Spike and Twilight sat on a bed leaning on one another. They've been like this for the better part of an hour. They didn't speak. They enjoyed each other's company for the first time in ages. Spike forgot how soft Twilight's fur was. She was warm and cuddly, much more than the beds she conjured. It reminded him of the times he used to crawl in bed with her when he was younger. She always complained, but she never turned him down. Crippling pain be damned, he wanted to remain like this for days.
The room door opened. “Spike?” Ember peeked in. Spike and Twilight looked at her with shock and curiosity.
“Can I have a word with him, Twilight?”
Twilight glanced between them and let him go, taking her warmth with her. “Go ahead, I should write a letter back to Starlight anyway…” Twilight shimmied past Ember in the doorway. Once she was gone, Ember took Twilight's place at Spike’s side.
“Are you okay Spike?” Ember asked while rubbing his back.
“Yeah, sore but I'll be fine…” Spike said with a smile.
“I'm sorry I didn't check in to see if you were doing well.”
“You're here now, and I'm pretty much fine, even though my back hurts whenever I try to lift my arm, or when I move in general,” Spike sheepishly chuckled.
“You're a fascinating one…” Ember gave him a longingly smile while running her fingers along his arms. “I went to talk to Spinious about the scepter.”
“You did…?”
“Yes,” Ember nodded, “And he told me that the Scepter corrupts its wielder.”
“Why didn't it corrupt you then?”
Ember looked at him with an unamused frown.
“Oh! Right, sorry. I lost more blood than I thought,” he said with a cheesy grin. “So, you think that the Scepter is corrupting me?”
“Given how you and your friends react every time you use it, yes.”
Spike wasn't too sure about her theory. Whenever he used the scepter he pretty much felt like himself, even though the few times that he did he was pissed beyond all belief. He barely knew Spinious, so he wasn't too sure of his word.
“What you're saying is, I need to stay away from the scepter or else it’ll turn me into a tyrant?”
Ember nodded once.
“Well, you don't have to worry about that. I'm not going anywhere near that thing!”
“At least you won't be tempted,” Ember giggled. They gazed into each other's eyes. She wondered how someone so childlike and jovial would deal with the pressures that she's had to deal with. Spike wasn't ready for that kind of responsibility. Maybe there was some way to transfer the magic in the scepter over to her.
“I have to go now.”
“Why?” Spike suppressed a whine.
“The assassins that attacked us. Spinious wants to get some answers out of them.”
“I’ll come with you.” Spike tried to stand, but his injuries held him still.
“No, you need to get some sleep.” She gave him a small peck on the lips and got up to leave, not before looking over her shoulder with a smile.
~¥￦¥~
The accused sat on their knees and bound, watched closely by Smog and the other palace guards. The last few council members arrived, bringing this trial to an open.
“Dragons of Of Ignis Terrestris!” Ember stated proudly, “We the few who uphold decency have a dilemma before us. These individuals have committed several crimes of which could have had a profound impact on the world as a whole! We are gathered here today to determine whether they will be able to walk away free, or be executed where they stand!” Ember looked around the room. “Whenever you are ready.”
“I see no reason to drag this ‘trial’ out longer than it need be,” Chrone spoke over the room. “Activity here has ramped up since the arrival of our new… acquaintances and I have no reason to doubt that dragons across the kingdom know as well. So I ask; who sent you to dispose of the Equestrians?”
The lead assassin shot Chrone a dirty glance. “We weren't sent for the ponies…” he growled.
“Then why have you disturbed the peace?” Malich, a bronze drake spat.
“Isn't it obvious…? You all felt it too, right?” The member’s of the council looked on confused. “The real dragon lord revealed himself.”
A lump of worry for Spike began to form in Ember’s throat.
“So why did you try to kill him?” Ember angrily questioned. The assassin sat in silence. “Answer me!”
“Why? You have no power over me or anyone else.” He rose to his feet making Smog grow apprehensive. “Know that this is not the last you'll see of The Eridinari! We will live free, or die trying!”
“Then who are the Eridinari?” A shadowy silver dragoness asked.
“We are freedom.”
“Don't play coy you miserable little twat! What is the Eridinari?” Chrone spoke with passion.
The assassin made and owl-like turn of his head, looking directly at Smog. “He knows…” All eyes fell on Smog. “You recognize me, don't you Smog?”
Smog stared daggers at the assassin. Ember looked to her fearless and devoted guard with intrigue.
“I'm not playing coy, nor am I shifting blame. Smog here was once a part of our sect.”
Smog sighed and looked to Ember. Even she cast judgment in her gaze. “I was never a true member of the Eridinari, but in the past, I worked with them. They are a dispersed organization of trained mercenaries.”
“How dangerous are they?” Spinious asked.
“They all possess my skill...”
The assassin grinned a confident, malicious grin. “Don't be so pretentious, Smog,” he chuckled. Smog frowned and tightened his grip on his sword.
“How many more of you are there?” Ember asked with a cold growl. The assassin motioned to Smog to answer again, but he was cut short by a furious Ember. “If you continue us to treat this as a joke, we will kill you!”
“I admire your effort, but you and I both know that you can't do anything to me, Queen…” Ember rose from her seat, taking hold of a dagger as she approached the smug mercenary. She stood barely above the massive male.
He was right; there was nothing that she could do to force an answer out of him. Or so he thought. In one swift motion, she plunged the blade deep into his thigh, gaining a pained roar from the dragon. She held his muzzle shut while she pushed the dagger deep into his flesh.
“You cowards attacked me, my mate, and my friends in our sleep. I am in no mood to listen to your snide comments! You will tell me who sent you, or you will writhe in pain so intense, you'll wish you were dead!”
She twisted and played with the handle, causing the assassin to groan and fidget.
“Will you cooperate? And please say no…” She removed her hand from his muzzle.
“Our leader s-sent us…” he seethed.
“Who is he?” Ember asked.
“I can't tell you.” Ember stabbed his leg several times, coating her hand in the assassin’s blood. “I told you that I have no patience for your games! Who is your leader?!”
“Their identity is never revealed! We only follow what orders we are given!” he spoke, his voice drowned in pain. Ember looked back at Smog. He gave her an affirmative nod. She forcefully pulled the blade free of his bloodied leg, gagging at the scent of his blood. It coated her hand and dripped on the floor, nauseating her further.
“Well,” Spinious cleared his throat, “I assume you're willing to tell us where you come from then?”
~¥￦¥~
The trial, or interrogation rather, didn't last as long as she expected. The assassins were all too cooperative after some persuasion. Ember was tired. This day, from the rude awakening to now, has been one of the longest in her life.
She realized that she still held the dagger that pried answers out of the prosecuted. The blood dried on the blade and her hand creating a flaky crust. Normally she’d be in a tizzy about having another's blood caked on her. Perhaps she was too exhausted to care.
“Ember!” Smog ran after her.
Ember slowed her shuffle to a halt. “Yes?”
“I… How are you feeling?”
Ember gave him a tired blink.
“Of course… Look, about what was said back there. About me once being in league with them.”
“Smog, you've been nothing but loyal and devoted ever since I met you. You don't have to prove anything,” she handed him the dagger, “Do… something with this.”
Smog bowed and put the blade in an open hilt on his back. Ember shuffled away. It felt late in the day, maybe a few hours from sunset. She had been working on two good hours of sleep, and it finally caught up with her. She was no stranger to exhaustion. To tell the truth, it was like an old annoying friend that overstayed their welcome, yet you didn't have the heart to evict them.
She made her way back into the main palace, lethargically wandering across the throne room. The light streaming in from outside refracted off the walls making the room glow a warm orange. She smiled and continued on. Her stomach growled lightly. Perhaps she should grab something to eat before getting some rest. As she approached the kitchen, she smiled at the light cacophony coming from the ponies.
Rainbow sat with her feet kicked up on the table, while Fluttershy played in her hair. Applejack was behind the counter cooking with Pinkie, and Rarity was patching Spike’s tattered green sweater.
“Hiya Ember!” Pinkie sprouted up behind her nearly making her jump out of her scales. “Are you hungry? I learned some dragon recipes that I'm dying to try out!”
“Yes, actually. What do you have?”
“Take a seat, and I'll whip up something.” Ember sat next to Rainbow and yawned.
“You look like you've been through Tartarus and back,” Rainbow chuckled.
Ember rubbed her eyes and nodded slowly. “Saying that this has been a long day is more than a stretch, but we did find out where the assassins came from.” Her stomach growled furiously as the scent of sizzling meat filled the room.
“Oh really?” Rainbow sat up at full attention.
“Yeah,” Ember yawned. “They call themselves the Eridinari, and they hail from the Sharkeishan Highlands.”
“Where’s that?” Rainbow asked.
“Smog knows… I can't quite think of it right now.”
“Almost done Ember!” Pinkie chirped as she flipped the succulent slab of meat. Ember smiled softly, then looked down at her claws. She has never been this exhausted in her life. She tried to move her fingers, but they too seemed lethargic and tired.
“What smells so good?” Spike asked as he entered the kitchen. He wrapped his arms around Ember. She nuzzled his arms, instantly melting into his embrace.
“Making the fearless leader a delicious meal,” Pinkie responded.
“Are you feeling better Spike?” Ember cooed.
“Not really, but I had to stretch my legs…”
The room fell silent as everyone sat about relaxing or eating. After that trial, Ember was happy to enjoy these short-lived moments of levity. Being in Spike’s warm embrace mended her frayed nerves and the sizzling of her dinner soothed her like white noise. This is what she was missing. It wasn't just the love of a mate, but love in general.
Her father wasn't affectionate, aside from a few apologies when he nearly killed her. Being the only offspring of the dragon lord meant that you had to suck it up and roll with whatever was given to you no matter how bad it was. That, and the selfish nature of dragons, only expanded the hole that her upbringing has left within her.
Family was an alien concept to her. She was forced to believe that the only way to live was to be alone. You have to be strong. You have to be tough. You have to be better. And you have to step on others to get ahead. As she looked around this room, she could see how much they cared for each other, even when they're sitting around. She wondered how they felt about her.
“Perfect, you're all here!” Twilight entered the room with some books and scrolls held in her magical grasp.
“What's all that, Twi?” Applejack asked with a glance over her shoulder.
“Everything that we’ll need to know for our trip to the library.” Twilight cleared off the table and set her micro bookshelf down.
“Bon Appétite!” Pinkie set a plate of steaming steak and vegetables before Ember. “The veggies were Aj’s idea. You don't have to eat them,” Pinkie whispered conspicuously.
“Thank you,” Ember smiled. She cut off an end piece, fearful that this pony might unintentionally poison here. She ate the juicy piece of sirloin surprised at how -despite being a tad too salty- delicious and well done it was.
“And another satisfied customer,” Pinkie winked.
“Anyway, after spending most of the day digging through a library, and talking with most if the town. I have gotten some preliminary information that could help us get to the library that Fluttershy mentioned.”
“The one in Tennith?” Ember asked with a piece of steak just short of her maw.
“You know about it?” Twilight asked earning a stale look from the exhausted dragoness. “Of course you do…” Twilight chuckled nervously.
“Yes I do, but it's too dangerous.” She inhaled the delicious meat with fervor.
“We can make the trip no problem. We jus-”
“I know you can make it. I'm saying that it’s too dangerous because we’ve all been targeted.” Her voice adopted a blunt tone. “I was just in an hours-long interrogation of the assassins that attacked us. There is a price on all of our heads…”
Fluttershy swallowed hard while everyone else went wide eyed and slack jawed.
“That's rather… unsettling,” Rarity gulped.
“I say we give it a shot,” Rainbow Dash spoke up.
“Are you mad?” Ember authoritatively spat. “What if you're attacked while you're on your way?”
“We aren't helpless ponies. All of us can take care of ourselves. Besides, we’ll have you, Spike, and Smog with us, so that’s three dragon escorts.”
“I can't leave! I have to stay here and keep watch over the village!” Ember grew more frustrated.
“Don't get your tail in a knot. I’m just saying that we still can do it. Beats sitting around here,” Rainbow pouted.
“And I'm saying that it isn't wise to. We have no idea how many more of the Eridinari are descending upon us right now!”
Rainbow stood over her and looked her directly in her slitted eyes. “Then let’s not sit around and wait for them! Let’s get all of what we need together and go!”
Ember matched her while flaring her wings. “Why do you want to go anyway?? The library is most likely a pile of rubble!” Ember growled her slitted pupil's barely visible slivers.
“So we can help you get this shitstain of a kingdom in order!”
Ember’s gaze was furious. It took every fiber of her being to hold herself back from slapping the rainbow out of her hair.
“Okay, that’s enough!” Applejack came in between the two. “You-” she looked to Rainbow, “-sit down and cool off! And you-” she looked to Ember, “-sit down and eat!”
Ember locked her eyes with Applejack, initiating a staring contest of who is the most intimidating. Applejack was much bigger than her, but she wasn’t backing down. Spike placed his hand on her shoulder. She relented, sat down, continued to eat her delectable meal.
“Well, that happened…” Twilight cleared her throat. “With the help of the town, we can get what we’d need for the trip in as little as two days…” Twilight spoke over the thick tension in the room. She looked at Ember for a reaction, but she was met with her annoyed gaze.
“If you all want to go through with this, we can start forming a schedule.”
“Okay, let’s not waste any time then.” Rarity said as she set Spike’s sweater aside.
~¥￦¥~
Ember sat on the edge of her bed processing what was going on with her. It wasn't anything inherently bad, but she hasn't been feeling herself lately. That little bout with Rainbow was a prime example. She had never felt so angry yet passionate before. She felt like it was the right thing, but something gnawed at her psyche, telling her that she was wrong. And Applejack… She looked like she was going to kill Ember. Perhaps the lack of sleep was playing tricks on her already pressured mind. Just as she was about to rest for the night, her door opened presumably on its own.
Ember instantly became apprehensive. Whoever was there was about to get their wings torn off. Much to her relief, it was only Spike. “By the Flame, Spike. You scared me....” Ember sighed.
“Sorry, I thought you’d be sleep. I was gonna sneak into bed,” Spike said with a cheesy grin. Ember couldn't help but smile at his childlike mannerisms. “How are you?”
“Tired… Very, very tired.” She flopped back on the sheets.
“I meant, after what happened earlier. Are you okay?” Spike sat down next to her.
“Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be? It was only a little disagreement.” Ember shrugged. Spike gave her a skeptical raise of his brow.
“I am okay, I'm just thinking. I've never felt like that before. I was mad, but there was something else there…”
“Like worry?”
“Kind of,” Ember sat up and nuzzled into his side, “I wasn't thinking when I was yelling at her. I was just doing it, you know?”
“There's nothing wrong with admitting that you care about someone,” Spike chuckled.
“I don't like her like that!”
“Like what?” Spike asked with a tilt of his head.
“Like, how I like you.” She hugged his arm.
“You know, what you and I have isn’t the only kind of ‘care’ right?” Spike giggled at her naiveté. Ember frowned in response. “Wow… I… I don't know how to explain this.” Spike scratched the back of his head.
He turned to face her. “There's nothing wrong with caring for more than one person. I love all of my friends. They're my everything. Without them, I wouldn’t be me. But that doesn't mean I'm not in love with you.” Ember resembled an adorable curious puppy. “I think it’s sweet that you worry about our safety.”
Ember scrunched her nose and looked away with a blush. “Don't be so upset. It was adorable,” Spike cooed.
“I'm not adorable…” Ember pouted.
“You're being pretty darn cute right now.” Ember blushed harder while cursing herself for being so bashful. “You don't have to be an angry stuffy dragon with us. Be yourself.”
“What if this is me?” Ember sassed.
“Really?” Spike said with a raised brow that Ember found all too sexy. She found herself smiling like an idiot, annoying her further.
Spike started to make estranged and goofy faces. “What are you doing?” Ember snorted playfully.
“I dunno. Just wanted to make you smile, you big grump.” Spike made a puckered face worthy of an exaggerated magazine model.
“You're so weird,” Ember giggled with a snort.
“Did you just snort?” Spike laughed.
“N-no!”
“Okay, that was too cute.”
Ember punched him directly where his gash was earning a pained yelp from him. “Are you okay?” She gasped.
“Yeah, just be a little more careful,” Spike whined. Ember rubbed his chest gingerly. She lifted her gaze and was met with his. Again, their eyes began to glow the familiar yellow. Ember pounced, pulling him into a long passionate kiss. Spike returned the favor by slipping his hand up her shirt.
~¥￦¥~
Twilight scrutinized every detail of their caravan. Over the last two days, she’s been frantically organizing their journey, even against Ember’s warnings. “The carriages?” Twilight said with haste.
“Check!” Spike sounded as he marked it off.
“Extra food and provisions?”
“Check!”
“I think that’s all!” Twilight chirped. “We’ll leave once everyone is ready. Were you able to convince Ember and Smog?”
“Smog, yes. Ember, not quite… She’s still on edge about the assassins.”
“We’ve been safe for the last two days, so I say we’re gonna be okay,” Twilight beamed with optimism. Spike shook his head, and continued to inspect the carriages making sure everything was in perfect shape. One slip and they could be stranded in the heart of the dragon lands with no rescue, so yeah. No pressure.
“Let’s get this show on the road!” Applejack cheered as she approached the carriage.
“Yay… Whoo-hoo… Let’s walk halfway across this Celestia-forsaken land and get all dirty smelly and icky,” Rarity sighed with contempt.
“Are ya changin’ your mind, Rarity?” Applejack playfully nudged her ribs.
“No…” Rarity cleared her throat, “I’m still going. I never said that I’d enjoy it,” She huffed before placing her personal bag in the carriage.
“Rarity, what’s all that?” asked Twilight.
“Everything a lady needs.”
“I told you to travel light!” Twilight fumed.
“That is me traveling light.”
“Let it go Twi,” Applejack chuckled as she patted her back. Then Rainbow Smog Pinkie and Fluttershy approached them. Smog wore full dense body armor brandishing several blades and a bow with two crossing quivers.
“Wow you look like you’re ready for war,” Spike mused with a wide gape.
“Someone has to be the caravan guard,” He stated proudly earning giggles from Fluttershy and Rainbow.
“At least we know than tin-stallion over here is gonna be able to protect us,” Rainbow laughed.
“Yeah, I feel safer already,” Fluttershy giggled.
“Ooh, this gonna be so much fun! We get to go on another road trip! Smog can be the grumpy daddy, Ember can be the serious mommy, and we’re all the kids!” Pinkie looked around. “Where is Ember?”
“I don’t think she’s coming, Pinkie,” Spike sighed with disappointment.
“Aww…. But she's gonna miss out on all of the fun,” Pinkie whined. Twilight looked over the carriage. It was full to the brim with supplies, yet she felt like something was missing.
“Sad to say, but there’s no way this here thing is gonna hold all eight of us. Somebody’s gonna have to walk.” Applejack stated as she picked up her bag.
“I can fly most of the time anyway,” Rainbow shrugged.
“I’ve trekked across these lands for decades. I’m more than fine with walking,” Smog added.
“Applejack, Smog, Rainbow, and Spike will walk for now, and we’ll alternate. How does that sound?” Twilight proposed with a clap.
“Wait, why do I have to walk?” Spike protested.
“Because you’re perfectly capable of doing so, and because I said so,” Twilight said with a hint of pretension. Spike grumbled but had no rebuttal.
Soon a small shadow defended upon the group. Ember landed with a sword on her side and a bag in her claws. “Ember!” Spike hugged his dragoness.
“Hey everyone.” She greeted casually.
Smog looked her up and down with a prideful smile. “I take it you're going to come with?”
“Yes. I, myself, am quite curious about what this library holds if it is still standing. Besides, I wouldn't feel right if something happened to you all.”
“Aww, you big blue sweetie…” Pinkie cooed as she hugged Ember much to her dismay, but she accepted the gesture.
“Good, then we’re all set…” Rainbow eyed the large feathered reptiles tied to their carriage. “How do we get those things moving?”
“The Regikaí? They listen to command.” Smog answered. “Everyone load up!” The ones who were lucky enough boarded the carriage, while the unfortunate few had to hoof it for Celestia knows how long. Smog shouted at the beasts in ancient drácon. And with that, they started their long journey to uncover the mysteries of the dragon lands.