Royal Blood
Princess Celestia, the kind ruler of Equestria.
She has done things for the sake of her people, there were very few things she regretted. It was her people before anything else, any less and she wasn't worthy of being a ruler. She overthrew the previous Tyrant. She banished her only sister. She has apprenticed some of the greatest Unicorns in history.
In doing so she has created a nation for ponies to live. Equestria, a nation of Friendship and Harmony. A kingdom that has experienced over a millennium and a half of peace and happiness.
Now that peace was once again threatened.
"Why Spike, why?" She spoke to nopony.
"Sister, what has thine tail in a bunch?" The voice belonged to Celestia's sister, Princess Luna. Co-ruler of Equestria and Mistress of the moon. "You're not having second thoughts, are you?" She asked. "Remember our peace contract between us and the dragons are on the line." Luna spoke. "This was inevitable."
"I know."
"You can not allow your personal feelings to get in the way." Her sister continued before smiling. "Then again, if you didn't, you wouldn't be the beloved ruler you are."
"Co-ruler." She reminded her sister.
"As your Co-ruler, we-I shall aid you with this burden."
"It's time."
In walked Spike, the source of their conversation. Behind him, walked the mane six.
The baby dragon gave a bow before meeting their gaze. He stood there nervously, awaiting for anything.
"Spike." Princess Celestia began softly. "I need you to tell us exactly what happened."
"Well..." He began.
-Two Days Ago
"Spike, are you ready?"
The baby dragon looked at the Alicorn in confusion. What was he supposed to be ready for. He saw that the Elements of Harmony were gathered in the library, but why.
"I know that look!" Pinkie spoke energetically. "That's the 'I forgot what we're doing' look I get when I'm not baking or partying, sleeping, eating..."
"Can you blame me?" Spike asked. "She just dragged me out of bed and told me to get ready, no explanation.
"I've told you eight times that we're going exploring." Twilight sighed.
"That does sound familiar." Spike admitted.
"Into the of the dragon in the Everfree forest."
Spike snapped his claws in realization. "Now I remember, I've been suppressing that bit of info."
"Spike!"
"What do you need me for?" Spike asked. "You've got Applejack for strength." Said mare smiled proudly. "Rainbow Dash for speed." Said mare smiled smugly. "Fluttershy's stare." Said mare smiled timidly. "Your power." Said mare just smiled. "And Pinkie's...senses." Said mare smiled happily.
"All so true." Rainbow spoke.
"What about me Spike?" Rarity asked with a quivering lip. "Don't I have any useful qualities?"
"Of course!" Spike hastily answered. "You have charm, a cunning mind and..."
"Let's go before this dragon makes me barf." Rainbow spoke.
"Don't be rude Rainbow." Rarity spoke "Spike was only speaking honest truth."
"Oh brother." Applejack sighed, with a roll of her eyes.
"Wait, why are we going to visit this dragon?" Spike asked.
"Remember what happened during your greed growth?" She asked, knowing that he did. "Well I realized that Equestria has very little knowledge of dragons." Twilight explained. "We may need some of the information that this dragon could provide us."
"I wanted to be the first pony using dragon stunts." Rainbow spoke. "The Wonderbolts will be breaking down my door to get to me." She gained a cocky grin. "If not, I'll have kicked two dragons."
"I just want to know how dragons party!" The pink mare shouted.
"Spike, a big and strong gentle dragon like you doesn't intend to let a group of defenseless mares go into such a dangerous forest on their own, right?"
Spike looked into Rarity's big blue eyes, already lost in them. Apparently he was so lost that he had forgotten he had stated they weren't defenseless.
But how could he say Rarity was wrong?
"I guess it's my duty to escort you all through the forest." Spike said, already marching out the front door.
The mares all rolled their eyes with similar thoughts running through their heads.
The trip was mostly uneventful and, luckily for them, safe.
"Where are all of the creatures?" Rainbow asked.
"Beg your pardon?" Applejack spoke.
"Well usually by now we'd have run into something!" Rainbow wailed. "But now we're walking through here like we own the place."
"Don't we do that where ever we go?" Pinkie asked.
"Not the point."
It was true, the Everfree was always a strange place, something like this just wasn't right. None of the usual, or unusual, animals were running about.
"Darlings, we should be enjoying the peace we're getting." Rarity spoke. "It's not often our adventures are so."
"Actually, I think we should be on guard." A timid voice spoke. "I mean, if you want."
All eyes turned to Fluttershy.
"Well it's just...the Everfree is like an ocean and each creature is a piranha." She looked for the right words. "When a swarm of piranha won't take on the prey, it's because there's a shark near by."
The little bit of information was able to unnerve the group.
The Everfree is full of fierce creatures. They all thought. What could possibly be the shark of this forest?
The answer was too frightening for them to try to imagine.
Spike and the Main Six stood in front of the cave inside of the Everfree forest.
Now that they were there, everything seemed bigger and more dangerous. It seemed to dawn on them that they were entering a dragons cave.
"Well Twilight." Rainbow spoke. "We're right behind you."
"After you Rainbow." The Alicorn spoke. "I wouldn't want to keep you from the Wonderbolts."
The mares and dragon just continued to stand there.
"Well we won't get anything done just standing here." Pinkie exclaimed. The pink mare began bouncing inside the cave. "Hello, is any dragon home?" She called at the top of her lungs.
The group followed the Earth pony inside, with more caution
As they traveled inside, they took a moment to examine the cave.
"It seems to be empty."
"Not entirely." Spike said as he began licking his lip.
Inside of the cave was the largest collection of gems anypony had ever seen. They practically reached the height of the cave's ceiling and where spread out enough to reach both cave walls. It was a true dragon's hoard.
"What are a bunch of ponies doing in my den?" A loud voice questioned.
The mares and Spike turned to see a large and angry green dragon. He looked just as Spike and Twilight remembered from their last encounter.
Large and Angry.
"Hello Mr. Dragon." Twilight spoke in a diplomatic tone. "We came requiring your assistance."
"Oh?" He questioned. "What do you offer me?"
"Offer?" Rainbow questioned.
The dragon walked past them and laid upon his hoard. He stared down at the ponies with a look mixed between smugness and amusement.
"You didn't think I'd give my assistance for free did you?" He asked before growling at Spike and Twilight. "Especially to those who have already invaded!"
Spike just cowed behind Twilight, in fear of the elder dragons rage. The mare didn't, she was prepared for this and took out a book.
There were several eye rolls, but the dragon looked on in interest.
"I have here a one of a kind book from an era long forgotten." She spoke. "There is no other known copy in the entire pony community." She looked sad to give it up. "It's pretty much priceless."
The dragon leaned into the pony circle to examine the book. Twilight used her magic to place it into his giant claw. He blew a puff of smoke before giving the mare a nod of approval.
"A fine gift." He admitted before smiling cruelly. "But you made one mistake." His voice caused them to shiver. "You and the gift are already here, meaning I already own them."
"Hey you big lug...!" Whatever Rainbow Dash was going to say was lost in a roar from the dragon.
He turned his attention towards Spike. "You should keep your pony in line." He growled. "Now begone, before I forget that my belly is full and devour you bunch."
The mares were outraged by the dragon before them.
"You over grown ruffian!" Rarity spat.
"You bunch come uninvited into my home! The hatcheling has stolen from my hoard! Now you dare to lecture me!" He growled. "I have had enough of these insults!"
The dragon raised his massive form and loomed over the ponies. The fire growing in his maw, flickering with his rage.
Then, Tartarus broke loose.
Twilight had acted on instinct, she had extended a magical field over her and her friends and teleported out of the cave. This was done just in time to avoid becoming over-cooked ponies.
Unfortunately, she only teleported a few feet outside of the cave.
"We have to get out of here Twilight!"
"I need to focus to get us to Ponyville." Twilight explained.
The Alicorn's horn began glowing as she prepared to take them to safety. Her concentration was broken by the dragon bursting from his cave with a deafening roar.
The dragon didn't wait a single second. He sent a raging wall of flame towards the ponies.
It was only thanks to Twilight's shield that they hadn't been turned to ashes, but the strain was too much. As the fire died down, the Alicorn lost consciousness.
"Twilight!" They all cried.
"She's an Alicorn now, immortal!" Rarity yelled. "We, on the other hoof, are not!"
"What do we do?!"
"Get him!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she charged.
The mares charged.
Spike didn't charge with the other mares. Not that he felt he could be of much use.
He stayed by Twilight, never taking his eyes off of her still form. Even as the other mares began falling to the larger dragon's might.
If she hadn't been a Princess... He cut off that train of thought.
If she hadn't been an immortal, this would have been the end of her. He had been so close to losing her.
The mare that had hatched him, gave him life. The mare that raised him and taught him everything he knew. The mare that protected him. Cared for him. Loved him.
In every since of the word, his mother.
He looked at the larger dragon that had hurt her. The dragon that was hurting his other ponies.
I-I can't just stand here! He thought. I have to help them.
But how, that was the problem.
He wasn't big or strong enough to fight the beast. He couldn't fly as a distraction.
It still would't stop him from trying, he would do whatever he could.
But what can I do?! He asked himself. I've got to do something to take his attention away from them.
Take...take...take!
That's it!
He looked towards the dragon's cave, the entrance was unblocked. The beast was too busy with his ponies.
Not for long!
Spike had easily ran past the dragon, it was easy with him being so preoccupied.
Deeper and deeper into the cave he ran. He only stopped when he came across the hoard.
It was glorious pile of delicious gems of different varieties. All piled, as far as the eye could see.
"Spike want!" He shouted.
Nothing.
He felt desire for the gems, but it wasn't enough. It wasn't the overwhelming and primal avarice he had from his birthday.
"Why, why isn't it working?!"
He needed it. He needed the power. He needed the greed!
Do you?
Then he froze, not of his own free will. It was like he was caught in something. Caught in the grip of something not there!
It was like a black hole! It was outwardly quiescent yet violent at the heart, uncanny, hostile, primeval, emitting a negative radiance that draws all towards it, gobbling up all who come too close. Spike felt as if his whole body was being crushed, yet torn apart by the pressure.
It was maddening!
What will you do with it?
Usually when you hear a voice in you head offering you something, you assume it's Discord. Yet the Draconequus didn't compare the what he felt.
This voice was...heavy. That was the only way to describe it, heavy. It made since, with the sensation from before, this was the only thing that matched.
"I...I n-need to save m-my friends." He answered, sounding pathetic.
The presence only seemed to be annoyed by his weakness
Here's a taste.
The dragon had just beat the ponies, as he new he would. He hadn't killed them though. He had to savor his victory, even if it had been inevitable.
"Pathetic, you believed you could beat me?" The dragon asked.
The ponies stared back at him, tired and sore, but still defiant.
"Do your worst!" Rainbow Dash spat.
"Glady!"
The dragon raised his head back, his maw filled with a fire and a roar of victory.
He was silenced a boulder colliding with his head.
"Woah!" Rainbow shouted.
The dragon and ponies turned to the one who had tossed the boulder. They had expected to see one of the Princesses or another giant beast. Maybe a passing pony who decided to risk their life to aid them in such a dire situation.
Instead, they saw a baby dragon.
It had come from Spike!
He had a savage and unnatural look in his glowing green eyes! His fangs were bare and his claws looked as if they were extending! A column of smoke was rising from his nose with sparks of fire licking his mouth. It even looked as if his body was growing.
"Spike?" The mares questioned.
"Get away from my ponies!" He growled.
The dragon looked down at the that one who had attacked him. The hatcheling couldn't have been bigger than the dragon's claw, yet he stood there, defiantly. He couldn't help but let out a barking laugh at the whole situation.
"So the whelp has some fight in him?" He questioned. "Well lets..."
The ponies were curious as to why the dragon had suddenly when silent. Not only was he silent, he looked less arrogant! More respectful?
They followed his gaze towards Spike. Specifically, his shadow. It seemed to be stretching outwards, taking the outline of a beast. One that had grown to be very vast
"Old blood." He whispered. "So, you actually have a bit of dragon blood in you?" He wasn't answered. "Then I'll be sure to give you a respectful death!"
He reached one of his large arms at the baby dragon, intending to grab him. He hesitated for a second when Spike actually lunged at his claw.
Quickly, Spike latched on an began running up the elder dragon's arm.
Taking a deep breath, he let loose a fire larger than he ever had. It still carried it's usual emerald color, but it had a ferocity never before used. It practically consumed the elder dragon's entire head, it seemed to settle for pushing it to the side.
The dragon roared in pain as he swiped Spike off of him and into the air. The baby dragon could only flail as he free fell.
Before Spike could hit the ground, the dragon swiped him with is tail. He hit the wall of the cave with more force than he would have the ground. It hurt worst than anything Spike had ever felt before.
It's not enough.
Pathetic. The voice spoke. Even with all that power I gave you, you're still too weak!
Please...
...You had better be grateful.
Spike felt the sensation wash over him again. The fire in him that had been lit on his birthday. The same primal and greedy feeling from inside the cave.
On an entirely different scale.
Spike's body began to experience an intense pressure. It was as if his body was being pulled in every direction. He felt his muscles stretch under his scales as if they would tear. He neck and tail elongated on his body. His bones began to crack under the strain of it it all. Growing at an unnatural rate just to keep up.
The spectators could only watch in horror as Spike grew to the size of the green dragon. Then further.
The green dragon was no longer amused, or even angry. He actually felt a since of dread at the former hatcheling before him.
'Spike' looked down at the beast below him, easily half his size.
Easily half as weak.
'Spike' moved forward with speed a creature his size shouldn't be able to produce, yet he did.
He grabbed the dragon by the neck with one of his massive claws. With tremendous strength, he hefted the green dragon off of the ground and squeezed.
The chocking dragon tried to claw his way free, but he couldn't penetrate Spike's hardened scales.
"M-mercy...please!"
"After that, I don't know what happened." Spike admitted.
"We believe we can aid you." Princess Luna stated.
In Canterlot
In the Castle, two Alicorn's shuddered as they felt a wave of power pass through them.
Princess Luna was able to quickly brush the sensation away. Princess Celestia, was still suffering from it. Luna saw in her eyes a mixture of regret and...fear?
It has been ages since Luna has seen that look on her sister's face.
"Sister, what has thine tail in a bunch?" Luna spoke.
"Luna...bad knews." Celestia spoke.
"What?" What could be so bad?
"Are you familiar with Spike?"
"Spike, he is Twilight Sparkle's...assistant?" She questioned. "We are familiar with him, why?"
"Remember our peace contract, between us and the dragons?" Celestia asked. "The one that gave us an egg as part of the treaty." She sighed. "That was Spike's egg."
As Princess Celestia spoke, Luna began experiencing the same dread that her sister displayed.
"Is it time?"
"I'm afraid so." The Sun princess answered.
"Then let us go and do what we can."
Using a locator spell, they were able find their exact location. Using magic on a level higher than an average Unicorn, the Alicorns were gone in a flash of light. Princess Luna and Celestia were on her way towards the Mane six and specifically, Spike.
The Sun and Moon Princesses arrived onto a seen that wasn't too unexpected, at least for them.
A giant green dragon was being strangled by an even larger purple dragon.
"His blood must be powerful to be that size." Luna stated. "Who is his sire?"
Celestia looked down before answering. "Belgabad."
For the first time since her return, Princess Luna wished she was back on the moon.
The Princesses caught the first sign of the mares, they were behind Spike. Each one seemed bruised and charred, but alive.
"Sister, I shall attend Spike." Luna assured. "You save the ponies."
With no more words, the Sun princess was off.
Luna herself flew too Spike, though he didn't seem to notice. He didn't seem to notice anything but the dragon he was strangling.
"WE ARE THE PRINCESS OF EQUESTRIA!" She spoke in the Canterlot voice, but was greeted with silence. "WE KNOW YOU CAN HERE US!"
The transformed Spike turned a crimson eye, instead of his emerald green, towards the co-ruler of Equestria. He studied her for a second before fully focusing on Luna.
"Thought you were spending some time on the moon for misbehaving." The possessed Spike spoke. "Get off for good behavior?"
Luna was angered by the comment, but didn't let it show. She would not allow herself to be goaded like a child.
"Does thou wish for him to burn up?" She asked in her normal voice. "If thou keeps this up, only death awaits him, or worse."
The dragon actually took a look of consideration before before sighing.
"Fine, I shall release the whelp." The possessed Spike spoke. "I leave the rest to you."
As he said, he released Spike from the hold he had over him.
The greed that had been fueling Spike seemed to dissipate into nothing. In doing so, Spike lost the gigantic size that had been sustaining him.
Just as he did on his birthday, he free fell.
The green dragon caught him before he came close to hitting the ground.
He examined the whelp, the dragon, that nearly ended his life. Finding it hard to believe that it ha almost happened.
"Dragon, we shall take him." Luna stated. "Or does thou wish to have revenge on a harmless child?"
The dragon made a sound of humorless laughter.
"He is hardly harmless." The dragon stated. "But I will concede, I do not wish to bring his wrath upon myself for killing this whelp."
"A wise choice." Luna agreed.
After the fiasco with the green dragon, Spike and the mares were taken straight to Canterlot. There they were given a full day's rest and medical treatment from the best Doctors.
"So let me get this straight!" Rainbow Spoke "After we, the Elements of freaking Harmony, lost to that overgrown gecko." She pointed to Spike. "Spike, tapped into some kind of dragon power that possessed him, and then whooped the overgrown gecko?"
"In a crude manner, yes." Luna answered.
All eyes turned to the baby dragon in question.
"HOW?!"
Princess Celestia stepped up to speak.
"What Spike did was called Old Blood." She explained. "It allows them to call upon the strength of an ancestor, no matter how far back." She cast an eye to Spike. "Only dragons of a powerful lineage are capable of it."
"Then why did Spike lose control?" Twilight asked. "Was it like the greed growth from his birthday?"
"Not exactly." Princess Celestia spoke. "It was because Spike used the Old Blood on an ancestor that is still alive."
"I have family?" Spike asked.
"Yes." Princess Celestia answered. "I know you have often wondered about your family." She stated. "Tell me Spike, have you ever wondered why I had your egg?"
"Because you found it?" He guessed.
"My little ponies." Princess Celestia spoke kindly. "What I say next is for Spike's ears only."
"But Spike doesn't have ears." Pinkie stated. "How ca-"
She was silenced by a well placed apple to the mouth.
"We understand Princess." Applejack spoke.
Spike watched the mares leave, upset that he wouldn't have them to lean on in this situation.
"Spike, we did not find your egg." Princess Celestia stated.
"Nor did we steal it." Luna added. "We know you may have had the idea run through your mind."
"Spike, your egg was given to me-us." Celestia explained, motioning to Luna. "It was part of a piece treaty."
"Spike, thou are the only thing keeping the dragons from waging war on all of Equestria." Princess Luna stated.
"Wha-what kind of treaty is this?"
"A treaty of harmony." Celestia spoke. "It will show that ponies and dragons can live side-by-side."
"Or that we're too different to co-exist." Luna stated factly. "That would result in nothing less than an all out war with the dragons."
"A war I doubt we could win." Celestia admitted.
"I'm sure you're curious as to why I had you taught in politics and such while Twilight studied magic." The white Alicorn spoke. "It would be so that you are ready for your position upon your return."
"My return?"
"Spike, you will be heading to the Dragon Kingdom to show if the treaty worked..."
"Or failed." Luna finished.
It was a lot for the baby dragon to take in. It would be a lot for any-dragon, pony, or griffon to take in!
He had only one question. "When?"
"First thing tomorrow." Princess Luna answered. "We-I shall personally escort you to the boarders."
"Today, you should spend time with your friends and..."
"PARTY!"
Pinkie Pie's voice rung throughout the entire library. She wanted to throw a party large enough that Spike won't feel he missed any of the one's she'll throw while he's gone.
And she will.
Basically, it was a party in advance for the baby dragon.
The party had been fun, as always. It was full of singing, dancing, and most importantly, happiness. There was just that creeping since of sadness no amount of cake could fix, Pinkie still tried.
Spike looked at the ponies that surrounded him.
At least I'll have them to comeback to.
But now, he had his duty.