Night of The Dragons

by Citrus Shine

Chapter One: The Warm Welcome

“Twilight? Could you remind me again why we’re speeding off to Canterlot?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, I’m fine with any excuse to go to Canterlot especially during the springtime, but you weren’t very clear exactly why we were going. You just sort of mumbled something about the Princess.” Twilight looked up from her book at Rarity, who was now sitting beside her. The others were still sitting a few rows behind them laughing at something that Spike had said.

“Look Rarity, to be honest I’m not really sure why we’re going either. I just got a letter yesterday from the Princess asking if we could be there today.”

“Do you think that anything’s wrong?”

“Probably not, she said it wasn’t too serious but there’s somepony that she’d really like me to meet.”

“So, if it’s just you meeting somepony, then why are all of us coming?”

“I don’t know, she just wrote that everypony should all come along too. Did you not want to come Rarity?”

“Oh no no no Twilight! I just was curious about the occasion. Also I wanted to know which hat to wear once we arrive at the train station; you know how important it is to make the proper entrance based on the situation.” Rarity pulled out two marvelous hats that she had designed herself, and Twilight laughed.

“Well, since we are meeting some very important pony, I’d go with the blue one.”

“The blue one...”

“I mean, uh, the silver one?”

“Ah, that’s just what I was thinking! Thanks for your help Twilight dear.” With that, Rarity put on the silver hat, packed the blue one away, then trotted to the back of the train to join the others. As she watched her friend leave, Twilight’s smile faded into a confused scowl. It wasn’t like the Princess to be so vague; who could this pony be that her and her friends were supposed meet? Or was it even a pony at all? She dug her head back into her book, the latest issue of the Important Ponies Journal. There were scientists, celebrities, even her and her friends, but Twilight couldn’t figure out which one, if any of them, they were going to meet. In a wave of frustration she slammed her head into the book.

After an hour, the seven friends finally reached Canterlot station. The streets were bustling with all types of ponies, and her friends were slowly making their way out of the train, taking in the sights.

“Ooh!” Pinkie Pie squealed, “The ice cream cafe has double-decker popsicles!”

“Forget the popsicles Pinkie” Rainbow Dash interrupted, eyes growing wide at a poster hanging by the train station door, “The Wonderbolts are having a show today at Canterlot Coliseum! It says that Spitfire’s going to do her famous Fireball Fly-by!”

“Oh but would you just look at the Main Square, the Canterlot Spring fashions are simply to die for! Oh that classical petticoat with fitted bodice is simply chic!” Rarity swooned, “And coupled with that hat..”

“Speaking of Springtime, the city is so pretty this time of year; with the Redbud trees in bloom, and all the birdies coming back” Fluttershy added, “Just seeing it all makes me want to sing!”

“Oh Tatarus!” Twilight cursed, looking at the Canterlot clock tower, “I’m sorry everypony, no time to enjoy the scenery. We’re already late to the meeting with the Princess! Maybe if we hurry Celestia won’t be too angry, c’mon!” With that, the group quickly galloped up the hill to the Canterlot Castle.

“Twilight, I’m so glad you and your friends could make it” Princess Celestia welcomed warmly as the seven stumbled into the great hall.

“Thank... you... Princess,” Twilight panted, “Sorry... we’re... so.. late...”

“Never fret Twilight Sparkle, didn’t I tell you that this wasn’t urgent?” the Princess asked. Twilight shook her head, while her other friends glared at her. Celestia only laughed.

“I’ll let you all catch your breath while I get our other guest, she’s just waiting in the throne room.” Twilight bowed, still panting, as the Celestia left for the other room. After the others caught their breath, Rainbow Dash spoke up.

“So, who exactly are we meeting again? Twilight, you hardly said anything before we left!”

“I hardly knew anything before we left. I just got a vague letter from the Princess asking if all of us could come to the Castle as soon as we could.”

“I wonder what this mystery guest could want with all of us” Spike wondered aloud.

“Do y’all think the kingdom’s ok?” Applejack asked,

“Should we panic?” Fluttershy shuttered,

“No, no now’s no time to panic. Celestia would have said if something was wrong. She even said that it wasn’t too important if we couldn’t make it today.” Twilight said, still pondering the possibilities.

“I wonder if we’re meeting royalty. Maybe they're an eligible young stallion” Rarity sighed dreamily.

“Ooo! Or what if we’re throwing a super duper fun party again!” Pinkie Pie offered, “Maybe one of the guards is having a birthday and the princess wanted us to wish him a happy birthday! Or what if-” Suddenly, they heard a loud creaking from the massive hallway doors slowly opening.

"You can come in now girls" Princess Celestia beckoned. The seven friends entered slowly, walking towards the Princess who stood in front of the two thrones with one wing up, shrouding somepony behind it.

“May I present the brilliant and talented Night Ember, one of my other top students” Celestia announced, letting down her wing. Behind it was a well groomed unicorn that was about the others’ age. She had a dark navy coat, a ghostly-light teal mane, and fiery orange eyes.

“Twilight Sparkle?!” the mare asked excitedly, running towards Twilight. Twilight was taken aback-- she had no clue who this other pony was. Once this strange new pony was in front of her, Night Ember slowed and bent to curtsy looking directly into Twilight’s eyes with a soft smirk.

“Oh Twilight, I’ve heard so much about you and your friends. I can’t believe you’ve saved all of Equestria so many times, it’s unbelievable! First Nightmare Moon, then Discord, I just can’t even take it all in right now!”

“Well, um, I’m honored! But I’m so sorry, I can’t say I’ve heard the Princess mention you before...”

“Part of that is my fault. Even though Night Ember is amazingly talented in the field of magic, she’s hidden up in the Smoky Mountains that I can sometimes forget about her out there,” Princess Celestia joked as she walked up to the group, “She has been asking for years now about all the adventures you and your friends have had. I’ve offered to let you two meet for years but she’s always been a bit too shy. When I received a letter from her that she wished to meet you and your friends, I thought it was about time that you all got together”. Night Ember bowed and shook hooves with Twilight and each of her friends one by one, ending with a hoof shake and a wink with a confused Spike.

“I’m so glad that we can finally meet! How far along are you with your studies Night Ember?” Twilight politely asked.

“Well, of course I’m not as good as you, oh great Twilight Sparkle, I can only do a couple of things-”

“Oh don’t be so modest Night! She might not study such a wide array of skills as you Twilight, but she’s made amazing discoveries in both magic and information concerning an array of mythical creatures.”

“Specifically, dragons” Night Ember said proudly as she showed off her cutie mark: it was a wild orange flame in the shape of a dragon's head.

“Woah! That is too cool!” Rainbow Dash gushed.

“Dragons? You mean like me?” Spike asked. Night Ember nodded happily.

“Exactly like you Spike. I’ve been fascinated with them ever since I opened my egg on the test day.”

“Wait, you opened your egg too?” Twilight asked. Twilight had never known another student who had opened a dragon egg; the original purpose of the dragon egg was to see how well that unicorn could react under pressure, and to her knowledge Twilight had been the only pony who had actually succeeded in hatching it.

“So, does that mean that you have a dragon too?” Spike asked excitedly, and Night Ember nodded.

“Of course! I actually wanted to wait to show you him, but, well, since you asked--Wasp! Wasp could you please come in here to meet our new friends?” Night Ember called out. After a short pause, a pony-sized black dragon with tall, pointed yellow scales appeared in the doorway; Twilight could see Fluttershy backing up behind Applejack as he crept closer. His eyes were squashed in a suspicious glare as he skulked into the room

“Everypony, meet my good friend and partner: Wasp” Night introduced. The dragon nodded in welcome, but stayed by Night Ember’s side.

“Well, uh, he sure is a big guy isn’t he?” Twilight spit out awkwardly, attempting to break the silence.

“Yes, his species is known to grow quite quickly, but I’m afraid that he’s not going to get too much larger than a couple of hundred hooves high.”

“A couple hundred hooves? That doesn’t sound too little to me” Rarity accidentally blurted out.

“Oh, but you really don’t have to worry about him. He’s a dragon of few words but he has a real golden heart once you get to know him.”

“Well,” Fluttershy nervously started, “It’s very nice to meet you Wasp.” She slowly approached the dragon and put out a hoof in welcome. Wasp seemed surprised, but took her hoof and warmly shook it.

"I'm so happy that you all are becoming such good friends" Princess Celestia smiled, "I've prepared a small lunch in the dining room if you all have the time."

"That sounds lovely Princess, thank you for your hospitality" Rarity thanked as she curtsied. The rest of the friends began following Celestia out the door when Night called out nervously.

"Wait! Celestia! I mean, Princess. Princess Celestia. M’am. Do we have to go to the dining hall? Couldn't we, just stay here?" The rest of the group confusedly looked back at the pony and her dragon.

"Do you have to get back home Night Ember?" the princess asked.

"Um, no, it's just that-" Night Ember blathered, "Celestia, could I ask an odd request? Do you think we could eat in here? In the throne room? It's just I love admiring the, oh you know, the stained glass, and the- drapes?" The ponies blinked back at Night.

"Well, of course we could Night Ember, why not? I see you so little that a little deviation from the normal would be fun. Do you girls mind?" the Princess asked the other ponies who all shook their heads happily in agreement; all except for Rarity, who was only slightly cross that she was snuffed out of the chance for a royal lunch. Within minutes, a table was brought into the throne room, the lunch was served, and the ten sat down.

"Hey Rainbow? Anything that you, uh, are findin' a bit odd about this Night Ember gal?" Applejack whispered to Rainbow Dash once the group began eating.

"No, what are you talking about?"

"I dunno, there's just something about that pony that just rubs me the wrong way. I trust her about as far as I could throw her."

"What? Why? She's awesome! She hangs out with dragons all day in the Smokey Mountains, what could be cooler than that? Also I bet you could throw her pretty far, just sayin'."

"Very funny Rainbow, but- well shoot I don’t know. Haven't you noticed anything weird about her? It's like she's hiding somethin', and I don't like it."

"Jeez AJ, since when were you so suspicious?"

"I'm serious! She looks just like Applebloom before I found out she was hiding knives that her and her friends were gonna juggle to try an' get their Cutie Marks. Not to mention that dragon of her’s looks about as cheerful as a bruised bear"

"You're just paranoid, I’m sure he’s just sick of hanging out with ponies. Also, what would Night Ember be hiding? Maybe she's just-- really really happy."

"Also listen how she talks to everypony else, especially Twi and the princess. She's all sarcastic, like she thinks she's better than everypony else here."

"She talks with a poisonous air" Rarity whispered in.

"What? So you think she's bad news too?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Hmm? Oh no no no, Night Ember seems delightful, but I do agree she talks as though she's up to something; it must come with hanging out with dreadful serpents all day. Anyways nobody with such good style could be bad news, I absolutely adore her mane."

"What are you guys talking about?" Fluttershy sheepishly whispered.

"Applejack thinks Night Ember is evil" Rainbow Dash explained.

"What?! No!" Applejack yelled under her breath, "Ah'm sure she's a fine pony-- just a might suspicious is all"

"Why do you think she's suspicious? She seems like a lovely unicorn" Fluttershy defended.

"She breathes poison air or something-" Rainbow Dash mumbled, getting bored of the conversation and going back to her lunch.

"What?" Fluttershy asked, horrified as Applejack simply slammed her hoof against her face in exasperation at Rainbow's failure to communicate.

"No dear, the air is fine I was just saying-" Rarity began.

"Uh, guys?" Spike awkwardly whispered, trying to get the girls’ attention.

“I had just said ‘poisonous air’, not air like breathing. I swear you’re all worse than Sweetie Belle-” Rarity grumbled.

“Guys?” Spike whispered again, elbowing Applejack.

"Hey everypony, can I whisper with you guys too?" Pinkie Pie asked in a hush excitement.

"Guys-- Twilight was hoping that you'd share your thoughts with the rest of the table" Spike hinted as he motioned to the head of the table, where Wasp, Night Ember, Celestia all were silently staring at them while Twilight was glaring disappointedly. The four chatting ponies scooted back apart and went back to their meal.

“So, Night Ember,” Twilight began, hoping to distract from that little incident, “I’d love to hear all about your research. I’ve had a lot of questions about Spike, and no book in my library seems to have any answers. How did you even get started in this kind of study?”

“Well, I had the same questions about dragons that you probably do, however I had grown so close to Wasp that I just couldn’t wait to find out more. I had asked Princess Celestia if I could go to the Smoky Mountains to research them further alongside wild dragons. I’ve actually been able to get very close with many dragons of all types and ages, and I’ve spent so much time with them the locals have actually come to call me ‘Night of the dragons’. It’s a cute name actually.”

"Ah" Pinkie Pie sighed with understanding, "Sometimes when I spend too long with the cream-filled sponge cakes Mr. Cake starts referring to me as ‘Pinkie if the Twinkies'” At this remark Twilight mirrored Applejack's previous face-hoof. Night Ember leaned behind the other ponies to talk to Spike.

"Don't worry" she assured him, "It'll all be over soon." When Night went back to her lunch Spike only sat looking at her confusedly.

“Well ladies” Princess Celestia began as the servent ponies were beginning to take away their plates, “I’m so pleased that we’ve all been able to meet each other after so long, there is truly nothing more special than meeting new friends. If I may, I like to propose-”

Suddenly, a monstrous tremble hit the castle. The group tensed as the force moved through the building with an unnatural groan.

“Now what in the name of buckin’ broncos is that?” Applejack hollered a few seconds after the mysterious tremor had passed. Everypony looked at each other, hoping somepony else had the answer, but even the Princess seemed to be taken off guard. The servent ponies quickly trotted out of the throne room, and Twilight saw a dubious grin pass over Night Embers face. Just then, one of Celestia’s royal guards frantically ran into the hall.

“Princess, a hoarde has just been spotted coming straight for the castle! We don’t have much time!” The guard urged through his panting.

“A hoarde of what?” Celestia asked nervously. Without warning, a monstrous clawed hand broke through the wall, snatching the Princess. The room erupted in shrieks of terror and panic as nopony knew what to do. Dragons of all sizes burst into the hall, breaking through walls and stained glass windows, each trying to catch Twilight and her friends. Night Ember’s horn lit up, then fired a bright beam directly at Celestia. The beam hit the Princess and the intense magic enveloped her, swirling and changing around her body. Most of Twilight's friends were quickly caught, aside from Spike and Rainbow Dash, but Night Ember stood calmly in the center of the room, a malicious and cheesy smile spreading across her face.

“What have you done to the Princess you sick, twisted traitor!” Rainbow Dash yelled as she dodged another dragon’s attack. She then turned and flew straight towards Night Ember, ready to attack; but the unicorn was ready too. Right before Rainbow Dash hit, Night Ember was engulfed in white flames, burning the pegasus but leaving Night Ember unscathed and laughing maniacally. A black dragon picked up Rainbow Dash's limp body and secured her neck in a choke hold. Still aflame, Night Ember shot another beam at Twilight and Rarity as the last of the free ponies were captured and Spike was being held by Wasp.

“What have you done?!” Twilight sobbed, feeling a sharp pain in her horn, “Why are you doing this? What is going on?”

“Justice.” Night Ember barked brazenly, “Though nothing in comparison of what you and your kind have done to mine.” The flame around her suddenly vanished, and after another spell was cast Night Ember grew two navy dragon wings. She stood in triumph, obviously proud with her alicorn form.

"Your kind?” Applejack asked, “Well what kind are ya then? Dragon? No good rebel?”

“Though perhaps not by birth, I’d believe I am a dragon trapped in a feeble pony body. Our mighty kind has been oppressed and underestimated for far too long. Somepony has to right these atrocities,” Night Ember announced garishly as she slowly paced across the hall, her now reptilian tongue flipping in and out, “Ponykind disgusts me in the way they use these noble, strong and smart creatures, even though they possess the power and the knowledge to take over all of Equestria. All they needed was a little initiative and the leadership to get it accomplished."

“What do you mean, ‘oppressed’? Ponies have hardly interacted at all with dragons, and even if we have it’s been running away!” Twilight yelled angrily, “Dragons aren’t threatened or-”

“Oh be silent you clod. Not only do ponies mistreat us, but they’re completely ignorant that they’re doing so!” Night Ember spat, “Just to start, Celestia’s school used their children as tests for young unicorns that have no clue what they’re doing in that idiotic ‘dragon-egg test’. Do you know how many mother dragons have lost their young because of that?” There was a long pause.

“Well that’s awful, but-” Pinkie Pie started

“But that’s just the beginning!” Night Ember growled, “Every time within the last two thousand years that a Dragon has tried to nest in Equestria, they’ve been either killed or run off within the first week of their stay. You clowns were even apart of this! When a peaceful dragon tried to nest in an uninhabited mountain just to sleep, you all guilted him right out of there the same day, forcing him to abandoned his nest and all his jewels inside. Dragons have a right to nest wherever they please, especially if they intend to be peaceful. The real problems is you ponies just hate dragons without even giving them a chance!” Night Ember stomped her hoof defiently.

“But we love dragons!” Fluttershy offered, “Sure, I might be scared of them most of the time, but I really do love them. Our good friend Spike is a dragon and we all just love him to death!”

“Ha! Now there is a good laugh. Of all the dragons ponies have abused, you and your friends towards Spike have been the nastiest example.”

“What?!” Twilight blurted out, “But we love him with all our hearts! Tell her Spike!”

“Yes.” Night Ember started sarcastically, her reptilian tongue flicking, “Tell me Spike about how wonderful and loving your friends have been to you. Like how Twilight’s never stopped bossing you around since day one?”

“Wait a minute!” Spike began, “That’s-”

“Or how about the times that she’s ‘accidentally’ abused you in her waves of panic and stress? Knocking you with books or accidentally slamming you with the door?”

“Well, uh, that’s-”

“Or how about the time they forced you to revert back into a baby dragon after you’d grown full size?”

“But, uh, that’s because-”

“Or when you had finally decided to be free and live with your own kind: they had only let you go with the intent of stealing you back for their own selfish-selfishness, then botched your chance of ever bonding with the other dragons by interrupting you, then stealing you away?”

“Well, well I, uh, um...” Spike floundered to quickly come up with an answer.

“Be perfectly honest with me Spike. Do you ever miss those other dragons? Have you ever wanted to be a part of their group again, even for a moment?” Night Ember demanded, standing with her face right next to Spike’s.

“Sometimes...” Spike admitted.

“The only reason that Spike hasn’t run away to be happy with his own kind is because of your so-called love.” Night Ember guilted spitefully, turning towards the others.

“No!” Spike stated.

“Hmm?” Night Ember hummed curiously, but still confident.

“No! The reason that I stay with them and don’t run away is because I love them too!” he announced to Night Ember valiantly. Night Ember stuttered, obviously not expecting this, then narrowed her eyes lowered herself down until she was at eye level with Spike.

“You only think it’s love because you haven’t had the chance to know anything else.” Night Ember huffed then flew up to a group of waiting dragons to bark out orders. They nodded faithfully then flew down the hallway, with a few stopping to smash out the remaining windows. Twilight and her friends could yelling from the royal guards, then the clank of the gigantic metal door leading into the forgotten dungeons.

“So what have you done to me and to Twilight?” Rarity demanded

“And what have you done to the Princess?” Rainbow Dash coughed, now conscious and fighting against the dragons holding her.

“Oh, you have no idea of the things that I'm going to do. You don't even understand the level of magic that I'm capable of! Starting with you two, I have temporarily infected your horns making it impossible to practice any magic while I’m here; we wouldn’t want any funny business before the grand finale, hmm?” Night Ember then let out a dramatic laugh.

"Sure seems like y'all just don't want anypony interruptin' your hammy ramblings..." Applejack mumbled.

“So what are you going to do?” Pinkie Pie questioned, “It had better not have anything to do with bananas or gosh darnit missy you’ll be sorry!” Night Ember simply rolled her eyes at the group.

“Oh you six overblown 'heroes' have no clue of what I have ahead, it’s absolutely brilliant! Me and my hoard have easily overtaken Canterlot, and will have no problem controlling the rest of Equestria”, Night Ember cackled, “Your Princess is under my control, and since I’ve diffused you and your friends there’s nothing that could possibly stop me now!”

“It’s no use Night Ember. I think I’ve seen the spell you’ve used before, and it won’t last forever. You may be powerful, but you’re no match for me-” Twilight started, but then was interrupted but another confident laugh from Ember.

“Oh Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia’s top student, so talented in so many areas," Night Ember parroted sarcastically, "Well you’ve made the same mistake that Celestia had made a thousand years ago: just because you can do a lot of things well doesn’t mean you should underestimate another pony who can do one thing unfathomably well. I’ve invented hundreds of dragon spells that only I know, and am the only unicorn powerful enough to accomplish them. Accept your fate, Twilight Sparkle, you’re nothing compared to me and my allies. Do you even know what I’ve done to Celestia? Do you even know what I’m about to to do you?” Twilight stuttered, she didn’t know what had happened to the princess; a large dragon had been covering her with their wing since Night Ember had cast her spell. Twilight was worried for all of their lives, they were at Ember's mercy. Wouldn’t she have already killed them or dragged them away? What if they were only here to witness her power trip?

“I don’t know what you have planned Night Ember” Twilight began courageously, “But no matter what you do, just know that you will be defeated. Maybe by us, maybe by Celestia, or maybe-”

“Oh but you know what the best twist is? Celestia is completely on my side!”

“What?!” the six ponies screamed at once.

“Oh yes! Firefly, move your wing and show these ponies their princess!” Night Ember called to the with their wing over Celestia. The dragon nodded, and all that was underneath was a white, pearly egg. Twilight and her friends gasped nearly in tandem.

“Well, maybe not right now, but once a full day has passed the spell will be complete and she will be reborn as a baby dragon, having no memory of you or anypony else. All she’ll know is that I’m her mother--baby dragons are extremely loyal to their mothers and believe everything they say. And even after she’s grown to a point where she can think for herself, who is she going to side with--her pony oppressors, or her loving dragon family? It’s absolutely brilliant and there’s nothing that you or anypony else can do to stop it!” Night Ember smiled again proudly, savoring every moment of her brilliantly executed victory.

Twilight looked at Ember in horror; she had never heard of any spell that could do this before, Night Ember was more powerful than she could have imagined. Twilight took in a deep breath, this was no time to panic, her and her friends had been through worse and she’ll be darned if she'd give up already.

“You may think you’ve won Night Ember, but you haven’t. You didn't let me finish before: it’s true that you are more powerful than me, but you’re nothing compared to me, and my friends. Even if you try and lock us away forever, the power of friendship is stronger than any chains, dragon or dungeon!” Twilight announced triumphantly.

“Yeah!” Rainbow Dash yelled, “And when we do we’re going to banish you and your dirty dragon friends back where they came!”

“You stupid-- ponies!” Night screeched, diving towards Rainbow Dash with hate filling her eyes from the insult of her kind, “Don’t you realize I could effortlessly do the same to you that I did to the Princess?”

“So, why don’t you?” Rainbow Dash challenged, not unlocking her eyes from Night's. Both ponies breathed heavily in the emotion of the situation. A wicked grin spread across Night Ember’s face as she carefully landed.

“Why that would be too easy for you!” She spat, still cackling ever more hammily, “I have something much better planned. You can’t just start over, you must watch helplessly as your kingdom is destroyed and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

“How are you going to do that?” Fluttershy asked fearfully.

“I've planned this all out perfectly! You know the old saying, don’t judge a pony ‘till you’ve trot a mile in their horseshoes?” Night asked while the other ponies suspiciously nodded, “Well I thought the best twist would be to turn you each into a different dragon, but given your ages you’ll be stuck as a baby for another hundred years!”

“What?!” Rarity screamed, horrified,

“You wouldn’t dare!” Rainbow Dash challenged,

“There are different types of dragons?” Pinkie Pie asked, confused.

“Yes you waste of- UHG!” Night Ember, frustrated at the ignorance of her prisoners, “I mean- yes. If any ponies actually bothered to take interest in these magnificent creatures they would know that there are actually seventeen different types of dragons. My favorite part is that even if you somehow manage to collect the elements of harmony, they are only in tune with the rhythms of friendship within ponies, not dragons! Though this is an infuriating form of speciesism, it does work for my poetic justice. Now who should I start with? This is going to be tough. Should I begin with Celestia’s number one student? No I think I’ll save you for last...”

“How about you start with my back hoof in your face?” Rainbow Dash challenged.

“Ah, yes. The loud rainbow one. I hear you’re the fastest flyer in Equestria, it’d be a shame to lose that. Your new form is-- the Lightning dragon! Fast and fierce, but not too bright, like you.” Night Ember’s horn began to glow, and a spark of lightning erupted from it and shot towards Rainbow Dash. All that could be heard was the reverberation of the sheer power and the faint yell from Dash. After the smoke cleared, in Rainbow’s place was a small, sleek blue and rainbow baby dragon. Everypony gasped at the sight of their friend.

“What did you do to her?” Twilight demanded

“Holy fangs and scales, were you even listening before?" Night Ember yelled, frustrated again with her prisoners, "I turned your friend into a Lightning dragon, just like I said two seconds ago. TWO SECONDS AGO!Don’t worry, she still has her memories and personality, just a little different look. It’s a much simpler spell than the one I performed on Celestia, not a complete re-boot, but it still gets the desired effect...”

“Oh when I get my claws on you-” The rainbow dragon snarled. The other ponies murmured in anxious anticipation for what was about to come. Spike was still being held on the sidelines by Wasp, and he had no clue what to do. Even if he could escape from this older dragon, was there anything he could do?

“Now onto somepony else, hmm who should I pick? How about we go with the other pegasus, little Fluttershy. So small and bashful, you look to me like-- a Pixy dragon!” Another lightning bolt shot out from Night Ember’s horn at Fluttershy, and again the smoke cleared to reveal Night’s work: a tiny yellow and pink dragon with buzzing wings.

“Oh my...” Fluttershy murmured, perplexed at her new claws and scales. However, when she looked up and realized that she was only about as big as a pony’s ear, she eeped and hid in the arms of her now confused captor. Night Ember only chuckled, becoming quite proud of her new power.

“Now, who’s next?” Night Ember asked aloud.

“Ooo! Do me!” Pinkie excitedly volunteered, “Do me next! Me me meee!” Night Ember rolled her eyes at the pink earth pony.

“Fine, lets get the annoying one out of the way next. Hmm, excitable and stupid, how about the Bubble dragon? That seems about right-” And with that, Night Ember fired another beam directly at Pinkie Pie. After the spell was cast, her friends could see that she was now a small, chubby baby dragon with a large snout and rounded scales. After blinking her large, blue eyes a few times and looking at her new hands and feet, Pinkie only giggled at Night’s handywork.

“Shut up!” Night Ember yelled, beginning to weaken after all of these powerful spells, “Don’t you realize that that spell has sealed your defeat? Do you dare laugh at the form of this mighty beast?” She was only met by Pinkie’s mumbled giggles.

“Whatever. Now, where’s that other earth pony, Applejack? Ah, there you are. You’re the strong one aren’t you? Well then, the Clobber dragon would fit you well.” Night Ember fired another spell at AppleJack. When her friends could see her again, Applejack was a lot bigger than the other baby dragons, but still a bit smaller than a pony. Her bright green eyes glared at Night Ember as she picked up her hat.

“So that’s a pretty great parlor trick ya’ got there, ah hope yer at least making your new friends proud causin’ all this chaos...” Applejack grumbled through her fangs.

“Oh I can assure you my friends will be very happy by the time this plan is through. Now, onto sweet little Rarity. Sure think you’re something special don’t you sweetheart?”

“Well I can tell you I’d rather be a dragon than a pony like you any day!” Rarity spat.

“Well, uh, I’d rather be a great leader than a sheep like you any day!” Night spat back, “Anyways, I thought you’d appreciate being the Jade dragon for it’s beauty and because it’s so rare, or, whatever.” Night Ember transformed her into a thin, long, pearly dragon with amethyst crest scales.

“Well, at the very least I can admire your choice in style, for a traitorous buffoon.” Rarity mumbled. Night Ember, panting and smiling, becoming more and more pleased in her power over Twilight’s friends even though the powerful spells were clearly wearing her out.

“Oh, and last, but very least, we have the miraculous Twilight Sparkle: Celestia’s number one student. I thought it’d be hilarious if you’d be the same species as your servant Spike. Does that sound good? Maybe then you could empathize with your prisoner a bit more.” Night Ember said flatly.

“Spike was never my- Ahh!” Twilight started before Night’s spell hit. The bright magic crackled and reverberated around her body. When Twilight was finally revealed, she looked nearly identical to Spike; the only difference between them was their color and Twilight’s more feminine eyes. Night Ember sat down then cackled again, impressed though exhausted with her own handiwork and assured victory.

“Now’s your chance to take your revenge Spike” Night called to the baby dragon, “Now’s your chance to tell Twilight just how you felt about being bossed around and trapped for all these years. Go ahead, she has nothing over you now!”

“No.” Spike said simply; this surprised Night Ember.

“You, you don’t have to lie anymore Spike! Show her what a dragon can really do to somepony who’s wronged them!” Night said as she struggled to stand again.

“I’d never do that!” Spike called out again, “Sure, sometimes I might have leaving, and can sometimes get frustrated when she’s busy and doesn’t think about my feelings, but Twilight’s my friend! She’s risked her life to save me, and always puts me first in the end over what she wants. I’m sure that if I’d really wanted to leave, she would say yes if she knew that that’s what would make me happy, but I’d never leave her because she needs me and I need her! Twilight and her friends are the kindest, most loving creatures that I’ve ever met, and you’ve got a lot of nerve putting these spells on them and saying that they don’t care! Do you know what would make me happy Night Ember? If you would put my friends back to normal and leave us and Equestria in peace!” There was a long silence as Night Ember stared down at Spike.

“You really feel that way?” Night Ember asked

“With all my heart” Spike answered. Night Ember glared down at the dragon.

“You’ve been brainwashed by them!”

“I haven’t!”

“You’d side with your captors and oppressors?!”

“They aren’t captors, they love me!”

“You should be ashamed to call yourself a dragon, you’re more a pony than any-” Night started, then grew another evil smile across her face.

“You don’t deserve to wear those scales” Night hissed. She struggled, charging another powerful spell and shot it straight at Spike

“Spike nooo!” Twilight cried, scared for her friend, “What twisted morals do you think you have, hurting 'your own kind' just because he disagreed with you?”

“He’s not my kind” Night chuckled, and as the smoke cleared a young, purple colt was laying on the floor by Wasp and Night’s feet.

Author's Note:

fixed the formatting issues!

Comments

[Lexiebommel10]

Yessssssss gooooddd

I like

[RadicalDishonesty]

Hm. Interesting to see Night's accusations on Twilight's treatment of Spike range from the "actually fairly good point" to the "hyperbolically silly."

Like... Twilight does put others before Spike often, and sometimes treats him like a servant... and there are a few other problems in how affectionate she acts towards him compared to others... but these are mostly just mistakes of hers.

But it wasn't a mistake to bring Spike back from the dragons or to revert him from his greed growth form.

Some technical things:

poisonous heir

This is spelled "poisonous air", actually, as in "putting on airs."

Every time you use the word hoard, unless you mean it like it was Night Ember's "dragon hoard" it's spelled horde.

Also all the tabs are all over the place, with many things being many different tab distances, and there seems to be no pattern or reason.

[Lord Of Dorkness]

I rather like this story so far, but the formatting is frankly hurting my eyes.

You don't have printing costs to worry about, so why have you gone for one of the most tiny and squashed together styles of formatting there are? You normally see pocket books looking like this.

[gamer52599]

This Ember sounds like a problem... Nothing I can't handle.

JOOR ZAH FRUL

[Draco fox]

That bitch kill her and let her rot in hell but great job fav this