> Daring Do and the Scaled Titan
>  by The Howling Behemoth
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> First step, First flight, First shout
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It was a beautiful day in Ponyville, just like any other.
That's what a certain pony noticed as she entered the village. A mare who was doing a good job at keeping herself inconspicuous. She didn't want to draw attention to herself.
She looked around at the relaxed ponies. Each going about their day, content with their life.
So peaceful. She thought. So...boring.
She wasn't the type that sat around, waiting for something to happen, she made it happen. She didn't run and hide when danger and adventure called, she charged head first into it.
She has done so many, many times. If she had her away, she would do so many more times.





-KNOCK KNOCK
"Coming." A purple Alicorn called.
This Alicorn was non other than Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Magic and librarian of Ponyville. 	
"Princess Twilight Sparkle." A voice greeted.
Before Twilight could wave away formalities, she realized the mare before her.
The mare was wearing a purple shawl that nearly covered her entire body. A grey cloche type hate and large, heavy-red framed spectacles.
The mare was non other than A.K Yearling.
A.K.A. Daring Do.
"Come in." Twilight ushered the mare inside. "Can I get you anything, tea or something."
"No thanks, I'm not here for a friendly visit." She stated.
Twilight was taken off guard by the mares abruptness. Ever since her ascension to princess, ponies have been cow-towing around her. Yet this mare acted as if she were just another pony.
Though her books do mention her interacting with a lot of important ponies. Twilight reasoned. She's probably used to being around royalty.
"What can I do for you then?" Twilight asked.
"The Castle of the Two Sisters, you've been." A.K stated
"Yes." Twilight answered. "So have the other Elements of Harmony."
"But there has been no proper excavations." A.k. stated.
"Sadly no." The Alicorn agreed. "The ponies are too superstitious to enter the Everfree forest."
This is getting perfect! Daring thought.
Even she had heard of the accursed forest. The legends and rumors that surrounded, it only made the forest more appealing to her.
Not just some boring excavation. She mentally cheered.
As she began relishing the trip, something moved in the corner of her eye.
She turned to see a scaled, purple tail with green barbs. It was at least a three feet long.
"Princess, are you alone?" A.K asked in a hushed voice.
Twilight followed the mare's gaze before understanding dawned.
"Oh, well uh..."
A.K Yearling noticed how the Alicorn began to fidget. She took it one way, the wrong way.
"I'll take care of it." 
Before Twilight could object, the mare had discarded her disguise. A.K Yearling was gone, Daring Do stood in her place.
"No, you don't..." Twilight tried to talk, but Daring Do was a mare of action.
The Pegasus had pulled out her lasso and threw tossed it towards the tail. As it tightened around her target, she was rewarded with a squeal of shock. With a single hard yank, coming from years of practice, she pulled her target out. 
Much to her surprise, her target was a dragon!
He had to have been seven hooves long, not including his tail. His tail was an additional four hooves in length and two wide. His wings were sprawled out, measuring at least an equal eight, from tip to tip. Even the claws had to be at least three inches long, and a whole inch wide.
Quickly coming over her shock, she addressed the dragon.
"Who are you, what are you doing here?"
Before Daring could get an answer, she was forced off the dragon. A magical aura from Twilight was holding her off the ground.
"He lives here!" The Alicorn answered. "Spike, are you okay?"
"Fine Twi." He answered.
"You live with a dragon!" Daring exclaimed.
She had seen a lot of things on her adventures, but this took the cake.
"Yes, this is Spike, my number one assistant." Twilight stated proudly.
The overgrown dragon gave a shy wave of his massive claws.
"That's right, you hatched him." Daring stated from her foggy memory. "I read about it, but it say's he's a baby dragon."
Twilight seemed to be uncomfortable with the statement, while Spike seemed sad. Daring realized that she had struck a sore topic for the duo.
"Yes, well Spike is technically a baby by dragon standards, he's just had a bit of a growth spurt." Twilight explained. "He even grew a pair of wings."
"Well, I apologize for my rudeness." The mare bowed.





She was in the town, he could feel it.
He didn't know why, or care. Just knowing that she was here was enough of a reason for him to be.
"Whatever you're searching for Daring Do." He began "I shall find it! Then I shall find you and have my revenge!"
His followers had a different thought pattern. Where'ever Daring Do went, some adventure always appeared. Whenever there's adventure, treasure always followed. 





Once the ponies and dragon had settled the matter, they made their way to the living room. Daring Do had dawned her disguise and became A.K Yearling again.
"So why do you want to know about the castle?" Twilight asked. "Most ponies would be put off with just the rumors."
"I plan on doing a personal excavation of the place." Yearling answered. 
"Oh, you'll need a guide." Twilight stated.
"No, I work alone." The Pegasus stated. 
"Didn't you learn that help could be useful, even if unwanted, after our last encounter?" Twilight asked skeptically.
Daring had the decency to blush at the Alicorn's statement. That had not been one of her proudest moments.
But it had been a best seller in her book.
Who knows, I could probably use the assistance. She reasoned.
"Okay, when can we leave?" Yearling asked, eager.
"Oh uh, I can't go." Twilight answered "I'm busy with my studies."
The Alicorn motioned to a tower of books that sat behind them. The Pegasus was actually put off with the sheer amount of books the mare intended to read.
"Well I can just get one of the other Elem-"
"I'm sorry, but they're busy with their day jobs." Twilight spoke. "If you're willing to wait-"
"I'm sorry, but I've never been a patient mare." Yearling stated "I'll find my own way."
"Even if you do, the castle is like a maze!" Twilight panicked. She could get hurt!
"All the better." Yearling cheered.
Gotta think Twilight, gotta think! She looked around for an answer, but her eyes only fell on her books and dragon. That's it!
"Spike can go with you!" She gushed.
"Spike do what now?" The dragon spoke.
"Yeah, you've been to the Castle just as much as I have." Twilight reasoned. "You know the safest roots and how to avoid the traps in the castle."
"...Can I speak to you in the other room?" Spike spoke.	
He didn't give the Alicorn a chance to answer, he just grabbed her and pulled.





A.K Yearling wasn't a nosy pony, but the others didn't go far. Spike and Twilight had only gone to the kitchen, a room with no doors.
"Are you crazy Twi?" Spike asked harshly.
"Spike, you've been in this library for months." Twilight spoke "Months!"
This statement caused Spike to lower his voice in depression.
"You know I don't have a choice." Spike mumbled.
Ever since Spike had his growth spurt, he had been confined to the library. Not leaving unless absolutely necessary. 
"Please Spike, it's not healthy." Twilight begged. "Do it for me."
The dragon wanted to say no, but the mare before him was persistent. She wouldn't let up unless he went outside.
"Fine." He relented.





The two had set off for the castle immediately.
A.K Yearling usually didn't draw attention to herself, but for some reason ponies couldn't take their eyes off her. As she stared back, she saw that it wasn't her they were watching. 
It was Spike.
"Any reason these ponies won't take their eyes off you?" A.K asked.
Spike didn't answer, but she could tell it was bothering him. The dragon was doing his best to keep his head down, hoping ponies would ignore him. He wasn't able to put on a disguise like Daring Do.
A dragon among ponies. She mentally stated.
"What do you say we take to the sky?" A.K asked. "Avoid all of these wondering eyes."
"I...can't fly." Spike shamefully admitted.
He flexed his large wings, but they sat their uselessly.
"...You can run right?" The mare asked.
"What?"
"Let's run." She offered. "The sooner we get out of here is the sooner I can take off this disguise and you can get out of public sight."
The offer did appeal to the dragon.
"Sure." 
Spike and the Pegasus took off, Spike on two legs and Yearling on four.
It was actually a hilarious sight t behold. Spike's frame made him hunch over and his wings flared comically around the area.
Because of the awkwardness of his running, Daring couldn't run as fast as she wanted. She had to hold back so she wouldn't leave her 'guide' in the dust.
One of the reasons I work alone. She thought.
The duo ran for a good five minutes, but they didn't get far.
"Wow, you're terrible at this." A.K stated.
"I haven't run in months." Spike stated as he struggled for air. 
"No, that's not it." She stated. "You just recently got these wings, right?"
"Yes."
She moved to where he stood and studied him. Moving to his backside, she pushed him over so that he was on his stomach.
"Your wings are pushing you down, changing your body into a four legged creature." She explained. "Try running now."
"But I've always walked on two legs, not four." 
"Look at the job you've done so far." She teased.
With a roll of his eyes he corrected his posture for running on all four.
This time Spike didn't stop after five minutes, or even ten. He was running at a proper speed Daring do could actually enjoy.
They ran all they way to the Everfree forest.





"The Castle of the Two Sisters." He stated in wonder. "Of course!"
"What's there?" A pony asked.	
The beast, not a pony, looked at the stallion. The pony cowed under the gaze of his boss.
The beast turned to his 'pets'. "Soon, soon I shall have complete control of you, your brethren and ever other living soul!"





They had stopped long enough to catch their second, third for Spike, wind before entering.
A.K. had taken this time to remove her disguise and become Daring Do again.
Spike took this time to observe her. She was almost an exact replica of Rainbow Dash, with the same body, eye color and hair style. The only differences were that her fur was a khaki brown, her mane grey and her Cutie Mark was of a Compass rose.
"We'll be taking the most used path." Spike spoke. "Near Zecora's hut."
"That's the safest way?" Daring asked.
"Yes." Spike answered.
"Then let's take another route." Daring spoke.
"What?" The dragon prayed he had misheard.
"Let's take a root that other ponies don't." She stated eagerly "Maybe the route most ponies go missing on, maybe we can find out why?"
"Why?"
The mare looked at the dragon, as if shocked by the question itself.
"For the thrill of course!" She exclaimed. "Why do you think I do any of the thing I do?"
It took Spike a second to understand what she was talking about. It was her special talent, a part of her very nature.
To ask her, or any pony, to go against that would be ridiculous. It was like asking a bird not to fly, a fish not to swim, a predator not to hunt. 
"Fine." He caved. Could be interesting.
"Just like that?" She asked in disbelief.
Spike didn't answer, he just made his way into the woods at random.



	

When Spike chose a direction at random, it was really random. He had no idea where he was, nothing looked remotely familiar to him.
He told Daring Do, it only excited her more.
To keep himself calm, he began a conversation with the mare. She was shocked to learn that he was a fan of her book.
"So, why do you do it?" Spike asked "Aside from your Cutie mark, why do you explore the unknown?"
It took the dragon a moment to realize that the mare was no longer beside him. She had stopped and her eyes were glazed over.
"It's who I am." She answered. "To go where sane, even insane, ponies fear to tread. It's that feeling you get when you stand on the edge." She continued as began walking in a daze. "That feeling from your Cutie mark, reminding you of your purpose. An impulse, like a never ending itch, telling you to go on, go over." The dazed look was replaced with a excitement. "I've never turned from my path, because it always leads me to my destination."
Spike followed her line of sight and his eyes widened. 
They were at the Castle of the Two Sisters. It looked the same as it did when Spike first laid his eyes on it.
Daring Do ran forward the the edge of the chasm the held the castle. She looked off the edge with eyes full of wonder. Spike noticed this just before they glazed over again.	
"Are you okay?" Spike asked, a little worried.
"It's back." She answered.
"What?"
"The urge, telling me to go over." She began tapping her hoofs on the edge's corner. "To go over, over, over."
"The urge from your Cutie mark." Spike stated.
"No, even deeper this time." She spoke. "Come over, stand beside me."
Spike shook his head as he spoke. "It's not very safe, the land around here is very unstable."
As if to prove his point, the ledge exactly opposite of them crumbled to the ground.
"That's what make is exciting." She sighed.
With just a moment's hesitation, Spike joined her.
He slowly looked over the edge of the chasm, to the ground. The sight caused his eyes to nearly jump out of his head, they were up high.
The dragon was about to jump back until he felt a hoof. Daring Do had placed it under his chin, forcing him to look up.
He looked to where she was forcing him to, towards openness.
"It's not just a feeling this time, it's so much more than my Cutie mark." She began. "It goes deeper, into the very blood of any and all winged creatures." She gave Spike a once over. "Even if they can't act on it."
"The urge to fly." Spike answered shamefully.
"Tell me Spike, with wings like that you should be able to fly to Canterlot and be back in time for supper." She stated as she marveled at his useless appendages. "What's holding you back?"
The phrasing of the question confused Spike. "Holding me back?" 
"I've been been across Equestria many time." Daring stated "No pony, griffin or even a dragon can't do something unless they're being held back."
"I don't know what you mean." He honestly answered.
The mare kept her eyes on the dragon for a few seconds before sighing, but not in defeat. Daring Do doesn't do defeat. 
"Do you know where the urge comes from?" She asked, eyes full of mischief.	"The urge to fly."
"From the urge to jump?" Spike guessed.
"No, from the urge to fall." She whispered as she tossed herself over.
Spike watched as she fell over, shocked by her action. It took him a moment to remember that she was a Pegasus, that she could fly.
Daring Do relished the sensation of free falling to the ground. She allowed herself a moment all flying creatures could enjoy, absolute freedom.
Spike took the stairs.





He continued watching the mare, now with the dragon.
If he knows, if he can use them, then he could be a threat! He thought frantically.
"Boss." A lackey spoke.
"Not now!" He snapped before mumbling to himself. "Need to think."
"But boss!"
The creature turned his gaze towards the cowering pony. He was used to this, many cowed before him. But this time the pony cowed for another.
He turned his gaze to follow the ponies line of sight.
He met a pair of glowing white eyes and understood, they were being watched.





The two made their way inside the castle in silence, taking in the ancient and once forgotten palace.
Spike took the mare to the throne room, where the Two Sisters once sat as equal.
"What do you want to see?" Spike asked.
"I don't know." She answered, looking around.
"I can show you the library or music room." Spike offered. "Or maybe I can..."
"No!" Daring stated firmly.
"What?" Spike was shocked by her sudden outburst.
"Those are places you and the other six have been." She explained. "Aren't their places that you haven't seen to yet?"
There in fact plenty that they haven't been into, plenty still hidden. It was a big castle, full of traps and secret passages.
What caught Spike's attention was Daring's own since of un directed drive. It was as if she were searching for a memory she never had. Looking for answers to a question unasked. 
"What are you looking for here?" Spike asked, full of suspicion.
The Pegasus turned a hard eye to the dragon as she stopped her frantic searching. It was obvious she was reluncted to speak. Spike wasn't even sure if she had an answer for herself.
"I don't know." She sighed. "I don't usually head for places that has already had visitors like this one had." She saw Spike's face. "Places that's already been explored, even if it's by one pony. I've always been driven to be the first, if not only, explorer in an expedition."
"What do you think you'll find here?"
"Knowledge." She answered. "Knowledge or secrets of ponies long since forgotten. Things that can be brought to the light of this new age, this new world." 
Spike looked at the mare as she answered. It was so much like an answer that Twilight would have given.
Always seeking knowledge. He thought.
"There's one place." Spike began, only to pause.
"Yeah." She urged on.
"There's one place that none of the other's could get inside." Spike began uneasily, as if he regretted opening his mouth. "It's immune to both Unicorn and Alicorn magic and impervious to Earth pony strength."
"Well what are we waiting for?" Daring asked, ready to take off in any direction.
Spike began rubbing his neck sheepishly as he looked from her eyes.
"I don't know where it is. All I know is that it has a dragon painted on it." He answered. "Twilight just mentioned it once and that was it."
Daring saw that Spike was a little downhearted about not being able to help more. It was actually the thing that made her happy, they could get lost in an ancient castle.
"Let's get moving."





He stood before the door, the horrid door. It was all that stood between him and his destiny, the destiny he was denied by that mare. 
No matter how much force he used, the blasted door wouldn't give away.
I have to get inside this door! He mentally scream, outside he roared. 
He knew it was the door to what he was searching for. It was enchanted and hidden from the other paths. It even had the symbol of the beast that created what he needed.
If only I could find a way inside!
He continued beating on the door.
He knew it was futile, there was only one way to open the door. The problem was, he didn't know what that method was.





"Do you have any idea where you're going?' Daring asked.
"I'm taking us to Princess Celestia's room." Spike answered. "I'm sure we can find a clue to where this secret room is."
"That's some good reasoning." Daring admitted. "You'd probably make a decent adventurer."
The prospect brought a smile to Spike's face.
They arrived at a large door with the sun emblem on it, Celestia's symbol. A little further down and one could see Luna's, her moon emblem displayed for all. 
Once they entered, they were greeted with a room fit for royalty. The room was large and spacious, filled with furniture and other items. Even though the room was remarkable, it had a humble air to it.
There was just one thing that ruined the whole regal appearance.
A huge warning sign on one of the doors. There were four latches on the door, obviously the old version of a lock.

Do not enter if thou wishes to remain innocent!

"Remain innocent?" Spike asked out loud.
"Well nothing says 'interesting' like a warning sign." Daring stated.
Against the dragon's protest, the mare began raising the latch.
"It's obviously meant to keep something inside!" The dragon tried to reason.
"And we're going to let it out." She countered. "Besides, if a few latches can hold it back, then we should be able to take it."
As soon as the mare removed the last latch, the door flew open. Inside was nothing but darkness, that itself was pretty unnerving.
"Nothing to see here, let's go!" The dragon spoke, making his way to the door.
"You are not Celestia?" A disembodied voice spoke.
Spike and Daring Do stopped in there stride to the door. They turned to the door, there was nothing there.
"We're her friends." Spike stated, hoping it was friendly.
"Do you want our love?" It asked.
There was nothing there, but the voice was coming from the 'empty' room.
"Um, no." Spike answered.
A large, pink tentacle flew from the darkness. It wrapped it'self around one of Spike's front claw, another his right. A second pair grabbed his legs from under him. 
The tentacles hefted the dragon into the air and spread his limbs, exposing his body.
"You will have our love!" It hissed.
"...I don't like where this is going." He whimpered.
"Spike!" Daring shouted. "We need to get out of here!"
Spike turned to see that the mare was in the same predicament as he was.
"Any ideas?" He asked.
"You're a dragon!" She shouted as if it were obvious. "Burn it!"
"Uh, I..." He hesitated.
"Do it!"
"I can't!" He wailed.
"Try!" She snapped.
Spike inhaled as deeply as his lung would allow. As he did, he reached for the source of his fire.
He released it. 
Out came a flicker of green fire, the rest was smoke.  
Daring do couldn't hold it in, even in such a dire situation. She began laughing at the dragon's misfortune, even as he hung his head in shame. 
It seemed that the creature in the darkness agreed with her. It began making a shaking sound, she assumed it was amused.
Spike had had enough of the laughing. 
Looking for an escape, he found his tail was still free. 
He wrapped his tail around the nearest object, a stool. With decent aim and force, he through it into the darkness where the thing was. There was a crash of impact and a hiss, he had hit the beast.
But the creature hadn't let up.
"Furniture won't save you from our love." It spoke.	
As it spoke, it began rubbing more tentacles onto the dragon and mare. One got to close to Spike's face, the dragon opened it's maw and slammed it shut.
The bite must have stunned the creature, because the tentacles had lightened enough for Spike and Daring Do to pull free.
As soon as he could stand, Spike grabbed the closest and biggest piece of furniture he could. It had happened to be the royal bed.  





They had been moving in silence for a while, it was getting on Daring's last nerve. This is one of the reasons she never liked having a partner, they couldn't get over mistakes.
"What do you know about this place?" Daring asked, hoping to change the mood. "The dark stories and things like that?"
"Just one." Spike spoke. "The Pony of Shadows."
They had passed an open window that had shown them the full moon. It didn't surprise them at how late it was, not after all the stops and detours they made. It reminded him of a story Applejack had told him. He decided to sit under it for added affects. 
"The Pony of what?" Daring Do asked, disappointed at a possible campfire story.
"When Princess Luna became Nightmare Moon, her sister banished her." He paused to get his thoughts right. "A part of her didn't go; instead, it became one with the darkness." He looked towards the moon. "Only on a full moon can it take form, but those who see it are never heard from again."
"That's just a campfire story with too many holes in it." She stated "It's obviou-Ahh!" 
Not many things could scare Daring Do, to do so was quite a feat.  
But when faced with what she saw, it was worth more than a simple scream.
Spike was on his feet and turned around in a heart beat. He looked for what scared the mare, only to be frightened himself.
At the end of the tunnel, by an moon lit window was the source. It was a mass of shadow, constantly shifting. Only one thing stayed consistent about the entity, a pair of glowing white eyes. 
The creature looked at them and blinked once before turning away. It looked back at them, nudged it's head, then sprinted off.
"What?" Spike asked in shock.
"I think it want's us to follow." Daring stated.
"What!"
"Let's go!" She charged.
"What!"



	

"It's gone!" The mare screamed in frustration.
"Y-you know..." Spike gasped, out of breath. "Most ponies run away f-from dark entities."
Spike doesn't know what had possessed him to run after the mare, but he did. Even if he was afraid, he couldn't bring himself to abandon some pony.
With a huff, the mare stood up. As she leaned on a wall, she never noticed it slowly sink in. Under her hooves, the floor gave way.
Spike watched in shock as the mare fell through a hole in the wall that appeared from nowhere.
Daring Do, being the mare she was wasn't put off by a secret passage. She had been, and probably will be, caught in many of them. After awhile, she became so used to them that she didn't think, just acted.
She instantly spread her wings, only to realize it was too cramped. No problem! She grabbed her lasso threw it at the entrance, hoping to catch something.
The lasso caught Spike around his neck, similar to a noose. Without any warning or chance to brace himself, he felt the lurch. It was too much for him to handle, so it pulled him down into the tunnel as well.





Daring Do was the first to recover from the order.
The first thing she noticed was that there was a large dragon laying on top of her. The second thing was that she was in pain.
"Uhg..." Spike groaned as he rolled over. "Take my head off why don't you."
"A big, bad dragon like you can't take the weight of a little mare like me?" Daring asked, through her own groan.
Little? He thought to himself.
Spike stood on all fours and began stretching, trying to make sure nothing was wrong. Everything seems to be in order. He thought.
He looked to Daring Do to see that she hadn't moved from her position. Spike began to panic, he had forgotten that he was no longer as small as he used to be.
"Are you..."
"My left wing is broken." Daring stated. "Two cracked ribs...and a sprained hoof."
"Oh buck, we need to get you to a doctor." Spike frantically paced. 
He began reaching for the mare when she waved him away.
"I can just cast it up, I've done it plenty of times."
Spike watched in amazement as she picked herself up and began walking as if nothing was wrong, minus the limp. Daring began picking random things up, pieces of wood and cloths. He would offer to help, but she didn't take it. She began making a makeshift splint for her broken wing. 
"Now, where were we?" She asked.
"Incredible." He whispered.
Spike was entranced at the mare before him. She had shown bravery, wisdom and now strength! He was beginning to understand Rainbow Dash's near obsession with the mare.
Daring Do herself was breathless, but for a different matter.
"Spike, look."
The basement that they had fallen into wasn't a basement at all, it was another hallway.	She turned her gaze back to the dragon and froze.
"What?" He asked in confusion.
"Spike." Daring spoke slowly. "Try not to panic."
As soon as the words had left her mouth, he became uneasy. There was a look in her eyes, the eyes that were focused on something behind him. He suddenly became aware of a presence right behind him.
"It's right behind me, isn't it?"
The Pegasus nodded.
Whatever Spike was expecting, it was not for the Shadow pony to walk pass him. It didn't even give him, nor Daring, a second glance from it's glowing eyes.
The two watched it's every move as it came to a door, a door with the symbol of a dragon on it.
It finally turned to them and began motioning to it.
"You...want us to go in?" Daring asked.
The shadowy creature nodded.
"How do we get inside?"
The creature raised it's head towards a line of words that hung on the door frame

At night they come without being fetched, And by day they are lost without being stolen.
.
"It's a riddle!" Daring realized. "Spike, what do you think the answer is?" She asked only to receive silence. "Spike?"
"Huh?"
Daring Do turned her attention to the dragon.
The creature had been still, eyes on the dragon. This made Spike uneasy for obvious reasons. He hadn't taken his eyes off it, even to read the riddle.
"The riddle." She spoke.
Spike finally tore his eyes from the shadowy creature and looked at the riddle. He knew what the answer was, so he spoke.
"Stars."
A loud, unhinging sound could be heard from behind the doors. Soon the doors swung open with a loud creak, as if they were in a serious need of an oiling.
"How did you guess it on the first try?" Daring asked.
Spike looked bashful with a hint of sadness. 
"I spend a lot of time inside the library, so when Twilight leaves, I just read." He explained. "I've come across this riddle from Princess Luna's...older books."
Daring had to admit she was impressed with the dragon, as well as sad. 
She noticed something was off, the shadow pony was still there. It had never budged, even after the door had opened. 
"Spike, why is it still staring at you?"
"It's not." A voice spoke from behind, "It's staring at me!"
Then, all went black for the dragon and mare.





Daring was the first to recover from her sudden leap into the dream world. She was used to being knocked unconscious, there was a chance she was building a tolerance.
"Uhg, what hit me?" She asked drowsily.
She tried to rub the sore spot where she was sure a bump was growing, but couldn't. She inwardly groaned when she saw that she had been tied up. Who ties a pony up with their own lasso?!
"That would be me." An arrogant voice spoke.
The mare turned her attention towards a face she was familiar with.
"Caballeron." She hissed.
"That's Dr. Caballeron!" He snapped before calming himself. "You two have my thanks, if not for you two, we'd still be trying to open the door. 
Daring turned to see Spike, chained just as she was. He's faking! She could see that his breathing was uneven, especially for a person that was unconscious. Smart. 
"What are you after this time?" She asked. "The treasure of the Two Sisters?"
It looked as if the pony was going to say 'Yes', but was cut off by another
"No, Daring." It spoke. "What we're after is far better than any gold or gems."
"Ahuizotl" Daring spoke calmly. "I thought I lost you after our last scuffle."
"Yes well, did you really think I'd be defeated that easily?" He asked smugly.
"Yes." She answered innocently. Need to keep him talking.
He raised his arm as if he were going to smack her for her comment, but held himself. He had to admit he was impressed that she hadn't even flinch from his action.
"You know Daring, I will actually thank you." He spoke, gaining a raised eyebrow. "Thank you for giving me the key to all!"
He motioned towards several stone walls that had been behind him. On them were what looked like chicken scratch to Daring Do, but something told her it was much worse.
"Well, get on with your monologue." Daring spoke. "Tell how this wall will do-whatever!" She sighed. "Just make it good, this might be an important part for my next book."	
"Oh Daring, you actually think you'll live long enough to make a book." He chuckled.
"I always do."
"Fine, I shall humor you." He spoke. "Have you ever wondered why I have always been able to command cats to do my bidding?"
"...Not really." She answered. But it could be important.
"It is thanks to the power of dragons!" He exclaimed as he turned to the unconscious Spike. "Ironic, no?" His question was met with silence. "Grrr, well thanks to a certain Pegasus and her pet dragon, I'll show you." He growled as he turned back to his minions. "Well?!"
"Sorry sir, we weren't able to translate the wall?" The hench-pony whimpered.
"What?!" 
"It's just-" He was cut off by a rough push.
"Out of the way pony, I'll o it myself!"
The Pegasus watched as the creature was desperate to reach the wall. She saw how intense his gaze was as he tried to decipher it's secrets. 	
"What are you planning?" She demanded.
He turned his attention from the wall and stared the mare in her eyes. Ahuizotl took one look at the purple dragon before a cruel smile spread across his face. From years of experience with the beast, she knew it meant no good.
"Well, for a non-dragon such as I to use the power of the dragons, a dragon soul is required." He spoke gleefully. "And the only dragon here is you pet."



	

"Aug, my head." Spike moaned as he tried standing.
The idea was put out of his head when he realized he had been chained up.
Through bleary eyes, he looked around and say that he had been captured along with Daring Do. Their captors had been non-other then characters from her book. Ahuizotl, Dr. Caballeron and his gang.
"Ugh, what have I gotten into this time?" He asked himself. Every mare I know seems to be drawn into crazy situation. The Elements of Harmony, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, the...I need more friends. Maybe guy friends. 
Then something caught his attention, more then everything else. It forced him to ignore the ponies and creature before him.
The wall.
As he stared at it, a fog began to settle over his mind. The wall, it was drawing his attention and blocking everything else, like a moth to the flame. It was slowly beckoning to him, drawing him in. Demanding he speak the words he had didn't know.
"Spike!" He heard.
Spike began shaking his head, removing the fog from his head and turned to the mare. She was staring at him in a curious manner while Ahuizotl was staring warily. 
Daring Do was thinking frantically. I need to stall them for Spike. 
Another reasoned she didn't like having partners, they always needed rescuing! Plus, she didn't want his to be death on her hooves. It had been her fault that they were in the situation in the first place.
"Hey, Caballeron." Daring called. 
"That's Dr. Caballeron!" He snapped.
"Whatever, you're after the treasure here, right?" Daring asked, knowing the answer.
"What of it?" The stallion asked.
"That dragon over there eats gems for snacks." She explained. "He could sniff the treasure out for you."
The stallion narrowed his eyes at the bit of information she had mentioned. He knew of dragons eating gems, but why did she care? Why was she telling him?
"Why are you telling me this?" He asked suspiciously. "What are you planning?"
"You take the dragon and get the gems." She explained. "Otherwise, Ahuizotl will kill him and you'll be searching through a booby-trapped maze for who knows how long." 
He seemed to take a second to consider her words. Daring Do hid her smirk, knowing she had him by his greed.
"Eh, Boss!" He called. "I was thinking, since we can't seem to translate the wall for you..." He began, before cowering under the beast's gaze.
"What, what is it?"
"Maybe me and a few of my associates could take the dragon treasure searching." He continued. "No reason for us to leave empty hooved."
Ahuizotl cast a suspicious glance to the bound Pegasus. 
"Fine." 
He would have said 'no', but he couldn't allow their greed to turn on him. Not when he was so close to his goal. 
The ponies were already dragging the poor dragon away. Before Spike was fully gone, he met Daring Do's gaze.
She winked.
Once they were gone, she began working. After a moment of silence, the creature began speaking. Though he never turned his head towards the mare, not risking a second from the wall.
"What are you planning?" Ahuizotl asked.
"Oh nothing, just this!"
Ahuizotl was shocked to feel the lasso he had tied around Daring Do suddenly latch on to himself. It was followed by a strong yank that was able to pull him onto his butt. The mare began running circles around the beast, binding him in her rope.
"You're free!" He exclaimed. "How?"
"I could have gotten out anytime I wanted." She stated smugly. "I'm Daring bucking Do, I've been bound in ropes, chains, shackles, magic, you name it. Did you really think you could bind me with just rope?" She questioned before adding. "My own rope!"
She had expected him to started raging against her or begin some of their usual banter. Instead, he just began a chuckle that turned into full out laughter, as if she had told him a joke. This was never a good sign.
"I must thank you again Daring Do." He stated after his fit ended. "Now I can properly show you the power I will obtain."
She watched with growing dread as the creature reared back it's head and bellowed. The shout seemed to echo endlessly with a pressure behind it. She was also able to feel how old the words were, how powerful.
Raan. Mir.
"What was that?!" Daring asked.
She was first answered by the cats, that appeared from nowhere, specifically by their actions.
The cat's seemed to freeze up before turning towards Ahuizotl with empty eyes. They gazed at him with strange looks, like soldiers awaiting an order. 
"Kill her!" He commanded.
The large cat's turned their fierce gaze upon the mare.
"What is this? she asked.
"A fraction of what I hope to obtain!" He answered gleefully. "Though I admit it's incomplete, it shall be enough until I decipher this wall."
With that, he turned his attention back to the wall. While he did that, Daring Do began her face off against the beasts of the wild.	





"Where are you taking us dragon?" Dr. Caballeron questioned.
Spike had been walking them at random, hoping for a miracle. Unfortunately, it looked as if he was going to have to provide his own.
"I'm taking you towards the treasure room." Spike lied.
Truthfully, he had no idea where the treasure room was. He didn't even know if there was a treasure room, or if Princess Celestia moved it all when she relocated. He had just been going through complicated loops, hoping to keep them distracted as they made their way back. Stalling them.
"These halls look familiar." One pony stated.
"They all look alike." Spike stated as he turned right. Buck, I was supposed to make a left!
He had no choice but to continue as if there was nothing wrong. However, the stallions were beginning to become restless at the distractions twists and turns.
"Listen here dragon." One of the thugs spoke. "If we don't find a treasure room in the next ten seconds..."
"Then we'll find out how much purple scales are worth on the black-market." A second thug finished.
10...
Come on Spike think!		
8...
He was running out of time, he needed to act!
4...
He grabbed a random door and hesitated.
1...
He opened the door.	
Whether Spike was just lucky or unlucky would be up for questions later. Right now, he was sure of only one thing. He had led a group of pony thieves into one of the most treasured rooms.
Celestia's.





Daring Do.
She wasn't the type that sat around, waiting for something to happen, she made it happen. She didn't run and hide when danger called and adventure called, she charged head first into it. She has done so many, many times. If she had her away, she would do so many more times.
But this time, the way things were playing, the odds didn't look so good.
Her arch-nemises had gone do far as to take his attention off of the stone. He was giving her his undivided attention for what he hoped was her demise.
"What's wrong Daring Do?" Ahuizotl taunted. "You don't look so good."
Usually she would have made short work of the cats, but her injuries were slowing her down. That allowed her injuries to grow, a scratch here, or a tear there. It was only through skill and luck that she hadn't been caught in one of there jaws, that would be game over.
"What's wrong, no witty come-back?" He continued. "Cat got your tongue?



	

Spike felt as if the day's luck had finally turning itself around.
"Where are we?" Dr. Caballeron asked.
"We are in the chambers of Princess Celestia herself." Spike answered. 
"Why are we here?" The lead criminal asked.
"Daring Do and I found the treasure here." Spike pointed to the door with the warning. "Behind those doors are the treasure the remains in the castle." Spike explained. "She didn't want apart of it, saying that she searches for knowledge, not greed."
"That sounds like her." Dr. Caballeron mumbled.
"Why here?" One criminal asked.
"Don't be a fool." Dr. Caballeron spoke. "Where would the treasure be safest if not under the guard of the Princess herself." He turned to the dragon. "But the warning..."
Think fast! Spike calmly spoke. "Greed corrupts."
The ponies seemed to buy the explanation and hurriedly made there way to the door.
"I've got to say dragon, I thought you were pulling a fast one." One of the criminals spoke. "Now, step back."
"Wha-?"
"I SAID STEP BACK!" The Unicorn snapped as he magically drew a crossbow. "I'm no fool, I no all about how dragons are with their greed." He explained. "As soon as we open the door, he'll grow ten times his size and rip us to shred."
"Do as you're told." 
Spike wordlessly sunk back away from the doors.
As soon as the stallions opened the door, they were greeted with darkness.
"I KNEW HE WAS TRICKING US!"
The stallion turned to the dragon, only to see that he was gone.
Do you want our love? 





"Buck me." Spike mumbled to himself.	
In all his walking through through the castle, he actually had gotten lost. He had no idea what was happening right now, just that it was bad.
He shall awaken and wage war on all.
Suddenly, Spike came to a sudden halt. Those words ringing in his head, weighing heavily on him for reasons he couldn't understand.
At the end of the hall was the Pony of Shadows, standing under the glow of the full moon.	
So far the entity hadn't shown any threatening signs to either him or Daring Do. Yet, it obviously wasn't going to help them, seeing as it didn't warn them about Ahuizotl.
With it standing there so ominously, he couldn't help but feel unnerved. Especially since it showed interest in him at the door. The whole 'ponies are never seen again' didn't help. At all.
It took a step towards him, slow and deliberate. Spike took one back.
Some may call him Alduin. Some may call him Devour. Some may call him Rage. Or the King of Destruction. The Deathless Dragon. The Bringer of the End. And these are the words that shall set him free. 
Spike didn't know what this creature was saying, only that it frightened him.
Even as it spoke, it continued to get closer to him. No matter how much he retreated, it seemed to gain more ground on him, with it's deliberate steps. But he didn't stop his backwards retreat, he felt as if he were being led back.
Until he walked unto a stone tile that sunk in. He never noticed either, too afraid to take his gaze off of the entity.
If he had, he would have seen the trapdoor under him. 
As he fell, he dreamed.





He was weightless, no he was flying.
He was high in the sky, circling a kingdom. This kingdom was old, very old. Older than the reign of the Two Sisters. Older than the reign of Discord.
It was a time when an old and self-proclaimed, dominant species ruled. Puny two legged beings, nothing but evolved monkeys. They believed themselves superior to him and his kin.
Now they were in despair.	
Their castle was burned and crumbling under him. Their once great numbers dwindled to the clawful that stood before him.
They had attacked him, like all have. They came at him with swords and spears that broke against his scales. They came at him with armies he crushed with no more than his voice.
The same voice he would use again.





Daring Do had honestly believed that her time had come.
That was, until a certain purple dragon fell onto the cat that was about to devour her.
"Spike?"
The dragon's eyes snapped open, cloudy and unfocused.
Inside, Daring could see his emotions ready to boil over. An endless sea of rage, wanting nothing but to see everything burn! A bottomless pit of avarice, waiting to swallow everything. She watched as he let these feelings consume him. It was like a different being had taken the place of her companion.
There was something building in him, something big. It was old and powerful, something he couldn't comprehend. But he didn't need to, all he needed to do was let it out. And he did. 
Spike raised his head back, and he roared.	
A voice so thunderous and commanding, that it was rife with menace and majesty. A voice like no other
And then the dragon collapsed.
The entire castle began began to tremble, some unseen force was attacking. Whatever it was it was powerful ad the castle was old.
"A Thu'um with no words, impossible!" Ahuizotl exclaimed.
For Daring Do, it was another explanation, because she understood. Her eyes had just witnessed it and her ears just heard it, but it was as if their minds couldn't contain it. There were just no words, for pony or beast, that could describe such a spectacle.
The unending tremors began rousing the dragon from his sleep.
"Ugh, my head." Spike moaned. "Did I get knocked out again?" He looked around. "What's happening?!"
He doesn't remember? She realized.
"Spike, this place is coming down!" Daring explained before he could focus. "We have to leave!"
Spike hesitated when given the news. The entire castle was shaking and the ceiling seemed to be crumbling, it wouldn't last long.
"No!" They heard.
They turned to see Ahuizotl holding on to the word wall. It was half way fallen through a hole that had appeared. He was half pulled in from the weight, but refused to let go.
"Let go!" Daring shouted. "You'll be pulled in if you don't!"
He didn't listen.
"We have to leave!" Spike exclaimed. 



	

Spike had to carry Daring Do, her wounds from the cat fight would only slow her down.
She was surprised that he could carry her, he hadn't bee able to support her wait when she had fallen. Yet here he was, carrying her while maneuvering through the debris, as if she where just a saddlebag.
"Where are we going?" Daring asked.
"Down." Spike answered.
"Down?" She question skeptically.	
"I don't know where the exit is, so I'm hoping that I'll find one, maybe the front door." 
To prove his point, he opened one of the door closest to him. It did lead to the outside, but with one problem. They were near the upper part of the castle.
"B-but we went down." He stated, utterly confused.
He felt a tapping.
Spike looked to were Daring had been pointing and saw a crater, several craters. Each one containing a meteor. Still smoldering like a candle in the night.
It became clear what had collided with the castle.
The mare could only stare at Spike in awe. He did this.
"Dragon!"
Spike and Daring turned to see an enraged Ahuizotl. He was standing there, like a volcano waiting to erupt.	
"Ahuizotl!"
"You have cost me more than you can understand!" He roared.
He crouched over, using his hand-tail like a whip to grab Spike and throw him back into the castle. He collided with a crumbling wall, shattering it as he went through. 





He was faced to face with the current Dovahkiin, the newest Dragonborn.	
This one wielded the weapon of one of his older enemies, long since devoured. Either by him, or by time.
"It ends here Alduin!" The Dovahkiin stated. "Today the Devour becomes devoured!"
"You may picked up the weapons of my ancient foes, but you are not their equal!" He sneered. "Not that it did them any good." He taunted. "You see they aren't here to aid you."
The Dovahkiin stepped forward, weapons drawn.
And he shouted.
FUS. RO. DAH.
The battle began. Between the Dragonborn and the World-Eater.





Spike's eye snapped open and turned towards his attacker.
Ahuizotl reared his head back.	
Raan. Mir.
As the words echoed through the crumbling castle, Spike couldn't help but feel a little aggravated. This creature was going to use the power of dragons to kill him, a dragon.
The cats began pouring into the room, attacking as they were ordered.
They lunged him as one. Each cat attacked Spike, using their teeth to dig into various parts of him. Even with his scales, the bites stung. If they kept at it, they might actually break though his scaled hide.	
I can't die like this! Spike thought as he panicked, doing his best to rid himself of the cats. Not to some overgrown...mindless...house cats! Rage began filling his mind. I'm not going to lose to because of some...insignificant...inferior beast using dragon power!
Spike's eyes began turning a murderous red.
His wings flared, knocking a few of the cats away. Those that remained, he through off with his bare claws. 
He turned his attention towards Ahuizotl.
The beast dropped to all four legs and charged Spike. When he was just a few hooves away, he lunged.
"You may have the power of my people." Spike spoke. "But you are no dragons equal."





"Spike!" Daring shouted as she limped towards the last spot she saw them.
Gotta hurry before Ahuizotl kills him!
She didn't want to sound as if she had a lack of faith in the dragon, but he was a sad sight. He couldn't fly or even breath a decent flame, let alone beat Ahuizotl.
She found the creatures locked in combat, or something close to it. Their claws were locked and one was trying to overpower the other.
Spike seemed to have the upper hand in the matter, that was all she cared about.
She would have jumped into the fray, but was never given the chance.
Spike took a quick step back and eased on his strength, that through Ahuizotl off balance. He grabbed the creature by his hand-tail and swung him into the wall. It began to crumble under the force Spike used. Ahuizotl didn't look as if he would be getting up anytime soon.
The entire room shook from the impact. A shacking that didn't look as if it were going stop anytime soon.
"Spike, we have to get out of here!" She shouted.
Spike turned to the mare that had called him. He had a distant look in his eyes, as if he hadn't recognized her.
"Daring?" He spoke, before shaking his head. "Daring, what are-"
"We have to leave!" She yelled.
"How?" He asked, pointing behind her.
She turned her attention towards the whole that they had entered to see that it was blocked with rubble.
The mare dived into the rubble, grabbing and tossing as fast as she could.
Spike watched her, it would do no good. They would need a lot of force to even budge the rubble, more then she could produce. They would need force like that thing, that man had used.
What had he said, what were the words? It had described the effects perfectly. It was truly unrelent...force?
Force...
Fo-
Fus.
The shouted had just passed over the mare at work, barely missing her. When she looked up, she saw a whole, just large enough for them to get through.
"Wh-what was that?" Spike asked.
"I'll explain later!" Daring promised. "Come on!"





They were back at the upper door entrance the led outside, back at square one. Up high, with no way for them to get down. 
Except one.
"Spike, you'll have to carry us down." Daring stated.
"But I can't f..."
"If you don't, we'll be crushed under this collapsing castle." She reasoned. "There's no way we can find a lower entrance before that happens."
"But..."
Whatever he was going to say was cut off by Daring Do. She had pulled out her rope and tied it around her waist.	
"I rarely do this, but extreme time call for extreme measures." She mumbled. "Spike, you're going to learn to fly in the most basic of ways." She tied the other end around him before he could react. "By falling."
The mare leaned over, tossing them both off.

As they fell, Spike began screaming for his life. Daring however, just laughed at it.
"We're going to die!" He shouted.
"Not if you fly." She countered.
There was nothing Spike could say against that. This moment was all on him, deciding the fate of two lives.
He looked down.
He should have been terrified from the fall. The weight of the two should have thrown his entire body out of his control. He should have crashed to the ground in a matter of seconds.
But he didn't.
Everything felt...natural to him, being in the air. As if he had been in the air all his life. He felt weightless as the world just fell into place. It was almost as if everything slowed down, in his mind at least. Outside it, everything was just a blur as the wind roared passed his ears.
Spike knew that if he continued at this pace he'd crash into the ground. He needed something to put up resistance against gravity.
Then it happened, Spike felt his instincts.
He opened his large wings to their fullest. He caught the winds resistance, like a sail, to slow him down. It not only worked, it carried him across the ridge.
Spike may not have been flying, but gliding was a nice start.
Now, how do you land?



	

"We could have died!" Spike shouted. "There was no guarantee that I'd fly!" He thought on it. "I didn't even fly, I just glided us to safety!"
"That is what I live for!" Daring shouted in happiness. "Walking that line between life and death, that is living!"
"You're insane!" Spike roared.
She calmed from her adrenalin high to examine the dragon.
"How do you feel right not?" She asked. "Be honest."
He hesitated before answering honestly. "I feel it, my blood is on fire!" Spike answered. 
"And?"
"I want to do it again and again and again." He admitted.
"Welcome to my life."
"My hearts pounding so hard, it's about to burst." He mumbled as he tried to calm down.
"That's not the only thing about to burst." Daring stated.
Spike looked at the mare who had her eyes on him, he followed her line of sight. 
Apparently the adrenaline had done more than Spike had expected. His member was standing at it's full height. She was openly staring at his member. He noticed there was a hungry look in her eyes.
He was shocked when he felt her wrap her hoof around his member. She held it gently and began giving it a few light strokes.
"What are you-!" He was silenced by a quick, but hot kiss.
"Consider this thanks for such a wonderful day." She whispered.
In a single motion, she gulped half his entire member down her throat. She paused only to take a deep breath through her nose before pushing further. Only stopping when she reached the end of his member, a knot. She wouldn't admit it, but she was doubtful she could get the the whole thing down. 
Thank Celestia I don't have a gag reflex.
By the way Spike was groaning, he was thinking something along the same line.
She began slurping as she bobbed her head up and down. Pulling on his member with her firm lips and skilled tongue. While she did that, the back of her throat began massaging him. 
She looked at the dragon, who looked back at her. Daring wanted to see the look on his face as she worked him, and wasn't disappointed.
The face he was making was like adding oil to a fire. She moved her hoof down towards her marehood and began massaging her clit.
For Spike, it was bliss. Her mouth was like a vacuum, but wet. Even her throat was massaging him in ways he never experienced. His groans began filling the air as Daring continued to suck.
She had no real warning as his member exploded inside her mouth. Just a throaty growl and the twitching of his member. 
She had to pull back before she choked. 
"How was that as a thank you?" She asked, wiping the excess away. "Spicy."
Spike didn't answer, he was still too far gone.
Spike saw the mare before him turn and present her firm behind. She waved it slowly, almost taunting the poor dragon.
He grabbed the mare by her rump, careful with his claws. It was just as he imagined, firm. In a swift moment, he turned her over so that her mare-hood was out.
"Whoa there big-boy!" She cried in excitement. 
He began licking everywhere around her flower, making the mare squirm. As delicately as possible, he used his claws on her teats. He pinched and pulled her nipples, earning gasps of shock. 
"Stop...teasing!" She whimpered. "Give it to me!"
He took much pleasure in watching her, but he wasn't cruel.
Spike slowly trailed his tongue around until he made contact with her flower. He gave her a few light strokes before shoving his tongue inside. Using his long tongue, which got longer and thicker with age, he began rotating it around the inner walls of her flower. At the end of her marehood, he allowed his tongue to flicker.
While his tongue was working, he was able to use his lips separately. He placed them around her clit and began pulling on it like a plunger. He put just as much effort on her pink button as she did on his member. 
Spike felt as if the mare's walls were going to crush his tongue. The mare soon gave a massive scream as she flooded his mouth.
Spike hadn't noticed how thirst he was until she began quenching it. Taste like gems. He noted as he drunk greedily.
He raised her hind-quarters to his member and plunged it in.
Spike grunted at the sensation that nearly overwhelmed him. She was tight, tighter than her mouth, and so warm with her natural lube.
Daring gasped as Spike plunged into her, spreading her open. The spines digging into her and pulling in whatever rhythm Spike was using.
"So tight...won't last!" Spike grunted.
"Give it all to me!" Daring ordered. "I can take it!"
Spike plunged into her as far as he could before reaching the base, his knot. He only pushed further, earning a silent scream from the mare.
He began rapidly pounding into her, spreading her as she's never been spreaded before. She intern would squeez and massage him with her inner walls. 
"Can't...hold!"  
"Do it!"
He did, he let it all out, as did she.

The two laid there, sharing in their afterglow.	Holding onto each other as only satisfied lovers could.
"That...was amazing." Spike finally stated. He had never felt anything that wonderful. 
"You weren't too bad yourself." Daring stated. "Where did you learn to tease like that?"
The dragon did his best to shrug in their intertwined position. Nopony taught him, he just did.
"Spike." She spoke in a shocked voice. "How many times have you ever been with a mare-Er, dragoness?"
Spike didn't meet her gaze as he shook his head in a negative.
"When I was little, every-pony thought I was too young." He answered, not noticing expression change. "Now that I'm big, I'm too scary. Plus, there's a lacking of dragoness' around Equestria."
"You mean I was your first?" She asked. A virgin, a former virgin, just got me off twice. "Wow." Even experienced lovers could only get one.
"Spike, you are something else." She spoke.
Daring Do had meant it as a complement. Spike took it as a comment on his life.
A dragon raised by ponies. An outcast by his own kind. Unable to use any of his natural draconian abilities. Buck, he was even a vegetarian, he was a dragon vegetarian!
"I know it's not an ideal life." Spike admitted. "But it's all I know."
"Then come with me." She offered. "Live another."
Spike looked at the mare in shock. Daring Do never takes on partners, yet she just offered him a chance by her side. 
He would have asked if she was joking, but she was already asleep.
> Life Choice (Edited)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Spike watched as Celestia's morning sun washed over the ruins of her former castle.
He did not sleep.
How could he, even with the sexual activity, he was still too pumped. He had defeated some of Daring Do's enemies. Flown, actually he glided, for the first time. And he got LAID! But above all that, he was given the chance to live a life like that everyday. He was given the offer of being the Daring Do's partner!
Yeah, sleep was the last thing on his mind.
He stared at the mare that caused all of this. She had brought an excitement to his life he hadn't felt since he was smaller. When he would, though only rarely, be brought on the Mane six's adventures. They still had them about every week, and only once a week if they were lucky. Yet here she was, fanning a flame he thought had died out long ago.
Now she was sleeping like there was no trouble what's so ever, but Spike felt she was more aware of the situation than perceived.

Daring Do felt pretty good when she awoke. There was a few aches and bruises, but some where pleasant. The feeling of a hard day's work and a well deserved buck.
When she rolled over, she felt the dragon shift, just to make her more comfortable.
"Morning." She mumbled.
"Morning." He returned.
They sat there in a comfortable silence for a few more minutes. After awhile, the comfortableness melted into awkwardness.
"So..." Daring started.
"Did you mean it?" Spike asked.
"Wouldn't have offered if I hadn't." Daring stated. "What do you say? You could live a life of grand and life threatening adventure." Daring offered. "See things you could only read about in those books, some you can't." She hinted. "Plus, hot rutting anywhere and everywhere." She added with a shake of her hips.
"I accept." Spike answered without a second's hesitation. "But Twilight..." He trailed off. "I have responsibilities to her."
"Well then, lets go convince her." Daring stated.

As the two left the comfort of each other's warmth, they never noticed a figure emerge from the castle entrance.
Ahuizotl. Injured and enraged from his battle with Spike, he raised his head to the sky.
"CURSE YOU DARING DO AND SPIKE!" He shouted. "I SHALL HAVE MY REVENGE!"	
"Will you now, Spike was the dragon, was he not?"
Ahuizotl turned towards the one that spoke. In his shock, he struck out, intending to injure whoever was able to sneak up on him. 	
To further his surprise, his large fist simply passed through the stranger.
It was the pony of Shadows, but something about it seemed different.
He watched as the pony began to change, it became solid. It was a Pegasus pony, covered in a cloak.
Only a Thu'um would allow a Pegasus that kind of magic. Ahuizotl though.
"Who are you, speak before I kill you!" He ordered the pony. "What was that Thu'um?"
"I'll answer your question if you answer mine." The pony offered. 
He's trying to bargain with me?! Ahuizotl thought in shock.
"I don't make deals with mere ponies!" He shouted as he struck at the pony with his third hand.
FEIM.
Fade.
Once again, the pony became a shadow. This allowed the harm to just pass him.
Once he returned to flesh and blood, he glared at the creature.
VEN. GAR. NOS
Wind. Unleash. Strike.
Ahuizotl found himself lifted from his feet in a powerful gust of wind. The wind began to spin him rapidly before slamming him into the castle walls.
He was in too much pain to stand.
The pony made his way towards the fallen creature, glare still in his eyes.
"I tried to be friendly about this, but the thought mentality you displayed is too much like a dragon." He stated coldly as his hood fell away revealing a half burned face. "I hate dragons!" He hissed. "Now tell me all about the one that just left."
As he spoke, Ahuizotl's eyes fell onto the pony's Cutie mark.
It was that of an Iron helmet, with two curved horns pointing down.





The two had decided to take the safer route this time, passing Zecora's hut.
When they came into Ponyville, it was a...sight.
Twilight was having another one of her...episodes. The mane six were trying to convince her that she was just over reacting.

They were just supposed to look at a few books and tunnels. Twilight thought frantically. "They were supposed to be back yesterday!"
"Twilight, I'm sure their okay." Rainbow spoke. "Spike is with Daring Do after all."
"Yes, and Daring Do always get into life threatening adventures!" Twilight countered.
"So do we sugar cube?" Applejack. re-countered.
"And we always comeback looking fabulous." Rarity added.
It was at that moment that Spike walked in with Daring Do on his back.
"Uh, hi?"
"SPIKE!" Twilight shouted, voice nearly at the Royal Canterlot level. "WHERE IN EQUESTRIA HAVE YOU BEEN?!"
"At the Castle." Spike answered. 
"Did you two run into any trouble?" Pinkie asked. "You look like the high-chair Pound-cake sits in after he's finished pounding."
"Uh..."
"We ran into Ahuizotl at the Castle." Daring answered. 
"What?" Twilight asked. "Are you two hurt?"
"Just a few bruises." Spike answered. "But Daring could use a little R&R."
"Tell me everything!" Twilight and Rainbow ordered for different reasons.

So Spike and Daring Do began telling the story of their adventure. From her arrival to the town, for R.D, to finding the castle off the used path. They mentioned their encountered with the pony of Shadow to being ambushed. Spike's clever distraction, they's never look at their Princess the same again. All the way to Spike using the Shout and facing against the Ahuizotl.
Spike was proudest of his gliding achievement.
"You're holding out on us!" Pinkie declared as she pulled out an over-sized magnifying glass. "What are you hiding?!"
"W-what makes you think that?" Spike asked, thankful his scales hid his blush.
"When you walked in you had a pep in your step and a glow that just resurfaced." Pinkie answered.
"Uhhh..."
"He broke the castle." Daring stated, catching the dragon's eye and shrugged. It was either that, or tell a Princess I had sex with her dragon. Banishment was not on her list.
"WHAT!"
"I may have used dragon magic to break the castle." Spike stated as he avoided every-pony's gaze.
"Cool." Rainbow spoke.
"Not cool." Twilight stated. "Spike, that place was full of ancient knowledge." She sighed.  "Spike, take a letter."
"That won't be necessary Spike." A new voice spoke. 
The mares and Spike turned to see the two Alicorn sisters. The mares and dragon bowed in their presence.
"Not to be rude, but what are you two doing here?" Twilight asked.
"Well, we-I felt the spell placed on the door in our old cast break." Luna answered. "We would have been here sooner, but stopped to see the cast."
"Daring Do." Celestia greeted. "I take it you broke the riddle."
"No your highness." She admitted. "You can think Spike for that."
"That riddle was one I read in an old book." Spike answered.	"When we got inside, we saw a wall with-"
"Dragon writing." The Princesses spoke simultaneously. "Do you know what was written?"
"Magic." Spike answered. "Dragon magic."
"Dragon magic is a tricky thing." Princess Celestia stated. "Dragons don't learn it like a Unicorn learns a spell, they use it on instinct." She continued. "Instead of a horn, they release it in the form of a shout called a Thu'um."
"Other creatures can use this magic." Princess Luna stated. "But it would takes years of studying to do just a fraction of the true power."
"Sounds like paradise for our egghead." R.D. whispered to Pinkie.
"The last known pony user was a known as a Dovakiin." Celestia stated.
As soon as Spike heard that word, that name, he growled. It was a primal growl, filled with anger. As if the name itself was an offense to him.
"Spike..."
"I'm...fine." He stated as he rubbed his head. What was that about?
"How come I've never heard of this?" Twilight asked.
"We know very little on it ourselves." Luna stated. "This power is older than we are, it has been around since the dragons first surfaced an eternity ago."
"Maybe we can find something about it in the dragon kingdom." Spike stated, turning to A.K Yearling. "Can we go there?"
"Sure thing partner." She answered
"Partner?" Twilight asked with a raised eyebrow.
The adventurous Pegasus and the tame dragon shared a look, both urging the other to speak.
"Well, I think I'll be heading to the hospital to get this wing looked at." Daring spoke. "Later Spike." For added affect, she gave the dragon a deep kiss. "I'll be seeing you real soon." She spoke sultrily.

Spike watched the mare leave, eyes on her shaking rump.
"Spike!" Twilight shouted. "Something you want to tell us?"
All eyes were on the dragon now. Some were raised in shock, others were narrowed in suspicion. 
"Daring Do offered me a chance to be her partner." Spike stated. "I accepted."
"You...what?" Twilight asked.
Unlike the previous times she had an outburst, this one wasn't in angry. It wasn't filled with shock, or even confusion. It was just sad, like she had been betrayed.
"I think we should give them some privacy." Rarity spoke.
The ponies quickly made themselves scarce for the purple duo.
"Why...would you accept that?" Twilight asked.
"Daring Do offered and I wanted to go." He answered.
"Well...you can't go." Twilight stated before turning around.
"Wha-why?!" Spike asked outraged.
"You're still my assistant!" She shouted. "You have a lot of responsibilities, too many to just be running around and getting into dangerous situations!" 
"But..."
"What if there's an emergency and I need to get in contact with the Princess!" She ranted. "What would I do, sit here with no hope!?"
"Use one of your spells!" Spike shouted back. "Or the Elements of Harmony!"
"Spike, I'm forbidding you from going!" Twilight snapped. "That's an order!"
Spike looked at the mare before him. She had just turned down his chance without so much as a second thought! He wanted to rant and rave about her unfairness. 
"Why can't I go?" He asked. "Give me one good reason."
Spike saw the mare freeze up at the question. She turned to him.
"Give me one good reason I should let you go." She ordered. "What's
"Twilight I can give you several, but mainly, I lived." Spike stated. "Yesterday, I had the greatest day of my life."
"Your life was in danger!" She shouted.
"I pushed myself to the limit with my mind, thinking of ways to win, and I did." He stated. "I thought you would be proud." 
"...I am." She mumbled.
"I felt myself go off the chart with...excitement!" He continued. "Not knowing what would happen...I went over the cliff!" He declared to her confusion. "Twilight, I even bucked a mare for the first time."
"...Spike, those things you could do here." She stated. "We go on adventure every week and I'm sure you'll meet a mare or female dragon."
"Those are your adventures, and what female would want a dragon that suppresses his nature to live with ponies?" Spike asked. "Let alone a normal mare that would want to love a dragon like that."
"And Daring would?" Twi countered.
"...Maybe." He answered. "I gave my side, now it's your turn, why can't I go?" 
She turned around before she gave her answer.
"I need you." She whispered.
.
.
.
"Yes Princess." He mumbled.
He heard her sharp in take of breath and saw her tense. Spike took some guilty pleasure in her reaction. He knew that her friends treating her by her title hurt.
"Don't be like that Spike." She said as if it were just a child throwing a tantrum. "This'll all blow over and things will go back to normal."





A mere five minutes after their...conversation, Spike was doing house chores that Twilight 'needed' done.
"Spike, may I have a moment alone with Twilight?"
"Sure."
The dragon made his way out of the library. He needed to find A.K. and tell her the bad knews.
Once he was gone, Celestia spoke.
"I think you should reconsider your order with Spike." Celestia spoke. "For both your sakes."
"You heard that?" Twilight asked. 	
"We all did." Celestia admitted. "We were to curious."
"Spike doesn't need to leave." Twilight stated. "He has all he needs here with me."
"This reminds me of a certain Unicorn that thought she had all she needed with studying." The white Alicorn stated kindly. "I wonder where she is now." 
Twilight lowered her head as she answered. "She's the Element of Magic and now a Princess as well."
"Exactly." Celestia stated. "Now, where do you think you would be if I hadn't had you leave to Ponyville?"
"Enslaved by either Nightmare Moon or Discord." Twilight mumbled.
"In both cases you trusted my judgement." Celestia spoke. "Trust me again."
"But Princess..."
"They all have to grow up at some point in time Twilight." Celestia stated. "But dragon's live long and he'll come home eventually." 





Spike shuffled through Ponyville with a heavy heart.
"Spike!"
He jumped at the shout of his name. 
He turned to see Daring Do, back in her disguise as A.K. Yearling. She had a cast on her wing and a few bandages here and there, but looked fine.
"How'd things go over with the Princess?" She asked. "Are we set?"
"I can't..." He mumbled.
"What?" 
"I can't go." He stated. "Twilight...has forbidden me from going."
Daring Do looked at the dragon before him in confusion. "So?"
"What?"
"You think my family was okay with me leaving, or any adventurer?" She asked. "Spike, part of being an adventurer is being free!" She stated. "I offered you to be my partner for a chance to cast all of this away."
Spike looked at the mare. He wanted to follow her, he wanted to go so badly it hurt.
"I can't." He mumbled.
She sighed. "Then I'm sorry for you."
"We can still keep in touch though." Spike stated with hope. "We can
"We can't." A.K. stated. "Spike, I'm usually in the middle in something far from modern civilization." "Trying to make a long distance relationship work would be near impossible." She sighed. "Plus, I just can't  make you wait when I might be dead."
"It'd be worth it!" Spike quickly stated. "I can wait for you!"
"But I can't."
Spike lowered his head, she was right. It was a big world out there, very big. She could meet a stallion, griffon or something, anything.
It'd be selfish trying to hold her back. He thought
"When are you leaving?" He asked.
"It's best I don't tell you." She stated, not meeting his gaze. "Don't want to build a fuss."

Spike wanted to call the mare back, but he couldn't. He watched her trot off, never turning back.
"So you and Daring Do huh?" Rainbow asked.
To give Spike some credit, he hadn't so much as flinched at the mares surprise appearance. Be it from the sadness weighing on his heart, or from the experience of last night, he knew not. That didn't mean he hadn't been scared senseless. 
"You pulling a Pinkie Pie now?" He asked.
"Don't change the subject." R.D spoke.
"I think we were." Spike admitted. "At least after last night..."
"Not anymore?"
"Nope." He answered. "No long distance relationship."
"Why not go after her?"
"Twil-"
"Forget Twilight!" R.D. ordered. "Spike, you only live once!" R.D exclaimed. "A day with her, us, or anypony should have taught you that." It sure did. "When the rest of us are long dead and our bones are dust, it'll be just you and Twilight." She stated. "But do you think you'll get another chance like this?" He shook his head.
"So you think I should take the chance?" He asked. "Why?"
"The rest of us are living our dream, or on our way there." R.D spoke. "What about you?"
"No, why are you telling me this?" He asked, put off by her words. "Aren't you supposed to side with Twilight."
"I'm the Element of Loyalty." R.D. stated. "So I'm being loyal to my friend."
"...Thanks Dash." Spike smiled. "I owe you one."
"You can actually pay me back now." She stated a little too quickly for his liking.
"What do you want?" He asked hesitantly.
"Tell me what it was like inside of her!" She practically begged. "Describe it to me."
Spike backed away in shock. "Wha-"
"You haven't bathed yet, right?" She asked, eyeing his lower part. "Let me taste her."





He had seen enough, maybe too much.
"A dragon that lives among ponies!" He stated in shock. "Now I've seen everything."
From what the local ponies told him, not only did Spike live among them, he was raised by ponies. It seemed they even lived in relative harmony with each other.
I would never have thought such a thing was possible. He thought. Well Spike, I won't slay you...yet.





Spike ran as fast as he could. He pumped everything he could into his legs, he felt it wasn't enough.
Have to find her! He thought. Have to catch her!
After his conversation with Rainbow Dash, he came to the conclusion that he agreed.
He needed her, she was his only chance out!
Spike pushed himself harder than he ever had before. He felt completely weightless at the speed he was going.
Why can't I feel the ground?

Just my luck. A.K thought bitterly. I find a dragon who knows nothing about himself and the mysteries surrounding him. She let out a disappointed sigh. The one good mystery in town and I can't solve it.
As the mare trotted, she never noticed a large shadow pass over her.
"Well Daring, you gotta do what you always do." She spoke to herself.
"What would that be?" A familiar voice asked.
She felt a smile creep to her lips. "Keep moving forward and never looking back." She answered.
"Oh, I don't know." The voice spoke. "I think the view from behind is pretty nice."
She looked up and saw that Spike was flying, a little shaky, but up there. He landed with just a little difficulty, she was impressed.
"So you can fly now?" A.K stated more than asked.
"Yep, don't know how either." He admitted. "I just really wanted to...catch you."
"So you found a reason to want to fly, a reason to leave." She concurred. 
I see. He thought. I never planned, or even wanted to go anywhere, now I want to go everywhere.
"I was wondering if the offer was still on the table." Spike spoke. "To be your partner."
"It is." She spoke. "Shall we seal it with a kiss?"
Spike leaned in to do just that when a flash of purple caught their attention.
"So, you were going anyway?" Twilight asked.
Spike looked at the mare and gave her a small nod.
"Well good for you." A new voice spoke.
Spike and Daring turned to see the arrival of the Princesses of the Sun and Moon.
"If you are all here to talk me out of it, th..." He began only to be silenced. 
"Perish the thought." Princess Celestia spoke. "We just wanted to see you off." Celestia stated. "It's not everyday that we see pon-dragons off for a life changing adventure." She cast a glance to Twilight. "Well, almost everyday."
Spike turned to Twilight, tears forming in her eyes.
"It was selfish of me to try and make you stay here." She admitted. "I'm sorry."
"Well since we're saying our goodbyes." Celestia spoke. "We wanted to give you a few gifts."
Twilight gave Spike a large purple book, it was blank. 
"I want you to write down all your adventures." She stated. "Every discovery, no matter how little."
"I'll make sure it's full when he comes back." Daring promised. 
This time Princess Luna stepped forward. "Spike, we are aware that you are capable of using the Thu'um, well so can we." She stated proudly. "Though it is the only one we know and is incomplete, we feel it would be suitable for you."
She spoke the words, Spike felt a shiver go through his spines. The word, like the others, held so much power.
Once Spike registered it, he backed away from the ponies. With a nod of conformation, he spoke the word.
YOL 
Fire.
Spike released a single ball of fire into the sky. Not his usual green spark to ignite paper, but a single mass of emerald flame.
"We believed that a dragon shouldn't be without his flame." Luna spoke.
Next was Princess Celestia. "My Thu'um is not Shout." She spoke. "But a whisper, revealing any and all life." She gave him the word.
LAAS
Life
He could see them, They were glowing with a red aura surround them.
"That will come in handy. Daring stated factually.
Before the spell ended, something caught Spike's attention. When he turned his head, but saw only a flicker. Must be my imagination.
"Well my little pony, my little dragon." Princess Celestia spoke. "I wish you we.."
"WAIT!"
All eyes turned to the sound of the voice.
They saw a purple hot air balloon making it's ways towards them. On it was Pinkie Pie.
Twilight's horn glowed with magic as she used her teleportation spell to bring the balloon closer.
"Pinkie, what are you doing?" Twilight asked.
"Well after Rainbow Dash told every-pony that you." She pointed to Spike in an accusing manner. "Were leaving without saying goodbye, we realized we couldn't let that happen." She stated. "So I grabbed my hot air balloon and came after you."
"And the others?" Twilight asked.
They stood back as Pinkie reached into her hair and began pulling the ponies out, one at a time. As soon as they were all out, they began convulsing and speaking.
"It went on forever!" They shouted. "I saw eternity!"
"Well..." Pinkie began as if were all natural. "Applejack got you a basket of the best apples treats she's made." Pinkie opened the balloon to show. "Fluttershy made a guide on communicating with animals. Rarity made you all some scarfs that she enchanted to keep you warm and cool, depending on the environment. "And finally, I'm giving you my balloon, even had Rarity do the design."
"What about Rainbow?" Twilight asked.
"Oh right!" Pinkie reached back into her hair and pulled out a pair of rainbow goggles. "Rainbow said these help with flying through storms."
Now that they had a good look at it, the purple was in the design similar to scales! Specifically, they looked like Spike's scales.
"Thank you all." Spike spoke, eyes near tears. "I'm going to miss you."
"It's only till you get back with stories of your adventures." Twilight stated. "We'll be waiting."

They had started the hot air balloon and where on their way to a grand adventure. Spike couldn't help but keep his eyes on the town he now considered home.
"It's not too late you know." Daring spoke as if she read his mind. "We can always turn back."
Spike kept his eyes on his home for another moment before turning towards the mare. "No, I want to go."
"So where to?" She asked. "There's a whole world out there."
Spike considered the question before a sly smile came onto his face.
"How about we jam the steering mechanism and let the balloon surprise us." Spike offered. Knowing Pinkie, it'll lead us somewhere we'd least suspect.
Daring was actually a little shocked at the idea. It was something that she would come up with. "I must be rubbing of on you." 
"For adventure." Spike spoke. 
"For adventure." Daring agreed.
> Soul searching
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	For two days, Spike and Daring Do flew in the hot air balloon. It was a slow flight, they were traveling by balloon after all. Yet they managed through it.
They filled their time with...getting to know each other. Not just physically. Spike and Daring were learning a lot about each other's past, while hoping to make a future.
They had to do something, they were trapped on the hot air balloon after all. When they had jammed the steering device, it had stayed jammed. Neither were able to do a thing about it, and they would hate to just abandon it.
"I still can't believe you want to blame her for the thing getting stuck." Daring chuckled. "It was your idea."
"I know." He admitted. "But it's Pinkie Pie, no pony can account for her."
"Sure." Daring drawled with a roll of her eyes. Apparently, she had yet to be acquainted with the mysteries of a certain pink pony.
Suddenly, the balloon began to halt and land a little distance away from a unique kingdom. They got out to fly closer, that was when Daring was able to make it out.
"Hey, I know were we are." Daring stated. "That's the Crystal Empire."
"You ever been?" Spike asked.
"No, I've only heard of this place." Daring answered. "I only heard that the Elements were here when it returned after a curse was lifted." She turned to him. "Have you been?"
"A few times." Spike answered. "Is that all you heard?" .
"Is there more?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. 
"Oh, you'll see." Spike stated, trying to hold down his smile.

Once Spike and a disguised Daring entered the kingdom, she noticed the ponies. 
They were unique in appearance, causing A.K to realize how they got it's name. But that wasn't the most shocking part.
The bowed to Spike as he passed.
It's the opposite of Ponyville. She thought.
In Ponyville, there was an air of nervousness and awkwardness. Here, Spike walked openly as the Ponies admired him.
"Okay." She caved. "What is going on here?" She asked. "Why are ponies bowing to you?"
Spike cracked the largest smile she had ever seen on his face as he leaned on a statue and pointed up.	She followed his finger and whistled in appreciation. It was a statue of the baby dragon.
Well, can't let it go to his head. She thought.	"You were so chubby."





Spike and Daring Do decided to settle in a small place as he told her his story.
"You almost ate those ponies' only hope of freedom?" She asked, her voice mixed with shock and laughter. "Just, wow Spike."
"Not one of my proudest moments." He admitted under his blush.
"But it led to one of his greatest achievements." A new voice added.
Spike and Daring turned to see Shining Armor and Cadence, the Prince and Princess of the Kingdom. 
"Well, two of them." Shining stated. "If he hadn't saved the kingdom, he wouldn't have been able to save the ponies during the Equestria games and light the fire for it." He added. "So three."
"Wow." A.K. nodded in approval.
"Hello Shining, Cadence." Spike greeted. "How have you two been?"
"Fine Spike." Cadence answered. "Who's your friend?"
"This is A.K Yearling." Spike introduced. "She's my...uh, my..." Spike couldn't stop his stuttering, or blush. 
He'd never had a mare he needed to introduce like this.
"I'm his mare-friend." She finished for him. "Or at least I better be after all the thing's he did to me."
"Uuuhhhh..." He blushed so hard, he nearly changed colors.	
"Interesting?" Princess Cadence spoke. "He any good?"
"Yes." A.K answered.
"Okay, I think he's had enough." Shining stated.
"Thank you." The dragon mumbled.
"So, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?" The prince asked. "It can't be for a date, is it?"
"We took a ride in a hot air balloon." Spike stated. "It belonged to Pinkie Pie."
"Ah, I understand." He did. 
"You too?" A.K asked in disappointment. "I refuse to believe this Pinkie Pie is some kind of unparalleled enigma unless something happens in the next five seconds."

RRROOOOAAAAARRRRRR
In the distance, they could see a large white dragon making it's way towards the Chrystal Empire.

"Don't say anything Spike." A.K ordered.
"Oh no." Shining paled.
"What's going on?" Spike asked.
"Everything will be fine, we can handle it." Princess Cadence stated.
"But-"
"We can handle it!" She repeated.
Spike turned to Shining Armor who just sighed.
"It started a while back..."

FLASHBACK

Shining Armor and Princess Cadence were enjoying there rule. There ponies were safe and happy. There was peace in their kingdom. Every pony was flourishing under them.
What more could kind rulers ask for?
But peace could only last so long.
A roar shook the kingdom that they ruled, from the distance they could see a figure approaching. In their panic, the citizens ran around without order. 
A second roar echoed across the land, carrying a word they could barely make out. With it came a since of fear. It was so overwhelming, so primal, that they had to obey it.
They had to flee.
As the beast landed, he called out for all to hear.
"I am a dragon of hunger!" He shouted. "What do you offer me to allow you continued existence?" 

FLASHBACK END

"I don't know why we submitted, we were just so scared." Shining stated, with great shame. "I felt helpless."
That made no sense to Spike, he knew Shining Armor was no coward. Shining Armor was Captain of the Royal guards for crying out loud. He stared down any challenge that he faced, it was baffling. 
"Why not use the Crystal Heart?" A.K asked. "I heard it was made to protect every pony in the kingdom."
"It only works after it's been filled." Cadence answered. "It's no use when the ponies are too afraid, more so than when Sombra was around."
"Even our strongest shields are useless." Shining stated. "He can't break through, but he's relentless. We need to rest eventually and the dragon can wait for a long time and attack at random."
"Did the dragon shout anything?" A.K asked. "Words that he may have repeated."
The two rulers took a moment to think the answer over in their heads before nodding.
"Whenever we feel that fear, it's after he shouts a word." Shining stated. "What was it?"
"It was...Faas." Cadence answered.
"Fear." Spike stated automatically.
"What?"
"That word, it's dragon for fear." Spike explained, only to confuse himself. How do I know that, I've never spoken in dragon a day in my life. He decided to voice his thoughts.
"The Princesses did say that dragon's learned the Thu'um on instinct." Daring stated.
"Yeah, but-"
Whatever he was going to say was cut off by the ground shaking as the large dragon landed.
"I have returned!" The dragon shouted. "What do you offer me?!"
Shining Armor, taking his Captain demeanor, instantly took action.
"Guards!"
"What are you doing?" Spike asked. 
"I'm going to defend my kingdom." Shining answered.
His guards were already prepared, and so was he. It seems he kept them in peak condition, expect nothing less from the former Captain of the Royal guards.
"That's a bad idea." Spike spoke as he grabbed a quill and paper. "I'll call Princess Celestia for-."
He never finished, Shining Armor tore the letter from his hand.
"We'll handle it on our own." Shining stated.
"But-"
"Please Spike." Princess Cadence spoke. "We need to prove to the Princesses and the crystal ponies that they're safe here. That we can protect them as rulers should."
"I see." A.K spoke mumbled.
Spike turned to her, she gave a subtle shake of her head. He'd hold off on the letter.





As it turned out, Shining Armor and Cadence were against Spike and A.K assisting them in their dragon problem.
They were left to watch everything from a balcony in the castle, they had a perfect view.
They watched as the small battalion approached the large dragon.
Now that the creature was closer, Spike and A.K could get a good look at him. 
He wasn't completely white, just his upper part. His spines, as well as his underbelly and wings were pink.
He looks familiar. Spike thought. "I need to get closer."
"What?" His mare-friend asked.
"Because...I think I know that dragon." He answered.

Spike, A.K and the Crystal rulers made their way towards the dragon, closely followed by a small battalion.
They arrived to a line of ponies, each carrying an array of gems. Once the ponies in line laid their eyes Spike, they stopped their offering.
As they did, many of the crystal ponies began cheering towards Spike.
"Spike is here to save us!" And so on. 
"These pony's seem to have a high opinion of you." A.K stated.
"He is their hero." Shining stated. "Are you sure wish to join us, it could get dangerous. It would have been safer to stay in the castle."
Spike and A.K shared a secretive look before laughing. It confused the royal couple, but they decided not to question it.
"It's okay, I'm accustomed to danger." She assured as she raised her disguise, showing her Cutie Mark, before trotting towards the dragon. "But I was never a side-line mare."
Shining Armor's jaw fell when he realized who he had been talking to.
"Spike?" He spoke.
"Yup."
"You're dating Daring Do?"
"Yup."
"That's awesome."
"Yup."

"Why have the offerings stopped?" The dragon demanded.
He had heard the ponies start cheering for some strange reason. He looked to see the cause and saw a purple dragon that looked oddly familiar.
"Hello." Spike greeted. "I am
"Spike, little Spike?!" The dragon stated in shock. "Is that you?"
"...Fizzle?" Spike asked.
"Ye-Spike, what're you doing here?"
"You two know each other?"
"Yeah, I met him during the great migration a few years back." Spike answered.
"Are you searching for the Thu'um here as well?" Fizzle asked.
"You're searching for a Thu'um here?" Spike asked. "Then why are you demanding offerings?"
"To rid these ponies of any and all soul gems." He answered as he motioned to a particular gem on the ground.
It was a light shade of pinkish-purple. Rough and uncut, nothing unique about it from any other gem Spike had seen.
"What's so special about that gem?"
Fizzle stared at the smaller dragon in silence for a moment before shaking his head.
"You really don't know what's going on, do you?" Fizzle asked.
"Enlighten us." A.K spoke.
"I don't expect you to understand pony." He stated. "But a God is awakening."
"A God?" She asked skeptically.
"A God of dragons." He elaborated. "You ponies have your princesses to worship, even we dragons have our rulers." He turned back to Spike. "Even you should know who I'm talking about."
Spike began feeling could as Fizzle spoke. Something in his stomach didn't seem to be settling correctly, making him feel nauseous.
"Alduin." Spike whispered.
"Alduin, who's that?" A.K asked. I've heard that name before, but where?
"He is the one that will bring back the Age of dragons to these stinking pony land, and all others." Fizzle answered with admiration. "And we'll stand there beside him."
We? A.K thought.
"We came to discuss you leaving." Spike spoke. "These ponies want nothing more to do with you."
"You're going to have a discussion with me?" Fizzle asked.
"Yeah." Spike answered.
"Fine."
Before Spike knew what happened, Fizzle took the smaller dragon by the neck with his larger claws. He lifted Spike from the ground and sent him directly into the air.
Spike managed to right himself while in midair and stay there.
"So you learned to fly." Fizzle stated while mildly impressed.
"What are you doing?!" A.K shouted.
"This is how we dragons discuss things." He answered. "Through battle!"
He took off towards Spike, making a direct shot for the smaller dragon. While stunned from the blow, Spike quickly caught on to what was happening. Might made right among the dragons.
Spike flew towards the larger dragon with a roar in his throat. He crashed into Fizzled and let his weight plus the added momentum carry the two the ground. The larger dragon wasn't able match the sudden shift in weight fighting against him, so they crash landed in a tangled heap while wrestling with each other.	
They quickly untangled only to lung at each other again.
Spike used his smaller size to his advantage. He ducked under the larger dragon and swung his tail. With no way to evade, the larger dragon took the blow face first and staggered from the force for a second. Only for a second.
With a roar Fizzle lunged Spike and caught him in the nape of his neck wit his teeth. He added enough pressure to break through the purple scales and draw blood.
This unnerved Spike. He had never seen his blood, ever. Nothing, even when he was smaller, had ever pierced his scales. Anything that could was obviously avoided. Too see it now and under such circumstances.
Fizzle took advantage of the stunned dragons shock.
He lunged for the smaller dragon with his mouth open, intending to kill. He hadn't expected a lasso to cover his mouth and force in shut. Daring had sprung into action. With her lasso covering his mouth, she flew in the opposite direction, hoping to throw him off balance long enough for Spike to regain his bearings.
With an angry growl, the dragon forced his mouth open, snapping the rope. This caused the mare to lose control of her flight. Fizzle smacked Daring with his tail, forcing the small mare to buckle under the force.
FAAS
He let loose the Shout point blank at the purple dragon and mare.
Daring froze.
Spike was scared. He felt the power wash over him like a cold shower. All he wanted to do was run and hide in a little hole. Away from this dragon, a bigger and stronger dragon.
Dragon...
Why...Why should he be afraid of a dragon. A dragon that can't even beat him without the power of the Shout! And what that dared to use it on his Daring!
Fizzle watched purple dragon faltered under the Shout and entered a type of daze before looking back at Fizzle. Instead of having fear filled eyes, he had look of cruelty in his eyes.
"Did you think I would flee?" Spike asked.
Fizzle noticed something different in the purple dragon. The minute he was hit with the Thu'um, something was switched. Whatever it was, it meant bad news for Fizzle, that much he could tell.
W-What'gs going on?! Fizzle asked in confusion. He should be terrified!
The Dismay Shout, even if incomplete was powerful. The only way that anyone could resist it would be for them to be equal, if not superior to the caster. Was that what was happening? Spike was his equal, or his-
The dragon attacked again with no warning. Intent on proving himself the better, the stronger of the two. He dived forward in a powerful lunge intent to maim if not outright kill.
Spike simply grabbed the dragon by the wrist and held him back. It was a simple power struggle between the two. Fizzle didn't understand, he was the was older, bigger and supposedly stronger dragon. Yet he was slowly being pushed back!
Spike opened his mouth. Instead of the flame Fizzle had been expecting, he was greeted with a loud and terrible voice echoing across his mind.
FAAS. RU.
The words echoed over Fizzle as Dismay washed over the dragon.
H-How does he know more of my Shout?! He thought frantically. How does he know any Shout, he's pony raised?!
"What are you?" Fizzle asked in a hushed voice. "WHAT IN TARTURUS ARE YOU?!
Fizzle looked at the dragon before him in horror as his image began to change.
A shadow was cast over Spike that only Fizzle could see. From it emerged a dragon on intense size and ferocity.
His scales were a black that cast away light itself. They were rough and jagged, comparable to spines covering his entire body. His forearms and wings seemed to be one, a Wyvern dragon.
Then there were the eyes. A crimson red that shined with a familiar greed and boiling rage. They looked at Fizzle as if he were nothing but a bug to be crushed, and that he himself would do it. 
I-I need to escape! He thought terrified. I need to get away from here! Away from this monster!
He was going to kill him. This being, this malevolent force! He was going to break Fizzle.
The dragon took a step forward.
"GET AWAY!" Fizzle shouted.
Fizzle began flapping his wings as hard as he could. He needed to get away from this dragon.
He never looked back. He no longer cared about the reason he came to the kingdom. He just wanted to escape.

They watched as the larger of the dragons flee in terror. It wasn't long before the ponies began cheering for their hero.
"Spike, that was incredible!" Shining Armor shouted to his brother, only to go unacknowledged. "Spike?"
The purple dragon took a look over his shoulder at the pony. He gave Shining a simple smile before he collapsed.





"...."
"...Sp..."
"...Spike..."
"Can you hear me Spike!?"
The purple dragon nearly jumped from his scales at the shouting pony. It was Daring Do, behind her were Prince and Princess of the Kingdom.
Apparently while he slept, he had been moved. He was now in the royal chambers, the ruler's bedroom.
"What happened?" Spike asked as rubbed his head.
"What do you remember?" Daring asked.
Spike took a moment to gather his thoughts before he answered.
"I was fighting...Fizzle!" Spike stood up completely, ready for action. "Where is he?" 
"Calm down Spike." Shining chuckled. "You ran him away, remember?"
"...No." Spike answered.	
So it's just like that time. Daring thought. He act's on instinct, but has no recollection of it.
"It was amazing Spike, how did you win?" The Princess asked. "I don't mean to be rude, but you've never been..." She trailed off as she tried to find the proper word. "Aggressive?"
"I don't know." He admitted. "When he used that Shout on me, I was just so scared, I wanted him...gone. And I thought about how he used it on Daring."
"Well, I think you were forced into a fight or flight, and you chose fight." Daring spoke. "But you instinctively used his own Thu'um against him." Daring explained. "But you used three parts to it. I think it was too much and that's why you passed out." She reasoned as best she could. "So I guess that means that there is a limit to dragon magic."
"So it's over?" Spike asked hopefully. "The Kingdom's safe?"
"No." Daring answered. "I'm sorry to tell you this, but I think the offerings were just a front."
"What?" The three occupants asked in dread.
"When Spike and...Fizzle was it? When they spoke, he said a few things." She explained. "The 'searching for Thu'um' and 'we' were the hints."
"They also mentioned something about a Soul Gem." Spike added. 
"He's right." Daring added as she pulled the mentioned gem from her pocket. "Do you know anything about this?"
The Prince and Princess looked at the gem in mild interest before shrugging. It seemed no different than any of the others gems that lay around their Kingdom.
"So there have been other dragons here this whole time and we never noticed?!" Shining asked in frustration.
"Well let's find them." Spike stated as he got out of bed.
"No." Shining spoke. "We thank you for your help, but we can't ask you to solve all our problems. We'll handle it from here."
The Princess of love pulled her husband aside. 
"Shining, we need all the help we can get." She whispered. "Please."
"Well Spike is the hero of this place." Daring spoke, overhearing the conversation. "Don't you think he should be allowed to maintain his status?"
The dragon was already out of bed and preparing to leave. Daring was by his side and just as anxious to begin working.
"But you just woke up." Cadence spoke. "At least take some time to rest."
"I'll be find if I can get something to eat." Spike assured with a crooked smile. "Have any gems to munch on?"





It was decided that Spike and Daring would search for the dragons and notify the rulers as soon as they found them. They would try and persuade them to leave, but be prepared if they didn't. While they did, Shining Armor and Cadence would look up any information they could at the archive on Soul Gems.
Even while using Daring Do's experienced tracking skills, finding any of the dragons wasn't easy. Especially when the one they were searching for had wings. But in the end, she relished the challenge.
Spike could only watch in amazement as the mare worked in her natural environment. So sure of herself, just brimming with confidence.
"Spike, I think I've found something." Daring spoke while examining the ground "Yes, I've found them!"
"Are you sure?" he asked, they've hit many dead ends already. Now they were in the middle of an open street.
"Yes." She frowned as she looked at the trail. "Their tracks end here though ."
"Where to?" He asked looking around.
"Well it looks like we'll be putting your claws to use." Daring stated confusing Spike "The dragons are somewhere under us." She spoke pointing her hoof down.
The ground was slightly different from it's surroundings. It had been turned over, obviously some dragon attempted to cover their tracks. Not something a dragon was used to doing, as seen in this amateurs' skill.
Spike flexed his claws in preparation, he was so glad he had them sharpened. I have to remember to thank Daring.
He began clawing away at the ground digging up the dirt piece by piece. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw that Daring hadn't even flinched away from the dirt. Rarity could learn a thing from her.  After awhile they found that Spike was digging into an open tunnel. It took awhile but he eventually made a hole big enough for them to enter. 
Once inside they saw that the tunnel was actually claw made, and very recent. It was large, large enough for several dragons the same size as Fizzle.
"We might be here awhile." Daring warned.
"Actually, we can find them easily." Spike stated eagerly.
"How-Oh, you have that shout from the Princess." She happily recall. 
"Not a Shout, but a whisper." He spoke.
LAAS
The Whisper seemed to echo through the cave like a sonar for Spike. He could see through the walls of the cave at nearly all directions.
"Which way?"
Spike began the search.

They continued down the tunnel, Daring following Spike, who was led by the glow of the Thu'um in silence. The magic was pretty useful, but fleeting. He would have to recast the Shout every ten seconds to get a good reading.
After a few minutes of walking they came into an opening. Daring quickly undid her light and they hid behind a large boulder.
"Hey watch it." A familiar voice growled. "You don't want to damage the crystals."
"Sorry." Another spoke. "Do we have enough now, I'm hungry."
"Yeah Garble." A third spoke. "Don't we have enough?"
Oh buck me. Spike thought annoyed. It's them.
"No, it's not enough, none of them are Soul gem!" Garble shouted in frustration "And what kind of dragon has enough crystals?" They could here the mocking tone in the voice.
There was no reply.
"Spike, what do you plan we do?" Daring asked confidently, ready for action. 
Spike didn't answer her immediately. He pulled out the letter he was given as a emergency contact signal. With a small burst of green flame he sent the message to Shining Armor and the other soldiers. Unfortunately that made a flash bright enough for the older dragons to pick up.
"What was that?" Garble asked
Spike and Rarity froze, they didn't have a plan. They were to simply find the dragons and signal the soldiers if they couldn't convince them to leave. Spike knew from experience that Garble wouldn't negotiate with ponies.
"It came from over there."
One of the dragons made his way to the rock they were hiding behind. With barely any visible strain he heaved the boulder from the ground. He tossed it to the side leaving them exposed.
Spike and Rarity looked at the dragons. There was a large dragon with two grey horns. Next, there was a skinnier purple dragon with yellow hair. Finally there was Garble.
"Well well well, what do we have here?" Garble asked "A pony and a pony in a dragon's scales"
Spike took his best soldier stance and fiercest look. Using his most intimidating voice he spoke.
"By order of the rulers of this land." He spoke. "You are ordered to leave."
He sounded pathetic, even to himself. He kept his voice from breaking, but he kept shaking.
The dragons stared at him for a second before laughing. Their laughter was loud and taunting. It really wounded Spike's pride on how long they went on.
"You think we care for some pony rulers." The purple one asked. "We're dragons, we go were we please."
"How would he know that?" The brown one asked. "He's not even a real dragon."
"Have you learned to roar yet?" Garble asked. "Come on let's hear it."
Spike, so angry, didn't think. He took in a deep breath and let out his best roar. It was more pathetic than his failed intimidating voice. It sounded more like a cat than the dragon he was.
There laughter only grew.
"Come on." Garble laughed. "Tell me you can at least make a decent fire."
Now Spike felt a spark of confident grow. Taking another deep breath he reached for his inner flame. 
YOL
In a mighty gust he let the emerald fire to consume the three teen dragons.
It was no longer the pathetic flame of a baby dragon. It wasn't enough to really hurt the older dragons, but it did cause them a lot of discomfort. It was enough to finally make them stop laughing.
Daring stepped forward and her wings began to spread menacingly. Spike copied her, preparing for the worse. But they didn't seem to notice him.
"Garble." One of the Dragons spoke. "In that pony's pocket, she has it!" 
The dragon was talking about the Soul Gem that Daring had kept with her after the bout with Fizzle. It was in the hooves of a pony. That alone was enough to take away what remained of their humor.
They advanced onto the pony and baby dragon.
"Daring run!" Spike shouted.
The purple dragon and the Pegasus ran down the nearest tunnel. The three larger dragons were gaining. Spike struck the cave walls to get part of the ceiling to fall, hoping to gain some distance for Daring and himself. This made little difference, the dragons were till gaining.
They came to a slope like cliff that had enough boulder and ledges to climb up. At the top was another tunnel that led who knows where, but they were out of options. It would require climbing a pony couldn't do, thankfully Daring could fly. Spike knew this and began to claw his way up beside her, his size not allowing him to fully spread his wings.
The dragons were climbing after them. Why aren't they closer? With their larger size, they should have been able to close the distance quicker. He didn't need to ask, he already knew the answer, they were toying with him and Daring. They were prey in unfamiliar territory.
One of the dragon's opened their mouth and let loose a stream of flame towards the two. It did nothing to Spike, but it caught Daring by the clip of her wing. This through her off too much, forcing her to land on the slope. Unfortunately, a pony's hooves weren't meant for climbing, she began to slide down.
"Spike!" she shouted.
Spike turned to her and saw her slipping and desperately flapping her wings in an attempt to keep up. She was slowly regaining her balance with her hooves, but not fast enough. He saw the dragons making their way to her toward her, mouths open and fangs gleaming.
"No!" He shouted in desperation.
Spike slid down the rock until he made it to Daring. Raising his claws he slashed at Garble's face drawing a trickle of blood. The shock caused him to leaned back with no support. 
YOL
Spike unleashed his emerald ball of flame straight into the red dragon's chest. It didn't burn him but the force was enough to knock the unbalanced Garble over. As he tumbled he knocked the other dragons over.
Spike turned to the still struggling Daring before climbing ahead of her. He grabbed her dainty front legs and began to pull. She finally gained a footing and began moving upward.
They ran down a narrow tunnel in hopes of losing the dragons even as they themselves were lost. After moments of running they came to a dead end in the most awful of places.
The dragons laughter could be heard as they entered the area.
I have to do something, I have to protect Daring. He looked toward the Pegasus beside him already preparing for a fight. ...Or she may protect me.
Spike began clawing at the wall that trapped them. If he could just make a hole big enough for himself, then he and Daring could escape. The dragons would have to enlarge it for themselves if they wanted to pursue them.
"Spike look." Daring pointed her hoof. 
Spike followed and saw a half buried wall. He began brushing away the dirt, the dragons behind them momentarily forgotten by both. Both his and her mind were enthralled by the find.
"The Thu'um!" The dragons behind him shouted.
It seemed that Spike and Daring had found it for them while they were running. They must have gotten too greedy with the gems around, or searched too hard for the Soul Gem.
"Daring, get behind me." Spike ordered, she didn't object.
He would protect her, his hoard.
The dragon's took one look at the Thu'um and...snarled? They turned their attention back towards Spike and Daring Do.
"What do you plan on doing against us?" The brown one asked "You're just one dragon."
The dragons were standing between them and the escape. It was obvious that they didn't know it was there. They wouldn't have let it sit so long if they did. He knew he wouldn't, he could feel it's pull now that he knew of it.
"I may be a pony-dragon." Spike stated angrily. "But I'm still a dragon, and I'm more dragon than any of you three."
The older dragons stopped in their tracks at Spike's words. The look on their faces was that of shock as if they had been hit by some foul object. Spike knew he hit a nerve with them.
"Spike, what're you planning?" Daring asked. "You'll only make them angrier."
That's the plan. 
"I mean look at you three." He motioned to them "Three dragons, teaming up to beat a baby and a pony." They looked at each other "Where is the pride in that?"
That sold it Spike thought as he saw them mentally struggle. If there was anyway to get to a dragon it was through their pride. An insult to that was an insult to their very way of life.
"Fine then." the Garble spoke in an irritated fashion "We'll have to fix that."
They shared a look that made Spike very uncomfortable. It seemed they had forgotten him as Garble advanced toward the mare. The other two had stayed back to watch. Garble was going to kill her because of him.
NO! He knew their plan. He couldn't allow them to go through with it. He needed to get their attention, to get them away from his mare-friend.
Acting out of desperation he dived, not toward the dragons, but behind them. The shock was enough for him to reach the half buried wall. Daring took the hint and used one of her wings to scatter the dirt from the stone.
"This is what you want right?" Spike asked "The Thu'um."
The dragons froze in both anger, fear and self loathing. They couldn't believe they missed the very object they had been searching for. Now it was in the hands of the enemy, a baby dragon.
Then they gave pause. The dragons looked at the word wall and snarled?
"Well, what are you going to do with it?" Garble asked hesitantly "It's useless to a po- dragon like you."
Speak it.
Spike looked for the sound of the voice but only saw the dragons and mare.
"Who said that?" He asked.
"Said what?" the brown one asked.
Speak it.
Spike looked toward the word wall. He nothing but the words of power looking back.
"The wall." Spike spoke in unease. "Is talking to me."


"The wall talked to you?" Daring asked suspiciously. "Spike...what does it say?"
"Spike." Garble called annoyed. "Just give us the crystal."
He called me by my name something was definitely up. He was even ignoring the Thu'um that was in front of them.
"What's so special about these crystals?" Daring asked. Gem over power, dragons aren't that greedy are they?
"As if you ponies need to know!" One of the dragons snapped.	
"What's going on?" Spike asked. "Why is this Thu'um wall here, why are you all ignoring it?"
Garble examined the wall with a hint of...disdain? 	
"That filthy wall doesn't deserve to be called Thu'um." Garble growled. "It's an embarrassment and bane to all dragons."
"Why?" Daring asked. "Thought you all loved power."
"That filth wasn't dragon made, it was made by..."
"Don't bother." Garble began. "He wouldn't understand."
"Dovakinn." Spike whispered.  
All the dragons hissed at Spike, or the name if not both. He couldn't tell.
"So, you know something." Garble grumbled.
"A former Dragonborn created it to take on our..." The brown was cut off from a blow from Garble.
"Don't give that kind of info to a pony!" Garble roared.
"Just give us the crystal." The purple one with hair demanded "And die quickly while you still have the chance." It was obvious they were desperate for it. "We'll even give you a dragon's death."
With me you won't need to die at all. The wall spoke. With me you can save the pony.
Every part of Spike was telling him to speak the Thu'um, he wanted to eat it so badly. But he didn't know what it did. It could be something completely useless to the situation. Or it could be too dangerous and he'd be risking Daring's life.
I do want to save her but... Spike thought as he weighed what little options he had. What'll happen?
You'll become more dragon than you could hope on your own.

"...I want it."

Your hoard will be glorious.

"I-I want..."

You will have it all.

"...Spike... want"

"Spike...?" The dragons spoke hesitantly.

"SPIKE WANT!"

Spike couldn't take it anymore, the temptation was too much. He could finally be a real dragon, just like he always wanted.
The purple dragon took a deep breath before releasing it in a powerful shout. 
MUL. Strength.
The sensation was almost like nothing he had ever experienced before, it was off. Unlike the sweet temptation of the usual greed. As the word rolled from his mouth, it this was like biting into something completely rancid.
It was anger. Just like in the old castle.
"No!" the teenage dragons shouted in rage and fear.
"You spoke it!" The brown one growled "That's not possible!"
"Why not?" Daring asked.
They turned to the mare. Whatever they planned was cut short by interference.
Spike ran in front of her, to defend her. He looked up and began to growl, it started low and deep but grew. In a matter of minutes it was a mighty roar, the roar of a dragon.
His green spines, which had always been large but dull, turned pitch black and took a slight curve and sharpened as the one on his head lengthened. His outer scales, which were a light purple, became dark black as they hardened. His lime green under scales became a ashen grey. His stubby tail extended and became more snake like. The once white part of his eyes became a feral green but his iris were red and his slitted pupils faded away. 
The new form he had was unnerving to the dragons. Spike was a dragon himself, even if he was raised by ponies, had taken a dragon form. It made no sense!
He eyed the older dragons.
They are after one of your ponies.
"No...she's mine." Spike growled. "Mine mine MINE!" Another roar. "And no pony, no dragon takes what is Spikes."
Then show him my... our power.
He took a deep breath a let out a flame like never before. No Shout, just fire. It had the force and heat of a full grown dragon. Even the teenager couldn't stand a fire like that, not from a dragon. Yet it wasn't his emerald green, it was red.
It forced them to run back down the cave they had entered, Spike ran after him. Daring called after him but he couldn't hear her, he was after his prey. Dragons that needed to be reminded of their place. That needed to know who was in charge.
The three teenage dragons came to a halt in the tunnels. They turned to see if Spike was still following them.
"Where is he?" The purple one asked.
Spike, who had been crawling along the ceiling dropped down. He landed on the brown ones back digging his claws into the scales.
The brown dragon roared in pain as Spike pulled his claws out and dug them back in drawing blood. He tried reaching for Spike but the baby stayed out of reach of the claws. The others reached for him but the brown dragon kept thrashing around.
With no other choice the dragon slammed his back into the wall. He kept himself there and added pressure crushing Spike. This forced Spike to let go and fall to his knees.
He stood back up just in time to dodge an upcoming claw.
Spike ran down the tunnel with the three following him. He entered the cave he had first entered and saw what he had missed. The crystals, there were several mounds of crystals.
They laid there for the taking.
For your taking.
"Spike...want!"
He began to change again, a change he had done once before. His body began to grow and stretched, it wasn't painful in fact it was invigorating. It only made him want it to happen again and again and again.
To his disappointment the change had come to an end. The tunnels were too small, he could barely move. He wasn't as big as his first growth but he wasn't far off. At full height he would easily stand over a house.
This is no place for your hoard. The voice spoke. It's far too small.
He needed to get free, to get to the surface.
Spike began to shuffle as he forced his way upward. The earth and stone surrounding him shattered under the strain. With a final push he shattered the cave ceiling drawing in light.
"What is that?" He heard a pony ask in fear.
"It's a dragon!" Another shouted.
They didn't know. He was more than just a dragon.
"I AM," He answered. "THE WORLD EATER!"

Spike looked across the Crystal Kingdom, everything was crystal, even he shined from the crystals. He wanted it all, this would be a glorious place to have a hoard. It practically was a hoard, and it would be his.
Take it.
"I want it!" He roared. "I want it all!"
He saw the dragons still in the cave, he also saw Daring.
Lowering his tail he grabbed her as gently as he could with his knew form. She didn't try to resist, she just stared at him. He placed her safely in his tail before turning to the dragons.
They knew they were Spike's next target, he wouldn't be gentle with them. With no choice they took off flying in opposite directions.
I've caught the Wonderbolts as they flew around me. He thought. Were do they think they'll get?
Spike reached one of his massive claws toward the brown dragon. He was the biggest, slowest and wounded, the obvious choice. Once he was caught the others would follow. A dragon's pride would never allow them to abandon a comrade, no matter how dangerous the situation. They were already turning back to save him.
He felt pain erupt from his back, turning he saw the source. It was the army he had summoned, they were attacking him. They were sending attack spell after attack spell at him.
They should be thanking-No, worshiping you. The voice whispered. 
He was protecting them from the other dragons. Yet they attacked him!
Raising his massive claw, he brought it down on them. His efforts were blocked by a barrier quickly thrown up. It was from Shining Armor, even Spike wouldn't try to break that barrier.
"Stand down dragon!" Shining ordered. "Set the pony down and leave."
They want to take your hoard.
Spike responded by roaring. He admired Shining Armor's bravery but he would never surrender his hoard to them. They were ponies, food. He wouldn't give so much as a gem to another dragon.
The two remaining dragons began attacking him from behind. They dived in swiping at him with their claws and trying to burn his thick hide. It was all pointless in the end, his scales were too tough.
Spike took a swipe at them with his free claw but it was difficult. He had a dragon in one hand and a pony army attacking him from behind. There was also the fact Daring was in his tail. No matter how far he was gone, he would remember her.
I need to get her somewhere safe. Looking he saw the perfect place for his perfect gem. The castle, it was perfect, she would be safe there.
He made his way to the castle in the center of the kingdom. Many tried to stop him but his scales were to thick and he just pushed through. Once he reached it he clawed a large hole in the wall. He gently placed her in and turned back to his enemies.
"Dragon, we give you one last chance!" Shining spoke loudly. "Leave or be killed!"
Spike unleashed a wave of his red flame towards Shining and the army. His efforts were stopped by Shining's barrier, it protected every pony. Princess Cadence flew toward his face, protected by the barrier.
"Stop this destruction!" Cadence ordered. "Shining Armor's barrier has never been broken."
That was true, but there was a way around it. Shining Armor's barrier protected all from outside forced in all directions but one.
Underneath.
Raising his massive foot he brought it down with all he could muster. The ground underneath the ponies shook from the force Spike's foot produced. He did so a second time and the ground gave away under them. The barrier finally collapsed as Shining Armor lost his concentration and fell into the tunnels below, Princess Cadence flew straight after him.
Only the Pegasi and skilled Unicorns were able to avoid falling through wings and magic. Unfortunately for the ponies Spike's new body protected him from any damage from falling.
Spike watched as the two dragons and Pegasi flew around him. They moved across the sky with speed and grace. It was because of their wings, well Spike had wings too.
He gave them a few experimental flaps to get a feel of them. Though they were changed and were like knew with the rest of his body, it felt as if he had the for a many lifetimes. They felt powerful, he couldn't wait to use them.
Flapping with all of his strength he began to rise. He rose from the chasm and into the sky above the kingdom.
He looked across the Crystal Kingdom, his kingdom.
Turning back to the army he unleashed another wave of black flames. The Unicorn ponied tried to defend themselves with a barrier but none were as skilled as Shining Armor. Their barriers fell and the ponies that didn't run were burned to ashes under his flames.
He moved in for the Kill.
Before he could something caught his attention. It was shiny, even for the Crystal Kingdom, and he could tell it was magical.

The Crystal Heart. 

A part of Spike's mind remembered the gem and it's importance to the ponies. At one time that would have mattered to him. All Spike heard and though was 'crystal' and 'mine', no more needed to be said.Now, all he wondered was would it taste as good as it looked. He made his way toward the Crystal Heart, to claim it as his. Like he would everything in the Crystal Kingdom.	
A weak and unsteady barrier surrounded him in the sky. He looked to the source, an unsteady Shining Armor, laying on Princess Cadence's back.
Spike was beginning to admire the Unicorn more and more. He was showing the pride of a dragon, even when weakened he continued on.
They are in your way.
He needed to continue forward.
"Pegasi!" Cadence called in the distance. "Gather the clouds!"
The Pegasi gathered the clouds and began melding them. In a matter of second all clouds in the area were in one large clump. The cloud was large and had become dark.
"STRIKE!"
The barrier dropped and as one the Pegasi jumped on the cloud. From the cloud a single, large bold of lighting struck him in his chest. The dragon roared in pain as the force knocked him out of the sky. He crashed into a house with a force that echoed through out the Kingdom. Spike was laid in a heap on a house, motionless.
There was a moment of silence, the ponies began to cheer. They had protected the Crystal Heart, the Prince and Princess, the Kingdom.
A mighty roar echoed through the Kingdom silencing the cheers.
Spike's eyes were open and shining with rage. He stood to his full height completely unharmed.
Turning his sights up, unleashed a black flame stronger than ever. It tore through the large clouds completely dispersing it. Any Pegasi not fast enough was burnt down.
This was his power. The power he had always wanted but was denied from being pony raised. It was the power of a true dragon.
The Crystal Heart.
No more games, it was time to take his prize.
He moved forward on foot toward the Crystal Heart. Many tried to stop him but it was all pointless.
He had finally made it to his prize.
Opening his mouth he extended his snake like forked tongue and wrapped it around the crystal.
It tastes amazing! It was completely opposite the taste of the Thu'um. It was sweet and bursting with flavors he had never imagined. He wanted to savor every moment of this.
As he retracted his tongue he felt a tug. It wasn't on him but on the Crystal Heart. Some pony was trying to pull it back with magic. It wasn't strong enough to break his hold but it caught his attention.
"That's enough Spike!" A voice shouted above the chaos. "You need to stop!"
He turned around to the one who dared order him. His eyes landed on Daring and his anger vanished.
"Get away from him!" Princess Cadence shouted.
Shining Armor stood beside her, their horns glowing menacingly. Spike spread his wings, fire spreading in his mouth. He placed his tail in front of Daring, he needed to protect her.
"Stop!" The Pegasus shouted "Let me talk to him, I might be able to get through to him."
Shining and Cadence heard how Daring called Spike by his name. It was hard to believe that this was the baby dragon but they knew. They even saw how Spike placed his tail in front of her like a shield.
"...Fine." They would give her a chance.
"Spike." Daring called. "Spike, look at me." He did. "I- we need you to stop this."
Spike didn't understand, he was doing this partly for her. This was the Crystal Kingdom after all and she was a treasure hunter. That's it! He was about to eat the most valuable crystal, she probably wanted it. He extended his tongue with the crystal to her. She eyed it with great desire, only to push it away.
"Daring want?" He asked.
NO!
Spike pushed the voice to the back of his mind. If Daring wanted anything, then Spike was going to get it for her.
The Pegasus mare looked at the gem with disinterest. She pushed the gem to the side and looked the dragon in the eyes.
"No Spike." She spoke strongly. "I don't want gems." She looked at him "What do you want?"
Spike looked at her, shocked that she even needed to ask. He leaned back onto his hind legs and spread his wings. He roared his answer for all to hear.
"EVERYTHING!"
"What do you want the most?" She asked
That too was obvious.
"You." He answered quietly. 
"You won't get me like this." She told him as she motioned to the damage. "You aren't the Spike I made my partner. The Spike we all care for."
"B-but Spi- I want you" He spoke. "I could protect you from any pony or dragon." He glared at the army. "I could shower you in gems forever." He looked her in the eyes. "I could make you happy."
"Spike." she pleaded. "You're hurting the innocent." She pointed to the crystal in his tongue "You are stealing." She looked at him. "You won't make me happy like this, you're only making me sad."
He was making her sad?
"B-but..."
"I don't want things like gems and Bits." she spoke honestly. "I want you back to normal so that we can continue on our adventure." Her eyes watered. "You make me happy by being you."
Spike was conflicted. All he wanted was to make Daring happy, however a part of him didn't. The part he had unlocked when he used the Thu'um in the caves. He wanted Spike to act like a dragon, to indulge himself in greed. To dominate all those lesser than himself.
NO!
Something was wrong...The Thu'um was ending!
Spike felt his powerful body shrink and weaken, his power gone. His natural colors returned to normal and his mind was back at ease. 
"Spike want Daring." He said over and over before falling asleep.
He was the purple dragon every pony loved once again.



	

Daring watched as the dragon before her collapsed in a heap. He was sleeping peacefully, even though he was surrounded by ruins.
She thought that their adventure for the day was finally over. Unfortunately, it's never that simple.
The dragons had never left once they had freed their comrade. They had just kept their distance while Spike had went on his rampage.
"What're you three still doing here?" Daring asked as she prepared for the worse.
They didn't acknowledge the mare, they just kept their eyes on the smaller dragon before them. In their eyes were looks of wonder and disbelief. Daring didn't like the stares, prompting her to take a protective step in front of Spike.
"Just observing." Garble whispered. "Everything the stories said was true."
"What stories?" Shining asked.
"That Lord Alduin's might was as unmatched as his greed."
"It all makes since." Garble chuckled before turning to full blown laughter. "I actually have to thank the Dovakinn! If not for him, who knows how long we'd have to wait for Lord Alduin."
"What are you all going on about?!"
"Spike is pony raised, he knows nothing about being a dragon." Garble stated. "He could never be the dragon he's supposed to be, never be our God. But that Thu'um brings it out, brings our Lord out."
"Our God will awaken again." Another dragon stated. "And when he does..."
"Spike is not Alduin."
"Look at what he did with just one part of the Shout." Garbled stated as he motioned to the Empire. "Not even a full grown dragon could do this much in so little time and not be harmed."
"Spike. Is. Not. Alduin." Daring repeated firmly.
"Not yet." Garble admitted. "But the power of the Thu'um will call out to him, just as it did in those caves."
"Then I'll bring him back." Daring stated as she looked at the sleeping dragon. "Just like this time."
The dragon gave a bark of laughter. "You think some sentimental pony dribble is what brought him back?!"
"The only reason he changed back is because the Thu'um had a time limit." Garble stated. "Nothing more, nothing less."
With nothing more to say, the dragons began flapping their wings in preparation for take off.
"Hold it right there!" Shining Armor stated angrily. "You don't think we'll just let you leave after all the trouble you've just caused us?!"
The dragons took a look at each other before looking at the Prince with a smirk. As one they spoke.
YOL. TOOR.
Unlike the version Spike used, this was more advanced. Instead of being a ball of fire, this was truly a breath of fire. Like a raging flame thrower in their mouths
Shining Armor quickly formed a shield around himself and the others. The Shout was harmlessly blocked.
However, this gave the dragons the opening they needed to escape. They didn't bother looking back at the ponies, but they did cast a glance at Spike.





Spike woke with a start.
The first thing he noticed was that he wasn't outside, he was in the castle. Specifically, he was in a bedroom chamber, in a cosy bed. The second thing he noticed was that it was night time, or early morning, he couldn't tell.
He tried to move only to fall back into the bed.
Bad idea! He thought with a groan.
He was completely exhausted! He hadn't felt like this since his greed growth incident. Then there was the agonizing, yet tingling pain he had in his chest.
"Well look who decided to wake up." A comforting voice spoke.
Spike looked to see that it was the Princess, as well as Daring Do.
"How do you feel?" Daring asked.
"Like my chest was struck by lighting." He answered as best he could. He noticed the mares flinch at his poorly attempted joke. "What happened?" He croaked. "Where-"
"Easy." Daring ordered.
"The dragons are gone." The Princess stated, seeing him visibly relax. "Shining Armor is just taking care of some defense and patrolling the Empire with a small battalion. You know how paranoid he can get."
The dragon let out a soft chuckle. He was just as bad as Twilight when they became...unstable.
"What...happened?" He asked.
The mares avoided eye contact for a moment, showing that something bad was up.
"Spike...that Thu'um..." She saw him about to repeat it. "NO!" She shouted, freezing him. "Spike, promise me you won't use it."
Spike looked at the strong willed mare before him. Now she seemed...off.
"What happened?" He asked again.
The two mares shared another look before nodding. Princess Cadence's horn began to glow and she pulled back the curtain to the outside. 
She showed Spike the wreckage, he had cuased.
"Spike." Princess Cadence began uneasily. "Remember your birthday in Ponyville?"
Oh no. He mentally thought. No no no no!
The mares saw him began breaking down. The greed growth had to be his biggest shame, as well as his biggest fear.

The Princess left the two alone so that they may comfort one another.
"Spike, it's not your fault."
"Yes, it is." He whispered. "I...I destroyed most of this place because I lost control. Because I gave into my greed...again."
"What was it like?" Daring asked.
"What, the greed?" 
"No, when you were...compelled by the Thu'um." She stated. "What was it like?"
"I...don't know." He admitted. "It's like a blank, a gap in my memory." 
"So it's like...you weren't in control?" She asked. "You weren't in control."
"But it was still me." He spoke insistently. "Daring, I know what you're trying to do, but it won't work. It was me that destroyed part of the Kingdom, that nearly killed those dragons, that...that..."
He began trailing off into silence, ashamed of his actions. Intentional or not, the damage was done and by his claws.
"Spike, you can't change what's done here." She stated evenly. "It's in the past, but I honestly think it's better this way.
"What?!" He asked in disbelief. "How can-"
She silenced him with a hoof to his maw. "Spike, if you hadn't shown up, those dragons would still be here." She reasoned. "They would still be taking from the Empire while robbed blind. Each time Prince Shining Armor fought with them, they were met with defeat, but he kept coming back. Who knows how far that would have escalated. Those four dragons using Shouts against this Empire, many lives would have been lost."
"But there homes-"
"Can be rebuilt, lives can't." She stated kindly. "Don't you think a little collateral damage is worth it for those ponies to be alive and safe a little longer?"
"...Yes." He answered. "But...did any pony lose their life?" He asked.
"No." Daring lied as images of ponies burning under his flames passed in her mind. "Every pony is fine and safe."
"Good." He stated with a sigh of relief. 
She saw him relax and felt she had made the right choice. They ponies of the Empire would be told that the deaths were caused by the three dragons. 
Daring smiled as she leaned in and gave him a kiss. "Spike, it's not all bad." Daring stated, gaining his attention. "While you slept, we found out the dragons' plans. We found out what a Soul gems are."
"Really?" He asked intrigued. 
"Yeah, there was an entire book on it." She stated. "Apparently it was used to house actual souls of slain creatures."
"What?" Spike spoke with a bit of disdain. "That' terrible!" 
"They used it to make weapons stronger."
"Why did the dragons want it?" Spike asked. "Dragons don't use weapons." 
"True, but the could be used to hurt even a dragon." Daring explained. "We theorized that the dragons wanted to get rid of one of the few things that could harm them. Where else could you find a magical gem if not in the Crystal Empire?"
Spike began nodding in understanding.
"What'll happen with the Soul Gem now?" He asked.
"Well, thankfully Princess Cadence had them labeled forbidden for obvious reasons." Daring stated. "But..."
"But..."
"They found a few of the Soul gems that are...full." She informed.
"And..." He had the filling there will be more.
"Prince Shining Armor believes that they'll make a good source of defense."
"What?!" Spike asked in disbelief. "Those are trapped souls in there! He wants to just turn them into weapons!"
"Yes I do." A voice answered.
Spike and Daring turned to see the Crystal Prince next to his wife.
"Shining, how could you?!" Spike asked.
"How could I what Spike?" Shining asked coldly. "Use a means as to protect my citizen? Think their lives are more important than those who've already passed?" He sighed. "Spike, I know what you must think if me, but I have a duty to my ponies! To my Kingdom! To my wife!"
Spike understood what Shining Armor was saying, but he still couldn't...approve.
"Spike, I don't approve of this either." The Princess spoke sadly. "But you saw how defenseless we were against those dragons, and they were just teens!"  
"Other's will come Spike." Shining stated. "This is the Crystal Empire, no dragon can resist, it's amazing we haven't been overrun with dragons yet. But eventually they'll come."
"If it makes you feel any better, we aren't having any more...made." Princess Cadence spoke. "We're only using what's in...stock."
"But still..."
"Spike, you're like a brother to  me." Shining stated sadly. "But we aren't asking for your permission. If you can't accept what I need to do for my ponies, then..." He paused to consider his words. "Then I think you should just leave."
Spike was taken back by Shining Armors words, and he knew the stallion meant it. But Spike wasn't going to back down on this.
"Yes, I think I should."	
"I'll load up the air balloon." Daring stated.





Spike took one last look at the Empire in it's ruined state. He wanted to stay and help them rebuild, but he couldn't meet Shining Armor.
"Daring?" Spike spoke. "Do you think I'm being unreasonable?"
The mare was quite for a moment.
"Yes and no." She answered, careful with her words. "I understand where Shining Armor is coming from. This is his home, and he has to protect the ponies in it. I don't approve, like you, but they have to use whatever methods available."
"I'm glad you are at least understanding."
The dragon and mare turned their attention towards the Prince and Princess. 
"Shining." Spike spoke.
"Spike." The Prince returned.
"Shining." The Princess nudged.
The Prince took a step forward and gave an uncomfortable cough. Daring, nudged the dragon forward to meet his adoptive brother.
"Spike, I don't want us splitting on bad blood." Shining spoke sadly. "I don't like this method either, but I have a duty to these ponies before my own feelings."
Spike, reluctantly, nodded in understanding. He may not like it, or have a say in it, but he understood.	
"We have gifts!" The Princess spoke happily. "You can call them peace offerings."
Shining Armor levitated a lasso in front of the mare. 
"Since the last one was broken while you were trying to help us, we thought we'd...reimburse you." He stated before becoming uncomfortable. "This lasso was enchanted with a Soul Gem." Shining stated. "Here me out!" He begged when Spike was about to speak. "This lasso is stronger than the last, as strong as steel! It will come in handy for the stuff you'll be getting into, I've read your books."
The adventure seeking mare gave her dragon-friend a look before nodding and accepting the lasso.
"Spike, since we know you wouldn't accept a weapon, we have something else." Princess Cadence spoke. "A basket of precious gem, not like the spare garbage gems we were giving that dragon."
Spike began licking his lips at the offering. They were precious indeed, and not the spare gems that practically grew like weeds in the Kingdom.

"So long!" With just a wave, the couple parted from the kingdom in the air balloon. With no intent on jamming it. 
"So Spike, what did you think of our adventure?" Daring asked. 
"Well, it's a great way to start off my first few chapters." Spike stated with a small smile. "Now, where to next?
> Dragon God of the Storm
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The ponies screamed, dying in pain and despair under his claw and fire, just as the ones before them did. They tried to fight, but it was pointless.
He watched them burn and smiled as the scent of it all filled his nostrils.

Daring looked at the drake with sympathy as he slept. He was being plagued by the memories of the destruction he had caused during his rampage in the Crystal Empire.
She regretted lying to him, but knew that it was a necessity for his sake. He was plagued with awful dreams now, she doubted his mind could handle the truth.
It's best for him to think it's a bad dream. She thought. Then it can just fade to memory.
Though she had no doubt in her mind that it was far from over. There would be a backlash in some shape and form.
No, focus on the positive. She ordered.
She looked at the dragon again and smiled. He was just a big mystery and now they had fallen further into it.
Turning her head towards the sky, she kept on steering the balloon. In the distance she could see their next stop.

"What are we doing here?" Spike asked through his yawn as he looked around. "Apploosa?"
"We need to do a bit of restocking." She answered. "The stuff we received from the Crystal Empire was nice, but we need to get some more practical items."
Spike nodded in understanding and agreement.
"Hey Spike, notice anything odd?"
Spike took a look at the mare who was examining the town. He followed her example and did the same, hoping to find what she did. He did, or rather he didn't.
"Where is every pony?" He asked. "And Buffalo?"
"That's the question." She spoke. "Let's find the answer."
They began walking through the town and were greeted with silence. There was no sign of any pony, buffalo or other.
"How about we make this fast?" Spike offered.
"Fine." Daring answered with a roll of her eyes, Spike just wanted to play with his Thu'um. No matter the species, men like to play with their powers.

Spike let the spell wash over the area, showing him everything that couldn't be seen. The ponies were there, but hiding. Each spread out into clusters in spots that concealed them.  
What're they hiding from? Spike thought.
The Pegasus began walking a little further ahead when she noticed a rhythmic sensation under her hooves. Looking down, she saw the pebbles on the ground were shaking. The sensation and shaking increased until the ground was  and the pebbles were jumping! At this point there was rushing noise, and it was getting louder. It reminded her of an earthquake...but different.
"What's going on?" She asked Spike.
"Stampede!" The dragon answered before taking off into the air, A.K followed.
No sooner had they left the ground had the catastrophe come into full .
Buffalo were bursting though the buildings of the town. They began knocking on everything in an attempt to break them. From carts and stands to building walls. This wasn't like the last time the two had a feud. It was obvious this wasn't about land. This time the Buffalo were out for blood.
"What are you all doing?!" A.K shouted only for them to ignore her.
"STOP!" Spike shouted over the destruction.
They Buffalo came to a sudden stop in their rampage. They all turned around towards the dragon and Pegasus, many looking expectantly towards Spike, some even began bowing.
"Um, what now?." Was all Spike could ask.
His answer came in the form of a lasso grabbing A.K from the sky and pulling her towards the ground. Spike instinctively flew after her. The rope pulled her into a saloon through the window.
"Now!" He heard someone shout behind him as the window shutters closed.
Spike quickly went for the door, knowing it'd be foolish to burst through a wall and possibly get stuck. When he did, he saw a stallion unwrapping A.K from the rope.
"Don't worry, you're safe now." The stallion stated.
"Safe from what?" Spike asked as he entered the saloon.
The pony who had lassoed A.K from the sky, Braeburn, had tensed when he saw Spike.
"Spike?" He questioned as he relaxed. "Applejack said you were different, but woo-nelly, you-"
"Let's skip the pleasantries." Spike spoke tensely. "What's going on, I thought you had a truce with the Buffalo."
The stallion gave a long sigh as he looked down in sadness. "I did too."
"What happened?" Spike asked.
The stallion began the story only for to be halted by a large crashing sound and a cry of pain.
"We can have a history lesson after we make sure this town doesn't become one!" A.K stated as she made her way outside.
Braeburn jumped in front of them, blocking the door.
"You can't go out there!" He stated in a panic. "It's a war zone!"
The Earth pony wasn't exaggerating. The trio took a look outside of the  window and saw that the two races were fighting. Unlike the first time the Earth ponies defended themselves, this wasn't in good humor with apple pies. Ponies and Buffalo alike were bleeding and yet they continued on. Though some were on the ground, though they didn't stir even as others rushed over them.
"They're killing each other!" Spike stated. "We have to stop them!"
"The Buffalo listened to Spike!" A.K stated as an idea formed. "We can get them to stop."
"But the ponies won't!" Braeburn stated. "They're too angry to listen!"
"If they're angry, let's make them feel something else." A.K spoke. "Let's make them afraid."

Spike and A.K took to the sky above the conflict. They flew to were the battle was at it's thickest and bloodiest, which happened to be the heart of it all.
A.K made sure to get behind the dragon as soon as he took in an lung full of air.
FAAS. RU.
The words echoed across the sky towards the fray, hitting every pony and Buffalo that was in the struggle.
As Braeburn said, the anger was strong, it practically burned in them. But it was doused as the black liquid of fear washed over them.
They stopped their struggling and began trembling in fear of Spike as he loomed over them. Those that didn't ran as far and as fast as they could.





As soon as the Dismay Shout began to wear off, Spike and A.K landed in the heart of the conflict.
"What's going on here?" He asked. 
The leader of the Buffalo, a large male, stepped forward. Spike recognized him from the time he stayed among them in his visit, behind him was his daughter Little Strongheart. Just as they did, Braeburn stepped forward, most likely to speak for the ponies.
"Hello Mr. Spike." The leader greeted kindly. 
"Chief Thunderhooves." Spike spoke just as kindly. "What's this about, are they taking more of your territory?"
"No, we haven't!" Some pony shouted. "They attacked us for no reason!"
"Is this true?" A.K asked.
"We have our reasons." The Chief spoke. "And these ponies refuse to respect it."
"I'm sure if we just sit down, we can talk this out like civilized creatures." Spike offered.
"No more talk, now we-!" 
Pony or Buffalo, neither side knew which spoke, but both sides agreed once they saw Spike let out another Dismay Shout.

"Generations ago, before my grandfather's grandfather was even swimming in his father's loins, there was a drought." The Chief spoke slowly. "A drought so long and severe, that we Buffalo had dwindled down to such a low number that all hope for a future seemed lost."
"Then why stay?"
"These lands are our home." Some Buffalo stated. "We've been here before ponies knew of it and we'll be here until the last of us passes to the next life."	
Many noticed that the Buffaloes agreed to the statement. It was one thing to leave your house, but to leave your land. Your home.
"So what did you all do?"
"Nothing." The Chief answered. "Until he came."
As he said those words, Little Strongheart stepped forward to continue the story.
"He came to us, when we were at our lowest and ready to accept our fates." She spoke. "He told us he could end our suffering and return the water with but a word of his voice. All he asked in return was an offering of gems and worship."
"So he wanted you to treat him like a God?" Somepony asked.
"Yes." A Buffalo answered.
"What choice did we have, but to accept?" Little Strongheart asked. "Then he flew into the air and shouted a spell that, even now, we are unfamiliar with. Then the skies darkened and water fell to replenish the lands and Buffalo."
Spike and Daring Do shared a familiar look that the others failed to catch.
"Now, every few years we have a ceremony to call him to replenish the water." The Chief spoke. "To save the lands and our lives." He turned and glared at the ponies. "But this year, he does not answer our call!"
"And then you blames us and began attacking!" A pony shouted. "We did nothing!"
"Of course you did, none of this happened until your kind arrived!" A Buffalo countered. 
"You don't really think it's something as simple as ponies living here, do you?" Spike asked the Chief.
Chief Thunderhooves have a tired sigh as he answered. "It's more than that." He motioned towards the lands. "The dragon took refuge in the area, making it his home, his territory. Then these ponies come and began changing it for progress as they say." 
"And instead of razing the lands to the ground, we fear that he has taken the water away from us." Strongheart states sadly. "Allowing us a slow and painful demise."
"What about making a water system  for you all and rain clouds for the land?" A.K asked.
This time a few ponies began shuffling nervously, Spike could already feel the bad new coming.
"We never established one." Some pony whispered.
"What?!" Many of the other ponies cried in shock. "We're all going to die of dehydration!"
"Why?" A.K asked.
"Well...the lands were already set." He answered bashfully. "So we just left things as they were."
"Fine, so we have a few Pegusi go to the nearest town and gather a few..."
Daring coughed as she jabbed Spike in the ribs. Once she had gained his attention, she motioned to the inhabitants of the town. All he saw were Earth Ponies and Buffalo.
"This is mostly an Earth pony community." Braeburn stated. "Not that we don't care for the other races..." 
Spike and Daring were the only creatures there that could fly and it would take too long to gather enough clouds. Not to mention keeping them from floating away, and Spike didn't really know the different between a rain cloud and a lighting cloud.
"Fine, I'll send a letter to the Princesses." Spike stated as he looked for paper and a quile. "She can have a water system built and rain clouds sent."
"Spike, that kind of process will take time build." A.K informed.
"We don't have time!" The Buffalo Chief bellowed. "Our reserves of water have all but been emptied, we will not last! Our only hope is to expel the outsiders and pray that he has mercy on us!"
"Wait, what if we convince him to give you back the water?" A.K asked. "Can you all go back to living in relative peace?"
"We...can try." The Chief stated.
"Try?!" A pony asked in outrage. "I say we-!"
A.K turned on this pony in a flash. She may not have been able to perform the Dismay Shout, but she was definitely able instill fear into grown stallions.
"You are guests on the Buffalo lands!" She snarled. "You came here as and began a settlement in their home! By right, they could have attacked you from the beginning!"
"T-This is Equestria." He stated pathetically. "A pony nation!"
Spike and Daring Do just looked at the bigot pony and shook their heads. It mat be a pony nation, but it was still Buffalo lands. A land that only they had a right to.
No wonder they were fighting the ponies.
"I can show you the way." Little Strongheart offered. "It's not that far."
"Okay." Daring and Spike stated as one.
"Actually Spike, I think I should go alone." His mare-friend spoke. "No offense, but I can cover the distance faster and-"
"I totally agree." Spike stated, cutting her off. "I was going to offer to stay to keep them from fighting again."
Daring nodded in understanding and smiled in happiness. He didn't get offended by the remark on his flight and accepted it. He also used his mind, knowing that his Thu'um was the only thing keeping the peace.
I chose the right partner. She thought happily as she took to the air. "Lead on."





Littlestrongheart and Daring were moving at top speed towards their destination. As the young Buffalo had stated, it was not far from the town.
They stopped at a large mountain were the dragon made his home. It was a simple cave in the wall like most . It was too dark to peer into,  even with it only being noon. A tell-sign was the scorched ground and random bones laying around. 
"This is as far as I can go." Little Strongheart stated with her head held low. "Inside there is his cave, but we Buffalo know not to enter. Hopefully he'll be more accepting of you."
"How do you know he's in there if nopony enters?" Daring asked as she tried to peer inside. "He could simply be taking a long nap away from civilization, dragons are said to sleep for years."
"If he is not here, then we are doomed." The young Buffalo answered.
"You all really won't leave your homes, will you?" The Pegasus asked. Her answer was a sad shake of the head.
Daring had to admit she never understood why a pony, or any creature, would be so determined to stay in one spot. There was so much of the world out there to see! Then again, she was a Pegasus, her home was the very sky itself.
I guess I don't need to understand. She thought seriously. It's their home and they care enough to die for it. Let's not let that be an option.
"Please, don't be too long!" The Buffalo pleaded.
With a deep breath, she entered the cave.
The mare held still for a few seconds for two reasons. To let her eyes adjust to the darkness of the cave and to find any signs of life.	
Still alive. She thought. There was no giant dragon turning her into deep fried mare. Is that a good sign?
Once her eyes had finally adjusted, she took a look around the cave. It was what one would expect about a dragon's cave. Vast and intimidating. 
Daring began walking in to see if she could find anything useful.
There was a pile of gems as one would expect, very large. It would tempt many ponies who crossed here, luckily she wasn't many ponies. As her hoof knocked something over, she realized how glad of that she was. It was part of a pony's skeleton, slight burnt very crushed.
She backed from the pile to be safe.
Wait, something's wrong. She thought as she looked at the pile.
She went further into the cave.
As she went further, she couldn't lose the sinking feeling that something was wrong. It was obvious, that much she knew, and it aggravated her.
Her inner thought had distracted her so much that she never noticed the wall until she walked into it. She hadn't been walking all that slowly either, so she knocked herself onto her flank.
Glad Spike wasn't here to see that. She thought as she stood up.
It was a large wall, separate from the others. It had strange markings on it, still unfamiliar to her, but not knew. It was a word wall, a Thu'um.
This must be what the one the dragon used to make it rain. She thought as she examined it. I can get Spike an-
Daring stopped mid thought as her mind went to a dark place.
What if this isn't the Thu'um to make it rain? She asked herself. This could be part of the Shout we found in the Crystal Empire.
Then again, there was a chance that it wasn't. Just as much of a chance that it was. If it was, she'd basically be dooming all of the ponies and Buffalo in Apploosa. None of them could withstand Spike and she doubted she could cover up such an incident a second time. 
Maybe I should leave it. She thought as she backed away. Hide it and pretend I never saw it. Maybe even bury- The mare stopped mid thought and step when she realized what she was doing. Am I willing to doom the Buffalo?
If it wasn't part of that Thu'um, then not telling them about it would still be the same as dooming them. The ponies would leave, but she now knew that the natives wouldn't.
What to do?
"Hello?"
Daring Do didn't scare easily, but if you did manage to sneak up on her, then you would be greeted with two strong hooves to the face. It was enough to knock most ponies flat out, but it wasn't a pony she kicked. Her hooves just barely missed striking the Buffalo, Little Strongheart.
"I'm so sorry!" Daring quickly apologized. How long have I been in here? 
She had been in there for so long that she had lost track of time, all because she contemplated on a wall of power.
"Shhh!" The Buffalo begged. "Please, we shouldn't be here this long!"
The Pegasus sighed in relief as she calmed her heart before turning her attention to the Buffalo. She was looking around frantically to see if her death was just behind a rock. 
"It's okay." Daring said. "There's no dragon here."
Apparently that was the wrong thing to say. The Buffalo looked down in despair as she processed the information.
"Then all is lost." She stated wistfully.	
Daring felt like smacking herself when she saw her disappointment.
"Not true." Daring stated, sparking a bit of hope. "See this wall." She motioned towards the one she would have hidden. "If it's the one your dragon used, then Spike can speak it and bring the rain back."
"This is glorious news!" Strongheart shouted. "My family can live again!"
Daring should have been happy with the declaration, but she only felt crummier. 
"Let's get back to the town." Daring spoke.
"Yes, there will be a celebration of the news!" She cheered.
"Hey." Daring spoke gaining the Buffalo's attention. "What were you doing in the cave if it's so forbidden to you and your people."
The Buffalo gained a blush as she looked away. "I knew Spike wouldn't be happy if you were injured or lost your life."
Hmmm.





Once they returned, they were greeted by the sight of a pacing Spike. The moment he saw them he ran towards them.
"Everything okay?" He asked, eyeing Daring for injuries.
"I'm a big girl Spike, I can take care of myself." Daring stated as she puffed out her chest.
"R-Right, of course." Spike stated as he blushed.
Stupid! He exclaimed to himself. She's been doing this for years!
Daring saw the dragon and easily guessed his train of thought. Feeling generous, she leaned to his muzzle and gave him a kiss.
"Was there any trouble while we were gone?" The Pegasus asked.
"No, both sides have avoided the other like the plague." He answered. "I honestly don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing."
"It's...progress." Daring stated uneasily. "They aren't fighting." 
"They're back!" A pony shouted in the distance.
It was a matter of minutes before the pair were surrounded by ponies and Buffalo alike.
"We have good new and bad news." Daring spoke.
"We'll take the good news first." The Chief spoke.
"We can live!" Little Strongheart shouted in joy. "The water will be flowing very soon!"
Many of the Buffalo and ponies began cheering in joy of the information. They wouldn't have
"Wait." Spike interrupted the celebration. "What's the bad news."
"We couldn't find the dragon." Little Strongheart stated sadly. "I fear that he may have abandoned us."
Many of the Buffalo turned their angry gaze towards the pony settlers once again. It didn't take a genius to figure out that they were ready to start another fight.
"You all heard them!" Spike stated loudly. "Everyone prepare for a downpour!"

Spike and Daring flew towards the cave, though at a much slower rate than the first trip. Spike noticed the mare was silent and was
"Something wrong?" Spike asked as he moved closer.
"No." She lied.
"Okay." Spike stated as he flew back into position. Not gonna push her on it.
"I'm just-"
"You're worried that this Shout won't be the one to bring the rain." He offered.
It was the nice way of putting it and they  both new it. In the front of their mind, both were having the same though, what if this is a bad Thu'um. The first had nearly leveled an entire Kingdom, were there truly more destructive ones? Ahuizotle had once stated that a Thu'um would allow him to control others.
They were basically rolling the dice on the lives of others. It was one thing when they risked their own lives, but this many. It was why the mare never took on a guild.
They arrived at the cave and it was the same as she left it.
What is wrong with this place?! Daring mentally screamed.
Spike must have noticed something was off as well, she noted. He constantly looked around as if expecting to find something, maybe and answer, only to find nothing.
He hesitantly made his way into the cave and stood still, his eyes not needing to adjust. He made his way towards the pile of gems that sat on display. The dragon took a strong sniff of the gems and grimaced.
"Dusty." He stated uneasily. "How long has this place been empty?"
That was it! Daring realized in annoyance. The cave was dead!
The dragon's cave was cold and desolate, yet the dragon left his hoard there. From the look of things, it had been empty for a long while. A dragon would never let his gems be covered in dust, it's insulting. A living dragon that is.
"Let's go, we've got a Shout to learn."





"Alright ponies and Buffalo!" Spike stated. "We have returned with the word that shall give you the water you all need."
"Word, not words?" The Chief asked. "Are you not going to speak all three?"
That caught the couple off guard. 
Sometimes, you can really feel like slapping yourself. You would think that a race that has worshiped a being would be interested in the words that kept them alive. Especially when it's been going on for generations! It would save so much time to simply ask if they knew the words, even if they didn't know the meaning.
"Do you know what the words are?"
The Chief smiled.

The Buffalo had gathered items that they thought were essential towards the rain summons. They gathered dozen upon dozens of gourds the size of the chief. Each one capable of gathering enough water to last awhile. They also brought several long metal rods that they buried into the ground, each as tall as the apple trees.
"Let the ritual begin!" The Chief declared.
The Buffalo moved in synchronization around the gourds, making timed movements. They would dance erratically before stopping with their hooves extended towards the sky. They would then continue their dance before pausing again with open hooves, as if embracing something. Once again, they would dance before stopping with their hooves pointed towards the gourds. Once they reached the end, they restarted the dance simply as if it were the next stage.
The Chief was the only one not participating in the dance, he stood in the center of it alongside Spike. The Buffalo came to a sudden halt with their hooves pointed towards the Chief.
The Buffalo leader stood up and bellowed. "A Shout to the skies, a cry to the clouds, that awakens the destructive force of the Heavens!"
They continued the dance again for one full motion before they stopped and pointed a hoof towards Spike. When they didn't move, he knew that it was his cue.
The dragon took off into the air.

STRUN
The skies began to darken with clouds that were summoned through magic. They were gathered through the accumulation of the moisture in the air. Thunder could be heard and lighting seen.
Now I understand the rods. Daring thought.
Lightening began striking at random, only to be absorbed by the rods and harmlessly absorbed into the ground.
BAH
Water began falling from the sky in fat droplets. It started as a small shower before becoming a hard storm. It covered everything in the dragon's view.
QO
The storm increased once again. 


The rain went on for a total of three minutes. Once it ended, the clouds were cleared away as if they had never been there before.
Spike came down from the sky exhausted from the Shout, it had taken more from him than expected.
First time using a full Thu'um. He thought. Took more out of me than anticipated.
"Thank you." Little Strongheart spoke. "This shall keep up until the ponies can create the water ways."
"Is that it?" A pony asked.
"That was hardly enough to moisten the ground!"	
The Buffalo said nothing as they gathered the gourds and began taking down the rods.
"Where are you going with the water?" A pony asked.
"We are taking it home so that we may drink our fill." The Buffalo answered as if it were obvious.
"What about us?"
"What about you?" A Buffalo asked. "We gathered the water fairly, you all didn't put out any gourds or containers."
"W-We didn't know."
"What, did you expect the land to magically bloom with moisture and vegetation?" Another Buffalo asked mockingly.
The ponies didn't meet the Buffalo's gaze, that was what they expected.
"We need that water as well and you have more than enough to last!" A stallion snapped. "Share!"
"No."
Daring already tell where this escapade was going. Turning to Spike, she saw that he was too exhausted to give another Shout. It would take some time for him to recover.
Going to have to stop them myself. She thought as she looked for a solution.


"Stop!" Spike shouted.
This shout however, was different. It came out almost like a Thu'um Shout, one that echoed across the entire area, shaking the very ground under them. But it didn't carry the magical power they had previously witnessed.
"Whoa." Was all that was uttered as all eyes turned to the dragon.
Gonna question that later. Both Daring and Spike thought.
"There is no 'ours and not yours' for that water, it's mine!" Spike stated as he glared at the two races. "I gave it to you both to share, so both sides can survive. If not, then you better believe I can as easily take it away."
To prove his point, Spike stood tall and flared his wings with fire flickering from his maw.	
The Buffalo lowered their heads in submission while the ponies backed away in fear.
"As you wish my lord." The Chief spoke.
"My lord?" Spike questioned.
"You know what, I'm going to let you handle this one." Daring stated as she walked towards the water. "I'm going to go make sure the water get's divided fairly."
"We Buffalo do not pray to Celestia or Luna." The Chief spoke. "We prayed to the our own God's long before the two, and we will continue to do so."
"So...what about me?"
"You?" The Chief chuckled. "You answered our prayers."
"Oh boy."





Spike and Daring were sharing a room in one of the hotels. It was small but accommodated them well enough, even with Spike's size included.
He had just gotten through with telling her the new information.
"HAHAHAHA!"
"It's not that funny." Spike grumbled.
The Pegasus lowered her laughter to a small chuckle so she could speak. "No, but it's pretty close."
"They think I'm a God." He groaned.
"You'll get used to it." Daring assured. "A lot of ponies think I'm some kind of Messiah, a personal savior."
"Really?" Spike asked intrigued.
"Yep, they were even prepared to start a revolt against Princess Celestia for my reign to begin." Daring stated as she drifted down memory lane. "But I settled matters and now they're just a cult awaiting my return to begin a new age."
"T-That's not in any of your novels." Spike stated in disbelief. 
With the thought of novels in mind, Spike began searching for his own. This would make a great chapter along with the incident at the Crystal Empire.
"A lot of things aren't in those books, don't want to bring down the wrath of certain ponies or mess up the minds of the youth." She stated casually before gaining a lecherous smile. "For instance."
"For instance?" Spike asked and received no reply.
Spike turned around for an answer and was given a sight to behold. Daring Do had her tail raised as she swayed her rump and smirked back towards him.
Taking the hint, the dragon began moving towards her, tongue already extended.
He never got the chance to come in contact with her before there was a knock at the door.
With a huff of annoyance, Daring opened the door to greet Little Strongheart.
"The Chief is ready to receive you Ms. Yearling." The Buffalo stated.
"You're early."  The mare huffed. "Later Spike, enjoy the company."
The mare left, but not before giving Spike another sight by swishing her tail. 
Great. Spike thought. So this is how being blue-balled feels...I don't like it.
"Hello again Mr. Spike." The Buffalo greeted. 
"Hello Little Strongheart." Spike greeted kindly. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"You've done more than enough to help me and my kind." She stated as she bowed. 
"Please, don't bow." He begged. "I'm not a God."
"But you-"
"Did something any skilled Unicorn or Pegasus could have."
"But none of them did." She stated as she got closer. "It was you and for that we are thankful."
Once she was close enough to touch him, she leaned in and kissed him.
Only for him to jump away.
"Whoa!" He exclaimed as he backed away. "I'm flattered and all, but I'm seeing someone."
"I know." She stated as she leaned in. "I don't intend to start a relationship, I just want to show my thanks."
Once again, she leaned in only for Spike to lean out.
"I don't think you understand." Spike stated. "I don't intend to sleep around on my marefriend."
"Am I...not satisfactory?"
"You're attractive, I'm just not that sort of dragon." He stated.
"Why not?" She asked as she leaned into his chest. "You saved us didn't you?" She began nuzzling his chest. "Don't you deserve something?"
Spike went still at the question, not noticing the Buffalo nuzzling him. His mind was telling her to push her away and get out of there, but another part...
I did save them. He thought. Don't I deserve something? He looked at the Buffalo that was attempting to seduce him, she was attractive. She's only trying to reward me. He thought as he placed a hand on her back, near her rump. Don't I deserve some kind of...compensation?
Yes, yes he did. These Buffalo owed their very lives to him. He did deserve this and more! Without him, the Buffalo and ponies would still be killing each other before they died of thirst. They owed him everything!
After all. He thought. All God's are give offerings, even sacr...ifice...s.
No.
"No."
"What?"
He didn't answer, he didn't even look at her. Spike just turned from her and faced the corner wall, he couldn't face her after that thought. It was a-no the part of himself he hated. The monster he wanted to keep down.
"I appreciate the offer, but my answer is no." Spike stated with his back to her. "Please go."
"A-As you wish." She stated.
Little Strongheart began making her way to the door only to stop. She gave the dragon a few hesitant glances before steeling herself.
"Yes?" Spike asked once he noticed her.
"I have something to show you." She stated uneasily.
The Buffalo reached into the satchel she had brought and pulled out the last thing Spike could have expected. It was the fang of a dragon, from size alone he could tell it was an adult's. Or one overcome by greed.
It was large, over four feet in length and two in width. The base still held part of the root and dried flesh, obviously part of the gums. That all pointed to one thing, this tooth had been ripped from the mouth of a dragon.





Spike began searching for his mare-friend for three reasons.
The first, he didn't want to be alone. With the previous greedy thoughts still rummaging through his mind, he didn't trust himself. The second, he was still...pent up. Sure, he could handle it himself, but after truly experiencing a mare, it just wasn't the same. The third and most obvious was the fang.
It had been a dragon's fang! Those things were hard, nearly impossible to come across. Dragon's ate gems as snack, so breaking one was near impossible and stealing one? Ha!
The only way to get a dragon's fang was off of it's corpse. That, or from having it torn from their mouth, which was suicidal.
Spike groaned, Daring may love a good mystery, but it was giving him a headache. He much preferred the adventure.
"Hello, Spike the dragon?" A voice spoke.
Spike turned to see a hooded Pegasus standing behind him.
Spike instantly didn't like this pony. In fact, he would go so far as to say he hated the pony.  He didn't know why, he was sure he'd never seen this pony a day in his life. Yet something about him rubbed him the wrong way.
"Do I know you?" Spike asked tensely.
"We've met many times before." The stallion spoke mysteriously.
"Who are you?" Spike demanded.
Spike was too upset at the stallion to wonder why he was so hostile, yet the stallion only smiled. It was as if it were nothing but a
"My name is unimportant, especially when only one matters to you." The stranger stated. "I know your other name as well Spike. I know you Alduin."
Spike found he was growling at the stallion now. It took everything in his will to keep from attacking, but why? Why was he so keen on attacking the stallion? Why was he holding himself back?
"Tell me who you are!" Spike demanded.
"You know me as Dovahkiin."