//------------------------------// // Lesson #3 // Story: Spike's Kingdom // by Guardian Dragon //------------------------------// Spike is on Ember's back, flying across the Dragon Lands to learn more about his culture; he embraces his new family last night after discovering an unfortunate dark truth about the Dragon Egg raiding years ago. Spike hopes Princess Celestia didn't initiate such a wicked, devilish, unforgiving scheme to withdraw the eggs and paralyze many Dragons guarding the newborns with their lives. Many Dragons down below and soaring in the skies wave at Dragon Lord Spike, hoping for recognition while enjoying a new day with many possibilities of becoming anew under the new ruler. Princess Ember imagines unity within her species and spreads love and Friendship across many neighboring countries while representing the true nature of Dragons and not the rumors and name-shaming by other creatures that acclaimed them to be. Spike is eager to see Garble and Smolder, but more importantly, his mother for the first time. Curiosity gets the better of Spike with many different color combinations of his mother's appearance, and would she be proud of him for living among Ponies or surprised that he survived such cruelty? Last night, former Dragon Lord Torch informed Spike about the magic inside the Bloodstone Scepter, it can sense any Dragon the ruler desires to search for, and the Bloodstone Gem glows brighter whenever the Dragon is near. Right now, Spike is using the Bloodstone Scepter to locate Garble and Smolder's cave; before learning more about his heritage, he yearns to greet his mother and possibly father since Smolder and Garble forgot to mention their dad. The Bloodstone Scepter glows, indicating that the duo is at Garble and Smolder's cave. "I'm so excited!" Spike hops off Ember's back as she hovers down. "I'm happy for you, Spike; it's not often for a youngling stolen to reunite with family after so many years," Ember responds; she looks up at Garble flying by with Clump and Fume. "Yo guys, wanna come by?" Garble politely asks his friends, and they find him weird by his sudden change of attitude. "No way, man. Whatever hugging spree the Dragon Lord put you through, we don't want any of that," Fume flies away. "Later, hugger," Clump laughs and mocks Garble for his unfortunate task from yesterday's decree from the Dragon Lord and follows Fume. Garble grumbles and turns to Dragon Lord Spike and Princess Ember, widely smiling while whistling into the caves, alerting Smolder about their brother's presence. "Coming!" Smolder hears her brother's call from her room; she flies out and greets her brother and Princess Ember at the entrance; She and Garble tackle-hug Spike with a loving embrace. "Welcome home, bro!" Garble and Smolder shout loud enough to wake their mother from a peaceful slumber. The echoes of their claim made it to the ears of their mother. "Thanks," Spike hugs his siblings, relishing the love from the two Dragons. Garble and Smolder stop hugging and escort Spike inside their home. Princess Ember follows the trio inside while imagining the happiest reaction from a mother Dragon who yearned to reunite with a lost brood. Within the cave is a structure to enact a stone age family design with many stoned furniture and a bonfire in the middle. There are many hieroglyphics depicting the family tree dating back many centuries on the walls within the cave. A loud thump echoes in the cave, revealing a titanic Dragoness with red-orange scales, a yellow belly scale, and red spikes running from the head to the tail. Her eyes are ruby, and she smiles at the Princess and Dragon Lord Spike. "Spike, this is your mom, Crimson!" Garble and Smolder announce their mother's name to Spike. "Mom..?" Spike approaches Crimson, extending his left claw to touch her face. Crimson leans down, smiling elegantly at her long-lost child, holding back tears; however, her smile fades. She starts sniffing Spike. "Mom? What are you doing?" Garble asks; he's suspicious about his mother's motive towards his younger brother. "Why are you doing that?" Smolder is confused about the Crimson sniffing Spike. She and Garble know Spike is the long-lost sibling taken by the Ponies years ago. "Oh..," Crimson sheds tears of sadness, not gladness. "I'm sorry, Dragon Lord Spike..," Crimson shakes her head, displeased at the sudden revelation. "I did not conceive you; you are not my long-lost child." "WHAT?!" Garble, Smolder, and Spike shout in horror. Ember feared this outcome more than any Dragon, with over a hundred eggs taken during the raid years ago, and Spike will now have to travel all over to find his actual mother. "How can you be sure, Mom?" Smolder fights back the tears of sadness, knowing Spike is not related. "You and Garble have my and your father's scent; it's our way of detecting our children from separation whenever Dragon Lord Torch isn't with us with his Bloodstone Scepter. For eons, parently Dragons will use their scent of smell to track their younglings wherever they stumble on; It's how I can find you and your brother when you don't return after curfew." "No...NOOOOO!" Garble slams his fists on the floor, cracking it with his strength. "You told me what our egg looked like! Purple with dark purple polka dots!" Crimson shakes her head. "Garble.., I said pink egg with purple polka dots..." "You mean..," Smolder gets an eerie feeling that her sibling is somewhere in Equestria or dead. "The status of our long-lost relative is unknown for now... I'm sorry..," Crimson grabs Smolder and Garble, holding the two as they mourn together. "Long ago, in a journal I helped write, I read that friends are considered part of the family. I may not be related to you, but I want Smolder and Garble to become my brother and sister. I would hate for sadness to continue in my country. That is why I'm creating an extended family." Crimson is stunned by the wisdom shared by the young Dragon Lord and wants to uncover the many marvels Spike endured to obtain the advice. Spike shed tears after discovering his family won't be easy to find; he should have known better than to become over-optimistic. "I must be patient and ask many Dragonesses about their missing eggs to find my mom." Spike thought to himself. He wants to use the Bloodstone Scepter to locate his mom; however, Spike still wants to learn more about his kin. Smolder and Garble convince Spike to partake in another fun day with the teenage Dragons since they'll submit to Spike's authority over a possible reformation decree about belittling and ridiculing any other Dragon regardless of age. Spike ponders over the thought and decides to go forth; hopefully, hearing the testimonies of other Dragons present at the raid can inform Spike more of their memories concerning the Dragon and their remaining families in attendance near the foundation of the Dragon's Nest. Spike climbs Ember's back and takes off in the wild blue yonder with Garble and Smolder following pursuit; Garble's friends decide to follow him to the volcanic territories for a nice soothing, relaxing lava bath.