//------------------------------//
// Chapter Thirteen:Close Call 
// Story: What It Means To Be A Dragon 
// by FluttershyLover55 
//------------------------------//

What It Means To Be A Dragon
Chapter 13-Close Call

"To be told I'm supposed to something, only to find out that I'll fail. I'm not sure WHAT to think now, but I'm pretty sure that I can do this. It's never stopped me before, so I'll have to do my best. I'll finish the quest I started, or die trying." Spike made a steely resolve to do whatever it takes to finish his quest, while he walking through the town.

As far as Spike could tell, all of the dragons here were friendly.

His exploration was cut short, however, as a loud roar was heard. A giant dragon, at least three times the size of Spike, landed right in front of him, shaking the very ground. Some dragons tried to attack, but he just swatted them away like flies. The rest ran away to hide and Spike was the only one, that was still there. The dragon clearly, wanted Spike and him alone. Spike was paralyzed with fear, and what bothered him the most, was that he had seen this particular dragon before. This was the same dragon that Fluttershy had scared away a year ago, and also the one that he had to defeat. Every time Spike took a few steps back, the dragon stepped forward. The baby dragon found himself, pressed up against the side of a building.

"Young hero, what's the matter? Aren't you going to fight back?" The giant dragon moved closer, now a foot or two away. 

At this distance, the difference in size between the two was clear. He absolutely dwarfed Spike in comparison, being the largest dragon that he had ever seen. It was even bigger than it was the last time he had seen it, and it was already pretty big, then. "You can't even injure me. I dare you to try!"

At that moment, two identical cuts slashed across his face diagonally, one on each cheek. "How did you…" The dragon gaped in surprise and held a hand to his face, blood dripping through his claws and onto the ground.
Both dragons present were trying to figure out how Spike had hurt him, without so much as touching him.

"How did I…" Spike stammered, in confusion.

A grayish-white blur whipped by, landing in the space between the dragons. "You didn't, but I DID." The Elder was holding a sword, its features tainted by the offending dragon's blood, oozing down its length. "Kazami, if you know what's good for you, you'll leave now." The Elder warned.

"Jiran, I could say the same for you." Kazami countered, neither one willing to back down.

Spike looked on in awe at the 'blink and you miss it' event, as literally, Spike blinked and missed Jiran's next attack. A third cut stretched down Kazami's chin, matching the other two. Kazami backed away, his already red scales gleaming with a liquid of the same color.

"You know what, this is neither the time nor the place. I could kill you if I wanted, but I'm feeling rather generous, so I'll spare your life." Kazami took off from the ground, flying up the mountain and into a cave.

Jiran turned to Spike, who was still pressed up against the side of a building. "You are very fortunate, that I was here to save you."

"Uh, yeah. Thank you." Spike moved away from the building, towards Jiran.

"I'm afraid, that your exploration of the town will have to wait. It's important that I teach you how to defend yourself, so that if this happens again, you will be prepared."

"Um, okay, but what are you going to teach me?" Spike wondered, scratching the back of his head.

"It is time for you to learn, the ancient art of the 'Sword'."