//------------------------------// // Spike's Master // Story: The Legend of Spike: Krazoa Island // by DiabloGuapo //------------------------------// Spike could hear the echo of water dripping from stalactites as he ventured further into the cave. He could smell the scent in the air coming from down the dark tunnel that led the young dragon beneath the hills that surrounded ThornTail Hollow. The scent was becoming sweeter and Spike’s mouth began to water, yet there was still something else mixed in with the smell. It smelled familiar, but he couldn’t quite put his claw on it. The tunnel was dark, but Spike could still see where he was going. He knew he was getting close because the sweet, delicious smell was getting stronger. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply through his nose, filling his nostrils with the wonderful aroma. He should have kept his eyes opened, that way he would had seen the sudden drop. Spike let out a yell of terror as he fell for a couple of seconds and then grunted in pain at a sudden impact with something hard. He tried to raise himself up, but whatever it was that he had landed on was unstable and he tumbled down to the floor of a cavern. A little sore, he groaned as he rose to his knees after he had come to a stop. He then heard a tinkling sound and looked down to see his claws were resting on rubies, sapphire, emeralds, and much more. His bright green eyes widen with awe and looked up to see that had landed on top and then rolled down a towering pile of gems and gold. Looking around, he saw that he was now resting in the middle of a large subterranean chamber that was filled with even more mounds of treasure. He walked further into the chamber, admiring the piles of treasure as he went. The wonderful smell of gems was everywhere, and what little light radiated into the cave caused them to glitter and reflect a spectrum of colors on the cavern’s walls. Forget about the reward, I’d take this as my payment, Spike thought to himself as he eyed the sea of wealth with desire, imagining what it must taste like. I haven’t seen this much treasure since… oh no… The last time Spike had seen treasure gathered together like this in a cave was the time he had run away from home when he thought that Owliscious had replaced him as Twilight Sparkle’s number one assistant. He had entered the Everfree Forest and found a cave that was filled with gems and started eating them. He should have known better, but he was thinking with his stomach instead of his head. Gems didn’t just pile themselves together and he had quickly discovered who had; an angry green dragon. He suddenly recognized the other familiar scent he had smelled. Since he was raised by ponies, he was unfamiliar with the smell of dragons. He had only encountered his own kind a couple of times, and no one really notices their own smell. It felt as though the very concept of fear had come to life and sucker punched Spike right in his stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He had to get out of there that instant. Judging by the size of the hoard, the dragon who owned it must have been fully grown while he was barely considered a teenager by dragon standards. Spike looked up to the fissure in the rock on the roof of the cavern and thought, Maybe if I can climb up the wall and reach the hole, I can get out of here before… There was a low rumble and the chamber was filled with the sounds of gold coins and gems clattering together as something massive began to stir. Oh horseapples. The small dragon watched in horror as the piles of treasure rose up and down as an angry sea as something burrowed beneath it. Gold and gems cascaded down the like miniature avalanches as the mounds of treasure where disturbed. From the shifting hoard, Spike saw large golden scales breach the surface like a shark fin announcing the presence of the formidable predator. From the way the hoard was moving, Spike knew that the owner was circling him, again very much like shark. Just as quickly as it begun, the waves of treasure became still with only the sound of a few stray coins or gems tinkling in the distance. Spike’s heart raced and he panted as adrenaline rushed through his veins. Everything was silent and still. Spike slowly circled around, looking in every direction for the smallest sign of movement. There was a sudden rush of air and Spike could feel a steaming cloud of vapor on his back. Trying to control his nervous shaking, Spike turned around to see a giant pair of nostrils stick out from underneath the piles of coins and jewels with smoke and steam coming from them. Two green eyes that were each bigger than he was opened and looked directly at Spike. Treasure fell from a head that was larger than a house as it rose up out of the hoard. A colossal dragon was now staring down at the accidental intruder. “Who are you?” a powerful voice asked, causing the cavern walls to vibrate. Spike couldn’t speak. He could only stare up slack jawed at the unbelievably huge dragon. Its scales were a burnt gold that were black and cracked at the edges. Its underbelly was covered with large, plate like scales that were a lighter shade of yellow but also were darkened along the edges. Adorning its head were two thick, twisted, golden horns and a row of golden spines that ran from its neck to its tail. Its eyes glowed like a green furnace. “Who are you?” the enormous dragon asked again a little bit louder. Spike flinched at the sound, but then found his voice. “I-I’m S-Spike,” the young adventurer answered stuttering. “I-I’m here with a mercenary team called…” “Mercenaries? So, you are here to steal my treasure!” the larger dragon accused, his angry voice shaking the cavern. Spike wouldn’t be surprised if all of ThornTail Hollow had felt it. The angry gold dragon rose up on his forelegs, revealing to Spike that he was large as an Ursa Major. He had heard that dragons never stopped growing throughout their lives, but he never imaged that his kind could reach such sizes as the dragon that towered over him. “If you think you can steal from me, my little thief, you are a fool.” “I’m not a thief!” Spike denied. “We’re here to stop Krazoa Island from falling apart!” The golden dragon narrowed his eyes judgingly and lowered his head down to the small, purple dragon. “What do you mean ‘falling apart’?” “Pieces of the island have been ripped the surfaced and are now circling around the island in the air!” Spike explained. “We’re here because the Queen EarthWalker sent out a distress message.” The gold dragon continued to stare at Spike with his piercing eyes as he thought about what he had said. He then lowered himself down into a more relaxed position and hummed as he made a decision. “Hhmmm…Very well, I believe you. But what are you doing in my cave and how did you find it?” “I could smell something coming from inside the cave from ThornTail Hollow,” Spike started to explain. “It turned out it was your treasure. I fell in from that hole in the roof over there.” “Ah yes,” the gold dragon said as he glanced at the fissure. “That is a new addition. That part of the roof collapsed when those dogs started making all that racket up there a few weeks ago. I did not realize it connected to a cave up there.” “I’m sorry to intrude in your lair,” Spike apologized, causing the larger dragon to look from the hole and back down at him. “But I was trying to find the Queen EarthWalker. She’s locked in a building back there and I don’t know how to get in. All that I could see was a red tile glowing over the door.” The gold dragon was silent. He looked down at Spike with a curious look, as though the purple, teenaged dragon was the strangest thing he had ever seen. After a moment of awkward silence, he finally asked, “Why do you care?” “Huh? What do you mean?” “Dragons only care for themselves and their hoards,” the older dragon stated, and Spike noticed his tone was softer. “So why do you care so much about others?” “Because it’s the right thing to do. When someone needs help, you do what you can to help them. That’s what my friends and family taught me.” “Friends…Family,” the older dragon mused, once again studying Spike. “Dragons live solitary lives.” “Not me,” Spike declared. “I was raised by ponies and I have lived with them all of my life.” Or at least until now, he sadly thought, remembering how he was wanted for murders he was framed for. “Ponies…So that explains it,” the older dragon said, understanding his “guest” better. “That also explains your smell.” “My smell?” Spike asked confused and then lifted up an arm to smell himself, but didn’t notice anything. “You have lived among ponies so long, you do not even notice it,” the older dragon said with a chuckle. “It has been ages since I had last smelled a pony, no wonder why I almost did not recognize it. Yet…” The golden colossus paused to sniff the air and drew closer to Spike, following a scent. “…Something in your bag smells strongly of pony...” He sniffed a few more times. “Unicorn…Mare, from what I can tell.” “Oh, you probably smell this,” Spike said as he pulled out Rarity’s necklace. The older dragon looked mildly surprised as he saw the large red jewel set in the gold necklace. “Is that a fire ruby?” the gold dragon asked impressed. “Those are quite rare, but taste oh so good.” “Yes, it belongs to the mare I love,” Spike explained, looking down at the fire ruby with concern in his eyes. “The mare you…love?” the dark gold dragon repeated quietly, sounding surprised. Spike expected the older dragon to either laugh at the notion of a pony and dragon being in love or to roar in disgust at it. However, he didn’t. Instead, the older dragon looked down at the younger dragon with a strange pensive look in his eye. He looked off to the side and Spike could tell the elder dragon was deep in thought, remembering something. “Who is she?” the older dragon finally asked again, still with the far off expression on his face. “Her name is Rarity, the most generous, most compassionate, most beautiful mare, both inside and out, in all of Equestria. I don’t know why, but she’s somewhere on this island. I just found the necklace I gave to her years ago on the ground outside. She would never leave something that means so much to her like this just lying around. And with those Diamond Dogs running around…I just don’t know what’s going on. But what do I do? The island is falling apart, maybe even going to explode, and we’re the only ones who can do anything about it! But what?!... Ack!” Spike doubled over in pain as another wave of pain pulsed from his back. The gold dragon, who had been listening with a sentimental look on his face, raised a brow and looked at the younger dragon who was gasping for air. “What is the matter?” “My back…it hurts…” Spike groaned. The older dragon then smiled and waited for Spike to catch his breath and to stand back up again. “I know what is happening,” the gold dragon said with a smirk. “Yeah, I got hurt in fight about a week ago and my back’s been killing me ever since,” Spike said has he rolled his shoulders and stretched the muscles in his back, trying to relieve the tension. “Oh, it is not that,” the older dragon chuckled. “Then what is it?” Spike asked, looking up to the gigantic gold dragon with confusion. “You really do not know, do you?” Spike shook his head and older dragon shook his head in disapproval, “You have lived among ponies for so long that you know next to nothing about your own kind. Someone will have to teach you.” A thoughtful look came upon the dark gold dragon and then he rose up on all four of his feet, filling the large cavern with his massive body, and declared, “So be it. Listen well, Spike the Purple. From this moment, I shall be your master and you shall be my apprentice. I will teach you what it means to be a dragon. You will learn how to master your abilities and to use your power to become an unstoppable force and save this island. Do you accept?” “Y-yes! Of course!” Spike excitedly answered. “Yes master!” the gold dragon loudly corrected him. “Yes master!” Spike repeated. “Good. Now, your first lesson shall be your easiest one; mastering the power of fire,” Spike’s master announced. “Fire is what is most closely associated with us wyrms.” “Worms?” Spike asked, thinking the older dragon was talking about the slimly things found in the ground. “No, wyrms,” the mentor corrected. “Wyrms is the ancient name of our kind. Now as I was saying, fire is what wy-dragons are most famous for. Even the smallest hatchlings have the ability to breathe dragonfire. Spike, have you noticed that your fire was different from any other fire?” “Yes…I mean, yes master,” Spike answered. “It’s green and I can send and receive messages from Princess Celestia with it.” “It is also hotter than any other fire, but do you know why?” “No master,” Spike said shaking his head. “It is because dragonfire is just one of the ways us dragons manifest our magic.” “Magic?” Spike asked, astounded by the revelation. “Yes, but our magic is unlike pony magic,” the gold dragon explained. “Earth Pony and Pegasi magic is more latent than Unicorn magic. They use it when they are in direct contact with their element.” “You mean how Earth Ponies are stronger and more in tune with nature and how Pegasi control the weather?” Spike asked. “Correct,” the teacher confirmed. “Unicorn magic is more apparent. Every Unicorn has telekinetic magic and learns spells regarding their special talents, but can learn more with practice. Dragon magic is different. It is not as apparent, nor do many dragons bother to study it, but when mastered, it is a raging wildfire compared to a torch. Unicorns may have more skill, but we have raw, overwhelming power.” “But master, what does have to do with fire or saving Krazoa Island?” “Patience,” the older dragon told his pupil. “Do you remember the red tile over the sealed door? It is protected by magic. Krazoa Island is rich with magic and magic seals like those are abundant. By using your dragonfire, you can activate the tile and unlock the seal with the magic within your flames. Since time is of the essence, you must go now and complete your mission. Open the seal and speak with the Queen of the EarthWalker Tribe.” “But master, I have some questions,” Spike told his mentor. “Why is my back hurting? What else do I need to learn? When is my next lesson? What…” The gold dragon cut Spike off with a raise of his huge claw. “Continue with your mission. I shall contact you when it is time for your next lesson. Now go.” Spike bowed his head in respect and headed back to the wall of the cavern. He scaled the wall of the cave with his sharp claws and reached the opening in the roof. Spike was about to climb out of the fissure and back to the tunnel above, but he looked back to the large dragon and asked, “One more question; what’s your name?” “For now, I am Master and that is all you need to know. Now go,” the gold dragon urged Spike. Though he wasn’t satisfied with the response the Master gave him, Spike accepted that it was all he was going to get for now. He climbed up the hole and headed out of the tunnel that led back to ThornTail Hollow. Once outside, Spike headed back across the river than ran through the valley and headed towards the building where the Queen EarthWalker was sealed behind a large stone door. Right in front of the stone building, the rest of the Star Fox team was waiting for him. “Ah Spike,” Captain Pepper said as he saw the purple dragon approaching. “There you are. I was able to patch up the ship. Luckily, there was hardly any damage. Slippy here was able talk to some of the locals. Fortunately, many of them speak Equestrian.” “And Peppy was able to find a dictionary when he bought maps of the island,” Slippy said in his high pitched voice. “That lizard sure did like to haggle,” the gray earth pony huffed. “He kept saying ‘that’s too low!’ And on top of all it, the currency on the island is scarabs!” “Scarabs?” Spike asked in disbelief. “You mean that large beetle like bugs?” “That’s exactly what I meant!” “At least he was willing to exchange our bits for bugs,” Pepper said with a shrug. “I hope they don’t plan of paying us bugs. Regardless, we have maps now and Slippy can translate for us if we need to.” “Reading through this book, it seems simple enough,” the lime green Unicorn commented as he flipped through the book with his blue colored magic. “Okay, how about you? Did you find the queen?” the brown Unicorn asked Spike. “Yes, she right behind this door,” the dragon answered. The three ponies were taken by surprise and looked at the door beside them. “You’re kidding me,” Peppy said. “How are we going to get it open?” Pepper asked as he looked up at the massive stone slab that sealed the entrance shut. “Maybe I can find a…” Slippy started to analyze, but Spike cut him off by shooting a green fireball at the red panel over the doorway. When the fireball struck the glowing tile, it changed from red to green and the stone slab began to shake. The heavy stone door rose up and the Star Fox team could see a path that led down into the building. “How did you know how to do that?” Peppy asked in amazement. “Lucky guess?” Spike shrugged, not sure if he should tell them about his master. “I mean, the glowing red panel seemed kind of obvious.” His team seemed to accept that explanation and the Captain said, “Alright, let’s see if anyone’s home.”