"Luuuuuna"

"Leave me alone!" Shouted Princess Luna desperately at the blackness.

"Are you my mummy?" replied a distant, unrecognizable voice in a taunting manner, "Oh... your no one's mummy... no one cares of you... no one needs you... how delightful."

Luna wanted to run, but her body felt completely frozen, barely moving at her commands, as she saw nothingness all around. She was incapable of thinking straight, all she knew is that she did not like the voice, and whatever it was is getting closer. "LEAVE!"

"Oh I just love how roomy it got in here! I wonder when the reaper will be coming." said the voice.

"What are you talking about?!" Demanded Luna in frozen fright, "What do you want?!"

An eerie silence held for a moment, before the answere came, "I have no idea."

Before Luna could question it, she felt a jolt to her body. She fell to the black ground trembling, before another jolt came, and then the third knocked her into consciousness.

With a jump, Luna sat up quickly panting heavily, and saw that she was in the Canterlot Castle Royal infirmary. A Nurse immediately came to her side, "Princess, are you alright? We weren't sure when you would awake."

Luna slowly lied back in slight relieve, before feeling a sharp pain across her chest. With a glance down she saw bandages across her body were claw marks likely were, however, the blood vessels around the bandages were showing in black.

"Nurse, what happened? Where is the dragon?" asked Luna a bit frantically as she recalled prior events.

Before the Nurse could say anything, she was cut off by Princess Celestia, who despite being the largest and one of the most colorful maned ponies in the world, seamed to sneak in, "Nurse, I can take it from here."

The Nurse nodded and left the room, despite being a bit emotionally damaged by neither of the princesses calling her by name even though she was clearly wearing a name tag. This leaving Princess Luna to turn to her sister, "Sister, what happened? Are my men alright?"

Princess Celestia looked at Luna somberly, "They are all alive, but wounded, and have come up with a sort of infection... of which has also afflicted you."

Princess luna pushed herself up, "I noticed the odd marks on my skin, but we have to get to my duties sister, that monster is still out ther-Ow!"

Celestia quickly laid her sister back down, "I'm sorry, but you really need to rest. This infection isn't affecting you as bad as the others, but our doctors can't figure out what it is, and no medicines or magic have had any noticeable affect."

Luna groaned and lied back, "But..."

"No but's," replied Celestia in a maternal tone, "Get your rest, Cadence, Twilight and I have it under control."

Princess Luna sighed an relaxed her body, "One more question then sister, when will our meal arrive?"

Princess Celestia giggled, "It's on the way."

On her way out, Princess Celestia addressed the nurses in the hallway of the rest of the infirmary, "Could one of you get my sister something too eat? And keep checking on every one of the injured in short lapses, we want to record how fast the infection spreads on them."

__________________________________________________________________________________

Due to PRincess Celestia's Last request, once again, Twilight, Pinkie, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity all had to put their lives on hold. Rainbow Dash was quickly all right with this, as she really liked getting off work for the "Princesses orders". Applejack's family wasn't too disrupted either, as they weren't in any big harvests or plantings at the time.

Rarity was a tad annoyed, as being a proprietor of your own business, means anyone taking time off, even yourself, means loss of profit and a weaker business, which means weaker financial stability and less of a chance at getting her goals. However, despite explaining this to Rainbow Dash and it flying over the pegasus's head, she'd manage well enough.

Then there was Fluttershy, whom didn't like the situation, nor did she like leaving the cottage and her animals to others for more than a day. However, she was willing to come for her friends, and of course, 'QUESTRIA.

Finally, Pinkie Pie was notified last, as Rainbow had a time catching up to her. This definitely disappointed the Pink Mane'd one, however, she had a plan. Have a SURPRISE WELCOMING PARTY AT THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE! She'd had to have her treats and such loaded onto the train without Spyro noticing, but it wasn't too hard to get done.

Spyro himself, awoke late in the day with a thumping headache and a feeling that he had done something pretty dumb. Upon remembering the potion, then remembering how he acted while under the influence of the potion, made him give himself a mental DUI. Twilight assured him everything was fine and all, and he did appreciate finally heading off to get the problems of the land taken care of, but the young Dragon was rather embarrassed, not too mention he was worried if he saw Rarity again the effect would return for some reason.

It was now getting late in the afternoon, as the sun hung low in the sky. Twilight paced infront of her five friends, all lined up at the train station next to their consecutive bags. The train had just pulled in, and Twilight was reading the group for the adventure through motivational speech.

"Alright girls, once we arrive at the crystal empire, we have a mission! This dark dragon has already stolen the Elements of Harmony, and wounded Princess Luna. However, I am sure with cooperation and hard work, we can find out how to beat this beast!" Spoke Twilight.

All of the ponies in the group cheered, as Rarity commented, "Rather nice motivational speech Twilight."

"Thank you Rarity," replied Twilight, "Now, on to the checklist!"

Spike ran up to Twilight holding a list, "On it! Books?"

"Check." Replied Twilight, touting a bag of various books.

"Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash?" asked Spike.

"Check." Replied Twilight.

Spike mumbled a bit and his mood seemed to droop, "OTHER Dragon and dragonfly."

Spyro came up to the other side of Twilight, with a look of utter embarrassment, it was obvious he did not want to be there, leaving Twilight to answer "Check."

Pinkie Pie hopped up to Spyro, "Hey buddy! Sorry I had to postpone the welcoming party."

This really didn't bother Spyro much, "It's fine, I was actually looking forward to getting out somewhere."

Pinkie Pie pulled back as she made puppy dog eyes, "Wait, you don't want to have a welcoming party...?"

"No No no!" answered Spyro whilst shaking his claw, "I just want to... help you all get this problem sorted out first."

With that, Pinkie hopped into the air, "Okie Dokie Lokie!"

Twilight coughed, "Now then, let's get on our way then!"

The five ponies grabbed their bags and headed on board, Applejack stopping before the door.

"Twilight, no offense, but are yah sure we can do anything with out the elements?"

Twilight glanced over to Spyro as he waited, and then looked back at Applejack, "Princess Celestia said we should bring Spyro, he may know some things we don't. Besides, we've solved many problems before without the elements."

Applejack sighed, "Alrighty then, ah just hope we don't loose him too."

As the rest of the ponies passed Twilight and Spyro, Rarity came up touting a large case with her magic, along with her saddlebags. Spike immediately went to assist her, despite the fact she was carrying it fine with magic.

"I'll get that Rarity!"

Rarity replied, "Thank you Spike, I don't mean to be a bother, but I need to continue getting my work done at and away from home."

Twilight giggled at her assistant as he boarded the train with trouble, before noticing with a glance at Spyro her was looking away suspiciously.

"Spyro, are you still upset about the potion incident?"

Spyro looked up to her quickly, "What do you think? It doesn't help that my dragonfly isn't very supportive about it either."

Sparx buzzed at Spyro with a condescending tone while rolling his eyes, causing Spyro to reply, "Sparx! You've been in worse situations!"

Twilight scratched her head, as she didn't understand bug talk, "Look, I'm just going to say, Rarity probably won't bug you about it, and it isn't much to be embarrassed about."

Spyro looked at Twilight for a moment, then shrugged, "Eh, whatever, I figure we ought to be focusing on the other problems at hand though."

"Your right, We all have bunks in the train anyway, best if we got some rest for the Crystal Empire in the morning." replied Twilight.

Spyro pranced into the train seemingly force shifting his mood, "Sounds great, let's get this crazy train a moving!"

The odd group got their bags settled in quickly, as the train began to move. Over the next half hour, the group chatted and told stories amongst themselves, while Spyro kept himself at a distance from Rarity, still rather embarrassed about the, incident. Though really non of the ponies thought it was that bad, Spyro just felt like an idiot, and Sparx wasn't helping by laughing at him. However, with a good bop on the head, the Dragonfly shut up.

Now, at this time, the sun had all but disappeared, and the waxing moon light up the night in an eerie sense of beauty. It had a slightly nostalgic feeling to Spyro, causing him to reminisce his first night out chasing Gnorcs through mazes in order to find treasure and free the older dragons.. How simple life was, or seemed. Now everyday more reality set in on the situations he ended up in, making it feel less like an adventure, and more like a responsibility. Despite this, the satisfaction was still about, and heck, spending time with these ponies wasn't half bad either. Listening in on there conversations on the train this night really set their personality's too Spyro.

"And that is how I beat everypony in town in the Windy five hundred race!" Bragged Rainbow Dash, finishing one of her stories, while gesticulating the end.

Applejack rolled her eyes, "And also how the Mayor decided to not sign off on any more town pegasi races, based on the damage toll."

Pinkie frowned, "Yeah, I like how happy everypony is at big party-like-sporty-things! Why can't we have more in Ponyville?"

Rainbow began scratching the back of her head and looked away, "Well, uh, it's not my fault the others could take the turbulence of my awesomeness!"

Fluttershy, who was in the bunk under Rainbow spoke up, "I guess a few pegasi did, overestimate themselves, by entering... Not that they were dumb or anything."

Spyro giggled too himself as he sat at the far end bunk bed looking out the window."That Flutterpony is too kind about gossip." He thought, "Sheila would like her modesty, too bad every other friend I have is still there, and i'm stuck Malefor knows how far away..."

"I know what yah mean Flutters." replied Applejack, "Some ponies just bite off more than they can chew, when they damn well know they have no experience in the matter."

Twilight spoke up in a bit of defense, "Well someponies need to start somewhere."

"Well they shouldn't start at a professional race!" countered Rainbow Dash, "You have to get race lessons or race your siblings or something!"

Rarity scoffed, "You know, whoever marketed that race didn't market it well, it said it was a friendly small town thing that beginners can try. I'm sure you ruined someponies self esteem by knocking them all out of the course and into the stands at the start."

Rainbow quickly responded, "Well, they likely just got inspired to be like me!"

Pinkie seemingly flew up to Rainbow's side, "Yeah, Scoots definitely liked it! Though I am not sure how a smiling filly pony values against frowning adult ponies yet, I need more math skill first."

After a moment, Twilight butted in, "Well I think that's enough ego stroking for Rainbow, who wants to tell a story next?"

"No more..." said Spike as he rolled in his bunk bed, "You all never go to sleep when your in a room together! This is why I prefer the balloon!"

Twilight rolled her eyes, "Spike, it's eight thirty."

"Well aren't we still on a mission or something? Or are we just going to let Mr. 'I'm a Cool Dragon that gloats and stabs other dragons in the back' do it?" said Spike irritably.

Spyro turned a bit and raised his eyebrow, though he didn't speak up. Twilight however, had much contempt for the comment, "Spike?! That was unnecessary!"

Pinkie hopped in on it too, "Yeah Spikey! Why are you so grumpy?"

Spike groaned, "You all wouldn't understand! I'm just going to find another empty cabin to sleep in."

Twilight sighed, "Fine, just talk to me about it in the morning."

Spike didn't acknowledge Twilight's last sentence as he left Now a bit of awkward silence hit the air. In this time, Sparx flew up next to Spyro and buzzed "Bzzz Bzt Bzzzzz." "Drama queeen!".

"Well, ah think the baby dragon just needs some good sleep." said Applejack, "Though maybe we should be turnin' in earlier, considerin' the circumstances."

Twilight shrugged, "Well, we won't need to be out right away, let's just keep on with the stories t'ill about ten."

All of the girly ponies giggled, and Spyro lied back into his bed, unsure of whether or not they remembered he was there. He mostly looked out at the mesmerizing moonlight night, a bit regretful that he could walk the path to the Crystal Empire, as the land looked quite beautiful actually.

Then suddenly, he heard his name brought up.

"Spyro, you awake buddy?" asked Rainbow.

Spyro turned slightly confused, "Yeah."

The girls giggled, putting Spyro on alarm, and Rainbow continued, "We were wondering, what do the dragons do for fun?"

Spyro raised his eyebrow, "Well..." "maybe I should bring up burning sheep and hunting...", "Depends, at day, mostly we restle around, chase things, read sometimes, as long as where not busy otherwise..."

Pinkie groaned, "Boooring!"

Rarity nodded her head, "Yes, get to the better stuff darling, not things we can predict with stereotypes."

"Well, I found a fun time skateboard all over roman training arenas," added Spyro, "It's awesome! Comming off a bit ramp, doing a three sixty, getting a glide with your wings, and nailing the landing."

Rainbow smirked, "Skateboarding eh? You should teach me. "

Spyro sat up and smirked, "That would be fun, but I have NO IDEA how you would stay on it, with hooves and all."

"Oh Oh! I have some superglue!" said PInkie ecstatically.

Every carbon based lifeform in the car laughed. As it died down, Rarity came up with the next question, "What about romance?" she paused for a second and smirked, "You know, how do dragons court each other?"

Spyro blushed madly as he looked all ways but at Rarity, "Uh....."

Fluttershy giggled and spoke up, "When I was young, my mom told me the only thing other than their hoard dragons cared about was their mate. Though I am really sorry if that is wrong in your land..."

Spyro froze up, as thinking back, the older dragons did seem very, dedicated, to their partners. Then the thought hit him, that when he grows up, it is going to be like being on love poison? Dear lord Ted Price...

"Spyro, you alright?" asked Twilight.

The now red faced Dragon had a look of fear, "Y-Yeah... I just have a question... When I get older, will I act like I am on love poison for the rest of my life?!"

The quine in the cabin giggled at first, but then Twilight realized this was actually distressing Spyro, "No no. It's nothing like that! You actually have a say in it. But your hormones will likely make your fondness of women increase come puberty."

"Well I don't see that much of a difference! I mean, It seems like such a waste of time, when I could be adventuring, is it like I will lose my personality and become a mumbling love nut?!" asked Spyro loudly.

"No!" Replied Applejack, "You see Spyro, Ah at least know that all ponies go through puberty as they grow up, but they do nothing more than grow I tell yah! Mind, personality, size, and the whatnot!"

Fluttershy spoke up most insightfully, "Your body and expectations in life will change, but when it comes, you'll be ready for it. Besides, you never truly fall in love with a pony you wouldn't get along with otherwise."

Spyro's blushing began to subside a bit, as Rainbow nodded and added "Because otherwise it's a one night stand, and they are just for pleasure. No mumbling involved."

Spyro thought for a moment, and his expression changed from desperation to curiosity, "I think I kinda get it... but, what's a one night stand?"

Pinkie raised her hoof "I know!".

Twilight coughed as she glared at Rainbow Dash, "I think it'd be best to leave that to your parents."

Spyro cocked his head and glared a bit, "Okay, that always irritates me, not knowing something."

Rarity spoke up, "Twilight, if he wants to know... I think they're old enough by the time they are taking down dictatorships."

Twilight blushed, As Fluttershy mostly curled up into her blanket, and Applejack looking away awkwardly, whilst Pinkie and Rainbow Dash were holding in a laughing fit.

"What? I'm not going to explain it." said Rarity.

Pinkie burst out laughing, "IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE HE IS STILL INNOCENT ABOUT IT!"

Twilight shook her head, "Nope nevermind, where not going over this tonight, got a dark dragon to stop."

Spyro sighed and lied back down, "Maybe it's for the best."

Rainbow chuckled as she got a mischievous look, "It is, but I'll let you in on it later if you want to know."

Author's Note

Because before I had no idea where I was going with this.

Will edit further tomorrow so it doesn't read like crap on a dinner plate served to a pyro while a spy smashes the turret nest.

PS: America=Equestria 'MURICA='QUESTRIA