Dragon State

Spike woke up that morning with sweat beaded on him as once more the nightmares plagued his sleep. Buck every time I finally get some sleep they just seem to find some way to ruin it for me, he thought to himself. His dreams have troubled him ever since he and Twilight rescued their daughter, Dawn, from an alien. The encounter, needless to say, had thoroughly damaged him both physically and mentally. Each nightmare was about that thing taking his daughter away right in front of him. This one, however, felt different. The alien no longer tormented him but rather a cloud of darkness steals away what is more precious than any gemstone. He would try and stop it, but it was as if he was bound where he stood. He couldn't lift a claw against the darkness, and the darkness gave a cold laugh that sounded vaguely familiar.

"What can you do now spike?" the darkness taunted "All you did when you were younger was hide behind others stronger than you. Look at you, still the same cowardly lizard even after 10 years! They think you've changed?! HA! How utterly pathetic, but my question stands. How can you stop me now, when you can't even protect your own daughter?" the Darkness asked as it swallowed Dawn, hiding her from sight. Her screams of terror woke him as always. It no longer troubled him, but he still felt troubled.The mockery was immaterial to him, as he had thick skin. What it was that disturbed him was actually the dark smoke that talked to him so familiar. It reminded him of things past. Why, after all these years, do I think of him now? Twilight was already up, and typical her she was already in trade negotiations. Spike was proud of his wife for taking her job so seriously.

"So therefore equine we diamond dogs must have those gems if we are to survive. We eats them like your dragon husband please, missus help us," the creature in front of Twilight explained. So the ambassador in question was a diamond dog. Spike remembered back from his youth when these simple hunters scared him and kidnapped the former love of his life Rarity. The grudge had long since faded, but it gave him a jolt every time to see one was especially surprising considering they were a reclusive bunch but if he thought that was a surprise then the pair of royal guards knocking on his front door was a real show stopper for him.

Upon hearing the knock Spike also realized he was naked in terms of clothing, something that's not very noble of a king. Smooth Spike real smooth. he thought bitterly to himself before he went back to his chambers and got on his royal clothing.

"Is Spike Sparkle at home and is he available?" the one on the right asked "Here and in the flesh gentlecolts." the golden dragon answered  Twilight turned and saw Spike in his traditional clothing attire a sleeveless crimson and white short jacket with a long collar, a crimson waist cape with matching pants and a pair of dark brown gloves. While the clothes Spike wore weren't very fashionable and didn't really fit the royal standards, they showed his independence and reminded others that he was a force not to be trifled with. "So what seems to be the problem boys?" Spike asked.

"You have been summoned to Canterlot for an important meeting with all three princesses." said the guard on the left who then gave the dragon a sealed envelope this must be important. Spike unrolled the letter and confirmed what he already confirmed, that the letter was indeed from Princess Celestia

{My old friend Spike a dire matter has occurred in the bad lands north of the changeling border but Chrysalis says she and her swarm are not to blame which troubles me greatly and I would like you and Twilight's counseling in this matter respond soon sincerely, Celestia.}

Spike was pleased to have an excuse to go to Canterlot. He could catch up with some old friends. As important as the note seemed, it couldn't so important he couldn't make a few side stops along the way. "DAWN!" Spike yelled and not a moment later a lavender kirin with green streaks showed up via teleportation. She was getting better at it, and had inherited the skill from her mother.

, "Hey pops whats up?" she asked Twilight responded before Spike even opened his maw.

"Dawn, sweetie, me and dad are going to Canterlot to see your aunts for a very important meeting. Do you think you can handle being alone here by yourself for a while?" She asked.  Dawn nodded in response and teleported out as quickly as she had appeared, "Now all we have to do is find Rainbow and we can go."

"Where is she anyway?" Spike asked stupidly. Twilight rolled her eyes and Spike felt ridiculous for even asking.

"Last I saw of her she was out on the training grounds having another race with Gilda." Twilight stated

Rainbow and Gilda both arrived to Rainbow's barrack after both of them finished the little race they just had. They were very tired. "You know Gilda I don't think I ever saw you fly that fast before you holding out on me?"

Gilda only replied with a sly smile on her eagle face, "Hey I'm not the one who got in last place during our little challenge now am I?" she taunted and just as rainbow was about fall on her bed to take her traditional morning nap Spike busted in.

"Morning girls get a good night sleep?" he asked sarcastically both girls groaned being deprived a perfect moment of sleep  "Yeah Spike we got a really good night of sleep," Rainbow said with a obvious hint of sarcasm then asked "Have you ever considered knocking?".

Spike thought about it for a moment then responded "No, not really."  he started to walk out whne he suddenly remembered why he was here in the first place "Me and Twilight are going to Canterlot and we were wondering if you would like to join us, you know, maybe see some old friends and me and her have to attend a meeting with the princesses. So are you interested?" Upon hearing this Rainbow got excited almost immediately and nearly knocked over Gilda.

"Sorry Gilda!" she shouted. Soon everything was packed and ready to go they all said their goodbyes and swore they would be back as soon as the council session was over but Spike had a feeling of dread inside of him that this meeting might end up taking longer than what any of them were hoping for.