The sun was rising at the Crystal Empire and Starlight was heading to Sunburst’s home. After the Cozy Glow incident, rest what the only thing she wanted, and the summer vacations were the perfect chance. Sunburst were Flurry Heart’s crystaller, but most of his time was not taken by the little alicorn but his research. He was always busy learning something new and, if Starlight were not there, probably could spent days without a meal. Both needed a rest, even if Sunburst did not feel that way.
Right after the park with the statue of Spike, the house of his friend was not difficult to recognize. It was the only one between the crystal houses that resembled a wizard hat and hold the symbol of the sun at its doors.
«Sunburst! I’m here!» Starlight knocked the door, but nopony came. She sighted, just assuming that Sunburst were probably asleep after a whole night reading books as ancient as King Sombra and his nefarious curse. Fortunately, the door was unlocked. «Sunburst? Are you there?»
«This can’t be! What a disaster!» She heard inside that house full of books at every corner.
«Something happened?» Her sudden appearance startled Sunburst.
«Starligh! By Celestia’s love, don’t scare me like that!» Starlight then noticed the letters over his lectern and a mess of books, brought out from their shelves with urgency. «Twilight prevented a war between ponies and dragons. It seems like somedragon called Garble overthrown Ember and was about to invade Equestria» He then gave her the longest letter, written by Twilight herself.
«Sounds like a Tuesday to me.» Starlight was not impressed. After all, the whole world seemed to turn around Twilight and her friends. Even she had the opportunity to save the day once.
«Is more complicated than you think. Garble had the help from some evil doers called The Heralds of Chaos.» Still, She didn’t understand what the worry was about. «They destroyed the Dragon Lord Scepter.»
«What?!» That scepter was as important for the dragons as the Crystal Heart was for the Crystal Empire.
«I know! It’s terrible! If we compare this with the lost of the Idol of Boreas and fall of the Griffin Kingdom, I cannot imagine what will happen to the Dragon Lands! They may go rogue and break havoc everywhere!»
«But this says that dragons still recognize Ember as their Dragon Lord.» Starlight kept reading the letter, recognizing the writing of Twilight even when this was a copy from the original.
«For now, but we don’t know what will happen next.» Sunburst went back to the open books that were scattered over the room.
«Do they think you can fix it like you did with the Crystal Heart?»
«There were nothing left of the scepter but dust, even I can’t fix it. But that was not the mission I got.» He then picked a book and showed her a highlighted paragraph. «Here the Heralds are mentioned as the enemies of Equestria, but that’s it. There nothing else, nowhere. Is like they were removed from equestrian history.»
«Maybe they were just forgotten. I stole the cutie marks of a whole village and almost cause world complete annihilation by traveling through time and I’m not at any book.» Sunburst rose and eyebrow. «The point is that maybe they were not such a big deal! At least not like King Sombra, Discord or Tirek.»
«But why now? It has been a thousand years since the last time they were even mentioned and now they suddenly decide to come back. If I find out who they were, then we’ll know what they are after. That’s my mission.» Usually those tedious searches of information were taken personally by Twilight, but it seemed to be different this time and they needed all help possible to reveal the intentions of the Heralds and stop them. At that moment, seeing him that determined, Starlight felt out of place. While she was barely thinking about enjoy her vacations, her friends were giving everything they got to save Equestria.
«I had to be there… coming here was a mistake.» She felt culprit.
«What? Don’t say that. There were no way for anypony to see it coming.» Sunburst was not good dealing with emotional stuff, but he had to try. «The only thing that matters now is what we can do about it.»
«That’s the corniest thing I’ve ever heard.» She giggled. «Well, where do we begin?» There was nothing better than spend their last vacation days surrounded by old books and the company of her best friend.
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The doors of the Crystal Empire’s Library were always open for everypony seeking knowledge. However, there was a restricted collection with the most important and ancient books of all. If something about the Heralds remained, it had to be there. However, most of them were written with the old equestrian tongue and plagued with the discontinued prose of already old ponies from that time. Even decodify a single sentence was not a easy task, but they were the only ones at the Crystal Empire able to find something there.
«What a pity that Starswirl is not here. I’m sure he would know what to do.» Sunburst sighed after six hours of unsuccessful searching. The great wizard could easily contact with them, but it was not the same to contact him back. Starswirl were not staying for long at the same place and most letter used to be returned to the sender. Suddenly, Sunburst’s belly groaned vigorously.
«I think that’s our signal to take a break.» Starlight concluded, closing the enormous book she was reading.
«But we cannot stop now, we haven’t found anything useful.» Sunburst replied, but his stomach reaffirmed its posture.
«And we won’t find anything if we faint due starvation.» She did the same with the book Sunburst was holding and urged him to follow her outside the library to get something to eat.
«All right, you may be right.» He smiled defeated.
«I’m always right.» She smiled back as they were taking a moment to refresh their heads and refill their energies. However, once they reached the public area of the establishment, they noticed it was unusually empty. Something was happening and everypony went out to witness how the streets were covered by the shadow of thousands of flyers announcing the returning of an organization as old as Equestria.
«The Heralds of Chaos» Mumbled Sunburst as he was seeing the flyers falling from the sky and covering the streets of the Crystal Empire with the symbol of the scarred eye. «They are here! I must go to the palace!» He exclaimed, galloping as fast as his hooves allowed, afraid of an attact to the royal family from that mysterious enemy in his absence. Starlight followed, but in their way she noticed a dark figure between the crowd. One pony was not afraid, staying calm under their hood.
«Wait!» She tried to said to Sunburst, but her friend couldn’t hear her. At that moment, she had to take a decision: Reach the palace and prepare for the worst or trust her intuition and follow that stranger. «What would Twilight do?» She asked as the mysterious pony sneaked out through the crowd. If they were part of this, there would not be another chance to find out. Starlight took a deep breath and focused on keep that hooded stranger in sight, breaking through the astonished and nervous subjects of the Crystal Empire.
Starlight went down labyrinthic alleys in a frenetic pursuit, getting faster at every step. Her presence was noticed by the stranger, but Starlight will not allow them to scape without an explanation. They then turned a corner and finally catch up at a dead end.
«It’s over! There nowhere to run! Now tell why you were running from me!»
«By the contrary, my heiress, Last Flame was guiding you.» She heard at her back, but couldn’t turn before a spell put her in deep sleep.
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The palace’s guards were at maximum alert, commanded by Shining Armor and his beloved wife. They were trained to repel big scale attacks, but nothing could prepare them to face a invisible menace that seemed to be stalk from every corner. The Heralds delivered their message strong and clear: We are here and there is nothing you can do about it. However, Shining Armor would not bow down to a faceless enemy, just like Cadance. The princess of love did not plan to hide while her subjects were holding fear in their hearts.
«Princess Cadance!» Sunburst came galloping into the palace at full speed.
«Sunburst, I’m glad you are here.» She said in relief, as they were only a few ponies, apart from him, trustworthy of taking care of Flurry Heart. Speaking of them. «Where is Starlight? More hooves to help would be very welcomed.»
«Starlight? She is right behind me.» Sunburst turned around but there was not sign of her. He was shocked but was at that moment when an old unicorn of light mulberryish gray coat and turquoise moving mane appeared.
«Your highness.» Mistmane bowed before Cadance. «I know what we are facing.»
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The perpetrators of such ominous propaganda sneak out under the cover of shadows, bordering unguarded alleys and corners. The whole empire was alertness, but nopony saw those moving right behind them. The abbysinian and his henchpony took Starlight to an improvised hideout at the city suburbs, under the crumbling arch of a destroyed house. Despite the glory of the Crystal Empire, there were still a few aftermaths of the failed conquer attempt of King Sombra and the destruction caused by the dark crystals.
Following the order of her master, the grey unicorn tied up Starlight to one of the columns of the ruins before she woke up from the spell.
«Where… where am I?» She asked disoriented, barely recalling what happened after they left the library. However, the situation was clear once she notice her immobility. «What is this?! Let me go at once!» She tried to use her magic, but there was no effect over that simple knot. As her horn glowed, magic chains manifested. «Somepony help me!»
«Magnificent, just magnificent.» Said the feline as he squatted down before her to stay at her sight level. «A thousand years and here it is one of the last vessels of my legacy. Tell me, young mare – Have you made good use of my teachings?»
«I don’t know what you are talking about, but why don’t you release me to show you?» She stared him back in defiance. «I may even consider to forget that you ruined my vacations for five minutes.»
«A pony with temper, a worthy heir with no doubt… but I already saw it through the scepter. The power you bear does not belong to you. It is a power pass down through generations and, at last, manifested. The ability to take off cutie marks from others and change them at will. That power has opened you the doors of time travel and gave you the chance to beat the paradox. Have some of these sounds familiar?» Starlight could not hide her shock. That abbysinian was aware of what she did in the past. «I think I just hit the jackpot.» He smiled, but his smile was unnaturally wide and creepy. Suddenly, he was suffered a strong head ache and his expressionless face returned. «Last Flame, prepare the ritual. We will take her soul and leave at once.»
«Master…» Replied the unicorn, taking off her hood. Starlight recognized in her the features of princess Luna’s nightguard. She was an ash-grey unicorn with amber eyes.
«Do not worry, she is a strong pony. She will keep breathing after we are done.» His face lost any emotion again and fulminated her with those scary eyes. «Obey.» Last Flame started the preparations at once. «Well, I guess have some time to spare.» The Abyssinian sat besides the crystal arch, looking at her with predator eyes under the shadows.
«Don’t get too confy. The whole guard shall be searching me and be sure they will not be very kind.» Starlight couldn’t find a way to break free by herself, but at least she could try to buy some time. She had to, but the feline was no fool.
«You seem very confident. What makes you so special as to mobilize the entire guard?» As they talked, the unicorn drew a circle with salt of weird smell and placing candles around her.
«I trust in my friends. They would never allow something bad happen to me.» Even if the whole guard were looking for her, they needed a track or a signal to follow. Maybe she was able to break free from the ropes, but a light beam at the sky would do the trick.
«Those magic chains nullify your magic, if you were thinking about a brilliant plan to scape.» The feline seemed able to read her mind with no effort and Starlight got terrified before the possibility. The gaze of the Abyssinian intensified. «You are trying to hide something, aren’t you?» Starlight looked away as fast as she could, trying to avoid those eyes that were breaking through her mind. «Your friends… you are afraid of what I could do to your friends. But why should I bother? Maybe your friends are more important than I thought. I could go inside your mind and find out their weaknesses or use you as an extorsion tool… Equestira at my grasp and I just have to figure out if you are worth. Tell me, Starlight Glimmer, what are you afraid of?»
«Master, is done.» Informed the grey unicorn, showing a circle with evil symbols drawn around Starlight.
«Oh well, time up. A good job as usual, Last Flame. Let’s beging before someone could hear her.» The candles burned spontaneously with a blue radiance at the very moment the feline stood up. Holding his staff, the feline rose a single claw over her. «We will take our legacy and it will be over for good.» The flames of the candles danced frantically and burned higher and higher as blue fire pillars. At that moment, Starlight felt great pain and she screamed. «Do not resist, you will make it worse that way.» They were not just taking her magic away but tearing her soul apart. She refused to give up, holding to her soul as much as she could, but the feline was right, it just made the pain go beyond her limits. He was pulling out her soul as tearing fabric, but then, when she was about to lose the fight, the pain stopped and the magic chains shattered. That was her last chance and discharge all her magic in a light beam bright enough to be seen by the whole Crystal Empire. «Last Flame…» He turned to the unicorn.
«I can’t do it, Mortymer! There should be other way!» Last Flame stood between Starlight and the sorcerer as the sound of galloping hooves made its way into the ruins. «I don’t want to repeat the same mistakes!»
«There they are!» Exclaimed the guard. Starlight fell over the symbols and the extinguished candles.
«You should have accept my offer.» She grinned weakly, trying to not loose conciseness.
«We leave now.» The golden artifact at his back shined under the shadow of the destroyed arch and a blue fire portal opened behind. The sorcerer was severe, but there was no sign of rage. He was calm, disturbingly calm. The unicorn obeyed in silence, following him into the vortex looking at the floor.
«Wait…» Starlight was no fool. The one who saved her was that grey unicorn with amber eyes. Last Flame was nothing like the sorcerer, but she couldn’t find the strength to ask her to stay. The world just turned off and she fell, exhausted.
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Last Flame and her master appeared at a hall of lost magnificent, very different to the shady shack. Those were the ruins of a old Herald’s bastion, now barely standing. The sorcerer walked parsimoniously through the hall as its glory and majesty were still there, recalling memories from better times, when Equestria was in his grasp and his dream were about to come true. The banners that used to flank the hall were nothing now but rags, just like the long carpet that lead to the end. There were a round table with four dark crystal sits above everything else at the hall to point out the superiority of the ones who used to meet there.
«I’m sorry… I just ruined everything…» Last Flame sobbed. However, her master still calmed and serene. It was not over yet.
«And yet, here we are.» At his words, Last Flame rose her gaze with a pair of widely open eyes. «It may be a second chance or the results of my contingency plans, but here we are.»
«Contingency plans…? The flyers…» Her master nodded.
«I always knew that your emotions would betray you at the end, but I must warn you know. The alternative requires many steps, every single one as crucial as the next one. If we fail now, everything will be in vain.» His mind was attacked by a fleeting and dark image. «I want to help you, Last Flame, but you have to allow me to.» He then stood up at the center of the hall, where the sunset’s light seeped into the ruins through stained glass of long forgotten greatness and vivid colors.
Last Flame remained in silence. They had a second chance, but there were no guaranties of success. She could not allow her emotions to interfere again or everything they were fighting for would be lost forever. She had to be loyal and trust in Mortymer’s judgment.
«Where do we start?» The sorcerer smiled at her.
«First, I’m now fully in charge. You must do anything I ask blindly. Second, we will need all help possible.» Mortymer rose her gaze to the stained glass remains, contemplating the pictures of those who inspired terror to everyone in the misery of knowing their existence. The symbols of the four prophets were even more dismal after a thousand years into oblivion. «We will meet again, my old friends.»
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Peace returned to the Crystal Empire and little was left of the flyers, burned spontaneously after falling from the sky. No building was set on fire, as the blue flames were cold at touch. However, there were nothing left for the authorities to investigate. The guard cordoned off the area around the hide out of the Heralds, but there were not major findings apart of the candles and the weird smelling salts. By that time, Starlight was enjoying hot cocoa and cookies under a blanket after being attended by the royal medical staff. The pain was gone, and doctors prescribed rest and avoid stress. However, it was no easy task with Sunburst apologizing constantly at her side every five minutes. Her friend was really concerned and felt guilty, with good reason, for what happened. However, Starlight felt no resentment as she understood how important his duty at the palace was. Crisis struck and he acted in consequence, there was nothing else to say about.
«I’m so sorry! I could never forgive myself!» He repeated, exhausting her patience. Starlight the filled his mouth with a cookie.
«I already did, Sunburst. Geez, you are in more need of a vacation than me.» She said before drinking the last of her hot cocoa and leaving the cup aside.
«How can you be so calmed? You should be furious with me. I were a terrible friend.»
«Maybe, but I’m a good friend and I forgive you, spite of how terrible you are.» She was no longer feeling like passing out but in the mood of taking a whole week nap. «You learn one or two thing by spending time with the princess of friendship.»
«You are the best, Starlight.»
«I know.» Trixie would be proud of her confidence, but now they were heading to hear what Mistmane had to say and there no place for such light attitude.
«Starlight, I’m glad you feel better.» Once they came into the throne room, they were welcomed by princess Cadance. Starlight bow before her and the meeting started. «Please, Mistmane, tell us what you know about these so called Heralds.»
«A thousand years ago, the pillars fought in name of peace. But where good exist, also evil does. The Heralds were our foes, an evil organization that sought to plunge Equestria in chaos and build a world at their image. We faced them untiringly, but the Heralds were more than an enemy to defeat, they were a message. Once the last of their prophets fell, we understood that our efforts were in vain as their message kept spreading through the land. We realized that the only way to stop the rise of a whole new generation of Heralds was erase them from history. We succeed, or at least that was what we thought. Now it seem like our efforts were in vain. The message of the heralds survived.»
«Everything makes sense now. Somepony tried to erase them from history after all.» Sunburst mumbled. «And what was their message?»
«What a Herald grants, a herald can take.» Those were the same words Twilight and her friends heard when the Dragon Lord’s scepter was destroyed. «Their actions are quite similar. Incite wars from the shadows and instill fear in ponies hearts. However, such massive exposition is unusual, maybe this new heralds are bolder and less experienced.»
«Do you know why they took you prisoner, Starlight?» Shining Armor asked, but the answer was something Starlight wanted to avoid.
«I… followed one to their hide out and got caught. I guess they didn’t wanted me to reveal their hideout.» By the moment, she was not sure how to abord the situation. The sorcerer claimed that she was his heiress, and she was afraid of discovering if that was true. «Last Flame didn’t seem like an evil doer, but the abbysinian… Mortymer was surely the master mind.» She said casually, but at the very mention of the sorcerer’s name, Mistmane trembled and got pale.
«It can be the same Mortymer… Starswirl defeated him, that’s what he told us, he told that Mortymer would never represent a threat for Equestria…» She talked to herself, concerning everypony. Cadance asked if she was allright, bringing the elder pony back to reality. «Uh? Yes, I just… need to talk with Starswirl.» The meeting dismissed and Mistmane were follow by guards just in case by Cadance orders.
Starlight and Sunburst left the throne room and contemplated the sunset from a balcony. They could see the whole jewel of the north from there, turning orange under the extinguishing daylight. A beautiful view overshadowed by such mysterious threat. Sunburst still felt guilty, but otherwise they would never know the names of the perpetrator and see the expression of Mistmane. It was too strong to ignore. The old unicorn, living legend of ancient times, felt true fear just by hearing the sorcerer’s name. Sunburst couldn’t understand how it was possible for someone to cause such reaction, but Starlight did. She felt with every fiber of her body the evil irradiated by the feline, like darkness attempting to consume the light. Mortymer was, indeed, someone to be afraid of.
«He is there, somewhere. Planning his next move as we talk.» Sunburst said, letting his concerns break free. «If I were there, we could stopped him for good.»
«Not again.» Starlight sighed.
«There shall be something I can for you.»
«The report will not take long to be delivered to Canterlot and then princess Celestia could send it to Twilight. It will be her problem then.» She was even more concerned than him and just recalling the words of the sorcerer were able to cause discomfort. She also was intrigued for the reasons Last Flame had to disobey Mortymer and release her. Last Flame did not want to repeat the same mistakes, but what mistakes? How many times the performed that ritual? How many ponies suffered just like her? The more she thought about it, more questions rise.
«You say that like we aren’t joining the searching.»
«Sunburst, I got enough of these Heralds. I felt just like you this morning, feeling guilty about something I couldn’t help at all. If the world end tomorrow, I rather spend my last day at Whinny Land than chasing old shadows.» Doctors prescribed rest and avoid stress and that was she was planning to do. Twilight didn’t need her to defeat the Storm King and she was caught by Cozy Glow at the last end of the world. She could miss this adventure too. «Also, don’t you think you are going to get rid of this so easily. You are coming with me.»
«But… but…» Sunburst tried to reply, but Starlight silenced him with her gaze. «I owe you.» They shared a complicated smile and went to princess Cadance to let her know their intentions to leave the Crystal Empire. The princess of love did not say a word of opposition but hoping they share a good time together. Starlight also asked if she could keep some details in secret, like she being capture by the Herald. If Twilight would get to know, she could better say goodbye to her vacations.
«All right, but you must talk with her about it once you are back.» Agreed Cadance, knowing how Twilight would overreact.
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The news indeed arrived to Ponyville soon and Twilight received every single piece of information but the details of how they discovered the name of the perpetrators. However, and just as princess Cadance and Starlight suspected, Twilight overreacted at the point of spending days and night without rest, searching for answers and pointing the tracks in a board filled with notes, pins, and red strings. By that time, the princess of friendship faded out over her desk, exhausted after read books nonstop and find nothing. The Pillars did an excellent work erasing them from history indeed.
Spike was worried, everypony was, but she refused to take a break and rest.
«Twilight, every time you sleep over the desk you wake up in bad mood. Come, you bed is waiting for you.» The little dragon shook her gently, but that was enough to startle her. Twilight was visibly tired and many notes adhered to her face, however she was unable to keep her eyes open for long and fade out again over the desk.
«I’m coming mom… just… give me five minutes…» Twilight mumbled, but Spike didn’t miss the chance to take her off the desk. «Coffee… just a bit of coffee and I’ll be fine…»
«No, you need to sleep.»
«Spike, the Heralds…The Heralds!» She woke up from the sudden and tried to go back to her desk. However, she stumbled after a few steps. «There is no time to waste, we have to stop them.» She stumbled again.
«It has been three days since your last rest. Go to sleep now or I’m gonna tell princess Celestia.» Twilight was twice his own size, but Spike managed to lift her up. «We are not alone. We will keep searching while you take a nap.» For the moment, he would avoid to mention that everyone else already left.
Actually, the last one to fall exhausted was Ember. The young Dragon Lord was determined to capture those who were behind the destruction of the scepter and send the order to every learned dragon to help, even if there were just a few. Even Garble was forced to cooperate, but his testimony was barely useful. The Heralds came to him with a proposal just too good to ignore. The dragon lands in exchange for a few days with the scepter. Garble also declared that they choose him cause he was the only one able to save the dragon lands from its inevitable destruction, but it was hard to believe. Twilight suspected it was just a hustle to incite war and the destruction of the scepter was the back up plan. Both failed, thanks to the respect Ember gathered by defeating a dragon ten times her size, even if she had the help from colorful ponies like them. Garble was nothing but a pawn in Mortymer’s game, a piece sacrificed to test the strength of his rival in their first move. The second move was their ominous show up, announcing their return from the darkness. Or at least this was the conclusion Twilight manage to reach before fading away from exhaustion.
Spike carried Twilight to her room and closed the door quietly. He just beat his personal record as exhausted princesses’ carrier, if Ember was considered royalty of course. However, his labors as exhausted princesses’ carrier has just begun. Now he had to make sure none would interrupt their royal sleep.
«There we go. This should do the trick.» Spike hanged up a Do Not Disturb sign at the palace doors. A simple but very effective solution. «Now, let’s attend my own agenda.» By the meantime, he took care of the palace just as usual, removing dust from the furniture, cleaning windows and washing the crystal floor. He beat a second record that day and felt proud with his labor. The addition of wing to his features buffed his cleaning abilities, doing the same work half the time.
«Twilight and Ember sleeping and the palace clean as a whistle. I surely deserve a good rest as well.» The silence and tranquility were ideal for reading, but not those tedious and ancient books that filled up Twilight’s personal library. Spike was aiming to spend that day with the company of his favorite comic books and a bowl full with delicious green gems, his favorites by the way. However, at the very moment he sat, someone knocked the door vigorously. «Sweet gems, I left a sign!» He grumbled, leaving beside his deserving diversions to attend whoever was knocking the door in such a hurry. «The sign say: Do Not Disturb. Come back later.»
«Oh, hello there Spike. I’m sorry, but we kinda have a situation at the town.» Spike recognized the mayor’s voice behind the door and sounded very worried.
«Okey, what’s going on?» He opened after a long sigh, but as soon as he opened could hear the problem loud and clear from the ponies galloping in panic into their homes.
«Diamond dogs invasion! Run!» The screamed.
«They came from nowhere and surrounded miss Rarity’s home.»
«What?!... excuse me.» Spike then closed the door quietly just to exclaim again. «WHAT?!» The mayor came as fast as she could, hoping that Twilight and her friend could manage the situation. However, the princess of friendship was not able to help nopony by the moment. «I’ll handle this.» In absence of the princess and with Rarity at risk, there were none but him to save the day. However, it was easier to say than do. «Get the other, I’ll buy some time.» Maybe readed too many comic books recently, but he didn’t hesitate and went straight to Rarity’s home as the mayor headed to Sweet Apple Acres.
Spike flew as fast as he could, finding the invaders evading everything Rarity was throwing at them from her window. However, there was no an actual aggressive intention from them. They were kinda trying to talk out the whole thing but failing at most.
«Leave me alone, you filthy beasts! You will never take me back to your horrible mines!» Rarity exclaimed as Spike arrived. «Spik1 Just in time! Help me get rid off this hideous creatures!»
«The gem hunter’s mascot!» The diamond dogs came closer to him. «Please, tell her we mean no harm. We need help.»
«First, I’m nopony mascot, and second… wait, you said help?» The bad guys always forgot his name, but he could have time to refresh their memory after. «Aren’t you invading Ponyville?»
«Invade? No!» Those were the same diamond dogs that once took Rarity as hostage in order to hunt gems. «We need help, but every pony just run away!»
«Have you already dispose of those terrible beasts, Spike?» Rarity were still entrenched inside the boutique.
«They don’t want to harm us! Actually, they need our help!»
«Our help?! What in Celestia’s good name they would need our help for?»
«Why we still shouting! Why don’t you come over here and ask them yourself!» The diamond dogs were not smart enough to pull out a trap like using him as decoy just to make her go out. They were nasty, but simple minded. However, Rarity took her time to decide before going out and get closer.
«Thanks, many thanks.»
«Well, what’s the reason behind such fuss?» Rarity asked, but then Rainbow Dash and Applejack appeared from nowhere and stroke before the diamond dogs could react, getting tied up in a well practice combination move.
«Well done, problem solved!» Applejack said, securing the lasso.
«Confess now! Are you with the Heralds?!» Rainbow Dash interrogated them, threatening them with her gaze.
«The Her… what?»
«Rainbow Dash! Applejack! They were about to tell us why they are here!» Rarity interrupted, pushing out the impetuous pegasi. «Spike, help me untie them please.» The little dragon obeyed at once. «Please forgive our rudeness, we are not used to deal with your kind.»
«That was awesome!» Exclaimed one of the diamond dogs, giving props to Rainbow Dash and Applejack as they were untied.
«A dragon came to our mines and force us to serve. It is eating our treasure and threat us by eating us instead if we refuse.» Said who seemed to be the leader of the trio as he rubbed his wrists.
«We don’t know what to do, but pony friends rescued you before.» Said the tallest.
«So we thought we could kidnap you again! Then your pony friends could get rid off the dragon for us!» Added the little one.
«Then you actually were trying to kidnap me! Tie them up again!» Rarity ordered, but there was not real need for that. They were just a dumb trio asking for help their way.
«Is just a greedy dragon and we are luck that the Dragon Lord is at Ponyville. Let’s help these diamond dogs and return by dinner.» Applejack said, but then she had to clarify that they were not invited for dinner.
«I’ll go for Ember. I hope she got enough rest by now.» Spike headed calmly to the palace, relieved that the situation did not required to wake up Twilight.
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Ember could not remember the last time she slept that well and was seriously considering to order a bed just like that to replace the rock she used to sleep over. She was not one of those dragons that enjoyed resting over a pile of treasure, even if it was more comfy than brute rock. However, she was not sure if a bed would make it to the Dragon Lands or if it would endure the harsh conditions of her homeland. There were no flower fields but lava fields just to say something. Leaving the whole bed thing, she then put her attention in the palace itself. It was surely the dream of every dragon and wondered if Spike also bit the walls every now and then.
«Building a castle doesn’t sound like a bad idea.» Dragons were the only nation without a proper palace or infrastructure, but she had to consider how big she will eventually get in a couple of hundred of years. Fully grown dragons were just too big for any building. «How many years will take Spike to get bigger?» For some reason, the picture of a fully grown Spike made her smile.
«Ember? Are you awake?» The voice of Spike made her startled over the bed. He had such a sense for timing.
«Ah… yes, I’m awake.» Spike then came into the room, holding a plate with breakfast gems and a glass of orange juice.
«I didn’t know which color you prefer, so I just grabbed a bit of everything.» He left the plate at her side. «I also can bring you some coffee if you want.» She did not know what was or how coffee tasted like, but she was not going to ask.
«Thank you, you are very kind.» She drank the glass’s content and then ate it just like the gems. A glass of orange juice tasted well with gems. «Do you make breakfast for Twilight every morning as well?»
«Is almost noon by now, so it is more like a brunch I guess?»
«Noon?! How much I slept?»
«Long enough. I brought you here after you get exhausted over the desk.» Ember didn’t remember that part and felt very ashamed. «Anyway, seems like a dragon took over diamond dog’s territory and we were wondering if you could help us.»
«I beg you pardon?»