//------------------------------// // The Dragon Empire (The Awakening) // Story: The Tale of the Second Alpha // by Bergen //------------------------------// "Are you sure that you have to go. I hear the Dragon Empire as been becoming incredibly dangerous over the last few years, and you are going to be in the heart of it all. Not to mention that you will be there during the migration, when all of the dragons will be there." Minuette said to Moon Dancer, as the yellow unicorn put the last of her things in her saddlebag. "Yes, I'm am sure Minuette, Celestia's orders." Moon Dancer said to her friend, as she used her magic to place her saddlebag on her back. Moon Dancer was about to trot out her door, which had one of the royal chariots waiting right outside ready to take her to the Dragon Empire when Lemon Hearts placed a hoof on her shoulder. Striking the young mare's attention. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about King Steelclaw. Tartarus, most of the castle's staff didn't even know about the meeting until it was rescheduled." Lemon Hearts said apologizing for not telling her friend the truth. "Don't be Lemon, I was the one in the wrong when I yelled at you." Moon Dancer said, giving her own apology. "Well I got to go, I'll see you all when I get back." Moon Dancer said walking out her front door to the awaiting pegasus-drawn carriage. Back in Ponyville Spike was currently contemplating his own existence. "What am I? Where am I from? Who am I supposed to be?" Spike said to himself, as he sat in his small basket bed thing. Why was he doing this you may ask. Well ever since Spike saw a group of at least one hundred or more dragons flying over Ponyville heading for the Dragon Empire, and began questioning if he was truly a dragon. As he spent his entire life being raised by ponies, and he didn't process a pair of wings. "Uuugh! I don't know! For the last time, Spike, you were given to me as an egg. I don't know who found you or where they found you." Twilight grunted to her number one assistant. His talking making it impossible for her to sleep. "Seriously? That's all you know?" Spike asked the purple unicorn. "I'm sorry, Spike." "That doesn't tell me anything about who I am! I need answers!" Spike said climbing out of his basket bed thing. "I feel like I'm... I'm looking at a complete stranger. Oh!" Spike said staring into a mirror. "Oh, Spike. Why don't we do some late-night research? See what we can find out." Twilight said climbing out of her bed and turning on the light of the bedroom she shared with Spike. "Really? You'd do that?" "Of course! I'm sure we can find something" A few hours passed with Celestia raising the sun and Twilight and Spike were still searching through the many books of her library for things about dragons. Them sadly coming up with nothing. In a search to find out more about dragons, they called in Rarity to help out. "Nothing. Nothing in this one either!" Twilight said as she searched through the many books in her library. All of them coming up empty. "Nothing at all about dragons? This is getting ridiculous!" Spike said, not believing that not even one book in the library had something about dragons in it. I'm with you brother. "I know! It's hard to believe, but ponies know next to nothing about dragons. Apparently, they're too rare and too scary to try to talk to or study!" Twilight said to the purple dragon, doing (and failing) her best to cheer him up. "I wonder if dragons cry..." Spike said disappointedly. "Aw, Spike." Twilight said to the purple dragon, her seeing him more like the little brother that she never had, or even her own son. "It's okay, Twilight. I'm gonna discover who I am if it's the last thing I do!" Spike said with determination in his voice. "Yoo-hoo!" Rarity said in excitement. "Hey, guys!" Rainbow Dash said flying into the library. "Good morning!" Rarity said to Rainbow. "Ya wanna join us for breakfast?" Rainbow asked the two ponies and one dragon. "That sounds great. I'm famished." Twilight said accepting the cyan Pegasus' offer. "Count me out. I've gotta get an early start!" Spike said walking down the stairs with a bag filled with the thing he would need to travel to the Dragon Empire attached to a stick. "An early start?" Rarity asked the purple dragon confused. "Yes! I'm going on a quest of self-discovery! I need to learn what it means to be a dragon! And the only way I'm gonna do that is to join the dragon migration!" Spike announced leaving the three mares dumbfounded. "What?!" The three mares all said at once. "Spike, that's nonsense talk! I know that you're a dragon, but those dragons mean business! They're big, and tough, and scary..." Rainbow began to say, only for Spike to interrupt her. "And I'm small, and meek... and I like to wear aprons. See? This is exactly why I need to spend time with them." Spike said interrupting Rainbow. "All I'm saying is that you could get hurt." Rainbow said to the purple dragon, genuine concern in her voice. "Darling, this time, I really do have to agree with Rainbow Dash. I don't want those big, ugly, nasty dragons to hurt one little scale on your cutesy-wutesy head!" Rarity said to Spike, only convincing him even more that he has to go on the migration. "I'm sorry, but I've made up my mind." Spike said turning to walk out the door of the library. The three ponies followed Spike out of the library and they were all met by the screams of ponies. "What is going on?" Twilight asked one of the screaming ponies, a maroon unicorn mare with a bright orange mane and tail. "A.- A... dragon." The red unicorn managed to say through her fear, only to run off in another banshee-like scream. "Hey, an actual dragon standing right here!" Spike said offended by the ponies comment. "No Spike, a full-grown dragon." Rarity said pointing at a full-grown dragon with snow white scales walking the town. Theta hated not having a pair of wings. As he was forced to walk through every town on his way back to the Dragon Empire and his homeland. Ponyville wasn't the first town to freak out at his appearance, but it was by far the loudest. With almost everypony, that saw him running away from him in fear. He did his best just to block out the screams from the ponies as continued to pass through the town. He hadn't almost forgotten that he hadn't eaten or drank in days. As he neared the large tree that was turned into the public library of the town. He looked up and noticed a small purple dragon standing next to three mares (two unicorns, one Pegasus). "They're all afraid of dragons, and yet they have one as a resident. I don't understand pony logic sometimes." Theta said to himself as he neared the library. At that time was when Theta lack of food and water started to affect him as his vision began to blur. His tongue was drier than a stale biscuit. "Oh my what luck an actual full-grown dragon. Maybe I can ask him how to get to the migration grounds." Spike said as he began to walk towards the white dragon. "Hold your horses Spike." Rainbow said putting her hoof on the purple dragon's shoulder. "You don't even know if he is friendly." Rainbow said, looking directly into the purple dragon's green eyes. Just before Spike could respond he heard a loud thud and turned around to see the white dragon laying on the dirt road. The dragon unable to take another step due to exhaustion. Spike dropped his stick that carried his' belongs and ran over to the white dragon. "Are you alright?" Spike asked the weakened dragon. "Water." The white dragon said simply before unconsciousness set in. A few hours passed and Theta opened his emerald green eyes to find himself inside the library of Ponyville. A small blue bowl filled with clear water a few feet in front of his mouth. Theta stared at the crystal clear liquid for a few seconds until he finally stretched out his purple tongue and took a lick of the water. The cold water coated his dry tongue and that was when he finally noticed that how close he was to dying of dehydration. He struggled to his feet and picked up the blue bowl and quickly downed the water in the bowl. As Theta placed the bowl on the wooden floor of the library was when he realized that he wasn't alone in the library that was somehow made out of a tree. He looked up to see a purple baby dragon, a cyan Pegasus, and two unicorns, one white and the other purple. Theta used his purple tongue to wipe the last drops of water on his lips. "A... thank you." Theta said thanking the three ponies and the one dragon for helping him. Theta turned to leave the library, only for the purple dragon to block his path. Theta took a step back as the purple dragon began to address him. "Wait, you have to show me the way to the migration." The purple dragon said to Theta, striking his attention. "Wait, you don't know the way to the Dragon Empire?" Theta asked the purple dragon. "No, this is my first migration, and I have spent my entire life in Equestria." Spike said to Theta, slightly blushing. The three ponies watched in full attention as Theta addressed the purple dragon. "What's your name kid?" Theta asked the purple dragon. "It's Spike, and I'm not a kid. I'm fourteen." Spike said, striking Theta's attention even more that a dragon in his early teens was still only the size of a toddler. Twilight couldn't take her anxiety any longer and cleared her throat, shifting Theta's attention from Spike to the purple unicorn. "Yes... he is Spike. My name is Twilight Sparkle, or just Twilight." Twilight said introducing herself to Theta. "This is Rarity." Twilight said pointing at the white unicorn to her right. "Hi." Rarity waved shyly at the white dragon, slightly admiring his white scales. That was the color of freshly fallen snow. "And this is Rainbow Dash." Twilight said pointing at the cyan Pegasus, that was hovering above the rest. "Sup, you can just call me Rainbow." Rainbow said rather bluntly. "It's a pleasure to meet you all, and I appreciate all your help, but I must really be on my way." Theta said as he inched closer to the door of the library. "Wait, aren't you going to show to the Dragon Empire?" Spike said blocking Theta's path, again. "I don't know kid..." Theta began only for Spike to interrupt him. "My name is Spike!" Spike yelled, making the three ponies take a step backward in both shock and fear at what might happen afterward. Theta, however, maintained his composure and dropped to his eyes. Meeting the young dragon's eye level. "Look, Spike, I would be honored to show you the way, but I don't think that you are ready to go on your first migration." Theta said, making Spike think that he was too weak to hang around with other dragons. "So you think that I'm not cut out to be a true dragon." Spike said in disappointment, getting what he thought was just more confirmation that he wasn't fit to even call himself a dragon. "No, that's not what I'm saying at all." Theta said putting a reassuring claw on the purple dragon's shoulder, making Spike look up at him their emerald green reptilian eyes matching almost identically. The three ponies were in shock, Twilight even more so, by the white dragon's kindness and understanding. That was when Twilight realized something that she hadn't before. Theta, like Spike, lacked a pair of wings. "I don't mean to interrupt." Twilight said, catching the two dragons' attention. "But what is your name." Twilight asked Theta. "Theta, my name is Theta." Theta said raising from his kneeled position, addressing the purple unicorn directly. A small smile spreading across his face. "Theta, what a strange name." Twilight thought to herself, taking note of the dragon's unique name. "I don't mean to offend you, but why do you not have wings." Twilight asked the white dragon, making his small smile fade from his face. "I was born without them. I guess it must be a genetic thing as my brother doesn't have a pair either." Theta said looking at his bare back, his greatest wish in the world being to have wings. There were a few moments of awkward silence until Theta turned to talk to Spike. "Well if you need a guide I would most certainly be happy to escort to the Dragon Empire." Theta said, making the purple dragon jump up in joy. "Well then, I guess this is goodbye, Spike. We can't wait to hear about it when you return." Twilight said to Spike, as she walked over to the purple dragon. Small tears forming in purple eyes. "I can assure you that nothing will happen to Spike. You have my word." Theta whispered down to the purple unicorn. Making Twilight give the white dragon a small smile. "Now should we be off?" Theta said placing the purple dragon on his bare back, an unintentional advantage of not having wings. "I guess so." Spike said as Theta walked out the wooden door, the purple dragon doing his best to hold on. "Goodbye, Spikey-wikey!" Rarity called out to Spike, using her pet name for him, making Theta share at look at Spike. "Spikey... wikey." Theta said, raising one of his eyebrows, making Spike's face slightly blush. "Don't ask." Spike said looking away from the larger dragon's gaze. Making Theta slightly chuckle to himself at the purple dragon's discomfort. "Go get 'em, big guy!" Rainbow called out, as the three waved as the two dragons started their journey to the Dragon Empire. "We have faith in you!" Twilight called out to the purple, making him slightly blush at the purple unicorn's sisterly-like concern for him. "We're following them, right?" Rarity whispered to Twilight, through a smile. "Of course, we are." Twilight whispered as the two unicorns rushed back into the library to gather the things needed to follow the two dragons. The two dragons, Spike sitting on the back of Theta, continued their journey to the Dragon Empire, following the mass of over a thousand dragons that flew overhead. Heading toward the migration grounds, deep within the heart of the Dragon Empire. The two dragons only talked when it was absolutely necessary. Making their quest rather boring. As a way to break the ice Spike began talking to Theta. Wanting to know more about him, since he had met him only that same day, and now he was trusting the dragon with his life. "So... is this your first migration?" Spike asked the white dragon, catching his attention. "That depends on what you consider as a migration." Theta said, leaving his answer intentionally vague. Spike didn't mind, having to live with Twilight and report to Princess Celestia all his life. He had gotten used to intentionally vague answers. "What do you mean?" Spike asked Theta. "Well, I have lived in the Dragon Empire ever since I was a hatchling." Theta began, catching the attention of Spike. "What is it like, the Dragon Empire, I mean?" Spike asked the white dragon. "So many questions little one." Theta commented on the purple dragon's curiosity. "I must get it from Twilight." Spike responded as Theta answered his previous question. "Well Spike, the Dragon Empire is no Equestria. I can promise you that." Theta said using the same intentional vagueness that he used before. Before Spike could ask him elaborate Spike smelt a strange odor as they traveled closer to the volcano-like mountains of the Dragon Empire. Spike had to sneeze multiple times in order to make it so he could even breathe. "You ok back there?" Theta asked Spike after his sneezing fit ceased. A strange need to protect the young dragon rushing through his body even since he met the purple dragon. "Yeah, just what is that smell?" Spike said covering his nose in disgust. Theta took in a deep breath before answering Spike. "Brimstone... don't worry you'll get used to it, and where there's brimstone there is the Dragon Empire. Hang on Spike were almost there." Theta said and Spike dug his claws even further into Theta scales (though Theta didn't feel any pain), as the white dragon took off at a full sprint toward the volcanic mountains. That the mass of flying dragons were all circling like how vultures circled an abandoned carcass. The dragons arrived at the top of a large volcano and stared into the crater, that was filled with at least a few thousand dragons of all different sizes, shapes, and colors. The crater had a small lava pit in the middle where teenage dragons were spending their times swimming in. Spike hopped off the white dragon's back and stared in awe of the strange beauty the rugged Dragon Empire processed. "This is... awesome, I mean nothing when compared to say Canterlot. But this is pretty cool, and you say that you live here." Spike said to Theta, catching the white dragon a little off guard. "Hmm... oh yes I live just outside the mating grounds with my brother, Sigma." Theta said as he noticed his twin brother a few hundred yards from where the two dragons were standing. "Speaking of which, Sig!" Theta called out into the crowd of dragons. Catching the attention of a grayish-silver dragon with sky blue eyes that was slightly larger than Theta. This silver dragon also lacked a pair of wings, similar to that of both Theta and Spike. Seeing that he had caught the attention of his brother he continued. "Sig, come over here I want you to meet someone!" Theta called out to Sigma, making the silver dragon walked over to where the two dragons were standing. "There you are Theta, what took you so long?" Sigma asked his twin brother, not noticing the small dragon at his brother's side. "Our great king decided to abandon me in Canterlot, but I tell you more that later. I want you to meet my new friend." Theta said to his brother, looking down at Spike. Who was hiding behind one of the forelegs of Theta. "Who is this little one?" Sigma asked the purple dragon, underestimating his actual age. "My name's Spike, and not little, I'm fourteen. I just haven't hit my growth spurt yet." Spike said to Sigma. Making the gray dragon share a confused look with his brother. "While I guess we should leave you to your business Spike." Theta said noticing the tension rising between his brother and Spike. "You're leaving me." Spike said, grabbing onto the white dragon's leg. "You'll be fine Spike, trust me." Theta said to Spike, noticing in the corner of his emerald green eyes two unicorns (one white, the other purple) hiding behind a rock. Having noticed the two ponies following him after since he had left Equestria's borders. "But whatever you do, don't bug the elder dragons." Theta said turning his attention back to the purple dragon, pointing at the largest dragons that were a few hundred years old, which were known to not have that much patience of younger dragons. Spike nodded at the dragon's warning and Theta left the young dragon to rejoin his brother. About an hour later the new brother dragons were busy discussing what they up to since the last time they saw each other. "So... how was it in Canterlot? Was our King able to convince Princess Sunbutt?" Sigma asked his little brother by five minutes, talking about Celestia. His brother's comment made Theta chuckle to himself. "No, King Steelclaw wasn't able to convince Princess Celestia to come to the migration." Theta said to his brother, making Sigma's smile shrink from his face. "Hmm... figures, Steelclaw was never really that good of a negotiator." Sigma said to his brother. "But, at least from what he told me, he was able to convince the Princess into sending her 'dragon expert' to the migration." Theta said, making Sigma share a confused look with his brother. "Dragon expert." Sigma said to his brother, a look of confusion and calling bullshit on his face. Theta accepted his brother's sarcasm since they were pretty much inseparable from birth. "Yes, I haven't seen him or her, but I guess he/she whatever should be coming at any moment." Theta said, and just as he did all the eyes of the dragons shifted to the skies above the migration grounds. "What's going on?" Sigma asked her brother, who looked in the direction of all the other dragons. "That." Theta said to his brother, pointing at a golden pegasus-drawn chariot that was flying across the sky. "This will do gentlecolts." Moon Dancer said to the two Pegasi that were pulling her golden chariot, as it landed on the volcanic ground. "Of course, Miss. Dancer." One of the pegasus guards said as Moon Dancer was greeted by a young light blue dragon (about half the size of the yellow unicorn). "Are you the pony by the name of Moon Dancer?" The young dragon asked the yellow unicorn. "Why yes, I am, little one." Moon Dancer said to the young dragon she estimated to be about five years old. "Great, then follow me King Steelclaw has been expecting your presence for quite some time." The young dragon said, leading the yellow unicorn toward the King's quarters. As the unicorn followed the young dragon many other dragons stopped whatever they were doing and stared at young mare. Most of them having giving Moon Dancer a look like they intended to make her their next meal. Moon Dancer did her best to not share any eye contact with any of the dragons, knowing that the current situation between the two countries was shaking, to say the least. "I'm guessing that's the Princess Sunbutt's so-called dragon expert." Sigma said to his brother with an inferno of sarcasm in his words. As the two dragons watched the yellow unicorn along with the other dragons. "I guess so Sig." Theta said climbing to his feet. "Where are you going, T?" Sigma asked his brother, as Theta began to walk toward the yellow unicorn. "I'm to do my job Sig." Theta said to his brother since he was the King's head advisor. "Oh yeah, ok have fun dealing with ponies Theta." Sigma said to his brother before he went back to eating a crystal bowl filled with gems. When he finished he ate the bowl itself. Theta rolled his eyes until he walked over to the small crystal cave that he used as a temporary castle for the time of the migration. Moon Dancer followed the young dragon to the crystal cave that the King was using as his temporary throne and walked inside the large crystal cave. The King of the Dragon Empire was resting on a golden throne getting feed gems by one servant. "Wait here while I announce your presence. The blue dragon said to Moon Dancer as he walked up the King of the Dragon Empire. "Your majesty, I don't wish to disturb you, but the Equestrian dragon expert by the name of Moon Dancer is here to see you." The blue said, his words with a slight hint of fear, as the King's attention shifted from his meal to the young dragon. "Thank you... send her in." King Steelclaw said to the young dragon in a slow almost villainous tone. Making the dragon retreat backward as quickly as possible. "He's all yours." The young dragon said quickly to Moon Dancer, before running at a full sprint out of the cave. Moon Dancer cautiously walked toward the golden throne and the giant red dragon that rested on top of it. Moon Dancer bowed in respect before she began to address the king. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Moon Dancer." Moon Dancer said introducing herself to the King Steelclaw. "That will be all." Steelclaw said to the servant that was feeding him gems before he raised from the throne. Intentionally making it so that he would tower over the young unicorn. "It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Dancer, officially." Steelclaw said, the joints in his massive wings popping in and out of place as he spread his massive wings. Moon Dancer did her best to hide the fear that was rushing through her as she stood in front of the King of the entire Dragon Empire. She didn't good enough to hide her fear, with Steelclaw slightly smirking to himself as he watched the trembly pony. "Blue Diamond, would you mind summoning Theta for me?" Steelclaw said to the servant dragon that was feeding him. "Um... of course sir. Right away sir." The dragon said quickly, taking off to get the King's personal advisor. The dragon stopped as Theta appeared at the mouth of the cave. "No summoning necessary your majesty!" Theta called to the red dragon. Theta then walked down the cave toward the golden throne, stopping to greet their pony guest. "Name's Theta, what's yours, my lady." Theta said to Moon Dancer, presenting his claw toward the yellow unicorn for a hoof/claw shake. Moon Dancer was taken away by the dragon surprising amount of kindness that the dragon was showing toward her, while her employer was using fear in order to get his way. Moon Dancer accepted the claw and introduced herself. "Moon Dancer, my name is Moon Dancer." Moon Dancer said to the white dragon, a slight blush appearing on her cheeks. "Moon Dancer..." Theta said slowing appreciating every second of the mare's name. The blush on Moon Dancer's face going larger. "What a great name, mine is Theta." Theta said introducing himself to Moon Dancer. Moon Dancer was both surprised and intrigued by the dragon's strange name, a name very similar to that of the Alpha. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Theta." Moon Dancer said, making a small smile spread across the white dragon's face. Steelclaw watched the scene between the two in disgust, even though he despised Theta's undragonly high amount of kindness and lack of greed. He knew he needed him with his incredible ability to negotiate with other dragons and ponies alike. Steelclaw cleared his throat to get the dragon and the ponies attention back to the irritated red dragon. "Sorry to interrupt whatever the Tartarus this is, but can we return to the current matter at claw." Steelclaw said, trying to shift the conservation back to what Moon Dancer had originally come to the Dragon empire to do. "Of course your majesty." Theta said walking over to the King's side. "Now, what were you saying?" Steelclaw said to Moon Dancer, bringing the unicorn's attention back to the reason she was in the Dragon Empire. However, before Moon Dancer could ever open her mouth to answer the same light blue dragon that had led her to the crystal cave appeared at the mouth of the cave. The dragon patting extremely, doing its best to catch its breath. "What's is it!" Steelclaw barked at the young dragon, not happy that his very important meeting was getting interrupted again. "Hold... hold... on.. a second." The dragon said, holding up a claw as he did his best to catch his breath. "Ok, I'm good. I'm sorry to interrupt, but Improbus is here to see you. The blue dragon said, and the red eyes of Steelclaw grew to the size of hoofballs. As he stepped down from his throne, heading toward Moon Dancer. I'm sorry to say, but it seems that something even more important has come to my attention. I hope that you will be able to return back to Equestria safely." Steelclaw said quickly to Moon Dancer, doing his best to get the young pony out of the cave as quickly as he could. "Theta would you mind escorting this young mare back to her mode of transportation?" Steelclaw asked Theta, who simply nodded robotically in response. Learning from experience not to question the king's wishes. Theta then escorted the grayish-yellow unicorn of the cave and to the golden chariot that she had used to get to the Dragon Empire in the first place. "Do you know what that was about?" Moon Dancer asked Theta as the two headed toward the golden chariot to take her back to Equestria. "I have no idea Miss Dancer, but I have learned from experience not question the king's orders." Theta said to Moon Dancer. "Please, just call me Moon Dancer. " Moon Dancer said to Theta, her face flushing as red as her hair. "Ok, Moon Dancer. On the behalf of our King Steelclaw and the entire Dragon Empire as a whole. I wish that you will return to Equestria safely." Theta said to Moon Dancer as she climbed into the golden Pegasus driven chariot. "Didn't your king already wished me a safe journey?" Moon Dancer asked Theta, a little confused at the dragon's statement. Making Theta slightly chuckle to himself. "Did you honestly think he said those words out of genuine care for your well being?" Theta asked Moon Dancer a rather rhetorical question. Moon Dancer shared a chuckle of her own. Not taking offense to the dragon's sarcasm, even finding it a little cute. "No, I guess not. It was a pleasure to meet you Theta." Moon Dancer said to Theta, almost ready to leave. "Same to you as well. I hope to see you again." Theta said, his warm smile returning to his face. "I as well." Moon Dancer said to Theta, even though knowing how unlikely it would be. The two shared into each other's eyes, their hoof and claws interlocked for a few more seconds until Moon Dancer ordered the Pegasus guards to return to Equestria. Theta watched the golden chariot fly across the sky until it was nothing more than a small dot in the sky before he returned to where his brother was currently laying. Busying eating his large supply of gems, mostly sapphires. "That didn't take that long." Sigma said to his brother, not looking up from his mound of light blue gems. When his brother didn't respond, curious at his brother's strange silence turned to talk to him directly. Only to see that his brother was dreamingly staring off into the distance. Sigma waved a claw in front of his brother's face to get his attention saying. "Theta... Dragon Empire to Theta." This went to no prevail as Theta continued to stare off into the distance in a dream-like trance. "For the love of the Alpha." Sigma said to himself grabbing an orange garnet (Theta's least favorite gem) out of his pile of gems. "I don't want to do this brother, but you leave me no choice." Sigma said placing the orange gem on his brother's purple tongue. The taste of the gem immediately broke Theta out of his trance. Making him split the gem out in disgust. "Ugh, what'd you do that for! You know I hate garnet." Theta exclaimed at his brother, trying to scrape the disgusting flavor of the gem out of his tongue. "To snap you out of this strange trance that you were in." Sigma said back, defending his actions. "Wait, I was in a trance." Theta said not believing his brother. "Yeah you were staring off into the distance, and all that crap. You didn't even react when I waved my claw in front of your face." Sigma said taking a sapphire out of his pile of gems and popping it into his mouth as if it was candy. "Really, interesting." Theta said to for to himself. "Hey, do you got any peridots in there?" Theta asked her brother, peridots being his personal favorite. "Yeah, here you go bro." Sigma said with a mouth filled with sapphires. Handing his brother a small pile filled with the olive-green gemstone. "Thanks, bro." Theta said putting a clawful of the green gemstone into his mouth as the two watched the purple dragon that he escorted to the migration belly flop into the pit of lava. "Oh, that's gotta hurt." Sigma cringed as the two dragons watched the dragon hit the lava like it was concrete. Back inside the crystal cave Steelclaw had dismissed all of his servants and was pacing back and forth as he waited for the dragon by the name of Improbus. "Sir I am pleased to present the dragon, Improbus." The same blue dragon announced King Steelclaw's very important guest. "Thank you, you're dismissed." Steelclaw said and the young blue dragon left the crystal cave as quickly as possible. The dragon in question was a young female dragon seemed to be slightly larger than Spike. With a black scales, blue reptilian eyes, teal almost translucent wings, and had multiple spots on her legs that looked like she had holes in her feet. "Improbus, it is a pleasure to be able to meet you again." Steelclaw said bowing to the young dragon. "And to you as well, shall we retreat to discuss our matters of great importance in a more private location." Improbus said in an almost villainous tone. "Of course, follow me." Steelclaw said leading the young dragon into a large cave deep inside the crystal cave. Once Steelclaw knew that the two dragons were alone he began to discuss the true meaning of their secretive meeting. "So what is it that you what to discuss with me... your majesty." Steelclaw said, and as he did the blue eyes of the young dragon flashed an olive green, along with a devilish smile. "Why of course." Improbus said as her body erupted into green flames. Her dragon body burned away her black scales getting replaced by similarly colored fur. Her wings became completely translucent and more bug-like. Her body became more pony-like as she grew in height, tall enough to even rival Princess Celestia. A crooked horn extending out of her head, along with cobweb-like teal hair and tail. Her reptilian eyes retained their olive green color as they became more pony like, and finally the spots on her feet transformed to actual holes on her newly acquired hooves. The strange bug pony creature stood in front of King Steelclaw, as the Queen of the entire shapeshifting bug pony species known as Changelings. Going by the name of... "Chrysalis." Steelclaw said, and no interrupting the narrator.