//------------------------------// // Politics and Pyromaniacs // Story: Dragon's Bane // by Sazura //------------------------------// We are not above the art of cunning and wit, For the power of the mind can determine where a leader will sit. The rightful King who inherits our throne, Dare not possess a mind of stone. The sharpened mind may bring many a race to their doom, Our words rival that of the sun and moon. ~~~ Shining Armour ascended the stairs of the Royal Guard headquarters, his destination the office where the PA system was located. Tightening security beyond what currently existed would be a tremendous effort. It was not a simple matter of calling guards to patrol on their day off. Strategic placement of what resources he had to spare would be vital to the safety of Canterlot, if the Dragon envoy should decide to become aggressive. He had heard tales of their prowess before, back when he was younger, stories of full-grown dragons being larger than the entirety of Canterlot Castle, how their fiery breath could melt stone, how their claws and scales were harder than diamond, and of their impulsive, almost violent nature. He knew they were not a force to be messed with. “Captain Armour, sir!” Shining turned to see one of the gray pegasus guardsponies approaching him. As he came closer he stopped to perform the mandatory salute when addressing a captain. “At ease. What do you have for me?” “A copy of the tablet sent to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna from the envoy, sir.” The guard opened a saddlebag, reaching for a piece of parchment within. “The runes from the original have been translated. The Princesses said you would need this information.” Shining felt a little bit of pressure lift from his shoulders at these words. “Thank you, private. You are dismissed.” The two ponies saluted, and the gray pegasus guard left to return to his station. Shining opened the scroll of parchment and read the note: Greetings to the Sun and Moon. I am named Ahtrax, and possess the title Leader of the Dragon race. Me and the company of two others of my kin will be approaching from the west at dawn, third day of the coming week. The court of the pony leaders is requested. Hear our roars break the sky on that day, and prepare for our coming. The note was a short one, and was riddled with the pride that so defined their race. The nerve of them, making demands of the Princesses. Shining didn’t dwell on it for too long, he had a duty to fulfill. He had finally arrived at the PA office. As he entered he asked the mare working behind the microphone to prepare for an announcement. This particular microphone was enchanted so that all ponies that had sworn the oath of the Royal Guard would hear whatever was spoken into it, regardless of location and distance, or time. This piece of magical equipment was rarely used, reserved only for emergencies and the organisation of large numbers. His voice echoed through the heads of the Royal Guard. He assigned duties to the separate lieutenants, ensuring that the citizens would not only be informed of the dragon's coming but also prepared. Shining finished his announcement. He could hear the clops of hundreds of hoofs downstairs as the ponies that had already arrived at the headquarters hurried to their assigned sectors. Shining felt as if their forces were not enough, even with the magic of Celestia and Luna. For the second time that day, he sent a letter to his sister. ~~~ Applejack jumped in her seat as she was startled awake. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, struggling to keep them open. Falling asleep in a chair wasn’t the most comfortable experience, but years of hard farm work since foalhood had given her immunity to sore muscles. It took her a few moments to recall the events of the previous night; it had all seemed so surreal that she might have dismissed it as a particularly horrible nightmare. However, what she saw confirmed that it was all reality. Fluttershy still lay in her hospital bed, hooked to a respiratory machine that worked constantly to breathe for her in place of her damaged lungs. The glow of Celestia’s sun streamed through the open window, allowing AJ to see clearly the extent to which the fire had assaulted her friend. As she looked, the emotional wreck from the previous night came crashing through AJ’s head like an oncoming train. Her knees buckled and threatened to give way. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to tear her eyes away from the bed. Looking around the room, she spotted what was responsible for the sudden awakening. Two scrolls of parchment lay on the floor. The sound of them magically materialising from the sender had forced AJ out of her sleep. She examined them closer and saw they were both addressed to Twilight. Everypony else had also elected to sleep in Fluttershy’s room in case she woke up. Pinkie lay stretched across two chairs, snoring quietly. Twilight lay on the couch in the embrace of Rainbow’s wings, breathing softly into the pegasus’s spectrum coloured mane. AJ walked to the couch and gently shook her awake. “Hey, Twi? Sugarcube? Wake up. Got somethin for ya.” Twilight slowly opened her eyes but refused to move. “It’s a letter. It has Canterlot’s seal on the front here, see?” The mention of the name ‘Canterlot’ piqued her interest. Slowly, Twilight rolled herself out of Rainbow’s wings without waking her, and stood up to receive her mail. “You feelin' a bit better?” AJ asked as Twilight opened the first letter. Twilight only managed to put on a ghost of a smile and nod. It would be clear to anypony that she was only being brave. She read through the first letter without interest. Upon opening the second a quizzical look spread across her face. “AJ, could you and go and find Rarity for me? I need to talk to everypony.” “Sure, Twi.” She didn’t question the reason Twilight had suddenly summoned everypony. AJ remembered that Rarity had gone to check on Spike, but was not in the room with everypony else when AJ had woken. She spotted the usually stylish unicorn propped up on her hoofs next to the restless dragon in the next room. AJ would have loved to take a picture of her then, hair bedraggled with bags under her eyes, but she knew it was not the appropriate time or place. “Mornin, Rarity.” “Applejack…” “How are you feelin', sugarcube?” Rarity paused, as if she was unsure of that answer herself. “This whole thing is such a mess…I’m not quite sure how to react.” “I know how you feel, but no real harm was done. Everypony will be okay eventually, including Fluttershy. And Spike, of course.” Rarity only nodded. “C’mon, Twilight asked us all to meet her in the other room, said she had somethin' to say to us,” AJ crossed the room and gently pulled on Rarity’s shoulder. The pair went back into Fluttershy’s room, where everypony else had already been woken up. Morning greetings took form only in exchanged glances and solemn looks. Even Pinkie didn’t seem as bright as she usually did. “Well…I’m not really sure where to begin with this,” Twilight began, “so I’ll just say it straight out. It seems that we’ve been called to Canterlot. An envoy of dragons has requested a meeting with Celestia and Luna, and they’re arriving tomorrow. My brother has increased security around Canterlot, should the representatives turn violent. Dragons are known for their impulsive behaviour. He asked us to assist him by lending the power of the Elements of Harmony.” “Dragons? Here? For what reason?” Rarity inquired. “It doesn’t say exactly…” “And he wants the Elements of Harmony there? What’s up with that?” Pinkie was also unsure of the situation. Everypony’s eyes automatically drifted to Fluttershy. She showed no signs of waking soon. Without all six of them, the Elements were only a collection of jewelery. “Your brother doesn’t know what happened here, does he?” AJ asked. “No, there’s no way he could.” “Well, is there any point of us even going, then?” Rainbow pointed out. Twilight pondered the situation. “I’ll write him back once I’m back at the library, explaining everything. See what he wants to do.” “I think we should be here when Fluttershy and Spike wake, you know, for emotional support and all,” AJ said. “I agree…” Twilight replied. AJ could sense that the shock of the entire situation had begun to leave the group. They were all starting to think more clearly, without worry and anxiety clouding their thoughts. Silence enveloped the group once more, though this silence was caused by lack of direction, rather than shock. At that moment, a unicorn strode into the room, levitating a clipboard. She was dressed in a simple white coat. Her name tag indicated she was one of the unicorn healers assigned to repair Fluttershy. “I’m sorry, but I have to ask you to leave for now. We are going to start the procedure,” the healer indicated the doorway where several more healers had arrived, pulling an x-ray machine. “Your friend will be fine in our hooves, there’s absolutely nothing to worry about.” The group looked at one another and silently agreed to leave. As they passed Spike’s room they saw him quietly mumbling in his sleep, although these were not the same cries from the day before. Everything’s going to be all right, AJ said to herself. As the group exited the hospital into the sunlight, AJ’s ears were met with a thunderous rumble. The sound had seemed to come from right next to her. Rainbow was looking around sheepishly, avoiding eye contact with everypony else. “Rainbow…was that…your stomach?” AJ smirked. “Maybe…don’t look at me like that, I can’t help it!” AJ was leaking an uncontrollable giggle. The idea of something as normal as Rainbow being hungry seemed like a ridiculous idea given the situation. It was a welcome change from the recent mood. Everypony else had also started smiling slightly, Rainbow included. Of course the unanimous decision was to indulge in a late breakfast. Sugarcube Corner was open for business as usual. As they ate, the group discussed what gifts and presents they would get for Fluttershy and Spike once they had both recovered, with Spike most likely getting out of hospital within a few days. They were able to laugh again, with the prospect of their friends waking soon to motivate them. ~~~ Rainbow worked her wings as she sped back to her cloud home. She longed for a good nap after the events of last night. She feigned sleep at the hospital. The adrenaline of being summoned there had already put her in a state of constant alertness. That combined with Twilight breathing softly into her neck in the embrace of her wings left her heart racing for the entire night. As the wind roared past her ears Rainbow pondered her feelings for the friend. She was unsure of when these feelings started, or what they meant. Perhaps it was when Rainbow was hospitalised herself. Twilight had helped her push through the boredom of being grounded, and also helped her find something else she loved to do, besides flying. She had even forgiven her after she had belittled something that the intellectual unicorn loved so much. Fear prevented her from telling Twilight. She knew the slightly scatter-brained unicorn didn't think of her in the same way. If she exposed her feelings, their friendship may not return to normal. Even worse she risked losing her for good. Rainbow flew through the window of her bedroom and crashed straight onto her bed. She was determined to fall asleep and be free from all thoughts, for now. As soon as she closed her eyes, however, she heard a voice calling her from outside. What the hay is it now? She grudgingly walked over to her window. Her heart skipped a beat as she spotted Twilight in front of her house on the cloud below. A faint glow around the unicorn indicated that she was cloaked with several spells, most likely to allow her to walk on clouds or brave the temperature. Rainbow promptly flew out the window and greeted Twilight in front of her own door. The startled unicorn jumped as Rainbow landed in front of her. “Don’t be such a scaredypony, it’s just me. What were you expecting?” Rainbow joked. “And why are you here?” “You just startled me, Rainbow,” Twilight smiled. “I have a bit of news. Can I come in?” Rainbow turned and swung the door open. It parted silently as cloud glided over cloud. “So, what’s up?” “I wrote to my brother, and he replied almost immediately. This time with a note from Celestia as well. It seems she wants me at the political meeting tomorrow, Elements or no. She says that with all the reading up on dragons I’ve been doing recently, It will show that us ponies aren’t ignorant of their race. They'll take offense if the ponies there know next to nothing about them.” Rainbow processed this information for a while. These dragons sounded like they meant business.“Alright, so when are we leaving? And what about Fluttershy and Spike?” “Rainbow…Celestia only requested for me. Only me. I think it would be best if you and everypony else stayed for when they woke up. I’ve already told AJ and Rarity what’s going on. I’m going to see Pinkie after this.” “What? But what if they attack? You won’t be safe!” “Rainbow, unless Fluttershy miraculously recovers the Elements are useless anyway.” “I’m coming with you, Twilight. End of story.” “Rainbow! Aren’t you supposed to represent loyalty? Fluttershy will need you!” “I AM being loyal. You’re my friend too! Besides, she’ll still have the others, right? I’m sure Pinkie alone would be enough to cheer her up. I know you were raised in Canterlot Twilight, but I don’t think this is something that you’ve handled before!” Rainbow’s chest heaved from heavy breathing. She couldn’t handle the thought of Twilight being helpless in front of those three ferocious beasts. She had kicked a dragon in the nose before, and immediately regretted it. Twilight looked back at her, eyes searching for the reason she had reacted so strongly. Eventually, the unicorn admitted defeat. “Alright Rainbow Dash. Pack your things. It didn’t say how long we were staying for. I’m going to see Pinkie. Meet you at the train station in half an hour, okay?” “Sure thing, Twi.” As Twilight began to concentrate into her horn again, she stopped. “Hey, Rainbow…thanks for last night. It really helped me.” Rainbow struggled to keep the red from her face as Twilight vanished again into thin air. ~~~ Cadence had always been an oddity within society. She possessed the properties of an alicorn, despite being born to a regular unicorn mother and father. Throughout her childhood, she had received many mixed reactions of adoration, reproachfulness, love, and even hate. It was by coincidence that she met Twilight, and through her, Shining Armour. She had been crowned the title of ‘princess’ for her alicorn properties, as well as her marriage to Shining, though she lacked the magical power of Celestia or Luna. She found it strange, then, that she was running around amongst the royalty of Canterlot, organising a political meeting of two races. Here and there, arguments broke out over what colour the drapes should be, what food should be served, even if the shrubs should be pruned to look like caricatures of a miniature dragons. While her magic lacked power, it had one unique property to spread feelings of harmony and love to whomever she willed it to. This was mainly the reason people feared her, the power to tamper with love was no small feat, but Cadence had never used it for anything but good. She used this power now to resolve the petty squabbles that plagued the castle. By the time night had set, Cadence felt too drained to feel anxious about tomorrow’s results. She quietly walked back to the East Wing through the garden. As she walked she passed by the place Shining had proposed to her. The sun had just been setting, and the light caught the diamond perfectly, reflecting in its facets all the feelings that Shining felt for her, and that she felt for him. It was almost like a fairytale, how perfectly she remembered every little detail of those few seconds. She was snapped out of her daydream as Celestia passed her in the hall. She looked as tired as Cadence, but the almighty regal air that she always carried was palpable in the atmosphere around her. “Princess Celestia,” Cadence addressed as she sank into a bow. “For the last time, Cadence. Luna and I keep telling you to treat us as friends, not as your seniors. You possess the title of ‘princess’, same as I.” “I apologise, Prin-” Cadence cut herself off. “Sorry, Celestia. But I don’t consider myself a princess. I don’t possess the magical power of you or Luna, and I don’t know how to lead ponies.” “You possess a strength of heart that I have seen in very few ponies in my time. That is really saying something, Cadence. Never forget that. The power of love that you possess is not to be trifled with, as you demonstrated with the Changelings. Being a leader is not all about might.” Cadence only stared back at Celestia dumbfounded. “Th-thank you…” Celestia smiled. “No problem. Go back to your room, we have a tremendous day awaiting us.” Cadence quickly flew off to her room. It had always unsettled her, how easily Celestia could see into other pony’s thoughts, without magic or trickery. She simply understood ponies. By the time she reached the East Wing, Celestia’s words had awoken a new energy in her. She opened the door to see Shining sprawled across an armchair. His snores were rumbling through the room. Laughing, Cadence ran up and jumped into her husband’s lap. “Hey. Wake. Up.” She accentuated each word with a kiss. “Ugh…you seem pretty energetic for someone who just put up with royalty.” “Not all members of royalty are snobs, Shining,” Cadence giggled. “I know,” Shining said as he returned a kiss. “By the way, I have a surprise for you.” “I didn’t mean me, Shiny. And what surprise?” Cadence heard the door open behind her. In entered Twilight, as well as her rainbow maned friend. “TWILIGHT!” Cadence leapt off Shining and ran up to the welcome familiar figure. “Cadence!” Twilight also laughed as Cadence drew close. “Sunshine, sunshine. Ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!” The pair fell into an uncontrollable laughing fit, as if their greeting was the best comedy routine known to pony ears. “Nice timing, Twili,” Shining laughed as he walked up to the pair of mares, who were now reduced to tears rolling on the floor. “You guys okay there?” “Are they hyperventilating or laughing? I can’t tell,” the cyan-hued pegasus joked. “Could you get a paper bag, please? They’re in the kitchen,” Shining returned the jest. “Twili, seriously. Some introductions are in order.” “Ahaha…haha…ha…” Twilight eventually managed to hold in her laughs and regulate her breathing pattern. “Sorry. This is my friend Rainbow Dash. She was the one who performed the Rainboom at your ceremony.” “Pleasure to meet you officially, Rainbow Dash.” Cadence had also managed to remember how to act civilised. “Yeah, nice to meet you too. You guys got anything to eat? I’m starved.” “Rainbow! At least ask politely!” Twilight scolded. Her motherly instinct from years of looking after Spike had kicked in. “It’s okay, Twili. I’ve already asked for a full meal from the castle kitchens. It should be arriving soon.” “You guys have room service here? That’s. Awesome.” Rainbow’s mouth was gaping. “Wait until you see the actual food,” Cadence laughed. “You guys can settle in the spare room over there, and we all have to be at the West Wall at dawn tomorrow for the envoy.” No more mention of the envoy was given for the rest of the night. Twilight and Rainbow settled in the spare room and unpacked their belongings. By the time they had finished that task, the food had arrived. It was delicious, and as the group ate, they felt the hearty effect that only a good meal with friends could give. The worries of tomorrow were forgotten, and the group rested well that night. ~~~ Celestia stood on her balcony, eyes riveted to the East where she would be raising the Sun. She concentrated her power into her horn, and felt a tremendous surge of ancient power flow from the tip. The warmth of the first rays of dawn hit her, and she knew that the sun had been launched into motion. She walked over to the opposite balcony, where Luna was concentrating on lowering the moon. Over the horizon, she spotted three specks looming closer. “It has begun, sister.” “Oh don’t use that cliché way of speaking, Tia. Makes me feel like somepony is about fulfill a long lost destiny or something,” Luna retorted. Ever since Luna’s episode on Nightmare Night, she had taken to learning how to speak like a modern pony. A task Celestia thought her sister took on with unnecessary gusto. It had worked a bit too well. “Luna, you do understand the importance of your behaviour today, don’t you?” Celestia questioned. “Yeah, I do. I may have been gone for a millennium, but this is something I’m good at.” The mention of Luna’s banishment stung Celestia. Though she felt it was necessary, it was Nightmare Moon that she had banished, not her beloved sister. “Sis…should we take them on the way we used to?” Celestia offered. Luna’s eyes widened as she understood what Celestia meant. She only nodded in agreement. It was not by might that the regal sisters had gained control of Equestria. When Discord was defeated, many races opted to inhabit the land, none wanting to share it. It was a game of words that resulted in the regal sisters ruling, not a battle of might. The ability they developed to think as one entity and relay thoughts to one another proved vital in outsmarting their adversaries. The pair stood facing each other, horns glowing yellow and blue. Their magic touched, and for the first time in a millennium light became dark, and dark became light. They walked as two ponies, but were one in thought. They teleported down to the West Wall. They saw a concentration of guardsponies around it, as well as Twilight Sparkle, Cadence, Shining Armour, and Rainbow Dash. The figures on the horizon were now distinguishable as mighty dragons. A piercing roar echoed through the sky, seeming to shake the air itself. The guardsponies stood their ground, unflinching. An intimidation technique. They are trying to unnerve us before meeting. The dragons were almost upon them, their shadows casting long strings of black against the morning sun. They stopped over the West Wall, wings flapping as they worked them to stay aloft. “We welcome you to Canterlot, esteemed guests.” The voice came from Celestia’s body. The largest of them, Ahtrax, looked to be around 20 meters tall, his wingspan double that. He was coloured a deep sea green. As he spoke, his voice sounded like the deep crackle of a roaring fire. “You are most gracious, Sun and Moon. To my left is Leethum, to my right Magna. We accept your hospitality.” Stating he is our guest, a challenge. If anything ill befalls him whilst he and his kin are here under our care, they will have justification to react how they want. “We should not expect anything less. Come, the Castle halls are prepared for your arrival.” It was Luna’s voice that spoke this time. The gate of the West Wall opened and the 3 dragons landed with a thud that shook the earth. As they walked through the streets, ponies crowded to the sides to make way for the almighty beings. The dragons looked down on the passersby with contempt. The procession of Ponies and Dragons neared the castle, and the draw gate lowered. The entrance hall had been draped in symbols emblematic of the Dragons. There was enough space throughout the halls of the Castle for them to walk through single file. At last, they had all arrived at the hall where the meeting was to be held. Ponies had spent the entire previous day clearing out the room that was normally reserved as the ballroom for the Grand Galloping Gala to transform it into an area worthy of the meeting of two powerful races. “You flatter us with your preparations, Sun and Moon.” “A gracious compliment. We had short time to prepare for your coming.” Around them, the high-ups of Canterlot crowded, watching in anticipation what events would unfold before them. “It is time we told you the reason of our coming, then. You are aware of the situation that currently befalls our race, are you not, Sun and Moon?” “We are, and our sympathies go out towards you.” “Sadly, your sympathies accomplish nothing. Our situation is dire. Would you care tell your people of what plagues us, so they may too understand?” A well-placed trap. If we refuse, he will anger. If we tell our subjects, they will gain more sympathy. We must prevent this from becoming a battle. “We will call upon our pupil, Twilight Sparkle, who is well read on the subject of your race for this task.” We can show we are flexible, as well as knowledgeable by calling upon her. However, they may assume we were lying about knowing ourselves. Twilight looked tense as she approached Celestia’s side. She was clearly afraid of inciting unnecessary friction. Celestia’s body placed a hoof over Twilight, and the jumpy unicorn seemed to relax. “Well…” Twilight began “I’m assuming you’re referring to the lineage of royal blood among your race.” “We are indeed, little one.” Twilight breathed a sigh of relief, she knew this subject well. She spoke clearly to the anxious ponies around her. “Dragons depend on the line of royal blood to rule their race, as we depend on Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. However, their dependency is literally on the blood of their leader. Few ponies know about this, but there exists a crystal that is the life source of all dragons. The glow of this crystal can only be maintained if it absorbs a few drops of the royal blood periodically.” A few ponies around them gasped. This was their idea of a blood sacrifice. Whispers of mixed sympathy and disgust were heard among the crowd, instantly silenced by a deep rumble from the throat of Leethum. It was then that the dragon spoke for the first time. “You put it very simply, little one, but what you said is true. You will also know that our King perished several centuries ago. The crystal is now dying, and with it, the race of Dragons.” “Many of you will have witnessed the Great Dragon Migration, as it is called in your tongue,” Magna also said. “The few thousands of Dragons you saw then are all that remains of our race.” “The King had but only one egg, which was lost on the day of his death. We have been unable to recover it, but have reason to believe that it is in your land of Equestria,” Ahtrax finished. Well played. They have gained the sympathy of our subjects. If we refuse them now, we shall look barbaric. “How is it that you came to lead your race, then?” Luna’s voice asked. “I am simply the strongest dragon that currently lives. I am still nothing compared to my fore bearers.” The dragons have changed over the past centuries. Humility is not an alien concept to them anymore. “You come here requesting permission to search our land for your king?” “Yes, and also to heed a warning. Those ponies that prevent us from reaching our goal will be met with force. You understand, do you not? For you are leaders yourselves.” “We are, but forgive us for saying so, we do not have your history of bloodshed and battle. Dare not use force against our subjects.” “You cannot deny our nature, Sun and Moon. We are a battle-loving race, and now my kin and me are battling to save our race. If an obstacle prevents a dragon from accomplishing their goal, that obstacle will be obliterated, with force and without fail. It is simply how we are.” “Not all dragons are like that!” The voice came from behind Twilight. Rainbow Dash was hovering next to her, nostrils flared. “How would you know anything of our race, insolent one?” Magna rumbled. “Our friend Spike is nothing like you! He wouldn’t just destroy something if he didn’t like it!” “Your temperament has gotten the better of you, Rainbow Dash.” Celestia’s voice was riddled with an undercurrent of anger. Rainbow realised the full extent of what she had said. It was too late to take it back now. “It seems that you have been keeping secrets, Sun and Moon,” Ahtrax’s voice was close to a roar. “We will be seeing this ‘Spike,’ and should you prevent it, we will rain fire.” ~~~ Fluttershy opened her eyes to be met with a blurry haze. Next to her, she could hear several ponies speaking. She couldn’t understand what they were saying, the words all mixed into a slurry hum. As she lay there the events that landed her in the hospital returned to her head in a blaze. She didn’t feel any anger, or sadness, only numbness. Her hearing returned, and she recognised the voices that surrounded her. “Oh my gosh! She’s opening her eyes! Ohh, I need to get started on organising a ‘welcome back’ party! That doesn’t sound right. A ‘get well soon’ party?” “Pinkie, dear. Not the appropriate time.” “Pinkie, maybe take it down a smidge? I don’t think she’ll be in any right shape to party anytime soon, anyway.” The familiar voices of her friends gave her courage. Painfully, she raised her hooves and rubbed her eyes. Her vision became clearer, and she could now define the figures floating above. Rarity was sitting to her left. AJ and Pinkie both on her right. All three of them were tearing up somewhat. “Morning, everypony.” Fluttershy gave a weak attempt at humour, despite her throat being raspy and dry. “How are you feeling, dear?” Fluttershy could only produce a raspy breath this time. AJ left and returned with a glass of water. She tipped a little down Fluttershy’s throat, it helped immensely. “Where are all my little friends?” Fluttershy asked worriedly. “I’ve been taking care of them, with Applebloom helping,” AJ replied. “Oh…okay…where’s Twilight or Rainbow? Or Spike?” “Twilight and Rainbow were called to Canterlot for some royal business. Spike was…also hospitalised. Nothing serious, however. He’s not under any medication anymore. The little darling is resting in the next room.” It was Rarity that answered this time. Fluttershy longed to ask exactly why Spike needed to be there, or why Twilight and Rainbow were in Canterlot, but her voice had failed her again. She fell into a sleep once more. It was dark when she woke, and her friends had already left. She could hear Spike resting fitfully through the wall. She also heard the clop of hooves. The nurses must be looking at him, she thought. All of a sudden, his voice cried out before being muffled. The sound of hooves quickened, and she heard the sound of a window being drawn open. Panicking, Fluttershy hauled herself out of the hospital bed. The burnt skin stretched painfully as she struggled to make it to the next room. She reached it only in time to witness a huge winged figure disappear into the night sky, leaving behind an empty bed.