Spike slowly woke up to the sound of the heartbeat monitor beating slowly. He looked up to Cobalt who was snoring quietly, looking like he was almost TRYING to get as much sleep in as possible. Spike shifted slightly and rested his head against Cobalt, glancing over to the clock on the wall. “Great,” He thought, “5:30 in the morning. Well, at least the nightmare didn’t come around this time.” Spike just laid there, thinking about what happened last night, letting it run through his mind over and over. Then he remembered the kiss Cobalt and him shared before bed, and it made his mind go nuts. He didn’t know what got over him last night, he didn’t understand why he decided to do what he did… but the more it went through his mind, the more it made him sick. Just as he was going to get out of the bed, he felt Cobalt shift and stir.
“Mmmhh… hey, Poof. sleep well?” Cobalt said as he cracked his back. Spike looked up to him and gave him a depressed look.
“Not really… Cobalt, I… I don’t know why I did what I did last night with… well THAT.” Spike said, starting to feel a little sick from the thought. “I just… Dammit why do I feel this way!? You’re not just a friend, but you’re not someone I can have a relationship with. Why do I feel like I’ve known you for such a long damn time, but we met 3 weeks ago. I don’t get it!” Spike said with anger, springing up from the bed and starting to pace around the room. Cobalt frowned and watched Spike as he frantically paced.
“I… I’ve been having a similar issue, Spike. I thought we nailed it last night with the relationship thing… but I got to thinking about it and, well I just didn’t feel it.” Cobalt said as he slowly turned on his side. “But I do know what you mean, I feel like I’ve known you for a very long time.”
“So what in the name of Celestia does that mean?” Spike asked to himself as he pulled up a chair and sat backwards on it, facing an ever more confused Cobalt. “Also, just getting this out there, let’s not talk about that kiss anymore. No offense, but… gosh it’s starting to make me feel sick, I’m sorry.” Spike said, shaking his head and shuddering. Cobalt smirked and chuckled, nodding his head in agreement.
“You know what, we need answers, lots of them. Remember when I told you I knew someone who could help me with those dreams we’ve been having? Well, I think we should pay him a visit. Today,” Cobalt said dryly as he slowly got up from the bed. Spike stood up and pushed the chair aside, pointing at Cobalt with purpose.
“Sit, you have questions I need answered before we go anywhere, and you’re in no condition to walk yet.” Spike said powerfully, his anger for the situation fuelling his attitude. Cobalt stared at him for a minute before nodding and sitting back down.
“Shoot.”
“First off, what the hell happened last night? You were all different colours and your eyes were bright blue and you spoke… you acted nothing of how you usually do. What happened?” Spike stared into Cobalt’s eyes in anger laced with fear, his image of Cobalt on the line with what happened last night. Cobalt sighed heavily and looked down, almost as if he was ashamed to talk about it.
“I was… hoping I didn’t have to explain it.” Cobalt said half heartedly, his ears falling slowly and his tail falling to the ground.
“Well now you do. I’m glad you were there to save me, but you scared me big time last night. Was that even you?” Spike said as he tried to contain his emotion, seeing how sad Cobalt suddenly looked as they spoke of what happened.
“Yes… yes that was me, Spike. Well, mostly” Cobalt started, his eyes looking like every word that he spoke he was ashamed of and hated. “When I saw you against the wall, that mare holding her blade to your neck… I felt angry, enraged. When that happens in a storm, it gets amplified. That’s when I turn into… it.” Cobalt said, uttering the ‘it’ like it was a black curse. “It’s called many things, Black storm, Thunder ghost; I believe that mare used the name ‘Storm Siren’, Correct?” He asked with a factual tone appearing from his sorrow. Spike simply nodded and let him continue. “The real name is Vhietei Keikuina - White Demon. It’s the curse of being a storm dragon. The powerful spirits of the storm can be hear in whispers and can be felt as you move. And if it’s not kept in check, well… you saw what happens.” Cobalt breathed heavily, awaiting for Spike’s response.
“So… why did it stop when that mare ran off?” Spike said gently, seeing how sensitive a topic this was. Cobalt shrugged and shook his head.
“I don’t know. All I know is that by all accounts, you should be dead.” Cobalt said with a very dry tone. Spike got a lump in his chest and his body went cold as he felt the detest in Cobalt’s tone. “When it happens, I have very little control of what I do, the reason I told you to run wasn’t just because of the hooded ponies. If I had seen you in my full form, like I did when I was fending off that mare, I feared that you’d be next.”
“But… you didn’t. You didn’t even touch me.” Spike said optimistically, trying to lift Cobalt’s spirits a little. Cobalt looked up and gave him a hollow smirk before looking back down at the floor.
“It just makes everything more confusing, Poof” Cobalt started with a heavy sigh. Spike cocked his head to the side in confusion. “The only people who aren’t attacked are ones I truly know. But that normally takes years to do, no matter how quickly they gain my trust. It just makes things so much more perplexing.” Cobalt said as he slammed his fist on the nightstand in frustration. “Look, Spike, I don’t know why all this is happening, but what I do know, is that I need answers and I need them -today-.” Cobalt said authoritatively. He got up once again and pulled the IV and heat beat monitor off of him.
“C-Cobalt! You know you can’t do that! The doctor said-” Spike said as he stood in front of Cobalt to stop him. Cobalt looked down and him and grinned, making Spike immediately regret this decision as he closed his eyes and turned away..
“The doctor?” Cobalt started as he pulled the bandages off him to reveal that the wound was completely healed over and only a faint part in his scales remained. “The doctor knew very little about how fast dragons heal.” Cobalt extended his hand out to Spike, who was now looking over him intensely, eyes wide opened in awe. “Wanna get some answers with me?” Cobalt asked him with a calm enthusiasm. Spike slowly took Cobalt’s hand and nodded; both of them walking out of the room and into the lobby.
Twilight and the gang were all waiting for them as they got out of the elevator. Upon their arrival, everypony started conversing amongst each other, unsure of what was happening. Twilight trotted up to them both and noticed that Cobalt was completely healed up.
“Cobalt!? How did you-” Twilight started as she examined Cobalt’s healed wound.
“Dragons are mysterious creatures, Twilight. We can do many things that most do not know.” Cobalt said with a chuckle. “Hey, look. There’s been a lot of stuff that’s been happening between Spike and I-”
“I’ll say.” Applebloom mumbled a little too loud out of the corner of the lobby waiting room. Attracting the attention of everyone else.
“Pardon? We didn’t quite hear you, Bloom.” Spike said innocently with the raise of his brow. Applebloom shook her head and blushed.
“N-Nothing, sorry.” She said quickly, trying to avoid the situation as best she could. Spike and Cobalt looked at each other and shrugged.
“Well, anyway, a lot of strange things have been happening between Spike and I, and we really need at least a couple answers. It’ll be a good way to get him out of the city for a while too, make sure we lose the trail of whoever that was last night.” Cobalt said factually, looking at Spike and giving him an affectionate ruffle of his head plates and a playful smile, to which Spike growled at and blushed from.
“You sure it’s going to be safe Cobalt?” Twilight asked immediately, her main concern being Spike’s safety.
“Yeah, scales, how do you know that they’re waiting for you wherever you’re going?” Dash added in, her usual negative tone towards Cobalt shining particularly bright today. Cobalt looked at her and gave her a quick snort.
“No pony, or any other species for that matter knows about this place. It’s a sacred dragon hold. There’s, quite literally, no safer place on the planet for him.” Cobalt said with a smile. Twilight gave him a look that mingled with disbelief and worry, but she sighed and nodded eventually.
“Alright, you guys can go, but I want you back by the end of today.” Twilight said sternly, making sure her point was very clear with Cobalt; whom nodded sincerely at her statement.
“Alright, we’re off, we’ll see you guys later on tonight.” Cobalt said as him and Spike both walked outside. Once they were a good distance from the entrance, Cobalt spread his wings and went on all fours, squatting down towards Spike, who was confused to what Cobalt was doing. “Get on, Poof, the place we’re going to isn’t accessible on foot.”
“Wha… you want to fly with me on your back?” Spike said with a hint of fear escaping his voice. Cobalt looked at him and gave him a look of annoyance. “I know, I know! Stupid question. Just give me a minute, I didn’t like it when Twilight flew me around and I’m pretty sure you flying me around isn’t going to make me feel any better.” Spike said defensively as he slowly got up onto Cobalt’s back.
“Heh, well the difference between Twilight and I is that I probably have a little more experience with flying. Now hurry up, the faster you get on, the more time we’ll have.” Cobalt said impatiently as Spike settled himself in. Cobalt got into a pouncing position and looked back to Spike. “Hold on tight, Poof. The takeoff and landing are the bumpiest parts.” Cobalt said with a grin before getting back into position and extending his wings out wide. Spike held on to Cobalt’s neck tightly and held his legs firmly against his side.
Cobalt took off with a good jump and a hard beat of his wings. The extra weight proving a little difficult to handle, but he managed and got up to a comfortable height rather quickly. He looked back to see Spike holding on for dear life, which made him laugh.
“Haha, you alright back there, buddy!?” Cobalt yelled out as to beat the sound of the wind passing over them. Spike opened his eyes and looked at him with considerable fear.
“No! How long is it until we reach the ground!?” Spike said back as he breathed heavily, finding it hard to catch his breath with the speed of the wind. “It’s kinda hard to breathe too, think you can slow down a bit!?”
“I can’t we’re still climbing; just breathe through your Ventricles!” Cobalt said as he pointed to the holes on the corner of his upper lips. Spike felt along the side of his lip before he took a breath from them, finding it much easier to breathe now.
“So that’s what those are for!” Spike said with surprise at his recent discovery, which made Cobalt laugh again.
Cobalt eventually got to his cruising height and speed, which made things a lot quieter and a lot easier on Spike, who was now growing used to being on Cobalt’s back. He slowly let go of his death grip around Cobalt’s neck and had a look around. He saw all of Ponyville, everything from the smallest suburbs to the largest of skyscrapers, The mountains, the forests and lakes. It was something to behold.
“Is this what you see every time you fly up here, Cobalt?” Spike asked in admiration. Cobalt looked up at him and smiled.
“It’s a sight to behold, isn’t it?” Cobalt responded happily, getting a look at the scenery himself. “I’ve been flying for years now and I still never get over how incredible the view is” Cobalt said with a happy sigh, looking around at the world below.
“I can’t wait to start flying.” Spike muttered to himself as he looked back at his wings, a little upset that they weren’t growing in much faster. Spike got settled in for the long haul, they had about an hour and a half left of flying before they got to wherever Cobalt was talking them.
~~
Cobalt and Spike landed in a clearing on top of a large hill. In front of them was a small temple that looked like it had been there since the beginning of time. Spike walked behind Cobalt cautiously, unsure of what to make of the place.
“Alright, there’s a couple things that you need to know before we head in. One, you do exactly as I do unless I say otherwise. Two, let me do the talking in the beginning, you don’t know what to say and this is all very sacred.” Cobalt said sternly, looking down at Spike with a serious expression. Spike nodded quickly and continued to follow closely behind.
“Who are we meeting, Cobalt?” Spike asked as they reached the door of the temple.
“My teacher.”
Cobalt knocked on the door and waited quietly, barely even moving as the silence grew. Spike’s imagination started to run wild with what was going to happen once they got into the temple and he started to scare himself with what his imagination brewed. Thoughts of a big, monstrous dragon of some sort that they’d have to tame in order to get what they want, or maybe it wasn’t a dragon and it was some other being. The fear of the moment made him shake in his scales as the suspense got bigger and bigger. After a moment of waiting, the door slowly opened to darkness, the silence broken by the creaking of the wooden door
“C’mon” Cobalt said quietly as he took Spike’s hand and walked him in slowly. As they walked deeper into the temple, torches started to light themselves. Spike cowered behind Cobalt quickly, squeezing his hand tight as they ventured in deeper into the hallway.
After what seemed like an eternity, they reached the main room. Spike’s eyes widened as he took in the enormity of the temple. The whole place was white marble, even the floors. The windows allowed the golden sunlight to bask into the temple, creating a warm, inviting environment all around. The centerpiece of the room was a huge water feature that seemed to be forming from nothing as it flowed down from the wall and through the center of the room, covered by glass as to be able to walk over it.
“Impressive, eh? Only dragons can tread through that hallway. Everyone else is redirected to the entrance again.” Cobalt said with a hint of pride as he guided Spike to the front of the temple.
“Hairtn.” Said a deep booming voice from behind them. Spike jumped at the sharpness behind the tone, how it sounded barbaric as it shook his bones. Cobalt turned quickly without looking at the owner of the voice, and got on his right knee, motioning Spike to follow. Slowly, Spike did the same as Cobalt, keeping his eyes averted from whoever called to them. “Staitei Euoihn Naikeish.”
“Cobaltin Thoinkehn-Taiern Sertingue. The one beside me bears no soul name, only afore name, Spike.” Cobalt said in a confident voice, his head bowing low.
“Ah, so I would imagine he does not know the tongue either?” Said a heavily accented voice, the sound of the tone clearly stating it to be a dragon. Cobalt simply shook his head and awaited further response. “Then you must forgive my mispronunciations, for the language of moderns is not my native tongue. Tell me, my student, why bring a stranger to our temple? Can he be trusted to guard our sacredness with his life?” The dragon asked, his voice reeking with purpose and concern.
“Yes, Master. Spike is sealed by my oath of Alpha, he is to be trusted.” Cobalt replied quickly. The dragon started to chuckle in his deep voice, sending chills down Spike’s spine.
“Well then, we should welcome our guest shall we?” The dragon said as his voice changed from heavy and concerned to light and inviting, still terrifyingly deep though. As spike got up, he finally got the first glimpse of the dragon. The dragon wasn’t the largest he’s ever seen, but he was a good 15 feet tall, his tail doubling that length as he stood on two legs, robes down his shoulder and around his waist. He was an obvious male, had cream white scales, yellow horns and golden headplates. His eyes were a glorious crystal blue and his teeth were tipped with the same colour.
“Spike, this is my Teacher, Dahxolin Spiehietn-Tuinjei, you can call him Dax like I do” Said Cobalt proudly as he introduced his mentor. Spike simply waved nervously as he gazed upon the large dragon.
“The pleasure it mine, Spike. Now, what brings you both to the Skie Teikrei, the Sky Temple?” Dax asked as he walked to the front of the temple and sat on one of the marble benches off to the side.
“Well, master, we have had some… interesting predicaments happen between us as of recent. Most notably, we’ve been having a recurring nightmare that seems to be intertwined. We’ve also had an incident that was revolving around both of us we would like to discuss.” Cobalt stated heavily, the memories of last night and the nightmares coming back to haunt him. Dax simply hummed in thought and nodded.
“What occurs in your Pheikuina, your Premonition, my student?”
“Well, Spike’s element is magic, It would be better to get it from him.” Cobalt said as he motioned to Spike, who jumped at the sudden acknowledgement. Dax nodded and leaned in close to spike, who backed up in fear as he got close.
“Do not be afraid, young one, I’m not your enemy” Dax said in his booming deep voice as he put a large claw on Spike’s shoulder. Spike felt his whole body tingle as everything around him started to get brighter. He squinted his eyes to adjust as the light got more intense. Just as soon as the light came in, however, it quickly dissipated to the dark forest of his dreams.
“Is this what you see in your dream, young Spike?” Dax said observantly as he watched Spike’s dream with a concentrated stare.
“GAH! Wh-whoa, where are we? Is this my dream… I-Is that… me?” Spike noted quietly as he watched his dream self get up off the ground.
“You are viewing your dream from a third person, I want to get a full view of it.” Dax said as he followed dream Spike through the forest. Spike, on the other hand, looked back at Ponyville, which was already ablaze.
“Wh-Why can I see Ponyville already? I haven’t even gotten there in my dream…” Spike asked Dax in confusion. Dax turned around to see what Spike was saying, his expression going from one of concentration to one of concern.
“It’s because, this isn’t a dream, Spike. This, is a premonition.”
“A… A wha?” Spike said with confusion. Dax turned to him and gave him a troublesome look.
“This is an event that has not yet happened, Spike.” Dax said dryly as his focus returned to Ponyville, his eyes scanning for anything else that might come up. His eye caught a flash of light out in the distance, which turned out to be Cobalt as he seemed to be looking for something. Spike’s hears dropped like stones as he heard that this is the future.
“You mean, this is going to happen?” Spike said with a heavy lump in his chest. Dax simply nodded as he watched Cobalt get ever closer to Spike.
“It would be the only explanation. WHEN this is going to happen, I’m not sure, there is no indication to it. But I would prepare yourself for it.” Dax stated with importance. Spike watched in horror as Ponies and dragons slaughtered each other, the city in flames and everything in disarray. The only thing that eventually caught his attention was Dax nudging his shoulder with his claw; pointing at Cobalt as he ran after the pony that attacked him in his premonition. With the blue flash of light, both dragons returned to the temple, Cobalt staring at them with worry.
“So, is it what I think it is, Master?” Cobalt stated with a tremble.
“I’m afraid it is, young Spiehietn. It is prophecy by nature. I have instructed Spike on what to do, it would be wise to heed the warnings, the Gods do not simply give premonitions for no reason. Now, is there anything else that is troubling you, young ones?” Dax asked with calmness, keeping both of them in check with the whole situation. Cobalt nodded and spoke with concern.
“We’ve… had strange feelings towards each other, Master. Not feelings of adoration, but a certain knowledge of each other. It’s like we’ve known each other for years but… we’ve only seen each other for 3 weeks.” Cobalt stated as he looked over at Spike, who was still in serious distress from the news he had received. Dax grinned slightly and motioned both of them to follow. Cobalt bumped Spike with his wing to snap him out of his trance and walked with him to another room, this one much darker and Cobblestone. The room seemed very empty, only a small pedestal in the centre filled any space.
“The best way to determine this is through bloodline. I imagine Spike does not know the value of dragon blood?” Dax remarked as he looked at Spike directly, making Spike nervous.
“Unfortunately not, Master. He was raised by ponies, one of which hatched him from his egg.” Cobalt remarked quickly, allowing the attention to be lifted from Spike.
“Impressive.” Dax said with a grin. “Now, young hatchling, a dragon’s blood is much like a family tree. In it, you carry your whole family line with you, all the way to the first Khaijuina Kiena, the First Dragon kin. all that is needed is a small sample within the pedastel, and we shall watch your family line come to life.” Dax said as he felt up the side of the wall with his claw. Spike looked at Cobalt and frowned.
“Is this the only way to do this?” Spike whispered to Cobalt with a hint of fear. “I’m not too keen on hurting myself.”
“Sorry, Spike, but this is the best way, now, c’mere.” Cobalt said as he motioned for Spike to come. Reluctantly, Spike walked over to Cobalt, who took his hand and extended one of his claws, placing it on Spike’s wrist. “Ready?”
“Let’s do this.” Spike said quietly as he closed his eyes tight and looked away. Cobalt siply nodded and with a quick swipe, cut a small opening in Spike’s arm, making Spike wince and snarl quietly. Spike slowly opened his eyes to watch the drop of blood flow from his arm and drop into the water-like substance in the pedestal. As soon as the liquid settled, a bright blue line started to travel down the floor and up the wall, Stopping at a certain point and highlghting a name. Dax immediately snarled and turned to Spike.
“Young one, this cannot be right. The name you are born below has been deceased for over 600 years. This would mean that you were the hatchling of a dragon almost 750 years ago.” Dax Stated with confusion. Spike’s eyes widened at Dax’s remark, his breath growing short.
“Wh-WHAT!?” Spike yelled as he pulled his hand from Cobalt’s grasp and looked at the name and date of his parents. Sure enough, the names were dated to be around 750 years. “Cobalt… Put your blood in the Pedestal, NOW!” Spike shouted as he looked at Cobalt with confusion and disarray.
“Okay! Okay! Jeez man, breathe.” Cobalt said as he cut into his wrist and allowed a drop of blood to flow. As the liquid settled another line travelled through the Cobblestone, growing up to the exact same spot that Spike was placed. Cobalt looked in shock as the same names were re-highlighted. “B-but that doesn’t make any sense, I have parents!” Cobalt said with increasing worry. Dax simply shook his head in correction to Cobalt’s statement.
“The bloodline never lies, young one, you are born of a different parenthood.” Dax stated as he watched Cobalt slowly fall to his knees, tears slowly beading from his eyes as he softly spoke.
“if we’re from the same line… does that mean we’re…”
“It would appear so,” Dax stated in wonder. “Both you and Spike, are brothers.”