//------------------------------//
// Spike's Good Example 
// Story: Trial by Kinship 
// by Metool Bard 
//------------------------------//

"So, wait.  Let me get this straight.  Dragon poachers have been attacking the Mild West for how long now?"

"Little over a month, by my count."

"And the buffalo tribe here hired you Dragoon guys to track them down."

"That's pretty much the long and short of it."

Spike scoffed bitterly and turned to Big Macintosh. "I picked a great time to come out here on vacation, didn't I?" he said sardonically.

Needles sighed. "Look, this wasn't supposed to involve you folks, and I'm sorry you had to see all that.  None of us counted on those guys stoopin' so low as to crash the Dragon Dance Festival."

"That much we gathered," said Braeburn, furrowing his brow. "But what I don't get is why did it take you guys an entire month to track these guys?"

"Mainly because we're bad at it," said Steel sheepishly, prompting and elbow jab from Flint.

"It's actually a bit more complicated than that," said Trigger. "Up until this point, no one has ever thought to hunt dragons in the Mild West.  Such a thing is unheard of, especially considering that the buffalo hold us dragons in such high esteem.  For the most part, we didn't really know where to look."

"That is until today," said Needles. "We got a rumor that someone was sellin' watch-dragons to the major Diamond Dog packs, so I sent Toro here to do some sniffin' around."

"Watch-dragons?" asked Spike.

"In the underground network, a Diamond Dog with enough gems to burn can hire a watch-dragon to guard the horde," explained Toro. "It's not all that common, as most packs cannot afford to keep up with a dragon's massive appetite.  But these cazadores figure that if they can force watch-dragons to obey their employers without question, they can sell them for a massive profit."

"Now hang on just a dang minute!" Braeburn exclaimed. "That right there is slavery!  There's no way Princess Celestia would allow that!"

Spike snorted. "I know firsthand that Diamond Dogs don't typically care about stuff like that."

"That is true, Señor Spike," said Toro somberly. "I make no excuses for my kind.  I only look after myself and my partner."

"And your sister, apparently," said Flint, raising an eyebrow.

Toro sighed. "Yes, about that.  I was shocked to find out that Isabelle was the ringleader of those cazadores."

"I'm just shocked that you even have a sister," said Needles. "When were you plannin' on tellin' me about this?"

"Isabelle and I had a falling out when I left the pack to make a name for myself," said Toro. "Before I met you and the others, she would constantly try to drag me back.  I always escaped by the skin of my teeth because of one thing."

"And what's that?"

"When we fight, I always miss.  It doesn't matter how we fight or what weapon I use; I can never bring myself to hit her.  She usually mocks me for it."

Spike shrugged. "Well, she is your sister.  I can kinda understand how you feel."

"Eeyup," Big Macintosh concurred.

"But that doesn't explain why she's with those Rock Lobsters enslaving us dragons," said Trigger, scratching his head.

"I'm afraid I don't have an answer for that, Señor Trigger," said Toro. "All I know is that she's changed somehow.  She's not the same Isabelle I remember."

"But you still can't bring yourself to hit her," said Flint, rolling his eyes. "Pfft.  Didn't know you were so soft, Toro."

"Knock it off, Flint," Needles growled. "We need to figure out what we're gonna do here.  These guys just crashed the Dragon Dance Festival.  Chief Thunderhooves is gonna want the entire tribe to trample their hideout into dust for this insult."

"That would be the case, if things weren't so bleak."

Everyone looked up as Chief Thunderhooves made his way into the conversation.  Through his thick fur, Spike could see that he was still wounded from the attack.  Nevertheless, he stood tall and was just as intimidating as ever, if not more so.

"What's the matter, Chief?" asked Steel.

Chief Thunderhooves's face darkened. "Those poachers are more crafty than we gave them credit for.  We all need at least a day to recover, and even then, we wouldn't be strong enough to take on a force of their size.  Plus, my men have just searched the entire camp.  Little Strongheart is still missing, and she didn't leave any trail to follow.  My best guess is that she's been taken along with the dragons."

"Uh, just so we're clear, that's bad news, right?" said Flint. "'Cause part of me still kinda resents LS for making me and Steel give our nest to these freeloaders."

"Flint, how could you be so insensitive?" Steel scolded. "Little Strongheart is our friend!"

"And she can be a bit of a jerk sometimes," Flint retorted with a shrug.

Needles folded her arms. "Well, maybe if you tried to behave yourself every once in a while, she wouldn't have to scold ya.  Ever think of that?"

"So, what?  You want me to be a suck-up like Steel here?"

"Hey!" Steel protested.

"Oh, don't pretend it's not true," Flint scoffed. "That's the only reason you're such a wimp."

"Well, at least I'm not obnoxious like you!"

"No, you're obnoxious in quite a different way," said Trigger, rolling his eyes.

"I heard that!" Steel roared, whipping around savagely.

"I-I didn't say anything," whimpered Trigger. "Ehheh..."

The dragons continued to argue and bicker.  All the while, Spike looked on, his mind working furiously.

Little Strongheart really wanted me to be a role model for these guys? he thought. Can I even do that?  I mean, I'm not really a typical dragon.  I'm not big, strong, or nasty.  I'm small, weak, and I wear frilly aprons.  What am I supposed to teach them?  How to be noble?  How do I do that?  And, what about those dragons that were captured?  Are they noble?  Would they appreciate someone like me coming to save them, even though I've lived with ponies my entire life?  I mean, Needles seems to be nice, and that Nova woman was probably the most polite dragon I've ever met.  But would she act the same around me if she knew what my story was?  Wait, does that even matter?

As Spike debated with himself, the Dragoons continued to quarrel.

"Let's try to settle down here, fellas.  There's no need for this."

"Oh, sure.  Let's let Little Ms. Magic Pants preach to us.  Again!"

"Hey, don't you dare talk about Needles like that!"

"She doesn't need you to defend her, Romeo!"

"You know what I think?  I think—"

Finally, Spike couldn't take it anymore.

"That's enough!" he roared.

All eyes shifted to him as he stood tall and cleared his throat.

"I've made my decision," he proclaimed. "Those dragons might not approve of me or my lifestyle, or maybe they do.  I don't know.  What I do know is that I can't just sit here and listen to you guys yell at each other all day.  On my honor as a noble dragon, I will find those dragons and Little Strongheart, and I will save them from whatever fate those poachers have in store for them!"

"Hear hear!" Braeburn exclaimed, getting to his feet. "Those poachers need to be taught a lesson.  Count me in!"

"Eeyup," said Big Macintosh with a nod.

Trigger blinked. "We've been trying to track down their hideout for a month.  What makes you think you can find them, Mr. Big Shot Noble Dragon who Knows Everything?"

Spike opened his mouth to respond, but stopped as Trigger's works sank in.  He blushed and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"Uh, you kinda got me there," he admitted.

Trigger scoffed. "Heh.  Not so high and mighty now, are you?"

"No, but he has the right idea," said Needles.

Trigger did a double take. "Wait, what?!  No he doesn't!  He was planning on going off into the desert on his own with no way of knowing how to find those poachers!"

"That's not what I saw," said Needles, getting to her feet and walking up to Spike. "I saw someone who saw injustice and was ready to kick its tail.  Why ain't we doin' the same, huh?"

"She's right," said Steel. "We should follow Mr. Spike!"

"Or here's a better idea.  How about we don't take orders from a funny-smelling runt?" Flint snarled.

"The way I see it, this 'funny-smellin' runt' is the only one talkin' sense," said Needles.

"I don't believe he is, Needles," said Trigger, giving Spike the evil eye. "He's not right for you."

Needles sighed. "Toro, we need a tiebreaker here.  What do you think 'bout all this?"

Toro furrowed his brow and stroked his chin for a moment.  Finally, he shrugged. "I'll follow your decision, Señorita Needles.  You are my partner, after all."

Needles smirked. "Then it's settled.  Spike, when do we leave?"

Spike's eyes went wide. "Um, what?"

"Well, you're the one in charge of this posse, ain't ya?"

"I-I am?"

"Sure, why not?  The Dragoons are supposed to follow your example, after all.  We want to be noble dragons like you."

"Speak for yourself," Flint muttered.

Spike's mind went blank.  He tried to say something, but he found himself completely tongue-tied.

"Um, uh, well, y'see..."  He nudged Big Macintosh's leg.  Big Macintosh turned and tilted his head.

"Eeyup?" he asked.

"Help me out here!" Spike hissed.

Big Macintosh turned to Braeburn and cleared his throat.  It didn't take long for Braeburn to piece together the situation.

"Well, uh, we probably should get some rest first," he said. "I reckon if we leave by first light, we can cover the most ground."

Trigger narrowed his eyes. "I don't like this, Needles."

"Only 'cause you're jealous," Needles retorted.

Trigger's face turned bright red. "I-I am not jealous!  I know I'm better than he is!  In fact, Ms. Strongheart is mistaken.  I can teach you how to be a noble dragon, my dear Needles."

Needles arched an eyebrow. "Really?  'Cause the only thing you've done since I met ya is worship the ground I walk on."

Trigger wrung his claws. "W-well, only because you're so beautiful, Needles.  Ehheh...  Ehheh..."

Needles bopped Trigger on the head with her parasol and forced him to look her straight in the eye. "Spare me the sweet talk and get this through your noggin, Trigger.  Spike here is helpin' us whether you like it or not, so you'd better get used to it."  She then looked up at the other Dragoons and pointed her parasol at them. "And that goes for all of you.  Got it?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Of course, Señorita Needles."

"Pfft.  Whatever."

"Good.  I'm holdin' all of you to that," Needles said firmly.  She then turned to Spike and smiled. "I like your style, Spike.  You're just the kind of mentor I need.  Seeya in the mornin'.  Toro, let's head back to our hideout.  Vamanos."

Toro nodded and began digging underground.  Needles dove in after him, followed by Flint.  Trigger was next, but not before giving Spike an "I'm watching you" gesture.  Steel flew up to Chief Thunderhooves and bowed.

"I am so sorry about Flint's comments," he said. "He's just been rather sore at Little Strongheart lately; he meant nothing by it.  We'll save her as well, I promise."

Chief Thunderhooves snorted. "Don't apologize for him, Steel.  Let him make amends on his own through his actions."

"Um, yessir.  Of course, sir," said Steel with another bow. "Well, toodles!"

With that, he dove down the hole after his comrades.  Chief Thunderhooves let out a heavy sigh.

"Perhaps you are the one to lead these dragons down the right path, young Spike," he said. "For their sake, I certainly hope that's the case."

He marched off back to his own teepee.  Spike swallowed.

"Hey, Big Mac?"

"Eeyup?"

"I'm gonna be leading this rescue, right?"

"Eeyup."

"And everyone's counting on me to teach these guys how to be noble, even though I don't really identify with other dragons."

"Eeyup."

"There probably isn't a way for me to back out of this, is there?"

"Nope."

"I'm up a creek, aren't I?"

Big Macintosh shrugged his shoulders. "It ain't my place to say.  Only you can decide that, Spike."

Spike sighed. "Well, I've made two decisions.  I've decided that no matter what, I'm gonna stick by my Noble Dragon Code and help those dragons any way I can."

"And what's your other decision, Spike?" asked Braeburn.

Spike gulped. "That I've got a really bad feeling about all this..."