//------------------------------// // Chapter 12: The Fallen Hero - To War // Story: My Little Pony: Clash of Dragons // by RobtheMorpherPony //------------------------------// "SAY WHAT?!" Spike exclaimed. Smolder had just gotten to Ponyville to warn every pony and creature she could. "Didn't you say you'd try to convince Dragon Lands Ember to accept the outcome?" Society Ember asked. "I wanted to, believe me. But from what she was saying, I could tell right away she wasn't going to have any of it." Smolder said. "After I went and made her dragon lord. I even made her pinkie promise and everything on it." Spike said. "Oh boy. I think Spike is PISSED." Pinkie Pie said. "I think the current dragon lord of the dragon lands better watch out. I recognize that look in my son's eyes." Spyro said. "Of course, you would. It's similar to mine when I get similarly pissed off." Cynder said. "Of course, Dragon Lands Ember must realize what this means." Twilight said. "War?" Flash Sentry asked. "Let's talk with Princess Celestia about this." Twilight said. Princess Celestia was filled in. "Unbelievable. I don't understand why they would go this far just because of something Cynder was unable to have any influence over." The sun princess said. "I honestly don't want to believe it myself, but I won't take that chance if I can help it. I should've never let Ember have the Bloodstone Sceptor." Spike said. "And with it, she can use it to command whatever dragons she wants from the Dragon Lands." He added. "Bloodstone? You mean the Dragon Lands STILL use that magic-less ruby as a symbol of power and stuck it on some staff to call it a sceptor?" Spyro asked. "...You mean to tell me that the ruby in the Bloodstone Sceptor is completely devoid of magic?" And that there's nothing preventing us from just destroying it after we're done?" Spike asked. "Basically yeah." Cynder said. "The ruby however, is kind of precious to Spyro: It's all that remains of Ignatus, the only dragon elder who didn't survive the war against Malafor." She added. "Oh..." Spike said. "...It has to be done." Spyro said. "I doubt Ignantus wouldn't want what remains of him to be used for such an evil purpose." He added. "...Heh. You know what, you're probably right. So, what do you say we don't even hestiate, hmm?" Cynder asked. "For Ignantus's sake, we have to destroy that ruby." Spyro said. "I'm all on board with that." Spike said. "Count me in. I don't care if her dad is basically bigger than me; we've got Spyro and Cynder behind us." Smolder said. "We won't let the dragon lands disturb what we've built so far. So let us make sure they don't get to do it." Princess Celestia said. Meanwhile, in a different location, the black fox was standing over a very injured dragon from the dragon lands. "So, do you feel like telling me what I want to know? Or am I going to have to show you just how futile it is to fight me some more?" The black fox asked. "T-torch isn't even the dragon lord anymore. You're asking the wrong question to begin with." The dragon said. "If he's not the dragon lord anymore, then you know who is. Tell me, and I'll let you keep your ability to fly. And trust me, that can be a fate worse than death." The black fox said. "Alright, alright! I'll tell you: It's his daughter, a blue dragoness named Ember. Don't confuse her for the pink dragoness of the same name that's part of The Society." The Dragon said. "Good. You know when you're beaten." The black fox said before proceeding to knock the dragon out. "...I'm coming for you, Dragon Lord." The black fox said before leaving the scene.