//------------------------------// // Intermission Episode: Spike's New "Friend" // Story: My Little Pony: The Entities of Emotion // by Michael_Ravencroft //------------------------------// Spike, Twilight Sparkle’s number one assistant, the only dragon to ever be raised by ponies and live amongst them, and often times the most level headed of their friends, had just seen something that he won’t get out his mind for a bit. Spike had just gone up to wake the newest residents of the Golden Oaks Library, Adara and Scootaloo, and found the two fillies, on the floor, blushing like crazy, with Adara on top of Scootaloo. The purple dragon just stared at the sight before him. “Uh…I’m a…yeah…I’ll just be going now…Come down whenever…” Spike slowly closed the door behind him; he then paused for a moment after hearing the shuffling of hooves. After shaking his head a bit Spike started towards the kitchen. He got about halfway before Scootaloo came rushing out her bedroom and cut him off. “Spike, it wasn’t what it looked like! Stuff happened, I pulled at Adara’s bedsheets and –!” “Scoots it’s fine,” Spike held up his claws in a placating fashion, “you don’t have to get all worked up. Trust me; it’s not the first time I’ve…walked in on…some things…” Spike shuddered a bit, certain memories that had accidentally been seared into his brain were coming up. “It was just an accident! We weren’t doing anything!” Scootaloo insisted. Spike crossed his arms and gave the filly a smug smile, “Uh-huh, whatever you say Scoots. I’ll see ya downstairs.” As Spike walked passed Scootaloo the young drake gave the pegasus a nudge in the rips with his elbow. “You two are so cute to together,” he teased. “Ugh, you’re impossible!” Scootaloo fumed and went back to her room to help Adara make her bed. Spike chuckled a bit as he continued downstairs to the kitchen, where Twilight was already enjoying the wonderful spread her assistant had created. The alicorn mare looked up at her assistant quizzically. “Where are Scootaloo and Adara,” asked Twilight. “Oh…uh…they’re just making their beds, give them another couple of minutes and they’ll be down,” said Spike. “Okay, and Spike, I really appreciate how well you’ve taken to both Scootaloo and Adara staying with us.” A guilty look came over Twilight’s face. “I really should’ve talked it over with you, since I’m not the only one living in this house. But after everything that happened…I just wanted to give them a good home, someplace safe.” Spike sat across from Twilight and waved his claw as if to dismiss her worries. “Twilight it’s fine, it’s not like you were inviting Nightmare Moon to stay with us, this is Scootaloo and Adara. I like Scoots, and Adara’s okay, I mean, she is the Entity of Hope. Honestly it’s not like I’m mad about it, especially after Scoots almost lost her wings…” Spike shuddered, “I don’t even want to think how her life would be if that happened.” Twilight seemed to shudder as well, “Me neither, but luckily it didn’t happen. Her wing growth and strength is progressing impressively, I wouldn’t be surprised if she becomes as fast a flyer as Rainbow Dash. Speaking of which, I’m also thankful that you’re okay with Rainbow moving in, too.” “Yeah, but you already talked it over with me a while back, but after all this mess started happening it kinda got put on the backburner,” Spike took in a mouthful of his specially made stack of pancakes, with bits of crushed gemstones, “by the way, why haven’t you told Scootaloo yet?” “I figured that we’d save it as a surprise, that way we can tell her about mine and Rainbow’s relationship and it won’t be as big a shock,” said Twilight. “Guess so, gotta say, it’s nice having her as a niece,” said Spike. Twilight chuckled at his statement, “‘Niece’, Spike, you two are practically the same age, if anything you two are brother and sister.” “Seriously, ah, c’mon!? You’re her guardian, and I’m like your LBBFF! Doesn’t that mean I’m her uncle and not her brother!?” Twilight actually stopped to think that over. “Hmm…that is interesting…what is your role? I mean, technically I’m her legal guardian now, but what title does that pass to you…?” Oh great, now I’ve lost her. At that moment Scootaloo and Adara were had come downstairs, both just as cheerful as ever, especially after looking at the spread Spike had made for them. The two fillies sat at the table and were about to start eating, but Spike, wanting to settle the debate, decided to ask Scootaloo directly. “Hey Scoots, what do you see me as, you know, since Twilight’s yours and Adara’s guardian now,” asked Spike. Scootaloo gave the young drake an annoyed look, “If anything you’re like an annoying little brother.” “WHAT!? I’m at least an annoying uncle, right!?” Spike asked pleadingly. “Nope, annoying little brother works fine. Ugh, thinking of you as my ‘uncle’ feels wrong, I mean we’re the same age, right?” Spike just deadpanned and slammed his head onto the table, groaning and moaning in defeat. Scootaloo and Adara looked at Twilight quizzically. “Is something the matter with Spike,” asked Adara. Twilight couldn’t help but giggle. “No, he’s just wallowing in despair is all.” (4 Weeks Later) The last few weeks were tense. After what Spike found out what happened with Scootaloo at her school, the drake had to admit, despite the fact that she got punished for it, he congratulated the filly for sticking up for her friends. That seemed to lift her mood a little. Spike was finding that Scoots liked to confide in the young drake, finally resigning himself to the role of a brother, not little or big, just a brother. He may’ve not understood all of what she was going through, but Spike could tell that it did help to have an ear, or his case a frill, to bend. Lately though, Scootaloo had been avoiding Adara within the library, and this did not go unnoticed by him or Twilight. He found the young filly gazing out on the balcony of the library, sighing heavily, deep in thought. Spike waddled up to the filly and rested his arms on the guardrail. “So, what’s eating you,” asked Spike. “…Nothing…” “Yeah right, ‘nothing’, Scoots you can talk to me, I promise I won’t tell Twilight if you don’t want me to.” Scootaloo remained quiet for a while, so Spike decided to just stay till she felt like talking. Several minutes passed and Scootaloo still hadn’t spoken a word, and Spike was starting to lose feeling in his legs. “Spike…?” The drake glanced over to Scootaloo. “If you found out that two ponies really liked you, like say, Rarity and…ugh, I don’t know, Apple Bloom.” Spike quirked an eyebrow at that second name. “Apple Bloom, why her, I mean Rarity I understand, but, Apple Bloom?” “It’s just a hypothetical question, Spike, jeez, you don’t have to read into it,” snapped Scootaloo. “Okay, okay, I get.” Scootaloo sighed again, “Alright, so like I said, what if…what if Rarity, hypothetically, loved you and kissed you.” The young filly noticed the red blush tinting his cheeks as he sighed happily. “But when you kissed, neither of you didn’t feel anything…no spark. I mean, you liked it, but there was no connection, how would that make you feel?” Spike took a moment to digest Scootaloo’s words. To have kissed Rarity and not to have felt anything, no “love connection” at all, to realize that your crush was simply that, a crush. Spike lowered his head and rested his chin on his crossed arms. “I guess…I’d feel sad, I mean, I do like Rarity, and I know what everypony says about us never getting together. But I still hold out some hope of her liking me like that,” said Spike. “Okay, but what if Apple Bloom had feelings for you too? Would you go for it, and risk not feeling a connection,” she asked. “I still question why you think I want to kiss Apple Bloom. I mean, yeah, she’s cute, funny, headstrong, adventurous, hardheaded sometimes, a hard worker, and has – ahem!” Spike cut himself off there, realizing that his description was getting a little too detailed for his liking. This only caused Scootaloo to smirk knowingly, but she didn’t press it. “Well, I mean, how else would I know unless I asked her? There’s no getting around it, either you say something now or you just end up wondering what could’ve been.” “Even if it means risking your friendship…? Even when other ponies might not see it as something natural…?” Spike opened his mouth to rebuttal, but no words came out. That was a subject that was a sore spot for him, not many ponies would smile happily upon a dragon and pony relationship. Too many unknowns, too much ridicule, what would their children look like? Would it work out between him and his special somepony? Could he even stay in Ponyville or any place when he got too big, could he even have a family if he grew to the mighty size he once did when he was on his greed fueled rampage? There too many questions and too few answers. Scootaloo seemed to pick up on the mood she inadvertently put him in, “Oh, Spike, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean anything by it, I swear! I –!” “Scoots, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” He smiled gently, placing a claw on his ‘sister’s’ hoof. “I don’t really have a good answer. Guess…that’s a question I gotta figure out when I’m older. But that doesn’t mean that you have to wait. I know you’ll figure it out.” Scootaloo gave a small smile and drew Spike in closer for a hug. “Thanks…bro.” Spike couldn’t help but chuckle, “Anytime, sis.” The orange pegasus separated from Spike and stood back a few steps, “I’m going to fly around a bit…I’ll see you later…” Without another word, Scootaloo flapped her wings and took off into the sky. Spike had given up on trying to follow her take offs, finding that doing so nearly gave him whiplash. With that weighted discussion over, Spike decided to head on over Rarity’s. Today was Gem Hunting Day, a whole day with Rarity finding and digging up gemstones for her to use in her fashion lines, and of course Spike got a generous helping of the spoils for his hard work. The little drake headed to Rarity’s, pulling an empty wagon behind him. His talk with Scootaloo was buzzing about in his head, kissing Rarity and not feeling anything. It really got to him. And if she really wasn’t the special somepony for him, then who was? Would anypony want to date or even be with a dragon? Spike shook his head, trying to dislodge these negative thoughts from his head. C’mon, Spike, get it together! You’re going Gem Hunting with Rarity, just block out all that other stuff and focus on having fun, yeah! Today’s going to be a good day! Spike had arrived at Carousel Boutique, he was about to knock on the door – it wasn’t necessary, being a business and all, but he did it anyway out of respect of her home/business. But before he could rap at the door it opened and revealed Rarity standing there, looking rather distraught at the moment. “Rarity, are you okay,” asked Spike. “Well…I am, but Sweetie Belle isn’t. I’m sorry Spike, but I can’t go gem hunting with you today,” explained Rarity. “Oh…” “I’m really sorry, Spikey. But I have to take care of my little sister – and have a little talk with Twilight and Rainbow Dash here in a minute. But,” Rarity’s horn lit up as she brought forth a crystal and gave it to Spike, “this crystal’s enchanted with my special locator spell. It’ll lead you to all the gemstones in the immediate area, sort of a crystal divining rod. I’d appreciate it if you could go and get the gems that I’ll need, and I promise to reward you greatly for the assistance.” Spike was disappointed, but he could tell that Rarity was in need of some help, especially if there was something wrong with Sweetie Belle. “No problem Rarity, I find as many as I can!” “Oh I knew I could count on you my little Spikey-poo.” Rarity leaned down and kissed the drake on the forehead. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I really must talk to Twilight and Rainbow Dash.” With that said Rarity took off passed Spike and headed in some unknown direction. Leaving Spike holding a crystal in one claw and an empty wagon in another, with a heavy sigh he made his way towards the quarry where all the gems they usually hunted were located in masse. Along the way, Spike was passing Sweet Apple Acres, and it just so happened that Apple Bloom was out in the yard, fixing up the fence that sectioned off their land from the rest of Ponyville. Apple Bloom had finished hammering a nail into the stake with a swipe of her hoof, and looked around when she heard squeaky wheels. “Heya Spike!” Spike’s head shot in Apple Bloom’s direction. The yellow farm filly was trotting towards Spike, carrying toolbox on her back as she did. Spike waved to Apple Bloom happily. “Hey, Apple Bloom, what’s –” Apple Bloom then walked passed him. “– up?” Apple Bloom examined the wagon Spike was toting around. She then set her toolbox down and took out a little oil can, clasping it between her hooves, she positioned the nozzle at the left back wheel and squeezed the can a few times, letting small drops of oil run over the wheel joint. Afterwards she placed the can back in the toolbox and started to maneuver the wagon back and forth, the squeakiness of the wagon was now silenced. “Wow, I’ve been trying to get that thing to stop squeaking for weeks, thanks AB,” said Spike. “Sorry ‘bout that, Ah just can’t help it, whenever somethin’ needs fixin’ Ah just go and fix it, Ah-Ah didn’t mean to ignore you or nothin’,” apologized Apple Bloom. Spike shrugged it off as no big deal. “So…where ya headin’?” “Oh, well, today was mine and Rarity’s Gem Hunting Day, but something came up with Sweetie Belle and she asked me to go and do the hunting,” said Spike. “Ah hope everythin’s alright, the girls have been actin’ funny lately, and Ah don’t know what to do.” Apple Bloom scuffed the ground with her hoof. “Some leader and friend Ah am. Ah can’t even help’em with whatever problems are buggin’em.” “What are you talking about?! Apple Bloom you’re great leader, and an even better friend. It’s just, whatever they’re going through is personal, they just don’t want to worry you,” said Spike. “Well, they’re doin’ a good job of makein’ me worry. But…yer right, Ah’m sure they’ll tell meh what’s wrong when their good an’ ready. Hopefully that’s soon,” said Apple Bloom, throwing her forelegs in the air in frustration. In mock frustration ended with a giggle, which for some reason, Spike found cute. “Ahem, so, guess you’re really getting into your special talent, huh?” “Heck yeah Ah am! Ah been fixin’ things all over the farm! Ah mean, no offense to Big Mac and Applejack, but they can only do so much when it comes to maintenance. Ah’ve just been sprucin’ up things here and there, and thinkin’ of ways to make the farm better and other stuff.” And if that wasn’t enough, Spike started to like the way Apple Bloom got when she was talking about her special talent. There was an elated and joyous tone in her voice that made you feel the same way. Her eyes seemed to sparkle as she continued on. At some point Spike had stopped listening to Apple Bloom and just started to actually stare at her. “So Ah was wonderin’, if ya got time afterwards, you think you good help me check out some books from the library? Spike, Spike?” The young drake snapped himself out of revere upon hearing his name. “Huh – Oh yeah, what kind of books?!” “Well, maybe some basic archy-arci darn it, what’s that fancy word for buildings and such?!” “Um, architecture?” “Yeah, that’s it! Some books on architecture! Ah wanted to see if any of them could give me ideas,” said Apple Bloom. “Sure, no problem, I’ll swing by here after I’m done and we can go to the library together.” “Yeah mean…you and me, walkin’ side-by-side, together?” Apple Bloom asked with a nervous tone. “Well unless you want to meet me there –?” “No, no, Ah was just makin’ sure that’s what ya meant is all, heh, heh.” Spike started to notice a pink blush tinting Apple Bloom’s cheeks. “…Okay, but what if Apple Bloom had feelings for you too? Would you go for it…?” Spike suddenly felt his own cheeks warm up from remembering the talk he had with Scootaloo. “Okay, so, I’ll meet you here, later, around four o’clock?” Spike asked, wanting to end the awkwardness. “Y-Yeah, sounds great, Ah’ll see ya then! Bye, Spike!” With that said, Apple Bloom ran off back into the yard, and to whatever little work she could occupy herself with. He just stood there, watching her retreating form, her well-toned, surprisingly cute form. Spike then brought up his right claw and slapped himself across the face and was now silently cursing Scootaloo for putting those thoughts in his mind. Thoughts, he might add, that he didn’t find all that unpleasant. (Rock Quarry) Spike had arrived at his usual gem hunting spot, a place he and Rarity frequented. With a sigh, the little dragon held out the crystal and immediately the spell went to work, leading him to hidden gem deposits in the ground. Spike immediately started digging up the tasty, yet fashionable to some, morsels. As much as gem hunting was helping to ease the young drake’s thoughts, it really wasn’t. I am happy…but…why do I still feel alone… It was the one thing that Spike never truly got over, the little niggling feeling in the back of his head that told him that he wasn’t a part of their group, their society, that he was just a dragon pretending to be part of a pony family and falling for ponies. And that was quickly becoming more apparent, with Twilight and Rainbow Dash becoming marefriends and probably soon, they might actually get married. Scootaloo and Adara would most likely be their daughters. But where does that leave me… Spike sighed heavily, knowing that his family was growing was a happy thing, and he felt happier knowing that Twilight had finally found somepony to spend the rest of her life with. Still, some part of him wished he knew a bit more about his real family, at the very least could talk to a dragon that wasn’t a complete and total jerk. Then maybe he could make sense of his feelings and emotions towards others, whether or not it was right to love a pony, or to find a dragoness somewhere. But still, he wasn’t about to give up, not by a long shot. “Well, at least I got a great haul,” said Spike. He marveled at the amount of gemstones that he was able to find. Spike’s wagon was filled to capacity, most of it towering higher than him. It made Spike dismay at the fact that he should’ve brought an extra wagon with him. Just then the ground began to shake beneath his feet, rumbling and shuttering as something tried to make its way to the surface. The pile of gems toppled over and spilled onto the ground as the shaking reached its zenith. At that moment twenty figures popped out of the ground and surrounded Spike. The beings were clad in light gray armor, each one a large canine, with muscular forearms and sharp black claws. The armored beasts snarled and growled at Spike, baring their fangs and drooling a bit. Spike instantly recognized them, they were Diamond Dogs. The young dragon nervously chuckled. “H-H-Hey guys, what’s up,” he asked, gulping. “Is there anything I can help you with…?” “Yes, there is!” Spike watched as the twenty armored dogs opened a path for their leaders. Rover, Fido, and Spot, all three slowly making their way towards him, Rover was looking especially angry. “You were with the ponies! They care about you, they would do anything get you back!” “What’re you talking about!?” “The fussy pony,” said Spot, “She tricked us out of our gems, our precious gems! All of them!” “Y-You mean, Rarity? You guys gave her those gems,” said Spike. “Yeah, to make her stop the horrible noises,” said Fido, covering his ears as if he could hear Rarity’s whining right now. “Yes, and now she will give us back that which she stole from us and more when we hold their precious dragon hostage! Get the dragon; we’ll make those ponies pay!” The other Diamond Dogs lowered into attack position, cutting off any escape route for Spike. He couldn’t believe it, the Diamond Dogs were going to take him hostage for gems that Spike was sure Rarity didn’t have. He knew for a fact that those were long since used and or spent, and there was no way she could accumulate that many gems. Spike tried to appear ferocious, scratching with his claws and letting out sparks of dragon fire. But it was futile, his diminutive size and unintimidating childlike appearance did little to scare or frighten the Diamond Dogs. “My, my, what have we here? Sssomething exciting!?” The Diamond Dogs halted their charge and looked in the direction of the unknown voice. Spike, too, gazed in the same direction and was shocked at what he saw. It was a dragon. He was as tall as Rover, his body was like that of a pegasus, lean, but strong, a stark contrast to Spike’s more lanky form when he was like that. His scales were a vermillion color, with a lighter shade on his underbelly. A long tail whipped back and forth, giving out a cracking sound. Dark orange spines ran down from his head to his tail, their shape resembling flickering flames. On his forehead was strange symbol, almost as if he were etched into his scales. “Who are you,” asked Rover. “Hmm, I senssse much Avarice in you creaturesss, yesss, you’ll do nicccely,” said the mysterious dragon. “What do we do with that one,” asked Fido. “Humph, he’s not valuable, not like him,” Rover pointed to Spike, making him jump. “Get rid of that other dragon, and do it NOW!!!” Three of the armored Diamond Dogs detached from the group and charged for the orange dragon. Spike watched in horror as his fellow dragon was about to be attacked. However, the orange dragon did not flinch, he merely smirked confidently. The lead armored dog jumped up and swiped with his claws. But the orange dragon was ready. The moment before impact, the dragon held up his left claw and caught the Diamond Dog’s forearm, cancelling his attack completely. The orange dragon then pulled up and then slammed down the canine right into the ground, creating a rather large crater. Everyone present just stood there slacked jawed. “Who esssle, isss next,” he asked. “Grrrrrr, kill him! Rip his scales off,” ordered Rover with venom. Ten of the armored Diamond Dogs rushed the orange dragon. They surrounded him in a tight circle, watching him, trying to find an opening. The dragon stood in the center of the death ring, completely unimpressed with their show of force. To accentuate his point, the orange dragon crossed his arms in front of his chest, and waited patiently for the Diamond Dogs to attack. They didn’t wait long, the armored canines all leapt at once, thinking it better to rush the dragon in a dog pile. The orange dragon snickered at them as his body began to flare with vermillion light. At the last second, the light burst forth, engulfing the ten Diamond Dogs in a field of orange light energy. Rover, Fido, Spot, Spike, and the remaining armored dogs all covered their eyes from the blinding, powerful light emitted from the dragon’s power. When the light faded, the ten armored beasts were all strewn upon the ground, unconscious and groaning in discomfort. Strangely though, the orange dragon was nowhere to be seen. “Where’d he go, where’d he go,” asked Spot frantically. “Here I am.” Before either of the Diamond Dog leaders could yelp, the orange dragon slammed both Fido and Spot into the ground, face first. He then spun on his heel, and whipped in tail across Rover’s face, sending him into a spin before landing on the ground, KO’ed like his two friends. The last ten of the armored canines abandoned Spike and barreled towards the dragon. With the same great, ruthless strength and speed, the orange dragon assaulted the last ten. Striking two down with a kick to the back of the neck, and one to the face, while three others tried to jump him from the back and the sides. The vermillion reptile spun around swiftly; using his tail to whip each of the three and send them hurdling to the ground unconscious like the rest. He then gathered his orange energy into his claws and fired two orbs of light at two retreating Diamond Dogs, the orbs exploded at their backs, their armor saving them from a lethal blow. The remaining five tried to retreat as well, but he wasn’t having none of that. The orange dragon leapt into the air, somersaulted twice, and landed a few feet ahead of them. He then inhaled deeply and bellowed a jet of dragon fire, the flames hit the ground in front of the canines, exploding in their faces and sending them flying and landing sprawled out on the ground. When it was over the orange dragon snorted, letting out wisps of flames and smiling smugly, proud of his work in the defeat of the mongrel beasts. Spike had been standing in the same spot since the fight had begun, awestruck at the ferocity, strength, and skill of the teenage dragon before him. The orange dragon seemed to finally take notice of Spike and leisurely started to walk over to him. Oh my gosh, he’s walking over here! Oh man, what am I going to say!? Well he just saved me, so maybe thanks? But what if he thinks I’m a total wimp for not being able to fight back!? C’mon Spike, dragon up now! The orange dragon stopped before Spike and looked him over with a critical eye. Spike gulped, wondering if this dragon was anything like Garble and his gang from the Dragon Migration, and if he was, did that mean he knew Garble? But his savior had no wings, just like him. So maybe there was sliver of hope here. “Ssso, who are you? Haven’t ssseen one of your kind here,” said the orange dragon. “Um…uh…my-my name is Spike, and I live in Ponyville,” he said simply. “Hmm, intersssting, and here I thought I wasss the only one around here, guesss I was wrong. Ssso, who or what were thessse thingsss that I jussst defeated?” “What? Oh yeah! They’re, uh, called Diamond Dogs. My friends and I had a run in with them a long time ago, and I guess they’re still a bit ticked about losing their gems,” explained Spike. The orange dragon looked upon his fellow drake with intrigued. “Can I asssume that you are the one that pilfered their gemsss?” Spike shook his claws in protest, “No, no, that was my friend, Rarity! She kinda messed with them and got on their nerves to the point where they just wanted her out of their tunnels. It was actually funny.” Spike took another look around, seeing the squirming forms of the Diamond Dogs. “Um, shouldn’t we get out of here? I mean, they’re going to be ticked when they wake up.” The orang dragon chuckled superiorly, “If you want.” Spike hurriedly gathered the gems he had collected back into his wagon and started walking in the direction towards Ponyville. The orange dragon and Spike kept leisurely pace, even though Spike was worried that the Diamond Dogs might wake and come after him, his new friend didn’t seem worried at all, his confidence helping to put Spike at ease. “Oh, I didn’t catch your name before,” said Spike. The orange dragon thought for a minute, he then looked at Spike once again before coming to his decision, “My name isss Ophidian.” “Cool, my name’s Spike. And thanks for saving me, I didn’t know that there were any dragons living around here, well, other than the bigger ones,” said Spike. “To be honessst I haven’t been here long. I’ve been…wandering around, ssseaching for a place to call my own.” Spike could relate a bit to what Ophidian said. In way, that was how he felt during the Dragon Migration, looking for a place to call his own, a place to really fit in and know who he was. It was comforting to find a kindred spirit in Ophidian. “So…um, are you living around here, or just passing through,” asked Spike. Ophidian glanced over his shoulder, towards the Diamond Dogs who were starting to awaken and retreat back into their tunnels. “Actually, I might be ssstaying for a while,” he turned his gaze back to Spike, “now that I’ve found sssomeone like me here.” “Really, that’s great – ahem – I mean, that’s cool,” said Spike in a smooth attempt not appear like a fanfilly. “Maybe you could drop by Ponyville; I could introduce you to my friends?” “Sssorry, but no…I’d like to keep my presssence here a secret, at leassst between usss. Nothing againssst your friendsss, but I’ve been…run out of town more than once, and would rather not have to up and move,” said Ophidian. “Oh…I’m sorry, I promise I won’t tell anyone!” Spike said with conviction. “Is there, uh, any chance we could, you know, hang out sometime? I wanted to ask you some things, but if you don’t want…” Ophidian regarded the young drake for a moment, thinking if it was in his best interest, but after a few seconds he smirked, “Yesss, why don’t we meet up again. Right here in a couple of days, same time.” Spike looked worried about that, “But, the Diamond Dogs…” “Don’t worry, they won’t be a problem, trust me on that,” said Ophidian. Spike and Ophidian reached the crossroads from the quarry to Ponyville. The purple dragon waved a goodbye to his new friend and happily made his trip back to Ponyville. I can’t wait to tell Twilight, well, at least when Ophidian is ready, but I can’t believe I found another dragon! And he isn’t a complete jerk! At that moment a radiant, shimmering blue light burst forth spread across the sky and further on towards the horizon. Spike didn’t know why, but his light actually made him feel, hopeful, like it was a sign that everything was going to be alright, and that meeting Ophidian would be a sign of good things to come. With that in mind, Spike raced back to Ponyville, a pip in his step as he made the journey home. (Diamond Dogs Lair) Deep in the vast, underground network of tunnels, the Diamond Dogs regrouped in their central hall, licking their wounds whilst the three leaders of the pack stood at the center, surrounded by their twenty injured and the rest of the pack that hadn’t gone with them, for a grand total of sixty Diamond Dogs. Rover fumed and growled angrily at their loss, their great plan foiled by the intrusion of Ophidian. “I can’t believe we got beaten, by a dragon! A DRAGON! And not even a BIG one at that,” growled Rover. Fido was rubbing his head, still sore from when Ophidian slammed him and Spot into the ground. “But he wasn’t like the little one.” “Y-Yeah, he was strong, very strong,” said Spot. “Ugh, no matter how strong, we are stronger, we are many! Next time we all gets the dragon, both the orange and purple one! We well make the ponies pay, kills the orange one, and hurt the purple one till they begs for mercy!” Rover declared. This earned Rover howling cheers and barks of agreement over his plan. He was right, their gems were their own, and the unicorn Rarity had taken that which was most precious to the Diamond Dogs. It was disgraceful and humiliating to give into her demands. Well Rover wouldn’t stand for it, no, he would make them pay, either by ransom, or even getting his claws on the uppity unicorn and making her the Diamond Dogs’ slave, but only after gagging her. “I think not.” All eyes turned towards one of the tunnels, orange irises pierced the darkness and stared menacingly at the pack. “I need that ‘purple dragon’ asss you put it, and I can’t have you run wild through that town. Not while they’re there anyway.” “YOU! What are you doing here!? How did you find us!?” Ophidian strode through the pack as they parted to give him a clear path to their leaders, even they could tell that he was dangerous. “Avarice is ssstrong within you all, and I’m in need of a new army. That damn warthog, Larfleeze hasss command over all of the constructsss, and I couldn’t take any of them with me! But no matter, he can keep them! I’ve entered a new world – a whole other universsse – and it’sss time for me to create my own corps!” “What is he talking about,” asked Spot. Ophidian was now at the center, his smile turning sinister. “Don’t worry. Sssoon, you’ll only do what I sssay!” Ophidian raised his right claw and slammed it onto the ground. The dirt surged with orange light, encasing the pack, and himself, in a giant barrier. The pack became anxious, nervous, and scared at what was happening, but soon their horror would be magnified. The ground beneath their feet started to shift, creeping up their legs. Many tried to claw at the creeping earth, some even resorting to chewing through their legs. But it was no use, the earth started to swallow them, bringing them down into the cold dirt. Fido and Spot howled in dismay and fear as they were completely swallowed up, Rover continued to fight, unwilling to be consumed by the dirt. He looked around frantically, seeing his whole pack being consumed by the very ground upon which they strode. As far as he could tell, Rover was the only one still with his upper half sticking out. “What are you doing, what have you done!?” Ophidian rose up and walked over to Rover, his wicked glee showing in his fanged smile. “Merely making you all MINE!” With that last statement, the ground opened up like a great maw and completely consumed Rover. Ophidian dismissed the barrier with a wave of his claw, the entire tunnel network still echoed with the howling screams of the Diamond Dogs. The Entity of Avarice closed his eyes, concentrating. When next he opened them his eyes were glowing with the orange light of Avarice. His body flared with orange light as the symbol began to shine. “Identity Stolen!” At that moment, the spots where each of the Diamond Dogs was sucked into the ground began to glow with the same orange light. A pillar of light shot forth from the glowing spots as figures began spring out from them. Each one was a construct made of the orange light, but they all bared the exact likeness of the fallen Diamond Dogs. The armored canines each had the symbol of Avarice on their chest plates, while the Rover, Fido, and Spot constructs had it dangling from their dog tags. Ophidian looked around, his sinister smile only growing. “Welcome to my Orange Lantern Corps!” “Kckt, kckt, kckt…” Ophidian glanced over his shoulder, his construct army doing the same. In the darkness two slit, yellow eyes peered at the Entity of Avarice. He wasn’t shaken nor was he worried, for he knew exactly who it was that had graced him with his presence. “Parallax, sssneaking around and ssskulking in the ssshadowsss asss per usssual,” said Ophidian. “You know me, I love a good scare. I see you’ve gathered quite the collection already.” Ophidian glanced about his newly formed Orange Lantern Corps and shrugged. “Not exactly the brightessst lot, but they’re competent for menial tasssksss and for combat. Anyway, what of your progresss, Parallax? I asssume this isssn’t a social visit.” “Kckt, kckt, no it is not. I have found one suitable for our needs, but it might require some…convincing and prodding on my part. And what of you, besides these mongrels, have you found the one?” Ophidian smirked, “Yesss, asss a matter of fact I have.” The Entity of Avarice held out his claw, within it formed a construct form of Spike. “He isss perfect, he conceals his Avarice, keeping it locked in a cage. But the beassst that liesss within yearnsss for freedom, and I ssseek to releassse it, and make it mine!” Ophidian emphasized his point by clenching his fist around construct of Spike, making it turn into particles. “Very well, all that is left is for Butcher to arrive, and the plan can be put into motion.” Ophidian snorted, twin jets of dragon fire flaring from his nostrils, “And what makesss you think that that lummox will follow through. He knowsss nothing of sssubtlety.” “Kckt says the one that burst out of a tree and stole the energy from a field of apple trees.” Ophidian merely glared at his fellow Entity. “Relax, the time will soon arrive. I leave you to your fun, Ophidian. I’ve yet to have mine…” The yellow eyes of Parallax then vanished into the darkness, leaving Ophidian and his new Orange Lantern Corps alone in the tunnels. Rover then approached Ophidian, bowing before his new alpha pack leader. “What is it that you wish of us, lord Ophidian,” he asked. The Entity looked upon his new army, and then took cursory glance about the chamber, and he notice how…empty it felt. “I think it’s time to start a collection. We’re heading to Canterlot.”