//------------------------------// // Chapter One: Start of a New Beginning // Story: Dragon's Fate // by pokefreak13 //------------------------------// Four thousand years ago, there lived the Moon Goddess. The ponies of Equestria loved this goddess. However, as their civilization advanced, their dependencies on the Goddess' protection from monsters dwindled. Angered by such a betrayal, the goddess unleashed an army of angels to destroy everypony. She also tricked five fillies by giving them a soul crystal, which tainted their bodies with her magic which turned them into alicorns. However, a young filly stood against the Moon Goddess and her army. The war raged for five years. In that time, the filly found the five alicorns and cleansed their impure souls. Grateful for her help, they pledged their loyalty to the filly and helped her traveled to where the Moon Goddess lived and that is where the filly used her strength to put the goddess to slumber, only to be fatally wounded in the process. Grief-stricken with the loss of their savior, the five alicorns used their powers to absorb every last bit of magic from this world so that the Moon Goddess would never have the power to lay destruction to this world again. With magic gone, the creatures in the world grew chaotic. Many of the ponies died of starvation and related ailments because earth ponies lost their ability to grow food rapidly. Days and Nights grew still because unicorns lost their magic to control day and night which left the realm in an enternal twilight. Weather soon grew unpredictable and fierce with the newfound absence of pegasus ability to control the weather. Outraged, everypony turned to the purified alicorns and tried to destroy them for the misery they believed was their fault. Luckily, a great king saved the alicorns and he sent one to raise the sun, one to keep an eye on the wicked goddess and the moon, one to control the weather, another to help grow food, and the last to help him keep order throughout Equestria. As years passed, ponies and other creatures soon accepted their magicless lives, and through generations the soul gems that transformed ponies into alicorns were passed on as well. "Spike, where are you!" The young unicorn Twilight Sparkle called out. Her eyes gazed intently at the world around her. It wasn't that she was worried that her only brother could be in inevitable doom. No, she knew her adoptive brother was inevitable doom. Or close to it, and the fact that he was a baby dragon didn't help. She didn't know why, but dragons always seemed to get into trouble. Maybe it was genetics? Twilight let out a sigh and gazed at the world around her. Medium sized cabins were scattered amongst the luscious dark green meadow, dotted with creamy white and pastel yellow flowers. Uneven stone pathways connected the cabins to the town square, and a white marble statue of a filly stood in the middle. Her wings were flared out, as her sapphire eyes stared at the glowing sun. Twilight couldn't help but smile. She always enjoyed Ponyville, especially when the sun's rays danced across the statue, creating the illusion of the filly surrounded by arcane flames of legend. "Hi Twilight!" A filly's voice sang. "Oh hello Scootaloo. Do you know where Spike is?" She asked. "I saw him in the Everfree forest ge-" "Spike you idiot!" Twilight muttered. "Um, thanks Scootaloo, by!" She exclaimed before taking off towards the looming forest beyond. "Hmm, this looks like a good spot." Spike mumbled. Mighty oak trees stood guard from the smaller maples, creating a small glade in the forest. In the middle a small creek bubbled and spat. In the farthest end of the grotto, stood a cluster of twisted vines, all seemingly trying to protect the plump blackberries speckled throughout. However, as the dragon neared, a chorus of growls hummed throughout causing Spike to freeze. Suddenly, four wolves jumped out into the clearing. Their bodies were made of jagged sticks, while their eyes glowed a ghastly green. "Um, nice Timberwolves." Spike gulped. "Spiiike!" A familiar voice shouted. "T-Twilight?" Soon Twilight cantered into the grotto, her eyes sending daggers into his nervous gaze. "Spike, you can't just wander into this forest alone! Especially during Timberwolf sea-" Her eyes shifted to the four beasts, "...oh." "You can scold me later, but right now I could really use your help." He replied before unleashing his claws. "Fine." Twilight sighed, stomping her hoof. The four wolves advanced upon them. Spike quickly ran up to the closest one, and slashed four gaping streaks into its face. Causing the wolf to howl. Then, Twilight charged forward and impaled her horn into the creature's left eye. The wolf bellowed in agony, before disappearing into a pile of twigs and smoke which stung Twilight's eyes a bit, causing her to blink. Two of the remaining Timberwolves leapt towards Spike, but he sidestepped them, causing both of the wolves to crash heads together, causing one to go unconscious, and the other clawing at the gaping hole in its' forehead. "Now!" Twilight shouted. Spike nodded and dug his claws into the unconscious wolf's neck, decapitating it. Then he jumped onto the other Timberwolf's back and slashed the creature's head into two. Making sure Spike was okay, Twilight then faced the last Timberwolf and charged at it. The wolf snapped at Twilight's neck, but she lowered her head in time so her horn went straight through its mouth. She felt it slump to the ground before withdrawing her horn from its dying body. "Heh, we make a good team, right Twilight?" Spike panted. His claws were covered in the remains of splinters and his legs were beginning to feel wobbly. Twilight simply whipped remaining pieces of wood from her mane by shaking her head. "What were you even doing here in the first place?" "Oh nothing, just wanted to get some blackberries." Spike replied causally while walking towards the bush. Twilight raised an eyebrow, but helped him pick the sweet smelling fruit. "Wow, that's a lot of blackberries!" Scootaloo exclaimed while trotting besides Spike. Twilight and Spike were slowly making their way home, careful not to drop any of the bounty they fought so hard to get. "Yep. And I have a feeling they're going to be delicious." Spike replied. "Oh, that reminds me; want some?" Scootaloo nodded her head eagerly before standing up on her back legs. Then, Spike dumped some of the fruit into her awaiting forehooves. "Thanks Spike! I can't wait to show my dad." She grinned before walking off, spilling a few berries as she stumbled. "Speaking of which, I wonder how Mom is going to react when she sees all this." Twilight mused. "Well, let's find out!" Spike replied before opening the door to a cabin. Inside there were rows upon rows of books that lined the pale walls. To the right lay a small kitchen where a weathered table sat. There was also an iron stove that sat near an open window, bringing in the savory smell of baking bread, and to the left was an assortment of couches that surrounded a glass coffee table. Cream colored bedroom doors lined the halls. "Ah, I see you two made it home," Twilight Velvet smiled as she greeted the two, "and I see you brought back some blackberries." "Mom, Spike went into the Everfree forest, even though it's Timberwolf season!" Twilight exclaimed. "Oh dear, looks like we both forgot." Twilight Velvet sighed. "I'm sorry if I put you through a lot of danger." She said to Spike. "Huh?" Twilight questioned. Spike dumped the blackberries he held into a giant green bowl on the kitchen table. "Well, since it's your birthday, we wanted to make you a special treat." He explained. "Though, we completely forgot about the Timberwolves." Twilight Velvet blushed. "Mom, Spike, you did this all for me? Thanks." She replied, her face growing a deep crimson. "B-but you still need to be more careful Spike! If those monsters got you I'd-" "Yeah, I promise to be more careful." Spike smiled sheepishly. "Oh come on you two. We have a lot of preparations to do. Spike, make the pie. Twilight, go chop the lettuce."Twilight Velvet piped up. "Yes, Ms. Velvet." Spike replied while giving a small salute. The old grandfather clock struck five, and the small family of three was surrounding a table which overflowed with food. "You did a really great job with the salad Twilight." Spike stated in between mouthfuls of cheese bread and lettuce. "Thanks! Your blackberry pie is amazing." Twilight grinned. "Slow down you two, or you both are going to chocke." Twilight Velvet sighed. "Oh!" Spike shouted while dropping his silverware. "I just remembered that I should probably give you your birthday present, Twilight!" "Spike you don't have-" Twilight replied, only to find that her words were falling on deaf ears as Spike was already halfway to his room. Ms. Velvet chuckled, " I'm sure you'll love it." "Still, he already went through a lot of trouble just to make a pie. He didn't need to make me a gift as well." "He has a kind heart. I'm sure he'll make somepony happy one day." "Mom! He's only eleven!" "I'm back!" Spike called. The two unicorns shifted their gaze to Spike, who had his claws behind his back. "I didn't have enough time, so I know it won't look very good but-" "Spike, we're family, I promise I won't judge." Twilight replied. "O-okay. Here it is." Spike held out his claws. Resting on top of them was a light purple gem in the shape of a star. Attached to it with tape was a lace of golden thread. "Spike, I love it!" Twilight exclaimed. "I'm glad you like it! I already had this gem on me, and I managed to save up enough money for this gold thread." Spike said. "On you? Spike, that gem may be the only connection you have to where you came from." Twilight said with a frown. "I know. But even as you've taken care of me for these years, I feel like this is where I belong. So, to show my appreciation, I want you to have this." Spike replied with a small smile. "Okay then. Spike, could you please help me put it on?" Twilight Sparkle asked. Spike grinned and hopped onto his chair. Then he placed the necklace around Twilight's neck and quickly tied a few knots to make sure it wouldn't unravel. "It looks lovely on you." Twilight Velvet smiled, causing her daughter's cheeks to flush. "Thanks, this is the best birthday ever!" Twilight grinned before nuzzling Spike's cheek, causing his face to turn redder than a tomato.