands in their beliefs, Blacktip? I am unsure of what the current worship is for the modern pantheons.”

Both Spike and Smolder seemed to be out of the loop as they stared at the green dragon, which Blacktip gave clarification. “6055 SDE. Draco and Wistala are the current pantheons there.” A pause as he turned to answer their inner query. “It’s the calendar years that we, as modern dragons, follow since the Second Draconic Era began. You both can think of it like ponies and their ‘Pre-Unification Era’ and then ‘After-Unified Era’ respectfully. The second Era began after the fall of Tiamat, 6000 years ago with new pantheons formed after. Estimated.”

Nodding but still not getting it, Smolder repeated herself, “That still doesn’t explain who they are.”

Spike gave a small input. “Isn’t Tiamat the Dragon Goddess of something like ‘Destruction?”

Ivory stated stoic for a moment before responding. “That is just a small part of it. Trying to explain Tiamat and her era would take a long time. Just know that she is a Goddess and her worship is not just of ‘Destruction’ but of ‘Chaos’, ‘Tyranny’ and every negative aspect that dragons have. While the original translations and scripts never fully go into detail, the Dragons of Olde viewed her as the ‘Mother of Dragons’, during the First Era. She created us, in her way as an army, to bring the world to its knees and rule through fear, power and death, which she had cults of Dragons that served her to do her bidding.”

Smolder blanched and immediately began to remove the necklace. “However, nowadays, the religion has toned down a bit. Much like how ponies of today worship ‘Nightmare Moon, instead of Princess Luna, there are similarities. Modern ponies who worship ‘Nightmare’, do so in that they wish for ‘longer nights’ and ‘free from fear’ of the ‘Sun Rival’. To one night allow her to take reign once more. Yes, they have their cults and such still around but it's more of a dedication to something less destructive. The same applies here in that ‘Tiamat’ represents ‘Change’ through ‘Power’, Control through Strength, and Females are the embodiment of strength, power and change' as they control the fate of all dragons, including life and lust.”

She blushed at hearing that last bit, but Smolder felt Spike hold her shoulder as she held onto the necklace in claw. “It doesn’t mean anything unless you choose to follow those beliefs.” He then looked at Ivory. “Right?”

The white dragon gave Blacktip a small glance before replying evenly to them. “Those around here might view it differently. As is, ‘Cults’, ‘Religious Zealots’ and so on here take their beliefs somewhat seriously. While they keep to themselves, I suggest only keep them on, if you intend to pursue this for your own sake and not being led by others. There is a church of dedicated Tiamat worshippers who celebrate her as a mother to all dragons, regardless of her role as a ‘Destroyer’. She still represents ‘Birth of Power’, ‘Creation through Destruction’ and ‘Strength through Lust’. You can look into that one at the more tamed version.”

“What about this one?” Smolder asked, pointing at the shield with the dragon on it. Blacktip resumed walking and talking, with the others following. His focus remained on the younger dragons.

“The Symbol of Bahamut is in of itself a lighter one, like Celestia’s symbol. Though those who have it, carry it more as symbolic meaning, rather than an actual religion. See, Bahamut really doesn’t require worship, rather he only requires dragons to uphold ‘Justice’ and ‘Virtue’ of what a true dragon is. He helped in creating dragons but the more positive aspects of them. You can think of him as Tiamat’s antithesis. Everything he is, she is not.”

“So, he is also a god?” Spike asked.

“Amongst many,” Ivory finished. “Come, we still have a lot for you to see and not enough time. I wish to spend it well with you all.”

And so they enjoyed what time they had, enjoying the sites and the daily lives of Dragons in the city. It truly was a beautiful site and to see so many active dragons roaming around made it surreal. It shows how much progress would be made and could be made if dragons worked alongside others. It broke the rules, established a new sense of purpose and perhaps, would help change the dragonlands to a new dynamic.

In The evening and outside of the city, Spike and company waited, as evening approached and an airfield for flying vessels were made. Said vessels, a familiar dark and easily identifiable one slowly landed upon the tarmac. What once was the symbol of the Storm King’s Army, now holds the symbol of ‘Twilight’s Cutie Mark as well as the Equestrian Flag on its side. It still had its dark theme, but had livened up a bit with some brighter violet colors on the side to reflect the ‘friendlier’ change.

As it fully landed, Ember had been clutching the Scepter tightly, her features frowning and her eyes narrowed, as the ship’s ramp descended down and its captain… stepped out of the ship.

Spike and company watched as ‘Former’ Commander Tempest Shadow came out on top of the ramp along with some Yeti crew members. The maroon mare looked out from her height and down the dragons below. Her eyes looked at them, scrutinizing them all, before her eyes landed on Ember.

Almost instantly, there was a moment of tension, as the Commander met the eyes of the Dragon Lord. While she was not the former enemy that she once was, she knew that there was still animosity between them, a very powerful hate radiating from her. Amber eyes burned at the sky blue ones, even a distance, the tension was strong.

After a moment of silence, did Tempest break it away, to keep it civil between them all and clear her throat. “Hello dragons. I came here by the orders of Princess Twilight and Princess Celestia to aid you on your mission. It is a privilege to welcome you first to the newly designated ‘Star Storm’ ship. Please, come in.”

While her voice was calm and eerily straight, her focus had remained on Spike and Ember, as both were next to one another. For a moment, none of the dragons moved then…

“I call ‘Blunderbuss! That means the chair next to the captains!” Amy sang as she happily skipped up to the ramp and climbed up with her bags of merchandise. “Hey you two, mind giving a ‘ness’ a claw… or a hand?” She offered her bags, in which the yeti took without much hesitation as she hoped by the Tempest and them. “Thanks for the lift, Captain!”

The excitement of Amy eased some of the tension. Then they began to say their ‘Goodbyes’ to Ivory and Mina. As this happened, Ember remained focused on Tempest, never letting her eyes leave her.

She didn’t care what ‘good’ or ‘change’ the mare had gone through. Nothing would make her forget what she had done and nothing would make her forgive her.

Her storm remained ever glowing, even after these months later, her need to do horrific things to the mare remained. She just wished the survival of her kin didn’t depend on her help nor her knowledge of the outside world. Perhaps when all is said and done, then she could find some way to…deal with her.

Author's Note

So I apologzie for the long delays, but so many things came up and this chapter... was not intended to be this long or with this added character. I kid you not this character was not in the original part of the story, it was added in like at last second, and then it expanded to something I didn't forsee.
It came as a dream and then it just got added in, which is what caused the delay. I hope I can make up for it by having two or three chapters ready by next month.
Thanks to Heavyweight285 for the editing and thank you all for sticking by my series!