//------------------------------// // Back to the Isle of Scaly // Story: G5 Adventures in Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July // by ponydog127 //------------------------------// It had been a couple of weeks since the Mane 6 had gotten back from their last Unity Quest in Chicago, where they helped Mystery Incorporated and a few new friends helped to solve the mystery of a phantom haunting an opera house where a popular talent show was taking place. Since then, life had been pretty smooth, even though Sunny and her friends were taking every precaution to make sure that if Allura were to somehow enter Maretime Bay or Zephyr Heights or Bridlewood, they would be ready to defend their home and their friends from harm. But after a while, Sunny realized that it had been a while since they updated Spike and the rest of the dragons on the Isle of Scaly of their progress in order to defeat Allura. So one day, near the end of June, they decided to make a day trip out to the Isle of Scaly... unaware that it would lead to one of their most challenging and complex Unity Quests yet. XXXXXXXX The Marestream soared through the cloudy skies, with the Mane 6 inside before the Isle of Scaly and all its luscious glory came into view, with Zipp (being the driver and all) being the first to see it. “There it is, you guys! The Dragonlands!” “I can’t wait to see our new dragon friends again,” Misty smiled. “I know we kinda left them in a hurry last time, but I have a feeling this time, we’ll learn a lot more about what Equestria used to be like.” “And maybe Spike can tell us more stories about the Guardians of Harmony!” Sunny squealed excitedly before regaining her composure. “A-At least… if he doesn’t mind.” “Hold on, ponies!” Zipp pushed the joystick for the Marestream down gently. “We’re going down!” The Marestream slowly descended to the ground in the midst of the wild jungles of the island, and once they were safely on the ground, the ponies climbed out of it and looked around. But while her friends were focused on the surroundings around then, Pipp groaned at the fact that she had no signal. “Well… this is just perfect-- I wanted to show the Isle of Scaly to the Pippsqueaks!” “Never mind that, Pippster!” Izzy said. “I wanna see Blaize and the other dragons, but I don’t see them!” “Hang on a sec, Izzy,” Sunny said before pulling a whistle out of her saddlebag. “Spike gave me this special dragon whistle to call the dragons if we got here and they weren’t around, and once they hear it, they’ll come flying!” “Well, hurry up and blow that thing!” Zipp encouraged. “We need to let them know about what we’ve found out recently!” Sunny nodded and blew into the whistle, letting a high-pitched tone ring out for all on the Isle of Scaly to hear, no matter where on the island they were. The ponies and Sparky waited for a moment, looking around for any sign of their dragon friends before Pipp gasped and pointed up to the sky. “Look! I think I see some of them!” And low and behold, there were dragons flying in their direction-- Dragon Lord Spike, a figure from Equestrian legends and his followers (Blaize Skysong, Luxxe, Fountain, Leaf, Tumble, Lava and Jade) to be precise. Spike flew down first, followed by his followers, and they all landed before the Marestream. “Sunny! Ponies of Equestria!” Spike smiled warmly. “It’s wonderful to see you all again.” “Likewise, Spike,” Sunny smiled. “I’m sorry if we dropped in unannounced.” “No way!” Leaf brushed off. “We were just off foraging.” Sparky babbled and rushed toward Spike, hugging onto his leg and making the older dragon smile down at him. “It’s wonderful to see you again too, little one.” “So, what do you have to report on the Allura situation?” Blaize asked the ponies seriously. “Has she made any attempts to get into Equestria?” “Not since we last saw her back in Bikini Bottom,” Hitch shook his head. “But… that was a few months ago. It's kind of strange that we haven't seen her since.” “Maybe she finally gave up,” Luxxe assumed. “And Equestria and the Isle of Scaly can finally be at peace!” “I wouldn’t go that far, Luxxe,” Misty shuddered. “If she’s like Opaline, or if she's worse than her… we may have more to worry about than we think.” “But, don’t worry,” Jade smiled warmly. “Us dragons will be here to support you as much as you need… right, your Spikeness?” “Of course. Ponies were there for me when I needed them,” said Spike with a smile, “and I would do anything to repay the favor.” “We should totally take you guys on a special tour of the Isle of Scaly,” Tumble suggested. “Since you guys didn’t see much of it the last time you were here.” “Hey, if it means flying, learning more about dragons and seeing a whole new environment,” Zipp said, “I’m all for it!” “All right!” Lava cheered. “Get on us and we’ll give you guys the rides of your lives!” XXXXXXXX Within minutes, the ponies had settled onto the back of the dragon of their choice: Sunny rode with Blaize Izzy rode with Luxxe Pipp rode with Fountain Zipp rode with Lava Hitch rode with Tumble Misty rode with Jade Sparky rode on Spike's head And after they had climbed onto the backs of the adult dragons, they flew over the island, with each of the dragons pointing out some of their favorite spots. “Over there, is Shimmering Scale Lagoon,” Fountain said as she pointed her large paw at a sparkling lagoon to their left. “It’s the best place for dragons to swim and relax after making sure the island is safe.” “Oooooh, Fountain!” Pipp said as she pulled out her phone. “Even though I have no service whatsoever, I can still take as many pictures as my pony heart wants!” “Huh… really?” Fountain blinked innocently. “Do you think you can show me how to work one of those things?” “Uh, obviously!” Pipp answered. “We’ll just… have to make them dragon-sized.” Sunny cleared her throat to Blaize to get her attention as the other dragons showed them their favorite spots of the island. “So, Blaize, um… how did you like visiting Equestria a few weeks ago? You know... after all these moons of hibernating?” “To be honest, I thought it was gonna be full of cute and cuddly stuff… and it sort of is,” Blaize admitted. “But… seeing you ponies band together like you did to calm the townsponies down… it was kinda mind blowing.” “That, dear Blaize, is the true meaning of unity magic,” Spike smiled. “Something my friends from ancient Equestria believed very much in.” “And we’re hoping that we can keep spreading that message of unity and togetherness,” Zipp said from Lava’s back, “in order to let the townsponies know that if we work together, we can get past anything… or any-creature.” “Uh… your Spikeness?” Jade panted tiredly. “I don’t mean to be a bother or anything, but… do you think we can stop for a rest? My wings are starting to get tired.” “Of course,” Spike nodded. “A little rest would do us all good.” “Come on!” Lava encouraged. “Let’s head to the top of the Gemstone Mountains-- that’s a great resting place.” Everyone followed Lava to the top of the nearby mountains, where the ponies dismounted and stared in awe at the majestic view from the top of the tallest mountain peak. “Wow…” Pipp smiled. “This is totally Ponygram-able if I had the service I needed to make a post!” “We appreciate you being so welcoming to us, Spike,” Sunny smiled before deciding to ask a serious question. “Do you think… maybe… you could tell us some stories with the Guardians of Harmony? If you don’t feel like you’re ready for it, we totally understand.” “Well, normally I agree to a bit of storytelling,” Spike said, “but…” Sunny’s face fell at this. “But what?” “...it appears that you’re needed somewhere else than with us right now.” Out of confusion, the ponies looked at each other before looking down at their cutie marks, which were glowing brightly, before the magic from their cutie marks sent several swirls of light to the side of the mountain, creating a portal out of thin air. “Another Unity Quest? Already?” Zipp asked before sighing. “I guess our work is never done.” “Will you guys be here in a few minutes when we get back?” asked Sunny. “We could spend more time together once you guys get back.” “Sure, we can wait here,” Fountain nodded. “You guys go do what you need to do, and we can hang out once you guys get back.” “We’ll be back soon-- we promise,” Misty smiled and bid their dragon friends farewell before they ventured into the portal and just before it closed, sending the group on their next Unity Quest… …and most possibly the most important Unity Quest yet.