After the first encounters with the chains Spike and Zero must now retrieve all ten chains.
Now with the the six chains scattered across the world and maybe some dimensions, it is up to Spike and Zero to collect them. With no hearings about Garble or Poison everypony has his or her nerves on edge. Also with the new 'guest' at the castle what chaos have been planned for these events to unfold.
After traveling on the train for a day the Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rarity ran towards the castle. Zero and Rainbow Dash flew as fast as they could while trying to keep up with the gang. Spike sitting on top of Rainbow Dash as she flew. Along the train ride home Jade had figured out how to transform back to her ring state and was now sitting perfectly on Spike's claw. The band of ponies and two dragons arrived at the castle in great time. Their luggage was waiting for them inside, but that didn't matter at the moment. Twilight lead the gang to the hospital wing with great speeds. When they opened the door they found Princess Luna standing next to a bed. Before anyone could speak she held up a hoof to silence them. Slowly she started to walk over to them.
"Princess I know you weren't at the wedding, but what are you thinking about letting her in her? Do you know what she did?" Twilight complained. Though a tad unnerved at Twilight's outburst Luna kept her calm. "I am well aware of what she has done and you have every right to be enraged Twilight Sparkle, but this is not the time to let that rage go Twilight. Chrysalis if you could please sit up." Princess Luna said. The body that was in the bed started to move and the covers covering it started to fall off. When it did it revealed a sad and broken excuse for a powerful ruler. In front of them was no longer Queen Chrysalis queen of the changelings, now she was just Chrysalis the broken changeling queen. Stitches appeared all over her body, her left foreleg was in a sling, and half of her horn was missing. A large mass of bandages were rapped around her mid section too. Her eyes had lost their ever enchanted glow and were now a shadow of their former selves. "What happened?", "Who did this to you?", "How did you get here in that condition?". Questions flew across the room rapidly, too fast for the still injured ex-queen to take.
"Please be quiet." She softly said. Everyone's mouth snapped shut. Chrysalis sighed as she began her speech. "First I owe all of you an apology. Especially to you Twilight Sparkle. While I was just trying to feed my people I harmed your friendship a great deal and for that I'm sorry. And as for you questions about how I got here in this condition I will tell you." Chrysalis said. She closed her eyes for a moment before she continued. Luna casted a spell that allowed them to seem into Chrysalis's mind. "It all started after the wedding."
The changeling population had dropped alarmingly, but not all at once. Months past without the changelings getting a decent meal. Many had starved to death. The ones that didn't starve were slowly begin tortured from their intense hunger pains. When all hope seemed lost a changeling spy had brought back good news. There was a nearby town that could serve as an easy meal. Chrysalis didn't think twice about it. She ordered a couple of changelings to go in to be insertions in the town. It wasn't before long that the changeling insertions were able to bring back enough food to keep the others satisfied. Queen Chrysalis made out a plan. By now the residents of the town should be emotionally drained by now. That should allow them to take over the town with ease. Tomorrow at dawn they would attack. The plan went out smoothly as ever. It was as easy as taking candy from a baby. There was one detail that the changeling queen had not known about. The town had just got a new resident that night and had a little wolf pup with him. Said resident's pup was cornered by a commander changeling and two other changelings. It was easy prey. The pup's emotions carried the scent of fear and terror, but underneath all of that was the savior smell of hope and love. The changelings drooled at the smell. Sadly they would never get a chance to even get a small taste of it. For the resident that owned the pup had showed up. Driving his claws deep into the changeling's commander's back and ripping out his spine. The other two changelings backed away in fear.
In front of them was a teen dragon. His body was covered in yellow scales and his spine spikes were a neon blue. His claws was drenched in changeling blood. His eye's were aflame with rage and blood lust. Using the spine he ripped out of the commander's back he chocked one of the changelings remaining. The other one standing by him tried to knock him out with a magic blast, but the dragon had turned the other one he was chocking to block the blast. The chocked changeling's head couldn't take the pressure of the spell and lack of oxygen and caused the poor changeling to fall to the ground never to get up again. The last changeling was too shocked to do anything. It had just killed it's own comrade. This gave the dragon enough time to claw out the changeling's throat and left it to slowly bleed and suffocate to death. It went back to the little pup. Apparently the little pup had it's eye's closed and ears shut tight. The dragon picked up the little wolf pup in his arms and cradled it. Slowly the pup's ears began to open and his eyes started to open as well. As fate would have it as soon as the pup was relaxed and comfortable to be back in it's owner's arms more changelings swarmed the area. Once again the teen dragon's eyes filled with rage and blood lust.
"Thats all I shall tell for now."Queen Chrysalis said, concluding her story. Everyone in the room was astounded. "H....How do we know that your telling the truth?" asked Rainbow Dash. "Ah can tell when somepony is lyin', but that there story ain't no lie." Applejack said. Everyone took her word for it and decided to end the conversation for the day. Fluttershy had left the room at the first mentioning of gore. Twilight and Rainbow Dash went to go look for Fluttershy. The rest started to walk around the castle. Jade had transformed herself back into her pony form. "Can you give me some kind of warning before you do that? It feels weird." Spike stated. "Well sorry. Ever since we came back from the forest I've been itching to get to use my own body!" Jade exclaimed. "Then why did you transform back into a ring on the train ride back home?" Spike asked. "I take up less space that way." Jade replied. "Also I get to peep inside that wonderful brain of yours. I didn't know you had a crush on Rarity!" Spike stopped dead in his tracks. He turned to Jade, fell to his knees and pleaded that Jade not tell anyone. "Fine I won't tell anyone, but this will do great as blackmail someday." Jade said as she walked past Spike. "Now where's the jewelry place. For some reason I have a craving for gems."
A wolf pup started to explore the giant castle that was he was in. He seemed to think it was a giant playground. The pup ran from hall to hall. It caused a few guards and servants to chase after him, but each one tired out quickly. Soon the pup began to get hungry. Though he would rather like a nice huge piece of meat, he was in pony country which means there was no meat unless it went hunting. Since there wasn't a forest with woodland creatures in it nearby and since the pup is too small to take down a full grown pony, it decided to look for some fruit. Following his nose the little pup found a courtyard with a fruit tree in it. The little guy jumped up high and used it's claws to stick to the tree. Slowly it began to climb it's way up to the fruit that the tree had. The wolf pup made it to a branch and pulled down an apple. Then he began to eat. The sweet juices of the apple filled his mouth and drove him to eat more.
After he ate his full of apples the wolf pup slide backwards off the branch and landed straight on it's paws. The pup was thankful that it's owner had taught it these useful skills. Soon the feeling of sleepiness began to set upon the pup and it began to go to sleep on the ground.
Surprisingly nobody came around the courtyard until the sun settled and the moon began to rise. Princess Luna began to walk through the courtyard, letting her mind wonder on the past events. "This will not end well. Things have been chaotic around here lately I'm surprised that Discord hasn't been freed again." She said to herself. Then she heard a yawn. She turned around to see where the yawn came from. Then she found the source. A little light brown wolf pup awaking from his slumber. "Aw hello there little one. A little far from home aren't you?" Luna cheerfully asked. The pup lazily stood on it's paws and stretched. It looked around and due to the darkness of the night the pup thought that an enemy was about to attack it and quickly raced up the tree. "Don't be alarmed little one. I'm not here to hurt you. How can you even climb up a tree?" Luna said as she used her magic to gently pluck the pup out of the tree and place it in front of her face. Now that the pup had gotten a better look at the Princess it turned it's head to the side little. "Your funny looking." He said with a chuckle.
Luna was shocked. This little pup could speak. "You can speak?" she asked. "Of course I can. My owner or as I like to call him sometimes my partner taught me how to. It took a while, but I got the hand of it. Hey, what are you anyway? Your not like the other.....ponies I think thats what they're called." The pup asked. "Well I am Princess Luna. Guardian of the Night and the Riser of the Moon.Also I am an alicorn. A being blessed with immortality and outstanding amounts of magic. We also possess the traits of Earth Ponies, Pegasus Ponies, and Unicorn Ponies. Now what is you name little one?" Princess Luna asked. "Snow Streak." The pup responded. The pup turned around to show a white streak running down from the tip of is head down to the tip of his tail. "It is a pleasure to meet you Snow Streak. Now run on home. It's too dangerous for a little pup like you to be running around this time of night." Luna said as she placed Snow Streak down on the ground. "Oh you don't have to worry about me I can take care of myself. I was just waiting for my owner to get here." Snow Streak replied.
On cue a figure walked out of the darkness. He wore an opened black trench coat with a red shirt under it. He also wore a pant pair of black cargo pants. All these articles of clothing was confusing to the Princess. "I see that you stayed out of trouble Snow. I hope he didn't bother you too much." The figure said. "Oh not at all he was an angel."Luna replied. "Good. Now I have a present for that guest that you have in the hospital wing." The figure said as he stepped out into the moonlight. The faint light from the moon revealed his features. He was a teen dragon with yellow scales and neon blue spine spikes. His pupils were a beautiful gray. The Princess gulped down her fear for a bit. "You.....your the one who did that to Chrysalis." She said as her nostrils flared. "Yes I am. Now don't get your mane in a twist. I'm not here to fight." He said. "Too late for that." Princess Luna said as she charged straight for the dragon. The dragon sighed as he raised his right hand. A flash of yellow energy rushed past Princess Luna, making her stop in her tracks. A yellow chain wrapped itself around the dragon's hand and disappeared in a flash of light. What was in the place of the chain was an iron claw with a yellow lining. Then the dragon disappearing quickly.
The was a slash and the sound of hair falling to the ground. Luna stood awestruck. The dragon had managed to cut a clump of hair from her mane and left a small cut on her face. Small streams of blood leaked out from the wound. Princess Luna looked back. The dragon was standing with his back to her. "Now lets take a look at what happened. In a fraction of a second I was able to cut a clump of hair out of your mane and also left a small cut without you even getting a chance to react. You may be good at magic and you may have good reflexes, but that alone won't help you with me and my partner. Now that we got that out the way I'm placing these two changeling eggs that I found on the ground and you are going to give them to Chrysalis. Not a word of what happened tonight will be said except the part of you finding these eggs. Oh and by the why my name is Rubixen." The dragon said as he walked away. With another flash of light the small pup was walking with Rubixen.
Princess Luna didn't know what to do. She ran over the complications in her head and sighed. She grabbed the changeling eggs ,which where the size of a large rock, with her magic grip and left for the hospital wing to drop off the eggs. "I need to find Zero and Spike." Princess Luna said.
"Where did you find these!?!" asked an excited Chrysalis. Luna had placed the changeling eggs on top of her bed and waited for her to wake up. "Umm....I guess they were left here as a emergency plan from the invasion." Luna lied. Chrysalis looked up at her. She could easily taste the massive amounts of nervousness clouding around Luna, also a little hint of fear. Chrysalis sat up and gave Luna a blank stare. "Your lying aren't you?" she blankly asked. "That obvious huh?" Luna said as she blushed from embarrassment. "I could literally cut a piece of your nervousness right now. Now where did you find these eggs?" Chrysalis asked again, this time with a little force behind it. "Well. I didn't find them. They were given to me." Luna said calmly. "By who?" That is when Luna looked down. "Please don't tell me." Chrysalis said as she facehoofed. "I am sorry. I couldn't even lay a single touch on him. He is too fast." Luna said with sorrow. "Urgh. Somehow I'm not surprised. Did you get a look as to where he was going as he left?" Chrysalis asked. "No. He walked into the dark and I think he teleported somehow." Luna answered. Before their conversation could continue a guard had rushed inside. "Princess.....Elements.......of Harmony........ in danger." The guard huffed out. "Slow down and speak normal. I can not understand you." Luna said as she levitated a glass of water over to the guard. The guard quickly gulped it down and was able to speak normal again.
"The vault that the Elements of Harmony are in has been penetrated. Other guards of tried to get inside, but there is an annoying wolf pup outside that shoots lightning bolts from it's mouth. Every attempt to get past the pup has backfired on us." The guard said. "Alright. Return to the vault and try to at least weaken the pup a little. I will go and retrieve Spike and Zero." Luna said. Given his orders the guard left the room. "Looks like we will have to finish this conversation later." Luna said as she left. "See you later." Chrysalis said as she moved the eggs to a safer resting place. Luna teleported to Spike's and Zero's bedroom and quickly woke them up. "Huh....wha...... Princess? Whats going on?" Spike asked. "Someone has broken into the vault where the Elements of Harmony are being held. I need you, Zero, and Jade to get down there." The Princess of night said. *Hey what am I? Chopped liver?*
"You too Blitz. Now where is Jade?" Luna asked. "She is staying with Twilight and Rarity."Zero said as he rubbed his eyes. "Okay I'm going to get her. You two go on ahead and go to the vault." Luna said. She then teleported away. Zero and Spike went out of the room and started their walk towards the vault. "Urgh. It's three o'clock in the morning. Why didn't the pony or who ever try to brake in when it was at least five." Spike said. "I'm used to waking up so early. Hey how much you want to bet that Garble and Poison broke in?" Zero said. Spike looked puzzled for a bit. "Why do you think it's them?" "Think about it. We haven't heard or seen heads or tails of these two. Our partners and us are enough for them already, but if the Elements of Harmony enter the equation then we win by default. Its simple really to even the playing field they could either spread out the elements or they could destroy them." Zero said.
"How can you think about that possibility?" Spike asked bewildered. "Hey when you live on your own for a few years you start to think." Zero replied. A few minutes later Jade appeared on Spike's claw. {How are you guys awake? I'm still sleepy.} *I'm used to waking up early.* "Same here." Zero replied "I'm still sleepy" Spike said.
It didn't take them long before they came upon to a hallway with a dozen past out guards and a wolf pup sitting on the ground wagging it's tail. Jade transformed back to her pony form and got a better look at the pup. "Oh boy! More playmates. They others weren't good at dodging my lightning. Your guys want to play?" the pup said excitingly. "We don't have time to play little guy, we need to get inside." Zero said as he tried to move the pup. He was met with a powerful lighting bolt to the chest. "I can't let you do that mister." Snow Streak said. "Urgh. I'm sleepy and now I have to deal with this little tyke. Thats it I'm using my eye." Jade said. She removed the eye-patch from her left eye and put it on her right eye. Her golden cat eye stared right into the pup's eyes and did it's work. Snow Streak began to slowly slip away, somehow unable to look away from Jade's stare. Spike helped Zero on his feet and began to walk to the vault. Normally only Celestia would be able to open this door, but somehow someone had opened it just enough for them to slip inside. After Jade and gotten it she removed her eye-patch and placed it back on her left eye.
The next thing that the the dragons and Jade noticed was a teenage dragon in weird cloths and none other than Poison. Poison had suffered heavy damage and was bleeding from some wounds. The teenage dragon in weird clothing had a katana with a yellow hilt. "Its about time you guys got here. I hope you didn't scare Snow too bad Jade." The dragon said. "How do you know my name?" asked Jade. "Never mind that. I have business to take care of." the dragon said. He raised his sword up high and quickly slashed it downward. A lightning slash quickly made it's way to Poison only to be blocked by Anubix's chain. "Urgh. This guy is harder to beat than I thought. No matter he just gave me a loophole." Poison said to himself. Using Anubix's chain Poison redirected the lightning to hit the spherical orb that held the elements on it. In no time at all the elements were nothing, but shards.
*Oh. My. Crystal.* "Did not expect that." Said the dragon. "You have gots to be kidding me." Said Spike. "Wow. Nice move there lightning boy." said Jade "Guys where did Poison go?" Zero asked.
Their attention was now on the vanished Poison. Not any kind of trial was left. "Urgh. How many times is this guy going to slip away?" asked Spike. Just as he got his question out Twilight, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie pie, Rainbow Dash, and Princess Luna ran in. All of their mouths hung low at the site before them. The Elements of Harmony where no more.
"What happened?" yelled Twilight. Jade pointed at Rubixen. "Oh nothing. Just that lightning boy over here caused the Elements to blow up." Jade said. "Hey. I didn't do it Poison did." Rubixen testified. "Yeah it was that green dragon." Snow said. "Now we have to deal with Poison and Garble. Thats just great." Twilight said. "Believe it or not. I can fix this." Said Rubixen. Everyone in the room looked at him in disbelief. "Yeah and what are you going to fix this with. Duck tape?" asked Rainbow Dash. "No. You will see in a minute. Snow pass out the pillows while I get things started." Rubixen said. Snow went around the room passing out little white pillows. "Your going to need this." He said.
Rubixen started to channel his element energy. A light yellow aura formed around his arms. Slowly he began to move them. Each arm moved in a swaying motion almost like a dance. Suddenly Rubixen's arms went faster, then faster, then faster, and faster until his arms were just blurs. He thrusted on arm and an arch of lightning shot out hitting a group of shards. The shards began to light up. Rubixen thrusted his other arm to an other group of shards and they also lite up. Six groups of shards clouded around Ribuxen and started to spin. Twilight and her friends started to feel a pull. It wasn't a physical one, but more of a mental one. Soon the shards fell to the ground, their color had been completely drained. The ponies and dragons looked up to see that Rubixen had floated upwards in the air with six colored orbs floating around him. The orbs stopped and floated downwards towards the six ponies. "These are the essences of the Elements of Harmony. Notice how these orbs are very small and can easily fit in your hooves." Rubixen said. It was indeed true. The orbs were very small about the size of a tennis ball. "Now your probably wondering why these orbs are so small. It's because you already have the Element's of Harmony inside all of you. You just need something to channel it with. Pick an orb to claim your element." Rubixen continued.
"How do we now which one is the right one? There all white." asked Applejack. "Thats for you to decide. You.....should.....now......which.......one.....it...is." Rubixen slowly slipped off into sleep. "Sorry about this. Resurrection really takes a lot out of you." Snow said as he took care of his sleeping partner. The six ponies were confused. "How are we supposed to just now which one is our elements?" ask Twilight. "Oh I know. This one is mine!" Pinkie say grabbing the orb in the middle. When she picked it up it instantly popped with confetti. Three balloon shaped stones lay in her hoof. Next, up was Fluttershy. She slowly walked up the the orbs looking for her's. She didn't know what to look for and almost decided to go back, but then she saw something out of the corner of her eye. One of the orbs was a little farther back than the other's almost like it was shy.
She grabbed the orb gently and put it in her arms like a baby. The orb popped and out came a little baby bunny with three butterfly stones on it's stomach. The bunny received a massive 'aww' from the other ponies. Applejack went up next. She looked around the orbs for anything out of the ordinary, she found none. She just grabbed one out of random and observed it. Nothing happened. "Hmm. Ah wonder what would happen if ah did this."Applejack said to herself. She tossed the orb upwards and timed it just right with her powerful hind-legs. She bucked it in mid-air where it shattered and out came an apple shaped stone.
Rarity went next. She had no clue what to look for in these little orbs. She gazed into each of the remaining orbs to see any difference, but sadly found none. Just as she was about to give up her horn glowed in a light blue aura and began to drag her across the floor toward's the farthest one on the right. "Well I guess it's okay to give it a shot." Rarity said. Rarity used her gem finding spell on the orb and the orb started to peel away until three stone gems were left. "What do you say Twi want to pick ours together?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Sure." Twilight replied. Twilight charged her magic and armed for one of the orbs while Rainbow Dash flew up as high as she could go. Twilight shot a magic blast at the moment Rainbow Dash flew back down. Rainbow choice the one on the right while Twilight choice the one on the left. Twilight's magic blast shattered her chosen orb and obtained a star shaped stone.
Rainbow Dash's chosen orb shattered upon the slightest contact and a giant rainbow colored flash consumed the entire room. The only words that could be heard were two simple words. "Wake up.". With a jolt Spike woke up. "Was that just a weird dream?" He asked himself. *Argh. I don't think so.* "We need to check to make sure that it wasn't a dream." Zero said as he stumbled out of bed.
Spike was about to reach for the door when it opened from the other side. A unicorn maid had walked in with a tray that held different types of gems and some toast. "Oh. I didn't know you guys were awake. Anyway Princess Celestia ordered me to deliver your breakfast for you and to tell you that you guys have a guest waiting for you at the front of the castle." The maid said as she placed down the breakfast and left. "I say we eat breakfast first then go check out our 'guest'." Spike suggested. "Agreed." Zero said.
After breakfast the duo went to the front of the castle. Waiting for them was Applejack, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Jade, and Rubixen and Snow Streak. "Where have you guys been? I was just about to come and drag your lazy butts back here." Rainbow said annoyed. "Now that Spike and Zero we can begin the lesson." Rubixen coldly said. "What lesson?" ask Zero. "Save all questions until the end of the lesson." Rubixen said. He cleared his throat before he spoke again. "Last night's event wasn't a dream. It was as real as this castle. Now I sure that your all wondering how in the world did I fix the broken elements. Well I half did it. Like I said before you guys already have the elements inside of you, but you don't have a proper way to channel your harmonic energies. That is where the Elements of Harmony come into play. I've heard before that the elements had been reshaped, but I didn't know how it was possible. Twilight what form were the elements when you found them?" Rubixen said.
"They were in a spherical shape when I found them. After Nightmare Moon destroyed them and my friends came to the help they were reformed into necklaces." Twilight stated. "Good. Now asks yourselves this. How did they transform from broken shards into necklaces?" asked Rubixen. "The magic of friendship." Everyone said. "I guess that could be the correct answer, but why were they transformed into necklaces when they could have just turned back into spheres? It just doesn't add up does it?" Rubixen suggested. At this point everyone was confused. What was Rubixen getting at? "Then a few months back I found a book that didn't look all that important, but I looked inside and what I found was interesting to say the least. It was direction on how to make 'something from something that once was something'. I know it is kinda confusing, but hold on a moment. I studied the book a bit more and I have concluded that that book and the information that it holds are linked to the Dragon Chains and the elements." Rubixen said.
"How is that possible and what was the thing you were studying?" Twilight asked. Her liking for studying kicked in to overdive. "How do you think that those ring forms are able to create massive chains? How can Jade and Snow have bodies? Its simply really. Back when the chains were made they were infused with magic from the alicorns and magical text and ruins were carved into them. One of these text and ruins were the contract for a special type of magic called Zero Infinity." Rubixen explained. "Oh now y'alls just making stuff up." Applejack said. "You don't believe me. Snow if you would." Snow Streak's eye's turned white as a small orb encased around him. It grew a couple of feet and stopped. Soon thousands upon thousands of weird writing was displayed on the orb for all to see. "What is this?" asked Pinkie. "This as the generic makeup for just ONE of the chains. As you can see there is a lot of ruins and texts, but the main one you should look at is right here." Rubixen said as he pointed to a line of magical text. Twilight began to inspect it. "Its really old text, but I can read it. It is most certainly draconic writing." Twilight began.
For something to be given an equal sacrifice must be taken.
For something to be sacrificed someone must be strong.
For someone to be strong Zero to Infinity is born.
"What the hay does that mean?" asked Rainbow Dash. "It's the contract for Zero Infinity. It's activated through your thoughts and motion. This what is found in all Dragon Chains, but what doesn't add together is how you guys where able to change the form of the elements without that contract?" Rubixen said as he went off into deep thought. "That does seem confusing, but lets get to the real problem shall we. The elements are inactive ever since you changed them. How do we activate them again?" Rarity asked. "It quite simple really you just need to do acts that represents your elements, but this time with it will be a little more intense. Sorry I can't tell you more. I have to go," Rubixen said. He started to walk away from the group. "But one more thing before I go. You now those pillows Snow gave you guys?" Rubixen asked. "Yeah." said Spike. "It's time to use them. Give them the old Sleep Shocker Snow Streak." Rubixen said.
Snow Streak's mouth opened and shot rapid minuter lightning bolts. The group of ponies and the duo of dragons where hit and felt suddenly sleepy. Each fell shortly after the other one, but instead of meeting the cold, hard floor. They were met with a soft and puffy surface instead as they drifted off into their own dreams
Spike slept like a rock and it seemed that nothing could wake him. He was comfortable where he was and he was going to stay there, but something started to wake the young dragon. The smell of smoke, blood, tears, and burnt fur filled the air. Spike instantly awoken and tried to pin-point the horrible smell. In the distance was a town that was set ablaze. "Wait.....no it can't be!" Spike yelled as he ran towards the burning town. When he got closer his fears were correct. The town was Ponyville and all of it's residents were scattered across the blood soaked ground. Spike slowly entered the ruined village and tried to find anybody that survived. He wondered deeper into the village and started to regret ever coming to this place.
Friends lay motionless in the streets with horrible expression forever engraved on their faces. Mothers and Fathers that died tried to protect their families had their bodies eaten and some of them were found half eaten. Little foals ,or what Spike that to be left of them, were just bones laying on the ground. Even elderly pony bodies were found. Spike was just about to turn around and run away as fast as he could, but something stopped him. A small soft voice that sounded familiar. It come from around a building, but time was not on Spike side. The voice was losing it's volume very quickly and now it was no more than a tiny 'peep'. If he didn't find the source quick the owner of the voice could die.
Spike strained his ears trying to find the source of the voice, but reaped nothing in return. Spike kicked the ground in frustration and was met with something other that the ground. It was a pony leg, but not any kind of pony leg, it was a pearly white colored pony leg. Spike slowly looked upwards and found a site that he wished he could not have seen. Rarity was laid on the ground. Her fur was matted with dirt, blood, and tears. She was missing one of her legs and her horn was completely snapped off. There was a large cut that ran from her forehead all the way down to her chin. She had her eyes closed and she was breathing very slow.
"Don't worry Rarity. I'll save you." Spike said. He went to go pet her mane to calm her down, but his hand went right through her mane. "Wh........whats going on?" Spike asked himself. Suddenly Rarity's eye's opened and she started to move away from the purple dragon. "Please........Spike. No......more.....I don't want to die." Rarity said to him. For the first time in his life Spike saw what true fear looked like. He could see it in Rarity's eyes. They begged for help ,pleaded for the pain and suffering to end, but they wouldn't receive any mercy this day. A figure flashed passed Spike. It grabbed Rarity by the throat and left her to hang in mid-air with it's grip slowly crushing her wind pipe.
Rarity struggled to get free. She kicked and flailed, but could not get free of the monster's grip. The beast that held Rarity was growing annoyed with the white mare's attempts to escape and so with a quick motion the creature snapped Rarity's neck with a loud 'crrraack!'. The beast let Rarity's lifeless body fall to the ground and started to look backwards at the baby dragon that was Spike. Spike had fell to his knees. The love of his life was just brutally murdered right in front of him and there was nothing he could have done to stop it. The creature walked over to the teary eyed dragon and began to speak. "Spiiiiiiike." It said in a low gruff voice. Spike looked up and through his tears that now ran down his face saw the face of the monster that killed Rarity along with the whole village. The monster was a teen dragon, but not any teen dragon. This one had purple scales with razor sharp spine spikes running down it's back. It's face was fierce. It eyes were a blazing green and his mouth was lined with two rows of sharp teeth.
This teen dragon was Spike in the future. "Wh......who are you?" Spike asked as he started to crawl away. The dragon in front of Spike just smiled. "I am you Spike. Or better yet I am what you will become." The dragon said. "No. No. You can't be. I would never do this to anypony." Spike protested. The teen dragon now wore a face of disgust. "Spike. How old are you?" "I'm twenty years old. Five years younger than Twilight so what?" Spike said. "You claim to be twenty, but your still treated like a baby. How can you ever say that anyone really cared for you? To them your nothing, but a doll that once their done with you you will be thrown away." The purple teen dragon said.
"Lies! Lies! ALL LIES!" Spike yelled. "Lies? No, everything I say is the exact truth. Twilight doesn't really care about you. To her you just an experiment to see if dragons can really be controlled. Rarity just uses you for manual labor and thinks that she can just get away with it with just a gem and a pat on your head. Rainbow Dash doesn't give a two bits about what happens to you. Applejack is the same. Pinkie Pie might like you as a sugary threat that is. Fluttershy just pretends to like you so you don't eat her or her friends." The teen dragon explained.
"Your lying. My friends would never do that to me. Right?" Spike said. He curled himself up into a ball and started to cry. "Its okay Spike. Even if everyone hates you. You still have me." Teen Spike said extending out a claw to the weeping Spike. Spike looked up and was about to grab the claw, but was stopped by something. A golden thread. Suddenly a golden mare dashed to Spike's side. "Stay away from Spike you monster." She said. The teen version of Spike began to slip away into the flames. "You can't escape what you are Spike. Sooner or later you will become me." He said as the flames engulfed him. "Come on Spike lets get out of here." The golden mare said. Spike's eyelids began to get heavy and soon he passed out.
Spike awoke in a cold sweat. He had the most realistic nightmare ever. Spike checked his surroundings, then he jumped out of bed and ran to the room that Rarity, Twilight, and Jade were in. He creaked open the door and saw that all three mares were sound asleep. "Its okay Spike it was just a nightmare. Nightmares can't hurt you. Right?" Spike said trying to calm down. He started the walk back to his room unaware that a creature was watching him. Watching him very closely.
Spike had stayed up for the rest of the night. Afraid to go back to sleep and face those horrors again. Sadly, he woke up at two o'clock in the morning. Now he was very tired and needed rest, but he just couldn't. Spike didn't want to see that monster again. After Rainbow Dash had to splash some cold water on Spike to get him out of his trance, she told him that the gang was about to head out. Apparently the signature of the Chain of Water had been spotted.
Spike hurried and packed his a small bag that held all the stuff he needed. Then headed out to meet the gang. Jade transformed herself back into a ring and was now on Spike claw. {Spike? Are you okay? You look tired.} "I'm fine." Spike replied {Spike I can sense the bags under your eyes. What time did you go to bed?} "It's not what time I went to bed, It's what time I woke up." Spike said. {When did you wake up?} "Two o'clock in the morning." {Why?} "I had a nightmare. A very bad nightmare."
Before Jade could continue with their conversation, they heard voices shouting down the hallway. Spike went to get a better look. It turned out to be Rainbow Dash and everyone else arguing with Zero. "What do you mean we can't go?" Rainbow Dash asked angrily. "I mean that we don't know if the owner of the Chain of Water is hostile or not. Without proper weapons to help defend yourselves you girls are like fillies tried to tame a manticore." Zero said. "We can take care of ourselves. Thank ya very much. Ah think you just don't want us going is because were women and we'll just get in the way." Applejack suggested with a bit of anger in her tone. "No, its just that we can't be sure that you guys will be alright. Spike and I can easily hold a fight against a chain user, but you guys don't have anything to use to defend yourselves." Zero said. "We have magic." Twilight said. "Yeah, but do you know any offensive or defensive spells that can withstand rapid attack from the chains?" Zero asked.
Twilight slowly shook her head. "We have strength." Applejack suggested. "How are you going to get close enough and have enough time to buck a chain user?" "Stunning spells?"Rarity suggested "That could work." Zero said. "We also have speed." Rainbow Dash declared. "Yes, the combinations of Stunning spells, strength, and speed could work." Zero said as he began to think. "I say let them go." Spike said, finally joining the conversation. "Spike? When did you get here? You know it you want to answer that." Fluttershy asked. "It doesn't matter when did I get here. What matters is how we are going to keep you girls safe. While stunning spells might work I'm not totally sure the plan would work." Spike says. "I see. Each barer of the chains has characteristics that goes with their element." Zero said.
"Can you please explain what you guys just said?" Pinkie Pie asked. "Its easy. Poison and Anubix have the element of dreams, which means they are cunning and most times random. Garble has the element of fire, which means he is easy to temper and he is also stubborn." Zero said. "Didn't have to say that twice." Twilight whisper to Rarity who snickered a bit. "Blitz and I have the element of wind, we are basically free-willed spirits unless we want to be be serious. Like I am now. Finally Spike and Jade have the element of magic, they are smart and powerful, but sometimes hard to control." Zero finished. "He really didn't have to explain that." Twilight said to herself. "Yeah, yeah, yeah so what. What does this have to do with us not going on an adventure to save equestria and maybe even the entire world?" Rainbow Dash asked. Zero was getting annoyed. " I was just about to get to that. After all of the qualities that I have seen it would be wise to assume that the next barer be fast, swift, and easy going. We are going to need a lot more that fancy tricks and strategies to beat this one." Zero said.
A maid had walked up to the ground shyly. "Excuse me. I couldn't help, but hear your conversation. I think that you all need some help on the way to your destination. My husband owns a supply shop just on the edge of Canterlot. You can stop there for supplies if you want." the mare said. "Yes we will check into that. Thank you." said Twilight. The mare nodded and walked off. "Okay. You is all in favor of going to the supply shop?" Zero said as he raised his hand. "I guess I'm in too." Spike said as he raised his hand. "I'll go." Pinkie Pie said raising her hoof. "Me too."Said Rarity "Me three."said Applejack. "I'll go too." said Rainbow Dash. Twilight and Fluttershy were still confused on how fast the subject changed and were equally surprised on how fast the gang had left them. After a while Twilight and Fluttershy caught up to the rest of the gang. It didn't take them long to find the shop the mare had been talking about.
Inside the shop was lots of supplies that a pony would need to survive in the wild. Tents, food, water bottles, compasses, and more. What was more interesting was that there was a small section that held weapons. There was a stallion behind a counter. He had light brown fur with a blue vest over it. Also he had a nice slick backwards mane. His cutie mark was a picture of a compass and a hammer. "Ah new customers. What can I get you guys?" The stallion asked. "We are about to go up against an enemy we don't know about, but we know that it's fast and swift do you have anything that can help us?" asked Twilight. "Hmm. Are you planning on trapping it?" asked the stallion. "You can say that." Rarity said. "Then your going to need a net and some weapons just in case things get too wild." said the stallion. He pulled out a large net and placed it on the counter. "As for your weapons you can take a pick from my selection." said the stallion. The gang took a while to look around.
"Twilight dear, do we actually need weapons on this journey?" Rarity asked. "I don't like the idea either Rarity, but I haven't studied attack or defense spells and my stunning spells are very weak. I never thought that would have to use a real spell that would cause harm, so until I brush up on my magic we have to get a weapon if we are to properly defend ourselves." Twilight said. Spike had chosen a short lance. It was about thirty inches long. It was perfect for his size. Zero found two daggers. Applejack found a hammer. Rarity got a whip. Rainbow Dash a katana. Twilight got a staff. Pinkie Pie for some reason found a baton. Fluttershy didn't get a weapon, she just went and found a first aid kit. "This will be it for you then?" asked the stallion. "Yes sir." answered Twilight. "That will be thirty bits."he said. Twilight pulled out a little bag full of bits. "Here you go." Twilight said as she payed. The stallion took the bits and counted them. He gave Twilight fifteen bits back as change. He also gave her a business card. It read:
Mr. Stone's Shop. Where all your adventuring needs are waiting to be yours!
Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Spike, Fluttershy, Zero, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie all headed out to search for the Chain of Water. "So where is this chain again?" asked Rarity. "Last time I check it's in a town called Pesirdon." Zero said. "What kind of name is that? It sound silly." Pinkie Pie said. "Before ponies settled into that town it used to be a water dragon hot spot and it was named after the dragon god of the sea." Zero answered. "How long will it take us to get there?" Applejack asked. "It's about a two day walk there and back so we should return within have a week. Maybe more." said Zero. Suddenly everyone turned around with the sound of a loud thud. All they were met with was a passed out Spike. Fluttershy went to check up on him. She put a hoof to his head and immediately took her hoof off. Spike was burning hot! "I think he caught a fever." Fluttershy said. "But how can that be. He was just fine a second ago." Rarity said. "It doesn't matter how he ended up this way we need to hurry. Quick does anypony have a some water?" Fluttershy said. Applejack reached into her saddle bag and pulled out a canteen. "Good. Twilight can you freeze this?" Fluttershy asked. "Yeah sure." Twilight replied. "On the count of three. One, two,....THREE!" Fluttershy tossed the water that was in the canteen into the air. Twilight casted a freezing spell and froze the water in mid-air. "I got it!" Zero said as he tried to grab the falling ice. He missed by a couple of inches and instead of the ice being caught it landed on his head causing him to fall to the ground in pain. "Rarity do you have any type of cloth with you?" Fluttershy asked. "I have this dress, but what do you need it for?" Rarity asked as she levitated the dress over to Fluttershy. Then it clicked inside of her brain. "Fluttershy. Please don't do it." Rarity begged.
"Sorry Rarity. It must be done." Fluttershy said. It was a simple light blue dress. There wasn't that many details to it, but Rarity had planned to do something with it when she got her inspiration for it. It looks like those plans would get canceled. Rrrip! Fluttershy torn a large strip of fabric off the dress and put the ice on it. It was a lot more easy now that the ice had cracked. Fluttershy wrapped the ice and placed it on Spike's head. She tested his temperature it had went down a little, but not enough. "Oooow! So what now." Zero asked as he rubbed his head. *I say we head to the nearest port town.*
"Blitz is right. That ice pack will not help for much longer. We need to get to a hospital." Fluttershy said. "Ponyville is out of the question it's forty miles back. The nearest town is Transverse Village. About two miles up the road." Twilight said while putting up her map. "So what are we waiting for lets hurry." Rainbow Dash said. Twilight levitated Spike onto her back and kept the ice pack on him. "Okay let's go." She said as she started to walk faster.
Spike awoke in a panic. He wasn't with the gang anymore. The last thing he saw was looking off somewhere then it's all black. Spike tried to move, but fail. After several more attempts he gave up. "Well look who finally decided to wake up." said a low voice. Spike remembered that voice and hated to hear it again. "No. No. No! This is all just a dream. Dreams can't hurt you Spike." Spike said to himself. "Hurt you? Now why would I want to do that?" said Future Spike. He had a golden cup filled to the brim with red liquid. "What is that?" Spike asked. "Blood. What a sip?" Future Spike asked with a sinister smile. "Why would I want to drink that stuff. Your out of your mind if you think I'm drinking that." Spike said in protest. "Well thats too bad. Either you drink this or I'm going to force you to drink it my tied up past self." F. Spike said. Spike looked around and quickly found the reason why he couldn't move. He was tied to a pole surrounded by dead pony bodies. Spike started to freak out. "I guess we will have to do this the hard way." F. Spike said. He grabbed Spike's mouth and pried it open. He then poured the blood into the baby dragon's mouth.
To Spike's amazement the blood tasted.....good. The warm feeling of blood slowly flowed down Spike's throat as he swallowed. Soon his vision blurred, causing Spike to blink, but when he opened his eyes all he saw was red. Spike started to thrash around and bite at the rope wanting to taste the sweet taste of blood again. "Congrats Spike you have past your first test with flying colors. Lets hope you are as willing for the next one. Hahahahaa." Future Spike laughed.
Spike woke up again, but this time he was in a hospital room in a tub of water. The water was warm and soothing. It turned out to be night time and Spike decided to go back to sleep this time. As he drifted off to sleep he had a craving that he knew was going to be hard to satisfy. Spike started to crave blood.
Spike woke up after a while and got out of the tub of water. He then tried to dry off with the bed sheet on the nearest hospital bed. After he dried off a nurse came into the room. She was surprised to see him awake. "Oh I am so glad that your up and about Mr.Spike. You were not suppose to awake for another day or so. Well I will get the others while you wait." The nurse said.
{Spike. Do you ever feel like something is not right.} "Now that you mention it I do feel kinda weird. I have a weird craving for......blood. ugh." Spike said as a shiver ran down his spine. Twilight nearly broke the door as she ran in the room. Spike jumped up from the surprise and fell on the floor. Twilight levitated Spike to her and she gave him the biggest hug she could give.
"Less hugging. More let me breath." Spike said through his short pants of breath. "Oh sorry." Twilight said as she put Spike back on the ground. " What happened to me?" Spike asked. "I can answer that." Zero said as he entered the room. He was breathing heavily. "Twilight.....next time.......wait....for the rest of us. You ran so fast you out ran Dashy. Anyways Spike. Dragons have disadvantages as much as advantages. One of these disadvantages is element backfire." Zero explained. "What's that?" Asked Spike. "Its a very special sickness that all baby dragons get. Adults and teens dragons get it too, but not as much. It is mostly caused by little or no sleep." Zero explained, "And each type of dragon has a different effect. Fire dragons have what we call burnouts which is what you got. Earth dragons lose their desire to eat. Water dragons somehow get dehydrated. Air dragons get asthma. Finally magic dragons.......I guess they have to deal with anyoof those. There isn't much information on them. Sorry." Zero finished. "So I can't use my fire breath?" Spike asked. Twilight shook her head.
"And I might overheat?" Spike asked again. "It will only last a few hours." Zero said. Spike sighed. "Come on Spike. We can get something to eat before we head out again." Twilight said as she levitated Spike onto her back and walked out. Soon everyone met anf was very happy to see that Spike was okay. They unpacked some lunch before they headed out. Spike only ate a few gems.
He wasn't feeling very hungry at the moment. After the gang finished eating they headed to Pesirdon. Rainbow Dash, after a couple of minutes staying with the group, flew on ahead in search of the town. Nothing happened much until Spike found a scar on Twilight's side. "Twilight how did you get that scar?" He asked. Twilight looked back at the scar left on her side and gently smiled. " Oh, that thing? It's nothing." Twilight lied. "It sure wasn't nothing. Spike you should have seen it there where bandits everywhere and Twilight was all like Mppphh!" Pinkie Pie was cut off by Twilight's hoof being quickly put over her mouth. "What bandits?" Spike asked.
Twilight sighed. "Before we got to Tranvserse Town the was a band of bandits that stopped us. They wanted us to pay twenty bits before we could pass, but we didn't have the money. So they wanted us to leave you and all of our possessions behind to get in. Of course I rejected their 'offer'. They didn't take it lightly and one of them slashed me across the side with a knife. I was already in an agitated state and my magic was spiraling out of control so I gave you to Rarity for the time being and I let my magic explode. LITERALLY." Twilight explained.
That was all Spike needed to hear. "How bad was it?" asked Spike. Suddenly a hoof came to his shoulder and turned him around Rainbow Dash was in front of him. "She made a crater large enough to hold one of Pinkie Pie's large parties." Rainbow Dash said. " Now come on. For some reason a guy handed my these tickets to a show. He said it would be awesome. There is one for each of us. Well maybe a few will have to stay behind." Rainbow Dash finished. "Rainbow we don't have time to go to a show we have to see where the Dragon Chain of Water is." Twilight protested. Dash pointed over to a poster. It had a light blue baby dragon that looked about Spike's age, dolphins, seals, and a whale. It was an advertisement for a water show.
"Your point is?" asked the slightly annoyed unicorn. "Look at her right hand." Dash sternly said. Twilight looked at the poster one more time and found what Rainbow Dash meant. There was a silver ring with a deep blue gem in it on the baby dragon's right hand. "Rainbow how many tickets did yah get?" Applejack asked. "Umm. Six." Rainbow dash answered. "There is going to have to be a cut. Spike and Zero are in. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie will go." Twilight said. "How come neither you or I can go?" Rarity asked. "Rarity its a WATER show. Do you realize that there is a chance you might get your mane wet?" said Twilight as she looked around the nearest shops. Rarity started to hold her mane and stroke it gently. "Twilight is right. Be careful you guys." Rarity said watching the chosen ponies and two dragons head to the show.
Once the gang get seated they were amazed that they were in the splash zone. "Rainbow Dash why did that guy give away those tickets it must have cost him a lot to get these seats." Spike said. "He said something about a funeral and that he didn't want the tickets to go to waste." Dash said. Before anything else could be said the show began. Jade and Manic's jewels started to light up. The show started out with two dolphins swimming in total sync and the show advanced to more and more action. Rainbow Dash was actually cheering along with the rest of the crowd. Then it happened a light blue baby dragon with sky blue medium hair raised up from under the water. Her eyes were a lovely hazel. Spike was amazed to say the least. As an opening act for her the water animals splash water out of the stage in onto the splash zone. Everyone in the group was soaking wet.
"I thank Celestia Rarity is not here she would have flipped out if her mane got wet." Pinkie Pie said. "Ah heard she got a perm done back in Transverse town." Applejack said. There was a flash of blue light and everyone in the Splash Zone were now in water bubbles. At first they were all freaked out, but soon they calmed down and enjoyed the surprise. After that they became part of the show and had a blast. When the show was over a Security guard came by and asked to see the two dragons backstage. "Why do ya need these two for?" asked Applejack. "The star of the show wants to see them. Its not anything bad." The stallion said. "Okay then. You two go on. You only see the star of a show backstage once in a life time." Pinkie Pie said as she pushed the two dragons to the security guard.
Once backstage the Spike and Zero were taken into an empty room with only one other resident in it with them. With her back turned to them she said "State your names and your partners. You know the rules." Zero went first, "My name is Zero and my partner's name is Blitz Manic. *Aaaaah! Phew I haven't slept that long since ever.* "My name is Spike and my partner's name is Jade Blaze." Spike said {It is nice to meet you.}
The female dragon turned around and said. "My name is Princess Crystal Moon. Daughter of Queen Saphron and King Searimece. My partner's name is Sir Gared." (Nice to have met you all. Now time to be sent back for whence you came.)
A thin blue chain came out of the blue gem and was positioned to attack. Know this was going to be a hard fought battle Zero and Spike prepared for the upcoming struggle.
Crystal made the first move by slashing downwards with her chain. Spike unleashed Jade's chain and clashed chains with Crystal. Zero rushed towards the dragon princess with his daggers, but was met with a powerful gush of water. He was pushed back until he hit the wall. Spike looked back to see if Zero was okay. "Zero you alright?" Spike asked. "Spike you idiot look out!" Zero yelled. Spike turned around too late and was the victim of a multiple attacks from the princess's chain. "Arrugh!" Spike yelled in pain as he fell to the floor. Zero rushed to the purple dragon's aide.
"You guys are like those last three that tried to attack me." Crystal said. "Other three?" Zero asked. "Yes. One went by the name Rubixen, another Garble, and the leader went by the name Poison. All three of them failed to get past my guards. Which I have more of throughout the stadium. Since they sent two more goons to do the job I thinks its time to teach you guys a leason with my own power." Crystal said. Spike got up again to face the princess. He summoned his magic into his left claw. The magic slowly formed a metal claw with purple gems on it. "Whoa. Dude how did you do that?" Zero asked. Spike did not answer and charged at Crystal with all his might.
Crystal countered with more fast multiple attack on Spike. Each attack was countered by Spike's left armored hand. Zero used the air around him to form five disks of air and sent them flying towards Crystal. The first one managed to cut a few strands of her hair as for the rest, they were simply dodged. "You guys really are like the other three. Attacking with blunt force and simple strategies. This will be easy." Crystal said mocking the two dragons and their partners {Trust me sister. Me and Spike aren't like those other three goons. So you better shut that piehole of yours!} *YAWN too much talking not enough action.*
"Chilled Water Turret!" Crystal yelled before she unleashed another powerful water blast. Spike dodged by jumping to the left of her attack. Zero wasn't about to be pushed back again so he blocked the attack only to find that the attack was meant to freeze the opponent. In a matter of seconds Zero was frozen solid. Crystal slowly walked towards Spike how was still staring at Zero's frozen body. "Your different."Crystal said. Spike looked up from where he was at to find Crystal right in front of his face. Spike immediately jumped back and got ready. "He he he. Your silly. I'm not going to fight you and I'm sorry if I hurt you to bad." Crystal said. "What do you mean you are not going to fight me." Spike asked. Crystal smiled and said. "Because I like you. You silly dragon. I saw you during the show and you were just staring at me like you fell in love with me." Crystal said. Spike blushed instantly after she finished talking. "I was not." Spike protested. "What ever lover boy. Come on lets do something fun." Crystal said before grabbing Spike's arm and dragging him out of the room.
"Jade stay here and try to unfreeze Zero." Spike said. Jade transformed herself into her unicorn form and gave a solute. "Sir Gared you stay too. Make sure they stay in this room till further notice." Crystal said. Sir Gared transformed into a white saber tooth tiger with some shoulder pad armor on his right shoulder. "Yes m'lady." He said. Crystal ran out the door with Spike in company.
Crystal took Spike all over the town. They played games, ate snacks, danced, and sat on the pier at sunset. "Crystal. Why did you freeze Zero and just took me on a date?" Spike asked. Crystal giggled. "Its not a date silly. Its just that........where I'm from I don't get to hang out with dragons my age. I always have to go to meetings and arranged socials with royal people. Its boring just thinking about it." Crystal said before she sighed. "Well haven't you talked to your parents about that?" Spike asked. "You don't think I have. They always say the same things. 'Crystal you have too many royal duties to be thinking about silly things like that' 'You have a bright future I don't want you to lose sight of that by hanging out with the low lives'. It gets annoying. I'm glad that they let me joy the water show that the ponies host here." Crystal said.
Crystal turned to look at Spike and smiled. "You know I had more fun today than I have had in a long time." she said. "Do you think you can join us? We would be honored to have you on the team." Spike said. "That is going to be a problem. My mother would enjoy the idea about me going off to different places. She hopes that I will spread the legend of the Moon clan throughout the world. My father on the other claw. Well he doesn't want his little daughter to wonder around the world. He must think I'm still a little girl that needs to be taken care of. I'm twenty one years old for crying out loud." Crystal said. "Well at least that something we have in common. I'm twenty and I'm still treated like a baby." Spike said. "Hehe. I'm one year older than you!" Crystal mocked Spike. "Shut up!" Spike said. He gave her a push and she pushed back. "Spike your really fun to hang around with." Crystal said.
"Yeah. Everypony says that about........." Spike was cut off mid-sentence, but Crystal planting a kiss on the young dragon's cheek. Spike blushed really hard while Crystal laughed. "Come on lover boy. Lets head back to see about your friend." Crystal said. Spike touched the spot where he got kissed. "I could get used to this." Spike said to himself. After a while Crystal and Spike found the room in which Zero was in. Jade had managed to nearly halfway thaw out Zero. "I.....st....still........dddddon't see wh..........why you........fro..........fr.......froze me and not..........Sp.......Spike." Zero said. "Because I like Spike. You remind me too much of an elder that used to visit from the wind village in the east." Crystal said. "So are you joining the team?": Jade asked. "Your going to have to ask my father. My mother is okay with my going somewhere if I message her first." Crystal said. "Where is your father now?" Spike asked. There was loud thuds that came after Spike finished his sentence. "He is right here now." Crystal said.
Just outside where Spike, Crystal, Jade, Sir Gared, and a nearly unfrozen Zero an adult dragon had come into town. His sapphire scales glistened in the afternoon sun and his dull blond back scales. His silver chest plate was displayed with pride along with his claw armor. Crystal ran outside to greet her father. "Hi daddy!" She yelled. "Ah. Crystal I see you have made an exciting day." The dragon said with a low and gruff voice. Crystal started to play with her hair a little bit. "So daddy.........did you get you claw armor polished? They look very shiny." Crystal said with a cheap smile. "What do you want this time?" Her father asked.
"I wasn't going to ask for anything. Okay I was. Ummm......is it okay if I go with Spike and his friends on an adventure?" Crystal asked. Crystal's father looked over the young dragons. If Spike could shiver out of his skin he would have already down it. Zero was still freezing, but managed to ask "Hows it going?". The elder shook his head "These two are not fit to accompany you on any type of journey. You may not adventure with these two low lives." Searimece said as he turned and walked away. "Low Lives? I am the assistant of the student of Princess Celestia. I think calling me a low life is a cheap insult!" Spike yelled. Instantly he covered his mouth. "Wow Spike. Where did that come from?" Jade asked.
"So the baby finally speaks and you got courage too. Lets see how long that courage of yours can last." King Searimece said. "If you are really serious of taking my daughter with you and prove me wrong. Than you will have to take The Test. Sir Gared!" Immediately Sir Gared stood at attention and was ready to receive orders. "Spike the dragon. During this test your endurance, will power, and courage shall be tested. Starting tomorrow at dawn you must survive the whole day without getting caught by Sir Gared. Sir Gared tomorrow at dawn you are not to let Spike rest for even a moment. Do you understand?" Searimece asked.
"Yes, sir!" Sir Gared said. King Searimece walked off without anyone getting a chance to talk. "What was that all about Spike?!?" Crystal yelled. "I don't know what came over me. The words just came out of my mouth." Spike said "Your dad didn't let anyone get a chance to speak or protest. Whats up with that?" Jade asked. "My dad doesn't like to be stood up by anyone. When Spike yelled at my dad he thought Spike was challenging him or something. Its this alpha male thing he is obsessed with. It doesn't matter now though." Crystal said. "What is this 'test' that I have to take?" "Its a challenge that starts at dawn. Like my dad said you have to survive an entire day from Sir Gared, but I warn you Sir Gared is highly train and doesn't give up easy. If you ask me the best strategy to do is run and hide."
"Also get a good night's rest and eat a heavy dinner." Crystal said as she began to walk home. Jade had finished her job thawing out Zero and the trio went to find the six mares they came with. Later on in the day they found them out side a small hotel. Rarity went up and hugged Spike and congratulated him on getting a marefriend. Spike protested on saying that she wasn't his marefriend and started to explain what was about to happen. "Why do you have to do this test?" Twilight asked. "I might or might not have yelled back on Crystal's dad who happens to be the king of this area of the ocean and now if we want Crystal to come with us I have to take The Test. Also how did you find out I was with a girl dragon?" Spike said. "We saw you two dancing in the town square and Rarity heard some gossip about you two." Rainbow Dash said. "Also I didn't know you had it in you Spike! Talking smack to a big dragon like that." Dash added. Fluttershy whimpered a bit. "Are you okay......he didn't hurt you did he?" she asked. Spike shook his head.
"Why can't we just skip this test or whatever." Applejack asked. "Crystal said that Poison, Garble, and Rubixen were here earlier. They might try to come back again." Zero said while drinking some hot chocolate. "Those two? Why is Rubixen with them?" Twilight asked. Spike shrugged his shoulders. "Well seeing as how we can't avoid this. Spike is going to have to get ready for this 'test'." Twilight said closing the book she was reading. "He doesn't have to take the test if he doesn't want to. Twilight dear he is just a baby dragon." Rarity said. "I know, but if we don't Poison and his crew might try to take Crystal for their own uses and they will have four members and Spike and Zero will have to fight them all on their own. I have played this through my head almost a thousand times already. We can try begging, but that will not work. I'm sure Fluttershy doesn't want to use her Stare on a dragon who is just looking out for his daughter and if we wait too long Poison, Garble, and Rubixen might come back. I know we all think that we can hold them off, but what if we can't and we all end up hurt or worse. With are elements of harmony currently can't be used we have no other choice." Twilight said. "She does have a point." Pinkie Pie said while balancing a cupcake on her nose.
"Okay, but if things get too ugly out there in the morning we are taking Spike out of this whole mess." Rarity said. With that the gang with inside the hotel and ate. Spike made sure he ate all he could before he went to bed. After a while everyone get ready for bed and all the lights were turned off. That was when it happened again.
"Spiiiike. Awake up."said a familiar voice. Spike woke up with a jolt to find that Canterlot was set ablaze, but something was not right. The flames were black. A cold claw tapped Spike on the shoulder. Spike turned around to find a monster with black scales and white insides. A massive roar nearly caused Spike to run like there was no tomorrow, but soon the monster's evil appearance changed into a a presence that Spike had gotten used to. The black scales where slowly losing it's color, being replaced by purple. The white light that emitted from the monster's eyes and mouth began to fade. The transformation was almost complete, but it stopped. Future Spike stood in to place of the monster. "Sup Spike. You look like you've seen a ghost." He said. "What do you want now?" Spike asked with an annoyed tone. "No need to get annoyed Spike. I know what you have to do in the morning. Just wanted to slip in a little lesson before you go." F. Spike said.
"What kind of lesson?" Spike asked. "Nothing much. Do you remember what happened to make you take The Test." asked Future Spike. "Yeah I yelled at Crystal's dad, but I don't know where that stuff came from." Spike said. "Its your anger." Future Spike said. "What?" "Your anger. You have constantly bottled up your anger and now that bottle is cracking. Right now your anger is not so intense, but soon you will have to let that anger go. Or else." Future Spike said. "Or else what?" Spike asked. "You will be consumed by your anger and hatred and have your first taste of what we will become in the future, but that is not the lesson. This is." Future Spike said. He pulled out of bubble of black ooze that looked like ink.
"What is that stuff?" Spike said. "Black matter. It's a mystery what this stuff really is, but I can tell you this it is really powerful. You will be able to produce this stuff in about...........four hours. Give or take." Future Spike said. "What do I have to use this for?" Spike asked. "I would tell ya, but you have to do one thing for me." "What would that be?" Spike replied. "Wake up."
Spike woke up with cold sweat running down his body as he saw that he was alone in the hotel room. Outside the room was nobody. "Hello?" Spike asked. Spike rushed out the door to see if anyone was outside and he did. They were all on the edge of town. Spike was about to rush over to them, but a figure blocked his path. Sir Gared stood ready for battle with his teeth bared. "Spike. I shall give you a head start. Five minutes is all I will allow." Sir Gared said. Spike took his opportunity to run and headed for the nearest hiding stop. 'This is going to be a long day.' Spike thought to himself.
Spike ran to the closet building in range and found a pipe that led to the top of the building. "If I get a better view I can find a place to hide." Spike thought as he climbed the pipe. When he reached the top he found a certain tiger waiting for him. "How did you get up here?" Spike asked with a shocked expression. "You ran out of time and did you forget that I am the Chain of Water?" Sir Gared said. He prepared to pounce. Spike flinched and waited to be attacked, but the attack never came.
Spike looked up to see that Sir Gared leap onto a platform of water in mid-air. "I can manipulate the water in the air and make platforms. Now get ready." Sir Gared said. He pounce once again, but this time he was heading for Spike. With only seconds to react Spike dodged the attack by leaping forward and rolling. Seeing an opportunity to counter-attack Spike tried to summon Jade's chain, but was met with a very shocking surprise. Jade was no longer on his claw. "Dang it." Spike said.
Spike looked to find that Sir Gared was running full speed at him. Using his tail as a spring Spike propelled himself through the air and landed on Sir Gared's back. Sir Gared thrashed around trying to knock the baby dragon off of his back. "This is a lot like the Iron Pony competition." Spike thought. Finally Spike decided to jump off, but was met with a powerful kick from Sir Gared's hind legs. Sending Spike off the edge of the building to fall to the ground. Spike grab a ledge of a window that held some flowers.
Spike swung himself to a pipe that was next to him. He climbed down the pole and landed on the ground. Spike checked his surroundings and saw that Sir Gared was making his decent from the building. Spike looked around and found a barrel that he could hide in. Thankfully the barrel was empty and Spike climbed in. Once Spike was in he placed the barrel's top back on.
Sir Gared finally made it back down to ground and began to search for the baby dragon. "Hmmm.....I got his scent." Sir Gared said to himself. He slowly walked up to a barrel and sniffed. "He is in this one.'' Sir Gared thought. Sir Gared dug a small hole in the dirt pathway. Reaching under his shoulder armor he grabbed a decently sized ruby and placed it into the hole. Then he jumped onto a water platform that would be out of Spike's line of site.
The waiting game had began. Time slowly crawled at a snail's speed. Seconds felt like minutes. Minutes felt like hours. Hours felt like days. Spike's stomach was beginning to growl. He mentally punched himself for not grabbing at least some pieces of toast before he went out. Soon two things happened to him. The first thing was that he felt a strong surge of pain in his left arm. He looked at it and even in the darkness that he was in he could barely see the blood flowing out of four small gashes in his arm. 'Gared's claws must have got me.' Spike thought. Then he smelt something. The sweet smell of a ruby and a good one at that.
Spike opened the barrel and looked around. Seeing nothing he went to get the jewel. "Funny. I didn't see this when I passed by. How did it get......" Spike finally realized what was about to happen. He jumped forward just as Sir Gared landed in the place where Spike was. Spike used his dragon breath to create a wall of flames that blocked off the distance between him and the tiger.
"Chilled Water." Sir Gared said as he released a torrent of freezing water. The water immediately froze the flames where they stood. With one well placed kick wall of frozen flames broke. When Sir Gared's vision was clear there was nothing left of the baby dragon. "He is a slippery one. I haven't had this much of a workout in forever." Sir Gared said.
Spike ran as fast as he could. Finally he allowed his feet to rest as he ate the ruby in his claws. Still feeling the pain in his left arm Spike looked around for something to subdue the pain. Spike looked around and found a rag hanging on a clothing line. He grabbed it and went to find some water. Thankfully there was a small flowing stream running through the town. Spike bathed the rag in the water making sure the rag was wet enough. He then tied the rag tight around his injured arm.
The pain hit a high point when Spike tied the cloth around his arm, but slowly went away afterwords. Spike slowly walked around town watching his surroundings, making sure he wouldn't have an ambush again. Suddenly all too soon Spike received a head splitting headache. It brought Spike to his knees as tears flooded his eyes. "Spppiiiiiiikkkke." Said a low and sickly voice. "How are you? Poison is that you?" Spike asked. "I've watched you ever since you took your first breath of your puny life." The voice said completely ignoring Spike's questions. "Your weak." "No I'm not. If you have seen what I have done so far I am not weak." Spike protested. "You may think that, but you can't defeat one Dragon Chain in it's animal form. You can only run. What makes you think you can win?" The voice said. "What do you know about the Dragon Chains?" Spike asked. "That is not important. Watch your left side." Spike looked left. Sir Gared pounced straight at him. Spike rolled out of reach from the tiger, making him land without a single hit made. "I must give you some praise Spike the dragon. Not many dragons or ponies I've met have survived this long in The Test." Sir Gared started.
"You've lasted till noon. Sadly your time has come. I'm done playing around." Sir Gared said. His eyes lit up with a light blue light. "Tiiiiimmmee for you to taste my power." Said the voice. "Chilled Water!". Time slowed down to a crawl. Spike's eyes flashed a dark purple as he used his magic to cause the freezing water to fall to the ground and freeze into ice. Spike then broke the ice into little crystal shards. Finally time began to return to normal. Sir Gared was left feeling weird. "What the..." Sir Gared was cut off by him seeing Spike. The once playful and enjoyable Spike was now replaced with a sinister and evil looking Spike. His eyes was now a dark purple to the point where they almost looked black. His claws were a glowing in a dark aura. "Shards of Frozen Tears." Spike said as the shards of ice flew towards Sir Gared.
Coming out of his trance Sir Gared ran as fast as he could dodging shards of ice left and right. Spike then sent every single shard of ice he had left at Sir Gared. Sir Gared did the best he could, but could not dodge all of the ice shards and his body was impaled with the little shards of ice. " Arrrrrrgh!" Sir Gared screamed in pain. He fell to the ground unable to get up. Spike had exhausted all of energy and fell down to the ground as well. "See how powerful my power is Sir Gared?" The voice said. This time both Spike and Sir Gared where able to hear the voice. "Who are you?" Sir Gared said. The poor tiger tried to get up, but was unable to stand. "Who I am is not of importance. Listen to my warning. You are only my puppets. Tools I'm using to help my cause. Do not interfere with my plans. You have been warned." The voice said as Spike started slip from consciousness.
Poison finished the preparation for the journey he and his gang were about to take. First he needed to meet with a special dragon. Poison walked down a long rocky hallway. The hallway was lined with Silver Gemstones. "I kinda hate this place." said Poison. (Why? Because you live with an idiot who thinks with his muscles or became these Silver Gemstones cancel out any kind of chain power we have?) "Both." said Poison.
At the end of the hallway was a door made out of Silver Gemstone. On one side it was detailed to be seen as a beautiful landscape with playing ponies, dragons, and woodland creatures on a grass plain with a couple of trees. The other side was detailed to be seen as a wasteland with bones of ponies and woodland creatures while dark clouds hover above the scene. With a push Poison opened the gemstone door. On the other side of the door was a crystal prism filled with a dark purple aura. Around the prism was a seal of magical runes and text.
Poison knelt down before the seal. "Master all the preparations for the journey have been completed." He said. The prism pulsed with a purple light as a low gruff voice spoke to the green dragon. "Excellent. You remember what you are after do you?" the voice said. "We are to go deep into the Diamond Dog's territory and retrieve a black gemcrystal." Poison replied. "Good for once you remember what you have to do." said the voice.
"Master?" Poison asked. "What?" "Why do we have have to get this gemcrystal? What does it have to do with our cause?" Poison said. "Well. For the simple minded like yourself this simple item is not much of worth, but for those who have a massive range in the fields of magic this item is a magic goldmine. Deep within it's molecular structure magic has been woven into it from centuries of magic being absorbed from the area. With the right amount of force applied to it the gemcrystal can open a dimensional portal to wherever your heart desires." said the voice. "Thank you for the information Master. We will not fail you." Poison said.
"You better keep your promise. I for one hate it when someone brakes a promise they can't keep. Also if you fail to complete this task I will be honored to restore those memories of yours." On cue dark aura flooded onto the floor and flowed around Poison. A downward triangle mark appeared on Poison's forehead. Sweat began to pour down his face as he prepared for the event that was about to take place. The dark aura flowed into the triangle turning the inside of it a dark purple.
Then a surge of energy rushed into Poison's body almost making him fall under the force. The magic of the aura started to breach into his mind and dig into the deep reaches of his mind. Soon a memory flooded into Poison's mind.
It was him when he was a baby dragon and a couple of other baby dragons running back home from a day of adventuring and fun. In their minds they were hoping to be greeted with a couple of delicious gems or maybe a Wind Gem. Thoughts of fun and joy ran through the dragons' heads, but when they arrived home they were met with a gruesome site. All their friends and family lay on the ground bloodied and half-alive. Poison's playmates went to find their parents and family, but where stopped be the sound of wind blowing past them.
None of them could have seen it. None of them could have prevented it. The only thing to do was to watch. One by one Poison's friends all fell down as blood flowed from their throats. Poison looked around to see if anyone was around to have dealt the damage. Then he turned around only to see a blade held close to his face. He could make out who the dragon was, but he had white scales.
Poison's mind became more clear as the flashback disappeared from his mind. The dark aura was now gone and so was the triangle mark on his forehead. Cold sweat covered Poison's body as he pushed himself up off the ground. "This was a fragment of your past Poison. The rest of it could be just as bad, but I'm sure you don't wont to find out do you?" said the voice. "N-no Master." Poison quickly replied. "Good. Now leave my presence."
Following orders Poison rushed out of the room and closed the door that led to it. "Come on Anubix. We have to get some rest. We leave at dawn." Poison said.
)0.UU.0(
Spike had yet again woke up in a destroyed Ponyville. This time he didn't look at the dead bodies, this time he wanted answers and he was going to get them one way or another. Soon enough he found his future self sitting at a table eating what appeared to be a bowl of eyeballs. "You!" Spike yelled. Future Spike looked over and waved. "I've got some questions for you!" Spike continued to yell. "Let me guess. Was it I that said all those things to you at your 'Test'?" Future Spike said before he started chewing another eyeball. "It was you wasn't it?!" Spike said. "Nnnnnope." Future Spike quickly responded. "I had to be you! Who else talks to me in my head besides Jade?!" Future Spike stopped eating for a while before he said "Spike why would I lie to you? What would I gain from that? Your my past self. Whatever I do to you affects me in the future." Future Spike said.
"Then who is it then? If your not going to help me you might as well go back to the future where you belong." Spike said in rage. Future Spike stopped eating all together now. "Spike. Do you think I wanted to be this way? Do you think that I like not being able to tell you what is happening? Well I don't. As a matter a fact besides what I know has happened to me and what might happen to you. I don't know how the future got the way it has. I had dreams like you do Spike. Dreams like finding the perfect someone to settle down with and start a family. Dreams to be well known through out the world. Dreams that couldn't come true. Dreams that won't come true. Spike believe it or not. I'm here to not only change my future, but yours as well." Future Spike said.
"What do you mean?" Spike asked. "In the future we are a beast that prowls through a never ending darkness. We can wield the shadows at a mere word. No foe or prey can escape our mighty claws, but darkness can corrupt the mind Spike. One day while everypony in equestria were going through their normal daily routines, at seven thirty precisely, the darkness consumed us and made us go on a rampage. Nopony was a match for our power until Twilight sealed us away. After the sealing spell was casted is when my memory gets foggy." Future Spike said. Spike couldn't believe it. Was this what his future was meant to be? 'No I won't let that happen.'Spike thought. "Okay. I'll trust you for now." he said.
"Good. Looks like our time here is almost up. Oh and one more thing Spike." "What?" "Tell Twilight and everyone about your meat cravings. It's just nature Spike. Your getting older, gems and pony food won't keep you satisfied anymore." Future Spike said as the dream began to fade away.
Spike awoke to see he was in a tent. He tried to move, but a strong surge of pain came into his injured arm. Spike looked at it and found that a gauze had been wrapped around his arm. 'Not too tight while at the same time not too loose. Fluttershy's work indeed.' Spike thought. Soon voices hit Spike's ears and from the sounds of it Twilight and the gang were talking to someone. "What news?" Twilight asked. "King Searimece has reconsidered, due to the feet of Spike the Dragon during 'The Test', and some proof due to me. Princess Crystal will be allowed to journey with Spike, Jade, Zero, and Manic. She will arrive for departure in the morning." said someone.
Spike was delighted that Crystal was joining them. He got up and headed out of the tent. "Hello everypony." Spike said. Everyone within range ran to hug the little dragon. "Spike its so good to see that your okay." Twilight said. "You had us worried deary." Rarity said. "Dude that was so cool how you attacked Sir Gared like that, even though we didn't see it, it was still awesome." said Rainbow Dash. "Yeah awesome." Sir Gared said as he limped towards Spike. "Are you okay?" asked Spike. "Yeah I've been through worse," said Sir Gared "I hope you girls don't mind, but I would like to talk with Spike in private." No one disagreed. Spike and Gared went far out of ear shot from the group. "Spike. I wanted to talk to you about that move you did, back there. How did you do it?" Sir Gared asked.
Spike was shocked for a second. How did he managed to do it? It was a mystery to him. 'Wait. Didn't Future Spike said I would be able to use Dark Matter. Maybe that was it.' Spike thought. Spike focused his thoughts on summoning the hidden ability. At first it looked like he was holding his breath to Sir Gared. He even thought about stopping him, but something wasn't right. Slowly a dark aura started to swirl in the air. "Spike what are you doing?" Sir Gared asked. His answer came in a form he didn't expect. A thin layer of the dark aura formed on Spike's injured arm and burned away the bandages. The aura started to heal his wounds fast.
Back at the campsite. Jade had stopped in her tracks. Her sudden stop of movement didn't go unnoticed. A certain pink mare looked at her. "Jade are you okay? Did you run out of sugar? Oh Oh! I'll go fix you a big batch of cupcakes." Pinkie Pie said. She rushed off somewhere to make a batch of cupcakes. Twilight came to Jade next. "Jade are you okay?" she asked. She didn't get a response. Twilight got curious as she examined Jade. Then she poked Jade's side with her hoof and got a response. Jade's green mane turned a light blue and her coat turned into a light black. "Girls! Jades' doing it again." Twilight said.
Soon the whole camp went to check on the unicorn mare. "What triggered it this time?" Zero asked. *Maybe its her time of the month and she froze up.* Zero dropped a bead of sweat. "If you were materialized you would be so dead right now." Zero said rubbing the back of his head. "Besides the remark from Manic. How are we going to get Jade out of this trace?" Rarity asked. Before anyone could answer Jade returned to her normal self. "Why are you guys staring at me?" asked Jade. "It happened again." Fluttershy said. "What? It happened again?!" Jade asked surprisingly. Everyone nodded their heads.
Spike fell to his knees as he breathed heavily. "Aaaaaaahhh. I'm tired." Spike said. 'He must still be exhausted from 'The Test'. He should rest he has earned it.' Gared thought. "Come on Spike let us return to the campsite. You need your rest." Gared said. "Can you carry me? I'm too tired." said Spike. Gared sighed. "Okay, but just this once. I don't give out rides to everyone. You got that?" said Gared. "Yes sir." replied the tired dragon. Gared used his magic to create a water platform under Spike and carefully moved it a few inches above his back before he terminated his magic and the water along with Spike fell onto his back.
As Gared walked back to the campsite everyone was getting ready for bed. "Gared where is Spike?" Rarity asked. Gared turned around to show the now sleeping dragon on his back. "Aww isn't that cute." said Fluttershy. "Yeah yeah whatever. I'm going to sleep." Zero said as he crawled into his tent. Twilight levitated Spike into the tent that Zero was in. "Hey can you girls do me a favor?" asked Gared. "Yeah sure." said Applejack. "Remember me bringing in Spike on my back?" asked Gared. "Yeah." said Pinkie Pie. "No you didn't." replied Gared as he turned back into his ring form and was teleported back to Crystal.
"Well girls, besides the weird stuff thats been happenin around here, ah say we all get some sleep. We have ta head back to Ponyville in the mornin." said Applejack. "I second that." said Rarity. With that everyone went to sleep.
About a couple of hours later Spike had woken up from his slumber and went outside the tent careful that to awaken the sleeping dragon know as Zero next to him. Once out of the tent Spike went to a river that was next to their camp site and splashed some of the cool water on his face. His body was heating up and sweat began to drip off of his body. At first Spike thought he was having another overheat, but this time something was different. While the heat began to consume his body at an alarming rate pictures and scenes began to fly around inside the young dragon's head.
A picture of a mountain was the first thing to come into Spike's mind followed by a scene of young dragon some in their teenage years walking in straight lines down a concrete hallway. Then a feeling that Spike had only experienced once in his life. The feeling of pain as electricity ran through his being almost as he was being electrocuted. Slowly the pain went away as one last scene came rushing into the poor dragon's mind. It was Crystal and she looked worried and scared. Then Spike heard it. It was faint, but he could hear it. Crystal was saying practically pleading "No please don't do it. I don't know anything. Please sto....". Her pleas were cut short by her own screams of pain.
"E......enough!" Spike yelled as he finally came back to reality. He was left breathing heavily as he fell to the ground in a mini pool of his own sweat. "Spike are you.........alright?" asked someone from behind him. At this point Spike was too mentally tired to do anything so he just continued to lay down in the grass while thinking about what he just say. "Its me. Jade." Spike closed his eyes as he mustered enough strength to talk. "You felt it too didn't you?" he asked. "Spike we are linked mentally, what ever you experience I do as well." Jade said. "I figured as much." Spike said as he tried to get up. Jade helped the dragon up with her magic and placed him on her back. "Jade?" Spike asked. "What Spike?" "What is happening to me?" Spike asked.
Jade knew Spike was going to asked this question at some point, but she herself didn't know the answer. "I don't know Spike. I don't know." said Jade.
After the event that happened that night Spike and Jade went back to sleep. For the rest of the night everything was peaceful. Upon the rising of the sun that morning Spike, Applejack, and Zero were already awake as they waited for the rest to wake up. "Hey ah got an idea of how ta past the time while we wait for the rest to wake up." Applejack said. "Why don't we just wake them up now?" asked Zero. "Have ya'll ever tried to wake up Rarity for her 'beauty sleep'?" asked Applejack. Zero shook his head. "Well let us just say. If your not bringing her a cup of her favorite imported coffee with an orange than your in for a nasty monster." said Applejack. "How do you know she does that in the morning?" asked Spike. "One time we were at a sleep over and somepony thought it was a great idea to wake up Rarity by pushing her of the bed. It turned out ta be the worst idea ever. Rarity was yelling at us more worse than Granny does when we fake an injury." said Applejack
"Anyways, back to my plan before we got off the subject." "Yeah sure Applejack."said Spike. "Well since we have been rushing almost everywhere in the last past couple of days, ah got to thinkin. We don't know a whole lot about your lives." Applejack said. "Why are you taking such an interesting turn to know about our lives?" asked Zero. "Well after seeing what you guys can do and seeing as how we are useless without our elements. Ah got to thinkin what if you guys.........died and we couldn't help it. What are we going to say when you guys are six feet under. Then soon you guys will only be a fading memory when we get older. Ah probably won't even remember ya names." said Applejack. A small tear fled from her eye and raced down her face. Letting a couple of minutes pass Zero began to speak. "I was born in The Village of The Winds. A village that not many have heard of. Only the water dragons, certain griffins, and a couple of drakes in the northern side of of the Ridgebone Mountains." He started
"I was born into a family of three brothers and two sisters. For the most part it was a pretty good life. My mother and father had plenty of gems to go around. Our neighborhood was nice and friendly. A river that led to a water fall was not that far from the village so we always had fresh water. There in the village we learned to respect nature and the earth. In return the earth would give us her fruits of life. I did what my teachers told me. Never harvest from the same area too long, don't harm the trees, and if I was to kill an animal I was to give it an proper send of. After about four years I found my flute in the mouth of a lioness who I was looking for." This made Applejack curious. "Okay sugarcube. Why would ya kill an animal and second why would ya look for a lioness?" asked the blond headed pony.
"Well dragons and drakes at some point in their life can rely on gem and crystals to satisfy them as much anymore. I know you don't want to hear me say this, but at some point in a dragon's or drake's life will have to add a helping of meat into their diet. Its just nature. To answer your second question I found an injured lion cub and after a few days it was could walk again and I remembered the smell of it's mother." said Zero. The part were Applejack heard about the need to eat meat almost made her barf. "Don't worry I don't eat ponies." reassured Zero. "Why was the lioness holding a flute in her mouth?" asked Spike. "I don't know Spike. The world work in mysterious ways. Anyway back to the subject."
"I stay at the village for as long as I could remember then something happened. I found Manic. It was the most eventful thing to happen in years. He began to tell me as much as he could about the rest of the Dragon Chains, but sadly it wasn't much, just bits and pieces." said Zero *Hey! You try and be locked in a bondless sleep. It's hard to remember what happened thousands of years ago!*
"Anyway by the time Manic had explain to me what he knew my interest had hit an all time high. So I packed up my stuff and began to travel around the world for information, sometimes coming up empty handed." said Zero. "Don't you miss your family?" asked Spike. "I rather not talk about that subject." quickly replied Zero. "Well I guess it's my turn." said Spike. "When I was hatched everything started out fine until someone asked where was I going to stay. Twilight was too young to handle a freshly born baby dragon, but with some arrangements made and I was placed in a nursery. A few years passed and I was able to almost walk and talk."
"Later on Twilight was a pre-teen and could be able to look after herself and someone else. I was getting too big for the nursery so they put me and Twilight together. At first we didn't see eye to eye, but after a while Twilight succumbed to the one thing she can't control."Spike said. "What is that?" asked Zero. "Her curiosity. One day she looked around in the archives and barely found anything that had to do with dragons. Only old maretales,Useless facts, and some other stuff. So for a couple of months Twilight studied how I behaved and such. Believe it or not we actually got to know each other a little better." "What did she do with the information?" asked Zero. "She pulled it all together in a report to be sent off to Princess Celestia which I accidentally burned, but with my teleportation fire. Twilight was furious and yelled at me for the rest of the day. She would have started yelling at me again if Celestia hadn't sent back a letter saying that she loved the report." Spike said
"Though both me and Twilight didn't know it that day, but I had learned my first spell. As the years past we got closer and closer together as friends. Soon I was her number one assistant." Spike told Zero and Applejack about the rest of his time in Canterlot. As he told the dragon and pony about how Twilight flipped out just because she got a ninety nine on one of her assignments the rest of the group began to wake up. First Twilight and Rarity. Twilight made sure to grab her brush with her magical grip out of her saddle bags. Rarity come outside with her hair fully intact and a cup of her favorite coffee. Next to awaken from their slumber was the happy and excited pink earth pony known as Pinkie Pie come out of her tent with a yawn.
Following the pink earth pony was Fluttershy. The shy pegasus stretched for a while before continuing to the rest of the group. Then finally with a couple of attempts Rainbow Dash left the comfort of her sleeping bag. "Argh. Its to early for all of this." said the tired, cyan pegasus. "It's not that early. Well for me it is. The average pony wakes up for the day at about six thirty in the morning. Early would be waking up at three o'clock in the morning." said Twilight. "And you would know this how?" asked Rainbow Dash. "I did some research at our last slumber party." replied Twilight. "I'm going to just pretend I didn't here that."
"So.......whats for breakfast?" asked Fluttershy. Before anyone could reply a voice came from behind the group. "Don't worry guys I got it covered." said the voice. Everyone looked around to see where the voice came from. "Um.....I'm up here." said the voice. Zero looked up and immediately ran and hid behind a nearby tree. Then the rest of them looked up and greeted their surprise visitor. Crystal the Princess of The Sea and her guardian Sir Gared. "Hi Crystal." said Pinkie Pie. As the two descended from the sky Crystal asked "How do you know my name?". "Well duh. Your Spike's girlfriend that we heard about the other day." the pink mare replied. Upon hearing Pinkie both Spike and Crystal blushed.
"Ignore Pinkie Pie. She can be a little out of control sometimes." said Rarity. "What was I going to say? Oh yeah. I brought you guys breakfast." said the now blushing water dragon. "And where is it?" asked Rainbow Dash. As a reply Crystal clapped two times. Nothing happened. "What was that all abo......" "It takes a while for them to get here.". In a few minutes a white mist began to swarm around the campsite. The mist was so dense Pinkie Pie cut a piece of it off with a butter knife. Then parts of the mist started to separate from the rest and began to take shape. One slowly formed into the shape of a timber wolf. One turned into a naga. Then the last one turned into a diamond dog. "Nice to see you again guys." said Crystal.
"It is nice to see you again my friend. I believe these are for you?" said the naga. The timber wolf howled as he summoned three more of his kind with plates on their backs. The timber wolfs set down the plates at the center of the campsite and returned to the mist. "Thank you Negi. Tell your family I said hi." said Crystal. The naga nodded and receded back into the mist the only one left was the diamond dog. "Why is he still here?" ask Rarity. "I think your friend has his tail." replied Crystal. Pinkie Pie looked at the piece of mist that she had cut out and saw that it was a misty tail. With a shy smile she returned the tail back to the diamond dog and he returned to the mist.
"Crystal what is this?" asked Twilight. "My family has had a ties to many beings and creatures through out the world and when they pass on a part of their soul stays behind and serves my family when ever we summon them." said Crystal. She took the lid off of one of the plates and revealed a plate of assorted fruits. "I'm going to go on ahead and eat of that is alright with you guys." she said.
Very slowly the group began to eat the food that was brought to them by the weird mist creatures. "Is this stuff safe to eat?" asked Applejack. "Of course it is. I've been eating food delivered by these guys for years and I'm still okay." said Crystal. "Says the girl that froze me." said Zero still behind the tree. A clump of mist wondered off from the rest and found it's way to where Zero was sitting. The clump of mist slowly took it's form. Pearly white paws formed followed by it's legs then it's body. It's neck and head soon came next. It was a little bear cub with a plate of sandwiches in it's mouth. It laid the plate on the ground and spoke. "You weren't with the rest of the group. I didn't know if you were with them or not, but I brought you some food mister." said the cub.
"I am with them and thank you." said Zero as he ate the food that was brought to him. The cub smiled as it left to join back with the mist. As the group finished their meal the plates were taken away by the timber wolves and the mist began to disappear. "So. Did you guys like the meal?" ask Crystal. "Yes we did." said Spike. "Though I still find it weird that those ghost delivered food to us." said Pinkie Pie. "Since when do you find stuff weird?" asked Twilight. "Since a few minutes ago.". After an hour of packing up Crystal, Spike, Zero, Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Fluttershy started to head to Ponyville.
The journey was filled with tales and stories. Sometimes even Fluttershy would say something. Though everything was good for now the adventurers would have a surprise waiting for them at their destination.
(0.UU.0)
The trio of Rubixen, Poison, and Garble made it to the entrance to the Diamond dog's caverns. "Shall we do this silently or do this Garble's way?" asked Poison. "I'm don't feel like sneaking around so. I say we do this Garble's way." said Rubixen. "You already know what I'm going to say Poison." said Garble. "Okay then. Lets do this." said Poison. As they walked in to the caverns they found a huddle of diamond dogs mining. "Garble your up." said Poison. Garble focused his powers and fire breath in his mouth and released it in a huge ball of fire. The fire ball sped towards the diamond dogs. They noticed that the fire ball was heading towards them they tried to dig down to safety, but it was too late. The fire ball hit it's target and exploded massively.
The explosion massive enough that it almost made the trio lose their balance. Once the explosion died down their was a huge crater and flames everywhere. "That was a little too extreme Garble." said Rubixen. "I haven't blown anything up in weeks Rubixen. I'm on the edge right now." said Garble. "It doesn't matter. We have company." said Poison. The now newly destroyed cave was filling up with diamond dogs. Each of them looked angry and ready for battle. "I see a total of one hundred diamond dogs. This isn't even fair." said Rubixen. "I know." said Poison. "Keep that ego of yours in check Poison. You know happens when your ego gets too big." said Garble. "Thats enough talk for now. Lets battle." said Poison.
Rubixen summoned his katana while Poison summoned a long sword. Garble summoned his claw blades and charged into battle along with Rubixen and Poison.
Garble drove his claws into the nearest diamond dog and forced his claws apart causing the dog to be torn into two pieces. After that he rushed to the next one and dug into the dog's chest and took out his heart. Using the freshly torn out heart he shoved it down the a diamond dog's throat that was to his right. A dog came up from behind and tried to spear him, but was stopped by Rubixen as he sliced off his head.
Poison allowed himself to be surrounded by dogs before he lifted up his long sword. A thin layer of green liguid covered the blade as Poison began to twist it and spin. "Poison tornado." He stop spinning all together as he poison slashes were sent flying towards his enemies. Each slash hit it's target in the chest or forehead leaving slight gashes. Though the physical damage looked small the was something else working it's way through the diamond dog's nervous system. One by one the group of diamond dogs fell down.
"Liquid Nero Toxin. Will any luck you guys will die in a few minutes." said Poison. Rubixen ran away from a group of dogs. He suddenly stopped his movement and turned his katana so that the blade was behind him. Not seeing the dragon's sudden stop of motion a diamond dog had the blade of the Rubixen's katana drove into his stomach. Rubixen ripped out his sword from the diamond dog's stomach. He then did a back flip and jumped off the head of the diamond dog he just stabbed.
When he was high in the air he slashed the the air causing a giant lightning slash to kill the rest of the dogs that were following him. As he landed he saw that Garble was already half way through the entire league of diamond dogs. "Hey Poison!" yelled Rubixen. Poison finished slicing a diamond dog into three section when he heard Rubixen yelling towards him. "What?" he replied. "Why don't we let Garble finish off the rest of the diamond dogs." Rubixen suggested. Upon hearing the suggestion Poison released the bond of his long sword that kept it on this plain of existence. "Sure why not." said Poison as he sat down.
The two left Garble to do his destructive work. With his claws bloody and his bloody thirst barely satisfied Garble charged into the battle again. Garble's claws dug their way into a diamond dog's body and pulled out it's intestine. Using the guts of the dog Garble wrapped the bloody intestine around the dog's neck and used him as a shield from oncoming spears. Digging into the back of the diamond dog shield Garble formed a fire ball inside the body of the diamond dog. Garble then through the dead dog towards a crowd of diamond dogs. The fire ball that was planted inside the dead body exploded causing a giant explosion of fire and body parts.
While more than half the numbers remaining was killed in the bloody explosion the rest was sent to a more painful fate. Garble ignited his claws as he ran and dug his claws into each of the remaining diamond dog's hearts. When his job was finished his claws returned to normal.
"A total of ten minutes and not even a scratch. Told you not even fair." Said Rubixen. "Come on I still smell some diamond dogs in the next few chambers." said Garble. "We are not going to kill them Garble. We have to keep them alive so that we can find what we need." "Alright, but if one of those dogs steps even one inch out of line I'm grilling them." said Garble. The trio began to walk deeper into the caverns unaware that under a pile of dead diamond dogs on dog had managed to survive, but not without damage being dealt to it.
The diamond dog had lost half it's tail, a part of it's ear, and he lost an arm. Though he should have been bleeding from his arm Garble's flames burned the open wound that was the rest of his arm. The diamond dog knew what to do. He could journey down to the nearest town and they could heal him. They might not be able to give him his arm back, but he had seen the works of unicorns before. Also he knew he could not avenge his dead brethren by himself.
He didn't know who would help him or even if someone would help him, but he didn't have any other choice. He would die if he went to face those three in the condition he was in. Though he keep thinking to himself as he left entrance of the cavern that he was going to avenge his fallen brethren, deep down he knew he wasn't going to be able to fulfill the far off dream.
With the pain of not only his torn off arm, with the little nub being burnt by flames, but also the loss of his family and many more to come. The diamond dog began his slow, long walk to the town up ahead.
(0.UU.0)
The trio traveled from cave to cave. From mine shaft to mine shaft. With their new guide a female diamond dog that was in a cave a couple of hours back.
She was feed her children when the three dragons barged in demanding that she tell them where they could find the black gemcrystals, but she refused. Seeing as how they would get nowhere by arguing the female dog Garble went back the way they came for a while and brought back the female's mate. He was battered and bruised. He had a cut that led from his head down to the base of his tail. His armor that he wore was almost destroyed and had deep cuts in it.
His mate was terrified to see her mate like this. Though her fear was soon drowned by a sea of her newly found rage, all thoughts and feeling about her surroundings was gone as she raced towards the three responsible for this. Raising his left claw Rubixen shot a small lightning bolt at the charging diamond dog. The lightning bolt hit it's mark and made the ragin diamond dog fall to her knees. The lightning bolt was not strong enough to kill her, but at the same time it was powerful enough to stun her for a few minutes. "I wouldn't do anything to rash if I were you. You already have an injured mate to deal with. You don't want to lose your pups do you?" said Rubixen. Suddenly the mother realized that she forgot about her pups. She looked back to see that the green dragon had all four of them in range of his long sword. "Fine. I will take you to gemcrystals." said the female dog feeling defeated.
As she began to get the feeling back into her body she began to guide them toward a large deposit of gemcrystal. To make sure that she didn't double cross them Poison and Garble brought along the pups as well.
The diamond dog cursed at herself for not thinking about what would happen to her pups. Now they could die because of her mistake. "When are we going to get there?" asked an impatient Garble. "They are not far now." said the dog. Then with a small flash of light Snow Streak returned to his wolf pup body. "Hi Miss!" he said. The female dog jump when she saw the tiny pup. When she saw Snow Streak she gave huff. "Its bad enough you hurt my mate, kill my pack members, then threat my pups, now you steal wolf pups." she said angrily. "They didn't steal me Miss I'm tagging along with them and can you tell me your name?" said the little pup.
"My name is Gloria and why would you join these.........monster?" asked Gloria. Snow Streak thought about it for a bit. It took him a while to respond to that question, but soon he replied "Because. I like Rubix and he is my best friend. Plus its kinda fun adventuring with him even though he can be a handful sometimes." Rubixen scuffed.'Look hows talking.' he thought. "How can you be.....friends with a monster like him?" she asked. "He's not a monster. He's just insane." said Snow Streak. "Insane?! Who are you calling insane?!" asked Rubixen. "You of course who else would I be calling insane. I can't call Garble that because he tried to rip my head off the last time I called him that." said Streak. "Well I'll rip your head off if you call me insane again!" said Rubixen as he held Snow Streak in a head lock. "Let go of me you insane dragon!" "I'm not insane!" "Oh yeah then why do you talk in your sleep!" "Its a condition!"
As the two argued the rest of the group carried on. Gloria soon led the group to a large rusty iron door. As she opened it the light from the mine shaft illuminated a crystal. The crystal reflected the light to a nearby crystal, then that crystal transferred the light to another crystal, and the process repeated until the whole cavern was lite with lights. Gloria brought up a cart filled to the brim with black gemcrystals. "This looks good. As promised we will return your pups." said Poison. Gloria scooped up her pups and ran out the cavern as fast as she could.
"So how many should we take?" asked Garble. Then suddenly a giant purple arm crashed into the cart of black gemcrystals, sending thousands of gemcrystals flying through the air and landing in random places. The claws of the hand that had destroyed the cart opened as a ball of lightning erupted from it's palm. Then three more dragons entered the cavern. Spike, Zero, and Crystal stood ready to battle.
"How did you guys get here?" asked a surprised Poison. "Well you see..." Crystal said as she recalled on a memory.
As the town of Ponyville entered the sites of the travelers almost all of them raced toward the town. Each having a reason to reach the town. For Rarity she wanted nothing more to go the spa and relax. Fore Rainbow Dash she wanted to go home and get some more shut eye. Applejack wanted to check on the farm and see how her family was doing. For Fluttershy she wanted to get home to check on her animals. Pinkie Pie was thinking about Crystal's Welcome to Ponyville party.Twilight wanted to contact the Princesses and say that they had returned safely with the next Dragon Chain. Spike wanted to show Crystal around the town. Crystal and Zero wanted to catch up with the rest of the group.
Though their run got cut short as a wondering figure was sited walking towards them. All of them stopped to see what it was, all but Fluttershy she hid behind Twilight. What they saw was a wounded Diamond dog barely able to stand on it's own hind legs. "Diamond.......caves.......important............help.....others." he said before he let himself be consumed by darkness when he passed out. "What did he say?" asked Applejack. "He said something about caves." said Spike. "Could something could have happened at the diamond dog caves?" asked Rarity. Then Zero began to piece together the tiny bits of information together. He used Manic's gem to open up a map. "I got three energy signals coming from those mountains!" He said.
"It can't be." said Spike. "You guys go on ahead and check it out we will get this guy to the hospital." said Twilight. Not being told twice the trio of dragons began their journey towards the diamond dog's mountain.
"Now that we are here where going to kick your butts now." said Spike. "In your dream!" said Garble as he charged towards the baby dragon. Both of them summoned their metal claws and began their hand to hand combat. Crystal summoned a spear and rushed Rubixen as Zero used his daggers and rushed to Poison.
Garble tried to uppercut Spike, but his opponent bent his back in order to dodge the attack. Then Spike come back and used his fire breath, but was blocked by Garble's. Spike though putting up a decent fight was no match for the teen dragon's fire breath so he used his tail as a spring and launched himself in the air. Using the momentum of his fall Spike's claws met Garble's right claw. Seeing an opening Garble used his free claw to strike Spike in his side. Though his attempt was smart it was blocked by Spike's now free claws.
Soon the two began to attack each other faster and faster. One being larger and more stronger, yet not fast enough and the other being small and fast, but not powerful enough. These two seemed to be locked in an eternal dance that could spell the death of one of them.
Crystal tried to run Rubixen through with the spear, but the attack was easily side stepped. Rubixen focused his lightning energy into his right palm and hit Crystal with it causing a small explosion of electricity. This sent Crystal rolling away from her opponent. "You do realize that your a water dragon and I control lightning right? Your out matched here." said Rubixen. Crystal got up and prepared for her next attack. (Thats what the last person said to her before she beat them.)
Channeling her magic and energy Crystal managed to cover her shoulder's, upper thighs, waist, and chest with ice armor. "Ice armor. Third class." said Crystal. Rubixen looked surprised. "That is an amazing move you just did there to bad it won't help you." said Rubixen. Crystal ran towards the dragon again and again her attack was side stepped. This time Rubixen shot a lightning bolt at the baby dragon. Using her shoulder armor she blocked the attack and turned on the spot. "Water hurricane!" said Crystal as she created a giant water vortex.
Being sucked into the vortex Rubixen had no other choice, but to form his Lightning Cage around himself to prevent any damage. Crystal through the dragon into a close wall with all her strength. The impact cause the Lightning Cage that Rubixen formed to be destroyed and cause Rubixen to be stunned in recoil. "Dang it. I didn't see that coming." said Rubixen.
Zero rushed towards Poison with his daggers covered in wind. Bringing the daggers across his chest he created a wind slash in the form of an 'X'. Using Anubix's powers Poison summoned his green snake aura guardian. The snake wrapped itself around Poison to block the attack. Though the attack was blocked the snake took too much damage and returned back to it's gem. "I see that you have gotten stronger. This might actual serve as a fair fight." said Poison. "Talons of Eagles!" said Zero as he launched himself into the air with his wings.
When he reach the top of the cavern he flipped and landed on the ceiling. Then he pushed off and prepare his daggers. Seeing Zero coming fast Poison raised his long sword in defense and blocked Zero's attack. Using his daggers at close range now Zero repeatedly attack Poison. Foreseeing this Poison was able to start dodging his rival's attacks. Finally having enough of these attack Poison stabbed his long sword into the ground and converted his powers into the blade. The ground beneath them began to crack as a light green gas began to leak out of the ground.
Upon hearing the gas coming out of the ground Garble grabbed Spike as he tried to attack him and threw him into Zero. Also on the other side of the battle field Rubixen was dodging Crystal's rapid Chilled Water attack. Summoning his powers he used the electric charges in the air he caused an lightning bolt to strike Crystal in the chest sending her rolling into Zero and Spike.
Seeing his chance Garble fired a fire ball into the gas causing it to explode in a giant explosion. As the dust cleared the trio of Rubixen, Garble, and Poison was uninjured. With their defensive moves at the ready they were able to escape the explosion in time. "Hahaha. I got 'em!" yelled Garble. /Look again\ ^The pup is right^ (I agree)
All three dragons looked at their rings to see that they were glowing. Then they looked at the area from where the explosion happened through the smoke that still resonated from that stop they saw a slight peak of what happened. Using his magic and Jade's powers they joined together with another energy source that was in the shape of a cyan pony. A golden energy shield had protected the other trio of dragons. As Spike made his shield disappear a gust of wind cause the smoke to vanish.
Then thats when they saw him fully. He had new clothes suddenly and he had a golden aura around him. He had a black coat with a green under shirt and black pants. As he opened his eyes they were revealed as a bright gold. His and Jade's powers were so strong they managed to even make Garble take a step back. Rubixen knew this energy somewhere before, but he couldn't tell where. Raising a claw and rapidly bringing it down Spike caused a shockwave the filled the cavern the black gemcrystals began that was scattered around began to ignite with a golden light as they shot rays of golden light around the cavern.
Faster than any of the dragons could dodge the rays of light hit each of the six dragons causing them to fade away quickly along with the black gemcrystals themselves. After all that was done the cavern was left devastated and empty.
(0.UU.0)
Somewhere in another universe the changeling queen known as Chrysalis began to slip into a hot tub at the Ponyville spa. She had worked hard for the past few weeks and that war against those albino changelings and Nattjaril was no walk in the park. As she allowed the hot water to do it's work she relaxed finally after so many nights. Then barely five minutes into her soak a pegasus mare with a deep blue coat and electric blue, long flowing mane with a green amulet around her neck came toward the relaxing changeling.
Hearing the approaching pegasus Chrysalis frowned. "What do you want Whirly Wind?" asked Chrysalis. "Sorry to disturb you on your spa day my queen, but there are six unconscious dragons outside the castle." said the changeling Whirly Wind. "Full adults?" asked a now curious Chrysalis. "No four teenagers and two babies. One of them seems to be Spike." said Whirly Wind. "Didn't Spike go to Canterlot on Royal Business this morning?" asked Chrysalis. "Yes my queen." answered Whirly Wind. Chrysalis just had to see this. She got out of the hot tub and dried off.
She went out the door as she payed. "Where is Staghorn?" asked Chrysalis. "He is at the castle awaiting your arrival." said Whirly Wind. "Okay you can continue you day Whirly Wind. I shall return to the Hive and see what is going on." "Yes ma'am."
As Chrysalis began her way toward her castle and on the way she couldn't help, but wonder. 'What the hay is going on?'
Staghorn stood at the door of the castle as he waited for his mother Chrysalis to return while at the same time keeping an eye on the six unconscious dragons. Though he couldn't help himself more thoughts about the situation began to run through his head like Spike is in Canterlot right now, so how can he be here? Where did those clothes come from? Who are these other five dragons? None of the questions had a good answer. Most of them didn't even have an answer. Then out of the corner of his eye he saw Chrysalis heading towards the castle.
"So these are the six dragons I've heard about?" asked Chrysalis. "Yes ma'am. A couple of hours ago they appeared outside the castle. From what the guards said two of the teens were already out cold. The other four were trying to stay up as long as they could, but were also knocked out cold within a few minutes." said Staghorn. Before they could continue their conversation a surge of energy was felt in the air. As the magnitude of the energy began to rise Staghorn and Chrysalis's heads began to ache.
"Where is this power coming from?" asked Staghorn. Looking around the area he soon found his answer. Two of the unconscious dragons seemed to have a golden aura around them. One was Spike and the other was the one with the yellow spine spikes. Soon the two dragons began to awaken as the energy began to lessen in magnitude. As the two dragons stood up with their eyes till closed Chrysalis and Staghorn stood back and watched the scene unfold.
As Spike's eyes began to open his power started to suppress as well as Rubixen's. "Spike." said Rubixen. "Rubixen." said Spike. Before the conversation could continue Spike noticed Staghorn and Chrysalis standing a few feet away. "CHANGELINGS!" Spike yelled. His yelling was replied by Zero punching him in the back of his head. "My head hurts! I'm trying to sleep! I'm not a very good camper right now, so shut up!" Zero yelled holding his head.
"Ummm. Well. Umm. Welcome to our home young dragons." said Chrysalis. "Why are you guys even here? Shouldn't you be half way across Equestria?" asked Spike. "Don't you know about the treaty?" asked Staghorn. "What treaty!?" asked Spike as he started to get more annoyed. "Let me explain something." said Poison as he began to sit upward. "And what would that be?" asked Zero. "In that cavern that we battled in was an item known as a gem-crystal. An item with both properties of gems and crystals, though the ones in the cavern were special."
"Just like how black clothing absorb heat , these black gem-crystals absorb magic. From what I've gathered these gem-crystals when exposed to an extreme amount of force or power their inner magic is activated. With the combination of all the gem-crystals activating almost all at once their combined power must have blasted us into another dimension." Poison said. "Another dimension? I don't believe it." Spike said. "Well from what I'm getting from these coordinates and from what I say when the rest of the Dragon Chains were resurrected. I hate to admit it, but what Poison said is true. We are in a different dimension." said Zero.
"Umm. Would you care to explain what you guys are talking about?" asked Staghorn. "Well since I don't see any energy signatures other than ours I guess we got sometime." Zero said. Zero told the two changelings about the history behind the Dragon Chains and how their adventures led them here. "And if we're correct Spike should have sent a four other Dragon chains to a dimension different from our own." said Poison. "I see now." said Chrysalis. "Well if you guys aren't going anywhere you guys can stay with Twilight. I'm sure she wouldn't mind." said Staghorn. "No thanks. We don't stay with the enemy." said Rubixen. "Whats wrong with you?" asked Spike.
"What do you mean?" asked Rubixen (You defected over to Poison's team. He is evil. I can tell.) "What I do with my life is none of your concern Jade." "Plus your acting like a class 'A' jerk." said Spike "Garble get up we're leaving." said Rubixen
Regretting that he was listening to Rubixen the angry dragon Garble arose from his slumber. Together the trio walked away into the Everfree Forest. "Should we be worried?" ask Chrysalis. "No. Those three don't deserve to be worried about." said Spike. A growl was heard and everyone flinched. "Sorry guys. I think that was my stomach. I haven't eaten since breakfast." said Zero. Everyone sighed in relief. Then a thought came into Spike's head. Crystal was still sleeping. "Zero help me put Crystal onto my back." Spike said.
Helping Spike, Zero put Crystal on Spike's back. "Onward to Ponyville!" said the little dragon. "Wouldn't be better if Crystal was on one of our backs?" asked Staghorn. "And ruin this? I know you can feel it too." said Chrysalis. "I do feel it. I was just thinking out loud."
As the trio walked to the town of Ponyville Zero started to get a little anxious. "Chrysalis?" he asked. "Hmm?" she said. "We've told you about our dimension and I was thinking that you could tell us about your dimension." suggested Zero. "I see that its fair. A couple of months back us changelings signed a treaty that would bring a peaceful life for ponies and changelings to live together." said Chrysalis. "How has that worked out for you?" asked Spike. "Its been good. Well besides the changeling war we had between some albino changelings and the near destruction of Ponyville." said Staghorn. Both the dragons looked at Chrysalis. "I can explain the changeling war, but you might want to talk to Twilight about the near destruction of Ponyville. As I was saying though."
"When the peace treaty was signed there were a few laws that us changelings had to follow. For example. We can make a pony disguise, but we have to wear green amulets around our necks to signify that we are changelings." said Chrysalis. "Can you guys get jobs or you just work for no pay?" asked Spike. "We can get jobs. I believe one changeling by the name Flit made it into wrestling group called the Cloudsdale Crushers." said Staghorn. The group continued to walk until the reached the edge of town.
"Well this is where we leave you guys. We have a meeting with Princess Celestia in a few hours and it takes a while to get to Canterlot." said Staghorn. "Okay see ya later." said Spike. "Why do I get the feeling that Spike is not too fond of us?" asked Chrysalis. "I guess he is still a little sore form the wedding." said Zero. "That was years ago. He is still mad about that?" said Staghorn. "It doesn't matter what dimension he is in. I don't know much about the wedding or what Spike was feeling that day, but Spike lets out more than he wants too. Even a blind pony could see that." said Zero.
"Do tell." said Chrysalis. "Well. Spike says he doesn't know his born family, only Twilight's family since she hatched him. Soon I bet he got attached to Twilight's family just like her and when the wedding came he wasn't able to do anything, but hope for a miracle. It's alot to put on a baby dragon's mental health." said Zero. "Well I best be going. I don't want to make you guys late or anything." said Zero as he walked off.
"Do you think they will find what their looking for?" asked Staghorn. "Somehow I know they will, but lets keep our minds on the task at hand. If we are not in within seeing distance of Canterlot those two will send a whole fleet of Royal Guards to come and get us." said Chrysalis.
As the trio entered the town of Ponyville they could see that some reconstruction was still under way. As the trio made their way deeper into the town more and more ponies began to get suspicious. Soon the whole town knew about the trio of dragons. A unicorn officer stepped out in front of the trio. "You three changelings. Why don't you have your amulets?"asked the unicorn officer. "We are not changelings." said Zero. "Yeah yeah and I'm not a unicorn stallion about to lock you three up until you confess or until your Queen comes to bail you out." said the officer. "Okay we will come quietly." said Spike.
"Okay just follow me to the station. I might even let you guys go early for good behavior. I say about four hours with a fine of..." as the officer kept on talking Spike charged his powers into his right arm while Zero opened his wings. Zero took off as fast as he could as Spike stretched out his arm and grabbed onto a nearby building flinging himself into the air. "Hey! You guys get back here!" screamed the officer.
"Should we go back? That officer seems mad." Zero said barely keeping a straight face. "Naaah. I'm sure he will be alright." said Spike. A few yards behind them the officer was coughing and losing the ability to keep running. "I'm getting to old for this." he said as he went back to the station to call for back up.
"Where are we heading again?" asked Zero. "Just keep looking for a really big tree with windows." said Spike. Soon the two found the tree that Spike calls home. Rushing through the door and closing it behind them the two were finally able to rest. Spike gently placed Crystal on the couch of the library and called for Twilight. "Twilight!" he yelled. Zero grabbed a book from a shelf that he had not read before and began to read it. With the sounds of hooves coming down the stairs. Spike prepared for what was about to happen.
"Spike is that you? You just left for Royal Business you can't be back this earl......." Twilight stopped her sentence upon seeing the different clothed Spike, an asleep Crystal, and Zero reading a book while waving to her. "You have one minute to explain yourselves. NOW!" Twilight commanded. Spike began the whole story of leading up to their arrival here. It took a few minutes before Twilight could respond to what she just heard. "And what makes you think I'm going to believe all of that?" asked Twilight. "Well from what we've heard you've been through you can't say that you don't believe." said Zero.
True. This dimension's Twilight had been through a lot lately and was just about to recover from the whole ordeal. "Well you got me there. I'm not saying that I'm trusting the story you just told me, but I will believe it. For now at least." said Twilight. "Okay good. Now, can I please get something to eat." Zero pleaded. "We have left over pasta if you want any." said Twilight. Rushing towards the fridge Zero found the pasta he was looking for and began making his lunch.
"So can you tell me more about these.......Dragon Chains?" asked Twilight. Then transforming out of her ring form and into the unicorn she likes to be, Jade made herself known. "Why tell you when we can show you." she said. Twilight was awestruck. "Wow." she said. "Mommy. What's going on down there?" asked a voice from upstairs. "Mommy? Twilight I didn't know you had a foal. So where is the lucky stallion?" asked Zero after he finished a bowl of pasta.
Twilight's face turned from lavender to a bright shade of red from embarrassment. "I didn't.......... you........ I..... wasn't...........its complicated!" said Twilight. Hearing another set of hooves coming down the stairs this time they found a little alicorn filly with a black coat, a dark purple mane, slit blue pupils and a shield cutie mark. Spike nearly yelled again at the site of the filly, but Zero covered his mouth before he could do so. "Yell or scream again while I still have this headache and I'll hit you so hard across your face your going to be seeing stars for a week." threatened Zero.
"Yes I know Spike. This may look like it, but she is not who she looks like. This is Nyx." said Twilight. "Mommy didn't Spike leave for Royal Business at Canterlot?" Nyx asked. "She looks just like..." Spike couldn't get the word out because Twilight shook her head really fast. "Nyx did used to be her, but when she was born from a spell it left her uncorrupted by her past's evil ambitions. She was innocent for a time at least, but thats all in the past right Nyx?" said Twilight. "Right." replied Nyx.
As time went on into the night the group didn't notice what was going on outside the library. Waiting in the darkness of the night. Jade wanted to get some beauty rest so she turned back into her ring form. "So are you guys sure your going to be able to capture them." asked the officer from earlier. "We are sure sir. Those three won't get away, but they will be coming with us along with those inside the residence." said a stallion in a white trench coat. "What?! That wasn't part of the deal. You guys were suppose to help me capture those three changelings then turn them into the Royal Guard." said the officer. "There has been a change of plans." said a mare in a white lab coat. Using a bat that the stallion had under his coat he knocked out the officer with a quick blow to the head.
"And your not part of those plans." said the mare.
While inside the library Spike was finishing showing Twilight and Nyx his Magista Minor. "Cool it's like a whole universe, but in super, ultra small form." said Nyx. "I can do a Magista Major, but it takes too much time and energy." said Spike. While Spike was talking to Nyx Twilight let her curiosity get the better of her as she began to move her hoof closer towards the Magista Minor. Her hoof edged closer to the sun and closer and closer. Until she made contact. Suddenly with all her energy and magic was drained in an instant as she fell to the ground.
"Oh I also forgot to tell you that these things can absorb your energy and magic, don't worry though from what I've seen it only drowsiness and lack of magic with stop in an hour or two." said Spike. Then they heard a yawn. "Aaaaaaah. How long was I out for?" said Crystal. Zero and Spike smiled at the dragoness. "Well hello Sleeping Beauty. Did you sleep well?" asked Spike barely keeping his face straight. "Yes I did thank you." she said. "Oh my gosh I can't take it anymore. Crystal look at your hair." said Zero.
Levitating a mirror over to the dragoness thanks to Twilight, Crystal found that her hair was all a mess. Then almost on cue the door busted open and Crystal scream with both fear and the fact that her hair was ruined. Soon the stallion and mare rushed through the doorway. The mare shot two pellets at Spike and Zero from a wooden tube. With the pellets hitting their targets they popped upon impact and sent a vapor gas into the air. "This smells funny." said Spike. "Do you actually thing that this could........do.....any............damage?" and with that Spike was sent off to dreamland. Followed by Zero. The stallion shot three pellets from a tube of his own.
All three of the pellets hit the stunned Twilight, Nyx, and Crystal. Each of them falling asleep within seconds. "Sleeping gas. Works everytime." said the stallion. The mare rushed over to the two dragons and tried to remove their rings, but upon taking off Zero's a powerful magic energy source was revealed. Powerful enough to bring the two ponies down to their knees. "Drop the ring!" said the stallion. The mare did as she was told and dropped the ring.
The ring teleported back onto Zero's claw and the magic energy subsided partially. With their part of their plan 'A' gone the two worked quick and managed to set up some equipment. The the equipment was a circular disk big enough to support four bodies that was hooked up to a motor. "Are you sure they won't be able to track us?" asked the mare. "The guys back at H.Q said that that motor had enough power for two teleportations. They hasn't been wrong before so they should be wrong now." said the stallion.
The stallion dragged the bodies of Twilight, Spike, and Nyx onto the disk first along with him. Pressing a button on the middle of the disk the motor activated, but silently. Then the four disappeared in a flash of light. After that the mare pulled Zero's body and Crystal's and pressed the button. Awaiting for the teleport sequence to kick in the mare saw the officer crawl toward the door with. The back of his head was bleeding from the blunt force of the bat hitting him in the head. "The Organization would like to thank you for your generous donation. Please contact us again," she said smugly as she was teleported away.
"Dang it. Too late. Man we should have more police forces in this town." said the officer before he dropped dead from the loss of blood.
As Spike awoke from his forced slumber bright lights bombarded his eyes to the point where everything was a blurry blob. After blinking a couple of times he was able to see clearly again. Looking at the changed environment Spike noticed he wasn't anywhere he recognized. He was in a plain white room, strapped down to a wooden chair, and attached to a weird monitor. "Finally you are awake." said a voice from nowhere. Spike tried to look around to find the source of the voice, but only found speakers attached to his chair. "Welcome to 'The Organization'. By now I'm sure that you have many question, but your puny questions can wait for another time. Right now we want answers. Please take notice of that monitor next to you." said the voice. On cue the monitor came to life as the screen turned white with a red line going across it. "This is a lie detector. If you happen to tell a lie the equipment that we have wired to you will administrator a painful shock through out your body. Are you ready for your questioning?" said the voice.
"Don't I get a say in any of this?" asked Spike. "Question One. What were you doing in Ponyville?" asked the voice. "Thats none of your business." said Spike. A painful shock was sent through out Spike's body. As he screamed from the pain Spike thought that he had felt this same pain from somewhere. "I didn't even tell a lie." said Spike as he panted. "I forgot to mention that if I don't like the answer you give me I can easily send a shock into your body with a push of a button. Now I will ask you again. What were you doing in Ponyville?" said the voice. "Nothing." said Spike. Once again a painful shock was sent through his body this time it was the monitor that sent the shock. "Moving on. Are you a changeling or a shapeshifter of any kind?" asked the voice. "No," replied Spike. There wasn't any shocks this time."Question Three. Are you in possession of a illegal magic artifact and if so state it's name and purpose." said the voice. "I don't have any illegal magic artifacts." said Spike.
There wasn't a shock that time either. "Moving on." and the game of twenty questions began or as Spike would call it 'The Never Ending Game of Infinity Questions.'. During the many hours of answering questions, Spike receive ten more shocks and a threat to fry his brains out. Soon the person who was talking to him had enough. "We have been at this for five hours and I have barely made any progress. Now you have forced my hoof. Bring in the others." said the voice.
On cue three stallions in silver armor came in through a door that was behind Spike. Behind the stallions were the dragons Crystal and Zero. Followed by the filly Nyx. "Where is Twilight?" asked Spike. " Do not worry the unicorn mare known as Twilight has been place in a containment cell where she will be out of the way. Now moving on. I will continue to ask you questions and a little reminder if you lie or I don't like your response you won't be the one getting hurt." said the voice. Spike growled upon hearing the threat. "Question Sixty Two. Are you from another dimension and if so how did you get here?" asked the voice. Spike thought about the question, but couldn't find an answer. "I'm not sure how to answer that." said Spike. "The filly." said the voice instantly.
Heeding their order, two of the stallions held the filly in place. Her screams and pleas of mercy fell upon deaf ears. As the third stallion raised his hooves Spike tried to close out the sound of hooves meeting flesh and the sound of pain filled screams piercing through Spike's closed ears. Through Spike's clenched teeth he silently cursed himself for even being at the library. If he wasn't there none of this would have happened, but he knew that there was nothing he could do about it now.
When the deed was done Nyx had a black eye, a busted lip, and was coughing up blood. "You monsters!" yelled Crystal "She was poor innocent filly and you had no right to do this to her." "May I remind you that that 'poor, innocent filly' caused the banishment of both the princesses and cause days upon days of night which caused most if not all of crops to fail. If it wasn't for the returning of the sun who knows what would have happened." said the voice.
"That may be true, but from what Twilight has said she has risked your life to save the ponies of Ponyville from being killed, she released all of those who were corrupted, and she faced her punishment with a brave spirit." said Zero. "Moving on! Question Sixty Three. Have you come to deal harm to pony kind in any way?" asked the voice. "No! If that were the case we would have made Ponyville a wasteland hours ago!" yelled Spike as his anger started to reach a new threshold. "I don't like your tone mister. Attack the tall dragon." ordered the voice. This time one of the stallions pulled out a syringe filled with a red liquid.
Then he ripped off a scale from Zero's skin causing Zero to roar in pain, the stallion then injected the red liquid into Zero's body. Though Zero barely felt the needle pierce his skin he did feel an immediate effect of the red liquid after it was injected into his body. His arms and legs went numb. Zero felt his legs give out and fell. Not only did his body started to go numb his consciousness started to go out too. "Liquidized Dragon Bane, but I made sure that this was a small douse. Dragon Bane in this form can be quickly absorbed by a dragon's blood stream and can be quite poisonous. It won't be enough to kill you, but enough to make you wish that you were dead." said the voice. Using the last bits of his will Spike tried to stop from lashing out. Though his dark matter was beginning to rise to the surface.
Light coat of dark matter formed around Spike's body. His powers began to grow in magnitude and caused the three stallions started to get nervous, but they stood still. "Question Sixty Four. Did any others come with you?" asked the voice. Spike kept his mouth closed. He didn't want to lose his temper to have another friend get hurt. "Why are you not answering?" asked the voice. Spike didn't respond again. "Okay since you won't talk...." "Noooooo!"screamed Spike. "Take the girl dragon."
Spike closed his eyes and ears, but he still heard the screams of Crystal. Not daring to open his eyes. Still the screams rocked him to his very core. He had to admit that he had gained a small crush for the dragoness, but he wasn't sure were it would lead. Spike tried to brake out of bonds with his magic, but was astounded to find that he couldn't do anything. "I also forgot tell you that that room your in cancels any magical abilities." said the voice.
Spike was stunned for words. Without his magic he couldn't do anything. After not hearing anything for a couple of minutes Spike opened one eye. In the scene that was laid before them he wished he hadn't. Crystal was on the floor in a small puddle of her own blood. Her body was bruised all over and a major cut ran from her chest towards the base of her tail. Spike looked around towards the stallions and found that one had a iron dagger that was hidden under his armor.
Spike's pupils were reduced to the size of pin-pricks as he lost all shreds of sanity he had left. With a massive roar Spike was consumed by his dark matter as it erupted into a tower of black aura. The room began to shake as the magnitude of Spike's hidden power began to sky rocket. Even the pony that was talking to Spike through the speakers fell down to his knees.
Spike's scales changed from purple to pitch black. His spine scales grew five inches longer and turned to a shade of dark purple. His canine teeth grew to about three inches longer and they became sharper too. He became about a two feet taller and his tail grew a double edged blade on the tip of it. Then finally his eyes began to glow in a blazing red.
With his transformation complete Spike went on his rampage. Building up dark matter in his mouth Spike shot a ball of dark matter at a wall. Upon impact the dark matter ball exploded causing the wall to be destroyed completely. Channeling his powers into his new blade tipped tail Spike slashed at another wall creating a giant gash in it.
Then overwhelmed with the urge to eat Spike pounced onto one of the three stallions. Using his newly sharpened and lengthened teeth Spike bit into the stallion's throat while at the same time used his claws to dig into his chest and grab his heart. Then with a quick motion Spike ripped the stallion's heart out ending his life.
Spike began to devour the stallion using huge bites. Tearing off the stallion's hide and skin, eating his insides with blood lust and gluttony. Then in a matter of minutes the stallion was reduced to nothing, but meat stuck to the bone. Though eating a full grown stallion was not going to satisfy the monster that Spike had become. The other stallions still awake couldn't do anything, but accept their fate. The magnitude of Spike's dark powers made them easy prey.
Not wasting any more time Spike began to devour the other stallions in under on hour. Feeling almost full Spike still had room for one more meal. As he felt that presence of three others he prepared to attack them, but when he turned around he found the reason for his anger, his hatred, his blood lust. On the floor were the three bodies of his friends Crystal, Nyx, and Zero. Though they were not dead, Spike could feel it, they were just merely injured bably. His eyes turned from a blazing red to a blank white.
He couldn't let himself be lost to his greed now. Spike wasn't about to lose this fight, he had to make the pony responsible for this pay. Looking again at the bodies Spike used his dark matter to heal the wounds of his friends. Seeing that he was able to heal the wounds and destroy the poison that flowed throughout Zero's body Spike continued his rampage throughout the facility.
Everywhere he looked he would destroy something. Ranging from a pillar, a room, or nothing of importance. Nothing was safe from Spike now. Seeing more ponies racing to stop him only to be rendered helpless by Spike's massive power. With a hall filled with ponies Spike charge up another dark matter ball, but this time he added more power to it. The ball grew bigger and bigger until it's energy started leaking from Spike's mouth.
Finally, Spike released the dark matter in a form of a giant blast that completely ablitorated the hall way and anything beyond it. Now tha that his path was cleared Spike continued his rampage and killed all those who dared get in his way. Running through hall after hall Spike found something that made him both disgusted and angry. He destroyed a door that lead to a chamber. A chamber of burned bodies. Burned beyond recognition and left to rot in a dark chamber were baby and teen dragon, griffons, wolves, timber wolves, nagas, drakes, almost every type of species could be seen in the chamber.
Spike's anger rose again as did his power's magnitude. "I see you have found my Chamber of the Damned." said the voice. "Why would you do this?! I bet not one of these creatures did anything to you!!" yelled Spike. "Your right, but I could not just stand by and wait for you abominations to ruin our world especially since that little filly almost did." said the voice. "Forgive me. I don't understand your reason for doing any of this!" said Spike sarcastically. "Then let me shed some light on you dragon. When I was a little colt all that mattered to me was my family. They would always be there for me. Then one day when we had a family reunion at a resort, we were attacked by a dragon." said the voice.
"It's rage caused my hole family to be burned beyond hope of helping them, though somehow I was left unharmed. I watched as my parents died as flames burned their bodies as did the rest of my family. I tried to plead that the dragons should be punished for killing my family, but nopony did anything about it. They just said 'I'm sorry, but we can't just harm innocent dragons for one of them deciding to kill your family. If its worth anything we will try to track down the dragon responsible.', but nothing was ever did about it. Then after years of turmoil I realized. If it wasn't for abominations like you I would still have my family and pony kind would be free to do what ever they wanted without worry of harming abominations like you. So I thought I would do all of pony kind of favor by kill all of you abominations off." said the pony.
Spike didn't say anything. He just stood there as if he was in a trance then he chuckled a bit. Then those chuckles turned into laughter.Then the laughter turned into a sinister cackle. "Whats so funny?" asked the pony. "Oh nothing. It's just that I find it ironic. To call me an abomination, but for you to have all of these poor souls burned because your family was burned alive. Its sad that your family died, but to go insane and kill the innocent like this. I would say your the abomination there my friend. Now I'm on my way to kill you." said Spike.
"Good luck finding me. I had my office hidden in this facility just in case there were to be a brake out. Also I don't think you have much time because I have bombs planted throughout the building's foundations. You have five minutes to find me, rescue those dragons, filly, and Twilight. Do you think you can do it all in under five minutes?" said the pony. "Five minutes? Thats more than enough time." said Spike.
Spike ran towards the last place he saw his friends. He had to hurry if he were to save them and Twilight. Whom he didn't know where was being held. As he ran through the hallways he soon came upon a hall of prison cells. Taking his chance Spike quickly looked for Twilight. Though his search for the purple pony came up short. He did manage to find something else. Inside a cell was a little dragon girl. She had pure white scales and black spine spikes. She appeared to be a little younger than Spike himself. She was asleep on the floor curled up into a little ball.
{Spike I know what your thinking and I have to disagree! We don't have time for this!} "Come on Jade! She is just a little girl." Spike protested {Fine. Make it quick. We only have three minutes and thirty five seconds left.}
Using his blade tail, Spike slashed through the bars and went inside. He picked up the little girl and placed her on his back. Spike heard a soft yawn from the little girl, the little girl then started to grab on to Spike as if she was giving him a tight hug. Before she went back to sleep she said something in a soft voice. Though she said it too softly for Spike to hear it completely.
Then Spike started to run to find his friends. Finally he had reach to where he had last left them. To his surprise Twilight and managed to escape on her own and find the rest of them. Crystal was helping Zero with his leg. The dragon's bane must have made it go numb. Nyx looked over at Spike and gasped. The rest soon looked over at the new transformed Spike. "Stay away! I maybe exhausted, but I can still kick your sorry flank!" yelled Twilight.
Before Spike could explain anything he felt a sudden tug on his being. It was as if he was losing his energy with every second that passes. Then he felt himself change. The dark matter that flowed around him was starting to disappear as well as his dark colored scales. His spine spikes began to shorten and his teeth became shorter and less sharp. The white light that emanated from his eyes began to fade and reveal his normal eyes.
Spike was now back to his normal self. Soon he wasn't able to stand due to the lack of energy and soon fell on his side, but before he did he adjusted his body so the he wouldn't fall on the little girl that still hugging his back. Twilight, Zero, Nyx, and Crystal gasped at what they had just saw. Crystal soon rushed to the aid of Spike along with a limping Zero. "Spike are you okay?" Crystal asked. "Hey, whats with the little dragon girl on your back Spike?" Zero asked.
"No......time.....for questions." Spike said tiredly. He was exhausted beyond anything he ever experience. It took the last of his strength just too stay awake.
(Can you care to explain what is going on here Jade?) {Basically the whole build is about to blow up in about a minute, we have no idea how to escape, and we have an extra tag along with us.} *Wait. Can't Crystal just create an ice barrier or a water orb to protect us?* (Crystal is strong, but she is not strong enough to create a solid enough barrier to withstand an explosion of this magnitude.
The little dragon girl on Spike's back began to open her eyes. Having heard what the pony and dragon were talking about she weakly lifted up her right arm. On one of her claws was a ring with a pitch black gem in the middle. With a small grunt the dragon girl used her ring to create a chain that wrapped around everyone in the room. Just as the building exploded.
The explosion was heard for miles and was seen by anybody within range. This included Ponyville and Canterlot. Within minutes a flock of ponies came to the site of the explosion. Though most of them were not able to get any closer due to the flames that raged throughout the entire area. Fire fighter quickly came to the scene too. Along with the Royal Guard, Princess Celestia and Luna, and Queen Chrysalis and Staghorn. "What is the meaning of this?" asked Princess Celestia. While the fire fighter put out the raging flames one of the Royal Guards came towards the Princesses. "Your highness we have searched for the pony or ponies responsible for this, but we haven't come up with anything. We suspect that who ever did this died in the explosion." the guard said.
"Have you figured out the cause of the explosion?" asked Princess Luna.
"Yes we have your majesty. We managed to find the remains of what appears to be a type of bomb. After the flames of cleared we will investigate for anything that might prove of some use." said the guard
Before anything else could be said a pony starting yelling that there was something inside the large crater. And the pony was right. Inside the crater was a large black ball. Using some water magic the fire fighters cleared the fire that lead towards the ball. As soon as the fire surrounding the ball was doused the ball began to unravel quickly. Soon the ball was gone and all that was left was a large slab of concrete, four dragons, and two ponies. "Its that...." Chrysalis started.
"Twilight!" Princess Celestia said as she rushed towards the center of the crater. As she looked over the six beings in on the concrete she could she that they weren't in terrible condition. A few cuts and bruises, but nothing too major. Celestia sighed as her sister came to her side followed by Staghorn and Queen Chrysalis. " They seem to be unconscious." said Chrysalis.
"Guards!" ordered Princess Luna. Upon her call a group of guards rushed towards her. "Find out what ever you can about what has happened here. We will see to it that these six are taken to the hospital." she said. The guards nodded and were dismissed. Princess Celestia focused her magic into her horn. The air around them began to become more dense as Celestia casted her teleportation spell. With a flash she along with her sister, Spike, Twilight, Nyx, Crystal, Zero, and the baby dragon girl disappeared.
Though she left Chrysalis and Staghorn behind. "Um what just happened?" asked Staghorn. His mother sighed in disbelief. "We've been left with clean up duty. Well might as well go explain to the ponies why there is a giant crater here." Chrysalis said dryly.
Garble sat in some open fields as Rubixen and Poison observed the scene from some bushes. All three of them heard the massive explosion that ravaged a large portion of a field, turning it into a crater of scorched earth. While Poison and Rubixen were curious as to what caused the explosion, Garble was angry that it wasn't himself who caused the explosion.
(You must learn to keep your cool young one, or you might just overheat.)
"Oh like I need any advice from you! Your the reason I'm even here in the first place, Dracoma!" Garble yelled in rage.
( I merely offered you a chance at true power, did I not? You were the one to accept my offer and now you must deal with the consequences.)
"Don't you try to turn the tables on me!" Garble argued back. Hearing their companion arguing with his chain began to annoy the other two dragons as well. Though with their observations finished there was no need to stick around this place anymore. There was no need for them to get caught by any of the Royal Guard that roamed around the area.
"Garble! Stop arguing with Dracoma. Its time to find the next ring." demanded Poison as he walked out of the bushes. Garble growled as he put aside his argument for now. He hated being told what to do, but he didn't have any other choice in the matter. With a grunt Garble followed his two companions as they made their way towards the next chain. Seeing as how the Chain of Darkness was already taken by Spike and his friends they would have to find the other.
Using the map that Poison had obtain from stolen map pieces he could see that there was a white dot just a couple of yards away from them. "Well that's surprising." he said. "It looks like we won't have to look very far fellows. Come on!". With that the trio were off to find the next chain.
Resting underneath the shade of the trees was a tired and exhausted teen dragoness. Her scales were as dark as charcoal, but the scales that rested on her back were as white as snow. She was tired from the long journey she made. Using her ring's power she traveled all day and night to arrive at this location. To allow be stopped short by her body's incapability to continue onward. All she needed was a moment's rest and she could be on her way again. Though as fate would have it she would not get that rest.
/) We have company(\
Her ring alerted her to a threat that was coming upon her. At first she thought it was just the local wildlife, but soon her thoughts were changed. She could feel their magic coming ever so closer and it made her uncomfortable. She started to stand on her feet and her body argued with her to sit back down, but through the strain that was put on her body she managed to stand up.
From the bushes and vines came three dragons, all in their teen years. One green, one, blue, and the other one the dragoness knew already. Though at was besides the point. Their rings spoke for who they were and that was all she needed to know. "This is wonderful. The snake, the wolf, and the hell-hound have come to play have they. Well then so be it." she said as she prepared to fight.
Poison on the other hand stared at the dragoness for awhile. Studying her physical conditions as well as her mental state. It was obvious that the female was tired and from just looking at her he could tell that she was in a rush. Maybe he could use this towards his advantage? "Hey calm down madam. I'm not here to fight you. I just want to talk." said Poison with a genuine smile.
"Talk? That's not what you said to those other chain bearers." said Garble
"Or those Diamond Dogs." Rubixen said, tagging along.
"Hush you two!" yelled Poison.
The dragoness just scuffed at the three dragons' stupidity. "I'm sure you three know the rules of this thing. When one or more chains meet each other for the first time in at least four decades they have to fight each other. And if you three are going to waste your time bickering with each other I will just finish you all in one shot." said the dragoness as she charged her magic.
"Now wait just a minute now. We mean no harm, really!" pleaded Poison. He could see that the dragoness wasn't buying it. "Look I can see that you're in a hurry. How about we help you! My name is Poison Von Tildamor. What's your's?" Poison said.
The dragoness smiled slightly as she began to fire. "The name is Vermeria. Remember that on your way to the afterlife." she said as she unleashed a blast of magic energy. Vermeria's attack moved so fast that the trio thought that it was moving at that speed of light. It barely gave them time to react because in less that a minute the spot in which they were standing was eradicated in a flash of white light.
When the light faded two of the dragon's had vanished, but one of them was still in place. Garble was the only one left standing. With his chain activated he created a shield that block the attack. Though not the whole attack. With is free arm he clutch his right side which was bleeding from part of the attack that grazed him. "Hmm. I'm impressed. You've managed to somehow block my attack and sustain a small wound in process. Not bad hell-hound. Not bad at all. Though I'm sure that without your two friends you won't last much longer." Vermeria said as she charged for another attack.
Garble chuckled a bit at Vermeria which in turn made her even more uneasy. "Whats so funny?" Vermeria asked in a demanding tone. Garble just looked at her straight in the eye and smiled even more.
"You know, you should do less of those flashy moves of your's. You've already lost track of two of your opponents." he said. His words confused the dragoness to new levels of confusion. It wasn't until she felt something touch the back of her head did she fully realized the extinct of his words.
Poison had somehow managed to avoid the attack completely and managed to sneak behind her. She could feel his magic working its way through her brain. Through every twist and turn. Every locked door and boarded window was being demolished by his chain's special ability. With a quick maneuver she rolled away from Poison and jumped to the right to avoid Garble.
/)You really need to work on your observation skills(\
'Seriously! You choice now of all times to give me a lecture!' Vermeria said to her ring within their connection.
"Oh now I see why you were in such a hurry." Poison started. "Your looking for your sister." Vermeria scuffed as Poison pointed out her main objective in her journey. It looks like Lumios was lying when he said the Chain of Dreams had the power to go through your memories. "You've been searching for your little sister for half a year now. If thats all you were such a rush for we'll be glad to....." Poison was interrupted by Vermeria.
"No! Since you've been poking around in my head I'm sure you know the reason why I have to find my little sister by myself! I don't need anyone's help especially from the likes of you!" Vermeria yelled. Garble was getting ready to burn the female to nothing, but a pile of ash. Though Poison intervened.
"Look, you're tired and nearly mentally unstable. For half a year you've been torturing yourself. Keep saying that its your fault your sister is gone, but even you should know your limits. Right now you are facing three dragons, one of which you don't even know where he is, and you can barely stand on your own two feet." Poison debated. "I'm trying to be reasonable here, just accept our help."
"The answer is still no!" Vermeria yelled as she struggled to get back on her feet.
"Fine then, I guess you won't care to know that we saw your little sis a little while ago." said Poison as he walked over to check on Garble's wounds. The words that came out of the teen's mouth made Vermeria freeze in her place. She couldn't believe what she was hearing, but she wanted to know.
"Is she still......."
"Alive? Yes, unconscious, but alive none the less."
Tears began to swell up in Vermeria's eyes and began to streak down her face as she silently celebrated that her journey was coming to an end. Though there was one thing that she had to make sure of first. "Take me to her." she said as she strained to keep her tears from falling anymore.
"Hmmm. What was that?" Poison said, looking back at her.
"I said, take me to her!" Vermeria said, this time with a more demanding tone.
"I'll take you to her, but first you must do something for me." Poison said as Garble started to burn his wound so it would close.
"Fine whatever as long as you take me to my sister." Vermeria said.
Poison outstretch his hands towards Vermeria. "My request is a simple one. Join us and I will take you to see your sister." he said. Vermeria reached for his hand, but recoiled in slight hesitation. She still had doubts about what she was doing, but soon she would be reunited with her sister. So it should be fine, right?
/)Choose wisely(\
With a sigh Vermeria took hold of Poison hand and as soon surrounded within a cloud a magic. Everything soon turned to black and Vermeria passed out.
Poison smiled as he signaled for Rubixen to come out of hiding. Rubixen jumped down from a tree just as he magic bow disappeared. "Are you sure you should have done that?" asked Rubixen.
"Of course. Not only will we gain a new member to own team, but she will be more than willing to go along with us. See I can take advantage to her bond with her sister. As long as we say that she will meet her sister again she will be more.......... optimistic about her current situation." replied Poison.
"Whatever man. Well since Garble is going to be a bit tender for the next few days I might as well get some supplies from a nearby village or something. Its starting to get dark." said Rubixen.
Vermeria woke up in a strange room. Everything in the room was decorated elegantly. Even the bed was decorated. Speaking of the bed there was a small lump in the middle of it. Curiousity got the better of her and soon Vermeria removed the bedding just enough to see the small dragoness underneath. More tears began to sting her eyes now. She couldn't believe it. After half a year of searching she finally found her. Mongenia, her little sister. While caught up in the moment Vermeria carefully picked up her little sister in her arms and cradled her just like in the day she was born.
The cradling was soon accompanied by the soft humming of Vermeria. This moment brought back such sweet and warm memories that Vermeria wished this moment would never end. Though like all good things this too must come to an end. All to soon Vermeria felt Poison's magic pulling her back. Back to the forest in which she had met him. This was all too soon. She didn't want this to happen. To be reunited with her sister only to be ripped apart once again.
With a heavy heart Vermeria put her little sister back to bed. "I promise Mongenia, I'll find you again. This time we can go back home. We can go visit your mother when we get back. You know she's about to wake up. It would be a shame if she woke up and her kids weren't there with her." Vermeria said through the tears. Soon she wiped her face clean, for she didn't want Poison to see her in this state.
She aloud the cloud of magic to consume her and in the next moment she was gone.
