//------------------------------//
// Lost 
// Story: The Missing Link 
// by FlareGun45 
//------------------------------//

Spike and Smolder eventually went back to Smolder's dorm room so they could talk. They each shared a drink of hot sauce. Spike playfully said, "You know, hot sauce is really spicy for ponies, but to us dragons, it's just tomato juice!" He chuckled.

"Spare me your snarkiness, Spike. Just tell me what you want to know." Smolder demanded.

"Every creature is worried about you Smolder." Spike said. "You haven't shown up to any of your classes. You've been avoiding contact with your friends, and even declined help from Twilight. Is everything okay?"

"I'm fine, I tell you!" Smolder yelled defensively. "What is this, 20 questions or something?"

"Uhh, I only asked you one question." Spike corrected her.

"And that's the only one you'll give me." Smolder sulked. "Now please, Spike, I would rather be alone right now."

"I know, and I'm really sorry to bother you." Spike said as he patted her knee.

"Don't touch me!" Smolder demanded.

"I just want to help you!" Spike yelled. "I hate seeing my friends sad, alright? I will not give up until I know how to help you."

"Look, you wouldn't understand, okay?" Smolder said. "I lost someone very dear to me."

"Really? Who?" Spike asked.

Smolder sighed and said calmly, "When I was a baby dragon living in the Dragon Lands, I was being picked on by my brother. I wasn't always the tough dragon you know now. I had to rely on mom and dad just to keep me safe. Well... them and... my little brother or sister."

"Brother or sister?" Spike asked.

"I had no clue." Smolder said. "It was just an egg. I was so happy when I saw that egg for the first time in that nest! I was going to have a little brother or sister! I wanted to be a better big sister than how my older brother was to me. I wanted to be the best big sister that I could possibly be! But then, we were under attack by an army of centaurs. We were all in panic! I was lost in the commotion, trying to find my family, but luckily for me, I was picked up by my dad! The four of us were safe and sound in the nearby caves as the army ran by outside. I thought we were all safe, until my mom asked where the egg was. Dad didn't know, my brother didn't know, and I had no clue either!"

"So what happened?" Spike asked.

"I'd get to it if you'd stop interrupting!" Smolder informed him. "We went back outside when the heat died down, and when we returned to the nest," Smolder began to whimper and tears came out of her eyes, "our egg... our... my... little brother or sister, still not hatched yet... was gone. My little... my little guy.... the one I knew would help me become the big sister I always wanted to be.... and now I'll never have the chance to actually be one." Smolder started to sob, and Spike started to feel really bad. He went over to her and gave her a hug.

"Smolder, I am so sorry." Spike said.

"No you're not. You wouldn't understand." Smolder said.

"Actually, I kinda do." Spike said. "I never knew my real family. I've always been with Twilight all my life. She hatched me, she raised me. She was the only family I've ever had. I never knew who mine was."

Smolder sniffled and said, "I'm sorry... it must be really hard for you too."

"A little." Spike admitted. "I was very content with the family I have now. Twilight, Shining Armor, their parents... they raised me as their own. I was very happy with them. However, there are days that I would want to know how my life would've been if I was with my dragon family." Just then, an idea popped up in his head. Spike felt very uneasy, and quite confused, but he really felt that he needed to do what he needed to do.

"OW!" Smolder yelled. "Are you KIDDING me?! I opened up to you, and you pull off one of my scales?!"

"I'm sorry, but I have a theory." Spike said. "It sounds a bit far-fetched, but I just want to make sure. I'll see you later, Smolder." Spike quickly ran off with a big grin on his face, as Smolder felt very insulted.

"Yeah, thanks for everything, Spike! You were BIG help!" Smolder yelled sarcastically. She then slammed her face in her pillow and continued to weep.