It was a beautiful sunny day as Twilight flew through the air with Spike riding on her back. The two were heading to the Dragonlands to pay Princess Ember a visit and tell her about Spike's upcoming birthday in the next four days. Twilight was happy to go back to the land of fire breathing dragons, and this time without having to disguise herself in a dragon costume now that she and Princess Ember were now friends. Spike would usually be happy about going to the dragonlands but was in a rather bitter mood. He wanted to go by himself and take his time getting there, but Twilight insisted that she go with him.
"I'm sure I am more than capable to going to the dragonlands and paying a visit to Ember all by myself." Spike groaned to the Princess of Friendship. But Twilight just denied what he said and said that she was going with him.
"I have no doubt you can Spike, but your still a young dragon and it is a long way to go". Twilight declared. "Besides it's been awhile since I've been there and I wouldn't mind paying Ember a visit. Maybe she can give me a personal tour of her new palace!" Spike tried to reason with her and get her to not come, but no matter how much he argued with Twilight it was no use. He had been rather quiet on their trip and Twilight was beginning to worry about her friend.
"Spike are you okay?"
Spike didn't respond right away. He was still upset that Twilight just couldn't except the fact that he wasn't a baby dragon anymore and wouldn't let him travel to the dragonlands by himself.
"I'm fine." He mumbled.
"Are you sure? Is something bothering you?" She asked worriedly.
"I said I'm FINE!" Spike snapped. Twilight just couldn't figure out what was wrong with him, so she decided to not push him anymore.
"Okay, if you say you're fine then I believe you." Spike just rolled his eyes and sighed as quietly as he could.
Soon the dragonlands could be seen from above, and Twilight began to make her descent. They landed in front of the massive palace that looked like it had been crafted with some of the most rarest and most commonly used gems in all of Equestria. This was Ember's new palace. In front of the entrance way were two rather tall dragons both wearing a suit of armor. As Twilight and the rather grumpy Spike approached the entrance, the two armored dragons blocked their path.
"Who goes there? The princess isn't expecting any visitors today! State your business!" The first dragon boomed to the unfamiliar visitors. Twilight smiled and tried her best to sound as professional as possible.
"I am Princess Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship and this is Spike the friendship ambassador to the Dragons. We have come to pay Princess Ember a visit." She finished. The dragons were not familiar with what the princess of friendship looked like, but they did recognize the friendship ambassador Spike.
"How do we know if you really are Twilight Sparkle? You could be an imposter!" The second dragon guard mentioned with a serious voice. "Friendship ambassador Spike, is this pony really the Princess of Friendship?"
The young drake who had been rather quiet the whole time didn't even look at the two guards when they asked him the question.
"Oh, she sure is alright." He declared with a rather annoyed tone, while getting a glare from Twilight. The two guards then looked at each other and began to whisper among themselves, and after a few seconds returned their gazes to the purple alicorn and the purple dragon.
"Okay if you say so Spike. But we will both accompany you to see Princess Ember considering we still don't know for sure if that is in fact Princess Twilight Sparkle"! The two armored dragons declared. Twilight huffed to herself and roller her eyes. Spike just shrugged and proceeded to walk with them into the palace. They soon passed through the large hallway until they entered the large throne room where Ember was sitting on her throne.
"Princess Ember, you have some guests that are here to see you!" The dragon guard announced loudly. Ember was sitting on her throne which was in fact a rather large pile of different colored gems that matched the palace and some gold treasure mixed in. The dragon lord then quickly hopped off the top of the pile and slid her way to the bottom in front of her two guests.
"Twilight! Spike! How nice to see you two, it's been far too long!" Ember said excitingly. The two guards were surprised to see that the pony they thought had been an imposter was the real Twilight after all. They both bowed before their princess and looked at the Alicorn princess.
"We're sorry if we caused you to much trouble. We just didn't know for sure that that was really you!" The second armored guard apologized. Twilight just chuckled and accepted their apologies. Ember then told them that they were dismissed and that they were no longer needed at the moment. They then stood back up and proceeded to walk back outside.
"Sorry about that, they're both pretty new and have not seen you before. But I'm sure they won't make that mistake again." Ember chipped in. Twilight giggled and then smiled at her other dragon friend.
"It's fine really. No harm done!"
Ember then looked over at her purple dragon friend who to her appeared more quiet than usual.
"Hey Spike! Long time no see!" Spike looked over at her and gave her a small wave.
"Hey Ember." He said quietly.
"How have you been? What can I do for you two?"
Twilight looked over at Spike and gave him a nudge.
"Spike. Aren't you going to tell Ember why we are here?"
Spike then sighed and approached his dragon friend.
"I..."
"WE!" Twilight budged in. Spike growled slightly and let a little smoke escape from his nostrils.
"We! We were wondering if you can make it to my birthday party in four days?" He finished. Ember looked at her friend and grinned.
"Of course Spike! I wouldn't miss it for the world!" Where is it going to be? Is it going to be at the castle?" She asked. Twilight then shook her head.
"No we are going to have the party at the community hall this time. The mayor is letting us use the banquet hall for the event." She declared.
"Okay that's cool." Ember said. "Now since you two are here, do you guys want a tour of my new palace?"
Twilight knew it was an offer that she just couldn't pass up and immediately agreed. Spike on the other hand decided to not join them and declined the offer.
"No thanks, I am just going to go for a walk around outside".
Spike then made his way out of the throne room and shut the door. Ember was put off by how much Spike was acting so differently. She knew that Spike was always a very kind and happy dragon but this was different from what she was used to.
"What's wrong with Spike? I've never seen him like this before!" Ember mentioned. Twilight just looked at her hooves and sighed.
"I wish I knew. I have been trying to figure out the problem but he won't talk to me about it!" She admitted. Ember felt bad for her and then put an arm around her shoulder.
"Maybe I can try and talk to him, after I give you a tour of my palace first!" She grinned. Twilight gave a small smile and nodded. Maybe talking with another dragon would help him get out of his funk. They then walked out of the throne room to begin the tour.
Meanwhile Spike had been walking around and was thinking to himself. He had been so occupied with all the things going on in his head that he had completely drifted away from the palace and was making his way to where the other dragons lived. When he arrived he watched as all the other dragons were doing their own things. Some were sleeping, some were flying overhead and some were even bathing in the large pool of lava. To Spike watching them do their different routines made him slightly jealous. They were doing whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted and no pony or dragon was telling them what to do. Spike then decided to join with the dragons who were having a lava bath right by a group of teenage dragons who appeared to be having a contest of some sorts. As he got closer he could recognize one of the older dragons in the group, and that dragon was non other than Garble and his group of thugs.
From the first day that he met Garble, the two dragons just could not come to agree with each other and become equals. Garble always picked on Spike for living in Ponyville and being taken care of by ponies instead of being raised by dragons. And when Princess Ember became a loyal ally to Twilight and the other Princess's of Equestria he became more enraged. But as Spike got older he began to ignore the hateful comments that he would direct at him and just simply stayed out of his way. As Spike walked by the group of teenage dragons, Garble quickly noticed the familiar non resident dragon and quickly intercepted him by landing in front of him.
"Well well well, look who it is! The friendship ambassadork for the namby pamby pony Princess Twilight!" He exclaimed while laughing. His dragon friends whose names were Burgle, Impact, and Stryker joined in as well. The red dragon continued to laugh but when he looked back he noticed that Spike had simply walked away towards the lava pit. Garble growled and then flew back and cut the purple drake off.
"You've got a lot of nerve ignoring me like that!" He snapped, "you should show some respect around here pony lover!" His three dragon friends then chanted with agreement. Garble was expecting Spike to say something to defend himself but what he said surprised the teen dragon.
"Get out of my way Garble! I'm in a bad mood and I don't feel like talking to a uneducated pea brained idiot like you!" Spike declared in a lower agitated tone. Burgle and Impact quickly looked at the purple dragon with eyes as wide as saucers. Stryker had gasped and had his claw placed in front of his snout. Garble eyes went wide with anger and rage. He then stomped on the ground with his right foot hoping to scare Spike who appeared to not be fazed at all.
"What did you call me?" He asked while blowing smoke out of his nostrils.
"Are you deaf and dumb? Or do you have brimstone in your ears? I called you a uneducated pea brained idiot!" Spike repeated. The three thug dragons were now completely taken off guard. They liked to tease Spike as much as Garble but this was a side of him they had never seen before and were now completely shocked. Garble then let out a large growl and moved his face in front of Spike till their eyes were exactly at even level.
"You think you're so tough just because you've gotten bigger?" Garble asked broadly. "You may be taller and you're tail might be longer but you still don't have any wings! And that doesn't make you a true dragon!"
By now a large crowd of dragons was beginning to form around the group of teenagers. They wanted to see what the commotion was and hoping that a fight would break out. Spike continued his stare down with Garble and was trying hard not to lose his cool.
"And without wings, you'll be nothing but a pathetic, useless and wingless pony loving loser!" Garble ragged on. By now the anger was too much for Spike. Without any hesitation he quickly stepped back with his left foot and drove his right clenched fist directly to the unsuspecting Garble's snout. The red teenage dragon then flew backwards more than three feet until he landed on top of Stryker. A hush came around the crowd of older dragons as they looked at the purple dragon who had become wide eyed and was looking at his fist.
"Where did that come from?" He asked himself. He had never hit somepony of even some dragon before, and had never been in a fight before either. Garble was soon on his feet and was now fully enraged. He began to shoot thick dark smoke from his nostrils and he even let out a mighty roar. The crowd of dragons got excited and began to tightly form a circle around the two combatants.
"Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!" The crowd roared. Garble then lunged forward with the attempt to throw a fist of his own at Spike, but then failed due to the fact that Spike had ducked and moved over to the side. But predicting his move Garble then used his tail to knock Spike over and land on his rear. A chorus of laughs came from the ground as they looked down at Spike who then sprang back onto his feet, but then was knocked over again by Garble this time punching him back with his fist directly square against his chin. Spike felt the pain in his jaw surge through his face and quickly got back to his two feet and faced the angry red dragon.
"You gonna cry now?" Garble asked, "Is the pony loving dragon going to cry for his momma?" His three thug friends then began to laugh, as well as some of the other dragons that were there watching. Spike then smirked and clenched his fist again.
"What? Is that the best you got?" Spike ragged on which only infuriated Garble even more. This was Spike's very first fight, but considering the mood he was in, and the pain in his mouth didn't hurt that much he was ready to continue. "C'mon meat head, you want a piece of me? Give me your best shot!"
The crowd of dragons were now jeering and began chanting for the two dragons to continue the fight!
"Arrrggghhhhhhhh!" Garble growled loudly. "I've been waiting for this for a long time!"
"Well I'm right here! BRING IT ON!" Spike shouted at the top of his lungs. The crowd of dragons yelled excitingly and began to cheer on the two competitors. Spike prepared to throw another fist but Burgle and Impact held his arms and legs back so he couldn't move. He struggled to try and get the thugs off him but of no use, and then watched as Garble came charging in, his eyesight targeting his prey. Spike just closed his eyes and prepared for the worst but to his confusion it didn't come. When he opened his eyes he noticed that Garble was covered in a glowing purple aura. Twilight had flown in and stopped Garble right in his tracks. Then Princess Ember quickly flew down and landed in front of Spike.
"That's enough Garble!" Ember bellowed. "Leave Spike alone! You and your gang have done enough already".
"I didn't do anything, he started it!" Garble replied.
"You Liar!" Spike shouted. "He started it!"
"Stop it Spike!" Twilight snapped, "This fight ends now!"
"Why did you have to barge in?! I can take care of myself!"
"I SAID QUIET!" Twilight yelled. Spike growled then crossed his arms and looked away blowing a stream of smoke from his mouth.
"How many times have I told you to leave Spike alone!' Ember asked the stunned red dragon who had been released from his purple imprisonment. "You have a lot of nerve going after our friendship ambassador. You really will never learn!"
"Aw be quiet! I could care less about that namby pamby pony lover!" Garble scoffed, "It's not like I care about our agreement with the ponies, or do I think of you as my Princess! I can't accept that dragons and ponies are allies, it's just wrong on so many levels. The day is coming that I am going to overtake your throne and then I'm going to become the new dragon ruler and put those ponies in their places!" Then Ember quickly using her tail smacked Garble across the face and knocked him over, getting a gasp from the crowd of dragons, including his three thug friends and even one from Twilight.
"Know you're place, or I will make sure that you and your thugs are sent to the dungeon!" She sternly demanded. Garble then crossed his arms and let out a loud hiss. The crowd then thinned out as Twilight flew down and approached Spike. She tried to examine him but he quickly adverted her concerns and refused to be checked over. Twilight then let out a sigh.
"Let's go home Spike". Spike grunted and then stood up and began to walk away towards Twilight. But Garble decided to poke some fun at him once more.
"Looks like you still need your friends to fight for you and save you!" Garble teased. "Hey? You cowardly baby dragon!"
Then Spike's anger quickly boiled over to a point where he began to see red. He then charged towards the red dragon with fire escaping rapidly escaping from his mouth and screaming at the top of his lungs.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!"
But before he could get any closer he then suddenly blacked out and collapsed to the ground. Twilight had used a sleep spell on him and stopped him before anything worse could happen. Garble was surprised as he saw Spike go down in such a heap, he couldn't help but laugh.
"I stay correct! C'mon guys let's get out of here!" He demanded while flapping his wings. Stryker, Burgle and Impact then began to flap their wings, and then the four dragons took off into the air.
"One day Spike, you and me will have it out! One on one! And no pony or dragon will get in our way. Just you wait! This isn't over!!!" Garble shouted as loud as he could as he took off. Twilight frowned as the group took the sky. Ember roared and sent a stream of flames into the sky, but unfortunately missed the four getaways.
"I'm sorry Twilight." Ember apologized.
"Me too. I'm sorry for how Spike acted today." She responded. "I wish I knew what was wrong with him."
"Will he be okay?"
"Oh Yeah, it's just a harmless sleep spell. He'll wake up in about an hour and be completely fine."
"I'm sorry about Garble. The day will come when he finally accepts that ponies and dragons are allies and I'm sure his feud with Spike will end one day." Ember added. Twilight smiled and then looked at her dragon friend who was fast asleep.
"I can only hope so." Twilight agreed, "And you're still coming for his birthday party right?" Ember chuckled.
"Absolutely. Like I said, I wouldn't miss it for the world." Ember replied boldly.
Later on Twilight was flying back to Ponyville with Spike resting on her back. It didn't take long for the spell to wear off and he was now fully awake. Spike didn't say a word to Twilight the entire way back to the castle. When they finally arrived they were greeted by the others who were eager to know what happened.
"Hey you two, how was your trip to the dragonlands?" Rarity asked. Spike then hopped off of Twilight's back and still didn't say a word.
"The trip was fine."Twilight replied, "Ember gave me a tour of her new palace and we told her about Spike's upcoming birthday party and she agreed to come!"
"Yayyy!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. "This is going to be the best birthday party ever!"
"But what happn'd to Spike? He looks ah little scratched and banged up?" Applejack asked. But before Spike could give a reply Twilight cut him off.
"Spike got into a fight with Garble. Luckily Ember and I got there in time before it could get worse!" Twilight ranted. Spike just snorted and blew smoke.
"Oh. My!" Fluttershy winced. The thought of any ponies let alone dragons fighting scared her terribly.
"So who won?" Rainbow asked with curiosity.
"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight snapped.
"What? I just wanted to see who won that's all. By the looks of it, it didn't go well for Spike here!"
"SHUT UP!" Spike shouted and then pushed his way past the group of mares.
"Spike!" Starlight called, only to get no reply as Spike opened the castle door and slammed it shut till it started to crack some more. He then stormed his way to his bedroom and shut the door with a mighty bang! The noise echoing all throughout the castle.
Twilight and her friends were completely shocked by his sudden outburst of anger.
"What's his problem?" Rainbow Dash asked. Applejack then gave her friend a whack on the back of her head with her hoof, to which she winced out in pain with a yelp.
"Yeah, what's gotten into him darling?" Rarity asked. Twilight just let out a sad sigh and looked at her hooves.
"I don't know. But something is definitely bothering him!"
End of Chapter Two