Chapter 3
“The Sacred Fire”
“What way are you talking about Far’seer?” Twilight asked. “Is there another way Spike can grow without setting him on fire?”
“Sadly, the setting fire part still has to happen.” The blind oracle said, “But, there is one way to bypass the requirements, and allow Spar’kron to grow naturally.”
“What is it?” Spike demanded. “I’ll do whatever it takes!”
“You may not be so eager when I tell you.” Far’seer said, “But I don’t need sight to know that will do little to stop you.”
“So what can we do?” I asked.
Far’seer’s head slowly nodded and she said, “Deep below our cavern, there lies a flame. A gift, created millennia ago by a powerful dragon sorcerer. He unlocked the secrets of dragon growth, but died during the process. His spirit now resides in the fire, and he is very particular about who he chooses to grant the gift to.”
“How particular?” Spike asked, “Is he going to ask me to do a test or something?”
“In a manner of speaking.” Far’seer said, her voice sounding grim. “Only, if you fail, you will at best remain forever a baby dragon, until your greed consumes you like so many of our brothers and sisters.”
“And at worst?” Twilight asked nervously.
Far’seer’s blind eyes closed as she said, “He will not live to see if his body grows at all.”
“This is far too dangerous!” Rarity protested. “Surely there is some other way!”
“Without his mother’s flame this is our only option.” Far’seer said.
“Surely we can use another dragoness’ growth fire.” Rarity speculated.
“I’m afraid that would be impossible. A growth fire only works on the dragon the mother gave birth to. Ran’sea will suffer the same problem you do, Spar’kron.”
I looked over at Spike, a look of sorrow on his face. “Ran can’t grow naturally either?”
Far’seer shook her head in response.
“Then,” Spike got a determined look on his face, “I’ll go to this spirit and convince him to help both of us!”
“Spikey Wikey didn’t you hear a word I said?” Rarity cried, “Aren’t you worried that you’ll be hurt?”
“I’ll hurt others if I stay like this Rarity!” Spike yelled at her. “I almost killed a dragon when I was big! What’s to say I don’t destroy the whole of Equestria next time?”
“But sure-” Rarity started.
“I have to do this Rarity!” Spike shouted.
“But, you could die Spike…” Rarity said, a tear falling down her eyes.
“Rarity?” Spike said, taken aback.
“Fine!” Rarity cried. “Go ahead and get yourself killed! It’s not like I won’t be distraught! It’s not like I’d be worried if I lost you! But no! Being a big bad dragon is far more important than your safety!”
Without another word, Rarity ran outside. Spike was dumbstruck, he looked as she left the cave and just stood there. He put a claw to his forehead and said, “What have I done…?”
“I should probably talk to her.” Twilight said.
“Why you Twi?” I asked.
“I’ve been at this long then she has.” She replied, preparing to walk out.
“Been at what?” Spike asked.
“Dealing with stallions, or in this case dragons, that think they can just fly headfirst into danger without thinking about who they’re leaving behind.” She said, and then walked out.
“I, can’t believe she’s this worried about me.” Spike said, looking down.
I put a hoof on his shoulder and said, “Come on, we’ll go talk to Car’buncle and see if we can’t get your growth ceremony set up.”
“Do you think Rarity will be okay?” Spike asked.
“She’ll be okay.” I said, “Twilight will help her out.”
“I hope so,” Spike said, scuffing his foot. “I can’t stand to see her cry.”
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Perspective: Rarity
Of all the worst things in this world, this has to be… The. Worst. Possible. THING! Why? Why? Why does the drake of my dreams have to go and be so… FOOLISH! There has to be another way. Surely Twilight could figure something out, so my darling Spikey Wikey wouldn’t have to risk death!
I sat on the shore of a nearby puddle. My tears may have added to it. Oh my stars, it’s going to take a while to...how can I even think of my appearance at a time such as this?
This trip has been one disaster after another! Oh how I wish there could be another way! Oh Spikey Wikey…
“Rarity?”
I turned to see Twilight standing there, I wiped my eyes and said, “Forgive me for my outburst, Twilight, I’m just, worried about Spike.”
“I know,” She said firmly. “But Rarity, you have to understand…”
“Understand what?” I asked, maybe a touch too loud. “That my beloved is going to die! That he could perish horribly! That I’d never see him again?! What makes you think that you can understand any of th-”
“HE’S MY BROTHER!” Twilight yelled.
I stopped my rant as Twilight huffed. “Rarity, I know you love him, but I raised him since he was an egg. I know the dangers that can happen, but if we don’t do this he’ll become huge again. He’ll give into his greed and not even you can stop him if it becomes too much.”
I stared at her.
“Don’t even get me started about understanding this! Every day of my life it seems like somepony is trying to hurt or harm Private! Of course I’m worried about him, but I trust him!” She said, her voice firm. “I believe that whatever comes his way, he’ll find a way to escape danger. He nearly died more times than I can count. But, I believe that we’ll see each other again, that, is what holds me together during this.”
I...have been terribly selfish again...I didn’t trust Spike to be able to overcome this danger…
Oh Spike…
“Forgive me Twilight,” I said. “I must seem like a horrible pony.”
“Not horrible,” She said with a smile. “Just not used to crazy boyfriends, or in my case husband, being heroes.”
“To think that you above any of us would be able to hold it all together.” I said, smiling.
“I’ve come a long way since Smarty Pants.” She replied with a laugh.
We both laughed at the most entertaining memory. I then heard another voice speak up, “What are you two laughing about?”
We both looked to see Spike’s sister Ran’sea walking towards us. Oh, what do I tell her? The truth, she deserved it…
“Spike is going to try and see if the sacred fire will let him grow naturally,” I said, trying to sound gentle.
Ran’s jaw dropped, “What? You can’t be serious!”
“It’s true,” Twilight said. “But, I’m sure he’ll be strong enough to get through it, he’s fighting for the right so you both can grow.”
“He...is…?” Ran asked. “Spike is, going to do that for me?”
“You are his sister after all.” Twilight said. “Of course he’d want to do this for both of you.”
“To grow,” Ran said, looking at her claws. “To experience wings, to know what it’s like to breath true fire. To be a true dragon and not a beast, I’ve always dreamed of it. But, I always thought that I would always remain small, since my mother had perished.”
Twilight smiled and put a hoof on her shoulder, saying gently, “I’m sure Spike can do it, we gotta trust him.”
“Right!” Ran’sea said, sounding a little chipper. “I cannot wait! It will be amazing to grow!”
“Absolutely not, young dragoness!”
All three of us looked up as Ele’sium walked over to us. For some reason, I always got an odd vibe off her, and I didn’t much care for her tone when addressing Ran’sea.
It sounded almost condescending…
Look at me, I’ve been accompanying Private for too long, I’m already suspecting every dragon.
“What are you doing here, Ran’sea?” Ele’sium asked, looking down at Ran. “I told you specifically to not speak with these ponies.”
“I wanted to go for a walk Aunt,” Ran said. “I just happened to come by here. They said Spike is going to convince the Sacred Fire to allow me to gr-”
“Like I said, you will not,” Ele’sium said. “The Sacred Fire is far too dangerous, any dragon who goes near it is likely to perish. Be content with what you are, Ran’sea. Do not perform your brother’s foolish endeavors.”
“What I am,” Ran said, glaring defiantly at her aunt, “is sick of everydragon treating me like a pity case! I can never grow naturally without my mother’s growth fire! I get it! But Spike will get the fire to work, and I will be able to grow normally!”
“Foolish girl!” Ele’sium roared. “Who was the one who took care of you when all turned their backs on you? Who took your egg and warmed it for all those weeks before you hatched?”
Ran seemed to become crestfallen, the fire from before fading. “You did, Aunt Ele’sium.”
“I did,” Ele’sium said. “What your brother is doing is foolish, and if Car’buncle has any sense he will forbid the ceremony. I will not see my niece get hurt because of some foolish fantasy.”
“But I…” Ran started.
“What did I say about talking back, Ran’sea?” Ele’sium said, in that condescending tone of hers.
Ran’sea sighed and said, “It’s rude to interrupt when one is talking.”
“Good,” Ele’sium said, and then glared at us. “If I see you, or your other pony friend near my niece again, you’ll all know why dragons are to be feared.”
With that, Ele’sium walked away, Ran’sea walking behind her, her darling little shoulders drooped. Oh the poor dear…
“Something’s not right here…” Twilight said. “Somehow, I don’t think Ele’sium is going to win best parent of the year award.”
“She was terribly rude to Ran’sea, poor dear,” I said.
“We’ll figure this out some other time,” Twilight said. “For now, we got Spike to support.”
I smiled and said, “I am glad you are so caring for Spike, Twilight, it gives me hope for when you and Private finally have little heirs.”
“RARITY!” Twilight cried as I skipped happily away. Oh it is so much fun to tease them!
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Perspective: Private Eye
I was standing in what looked like the center meeting area for the dragons. Car’buncle towered over several of the dragons present. His mate, Li’zael was beside him, Smog’krok at her feet. He kept casting glares at Spike every once in a while. Geez, and I thought my family was nuts.
I noticed the black dragon, Tru’sent, was standing beside Car’buncle, he had to be a dragon of high rank. Other dragons were around us well, that feeling of smallness came back again. I was ready to pull out Silver Wolf just in case.
Car’buncle looked down at Spike. “So, you are requesting to visit the sacred fire,” He said.
“Yes, Uncle,” Spike said. “I know it’s dangerous, but it’s the only way Ran’sea and I can grow normally.”
“A very dangerous way,” Li’zael said. “Many a dragon has ventured to the flame, and came back with scars that would never heal...or they don’t return at all.”
“Why should we let him go in the first place?” Tru’sent asked. “He’s been tainted by these ponies! The fire will never accept this abomination as a true dragon!”
“Tru’sent!” Li’zael cried.
“But, maybe he’s right mother,” Smog said, glaring at Spike. “I mean, he has no idea about anything. He didn’t even know we were alive until this morning.”
“Hey! Don’t talk down to me just because I lived with ponies!” Spike declared. “If anything, I think they’ve made me a better dragon than some of the dragons I’ve met! Don’t even get me started on some of the teenaged dragons I’ve met!”
“Enough!” Car’buncle cried, spreading his wings for silence. He then looked at me. “You, Pony, do you believe that Spar’kron is ready for the fire?”
I looked down, then back up again. “I may not know much about this fire, but I don’t doubt Spike’s courage. I don’t doubt that his heart is in the right place, and I sure as hell don’t doubt the fact that he’s a good dragon. I can’t think of any greater qualifiers for becoming a true dragon.”
Car’buncle closed his eyes, taking it all in.
“It’s insane, Father!” Smog shouted. “He’s not a real dragon! He never was one!”
“Smog’krok!” Li’zael cried. “He is your cousin! Show some decency!”
“But it’s true!” Smog cried, stomping over to Spike. “It’s because of ponies we’re stuck living in caves like this! It’s because of them! He’s a traitor waiting to happen!”
“Finally, a dragon talking sense…” Tru’sent muttered.
“Yeah, like you guys are taking the moral high ground,” Spike said, crossing his arms. “I’m sure there are plenty of pony villages that will say exactly what they think of dragons raiding them. The fact of the matter is, the ponies still see us as monsters. Don’t give them proof…”
“Who are you to talk about what it means to be a dragon?” Smog yelled. “How do we know you didn’t just make up being raised by ponies? What if you really are a traitor, stalling us until an entire army comes to kill us all!”
Several dragons around us muttered, some agreeing with Smog.
I then got between them, glaring down at Smog...a stare that Fenlock once gave me…
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He’s a criminal!
He had a family, he made a mistake, so I made sure he’d get a short sentence…
That makes no sense Fenlock! He did something wrong! He should be punished!
….
Fenlock...why are you staring at me like that…?
Cause you got a lot to learn about the world. It is never black and white, it is never simple. Life is hard on a lot of ponies. So before you start slapping cuffs on every criminal, learn their history, their story, find out the why, not just the how.
Who cares about why?
I do...kid.
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“Don’t try to blame everything on us. I won’t blame everything on dragons,” My voice was firm enough to silence the whole crowd. “I won’t pretend I have an answer to the problem. But I can say that so long as one side keeps hitting, the likelihood of hitting back skyrockets. So before you start pinning blame...learn to see the bigger picture…” I finished by saying a condescending…”...kid.”
Smog looked about ready to claw me, when Li’zael suddenly grabbed him with her tail. “That is enough! Both of you!” She said, keeping Smog close.
“But Mo-” Smog tried to say.
“Nothing out of you young drake!” Li’zael growled at her son. “You’ve already shamed your family enough with your childish outburst. Don’t make things worse.”
Smog had no more words to say after that.
Car’buncle looked at me and said, “Your words show wisdom for such a short lived race. You have instilled these values in my nephew. I will allow Spar’kron to visit the fire. You and your pony friends may accompany him. I, as a dragon cannot.”
“What can I expect?” Spike asked.
Car’buncle’s face turned grim. “Nothing, you can expect none of it.”
“I’ll do this,” Spike said, putting a claw to his chest. “Not just for me, but for Ran as well.”
Li’zael smiled and said, “There’s that fire in his eyes again. Thal’lan was rather famous for that.”
“He also has his father’s stubbornness as well,” Tru’sent muttered.
“Oh, I think that’s just a family trait,” Li’zael said with a laugh.
“So, where is this fire?” I asked.
“I will show you the entrance, but according to our traditions, only Spar’kron may speak with the flame.” Car’buncle said reverently.
“I’ll do this…” Spike said, and then looked up at his uncle. “Take me to the fire!”
_____________________________________________________
Perspective: Spike
Uncle Car’buncle led us to the mouth of a huge cave. He stood there, looking down at me and Private. “This is as far as I can take you.”
“What about me?” Private asked.
“You and your companions can only accompany him, until you start to see light at the end of the tunnel. Then, and right then, you must stop and let Spar’kron venture forth alone.”
“Spike! Wait!”
I looked up to see Rarity and Twilight running over. Rarity ran to me, and hugged me tight saying, “Oh Spike, I’m sorry for being terribly inconsiderate. I was just worried you’d get hurt.”
I tried not to get a big stupid grin on my face when she did hug me. I just smiled and hugged Rarity back. “I’ll be fine Rarity, I promise I’ll come back.”
“Can you make that promise to me as well?”
I looked and saw Ran walking towards us. “Ran’sea?” I said.
“However did you get away from Ele’sium?” Rarity asked.
“She went out for to get some gems for dinner,” Ran said, “I ‘gave her the slip’, as you ponies say.”
“You know there’ll be hell to pay when Ele’sium finds out you did ‘give her the slip’,” Car’buncle said.
Ran’sea then gave her uncle the biggest puppy dog eyes ever. “But, Uncle, I just wanna help my brother and support him…”
Car’buncle sighed, “Very well, as his closest living relative, I will allow you to accompany him to the fire. I could never say no to you.”
“Oh thank you Uncle!” Ran said, hugging her Uncle’s claw.
Wow, she’s got it down.
Ran then practically skipped over to me. “Thank you for doing this, brother, I believe you will help us both.”
I gave her a determined nod, “Right, let’s do this!”
____________________________________________________
Ran led the way as we descended into the tunnel. I noticed the tunnel was huge, and had several smaller tunnels all around. “Who made all these?” Twilight asked.
“Various things over the years,” Ran said. “Young dragons trying to find a new cave, Quar’ray eels trying to dig around, many things.”
“I just hope we don’t run into any nasties during our trip,” Private said.
“Don’t worry Private, I’ll protect you from any big nasty spiders we come across,” Twilight teased.
“Hey!” Private cried.
“There it is,” Ran said, pointing ahead. I saw a light coming towards the end of the tunnel. She then turned to me, “Are you sure you’ll be safe?”
I gave her a smile and said, “I got you all to come back too, I promise I’ll be safe.”
I turned back to my family and said, “Thanks for coming with, guys.”
Private and Twilight pulled me into a hug and Twilight said, “I’m proud of you, Spike, never forget that.”
“I know, Twilight…” I said, just basking in my family’s embrace.
“Stay safe,” Private said. “I want us all to be able to tell Celestia and the others about this.”
“I will, Private.” I said, getting out of the embrace.
I then walked to Rarity, I was about to say something, when she just outright kissed me on the lips. I took a moment to take it in, then kissed her back tenderly. After we parted, she gazed at me with her glistening blue eyes and said, “I do love you, Spikey Wikey, never forget that.”
I smiled and said, “I never have, and never will.”
With that, I marched towards the light. After a couple of minutes walking, I came to my destination.
The room was spacious, about the size of a hoofball stadium. A bridge lead up to an altar in the center of the room. All around the walls were carvings depicting dragons and other letters I didn’t recognize. I’d have to ask Car’buncle what they mean some day.
The Altar was made of stone, and had all these elaborate dragon carvings on it. At the top of the altar, was a flame, small and flickering with only just enough light for me to see the stalactites above me.
I walked over to the flame and said, “This is it? Some sacred flame…”
Suddenly the small flicker turned into an inferno. I leaped back in shock. Suddenly, before my very eyes the flame formed itself into the shape of a dragon. I gazed upon it, it seemed to be made of living flame, it’s eyes bright orbs that gazed down upon me. It’s body was long, and almost seemed like those Neighpanese dragons Raiden once told me about, it had a long mane of flame coming from it’s head as well.
“You have come in search of the Sacred Flame,” It said, it’s voice echoing around the room.
“Who are you?” I asked.
“My name has long since left me.” The dragon said, “But, others have taken to calling me Vol’vagia”
“Vol’vagia!” I said, getting to my feet. “I’ve come to use your fire to allow me to grow normally! My mother died before I was born, there’s no way I can grow again unless you help me.”
It looked at me for a long time and said, “It appears you were immersed in another dragon’s growth fire. That would explain why your wings have appeared so early.”
“Early?” I asked.
“How old are you young drake?” It asked.
“Eighteen.” I said, trying not to seem nervous.
“At nineteen you should start to see wings sacks growing on your back.” It said, pointing a claw at me. “ But you have fully grown wings before your time. To grow too fast is a dangerous thing. You are well on your way to becoming a beast again.”
“That’s why I need your help!” I cried. “I need you to help me and my sister grow!”
“And what makes you think I should?” It asked. “Many have come to me before, demanding I give over my fire. My fire, which I had spent centuries perfecting, which has the power to do what Growth Fire can only dream of, they demand it from me.”
“I’m asking you,” I said. “I need it! Not just for myself, but for my friends!”
“Your, friends?” That seemed to give him pause.
“Yes!” I said. “I grew huge once and nearly destroyed the town! I nearly killed another dragon if Rarity hadn’t stopped me...both times. I don’t want to hurt anypony! I want to stop this beast inside of me before it grows and destroys everything I love! I am not demanding, I’m pleading, imploring, whatever the heck Twilight can come up with that’s a synonym! I need to grow, and Ran’sea needs to grow too...I don’t want her to suffer with this, either.”
Vol’vagia looked at me for a long time again, and then he spoke, “Your words ring true, your desire is only to protect and help those you love. I sense no selfish desire for power coming from you. You are…different, young drake.”
“Yeah, being raised by ponies does that to you,” I said.
“How very curious.” Vol’vagia said. “Very well, I shall grant you my flame young Spike.”
“Your...flame…?” I asked.
“Yes, I will cast my fire upon you, returning you to your original state, before your wings grew prematurely. Then, once you reach your next birthday, your wings will start to grow in sacks. Then, you will grow taller, by the time you are twenty one, you will tower over your pony brethren.”
“When will I become full sized?” I asked.
He was quiet for a moment, and then said, “You will achieve mental maturity by the time you reach twenty one, you will be the dragon equivalent of a young adult pony. Then, once you reach your fiftieth year, you will grow into a full sized dragon, reaching physical maturity.”
“That long…” I said.
Rarity will be an old maid by then...will she still love me…?
“A long life is a curse in the end,” Vol’vagia said. “Know this, that your time spent, is more important, than time allotted.”
I slowly, nodded and said, “I’ll do it, give me the fire to save my friends!”
Vol’vagia opened his wide jaws and a fire started to form in it. I braced myself, ready for the fire that will allow me to become a full dragon normally!
“AAARRGHH!!”
I looked up, hearing Vol’vagia’s scream. The flaming dragon seemed to be contorting in pain. “No! Get out of my mind!”
“What’s happening?” I asked.
“Something...is…” Suddenly, his eyes turned...Sombra green…”GET AWAY!!!”
Suddenly he fired the flame at the ceiling. I felt the earth shake around me, and turned to run across the bridge. I watched as a stalactite fell on my bath ahead, cutting me off. No! I’ve come this far! I won’t break my promise!
I heard a loud explosion, and looked up, I saw a fireball hit the stalactite above me. Funny...the fire ball was blue…
I shook my head as I realized that it was about to fall on me. I tried to flap my wings to get away, but I couldn’t get a good air time going. No! I can’t die! Not without...saying goodbye…
“SPIKE!”
I felt myself get wrapped in magic, the feeling of being zapped in and out of existence, and then the warm feeling of Twilight holding me. “What happened?” She asked.
“No time!” I yelled. “We gotta get outta here!”
With that, I hopped on her back and we both made a break for it as the tunnel started to collapse.
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Perspective: Private
We barely made it out in time. We all just laid on the ground as the tunnel collapsed behind us. Something had gone wrong….that was for sure…
But what...and why...I’m going to find out.