//------------------------------//
// Chapter 5: Why So Serious 
// Story: Rising from the Ashes 
// by Doctoroctagonapus21 
//------------------------------//

Melody sat near Sparky as he recounted the horrific tale of his past. She couldn't help but feel sorry fo him. When he finished, she went up and hugged him, saying "Oh you poor thing! I'm so sorry to hear all this."

Sparky remained silent for a minute before saying, "Thank you."

"Here. I'll whip us up some breakfast." Melody said.

She ended up making some pancakes and orange juice and they ate together Sparky remaining silent the whole time. He still felt a little sick in the pit of his stomach but he was glad that she knew.

In the midst of all this, a shrill scream came from outside and the two rushed out to see what was going on and what they saw astounded them: Phyre was standing outside, her hair having grown so long that you couldn't actually see her. Shortly afterwards, Brook stepped out covered almost completely in purple spots (the only exception being her artificial wings). "What's happening to us?" She asked.

"Did something happen yesterday while we were out?" Melody asked as the other ponies left their house to see the commotion.

"Well," Phyre began, "After you guys left I went back inside to start cleaning up when all of a sudden I hear an explosion or something. So I ran outside and these blue specks were falling from the sky."

"I ran into those specks when I got back." Brook added. "That must be the problem, but what were they?"

Just then a strangely familiar voice shouted out, "It's called Poison Joke." The ponies turned towards the voice. A strange, small, black and white creature, walking on two legs, walked to the center of the group and said, "It's a strange plant that has unpredictable effects on any creature infected by it."

"Percy?" Luna asked, trying to hold back a laugh.

"Yes, it's me." the creature stated. "It seems the plant has caused me to revert back to a baby dragon." He looked around and noticed that all the ponies were trying really hard not to laugh. Percy sighed and said, "Go ahead." and all the ponies busted out laughing at their elder's unusual predicament. Even Sparky, who's morning so far had been a rather depressing one, couldn't help but laugh.

After everypony had settled down, Percy continued. "Fortunately, the cure is a simple one, but it'll be a few weeks before it's applicable. We must go on with out lives until then. Snow is coming so we'd all better start preparing." and with that, eveypony went about making preperations for the upcoming season change.

Later that night, Sparky started worrying about Chilly and so he went over to her house and knocked on her door. It was unusually warm at the door, he noticed. No answer. He knocked again and said, "Chilly, you in there?"

The door opened slightly and a blue hoof beckoned him in.

"Everything okay?..."