Sunny gasped as she looked at the large purple dragon in awe, she couldn’t take her eyes off him. Suddenly, she became aware of somepony poking her hind leg.
“Maybe a good time to kneel,” Hitch hissed.
Sunny looked around and gasped, she was the only one not kneeling and quickly did so.
However, it seemed she went unnoticed as the purple dragon sniffed and let out a long yawn. As he did so, suddenly a blast of fire erupted from his mouth which he quickly diverted skywards.
“oops, sorry everydragon,” he gasped before looking down at the group of ponies. “Oh, what do we have here?”
“A delegation from Equestria,” Blaize said stiffly. “They request an audience, apparently, they have important information. I apologise for the…”
“Oh, lighten up Blaize,” the purple dragon replied. “We have guests, guests we’ve not seen for generations.”
He unfurled his huge wings and jumped from the building, gliding effortlessly down to sit on the large flat rock. Blaize’s snout curled into a silent snarl as she took up position on the left. On the right, Tumble smiled back at Sunny and the others.
“This is wonderful,” the purple dragon grinned. “I am Spike, the current Dragon Lord. It’s been far, far too long since I’ve even seen citizens of Equestria. Let alone had them come here for an audience.”
‘Spike’ suddenly clenched his claws, bobbing up and down slightly in glee as he sat on his large rock throne.
“I knew so many ponies back in my younger days,” he continued. “Princess Twilight Sparkle of course, but all her friends as well. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. They were all very, very good friends of mine. I’m so excited to meet their descendants.”
“I’m not sure about direct descendants,” Sunny grinned. “But it’s a real honour to meet you Spike. My Dad researched ancient Equestria and told me so many stories about you and the Guardians of Friendship. You were a real legend.”
Starlight held her tongue, but her eyes narrowed into a scowl. Something wasn’t right but she couldn’t quite put her hoof on it. It seemed like Spike, but he hadn’t recognised her like Discord had.
“A legend,” ‘Spike’ beamed. “I knew it, I knew that my status as Spike the Brave and Glorious had to last into the history books. So, so, before I get too carried away in nostalgia, what brings you here to the Dragon Lands? It’s such a long way from Equestria, it must have been a long and perilous journey.”
“Well, we…” Sunny started before Starlight held a hoof up.
She stepped forward, still scowling. “Apologies, just before we get to that, could I clarify something?”
“Clarify away,” ‘Spike’ smiled holding a claw out invitingly. “These audiences are supposed to be a two-way exchange after all.”
“Thank you,” Starlight smiled sweetly. “If you are the legendary Spike the history books speak of, how is it you’ve survived this long?”
“Oh, that’s simple,” ‘Spike’ replied. “Dragons live for a very, very long time.”
“Yes, you do, almost as long as an Alicorn,” Starlight replied knowingly. “However, that is where I’m confused. You were hatched by Princess Twilight when she was a filly. Yet she passed on thousands of moons ago. How have you outlived her?”
‘Spike’ gulped, suddenly looking a lot more nervous. “Well, there is an explanation, but I think we need to get to know each other better first. Maybe you have other questions?”
Sunny meanwhile looked worriedly at Starlight. “Are you sure that was necessary?” she whispered.
Starlight shot an annoyed look at Sunny, and suddenly it became clear to her too. Why should Spike need to get to know Starlight? Why hadn’t he recognised her already?
“Well, if you would like more questions,” Sunny stepped in. “The history books were a little light on the names of the ponies other than Princess Twilight. Were there others you were friends with?”
‘Spike’ gulped again, looking even more nervous. At his side, Blaize was looking more and more annoyed.
“Urm, well there were so many,” ‘Spike’ replied. “Like Princess Celestia.”
“Oh, apologies if we weren’t clear,” Starlight responded. “The other Princesses were obviously well documented as well. There was one pony we were quite curious about though. Princess Twilight’s pupil, who was she? What was she like?”
‘Spike’ looked back at Starlight with utter confusion.
“Oh,” Starlight gasped. “Please don’t say you’ve forgotten her? I thought that with being so close to Princess Twilight you’d instantly remember her pupil?”
“Oh, oh of course I do,” ‘Spike’ chuckled as he slapped his knee. “Lemon Dancer of course. She…”
“You are not the Spike from Equestria’s past so stop acting like it,” Starlight said suddenly.
Immediately, Blaize leaped forward and engulfed Starlight in a breath of fire. However, Starlight was too quick for her and shielded herself skilfully.
“ENOUGH!” ‘Spike’ demanded as he rounded on Blaize. “What is the meaning of this Blaize? There will be no attacking our guests!”
Blaize cowered under the accusing gaze of her Dragon Lord. Starlight meanwhile maintained a ready stance, her horn glowing ominously.
“S…she disrespected you your Spikeness,” Blaize gasped.
“No, no she has not,” ‘Spike’ replied. “I am the one who has disrespected her, and her kind.”
‘Spike’ turned back towards Starlight and the others. Holding his claws up in defeat.
“I’m sorry for the ruse,” he said. “Whilst my name truly is Spike, I am not Spike the Brave and Glorious, he was my grandfather. You may call me Spike Junior if you wish. Please, tell me how you know so much about him and his time?”
“Well, it’s very simple,” Starlight smiled. “I am Starlight Glimmer, and I am not from this time. I’m the very pupil of Twilight Sparkle you couldn’t name, and I know Spike personally. The moment you didn’t recognise me I knew something wasn’t right.”
“What?” Blaize frowned looking completely confused.
“Y…you knew, err, know my grandfather personally,” Spike Junior gasped. “How?”
“Time travel,” Sunny responded. “It’s kind of a long story but Starlight is from the time of harmony.”
“I was Twilight’s pupil, however I’m now the Headmare of her School of Friendship,” Starlight explained. “Like I said, I know Spike personally, although you should know, he’s only known as ‘Spike the Brave and Glorious’ in the Crystal Empire. Everywhere else he’s just Twilight’s assistant and lifelong friend.”
“T…this is wonderful,” Spike Junior smiled. “I never had much time with my grandfather, he passed when I was still very young. My mother told me many stories that he had told her about his time with ponies. I expect they may have been overexaggerated by the pair of them.”
“Your Spikeness,” Blaize ventured. “With all due respect, this sounds impossible. We…”
She stopped as Spike Junior raised a claw. “Trust me Blaize, the magical abilities of these ponies almost knows no bounds,” he explained. “Now, I’m sure you didn’t come all this way for a trip down memory lane.”
“So, err, I am Sunny Starscout,” Sunny introduced as she stepped forward. “We came to warn you about the Dragon Stone.”
At the mention of the Dragon Stone, Spike Junior and the other dragons suddenly looked a lot less friendly. “The Dragon Stone!” Spike Junior exclaimed.
He spread his wings wide, and his eyes narrowed into a massive scowl as he stared intensely down at Sunny. She cowered, suddenly realising the other dragons were also staring accusingly at her.
Blaize’s wings were also flared wide, and her claws were bared. Her eyes had narrowed into an accusing scowl whilst her snout curled into a snarl. She was poised, ready to attack at a moment’s notice.
“The Dragon Stone was safely hidden moons ago,” Spike Junior exclaimed. “Who has it?”
“Opaline Arcana,” Starlight replied.
Spike Junior’s eyes widened, and he looked down at them with disbelief. “But she was banished long ago.”
“She’s returned and is threatening Equestria once again,” Sunny answered. “She’s obtained the Dragon Stone and has already used it to drain Sparky of his energy.”
Sunny gestured to where Hitch was standing at the rear of the group. He was cradling Sparky in one hoof, as the little dragon looked up at the Dragon Lord in wonder.
“A…A hatchling,” Spike Junior gasped before extending an upturned claw towards Sparky and Hitch. “Come here little one.”
Immediately, and to Hitch’s surprise, Sparky jumped from Hitch’s grasp and ran past Sunny and Starlight before jumping onto Spike Junior’s huge, clawed hand. Spike Junior immediately lifted Sparky into his huge arms and began to cradle him.
“Where did you find him?” Spike Junior asked gravely.
Suddenly they were interrupted by shouts of dismay and dissatisfaction. Everypony looked up to the high cliffs of the gorge to see they were almost completely covered with dragons. They were perched on ledges all around and seemed none too pleased.
“SILENCE!” Spike Junior roared. “Let them speak. I will be the judge here.”
“I found Sparky’s egg washed up on the beach,” Hitch explained worriedly. “It was cold, so I took it and warmed it. When he hatched, I started to take care of Sparky as though he was my own.”
Spike Junior nodded as he continued to cradle Sparky.
“He’s very low on energy,” Spike Junior commented. “Most likely due to Opaline and the Dragon Stone. If you were protecting Sparky, how did he come to be at Opaline’s, and do you know how she obtained the stone?”
“It’s all my fault,” Misty said as she stepped forward and away from the rest of the group.
“Misty, no,” Sunny gasped.
“Sunny, I have to do this,” Misty replied simply before looking back at Spike Junior.
Spike Junior’s eyes narrowed at Misty. “Very well, explain,” he replied simply.
“I’m Misty Brightdawn, and I’m the one responsible,” Misty gulped as she gave a small bow. “I took the Dragon Stone from its hiding place and gave it to Opaline. I also took Sparky from Hitch and the others and delivered him to her.”
There were shouts of disapproval from the dragons perched on the cliffs above. Cries of retribution and punishments could be heard, some lenient whilst others far less so. Misty grimaced, and cowered in fear as she looked up at Spike Junior, awaiting his judgement.
Spike Junior sighed with annoyance and closed his eyes for a moment.
“THERE MUST BE SILENCE FROM ABOVE!” he roared, tilting his head skywards. “How can I hold a conversation with our guests if we are continually interrupted?”
He looked back at Misty gravely as she lowered herself into a kneel, expecting judgement and punishment.
“What you say Misty Brightdawn are grave crimes against dragon kind,” he explained. “The Dragon Stone was created by my mother and Princess Twilight Sparkle to contain the powers of the Dragons. Its purpose was to protect those powers from evil like Opaline Arcana whilst the dragons went into a deep hibernation to stop her locating us.”
“So that’s why there’s been no sign of dragons for moons,” Sunny gasped.
“Exactly,” Spike Junior replied. “Since I awakened, I was feeling lower on energy than I should. I assumed it was due to only just waking. However, it’s now clear that it’s because the Dragon Stone is missing.”
“We’ll be surviving on the residual energies within the Dragon Lands,” Blaize gasped. “We’ll be vulnerable.”
“Indeed,” Spike Junior nodded. “However, Misty Brightdawn, there is something that confuses me.”
“O...oh?” Misty gasped.
“Why are you here?” Spike Junior asked. “Why come here and tell us of these crimes yourself? You could have stayed in Equestria. You could have kept quiet. However, you came forward and confessed.”
“B…Because I had to,” Misty replied. “I came because I wanted to ensure that Sparky recovers. I told you because I want to ensure that Opaline cannot hurt anycreature else.”
“Interesting,” Spike Junior commented, sitting back and stroking Sparky’s head calmly. “Please, explain your story.”
Misty sighed and looked down at the ground. “I was taken from my family by Opaline when I was a young filly. She was all I could remember and as a result I’d do anything for her,” she explained. “But after I took Sparky, I realised it was the wrong thing to do. I tried to take him back, but it was too late. So, I went to find Sunny and the others to help him, but we were all captured.”
“But you saved us Misty,” Hitch interjected. “You saved us, you helped fight Opaline and you still are.”
“So, Misty Brightdawn, you’ve renounced your affiliation to Opaline and are doing all you can against her?” Spike Junior asked.
“Yes,” Misty answered. “I’ve got this wonderful group of friends now who have forgiven me for my mistakes. I care about them all, Sparky included.”
“She was given the means for us to travel here,” Sunny interjected. “A key to a special doorway. Without it, we wouldn’t be here.”
“She could have used it to find her lost family,” Izzy added. “But she didn’t, she used it to help a friend.”
“And warn you about Opaline’s return and the Dragon Stone,” Zipp included.
Spike Junior took a deep breath and closed his eyes, seemingly thinking long and hard about what he’d been told. Both Dragons and Ponies alike waited with bated breath for his judgement. Finally, he opened his eyes and looked directly at Misty.
“Misty Brightdawn, whilst you have committed crimes against dragon kind, your subsequent actions have made up for them,” Spike Junior said at last. “Knowing of Opaline’s return and that she has the Dragon Stone means we can be prepared for her. I thank you Misty, for enabling that message to be delivered.”
Misty said nothing in return other than giving a grateful smile and a thankful bow. Spike Junior nodded in return before looking towards Hitch.
“Now, as for Sparky,” Spike Junior started.
“WE’RE UNDER ATTACK!” a voice yelled.
“Fountain!” Blaize shouted. “What is the meaning…”
“It’s Lava and Jade,” Fountain gasped as she landed between the Ponies and Spike Junior. “They’re under attack by a fiery monster.”
“Where?” Spike Junior demanded.
“Next to the portal the ponies came through,” Fountain replied.
“I knew they couldn’t be trusted,” Blaize exclaimed as she started running forwards.
“I’ll show you who can’t be trusted,” Starlight responded as she began to gallop.
Starlight curved around her companions to head Blaize off. As Blaize started to jump into the air, Starlight lunged for her. As hoof touched scale, there was a flash as Starlight teleported them both.
To be continued…