Fractured

by CrimsonRose97

Rating: mature
Tags: Romance, Drama, Original Character, Spike, Royal Guard, Profanity, Adventure, Violence, Sex, Ember, Anthro, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Death, Alternate Universe, Human
Length: 18183

Igneous has to reconnect with his family or risk losing himself all together.

Dating 80 years after the War.

Igneous Sparks Drake, eldest son of the Dragonlord and heir to the throne has been going down a 10 year spiral. After a tragic event that costed him his mate's life, Igneous cuts himself off from his family and was on the pursuit of vengeance, and self destruction. Fighting off creatures of all kind and drowning himself with booze, sex, anything and anyone to make him forget his pain.

However, his vengeance leaked back home, forcing Igneous to come back.

Can he finally seaver the lingering shadow that plagued him for many years and reconnect with his family or risk being consumed by it entirely.

This is THE LAST Major story of the Spike/Rachel universe.

And to answer a few up and coming questions, the majority of the mane 6 is dead. Twilight is alive because she's an alicorn. There may be an elderly pony of the group but the rest have passed away on good terms.

Published 2024-07-01 00:30:00 UTC
Last updated 2024-09-30 01:28:29 UTC

Chapter 5

“First day on your shift and you're already late, serious Ig?” Cinder grumbled.

The two brothers were at the entrance level of the Library. Sitting at one of the many tables.

Many of the other workers, both dragon and Mordi, were working on their sections. The Mordi were once humans gifted by dragon magic eons ago. The Queen's army. But during the War against Sombra, a lot of the Mordi crossed over from Earth, taking on their equestrian forms. Their mane and tails move like flames, some horns, having scales more than fur. The males had the moving flames on their hooves while the females didn't.

“If this was a regular job, you'd get fired.” Cinder continues.

Iggy was leaning back on a chair, his feet on the table relaxed. “I'm here aren't I?”

Cinder gave him a small zap of electricity. Enough charge to get his brother's feet off of it.

“Other creatures read and do paperwork here,” Cinder grunted.

Iggy rubbed where he got zapped. “Okay, message received. Also, why is the Library opened after there was an attack?” He gestures to a couple of civilians going through the shelves of books.

Cinder sighed. “It's my call. Crow's Talon doesn't go after civilians, so the Library is open, with a few more guards. Speaking of which,”

He pulls a cart full of returned books. “Your job is to take these and put them in the right spots. There is a small service lift you can use to go between levels.” He motions to the lift next to the spiral staircases.

“Oh good, I don't have to drag this up the stairs.” Igneous said, looking at the stack. No doubt heavy to carry by weight and fly up the numerous levels.

“With how late you are, I should make you.” Cinder muttered. “If you're late again, you're not gonna like me very well. Now, let's hope you have some brain cells left and put them up. It's not that hard.”

Igneous sighed heavily, getting up from his seat and getting to the cart. He looked at them for a moment before looking back at his brother. “Sooo, are any of these books going to your and Splinter's secret sex spot?” He joked with a smirk.

Cinder just gave him a good shock right on the ass that got him moving with a laugh.

Cinder watches him run before taking off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. “Just who is this asshole inside my brother's body?”

A part of him wishes it was a changeling pulling their chains.

Igneous goes and does what he had believed was the most boring thing he had done in awhile. Going on multiple levels throughout the Library many times. If he couldn't find a ladder to climb the high bookshelves, he'd fly up and down.

So when he got to the last book, he was relieved to be done.

Iggy quickly goes to find Cinder at the reception desk, checking out a family's books.

“Hey there bro. So the job is done like you said, so I'm just gonna clock out, bye!” Igneous goes to leave.

Cinder snapped his claws, used his magic, a mop and a rolling soapy bucket appeared before Igneous.

His eyes widened. “What?”

“Some kid threw up in the children's section, I need you to clean it up. Might as well clean up the messes they made.” Cinder said, not bothered by how bewildered he looked. “You only worked for an hour, you got three more hours left.”

The family was watching the two.

Iggy bites his tongue before grabbing the mop and bucket and rolls off.

When he got to the kids section, Igneous stiffened.

Knowing how much menaces baby dragons are, especially with infants, they will tear up everything they get their claws on.

The children were screaming, fighting, bursts of fire blowing. Granted the majority of everything, books, toys, were all dragon fire proof, so was the bright and colorful decorated walls.

Igneous remembers how all of his younger siblings were that age. The stories heard about himself over the years.

He was briefly reminded of an infamous moment he was told constantly, of him eating his parents' wedding rings during the ceremony of their wedding. There were pictures where he saw himself having a ribbon sticking out of his mouth and holding a pillow, he was supposed to be the ring barrer, he became the ring eater.

Igneous jumped when he heard something crashed in the section, he slowly put the mop and bucket to the side. He slowly walks away from the many raging babies.

“I'll get that later.” He tells himself as he goes to find something else to either do or go find himself a spot to take a nap.

As he went to the stairs, he noticed something quite…weird.

At the foot of the stairs leading down to the Royals section, there was a rope with a sign that says no access and restricted sections, there was this strange red device.

Curiously, he walked over to it and picked it up. At first glance he thought they were earphones with one earpiece, but he realizes quite quickly that it was some sort of magnet. The piece that goes over an ear was modified to fit a creature, not a human.

He looked more until he saw an etching on the magnet. Jet's Ears.

“Jet’s Ears? Wait, is this a cochlear piece?” Igneous asked himself. He heard about these things, it was designed to help deaf beings hear a little. He never really saw it in person but he had heard of it before.

Igneous pockets the piece before he goes over the rope and goes down the spiral stairs.

The farther he goes down, the less light source he has to see.

He ended up grabbing a torch and used it to see.

His claws were slightly shaking, he never liked going down there. It brought a sense of fear to him.

“Hello?” Igneous asked, his voice shook before clearing his throat. “Hello, is anyone here?” He asked again but in his normal voice.

The bottom nine levels had more of the royal secrets and many lore the public are not allowed to know. Some of the texts were so old they were still scrolls. Some books were chained.

Everything about the bottom level is off limits and has an ominous feel to it.

It took him a couple of levels before he heard what sounds like a group of kids, all of them dragons.

When he turns the corner, he sees light sources from their phones shining. What looked like four boys were kneeling in front of a hole in the wall, they were laughing.

And what sounds like mocking sounds.

“Ooh look at me, look at my hands.” One of the boys mocked. They were waving their hands.

“What a little freak he is.” Another laughed.

“Aw, you gonna cry, freak?”

“HEY!” Igneous shouted.

The four boys screamed in fright, fallen and tripped over themselves as they grabbed their phones and bolts.

Igneous took off after them but all of them had split up, gave him a runaround before hearing them running up the stairs.

“Little shits.” He grumbled to himself, kicking himself in the ass for having four kids outrunning him.

Holding his sides he huffed. “Maybe Ember's right about me letting myself go.”

Sounds of moaning and whimpering caught his ears.

Igneous sighed, following the source of the sound back to where those punks were at. He goes to the hole, trying to shine a light in. “Hello?”

He saw a black mass inside it. Hearing it continue to make sounds.

Now realizing they were crying.

“Hey, hey kid, are you alright?” He asked. “The others are gone, you're not supposed to be in here.”

It continued to sob without responding.

“Kid.” He spoke louder but again the creature was still not responding.

Igneous was about to get frustrated but remembers the piece in his pockets. He pulls the torch back, having his tail hold it before digging into his leather pants and pulling out the cochlear piece.

He quickly read the etching again before taking the piece and reached his hand into the hole. Pushing it as far as he could into the piece bumped into it.

Finally he got it to move, it moved its arms to reveal a completely black dragon. The whites of his eyes and teeth were the only things Igneous could see that were of color at the moment.

Igneous waved at him and then pointed at the piece.

The kid looked at him before seeing the piece. He grabs it and attaches it to his head.

Igneous quickly thinks of his past learning. Remembering some sign language he and his siblings went through when they were still babies.

When having a bunch of double scepter infants who were smarter than average baby dragons, mom and dad had begun to teach them to sign to talk.

Granted it had been sixty years since he last signed to the twins.

What could possibly go wrong?

“Hi…kid, you need to come out.” Igneous both spoke and attempted to sign.

He hoped he signed correctly and not accidentally hurt the kid's feelings.

The kid nodded and began to crawl forward to him.

Igneous help him come out of the hole. When he picked the kid up, he was wearing clothes, Jean shorts and a graphic red tee of a loaf of bread with a cute facial expression. Unlike the other kids who looked like they were ten, this kid was younger.

When he puts him down, the kid smooths his clothes before he starts signing and speaking. He spoke not very well but his hands were fluid. “Thank you.”

Igneous kneels to him. “Are you okay?” He asks him. Still not very confident with how well he was signing.

The kid nodded with a sniffle, rubbing his nose with his arms. “Those guys are jerks.”

Igneous let out a chuckle. “Yeah, they were. Is your name Jet?” He asks.

Jet nodded.

“That's a cool name, Jet. My name is Igneous.” Igneous introduced himself. “Where are your parents? Who are you with?”

Jet starts to mumble and his hands signing was going too fast for Igneous to comprehend.

“Hey Jet,” Iggy taps the kid's shoulder to get him to stop. “I'm a little…rusty with signing. You're going too fast.”

Jet digs into his pockets then, pulls out a notepad and pencil and starts scribbling.

“Oh wow, resourceful.” Igneous compliments as Jet wrote down what he was saying and showed it to Iggy.

I'm here with my Aunt. I snuck away to play with the kids…you know how that ends.

Iggy nodded. “Okay, let's get you back to your aunt. These levels are off limits to little boys like you. Need me to help?”

Jet nodded, signing thanks again before grabbing Iggy's hand.

Igneous sighed before helping the little boy out. When it came to climbing up several levels of stairs, the Prince had asked and was granted permission to pick up Jet and carry him up all the way to the main level.

Finally being surrounded by bright lights, Igneous puts the kid down. “Okay, Jet, let's go find your Aunt.”

“Jet!”

Well that was fast.

Iggy and Jet turned to see Cinder and a dragoness wearing a sundress running over.

Igneous suddenly froze. His heart starts to thump in his chest hard, his wings flung open in interest as he stared at this particular dragoness.

Her scales were mainly pink with a red undercarriage, the bluest pair of eyes he had ever seen. She had a frill headpiece and he saw pictures of dinosaurs and horns growing behind it. She wore a floral pattern sundress.

And he recognized who this beautiful dragoness was.

The dragoness got on her knees to Jet’s level. “Jet, what did I say about sneaking off, are you okay?” She spoke and signed fluently.

Jet nodded. “I'm okay. This guy helped me.” he gestured to Iggy who looked like was glitching.

More like his mind was buffering.

Cinder tried to get Igneous's attention to control his wings but words could not compute.

The dragoness looks up. She tilts her head looking at him before gasping. “Iggy?” She calls his name.

That seemed to have rebooted the prince and he quickly snaps back to existence. “Ivory! Hey there!” He had a big smile on his face.

Ivory stood, him standing a foot taller than her. “Oh my god, Iggy, it's been ages, how are you?” She asks him.

“i-I’ve been good..wow you look incredible.” Iggy said. Was completely shocked to see her again.

Ivory giggled. “Why thank you, you look well. Gosh we haven't seen each other since we were little kids.”

“It's been decades.” Iggy smoothed his fur out as he spoke. Feeling his palms were getting sweaty.

“Thank you for finding Jet. He's a little Houdini and likes to hide.” Ivory said.

“Oh its no problem.” Igneous said then signed to Jet that they were good.

“Oh you sign?” Ivory asked, sounding impressed.

“We all know how to sign in some way.” Cinder said.

“But there's more I can do with my hands that I can show you, Ivory.” The second Igneous just blurted that, he wanted to go crawl in a hole and die from sheer embarrassment. He faced palms with a groan. “Oh that was bad…” Cinder facepalms as well.

“Uh yeah…” Ivory spoke rather uncomfortably. “Thanks for helping my nephew out.” She grabs Jet’s hand. “Let's get your book and go, say bye.”

“Bye! Good luck with dying from what you said.” Jet laughs before the two walk away from the royal brothers.

Cinder steps closer. “Ig…” he started when the two were alone.

“Don't…” Iggy groaned. “I'm gonna go die now.”

“Go die after cleaning up the kid section. There's more I can do with my hands that I can show you, Ivory? Igneous! That was just bad.”

“That was so fucking bad…. When did Ivory come back?” He asked Cinder.

“She came back to Dragon's Lair three years ago with her nephew. They come to the library often.”

Igneous hummed at that and looked at the direction Ivory and Jet went.

He could just see the two at the reception desk, the two checking books out.

He watched Ivory walk away, it was in slow motion to him.

Time quickly came back when the mop and bucket was bumped into him, reminding him that he was still on the clock.

Chapter 1

The skies were dark as rain was just pouring in Manehattan. Sounds of loud thunder rolling. While most were trying to get to a dry place, one creature was hiding in a dark alleyway between a bookstore and a boutique, only wearing a gray hood with a dark red leather jacket over it to protect them from the pour down.

He held a bottle of booze in his claws, swirling the liquid inside before taking a big swig of it. The fire pockets inside him were ignited by the alcohol, purple flames threatened to spew out but he managed to keep them down.

Across the street from him was a convenient store that was a front for a much shadier business.

Waiting to be called in, even though he was waiting for an hour.

“What the fucks's taking so long?” The dragon spoke in a rather rough and gruff sounding voice.

A few minutes later, his earpiece connected to his left earfin came on.

“She's ready for you.” The contact says to him.

“‘Bout time. Coming in.” The dragon said into the piece.

He then took one last big swig of his drink, tossing the empty bottle behind him, hearing it shatter upon hitting the ground. Adjusting the hood, he made his way across the street to the store.

Inside the seemingly normal store, full of essential goods, working at a register was a human elderly looking woman. She was working on a crossword puzzle.

The dragon looked around a bit before casually picking up a bag of chips and approached it.

“Good evening,” the lady said. She was a bit overweight, short silver hair and itty bitty glasses, wearing a floral pattern shirt. Since humans were naturally shorter than most creatures in Equis, she had to crane her neck up to look at the tall dragon.

The dragon just grunted as he put the chips down on the counter.

The lady picks them up and scans them. “Six bits, will that be all?”

The bits were deposited on the table. “Yeah, I need to see the special.” He said the pass phrase as he took his paid chips.

The lady gave the dragon a once over before getting off her seat and turned to the cigarette case that has a keypad next to the normal lock.

She punches in the code and grabs the case itself, pulling it to reveal a secret tunnel. “There you go, hon.”

The dragon sniffed, getting multiple scents coming from deep inside.

“Be safe tonight.” He tells the woman before walking around the counter and disappears inside. The lady closed the entrance behind him.

He pulled the hood down, not caring the fabric got snagged by his small horns and tearing it before making his way down the tunnel.

Snacking on his chips in the process.

After a five minute walk, he came to what seemed to be a poker game, a red bat mare wearing a black dress was sitting at the head with several other shadier creatures playing with her.

Two large bear-like creatures stood guard of the game.

The one on the right gave him a slight nod in acknowledgement while the left glared at him.

The bat mare looked up from her hand and gave him a fanged smile. “Ah! Well if it isn't Prince Igneous, how are you, dear?” She spoke with a foreign accent, greeting him when he stepped into the light.

Igneous, first born son and heir to the Dragonlord throne. He had a mix of yellow fur and purple scales. Normally dragons didn't have fur but he and his siblings inherited the fur from their mother, The Queen.

“Widow Mark,” Igneous greeted the bat mare. “Been better, thanks for asking.”

Widow Mark motioned the bears with a hand.

Without being told, Igneous stood back, had his arms and legs spread out and the bears checked him. Patting his arms, torso, back and both legs to feel any weapons.

Satisfied, they stepped aside and let the prince move forward.

The bat motions him to sit at an empty seat across from her.

Igneous examines her and her shady guests. “I'll stand, thank you, though.”

Widow shrugged as she showed her cards to her guests. All of them groaned and threw their cards on the table and lost their coin.

“So, your highness, what can I do for you?” Widow asked him as she collected her winnings.

Igneous nodded. “Yeah, heard rumors you may know something about Rakom and his crew.” He spoke with venom when the name Rakom left his lips.

Rakom was a leader of an assassin gang. A dragon who was banished from Dragon's Lair a long time ago.

Widow restarted the game by gathering the cards and began to shuffle and cut the deck.

“Rakom is one dragon that no one has seen for a while. His crew members are notorious for their stealth assassinations.” Widow starts.

“Common knowledge, tell me something I don't know.” Igneous grunted.

Widow Mark gave the prince a look. “Rakom has disappeared, why do you want to find him?”

Igneous growls. “He killed my mate, I like to give him the same courtesy as he showed me.” He spoke in a threatening manner.

Widow hummed as she passed the cards around. “And that was how long…? Ten years ago?”

Igneous snarled at that.

“Coincidentally, that's how long any creature has last seen Rakom. His crew had to elect a new leader.” Widow said as she continued to deal. She then gave Igneous a look. “And the word is that the new guy, Duri, has a bone to pick with you.and your family.”

Igneous's earfins fluttered when he heard movement behind him. Causing him to sigh.

There were assassins behind him.

“Let's hope your family can handle themselves.” Widow smiled.

Igneous's purple eyes glowed as he felt his magic growing. “You fucking bitch.”

Las Pegasus

In one of the most popular destinations in all of Equestria, Flare, first daughter and second born to the Dragonlord and Queen, was about to get on stage. Making final preparations of her looks, having frosted purple fur and icy blue scales and horns curving similar to her mother's horns. Being the fluffiest of the five kids.

Wearing a sparkling purple leotard with one single sleeve, snowflakes stickers on her face, wings and fluffy tail.

Making sure she looked perfect, one of the ponystage hands approached her with her signature light blue microphone. “Flare, you're up.”

“Thanks.” She tells him before rushing onto stage where thousands of screaming fans greeted her and her band played a chord. She appeared on the large screens so creatures in the back could see and experience the princess.

“HELLO LAS PEGASUS, ARE YOU READY TO PARTY TONIGHT?!” Flare asked her fans, her wings extended out.

All of them screamed. Past the lights she could make out signs and banners with her name and face. Some saying they were her biggest fan, one asking the Princess to marry them, just hearing them chanting her name.

“LET'S GET FUCKED TONIGHT! HIT IT!” She points at her band.

An energized beat began to play. Flare tapped her feet and swayed her hips and tail to the beat, clapping her hands as one of her songs echoed in the loudspeakers.

The crowd clapped in unison before she began to sing her song.

The crowd went nuts when she began to sing, voice was a little gravelly but it brought energy and the right amount of fire.

As she sang, she brought her dancers out and danced with them. Every once in a while, creating a light flurry of snow for the crowd to enjoy and have fun.

As Flare performed for her adoring fans, she didn't see three creatures dressed in all black, concealing everything about them finding their way in the catwalk above the stage. Decorations hid them from the audience but they had a perfect view on stage.

One of them held a large gun.

They set up the gun and took aim.

They waited when Flare was in view and fired a shot.

To their surprise, one of the male dancers had a wardrobe malfunction with their pants and tripped. Knocking right into Flare, causes her to stumble and run into the other dancers, and the bullet meant for the Princess ends up hitting the guy right in the head.

The music instantly stopped and screams came from the dancers and band, soon the crowd was freaking out.

Gasping, Flare ran up to the dancer to see if she could help him but when she got down to him, he was already dead.

Now smelling the scents, Flare looked up and gasped, seeing the assassins.

And judging by how they were dressed, she knew who they were and who they belonged to. However, she doesn’t say the leader's name.

“God damnit, Iggy!” Flare snarled, knowing this was the result of her idiotic older brother.

She turned to the crowd and screamed into the mic. “EVERYONE GET OUT OF HERE !” She screams at them as she stands up. They all bolted out of there, including the band members and remaining dancers.

Using her ice magic, she formed her weapon of choice, a javelin with a speared head made of ice.

The assassins jumped from the catwalk and landed in front of her, their blades drawn, gun reloaded.

“Let's dance.” Flare said confidently before making the first move and attacked the three.

Dragon's Lair

As Keeper Of Knowledge, it was Cinder’s job to protect draconic secrets and to preserve the history for future generations to come. Yes it meant he spends most of his time in the Palace Library but he didn't mind a bit.

It's not like the third Prince was lonely, the Dragonlord and Queen allowed the Library to be public on most levels.

The Library was a total of eighteen levels, nine levels above him that were of public use and nine levels below the entrance level was for the Royals only. Grand spiral staircases to go up each level.

Each level was organized by genre and a system that was easy, even the least intelligent creature could find what they needed.

Most of the time.

“I swear I'm working with egglings.” Cinder grumbled as he stood in the history section, using his yellow magic to lift the books that weren't meant to be there and find their spots while cataloging the stack of books he was carrying.

He enjoys his workers, but when they don't put the books up in the correct way, it drives him nuts.

Being the strongest magic wise, Cinder was more in tune to both the Blood Scepter and the Blue Celestial, more powerful than his other siblings. Traditionally would make sense of him being heir to the throne, but Cinder didn't want the throne. Was much happier tending to his books.

He'll let his brothers and sister duke that mess out.

Unlike his siblings who had a mix of fur and scales, Cinder was all scaled, his scales being both green and brown, the only one with actual blonde hair twisted and pinned back instead of head spikes, twisted brown horns, actual pony ears covered in scales and taloned hooves that also wears glasses on his face.

On his left hand, rested a silver wedding band on his wedding finger.

Currently the only one of the siblings who was happily married. Embracing the marriage tradition his father and mother have.

Cinder picks up a book with his magic, going to put it up before looking at the cover and smiles.

“Love and Pies, a tale of two party ponies by Pinkamena Diane Pie.” Cinder sighed after reading the title out loud. “Miss ya, Aunt Pinkie.” He turns the book to see his Aunty Pinkie immortalized in her bakery holding a pie… and an apron, only wearing an apron. He quickly turns it back to the front of the book, not wanting to see his late aunt in that state. “This doesn't belong in the history section.” He said as he set the stacks of books he was carrying on a nearby table, body igulfs in his yellow flames before teleporting to the romance non-fiction section of the library.

“Oh shit!” He hears a yelp. Looking up, he saw a figure falling from one of the upper levels.

Cinder's body sparks in electricity and runs, faster than anything on two legs, he zips to the spot and catches a much slender male dragon in his arms.

Now this dragon wasn't very tall or masculine as most males, had a bit of feminine features, orange and yellow scaling with red eyes, and had no wings due to a rare mutation.

He smiled sheepishly, “Hi Cin.” The male said. His left hand is sporting a similar wedding band and waved at his hubby.

“Splinter, you okay?” Cinder asked his husband as he set him down, giving a quick once over to check for injuries.

“I'm fine, I'm fine, now that my hero saved me.” Splinter giggled before sighing. “Wanted to surprise you but I slipped.” He motioned to the bookshelves he was hiding in.

Cinder smiled softly at him. “Lin-" Splinters's nickname, “I get off in two more hours. I'll get distracted with you here.”

“How so?”

Cin slid a hand around his mate's small waist. “Instead of cataloging books, I'd be cataloging you.” He purred.

“Oh geez!” Splinter flustered with a laugh as Cinder nibbled his neck. “Why do you think I came here? Is our spot still available?” He wrapped his arms around Cinder's broad shoulders.

Cinder looks over his shoulders, not seeing any other workers before smirking. He just grabs his mate's hand and begins escorting them to their secluded spot in the library.

One that had been their spot for fifty years now.

On their way to the audio levels, something caught Cinder's eyes, seeing something black reflected in his glasses, slowing his stride to a stop.

“Cin?” Splinter asks.

Cinder took off his glasses, though he couldn't see anything but blobs without them, as soon as he took off his glasses, all of his other senses amplified. From his hearing, sense of smell, the vibrations of movements underneath his hooves, the tastes on his tongues. Even his horns were tuning in.

When he heard something whizzing towards him, as fast as Cinder was, his claws quickly raised up to his left side, a barrier quickly formed and the bullets bounced off.

Splinter yelped and jumped when he saw the magic and heard the gunshots firing.

Cinder snarled, putting the glasses back on, putting a protective hand out towards his mate.

“Cin?” Splinter whimpered, seeing the assassins stepping out on view.

The prince's hands glowed as magic began to build up. “Go alert the guards and Father.” Cinder said, preparing for the fight.

Splinter nodded and as fast as the smaller dragon could go, he ran from the scene.

Once the mate left, Cinder also recognized who these assassins were from. Automatically knew why they were here because of.

“Igneous, you kumquat!” Cinder growls before using his magic to fight against the assassins.

Dragon Town

Twins Forge and Gorge were both similar but very different. The two younger males share a purple and green coloring like their father, that's the only thing they had in common physically wise.

Forge, the first born twin, wore colorful clothes, have piercings in his earfins, he stood only at 8 foot while Gorge, the youngest about thirty seconds, was tall. Taller than all of their siblings and parents.

Gorge was physically the strongest and had the most scarring on his face and body from the numerous fight challenges the big lug would get. Forge was on the slim side.

Forge was smarter than the two, Gorge isn't the brightest, but he makes up for being the most fearless.

And to Forge's dismay, Gorge has a horde of females at his disposal while Forge couldn't get anything.

It's very common for the males to have many females in their horde.

No matter how hard he tried, the giant baby brother would somehow attract all the ladies.

Case in point, the twins were walking down the streets of Dragon Town in Fillydelphia after visiting their twin aunts and assisting them in remodeling their clubs. Gorge managed to snag not one, but four extremely sexy looking mares who were working at the strip club, with whom he had his large arms draped around their shoulders. While poor Forge got none.

He gave the big guy a look. “How the hell do girls flock around you???” Forge asked Gorge. Forge had a light voice.

Gorge lets out a taunting chuckle. “They like my charm, what can I say?” Gorge’s voice was so deep, the ladies could feel it in their loins.

Planning to have fun with these mares when they get back to their hotel rooms.

“You weren't even trying.” Forge spoke with jealousy, crossing his arms and his tail flickered angrily.

Gorge looked down at his older twin and sighed. He looked at his four mares, pointed to two of them before motioning to his brother.

The two girls giggled, first reaching up to give Gorge kisses on the cheeks before sliding on over to Forge, grabbing both of his arms.

Forge felt instantly better. “Hello, ladies,” he grinned, pulling the two close. Looking to Gorge. “Thank you for your generosity, baby bro.”

Gorge smirked as he groped one of the remaining mares’ asses. The mares in his arms were excited that there was less of a line to ride what would be the biggest ride of their entire lives.

When their hotel got closer to their view, multiple creatures dressed in black dropped in front of them, behind and on all sides.

Mostly because the bigger one will be the toughest to take down.

Forge groaned as the mares were getting nervous, not knowing what was happening. “You gotta be kidding me.”

Gorge snarled, his claws digging into the ground.

“Ladies, you might wanna take a hike, it's about to get messy.” Forge warned. The nearby plants and trees planted near them started to bend and move due to his nature magic beginning to use.

The mares took the hint and took off running. The assassins allowed them to leave as they weren't the target.

“That's it, I'm going to fucking kick Ig’s ass.” Gorge’s eyes glowed.

“Older twin gets first dibs.” Forge said. “I'll take the front.”

“I got the back!” Gorge turns around, with a huge stomp of his foot, a large chunk of the earth broke off and was in the air.

He then quickly smacks it with his tail like a bat and flings it hard at the assassins before charging them.

The plants and trees shot at them, smacking them around before Forge grew large vines and attacked the assassins in front of him.

Thus all of the royal children were simultaneously fighting all at the same time.

All because Igneous couldn't stop looking for Rakom.

Thanks Iggy!

Author's Note

It gets worse for Iggy next chapter :pinkiehappy:

Chapter 2

It was no surprise to anyone that the children of The Dragonlord and Queen can handle themselves when it comes to a fight. Each and everyone having their own set of skills and styles, whilst also in their blood.

Now some styles are more questionable than others, but no one could deny the results.

For instance, Igneous was more adaptable, combining with his light and fire magic, he was able to grab hold one of the assassins’ weapons and used it to his advantage. More tactical and military like.

Flare had a bit of grace in her style, freezing the stage she was on and using her frost to discombobulate her opponents before using her ice weapon.

Cinder was more long range, using his magic to do various things such as levitation, enchant infinite pieces of paper and give the guys a gruesome papercut and if gotten close a few hand-hooves techniques.

Forge was dancing around his half, using his magic and fire whilst Gorge used his earth abilities as a defense and just attacked with his bare claws and teeth, being the most primal of the bunch.

The assassins did put up a fight, being trained to take down many in their lifetime. Those however were fighting Gorge flat lined nearly immediately from being crushed on impact.

Cinder managed to pin one of the assailants to the ground, grabbing their horn and ruthlessly bashed their snout to the ground, knocking them out cold when the other snuck up to the prince.

Cinder goes to blast him with an electric bolt, charging up before water blasted him.

Cinder screams as he gets himself electrocuted by his own powers. While convulsing, he was met with a harsh kick across the face, knocking him away from the unconscious one, along with his glasses.

Disoriented, goes to collect his barings when he hears a metallic whooshing sound. His hands launched up, stopping what felt like steel, a sword between his palms.

Cinder struggled from the push as the assassin tried to drive the blade into him.

The struggle didn't last long before a familiar scent and a purple blob came to Cinder's purview.

Dragonlord Spike never hesitates on defending his family, so it wasn't a surprise he'd make an appearance so quickly. No matter how much they could handle their own, he'd always been there when he can.

So seeing one of his kids were having problems and his home being attacked, he wasn't having it.

It didn't take long for Spike to take the assassin down, scooped up the glasses and went up to Cinder. “You okay?” He asked, handing him the eyeware back.

Cinder nodded before taking the glasses back. “Crow's Talon attacked you too?” Cinder asked as he put the glasses back on, grabbed his dad's offer hand and was pulled back on his hooves. Crow's Talon being the name of the assassins crew they've been fighting.

Spike grimaced. “Attacked your mother and I while I was tending to her. I sent guards to surround the castle.”

He shook his head before looking at the down creatures. “Got a live one?”

Cinder gestered to the one creature, another dragon by the shape of it laying on its stomach.

“We only need two.” Spike said, looking down at the one he knocked down. Giving it a kick to see if they were breathing. They were not. “Okay, one prisoner it-”

There was a sudden loud scream, causing Spike and Cinder to whip their heads.

Spike paled when he recognized the scream. “Rach!”

Spike took off as fast as he could. Cinder zips after.

The two raced up to the living quarters, got inside the guarded bedroom.

Stopped when they saw Ember kneeling down, barking at the other guards. There were more of Crow's Talon than the initial three Spike himself took care of.

“No!” Spike shouted as he ran in. Cinder's ears dropped and his jaw gaped seeing what he was seeing.

Igneous had bodies lay beneath his feet, after taking care of the assailants, Widow Mark tried to be cheeky and let her guests and bears let loose on him.

Besides the one bear that basically got off light, no one stood a chance.

And now he has his sights on the bat.

“Wow, you are quite bloody,” Widow says, leaning back in her chair. Holding a glass of wine and sloshing it.

“You're about to join them.” Igneous growls.

“Oh come on, it wasn't personal. Duri paid me handsomely for this coop to happen.” She spoke as if what just happened was nothing. “Tell me, your highness, why does Duri want you and your family dead? What did you do to him?”

“How the fuck should I know? I only met him twice.” Igneous admitted. He knew Duri and Rakom were close but that's all he knew. “Gimme one good reason not to kill you?”

Widow Mark took a casual drink. “You're already in trouble by Crows's Talon, my guests here came from lucrative crime families, myself included, why add more to your pile?” When he bared his teeth, she set the glass down. “Besides, I have skills that you need. Kill me and Francine out there would be out of a job, she has no one and is living off my paychecks.”

Igneous scuffed, deciding it wasn't worth it. She got the message. “Cross me again, I'll make you wish for death by the time I'm done with you.” Judging by his tone, he did it more than once, he'll do it again.

Fixing his jacket, the prince turns and leaves the bat with the corpses.

Once got to the door, he knocked several times before it opened.

The old woman blinked several times to see the blood covered dragon walking it.

She looked at him up and down. “Looked like it went well.” She said, stepping aside and letting him through.

Igneous just grunted, walks past the liquor section, grabs what looks like a very large glass bottle of booze that looked like a 72 oz in his large hand, walks back to the counter.

She shook her head. “On the house, you need it more.”

He muttered thanks before going back out in the pouring rain.

The rain did help to wash the blood off of him as he casually walks down the city streets with zero fucks to give.

He popped the top and chugged the alcohol beverage, a quarter of it was gone. This time he let the fire shoot out of his mouth and was in a coughing fit.

While coughing, he looks up at the covered street corner. Seeing a couple of scandalous dressed ponies waiting in this weather.

Doesn't take a genius to recognize what these mares were.

Igneous took another big gulp before approaching them. Upon coming closer, he could tell the girls had been in this industry for a while. He didn't care.

He picked one that looked prettier than the other, a black pegasus with neon green short hair and mane with white streaks, pink eyes, wearing a toxic green micro dress. Her friend was an earth brown colored mare with an orange curly mane and red dress.

He walked up to them. “Ladies,” he greeted them before looking at the pegasus. “How much for a night.” He asked her.

The pegasus looked up and down at him. He looked a bit grungy and roughed up. Doing a quick calculation since he was a dragon.

“Hmm, 640, baby.” The prostitute responded, posing a look that would flash her chest out to him.

“Deal.” Igneous spoke without hesitation, wrapped an arm around her shoulder and began walking away with her, even sharing the booze with her.

*******

Once getting back to the low down motel room, Igneous and the worker began to makeout, already beginning to make her earn her pay.

Pushing her to the dingy bed, slowly making her strip along with him. He gets to where they were nearly naked and he was about to have her go down on him, something rather interesting happened.

Both Igneous and the prostitute were for a brief moment engulfed in emerald green flames before falling on a hard surface.

Both of them ended up in a different place.

The pegasus used her arms to cover herself up when seeing that they were not alone.

Igneous took a quick look around, already on guard and ready to attack again in his boxers but he stopped when he saw his father standing over them with a strained, dark expression. Eyes red from what looked like tears. Holding the glowing Bloodstaff in his hands.

Igneous snarled. “What the actual fuck, dad?!” He snapped at Spike. His fur bristled. “I was a little busy here!” He gestures to the sex worker.

Spike sets the worker on fire again and drops her off wherever she came from. Aggravating his son more and he stood. The two match in height.

“What the hell!?”

Spike didn’t say anything but steps aside to show the scene to his troubled son. Still having that dark expression while staring at Iggy.

Igneous hissed at his father before looking at the scene.

Now realizing they were all in the hospital wing of the Palace, his four younger siblings were crying, crowding over a bed.

Lying unconscious was his mother, Queen Rachel. The magic from the Blue Celestial was forcing her into a healing stasis.

Iggy's earfins fell and eyes softened. “Mama?” his voice wavered.

How?! He knew his mother was a power house, one dragoness everyone knew not to fuck with unless you want to die. Basically a tank!

“How?” Igneous asks Spike.

“What do you think?” His father responded. His fists balled tightly. “I warned you, Igneous. I warned you if anyone gets badly hurt because of your obsession with Crow's Talon that you're done. Guess what, you're done.”

Igneous whips his head to look at his father before his aggressive behavior comes swinging back. “You can't be fucking serious! You can't just tell me to stop.”

“I just did.” Spike tried to be calm, but with how his son was acting and his mother lying on that bed, it was hard to hold himself back. “For ten years I watched you destroy yourself, and now I'm past my fucking limit.”

The others looked up to watch these two argue. They were glaring at Iggy knowing this was his mess.

“I'm so close to Rakom, you can't stop me.” Igneous snarled. “You held me back before dad, I'm not letting you do it again.” He goes to walk out before Spike stopped him.

“Igneous, do you not see that your mother got hurt because of your hunt?! Your actions have consequences.”

“Fuck you.” Iggy snapped.

“Iggy, just fucking stop!” Flare snarled at him. Wanting to freeze his dumbass so bad for this.

“Butt out of this.” Igneous snapped at her.

Spike had enough. “That's it. Igneous, you're fucking grounded.” He ordered.

Igneous looked at him before letting out a humorless laugh. “Oh God, dad, that's funny, your best work yet.” He goes to leave but ends up running into an invisible force field, keeping him in the wing.

“What?!” He feels for it. Glaring at his father, he tried using his magic to push past it, only to have his magic fizzled out. Unable to use his powers. He turns to face his dad.

“You think I'm playing, boy?” Spike continued.

“You can't keep me here. I was so close.” Igneous spoke.

“Until I say so, you're grounded. You're not allowed to leave the palace, your magic is stripped. I'm done paying to see you destroy yourself with absolute disregard for anyone. Your mother could've died and you don't care! We'll deal with Crow's Talon together but until we can plan better instead of you going off half cocked and drunk, you're to remain here.”

The next words that came out of Igneous's mouth shocked everyone.

“You can't do this to me. I'm fucking challenging you for the scepter.” Igneous challenges.

“He can't be serious.” Forge asked the others. Gorge’s lips curled to a snarl but didn't leave their mother's side. The biggest guy got himself down to look small.

“What the hell?” Flare's jaw dropped.

Whenever a dragon challenged the Dragonlord for the scepter using those words. the Dragonlord has to oblige.

However, judging by the strong aroma of alcohol, it wasn't the smartest move.

“I'm not entertaining this.” Spike growled. “You're in no shape.”

“I'll show you-”

“Don't test me!”

Cinder steps in, shoving Igneous out. “I got him.” He responded before ducking a swing from Igneous's fist before engulfing him in magic and pushed him out of the room.

Spike watched his sons leave before letting out a deep sigh before turning to his remaining three. “The same goes for the rest of you. Until we deal with Crow's Talon once and for all, no one will be allowed to leave Dragon's Lair.”

Flare stood. “Uh yeah I understand why you would say that, Daddy, but I'm currently on tour, I have to begin preparations for a funeral for my fallen dancer.”

“I'm sorry, sweetheart, but I made my decision. All of us are in lock down until the matter is resolved.” Spike said to his daughter before walking over to the bed. Sitting on the edge.

Gazing at his injured mate.

“Can… Can you guys leave your mother and I for a moment?” Spike asked them.

Flare sighed as she and the twins got up. Flare gave Spike a hug and he reciprocated it. “Mom will get through this. She's tough.”

“I know, thank you.” Spike said, patting her back before she left.

Forge got up and put a hand on his dad's shoulder before looking back to Gorge.

He whimpered, not wanting to leave.

“Come on big guy, let's give the two some space.” Forge nudged him.

“But mama,” Gorge whined.

“She'll get better, let's surprise her with art, she loves that kind of presents.” Forge said, helping his twin up.

Gorge whimpered, was in tears himself before being pulled away.

Cinder dragged his older brother out in the hall before pushing him up against the wall. “Are you fucking nuts?!” Cinder snarled at Igneous.

“Let go of me, Cin! This isn't about you!” Igneous snapped at him. Trying to break out of Cinder's magic but Cinder didn't budge.

“Ten years, we haven't seen you in ten years, you didn't want us to help you but when mom gets hurt, you challenge dad? What kind of stupid low have you fallen into?” Cinder asks. “Asshole, you know how dad gets when it comes to mom.”

Igneous tried to fight against the hold but ended up giving up. He huffed and puffed. “How did mom get hurt? Normally these guys are nothing compared to her, how did they get the drop on her?” He asked then.

“Mom got sick. She went to Zebconia on a diplomatic summit with their Chief when she contracted a respiratory illness. Kicked her ass but she was getting better before we got attacked.”

Igneous grunted. “No one told me she got sick.”

“You refused any attempts at communication all these years. You never picked up your cell, told us that you wanted nothing to do with us.” Cinder reminded him before dropping the magic and him and stepped aside.

Before Cinder spoke more, Gorge pushed him aside, roughly grabbing Iggy by the shoulders, lifted him off his feet and pinned him to the wall.

“Whoa whoa whoa!” Iggy yelped as he was face to face with his large baby brother. Quickly sobering up.

And Gorge was pissed off.

Their other siblings came up to view, all of them equally as pissed off.

“Guys, guys, come on, you can't really blame this on me!” Igneous snapped. “Crow's Talon was-”

“Enough of that, Ig, we all know it was them but they've only attacked because of you.” Flare grunted. “These attacks are getting more bolder. Attacking during a jam packed concert hall.”

“And in the middle of Dragon Town.” Forge mentioned. “Granted that is one town where everyone could kick their asses but still, in public. And to mom? Seriously this got way too far.”

Gorge was too angry to speak.

“I didn't know mom would get hurt!” Iggy grunted, trying to push Gorge off, but he was no match to his brother's physical strength.

Forge patted his twin's shoulder, having Gorge drop Iggy on his ass like a sack of potatoes before pulling him away.

“Welcome home, Iggy.” Flare told him before disappearing with the twins.

Cinder stayed behind, glaring at Iggy. He helps him up. “What a reunion this is.” Cinder muttered.

Igneous soon opened the door to what were his chambers. His bedroom that he hadn't stepped in for ten years.

The braziers lit up on their own to light his way. The chamber was quite large. A large round bed big enough for eight dragons was on a split level, surrounded by a shimmery canopy.

A large wardrobe that was next to his vacant desk. A mannequin that held his guard armor in colors of gold and black. The walls did have a few posters he collected from childhood, from various shows, metal bands, even from ogres and oubliettes. And personal paintings. Figurines lined on the shelves of all of his interests.

Jewels, treasures he collected, everything he left remained in their place.

Igneous shuddered when he walked in. So many memories came flooding in as he looked around.

So many memories in his room. From childhood and well into adulthood. The fights, the sex….his mate…

A brief flash of a white dragoness with black horns and pink eyes appeared before him before disappearing.

Igneous grunted, holding his head as he walked over to his bed and sat on the edge of it.

He felt his emotions swell as he looked at one of the personal paintings.

It was him dressed in armor. He had just finished going through training when he joined the royal guard.

And on the corner bottom right edge of the canvas was a small white painted feather. His mother's artist signature.

Igneous breaks down sobbing, covering his face with his hands as guilt begins to wreck him.

“I'm sorry mama… I'm so sorry…” Igneous cried.

His involvement with Rakom and Crow's Talon cost him his mate, his obsession could've killed his mother.

And all of it was his fault.

Chapter 3

Unbeknownst to Igneous, who was completely passed out on his bed and snoring loudly, Ember, Spike's Second and Adviser walked inside his chambers.

In her claws was a large bucket of freezing cold water.

“Hey Ig.” Ember kicks the foot of the round bed hard enough to make it shift. “Get up, dude, you got work to do.” She grunted.

Igneous groaned but didn't nudge.

She smacked the side of his tail with hers. “Get up, you lazy sack.” Ember spoke again, this time in a warning tone.

When Igneous didn't wake up, Ember had enough, and took the bucket.

And dumps the contents all on his bed and on his head.

The cold shock and the amount startled the Prince and gasped loudly. Scrambled in his soaked sheets before ending up rolling off and hitting the floor.

Ember laughs. “Oh that never gets old, Kid.” She grinned.

Igneous pants and huffs, looking up at Ember with an intense look. “What the heck was that, Ember?! Seriously!” He sputtered. Looking more like a wet dog than a dragon.

“Oh quit it, I did it to you during your training days. Speaking of which.” She walked over to his wardrobe, dug through the clothes.

Even though it was common for dragons to walk around either completely nude or barely covered by thin cloths, unless they are from Dragon Town, the kids grew up how their parents were raised, which is them having more clothes. Ember dug deep into the clothes before finding a set of dark training leathers.

Leathers were typically worn on dragons who were going through training and were part of the Royal Guard. She turned and tossed them at him. “Put them on, you gotta eat and then we got work to do.”

Igneous snorted. “I'm not part of the Guard anymore,” he said as he tossed the leathers on the soaked bed.

“Don't care, your father's orders. For four hours, you will be going through physical training, get a thirty minute break before you begin your shift at the Library.” Ember explained, crossing her arms. “So for four hours, you're going to be my personal bitch.”

“Not going to happen, get out.” Igneous snarled, standing up. The blue dragoness dwarfing him like she always has.

Ember held her ground. “Not gonna happen. Kid, don't make this hard.”

“I'm not doing this. I can’t be here.” He walks to the on suite bathroom.

“And I'm not going to let you go even more nuts, especially what happened to Rachel.” She grunted.

Despite the two butting heads over the years since Rach was once human, Ember respects her greatly.

And knew she would hate how Iggy was acting.

Heck, Ember can't stand how the prince was acting.

Igneous stopped his momentum when Ember said that. He swallowed before grunted. “What happened to mom was not my fault.” He lied. “And I don't need a damn babysitter.”

He goes into the bathroom and quickly closes the door.

Igneous quickly washed up, did a quick shake to get the water droplets out. When he got the water off his fur, he did puff up.

A brief glance at the mirror, seeing that Iggy looked like a deranged, sick dog. Sunken dark eyes, thinner than he thought he had looked - lesser than dragon standards-, haven't taken really good care of himself the past years.

He grumbled to himself as he smoothed himself out before looking at the window.

His chambers were high above the ground. Large enough to squeeze himself through right above the toilet.

Igneous glances at the closed door before he hops on top of the lid of the tank and goes to sneak out.

However, when he goes to stick his head out, he is met with a barrier that causes him to be blasted backwards, getting flung into the wall.

Ember, on the other side of the bathroom, was in hysterics, laughing her tail off.

“Nice try, Kid. Now shake it off.” She snickered.

“Fuck….off…” Igneous groaned, rubbing his snout.

However, Igneous ended up leaving the bathroom. He glared at the older dragon before looking at the leathers. By now it was damp from the soaked bed.

“I need new ones. Those are soaked.”

“Not my problem. You have five minutes to get dressed, don't make me come back in here and make you.” She turned on her claws and headed out the room.

“You think you can just tell me what to do, Ember?” Igneous snarled as she left.

“I told you Ig, your dad's orders.” She turns to give him a toothy grin he knew all too well that trouble was brewing. “Like I said, you're my personal bitch.”

She closes the door casually, just misses him blowing fire at her but it hits the door.

After putting on the once fit but now loose, ill-fitted leathers soaked in some places, Igneous and Ember went to the dining hall where his siblings and brother-in-law were already eating.

They were eating an arrangement of breakfast items like waffles, cooked meats, fruits that looked and smelled incredible.

They were chatting away but stopped briefly when they saw their older brother finally came in.

There were glares before going back to talk to themselves.

Cinder did give him a nod of acknowledgement and Splinter waved.

“Morning, Iggy.” Splinter greeted.

“Hey,” Igneous muttered as he went to sit down next to Gorge who had a mountain of nothing but bacon for his large needs on a plate.

Gorge let out a grunt when he sat down and drank his large mug.

Flare was eating a fruit bowl with whipped cream on top, looking at him. “Wow, you look like absolute crap, it's a nice fit.” She mocked before popping a strawberry in her mouth.

“Says the shitty popstar.” Igneous retorted before going to grab himself a plate.

But Ember stopped him by sliding a bowl of wheat that looked like slop in front of him. “Excuse me?” He looked at her with wide eyes.

“Ig, you know the rules, those in training are to refrain from eating anything sweet, sugary and with carbs. The good stuff is earned at the end of the week. I won't tolerate you throwing up all over my training yard on your first day back.” Ember said, eating her own bowl of the same mixture.

“Ember, come the fuck on, I'm not some new recruit.” Igneous snarled, pushing the bowl a bit to the side.

“But it's for your own good. If you do well on your first day, I'll give you a tweet.” She spoke in a baby gushy mocking tone before slurping the rest. “Hurry up, we're already late.”

Igneous glared at her, his bowl and looked at Gorge. “I'll give you a handful of gems for some of that bacon.”

Gorge maliciously smirks as he picks up his mountain of a plate, raises high, opens his mouth wide and dumps the entire pile of delicious and savory bacon into his gullet.

Igneous watched mortified. Flare, Forge and Splinter couldn't help but snicker. Cinder sighed heavily at this.

Gorge licks the gristle and grease off the plate until it is sparkling and hands it to Igneous. “I work at the mines where I get gems every single day, why would I want yours?” He grins before standing up and stretches. “Heigh ho the way I go!” He deeply laughs before walking out.

Ember snorted at that.

Iggy groaned as the bowl of wheat was pushed back to him.

“I can already tell what a day this will be.” Igneous bitterly says before grabbing the spoon and began eating the bowl.

Author's Note

Heigh ho, Heigh ho, it's off to work they go :yay:

Chapter 4

After breakfast, Ember pulls Iggy to the training courtyard. Already there were a handful of similarly dressed dragons already doing their intense training.

Iggy watched the others do their workouts before being led to an isolated part of the yard.

“Weird being back here isn't it?” Ember asked, seeing how the prince was taking everything in.

“Not much changed.” Igneous muttered.

“Oh a lot has changed, I mean, see how the others are looking at you?” Ember motioned to the others.

Those who did looked at their way and saw the prince muttered to each other. A lot were surprised he even came back after taking off the way he did before going back to their training.

“They used to respect you, alot.” Ember said.

“They respect me, I'm the heir to the throne.” Igneous grunted.

Ember squinted her eyes at him. “Yeah general formality but you used to not use that title as an excuse.” She folded her arms. “You gained respect by true grit, worked your fluff ass off from sun up to sun down to earn every single ounce of respect and not relying on a title that can easily be given to your other siblings.”

Seeing how he was acting, she continued. “For fuck sakes, you rose up ranks, earned Captain with blood, sweat and tears and held it for decades. Never allowing the title Prince to pay the way, you worked for it. Your folks never gave it to anyone else when you left, that shit is yours. You can earn it back.”

Igneous shook his head. “Un-fucking-belivable. I'm out.” He goes walking off before Ember stops him.

“Acting like an eggling is not going to cut it. Now we all understand how you feel about Lake.” The name of his mate. “She was one of our top soldiers, your girl. Your parents have been working bringing these fuckers down. None of this moping is going to work.”

“Then what the fuck you want me to be?” Igneous snarled.

“What's going on in that head of yours?” Ember asked. Seeing how he was acting.

Igneous was silent, didn't say anything. Something was holding him back.

“Do you know why we've been having problems taking down Crow's Talon?” Ember asked again. “Ten years, we've been trying to bring them down. Summoned many dragonic assassins, your father and mother were able and handled them, sent out scouts on their bases and yet the other members always seemed to slip out of our claws. We all have been trying to help you while you went off. No one has seen Rakom for that long, used both scepters to find him but somehow we haven't been able to summon him, and you know with both scepters working, no dragon could hide from their magic. Living that is. Want to say something?”

When he didn't budge, Ember stepped back. “Okay, I want you to start running laps, give me fifty, now.” She ordered.

Unable to deny her, Igneous starts doing what he was told and runs.

During the four hours, Ember didn't let him go off light. After the runs, she made him do basics like a hundred push-ups, fifty sit ups, lifting heavy objects up and and down. Balancing foot works, all the nine yards.

And by the time the four hours was up, Igneous was drenched in sweat and limbs reduced to jelly.

He was on his back, completely tired.

Ember looks at him. “You used to get through this without so much a sweat, you really let yourself go, and this is just the beginning stages..”

“Fuck…you.” Igneous huffing.

“I don't do furballs, now go wash up and meet Cinder at the library.” Ember said, offering a hand for him.

Igneous just smacked it away before pushing himself up. His limbs were yelling at this point.

Needed a drink. A very strong drink.

Since he now has a thirty minute break, he'll use that time to find him one.

He casted Ember a dirty look before heading inside.

It took him a bit to head for the wine cellar, having to back track a few stairs to come to the large round door leading down.

To his luck, Flare was coming out of the cellar, holding a rather large bottle in her claws. She was reading the label, not so much of a glance at her brother as she walked.

Igneous huffed and goes in...well attempted to.

He was met with another barrier that prevented him from entering.

“The fuck?!” Igneous snapped.

Flare gave him a look. “You think you were just going to have free range of the goods, Iggy?” She asked, turning to look at him.

“Dad can't be serious.” Igneous grunted, trying to enter but it won't budge. When he saw Flare's look, he shook his head. “I just need to take the edge off, that's it.” He then eyes at the bottle in Flare's hands.

She instantly freezes it and the drink inside. “This is going to Carry-On, my dancer that was killed during my concert last night. This is for his family I'm about to send to, also the funds to plan for his funeral since no one can leave Dragon's Lair.”

“Oh, how very kind are you, Ms. Popstar.” Igneous mocked. “You're able to get another one.”

Flare thinks about it for some split second. “Nope. Good luck.” She goes to leave. “Also, it was mom that set up the barriers in all of the booze stashes and cellar after she came back from talking to you last.”

Igneous softened when she said that. Chest twisted from the reminder.

The last time he spoke to his mother before going completely no contact. It was bad, really bad.

He remembered the heart breaking look she had before he forced her to go.

The Prince shudders, not wanting to relive that memory, he goes on the hunt to find anything alcohol.

He went to all the places he could think of where all the alcohol could be stashed.

And to his surprise, every place he checked was indeed either blocked or emptied out.

Fueling his frustrations, he decided to check one final place: the kitchens.

When he came to the kitchen, he took a moment to gaze at the notes that were never taken down on the right hand wall next to the entrance.

Notes the workers in the kitchen telling mom over and over to not set one hoof in the kitchens. Going back decades of post it notes decorating the wall basically.

All the years to the first ever note when she was pregnant with Iggy. His mother would just troll them with her own notes.

He even recognizes Splinter's handwriting of telling her to stop destroying the kitchen with her cooking. He worked as one of the assistants in the kitchen.

Sighing, Igneous slips in the kitchen. At this time, there wasn't anyone at the moment so he was able to roam freely.

He goes to the wine rack, only one was left on it for cooking.

He'll take it.

Igneous grabs the bottle, quickly pops the top off and puts it against his lips and guzzles it.

He drank half of it before realizing it wasn't wine at all.

It was some colored water and MOSTLY VINEGAR!

Feeling sick, Iggy ran over to the barrel that was used for waste and threw up heavily.

As he threw up, Splinter, wearing an apron, was carrying a big sack of potatoes when he saw Iggy losing his stomach.

He made a squeamish look. “Oh God, you did try it.”

“What is this?!” Iggy asked his brother-in-law.

“Uh, The Queen didn't want us to keep anything alcoholic in the kitchen unless it's for recipes. I watched her make that bottle just for you years ago…” Splinter admitted.

Igneous groaned, looking at the fake bottle, now seeing a quick sketch of his mother's work on the label. Having a cartoony angry face staring back at him.

Given how things were the last time he saw her, it made sense. “Even unconscious, her pettiness continues.” Iggy muttered. “I earned that…”

Splinter puts the sack down against a counter before approaching him. “Come on, you need to get to the Library, you're probably late.”

Igneous spat the rest of the taste out of his mouth, tossing the prank bottle in the waste bin before sighing.

Finally, after being an hour late, Igneous finally gets to his first shift working for his brother.

Author's Note

Hmm, I wonder what Iggy's hiding, what are your thoughts about it. :pinkiehappy:

Ooh ooh i know!

*groans* Pinkie, there are reasons why I written you down as dead here, you're not part of this!

👻Boo! Im a ghosty ghost

Chapter 6

68 years ago...

Twelve year old Igneous and Ivory were running across volcanic fissures at Dragon's Lair. With the birth of the twins Forge and Gorge, the rocky volcanic scenery was beginning to grow as trees and flora began to spawn in a lot of places.

Something similar happened when his sister and other brother were born.

Igneous at that point hadn't gone through the Molt, but Ivory had. Sporting brand new tiny leathery wings that will grow larger as she ages.

Her wings fluttered as the two played.

“I'm gonna get you!” Iggy playfully roared as he chased the pink dragon.

Ivory leaped with a laugh, dodging the prince. Trying not to get tagged.

The two ran around each other before he finally tackled her and they rolled to the ground. They rolled around until ultimately Ivory emerged victorious when she ended up on top of him, pinning him to the ground.

“Gotcha! I win!” Ivory giggled.

Iggy grunted. “Get up.” He pushed her off of him. He gave her a look before launching himself at her again.

They rolled around again until Ivory came on top again. “Gotcha again. Iggy!”

“You suck.” Iggy grunted but had no ill meaning to it.

“You have a skill issue.” Ivory teased before getting off of him and laid beside him.

The two looked up at the stars, enjoying the view.

“Just think, Ivory, this whole place will be mine.” Iggy waved at the sky and land around them.

“Are you going to have a Queen like your mom?” She asks him.

Iggy snorted. “No one is like mom…. But maybe.” He gazed at Ivory, his furry cheeks blushing when he looked at her.

Then sadness washed over him. So much he wanted to say, but he didn't know how.

“I wish you didn't have to move, Ivory.” Iggy instead told her.

Ivory frowned. “I don't wanna move either. But moms and dad said it's for the best for Dad….”

“Your dad has three females in his hord. You and your mom could stay and he could take the broodmates.” Broodmate was a term of a male dragon having multiple eggs with different females in the hord.

Ivory wipes the tears from her eyes with her sleeves. “I have no choice.” She sat up, pulling her legs up to her chest.

Iggy sat up as well. They sat in silence for the longest time. He didn't want his best friend to leave.

“It's not like we won't see each other again, there's always the migration.” Iggy suggested.

“Maybe.”

“Ivory! Come home!” the sound of Ivory's mother called out in the distance for her.

Ivory sighed. “I have to go now.” She said, standing up.

Iggy reached out and grabbed her hand to stop her. “Please don't go.” He begged her.

“Ivory!” Her mom called out to her again.

“Bye Iggy.” Ivory waved at him before she flapped her wings and took off in the air. “Talk to you tomorrow!” She tells him before flying out.

Back home, Igneous was hanging out in the main living quarters, sitting on the ground, watching the flames flickered in the fireplace.

“There you are.”

Spike soon approached his son. “Missed you at dinner.” Holding in his hands was a plate of food.

“Sorry, I'm not hungry.” He responded but his ears were turning a light red shade.

His stomach betrayed him by the smell of the food and it growled for it.

Smirking, Spike sat down next to him, handing his boy the plate.

Iggy muttered thanks before he began to dig in.

Spike watched Iggy eat for a moment before speaking. “Want to talk about something?” He asks.

Iggy ate a bit more before setting the plate and fork down on his lap. “Dad, how long did it take to admit to mom that you liked her?”

Spike smiled when Iggy asked. He reached over, put a hand up to his forehead. “Yup, you're love sick.”

Iggy huffed, blushing red.

“To answer your question. It took a week to tell your mother how I felt.” Spike said, moving his hand away from his son.

“A week?”

Spike nodded. “You see, before her, I had a crush on some other pony…I waited too long and it ended poorly. With your mom, I told her as soon as possible.” He watches him before asking. “Do you have feelings for someone?”

Iggy's cheeks flushed redder.

“Is it your friend Ivory?”

The prince nodded. “She's moving away. I want to tell her but I don't know how.”

“Want some advice?”

Iggy nods.

“As someone who is an expert on waiting too long, don't wait.” Spike said. “Go up to her as soon as you can and say how you feel. Say it from here.” He placed his hand over his son's chest. Over his heart. “The worst she can do is say no. It'll hurt, yes but at least you were brave enough. If she feels the same as you, don't let her go.”

“But she's moving.” Iggy reminded him.

“Maybe I can talk to her father and arrange times where you can visit her and she visits you. It's how your mother and I began our relationship.”

Igneous smiled at that. “Thanks dad.”

“Does Ivory have a favorite flower by any chance?” Spike then asks.

Igneous thought about it. “Well, she does like orchids. The crystal gem kind from the Crystal Empire.”

Spike grinned. “I can help with that.”

The following day, now gifted by twelve, multicolored crystal orchid bouquets, Iggy races off to Ivory's family den. A cavern near the shores at the Lair.

“Ivory!” Igneous calls out from the entrance. “Ivory, come out, I need to talk to you!”

However, he was met with silence.

“Ivory?”

Nothing.

“Vortex?” Ivory's father's name. “Harp?” Her mother's. “Daisy Dukes?” One of the other members of Vortex's hord.

Nothing came back.

Gulping, Iggy ventured in the den.

Only to find out that it was completely emptied, everything they had was gone.

Ivory was gone.

Author's Note

The one who got away :heart:

Chapter 7

Igneous was nearly exhausted by the time his shift at the Library was over. The sight of Ivory after all these years did add enough motivation to push through the day.

“Congratulations, you did one shift, not even a whole one, want a cookie?” Cinder narrowed his eyes on his brother.

The pair were leaving the Library after it was closed for the day. The citizens had left so only the Royals, guards and a clawful of servants were left in the palace.

“Are you still harping over that? Cut me some slack, Cin.” Iggy said as he popped his back, flexing his wings.

“You know how serious I am when it comes to my Library.” Cinder said, taking his glasses off, using the large fabric of his sleeves to clean the lenses off. “Still taking inventory of the attack last night. The aisles got damaged from the assault.”

“You really think Crow's Talon would take anything during it?”

“You know more about them than anyone, Ig, you tell me.” Cinder puts it back up.

The two followed the hallway path towards the main foyer. As they entered, a lone teal and white scaled male dragon leaning against a statue. He was wearing a torn black and white striped shirt, buckled white pants, had a horn on the tip of his broad snout and bull-like horns on his head, and many bracelets on his wrists. Tail had a spiked ball tip.

He was looking down at his phone scrolling. Waiting for someone.

“Oh shit.” Cinder grunted, seeing this particular male.

Igneous started snarling, his body started to steam in anger just seeing the dragon. Before Cinder could stop his brother, Iggy stormed at him.

The male barely had time to register the oldest Prince approaching him. Looked up just in time as Iggy slammed his fist across his muzzle. Knocked the guy's phone out of his claws and tackled him.

The two instantly began brawling, fists flying, kicking, clawing.

Cinder raced over to Iggy to split the fight up.

Coming down another corridor, dressed in a mini skirt and tube top, Flare bounced in. “Okay, Astral, lets- what the fuck!?” She yells, seeing her brothers fighting the male she was meeting.

She ran in as Cinder managed to physically pull Iggy off, getting in between the two. Both aggravated males forced back.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Astral!?” Igneous snarled, trying to force his way to him.

“I could say the same to you, you fucker!” Astral snarled back, having Flare tend to his aid. Both of their clothes were torn and both got good licks before being separated.

“Igneous, stop, what the hell were you doing hitting my boyfriend!?” Flare growled at her brother.

“Boyfriend?!” Both Igneous and Cinder shouted in unison. Both of them looked at their sister as if she had just grown an extra arm.

Astral huffed, standing up as he wiped the blood off his mouth, giving them, mostly Iggy, a smug grin.

Flare groaned. “Yes, Astral here is my boyfriend, we're dating.”

“Since when?” Cinder gawked, his ears pinned back and his taloned hooves dug into the obsidian stone floors to resist going after Astral himself.

“You dating this fucker after he left me to die?!” Igneous snarled, his fur bristling. “He got Lake killed!”

“Oh bullshit, she died when she went back to save your pathetic hide.” Astral growled.

Igneous tried again to lunge at him, this time Cinder using his magic to keep him separated. Putting a barrier around him.

“Flare, does mom or dad know you're with him??” Cinder asked Flare.

“I think Dad has better things to do at the moment than whom I'm with.” Flare said, placing a hand on Astral's chest.

“Are you serious??” Igneous snapped. “I kicked his ass straight out of the guard and he was banned from the palace!”

“He's changed.” Flare defended him.

Astral shrugged his shoulders, “What can I say, you dated my sister so why I figured-”

“Can it, Ral.” Flare quickly hissed at him. “Not helping!”

“You mother fucker!” Igneous smacks the barrier, his head spikes begin to softly glow within the magic.

“Astral, leave now!” Cinder orders him, on the verge of attacking him as well. “Flare, did you just forget that we're in lock down??”

“Dad said we can't leave Dragon's Lair. He said nothing about us leaving the palace. Let's go, babe.” She grabbed the male’s hand and proceeded to walk off with him.

Before both brothers could stop her, another voice makes an appearance.

“What the fuck he's doing here?!” storming up to them, as angrily as the boys were seeing Astral in this place was Ember.

“Crap.” Flare whispered.

“Oh, hey there E-”

“Fuck off, Astral, you've been blacklisted from ever entering here, get out. Flare, what the fuck are you wearing??”

“Oh, she's going on a date with Astral, isn't that nice?” Iggy spoke maliciously.

The dragoness’s eyes widened when the date was mentioned. “Oh there won't be a date, especially after what happened last night.”

“Ember, you can't just tell us what to do, you're not in charge.” Flare grunted. Ice was starting to form underneath her.

“Princess, did you seriously forget? Did all of you kids forget that when your father is not in the right mind set, like he is right now with your mother lying in that bed, that I'm acting Dragonlord??”

Iggy and Flare's eyes widened from that reminder.

“So, as acting Dragonlord, Astral, fuck off before I'm going to do to you what I should have done ten years ago. Scram!” Ember ordered him.

Astral huffed, unable to argue against her. He then leans down to Flare, gave her a kiss, looking right at Iggy.

Around the barrier and outside of it started to turn molten red hot from the elder prince.

Ember shoves him off of Flare, getting in between the two with a warning snarled.

The male held his hands up, backing away from the group as he headed on out. “I'll see you later babe…Captain.” He smirked at Igneous before leaving.

When Astral finally left, Flare turned to Ember. “What the hell! You can't just kick my boyfriend out.”

“I very much can. Flare, out of all the guys you could be fucking, you picked that worm?” Ember grunted, looking down at her. “You know what happens when a male claims you as his mate.”

“We haven't done anything, we're just hanging out. Thanks a lot Iggy, things were doing just fine if you hadn't shown back up.” Flare snarled at Igneous.

“Oh fuck you.” Igneous growled as the glow died down and everyone started to cool off.

“Igneous did what was supposed to happen. Cinder, next time Ig sees him, let the two fight.”

“Promise?” Igneous grinned.

Flare looked disgusted at all of them. “I can't believe this! You all suck!” Flare stomped back towards the direction of where her room is, leaving a trail of ice behind her.

They all watched her go before Cinder looked at Iggy. “You good?”

Igneous nodded. “Yeah, I'm good.”

Cinder drops the barrier, seeing his brother rolling his neck.

“Don't listen to Flare, she knows he's not allowed here.” Ember said, crossing her arms.

“Do we tell father this?” Cinder asks.

“No. Your father is not in the right headspace, the last thing we need is him snapping, he's hanging on a very thin thread with Rachel on that bed. Boys, if that fucker comes near your sister again, all of you have full permission to curb stomp his ass, understood?”

“Yes ma'am.” Iggy nodded.

“Will do.” Cinder said, fixing his glasses.

“I'm sure the other two would join in on the fun. Now I'm gonna go check on your old drake, can I trust there will be no other surprises today?” She asked.

“We're good.”

With a nod, the three took off in separate ways.

Ember enters the infirmary, seeing the Dragonlord was sitting near a corner, hands holding the Bloodstaff. There was a light glow covering him as he was in a trance.

It was a few minutes before glow died and Spike let out an annoyed snarl. “Why the hell can't I track them…”

“No luck in finding Crow's Talon again?” Ember asked.

Spike shook his head, rubbing his forehead as a headache formed. “Ten years, ten fucking years of this shit. It shouldn't be this difficult.” He then looked to his injured mate before looking at Ember. “How did Igneous fair?”

Ember shrugged. “As much as is expected, he whined and complained like a teenager. You heard his booze run?”

“Heard he found the vinegar bottle…that had to be disgusting.” Spike let out a chuckle before sighing.

He knew he has to have a talk with Igneous, about his actions that lead to this moment. About his mother.

“There's another thing, Spike…. Iggy is hiding something.”

Spike sat straighter in his chair. “What do you mean?”

“When I told him that there were problems finding Rakom, something changed. I told him the only reason why both stones aren't able to find him is that he's dead.”

“If Rakom was dead, he would've come home sooner.” Spike said. His eyes turned to the red stone. “Unless…” he thought before he shook his head. “No…that's impossible.”

“But Igneous is hiding something. He's like Rachel, getting anything out of him is gonna take time.” Ember looked at the Queen.

Spike rubbed the back of his neck, thinking of what to do next. “Keep working on him. Get him back on the saddle of things, he'll talk, sooner or later.”

“Speaking of, want me to go get him for you?” Ember asks.

“No. I'm open to talk to him, but I don't think he is. We all saw how forcing him doesn't do anything but aggravating him. I'm tired of fighting with him, Em. Not giving up on him… but I'm tired. He'll come to me when he wants to…for now, keep an eye on him.”

“You trust your son?”

“After everything we've been through, the War with Sombra… I don't know. He's not a baby anymore.” Spike said. “I'm worried about him.”

“Don't worry, I'll whoop the furball's ass back into shape in no time.” Ember then puts a hand on his shoulder comfortingly. “Try to rest.”

“I'll rest when Rachel wakes up.” Spike said.

Ember sighed before leaving the rulers.

Author's Note

Can I?

Shut up, no.

Chapter 8

Captain Igneous and five of his top men, including his right hand and mate Lake and her brother Astral were gathered in the war room of the dark palace for a debrief.

“Okay ladies, listen up, we have a special task at hand, it's a little different than what we're used to. So Maximus, pay your ass attention.” Igneous starts.

Chuckles and looks went towards the brown and orange dragon with the small muzzle, tiny head but large body. Maximus scratched the back of his head, sliding his gameboy away from view and in his pocket.

Lake walks around, sliding the Prince Captain a look, her tail grazing his leg before getting in position. Stood a head taller than the prince himself.

“Here’s our briefing, two weeks ago, a high diplomatic associate of the Hippogriffs was assassinated,” Lake assessed, sliding photographs of the dead associate. Before and after photos. The hippogriff was blueish white with mint green accents. First picture was of him dressed formally, looking like it was taken at the recent Grand Galloping Gala. The second photo was of him a couple of hours later, laying dead in one of Twilight's rooms in Canterlot. There was a large hole in his chest and head was removed from his shoulders. “We are tasked with tracking the killers down. Requested by the Princess herself.”

“Wait a sec, if this was done in Canterlot, aren't The Princess’s guards responsible for doing the investigation?” Astral asked, looking at the photos.

“Because it's not the first time a high rank diplomat was murdered.” Lake said, sliding mote photos of the ones who are dead on the table for all to see. So far, there have been five murders, all died in similar ways. “At first it appeared to be random but now we know they are all connected.”

“Do we know who did it, or why we were asked specifically to do this mission?” One of the other males asked.

Igneous nodded before tossing a folder down and opened it. “The Night Guards in Canterlot managed to capture an image of the killer.” He showed it to all of them. Though the figure, who was going fast as the picture was taken, was a little blurry and dressed in all black, the shape was unmistakable.

It was of a muscular built male dragon, black and sickly green scales, many horns, piercing yellow eyes that seemed to glow in the dark. There seemed to have a white mark on his face beside his right eye but it was unable to tell what the design was.

“We all know the deal, when the situation involves dragons, we take jurisdiction.” Igneous said. “After doing some digging, which is not much, this dragon goes by the name of Rakom. He challenged Dragonlord Torch for the throne but was then banished after the big guy kicked his ass before stepping down. Since then, the bastard has become a ghost, no one has seen or heard of him since until now.”

“Let's find this fucker and kill his ass, what's one dragon against all of us? Hell, I can do it in my sleep.” Maximus said, popping his knuckles.

“Love your enthusiasm but it's not that simple. This guy became an assassin, he nearly won the title of Dragonlord. When he left, several other dragons did too, they were his followers.” Lake explained, her eyes looking at Rakom's photo. “This guy formed a league that took over a century it seems.”

“If he has a following, he might try and challenge my father for the throne since he has backup.” Igneous knew his father might be able to take the guy out if it comes to that. Heck, even use the blood staff to summon him. Dragonlord Spike had done it in the past. But before Iggy goes to ask dad for a helping claw, he wants to do it himself.

“I want us to stop Rakom and his league before the Dragonlord and Queen steps in. Get your game faces on, look sharp, and let's find out more about Rakom and his crew and bring them down for the Dragonlord. We'll start early in the morning. Dismiss.” Igneous ended the meeting.

After talking to the guys a bit and seeing them out, Igneous felt a pair of hands wrapped around his shoulders, causing him to smile.

“You did well there.” Iggy chuckled before turning to his mate.

“I know,” his tall lady pets the fur around his neck. “What do you think of this guy?”

Iggy shrugged. “Like any other criminal that tries to rule their own way, nothing that we had stopped before.”

“This is different.. We've dealted rogues before, mercenaries, but this guy made himself an assassin gang. You do realize the older a dragon gets the stronger physically they get?” Lake asked.

“Having one of your bad gut feelings again?” Igneous questions, moving from her to clean up the files. “We can handle it.” He dismissed, Having full confidence in their team.

Lake grunted, approaching him. “Igneous, I'm serious, we have to be careful. We don't have much going on with this guy or how deep we go.”

“It's normal to tread cautiously on these assignments but we got this. We're strong together. We've fought a lot of bad guys over the years, we're total badasses.”

“Have I ever steer you wrong? Each time I have these instincts, when you listen, things actually happen that save you and everyone else?”

Iggy sighed, putting the gathered folders down. She was his right hand for a reason. “I'm sorry,” he apologized. “You always seemed to know things.”

“Idiot.” She said before sitting down. “So you'll take this threat seriously?”

Iggy approaches his mate, frames her face in his hands. “I will, I promise.” Iggy swore.

“Good.” Lake hmphed, crossing her arms looking at him.

“Love you, Lake.” He kisses her.

She kisses him back. “You too, idiot.” She chuckled, relaxing.

When Igneous pulled back, he let out a painful scream as the scenery instantly changed.

His hands were still holding onto Lake's head, but it was just her head.

Her head looked like it was ripped right off her body. It was at a stage of decomposition that its flesh was starting to rot off the skull, maggots feasting on her painfully descaled face, permanent state of twisted pain and anguish.

Igneous wakes up with a scream, sitting straight up on his bed.

Feeling so sick, he barely had time to race for the toilet and threw everything in his stomach out.

His hands shook as he held onto the seat.

After ten years, he could still feel her head. Still see how she came back to him, looking like that. The awful smell coming out of the package before revealing the contents.

His heavings turn to sobs, slipping off the toilet and onto the ground. “Oh baby… I'm so sorry….” He bawled. “I'm so sorry….”

The pain of losing her is unbearable. The loss, the anguish, the guilt.

He would give anything to be rid of this pain….

Morning came, Igneous was just staring at the bowl of wheat. Had not moved for a bite since he had sat down.

After the dream he had, the breakfast just looked like decomposed goop, making him lose his appetite once again.

“Come on, you need to eat before we head out to the training yard.” Ember said as she was finishing her bowl.

Igneous sat in silence, just staring blankly at the bowl.

The rest of his siblings ate, going along with their own little worlds and relationships. He couldn't help but glare at them.

Splinter shrunk a little in his gaze, causing Cinder to pat his back to assure he was okay.

“So… how is it that each time we see you, you look worse and worse?” Flare asked, the first time she spoke to him all morning.

Igneous grunted, not wanting to speak, he forced himself to grab the spoon and wolf down the bowl.

“What? You're not gonna say anything? Too good to speak to your family?”

“Leave me alone, Frosty, you're still upset that we made you skip your damn date.” Igneous growled.

“Oh grow up, at least none of us ran away. You're the one that hasn't even acknowledged what you did. Figured since you were screaming last night night, you had.” Flare grunted.

“Can it, you two, we're not starting this again.” Ember told them.

“Yeah, what she said, butt out of it.” Forge spoke.

“Shut up!” both Igneous and Flare snapped at Forge.

Then the two siblings started to argue, talking very loudly. Ember was trying to get the two to stop but they seemed to get louder and louder.

Cinder, very suddenly, slams his closed hand on the table so hard, it produces a loud, ringing thunder clap. Lightning/electricity was seen visibly coursing through his body. “SHUT UP, ALL OF YOU!” Cinder's voice boomed.

The argument stopped instantly, all eyes turned to the middle child.

“For fuck sakes, it's only been two days since the assault, and you two are going at it like we're fucking teenagers again.” Cinder snapped at both of them.

“He/She started it!” The two eldests pointed fingers at one another.

“I don't give a shit. None of us has sat together in a decade. Mom and Dad are at a crucial state and there's an enemy out to get us. Ripping each other apart will only let Crow's Talon win because we'll be doing their dirty work.” Cinder pushed the glasses up on his face. “Now we're all together again, can we please act like we like each other for mom and dad's sake???”

They heard a cough that caused everyone to turn. Seeing Spike had joined them. He looked just as bad as Igneous.

“Dad.” Cinder's charge died down.

Spike looked at his five children and Guardian before taking a seat at the head of the table. Sitting directly across from Iggy.

“Kids, your mother is doing well, but as we know that Healing Stasis takes time to heal the ruler.” He tells them, Sitting up straight. “Ten years it's been since we all sat under one roof, something your mother and I wanted for a while now.”

He looks over to Iggy, who averted his gaze away from his father.

“Hopefully now together again, we can work on setting things straight once and for all.”

“You said it, daddy.” Gorge said as he ate a bear's leg.

“You sure you're okay taking back over?” Ember asked him. “It's okay to take time.”

“If I just sit there, I'm going to go nuts, I need the work…Rachel's okay where she's at…” Spike said as he gathered his plate to eat.

Igneous quickly finished eating before he pushed his empty bowl out of the way and stood. He goes to walk past his father and out the doors before Spike stopped him.

“You know we have some unfinished business, right?” He asked his son, giving him a hard look.

“Right…” Igneous grumbled before walking out.

Spike sighed heavily before he silently ate as well. Ember followed the prince out, ready for another long four intense hours.

During the four long hours, Igneous said nothing as he was doing what Ember wanted him to do. Ignoring the looks his fellow guards gave him or the remarks.

Fuck them, fuck everyone in this palace… Igneous thought as he went through the drills.

Seeing the before and after images of his beloved mate made him produce a lot of smoke. Fur brustled, thinking of the bastard who did it to her.

Crow's Talon is going to suffer for what they did to Lake. All of them were going to suffer greatly just as she did.

He swore it.

As Igneous was making laps, he heard a couple of the guards talking about the attack.

“Have you heard, the assassin is now awake. Heard the Dragonlord is going to be visiting them later.” One of the guards said.

“He'll be having a rude awakening after what happened to the Queen.” The other said.

Not after I deal with him first.

When Ember was turned to talk to one of the trainees, Igneous slipped away.

This assassin was his.

Author's Note

Iggy may have inherited a certain knack from one of his grandfathers.

Chapter 9

Flare has always enjoyed the spotlight on her. Loves having cheering, adoring fans flocking and fanning themselves over her. The praises and gifts they give to her and all she does in return is perform for them. As much she loved the popstar lifestyle, she herself has an ultimate goal.

To become Dragonlord herself. It's no surprise that the siblings, especially the two eldest, are competing among themselves to someday have the chance to take over their parents’ place.

But when it comes to Flare and Igneous, since day one of her birth, they have been competing and fighting the most. Cinder, as powerful as he was and does have a very good chance for Dragonlord himself, doesn't even want it and is more content with maintaining the Library and dragon knowledge. Forge is in the race but he isn't as physically strong as Gorge - who rather tends to the mines and hoard his gems and his females.

But with Flare and Iggy, they had been the most volatile to each other.

Flare was in her frozen room. Most dragons do not go in her bedroom because she had made it into an icy, frozen wonderland. She is immune to the freezing sub zero temperatures.

She was in a corner of her room, on her video editing station and computer, trying to come up with music she could make for her thousands of fans. Making this area warm enough so her equipment wouldn't break.

“Howling in the moonlight, going across the river bed…. No, that's shit.” Flare said, crossing out what she has written down.

She hears a sound, ears flickered, looking over her shoulders. She listened for a second, thought it was nothing and turned back to her station.

Another shout followed and another till the point Flare couldn't ignore it.

Sighing annoyingly, she gets up her chair, crosses the snowy floor up to her door. Seeing more ice had accumulated on it. Her eyes glowed and a wave of her hands, the ice evaporated to where she could get out with ease.

Flare listened out in the hallway, still hearing the sounds continued on. She recognized where the sounds were coming from, coming from the dungeons.

She knew father and Cinder managed to capture one of the assassins alive. Thinking the bastard was being interrogated, but something told her it was different.

With a sniff, Flare goes to investigate, paying this member of Crow's Talon a visit.

The palace was used to the harsh sounds of others being interrogated. When it comes to dragons, they are loyal to whomever they work for and it takes time for them to crack. Usually after they give up everything, they wouldn't be subjected anymore and their wounds tended to, giving them some sort of respect.

The sounds however she was hearing, didn't sound like an interrogation.

She gets to where the dungeons were, seeing the guards that were supposed to guard the prisoner.

“Who said you can leave your posts?” The princess asked them as the pained cries continued to echo out. She could hear the guy begging whatever was doing to him to stop.

But it didn't.

The two guards looked at each other and looked at the princess. “Prince Igneous. He said the Dragonlord told him he was taking the lead.”

Flare's eyes widened. “No he did not you two idiots!”

There was always a rule, never let Iggy handle the prisoners. “Get my father here, now!” She ordered, sending the two running to find Spike while she ran in the dungeons.

The screams of agony were more excruciating and sobs coherently. Can hear the sounds of a knife clinking on the scales.

She gets to the cell and stops dead in her tracks, seeing the horrific scene unfolding in front of her.

The prisoner was lying on his stomach on a stone table bare naked, limbs were secured with chains most dragons this size cannot break, fingers were cut, scales and pieces of flesh were carved off of him and scattered on the bloody stained floor. The male was screaming as his torturer, the prince, was physically sawing his wing off right from the base with a handsaw. The other one was already on the floor, severed from the prisoner's body.

Igneous by now had blood clinging to his fur, though his eyes were emotionless, he had this dark, sadistic glee on his face.

“Igneous!” Flare roared as he finished sawing through the bone and the wing fell. The prisoner gasped and shook as he was going into shock from his wounds.

“Get out of here, Flare, this doesn't concern you.” Iggy said as he tossed the bloody saw on the table next to the rest of his devices, some already been used.

“You're not supposed to be in here.” Flare grunted, throwing up an ice barrier around the prisoner to separate the two males.

Iggy's eyes and head spikes began glowing as he glared at his sister. The heat coming off of him started to melt the ice some.

“These fuckers tortured and killed my mate, I'm just giving this bastard the same treatment, get out of here, now.” He snarled, stepping towards her with dark intent.

“Lake was my friend too, asshole, and she would not agree to this.” Flare said, activating her frost abilities. “You gonna hurt me like you hurt mom?”

Igneous got inches in her face. “Shut the fuck up, you don't know what the hell you're talking about!”

“How about you take responsibility for your actions and not blame everyone else, prick?”

Snarling, he took a swing with his fist at her. Flare ducks from his swing, grabbing his arm and throwing him into the wall behind her.

With a shout, Igneous turns and attacks her.

Fire and ice gets thrown around in the dungeons, the two physically going at it once to attack the other.

Flare freezes the floor, causing her brother to trample and slip on the ice. Iggy slams his fists on the ice, a blast wave of intense heat and light bursts out of him, sending Flare flying into one of the cell doors.

She barely had time to gather herself before Iggy tackled her, breaking through the door and pinned her to the ground.

Flare breathed ice and snow at his face, causing severe frostbite on his face before she kicked him off.

Iggy quickly rebounds, purple energy coursing through his body before shooting fire at her.

Flare threw up another ice barrier to block the flames. With a flick of her wrist, the snow and ice accumulated from the fight, created a large ice golem that came behind Iggy, grabbed him in a bear hug and slammed him down on the floor.

Iggy let out a shout before he was consumed in a blinding white light, sending out another shockwave, this time causing the golem to shatter and melt on impact.

He goes to charge at Flare before someone jumps on him from behind.

Igneous grabs them by the back of their neck, slams them over his shoulder and slams his fists down hard on their face.

“IGGY STOP!” Flare shouted, realizing who he was beating up.

Igneous slammed his fists down a few more times before realizing who it was.

Writhing and whimpering, face covered in bruises and blood was Splinter!

Cinder's mate….

Seeing the fear in the meeker Dragon's face, his body shivering. A brief flash in Iggy's eyes and he's suddenly seeing his mother in a similar state, looking up at her own son in terror ten years ago.

Realizing what he has done, Iggy moves away from Splinter, body shaking as he knows what is about to happen to him again.

He hears footsteps approaching the cell. Spike and a few other guards came running in, he stopped with a gasp. Seeing the state of his son-in-law, daughter and actual son.

Before anything was said, Iggy used all his magic energy he had, consumed in his own flame tornado, breaking past through the barriers keeping him in the Palace and teleports out.

Igneous soon reappeared somewhere outside on his hands and knees.

What did I do? What the fuck did I just do??? Igneous thought as his body shook.

The blue skies suddenly turned dark as black clouds began forming above Dragon's Lair. Yellow lightning cracked loudly in the clouds as rain began to fall, the wind was picking up harshly.

Igneous knew this was not a natural occurrence.

Lightning struck the ground all around him before one bolt hit in front of him, Cinder appeared and instantly grabbed his brother by the horns and slammed his knee into his face before throwing him across the ground with a shout.

“You fucking lay a hand on my mate you piece of fucking shit!” Cinder roared as he came up to Igneous, kicking him in the stomach with his taloned hooves so hard, Iggy felt the electrical shock painfully coursed through his body, sending him flying more, sliding across the muddy ground.

“Cin, wait, he shouldn't have-” Cinder cuts Iggy out when he shot a concentrated blast of lightning out of his mouth, electricity blasting Iggy in the chest as he was trying to get up.

Cinder just began beating the living hell out of his older brother, keeping him subdued with the electricity and using his fists and hooves on him.

Eventually his bun came undone and his hair fell over his shoulders as he wailed on him.

One does not lay a hand on another's mate, ever!

Cinder then stepped back from his brother, his wings flapped hard and he went in the air. He stuck his claw out up in the air. He gathered an enormous amount of lightning. With a shout, he throws it down on his brother, knocking Igneous out completely

Igneous slowly opens his eyes with a painful groan. Lights from the braziers hurting him. His whole body hurt.

When his eyes focused, he saw his father was standing over him. Iggy tried to speak but he was quickly silenced.

“You're not going to talk but listen, for once.” Spike said, with this intense anger, guilt and disappointment look at his first born. “What you have been doing ends now, I won't tolerate this behavior of yours any more.”

Igneous tried to move but he felt like he couldn't. He turned his head to look away but stopped, not too far from him, he saw his mother still in healing stasis, his eyes softened. Realizing he was in the infirmary wing of the palace.

“If you don't address this, you will be lost and I don't want to lose you, Igneous.” Spike said, watching his reactions. “Either you change your behavior and let us help you, or you won't survive much longer.”

Igneous trembled softly, unable to do anything.

Officially hitting rock bottom.

Author's Note

Piss off Flare, you get Elsa. Piss off Cinder, and you pretty much facing the wrath of Zeus.

Iggy got Damian’s temper, Cinder had Brimstone's personality of sorts if anyone has caught the similarities.