//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Be Prepared // Story: You Can Count On Me // by Ekhidna //------------------------------// Chapter 1: Be Prepared “Whoa...those are a lot of dragons.” Spike commented watching from the grades of the massive mountain carved stadium where the tournament was going to take place in. From his elevated position he could see an open field easily six times or more bigger than a hoofball field. “Indeed. This is the second greatest gathering after the migration.” Ember, standing at his side, said looking at hundreds upon hundreds of dragons of all sizes searching or fighting for a seat. The smaller and younger dragons that wouldn’t be participating had their place closer to the arena, while the biggest and oldest ones took the upper positions. “Are they seriously going to spend the entire day sitting there?” Spike asked with mild amusement. “Seems a bit stupid to be so possessive about a place to seat. But then again…” Spike mused remembering how violent the hunt for the best seats on the stadium could get during hoofball plays. Ember giggled which causes Spike to chuckle. A few moments of silence between the two later, Ember took a hold of Spike’s right hand. Spike looked at Ember with a raised scaly eyebrow. “Spike, you don’t have to go through with this, you know that, right?” Spike grinned. “I’m doing this because I chose to help you out, Ember.” Ember’s grip on his hand tightened. “Even so...Spike, I thought about it better. If I’m not willing to commit a sacrifice then-” Spike cut her off by pressing a finger against her lips with his free hand. “Shhh, don’t say anything, Ember. You asked for my help. I’m here to help you. Now just lay back, enjoy the show, and leave everything to me, okay?” He then pulled his finger back. “But you--!” “Don’t you trust me, Ember?” Spike asked smiling slyly. Ember looked at his green emerald colored eyes for several moments. She then sighed before pulling him into a tight hug. “Of course I do, Spike.” She said resting her her head on his shoulder. “That’s more like it!” Spike said ending their short-lived hug. “Okay so...How is this going to work exactly after your test?” Ember took a glance to the rest of the stadium before answering. “It won’t be long before my father starts the announcement. After that, I’ll deliver my test and proceed with the selections of the thirty two best candidates. Once they are selected, they will be presented and the bets can begin.” “Bets?” Spike asked crooking an eyebrow. “It’s kind of like a tradition of it's own. The dragons that are not allowed to fight or were discarded by the test, can offer gold or gems as payment to predict who the winner of the tournament will be. It works more or less the same way pony bets do, the only difference is that if many dragons end up betting for the winner of the tournament, then they have to share the collected hoard.” Ember crossed her arms and chuckled. “Dad says that during his run, my mother’s victory almost started a war for having half of the dragons present betting for her.” She chuckled shaking her her in disapproval. “I guess that’s what happens when you’re a favorite.” Spike frowned. “Wait, hold up a moment there. The rules didn’t mention anything about favorites. And why didn’t you tell me any of this last week?” Ember slapped her forehead. “Ugghhh! I knew I forgot to tell you something! Okay, look. As the tournament approaches, some would-be candidates gain enough attention for their power and talents. These dragons are the ones the elders expect to see during the final fights of the tournament and are expected to win in the end. Being a favorite doesn’t mean you get a free pass though. The number of favorites during my dad’s time was seventy three, but only ten made it to the selected roster.” “And this time around?” “Thirty eight.” Spike hummed grabbing his chin. “Do you know any of these so called ‘favorites’?” “Spike, I’m the Dragon Lord and this tournament is held for me. Of course I know who these guys are.” Ember deadpanned. “And I don’t like any of them.” “Point taken, that was a stupid question. But what about their abilities? What makes them stand out so much for any of them to be considered the most likely to win?” Ember stayed silent while she crossed her arms again and shifted to face the stadium and the arena below. “Most of them are nothing but brutes that only seek the power and authority that being the life-mate of the Dragon Lord gives them. The rest just want to prove they are the strongest by winning the tournament.” Taking a quick glance at Spike, Ember found he was paying her his entire attention. “But they really mean business.” “Some of the top favorites include a wyrmling named Grunkle. A hulking beast of a dragon named Goliath. A shady and tricky dragon named Flamethrower. A sea serpent and siren hybrid named Sluriasma. A thunder dragon named Raiga. A fearsome, four armed dragon named Hirador. A dragon named Zhaitan. And our old friend Garble.” “Greaaaat.” Spike groaned. “Imagining him winning the tournament is almost enough reason to make me want to step down as Dragon Lord.” Ember shuddered. “But he’s no joke. Garble has grown stronger over the years, Spike. He’s far stronger and more resistant than many dragons out there. And his fire breath is as strong as an adult’s.” Spike nodded. “What about the other favorites?” “Grunkle--” Ember began, but was cut off by a mighty roar. Both of them looked at the only cleared section in the middle of grades at the other side of the stadium to find Torch land followed by several other dragon about a quarter of his titanic size. “WELCOME, DRAGONS ALL!” Torch shouted making the rest of the dragons roar back and cheer. “Looks like it’s starting.” Ember said, barely loud enough for Spike to hear her. “I’ll see you later, Spike.” Spike nodded. Ember spread her wings, but before she could flap them, Spike pulled her into a tight hug. “You can count on me, Ember. I’ll win this tournament for you no matter what.” He said in an uncharacteristic serious tone. Almost instantly, Ember returned the hug and they stayed like that for several seconds. “Spike, promise me that, if at any moment you think you can’t win a match, you’ll surrender.” She whispered next to his ear fin. “...I promise,” Spike whispered back. “Now go!” Spike called after he broke the hug. They shared a short final glance, and then Ember flew away. The moment Ember flew off, the crowd cheered even louder at the sight of their Dragon Lord flying to her private seat. Spike turned to the side and began making his way to the arena. Meanwhile, the roaring and the cheering had almost died down by the time Torch lifted a claw. Ember landed at Torch’s side and sat on her throne. “Alright you squirts, listen up! We are gathered here in accordance by Dragon Law, fifteen years after the naming of the new Dragon Lord, to find who is the less pathetic among all of you through the Tournament of Bonding!” Torch told earning another short burst of cheering. “Contestants, enter the arena!” On queue, several dragons of many different shapes, sizes and forms came flying out of the stone entrances located around the stadium. The crowd cheered, roared and breathed fire to the skies as hundreds of contestants filled the arena. Moments later the last contestants arrived at the arena. “Not since my own tournament have I seen such a lowly collection of weaklings!” Torch laughed joined by many older dragons. “Now, before the Dragon Lord imposes her selected test to choose the best among all of you. I’m forced to remind you knuckleheads the rules of the tournament, so you better listen well cause I’ll be brief: One.-The fights will be one on one! Two.-You win the fight if your opponent surrenders, is knocked unconscious, or dies! Flying away from the stadium counts as surrender! And Three.-The use of magical artifacts is forbidden, but you can use armor and weapons... if you’re cowards! “The thirty two selected contestants will stay tonight in the barracks below the stadium and prepare for their fights tomorrow! May the most ferocious, strongest, and powerful dragon win!” The crowd roared while Ember took a hold of the Bloodstone Scepter and hit the ground with it’s base. A thunderous sound followed suit, silencing the cheering and diverting all eyes to Ember. Ember hit the ground twice in quick succession with her tail, and soon a horde of dragons came flying from the entrance behind her carrying boxes. Meanwhile on the arena, Spike had a shit eating grin already knowing what Ember’s test was going to be. His grin turned massive when one of those dragons landed practically next to him, opened the box, and gave him a sheet of paper and a pencil. -----------------------***************************** The test ended...fast. It was no surprise to Spike and Ember that many dragons gave up halfway through solving the test, while others not even bothered to try. Those that fulfilled it however, were more than what both of them had predicted. It seemed that the few schools for dragons Ember had set to work near the borders with Equestria were actually working, much to her pleasure surely. So now Spike was forced to wait alongside more than three hundred dragons to see which ones made it to the last thirty two candidates. Almost an hour had passed with Ember and a few of her chosen helpers to qualify and score the tests. None of the dragons around him were chatting, they were waiting in silence just like he was. Suddenly, several small dragons flew to the left end of the stadium and began to breathe fire. It took countless moments as everyone watched, but in the end they all could see a giant fire-made board with the names of the thirty two selected dragons. It was also divided in rows, the fighters already divided and set up against their first opponent. Almost every dragon groaned in defeat before flying away from the arena until only thirty two remained. Spike was surprised to see his name in the penultimate row out of the sixteen since he was sure he had answered every problem right. So the placement is randomized, huh? Alright, let’s see who else made it, Spike thought as he read through the names of the other thirty one finalists. He frowned and his tail began to wag from side to side while he read through the names. Sluriasma...Ptolomeo...Xinzhaya...Brutus...Goliath...Garble...Crackle? Spike shifted his gaze from the fire screen from a moment to find the strangely shaped dragoness. Spike shrugged before continuing to read. Hirador...Zhaitan...Raiga...Komanfausheer...Jaggedteeth...Damn, it seems many favorites made it to the last thirty two. Let’s see, my first fight is going to be against… Grunkle. Spike looked down from the screen once again to search for his possible opponent. It didn’t take long for him to find Grunkle, since he found him first. “You must be Spike, the friend of Dragon Lord Ember!” Grunkle said with a loud, deep, thunderous voice. The dragon was almost three meters tall and was built with muscles over muscles. His scales came in different shades of earthy brown, while his crest was deep green, almost muddy, and his wings were tiny in comparison to the rest of his body. His arms were thick and long, his torso ample with bulging pectorals and a hard set of abs. His legs, equally as imposing as his arms, were covered by fragments of gray colored looking scales. His head was big just like the rest of him, his lower jaw was bulgy, ample, and slightly elongated with a series of fangs standing up like stalactites. His eyes were of a warm, deep amber color. “Your friend Garble helped me find you!” Grunkle said handing a massive claw to Spike. “My name is Grunkle, nice to meet you!” “Nice to meet you too, Grunkle.” Spike replied with a smile before shooting a glare at Garble, who was looking at him with a mocking grin. He accepted Grunkle’s hand and both shook it. At least he’s a friendly one. “I’m going to crush you like a rock tomorrow, Spike!” Grunkle said with a friendly smile. ...Shit. End.