//------------------------------// // Night of the Sapphire Dragon // Story: Dragonfire 🐲 Enter The Dragon Hero 🐲 // by Phantom-Dragon //------------------------------// Dracasia In the Forbidden Palace, sitting on her dragon throne, Ember was completely bored out of her mind. "Everyday, it's the same thing," Ember grumbled. "There's always a problem in Dracasia. Dragons have a problem with this, dragons have a problem with that, and there's always a big fight that nearly breaks a bone and all. And it's always me who has to handle them," The female sapphire dragon lets out a burst of purple flame as she resumes brooding, "I can't believe I'm gonna hear myself saying this, but I really miss the Frozen North now." Then, a loud bark was heard and a foo dog came running into the room, padding over to Ember, nuzzling the young Dragon Lord close, "Aw, hey Fluffy," Ember greeted the lion-dog hybrid with a stroke to his nose. "I forgot about you again, didn't I?" As an answer, Fluffy gave Ember a loving lick to the face, "Ew! Fluffy! You know that doesn't wash out!" Ember looked at the foo dog with a stern gaze, which softens when she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, "But I still love you, anyway." With a loving growl, Fluffy wrapped a strong paw around Ember, holding her close to the warmth of his muscular, fluffy builds. Ember melted into the loving feel of the foo dog's embrace, "Mmm, so warm," Ember sighed. "Hard to believe you were nothing but a statue, years ago," She shuddered, recalling the icy cold touch she once felt for her pet and Imperial Army in their frozen sates that followed her initial dishonor. "But thanks to Spike, you're living and breathing now." At the mention of his name, the sapphire dragon finds herself lost in thoughts about a certain Dragon Prince of Equestria. She still finds it hard to believe, that years ago, he was only just a kid, whom she would consider to be a runt. A runt who was no bigger than her, or Mina, and yet still had the courage to fight, help others, and took a hit to the head to save his precious adopted mother. A feat that was not only foolhardy, but selfless. That's what she liked about Spike, which ignited a faint blush to her face. Ember placed a claw to her forehead, sighing, "Oh Spike, of all the boulder heads in this magical world, why did it have to be you?" She asked herself. "I wonder if he's busy tomorrow?" Celestial High School Spike and his fellow classmates were in the middle of a test in Chemistry. Professor Flintheart, as usual, was patrolling the room, making sure nobody was cheating under his supervision. Spike was filling in some answers, while at the same time, checking to make sure they were the right one, when he suddenly felt something swelling up, from his stomach to his throat. ‘Oh no, no now!’ Spike panicked, in his thoughts, trying to fight the urge, and continue with his work. However, no matter how hard Spike fought, the urge only grew worse and worse, until it was on the point of no return. Having enough, Spike quickly got up and ran out of the classroom and burped a stream of fire, conjuring a scroll. "Huh, I got mail," Spike said to himself, unrolling the scroll to read what it has to say: Hey Spike, If you're not too busy tomorrow, then I'm coming over to this place called New York City, to pay you a visit. Dragon Lord Ember. "Ember?" Spike asked in surprise. "Huh, I haven't seen that hot head in a long time." Spike returned to the classroom, to see the test was still taking place. Sensing the obvious cold stares, Spike quietly returns to his desk and finishes his test, before turning it in, at Professor Flintheart’s desk. Spike sat at his desk, relieved to be done with the test, but now felt nervous as Flintheart’s strict gaze continues to wash over him. When the bell rang for his lunch period, Spike quickly grabs his stuff, eager to leave the class. However, “Draco!” Professor Flintheart called. Spike winced, as he reluctantly complies. “Sir! It was only-“ Twilight was silenced when the professor held his hand up, as he beckons for her and Fluttershy to leave. Reluctant, the two girls complied, but not before they quickly embraced Spike, while giving him pats on the shoulders, before they left the room, leaving Spike along with the strict teacher. “Feeling noxious, were we, Draco?” Professor Flintheart muttered. “Sorry sir,” Spike apologized. “I-I-“ Spike took a deep breath, as he spoke, “It won’t happen again, sir.” “I will hold you to those words, Mr. Draco,” Flintheart muttered. “And I would suggest that you are to take extra care of yourself, from now on. Sickness or injuries will not excuse you,” Spike slowly nodded his head in response. “Now be gone!” Flintheart ordered, to which Spike complied. ‘Phew, that was close,’ Spike thought. Once outside, he was greeted by Twilight and Fluttershy, both with looks of concerns. "Oh, I hope you're not in too much trouble," Fluttershy whimpered. "Are you?" "Don't worry," Spike replied. "I'm fine. Flintheart just let me off with a warning. A very strict warning," He muttered at the last part. "Though, from the looks of it, you looked as if though you've received message," Twilight deduced. "Who's it from?" "It's from Ember," Spike replied. "She's coming over, tomorrow!" "Really?" Twilight asked. "For what? Anything wrong in Dracasia?" "Nah, nothing like that," Spike answered. "She just wanted to come over and pay a visit. That's all she said." "Oh, just for a visit?" Fluttershy asked. "Yup. Sounds almost like a date if you ask me. What should I say?" "Well, tell her if you're available for tomorrow and where to meet up," Twilight answered. "That's the most diplomatic way I can think of." "Okay, if you say so, Twilight," Spike nodded. "Do you have a paper and a pen on you?" With that, the girl produced a blank sheet of paper and a pencil, which the green haired boy used to write: "Dear Ember, Can we meet after school at about 3 PM? I would be more than willing to show you the city. Sincerely, Spike Draco" The very next day, after school was let out, Spike was walking down the steps of the school and stopped in front of the statue. "Ember should be here anytime now," Spike said to himself. "Hey Spike!" a familiar voice greeted him. Turning around, Spike's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets at the sight he never thought he'd see. There, standing in front of him is the Dragon Lord herself, Ember, as a human. In appearance, Ember looked almost like any other humans would look, with a few exceptions that sets her apart. For one, her dark blue crests have become hair, with the tips colored white, framing her face where her horns used to be. For attires, she wore a brilliant cyan hooded jacket over a pale turquoise tank top that exposed her surprisingly toned midriff, matching cyan ripped up jeans, and a pair of dark blue boots. Spike was aghast, "What're you looking at?" Ember asked. "Something wrong?" The Dragon Prince shook himself back to reality, realizing how bad he looked in front of the Dragon Lord, "Sorry Ember," He apologized. "It's just....you looked so different." Ember wrapped her arms around herself, as she looked away, "Yeah, I know," She pouted. "It's not my fault if I look bad as a human." "No, no!" The boy waved his hands in denial. "You look amazing! Better than amazing actually....you're, um...how would Mina describe you?" "Red rubies?" Ember asked. "No, bigger than that." "Hot flame?" "No....um..." "Blazing gold?" "No..." "Then what is it?!" Ember asked, with her voice raising slightly. "Just say it! Spit it out!" Under pressure, Spike blurted out, "Sapphire Ember?" Ember blinked multiple times before she asked, "Sapphire Ember? What kind of dragon slang description is that?" "It's how I think of you Ember," Spike began. "You're beautiful, but tough like sapphire! So whenever I think of you Ember, I'll always think of the cool but intense blue sapphire that matches with your fiery demeanor!" Ember pondered for awhile, letting the Dragon Prince's compliments sink in, before she shrugged, "Eh, whatever." Wanting to change topic, Spike began, "Anyway, how've you been Ember? Anything happening in the Dragon Land?" "Yeah, a lot of things are always happening in the Dragon Land," Ember answered with a grim look on her face. "Some dragons accusing each other for stealing something of theirs, fight breaks out, and before you could shout stop, everything's up in flames." "Ooh, sorry I asked," The Dragon Prince winced. "Speaking of which, you still have the Bloodstone Scepter on you, right?" "Don't worry, Spike," Turning her back, Ember showed Spike the said scepter strapped to her back, beneath her jacket. "It's right here. I ain't going anywhere without it." "That's good," The boy sighed in relief. "We've gone through a lot of trouble just to get that back." "Yeah. There's no way I'm doing that again," The sapphire dragoness-turned-human shuddered, before she decided to change topic, "But enough about Dracasia and stuff, care to show me New York?" She gestured to the entire city. "Oh yeah, of course!" Spike nodded, waving his hand, gesturing Ember to follow him. "So. Which part of New York do you want to see? There's the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, The World Trade Center, Rockefeller Center, or would you be interested in checking out Coney Island?" Ember, who was struggling to remember the locations Spike listed, shrugged, "Whichever you liked to show me first, Spike." "Alright," Spike thought for a moment, before he decided on the first place to start. Central Park "Wow," Ember commented, seeing the park dressed in its Autumn coat of yellow and red leaves dancing to the winds. "I never knew Central Park would be so fiery." "Yep, this is how it always looks in the Autumn season," Spike replied. "But just you wait until Winter comes with its cold, snow white blankets, or Spring with its beautiful pink cherry blossoms. I'm telling you Ember, they're a sight to behold." Ember shook her head as she sighed, "Wow. This place is just full of colors," The Dragon Lord commented. "Kinda like your friends' Ponyville place and Canterlot in Equestria. Dracasia's anything but colors. All we've got are just rocks and colors of ashes, and the only thing over there that's even got any color is the royal garden in the Forbidden Palace." "Yeah, kinda dull huh?" Spike commented. "All the more reason you wanted to come for a visit today, ain't it?" "Oh yeah," Ember replied, before she asked, "So...what else is there to see in this big city?" Before Spike could answer, a voice greeted him, "Hi Spike!" Turning his head, Spike could see Wallflower Blush walking up to him, dressed in a long brown wooly jacket, with a red scarf wrapped around her neck, and a vanilla white hat, while holding a camera around her neck. "Hey Wallflower," Spike returned the greeting. "What's up?" "I was just out here taking pictures of the Autumn leaves for my club, when I saw you and wanted to say hello," The timid girl explained, before she looked and saw Ember. "Oh, who is this?" She asked, while a little intimidated by the Dragon Lord's intensive red eyes. "Oh, this is Ember," Spike introduced the Dragon Lord. "She's a friend of mine. She's from out of town, so I'm just showing her around." "Oh, well nice to meet you, Ember," Wallflower greeted the girl respectfully with her hand extended out. "I'm Wallflower Blush." Ember looked at the girl's hand, then back at Spike, "It's called a 'handshake,'" Spike explained in a whisper. "Just shake her hand." Ember shrugged as she grabbed Wallflower's hand in a strong iron grip, much to the latter's discomfort,"Nice to meet you, Wallflower Blush," Ember greeted the girl, lifting the poor girl up from the ground and back down. "OW!" Wallflower winced, after her hand was freed and she gingerly rubbed it. Spike did the classic face palm as he looked to Ember, "You're suppose to shake her hand. Not herself!" He berated the Dragon Lord. "Well sorry if dragons don't do handshakes," Ember replied in her defense. "What was that?" Wallflower asked, while hissing from the pain of her crushed hand. "Uh, she meant she doesn't know her own strength," Spike quickly responded, covering Ember's little slip. "Right Ember?" He asked, shooting her a look to play along. Though unsure at first, Ember got the message and spoke, "Yeah, right. Sorry about that." "Oh, it's okay," Wallflower accepted the apology. "At least I still have some feeling. So I'm sure I'll be fine." "Good to know," Spike nodded, before he nudge to Ember and they turned to walk away. "We'll see you later, Flower. Take care!" "Bye!" Wallflower waved with her remaining uninjured hand. Spike later took Ember into some secluded part of Central Park, "Okay Ember. First thing's first," He began, "When you're doing the handshake, you only needed to hold their hand gently. Don't just crush them like you did with Wallflower back there!" "Well, how exactly am I supposed to do that?" Ember asked. "Like I said, dragons don't do hand shakes, or shake hands, or whatever." "Here, just hold out your hand," The confused Dragon Lord complied, holding her hand out. "Now, here's how it's really done," With that, Spike showed his example as his hand gently wraps around Ember's and they gently shook for a brief moment. "Oh," Ember said in acknowledgement. "I see. It's better than the hugging, I guess. But alright." "Cool," Spike noted, before he thought of another idea on where they could go. "Come on! There's more I want to show you in this city!" He took off running with Ember following. "Whoa!" Ember marveled. She and Spike both stood in front of a skatepark, watching from the sideline to see many experienced skaters and bicyclists riding and performing tricks around the park. "I know right? Radical," Spike smiled, looking across the park, enjoying the actions going on. "Yo, Spike!" A voice greeted, revealing itself to be Rumble who came up to the two on his skateboard. "What's up my brother? Ya ready to shred it out?" In response, Spike pulled out his skateboard from his backpack and quickly dons up a helmet and safety paddings, "You know me," He replied. Rumble turned his head and was immediately taken by Ember, "Whoa! Who's this girl hanging with ya, Spike?" He asked. "Rumble. You haven't forgotten Ember, did you?" "Long time no see, Rumble," Ember greeted. "Whoa! Ember?!" Rumble exclaimed, checking the Dragon Lord out in her human form. "Omigosh, I'm so sorry! It's just, well you look kinda different when you're....y'know, human?" "Yeah, even I could barely recognize myself," Ember replied, while looking at herself over. "I don't know how you humans can survive without wings, tail, or even scales. Especially you, Spike." "Oh you'd be surprised with how we've been able to survive for this long, Ember," Spike smirked. "Besides, here's what we humans can do. Let's ride Rumble!" "Cowabunga!" With that, the two boys kicked their feet, launching themselves in a burst of speed on their skateboards. Ember stood and watched, her eyes following the two boys as they skated across the park and performing tricks, from a kickflip to an ollie. Spike was skating up a slope, where he did a handstand while holding his board close once he reached the top. Then, getting back on top of his board, Spike kicked forward rolling down the slope, towards a rail, when at the last minute, he did an ollie and started grinding on top of the rail, holding his hands out for balance, all the way until he reached the bottom and was met with a round of applause from Rumble and his fellow skaters. Ember included. "Yeah, Spike!" Rumble cheered, as he and the green haired skater shared a fist bump. "That was awesome!" "YEAAAAH!!!" Bulk Biceps agreed. Ember was about to say something, "Now it's your turn, Rumble," Spike said to his athletic friend. "Show us your moves!" "You got it!" Rumble complied, as he got on his own skateboard and proceeded to show off his skills around the skatepark. "Watch this, Ember," Spike nudged the Dragon Lord. "Rumble's the man!" "We'll see," Ember looked back up to watch the show. At first, Rumble started off with a few basic tricks for warm ups, before he went for the advanced stunts and the show could really begin. Rumble skated up a ramp until he got to the top, where he stopped for a moment to hold the front end of his board up to the air, before he turned and rolled back down towards a set of stairs. No sooner was he about to skate off the top step, at the last minute, Rumble kicked his board and himself up into the air. Ember watched how the board was spinning in a 360° motion, while Rumble rotated his body in a 180° motion before he landed back on his board, at the bottom of the stairs where he continued to skate across the park for awhile before doing a basic ollie trick to get himself grinding on a row of rails and proceeded to grind all the way to the end. Everyone cheered as Rumble skated down a ramp and did a frontside 180° flip, followed by a quick 90° turn to do a frontside tail slide on a ledge and resumes skating to a ramp where he did the nose stall, flips to the back tail, then to a revert and skated back to his entourage, ending his performance. "Alright, Rumble!" Everyone cheered as they all gathered around the young athlete. "That was awesome!" "You're amazing!" Scootaloo exclaimed excitedly, running up to the boy and embraced him, which Rumble returned. "Not bad," Ember commented, before she picked up Spike's board. "Now, I think it's my turn." "Uh, Ember?" Spike began, giving Ember a look of concern. "You sure you know what you're doing?" "You're saying I can't do it?" The Dragon Lord scowled. "No, of course not! It's just-Can you actually skate?" "Puh-Lease, this is kinda like gorge surfing back in Dracasia," She whispered the last part to Spike. "Watch how a real dragon does it," With that, Ember kicked her leg out, launching herself across the park on Spike's board. Spike, followed by Rumble, Scootaloo, and some of their fellow skaters watched as Ember surfed down a slope and up a ramp, where she successfully mimicked Rumble's nosestall, spinning to a back tail, then back to a revert and skated back down to a rail, where she did a kickflip to send herself in the air, grinding on a rail, before she came to the end and did a 90° spin to get herself facing in the right direction, before she jumped towards a ledge and did a frontside tail slide. From there, the Dragon Lord continued skating on Spike's skateboard, making her way towards a long rail where she performed a specular jump, flying over the rail to the end, with the board spinning in a 360° horizontal motion. "WHOAA!!!" Everyone cheered excitedly for Ember. Spike was, of course, speechless, "Girl's got game," Rumble commented. "Eeyup," The boy finally answered. "That was awesome, Ember!!" Spike complimented the dragon girl excitedly, while they were walking away from the skatepark. "Where'd you learn to skate like that?" "Skate? Is that what you call here on Earth?" Ember asked. "Because from where I'm from, we have a thing called gorge surfing. It's kinda like your skate thing back there, except it's way more intense, with lava, volcanic ashes, and rocks." "I see," Spike noted with interest. The two were just walking around a corner, where Snips and Snails were just walking by. The two boys looked up and yelped in surprise, "BWAAAAHHH!!!" "AAAAAAHHH!!" Spike and Ember exclaimed in equal surprise. "Snips?! Snails?!" Spike asked, while heavily catching his breath. "Oh, Spike!" Snips and Snails chuckled nervously. "It's you!" "Yeah, who else?" The boy asked. "You guys looked like you've just seen a ghost." 'Or a dragon,' They thought in fright, remembering Spike's dragon form they saw the other day. Looking away from Spike, the two boys' attentions quickly piqued when they looked at Ember, and they were quickly smitten. "H-H-H-H-H-H-H-Hello~" The boys stammered. "S-S-Spike! Who's this girl you've kidnapped?" Snails asked. "Excuse me? What do you mean 'kidnapped?'" Spike asked. "Ember's a friend of mine. She was just visiting." "Ember?" Snips repeated, while attempting a playful panther-like growl. "'Ember' wouldn't happen to be short for 'Sept-Ember,' would it?" "Or No-Vember?" Snails joined in their flirty attempt. Ember looked irked, "Who are you two boulder heads? And how dare you make a mockery of my name?!" She snarled. In response, the two boys quickly backed away in fright, "Whoa! Easy there, kitty!" Snails replied. "We were just-" "I'M NOT A KITTY!!!" Ember roared, with such force that Snips and Snails were blown off their feet. To further their fear, the two boys were certain when they saw Ember's fangs growing in, with her eyes coated in a bloody red aura, and her claws growing in. Before it could escalate any further, Spike intervened, "Okay, been nice meeting guys again, but there are still some places I gotta show for Ember," He quickly said, before escorting Ember away. "See ya!" After a moment to collect themselves, Snips and Snails both turned their frightened gazes to each other and exchanging gibberish, fearful comments. "ARRRGHH!!! I'm so angry, I COULD JUST BREAK SOMETHING!!!" Ember snarled. Both she and Spike had found an alley where they could find some privacy for the sapphire dragon to vent her anger, and for the public to avoid seeing most of her dragon traits that were showing through her human disguise. "Ember! Calm down! Please!" Spike said, struggling to help his dragon friend. "Just let it go, okay? You've made your point! Besides, they're not worth getting roasted!" "THEY SHOULD BE!!" Ember snarled. "I've never been so humiliated! And I'm NOT about to let them get AWAY WITH IT!!" "Lighten up! They were just trying to get you to like them. They don't know any better. Just forget it." "AND HOW am I suppose to just FORGET IT?!!" At that point, purple flames were bursting out of Ember's mouth. "Because if you don't forget it, then you'll lose the Bloodstone Scepter again, like before!" With that, the flames died down as she recalled the memories of destructions, the wildfires she had unintentionally caused, and the innocent lives she destroyed out of furious rage, and the cold bitter exile she endured after. "You don't want a repeat of that again, do you?" Spike asked. Shaking her head, Ember slumped to the ground, wrapping her arms around her knee, "No, I...I...I hate how you brought that up," She muttered. "I'm just making a point," Spike defended. "Besides, how do you think I'm gonna explain to the authorities if they found Snips and Snails's bodies all roasted and looked as if they've been mauled by a tiger? Or how I'm friends with an angry sapphire dragon, huh? This ain't like the world we're from! We trying to keep a low profile, less we'd want some magic hunting lunatics like the Cerulean Hunters to come after us here!" "I know," Ember sighed. "But don't expect me to like it. And it's just so...ACHOO!!!" The girl sneezed a burst of purple flame that nearly scorched Spike. "Sorry...I think I'm allergic to 'talking' my feelings." "If you don't want to talk about it, then don't," Spike replied. "But the least you can do is let your friends now how you feel. Got it?" "Fine." "Good," Sensing the tensions within Ember dimming to a degree, Spike decided it was time to change topic, "So. You hungry?" "After all we've been through today?" Ember asked, "Yeah. I'm hungry. I could just go for a bowl of gems right about now." The boy chuckled, "Actually, I have something else in mind, besides gems." Spike and Ember were later at the Japanese restaurant Sunset Shimmer was working at, where they waited for their orders of sushi rolls, and dishes of teriyaki noodles. "I hope you enjoy your meals," Sunset bowed respectfully. "Especially to you, Dragon Lord." "Thanks, I guess," Ember replied, while looking unsure of her plate. "Domo arigato, Sunset," Spike replied, to which Sunset simply giggled to before she was on her way. "Domo what?" Ember asked. "Oh, that's Japanese for 'thank you very much,'" Spike explained, before he clapped his hands together and spoke, "Itadakimasu." Looking up to see Ember more perplexed, he lectured, "That's how we begin before a meal in Japanese." "So do we always have to start like that before we eat?" Ember asked, crossing her arms. "Not always. It's a custom I learned, back from a trip in Japan with Uncle Scorpan," Spike explained, while eating a small sushi. "I just say it here to make it feel like I'm back in Japan again." "I see," Looking back down to her plate, Ember mimicked Spike's hand gestures and struggled, "Eat-a-di-ka-ma-su?" Spike couldn't help but laugh at Ember's mispronunciation, "No, it's 'itadakimasu,'" He repeated. "Or an easier way to say it is 'Eat a duck and a mouse.' But faster." "Eat-a-duck-and-a-mouse," Ember repeated, before she picked up the chopsticks and struggled to eat her noodles and sushi. "How do you eat with these things? Why can't you just pick up the foods with your hands?" "That stuff may work for you in Dracasia," The boy replied. "But remember, this ain't Dracasia. This is how we do it, and it's another customary we have to learn as humans." "Whatever," Ember rolled her eyes. "But how do you work with these?" "Like this," Spike showed his example of holding chopsticks to Ember, and correcting her hold when she struggled to get it right. With that, Ember was able to properly eat her noodles and sushi, much to her enjoyment. "Mmm, this isn't half bad!" Ember smiled as she picked up another sushi to eat. "This is really good!" "I knew you would like it," Spike picked up a small bowl and poured a bit of soy sauce. "What's that?" The girl asked. "Soy sauce," The boy answered as he dipped a bit of ginger into the sauce and placed it over one of his sushis. "It gives the sushis a bit of zest to their taste." "Zest, huh? Hmmm," Curious, Ember repeated the same process Spike did earlier, with one of her sushis before she eats it. "Wow! You're right! This is good!" Dipping another sushi in the soy sauce, Ember was enjoying her meal even more, "Why didn't we ever have one of these before?!" "I don't know," Spike replied. "But then, maybe it's a good thing I left the magic world years ago." Ember's eyes snapped open at what Spike just said, "What makes you say that?" She asked. "Well, think about it," The Dragon Prince began. "If I hadn't left, then I would never have come to this world, and sample some of Japan's cuisine, and then you wouldn't have known about it. Would you?" Ember was silent for awhile as she let Spike's answers settle into her mind, before she frowned, "No, I guess not," She replied. Looking back up, she asked, hesitantly, "So....about this Japan land. What was it like?" As an answer, Spike related the whole story to Ember, detailing his experience of learning the land's customs, from its language to cultures, but most importantly, its martial arts of karate to the mysterious ninjutsu. Ember was amazed. “Wow!” Ember said, when Spike concluded one of his stories. “So these Chinese, Korean, and Japanese folks. They actually respect us dragons that way?” “Yeah, and it’s funny, really,” Spike commented. “In some countries like the United Kingdom, France, or England, we dragons are depicted as greedy, ruthless, and savage. And yet, most other lands like Asia considered us as if we’re gods. That is, as long as we’re not offended.” “Ha! Got that right!” Ember laughed, while she pondered, “Though, the way you described these stories to me, these cultures and customs, not to mention these wars that’s happening in your world, it’s almost like some of us have actually crossed over here to Earth once and left some influence behind.” “It’s a possibility. I mean, look at me. I’m living proof that the Dragonfire existed.” At last, the two arrived at their location - an arcade. “Well, we’re here.” Spike and Ember walked in to see many players getting hooked to the games and having fun in the most competitive ways. “Wow,” Ember marveled, looking at all the games that were available. “So these are what you would refer to as the video games?” “Yep. Pretty much,” Spike replied, looking around before spotting his friend, “Hey, Button!” “Hey Spike!” Button returned the greeting, as both boys exchanged another secret handshake. “So, what’s up my brother? Got your game on?” “You know me!” The Dragon Prince replied. “But first, you remember Ember. Do you?” “Hello Button Mash,” Ember greeted. “Whoa, Ember?!” The gamer boy exclaimed. “Wow! I almost didn’t recognize you! Of course, no offense, it’s kinda hard to recognize you without some noticeable features?” He said, while making hand imitations of the dragon’s missing wings, horns, and a tail. “Yeah, I got that impression alright,” Ember replied. “Anyway, Spike here told me this is the place where you humans have the most intense and fun of games.” “That we do!” Button eagerly replied, before he started guiding both dragons-turned-humans. “C’mon! Let me start you guys with this game!” Before long, Spike and Ember were competing each other in a racing game. Next they played the horror shooting game The House Of The Dead. Ember was most competitive with the game, “Die you walking corpses, die!!!” She screamed as she continues to shoot. “Wow, she’s a lot more scarier than the zombies!” Spike commented. “I know! It’s like seeing Rei and Saeko combined into a dragon!” Button Mash added. “Or maybe Rias, but with blue hair and red eyes. Nah, I like her better with red hair. Either her or Dark Moka Akashiya as a dragon, but with blue hair, wings, and a tail. Actually, now that I say it out loud, that’s kinda like describing Kurumu. Except Ember would still be breathing fire and um, she’s kinda an F-Cup kind of character, I guess.” In response, Spike looked at Button with a deadpan expression, “You’ve been reading way too many mangas, Button,” He said. After they had their fun in the arcade, it was getting dark, as Spike took Ember back to his apartment. “This is one of my favorite thing to do here in New York!” He explained, once they made it to the rooftop of the building. “It’s a little cold up here,” Ember hugged herself a bit for warmth. “All the more reason this next excitement will heat up,” The boy replied. “Heat up? How?” “You’ll see. Question is, are you ready?” "Ready? For what?" "To get schooled by me in free running," With a mocking laugh, Spike took off running, before jumping to the rooftop of the next building. Ember looked unamused at first, before she smirked, "Oh you're gonna eat those words, Dragon Prince," With that, Ember gave chase. "You'll have to catch me first!" Spike taunted. "But I should warn you, Ember. I know most of this city like the back of my hand!" It wasn't long before Spike broke out in a musical number. "Wait, are you?" Ember questioned, until after a few lyrics, she groaned, "Oh, not another song...." Why Should I Worry - Billy Joel Though weirded out, and a little bit annoyed at first, Ember couldn't help but enjoy the catchy beat of the song, "Huh, for a song, it's not that bad," She mused. "What am I saying. This is better than all those other my little pony songs," She said as she continues to do the best she can to keep up with the young prince, while feeling her body moving to the rhythm. "What the-" She looked at herself, seeing she was shaking her hips and arms, "What's going on?! What's happening to me?" The rhythm of the city But once you get it down Then you can own this town You can wear the crown Then, taking up a notch with the song's sudden upbeat, while unintentionally furthering Ember's mixed bewilderment and amusement, Spike raised his voice to an even higher range, while doing a few snazzy dance moves that are quite new to Ember. The Dragon Lord even finds herself enamored when Spike did an air guitar solo. Why should I worry? Why should I care? I may not have a dime But I got street savoire faire Why should I worry? Why should I care? It's just bebopulation And I got street saviore faire The Dazzlings: "Everything goes Everything fits" Spike: "They love me at the Chelsea They adore me at the Ritz!" With that, Spike resumed his parkour run, while throwing a few jamming beats, and did a few air guitar solo, with Ember following. “Whoo Yeah!!” Ember whooped as she and Spike continued their run across the roofs. By the end of the song, Spike and Ember came to a stop at a rooftop, where they took the moment to catch their breath. "Quite a run, huh Ember?" Spike asked, in between breaths. "You could say that," The sapphire dragon panted in agreement. "But did you have to break out singing like that?" "What? You don't like my singing?" "Well, sorry for...how do you say? Raining on your parade? It's just, like I said, dragons don't do singing." "Well, this dragon does. It's my Equestrian side." Ember rolled her eyes, "Whatever," She said, before she softly spoke, "Still, for being raised by ponies, you've got a good set of pipes." "Thanks, I guess," Spike then looked up, to see the stars are out, "Looks like it's night time now," He said. "Yeah, I guess," Ember nodded in agreement. "So what now? Do we head back to your place?" "What do you mean? This is just the beginning of my next favorite thing about New York City." "What do you mean?" "Well, for one, night time in New York City is the best time for me to do this," Concentrating into his powers, Spike's whole body was surrounded in a fiery green aura, before with a burst of fire, he stood before Ember, in his dragon form. Ember smiled, "Now we're talking," With that, Ember reached behind her back and grabbed the Bloodstone Scepter, concentrating into its powers, before she too changed herself back into her true form. "Let's fly!" With a flap of their wings, both Spike and Ember thrusted themselves into the air, high above the city, looking down on its beautiful light show. "Wow," Ember marveled, as she finds herself captivated by the light show of the city. "Dracasia's got nothing like this." "Is that so?" "Yeah. It's just your typical land of volcanoes, mountains, and rocks, with little patches of green places. Kinda dull. And no offense, but Equestria's no better. Too much colors, it's kinda overwhelming for me. But this......this feels just right." [Flight of the Dragon - Jackie Chan] The purple dragon beside her smiled, "Glad you liked it that way then," Deciding to take it up a notch, Spike flapped his wings as he challenged, "How about a race around Manhattan? You game?" Ember grinned, showing off her fangs, "You want to race me?" She asked, as she followed Spike, who was already a few miles in the air ahead of her. "Prepare to get yourself roasted!" "You wished!" The two dragons flapped their wings hard as they soared through the air, above Manhattan, before they dived down towards the Brooklyn Bridge, flying beneath the great suspension bridge, while evading some of the boats and yachts that were passing across the East River, which the two dragons evaded with a swift turn of their whole bodies, coupled with a few aerial spins. "Not bad, Ember," Spike complimented, before he and Ember flew towards the Statue of Liberty, circling around the statue’s body from the feet to the head, weaving around the statue's arm, before they were on their way. "You've been working out?" "I was going to ask you the same thing," Ember returned the playful compliment, "You're not so bad yourself, Spike," She said as they raced through Chinatown. "For a runt who was raised by ponies." Not wanting Ember to get the best of him, Spike quickly comes up with a snappy comeback, "Well at least I wasn't some hothead who got herself exiled for ten years in the Frozen North!" "Oh yeah?" Ember smirked. "Well it's better than being some crazy boulder head who got himself blasted in the head by a lightning bolt!" Despite being roasted, metaphorically, by the Dragon Lord, both dragon royals shared some laughs as they continued their flight around Manhattan. Along the way, the two dragons met up with Peewee, who couldn't help but join in their flight. “Hey Peewee!” Spike greeted the phoenix. “You want in?” The bird let out a loud squawk as an answer. “Then let’s fly!” Soon, the three were flying above the One World Trade Center and 9/11 Memorial, and around the Empire State Building. All the while, Spike and Ember continued to show off a few aerial tricks to each other, from doing a few air loops, to some barrel rolls, before they concluded their little air show by flying high up in the sky, almost touching the stratosphere. Then at the last second, the two dragons retracted their wings and plummeted back towards the earth. The two royal dragons continued spinning around each other, until at the last second, before hitting the top of the buildings, they spread their wings and soared back up. Later, the three returned to Spike's apartment, where Spike changed himself back into his human form, Peewee rested on a perch, while Ember remained in her dragon form. "Why are you human?" Ember asked. "Y'know, you can stay dragon for as long as you want, you know." "I may be part dragon. But I'm still human," The boy said in his defense, while he secretly thought, 'That, and in a way, it keeps me close to my birth parents. Whoever they are.' Shrugging her shoulders, the Dragon Lord turned her attention elsewhere in the young prince's room, before something caught her eyes. "Whoa!" Ember marveled, as she walked over to a gallery of Spike’s pictures. Each photo captured a moment of the young prince's accomplishments in his lessons and trips around the world, with Scorpan. "Is...is this all you?" She asked. "Yep," Spike smiled proudly. "Believe it or not, that's all me for the last years I've been here, before I returned to Equestria." "Wow," Ember walked over to some of the trophies and medals the young prince had won from the martial arts tournaments he's competed in, as well as the colored belts he's earned from his years of studying martial arts, such as Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, etc. "What's with these belts?" "They're basically proofs of my accomplishments and my rankings in the martial arts," Spike answered, before he lectured. "See, at first, I started off as a white belt. That's the color for beginners. The more I learned and succeed, my belt color starts to change, until it gets to the top rank of all - the black belt!" "Wow," Ember nodded in fascination, as she resumed looking back at his display of colored belts, "And from the looks of it, you've mastered all the martial arts, since I'm seeing black belts in each and every one!" The boy chuckled as he scratched his head, "Oh, I'm far from being a master yet," Spike said. "There's still a lot more for a martial arts student like me to learn, even after earning the black belts." "Oh? Like what?" "Well, for one, I still need to know what more I can do as a dragon, besides fighting, breathing fire, and flying." "......Oh yeah, there's that," Ember frowned, as she slumped to the floor, on all four. Taken by surprise at the sapphire dragon's sudden mood swing, the boy raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is there a problem, Ember?" "No, no problem at all," Ember lied, before she slightly caved in, "Okay, there is a problem. But I don't want to talk about it." "Why not?" "I said I don't like talking about my feelings, remember?" A tear escaped from the sapphire dragon's cheek, which she failed to hide. "Aw, are you crying?" "What? No! I'm not crying! I just have something in my-OKAY!! I am crying! You happy?" "What? Why would I be happy about it? I don't know what you're crying about." Looking as if she was about to puke, Ember's cheeks were bulging like balloons as her whole face turned purple, "Excuse me," With that, Ember walked out to the balcony, where she lets out a violent burst of pink flames, that shook the whole apartment and stirred most of the inhabitants awake. The sapphire dragon then walked back in, slightly calm, "Okay, okay, I'm good," She panted. "Hopefully, no one else saw that," Standing up, Ember cleared her throat, as she expressed her problem the best she could, “I just wished I could’ve been with you, during your time here on Earth,” The dragon finally answered. "It's just not fair!" She continued to rant. "You didn't have to get hit by a lightning bolt, or have yourself hunted by some deranged maniacs for the rest of your life! Why you?!" Spike shook his head as he scratched his head, over the spot where he was struck by the said lightning, "I've been asking myself those questions many time, Ember," He said. "And I've yet to find a solid answer about why I was chosen, or how I can play my role as a vessel for the Dragonfire. But for now, I'm just gonna embrace it." "But I could've saved you!" Ember sobbed. "I could've given those Shadowbolt creeps a pummeling of a lifetime! I would've learned all those martial arts with you during your time here on Earth. But I didn't. Not only that, but I also broke your promise as well!" "Ember..." "I was alone," Ember sobbed. "I've always felt alone. But I don't want to be alone. But I was, and I was afraid I'll always will be. Seeing you, living the life I never had, I just....I feel left out." Spike looked at her for a second and without saying a word, approached Ember and hugged her. Ember was a little shocked by this at first but slowly returns the gesture. "I'm glad you're my friend," Ember purred, as she allowed Spike to stroke her crest, down to her back, while being gentle with the scars on her back. "Me too Ember. Me too." Spike replied. After a few minutes of embracing each other, they finally let go, "Feel better?" The boy asked. "Yeah. I hate to admit it but I needed that." The sapphire dragon replied. Spike chuckled at that. He then looked up at the clock to see it was past 9 PM, "It's really getting late. You gonna head back?" "Actually, I was wondering if I could stay the night tonight." She said with a blush. Spike was a little taken aback by this, but complies nevertheless, "Uh sure, we got a spare room so it shouldn't-" "Actually Spike, I was kinda hoping that we could sleep in the same bed together." Ember said while her blush deepens, while Spike's has only just begun. "But that can wait," The sapphire dragon smirked, as she leans in close to the boy, "First, let's have some fun." Training Dimension Joe Esposito - You're The Best Around Spike and Ember were standing atop a tall mountain top, surrounded by endless sea of clouds. Concentrating into his powers, Spike's body was coated in a green inferno before he stood in his dragon form and got into battle stance. "Are you ready?" Spike asked. In response, Ember too got into battle stance, "I'm always ready!" She declared with confident. "Enough talk! Let's fight!" "Hajime!" With that, the two dragons lunged towards each other, and they clashed. Ember made the first move as she slashed her claws, only for Spike to quickly deflect with the famous "Wax-On" maneuver, before he thrusted his right hand out in an open palm strike, landing a blow at the base of Sapphire's neck, before he thrusting his leg into a front kick, which Ember quickly backed away, dodging the attack. Twisting his whole body in a 360° rotation, flying forward, Spike did a flying roundhouse kick, followed by a cracked whip with his tail. "Gotcha!" Ember grinned, when she caught the young dragon by the tail. Then, with a pull of his tail, Ember leapt off the ground as she flies forward and landed a kick to the purple dragon's head. Upon landing, Ember quickly twisted herself in a counter-clockwise rotation as she thrusted her legs and tail out at Spike, who quickly blocked her strikes with his arms, along with his wings. Then, with an inhale of his breath, Spike blasted a ball of green fire from his mouth at Ember, who retaliated with a blast of her magenta fire. The two fires collided, exploding into a sparkling display of green and magenta as if they were fireworks. "Brings back some fun memories, huh Ember?" Spike asked, while blocking a tail strike from the sapphire dragon, before he somersaulted to avoid the rebound. "Sorry, Dragon Prince, but I'm not the sentimental type," Ember smirked. "But if I were, then I'd say, yes it does." With a twist of her body, Ember thrusted her leg out in a hook kick, which Spike quickly shielded himself with an anticipated side block with his arm, before he forced her away. "Well this time, it's gonna be different," With that, a burst of fiery green aura coated Spike's claws as he magically conjured a pair of fire katanas. Ember smirked as she too focused her powers into her claws, conjuring a pair fiery kusarigama, "Joined the club," She said. Once again, the two dragons lunged towards each other, until they clashed together with their magic fire weapons. Sparkles of green and magenta showered around the two dragons, as they clashed their fiery blades together. Spike swings his fiery katanas, blocking an attack from Ember with an upper block, and another with a low block. Relentless, Ember twisted her wrists, turning her kusarigama's blades to take a firm grip on Spike's katanas. With that, Ember leapt up in the air and thrusted both her legs out in a strong front kick to Spike's chest, knocking him rolling on his back, before he twisted his body and stood back up. "I see you've been working out, Ember," Spike complimented the Dragon Lord. "What's the matter, Spike?" Ember teased. "Are all of your ponies and human friends making you soft?" "You wish," With that, Spike focused his passionate love for his family, coating himself in a fiery green aura, 'Boosted dragon!' He mentally roared, before he blasted a supercharged stream of green fire at Ember, who quickly cuts the fire with her blades, while being forced back as her feet struggled to maintain a firm grip to the ground, until the fire dies down. "The Boosted Dragon," Ember recognized the technique. "Not bad," Spike, exhausted, collapsed to his claws, with his fire katanas dissipating, "But not good enough." "What....what's, oh!" Spike panted as he finds himself having trouble getting back up. "What's happening to-" "You've burned yourself out," Ember lectured as she walked over. "Now you're the hothead, and a boulder head." "Oh, really?" Trying to prove her wrong, Spike inhaled a gust of air and exhales, but only managed a few green sparks, coupled with a chest pain, "Oh!" Ember shook her head, "Believe me now?" She asked. "But....why? This never happened before." "How often have you used your Boosted Dragon power?" The sapphire dragon asked. Spike scratched his head as he struggles to remember, "I think about ten times, back when I was fighting the Shadowbolts and the Cerulean Hunters." "Well, that's your problem right there. You were using Boosted Dragon too much. Your body can't handle that much firepower now." "Oh sure. Now you tell me." Ember rolled her eyes, "Guess we'll call this battle a draw," She said as her blades dispersed into magenta flames, before taking a seat next to the worn out Spike. "Besides, you still proved yourself to be quite the adversary Spike." "Thanks." "But I wouldn't celebrate too soon, if I were you. Remember Spike, you just got back to being a dragon about a few months ago. So you still have a lot to catch up on many moons of being a dragon. So consider this a free lesson from the Dragon Lord." "Hm, sounds like something Uncle Scorpan would say," The Dragon Prince replied. Suddenly, he was caught off guard when Ember pounced on him, and pinned him down, as she leans forward and claims his lips.