//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Start-up - Triangles Forming // Story: My Little Pony: Clash of Dragons // by RobtheMorpherPony //------------------------------// "Ow ow ow ow ow..." Garble said as his sister was tending to his wounds. "Geez, how in Equestria did you substain such injuries?" His sister, Smolder, asked. "I didn't even know the little punk kid had it in him...don't even know what happened. One moment I think I'm about to throw him, and the next, he shoots out this green flame that caused this to happen!" Garble said. "Seems to me like you've met a Purple Dragon that's not Spyro." Smolder said. "Which means it's up to me to do some much-needed damage control and soon." She added. "Why bother? The last Purple Dragon ended up becoming mates with Cynder of all dragons." Garble said. "Which is all the more reason that I need to do some damage control and soon. If that Purple Dragon joins up with The Society, we'll never have a chance at making that witch pay for what she did to our lands years ago." Smolder said. "Whose to say they haven't already reached out?" Garble asked. "Even if they have, that just adds to the reason for me to do some damage control." Smolder said. "You said he looked to be about fifteen years old, right?" She asked. "Yeah, what of it?" Garble asked. "Well, that's my age too, as you know. Which means I have a good chance at getting in on him. I can do a lot more than just persuade him to go with the true dragons of Equestria; I can make him my mate if I play my cards right~" Smolder said. "You're not seriously thinking of romancing the kid, are you?" Garble asked. "He lives with PONIES of all things..." He added. "And your point is?" Smolder asked. "My point is that he doesn't know what true dragons are like." Garble said. "And your point is?" Smolder repeated. "My point is that you'll have to do a lot of work." Garble said. "And your point is?" Smolder repeated again. "...There's no way I can talk you out of this, is there?" Garble asked. "Nope~" Smolder said as she finished treating Garble's wounds. When Ember was directed to where Spike & Twilight Sparkle were staying, she had a puzzled expression on her face. "...Twilight Sparkle here is an alicorn princess yet you two live in a library of all places?" Ember asked. "Admittedly yes. But that's just because I much prefer this place. This was where I moved to after coming to oversee the Summer Sun Celebration." Twilight said. "I much prefer this place to a castle. Besides, I've grown too used to it." She added. "...Huh. Fair enough. The least you could do is expand it a little maybe? Just throwing that out there." Ember said. Just then, a pegasus stallion entered. "Things are--wait, whose this?" The stallion asked. "She's from The Society I told you about last night Flash. Her name is Ember." Twilight said. "...Huh...and what is she doing here?" Flash asked. "I think it's best if your Princess fills you in on the details, guard boy." Ember said. "That outfit just screams royal guard." She added. "...Wait Flash, I told you a million times not to wear your armor into the library!" Twilight said. "Sorry...I kind of forgot..." Flash said. "Well my name is Flash Sentry, captain of Princess Twilight's royal guard. Well...actually I'm the only real member of it." He added. "And I'm Ember, one of the members of The Circle of Entrustees." Ember said. "The Circle of Entrustees? We didn't really get to meet anyone else in that part of The Soiciety when we were there." Spike said. "Actually, you've already met the other members: Sunburn, Sonic Boom, Spyro, and Cynder. We've been looking for a sixth member for the circle for a while now, but no one in The Society has yet to show the right initiative for it. The CoE is THAT strict on who is a part of it. To be in, you have to not only be a highly trusted member of The Society itself, but also you have to show initiative by coming up with a way to improve and expand the capabilities of The Society in a way that will ensure its survival even if The Alpha were to somehow get murdered." Ember said. "It's a fancy way of saying we are the group that is a 'in case of Alpha's death, keep The Society together' thing." She added. "Isn't it a little unorthodox to have The Alpha himself on there?" Twilight asked. "Which one of those is this 'Alpha'?" Flash Sentry asked. "I'll tell you later." Twilight said. "The Alpha is the one that created the CoE in the first place, so he sits on every meeting the CoE has. We don't want a traitor in our mist. It's why the CoE is VERY strict about its recruitment. To date, only me, Sonic Boom, and Sunburn have been the only ones that have fulfilled the requirements." Ember explained. "And what about Cynder?" Twilight asked. "Considering none of us would even be here right now if she and The Alpha didn't save the world, that's kind of reason enough outside of being The Alpha's mate. Cynder ain't afraid to throw her weight around." Ember said. "So, by process of elimination, you just told me who The Alpha is." Flash Sentry said. "But what's his interest in Spike?" He asked. "I have so much to tell you. Spike, why don't you go give Ember a tour while I inform Flash Sentry?" Twilight asked. "Sure, thing Twilight." Spike said and then took Ember away for a tour. "...This is one of those moments where you said 'sometimes I am going to have to mix business with pleasure' huh?" Flash Sentry asked. "Trust me when I explain everything, you'll understand why this time." Twilight said. Several hours later... "YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!" Flash Sentry exclaimed. "I know! I was just as surprised as you are, and I JUST found out about this this morning!" Twilight said. "I suppose it would explain away Spikezilla and how he was able to completely OWN that red dragon known as Garble in the Gauntlet of Fire." Flash Sentry said. "...Spikezilla? Really? REALLY?" Twilight asked. "Pinkie Pie's words, not mine." Flash Sentry said. "When she saw Spike grow to massive size before I saw him and start owning Garble, she yelled, and I quote 'RUN! IT'S SPIKEZILLA!' causing me to get curious on what she meant and well...that's when I saw Spike in a monstrous size beating the crap out of Garble." He added. "Still, Spikezilla? I am SO going to have a chat with Pinkie Pie later." Twilight said. Meanwhile, an orange dragoness was standing outside of Ponyville. "So, this is Ponyville? Got to admit, it's got its charm. And if you ask me, my brother's desire to see these ponies crushed is just stupid. Sure, we can survive without them, but they do have their uses in places my brother just doesn't understand. And probably never will." Smolder said. "Looks like The Society has already made contact with Spike though. That's fine. I know how to play my cards right all the same." She added. "Look out pink dragoness who shares the same name as my dragon lord; I will win Spike's heart and he will turn on your so called 'Society'!" The dragoness concluded. Smolder paused. "...Just realized that there's two dragonesses who share the same name with each other...woo boy...that's not going to get confusing at all; obvious sarcasm is obvious." She said to herself at the end.