> Dragon's Tale: The city of Darkrise
>  by IMN
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prelude: A very bad day: Spike
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

*BLURP*

Oh Celestia, this is going to be one of those days again.

I really hate when I wake up from burping a letter from princess Celestia, these days almost always end up badly. And today is going especially bad, considering that I just woke up from the most wonderful dream ever. You see, I was dreaming that Rarity and I were doing… uhm, stuff.1. 

“Twilight,” I yelled, I have never missed the tree house as much as I do now. Don’t get me wrong, I like our new crystal tree palace of friendship, with rainbow power conference room, and I like that now I have my own room the most. But the practicality of living in the Golden Oak library is still unrivaled, At least we were an earshot away from each other. 

As I trudged toward the kitchen, I noticed that Twilight hasn't slept since last night, she was however reading a book.

“There you are, I was yelling for you all morning,” I lied of course, I only yelled once, but she doesn't need to know that, “have you been reading that book all night, again?”

“Oh hey Spike,” she had puffs under her eyes, never a good sign, “I was just finishing this books about dragons that Celestia sent to me last night.”

“Princess Celestia sent you a book about dragons? Did it say how majestic and noble we are?” 

With a giggle she say, “Yes and how you raid villages and pillage kingdoms, but it doesn't have anything new, just a bunch of speculations and theories, nothing we don’t already know.”

“Then why did you spend all night reading it?”

“Because Celestia told me that we are going to need it for today, I don’t know what for though, she sounded so cryptic in her note when the guards delivered it yesterday, she wanted me to focus on Darkrise and the Black Sun, both of which I found next to nothing on,” She finished with a disappointed sigh.2. 

How odd, usually the princesses tell me about any dragon related literature they find, why did she kept this one from me? Maybe it's nothing, maybe I'm just overthinking.

“Oh that remind me,” I picked up the parchment and handed it to her, “This came for you.”

Twilight unfurled the parchment, her face turned into a scowl just like I expected, “Let me guess, Celestia wants us in Canterlot immediately.”

“No Spike, she wants you in Canterlot specifically.”

Huh, that’s new, "what does she want with me?"

"She didn't say, she only mentioned that you need to be at one of her hearings."

“Will you at least come with me?” I asked skittishly.

“Why do you want me there?” 

“I…” What am I suppose to say here? Should I tell her because that letter woke me up from my sleep? “...have a bad feeling about today, it’s all.”

Twilight thought for a moment, “Alright I’ll join, but first.” She picked up a sapphire tart and placed it in front of me, dear Celestia I love that Twilight is a princess of a kingdom, “let’s eat.”

And I dove in the tart like it was going to be the last decent I will have in a long while.





Arriving at Canterlot palace, we were greeted by Shining Armor, and for some reason I felt a pit in my stomach the moment I saw him; it’s not like I don’t like him, Shining is more like a brother to me, but still, every time he had been around recently something bad had happened, so why should this time be an exception?

“Twily, Spike, so good to see you both.” His greeting was casual enough.

“Hey BBBFF.” Twilight, please, that was cute the first thousand time you said it,3. “What are you doing here?"

“Extra security,” huh why do they need extra security for? “Come on, let's go inside, better not keep Princess Celestia waiting.”

What? “What’s going on inside?” this day keeps eating away at me from this morning.

”You’ll see,” Did he just give me the all clear smile? Like the one before the changeling invasion? "Now come, we don't want to be late." 

“No,” I made a face and sat on the ground, “I’m not moving until you tell me.”

“What’s wrong with him?” Shining asked Twilight.

“He just had a bad morning,” Twilight answered nonchalantly, “Just tell us already, so we can get this finished before noon," She seemed particularly irked as well, but suddenly her face brightened, "Maybe we can all have lunch together, just like old times.” She started jumping up and down at the prospect.

“Ok, Ok.” With a chuckle, Shining tried to calm his alicorn sister a bit, “yesterday we had a peculiar request in the day court; a bunch of teenage dragons came barging in demanding that we 'hand Spike over to them,' which of course Celestia made a quick work of by nearly blasting them out of the castle,” he nudged at me.

Teenage dragons? The only teenage dragons I know are…. uh oh, “Is one of those dragons a red scaled bully by the Garble?”

Shining nodded, “Yeah, how did you know that?”

“I ran into them during the dragon migration.”

“Might explain why they claim to know you so well.”

“So why am I asked to come here for?”

“Well, although there is no way in Tartaros of a chance that we'll send you away, it is regulation that you must be present for the Princess's decision, which will be given today.”

I don’t think I smiled so hard in my life before, I have to wonder why Celestia is always so cryptic about good news like that.

A little while later and we are standing in the throne room snickering, when Garble and two other of his goons were brought in, shackled. They look ridiculous.

Celestia was regal as always standing there as she faced them, “I do hope that a night in our dungeon have taught you a thing or two about courtesy.” She said all refined, while Twilight and I were about to burst into laughter as the teenagers quivered and shrieked at each of Celestia's words.

“Yes your highness,” wow, she must have smacked him real good to make Garble become so mellow, like a kitten.

“Now about your petition yesterday,” she pulled a scroll of paper in front of her, “you asked us to give custody of Spike the dragon to you, without giving us any reason for it, is that correct?”

“Yes.” Oh dear Celestia, he’s squeaking now.4.

“Due to lack or reason of doing so,” this is it, “I am going to have to refuse your petition,” now show me that disappointed face, “I am sorry.” 

Why is he smiling?

“Your highness,” 

Why does he sound calmer? 

“I never said I don’t have a reason” 

Where did that come from?

“I just didn’t think I needed it, until now.”

Oh no, there is that pit again.





1.he was kissing her, on the lips, STOP EMBARRASSING HIM  >P

2.You can only imagine her disappointment for not learning anything new, the horror.

3.And yet Shining Armor enjoys hearing it every time

4.By now Spike isn't just rolling on the ground laughing, he is more like chocking on his last breath.
> The Equestrian Flight part 1: Wound
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“I LIKE THE SUN.” 

And no one can stop me for liking it, Darkrise1 is such a beautiful city no doubt, I mean living in an eternal night2 where the stars are always shining is great and all, but just once I wish Starlight could shut down the Temple3 and allow the sun to shine for a few hours, wouldn't that be a treat.

“I know you are excited for this excursion Wound, but please we do not want to bring unwanted attention to us,” Night Blade may be the most buzz kill thestral of them all, but she does have a few good qualities, a kind heart strong mind, and strong wings, too bad they aren't strong enough to carry me.

“But we are on a search and recovery mission, find that hatchling Starlight told us about, I don’t think anything bad in particular is going to attack us just because we had a little fun in the process.”

“Jeez, are all of you arcane dragons4 so carefree,” Jackal is another companion of mine, a proud werewolf who roam these lands, she may be annoying, but at least her heart is in the right place, most of the times.

“Oh you’re just too serious about everything,” it’s true, under the sun werewolves can't be sneaky at all, so they tend to shun it, and be annoyed at it.

“Hey, hey, hey, ladies, you’re forgetting about me here.” Oh dear god why did I brought him.

“Tinkerbell, I told you to stay in my pocket,”

“Well I’m getting pretty snuffed out in there,” Tinkerbell is my personal fairy,5 you might think that it’s fun to have a personal fairy following you around, trust me, it’s not, “And I told you my name is not Tinkerbell it’s…”

“Too hard to pronounce,” I say abruptly, seriously it takes me fifty second to pronounce his name, so I came to call him Tinkerbell instead.

“So did anyone tell you where we are going?” Tinkerbell added.

“You are staying in my pocket,” I seriously don’t want him to get hurt, he may be annoying but it’s my duty to protect Darkrise signature, “We are heading to the Equestrian dragon flight.”

“I have to ask,” Night Blade hovers next to me for a bit, “Why did Starlight chose you? Blade could just as easily have checked the flight and returned within a day.” 

“I swear, Starlight is such a child sometimes, he could have chosen anyone, but no~, his big sis needs to bath under the sun, so he just roll over and do what she wants.”  

Did she just call Starlight a child? The insolence, why I ought to... Oh, she shrieked, guess my glare works.

“Well he is a child, barely twenty years old.” she tried to defend herself, how cute.

Shacking my head, I heard Night Blade giggles. Sure Starlight is quite young to take such big responsibility all by himself, but he did prove to be quite capable, and for that I am proud.

“We’re here.” Night Blade finally said as the mountain top came to view. 

Now I have met a lot of other flights over the years that passed Darkrise, a lot of migratory flights have the city as one of their checkpoints, usually these flights have only one type of dragons in them, which sometimes, well most of the times, they get hostile around other dragons types, more so with other species. Thankfully I belong to a stationary flight, a village if you wish, which are far more diverse than migratory flights, and a lot friendlier. 

So you can see my surprise when I saw a flight of Winged dragons in front of me, “Oh crud.”

“Well this is going to be a treat, any idea how we are going to find him without getting roasted alive?” 

Night Blade is right about that, a pony and a werewolf may give the wrong impression, and end up getting us burned alive isn't my idea of building up foreign relations with other flights.

“Alright then a change of plan,” I exclaimed and all three of them looked at me in surprise.

“We had a plan?” Jackal mocked.

“Jackal, Night, I want you two to scout the entire perimeter search for any irregularities, As for me I am going with the direct approach.”

“The direct approach??!” all three of my companion.

I flickered my marshmallow white scales and straightened the purple spikes on my back as I dazzled myself under the sun that I am enjoying through and through, and when I spoke, I turned on my most seductive voice, “I'm going to use my charm.”

I haven’t seen Jackal or Night Blade laugh so hard in their life, how frustrating can they get?

“Well if you own it show it.” I hear Tinkerbell say after he whistled at me, which made me want to punch someone.

“And what’s so funny about that?” Being vexed at their reaction seem to make them laugh harder, “I am gorgeous, as was dictated by my many admirers,” And upcoming suitors who thought I’ll marry them if they showed up flashing their scales at me like peacocks, only to be turned down in the same ruthless manner each and every time.

“Well,” Night Blade managed after catching her breath, “I’m not saying you don’t have any charm, it’s just that... how do I put it lightly?”

“You’re a sadistic, over the top, sociopath sweetie. You have a habit to make full grown drakes pee themselves with just a glance," Jackal continued with her usual blunt honesty, "I simply can’t see you acting all dragoness like, flirting your way for information around here.” 

How rude of them, I can pull of sexy if I wanted to!6

“Don’t worry short cake,” Tinkerbell came buzzing at me, “If you get stuck, I’ll be right here to help ya.” He puffed his little chest like he’s some big shot, I couldn't help but snicker. He might just be the reason why this mission might end in failure.

Ever since the dragons of Darkrise helped save the fairies from extinction a thousand year ago, the fairies became more like their willing servants at first, which soon became a predicament in itself, because dragons have no use for tiny dots of light hovering around them all the time, that is until the fairies were fed love for the first time.

“Well it’s as good a plan as any I’ll say," Yes, I knew Night Blade would support me in the end, “I’d love to see how you’ll pull it off.”

“Yeah good luck with whatever weird courtship you might come up with," I could do without the sarcasm Jackal, though if she's agreeing, that mean she didn't think of any alternatives, if it’s one thing I learned however, is that actions speak louder than words, and I am going to show her that I am more than the organ harvesting surgeon of Darkrise. 7

I simply nodded then went ahead toward the flight, 

I walked toward the first dragon I saw on the edge of the flight, usually these guys are consider the outer guards, and you can’t really gain access to the flight if these guys doesn't want you to, this one was a red drake, I’d estimate from his size he is fifty something years old, so a young adult, this ought to be interesting.

I walked up toward him then gave him my most disarming smile, "Hi there,” I say in a significantly squeaky voice which made him and a bunch of his comrades wince, yep, I definitely got it.8

“Hello and welcome to the Equestrian flight, the richest flight of the fire nation,” He replied after gaining his composure, if that is something that is supposed to impress me about his flight, then he failed miserably, “I am Garble the thirty third, please state your business with our flight.” At least he’s polite about it.

“My name is Wound, I’m an arcane dragoness of the Athenaeum bloodline, flight of Darkrise,” I can see that my introduction gave way to more attention since now I have four, no five dragons listening intently to each and every one of my words, I stare at them mischievously.9 

Honestly I didn't think this will work so well, still need to keep up the innocence10 act if i want to pull it off, “Uhm, you see I came here because we had a missing orphan dragon from our flight and we think he may have sneaked in with another flight, is it okay if you helped me search for him? I’d be very grateful.” I bat my eyes on him and that seem to have melted him entirely, this is gold, I should use my charm more often.

“Yeah, sure, okay,” he’s stammering, that’s a good sign. “I’ll help,” Yes Score, “What does your whelp look like?”

“Well he’s a purple baby dragon with green crown of round spikes on his back, he goes by the name of Spike.”





1. the name of the city that things are going to happen in.

2. previously known as the land of the werewolves, will explain more as the story progress.

3. the temple harness the light of the sun over a long distance, making the day as dark as night.

4. Arcane dragons are the second type of dragons in the Equestrian verse, they have a horn on their head that allow them to cast spells like unicorn.

5. A type of changeling race that resides in Darkrise, they are smaller almost the size of a breezie, but tougher and far more versatile.

6. no she can't, she can only pull innocent to fool her father.

7. because it's easy to change your reputation after you gauge the eye of the dragon trying to flirt with you in public.

8. again no, they all winced because her squeakiness grated their ears

9. the only reason why they are surrounding her is because she is sexy in dragon standards.

10. is that what she is doing? I would not have guessed
> The Equestrian Flight part 2: Wound
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

This place is awful, the roads are dirty, they all live in uncouth caves, the sun roasts my beautiful scales and every dragon in sight wants to bed me, even the females, what’s with that?

I've heard that gold hoarders act like feral dragons for the most part, but come on, the extent of this is ridiculous. I have never wanted to return to Darkrise so much.

But I must be brave, Garble there told me that his son came a week ago with a baby dragon holding that same description, my mission is quite simple, make sure that the whelp isn't mistreated and return to Darkrise, simple enough right?

“I think he was supposed to be here,” Garble scratched his head, “Wait, I know how to find him.” He said, then turning toward a group of teens that were gawking at us from afar, and he yelled: “Garble, get your butt over here.” 

A rather young version of the dragon I am walking with flew toward us, then crashed right in front of us, seriously why are all the drakes so idiotic when it comes to us dragonesses?

“Hello young lady,” He said in a deeper tone showing me his most revolting smile, and what’s with that stench? “How can I help?” never mind, it’s his breath.

“This is my son Garble,” married at such a young age? Maybe not married at all I’m guessing.

“Isn't your name is Garble?” I ask trying to feign interest.

“Yes, dragons of the same bloodline hold the same name,” Dear Magnus,1 this is the most ludicrous naming system ever.

“A pleasure,” I said, smiling suddenly became hard for some reason.

The son then took my hand and kissed it, “The pleasure is all mine.” Eww, there is slobber on my hand.

I pulled it off and shook the slob away, then gave him an awkward smile. I need to finish this quick or else, I might turn to my dark side.

“Take deep breath, focus on one thing then the next,” I hear Tinkerbell at my side telling me this, I sighed. I suppose I should give it a try, it couldn't get any worse than what I am already experiencing.

So I took a deep breath, inhale, then exhale, focus on one thing, the sun, inhale, it’s warmth on my scale, exhale, Garble saying something about a talking insect, inhale...wait.

“Buzz off,” He says in an aggressively while trying to swat Tinkerbell, and the poor guy barely evading before being hit to the ground, NOOO.

Garble then moved in to squish my fairy, I immediately used my magic and teleported Tinkerbell to my hand.

And every dragon started clapping and cheering, what’s wrong with this flight?2 

“That was impressive,” father Garble tells me, “I thought those horns on arcane dragons are just for show.” He can’t be serious.

“Hey that was just like unicorn magic.” Garble son said.

“You know a unicorn?” My, that is pleasant surprise.

“Yes, it escaped just like that before I squashed it.” ….. Why am I not surprised by this?

“These guys are all crazy,” I hear Tinkerbell, “I’m going to hide in your pocket till we leave,”  He then jumps into my pocket and shuts himself in. Well at least he’ll be safe for now.

I sighed again, I need to finish this quick or I may end up doing something I regret.

“Well let’s get down to business shall we?” I said in confidence, “I am looking for a purple whelp with green spikes, whose name is Spike, he escaped a while back from Darkrise and we think he might have joined your flight, do you know if he is here?”

“Spike? Yeah there is a dragon like that living here, but we snatched him from the pony princesses, so there is no way he could be from your city.”

Wow, that was easier than I thought it would, “Can I see him?” I asked shyly, now that I no longer have to stay here, my mood have improved a bit.

“Sure, he is over there.” He pointed toward a rock, and something in my head snapped, I felt IT.

An injury, someone was injured from the direction he pointed which is probably why my hoarding instinct is kicking in. I almost don’t want to go, but I forced myself to walk over there.

In his letter Starlight said that we need to confirm the well-being of that dragon, and if he is mistreated, we’ll negotiate for it. 

“What’s wrong?” I look up to see Garble looking at me, “Did ya change your mind or something?”

“No coming,” 

I could be overreacting, it could be a scrap; it could be nothing serious; there is no need for me to over think my instincts like this.

“Hey dweeb, get out of there, someone wants to see you.” Garble yelled behind the rock, and the young drake made his appearance.

For a moment there I could not comprehend what I was seeing, there were so many scrapes and bruises on his tiny body that he looked like someone out of torture, he had a broken arm, and a fracture rib. And from the looks of things he probably hadn't eaten anything in days.

My instincts were ablaze, I wanted to heal him; I needed to heal him. I am the hoarder of healed wounds, and he will be treated by me.

I approached him gently, “Come here little fellow,” my instincts are taking over my reality, for a moment there I forgot where I am. I squatted then extended my paw to him, “I won’t hurt you.”

He gulped, then walked toward me, I could smell he hasn't cleaned himself lately, I gently patted him on the head, “What’s your name little one?” I asked smiling.

He blushed the cutest shade of red I have seen on a baby dragon. But before he could speak, Garble kicked him right from under my paw, the baby dragon yelped as he landed a couple of feet away.

“When a dragoness ask you for your name you answer quickly, you got that?” he yelled at the baby.

I felt sick to my stomach, how could he? No, HOW DARE HE.

“That guy had been raised by ponies, could you believe that? They taught him no manners what-so-ever, so now I am pounding it in him what does it mean to be a dragon.” I glared at him, I could feel my own rage boiling hotter than the sun above, yet I froze.

“Dang girl, calm down,” Tinkerbell started buzzing around my face, “Don’t forget what we are here to do.” 

“Did I just gave you the hots for me? I have that effect on the ladies.” Did that brute DARED to say that to me!!!

No, I will not negotiate with him, but I need to keep my cool, I need to do something about this situation and fast, I look at the baby dragon who is curled up in a ball silently sobbing.

“Dragons don’t cry you idiot.” Garble yelled while heading toward the baby dragon, my rage intensified.

And then he hit him again, “I’m sorry,” the baby cried, “I didn't mean to,” and he hit him again, “Garble please stop,” and again. 

And I snapped. “Garble wait,” 

How dare he sully my race’s good name with such acts of cruelty?!!

“A couple of friends and I are going to camp on the outskirts of the forest for the night.”

He will pay, mark my words, he will pay dearly for this.

“If you agree to bring Spike with you, I’m sure we can enjoy a night together.”

I will show him the true wrath of Darkrise, and by Starlight’s3 good name, I will MURDER HIM.





1. the dragon equivalent to Celestia

2. give them some slack girl, you are the first arcane dragon they ever seen.

3. the dragon equivalent to Twilight.
> A very bad day: Celestia
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia:

His smile is unnerving, I thought I eliminated the last shred of that smile when I beat him to an inch of his life for harming my guards yesterday. For it to return so mischievously, it gave me pause to say the least.

“If you have a reason then state it,” I said in my most authoritative tone, “and stop wasting our time.”1

He then regurgitated a letter from his flames, I saw Twilight and Spike laughing at his reaction toward the unpleasantness of the taste, something Spike had gotten used to I guess, oblivious toward the seriousness of this act, normally dragons don’t carry letters or paper2, which shows the importance of the paper he spat out.

He walked toward me, his chains rattling, then placed the scroll right under my hoof, I picked up the scroll only to be horrified by finding the official seal of the King of the fire kingdom placed on it.

“Where did you get that?” I think I may be showing a bit more concern than I ought to be.

“Is something wrong princess?” I hear my student call me, but I ignore her, I need answers.

“Do you honestly think that we came here because we want to?” I detect a hint of mockery in his voice, “The higher ups want that kid in our flight, so I was asked to bring him back because I knew about him the longest.”

I look at the parchment, then I look at my previous student’s face, at her dragon, at her sibling, confusion stares mixed with unease are all around me.

I unseal the letter and open the parchment, and to my surprise it wasn't a letter, but a rune.3

“Captain Shining, I want you to gather all those present and place your best anti-fire barrier around them, I may have shot the messenger by mistake.”

The once previous laughter and snickers of those present have genuinely muddled as everypony gathered sat in one corner of the room and Shining’s barrier is up, I placed protective armor on myself as well, if I don't handle this correctly... I shudder at what might happen. Then placing the scroll on the ground, I poured magic into the rune activating it.

In a sudden boom, flames engulfed the room just as I expected them to do, I saw Shining’s barrier falter at the sudden rush of heat hit it hard, then just as the temperature became high enough, the flames started to gather in the center where I placed the scroll, turning into a dragon shape, and the moment I saw it I knew, this is not going to end well.

“Magnus, I should have known.”

“Always a pleasure to meet you Celestia,” The flames apparition said wickedly, “I do hope that it was under better circumstances though.”

Dear me, he is going to make this a lot more difficult than it needs to be, with his small talks and his pleasant demeanor that allows him to evade the subject entirely, better make this quick before I say something I regret, “enough with the small talk Magnus, and tell me what you want.”

“Oh dear, was I not clear? I asked those teenagers from one of my flights to bring any orphaned dragon they saw, I could not have guessed that it would be your whelp they lay their eyes upon.”

Did he just lie straight to my face? The nerve! 

“Then you already know my answer, I raised that whelp from the first day he hatched, I placed him under the care of my most prized pupil, a pony I would entrust my own life to, and I watched over him every single step of the way, do you honestly think I would just give him up so easily?”

“Unfortunately, I don’t really have a choice in the matter myself,” How dare he, “A new law was passed among the dragon empire that dictates that no dragon whelp is allowed to be raised by non-dragons. I am only doing what the laws dictates me to do.”

“Lies," I have never, in my wildest dreams, imagined that he would sink so low, "you’re doing this just to spite me.”

“The nerve,” he took an offended pose, I knew he is being sarcastic at this point, “angering you was just a bonus I’m afraid. However, there is more to my presence than mere pettiness.” He walked toward the window where all the glasses have melted, “The fifth kingdom was the one that passed that law, and they will not tolerate having it mocked at, or ignored by the rest of the empire for that matter.”

“Fifth kingdoms?” I gulped, sweat is trickling on my frown “Since when did you guys gained a new kingdom?” 

“Oh quite recently I must say, I think it was about the same time you guys declared your kingdom of friendship.” He turned to Twilight, “congratulations by the way.”

There are a lot of variables that had suddenly emerged, I knew the dragon empire is a major threat to pony kind, but they never have actively attacked any race without prior incidents4, but a new kingdom might explain their need to expand5, could they have chosen Equestria?

“What will happen it I refused?”

He chuckled, “We’ll use Black Sun on Equestria.”

Horrified doesn't describe the feeling I’m having right now, Black Sun? Are they really willing to go that far for a single dragon?

“ENOUGH.” Twilight surprised me with her ear chattering scream, as I turned toward her, her Rainbow form flared with powers recently acquired. Stepping out of her brother’s barrier, she made her way toward the flaming apparition, apparently her rainbow powers protect her from the heat of a flame elemental, who knew?

“If you think you can just barge in and take whatever you want from us just because we are ponies, you have another thing coming,” She stepped toward him with a defying gaze, “I will not allow you take my most precious friend away even if I fight you for him, we are not so weak as to allow you to walk over us like that.”

For a moment I felt proud, my little Twilight sure is growing into a confident princess. As I gazed around the room, I can see the faces of my little pony light up with determination, Spike whom was crying a moment ago is now brimming with courage, and the teenage dragons all had doubtful looks on their faces.

Magnus however just looked amused, even as a fire apparition his body language is as clear as day, “Who said anything about fighting?” he finally said, and for the first time in a long while, I felt afraid, “Now that’s just offensive, just because we are dragons, that doesn't mean we solve all our problem with violence every single time.”

He stretched his paw toward the sun, and the heat in the room went up ten degrees, of that I am sure; every pony knew something is happening, my heart started to grow weary.

“All I’m saying is that we will take away your sunlight,” 

His paw started to rotate, and the sky started to dim,

“We’ll sap it away bit by bit,”

The more he rotates his paw, the darker the sky gets as dreadfulness filled the eyes that were once so determined to fight.

“Until your days become as dark as your nights.”

He closed his paw and the morning sky became as dark as night, the sight of stars in the heavens have never been so dreadful, even though the sun is up, it felt like midnight had descended, screams of terror immediately filled the street.

“Tell me, princess of friendship, can you really fight something like that?” 

Black Sun has just been cast upon Equestria. The end-day spell of the dragons and their most dreadful weapon, it rendered the werewolf kingdom defenseless the moment they cast it a 1500 years ago, allowing the four Kings descended upon their capital leveling it in less than an hour. Allowing them to erect the strongest dragon city outside their empire's border in its place. Darkrise they called that abomination, a mockery to what had befallen on that great land, and a warning to all those who might think to oppose them. And now, my little ponies are going to suffer the same fate... 

“PLEASE STOP.” I did not realize that I jumped and grabbed the apparition's arm, burning myself in the process, “WE’LL DO IT,” I don’t know if it was from the pain or from out of despair that I cried out, but I'm glad I did.

He simply smiled at me before disappearing, and the sky returned to normal almost instantly after that.

Silence reign in the room,and the last thing I remember is Luna bursting in, “What is going on?" her voice rang strong.

This is going to be a bad day in Equestria.





1. Celestia is getting bored at this point

2. a fire breathing dragon will burn most paper, however if what's on that paper is important enough, they will turn is into ash and store it in their stomachs until later use.

3. Dragon magic 101: communication ruin, the "Skype" of the dragon race.

4. The dragon war with the werewolf nearly a thousand five hundred years ago was caused by the werewolves attacking the flight that became stationary there, the dragons in response destroyed the werewolf empire by casting "Black Sun." 

5. In other words, force Celestia to declare war on them.
> Welcome to Darkrise part 1: Spike
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wait, what are you doing? Stop! You’re killing him, you’re…

“OUCH.”

It hurts, it hurts everywhere. I think I just woke up from a very bad dream, but the pain from suddenly waking up feels like my body is being torn apart, wait, this feels soft, it feels like I’m on a bed, where am I?

“You’re awake.”

Who said that?

I glance over the room I am in, it’s made of wood, wood floor, wood ceiling, wood walls, with a window on the side letting the nightlight in, oddly enough, it reminds me of Golden Oak library. There are a few lanterns around which are shedding dim light that seem to break the darkness just enough for one to see, but not enough to become a bother for those who wish to sleep.

That is when I noticed them, they were two, a baby dragon? No, I think it’s a she… yep, definitely a baby dragoness, judging from her size she might be my age, and behind her is a dragon that looks to be a bit older than her, actually he definitely looks older than me, but not by much, wait, why is he tied up?

The baby dragoness kept eyeing me coldly, her frosting gaze felt like daggers are being sent to my soul. I simply smiled back, and gave her an innocent wave. I don’t know what’s going on, but after what that last dragoness did, I don’t think I ever want to get on the bad side of the females of my specie.

She walked toward me, and now I start to notice other things, from what I can tell, I think her color is ice blue, with white spikes on her back, her eyes are also of the same color as her scales, and for some reason I keep looking at her tail, why am I looking at her tail? I mean it is a normal dragon's tail there is nothing special to it.

Suddenly she jumped on the bed then walks toward me, our faces meet; she smells minty fresh. I shifted uncomfortably at her invasion of my personal space, “Um, hi?!” I said, trying to stay polite, hoping she would go away.

“You’re a guy.”

… Well duh, and you are a girl. and there is a dot of light flying next to you, if we are going to state the obvious at least make it something interesting.

“Why are you a guy?”

Oh great another crazy one, where do they come from? Haven’t I been tortured enough?

“Hey Sparky,” she turned to the dragon tied up behind her, “Why does Wound want to replace me with this dragon?”

“Um Frost?!” the voice came from the dot of light that is floating behind the dragoness, who is now called Frost it seems, “No one is trying to replace you,” I heard that voice before, that distinctive bell like chirp, I think he’s called Tinkerbell, “He’s the one that Wound brought on her latest excursion, the one Starlight asked for.”

“LIES.” Frost yelled, then jumped toward the floating light, the moment she touched it, it turned into a sword!?

Landing gracefully on the far end of the bed, she pointed the golden sword at me and hissed at apparently no one, “She threatened to disown me if I ever play with her organ collection.”

Organ collection? Is that why Wound brought me here?

“And now she brings another baby dragon, keep him in HER room and treat him like a little brother.”

When did that happen? because I don’t remember it ever happening.

“And you expect me to believe she doesn't want to replace me?”

Oh boy, I think it’s time to run.

“And you.” She jumped toward me, landing softly in front of me; I pulled back, my back toward the wall, whimpering just as she pointed her sword at my throat, and as if she was reading my thoughts she said, “Don’t you dare think about running.”

“Yes Ma’am.” I gulped. She is scary, I want my blanky.

“Crazy much, princess?” Came the sudden voice from the tied up dragon, wait she is a princess? “And here I was hoping you might turn out not a sadist freak like Wound is.”

“How dare you badmouth my sister,” Frost, who turns out she is a princess, suddenly turned toward the young dragon, her fury is almost palpable. 

“She is my sister way before she was yours,” He replied sarcastically; dude you're tied up, you should't be that smug, “I can badmouth her however I like.”

Frost suddenly jumped off of my bed and ran toward her brother, but just as she is about to reach him, the young dragon suddenly burst into lightning, knocking her on the ground and turning the sword into the dot of light that it used to be.

I heard the young dragon yell “RUN,” as he tried to untie himself from his awkward position.

Well he doesn't need to tell me twice as I immediately jumped from the bed and landed on my foot. Pain shot from it as I yelped and fell on my face. But there is no time to think about that, I need to get out of here, I picked myself up and ran like crazy toward the door, not daring to look back.
> Children of the Night part 1: Night Blade
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Before I start, let me tell you a little back story about the children of the night.

After Celestia exiled our princess to the moon, the children of the night were frightened of what their fellow equestrians might do to them, so following the lunar prophecy that says: “On the longest day of the thousand years, a dragon will reach the stars and aid in her escape, and she will bring night time eternal.”

For our fellow Equestrians, the dragon part went missing in their prophesy, but for us it was of extreme relevance, so we went in scores to search for the possible dragon that can bring back our princess, and after twenty years of futile search, we found a possible place where he might be born in; it was non other than the dragon city of Darkrise, however we failed to take into account one crucial thing:

Dragons are crazy.

I don’t necessary mean that in a bad way, dragons are unique in their biology and growth patterns,  they require a “hoard” or preferably called a “treasure” not just for their growth, but for their survival as well; their magic is directly proportionate to the size of their hoard, And because of that, hoarding dominates a huge part of their lives and of their thoughts.

To explain that a little better, there are two examples I could think of at the top of my tongue, the first happened when we moved into Darkrise, we asked a dragon nicknamed ‘the builder’ to build us a small castle on the outskirts of Darkrise.1 So he built us an amazing fortress that could possibly house a million thestral, without taking into consideration that there is only fifty thousand of us. When we voiced our concerns for upholding such large structure, he replied and I’ll quote: "I needed to build something big because I was running low in my hoard, take as much space as you need, I wont blame if the fortress was to rot.” So we lived in the closest tower to the city and let the rest of it ‘rot’.

The other example happened a couple of decades after that, when a ghost hunting dragon moved in to live with us, we told him that this is an extremely new building, and that he will not find any ghosts around here because no one had the chance to die yet, and his reply was: “My hoard consist of hunting ghosts, not finding them. As long as I do my search, I’m quite satisfied with the results, even if I found none.”

So basically, dragons will do anything to increase their hoard.

Which brings us to today’s dilemma.

“Blade would you put that things away,” Wound yelled at her older brother, who had been bragging about his new ‘thing’ ever since we came back, “I need to think and you flashing it in my face isn’t helping.”

“Did little miss Wound get annoyed from my new thing? Although I’m sure I’m not the only one with a bigger hoard this time,” He replied, it still boggles me how easily they know when another have increased his hoard, “So tell me, little sis, is that pipsqueak upstairs your new surgeon doll? Or is he some stray you brought home, because he was injured!?” 

“Blade, if you don’t put that thing away right now, I’m going to carve you up and stuff you like a turkey before dinner,” Wound hissed. Yep she is definitely pissed off at her mistake now.2 

“But I still need to polish it, make sure it’s clean and shiny, presentable at the very least, before I apply a coat of anti-rust to it.” He waved that thing in front of his face then skillfully brought it back to its sheath.

“What is that thing anyway?” I asked reluctant of the answer, though the shimmer of blade edge is definitely a telltale sign.

“Biggie here, is a claymore, a full body sword that I had it tailor made for my size.” He unsheathed it then at lightning speed swung it toward a candle which was blown off then he sheathed it back.

Blade, as you probably have guessed, is a winged, teal dragon with onyx scales on his back; he has a material hoard of swords, and to everyone’s misery, his skills in using these swords are on par with a grand master sword fighter. So using his swords is as important to him as the number of swords he carry.3 

“It looks greeaaat.” Jackal replied in her dreamiest voice ever, did I mention that he is also the most eligible bachelor in Darkrise? No? Well, he is.

“You named your sword?”

“I name all my swords, my sweet Night.” That was a rhetorical question lover boy. Stop batting your eyes in front of me like that, it makes you look annoying. Why do I feel hot all of a sudden?

“Ugh, would you guys please be quiet, I’m trying to think.” Wound finally iterated in frustration.

“Honestly Wound, what is there to think about?” Blade replied nonchalantly, “either Starlight did send you by mistake, which I highly doubt it, then that is his mess to clean as much as it’s yours, or he did send you knowing well what you will do, then he already had everything planned out.”

“Oh, so it’s that easy, huh. What do I tell our parents?4  Hey mom, dad, I brought a new hatchling to town, please take good care of him, oh and don’t worry, he already survived a greed growth, and he is sick from magical overflow poisoning which is preventing him from healing properly.”

“Which is why I said that you should give him to us,” I intervened, hoping to gain a foothold in this argument. “That Garble drake said that he was raised by ponies, I’m sure he’ll feel more comfortable around ponies.”

“I kinda agree with her you know.” Jackal finally snapped out of her trance, “You’re family is craziest dragon family in Darkrise, even if it isn’t Darkrise’s famous Athenaeum. Any other dragon family would do.”

Both dragons looked at us in disbelief for a moment, then, to my irritation, broke into laughter. And yet for some reason I am having the odd sense of deja-vue.

Seeing our annoyed looks, Blade was the first to calm down, “Oh come now, whatever did we do to make you say that?”

And just on cue, a terrifying explosion shook the house.

“That came from upstairs.” Blade and Wound are now on full alert.

But just as they were about to go upstairs, a familiar purple hatchling came stumbling downstairs.

“Help…” But before he could say anymore, Blade had unsheathed his 'Biggie' and is pointing it a hair width away from the baby dragon’s face.

Then with the most terrifying version of his voice Blade roared, “What did you do?”

However Blade didn’t have time to think before a shroud of magic suddenly paralyzed him in place, “Let me go Wound.”

“Not before you put down that sword,” Wound replied.

Spike took the opportunity and ran as fast as he could, then jumped through the window before anyone else had the time to stop him. 

In that instance, a white hatchling jumped from upstairs carrying the golden sword of a shape-shifted fairy, immediately followed by a roar of lightning as the child dragon came rushing down after her.

Then it all happened in a blink of an eye.

Wound let go of her older brother then teleported in front of her lightning wielding sibling, and just as he was about to strike her, she placed a shield in front of him which stopped him dead in his track.

On the other side, the moment Blade felt free, he intercepted his youngest sibling’s blade, which threw her across the other side of the room, shattering the bookcase that was standing there. Frost however, used that momentum to repel herself at top speed toward her oldest brother, and just as she was about to reach him, he brought down the full weight of his claymore on top of her, which she successfully blocked with her own blade, but destroyed the floor beneath her.

“How the buck is that a Normal family behavior to you?!!?!” I screamed at the top of my lung, when all of them seemingly calmed down a bit, realizing that they ended up fighting each other.

“Forget about them, Spike just jumped from the window.” Jackal noted as she headed toward the door, “We need to get to him before he bleeds out.”

But just as she opened the door, she slams it at once. 5 

Everyone looked at her with intrigue.

"Jackal, who was at the door?" I asked almost afraid of the answer, knowing where I am, it could be one dragon out of four others, and none of them are good news.

In an almost frightened voice, Jackal replied, "It's your dad."  





1.  The outskirts of Darkrise are just as dangerous as the Everfree forest.

2. The mistake of bringing Spike to her house.

3. Basically his hoard is swords-drake-ship which is directly related to the number of swords he can use as well as the number of forms he can use them in.

4. Spike needs to live somewhere, does he?

5. I'll be explaining how can a half sized werewolf open the door of a house built for full grown dragons, and how normal ponies can live in a dragon, soon.
> Meet the Athenaeum bloodline part 1: Jackal.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I think I may have signed my death sentence, of all the dragons that lived in that house, I may have pissed off the most dangerous one of them all. Ignore Wound and her sadistic ways, or Blade and his need to cut everything, those are just normal occurrences in comparison to some of the legends I heard about this guy.

He knocked again, I knew that if I slammed the door in his face a second time, he'll present me as a rug to my parents. So I opened the door very slowly, and flashed all my teeth hoping it would appear as a smile.

“Jackal, Night Blade, so good to see you both.” He's ignoring my previous insolence, that's a relief. Though, I'm not out of the woods yet. “How are you both?” he always talk in a cheerful upbeat manner, which makes every other creature cower in fear of what he might say or do next.

“Good afternoon, mister Bookwyrm.” We reply unanimously.

Meet Bookwyrm, head of the Athenaeum bloodline, and the second strongest dragon in Darkrise. He is a teal colored, glasses wearing dragon with onyx scale and usually carries a book between his claws. If you thought that a dragon with books for a hoard is weak, think again; strong doesn't begin to describe him. He became so because he inherited his grandfather’s entire hoard of books, then managed to triple it within a hundred years time.1 

In shorts, you don't mess with him.

“Jackal, sweetie, would you mind stepping aside so that I may enter my home? And don't worry, I will not hold what just happened against you.” He kept smiling at me, that smile, that dreaded, dreaded smile.

“Sorry.” I literally mewed that word as I stepped aside, my feet almost giving away as the adrenaline washed away from my body after knowing I will live to see another day. Which, now that I think about it, might have been embarrassing if it wasn’t for this whole situation.

Turning to his kids, who are suddenly sitting in a neat line like the very good kids they are supposed to be, he greeted them, "Children, how good to see you all."

“Good afternoon, father.” Since when did Wound sounded so innocent? “How was your trip to the capital?”

“Oh it was just divine.” He swayed the book he was carrying in front of everyone, “I found this lovely hard cover edition of a book2 I’ve been searching for, and look.” He knocked on the cover with a resonated metallic clang that made everyone jump, “It’s made of titanium.”

“Impressive, father.” Said Blade in a good boy tone.

“We knew you could do it.” Replied Frost, cheering? That can't be right.

This turned exciting rather quickly, this is the first time I have seen the Athenaeum kids acting so docile, and well behaved, and so out of character. If I knew they could pull the good kids act maybe I should come here only while he's around.

“Anyway, enough about me,” let the games begin, “tell me, dear children, what have you been up to lately?”

There was a long moment of nerve wrecking silence before Sparks3 decided to voice his concern: “I think something is wrong with Frost.”

“Hey…” Frost was about to protest before Sparks gave her a glare.

“She’s been acting weird lately.” Sparks explained.

“Weird how?” his father questioned.

Sweat Silence could be heard as each and every one of the dragon kids bit their lips, hoping that their dad wouldn’t catch what they were doing, Sparks was about to say something but was cut short by the house’s fairy, Tinkerbell.

“Does this have to do with the baby dragon that jumped through the window a while back?” the shock was visible on all of them. This is getting too exciting I can feel myself tingling.

“Don’t smirk you two,” he said while glancing at us and I froze, he just flashed at us his creepy smile then looked straight at his kids. If that is his way of putting us in our place....who am I kidding, it worked perfectly.

“Or the fact that Blade pinned Frost right about here.” He pointed to the broken part of the floor, then tilted his head toward the scorch marks on the stairs before stopping abruptly, “Or how Sparks and Wound were fighting right about here.” pointing at where the scorch marks stopped.

“Sparks used lightning in the house.” Frost was the first to turn over.

Shocked by his sister’s betrayal, Sparks accused, “well I wouldn’t need to use lightning in a tree house if you weren’t acting so much out of character lately, you threatened to gut the guy for being in your sister’s room.”

“And whose fault is that?” Frost reacted defensively.

“Well to be honest,” Tinkerbell interfered, “Wound brought him to her room.”

“Shut up.” Wound blushed immensely as she felt the inquisitive look of her father, “I didn’t do anything with him, To him.” She corrected as her father leaned closer to her, "You know what I mean."

Wound looked to her left and right, trying frantically to find an escape, “Well the reason he jumped out of the window was because Blade nearly stabbed him with his new claymore.”

“Oh, very rich of you sis, blame the big brother for everything.” Blade reacted in annoyance.

“Well you do have a tendency to overreact sometimes.” Frost commented and everyone started to argue at the same.

Then suddenly, amidst the cacophony of arguments, Bookwyrm decided to intervene, “kids, Kids, KIDS.” He yelled and when his children fell silent he resumed, “It’s not like I am putting the blame on any of you.” Suddenly the book he was holding started to levitate in front of him, then it opened at an unknown page and a magical whirlwind started to pick up, “I blame all of you for the mess you guys made.”

Suddenly the four dragons plus fairy were sucked into the book, and without any further fuss, the book closed itself trapping everyone inside.

Damn.

I'm scared.

“Now stay there until further notice.”

I swear I can still hear the muffled sound of his kids coming from the book, I gulped as he suddenly turned toward us.

“Does any of you have a comment on this situation?”

I feel my heart pumping so hard I think it's about to burst open.

“NO SIR.” I yelled, wanting to be as far away from here as possible.

“Actually what about Spike?” Night Blade almost shrieked when he turned toward her with his eerie smile.

“And who is Spike?” Damn it stop being so happy all the time.

“The dragon that jumped out of the window, please don’t turn me into a book!” wait, did I just say that out loud?

“Oh, him.” Bookwyrm broke off his gaze and I exhaled, when did I held my breath? “Don’t worry, I left him for the professional.”





1. Big hoard = strong dragon magic, in other words that guy has the biggest hoard in Darkrise.

2. The book is titled "the complete list of mythical creatures of the Everfree."

3. The youngest brother.
> Hospital of Darkrise: Mara
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tenacity is a virtue I often appreciated in others. My husband, Bookwyrm, was particularly tenacious during his younger years when he was asking me out, I refused him no less than a hundredth time, experimented on him countless of other times as well. And yet he always returned back.

So for me, this little purple hatchling is particularly intriguing to say the least. When our house was at view, my son, Starlight, saw him jumping off the window of our second story corridor. Of course, Starlight being Starlight, managed to catch him and immediately, although knocking him out cold almost instantly was a bit rash in my opinion, but that’s how he works, not that punishing him will make him change his ways. 

My husband went to check on the kids, they could be such a clawfull at times, but that is the way I like it to be.

All that was left for me to do was to take the hatchling toward the local hospital to treat his wounds, or so I thought.

He stirred in his bed, already an infusion in place. The rune underneath his bed were especially potent in removing excess magic from his system, but they should also tire him a lot more than this. His magical health is in an abysmal state, and don’t get me started on his physical health as well.

“Where am I?” he asked, his tiny voice quivering from his treatment. Yet the simple fact that he can speak is astonishing to say the least.

“Hush now, you are in the hospital, you need some rest,” I do hope he would listen to me.

“Hospital?” he asked, however one glance at the window he reputed hesitantly, “Am I still in Darkrise?” 

“Yes,” I answered calmly, “but the werewolf district is much calmer than the rowdy dragon district, so no need to be frightened.

He looked at me tentatively, “Will Frost o-or,” he gulped, “Wound be here?”

I almost laughed, honestly, leave it to my two daughters to make a drake swear of the females of his kind.

“Why? Do you want them to come?” I swear seeing his aghast face was more than enough to make me laugh.

“Mo~m, you’re too loud,” shuffled the sleeping whelp in the room, who was silently snoozing in the corner until now.

“I’m sorry hun, go back to sleep,” he turned the sheet and return to his sleep, “And you should sleep too little one, my daughters won’t be bothering you anymore.”

“Your… daughters?” I guess I shouldn’t have mentioned that, his eyes became narrow, his claws shivering, he started to hyperventilate.

With a bit of my magic, I inject one of my poultries into his infusion, I watch with remorse as he forcefully slumped back into a less agitated state.

“Guess my daughters were up to their normal shenanigans huh,” tsk, for once I wished they would learn some manners, but I guess it is my fault, I was so like Wound when I was little, “mind telling me what they did so that I can draw a proper punishment?”

“Frost threatened to behead me, and Wound did… things,” from the look on his face, I can guess, “Things I don’t think are possible to do.”

“Heart, lung, kidney or brain?” I asked, him placing his claws between his legs were more than an answer, “Ouch. If it’s yours I’ll give them back with interest.”

“No,” he said urgently, though I think if it wasn’t for the drug in his system he would have jumped, “not mine, but in front of me, that is.” 

“Just sleep for now,” I kneeled and gave him a kiss on his head.

He turned toward me his eyes surprisingly wide awake, “But I don’t feel sleepy at all, though I do feel I can’t panic anymore, what did you inject me with?”

Shock doesn’t describe what I was feeling right now, “An anticonvulsants, but it should have at least made you sleepier than this.”

“I’m fine, honest,” he said while removing the drapes on top of him and standing up, I am pleasantly surprised to say the least.

“Well then, if all is good, I need to take sleepyhead over there back to the house,” I said while standing up, “Someone from the adoption agency will be coming to pick you up. And don’t worry, we have a good system here at Darkrise, you’ll be well treated here, you’ll be fine.”

I stand up and head toward the snoozing hatchling on the floor, only to feel a small tug on my hand, “But I don’t want to stay here, I want to go home.”

“You mean you want to go to Equestria,” I could feel him stiffening all over, “I’m afraid that is impossible. I can’t in good conscious send you back, not even after you heal.”

“But why?” he asked with a sniff, “Is it so wrong for me to be raised by ponies that you’d go to such length to keep me away?”

My heart aches. This is true sadness I’m seeing from someone too young to experience it, “No it isn’t,” I replied with more sadness that I ought to, but I do think a cheer is needed, “But no matter how good were their intentions, ponies cannot raise a dragon on their own.”

“But one of them hatched me,” he pleaded, “She would never do me any harm.”

“I don’t know how your egg came to the possession of the Sun bearer, but it is a serious crime to keep a dragon egg away from its flight,” he didn’t seemed convinced by my words, “It is a miracle that you hatched at all.”

“But they love me!” he finally bellowed.

“And does loving you stopped you from growing out of control? Destroying everything around you and nearly killing yourself? Does the simple act of loving you makes them aware of the dangers you pose to them? And more importantly to yourself?”

He looks at me wide eyed, tears flowing freely, “I don’t understand.”

“Greed, young one, is our bread and butter, it is also our poison and crucible, we cannot live with it nor can we live without it. And to tamper it, you need not only the wisdom, but also the experience of every other dragon he meets.”

“I don’t think I understand,” His tears led to a full out bawl, “Why can’t I return back to my family?!”

“Will you stop screaming already? She’s trying to explain it to you.” 

I look at the other side of the room, Starlight was standing up, clearly annoyed from the frown he is portraying, the sheet that covered him now laying on the floor.

But before I could say anything I hear Spike whispers “Wings… and a horn, “You look just like an alicorn.”

“Close, but no,” Starlight replies with his usual demeanor, “I am a kirin, the dragon equivalent of an alicorn.”

Spike seemed transfixed for a moment, “What did you mean, trying to explain things to me?”

“I think before that, introductions are in order,” Starlight said while stretching his wings, “Spike the dragon,” Spike gulped, “meet my mother, Mara Obelisk of Lumia,” he gestured palms open toward me, then placed his palm on his chest, “And I am the fifth king of the dragon race, Starlight Athenaeum of Darkrise.”

Something wells up in Spike eyes, I am not sure if it surprise or anger.

Starlight picks up on it just as quickly, “And yes, you have guessed correctly, I am the one responsible for your predicament.”  
	
> A very bad day: Luna
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luna:

What a horrible day. 

First I wake up to a loud explosion right inside the castle, then I found out that Tia burned herself trying to stop the flaming apparition of Magnus the King of flames, and then we had to declare martial law just to quell the panic that was cause by that damnable Magnus because no~, he'd rather steal our sun away than negotiate like a civilized p... ahem, better not use any foul language while I can avoid it. 

But if I had to pick, the worst thing that happened this entire day happened in Ponyville. Tia was right in not sending Spike back home to collect his things, the moment Twilight returned back, Ponyville was turned upside down.

I swear, I have never seen so much anger in all my eternal life, and I fear they had the right to it, for we have just sent away one of the pillars of Friendship that our latest kingdom have been based upon, all because of pettiness that started a thousand years ago over who will raise the moon in my place.

However I might be the only princess that can help. Tia's wounds are taking time to heal, stupid fire addict cursed his flames so that they won't heal properly, she is in no shape to take decisions. My niece Cadence is echoing the voices of her people to call for arms against the strongest empire in existence, I'm not sure if she is crazy or just angry, either way a princess should not allow her emotions to take over her. As for Twilight, I cannot help but to sympathize for her loss, she is now mourning the loss of her assistant so shortly after the loss of her home, such loss I would not wish upon my greatest enemies.

My captain of the royal guard enters the nightly court. Speaking of loss, my once children of the night are no longer recognizable as ponies, with fangs sharper than predators, wings like bats, and slit eyes like the dragons they so used to live with. Serve me right to abandon them for a thousand years. Yet, their exile to Darkrise helped them thrive like never before, so much so that only  small portion of them decided to return, the majority are still living in Darkrise.

“Captain Night Crawler,” I voiced in a normal tone, too tired for my Canterlot one, “Hath the riots ended in Ponyville?” guess fatigue does make a mare degenerate to her previous self.

“Yes your highness, just after midnight we were able to break the rioters and convince the elements to return home, though I doubt they'll be quiet for long.”

I grunted in frustration, I knew it would be only a matter of time before something bad will happen again, and I’m finding myself dreading this situation already.

My captain coughed, “Your highness, may I speak freely?"

"What is it?"

"I think you gave up the negotiations too early." 

Somehow, I am not going to like where this is going, "Why do thou thinkest so?"

"I read the reports, I know the conversation that occurred, princess Celestia should have asked that the fifth kingdom be the one responsible for sir Spike."

"And pray tell captain, what difference dost that have made?" I feared that that came out more sarcastic than what I have intended.

"Tons," he sounded too cheerful for a moment there, "considering that the fifth kingdom is Darkrise, and that it's king is none other than your fanboy Starlight."

"What?" Oh dear, he shrieked, that must have came out in my Canterlot voice. I faked a cough, "Why did you not tell us sooner, do you know how much trouble that could have saved us?"

"We did, actually," What? since when? "After the festivities of princess Twilight's ascension have died down, as a representative of the thestral community in Equestria, I personally asked princess Celestia to send a delegation to Darkrise as a congratulation, but she scoffed the idea saying that Darkrise didn't send anyone so she is not about to give them a freebie, guess she was still as bitter over what happened a thousand years ago."

"You think?" I interjected, it's not an unknown secret that Tia and Magnus hate each other to the bone, I was actually surprised she kept Spike's egg for so long, "Why didn't you come to me instead?"

"I tried, but the day I was going to give you the request, you got foalnapped by the Everfree."

"So it got swept under."

"Yes, it got swept under with the new reforms you keep implementing under the protection of Equestria." 

Oops.

However, this new revelation changes everything, Starlight is surely bound to do something about it.

The Elder Council once offered me the throne of Darkrise since I was the one who bring the night, they thought it would be a better choice for Nightmare Moon to be in a city where eternal night actually means life and the sun is the killer of all. Of course I was too stubborn and I just had to return to Equestria, not that I regret it now, but as Nightmare moon? I shudder to think what would have happened had I accepted back then.

"Then we need to contact Starlight immediately, he might be the key to solve everything."

My captain nodded, as we immediately set toward the observatory. Once I reached there, I turn toward my captain and said guards, “Not under any circumstances must you allow any pony to enter this door, especially my sister.” 

He nodded and saluted before assuming his post. I closed the door behind me, then placed a barrier to keep others from ear dropping.

Then I proceeded to draw a rune on the ground, it was something my friends from Darkrise had taught me, a communication rune that allow for direct interaction over long distances.

As the rune activates, unlike that of morning, or yesterday’s morning, stars fell from the skies, then landed on top of the rune forming a dragon shape constellation.

“Leave me alone dammit, I have nothing to say to you about that matter.” The star dragon suddenly screamed.

“Starlight? What’s wrong?”

The constellation turned toward me, “Just a second Luna, I have a reporter I am about to murder.”

“Take your time.” Oh how much I love seeing reporters getting smacked.

“I said no, no, and for the thousand's times NO.”    I see him gesture slamming a door, he then turns toward me, “Sorry about that, journalist keep giving me troubles.”

I chuckle in response, “Starlight, so good to see you again, how is my favorite Kirin.”

“Tired, if they told me that running a Kingdom means I have to attend boring speeches and smile and wave to dignitaries like an idiot I wouldn't have ascended in the first place.”

“Well you’ll get used to it, beside it’s not every day a dragon builds another kingdom within the empire, you really can’t blame the people for being curious as to whom is capable of such a feat.”  

He shook his head, “I know this is not a social call Luna, I can read it plain on your face.” He paused, “Can I guess?”

“Shoot.”

“You are taking up my father's offer to rule in the land of eternal night if I can return that dragon that Magnus forcibly took from Celestia.”

"You are seemed well versed and up to speed, what's your take on the matter?"

"My take? Why do you think I have a take on the subject?"

"Because you are my innocent little savior who can do anything he wants to."

"Forget it Luna, I am not exchanging you for that whelp.”

“How did... why?”

“Because you have been mistreating him for a long time now, although you might think you have been doing the right thing, it’s unintentionally hurting him, a lot might I add.”

“And how do you know that?”

"Magnus have been spying on him, after telling me about how you were treating him, I asked around, and soon enough got my answer."

"Which is?"

"Spike is alive only by some form of miracle Luna, I count no less than four instances he could have died in them."

I gulped, personally I only knew of three, his flight to the Everfree, his attempt to join the migration, and facing Sombra, other than that there was the time he had his greed growth.... 

"Don't tell me," I blurted, and he simply nodded.

"Dragons affected by greed growth usually die within a day of it's manifestation, so I fear his thirteen birthday may just have been his last, it is by a miracle that he was able to shrink back, yet alone survive. He must have had quite the lucky star watching over him if he were able to do that."

"You should thank his friends for doing that, it was the one that he fancies the most that brought him back." I tried to defend him, I knew it was pointless, but some part of me wanted to change his opinion, for once I want to win an argument against him.

"But that does not eliminate the main problem," He continued, "It's rare for a dragon to not have a hoard past his tenth year, so here is my question, where is his hoard?"

Oh come on, how should I know where Twilight's dragon hide his stash. He is expecting too much information out of me.

"Not all hoards are made of gold you know," again with the mind reading, "from what I found out, Spike isn't actively searching for something that is essential for his growth, dragons grow the stronger their hoard is, you do know that right?"

Unfortunately I did know that, and I know I don't need to tell him anything so I satisfied myself with a grunt for a reply

"Then here is the part you don't know, the longer a dragon waits to find his hoard the more greed growth becomes frequent, to his life and to those around him, tell me, will his friends be able to force him to shrink a second time? how about a third?"

I honestly was taken aback by what he said, it is true that the last time it was a miracle that no pony got hurt, but the thought that it could happen again is frightening.  

“The last greed growth that happened in Darkrise killed some friends of mine, I made that new law in order to follow on the growth of orphan dragons and make sure that tragedy does not happen again," He sighed, whatever it is he's about to say is most definitely weighing on his mind, "Lord Magnus however had other plans, you see, when the law came to pass, it should have been implemented on all of the dragons at once, but I had trouble contacting Equestria, you in particular were unavailable, something about Tirek?” I shrugged, he'll understand, "When I voiced my predicament, Magnus had the bright idea of doing it himself, he said he may need to, how should I put this, 'force your hoof into action,' as he put it."

“So you know what happened in Equestria?”

“Yes Magnus used the Black Sun for a full minute.” He pondered a moment. “It is hard not to notice since I am the one who was given custody of that superweapon.”

“So you authorized Black Sun?” 

“It was better than the alternative,” his voice had an unusual high pitch to it, “He was planning on using Continental Break if I didn't convince him of Black Sun.”

What's with the dragons and weapons of mass destruction?

“Don’t get angry at me, I didn't think Magnus was dumb enough to use it. Now I know better.” His tone was remorseful, so is his gaze. 

I honestly cannot believe those dragons, at least we had the decency to wait until Cadence was of age until we gave her some authority, but he is still a child, a dragon child of twenty, not even a teenager yet in their standards, and still they placed so much burden upon his wings that I fear they might crack.

“What is done, is done, Starlight. No need to dwell in the past. Now let’s focus on the present and how to fix this.”

“I still don’t know how I can help you Luna, my authority is constantly mocked because of my age, and most of the times I feel too helpless to carry out the responsibilities I have toward my own kingdom, yet alone to help an entire different race.”

I thought about it for a moment, he may not be able to bring him back, but he might help in something else.

“Personally, my most immediate priority is not bringing him back, but his own safety and well being.”

He chuckles, “Oh come on Luna; do you honestly think they’ll torture another dragon just to spite Celestia.”

I gave him a look.

“You’re right, they are that idiotic, damn gold hoarders.”

“You are swearing far too often, it is unfitting for a dragon of your status.”

He just looked at me, "heh, I guess you’re right,” he paused for a moment, “Still, I can’t take action if nothing bad has happened yet.”

I gave him another look,

“Yeah, they may be beating the life out of him as we speak.”

“For some dragon who can read others like an open book, you sure have a lot of trouble reading your own surrounding.”

He chuckles, “I guess I am."

“I am not asking for much Starlight, all I want is for you to keep watch over him, will you do that for me?”

“I’ll think of something, don’t worry. I am not about to let you down.” 

“Then I’ll talk with you soon?”

“If they didn't assassinate me by then, definitely.” 

“Don’t think about it too much Starlight, you are a great king.” 

He bowed his head, “good bye Luna.”

“Take care.” And with that the constellation vanished, “And please, hurry.”

I turned toward the moon, and for the first time in what I felt was an eternity, I felt relieved. There is still hope after all. 
> Guardians of Darkrise: Weiss
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, this has been bothering me for a while now, what could cause such a disruption to the harmonic flow of Darkrise?

A bunch of theories have been postulated by the conclave. One of the most prominent reasons for harmony to take a blow is if Starlight was upset over something. 

Now I can understand where they are coming from, a Kirin is a force of nature, of course upsetting him would disrupt normalcy of the harmonic flow.

And considering that earlier today, his older sister Wound have brought a pet or something along with her, might he be allergic over it? I really need to ask Sparky when I see him.

But I digress. Today’s distortion could not have been caused by such mundane event, only one thing could cause such discomfort to harmony in these lands, the Nergalites.

“Weiss, there are no nergalites in Darkrise,” My friend Slice so obscenely stated managed to interrupt my natural flow of thoughts.

“Dearest Slice, I never forced you to follow me into my misadventures, now I get the feeling you never wish to leave my side,” 

“And I have good reason, you just stated them as misadventures.”

…I need to choose my words cautiously from now on.

“Besides, the last time you went on your wild goose chase, you got the king involved in taming and Ursa Major,” He swiftly caught my shoulders and shook me as if that will allow me to hear better, “AN Ursa Major for pete’s sake, King Starlight is not as free as to take care of every disaster you cause.”

“You and your Vesuvian primness,” Honestly where do the fire nation get these formalities from? “Last time you addressed Starlight as a king, he promised to punch you to the next mountain peak.”

“And he promised to bury you inside one if you caused him further headache,” well that one of his most idle threats, I was assured “Beside, Lord Nergal is in Necropolis, how in the name of the entire dragonian empire would you think that nergalites could come all the way to  Darkrise?”        

“Oh, my silly boorish, fire nation friend. Nergalites are everywhere. You just need the right amount of imagination to see them.”

I hear him hitting his face with an ‘oh, brother,’ comment. Shows what he know, I dread what he would think when he comes face to face with the litter buggers, I’ll be sure to get the last laugh… after saving him of course.

Speaking of the bugger, “Halt,” I raise my paw, then hide my presence in the corner, whomever or, in my case, whatever is causing the disturbance in Harmony is just around the corner. 

Slice takes a peak and whispers sarcastically, “There is nothing there.”

I humphed at his lack of insight, “Of course there isn’t, you’re expecting to see them without believing in them?” he humphed back at me in response.

I take a deep breath, “Abyad,” I summon my trusty fairy, and the tiny glowing horse appears from the ether. “My scythe,” I commanded before the changeling objects.

Abyad let out a loud exasperation, “He’s at it again, isn’t he?” he retorted at Slice who simply nodded, “Well, I’m not helping you if Starlight decided to bury you under a mountain.”

“Pish posh, Starlight would never do such a thing,” I said, “Now be ready for what to come,” With a swoop from my paw my fairy warps into my chosen weapon.

“You’re really going to do this, are you?” My friend asked. But I left his satire unanswered, for I was in the zone.

I inhaled deeply, heightening my senses to their maximum potential, whomever or, in my case, whatever is out there is truly being disruptive to the harmonic balance with brooding and loneliness and… well a bunch of negative emotions that I can’t really put my finger on them right now.

I exhale, location is the key, once I got it; it becomes only a matter of assault.

There, behind the corner, three skips away, It is sulking low on the ground, unmoving.

I jump. 

First skip, I position my scythe for maximum range.

Second skip, I rotate my body for further force.

Third skip, I slice the air and the wall in front of me splits in two.

And I missed. Where is my enemy? The only thing here is a crying hatchling not ten years old.

I felt a hammer hitting my face, “Are you an idiot? You almost killed the hatchling!” He screamed at me, poor lad, he thinks that a hammer will cause damage. Although I have to admit, it kind of hurts… ouch.

I look back at the hatchling, tears welling in his eyes. If his parents find out about this I might really get entombed under the mountain. But something is odd about this hatchling.

Could it be?

Yes, I think it is.

“Are you, by any chance, the cause of such disharmony?” I ask, and for some reason, he narrows his eyes at me with more fear than ever before.

Almost immediately, I felt the cold steel running near my neck, “Enough,” Slice said with such presence, I shudder to think of the implication, which became confirmed when I turned and looked into his eyes, now nothing but a white cloud that stare endlessly at its prey. Though still harmless to me, he is serious. I may not win against him when he is serious, not that I’m foolish enough to try.

“Okay, okay, I’ll stop.” I put down the scythe, now returned to its fairy form.

He does the same. Eyes now back to normal.

And both of us turn our attention to the youngling shivering in fear.

“Hello,” I say with my brightest smile, he doesn’t respond.

“My name is Weiss of the Angau bloodline, child of Necropolis, though Darkrise is my home now.  The gentle drake behind me is Slice of the Dur bloodline, child of Vesuvius, Darkriser by abode, and you are?”

“Spike?” he answers waveringly.

“Spike,” I repeat, then summon my butler, a cheeky guy by the name of Wilfred who carries a china set all day, “Would you care for some tea?”

Spike’s eyes roll behind his head then flops on the ground, unconscious.

I felt another hammer hit me on the back on the head, “You’re an idiot,” Slice deadpanned.

“What did I do wrong?” Honestly, nothing I do pleases the drake.

“You summoned a zombie,” He said forcibly while pointing at poor Wilfred whose jaw fell off again. 

> The grave keepers: Spike.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ouch, my head.

Why does this keep happening to me? First I get foalnapped right in front of every pony in Equestria, then I get foalnapped again by a psychotic dragon who did stuff out of a horror story, afterward I nearly get killed by another psychotic hatchling who can turned insects into swords, then another crazy dragon tried to cut me in half, before finally a zombie dragon tried to serve me tea… Okay, that last one wasn’t half as bad, but still, a zombie? Aren’t those fiction or something?

It’s all his fault anyway, Starlight. That idiot was the cause of everything. And he had the nerve to tell me that to my face, what does he think he is? A king or something?

Where am I anyway?

It looks like a bed room, but… everything is so white.

White walls, white floor, white bed, white sheets.

I may be the only colored thing in this place.

With a groan, I leaped from the bed. Why does everything hurts? Now that I think about it, everything’s been hurting me for a while now, even before being taken. Is this normal?

I hear voices coming from the second room, “Hello?” 

Okay that was stupid, haven’t I learned anything? It’s probably some insane dragon right around the corner about to try and eat me.

Well I’m sick of it, if I am going to get eaten by a dragon then at least I am going to do it with my dignity intact.

I puff up my chest, broaden my shoulder and walk into the next room, expecting to fight.

And I walk in.

…

“Ah you’re awake,” A very white dragon which I remembered him trying to slice me before I fainted, “You have been out for a couple of days, we were so worried about you.”

“Ehhhh.” 

“Oh, don’t worry Wilfred, I’m almost done here, just be patient for a moment,” He then turns toward me, “So Spike, how are you feeling?”

….

“You do remember me right, I accidently tried to sheer you in half. My sincerest apologies by the way.”

I nod very slowly.

“My name is Weiss of the Angua bloodline, in case you forgot.”

I nod again.

“Eeeehhhh,” the zombie stated.

“A brilliant idea Wilfred, but I should finish strengthening your jaw first, I don’t want to find some unwanted lumps of meat in my tea again, wouldn’t I?”

“Ehh."

“Good boy, now turn your head to the other side.”

…

I think I’m seeing things, but I need to be sure, “Is that a zombie?”

“An astounding observation indeed, I was fearing your mental faculties may have fell in default.”

“Why are you stitching a zombie’s face?” I never thought I will ever say those words in that order in my entire life. 

“He is my zombie, and as part of my hoard, I have to take care of him,” he stretches his wing so that they become more visible, is that supposed to mean something? “That is why I have these,” he said while pointing them out. 

“I don’t understand,” I mumble, and he seemed to have noticed.

“I am the hoarder of the living death, Weiss Angua of Darkrise,” He said while cutting the string from the stitches.

Alright, I still don't understand what's he talking about, so let me just process the scenery first. Weiss, is about twice as tall as I am, making him another whelp. He is white though, I mean seriously white, white scales, white spikes, white teeth, white eyes… I think his tongue is white as well. He has small wings which by now I don’t think I need to state their color. And he just finished stitching the chin of a zombie dragon that is about twice his size.

…

Yep, not weird at all.

…

I want my blanky.

“Come now, don’t be like that,” He said while standing up, “It is very rude to judge a dragon on his magic.”

“I’m sorry?”

He sighed then walks toward me, “Look, I’ll give you a free pass, you can ask me anything, anything you want and I’ll answer it without hesitation.”

I point at the zombie dragon, “Will he try and eat my brain?”

Weiss stared at me like I have two heads, before chuckling, “No, but he will try and smother you with hugs, biscuits and tea.”

“Okay,” I take a step back, this place just got a lot weirder, I need to get out of here and fast. However my escape was not meant to be, when a loud gurgle came from my stomach.

Somehow Weiss seemed to have caught on my reservation, “I’ll prepare something for you to eat if you don’t want zombie made food.”

“Thanks,” Okay why do I feel ashamed all of a sudden? I mean these are zombies for crying out loud.

Damn it Wilfred! Stop pouting at me!

Okay, I need to stop swearing in my head, if Twilight were to ever finds out I learned that habit from them, I’ll be in big trouble.

Weiss motioned to me and I followed him down a hallway, I noticed other things about his house. It feels like I’m in a mausoleum of some sort, although the walls are white, but somehow have this intimacy feel to them, and the tables are set out like they have gravestones on them. Seriously what’s with the decor?

“Will it be alright if we traveled the yard to get to the kitchen?” Weiss suddenly said as he opened the front gate.

“The yard?” I walked toward the front gate and was greeted with a graveyard… with tombstones… and other mausoleums… and far too many zombies to care to count.
I quickly grabbed the gate and slammed it shut, my heart feels like it’s going to burst.

“What’s wrong?” Weiss asked innocently enough that I feel like punching him… okay I’m being too aggressive here.

“We are in a Graveyard.” I said bitterly.

“Well, of course we are,” What’s with his calmness, “My brother and I are the attendees of the graveyard of the temple district.”

The what now? “But aren’t you a necromancer?”

“Yes, we both are,” you know, I’m starting to hate being a dragon with all my heart, “but these zombies have been naturally reanimated when a disease struck Darkrise seven centuries ago, neither of us had any claw in making them.” 

Well that explains… things.

“Then what exactly do you do here?”

“We make sure the zombie dragons don’t get out of control, and we make sure they are treated with minimum respect and a lot of kindness.”

Kindness? Really?

“It’s not the fault of the dead that they were reanimated,” Weiss continued, “they deserve at least a bit of compassion, don’t you think?”

“But you said you hoard them, where is the compassion in that?”

“Now that’s just a play of words, little one, a dragon’s hoard is his treasure,” why did he suddenly making a lot of sense? “He keeps it safe and guards it from any threat. These guys are my hoard, it is in my instinct that I want what’s best for them.”

“I think you’re being hypocritical about it, isn’t one of them your personal butler?”

Weiss laughed, he looks so sincere and innocent and yet… “Wilfred was a butler in real life, I didn’t make him my personal butler, be became mine on his own free will.”

I give him the stink eye, he just pats my head. What do I look like to him? A child?

“You don’t seem to know much about your own kind, do you? Otherwise, you probably would have known that almost all graveyard keepers are also necromancers.”

“I don’t have high regards to them either,” these past few weeks have shown me beyond any reasonable doubt that dragons are nothing but big fat jerks who bully anyone and everyone in front of them.

“Then I have my work cut out for me then,” What is he talking about? “Come with me, I think its time someone really taught you what being a dragon is truly about.”