//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: Spike’s True Secret // by jw278 //------------------------------// As everyone made their way into the room, the white light died down. Looking round the room, it looked like a study room. A massive study room right about the size of Canterlot Library, with bookshelves all around. Twilight couldn't be happier and felt right at home, as they made there way further into the room. Luna and Celestia could see dragon lilies in vases all around. "It makes sense" Luna said, "Dragon lilies were always our mother's favorite flowers. She always had a soft loving smile on her face everytime she looked at them. I asked her once why she liked them so much when I was a filly and she told me that they always reminded her of someone important to her, though she never would tell me who. It's one of the reasons me and my sister make sure to have fresh dragon lilies throughout Canterlot Castle." As the doors began to close a voice spoke, "Welcome, every creature," making everyone look ahead. Spike saw the doors begining to close and had no choice but to go in. Luckily for him, everyone was to busy looking at what was going on in front of them to notice him, so he took the chance to dive behind a bookcase and stay hidden. "What? how can someone be in here if the doors have been sealed for so long?" Twilight asked while looking for the creature that spoke. "Hehehe, that's quite easy to explain, Princess of Friendship." said another voice. By this point, everyone was looking around them for the voices they could hear but could seen nothing. Then another voice said, "The promise has been kept. The fact that they stand before for us is proof." "I've got it," shouted Pinkie Pie, making everyone turn to look at her. "This is a game of hide and seek, right? Hehehe. I'm really good at this game, so you better watch out." "Pinkie, this ain't no game," Applejack said while still looking around for the voices. The only response Pinkie let out was a "Aww, thats a shame." "Hahaha, I like her. She's funny." said another voice. "Enough," shouted Celestia. "We have all gathered here as promised because of the threat of Grogar's return. As one of the rulers of Equestria, I demand that you show yourselves." "Oh, you demand do you, my little pony?" said a another voice. "Though I guess the fact that the door has been opened, we should take this a bit more serious. For if he is returning then we have little time to act." "Indeed, you are quite right." said another voice, "Let's introduce ourselves then shall we?" And with that, a blinding light shown throughout the room making everyone cover their eyes. When the light died down, everyone looked on in shock at who was standing in front of them. "Sis... sister, ho...how is this possible?" said Luna clearly shaken by what she was seeing. "I... I don't understand," said Celestia, just as shaken as Luna. The figures took a step into the light as one of them spoke. "Hello, my little fillies, it's been a long time hasn't it." Celestia and Luna both took a step forward and on the verge of crying, all they could say was one word. "Mother!!!" The Two Sisters, Celestia and Luna were hugging their mother while sobbing their hearts out as everyone else watched on, unable to understand what was happening. Here they all were face to face with the first six rulers of Yaks, Dragons, Hippogriffs, Changelings, Griffons and Ponies. "You're Dragon Lord Scintilla," said Garble with his mouth open in disbelief. "But you're so small, the same size as those pony princesses. I always thought from the stories that you were bigger than the mountains?" "Garble!!!" Ember shouted as she knelt before the First Dragon Lord. "Please forgive his manners, Dragon Lord Scintilla. To think I would be able to meet you is like a dream come true and the greatest of honours. Oh, please forgive my rudeness also for not introducing myself. I am Ember curr-" "I know who you are, little one. You are Ember, daughter of Torch and ruler of dragons," Scintilla said interrupting Ember. "In answer to the youngling's question on why I appear to be so small as he put it, is simple. You know when you are an adult dragon you learn to control your size and can be any size you wish? While most like your father Torch choose to be big, I choose to be the same size as the other rulers of old. See? Simple." "Besides younglin," Scintilla said as she turns to look at Garble, "I thought you of all dragons should of learned by now size isn't everything. Or did the fact that the baby dragon named Spike not teach you that lesson well enough when he beat you in the gauntlet of fire?" Scintilla said with a grin on her face. "Ho.. how do you know about that?" Garble said with a confused look on his face. "When you all unlocked the doors to this chamber, it brought the six of us all up to-date on the things that have happened in this world since our time. Put simply, we saw the memories of all that opened the door," answered Scintilla. "Indeed" said Mirage looking at Thorax as he was looking at her with confusion, so she asked, "What seems to be troubling you Thorax, leader of the Changelings?" "Oh sorry, I didn't mean to stare. It's just that, you look like me." This caused Mirage to look at him with her own confused look before he went on. "What I mean is you look like how Changeling look now, but if you were the First Changeling ruler shouldn't you look like Chrysalis?" Hearing what Thorax just said made her giggle as she shook her head and said, "No Thorax, Changelings always looked like this. However, due to the one you call Chrysalis's cold heart and uncaring nature, the Changelings under her rule changed to match her cold heart. But it pleases me to know that the Changelings have returned to the caring creatures they were." She said this with a warm smile making Thorax blush a bit and look at the floor as he said, "It is not me that should take the credit for this but my friends. They showed me the way. None more than my best friend, Spike, though he isn't here at the moment. He stood by my side and showed everyone that Changelings could be good. I owe him everything." Garble just huffed at hearing what Thorax was saying causing the six mare to just stare at him before Twilight spoke up. "I don't believe this. It's like meeting Starswirl the Bearded and Pillars of Old Equestria, but like a million times better. I mean you are the first six rulers of our races. It's just to much. I have so many things I want to ask. I don't even know where to start." This made the old rulers giggle as they listened to her before Mist said, "I'm sure there are many things you would like to ask. But first, Princess of Friendship and Elements of Harmony, on behalf of the six of us here I thank you for all the good you have brought to this world." She then looks at Queen Novo and continued. "It is truly a great feeling to know that you are once again able to be in the sun, Novo." Queen Novo lowered her head and said, "Indeed, the Princes of Friendship and her friends have done much for all of us here." This made Twilight and the girls go a bit red in the face before Twilight said, "Please, there's no need for all the thanks. We were just doing what we had to. And besides, it was the right thing to do after all." "Hmmm, well said, Twilight. Although it saddens me to know the Griffons are without a true leader, it brings this griffon great joy to see the young once again stand with pride next to their friends," Grover said while looking at Gilda with a smile. She blushes and looks at the floor in embarrassment. "Yes, I to am pleased to know that the Yaks have come to be friends with you all. You bring great pride to the name of the Yaks, Prince Rutherford," said Ulysses as he looked at the Yak Prince. "Wait just a minute!!!" Pinkie said as she shot over to Ulysses, "If you are a Yak, how come you can speak like everyone else and not like Rutherford and the other Yaks?" the Pink mare asked staring at the former King of the Yaks. "Yaks speak like this, cuz Yaks are best at speaking, pink pony," Ulysses answered in the same manner as Prince Rutherford before letting out a giggle and said, "It's just how they like to talk because they think it makes them sound stronger," as he looks at the now red faced Prince Rutherford. Pinkie just smiled and nodded. "I'm sure there are many things you would all like to ask us, however I think it best just to tell you all about how we came to be here in this room and about Grogar. For that is the reason we are all here," said Lilith as she walked over to stand next to everyone else with Celestia and Luna on either side of her, Luna still wiping the tears from her face as they did. "Hmmm, I don't know, Lilith. It's a pretty long story. Maybe just the watered-down version might best. Otherwise we'll be here forever," said Scintilla letting out a little giggle. "Yes, I guess you're right," said Lilith as she smiled at Scintilla. "Best get comfy everyone. Even the watered-down version is gonna take awhile," she said as she walked over to a vase of dragon lilies on a table and gave them a stiff. When she turned back around she saw everyone sitting on some cushions waiting for her to begin. As she walked over to sit besides the other old rulers, she said, "Like most fairy tale stories, this one doesn't have a good beginning. I guess it all really started when we were little children ourselves. You see back then, these lands and our races were ruled over by Grogar or as he liked to call himself Emperor Grogar." "What!?!" shouted Twilight in disbelief, as everyone was now looking at her, she went quiet and whispered, "sorry". "It's alright, little one. However, it would help if I can tell our story without having to keep stopping as there will be many things I have to say that will most likey shock you," Lilith said with a warm smile as everyone nodded in understanding and agreement. "Like I was saying, these lands were ruled over by Grogar; a ram of great sorcery and magic. We ourselves do not know how this came to be. We only knew that as a fact. I'm sure some tried to stand against him in the past, but that was before even our time. He ruled over all and delighted in seeing others suffer. He was truly the definition of the word monster." "Hmmm, I think the word monster was created because of him," said Scintilla snorting out a puff of smoke from her nostrils. "Yes quite, but please Scintilla, I did say no interrupting. That goes for you as well," Lilith said as she let out a little giggle as everyone else tried not to laugh at the First Dragon Lord being scolded for interrupting the story. "Back when we we kids, it wasn't uncommon for the six races to live together in small villages, much like your village of Ponyville. I guess it just made it easier for Grogar's gargoyle henchmen to keep an eye on us. We were little more that slaves to do his bidding. He even used to make creatures fight one another to the death in his arena for his entertainment. Truly a sick minded creature. We never had much in those days, but we had each other and watched each others backs," she said with a smile as she looked at the smiles on the other five rulers faces. "One day, the six of us were playing on the outskirts of our village, near the forest entrance when we saw the smoke and heard the screams from the village. The closer we got, the more we saw our homes were destroyed and as we ran round trying to find our families and friends all we saw were bodies. So many bodies. We found our families among them," Lilith said as she looked down at the floor with tears begging to form. Just then, the other five embraced her in a group hug, one which she happily returned. They broke their embrace and Lilith looked to her two daughters and the others with a sad smile before she went on. "Forgive me everyone. It's been a long time since we spoke to anyone about that day," she said as everyone around her just gave her a sad smile or a sympathetic nod of understanding. "I tell you all this because though that day was indeed the worst day of our lives, it was also the start of our new lives." Rarity raised her hoof and asked, "Forgive me for interrupting, Your Majesty, but how could such a day be the start of your lifes?" The six old rulers giggled at the question and Lilith said, "It will become clear as the story goes on, Rarity, Element of Generosity and please just Lilith will be fine." She smiled at Rarity making her blush a little and nod. "Now where was I? Oh yes. As we sat there not knowing what to do and crying, I guess some of Grogar's gargoyles hadn't left the village yet and found us. As we tried to run away one of them grabbed me. I thought my life was over then and there. However, the oldest dragon in our village named Draco saved me. We were so happy someone else was alive. It meant we weren't alone in this world. Draco was a bit of a loner. He never really got on with anyone in the village. In fact, the kids used to call him Draco the cranky dragon as no one ever saw him smile or ever really talk to anyone." "I'll never forget his words on that day," said Scintilla. "As we sat there with Draco in front of us and more gargoyles coming straight at us, the silly old dragon charged straight for them screaming, 'You have taken everything from us but I swear by my honor as a dragon you will not have them! You will not have anymore of my treasure!!!' he roared," said Scintilla now with a sad face. Mirage put a hoof on Scintilla's shoulder and gave a weak smile to her, and continued where Scintilla had stopped. "We sat there for a minute in shock. Here was the oldest dragon in our village, a creature who went out of his way to stay away from everyone, never hiding the fact he hated the villagers, smashing gargoyles left and right for us. As more and more gargoyles came, we didn't know what to do, I mean what could we do? We were kids. We couldn't fight. Draco must of known his time was coming to an end as he started to slow down. He looked back at us and told us to run. Run into the forest and don't stop no matter what and then he just smiled at us." "We did the only thing we could," said Scintilla. "We ran, we ran as hard and as fast as we could to the forest never looking back with tears in our eyes. The last thing we heard from behind us was the laughter of an old dragon and his last words, 'I protected my treasure till the end.'" "He was a true dragon," said Mist. "With his words still ringing in our ears, we ran into the forest not looking back. We didn't even know if the gargoyles were still chasing us, but we never stopped. We ran further and further into the forest for what felt like hours- days even until we couldn't run anymore. We eventually collapsed from exhaustion. We must of passed out or something cuz when we woke up we were in his home." "Though we didn't know it at the time," Lilith said with a giggle. "But then we did wake up to a small fire lighting the room and food in front of us and that's when we heard a voice from the shadows saying, 'For six creatures as small as you to come so far into the forest, you must be hungry. Eat and rest. We will talk more once you have done so.'" "Some of us didn't even hesitate and just dove right in," Mirage said with a giggle. "Well, excuse me, but I was hungry and besides I was a growing Yak," answered Ulysses folding his hoofs, trying to be all serious but the grin on his face betraying his intent made the other four giggle along with Mirage. "Yes, well after we ate, must have slept for a whole day. At least that what it felt like. I guess we were more tired that we thought," Lilith siad. "I guess after we were feeling a bit better the voice from the shadows stepped into the light. He must of been watching over us as we slept. Of course, that didn't stop a certain dragon from jumping in front of us all and trying to set him on fire the moment he did. Now did it?" She giggled. "Hey what you expect after everything we just went through? I wasn't just gonna do nothing," said Scintilla, folding her arms in fake annoyance as Lilith's giggles died down. "He asked why we were so far into the forest and away from our homes," Lilith continued. "After a few minutes of silence, we told him what had happened. As we sat there looking at each other and to the ground, we waited to hear what he was going to say. We were all caught off guard of what he did next though. He pulled us all into a hug and held us close and whispered, 'It's ok. You don't have to hold back. Let it out. You're safe now. You will always be safe here. I promise.'" "With those words, one after the other, we cried our hearts out into the chest of a creature who we didn't even know over the loss of our families, friends, all that we had known. And yet those eyes, such gentle, caring eyes, they were so warm and kind. It was like a great weight was being lifted off our shoulders with each tear we cried. For the first time since it all started we truly felt safe," she said with a warm smile on her face. "Of course, we were now all orphans with nowhere to go and no family to speak of. So after a few weeks of being there, we all decided to take him up on his offer to stay. The look on his face was priceless." The six of them giggling at the memory. "He said that he didn't mean for us to live with him, but rather to stay until we were better to move on. So we kindly reminded him of his promise to keep us safe. That soon shut him up," Lilith said with another giggle. "We won't bore you with the details as they are not important at this moment in time, but needless to say, we ended up staying with him and over the years we grew bigger, stronger and more powerful." "Some even becoming alicorn's," said Mist with a smirk. "Yes, yes, I became an alicorn. Thank you very much, Mist. Anyway like I was saying, as the years went on, we grew. The forest became our training ground for the lessons he would teach us or I guess more like our playground." She giggled and went on. "Over the years, we grew, we became more than friends. Even closer than best friends. We who had lost everything had stood back up and built our own family and he became our father." Grover let out a laugh and said, "I still remember the first time you called him that, Lilith. He asked you to pass him the bowl next to you on the table and you just naturally passed it over and was like, here you go, Father." Grover giggled at his failed attempt to impersonate her. He then took on a more sad looking smile and said, "Truth be told, in that moment, I was so scared. It felt like the day we lost everything again. I thought it was going to end there and then, but I should of know better. He just took the bowl off you and smiled with those same caring gentle eyes of his then said that we should go wash up and go to bed. As we have an early start in the morning. I remember as each one of us passed him, he hugged us good night and kissed our foreheads, he turned to start clearing up the dishes off the table from dinner and said 'dream happy dreams, my children,' for me that was the first time I knew we had truly become a family." Grover said now with a warm smile on his face. "Indeed dear brother. I'm sure we all felt as you did on that day," Mirage said placing a hoof on his shoulder and gave him a happy smile before saying, "We had found a family and a home to call our own on that day. So Rarity, do you see now how that tragic day also became the start of our lives? It was the start of our family, though we didn't know it at the time. We would later learn as time went on, that when our father said we would always be safe here, what he meant was because of his magic the forest couldn't be infiltrated by Grogar or his gargoyle henchmen. If they were to try, they would end up back at the entrance they came in at. Which is why I'm guessing we were taught as children to never go into the forest. Grogar must of know this fact and didn't want anyone to know there was a place he could not reach them. He made sure to give all creatures he ruled over an example of what would happen to any that would try to enter the forest by killing the few crazy enough to try." ************ Meanwhile, a black portal begins to open and red glowing eyes appear in the darkness followed by an evil laugh. "HAHAHAHA!!!!" "After all this time, I'm finally free. It's time to take back what was once mine. You will suffer greatly for taking what belongs to me. Oh yes, you will suffer."