//------------------------------//
// A Familiar Threat 
// Story: Father Spike 
// by ScrimpyMule 
//------------------------------//

	Spike awoke on his side and opened his eyes to see Rarity sleeping next to him. Once again he had to remind himself that he was married to this mare, the most beautiful creature in the world. It was the simple moments like these that he treasured the most. Spike lay there, intent on making this moment last as long as possible. Unfortunately, however, he made the biggest mistake he could make in that moment, he blinked. In an instant his wife was gone, replaced by the darkness of his cave.
Spike lay there on the ground, wishing he could go back to sleep. Sleeping was his favorite pastime because more often than not he dreamt of Rarity.  The dream he’d had that night about their fifteenth anniversary was among the rarest of his recurring dreams and one of his favorites.
It was said that time heals all wounds, but even after five hundred years the pain of having lost his wife had not diminished. The heartache was as strong as it had when he held her hoof when she made her journey to the other side. He would not have been able to maintain his sanity were he on his own. Rarity was kept alive in his heart and in the Dragon-Pony Clan. It was their eyes that reminded him of her and gave him the strength to carry on. 
Spike fought the urge to close his eyes and go back to sleep.  He was exhausted, despite having gotten a night’s sleep that was more than adequate. He knew by the light coming in from the cave opening that it was time to get up. He arose to his feet and made his way outside to greet the morning and join the clan for breakfast.
“Today is the big day Father Spike”, said Romulus with enthusiasm. “We’re going to break that record today. With our improvement over the past five years I bet we can hit a combined wing power of three thousand.”
Romulus was referring to the fact that it was the Clan’s turn to provide Cloudsdale with the water it needed for the coming rainy season.
“You do realize that not only does the Clan hold the current record of two thousand five hundred, but are the only race to ever get above one thousand three hundred don’t you?” Spike replied. “No matter what happens, the Clan will hold the record for a very long time.”
“I know, but it would be nice to set another record though.”
Spike chuckled, “I suppose it would.”
Spike continued to eat and speak with various members of the Clan until a familiar stench caught him off guard. He inhaled slowly and deeply and identified the smell as sulfur mixed with gemstones and various terrible odors. He turned around and sure enough there was a great plume of smoke rising from a mountain cave far in the distance. He instantly knew what was going on.
Spike felt a familiar pressure in his stomach. He lifted his head and released a flaming burp that shook the ground, producing a small letter. 
“Cascade, come with me!” Spike called.
Cascade, the second in command of the Clan arose from his place at the great table and went with Spike to a secluded spot outside the village.
“Read this to me”, Spike said giving Cascade the letter.

“Dear Spike,
I’m sure you’re already aware, but smoke is coming from the mountain east of Canterlot. I’m also sure I don’t have to tell you this either, but it is because a dragon has settled in the cave at the top for his one hundred-year slumber. I need you and the Clan to get him to leave by any means necessary or Equestria will not survive the next hundred years, though I know I don’t have to tell you that either. I know you can do this. The fate of Equestria is in your claws.
Yours,
Princess Celestia

Cascade looked up at Spike alarmed. “What do we do Father Spike?”
“Prepare the Stallions”, Spike replied. “Send a messenger to Ponyville and let them know that their Pegasai will have to transport the water to Cloudsdale this year.”

~~~~~

“You can’t be serious”, argued Romulus.
“A dragon has settled in Equestria for his century sleep and its up to us to get him to leave”, Spike replied without sympathy for Romulus’ grief.
“But this was our year to get the water to Cloudsdale”, Romulus persisted. “What about the record?”
Spike’s voice then took on an air of authority, which he rarely found necessary. “Alright, first of all it will be a long time before any group of Pegasai trump our wing power record. That is assuming it is even possible. Secondly, your duty to Equestria as a member of the Dragon-Pony Clan far outweighs anything else you have on your agenda. Now go get ready.”
Romulus silenced himself and obeyed. Soon the Stallions of the Clan were ready and they all set out on the short journey.