//------------------------------// // The Dragon Attack // Story: Lagging Dragon // by PonyPixel //------------------------------// Garble scanned everything in his direction. Many of the ponies were confused to see an armored dragon flying over them, some of them kind of scared. At the school, Twilight was trying to find if there a slim chance there was a book about magical gems. She couldn't find anything about diamonds. "Hmm," she pondered. "Maybe I should double-check Canterlot's secret library." "Hey, principle Twilight," Smolder said as she walked in. "You know any other ways of getting memories back?" "I'm working at that. Just continue with your classes." The dragoness just shrugged as she walked back into the hall. "What Smolder doing?" Yona asked as she walked up to her friend. "Dragon Lord Ember lost her memories," Smolder explained. "I can't think of other ideas from another bonk on the head. Though, Spike said it was some magical gem." "So, normal ways won't work." The dragoness nodded. The two walked down the hall and talked until the yak noticed something red move by the window. They went get a closer look and saw it was Garble. "Gar-Gar, what are you doing here?" The drake didn't say anything, he just climbed through the window so he could get a closer looked at Smolder and Yona's uniforms. "What are you wearing?" he asked. "It's a school uniform. I think the skirts could be a little longer and I kind of wish I could have pants the boys' uniform..." "Take it off." "Now?" Her answer came from her brother reaching for her skirt. "Garble, stop it." "It's a disgrace to the Dragon Lands." "Wha...? What about your poetry?" "What are you talking about?" "Dragons need to calm down," Yona said as she was getting nervous. Garble grabbed the yak's horns and tossed her down the hall. "Yona!" Smolder cried. "Garble, what is wrong with you?" "Smolder!" Spike gasped as he flew around the corner. Garble looked towards the purple drake. "Oh, so little pipsqueak finally got some wings," scoffed. "Pipsqueak?" Then Spike remembered what Thorax told him. "Oh no." The second he saw Garble fly towards him, Spike made a run for it. The purple drake hid in the shower room where some of the students wear showering. "Sorry." The door behind him suddenly burned away to reveal Garble. Spike and the students raced out of the showers as the red drake chased the purple one down. Starlight and Rainbow Dash were walking down the hall when they saw the two dragons heading towards them. "Is that Smolder's brother?" Dash asked. "Yes. Help me!" Spike cried. The dragon hid behind the unicorn as the pegasus stood in Garble's way. "What are you doing here?" "Move out of the way," Garble ordered. Rainbow refused. "So, are you going to fight this time?" Dash cracked her knuckles and tried to punch the drake who just blocked her. As the pony and dragon fought Starlight and Spike hid behind the corner. "Why is Garble acting like this?" the unicorn asked. "It's the diamond," Spike said. "Thorax said the other dragons' memories were affected." Starlight looked towards Garble and promptly shot a beam at him that trapped the drake in a large crystal, except for his head. "What is this?" he asked. "Something to keep you in place until we can get answers." "Whatever, the other two will find me." "There are others?" Spike asked with Garble nodding. "Oh boy." Elsewhere, the tubby and bulky dragons were looking over the town. "Where the heck is she?" the tubby one asked. "I don't think she'll hear us," the bulky one said. "You think? Look, I don't want to tell the king we lost her." "What about that green dragon? He can change his shape. What if the blue one can do the same?" "Shut up. Why are even with me? He told us to split up." "I couldn't find them my way." The two kept flying around until they could hear some laughter. They looked and saw Ember and Thorax swimming around in the pond. "Found the..." "Shh." The two drakes hid behind a hill before the dragoness and changeling saw them, though they were unaware of them. "Are you having fun?" Thorax asked. "Yeah," Ember said. She dived under and swam behind the changeling and gave him a surprise hug. "Uh, how can she call herself Dragon Lord if she acts like this?" the tubby drake asked. "I don't know," the bulky one said. "Maybe it's a way to crush her enemies." "Like that, no way. Let's just capture them and find the drake." Ember looked like she was getting excited. "Can you change into other creatures?" she asked. The changeling nodded before turning into a stallion, seapony, griffon, and even an anthropomorphic bat. With his new form, his ears twitched as he overheard the drakes whispering to each other from over the hill. "Ember, I don't think we're alone," he said. The bat turned back into a changeling and walked over to where he heard the drakes. Once the drakes noticed that they were caught, they both tackled Thorax to the ground. The changeling turned into a minotaur and tossed the drakes off of him but they only went a few feet. While the bulky one fought the changeling the tubby one saw Ember trying to sneak away. Seeing the grin on his face, she tried to breathe fire at him but the drake breathed harder. The fire sent the dragoness falling on her back. She saw the drake about to tackle her and Ember quickly flew off. "Get back here!" the tubby dragon ordered. "Thorax, help!" she cried. The changeling tried to fly after his friend, but the bulky drake punched him to the ground. Ember fled from the tubby dragon chasing her down. Thorax couldn't get the bulky drake away from him. "Get out of my way," Thorax ordered. "Oh, what are you going to do?" the bulky one asked. The changeling replied by turning into a manticore and charging at the drake. Rainbow Dash and Spike flew nearby and the fighting creatures didn't notice them. "Okay, let's end this," Dash preparing to charge. "Hold it," Spike said holding Dash back by her tail. "The cave isn't far from here." He saw some gemstone lying by the pond and got an idea. The manticore Thorax keep slashing at the bulky dragon until he broke through his armor. The dragon tried breathing fire but the manticore turned into a griffon and flew up to dodge. The drake was about to give chase until he was hit in the head with something. He looked saw an emerald lying on the ground so he ate it. Then he saw a trail of gems stone. Not questioning where they came from, he followed the trail and ate every gemstone he came across. Spike tapped Thorax's shoulder and the griffon turned back into a changeling. "Follow me," the purple dragon said. "I have a plan." They flew ahead of the eating dragon and met Dash at the cave. Thorax helped move two large boulders into place as the bulky drake got closer. They hid and when he was in the cave, they pushed the boulders and trapped him inside. "Uh oh," the dragon sighed. "Alright, that takes care of him. But where's Ember?" Ember was trying her best to lose the dragon that was chasing her. She flew threw the streets of Ponyville surprising several of unlucky ponies that got in the way. "You can fly forever," the drake said as he closed in on her. "Somebody help me," the dragoness begged. Many of the ponies just got out of the way not wanting to get hurt from one of the dragons. Eventually, the drake grabbed Ember by her wing and they crashed the ground. "Finally." "Please, don't hurt me." The drake just laughed. "I can't believe your friend said that you were the Dragon Lord." He raised his claw into the air but before he could punch the frightened dragoness his fist got a blue glow around it. It suddenly smacked him before a beam trapped him in a giant crystal. "How dare you try and hit a lady," Rarity cried as she and Starlight walked over to them. Starlight levitated the trapped drake as the fashion pony look down at Ember before reaching out to her. "Are you alright, darling?" "I think so," Ember said as Rarity helped her up. "Where's Thorax." "My best guess," Starlight said, "He helped Dash and Spike help him capture the other dragon. Come on, let's just get you to Twilight's castle." And he teleported the unicorn, dragoness, and trapped drake away. Ember was in the throne room with Twilight, Rarity, and the two trapped drakes. Garble glared at them making the dragoness a little nervous. "It's okay, Ember," Twilight said, "They're not going to get out with some powerful magic." Starlight teleported back with Rainbow Dash, Spike, and the bulky dragon, who she trapped in a crystal prison. "I could've handled him," Dash said annoyed. "We're not risking it," Starlight stated placing the drake with the others. "Thorax," Ember cried flying up to the changeling. "I was worried about you." "Same to you," the changeling replied. "He didn't hurt you, did he?" "Just my wing." She unfolded her injured wing, making her cringe a bit. "Whoa, easy," Spike said as he forced Ember to close her wing. "You'll just make things worse. You try lying down in the guest room and I'll get you some bandages. Spike and Ember left the throne room as Thorax turned to Twilight. "We'll see if we can get some information from them," the alicorn said. "You make sure that Ember is okay." "Right," he replied. He walked down the hall and into the guest room to find Ember lying on one of the beds with her back facing up. "You feeling better?" "Not really," she replied. The changeling sat next to her. "How bad does your wing hurt?" "It's... Not too bad." She unfolded her wing wincing a bit. "Don't move it. I think Spike was right." The dragoness did as she was told and sighed. "I'm sure you'll be able to fly again soon." "No, it's not my wing it was that drake that was chasing me. He said I was a coward and... He's right. You said dragons are proud and strong creatures but... I was scared." "Ember, don't talk like that." "But it's true. How can I be called a Dragon Lord if I just run away from a drake that's only a foot taller than me? Maybe that king was right." "Don't say that. Ember, you are the true Dragon Lord and you're going to remember it." The dragoness didn't seem too confident. "I'm back," Spike said walking in with a first aid kit. "Let's take a look at the wing." The purple dragon took out a wing brace to make sure the dragoness's wing was fine. Thorax stood up so he could change into some different clothes. He looked towards Spike and started feeling unenthusiastic about him. After a few minutes, Ember's injured wing was secure so it wouldn't move. "Thanks, Spike," she said. "Not a problem. It just seemed to be a sprain so your wing should be better in no time. I'll leave you alone so you can change." "But I don't have any other clothes." "I'm back," Dash said carrying some clothes. "Rarity said she had some other clothes for you since you didn't like your old ones." "Thanks, Dash," Spike said. The pegasus and drake left so the dragoness could change into her new clothes. Spike noticed the changeling king, who had changed into the clothes Rarity gave him, and he was looking kind of glum. "Something wrong, buddy." "Oh, uh..." Thorax was a bit startled from his friend. He didn't know what to say. "So, you said you had a crush on Rarity, right?" "Yeah, why do you bring that up?" "Well, have you ever seen other stallions she's been attracted..." "Are you saying you're jealous of me and Ember?" The changeling started sweating as his eyes darted. "I didn't mean it like that, its... I feel frustrated... I've been wanting... I can't help but feel..." The changeling didn't know what to say. He kept stuttering until Spike covered his mouth. "Listen, I know what you're saying. I don't the actual Ember is interested in me." "So..." "It's okay. I think she prefers me as a friend." Spike walked off as Thorax decided to check on the three drakes were doing. When he walked in, he could see Starlight had freed their heads but they didn't get much out of them. "Hello, Thorax," Rarity said. "How is Ember doing?" "She's doing alright," the changeling answered. "Rainbow gave her the new clothes you made for her." "Oh, I hope she enjoys them." "Ugh, would you shut up about your fashion?" Garble groaned. "Only if you tell us about your king," Twilight said. "He'll burn you to a crisp, that's something." "How much progress have you made?" Thorax whispered to Starlight. "Not much," the unicorn replied. "They keep saying how might their king is. Other than that, we're pretty much talking to a brick wall." "Oh, you want to know something new?" Garble asked. "Your friend who you say is the Dragon Lord is a coward." "Yeah, she just ran away from me," the tubby one added. "How can she be one if runs from every battle." "Hey, shut it," Thorax ordered surprising the ponies. "Oh, the buggy pony's acting big and tough" the bulky dragon mocked. "She's not the strongest but she can make up for it by not being enormous jerks like you." "And what are you going to do about?" the tubby dragon asked. The changeling was about to step forward but Twilight stopped him. "We'll handle them," she said. "You just make sure that she is okay." "Right." He left the room and could see an unfamiliar pony. "Can I help you?" The pony suddenly turned into a changeling. "Thorax, the hive needs you," the changeling said. "Where have you been?" "Uh, Ember and I had a setback. We're trying to figure out why the other dragons don't remember her." "But Pharynx is losing his patients. You need to come back now." The king sighed. "Alright. Just let me tell my friends where I'm going." He walked down the hall to find Ember walk around in her new white puff-sleeved blouse and indigo broom skirt. "There you are," the dragoness said. "I was hoping Spike could show us around this town." She could see her friend didn't look happy. "What's wrong?" Thorax sighed again. "I have to go back to the changeling hive." This seemed to upset Ember. "It's okay. I'm sure I can come back tomorrow. Hopefully." "But what if more dragons come to get me?" "I think Spike and his friends can help protect you. The hive needs me, I can't leave them." This didn't cheer her up. "It'll be okay. You'll get your memories back." "You'll come back too, will you." Thorax placed his hand on Ember's shoulder. "I promise." The dragoness hugged him before the other changeling got the king's attention. The two changelings left the castle with the dragoness reaching out before hanging her head. Spike walked up to Ember. "I heard what he said," he told. "Rarity said she can show you some more clothes at her shop. Would you like that?" "I guess." The two dragons left heading towards the boutique. "It's a shame that Thorax had to leave," Rarity said as she picked two skirts off the racks at her shop. "I don't blame him," Ember said as she looked at some t-shirts. "So many changelings rely on him. And I think several dragons rely on me. I don't know if can keep the Dragon Lands under control." "You can do it," Spike said trying to cheer his friend up. "Don't let those other dragons talk you down. Remember when Garble save the newborn dragons?" "Not really." "Maybe Smolder could help you. She's his sister." "Which one is Garble?" "The red one with orange spines." "He was one of the drakes that Starlight had to trap." "He's not himself right now." "How about you try and calm down while trying this one," Rarity said showing the dragoness a nice purple sheath dress. Ember walked into the changing room as Smolder walked into the boutique. "Can you please tell me how my brother is doing?" the orange dragoness asked. "Princess Twilight won't let me into the castle." "Sorry, Smoler," Spike said. "Twilight and Starlight are trying to figure out what's wrong. Garble doesn't remember any about Ember or me. He still remembers me from our first meeting and nothing else." "And this is all because of a diamond?" "It's what we were told," Rarity said. "What do you think of this?" Ember asked as she showed off the dress she was now wearing. "Marvelous, darling." "I think it would look better with some gloves," Smolder commented much to Spike and Rarity's surprised. "What? I thought white gloves would go with her horns." The unicorn thought for a moment. "They would look nice on her. Though, I will have to modify them to fit Ember's claws." She walked upstairs to get to work. "Feel free to some other things on and try not to ruin anything." "Can do," Spike said giving a thumbs up. Smolder was very interested in the large variety of clothing. Though, many of them were made for ponies so it was unlikely that any of the shoes, socks, or especial the gloves would fit them. The only clothes that looked that would fit would the ones for pegasi. Even then the pants and skirts with holes would barely fit dragon tails without stretching. "What else do you think will look good?" Ember asked. "Let me try a couple of things," Smolder said. While she didn't like to admit it, she and Ember had fun trying on several different clothes. Smolder did try on tomboyish clothes she enjoyed the more feminine ones, like the matching ballgowns she and Ember wore. "This is so much fun. I wish we could do this more often." "I sure hope so," Rarity said as she walked down with Ember's new gloves. "I didn't think you would still be dressing up." "How long were doing this?" "Well, it took me about an hour for each glove." "We were here for two hours?" Smolder questioned in surprise. This would explain why Spike had fallen asleep. "It happens to everypony at one point." She handed the gloves to Ember who didn't seem happy to look at them. "Did I do something wrong? I could change the color." "No, the color's fine," Ember said, "It just... Reminds me of Thorax. The clothes I was wearing when we met weren't really good, so he got me a pair that was white like these gloves. He's really nice." The dragoness started blushing as she sighed. "You already miss him, do you?" "Yeah. I can't stop thinking about him." Spike rubbed his eyes and walked over to her. "Look, Ember, it's getting late," he said. "I think we should head back to the castle." "Okay, I'll go just put my normal clothes back on." After a few minutes, Ember had changed and followed Spike and Smolder back to the school and castle. "I didn't think she would be into dressing up like that," Smolder said. "Same to you," Spike said. "Since when were you into dresses?" "Uh..." She had no idea what to say. "I don't see what's wrong with it," Ember said. "It was fun." "I don't think it was in your old behavior. I think..." "Where is she?" came a gruff voice. The three saw some large drakes flying around. Spike quickly pulled Ember and Smolder behind a corner before they could see them. "Who are they?" Ember asked. "I don't know," Spike said. "I'm pretty sure they're looking for you." "Then do we do?" "There's... No way we're going to beat them in a fight," Smolder said looking at the drake. Eyeballing their size to the windows they flew by they looked to be eight feet tall. "You think we could distract them?" "Brains and brawns don't mix," Spike said, "No offense, Ember." "I don't see where I'm supposed to be offended," the blue dragoness replied. The two flying drakes landed to stop and think. "They didn't come back," the gray drake said. "Yeah, I know that," said the yellow drake. "You know what else? Lava is hot." "I'm not an idiot. Look, what if that blue girl managed to fight back?" "She and that green drake fled the first time. Did you see how much muscle those guys have? My tail has more muscles than those two combined." "Wanna test that?" Smolder asked grabbing their attention. The two drakes were confused to see the orange dragoness in a school uniform. "Kid, what the heck are you wearing?" the gray one asked. "Oh, do you like it? I've also got a ballgown and maybe a tutu." As she kept talking, Spike and Ember snuck behind the houses so the drakes didn't see them. "You think she'll be okay?" Ember asked quietly. "Smolder's done this before," Spike whispered. He looked towards the dragon student who stood her ground, even though she was being hung in the air by her shirt's collar. "Honestly, do you think you can just take over Equestria?" Smolder asked. "I mean, the princess' security is as good as a house of cards." "I think any defense won't stand up against us," came a voice which came from a familiar rusted orange dragon with golden horns. "Who are you?" "The new Dragon Lord." Pyrite showed her the bloodstone scepter in his claw. The gray and yellow drakes held Smolder by her arms as the fake Dragon Lord place his claw on her forehead. As the diamond in his chest glowed Smolder's got lightheaded as she swiftly forgot everything about Ember. Spike saw this and quickly hid before the drakes could see him. "What's happening to her?" Ember asked. "I think that's what Thorax was talking about," Spike whispered. "That's the drake that can make dragons forget everything." Pyrite took his claw off the dragoness's head. Smolder looked around confused before she saw her clothing. "What am I wearing?" she asked. "Don't threat," Pyrite said. "We'll get you into something less disgraceful." "Thank you, Dragon Lord Pyrite." "Wait, I thought he only erase memories," Spike said to himself. "Ember, let's get back to the castle." The two raced off but their former ally saw them. "Sir, somebody saw us," Smolder said pointing towards the fleeing dragons. Pyrite pointed the scepter towards where they were going. "Get them," he ordered and the fooled dragons flew after them. "Spike, what do we do?" Ember asked as they got to the castle. "I don't know," he replied opening the door, "Get inside." She did so and Spike locked the door. "I'm going to see if Twilight or Starlight can use a memory spell." They ran down the hall to Starlight's room to find the unicorn was knocked out with some drakes surrounding her. "Not there." He closed the door and ran to Twilight's room. "How many are there?" There were more in Twilight's room as the princess tried to fight them off. Ember tried to use her fire breath to attack but while she managed to get one of drake, there were four more. "Crud." "Run!" They were about to go back the way they came but Smolder and the other drakes blocked their path. "Going somewhere?" Pyrite asked as he flew closer to them. "Stay back," Ember cried trying to sound brave. "You really think you stand a chance? Hold them down." Before they could get caught, Spike created some smoke to block the dragons' sight. "Ember, get out of here now," he said. "Create some smoke to confuse them." "What about you." "Just get to Thorax. Go. Now!" Ember raced pasted the blinded dragons while making more smoke and found a window. She melted it with her fire breath and flew off. Spike wasn't so lucky. Pyrite grabbed him by his head and not just erased his memories, but replaced them. When he let go, Pyrite looked the lightheaded drake. "So, what do you remember," the gold horned drake asked. "You gave me orders to get the blue dragoness," Spike replied. "Where is she?" "She escaped," Garble answered as he and the formerly trapped drakes. "Thanks for breaking me out so late. It's not like I was getting cramped." "Let me go," Twilight ordered as she struggled against the dragons holding her down. Garble smacked her on the side of her head, knocking her out cold. "Okay, now I feel better." "I will feel better when you get her," Pyrite said getting irritated. "You mean the blue dragoness?" Spike asked. The rusted orange drake stomped his foot on the ground. "Who else?! Go get here! NOW!" "Yes, sir." Spike and the rest of the dragons flew off to catch Ember. Some stayed behind with Twilight and Starlight in their grips. "What should we do with these two?" the yellow drake asked. "I'll take care of them," Pyrite said. With a smirk on his face, he reached out to grab the ponies' heads. Ember's wing was still a little sore so she couldn't fly very fast. Some of the dragons were starting to catch up with her. Despite her effort, she got smacked to the ground. She barely pulled up before crashing on the ground and into some shrubs. The dragoness look and saw a dragon trio surrounding her. Before anyone could do anything there was a loud roar. Stepping towards them was a large purple spider creature. It growled at the dragons surrounded the dragoness before letting out another roar. The dragons tried to fight it but a manticore and maulwurf grab two of them leaving one for the spider. The creatures didn't put up much of a fight, though that might've been from the dragons retreated. "Cowards!" cried the spider much to Ember's confusion. The spider turned into a changeling, specifically Pharynx. The manticore nad maulwurf also turned out to be changelings in disguise. "Thorax told us to keep an eye out for any unwanted dragons besides you and Spike." "C-c-can you take me to Thorax?" Ember asked. "Of course," said one of the other changelings. "Follow us. The hive isn't so far." The dragoness and changeling flew off towards the hive. Thorax was stepping off his throne as he was getting ready to sleep but he stopped when he saw the changeling bring Ember towards him. "Emb..." Thorax couldn't finish as she just hugged him. The king looked at his friend's worried face. "What happened?" "It's... That fake king," Ember stuttered. "He got Spike and Twilight." The changeling king gasped. "I tried to fight back but there were too many dragons. I know you said that dragons are supposed to be tough and... And brave... but... I'm scared. I try but I'm just scared." Thorax looked at the weeping dragon. "I can't believe he did this," he thought. "He made the mighty Dragon Lord who is also my friend, into a someone too scared to stand up for herself." He wiped Ember's tears away and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Ember, I know you're stronger than this. Try thinking about everything you care about." "You mean like... You? And Spike? And the ponies that were trying to help me?" "Yes, all of those. I don't know what that jerk's going to do but I'm sure it's not going to be good. We can't let him get away with it. The first thing in the morning we're going to head to the Dragon Lands and take down the self-proclaimed king." "But, what if we can't beat him?" "We will. Ember, I know you can be brave. Let's just get some rest before we set off." He took his friend inside the hive to where she stayed the night before. "Where will you sleep?" "I won't be too far away. The changelings made mine a bit fancier." Thorax was about to walk away but he could see there was some extra space for someone pretty tall. Ember just got comfy as the changeling lay down on the soft bushes next to her. "I think I could help keep you company." A smile crossed the dragoness's face. "Thanks, Thorax." She left out a yawn The changeling smiled as he stared up at the ceiling. "Hey, Ember... I kind of want to tell you something." He turned to look at her but was surprised to see she was already asleep. "I guess I'll just tell her in the morning." He slowly closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.