//------------------------------// // Prologue // Story: The Fire Within // by Black Hailstorm //------------------------------// There he was, the boy who would lose it all. Sitting on his knees, in front of the council of his nation, in front of the people that represented his kingdom. A fire burning in his eyes, just as it had burnt in many other soldiers of his country. He would not have it. He would not have this nonsense, the people of the 41st division were recruits. Newbies who had not had the training, the necessary skill to face off against the benders of the Earth Kingdom. They would be crushed, only used as a form of distraction. It was despicable, foolish even to throw away their lives for such a cause as progress in a war. He would not have it. And he certainly did not care at the time that he had disrespected a general of the Fire Nation. In his eyes he deserved it. He had declared he was not afraid. He had told his father he would face this general for his nation’s honor as prince of the Fire Nation. And so there he was. Sitting on his knees, confidence radiating from his body, his conscience clear of any concern or doubt. For he knew that he understood what he had done. And oh was he wrong. His eyes faced the crowd, the crowd before him that would witness his grand match and how he would teach this opponent a lesson. A lesson on how to respect their soldiers, not to throw away precious life like trash. The gong sounded. Zuko stood. It is time. Rising to his feet, taking up his position as he spun in place to face his opponent Zuko was ready. Ready to destroy and utterly humiliate this person that dared to throw away precious life. He would show his father here and now just how much he had taken the nation into account when he had so illy spoken out of turn during the meeting. Oh yes, he would show his father indeed. The cloth that bore the Fire Nation’s symbol on it slowly fell off Zuko’s shoulders as he now faced his opponent, watching the person step on to the platform before him. The lights making it slightly hard to see who was coming towards him. But as soon as he had been able to gain a clear vision of who it was he was facing, Zuko’s blood ran cold. “F-Father?” he whispered in shock. That was right. The opponent he would be facing, the opponent he had disrespected and would be dueling with in the Agni Kai was none other than Fire Lord Ozai. His father. His king, the nation’s ruler. Something clicked in the young prince's head. It all made sense now. Why his father had been so furious at him for speaking out of turn upon confronting him on the matter. He recalled the way the flames burnt when his father had yelled at him, scolded him for being so disrespectful to the leading general that had planned out the mission of the 41st division’s suicide challenge. Then it hit Zuko like a rock had just been launched into his skull. The person he had disrespected wasn’t the general. It was his own father. Zuko’s mind began to race. I didn’t mean it. “Please father, I only had the nation’s best interest at heart.” I was only trying to protect our own. “I’m sorry I spoke out of turn!” he averted his gaze to the ground. Forgive me. The sound of his father’s footsteps only increased, with each step. Every step cold, calculating, echoing throughout the entire arena despite there being an entire audience there to witness the fight. Father please, Zuko kneeled down his heart heavy, fear for the man he both respected and loved working it’s way into every pore, every ounce, every part of his very being. Then he heard it. The coldness in his father’s voice. The same coldness that he’d use whenever facing an enemy. And not the same one he’d use when talking to his son. “You will fight for your honor!” the Fire Lord stated not slowing down, not speeding up as he strode towards the boy who now kneeled just looking down on him, with a coldness Zuko had never seen his father show towards him. I beg of you mercy! “I meant you no disrespect” Zuko implored his forehead touching the ground before raising it to look upon his father. “I am your loyal son!” The man before him said nothing. He simply continued to approach the frightened boy. “Rise and fight Prince Zuko” Ozai said with finality. Father please, “I won’t fight you” Zuko stated firmly, despite the fear that pervaded through his body. He bowed his head, the footsteps not stopping. He could hear them, coming closer and closer and closer. Then the echo of his father’s footsteps stopped. Zuko’s body tensed. He could sense his father right before him. He could feel the animosity, the anger...the rage emanating from his father. It was then that Zuko realized, the person before him was not his father, but a king. A king who had been disrespected by a subject. And was here to deliver retribution. Zuko’s eyes stung, tears beginning to stream down his face as he could feel his fathe- no his king’s icy glare upon him. Then Ozai spoke. “You will learn respect and suffering, and suffering will be your teacher” the king’s voice boomed throughout the arena coldly. Zuko rose his head, staring into the cold eyes that showed him no love now, just fury. The tears flowed like a river down a steady current, Zuko’s lips twitched in fear, his teeth gritted as his father took a step back, and raised his right fist. Zuko gritted his teeth, faintly catching the glimpse of his sister and uncle in the crowd. His uncle looked away, his sister...she smirked. Zuko’s eyes immediately turned back to his father who now stared down at him ready to deliver the blow. “Every ruler, must suffer the consequences of their actions Zuko” Ozai whispered to his subject, not his son. “And you...are no different.” The Fire Lord brought his fist down upon Zuko’s face, flames erupting onto the boy’s left eye, over his ear, scalding and burning him with a seething fury as his tears continued to stream down his face, more so as the pain firmly gripped his body. Zuko screamed, a scream filled with pain. A scream filled with anger. A scream of him losing his honor, a scream that shook the very arena itself with his cry as more tears erupted from his good eye, and failed to do so with his left. Father!!!!! he internally screamed as he continued to yell into the heavens from the pain of his eye. It was too much to bare, the burnt flesh throbbed in agony, making Zuko wince even further as his father watched him fall to the ground clutching his face. His father turned his back to him and began leaving the platform. With the Agni Kai over, the king had nothing else to say to his son. Zuko lay there in agony, watching and hearing the voices of his true comrades coming to his side. The last thing he remembered was his father’s words: “You have lost your right as Prince and your honor.” Zuko awoke in the tea shop he had established with his uncle in Ba Sing Se. The boy with a scar, sweating heavily from his dream. This was the third time in a row he had had such a dream. He hadn’t slept much the previous night as well and his patience was starting to run very very thin. “Zuko?” he turned on his futon to see his uncle staring at him as he lay on his back. “What’s wrong my nephew?” Zuko sighed. “It’s...nothing uncle.” Iroh sat up in his seat staring at his nephew with observative eyes that shined a brilliance far beyond any man. “Zuko, I am your uncle. Lying will not work, I know you too well.” The boy grit his teeth, rising from his futon before moving to the other room and changing. Once done he stepped out, moving towards the main room where tables and a register had been set for customers. His uncle sat there sipping tea now fully awake. At first the man smiled at his nephew upon seeing him, but then noticed the look in his eye as the boy took his swords and strapped them on. “Zuko” Iroh rose. “Where are you going?” “Out.” “Zuko-” “Uncle” he said firmly. “I can’t waste time here. I need to find the Avatar and-” Iroh held his hand up for silence. Zuko stopped allowing his hair to fall on his face before brushing it back as he stared at his uncle. “You should have let me finish” Iroh said sliding a hand into the sleeve of his robe before he withdrew a scroll. “Take this” he said offering it to Zuko. He stared at it. “Why?” Iroh said nothing, simply staring at his nephew before a small smile graced his face. “Just take it and you will see.” Zuko took the scroll and unrolled it on a nearby table. He stared at it for a few seconds, taking in the geographical structers and layouts of the large empire. “It’s a map of Ba Sing Se...what is this for?” Iroh moved over to his nephew and from the counter withdrew a quill marking a certain spot on the map of Ba Sing Se with an X. “Go to this person. She will be able to help you with what you need help with most.” Zuko looked at his uncle with a cocked brow, then glanced back at the map perfectly displaying the layout of Ba Sing Se. His eyes scanned it all, taking in every building as he ignored the three rings of each part of the city. Finally after spending a few minutes of descent scanning Zuko’s eyes rested on the X his uncle had marked for him to go to. “This is in the middle ring...near the restaurant I went to with Jin, why would you want me to go there?” Zuko asked his attention now turned back to his uncle. Iroh said nothing but merely smiled. “I have heard rumors that there is a very interesting person who lives near the restaurant. They say that he has the ability to help guide you on the path that will bring you some inner peace. And seeing as you have not slept in the past few days” Iroh gently placed his hand on Zuko’s shoulder. “I heavily suggest you go there.” Zuko looked back at the map, contemplating this. Was this worth my time? Isn’t this just a silly old rumor that uncle heard floating around the streets? But then again there was a chance it was possible, a part of him argued. Why not take the chance, get yourself one step closer to recapturing the Avatar after you let him escape when you rescued him those few months before. Zuko’s expression grew stern. He mulled the thought over for a few seconds before, spinning on his heel and walking back into the room. Iroh poured another cup of tea as he waited for his nephew to return with his decision. It took a few minutes but the young fugitive returned, with him donned his cloak. “Uncle. Are you sure that if I go to this person he will be able to help me find the Avatar?” “I don’t think the Avatar is what you are seeking but-” “Uncle, can he find me the Avatar. Yes or no?” he asked with a slight bit of anger and desperation in his voice. Iroh’s smile slowly faded as he looked into his nephew’s eyes, then passing over the scar on Zuko’s face. He sighed heavily, a breath full of sadness and sympathy. Iroh nodded slowly, “I suppose yes. If that is what you truly desire Zuko. Then this person could possibly lead you in that direction. And though it may be a rumor I heavily suggest you at least try. Alright?” Zuko nodded. Hugging his uncle before he wrapped the cloak around him and made his way towards the door, before stepping out into the crowded streets of Ba Sing Se the boy looked back at his uncle one more time, before smiling. “Uncle” Iroh looked up. “Thanks for the help.” With that Zuko stepped out of the tea shop and closed the door behind him. “Finally” he whispered with determination. “I can capture the Avatar and regain my rightful place in the Fire Nation” he said firmly wrapping a hand on the hilt of one of his words. “I can finally put this all to an end.” Zuko now sat in silence in the train of one of the many earthbending transportation lines. It had taken him a few minutes to make his way through the large crowd of Earth Kingdom civilians before he had been able to actually reach the Monorail Train Station. And even then the exiled prince had, had to help a young woman find her child who’d gotten lost in the station. He smiled silently to himself as he recalled the somewhat touching moment when he watched the weeping boy run into his mother’s arms. It reminded him of his own mother. A mother he hadn’t seen in such a long time. Zuko’s smile faded, pushing those sad thoughts away the boy rose as he heard one of the benders announce they had descended at the Middle Ring Rail Station. Rising Zuko exited the station with the rest of the other citizens making his way out of the station before looking around for any signs of the restaurant, if he could find the restaurant then he could ask around and see if he could find the home of this person that had been only a rumor. He hoped that this wasn’t just another silly rumor but actual truth. At least then he had not wasted his time coming all the way out here. Zuko began moving around, looking for any signs of the restaurant for what felt most likely like hours. Time passed and so did the day. Eventually the exiled prince had begun to grow a bit frustrated having spent his entire day searching, not being able to recall a single detail about the restaurant Jin had taken him to. “Urgh!” he grunted with frustration staring at the map. He had looked around this exact spot several times where it said the restaurant was and had not once come across it! “How hard is this stupid thing to find!” he yelled throwing the map to the ground. The boy looked around the street angrily trying to locate the restaurant its location nowhere near where Zuko now stood. It was then someone bumped into him. “I’m sorry” the girl said, walking by with her friends. Zuko watched the group of friends quickly scurry by glancing in the direction behind him. He turned his attention to where the girls had looked back. There surrounded by a group of men was someone fully covered in a cloak, the only thing visible being the person’s eyes. Zuko’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t have time for this, he needed to find that restaurant and find that person. The prince turned his back to the men and the being about to be mugged, but upon hearing the leader of the bandits talk the boy turned his attention back to them. “Well? Are you going to give us whatever you have in that bag back there or what?” the leader said with a stupid smirk, reaching over and yanking the hood of the person down. “Oh!” all the bandits said in delight. “A girl” the leader said. “Well missy if you won’t give us what’s in your bag” he said advancing towards the dull look the young girl gave him. “Maybe you can give us something else in return” he said with a sultry tone to his voice. The bandit leader moved his hand towards the girl’s winter collar, fingers wriggling in a perverted manner. But all stopped when he felt a heavy pressure on his shoulder. He looked behind him, only to be greeted by the eyes of Zuko. “What do you want kid?” the leader asked with a touch of annoyance. Zuko stared at the bandit leader looking him over. The guy was dressed in what looked to be rags, but were most likely stolen clothes, his group of peers not any different. The bandit repeated his question louder after smacking Zuko’s hand off his shoulder. This got the former prince’s attention. “I suggest you leave that girl alone” he warned with a calmness that he had learned to use from his earlier days of royalty. The man and his gang members snickered now leaving the girl they had surrounded as she approached Zuko and stood behind him, the same dull expression on her face as she took a few steps back to watch what would unravel. “And what if we don’t?” one of the bandits asked getting in Zuko’s personal space. To add insult to injury he spat an inch away from the boy’s foot. That was all Zuko needed to start the fight. With grace and skill the boy flipped the bandit that dared to spit at him and then slammed his foot into the guy’s gut the moment he landed on the ground knocking him out along with the air in his lungs. The bandit leader jumped back and attempted to strike Zuko with an earth bent rock, but the Zuko cleanly cleaved the thing in half the moment it was sent at him with a drawn blade. Without his eyes turning in the girl’s direction Zuko kept his eyes focused on his opponents before saying “Stay behind me.” The girl merely nodded. Zuko quickly flipped out of the way as a rock jutted out at him, attempting to either knock him to the ground or impale him, no sooner had he landed did he rush straight into the middle of the group throwing the sword in his right hand into the air and temporarily distracting the bandits as it glinted on the sunlight, before he struck his palm and elbow into the sides then stomachs of two bandits, falling them with ease. The leader slammed his foot on the ground, a slab of giant rock jutting out which he slide across the ground towards Zuko, the other two band members doing the same. With three miniature walls of rock sliding in his direction Zuko waited for the right moment and launched into the sky as he caught his falling blade then watched the small walls collide and explode into dust and debris, before he landed and used the small dusty state as cover. “Find him! And get the girl!” the leader called to the four remaining members of his troops. He soon found out that wouldn’t be happening, as the sound of blows were being exchanged in the cover of the dusty haze. When the air had cleared and the haze was gone Zuko stood over the unconscious or groaning bodies of the leader’s men. The leader gulped, slammed his foot on the ground ready to make a move but stopped dead when Zuko with one quick movement held the tip of his blade the bandit’s throat. “Leave” Zuko ordered. “And if I ever see you again, you won’t be getting off that easily. Understand?” The bandit nodded, slowly backing up before running off down the street his men soon following after him. Zuko sheathed his blade and turned around, only to be slightly surprised by the girl now standing directly in front of him. Her dull expression still there, not changing in the slightest. For a while the two simply stared at each other in silence before Zuko offered a very weak smile and took a step back, only for the girl to take a step forward towards him. “Um...Yes, anyway I have to go. I’ve got someone I need to find” he said sidestepping the girl and walking past her, only for him to stop when the girl who looked about his age grabbed his cloak and tugged on it. He stopped and looked at her with a questioning look and slight air of annoyance. ‘What do you want?” The girl waved her hand to follow her up the street as she moved past him. Zuko looked up at the sky, the sun was starting to set. He sighed. He’d already wasted enough time for searching for this dumb restaurant. Taking a detour wouldn’t hurt him now anymore than the time he’d already wasted. He looked at the girl and nodded. “Lead the way.” Zuko now followed the strange girl through the streets, taking a few turns and even seeing a few shops close before the two finally came to a stop in front of a small cabin a few lights on clearly shown through the windows. “What is this?” Zuko asked trying to keep his anger under control. The girl remaining laconic, simply pointed at the cabin’s front door before she walked up the wooden steps and went inside, standing by the doorway and waiting for the former prince to follow. Zuko did as such, though with great annoyance clearly displaced on his face. Walking into the lamp lit room Zuko looked around, only to see the hand of the girl wave him into another part of the room. Once in the room Zuko turned his attention towards the man the girl stood next to, his seat facing Zuko, the fireplace crackling lightly. The old man had tattoos all over his body, some that seemed to hold a language Zuko was incapable of understanding, along with strange symbols on the back of his hands and arms that seemed to have a somewhat light green glow to them. As Zuko studied this man in silence, he noticed the man did the same with him, despite the fact that his eyes were completely closed. Silence transcended between the two before the man spoke in a voice that seemed to have a slight echo to it. “You are Fire Lord Zuko. Correct?” the man said silently. Zuko’s eyes narrowed as his attention now became fully alert on the being before him. “I am Prince Zuko.” The old man chuckled the girl beside him still remaining silent, though her light blue eyes seemed to be piercing Zuko with a stare that he had not thought the inexpressive girl was capable of using. “I see, it hasn’t happened yet” the old man said stroking his beard. Zuko now looked away from the girl and focused his attention back to the man. “What are you talking about old man?” he asked with a bit of harshness. If the girl had brought him to this person said to be capable of leading him towards that which he desired, then this man better not be a crazy fool or things would burn in this room before he left. “Do not bother child” the man said noticing the look of anger in Zuko’s eyes. “You cannot do much to harm my humble home. Now” the man said slowly getting up with the help of the girl. “Thank you Zatavi” he said to the girl who merely nodded in response. “Come here young prince, let me lay my eyes on you.” Zuko hesitated, though his desire to end this shameful punishment and regain that which he sorely desired weighed in on him. So he stepped forward to the man. The man who was actually a few inches taller than Zuko looked at his face, his eyes still shut, before a gentle smile crossed the old man’s face. “What?” Zuko asked easily hiding any sense of concern in his voice. “Nothing child” the old man said placing his hand on Zuko’s shoulder. “I just see that you have quite the bright fire that burns within you. Now then” he said getting on a face-to-face level. “Let me see what I can do to help you.” Instantly the lamp in the room turned off, leaving the room barely visible with just a few spots of moonlight now breaking through a nearby window with firelight aiding to brighten the room if just a bit.. Zuko prepared to grab one of his twin sword blades but was stopped when the old man, added pressure on his shoulder and whispered “Don’t.” The old man opened his eyes, every tattoo on his body glowing faintly with a green then yellow light. His eyes illuminating the very same bright yellow light as he stared at Zuko. “Now child” the old man said. “Tell me what it is you desire. And I will tell you how to achieve it.” Zuko merely stared in awe. He had never personally encountered a spirit before, but he had heard stories from his uncle on his own journeys after the once resilient general had lost his only son and traveled all over the world to gain some closure. “You’re a spirit” Zuko said in surprise. The old spirit merely smiled, his white hair flowing freely, despite the lack of wind. “Indeed I am Fire Lord Zuko” he said with a smile. “Now tell me what it is you want.” Zuko merely stared in awe at the spirit who waited patiently for the boy to reply. Quickly Zuko shook his head, clearing himself of his stupor before speaking. "I want you to grant me the power to find the Avatar and his friends. Help me capture him and regain my honor. That is my wish.” The spirit frowned. “I am sorry Zuko, but I cannot do that.” A flash of anger radiated through the former prince, his fist shaking with fury before he breathed in deeply and calmed himself. Recalling his uncle’s words on how his anger blinded him. “Why is that?” “Because it is not what you truly desire. And you have yet to realize that” the spirit said sadly. What?! “Spirit I have told you my wish!: Zuko said firmly. “You posses the ability to guide those down the path of which they most desire and this is what I desire! Now tell me how to achieve it! Grant me the opportunity to prove I can regain what I desire most!” “What you desire most is something that I cannot just guide you to achieve. But something you must find on your own.” Zuko’s rage was starting to return. He turned around practically knocking the hand of the spirit off his shoulder before he sent a blast of fire from his fist creating a large burning hole in the wall behind him. “Spirit” he said after he had calmed. “I have spent an entire day, without rest, without food to ask you to show me what to do. I refuse to leave till you have helped me.” Zatavi moved towards Zuko in an attempt to get him to listen to reason but the old spirit raised his hand for her to stop. “Fire Lord Zuko-” “Do not call me that!” Zuko shouted, with a glare. “I am not the Fire Lord! I can’t be yet, not till I’ve redeemed myself of this scar!” The spirit remained silent for a few seconds before he resumed his seat, his glowing eyes still fixed on the former prince. “Zuko” he began. “You have been through much heartache, much rejection, and are no doubt confused. I’m sure you recall what the young Avatar offered you when you had saved him from being captured by Captain Zhao do you not?” Aang’s voice reverberated in Zuko’s head. “If things were different, do you think...we could have been friends?” Zuko clutched his head in pain, his breath heavy from the thoughts being forced back into his mind. “I see” the spirit said. “Come I will grant you your wish. I will send you to a land that will prepare you for your future journey and endeavours to capture the young Avatar” he said holding out his hand. “I will send you to Equestria.” It took a few seconds for Zuko to rise once more, the pain in his head now disappearing. “Equestria?” he asked the strange foreign name rolling off his tongue. The spirit nodded. “The people there will teach you how to work towards what it is you truly desire. Are you ready?” the old spirit asked, the symbols and tattoos on his body now pulsating and glowing blue. Zuko stared at the hand, his confidence rising as he thought about the new challenges he’d face and the people he’d meet in this land called Equestria. He nodded, and took the hand of the older spirit. “I wish you luck Fire Lord Zuko, for you will surely need it to mend the injuries your heart has taken. Good luck.” The two shook, and then Zuko could slowly feel his consciousness fading out of existence as a small grin spread across his face. “Heh, I don’t need luck. I’ve got will that’s all I’ve ever had to keep me going. And that’s all I’ll ever need.” Darkness surrounded the former prince’s vision as he felt his very essence being transported into a whole new world entirely. The last thing Zuko recalled was someone telling him: “Welcome to Ponyville.” Spike was now making his way through the streets of Ponyville by himself. It had been a long, boring uneventful day but it was time he head home after helping Rarity with her work and gathering Twilight's list of supplies. "Okay let's see" he said to himself pulling out the checklist in his backpack. "I've got 28 quills" he said checking the list as he dropped the heavy bag on the ground. "I've got a bunch more parchment paper" he said checking that off the list. "I've got-" A loud scream pierced that sunny afternoon. And unsurprisingly to Spike it was Rose, one of the flower mares who had made such a raucous noise. Spike rolled his eyes as the mare held her face with her hands breathing heavily, her chest expanding underneath her shirt as she took in heavy gulps of air. "EVERYPONY RUN!" she yelled. Spike was tempted to ask why, but simply ignored it as he continued going over the things on his list. Luckily his nagging straight-man was quelled when someone from within the crowd moved towards the hyperventilating mare and asked her why. "There's a monster coming this way that's why!" she yelled. "A monster? Really Rose? Really?" Spike asked finally looking over his list. "How many times have we had a 'monster' here only for it to be a pony or other creature from another nation hm?" "Well this time I'm serious!" the mare exclaimed. "Just look!" she said pointing behind her in the direction of the Everfree Forest. And so there they stood. The overexaggerative mare and several other ponies along with Spike stood waiting to see this 'monster' that the flower mare had so vehemently described as the seconds passed. A couple more seconds passed and Spike had just finished checking his checklist and was now packing up to leave. "So where's that monster you mentioned?" Spike asked with a sly grin. Rose frowned in annoyance and was about to say something till they heard a noise coming from the bushes. Birds scattered into the sky over the forest as the noise grew closer and closer so did the concern that overcame Spike as the sound grew louder. Then quietly suddenly, everything went silent. Spike who was now biting his claw, fully rose to his feet and looked up at the mare with a small grin. "HA!" he said with confidence he was clearly faking. "That must have been just another-" A roar of fire erupted out of the forest as a boy came tumbling out swords drawn and a look of rage on his face that only intensified by his scar. Chaos immediately ensued in a matter of seconds with everypony rushing to their homes leaving Spike by himself with the strange being who now has attention fully focused on whatever it was he was fighting. Soon enough the being came running up the dirt road after hearing something move within the forest's entrance, rushing past the baby drake who was to overcome by fear to move except follow the strange being's movement with his eyes. The next thing Spike knew, he could smell the stench of horrible breath. Spike slowly turned his head forward only to be hit full in the face with putrid breath and fall on his butt. The dragon waved a claw over his face to clear the air of the horrible stench, before opening his eyes. "Oh no" he whispered. Oh yes, standing before him was a timberwolf. And at this exact moment Spike was asking himself how he kept getting himself into these things. "Hey!" both dragon and timberwolf turned their attention to the being behind them. "Back off!" the boy sent a small wave of fire into the air away from both the dragon and timberwolf, but enough to frighten and anger the wolf. "That's right you pile of twigs, come here" he taunted the creature now leaving Spike and focusing it's attention on the boy with the scar who taunted it with his swords. The two circled each other for a few seconds, gaining a few curious eyes from the ponies that now hid in their households while Spike continued to watch from his seat on the ground. The timberwolf launched itself at the boy, only managing to lay a scratch on the boy's clothes alone while also scratching his stomach. The boy winced in pain but still managed to avoid most of the injury. Sending one of his swords into the nature wolf's back the timberwolf howled into the sky with pain. The boy then used his heel and kicked his sword off the timberwolf knocking him to the ground. Timby over there, as Zuko had now nicknamed it quickly rose to it's feet and tackled Zuko to the ground, the boy managed to keep it's teeth off him by using both swords as a brace between him and the snapping creature's neck. With some effort Zuko managed to get his feet under the timberwolf and kick him off of him to the other side, the timberwolf landed with a thud, Spike scrambling out of the way also as the beast landed near him. Zuko took a step forward but winced. He looked down and could see his leg had a slash on it. The boy's eyes burnt with rage. The timberwolf moved to charge Zuko again, but Zuko managed to spin despite the pain in his leg and send a flame that frightened the beast. It backed up with a new rage. Zuko however now fell on one knee tired, hungry and sore. He used his swords to keep him steady as he looked up at the beast through his bangs, his eyes still daring the beast to attack him. And it did. But before either could land a blow a jet of green flames flew directly in front of the timber wolf burning it's paw and causing it howl and hiss in pain before it retreated away, looking around for the source that had injured it. Spike took a step forward, now blocking the beast from Zuko who stared at the dragon that was no taller than his waist in shock. This little guy used a flame that strong? he thought weakly, his consciousness slipping as he lost more blood. Spike now glared at the timberwolf, snorting smoke, daring him to come any closer. The timberwolf growled lowly but took the sign. It new when it had been bested. Limping quickly back into the confines of Everfree Forest Spike waited till the creature was completely gone, before turning his attention to the injured being behind him, worry filling his eyes. "Hey sir, you're gonna be alright" he said. "Can somepony come out here and help me!" the drake called. The baby dragon saw the eyes of several ponies from different buildings but none dared come out while this thing that had just protected him was still here. Spike growled and shot glares at each window, watching them all disappear. Zuko was starting to slip. He was too sore having landed in that forest upon his arrival here and having to fight off more than one of those things he had faced. Now his injuries were starting to catch up to him. "Sir are you new here?" Spike asked helping the boy who was trying to now stand on his injured leg. Zuko fell only to be caught by Spike, his sword falling from his grasp. Is he talking to me? Zuko thought when he saw the concerned dragon's lips moving. Ugh, it doesn't matter I'm tired. Zuko shut his eyes. Spike grew worried now using his backpack as a cushion of sorts to carry the strange being as he trudged his way towards Rarity's place which was the closest. The former prince's swords wrapped tightly in his tail as he made his way there. "Don't worry sir, I'll get you to safety. And seeing as you're new here and this probably isn't the best time. Welcome to Ponyville" drake said with a nervous chuckle. Zuko's groan was the only response he got. The dragon nodded, moving faster as he headed towards Rarity's. "Right, medical help first, introductions later." Spike spent the rest of his time carrying the injured Zuko towards Rarity's place in silence, hoping the strange alien wouldn't die on him as the Boutique came into view. The drake cast another nervous look as the alien on his back before he knocked on the door with his foot. "I just hope you'll be alright."