One dragonfly. Two dragons. Three brothers. Six ponies. One family. One legend for all!
When the realm of magic is under attack by the Dark Master and his Dark Army, two dragons will unite with their friends to put together a team, and fight back for the forces of good.
Additional Tags: Comedy for Sparx and Pinkie Pie's antics.
In the Year of the Dragons, in the realm of magics and wonders, I, like all the others, awaited the birth of the second purple dragon of whom the prophecies foretold.
But the Dark Master heard the prophecies as well.
I should've hidden the eggs long before, but I....I thought we were ready, I thought we were safe....oh..... how I was wrong.
The elders and I were tending to the eggs, on the night the Dark Armies arrived to destroy them all, to prevent the birth of the purple dragon. We had been betrayed by one of our own. He had led the Dark Armies to our hiding place.
Nevertheless, we did what must be done to insure the lives of the two purple dragons'.
"Three, two, one!" a child counted, watching the sun set over the horizon. "We have sundown!" Driven by enthusiasm, the child suddenly spreads his wings out to the side, as he took flight, with the sunlight, shining off of his majestic scales, revealing himself to be a dragon.
Sparkles of lights emitted with each flap of his wings, as the dragon child flew over the woods, doing aerial tricks from a spin, to a roll, and to a loop.
"Whoo-hoo!" The child cheered, flying at high speed, breaking through puffs of clouds, startling some birds from their trees, and scaring some weather pegasi.
"Hey, watch it!" One of the pegasi shouted at the child.
In response, the child turns around and blew a raspberry at the pegasus, before he resumes his flight. Looking up, the young dragon decided to take his flight up a notch, as he ascends higher, and higher into the clouds. Then, when he's at the peak of his flight, the dragon withdraws his wings as he drops down to the ground.
Opening his eyes up, seeing the ground was getting closer to him, the dragon spreads his wings out, and caught himself in the air, just before impact, and kept on flying.
"YAAAAAAAAAA-HOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" The dragon child roared, as he flaps his wings, thrusting himself forward with extra momentum. Looking ahead, seeing he was coming towards a huge, dense forest, the dragon quickly retracted his wings, before he started weaving through narrow gaps in the branches, leaping from trees to trees. He looked ahead to see a huge boulder blocking his path.
Concentrating hard, the young dragon lets out a huge roar with bright purple magic, outlining the wave of his intensive roar that pierced the air, destroying the boulder, clearing his path.
The child smiled, feeling proud of himself as he kept on flying. That is, until the sound of a gong ringing was heard.
*BONG. BONG*
"Oh, scales," The child muttered, before he flapped his wings, changing directions, flying towards a huge, olden building that rests among the trees. It was the Dragon Temple, a training ground for young dragons to learn, to harness the powers they were gifted.
The dragon child came for a landing on the balcony of the temple, where he was confronted by some elder dragons, "Young dragon," One of the elders began sternly. "This wildly, carefree behavior of yours needs to end!"
"Oh come on, old timer," The child snarked. "Lighten' up. I'm always fired up for everything. Besides, who needs studying? I already know I'm the best!"
"You don't know that for certain, young dragon," One of the elder grumbled. "Your arrogance will be your downfall. And furthermore, you must take your trainings seriously. The fate of our world rests within your claws. You need to-"
"-Learn how to control the other elements, find harmony, and unleash the true dragon within me. I know, I know. You've been going over that since day one. Don't worry elders. I can handle it. Because no baddies would ever stand a chance against me."
"I beg to differ!" a loud voice boomed.
It was a hairy wart-covered enormous ape with one eye as a green shining jewel. Several scars run across his demented face. He has a purple, horned helmet that looks very similar to a Viking's helmet. He wields a pair of scimitar swords and a long staff brimming with magic. His name is Gaul.
With a slash of his swords, Gaul sent out a powerful fireball that exploded upon impact, shaking the very foundations of the temple.
The Dragon Elders quickly acted, "Hurry! We must protect the eggs! Our future depends on them!" With that, the dragons quickly carried out their plans, before they stopped to see the young dragon standing his ground.
"Leave this joker to me!" The child snarled.
"Spyro! No!" But it was no use. The child, identified to be Spyro, was already flapping his wings into battle with the ape. Spyro breathed a stream of hot blazing fires, which the ape dodged, rolling to the side, hiding behind a pillar to evade the attack. After the fire show was over, Gaul poked his head out to the side, firing a green laser from his crystal eye, which Spyro didn't have time to dodge, receiving a scorching burnt at the shoulder of his left wing.
"Ouch!" Spyro winced.
"Stand aside, little dragon," Gaul grunted. "I have come for the eggs, as my master wishes. Stand aside."
"You'll have to go through us first!" The dragon elders stated, as they all stood defiantly, in battle stance before the ape.
In response, Gaul cackled menacingly, "As you wished," With a snap of his fingers, the clouds above all became dark and thunderous, as cracks of lightning pierced the sky, striking the dragon elders, and the temple.
Gaul cackled, feeling pleased with himself, when he noticed the young dragon was struggling to get up. Then, moving as fast as the wind, Gaul lunged forward, and grabbed Spyro, picking the child up with one hand, before the other was surrounded in dark, crackling aura, which he used to penetrate the young dragon's body.
As if ripping his heart out, Gaul pulled out a small orange orb that was blazing wildly, "Well, well, well," Gaul sneered. "Looks like the tables have turned. And if I'm not mistaken, this seems to be your favorite power. Correct? Not anymore!" With that, the ape tightens his grip on the orb, forming cracks on it.
"NOOOO!!!" The young dragon screamed, watching his fire power vanishing before his very eyes.
The orb was broken, and it dissolved into nothing by blazing sparkles, "Now then, little dragon," Gaul snorted. "Stand aside. NOW!!"
Tears streaming from his eyes, the child felt a force of rage, so intense it threatened to destroy him completely. Enveloped in a fiery purple aura, the child snarled, "You want the eggs so bad? HERE!!! RAAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!" The dragon screamed, as he charged at Gaul, with an earth shattering roar, and his whole body enveloped in a coat of darkness.
The last thing the child saw was the ape's fearful expression, before his whole world was consumed by darkness.
“Ow my head!” The voice of a child groaned, as the little dragon suddenly woke up, with a slight bruise on his head, and one of his wing bent out of shape. After his visions cleared up, he was greeted by a nightmare that will haunt him forever, "Oh no! What have I done?" Frantically getting up to his paws, the dragon frantically searched the ruins of the temple, his home, for survivors, but found none. Everywhere he looked, the floor was littered with broken egg shells.
The little dragon wept, with the fire burning in the background, playing their music, his broken wing grounding him, and the broken egg shells as his only companions, with the bodies of their potential parents. The little dragon cried, covering his eyes in vain to keep the tears from overflowing. He opened his eyes for a moment, revealing they had been stained red, when he suddenly noticed something.
Sitting among the rubbles of the temple, was a small purple egg with darker purple spots.
The little dragon quickly ran over to inspect the egg, breathing a sigh of relief to see it was alright, “It’s okay, little guy,” he said, as he gently pulled the egg from its ruined nest. “I’m not going to hurt you. I’ve got you. You’re safe with me.” The little dragon looked, and he was glad to see no cracks on the egg that would hinder the baby’s birth. “It's okay," Looking at the egg, as if knowing the baby can hear him, the child began, "Looks like it's just you and me, for now. And don't worry, I'll take care of you, little brother."
With the loss of, not only his fire power, but also his home, his teachers, the families he once knew, Spyro was driven to wander across the realms, carrying the egg on his shoulders as his only companion. With a broken wing, the young dragon and his soon-to-hatch brother can only go so far.
They've crossed over forbidding mountains, braved the dangers of fiery fields, and persisted through barren deserts, overcoming obstacles that would drive a creature mad. Even fighting against a horde of thieves who would dare stand between young Spyro and the egg.
Eventually, they've arrived in Equestria, a land of ponies.
"WHEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!" The shriek of a female pierced the air, followed by a splash of water, where huge waterfalls were poured from the mountains, into a huge lake at the bottom, where two pony mares were playing, together with a golden dragonfly.
"BZZZ BZZZ BZZZ BZZZZ BZZZZ!!" The dragonfly buzzed, angrily avoiding a splash from the pink pony.
"Oh, c'mon, Sparky!" The pink giggled. "Lighten' up! Get it? Lighten' up? Because you're a glowing dragonfly?" With that, the pink pony splashed around in the water, laughing her heart out, while the dragonfly shot her a deadpan look.
The pink pony turned her attention to a yellow buttercup pegasus mare, who was feeding some bread crumbs to some fishes in the water, "Hey Fluttershy!" The pink pony called out to the pegasus. "Come join us! The water's great!"
"Oh, no thank you," The buttercup pegasus, now identified as Fluttershy, gently declined, as she resumed feeding the fishes.
"Eh, your loss," Pinkie went back to swimming and splashing in the waters, when she noticed their golden dragonfly friend was zipping over to a spot, flying circles above a bundle of purple and gold. "Hey Fluttershy! I think Sparx's found something! It could be a hurt animal!"
"Oh dear!" Fluttershy exclaimed, before she quickly flapped her wings, following the dragonfly, named Sparx, to investigate his finding. "Oh my. I hope the poor thing's okay," Getting down on her front hooves, Fluttershy took a closer look at the creature, noting its scaly hides, finding only a few bruises along its spines, but not too serious. The creature's bent left wing was what concerned her the most. How long has it been that way?
Fluttershy looked to see the other wing looked fine, which the creature used to cover its face, "Hello?" The pink pony asked, lifting its wing up, much to Fluttershy's fright. "Anybody still in there?"
"PINKIE!! DON'T!!" Fluttershy screamed, tackling the pink pony off the creature, before she frantically scrambled to her hooves. "It's a DRAGON!!" With another look of fright, Fluttershy galloped away, before she doubled back when she realized her friend, Pinkie, wasn't with her. "Pinkie! Come on! We got to get outta here before it wakes up!"
"Hey Fluttershy, c'mon," Pinkie replied, acting like it's no big deal. "He's just a little dragon," She said, before she cooed, "Look at him. He's so cute and all alone. And, what's this?" Pinkie gasped, lifting the little dragon's tail to reveal he was carrying an egg with him. "He's got an egg!!"
"An egg?" Fluttershy asked, sounding intrigued in place of her initial fright. "You mean, there's a baby dragon?"
Pinkie Pie gasped, "Then, does that mean, he is actually a she? A mom?!!"
Sparx simply smacked himself in the face, not amused with Pinkie Pie, "Um, I don't think so," Fluttershy replied. "This dragon looks a bit too young to be a mom....let alone a parent," Sparx nodded his head in agreement, before he buzzed. "Oh? Really?" She asked, as if she understood what the dragonfly was saying. "Oh, the poor thing.....WHAT?!!"
"What is it? What's he saying?" Pinkie asked.
"Sparx said that his dragonfly friends told him, whose firefly friends told him, that this poor dragon got himself hurt during a fight, and both him and the egg have been on the run for a long time now," Fluttershy translated.
"Well, then what are we waiting for?" Pinkie asked, while bouncing up and down. "Let's take them back to town with us!"
Fluttershy instantly went pale at the idea.....well, paler, "Oh my....Celestia, no!" Fluttershy denied.
"Why not?"
"Because he's a dragon!"
"So?"
"So dragons are big, scary, and fire breathing! Oh, I scare myself!"
"But he's so small."
"But he'll grow up to be big, scary, and fire breathing."
"He's got a broken wing."
"I can live with that," Fluttershy snapped her eyes open. "Um, actually, now that I say it out loud, that's rather....um, coldhearted. Especially to a dragon."
"And he's carrying a baby with him."
"Oh, I wouldn't want anything awful to happen to the baby, can I?" As an answer, Pinkie and Sparx both shook their heads. "Oh, dragons or not. Somepony's got to help them."
"So can we keep 'em?" Pinkie bounced.
"Bzz bzz?" Sparx asked.
"Maybe for a day or two," Fluttershy answered, while gently picking the young dragon up, carrying him on her back, while Pinkie got the egg. "At least, until they're ready that is."
"Duly noted," Pinkie beamed, before the two ponies galloped away.
Groggy at first, Spyro slowly opened his eyes to a vision that was blurry, until after a few blinks, it became clear and he looked around to see he was inside a quaint little cottage. He looked down to see his left wing was wrapped in a sling, and most of his bruises were patched up with small bandages.
"Where.....where am I?" Spyro asked, before he noticed something more important. "Where...where's my egg?" He frantically asked. "Eggy? You here?"
"Hey!" A voice chirped, in which Pinkie Pie bounced her way into the room and greeted the little dragon. "How are ya? Sleep well?"
"Where is my egg?" Spyro asked.
"You mean little Spikey-Wikey?" Pinkie chirped. "He's fine. Fluttershy's taking good care of him!"
"What?" Spyro asked, slightly confused on the pink pony giving his egg a name. He didn't have time to ponder when Fluttershy entered the room.
"Oh my! Awake already?" Fluttershy asked, while carrying the egg in a basket.
Spyro's eyes narrowed on the egg in the pegasus's basket clutch, "HEY!! GIVE HIM BACK!!" Spyro roared.
"YIPE!!" Fluttershy screamed, as she took off running, carrying the egg in her basket, and an angry dragon chasing after her.
"GIVE HIM BACK!!" Spyro demanded.
"Are we playing tag?" Pinkie asked. "Yippeee!!"
With that, Pinkie chased after Spyro, who chased after Fluttershy and the egg, all the while Sparx was just sitting back, watching the show, with a white rabbit.
Outside of the cottage, some mares were passing by, when they overheard the commotions, coming from inside the cottage.
"What the hay is going ON?!" A country pony exclaimed, when she looked to see Fluttershy, holding an egg close, while hiding behind a huge grizzly bear, who was holding his arms out protectively, while snarling aggressively at a small purple dragon, roughly about their size, who was snarling in return.
"Oh, hi gals!" Pinkie greeted casually.
Meanwhile
The once mighty structures of the Dragon Temple all crumbled to pieces, as time has done its worse. Even with the fires put out, their scorches remained, as well as the burnt stench that continues to stain the air, even to this day.
The temple remains as it is. In ruins, and abandoned. Or so it would seem.
"Little dragon," A feminine voice spoke, followed by a crackle of energies from a pair of piercing blue eyes. "How far can you run?" With a wicked laugh, a bolt of lightning pierced the sky, followed by a roar of thunder.
"Sorry with the way I acted earlier," Spyro apologized, while helping to clean the mess in the cottage he made, during the scuffle. In the meantime, Spyro took the time to observe and make descriptive notes of the ponies present.
In appearance, the country pony appears to be around the age of a filly, given to her, and her friends' heights and youthful appearances. Furthermore, given to the markings on their flanks, they've been confirmed to have discovered their purpose in life.
The country filly has a coat of brilliant gamboge, blonde mane and tail tied back in "ponytails" with red bands, and white freckles decorating her face, framing her moderate sap green eyes. The marks on her flanks are three apples.
The second filly present is a white marshmallow unicorn, with purple mane and tail done up in curls, light blue eyeshadows coated over her dazzling moderate azure eyes. Her marks are three light baby blue diamonds.
The third filly accompanying the first two fillies is a cyan pegasus filly, with ruffled mane and tail colored in stripes of red, orange, yellow, blue, green, and purple, and piercing moderate cerise eyes. Her marks are a storm cloud with the bolt colored the matching stripes of red, yellow, and blue.
The yellow buttercup pegasus filly, Fluttershy, has long smooth pink mane and tail, with the mane nearly concealing moderate cyan eyes. Her marks are three pink butterflies.
Lastly, the pink energetic filly, Pinkie Pie, has messy, curly, bouncy mane and tail, both colored darker pink, and light cerulean eyes. Her marks are three party balloons; one yellow, and two baby blues.
"I normally don't let strangers holding my egg," Spyro explained. "He's pretty much all I have left."
"Oh, sorry to hear that," The country pony frowned in sympathy.
"Though, just curious," The cyan rainbow maned pegasus filly asked. "How can you tell that egg is going to hatch into boy?"
"Well, from what I remembered, the elders say that you can tell its a boy when its very hot," Spyro answered. "And when it's colder, chances are it's a girl."
"Oh," The cyan pegasus scratched her chin in acknowledgement. "Interesting."
"That all sounds.....wonderful," Fluttershy replied, while still keeping her distance away from the dragon child. Turning her head to the right, Fluttershy took another glance, checking on the egg that was resting in a small basket, wrapped in a bundle. Acting on a motherly instinct, Fluttershy walked over, and place a gentle feather on the egg, "Oh my, he's so warm," She noted. "Is he going to hatch soon?"
"I don't know," Spyro shrugged. "Maybe a day, or two. Give or take. But once he hatches, he and I will be out of your manes."
"Awww," Pinkie moaned despondently, with her mane and tail deflating a little.
"Well, nice knowing ya until then," The cyan pegasus said bluntly.
"Well, until then, care to tell us yer name?" The country pony asked. "If ya have one?"
“Name’s Spyro,” Spyro introduced himself. “Who are you guys? Er, gals? Ponies?”
“Name’s Applejack. Pleased to make yer acquaintance!” The mare introduced herself, before she went and introduced the rest. “The gals here are Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and I believe ya already know Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie!”
“Yo!” The cyan rainbow haired pegasus greeted.
“Charmed,” The white purple haired unicorn greeted.
“BZZZ BZZZ BZZZ!!” The dragonfly buzzed intensely, as if not wanting to be left out.
“Oh, sorry,” Applejack apologized. “The little fella is-“
“Nice to meet you, Sparx,” Spyro greeted the dragonfly, holding a single claw out to shake “hands” with the bug who continues to buzz. “Is that so? Really? I see.” Spyro replied, as if understanding every buzz the dragonfly was saying.
The mares present in the room were astounded, “You can actually understand every word he says?” Rainbow asked.
“Yep,” Spyro replied. “We dragons have an innate ability to understand everything a dragonfly say to us.”
“Really?” Fluttershy asked, with newfound amazement. “That’s so....amazing,” She whispered.
Sparx continue to buzz some more, “So, what did he say?” Applejack asked.
“He said you girls are okay,” Spyro answered, before Sparx buzzed some more. “And that I should be thankful for your generous hospitalities, while we’re here," Spyro went over to a window and looked outside, seeing a town, not too far away. "Where is 'here' anyway?" He asked.
"Why you're in Ponyville of course!" Pinkie chirped, bouncing up and down. "The friendliest town you'll ever find in Equestria! Which reminds me. I gotta go and set up a 'Welcome to Ponyville Party' for you and Spikey-Wikey! Be right-"
Suddenly, a roar of a bear was heard, coupled with the buzzing sound of insect wings.
“What was that?” Spyro asked.
"Oh just the bugbear," Pinkie answered casually.
"JUST THE BUGBEAR?!!" Applejack asked.
Out in Ponyville square, a ferocious beast that resembles a cross between a bear and a bee was terrorizing the denizens of the said town. Every pony were galloping in random directions, getting away from the beast as it continues to leave a trail of destruction in its wake.
Spyro and the fillies he was getting acquainted with soon arrived at the scene, "What the hay?!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"I told ya it was a bugbear," Pinkie replied. "Don't any pony ever listen to me?"
"Now's not the time, Pinkie. WHOA!!" Applejack screamed, as she and the girls all ducked their heads, just as a wagon was thrown at them.
"Oh, that's it buster!" Pinkie snarled, pulling a cannon out of her mane, much to Spyro's surprise. "Nobody throws a wagon at me and my gals!"
"PINKIE!! DON'T-" Too late, Pinkie fired a cake at the bugbear.
"Pinkie, if yer trying to feed him a cake, then might I offer a simpler approach?" Applejack asked. "'Cause the way yer doing it, makes it looked more like yer assaulting him."
"That's because I am assaulting him ya silly filly!" Pinkie squeaked.
With that, the bugbear roared menacingly, "And you made him mad," Spyro grumbled.
"Furious is more like it," Sparx buzzed to Spyro.
"Shall we run for our lives?" Rarity asked.
"Oh yes, lets," Applejack agreed, before she and the girls all took off running, leaving Spyro to face the beast.
Applejack quickly screeched to a halt when she realized Spyro wasn't with them. Turning her head to see Spyro wasn't backing down, "What are ya, crazy? Get away from the-"
"Don't worry!" Pinkie replied, holding a hoof out, keeping AJ back. "He's got this!"
Sparx flew up to Spyro and asked, "You sure you can take this guy?"
"I may not be able to fly," Spyro began, before he assumes a fighting stance. "But I can still fight."
"Well, then I should warn you," Sparx began. "He doesn't float like a butterfly, but he can really sting like a bee," He warned, before he flies away.
Realizing the little purple dragon was really challenging him, the bugbear snarled, as if to say it accepted his challenge. Then, with a loud roar, the bugbear lunged forward, with Spyro doing the same, pointing his horns in the bugbear's direction.
"WAAAAAAAIIIITTT!!!" Pinkie Pie shouted, stopping Spyro and the bugbear, causing the two fighters to look at the pink pony, in bewilderment. Pinkie Pie simply bounced off to the side, singing herself a tune, before she dragged in a DJ unicorn filly about her and the girls' age, with a boombox, playing a fight music. "Okay. Continue." And they fight.
The bugbear made the first moves, slashing its four claws out, which Spyro was able to evade, running side-to-side, before he leapt into the air, ramming his head into the big bear's chest, knocking the beast back slightly. Further angered, the bugbear roared loudly as it quickly beat its wings, slashing its claws at Spyro, who quickly rolled to the side, dodging the attacks. Making a quick sharp turn, the bug bear slashed its arms out for Spyro.
The purple dragon quickly lunged forward, sliding along the floor, horns first, beneath the bug bear, before with a single leap, Spyro performs a quick horizontal spinning motion with his tail, landing a blow to the bugbear's back, crippling one of its tiny wings upon impact.
Watching from the side, the fillies were amazed, "Wow, he's got some slick moves!" Rainbow commented.
Though its flight was slightly hindered, the bugbear was undeterred. Now determined, more than ever to defeat its foe and emerge victorious, the savage beast lunged forward, with is jaws wide open, before it snapped at Spyro, who jumped in the air, performed a front flip and slammed his tail, directly on the bugbear's head, before rolling down the creature's back and landed back on solid ground. Slightly disoriented from the blow it took to the head, the bugbear shook its dizziness away, and quickly turned around, thrusting its arm out, landing an impact on Spyro, knocking the little dragon off to the side.
It was then that the bugbear noticed something about its adversary. The young dragon's left wing was in a sling. In other words, he can't fly. Using that to its advantage, the bug bear beat its wings harder, albeit slighly due to one bent out of shape, giving it enough altitude to be out of range. Turning its head, to see a house nearby with a chimney, it tore the ventilation structure off, hurling towards Spyro, who quickly jumped to the right to dodge the projectile.
At this point, the fillies began to look worried, "I'm afraid he doesn't stand a chance now," Applejack frowned.
"We've got to help him somehow!" Rainbow exclaimed.
"But what can we do?" Rarity asked.
"Team huddle!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, wrapping her fore hooves around her filly friends, plus Sparx, pulling them in close as she explains, "You take the sides. I'll go for the middle. Got it?"
"I think so," Applejack replied.
"I'm game," Rainbow joined.
"Maybe?" Fluttershy said, unsure.
"I'm afraid I don't quite comprehend," Rarity said.
"Just do it," Pinkie replied. "Ready?"
"BREAK!!" With that, the friends all put their plan in motion.
The bugbear picked up a cabbage cart, and was about to toss it at Spyro, when Sparx zipped up to the bugbear's face, making a face, and blowing a raspberry. In response, the bugbear forgot about Spyro as it used two of its spare arms, swinging in vain to swat the dragonfly out of the way, inadvertently hitting itself in the process.
“Stop hitting yourself!” Sparx would buzz repeatedly as he dodges several strikes from the monstrous bee/bear hybrid.
Eventually, it dropped the cabbage cart to the ground, which smashed into pieces upon impact, much to the merchant’s dismay, “No! My cabbages!” He wailed. “This place is worse than Fillydelphia!”
Meanwhile, Pinkie Pie was painting a layer of honey across a long white sheet of fabric, with Rarity and Fluttershy holding both ends of the roll.
“Yee-haw!” Applejack hollered, galloping towards the bugbear, spinning a large lasso at the end of her tail, before she lets it fly, ensnaring the bugbear, by the claws, and pulled on it.
In retaliation, the bugbear started to pull on the rope, bringing Applejack towards it, instead of the other way around.
“Hold on, AJ!” RD shouted, as she grabs ahold of the rope, and joined in the tug-o-war between AJ and the bugbear.
Spyro was dumbfounded at first, watching the act of teamwork in action, “Spyro!” Sparx buzzed, flying over to the surprised dragon. “Now’s your chance! Come on!”
“My chance?” Spyro asked. “For what?”
“Attack the bugbear!”
“Oh, right!” With that, as a blur of purple and gold, Spyro charged headfirst, ramming his head into the beast, knocking it backwards, straight into the sticky honey covered fabric, set up by Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity, before the three fillies wrapped it around the bugbear, ending the fight.
[End Of Song]
“We did it!” Pinkie cheered, together with the girls and Sparx. “HOORAY!!”
“Up high girls!” Sparx called, earning a powerful smack from Pinkie Pie that sent him flying.
Spyro walked up to the fillies, looking rather confused, “What’s the matter, Spyro?” Rainbow asked. “Speechless that we won the fight?”
Snapping out of his trance, the young dragon replied, “Not that I don’t appreciate your helps, but why?” Spyro asked.
“Well, why not?” Rainbow asked.
“Maybe because it ain’t exactly your fight to begin with? And you all could really hurt yourselves?”
“We’d day the same to you, Spyro,” Applejack replied. “Ah mean, fighting a bugbear like that, head on, and with a broken wing? Ya must be crazy to throw yourself in danger like that.”
“It’s what I do,” Spyro shrugged, like it’s no big deal.
“You mean, you don’t actually think these things through?” Rarity asked.
“And you don’t have friends to back you up?” Rainbow asked.
“I have friends,” Spyro answered. “A little. But when it comes to fighting, we’ve been taught it’s every dragons for themselves.”
“Well sounds like to me you need a new lesson!” Pinkie chirped, as she bounced over to Spyro. “Friendship Lesson #1: You mess with one of us, you mess with all of us!”
Though somewhat skeptic at first, Spyro shrugged, “Uh huh,” Spyro replied. “Well thanks.”
“You’re welcome!” Pinkie beamed happily.
“Still, why didn’t you just breathe fire on the thing?” Rainbow asked.
Spyro quickly began to sweat, when Sparx soon flew up to him, “More importantly, what do we do with the bugbear now?” He asked.
“Oh yeah,” Spyro agreed. “So what are we gonna do with the bugbear?” He asked on Sparx’s behalf.
Rainbow Dash was about to speak up, “I don’t know,” Applejack answered as she and the girls looked at the struggling creature, trying to break free.
“Send him to the zoo?” Rainbow suggested.
“Oh my no,” Fluttershy interjected. “I don’t think the zoo is good enough, even for the likes of a bugbear.”
“A circus?” Pinkie added.
“Absolutely not, Pinkie!” Rarity denied. “Even the circus is no place for the likes of this creature.”
“Hmmmm,” Applejack pondered, before she answered. “Let’s send words to Princess Celestia!” Applejack. “She’ll have some ideas.”
“Way ahead of you girls and boys!” Pinkie answered, stuffing a bottle into her cannon, with a parchment paper inside. “FIRE!!” She screamed, blasting the bottle up in the air.
In the meantime, Spyro took his leave, “Hey! Where are you going?” Rainbow called.
“I’m going back to check on my egg!” Spyro answered.
Elsewhere
In a majestic city, high on top of a mountain, in a lush green garden, a young unicorn sorceress was practicing some magic lessons.
The unicorn was mentally reciting some incantations as her horn was surrounded in a vibrant pink aura, which in turn surrounded some vegetables she was practicing her magic on.
A few seconds later, the vegetables began to grow larger and larger, until her ears perked up to the sound of an incoming object.
Reacting fast, the unicorn quickly caught the object in her aura, perplexed to see it was a simple glass bottle, with a rolled up parchment inside.
“Huh, what’s this?” She asked, levitating the paper out, unrolled it to see it was an urgent message from Ponyville. Looking around, the unicorn galloped out of the garden, “Princess Celestia! Princess Celestia!”
Elsewhere
“What happened here? What have you got?”
“From what some ponies have explained, they’ve been overrun by some brutish rhinoceros creatures. And a pack of maniacal baboons.”
“I see. Any reason why? A provoke, perhaps?”
“As far as we know, no. They were more organized, compared to last time we encountered them. Meaning they’ve got themselves a new ringleader from the looks of it.”
“Hmmm. I have a feeling this is all just the tip of the iceberg.”
Later That Night
Spyro laid on the couch, back in Fluttershy's cottage, with the egg close by, "What a day this has been," He talked to the egg. "First, we were welcomed by some ponies, then a bugbear came to town and attacked. But you'd actually have to be there to get what I mean, little brother."
"Do you always talk to eggs like that?" Sparx asked, as he buzzed in. "It's not like it can actually hear you. Can it?"
"I don't know," Spyro answered. "But it beats having to talk to yourself, doesn't it?"
"Whatever," Sparx replied, before he asked, "So what happened to ya?"
"What?"
"You heard me. What happened? How did a dragon like you wound up out here in Equestria, carrying an egg, and with a broken wing and all? And how could you not breathe fire?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Oh come on. You can tell me. I won't tell anyone else. Not like anyone is listening that is," Sparx grumbled. "Well, except maybe Fluttershy. But she's another story."
"Another reason why you're not getting a word out of me," Spyro replied, as he continues to block the dragonfly out.
Spyro sighed in relief, “Peace and quiet,” He said to himself. But he spoke too soon when the dragonfly got back up and continues to pester the dragon, who finally relented, “Alright, alright!” Spyro grumbled. “But I should warn you, it’s a long story and it’s not a good one.”
“Okay,” Sparx replied as he got comfortable.
With that, Spyro told the young dragonfly everything that’s happened, prior to his and the egg’s arrival in Ponyville.
“And you know the rest,” Spyro concluded.
Sparx’s expression was beyond that of shock, “Ooh,” He began, feeling guilty. “I’m sorry man. I-“
“It’s okay. Just don’t tell anyone about this,” Spyro ordered. “Especially to Fluttershy! Understand?”
“My lips are sealed,” Sparx buzzed, mimicking the sound of a zipper, along the mouth.
Spyro was still sound asleep, curling up with the egg close to him, when he caught a faint whiff of flapjacks which stirred him awake, "Mmm, Bahamut, what's that heavenly smell?..." He yawned, before he got up and walked into the kitchen to see Fluttershy had prepared a bowl of salad for herself, a plate of flapjacks for Spyro, along with some other foods for the many animals living in her cottage.
Fluttershy was pouring herself some tea, when she noticed Spyro in the room, "Oh! Good morning, Spyro," Fluttershy greeted. "How was your sleep?"
"It was good," Spyro answered, deciding not to mention how big of a nuisance Sparx was last night. "How about you?"
"I'm good. Thanks for asking," Fluttershy replied, before she nervously looked away. "Um, I hope you like pancakes."
Spyro's stomach growled as he took his seat, "At this point, I'll try anything." With that, Spyro picked up one of the flat cakes and wolfed down into its soft, fluffy, warm texture. After a moment of chewing, his eyes lit up, "Mmmm, this is good!" He mused as he wolfed down another, with Fluttershy smiling at how pleased he was.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door and Fluttershy answered it to find a pegasus in mail delivery uniform. The pegasus took out a letter and gave it to Fluttershy.
"Oh, thank you," Fluttershy thanked as she took the letter and inspected the front to find the royal crest of Princess Celestia. "Oh goodness! It's from the princess!"
"Buzz buzz buzz buzz?!?" Sparx buzzed, which is dragonfly for, "Did you say the princess?!?"
Spyro's interest was piqued when Fluttershy brought the letter over to the table, where she opened the letter to read:
Dear Heroes of Ponyville,
In light of the recent Bugbear attack, I cordially invite you to Canterlot.
Princess Celestia of Equestria.
Before long, Spyro, Fluttershy, Sparx, and the rest of their friends were all on the next train to Canterlot.
"My goodness!" Rarity beamed. "This is such a great honor! I never thought I would ever be in the presence of her majesty, the princess!"
"It's only a matter of time before the princess recognizes my awesomeness," Rainbow boasted.
"I'm kinda surprised your folks were actually okay with letting you fillies go off to Canterlot, like this," Spyro noted.
"It wasn't easy," Applejack replied. "But, it's not like we've ever been on our own before without adult supervisions."
"Yeah," Sparx leaned in close to Spyro's ear and buzzed, "Get this. Applejack once gone to Manehattan, all by herself, when she was just a little girl. But you didn't hear that from me."
Fluttershy was quivering in her seat as she whimpered, "Oh, I hope we're not in trouble or anything."
"In trouble?" Rainbow frowned. "Why would we be in trouble for saving the town? We're heroes! I'm sure she'll award us with a medal, or something."
"OR A BIG SUPER HERO CONGRATULATIONS PARTY!!" Pinkie cheered, bursting out in a blast of confetti, startling the fillies, dragon, dragonfly, and the rest of the passengers on board the train.
While the ponies were discussing amongst themselves, Spyro looked back at the egg that he was carrying, in a saddlebag that Fluttershy had provided for him to use. Draping a protective wing over it, Spyro said to the egg, "It'll be okay little brother," He said to the egg soothingly.
At last, the train pulled into Canterlot station, letting out a gust of steams upon its complete stop. Spyro and friends all exited the passenger carts of the train and into the grand city of Canterlot, the capital of Equestria.
"Wow!" Everyone all gasped, marveling the sight of the city before them. Though, none of them were as excited as Rarity, who was sharing Pinkie's enthusiasm.
"This is AMAZING!!!" Rarity squealed uncontrollably. "We're in Canterlot! We're in Canterlot! WE'RE IN CANTERLOT!!" With that, Rarity did a dramatic pose as she faints into Applejack's arms, who rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"Now, where is your princess?" Spyro asked, looking around the buildings, trying to find the castle.
"Hi there!" A voice greeted them. The friends turned their attention to see a lavender unicorn filly approaching them. In appearance, the unicorn has dark sapphire blue mane and tail with moderate purple and brilliant pink streaks, and beautiful moderate violet eyes. Her cutie mark is a brilliant pink star with five small stars surrounding it.
"You must be the heroes everypony has been talking about," The unicorn said.
"Yep! That's us!" Pinkie beamed. "How'd you guess? Are you psychic? Can you tell me what I'm thinking right now?"
The unicorn shook her head, while looking at Pinkie Pie oddly, "....No...I was simply told to be on the look out for a group of fillies and a dragon."
"Hey! What about me?!" Sparx buzzed indignantly.
"Looks like our reputation precedes us," Rainbow smirked, while nudging an arm to Fluttershy's shoulder. With a flap of her wing, Rainbow asked, "So what do you want? Our autograph? Our picture taken together?!"
"Actually, Princess Celestia sent me to fetch you all," The unicorn explained. "I'm her faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."
Rarity gasped, "You don't say!" She exclaimed. "Well darling, it is a pleasure to introduce myself. I'm Rarity. And these are Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Spyro," Sparx quickly buzzed, angrily pointing himself. "Oh, sorry darling. That would be Sparx," The marshmallow unicorn filly chuckled.
Twilight nodded, "Charmed," She answered. "Now, shall we be on our way to the castle?"
"Oh, but of course darling," Rarity tittered. "Please. Lead the way."
Twilight complied as she led the group, down the streets of Canterlot. Along the way, Rainbow Dash grumbled, "Please tell me she won't constantly say 'darling' for the rest of our life from now on?"
In the meantime, Spyro took a look at the city around him and his new filly friends, marveling at the tall elegant buildings with colors that further compliments their designs.
"Wow....so much colors..." He commented. "Such...elegance. We don't see things like these back home, brother."
"Wow, didn't take you for an art lover," Sparx buzzed.
"I'm not," Spyro replied. "I'm just saying, it's all new to me."
After awhile of walking and observing the city, the friends at last made it to the castle, where the friends all presented their invitation to the guards who quickly granted them passage, "Welcome to Canterlot Castle," Twilight smiled, accompanied by the sound of trumpets.
"Announcing the heroes of Ponyville," A trumpeter announced.
The friends proceeded to walk up the steps of Canterlot Castle, entering through the front doors that were opened by two guards. Upon entering, the friends were amazed to see the interior of the castle was just as breathtaking than the city outside.
"Double wow!" Pinkie gasped in amazement.
"It's cool alright," Rainbow commented. "Though, I was kinda hoping it could be 20% cooler."
"Rainbow Dash, show some respect," Applejack scolded the pegasus.
Spyro looked around in wonder, taking in the magnificent interior designs of the castle. A small smile was slowly forming on his face, "So, what do you think?" Twilight asked. "Enjoying your first visit to Canterlot so far?"
"Uh huh," Spyro answered. "I never knew you ponies would be this....architectural."
"Thanks. We're flattered," Twilight beamed. "Though, truth to be told. We're actually more curious to the lifestyles of you and your fellow dragons!" Twilight blushed as she began to draw circles on the floor, "Though, no offense, we were kinda...."
"Intimidated?" Spyro finished. "Don't worry. We get that a lot. It's not like we aren't used to that by now," Spyro frowned.
"Oh, sorry," Twilight frowned.
Sparx looked at Twilight, seeing how ashamed she looked, then back at Spyro, seeing how his mood isn't any better than the unicorn's.
"Say something to her," Sparx buzzed encouragingly.
"What?" Spyro whispered. "What do you mean?"
"You heard me. Try and make conversations with her. Ask her, 'what would you like to know about us dragon-types?.'" Sparx said, with quote-unquote gestures.
"Why would she want to know more about me?"
"Um, who are you talking to?" Twilight asked, looking at Spyro strangely. As an answer, Sparx appeared before her, "Oh, hi there little guy," Twilight greeted, watching as Sparx darted around the air, zipping as a blur of yellow streaks, back and fro. "Where did you come from?" She asked. Of course, being a dragonfly, Sparx answered in a series of buzzes that Twilight didn't understand.
"He's with us," Spyro answered on Sparx's behalf. "Twilight, Sparx. Sparx, Twilight," Spyro introduced the two to each other.
"Oh, nice to meet you, Sparx," Twilight greeted, to which Sparx answered with a few more buzzes. "Wow, quite the talkative little fellow, isn't he?"
"He's just saying, 'it's nice to meet you too,'" Spyro translated.
Twilight looked at Spyro in bewilderment, "Wow. It's like you can actually understand every words coming out of his tiny little mouth," She said in fascination.
"Actually, from where I come from, all dragons can understand dragonflies," Spyro explained. "It's an innate ability of ours."
"Fascinating!"
"My goodness Twilight," A gentle voice sounded. "Making new friends already?" The dragon, dragonfly, and ponies looked up to see, standing before them is Princess Celestia herself.
In appearance, Princess Celestia is an alicorn with a brilliant white coat that shames a few blanket of fine snow, a flow mane and tail of aquamarine green, blue, and brilliant pink, with a single beautiful violet eye showing. She wore a golden collar with a purple gem encrusted on the front around her neck, a golden crown atop her head with a matching gem, and golden shoes. Her cutie mark is the blazing sun.
"Princess Celestia!" Twilight gasped, before she bowed her head. "I'm sorry, your highness. I-I-I didn't-"
Princess Celestia simply chuckled, "It's fine, dear Twilight," She replied, before she turned her attention to Spyro and friends. "You must be the heroes I've been hearing a lot about from Ponyville."
"Yep, that's us!" Rainbow boasted, before she quickly remembered who she was talking to. Clearing her throat, Rainbow spoke formally, "But it's an honor to be in your presence, your highness," She bowed her head, with her fellow ponies following suit. Spyro, knowing he still need to appear respectful, too bowed his head before the princess, along with Sparx.
Princess Celestia smiled, taken by their mannerisms, as she dipped her head in gratitude, "Please, stand up," She said, to which the friends all complied. "The pleasure is all mine. I am honored have met such brave heroes. All at such a tender young age." Celestia complimented.
Sparx blushed a pink aura of light from embarrassment, "You hear that? She called us inspiring!" He smiled, while Spyro rolled his eyes.
"Your acts of heroism is truly inspiring. Not many young foals and creatures your ages have ever fought a fully grown bugbear and lived to tell the tale," Princess Celestia's continued, before her attention were drawn to Spyro, "Especially for someone like you, Spyro."
"It's nothing, really," Spyro replied modestly, before it dawned on him. "Uh...how did you know my name?"
Princess Celestia paused for a moment, before she simply answered, "Let's just say we both have a common friend, who's been telling me all about you. Though, I never thought I'd actually get to meet you, in pony or dragon, in your case."
"Really? Who? This common friend, I mean."
Celestia shook her head, "That's not important for you to know, right now," She replied, before she addressed to the whole group. "What you all need to know is that this is just the beginning," She began in a serious tone.
"The beginning?" Applejack asked. "Of what?"
"I prefer not having to find out," Fluttershy whimpered, cowering behind Rainbow Dash.
Turning her glance from the buttercup pegasus and friends to her mentor, Twilight ushered, "Please, Princess Celestia. Tell us."
With a nod of her head, Princess Celestia informed the young heroes, "It's the beginning of the dark hours," She frowned. "It's no coincidence that a bugbear would happen to be in Ponyville. For months now, there have been numerous attacks across Equestria. I have reasons to believe they're all connected."
Twilight gasped, "So, what you're saying is..."
"They're all controlled, by someone, whom the monsters are taking orders from. The only question is who?"
The young heroes all exchanged looks of worries with each other, with Spyro hugging the egg closer with his one good wing.
"So, what do we do?" Twilight asked.
"I'm not asking for all of you to fight. You're all but children."
"Hey, we just took on a bugbear, didn't we?" Rainbow scowled.
"It won't be the same as before," Celestia spoke, more sternly towards Rainbow Dash. "More greater dangers will come soon enough. Until then, you're not ready to face them, head on," At the last part, Spyro winced as he recalled his previous battle with ape grunt, Gaul, and looked at his injured, knowing it was one of the prices the young dragon had to pay for his arrogance. "For now, I need you all to remain vigilant, and stay alert."
"You got it!" Pinkie Pie saluted, before she takes out a pair of binoculars, and began scouting around her surroundings.
"I don't think she means it like that, Pinkie," Applejack said.
After their first meeting with Princess Celestia herself, the friends were later in Canterlot Garden, where Fluttershy was attempting to make friends with the animals in the area, while Rainbow Dash was taking a nap in the shade, while Pinkie Pie was busy making mischief, together with Sparx.
Applejack was taking a stroll, with Rarity marveling at all of the statues that were on display, "Oh my," Rarity commented. "Such exquisite designs, such elegance, such originality! Applejack, darling, have you ever seen such brilliant work of art?"
"Well, uh, can't say I have," Applejack grumbled with a roll of her eyes.
"Hey girls!" Pinkie Pie called out. "Check out me, Sparx and Rainbow Dash's arts and craft project!" Pinkie chirped, while pointing to the handiwork she and Sparx did to Rainbow Dash's face.
Applejack and Rarity struggled to stifle their laughter, but they all exploded in an uproar, which woke Rainbow Dash up, "Huh? What?" Rainbow mumbled, looking to see her friends, save Fluttershy, laughing. "Huh, what's so funny?"
"What?" It didn't take long for Rainbow Dash to feel some sort of cold sensation on certain areas on her face, when she looked into a pond, to see her reflection sporting a short mustache, goatee, and a monocle. Rainbow Dash scowled at Pinkie Pie, "Pinkie Pie!!" With an angry flap of her wings, Dash chased Pinkie Pie around the garden, with Sparx munching on some popcorns.
While this was all going on, a shadow figure had succeeded in climbing over the wall, before they started to sneak across the garden, towards the area where Twilight was reading a book, levitated in her magic aura. The unicorn's eyes looked up from her book, and she happened a glance at Spyro, sitting in front of the pond, with the egg sitting close to him.
Twilight watched as Spyro held his paws out, between him and the body of water in front of him. At first, nothing was happening. But all of that changed when the water started to churn uneasily, with bubbles piercing the surface, as if the water was boiling.
Twilight watched in amazement, as Spyro struggles with his magical control over the water, straining to the point where he reached his limit, and he couldn't go on. Spyro took several sharp breathes, looking at himself in the reflection, and splashed the water in frustration.
"Wow, what was that?" Twilight asked, walking over to the young dragon.
"A display of my failure, that's what," Spyro muttered, as he collapsed to the ground. "I couldn't even throw a rock, without picking it up."
"Failure?" Twilight asked. "How can that be failure? That was amazing! I never knew dragons can do that!"
"Oh what do you know?," Spyro frowned. "If you knew, then you would've known that only a special breed of dragons can control the elements, besides fire. The Aethereans!"
Twilight looked puzzled, if not, miffed at the dragon's attitude towards her, "I'm sorry," She began. "But if I may, who are the Aethereans?"
"The Aethereans are a race of purple dragons," Spyro answered. "Very special purple dragons to be precise. The only known dragons that can do magic."
"Fascinating," Twilight marveled as she began to take notes.
"And the Aethereans use that same magic to control other Dragon Elements," Spyro continued, before he began listing them. "Besides fire, there's water, earth, metal, and wood."
"Amazing...." Twilight gasped in fascination, before it dawned on her. "So then, what you were doing with the water, that would.....you're an Aetherean?"
"You're quite the fast learner," Spyro said in sarcasm. "But yeah, I am-"
*SNAP*
"Huh?" The sound of a twig snapped quickly alerted Spyro to turn his head, to see a tall hooded figure, attempting to sneak off, with his egg.
"HEY!!" Spyro roared, sprinting to his feet, as both he and Twilight lunged towards the egg thief.
With a frantic yelp, the thief quickly beats feet, while carrying the egg in their clutch. This didn't go unheard for the others, when they saw the commotion.
"STOP THIEF!!!" Rainbow Dash screamed, forgetting her previous chase with Pinkie Pie and Sparx, setting her eyes on the hooded figure, who just leapt over the wall that separated Canterlot Garden and the city.
The egg thief continued to run down the streets of Canterlot, carrying the egg with them, not daring to look back, knowing that Spyro and his filly friends are not too far behind.
The thief made a sharp turn into an alley, with the heroes following, where they came towards a sign, pointing them in the right direction. With that, the heroes went right, while the thief took left. It wasn't long before Twilight realized the deception, that she blew a whistle for the rest of the heroes to turn around and follow.
The thief quickly hid themself, behind a wall, just as Spyro and the fillies ran past them. Thinking the coast was clear, the thief took a casual walk, with the egg in their arm, only to be tackled to the ground by Rainbow Dash and Applejack. The two strong fillies quickly hogtied the thief together, to a large wooden pole, and started walking away with their prize. However, upon passing through a huge shrub, they were perplexed to see a gray, blonde wall-eyed pegasus filly, in place of where the thief once was.
The chase continued as Spyro and the fillies pursued the thief, into a fashion store.
"Split up!" Spyro ordered. "He's gotta be around here, somewhere!" With that, the fillies and dragon all went their separate ways.
Twilight was levitating some racks of coats, checking for any suspicious characters hiding behind them, before she puts them back after finding nothing. Applejack was searching through a shelf of hats, Rarity took some dresses, before she started checking each one with herself, in a mirror. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie both dove into a bin of scarves, while Rainbow Dash was simply zipping all over the store, until she saw the thief running past her.
"There he is!!" Rainbow shouted, as she, Applejack, and Sparx chased the thief, into a changing room, where they went from door to door, defying physics, in search of the thief.
Before it could get anymore confusing, Sparx stopped in the middle of the doors, just as the thief stood
Sparx zipped towards the thief, just as Applejack and Rainbow Dash came out of two doors at the same time, and collided with each other, with poor Sparx caught in between. The two fillies quickly saw stars chirping around their heads, before they fainted, with Sparx following after.
The thief couldn't help but let out a high pitch taunting laugh, followed by a fast, "Nah-nah-nah-nah-nah!" as they quickly raced away, with the egg still in their arms.
"Not so fast!" Spyro snarled, jumping in front of the thief, blocking their path. "Give me back the egg, now! And I won't hurt you, much!"
In response, the thief quickly took off running, out into the streets of Canterlot, relentlessly pursued by Spyro, who was charging towards him in a blur of purple and gold, horns first.
"I'M NOT IN THE MOOD FOR GAMES HERE!!!" Spyro roared. "GIVE MY BROTHER BACK, NOW!!!!"
In response, the thief started to shove some ponies to the ground, tripping them, hoping that they would somehow slow the young dragon down. Even with one of his wings crippled, nevertheless, Spyro continued in his pursuit, as he jumps, and weaves through the confusions of crashes, before he decided to cut the thief off, by running into an alley.
The thief looked behind him, and felt relieved that Spyro was nowhere to be seen. Unfortunately for him, Spyro was already ahead of him, and was waiting behind a wall for an ambush.
At the last second, "GOT YOU!!" Spyro shouted, pouncing towards the surprised thief.
"SURPRISE!!!" Pinkie Pie shouted, when she appeared in a puff of confetti.
Both purple dragon and pink pony collided, sandwiching the thief in between, causing him to lose the egg.
"THE EGG!!" Spyro and Pinkie screamed, watching as the egg went flying in the air, just as Twilight appeared.
"I got it! I got it!" Twilight shouted, leaping forward, and caught the egg in her hoof. "Phew," Twilight breathed a sigh of relief, before she noticed a tiny crack forming in the egg. "Oh no," She whimpered. "It's breaking!"
"Oh goodness!" Fluttershy whimpered, before she took a closer look for inspection. "Oh, actually, it's just hatching Twilight. That means the baby is coming!"
"Really?" Twilight and Fluttershy watched, as the crack spreads all over the egg, just as the others quickly arrived on the scene, just in time to witness the hatching of the egg, and a tiny dragon emerged.
In appearance, the baby dragon was purple, like Spyro, but his scales are lighter. Furthermore, the little dragon has a row of green spikes from the head to his tail, which ends in the form of an arrowhead, lighter green underbelly, with matching translucent fins on both sides of his head. When the baby dragon opens his eyes up, they were revealed to be piercing emerald greens.
"Aw, how cute!" Fluttershy cooed.
The little purple dragon stretched his arms out to yawn, before his visions began to adjust, allowing him to get a clearer look at the lavender unicorn, who continued to hold him in her hooves.
"Uh....hi little one," Twilight greeted the baby dragon. In response, the baby dragon lunged forward and bit Twilight on the nose, "OW!! What'd you bite me for?!" Twilight yelped, forcing the baby dragon away with her hoof, while rubbing her inflicted snout with the other. The baby dragon managed to squirm its way past Twilight's hoof, before it surprisingly leapt towards Twilight, grabbing her by the horn, and started chewing on it, "Hey! Not the horn! Get off!"
After a firm punch to the thief, knocking him out cold, Applejack quickly ran over to join the group, as they gathered around the newborn, who was currently showering Twilight with painful kisses.
"Aw, I think he thinks you're his mommy!" Pinkie giggled.
Spyro soon came over, and the baby dragon turned its head to see the older purple dragon before him, "Uh, hey little guy," Spyro greeted uneasily. The little dragon ceased his assault on Twilight's horn, as he tilted his head, looking at Spyro with curiosity, "I'm your brother, Spyro?" Spyro said, smiling awkwardly.
The baby blinked for a moment, before it cooed, "Spy-yo!" It cheered.
"Eh, close enough," Spyro chuckled.
"Hey big guy!" Sparx buzzed as he zipped up to the little dragon. "I'm your uncle Sparx!"
"Uncle?" Spyro looked at the dragonfly in disbelief, while Fluttershy struggled to stifle a giggle.
"And the unicorn pony you're chewing on as your chew toy is Twilight Sparkle," Sparx introduced the baby to the unicorn, before going on to introduce the rest of the fillies, "And this is Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity."
Of course, being a dragonfly, none of the ponies understood a word he was buzzing, "Now if I didn't know any better, I think Sparx is introducing us to the baby," Applejack guessed.
"I'm afraid the poor thing won't be able to remember us all," Rarity replied.
"Appa!" The little dragon giggled, pointing at Applejack. "Ray Dad! Peepee Pie! Buttershy! Rari! Wiwight!" The fillies, dragonfly, and dragon couldn't help but chuckle at the young infant's mispronunciation of their names.
"Hee-hee! He called me 'Peepee,'" Pinkie giggled.
"And he called Rainbow Dash, a dad!" Applejack nudged the cyan pegasus playfully.
After the laughter died down, the friends all looked down at the little baby dragon, "Now, what should we call you little one?" Spyro pondered.
"Spy-yo!" The baby cooed, grabbing him by the snout and chewing on it.
Spyro chuckled, "We can't call you that. That's my name," He said, while gently prying the dragon off his nose.
"Hmmm, maybe Aether?" Twilight asked, earning strange looks from the other fillies, Spyro, and Sparx. "What? I thought it's a neat name."
"How about, Dash?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"Rainbow Dash, only you would name almost everything 'Dash,'" Applejack muttered.
"Well I thought 'Dash' is an awesome name for a dragon."
"Barney?" Fluttershy suggested.
"Amethyst?" Rarity offered.
"Rexy?" Applejack answered.
"Hmmm, he looks like a Spike," Pinkie pointed.
The little baby looked up in wonder, before he clapped his claws in excitement, "Suh pah ike!" The baby cheered happily.
"Guess it's official then," Applejack chuckled. "Spike it is."
Pinkie's mane and tail suddenly stood on end, as she bounced around the streets, "OOH!! I GOTTA THROW A HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR SPIKE!! AND A WELCOME TO THE FAMILY SPIKE!! AND WELCOME TO THE WORLD SPIKE PARTY!!! AND-" "Calm down, Pinkie!" Applejack stopped the party filly. "Deep breathes, one at a time ya crazy filly!"
"What's going on here?" A voice asked, to which the children looked up to see Princess Celestia walking towards them. Her attentions were quickly directed on the baby dragon, named Spike. "Oh! Hello there little one," She smiled, bending down to greet him. "I was wondering when you were going to hatch."
Previously, Spyro, Sparx, and their Ponyville friends have paid a visit to Canterlot, at the invitation of Princess Celestia herself. There, the princess herself had informed the heroes of the attacks that have been plaguing across the land.
Not long after that, a thief broke into Canterlot Garden and nearly made off with the egg Spyro had been caring since the beginning of his adventure to Equestria. Luckily, the heroes have rescued the egg, which hatched into another baby dragon, whom everyone dubbed as Spike.
The next day, the Ponyville fillies were boarding the next train home, with Princess Celestia, Spyro, baby Spike, and Twilight Sparkle seeing them off.
"I still can't believe you get to stay at Canterlot Castle, with the Princess!" Rarity said to Spyro.
"Neither can I," Spyro replied. "But it's only until little Spike over there has grown his wings, or at least gets bigger," He pointed to the little dragon who was once again, at it with his baby assault on Twilight. "Until then, we're not going anywhere."
"Well, if you're ever in Ponyville, be sure to look us up!" Rainbow smirked.
"And don't hesitate to give us a call for when little Spike gets his wings," Rarity smiled, as she walked over and tickled the baby a little. "I sure don't want to miss it," She cooed, earning a giggle from baby Spike.
Upon setting his gaze on Rarity, the baby smiled as he reached his claws out, and grabbed Rarity by the nose, "Rarey!" He giggled.
Princess Celestia giggled, "Aw, he likes you."
"Great," Twilight groaned. "So why don't you take him then?" She asked, struggling to levitate the dragon off her head. Everyone all shared some laughs, before the Ponyville fillies started boarding the train
"So long girls," Spyro waved, along with his companions on the platform, while baby Spike held his claws out for the train that took the fillies away from him.
"Do not worry, little one," Princess Celestia spoke comfortably. "You will see them again."
"Yeah. Until then, you've got me to look after you," Spyro added.
"And me, and Twilight," Celestia added.
"Huh?" Twilight looked at her mentor in confusion.
"And as of now, starting effectively, me," Sparx buzzed into view, while struggling to hold onto a huge baby blue balloon that nearly carried him away. "Whoa! Here kid, from Pinkie Pie for your first birthday since yesterday," The gold dragonfly said, quickly handing the baby dragon the balloon from the said party pony.
"Bubble! Bubble!" Spike squeaked excitedly, grabbing the floating ball-shaped rubber, and started to play with it.
"Actually, the correct pronunciation is 'balloon,'" Sparx annunciated for the baby dragon.
"Ooooh..." Spike gasped in acknowledgement, before he shouted, "BABOON!!"
Twilight cringed at the mispronunciation, while Spyro, Sparx, and Celestia couldn't help but laugh, "Close enough," The two boys grinned.
Looking at the dragonfly, Spyro asked, "So Sparx. What brings you back so suddenly?"
"Well, as nice as it would to be back in Ponyville with the girls, I kinda like it better when I have another guy friend to hang with," Sparx answered. "Y'know, someone who actually gets me, and understands me and all that?" Sparx grinned, before he pointed, "That and Pinkie Pie wanted to give Spike that balloon."
*POP*
Everyone all looked, to see the rubbery remains of what's left of the balloon, and the string, dangling from baby Spike's mouth.
"Oh, yeah," Sparx cringed, scratching the back of his head, blushing a shade of pink with embarrassment. "I probably should've warned you about that."
"Oh you think?" Spyro asked, sarcastically.
Before long, poor baby Spike's eyes widened as the pipes broke, and his lips quivered, before he broke out in a hysterical scream of cries, flailing his claws out and about, kicking his legs, and thrashing his tail, much to everyone's discomfort.
"Ow!" Twilight groaned, as she and Celestia both covered their ears, with Sparx and Spyro doing the same. "Make him stop!"
"How?" Spyro asked.
"What do you mean 'how?' You're his brother. Do something!"
"Uh, c'mon Spike, don't cry. It's okay," Spyro winced, failing to comfort the baby dragon. Thinking of a new plan, he covered his face, "Where's the baby? There he is!" He said, stopping Spike from his crying for a moment.
"I think it's working," Sparx buzzed. "Keep it up."
Spyro nodded, as he covered his face again, "Where's the baby? THERE HE IS!!" Unfortunately, Spike burst out crying again.
"Cut it out! You're scaring him!" Twilight frowned, thrusting her hooves out, shoving Spyro to the side.
"Well he said it was working!" Spyro argued, pointing at Sparx, who zips around Spyro, buzzing random words that Twilight was fortunate she didn't have to hear what they are. "Hey! Watch it, ya little firefly! I may not breathe fire, but I can still squash you whenever I want!" He threatened. In response, Sparx simply blew a raspberry, before the two boys winced at another outburst from Spike's tearful cry.
"Come on, Spike," Twilight winced. "Calm do-OW!!" She screamed, when the baby dragon bit her on the nose again.
Baby Spike continues to chew Twilight's nose, working up a slobber as he did so, "Well, at least he's not crying anymore," Sparx chuckled.
"Great," Twilight groaned, as she telekinetically struggled to pull the baby, by the tail, off of her. "Now can somebody please, get him off?" She winced. "Ow!"
Some painful minutes later
After getting her nose patched, Twilight was later in the garden of Canterlot, reviewing her studies and magic homework, while Spyro and Sparx were busy, keeping baby Spike entertained. Though, mostly Sparx.
"Hey! Whoa! Watch it!" Sparx buzzed, evading strikes made from the baby dragon, who was jumping and clapped his claws together, trying to catch the small dragonfly. "Whoa! Almost got me that time!"
This kept on going, until Spike got tired of playing with Sparx, in which the baby dragon turned to Spyro, who was resting in the cool shades of the tree. With a giggle for some more mischievous fun, the baby dragon crawled his way over to the older dragon, held up his injured wing, and looked at it in wonder, "Oooh...."
"Yeah, those are called 'wings,'" Sparx began. "And as you can see, your big brother's got a broken so-Wait, no! DON'T-"
"Nom!"
"OW!!" Spyro jolted awake, as he stood up, reacting from the throbbing pain on one of the tip of his wing, which caused the whole limb to heat up. Looking in the direction of his hurtful wing, Spyro scowled as he tried to brush the baby off, but Spike only chewed his wing even harder, "OW!! Stop it!" Spyro berated the baby. "That actually hurts!"
Spike's eyes started to water again from the angry look he was receiving from Spyro, and his lips quivered, and he burst out crying.
"Oh way to go, Hothead," Sparx muttered, holding his "hands" over his ears to block out the irritating sound.
Though slightly recoiling from the earsplitting cry, Spyro tried to comfort the baby, "Hey, it's okay. It's okay. Just don't bite my wing from now on, okay?" Still Spike continued to cry. "Oh come on. Why are you still crying?"
"He might be hungry," Twilight groaned, levitating a book over her head as a makeshift earmuff. "He's still a baby. All babies need their nourishments."
Spyro and Sparx both smacked themselves in the head, "Duh!" The two boys said to themselves.
"Duh?" Baby Spike repeated, after having a moment to calm down for a bit.
"Now, where can we get food for baby Spike?" Spyro asked to himself, before he turned to Twilight. "I don't suppose you know the nearest gem depot, do you?" He asked.
"What for?" Twilight asked.
"For food of course!" Spyro answered.
In response, Twilight levitated some small gold coins from her saddlebag and said, "Just borrow some bits from me. And then you can go and buy some food for Spike," She said. "No need for gems, and everything."
Spyro shook his head, "Actually, gems are the food," He clarified. "For us dragons."
Twilight blinked in disbelief, "You eat gems?"
"Uh, yeah. I mean, did you ever wondered why we dragons always plunder and hoard treasures, for a living and everything?"
"Uhhh....."
Later, the four were in the royal kitchen, where they treated themselves to bowls of various foods.
"It's not exactly as crunchy and sweet as gem," Spyro noted, while taking a bite of his apple. "But I have to admit. It's okay."
"Okay? It's delicious!" Sparx buzzed, while happily drinking a cup of lemonade via straw. "Mmmm, sugary sweet," With another sip, Sparx's face contorted into a sour face, "Ooh! Make that sour sweet!"
Spyro chuckled at Sparx's antic, before he looked up to see Spike happily munching on a cupcake, "Well, at least you're happy little brother," Spyro said in amusement.
"Again, sorry that we don't have gems for you and Spike," Twilight apologized. "They're obviously not a delicacy for us, here in Equestria."
"Of course," Spyro took another bite of his apple, while Princess Celestia was passing by, with a tall unicorn stallion.
In appearance, the stallion is white with jet black mane, tail, and a goatee under his chin. For attires, he wore a dark red cloak that covered most of his body, yellow strings around the neck that tied the cloak in place, and a ribbon on the front that appears to deem him as an official of sort.
"Princess Celestia, we at the E.E.A. must object to the notion of enrolling two dragons at your school of Gifted Unicorns," The stallion spoke in a rough, stern tone. "It has been deemed that way for a reason. And now-"
"Rest assured, Chancellor Neighsay," Princess Celstia replied in an equal stern tone. "Spyro and Spike won't be much trouble for me and my students. Not when I can entrust them with my faithful student of all, Twilight Sparkle."
"But she is just a child," the chancellor argued.
"And so are they," Celestia countered. "I find this as a good opportunity for Twilight to at last make some friends. And what better friends than two dragons; one of which is just a baby, and the other-"
"Yes, yes, the dragon who helped to defeat a bugbear infestation in Ponyville, I've read about that," The chancellor, however, glowered. "But don't you think it might not be a mere coincidence that a bugbear would show up in Ponyville, and that crippled dragon was just there at the exact same moment? I don't think so. I believe this is all a plot, a scheme perhaps to gain your trust, into letting these creatures gain access to our most vital knowledge in order to bring about the destructions of Equestria."
Princess Celestia stopped, before turning to face the chancellor, and began, "The dangers are already happening around us, Chancellor Neighsay. Far greater than we can both imagine. And while I'm fully aware of our checkered past with the dragons, for the moment, I'm willing to give young Spyro, and his little brother, Spike, the benefit of the doubt. This may be a good chance for us to form an alliance with the dragons. And it will begin with the connection they will forge with my faithful student, Twilight."
“And who knows. Perhaps their friendship may be the only chance we’ve got to show the dragons that there are ponies, whom they can trust.”
And so.....
"Wow," Sparx mused, while looking around Twilight's room, at the School for Gifted Unicorns. "Snazzy."
"It's nice of you to let us bunk with you, Twilight," Spyro said, while carrying Spike on his back.
"Well, it's not like I'm inviting you or anything," Twilight replied. "Okay, maybe I am. But it's only until a new room can be set up for you three. That and Princess Celestia said that I should take this opportunity to get to know you boys and make.....friends."
"Princess Celestia said that? Hmmm," Spyro scratched his head, before shrugging, "Alright, if it please her highness, then let's do that."
"Great!" Twilight beamed, levitating several note cards. "I've got so many questions to ask of you!"
"Sure, ask the dragon, but not the dragonfly," Sparx buzzed in annoyance. "It's not like you can hear me, or anything."
"Though, why don't you ask Sparx, your questions?" Spyro suggested. "You may not know it, but the little guy doesn't like to be felt left out."
"But I don't speak dragonfly," Twilight replied.
"That's okay. He can just give me his answer, and I'll translate'em for you. How does that sound?"
Twilight couldn't help but squeak in excitement, "This is going to be such a fascination!" She grinned excitedly, before she composed herself, "Okay, first question," She began, reading the first note card. "How long have you known each other?"
Sparx smiled confidently, "Eh, I've been living in Ponyville with the fillies in Ponyville, since I moved to the surface, when I was just a little nymph. So I've practically known the girls in like, forever. But as for Spyro, I've only met him just a couple of days ago, when he was taking a dirt nap with Spike, as little eggy," Sparx chuckled to himself, "I have a feeling, we're gonna be the best of friends."
Later, after that night, Spyro and Sparx were sound asleep, while Twilight was up for some late night reading, when she felt a tug at her tail. Looking down, she could see it was none other but Spike, holding his claws out.
"What is it, Spike? Are you hungry?" With her horn glowing in a pink aura, Twilight levitated for him a slice of orange, before she went back to reading. However, in response, Spike tossed the slice at Twilight, before he repeatedly hops up and down, making protesting squeals, "What? You don't want the orange? Here, have a carrot," Just like before, baby Spike threw the carrot back at Twilight. "Cabbage? Artichoke? Um, celery?"
In response, Spike continues to bounce up and down in protest.
Once again, at night, Spike was having another protest, which Twilight continues to struggle with fulfilling whatever his desire was, "You want to play peek-a-boo? You want me to sing you a song? WHAT DO YOU WANT?!!" Even Spyro and Sparx couldn't figure whatever it is the baby wanted.
The next day, while Twilight was attending Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, struggling to make up some lost times due to baby Spike, Spyro was giving baby Spike a piggyback ride, in the school gymnasium, much to his humiliation and discomfort.
"Wheee!!" Spike cheered. "Go, go, go!" With an excited bounce, he kicked his heel into the older dragon's neck.
"Hey! I'm not a pony!" Spyro snarled. "I'd like to see you do that to Twilight!"
Later that evening
After their piggyback activity together, baby Spike was back at Twilight's room, while Spyro had some time to himself in the Canterlot Garden.
The exhausted young dragon collapsed to the ground, "Finally," Spyro yawned. "Peace and quite," With that, he was out like a bulb. However, it didn't last very long.
As fast as lightning strikes, Spyro suddenly finds himself back in the burning ruins of the Dragon Temple. Only this time, it was much more horrifying than it was before. Everywhere Spyro looked, he not only found the broken shells of the eggs he failed to protect, but also the bodies of many dragons, who have lost their chances of becoming parents.
"No, not this again!" Spyro frowned, as he struggled to escape the terrible vision. "No, no, no!!"
"Oh yes," A dark voice boomed, as the shadows all formed together into the hideous face of the ape, whom Spyro thought he had defeated. "Don't you see little dragon? You can never escape," Gaul chuckled darkly. "You cannot run, you cannot hide from us. We will find you. And when we do, we will have our revenge, and destroy you, just as you had destroyed your home, and your family!!!"
To add the ferocity of his nightmare, Spyro's ears were pierced by the shrieks of all the dragons, dying in the raging flame that Spyro had lost, with the ghost of Gaul hovering above him, laughing, together with several tall shadows who joined in, watching the misery unfolding before them.
Spyro's eyes snapped open, as he jolted awake, panting heavily. Looking around him, Spyro was relieved to see he was back in Canterlot Garden.
Still remembering the nightmare, fresher in his mind, Spyro dipped his head and questioned, "What do I do now?"
"Good evening, Spyro," A soothing voice broke the silence, as he turned his head to face a small light blue alicorn, with a very light azure mane and tail.
Spyro recognized who she is. She is Princess Luna, the Princess of the Night, Co-Ruler of Equestria, and Princess Celestia's younger sister, "Oh, hi Princess Luna." He bowed his head in respect.
"I had seen the nightmare that troubled you greatly, Spyro," Luna spoke solemnly. "I am sorry for your loss."
"It's okay, I gu-" Spyro stopped, when he looked at the princess in surprise. "Wait! How did you know-"
"I am the Princess of the Night," Princess Luna interrupted. "Thus, it is my duty to come into your dreams."
"Wow, that's kinda creepy," Spyro commented. "Cool, but a little creepy. No offense."
Princess Luna simply nodded her head, as if it was her gesture to not taking any, "Now what troubles you, young dragon?"
Feeling too tired to keep it to himself, and knowing he can't keep it to himself any longer, Spyro decided to vent the whole story, thus far, for Princess Luna to hear, "And you get the rest," Spyro concluded. "I don't know why I'm even caring for Spike anymore....not after what I've done to make our life like this."
Princess Luna couldn't believe her ears, "Do not blame yourself, young dragon," She said, in comfort. "You are but a child. You didn't know better."
"But I should've," Spyro fumed. "I thought I could handle everything. I never took my teachings very seriously, and now...." Spyro showed his broke wing, which was still in its cast, provided by Fluttershy, "This is what I've become," To further prove his point, Spyro took a deep breath, before he lets out a strong exhale, producing nothing more than a few tiny sparks of flame.
Princess Luna looked at the young dragon solemnly, before she sat down beside him, "You know, dear Spyro," She began. "We may not know much about you, prior to your arrival in Equestria. But Princess Celestia, Twilight, even your filly friends from Ponyville have been telling me a lot of good things about you."
"Oh really? Like what?"
"How determined you are, even if you are at a disadvantage. Or how devoted you are to caring baby Spike, when he has no family left. And as if now, I can see just how far you're willing to go to atone for your past sins. Such nobility, I must say," She commented, earning a slight blush from Spyro. "Losing your fire must've been hard on you, hasn't it?" She asked.
Not feeling in the mood to deny any of what she just said, he sighed, "Yeah...it was all I had left of my dad."
Putting a comforting hoof on his shoulder, Luna spoke, "Your father is here."
Spyro looked up at Luna, skeptical, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"He's never truly gone as long as you remember him," Another voice sounded, revealing itself to be none other but Princess Celestia herself.
"I've heard enough," Celestia answered. "Now, as I've said before, your father is still with you, even if you can no longer see him."
Spyro looked away as he continues to slump, "That's too bad. Because I kinda need some advice, right now on what to do."
Celestia and Luna both turned to each other, nodding their heads as they set gentle wings on Spyro's back, "Then listen to what we have to say, Spyro," Luna began.
"You have inflicted wounds upon yourself," Celestia continued. "But now, you must heal. Because the world needs its heroes. And more importantly, your brother needs you...for love, care, and attention. Because for now, he can be your new fire."
“....he can be your new fire....” Those words continued to echo in Spyro’s mind, on his way back to the room, where he finds Sparx and Twilight struggling to calm a distraught Spike.
“What now?” Spyro asked, with an exasperated groan.
“I don’t know!!” Sparx groaned, as he and Twilight continued to cover their ears. “We just finished rocking him to sleep. And when we tried to give him some space, he just burst out crying and won’t stop!”
Twilight levitated her doll, Smarty Pants, over, “Quick! Do something! Act playful,” She pleaded to the doll, but to no avail.
“Oh come on!” Spyro groaned, making his way towards the baby dragon. “What more do you want?!” Spyro looked at Spike with a disgruntled scowl. In response, Spike held his claws out for Spyro.
“....for love, care, and attention,” Celestia’s words echoed, before it dawned on Spyro.
Letting some brotherly instincts to take over, Spyro pulled Spike close, holding him firmly close for comfort. It worked, as Spike ceased his cries and nuzzled up close to Spyro.
“Oh, so that’s all you were asking for, huh little guy?” Spyro said to the baby. “You just wanted to be loved. Don’t you? To feel less alone, is that what all the fuss is about, huh?”
As if he understood, Spike laughed and nodded his head in confirmation. Twilight and Sparx looked at each other, simply astounded.
“Hey, it’s okay little guy,” Spyro whispered. “I know it. I was alone, just like you were. It’s scary, even for me. But don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere. Because I’ll protect you, no matter what happens. And you don’t have to feel scared again,” Spike giggled, as he hugged Spyro, nibbling him slightly on the cheek. “I promise.”
"Brother," Spike squeaked.
“Awwww,” Twilight cooed, holding a hoof to her heart.
Sparx couldn’t help but we’ll up with tears, “It’s enough to make a grown dragonfly cry,” He sobbed, before scowling. “But not this dragonfly! GET BACK IN THERE TEAR!!”
Wanting in, Twilight walked over, and tickled baby Spike on the tummy, “Hi Spike,” Twilight grinned. “I, Twilight, just wanted to say how sorry she was for not giving you the care you needed. Twilight was silly. Twilight was such a bad caregiver. Isn’t she, huh?”
“Bad,” Spike repeated.
Twilight could only chuckle, “Well, from now on, Twilight will do better. She’s going to be the best friend you can ever ask for.”
“Fwiend!”
Spyro chuckled, “Close enough.”
“Hey big guy,” Sparx began.
“Unca Spotty!” Spike clapped his claws together, grabbing Sparx, and licked him.
“Ew!!” Sparx groaned. “Okay, okay. I love you too! Can you let me go now? Please? HELP!!!”
Later, after the love exchanges were over, the four all got ready to sleep the night away.
“Good night,” Twilight started.
“Sleep tight,” Spyro followed.
“Dream of cupcakes tonight,” Sparx finished, before he was literally out like a bulb.
Twilight and the two dragons both shared some laughs, as Spyro curled himself up close to Spike, with Spike nuzzling even closer to the warmth and comfort the older dragon’s body heat provided, until at last, he fall asleep.
Twilight too got comfy, as she laid her head, besides the two dragons, draping a blanket over themselves, and she too began to fell asleep.
Days bled into weeks, then months, then gradually into years.
Over time, numerous attacks continue to plague the land of Equestria, despite the efforts made from Princess Celestia and Princess Luna to repel them. The two royal sisters have dispatched many soldiers across the land to protect their people. However, the attacks continued, in the forms of fearsome monsters, with magics far beyond the Equestrian's understandings.
All of Equestria were put on high alert, never finding peaceful sleep in Luna's beautiful night.
Nevertheless, a ray of hope smiles down upon the two dragons, Spyro and Spike.
Over the years, Spike has grown into a fine young dragon. Though small and nimble, and not as strong as his adopted brother, whilst also lacking wings needed for flight, Spike makes up for it all with skills of resourceful ingenuity, to better assist his friends in their daily lives. He has also grown a lot closer to Twilight Sparkle, during his years as her Number One Assistant. He, like all of us, accepted the world into which he was born in. Believing he was like the ponies. A rather scaly, small, fire breathing, true, but one of them nonetheless.
Meanwhile, Spyro's wing was at last free from its castings, though his ability to fly wasn't the same as it was before. Furthermore, his fire remains missing. But that did little to deter his fighting spirit, however, as he was one of the few defenders of Equestria who were willing to stand and fight in the faces of danger.
Tales of the dragon's heroism spread far and wide, inspiring the millions to do their part in defending their home. Even winning over a few allies, now and then.
Out in the courtyard of Canterlot Castle, a little purple dragon, with a row of long green spikes running from his head, growing shorter to his tail, which ends in the shape of an arrowhead. He has light green frills on the sides of his head, with matching underbelly. He is none other but Spike, grown up during the passing years.
The little dragon was facing against a tree, counting, “.....8, 9, 10!....Ready, or not! Here I come!” The little dragon said, as he jumps around, eager to begin the game.
"Never gonna catch me this time, purple boy!" A tiny voice buzzed, from somewhere in the garden.
Spike stood still, as he carefully looked at his surroundings. At first, all Spike could see were nothing but the many trees, flowers, and faunas that thrived in the Royal Canterlot Garden. But soon enough, he caught glimpse of something gold and sparkly, hiding behind the statue of a unicorn knight.
"I see you, my little glowing friend," Spike smiled, walking up to the statue.
"Seeing and catching are two different things, big boy," Sparx taunted, as he zips away.
"Yeah, you better run," Spike chuckled, as he gave chase.
During his stay in Canterlot, with the two dragons and Twilight, Sparx had been taking the time to memorize the layout of the garden. Therefore, he's known all of the ins and out, and every escape routes he can take to make a quick getaway from Spike, during their games of hide-and-seek. Well, almost...
"Aah, must be tough to lose all the time, Sp-" Next thing Sparx knew, something wet, slimy, and sticky grabbed him from behind, and he was inside of something foul. "Alright, let me out of here, you overgrown fungus!" Of course, the strange plant that ate him didn't comply. "Spike, seriously, lend me a hand here, will ya brother?"
"Geez, Sparx, I don't know," Spike began sarcastically. "Frogweed's gotta eat too."
"Spike, whack it!" Sparx shouted from the inside. "Do something! I'm your buddy, my wings are getting moldy."
With a shrug, and a roll of his eyes, Spike complied, "Alright," While Spike doesn't fight much, he did remember a few basic moves Spyro had taught him before.
Spike walked up to the frogweed, and thrusted his claws out in a punch, striking the plant, square in the head, which resemble's a frog's mouth. Followed by a spin of his tail to strike the arrowhead into the plant's side, Spike finishes it with a simple headbutt.
Having enough, the frogweed regurgitated Sparx from its innards, before it slowly sinks away into the dirt of its patch.
"Ugh...." Sparx groaned. "Now I smell almost as bad as your feet," Before Spike could reach out, Sparx got up, beating his wings and cackled, "And that's too bad! See ya later, sucker!"
"So much for gratitude," Spike muttered, before he resumes the chase.
Sparx continued to beat his wings as he flies around the garden, zipping through the tiniest cracks, or even the narrowest of passages in rose bushes, hoping to get Spike off his tail. But Spike never gave up and was always hot on the dragonfly's tail.
"You've got perseverance, I'll give you that," Sparx complimented.
"You're toast when I catch you!" Spike replied.
Little did the two boys know, they were heading straight into serious trouble. Their little game of hide-and-seek had taken them out of the walls of Canterlot Garden, where they find themselves in the middle of utter chaos.
"What the hay?!" Spike exclaimed, when he and Sparx stopped in the middle of Canterlot's streets, being attacked and overrun by packs of maniacal dark furred baboons, and several anthropomorphic rhinoceros in armor, smashing into several buildings, throwing bombs, and looting every precious goods they could get their hands on.
Amidst the chaos, many of the Canterolot royal guards were under attack
"Aaah...AAAAAH!!" Sparx screamed, as he was taken captive by one of the monkeys, and placed in a small glass jar.
"SPARX!!" Spike screamed, chasing the baboon who had captured his dragonfly friend.
The baboon took notice of Spike, and commented, "I thought all youz guys was gone," He laughed, together with two of his comrades.
"You miserable coward let me go!" Sparx buzzed, which literally fell on deaf ears, since his captor doesn't understand dragonfly.
"Don't let him get away!" The leading baboon barked to two of his comrades, who leapt from their perches, charging towards Spike.
Spike was, of course, frightened. The little dragon watched as the two hulking monkeys came walking up, towering over him, laughing maniacally while baring their pearly white fangs.
Then, in a blur of motion, one of the baboons swiped his hands for the little dragon, catching him by the throat. In retaliation, Spike bit the monkey's hand, while breathing a burst of green fire to add the painful sensation of his bite. The baboon quickly released his grip on Spike, as he desperately waves his arm, in an attempt to put the fire out.
In the meantime, the other baboon lunged forward. Spike quickly dives under the baboon, weaving his way through the chaos filled street, with the baboon on his tail, "HEEEELPPP!!" Spike screamed.
Many of the armor clad rhinoceros creatures took notice of the little dragon, running for dear life from the baboon who was chasing him. With a snort, the rhinoceros all stomped the ground with their feet, creating a thunderous wave, tripping Spike to land square on his face.
Looking up, while rubbing his snout, wincing at the bruises he'll be having in the coming days, Spike to his left, narrowly evading the brutish hands of the rhinoceros making a grab for him.
One of the rhinos held a giant hammer up, before he thrusts it down with the intent on smashing the little dragon, had Spike not jumped out of the way, causing the rhino to accidentally smashing one of his comrade's foot.
"YOW!!!" The other rhino bellowed, repeatedly hopping on one foot, while holding his sore foot, courtesy of the blow from his other comrade.
Another rhino attempted to ram his horn at Spike, but accidentally knocked the baboon away.
"SPIKE!! LOOK OUT!!" Sparx called from within his glass jar prison.
But too late. A small lit stick of dynamite landed besides Spike, and exploded, sending the small dragon flying a good distance away.
Dazed from the explosion, Spike's vision cleared up as he got back on his feet and finds himself backed against a wall, watching the baboons and rhinos closing in on him, just as a flash of blinding white light exploded in between the young dragon and the creatures, and there stood Twilight and Spyro, standing defensively over Spike.
In appearance, Twilight has grown taller from the unicorn filly she was into a full grown mare.
Spyro, too, has grown much taller, to the point where his mohawk-like crests reached the same height as the tip of Twilight's horn. His coat of purple scales have darkened slightly, with a few lavender spots along the back, as the last living traces of his youth.
"Get away from Spike!" Twilight neighed angrily.
Looking at the little dragon, Spyro asked, "Are you alright, Spike?"
"Yeah, I'm okay," Spike nodded. "But that crazy ape's got Sparx!" He pointed.
Following Spike's finger, Spyro turned his head to the baboon, clutching the glass jar, containing their dragonfly friend, "Let me out!" Sparx buzzed, continuously banging on the glass walls of the jar. "Let me out!"
"Hey, crazy ape!" Spyro called out to the said baboon. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size?"
"With pleasure," The baboon snarled, before he frowned, "And by the way, I'm a monkey! Not an ape!" With that, the leading baboon cleared his throat, before he snapped his fingers, "Let 'em have it boys!"
With another sound of maniacal laughs, several baboons swarmed the street, as they began advancing towards Spyro and Twilight.
Both dragon and unicorn looked at each other and nodded, before charging into action.
Twilight started the battle with a blast of magics that exploded into a blanket of blinding lights, briefly stunning the apes, concealing Spyro's incoming attack. The fighting purple dragon charged headfirst, stunning one of the baboons upon impact, before he thrusted his horns beneath the monkey's legs, flipping him up in the air, where Spyro, with the aid of his healed wings, landed several strikes to the baboon with a horizontal spin of his tail to the left, followed by a piercing jab from his tail, until the dragon finishes it with a strong vertical downward strike of his tail, slamming the baboon into the ground. Defeated, in a flash of light, the baboon's whole body dematerializes into several small multicolored gems.
Spyro was baffled, "What the-"
"LOOK OUT!!!" Spike screamed.
Unfortunately, Spyro looked up, just in time for a rhino to charge towards him, ramming its large heavy head into the little dragon, sending him flying into a burning building, earning some mocking laughs from the baboons. The last laugh was on them, however, when Twilight shot several offensive magic beams, putting the baboons in a daze. Another blast hits one of the rhinoceros in the butt, causing him to jump, screaming.
Shaking away their confusions, the baboon turned their attention towards Twilight. Reaching into their bags, the baboons conjured bundle of ropes. With an aura of cackling dark magic, the ropes came to life, forming into lassoes.
"What the hay?!" Twilight exclaimed in surprise, watching as the baboons hurled the ropes in the air, and caught the unicorn. "Ah! Let me go!" Twilight grunted, as she frantically focused her magic into her horn. However, the ropes quickly cackled to life as a surge of dark magic aura sprang from the coils, extinguishing the magical light from Twilight's horn, as well as immensive pain for the lavender unicorn, "AAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!" Twilight screamed, feeling the intense heat of the ropes, coursing through her whole body, as if a great electrical storm has pierced her from the horn, traveling throughout her whole body, igniting her from the inside out.
The baboons cackled menacingly, before a rock was thrown at them, and they looked to see Spike, glaring angrily, "Leave her alone!" Spike roared angrily.
Before the baboons could say anything, Spyro came charging out of the burning building, and headbutted one of them away, followed by a backward kick. Then, with a flap of his wings, Spyro leapt into the air, where he did a fast horizontal swipe of his tail, knocking some of the surrounding baboons back. A rhino attempted to run Spyro down, only for the purple dragon to dodge the attack, sticking his tail out to trip the brute, causing him to fall on the ground, resulting in a slight tremor that shook the baboons, releasing their hold on Twilight.
With a slash of his claws, Spyro easily cut through the ropes, freeing Twilight from her restraints, "You okay, Twilight?" Spyro asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Twilight replied, before her eyes widened. "LOOK OUT!!" She screamed, shoving both herself and Spyro out of the way, just as a dynamite was thrown, and nearly blasted them.
During the chaos, Spike managed to sneak his way, up to the leading baboon, who continues to rain several bombs and dynamites onto Spyro and Twilight, when Spike lunged out and grappled with the baboon's arm.
"LET HIM GO!!!" Spike grunted, as he continues to bite and claw at the monkey holding Sparx captive.
"GET OFF OF ME, YOU LITTLE-" The baboon tripped, as he, Spike, and Sparx all fell over the roof the building he was perched on and into a cabbage cart. Getting up, shaking his head, dusting himself off of any remaining cabbage leaves, the baboon glowered over at Spike, who was holding Sparx protectively in his arms, "I've had about enough of you!" The baboon snarled, conjuring a sword at the ready.
"SPIKE!! LOOK OUT!!" Twilight screamed, levitating a piece of brick, which she hurled at the baboon, directly hitting him on the nose.
Rubbing his inflicted nose, the baboon snarled at Twilight, but his eyes quickly shrunken in fear as he watched Spyro charging towards him, knocking him away, causing his whole world to turn white for a moment, as if he had been hit by something heavier than a train.
"Never, ever threaten my brothers," Spyro snarled.
But before Spyro could have another go with the leader, several more rhinos and baboons appeared, blocking the fighting dragon's path, "Take care of 'em!" The leading baboon shrieked. "I gotta report this to the general!"
The rhinos and the baboons complied as they walked menacingly up to Spyro, while their leader quickly left the scene.
Not backing down, Spyro and Twilight continued the fight. Twilight continued to blast several magic beams at the baboons, stunning them, or blasting them away from where they stood. With a groan of defeat, the defeated baboons all disappeared in a flash of light, leaving behind nothing but a pile of multicolored gems. Twilight kept on blasting the baboons, until her horn was burning red at the tip of her horn, and she panted heavily, trying to catch her breath.
Much to her dismay, the rhinos and the baboons kept on coming. Spyro looked, seeing how tired Twilight looked, as well as how cornered Spike and Sparx were. A rhino jumped towards Spyro, throwing himself atop the dragon, only for Spyro to do a vertical spin of his tail that sent the rhino flying overhead, crushing into the whole group of baboons who were prowling on Spike and Sparx.
"Go! Get to safety!" Spyro advised.
Spike looked around, but failed to see where he and Sparx can go to hide, "Where to?" They both asked.
Spyro didn't have time to answer, as he ran back to help Twilight in the fight against the rhinoceros and baboons, who were still coming. The baboons continued to laugh maniacally as they continue to hurl bombs at the heroes, while plundering the burning walls of the burning city of Canterlot.
"Enough already!" Spyro panted.
"Somebody help us!!" Spike wailed.
As if answering his plea for help, several royal guards have arrived to assist in the fight.
"Alright! The cavalry is here!" Sparx buzzed cheerfully, before his jaw dropped.
"I don't think that's the whole cavalry," Spike commented, as the friends looked up to see Princess Celestia stepping forward with Princess Luna beside her.
Together, the two royal sisters all took flight as they fired beams of magics at the attacking baboons and rhinos, pushing their waves back, until finally, they all disappeared in a flash of light.
"Is every pony alright?" Princess Luna asked.
Princess Celestia took a moment to glance at the fires that continued to dance around her, in Canterlot, while noting at all the citizens who have survived the assault.
"Princess Celestia!" Twilight exclaimed as she galloped towards the princess, with Spyro, Spike, and Sparx at her sides. "Princess Celestia!"
"Twilight!" Celestia breathed a sigh of relief, embracing the unicorn. "Thank goodness you're alright. What happened?" She asked, pointing at the destructions around them.
"And more importantly, can you get me out of here?" Sparx buzzed, still trapped in his jar prison. "Hello?"
Welcome To Ponyville Part 1 - A Friendship Retreat
The next day, Spyro, Spike, Sparx, and Twilight Sparkle were all on a train bound for Ponyville.
Both Spike and Sparx were sitting by a window, watching the pleasant scenery passing before their eyes, "Puff-puff-puff-puff! Pop-pop-pop! Chuff-chuff-chuff! Wheesh!!" Sparx sang, imitating the train's noise. "Whoo-whoo!"
"Aren't you a little too old to be doing that?" Spike asked the dragonfly.
"Eh, you only get to live once, kid. Gotta live it."
"Well, too bad your train noises aren't fooling anyone," Spike grinned as he pulled out a large block of wood, with some holes drilled near an end. "Try beating this!" With that, Spike blew into the block, which produced a near-like reproduction of the train's whistle.
"Chu-chuuu!" Sparx whooped, as he and Spike continued to make train noises for their own amusement.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the train's caboose, Twilight giggled to herself, watching the boys' antics, "Spike and Sparx sure looked as if they're having a good time."
"Yippee for them," Spyro grumbled. "But I still can't believe the nerve of that Chancellor Neighsay! And after what we did to actually help!"
"Don't let him get to you, Spyro," Twilight began, trying to comfort the older dragon. "He's just a little paranoid."
"A little?" Spyro scoffed. "Maybe too much is more like it. I mean, what did we do wrong? We saved the city, didn't we?"
"It's true, you did," Twilight answered, while gesturing to herself, Spyro, Spike, and Sparx. "We all did. But...." Twilight began, while scratching the back of her head uneasily. "There's still the case of the bits being looted from some ponies’ storages. That and a lot jewelries have been ransacked and reported missing during the chaos."
"But it wasn't me!" Spyro countered. "Or Spike! We never took anything! And we had nothing to do with that attack! Besides, we found where those goons have stashed the stolen goods and we’ve returned them, didn’t we? That should be proof enough that we’re innocent."
"I believed you, Spyro," Twilight replied. "And so did mom and dad, Shining Armor, and even the princesses. We know you're not like that. Unfortunately, some ponies like Neighsay still believed you and Spike were behind it all, and that you were simply trying to cover your trail," Shaking his head in frustration, Spyro slumped back into his seat, while staring emotionlessly outside of the window, "Besides, don't think of it like we're being exiled, or anything. Think of it as a retreat, until the heat's off."
Spyro rolled his eyes, "I guess."
Just then, Sparx buzzed over to the older dragon, joining in on the conversation, "She's right, y'know," Sparx buzzed. "Besides, Ponyville's a whole lot friendlier than Canterlot. Pinkie Pie's party, the Apple family's hospitality, and best of all, Fluttershy's hospitality....um, actually now that I said it out loud, both Fluttershy and Applejack are hospitable, but still. Ponyville's a nicer place."
"Even for us dragons?" Spyro asked the dragonfly.
"Eh, you're the only dragon Ponyville's ever had as a visitor," Sparx replied. “And it ain’t just dragons. It’s a quaint little town for all kinds of sentient creatures! From the grumpiest of donkeys to a huge sea serpent!”
"What are you two talking about?" Twilight asked.
From Twilight's point-of-view, Sparx's response was a series of buzzing, "Bzzz-bzzz-bzzz-bzzzz-bzzz-bzzz!"
"He's just talking about how welcoming Ponyville is," Spyro translated, before Sparx buzzed again. "And he says you'll like the Golden Oak Library there, too."
"The Golden Oak Library?" Twilight beamed excitedly.
After an hour has passed, the train eventually came to a stop at the station in Ponyville, where everyone all disembarked from the coaches and onto the platforms.
"Ah, home sweet home!" Sparx said in content, as he buzzed his wings, twirling himself in mid-air. "It's been many moons, I have forgotten the smell of this place! Oh and the fresh air this place brings. Rainbow Dash must've really outdone herself this time."
Twilight soon came bouncing out of the train, excitedly squealing, "So where's the library?" Twilight asked with a wide smile on her face. "Where? Where? Where? WHERE?!!"
"Hold your horses there!" Sparx buzzed, earning strange looks from Spyro and Spike. "Well I'm waiting."
In response, Spyro and Sparx both grabbed ahold of Twilight, struggling to hold her in place, "Whoa, Twilight! Whoa!" Spike grunted. "Calm down!"
Snapping herself back to reality, Twilight complied as she composed herself, "Sorry boys," She chuckled. "Sometimes, I get a little carried away."
"Carried away?" A hyper voice shouted, together with an explosion of confetti. "And every pony called me Pinkie Pie! Oh wait, I am Pinkie Pie!" The pony giggled.
"BWAH!!" The four yelped in surprise, before they looked up to see a familiar pink mare, bouncing in place.
"Howdy-do there, Spyro, Spike, Sparx, and Twilight Sparkle!" Pinkie giggled and snorted. "See what I did there? I made a funny! It's like Nicky, Ricky, Dicky, and -D'oh, forget it. It's not funny if I try to explain it."
"Pinkie Pie! What did I say about proper welcome?!" A stern voice berated, before it reveals itself to be a marshmallow white unicorn mare, with an elegant, dark purple mane and tail. "I hope she didn't scare you too much, darlings. Please, forgive Pinkie Pie. She doesn't know a thing or two about manners."
"Nope! I sure don't!" Pinkie grinned.
In appearance, both Rarity and Pinkie Pie have grown up from the fillies they were before into the mares they are now.
"Oh, it's nothing, really," Twilight replied, while dusting herself, along with the rest of the boys.
"Oh, hello again, dear Twilight!" Rarity smiled, walking up to the lavender unicorn. "So wonderful to see you again! Oh, and you as well, Spyro!"
"Likewise," Twilight returned the greeting.
"Hi Rarity, hi Pinkie Pie! Long time no see!" Sparx buzzed, which neither of the mares could understand. That is, until another familiar mare joined them.
"Hi Sparx!" Fluttershy greeted, before she took notice of Spyro and Twilight.
"Hello there!" Twilight paused for a moment, before she said, "Fluttershy, right?"
"Mmm-hmm," Fluttershy nodded in confirmation, before she turned to Spyro. "Uh, hello there, Spyro," She greeted nervously.
"Hey," Spyro returned the greeting.
Fluttershy's gaze then trailed downward, before she spotted Spike, standing in between Spyro and Twilight. Her eyes widened with excitement, "Oh my!" She gasped. "Spike?! Is that you?" She smiled. "Aw, you've gotten so big! Oh, you're even cuter than you were as a hatchling!"
Spike couldn't help but blush from the attention he was receiving from Fluttershy, "Hehe, thank you," He chuckled, before turning his attention to Rarity and was instantly bedazzled by the unicorn's beauty. "Whoa...."
"Oh, lovely to see you again, darling!" Rarity smiled, which only made Spike's heart beat even harder and faster. "I haven't seen you since you were just a hatchling! And I must concur with Fluttershy. You're absolutely precious!"
'She called me precious!' Spike thought happily, before he opened his mouth up to speak, only to talk in gibberish.
"Huh?" Rarity asked. "I'm terribly sorry darling, but I didn't catch that. What was it again?"
Spike tried to speak again, but he failed to put two simple words together. Luckily, Sparx came to his rescue, "Uh oh! Mayday! Mayday!" He buzzed, flashing his whole body a light of red. "Spyro! Do something!"
"What should I do?" Spyro asked.
"What should you do?" Pinkie asked.
"Uh...." Spyro was at a loss for words, before Sparx buzzed something in his ear. "Uh, I was going to ask.....what brings you girls here?"
"We're here to welcome you of course!" Pinkie beamed, while bouncing up and down. "We heard you four were coming. And who are we to not welcome you all with a bit of Ponyville hospitality? Am I right? Or am I right?"
"Well, after what we've been through, we could definitely go for another one of your hospitality," Spyro replied.
"Oh yes, of course," Rarity nodded. "After that fight you've had with those ruffians, you all deserved a well-earned rest."
"You know about our fight in Canterlot?" Twilight asked.
"Who doesn’t? It was all over the Equestria Daily," With that, Rarity conjured a huge article of newspaper, holding up the front page, which reads:
Chaos In Canterlot
Believed to be the work of dark forces, the city of Canterlot was under siege by an army of soldiers, consisting of baboons and rhynocs. The city would’ve been destroyed, had it not been for the bravery of Twilight Sparkle, and two dragons by the name Spyro and Spike.
“Hey! What about me?!” Sparx buzzed.
“Ooh yeah,” Spike grinned, looking at himself on the cover. “They certainly captured my good side.”
“Wow! You guys are heroes!” Pinkie bounced excitedly. “How silly of me! I should’ve thrown you all a Welcome to Ponyville Heroes Party!”
“Great,” Spyro rolled his eyes. “Now we’re getting a heroes recognition.”
“Aw, looks like some dragon’s been sleeping on the wrong side of the bed~” Pinkie singsong.
“Oh, it’s not that, Pinkie,” Twilight answered on Spyro’s behalf.
Later, the friends were all at a sweet shop called Sugarcube Corner, sharing cups of milkshakes together.
"I can't believe that Neighsay!" Rarity exclaimed, appalled after what she, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy were told of the aftermath.
“I know, right?” Spyro agreed. “The nerve of that guy! We were fighting for our lives, if not, every pony else. And then he had the gall to accuse us for staging the whole attack, just to steal all those gems and bits!”
“Yeah!” Spike joined in, while biting on a large ruby. “So what if we dragons eat gems? We’d never do anything THAT crazy to get some gems to snack on! Would we?”
“If you’re innocent, then where did you get THAT RUBY IN YOUR CLAWS?!!” Pinkie pointed accusingly.
“What?! Now I’m a suspect?!” Spike asked.
“I gave him that ruby!” Twilight interjected on Spike’s behalf. “That ruby was from me! Spike didn’t-“
Much to everybody’s surprise, Pinkie burst out laughing, “Oh shucks, Twilight!” Pinkie giggled. “I was just playing the drama. That’s all!”
“Well it’s not funny,” Spike grumbled.
“Anyway,” Spyro began, getting back on topic. “We’re just here to wait out until repairs are done in Canterlot. And to wait until the heat’s off,” He muttered at the last part.
“That and Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had sent us to overlook preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration,” Twilight added.
“Well then what are we waiting for?!” Pinkie beamed happily, as she bounced out of her seat, and pulled out a boom box from her mane, then reached her hoof out and pulled in a white unicorn mare with cyan mane, and dark purple shades. “Hit it, DJ!”
With that, the DJ unicorn started up a song.
“Just whistle while you work~” Pinkie sang and whistled. “And-“
*Disc scratch*
“What are you doing?” Spyro asked, stopping the music, while looking at Pinkie Pie strangely.
“What? I’m singing! It’s a lot of fun!” Pinkie chirped.
“So you spontaneously break out into songs for fun?”
“Oh don’t be such a sour grape,” Pinkie instantly burst out laughing. “Get it?! Because you’re purple, and you’re grumpy?” Pinkie snorted, with Spike, Sparx, Twilight, and the rest of the girls joined in the laugh.
“She got you there, brother!” Spike laughed.
“Ho ho, very funny,” Spyro replied sarcastically. “Ha ha, it is to laugh.”
“Oh come on, just sing!” Pinkie chirped. “Or as Ellen would say. Just keep singing. Just keep singing. Just keep singing, singing, singing~” When Spyro refused to budge, Pinkie decided, “Okay. Looks like we’ve got a lot of work to turn that frown upside down.”
With that, Pinkie turned to the DJ, who nodded, and started up the next song.
Throughout the song, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, And Fluttershy all danced along, while Spyro, Spike, Sparx, and Twilight watched in skepticism.
Eventually, Spike started to join in the dance, with Twilight and Sparx following.
“Come on and smile!!” Pinkie ended the song, look at Spyro.
“Cute, catchy,” He complimented, before he got up and took his leave. “Didn’t work.”
“Aw man!” Pinkie pouted.
“Well I think it was fun!” Spike complimented.
“Ditto!” Sparx buzzed.
“Anyway, can we get down to business?” Twilight asked, producing a long to-do list. “We’ve got some work to do.”
“Oh lighten up, Twilight,” Sparx replied. “The day’s still young. What’s the worst thing that could happen?”
Elsewhere
“G-G-General? Sir? I-I-I have bad news.” The baboon reported. “We lost the loot!” An unsettling hissing was heard, with loud cracks of electricity. “B-B-But I can explain, sir. We were attacked! There were two dragons there! The ponies must’ve already forged an alliance with our enemies. It wasn’t my fault!”
“Enough!!” The dark figure hissed.
“I promise, General!” The baboon whimpered. “I won’t fail you again!”
“I know,” The figure hissed. “You won’t fail me again. EVER!!!”
With a clap of thunder, the sound of the baboon’s screech of terror echoed, as it was the last thing anyone’s ever heard of him.
Welcome To Ponyville Part 2 - Lending a Helping Hoof and Claw
After their reacquaintance with three of their Ponyville friends, Spyro, Spike, Sparx, and Twilight were later walking into an apple orchard called Sweet Apple Acres as a part of their agenda.
Sparx happily inhaled the country aroma of the land, “Ah! Sweet Apple Acres,” He sighed in content. “No matter where you go in Equestria, there’s no place like the birthplace of the Apple Families and their apple pies. And their Zap Apple Jams. Mmm-hmmm.”
“If you say so,” Spyro replied.
Spike took a big whiff of the air, "Mmmm, smells like apple pie!" Spike sighed in content.
"We'll have lunch later Spike," Twilight nudged the little dragon, getting him back on topic, while levitating a large scroll in front of her. "Remember, we're here to check on the banquet preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration."
"Right," Spike answered.
“I wonder where Applejack is?” Sparx buzzed, turning his head in every directions, searching for the pony.
Then, as if answering the dragonfly's question, a loud voice hollered, "Yee-haw!" The four friends turned their head to see a certain country mare who too has grown from the filly they last remembered meeting, galloping towards a tree, before she turned on her front hooves, aiming her hind legs towards the tree. Then, with a strong thrust, she kicked her legs out, striking the thick barks of the tree, shaking it in its place, which sent several apples to come falling from their branches and into the buckets that were placed all around them.
"That answers your question?" Spyro asked.
"Eeyup," Sparx buzzed.
"I didn't ask," Twilight replied to the older purple dragon.
"Uh, Twilight. He was talking to Sparx," Spike clarified.
"Oh, right," Twilight blushed.
After smiling to herself for a job well done, Applejack turned her attention towards the four, "Well, sweet Celestia, blow me down!" She exclaimed happily. "Spyro! Twilight! I didn't know you were back in town!"
"Hey! What about me?" Sparx buzzed, undignified, which of course, to Applejack, he sounded like saying, "Buzzz buzz buzz buzz buzz."
"Aw, it's nice to see you too, Sparx," Applejack chuckled. Then her eyes fell upon the little dragon accompanying them. "Oh my gosh! Lil' Spike? Is that you Sugarcube?"
"Uh, yeah, it's me," Spike hesitantly answered, before he asked, "Have we met?"
"Of course we have, little fella," Applejack smiled. "I was there when ya first hatch and took your first breath. You were so small back then."
"Well, I'm not so little anymore, am I?" Spike asked, crossing his arms, and looking proud of himself.
"Yeah, he's absolutely gorgeous isn't he?" Twilight asked, interrupting the moment. "Anyway, we're here to supervise the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration coming up. And I take it you're in charge of the foods, Applejack?"
"We sure as sugar are!" Applejack confirmed. "Would you care to sample some?"
Sparx simply buzzed with excitements, while the two dragons both looked at Twilight, wanting to hear what her answer is, to which the lavender unicorn shrugged, "Eh, as long as it doesn't take too long-"
With that, Applejack rushes over to a rusty metal triangle and rapidly clank the metal rod against the outlines, ringing the sound, while hollering, "Soup's on every pony!"
And with, the ground beneath the four friends shook as a few country ponies suddenly galloped into the area, carrying them away to a table, where they were treated to a small buffet of apple treats they've prepared.
"Hey Apple families!" Applejack cheered, before she points her hooves to the friends, "Ah reckon y'all remember Spyro, right?" The apple families all voiced their agreements, "Then let me have the pleasure to introduce y'all to our other friends, Twilight and lil'Spike!"
"Howdy y'all!" The families greeted the two newcomers.
"Hey! What about me?" Sparx buzzed, further undignified at being left out....again.
"Twilight! Spike!" Applejack began. "Let me introduce y'all to the Apple family!"
"Thanks, but we really need to-" Twilight didn't have time to finish as Applejack quickly began with the introductions.
"This here's my sister, Apple Bloom." She pointed to a little yellow filly with blazing red mane and tail, brilliant gamboge eyes, and a large pink bow tied in her mane.
"Howdy!" Apple Bloom greeted.
"My cousin Braeburn!" She pointed to a tall gold yellow stallion with brilliant gamboge mane and tail with brilliant amber highlights, and green pistachio eyes. For attires, he wore a dark brown cowboy hat with matching vest.
"Nice to meet y'all!" The stallion greeted.
"Granny Smith!" Applejack pointed to an elderly mare with weary gamboge eyes, gray mane and tail, wearing an orange bandana decorated with apples. "Up and at 'em Granny Smith! We've got guests!"
"What-huh?" Granny Smith stammered, waking up from her afternoon nap in her rocking chair.
"And Big Macintosh!" Applejack finished, pointing to a large red stallion with orange scruffy mane and tail, green eyes, and wears a yoke.
"Howdy," Big Mac greeted silently.
"Oh, well nice to meet you ponies," Twilight greeted, before she noticed the troubled look Spyro and Spike were sharing with Sparx.
"Wait, that's all of them?" Sparx buzzed.
"What do you mean, 'that's all of them?'" Spike asked.
"Well, I've been living in Ponyville a lot longer than you two have," Sparx answered to both dragons. "You were just an egg, Spike. And before Spyro came to Ponyville, there used to be more Apple family ponies than this. Normally, whenever there's a big get together, at anytime and any place, the Apple families are one big happy family," As proof, Sparx managed to produce a single picture as evidence of the whole family.
"But this....this is hardly considered a herd!" Sparx gestured to how small the numbers have gotten with only AJ, Big Mac, Apple Bloom, Granny Smith, and Braeburn.
"So, what you're saying is-" Before Spike could continue, their conversation was again interrupted by Twilight.
"What's going on now boys?" Twilight asked.
"Sparx is just talking about how he was kinda expecting a bigger Apple family reunion than this," Spyro translated.
"And that it's kinda out of the ordinary to see this few of the Applejack's family," Spike added, before he turned to Applejack, "Oh, sorry Applejack. I didn't mean to offend."
"Shucks, little fella, you have nothing to apologize for," Applejack smiled sadly, before she sighed, "Unfortunately, I'm afraid Sparx's right."
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked, starting to show some concerns.
Scratching her head, finding the words, Applejack hesitantly began, "Well, ya see, normally at this time of a year, we'd get the whole family from the four corners of Equestria to come together, have a good time, cooking up all kinds of apple treats, y'know? But for some strange reason, the only ones here are just me, Bloom, Big Mac, Grannie Smith, and Braeburn."
"Maybe they're all just running late?" Twilight voiced her thought.
"Ah don't think so," Applejack shook her head. "We've been sending letters to them for months now, and there haven't been any responses, as of late. It's not like them, and we're really beginning to worry."
"Eeyup," Big Mac agreed, with Granny Smith giving a solemn nod.
"I hope Babs is alright," Apple Bloom said worryingly.
"Babs?" Spike asked. "Who's Babs?"
"She's my cousin," Apple Bloom answered. "She's from Manehattan and she's a lot of fun! But she can be very tough from time to time," Apple Bloom looked down on the ground, trying her best to hide her sad face. "I just hope nothing bad has happened to her."
Walking over, Applejack placed a comforting hoof around Apple Bloom's shoulder and pulled her close in a comforting hug, "There, there, Sugarcube," Applejack tried her best to comfort the filly. "I'm sure she's okay. She's a tough filly, isn't she?"
"I guess," Apple Bloom shrugged.
"Aw, come now, youngster," Granny Smith began, attempting to lightening the mood in her own way. "Let's not let a few sour moods stop us from doing what Apple families do best. We got a Summer Sun Celebration to prepare for. I'm sure even Babs would've wanted us to do it. Wouldn't she?"
Apple Bloom slowly began to perk up, "Yeah...yeah, she would!" Apple Bloom replied.
"That's what we want to hear!" Applejack smiled. "Come on! We've got work to do!"
Wanting to further lighten the mood, Spike got up and offered, "I don't suppose we can help out a bit, can we?" Spike asked.
Before Spike could follow, he was stopped by a magical tug at the tail from Twilight, "Spike! What are you doing?" Twilight began. "We're here to supervise!"
"Exactly! And what better way to supervise than to offer a helping hoof, or claw to some ponies in need?" Spike then turned his attention on some apple fritters and chows it down, "Besides, this fritters are good! It's the least we can do for these ponies at a time like this."
"He's got a point," Sparx buzzed.
"Well, if you're staying here to help out, I'm with ya Spike," Spyro joined in.
"You too, Spyro?" Twilight and Spike asked.
"Of course! Can't let you get into too much trouble as long as I'm around," Spyro patted to Spike on the shoulder with his wings, before he turned to Twilight. "We'll catch up with you later, Twilight. You go ahead and check on the rest of the preparations."
Twilight thought for a moment, before she nodded in agreement, "Sounds like a plan. We'll get more work done that way," Turning her attention back to Ponyville, Twilight walked away. "Later boys!"
"See ya, Twi!" The three boys replied, before they went to work.
"Hi-yah!" Applejack grunted, together with Big Mac and Braeburn as they bucked their hind legs, striking the trees, knocking the apples lose from the branches and into the baskets that were placed all around them.
Spyro, Spike, and Sparx were standing on the sideline, watching the apple farm ponies doing their work. Big Mac and Braeburn soon left the area as they took their harvest with them back to the barn, leaving the boys with the girls.
"So..." Spike began, tapping his claws together. "What can we do to help you guys?"
"Well....for you Spike," Applejack looked around before she spotted a simple task for him. "You can Apple Bloom carry these buckets back to the wagon."
"You got it AJ!" Spike complied, as he helped Apple Bloom carry the basket, holding the handles from one end while the filly took the other.
Turning her head to see Spyro was close by, Applejack walked up and struck conversation with the older dragon, "So Spyro," She began striking up conversation. "How've things been since we parted ways? Was raising Spike any more difficult than raising Apple Bloom? Oh, and how're your wings?"
In response, Spyro spreads his wings out and gave them a few flaps, "They're getting better," Spyro answered, before he retracted his wings. "Though I can't say for sure I'll fly again."
"Sorry I asked," Applejack frowned.
"Well on the bright side, with you grounded, you don't have a good excuse to get yourself away from Spike," Sparx buzzed.
"Yeah right," Spyro scoffed.
"What?" Applejack asked.
"I wasn’t talking to you! I was talking with Sparx!"
"Oh!" Applejack nodded in acknowledgement. "I forgot, you can talk to Sparx like he was talking to you."
"Well of course," Sparx replied. "We ain't exactly called dragonflies for nothing. We're dragons best friends for sure!" Of course, to Applejack, all she heard was, "Buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz."
"What's he saying?" Applejack asked, to which Spyro repeated what Sparx had said. Applejack could only chuckle in amusement.
“Hey guys! We’re back!” Spike announced, together with Apple Bloom. “So! Anything else we can do?”
“Not unless ya can buck the apples from their branches,” Applejack replied, thrusting her hind legs out in a kick, striking a tree and knocked the apples off, into the baskets below.
“Buck apples huh?” Spike pondered, looking at a nearby tree, which he gave its trunks a few experimental knocks with his claws. Then, getting down at on all four, Spike thrusted his legs out into a kick, but ended up slipping off his claws and landed face first in the dirt below.
"Spike, what are you doing?" Spyro questioned.
"Trying to buck apples?" Spike replied.
Spyro chuckled as he walked over to help the little dragon up, “Well, your technique is wrong. That may work for ponies. But in case you forget, you’re not a pony, Spike.” Spyro lectured. "Watch and learn, Spike!" The older dragon began. "Here's how a dragon really gets some apples!"
Spike sat on the sideline, along with Applejack, Apple Bloom, and Sparx, as they watched Spyro giving himself some distance between himself and the tree. Then, with a burst of speed, the Spyro lunged forward, with his head lowered in order to aim his horns towards the tree, before he landed upon impact, causing the tree to shake in place, losing some of its apples into the buckets below.
"See?" Spyro smirked, while his eyes rolled a bit before he managed to collect himself. "That's how we do it."
"Wow!" Apple Bloom marveled, while Spike and Applejack cringed with discomfort.
"Doesn't that hurt?" Spike asked.
"I'm with the little guy here, Spyro," Applejack added. "Wouldn't it be less painful if it doesn't involve a headbutt?"
"No worries," Spyro shook his head. "Once you start growing some horns, you won't feel a thing...at least, not too much," He muttered at the last part.
"Of course, you might want to get a set of horns first," Sparx buzzed.
"So, you've been harboring two dragons, and they did this?" A mare asked in a stern voice.
"It wasn't my idea, to be exact," Chancellor Neighsay replied bitterly. "It was Princess Celestia's idea to give them a home here in Canterlot, under the guardianship of the Sparkle Family. All in an attempt to earn 'friendships' with the dragons. I tried to warn her, how those fire breathing reptiles can't be trusted, but she wouldn't listen! And then they've recruited several creatures to oust us!"
"Humph, why am I not surprised?" The mare grumbled. "Goes to show how you can't trust Princess Celestia these days. There was so much potential for Equestria to be a stronger nation, had the magic not been wasted so much on parties."
"You're absolutely right about that," Chancellor grumbled in response. "All of Equestria should've been more focused on improving its magic, preparing for when invaders chose to strike. Then we would be ready to fight back and defend our home! Not hang on false hopes of winning allies from creatures who are foreign to our cultures and our way of life!" Chancellor glowered as he looked at an article of Equestria Daily which talked about some recent attacks and disappearances that continued to plague all of Equestria, "And even in the crisis we're facing, Princess Celestia thought it was best to send those two dragons and Twilight Sparkle to Ponyville! She fails to see the danger she is spreading to the lives of ponies! They must be stopped! I want those dragons eliminated at once!"
"Don't worry Chancellor," The mare said, beneath her hood. "I'll take care of those dragons. You can trust me."
"Good. If there's anyone who can handle creatures like those dragons, it's you Ms. Berrytwist."
"Please, I prefer to be called, Shadow, if you'll please," The mare identified as Shadow replied, before she took her leave. "Tempest Shadow."
Ponyville
Twilight was walking through the streets of Ponyville, looking over her To-Do List, "Let's see," She talked to herself. "It says here that Rainbow Dash should be clearing the skies of some clouds," Looking up, Twilight was greeted by a whole canvas of clouds decorating across the blue skies above. "Well, doesn't look like she's doing a good job, is she?" The lavender unicorn asked herself, before she was greeted with a sudden explosion of speed and adrenaline that collided with her and suddenly crashed into a cold, wet puddle of mud.
A really deep, raspy voice chuckled, "Oops. Excuse me?" Twilight groaned before she looked up to see it was none other than a grown up Rainbow Dash. "Here, let me help you." With flap of her wing, Rainbow Dash flew away to retrieve a large dark cloud, which she quickly jumped on to release a downpour of water onto the lavender unicorn, cleaning her of the mud. "Oops. I guess I overdid it," Rainbow Dash chuckled.
"Oh you think?" Twilight asked rhetorically.
"Um, here, how about this?" Before Twilight knew it, she was surrounded by a series of rainbow blur and was encased in a rainbow tornado, "My very own, patented, rainbow blow dry!" Rainbow Dash announced proudly. "No, no. Don't thank me. You're quite welcomed."
Rainbow Dash opened her eyes, and was immediately greeted at the sight of a Twilight Sparkle with a very bad hair day.
Starting out with a few snickers, tears welling up in her eyes, Rainbow Dash instantly burst out laughing as she fell to the ground at Twilight's misfortune. Then, as if to further the unicorn's humiliation, Spyro, Spike, and Sparx just happened to arrive, and the three boys quickly joined in the laugh fest.
"Okay, very funny," Twilight scowled. "Rainbow Dash. Right?"
Instantly ceasing her laugh, Rainbow Dash stood up, "Yep! The one and only," She confirmed, before she looked closely at Twilight Sparkle. "Hey, I remember you! You're that unicorn filly from Canterlot a few years ago, right?"
"Uh, yeah! That's right!" Twilight answered. "Twilight Sparkle, in case you forget."
"Yeah, yeah, that's right," Rainbow tapped her chin, before turning her head and noticed the boys, "Yo, Spyro! Sparx!" The pegasus called. "Long time no see!"
"Hey Rainbow Dash!" Spyro greeted the pegasus. "I see you're looking well."
"I'd say the same for you!" Rainbow smiled, when Sparx buzzed in front of her face. "And how can I forget you, Sparx?" Rainbow Dash looked down and noticed Spike was hiding behind Spyro's wing, "Hey Spike," The pegasus greeted as gently as she could. "Hey, it's okay. Don't you remember your pal, Dash? I'm not going to hurt you."
Spike slowly walked out from behind his brother and greeted, "Have we met?"
"Yeah!" Rainbow replied. "I mean, you were just a little baby dragon when we first met. I was there when you hatched!"
Spike smiled as he stood proudly before the pegasus, "Well, I'm not so little anymore, now am I?" He asked.
"Yes, we'll nice of you two to catch up," Twilight began, interrupting the bonding moment. "Anyway, we were sent here by orders of Princess Celestia to look over the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebrations which is taking place here in Ponyville. And one of the biggest agenda was to clear the sky of clouds, which unfortunately, you're doing a bad job of!" Twilight pointed up to show a sky full of clouds.
"Oh don't be such a worrywart, Twilight," Rainbow waved her hoof. "I'll do it in a jiffy, just as soon as I'm done practicing."
"Practicing?" Spyro asked. "For what?"
"For the Wonderbolts!" Rainbow answered excitedly. "They're gonna perform at the celebrations tomorrow! And I'm gonna show 'em my stuff!"
"The Wonderbolts?" Spike asked.
"Yep!"
"The most talented flyers in all of Equestria?" Spyro second.
"That's them!"
"Pfft! Please," Twilight scoffed. "They'd never accept a Pegasus who can't even keep the sky clear for one measly day."
"Uh oh," Sparx muttered. "Them's fighting words!"
"Hey!" Rainbow barked. "I can clear this sky in ten seconds flat!"
"Prove it!" Twilight challenged.
"Ten bits that Rainbow Dash can do it," Sparx buzzed.
With a flap of her wings, Rainbow Dash was zipping through the skies, back and forth, bucking clouds with her hooves at a speed that is uncommon to most pegasi, " Loop-de-loop around, and wham!" Rainbow exclaimed, after she kicked the last cloud into tiny puffs. "What'd I say? Ten. Seconds. Flat. I'd never leave Ponyville hanging."
"Wow! That was so cool!" Spike shouted. "How can you move that fast?!"
"Number one, years of intense training and experience!" Rainbow answered proudly. "And number two, I'm awesome!"
"Awesome and AMAZING!!!" A voice shouted, and a little orange pegasus filly with purple mane and tail about Spike's height came running up. "That was so cool! You're way past cool, Rainbow Dash! Truly the best of the best!!" Before long, the little filly was followed by a whole herd of fillies who were all holding out pictures of the rainbow maned pegasus, randomly shouting, "Can I have your autograph?!"
"Well, that's my cue to answer my reputation," Rainbow said proudly to herself. The pegasus turned to the four, "Well, it's been nice seeing you guys again. I can't wait to hang out some more!"
Snapping out of her shock, Twilight stammered, "Um, yeah. Sure. I see weather's been taken cared of, so let's check that off the list."
Spike complied as he crossed the said objective off the list, "She's amazing!" Spike exclaimed with excitement.
Spyro sighed with a look of longing, "What I'd give to be able to fly again."
"There, there buddy," Sparx comforted the dragon. "Not everybody with wings can fly. Take Scootaloo for example. She's a pegasus filly, and yet she can't fly well like the rest of the pegasi fillies her age." Spyro looked back at the pegasus filly with piqued interest, seeing her looking up at Rainbow Dash with starry eyes, "And yet, she still looked up to Rainbow Dash, and never gave up believing in herself. Reminds you of anyone?"
"Decorations. Check!" Spike announced, checking the item off the list. "Beautiful!"
"Well, I see Rarity has outdone herself," Sparx mused, buzzing his wings around to check the surroundings, before he smiled, "And speak of the pony."
The marshmallow white unicorn was levitating some ribbons in the air, before she tied them in certain parts of the festivity, "Oh yes, sparkles always does the trick!" She said to herself in satisfactory, before she turned and gasped at Twilight's messed up mane and tail. "Oh my stars, darling! Whatever happened to your coiffure?!" She asked.
"Oh, you mean my mane?" Twilight asked. "Well, it's a long story. I'm just here to check on the decorations, and then I'll be out of your hair!"
"Out of my hair? What about your hair?!" Without giving Twilight a chance to speak, Rarity quickly ushered the lavender unicorn away.
"Wait! Where are we going?!" The lavender unicorn asked. "Help!" But it was no use. Nobody answered the unicorn's desperate cry for help.
Meanwhile, a loves trucked Spike asked, "How are my spines? Are they straight?"
"You look fine, little brother," Spyro answered, before grinning, "Oh, I see you've got it bad for the mare, do you?"
"Oh yeah," Spike swooned, before he snapped out of his daze. "I mean, no! No, of course not!" Spyro and Sparx, however, weren't buying it. "Okay, yeah, I maaaay have a crush on her. I mean, can't I help it if Rarity looked so beautiful? With her sapphire eyes that dazzled, snow white coat that is as soft as marshmallow and everything? I'd call her a diamond in the sky...." Looking up, seeing his fellow boys failing to suppress a laugh, Spike scowled, "What's so funny?"
"You're never that passionate before!" Sparx buzzed. "Young love already?!"
His face turning red with mixed anger and embarrassment, Spike countered, "At least I get to know what love is from the start!"
Spyro and Sparx both ceased their chuckles, "Whoa, strong words there, Spike," Sparx complimented.
"Yeah, take it easy little brother. We're just having some fun," Spyro assured. "We're not trying to hurt your feelings."
Feeling calmer again, Spike took a deep breath, "Still, what do I do now?"
The dragonfly and the older purple dragon both looked at each other, then back at the younger dragon, "It's simple," Sparx began. "Just open up and talk to her!"
"Yeah, just talk to Rarity," Spyro advised. "Show her how nice and friendly you are. But be cool, okay?"
"Yeah, don't scare her like Spyro here did with Fluttershy once," The dragonfly grinned mischievously.
Spike looked up and smiled with confident, "Okay, I'll do it!" The little dragon was about to turn and follow Twilight and Rarity, but hesitated, "I can't do it. I don't know what to say to her."
"Just say anything Spike," Sparx replied to the little dragon. "Just say anything nice, whatever's natural. Just say the first thing that comes to your mind," Spike nodded as he tried to think. "Well, anything?" Sparx asked.
"I was thinking how her diamond cutie marks make me hungry for gems," Spike answered.
Spyro and Sparx both moved their heads into a facepalm, "That's going to send the wrong message," Spyro muttered.
"Okay, forget what I said about the whole natural thing," Sparx said. 'There's no way she'll ever go out for dinner with you if you say that to her,' He thought. "Just say that she is the most beautiful mare you've ever laid eyes on. She's only the most amazing unicorn you've ever seen. Tell her that she's the star of your night, and the sun of your days. She's the diamond in the your sky. Girls like that!"
"Oh wow, that's good stuff!" Spike smiled, before he grabbed Sparx and walked away. "You gotta help me remember all that!"
"Hey! From where I come from. Dragonflies don't like to be grabbed!"
"Oh, sorry!"
"Okay, you want to woo the mare? Then you gotta do exactly what I say."
"Okay."
"Did I say okay?"
"No."
"What did I say?"
"Do exactly what you say."
"Exactly! What I say."
Spyro grinned as he shook his head, "Well, guess it's just me then," With that, the older dragon decided to have himself a look around of Ponyville, looking for something to do, "Huh, where should I even begin?" He asked.
"Stop thief!!" A pony shouted, just as a hooded figure ran past the dragon.
"Hey, what's going on?" Spyro asked.
"That scoundrel!" The pony gasped. "He just robbed my shop and has run off with my merchandise! He's too fast for me to catch him!"
"Not if I have anything to say about it!" With that, Spyro sprinted after the thief.
At the same time, Pinkie Pie came jumping out from the sidings, "Ooh! When my Pinkie senses are this tingly, it always means one thing!" Reaching into her mane and tail, Pinkie dons herself up a whole assort of instruments. "CHASE MUSIC!!"
The thief was running through the streets of Ponyville, while carrying his loot in a large brown bag he was heaving over his shoulder. Taking a chance to see if he was being pursued, the thief looked behind him to see Spyro hot on his tail. With a loud yelp, the thief took off running like he's never run before.
"Nah-nah-nah-nah-nah!" The thief taunted, which only encouraged Spyro to run faster.
"Oh you're gonna get it when I'm through with you!" Spyro snarled.
The chase soon made its way into a busy street of ponies. Many of the villagers quickly ceased what they were doing as they moved out of the way of the running thief and pursuing dragon. All except for one unfortunate merchant pony. The thief took hold of his cart and shoved it to the side, spilling its content of cabbages in an attempt to slow Spyro down, which failed as Spyro leapt over the destroyed cart.
"My cabbages!" The merchant exclaimed.
The thief kept on running, weaving through the civilians of Ponyville. Seeing how difficult it is to pursue though a large crowd, Spyro looked up to see many houses lined up in a long row, with rooftops built out of hay. With that, Spyro went into a gap between two houses, jumping from one wall to another to reach the top of the roofs. From there, the dragon continued his pursuit after the thief, who was completely unaware of the dragon's whereabout, falsely believing he lost Spyro.
"I may not be able to fly again," Spyro said to himself, as he spreads his wings. "But at least I can still glide!" With that, Spyro leapt off the roof and descended towards the thief, tackling him from behind.
"Alright, thief!" Spyro snarled, as he ripped the loot away. "Game's over!" Soon enough, the dragon and a couple of police officers in Ponyville brought the thief to a local jailhouse, where the culprit was locked behind bars.
"A good night sleep in jail should be enough to make you think twice about breaking into someone's place and robbing them, mister!" The officer snorted as he and his officer locked up the barred door, before turning to Spyro, "Thanks for doing your part, Mr. Spyro. We'll take it from here."
Little did both ponies and dragon knew, however, the thief reached into his coat and pulled out a communicator, "Hey, it's me!" The thief cackled. "Our informant was solid! The dragon is here! I repeat, the dragon is here!"
After catching the thief, and returning the loot to the pony whom the thief had robbed earlier, Spyro began looking for a secluded place to rest, when he heard a haunting, angelic voice with a harmony of birds singing. Following the sound, Spyro arrived to see none other but Fluttershy herself, conducting a whole flock of birds singing from their perch, while singing a song herself.
Spyro had no words to say, aside from describing how beautiful the shy pegasus's performance was, 'Wow, for being so quiet, she's got a good set of pipe,' Spyro thought, feeling her angelic song washing over him, tenderly soothing his pent up anxiety.
The dragon kept on listening the pegasus's song, until she came to the end, in which he applauded for her performance, "Wow, that was beautiful!" He complimented to the bashful pegasus.
"Oh, Spyro!" Fluttershy gasped in fright, while her birds flew away. "Uh, how long have you been there?"
"Long enough to know you have such a beautiful voice," Sypro answered. "It's very soothing. Very relaxing."
Fluttershy's lips trembled, "I, uh....thanks for the compliment," She began modestly. "But-I-Oh, it's so embarrassing!"
"What? What's there to be embarrassed about?" Spyro asked. "I mean it when I said you have a beautiful voice."
"Um, thank you," Fluttershy whimpered timidly. "But I-I-I-I don't like to perform in front of a large crowd. It's just so...so...so scary!"
"I'm sorry, what was that?" Spyro asked, to which Fluttershy repeated in an even quiet mutter. "I still can't catch that. What?" Fluttershy repeated, even more quiet. "What? Speak up! I can't hear you!" However, like last time, it was still a quiet mutter for Fluttershy. Finally, Spyro shook his head, giving up, "Oh forget it."
"I'm sorry," Fluttershy apologized in fright.
"Hey, hey, no need for apologies," Spyro replied. "But still, beautiful voice you got there. I'd like to hear it again, someday."
From the last compliment, Fluttershy couldn't help but blush a shade of pink.
Just then, Twilight, Spike, and Sparx arrived, "Hey Spyro!" Twilight called, catching the purple dragon's attention.
"Oh, hey guys!" Spyro returned the greening. "So, how did it go with Rarity?"
"Oh she's amazing," Spike swooned. "I think she likes me.~"
"Focus casanova," Twilight snapped the little dragon back to reality. "What's next on the list?"
"Oh, um, music," Spike answered. "It's the last one on the list."
"No worries, I already checked that," Spyro confirmed, while gesturing to Fluttershy with his wing. "And let me tell you something. Fluttershy here has a good set of pipe!"
"Really?" Twilight asked, turning her attention to the bashful pegasus.
"Oh believe me," Sparx buzzed. "You should hear her singing when she's in the shower."
Later
After everything was checked off the list, Spyro, Spike, Sparx, and Twilight returned to the Golden Oak Library, ready to enjoy themselves some down time.
"Whoo, I'm bushed," Spike stretched his arms out.
"Me too," Twilight replied. "All this checking is so exhausting. I can't wait to enjoy myself some peace and quiet reading time."
"Does she ever do anything else besides reading books?" Sparx asked.
"Not unless you count pleasing the princess," Spyro answered.
"You know, maybe I should find a spell that can help me understand what you boys are saying," Twilight commented, as she opened the door, and both she and the boys stepped in. "Whoa, it's really dark in here. Where's the light?"
*FLIP
"SURPRISE!!!" A whole herd of ponies shouted, startling the unicorn, dragons, and dragonfly.
"Surprise!!" Jumping from the crowd is none other but Pinkie Pie herself. "I threw this party just for you!" Pinkie said to Twilight. "Were you surprised? Were ya? Were ya? Huh huh huh? It's your Welcome to Ponyville Twilight and Spike Party/ Welcome Back to Ponyville Spyro and Sparx Party!!!!"
"Wow, what a mouthful," Spyro commented.
"Very surprised," Twilight began sarcastically. "Libraries are supposed to be quiet."
"Well, that's silly! What kind of welcome party would this be if it were quiet? I mean, duh, bo-ring!" Pinkie giggled.
"Right," Twilight replied, pouring herself a drink in a cup, before sipping the liquid content though a straw.
"Uh, Twilight!" Spike began. "That's not a drink! That's-" Too late.
Twilight's eyes cringed and watered when she realized she drank herself a whole cup of Ghost Jalapeño Pepper Hot Sauce. As a result, smokes were flying out of her ears, and her mane and tail caught on fire.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!" Twilight screamed, as she ran around the room, like a blazing comet.
Twilight grabbed a cup of water from a nearby pony and drank the whole cup, which did little good to douse the flame. Frantic, she picked up a book and desperately struggled to fan herself, with a spell she hexed on the book to make its pages turn quickly. Unfortunately, due to the spiciness from the hot sauce, Twilight struggled to maintain focus on the spell, and the book ended up repeatedly closing its binders on her head, as if it was chewing on her.
Looking around for something to help, Spike picked up a bottle of ketchup, "Here you go, Twilight!" Spike shouted, reaching into Twilight's mouth, pulling her tongue out and sprayed ketchup on it, before he lets it go. "Feel better?" The little dragon asked.
"Yeah," Twilight sighed in relief. "Much better. Thank you, Spike."
"Hey! What's the with the sudden change of fight music?" Pinkie Pie asked. "Is there going to be a fight?"
As if answering Pinkie's question, a commotion was heard from outside, which everyone walked out of the Golden Oak Library to investigate.
"What the-" Before anyone could question any further, a flash of magic erupted the air, and everyone were horrified to see Ponyville being overrun by a horde of horrendous armored creatures that resembled a mixture of toads, frogs, goblins, and trolls. They are called Gnorcs.
The gnorcs looked at all of the decors of the festivities in place for the Summer Sun Celebration, before they decided, they don't like them. With that, the gnorcs quickly started to trash the village, while everyone looked on in horror. Actually, not everyone.
Spyro charged into the fray and spewed an explosive fireball which exploded upon impact with one of the gnorcs, "Hey!" Spyro snarled. "Why don't you guys pick on someone your own size?" In response, the gnorcs all swung their club weapons at the dragon, who quickly dodged to the sides, "Okay boys," Spyro snarled. "You want a piece of me? I'm all fired up!"
With a loud roar, one of the gnorcs led the first charge as he swings his large hammer at Spyro, which the dragon dodged, before he charged headfirst and rammed his horns into the gnorc's armor, "Okay. Don't want to do that again," Spyro groaned, before he was knocked to the side by the gnorc's club, and his comrades set upon the fighting dragon.
One of the gnorc swung his club down on Spyro, which the dragon quickly evaded as he dived through the monster's leg, and jumped to evade an attack from the other gnorcs, resulting in their strikes to hit one of their own comrades, in the butt.
"Ha!" Spyro smirked. "I see your aims are still worse than your-Whoa!" Spyro narrowly dodged a large axe that was swung at him by one of the gnorcs. In retaliation, Spyro leapt towards the axe wielding gnorc, spinning himself in the air to swing his tail, striking the arrowhead end at the gnorc's face, followed by a vertical downward strike of his tail from above, and ends with a quick jab of the tail to the gnorc's face. The gnorc stumbled backwards for a moment, until it collapsed to the ground and disappeared in a flash of light.
In the meantime, the other gnorcs continued to swarm themselves around Spyro, lunging forward to attack. Spyro kept on fighting, but the growing numbers of gnorcs was becoming too overwhelming for the young dragon.
"Enough already!" Spyro panted, beginning to tire out.
Just when a gnorc was about to swing his club down on the dragon, a blur of rainbow pierced through the air and struck the brute away.
"Yo, Spyro!" Rainbow Dash flapped her wings as she landed next to the dragon. "Need some help?"
"He, what gave that a way?" The dragon asked.
"Don't suppose ya got room for one more, partner," Applejack said, as she too joined in the fray.
"Make that four, because we're fighting too!" Twilight joined, followed by Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Spike, while Fluttershy and Sparx watched from a safe hiding spot.
"This is our home, after all!" Rarity added. "And we'll teach these brutes about respecting others' property!"
"And what we do to PARTY CRASHERS!!!!" Pinkie screeched.
"Yeah!" Spike agreed. "C'mon everyone! Let's show these monsters what we're made of!"
But before any side could make a move, a loud dark cackle pierced the air, "An admirable, motivational speech I'm sure," A voice echoed. "Too bad it will not save you!"
"Don't look at me!" Rainbow replied. "I'm not in charge of those clouds!"
"Ooh! I bet those are the clowns I ordered!" Pinkie chirped.
"-_-* Since when do clowns do that?" Sparx buzzed, which of course the pony was incapable of hearing and replying.
A clap of thunder pierced across the sky, striking the balloons and burning down the decorations, "....Or definitely not the clowns I ordered," Pinkie frowned.
Everyone continued to watch as a fleet of airships materialized themselves from the clouds, before they floated down and anchored themselves to the ground. In response, the gnorcs all got down to their knee and bowed their head in respect, as one of the airship's ramp came down and squashed a party animal underneath.
"Brian! NOOOOO!!!!" A random pony wailed.
Just then, a small creature appeared at the doorway of the airship and walked down the ramp, while carrying a huge box. The creature appeared to be a hedgehog. A chubby, pug-faced dark gray hedgehog with white quills. The hedgehog creature set down the box, which extends a large horn from the top. Once the horn was complete, the hedgehog picked up a mic and spoke, "Ponieth of Equethtria, we come on behalf of the fearsome, the powerful, the almighty...Thtorm King!"
With that, several banners from the sides of the airships drop down to reveal a picture of a tall, fearsome, white furred ape-like creature with long horns at the top of his head.
"The Storm King?!" Spyro asked, before he turned to the ponies, "Do any of you girls know who the Storm King is?" In response, the girls all shook their head.
"And now, to deliver the evil, evil methage, put your hooveth together for Reeeeeeeeed!" The hedgehog announced, as another figure appeared from the airship.
In appearance, the figure is a tall red dragon, with a peach colored underbelly and matching underside of his wings, piercing yellow eyes, blue fins that sprout from his elbow, and two large curvy dark purple horns that sprouted from the sides of his head, a row of dark purple spines that sprouted from the top of his head to the tail which ends in an arrowhead. The red dragon wore a pair of gold armbands around his wrists, a dark purple amulet around his neck, and carries a long staff, with a large crystal that was pulsing dark energies.
Spyro's eyes narrowed at the sight of the dragon, "Greetings, every pony," The dragon, identified to be Red, greeted. "So sorry to interrupt your little festivity in the progress."
"Oh, that's okay!" Pinkie smiled. "I'm sure you were just passing through!"
"Pinkie!" Rainbow hissed harshly at the pink pony.
".....Yes, um, where was I?" Red asked, before the hedgehog whispered in his ear. "Right. It seems that we are missing a dragons. A very special dragon. And we would like for your cooperations to return him to us."
"Spike," Spyro whispered to the little dragon. "Don't say anything. Let's go."
"But what about-" Spike was interrupted when Spyro placed a wing over the little dragon's mouth, as he was ushered away.
"Hey, guys? Where are you going?" Sparx buzzed, with Fluttershy turning her gaze to follow the boys.
"Um, excuse me, Mr. Red?" A pale, light grayish amber earth pony with an authoritative persona came forward. "Mayor Mare here. And if I may, how do you know for certain this particular dragon is even with us?"
In response, the red dragon tapped his staff to the ground, and a bolt of lighting was shot from the sky, striking the ground, startling the mayor, "DON'T QUESTION ME, PONY!!!" Red threatened. "We have our resources. And they have told us that our dragon is here in Ponyville. Bring him to me, and I promise you will all be left alone."
With that, the villagers all became unsettled, as fearful thoughts and questions were exchanged.
"Twilight?" Applejack asked. "What do we do? We're not gonna rat out Spyro and Spike to this dragon, are we?"
Before Twilight could speak, someone in the crowd shouted, "Look! There they go!" Before long, all eyes were set on Spyro, Spike, Sparx, and Fluttershy.
"Eek!" Fluttershy squeaked, diving behind a cart for cover.
"Leaving so soon?" Red asked, before he snapped his fingers. "SEIZE THEM!!!" With that, utter chaos broke loose.
Welcome To Ponyville Part 4: The End and The Start
Spyro quickly spreads his wings protectively over Spike, "It's only me they want!" Spyro said, as he turned to Spike. "Go, get out of here!"
Spike shook his head as he placed his claws on Spyro's shoulder, "No way! I'm not leaving-"
"You have to! Now go!" With lunge of his head, while being careful with his horns, Spyro forcefully shoved Spike into a bush, before turning to the gnorcs, "Hey! You want me?! Come and get me!"
With that, the gnorcs all gave chase as Spyro led them away from his little brother, and the ponies.
"BIG BROTHER!!!" Spike held his claw out.
Applejack and Rainbow Dash were the first ponies to spring into action, "C'mon, y'all!" Applejack began. "We've gotta save Spyro!"
"What?!" The ponies exclaimed, before they looked back to see how the dragon was holding up against the horde of gnorcs.
Despite not being able to fly or breathe fire again, Spyro stood his grounds as he and the gnorcs stared each other down. Then, one of the gnorcs made the first move as it swung its hammer down to the ground with the intent on smashing the purple dragon. But Spyro quickly dodged to the side, before he retaliated with a double front kick to its stomach, courtesy of a support from his tail.
Another gnorc had swung its club at the little dragon, which Spyro managed to dodge with a duck of his head, followed by a forward roll, and a backflip to avoid several swings of attacks made from the gnorcs. Looking to his left to see a tall, bulkier gnorc charging towards him with a large war hammer raised over its head, Spyro quickly leapt to the air as he head butted the gnorc in the head with his golden horns, knocking the brute in a confusing daze. With the brute off balance, Spyro quickly sweeps the ground with his tail, tripping the giant warrior off its feet, and causing it to fall on most of its smaller comrades.
"Wow, look at him go!" Scootaloo exclaimed, as she and Apple Bloom both looked at Spyro's fighting style in awe, together with a unicorn filly about their age.
A huge gnorc stood behind Spyro, with an axe raised. But just before it could swing its bladed weapon down onto the purple dragon, a blur of rainbow broke the air at a blinding speed, knocking the weapon away.
The gnorc turned its head in surprise, "Hey!" The giant goblin-toad-like beast was met with a series of punches and kicks, courtesy of Rainbow Dash herself. "THAT! WASN'T! VERY! COOL!!!" The rainbow maned, cyan pegasus ranted.
Spyro looked up in surprise to see, not just Rainbow Dash, but most of the pony friends, aiding him in battle.
Twilight was levitating a book titled: "Defensive Techniques For Unicorns."
Skimming through the pages of the book's content, Twilight quickly found the spell she was looking for and started blasting several offensive magic beams at the gnorcs. One of the beams landed a direct hit to a gnorc's buttock, leaving a darkened scorch mark. Angered, the gnorc turned its attention towards Twilight and began running towards her with a club raised. Concentrating hard, the lavender unicorn disappeared in a flash of light, evading the gnorc, before she reappeared a few miles behind it.
"Take this!" Twilight grunted, firing a blast of magic at the gnorc she had inflicted earlier, before she was knocked to the side.
Looking up, Twilight's eyes widened to see Red standing over her, pinning her down with his staff, glowering, "You will regret you've ever interfered, little pony!"
"GET OFF OF ME!!!" Twilight grunted, struggling to fire a magic beam at the red dragon, but was dismayed to see her magic being sucked into the dark crystals at the tip of the red dragon's staff.
"Foolish, unicorn!" Red chuckled. "Your magics means nothing to me!"
"Then too bad your fancy doohickey can't save ya from this!" With that, Red was knocked off of Twilight, courtesy of a strong hind leg kick from Applejack.
"Ouch!" Red grunted, rubbing his inflicted jaws before turning to Applejack. "That was uncalled for, pony. It looks I'm going to have to teach you proper respect." With a snap of his fingers, the red dragon summoned a pack of what looked like medium-sized bulky bipedal dinosaur-like creatures, with curly horns, and sharp fangs. Most of them are red, blue, and brown. Some were shown to breathe fire from their mouth.
"What in tarnation?" Applejack exclaimed in surprise.
"Watch out!" Spyro warned to the country pony, while fighting off a gnorc. "They're not called Dragon Dogs without a reason!"
"Gee, now ya tell me," Applejack frowned, before she looked to see Red commanding the Dragon Dogs.
"Chow time, boys!" Red commanded, as the Dragon Dogs all charged towards Applejack with slobbering snapping maws.
One of the Dragon Dogs did a massive leap in the air, pouncing on Applejack, who quickly bucked her hind legs out aggressively, keeping the other Dragon Dogs at bay, while struggling to shake the one off her back. One of the fire breathing Dragon Dog spewed an explosive fireball at the country pony, who quickly rolled to her side so that the dinosaur-like creature on her back would take the hit, and get blasted off.
"Ha!" Applejack laughed, before one of the attacking Dragon Dogs rammed its head into her side, knocking her into a pole, where a gilded cage was hanging, containing an olden pony. Getting up, seeing she was being attacked at both sides by a horde of gnorcs and Dragon Dogs, Applejack leapt onto the cage, swinging it across to crash into several attacking gnorcs. The cage's chain snapped, and Applejack went rolling into the streets of Ponyville, before she jumped off at the last second, while the cage went rolling and crashed into some of the attacking gnorcs, destroying the cage's door in the process.
With a newfound joy on his face, the olden pony shouted, “I’m free, I’m free!” Unfortunately he spoke too soon when his leg tripped over one of the cage bars, causing him to stumble into a stockade, which locked him in place, “Dang it.”
"WHEEEEE!!!!" Pinkie Pie screamed happily, as she jumped into a barrel with some gnorcs chasing after her. "Hey, I'm over here!" She popped her head out from another barrel, much to the frog and toad-like creatures' shared confusions. "No, I'm over here!" Pinkie said when she popped out from another barrel. "Now I'm over here!" The gnorcs got so confused, and so frustrated, they started swinging their clubs, hammers, and axes violently, destroying the barrels in the process. But much to their misfortunes, they ended up hitting each other in the process.
"Tag! You're it!" Pinkie giggled, bopping one of the gnorcs on the nose.
"Help!" A little unicorn filly screamed, as she was being pursued by one of the Dragon Dogs. "Anybody?!"
The Dragon Dog had the filly backed up against the wall. Just as it was about to open its jaws and close for a bite, the creature was pulled away by the tail, "Get away from my sister, you brute!" Rarity scowled, before tossing the dinosaur-like beast away, courtesy of her magic. "Sweetie Belle, darling!" Rarity called, as she galloped over to inspect the little filly. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, Rarity," Sweetie Belle replied, though a little shaken. "I think so. LOOK OUT!!" Rarity turned around, just in time as a gnorc nearly grabbed the two unicorns, had Rarity not smacked its hand away.
"It's rude to simply grab a lady!" Rarity scolded the gnorc, who didn't heed the unicorn's words and raised its hammer up to the air, before bringing it back down.
However, before it could smash the unicorns, a burst of green fire erupted, scorching the gnorc's butt. The scorched gnorc jumped up in the air, screaming as it held its hands over its roasted buns.
The unicorns looked down to see none other but Spike the dragon, holding the To-Do List, while breathing heavily, "You girls-I mean, ladies okay?" Spike asked.
"Why yes of course!" Rarity smiled.
"Thanks to you!" Sweetie Belle squeaked excitedly.
"Great!" Spike replied, before he turned his head to see a familiar yellow buttercup feathered wing sticking out from a bush nearby. "A-ha! Feathers!" Spike ran over to the bush, grabbed one of the feathers, and plucked it.
"Ow!" Fluttershy yelped in pain.
"Sorry! But I need this for an emergency!" Spike replied, before he turned to Rarity and Sweetie Belle, "Uh, by chance, either of you have some inks cartridges I could borrow?"
"Did somebody ask for inks?" Pinkie asked, appearing out of thin air, before dashing to a tree, "Because I have ink cartridges stashed around Ponyville in case of ink emergencies!"
Back with the fight, Red got impatient, "This ends NOW!!!" With that, Red lets out a loud shrilly whistle that filled the air.
A clap of thunder echoed the sky, followed by what sounded to be the screeching roar of a ferocious creature.
"What the hay?!" Twilight exclaimed, as she and every pony in Ponyville looked up.
Before long, a great shadow of a huge beast descended across Ponyville, concealed by the dark clouds as it rains down bolts of lightning on Ponyville, and its inhabitants. Then, with another screeching roar, the beast descended down on Ponyville, landing on all four legs, with crackles of lightning pulsing along its body, and every flap of its enormous wings created a strong gust of wind that blew everyone away.
"Great whickering stallions!" A stallion exclaimed. "What is that?!"
The shadow beast let out an earsplitting screech, before Red walked over to the beast and gently stroke its neck. In terms of height, the stormy beast's shoulder reaches at the top of the red dragon's curled horns.
"That's enough, my dear," Red said in a soothing tone to the beast. "Now, find the purple dragon, Spyro! AND TEAR HIM LIMB TO LIMB!!!"
The beast craned its neck as it scanned across Ponyville, overrun with fearful stampeding ponies. The beast continued scanning the layout of the area, until at last, it snarled when it finally caught sight of the said purple dragon.
Spyro kept on fighting the gnorcs with a headbutt, a tail whip, and several fighting moves of the Dragon Kata, completely oblivious to what was about to befall on him.
A crack of thunder sounded, followed by a blinding white lightning that pierced the air and struck Spyro.
"AAAAAAHHHH!!!!" Spyro screamed as he got electrocuted and was knocked away from where he once stood.
"SPYRO!!!" The ponies and dragonfly shouted.
"Big brother!!" Spike shouted as he ran up to his scorched brother. "Are you okay?"
Before the older dragon had time to answer, a rush of stormy shadows erupted from beneath, revealing itself to be the creature from before as it snatched Spyro in its jaws, thrashing him back and forth, before flinging him into the walls of a building.
The beast let out a piercing roar, coupled with a crack of thunder to further its ferocity, and snorted as it walked over to the beaten purple dragon, who was scrambling to get back up on his feet. Before it had chance to do anything else, the beast was interrupted by the arrival of Spike, Sparx, and the girls, who all stood protectively over their fallen friend.
"Get away from him!!" Twilight screamed, only for both her and the girls to be blasted by a bolt of lightning from the beast.
"Spyro!" Spike shouted, shaking his brother back to consciousness. "Come on, brother! Get up!"
"Save your breathes, little one," The beast spoke in a deep, intimidating voice. "You should be more concern for yourself!" With a slash of its claws, the creature shoved Spike to the side, before it was hit in the face by a beam of pink magic. Turning its head in the direction of where the magic shot came from, the beast looked to see Twilight, struggling to get up on her hooves, while her horn was coated in a magenta aura.
"...Don't...you...touch...them!" Twilight grunted as she struggled to get up on her hooves.
The beast sniffed Twilight, before it licked its chops, "Mmmm, fresh meat!"
"GET AWAY FROM MY LITTLE PONIES!!!" A loud voice shouted, followed by a beam of powerful magic that caught the monster by surprise.
Every pony looked up and their eyes immediately widened to see their beloved Princess Celestia and Princess Luna standing in the midst of the battle.
"It's the princesses!" One of the ponies exclaimed. "We're saved!"
"Not for long!" Red smirked, while conjuring a black glass orb in his claws, which was pulsing with a mysterious green energy within.
Shaking its head, recovering from the surprised attack, the creature turned its attention to its attackers, "You dare to INTERVENE?!!!!" With another earsplitting roar, the creature fired another blast of lightning at the two alicorns, who were quick to conceal themselves in a protective bubble shield, as Princess Celestia fired a beam of blinding light at the beast.
"I believe we should be asking, how YOU dared to attack Equestria!" Luna bellowed, as she fired her own bolt of lightning, which the beast deflected with a flap of its wings.
"You should all know, that Equestria is our kingdom!" Celestia frowned, as she continued to fire several powerful blasts. "And as such, we vow to protect it with our lives, even from you!!"
"I'm so glad you two feel that way," Red chuckled in a sinister tone. "Because then we wouldn't have brought these with us!" With a flick of his arm, the red dragon hurled the orb at the two alicorn sisters.
Princess Luna quickly reacted as she conjured a shield spell to save her both herself and her sister. Unfortunately, the orb phased its way, passing through the protective barriers of the spell, breaking upon impact with the princess of the night, releasing a cloud of sickly green gas.
"Luna!" Princess Celestia screamed in horror, watching as shards of dark crystals rapidly formed themselves around Luna, before they fully encased her in a crystal statue. "NOOOOOO!!!!!" Celestia screamed, as she tried to save her sister, only to be knocked out of the air by a strong force of scorching electricity.
The sun alicorn soon found herself pinned down to the ground, looking up to stare into the cold, piercing blue eyes, that matched the crackling thunders that pierced across her sister's once beautiful night.
"Ah, Celestia!" The beast grinned menacingly. "So many moons it's been!"
Celestia's eyes widened, before they squinted in a glare, "I never thought I'd ever have to see you again, Nightmare!!" Celestia grunted, thrusting her hooves up to kick the beast off her.
The beast, now identified as Nightmare, landed on its feet, before it got up and cackled menacingly, "I'm going to enjoy this Celestia!" The beast began mockingly. "You should've kept the Elements of Harmony with you! Because now I'm back, in this new body! And now, I will have my revenge for our last encounter!"
"Elements of Harmony?" Twilight asked.
With a loud roar, Nightmare lunged forward in a burst of cackling electricities, only to be deflected by Princess Celestia, who conjured a shield to protect herself, before retaliating with a burst of explosive magic that repelled the beast off. Princess Celestia then galloped forward with her horn coated in an orange aura, before projecting a blazing orange lance-shaped aura, which she thrusted into the beast's chest.
"AAAARRRRGGGHHH!!!" Nightmare howled, as the electrical surges wrapped themselves around the lance, and shattered it into several tiny pieces. Hissing from the recent wound, Nightmare looked up with its eyes following Princess Celestia, who took to the air.
"No matter what form you take, Nightmare!" Celestia began. "You will never defeat the side of righteousness!"
"We shall see about that!" With a flap of its wings, Nightmare took to the sky as it blasted a surge of lightning after the Alicorn Princess of the Sun. "It is futile, Princess Celestia! You cannot run forever! You may be a Princess of Equestria. But in the night and storm, I REIGN SUPREME!"
"Even so, you can never win against me!" Celestia was about to prepare another magical blast.
"Very well then. This can go in two ways," Nightmare began. "Continue your fight with me? Or save your people from my LIGHTNINGS!!!!" With another loud roar, Nightmare conducted several bolts of lightning from the clouds, channeling all the electricities into its body, before projecting them out through the wings, claws, and a long tail that is tipped with a large dented blade, sending the lightnings down onto Ponyville.
"NOOOOO!!!!!" Princess Celestia shouted, disappearing in a flash of blinding golden light, while Nightmare watched with a sinister grin.
All of Ponyville screamed, frantically diving for covers as they prepared for what was about to come. But it didn't came, for Princess Celestia had reappeared mere seconds before the lightnings struck Ponyville. Using her great magic, the alicorn princess conducted all of the electricities towards herself. The powerful and scorching rush of electricities was intense as it threatened to kill the alicorn from the inside-out, before she released the electricities out from her horn, at many of the attack gnorcs, and Red.
"AAAAHHH!!!" Red held his staff up, projecting a shield to block the electricity that was redirected in his path. Fighting back to keep the shield up, the red dragon was forced back as his feet drug deep into the soils to maintain a firm grip.
At last, all the electricities have been cleared out of Princess Celestia, who collapsed to the ground, exhausted, and panting heavily from the fight.
"Princess Celestia!" Twilight shouted, running up to the Sun Princess in concern. "Are you alright?!"
"Don't worry, my faithful student," Celestia smiled wearily. "I'll be okay."
"YOU WISHED!!!"
*SLASH*
With a gasp of breath, Celestia collapsed to the ground, while Nightmare pulled her blade ended tail out from the alicorn's back, with the tip covered in blood.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!" Twilight screamed horribly at what she and everyone just saw.
"Yes!" Nightmare hissed. "I have finally WON!!!" With another crack of thunder, the beast laughed menacingly, together with the gnorcs, Red, and Grubber.
"YEEEAAAAHHHH!!! WE DID IT!!! WE'VE WOOOONNN!!!!" Grubber cheered, as he broke out in a victory dance.
"No! Princess, no!" Twilight sobbed, collapsing to the ground to wrap her hooves around her beloved mentor's neck.
"Don't waste all your tears on her, little pony," Nightmare cackled, as she ripped the body of Celestia away from the lavender unicorn's grip. "You ought to save some for yourself, and your friends. Now, give us the Aetheran, and your demise will be swift!"
But before anyone could make a move, "....Twilight...." Celestia gasped, weakly.
"Princess Celestia?!" Twilight gasped.
"The Elements....go...." The Sun Princess strained, coughing deeply as she struggled, "Find the Elements....trust your friends.....save-"
"ENOUGH!!!" Nightmare roared, crushing the life out of the sun princess beneath its foot.
With every last of magic left in her, a bright flash of light enveloped Princess Celestia as her body burned away in a raging inferno. Then, once the lights have died down, all that was left of the Sun Princess was a pile of ash.
"She's gone!!" The ponies exclaimed, horrified and grief-stricken their beloved leader was no more.
"No matter," Nightmare began. "The Aetheran has no where to go. Not without the beloved Sun Princess to protect him."
"Yes, be that as it may," Red began, as he started to address. "Now, little ponies. If you were to cooperate, give us the Aetheran. NOW!! Or we shall burn your whole village to the-"
"Um, excuse me?" Grubber began. "Mr. Red, sir?"
"WHAT IS IT, YOU GLUTTONOUS HONEY BADGER?!!" Red roared.
"I'm a hedgehog." Grubber corrected, before he whimpered at a snarl from Nightmare. "Uh, about the Aethor-arthur-uh, the purple dragon, sir? He's....uh....he's....he's not here! Not anymore!"
"WHAT?!!" The dragon, gnorcs, and invaders all turned at the spot to where Spyro once lied, to see it was just like Grubber said. Empty.
In fact, Twilight, Spike, Sparx, and their friends are nowhere to be seen.
In a flash of light, Spyro, Spike, Sparx, Twilight Sparkle, and their friends all appeared on the outskirts of Ponyville.
"Whoa, my life just flashed before my eyes!" Pinkie moaned. "Literally."
"Warn us next time you were gonna do that, Twilight," Spike moaned, as he struggles to regain his focus. "Twilight?"
Everyone all looked at the distraught unicorn, to see the tears were clear on her face as they flooded down her cheeks, "Oh," Applejack frowned in empathy. "Oh, oh, oh. Come here, Sugarcube," The farm pony gently hushed as she wraps her strong hooves around the unicorn in a comforting embrace.
"I know, Sugarcube," Applejack softly spoke. "I know...We all see it, sugarcube.”
“She's gone!" Twilight broke down to the ground, and she wept non-stop. "Princess Celestia is gone!"
The ponies all gather around their crestfallen friend and embraced her, trying their best to comfort her.
Spike and Sparx both looked at each other to exchange the same looks of sorrow and depression over the death of their beloved ruler.
Spike turned to the left, to see his brother was walking away, "Spyro?" Spike called out, running after the older dragon. "Where are you going?"
"With luck, somewhere far away," Spyro replied, with a crestfallen tone in his voice to match the depressing air around them.
"What? Why?"
"This is all my fault. I'm the one those villains wanted. It should've been me. If I had left sooner, none of this would happen. The princess would still be alive."
"Spyro...." Spike shook his head. "It's not your fault. You can't-"
"It is my fault, Spike," Spyro replied, a little more sternly. "This is why I shouldn't have overstayed our welcome here! And because of me, I've dragged you and everyone else into this mess! This is my battle! I should've fought them off, years ago!"
"Well, it's too late for that," A voice said, to which the two dragons looked up to see the ponies joining them. "Whether or not this is your battle, those creatures made a BIG mistake attacking us like that!" Rainbow Dash frowned. "So it's now become our battle as well! Which is why we've got to go back!"
"What good will that do?" Twilight sobbed. "Without Princess Celestia, or even Princess Luna, we don't stand a chance. We don't have an army."
"I hate to say it, but Twilight's right," Applejack said grimly. "We don't stand a chance against them varmints, especially that storm creature," The country shuddered at the mention of it. "And besides, even the princesses weren't good enough."
"So what are you saying?" Rainbow asked. "That we should just surrender ourselves and let the bad guys win?! No way! The day I surrender is the day when I quit joining the Wonderbolts! And that's not going to happen soon! I say we go back there and take out those monsters and reclaim our home!" Rainbow growled.
"And just how do we do that?" Spyro asked.
"Simple. We wait until it's night time, then we sneak in, and HI-YAH!!!" Rainbow screamed, throwing out several punch and kicks. "They won't even know what'll hit 'em!"
"Bad idea, Rainbow Dash!" Applejack disapproved. "Even if we can sneak in, we're still no much for that Nightmare beast! As long as those fiends have that thing, we don't stand a chance against that much firepower!"
At the mention of firepower, Spyro cringed as he slumped, "If only I still had my fire, I can fight them all off," He sighed.
"Well, what about your other element attacks?" Spike asked. "You're an Aetherean, right? So, aren't you suppose to do more elemental attacks, besides fire?"
"Yes, I can, Spike," Spyro sighed. "But it only works when I'm completely whole. Without fire, my other elemental powers are out of sync, and I can't control them properly."
With that, Spike slumped to the ground, "So much for that," He sighed.
"So what if you can't breathe fire?" Sparx buzzed. "We've seen you fight well enough! At least, until ya got your tail whipped by that storm creature," The two dragons both gave their annoying dragonfly friend a death glare. "You're right, not helping," Sparx frowned in dismay.
"So now what are we going to do?" Rainbow sighed.
"Well, obviously darling," Rarity began. "We simply can't go back home now."
"I know that!" Rainbow stomped her hoof. "I meant, how are we going to fight back!"
"Obviously, brute force isn't enough," Applejack replied. "We're outnumbered, and outmatched!"
At that moment, Twilight had an epiphany, "Wait!" She exclaimed, catching everybody's attentions towards her. "Wait, just a moment! There might be a way!"
"What do you mean?" Applejack asked.
"During the fight, Princess Celestia mentioned something about the Elements of Harmony. And just before she died, she told me to go and search for them!"
Everyone all turned their heads towards each other, exchanging looks of confusion, "And pray tell, what exactly are these Elements of Harmony?" Spyro asked.
"If I remember my studies correctly," Twilight began. "They're the most powerful magic in all of Equestria! They were once used by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna to defeat a great evil that nearly destroyed all of Equestria. And later, after that, they were used to save Princess Luna and exorcised the darkness that corrupted her."
At that point, everyone all lit up when they realized, "So, what you're saying is...."
"Those Elements could help us fight back! We just need to find them first!"
"Great!" Spyro began. "So....any idea where we should begin searching for them?"
"I...I don't know," Twilight frowned. "I'm sorry. I didn't have time to read up on where their last location was. If only I had a copy of The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide."
Spike smiled as he reached behind his back, "You mean, this book right here?" He asked, revealing the said book.
"Yes, that's it!" Twilight smiled, as she levitated the book from the little dragon. "Spike, you're the best!"
"Eh, I have my moments," The little dragon smiled, feeling proud of himself, to which Spyro and Sparx rolled their eyes.
"The locations of the Elements of Harmony should be around here, somewhere!" Twilight said, as she skimmed through the pages.
"Uh, speaking of which," Fluttershy whimpered. "Maybe we should find someplace to hide out? I'm feeling a little bit exposed out here."
Instantly, the friends all looked up to see that they were still out in the open, outside of Ponyville and all.
"Shoot! I can't believe we forgot!" Applejack exclaimed, before she turned. "C'mon, y'all! We need to find some covers and fast! This way!"
"B-B-But-" Fluttershy dreads. "That's the Everfree-"
"No choice!" Rainbow said, as she dragged the buttercup pegasus along. "Let's go!"
But it was too late. A pair of eyes had already watched the friends leave, before they retreated to tell their masters the news.
Meanwhile, back in Ponyville
No words can tell how sadden and hopeless the ponies are, after that recent ordeal. The Summer Sun Celebration was ruined, their homes are ruined, they are now taken prisoners by the gnorcs, Red, and Nightmare, and to top it all off, their beloved rulers are lost. Princess Luna is now encased in stone, while Princess Celestia was murdered before their very eyes.
"All these powers.....waisted on parties," Red grumbled as he watched some balloons floating away. "When there were far greater uses." The red dragon grumbled, before he turned his attention towards two brutish thugs standing before him, holding a vial of a potion that was emitting a ringing tone.
"Well, answer it!" Red ordered, to which the gnorcs complied. Opening the potion, they poured it into a cauldron, in which a great burst of blue flames erupted, conjuring up the head of figure. Well, partially that is.
"Where am I supposed to be looking?" The figure asked. "I never understand how these spells work. RED!!!"
"Over here, your majesty," The dragon grumbled. "Over here. To the right. Now to the left."
After awhile, a face was clearly shown in the fire, "Oh, there you are," The figure said, revealing himself to be the Storm King. "Here's the deal. I'm in the middle of a big re-brand here. 'The Storm King' is tracking, well, as 'intensely intimidating', but you know what? I need to back it up. You know what I need to back it up with? A storm!" He bellowed. "That would be great! You promised me magic that could control the elements, and right now, I'm holding a what? A branch. A twig. Bleh!"
"That would be the Staff of Sacanas," Red corrected, slightly annoyed at the Storm King. "And it will grant you the power of the Aetheran dragon of the prophecy. You will soon have the power of a hundred armies."
"So that would be a yes, and you've captured the little Aethar-athor-Ay-" The Storm King was struggling to say the Aetheran, before he finally gave up and finished. "The little purple dragon then?"
"Regrettably, the little dragon slipped through our grips," Red reported. "Give us some times, and we'll be ready for your arrival."
The Storm King grumbled, before he replied, "Fine! You have only three days! Got that? Three days!" The Storm King's eyes narrowed, as he continued, "Fail me, and banishment will be far too merciful of a penalty for the likes of you."
"We shall see," Red snarled.
With that, the Storm King suddenly dropped his intimidating scowl, and dons up a cheery demeanor, "Great!" He smiled. "Gonna power up, become the mightiest of the realms...." The Storm King continues to sing to himself with glee, until at last, the fire died down.
At the same time, Grubber appeared, "Uh, hello, Red sir?" The pug-faced hedgehog spoke.
"What is it, you gluttonous rodent?!" The red dragon bellowed.
"Uh, first off, I'm not a rodent," Grubber clarified, before he whimpered when he received an angry glare from Red, "And second....uh, I know where that purple dragon is?"
"Where is he?"
"Uh, he's um-he's in there! He's in that forest, just outside of Ponyville! Some guards told us he and his friends went in there, sir!"
"Very well then," The red dragon walked away, before he stood in front of a horde of baboons, gnorcs, rhynocs, and all kinds of evil creatures. "They are in the Everfree Forest! Find them!" Red commanded. "They cannot get far! Do not let them escape! Do what you want with the ponies, but whatever happens, that Aetheran must be destroyed!"
Everfree Forest
"This looks scary," Fluttershy whimpered, cowering from the creepy shadows of the forest.
"It could be worse you know!" Pinkie chirped as she bounced along. "You could be held prisoner by those monsters and enslaved to do manual labors for the rest of your days, mining dark gems and everything for the forces of evil!"
"Don't go there, Pinkie Pie," Applejack scolded the party pony for scaring their bashful friend.
"Don't worry, I won't!" Pinkie smiled. "Not when I've got some good friends to tag along with!"
"I just hope we don't have to stay in this ghastly forest for long," Rarity grimaced.
"Don't worry, we won't," Spyro replied. "It'll take more than just a big forest to keep those goons from trying to find us. They'll tear apart all of Equestria until they find us."
"Still, what is it about this Everfree Forest that's got you girls all worked up about?" Spike asked.
"The Everfree Forest ain't like yer average forest, Spike," Applejack lectured. "It's dangerous, unpredictable, and it ain't natural. It's unnatural. It don't work the same way as Equestria. Folks say that plants grow on their own here."
"The animals fend for themselves in this forest," Fluttershy added.
"And the weathers can be unpredictable here," Rainbow added.
"AND it's home to the enchantress, Zecora!" Pinkie chirped.
"Who?" Spyro, Spike, and Twilight asked.
"NO! DON'T ASK HER THAT!!!" Sparx groaned, but too late.
"Who's the enchantress?!" Pinkie asked. "Well, she's so evil, I can't tell you!" Sparx then counted 1, 2, and 3, in which on cue, "I'll sing about her!!!" Pinkie smiled.
"So, watch out!" Pinkie panted when she came to the end of her song.
"Wow, catchy," Spyro snarked.
"It's a work-in-progress," Pinkie squeaked.
"Ahem," Sparx cleared his throat, as he hovered next to Spyro and Sparx. "As we were here before?"
"Oh yeah, that's right!" Spike exclaimed, turning to Twilight. "So, Twilight. Any ideas on where the Elements of Harmony are?"
"According to this book," Twilight read. "There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five of them are known. Kindness, laughter, generosity, honesty, and loyalty. The sixth element is a complete mystery. It is said that the last known locations of the Elements of Harmony was in the ancient Castle of the Two Sisters."
"So, where is this castle?" Spyro asked.
"We're in luck. It's somewhere in this forest," Twilight answered.
"Yeah, well it is a big forest," Pinkie stated.
"It's gonna be like looking for a needle in a haystack," Applejack added.
"Oh, I've got an idea!" Rainbow exclaimed. "I'll fly up there and scout the whole place from above! I'm sure to find the castle from up there!"
The friends all looked at each other, exchanging nods and agreements, when suddenly, "Shh! You guys hear that?" Spike asked.
With that, the sounds of wing beats is audible, growing louder and louder until, "LOOK OUT!!!" Spyro shouted, shoving everyone to the side, just as something came crashing down from the trees.
Once the dusts cleared up, everyone looked in horror to see a giant bat, covered in black and white furs, with curvy horns growing from the sides, while carrying a baboon on its back.
"A dreadwing!" Spyro shouted, before his eyes narrowed to see its rider. "And it's one of the Storm King's lackey!"
"Well, what are waiting for?" Rainbow asked. "Let's rock and roll!" With a flap of her wings, Rainbow Dash flies off as a multi-colored blur at the bat.
"Rainbow, WAIT!!" Applejack called, but too late.
In retaliation, the dreadwing swiped one of its wings at the pegasus, smacking her into a tree, knocking her out cold. The bat-like creature then turned its head towards the rest of the heroes, eyes narrowing at the sight of Spyro, before it lets out a loud screech and charged towards the purple dragon. Spyro had the same idea, as he lowered his head, pointing his horns forward, kicking the dirts with his legs, as he charged towards the bat, ramming his head into his head, stunning it momentarily.
Angered, the bat bashed its head at the little dragon, knocking him off his feet, before it brought one of its clawed wings down on him, only for the dragon to roll out of the way, slithering beneath it, thrusting his legs up to its underside. The dreadwing leapt away, giving itself some distance from the purple dragon. But before the bat could charge again, it was pelted by some flying rocks, to which it turns its head to see it was Spike hurling some rocks at it.
"Hey you big ugly flying rodent!" Spike shouted. "Leave my brother alone!"
Angered, the dreadwing let out a loud earsplitting screech that blew Spike back, before turning back on Spyro, but was met with a ramming horn to the face, "Don't yell at my brother!" Spyro berated the bat, before he jumps up, twisted his whole body around in three rounds of tail whips.
"Yeah, Spyro!" Sparx cheered.
"Don't suppose ya got room for one more?" Applejack asked, wanting in on the action, as she picked up a pile of pebbles, and rapidly kicked them with her hind legs, at the bat creature, and its rider.
"Let us lend a hoof, or two," Rarity added, with a flick of her mane.
"Oh yeah! Let's par-TAY!!" Pinkie cheered, reaching into her mane and brought out a cannon.
"I'll go and check on Rainbow Dash," Fluttershy whimpered, as she ran off to check on her wounded friend.
And so the fight continued, between the heroes and the dreadwing. The monstrous bat creature lunged forward, snapping its jaws furiously at Spyro, who quickly ducked his head to evade the jaws, when Applejack lunged forward, thrusting her hooves out in a strong punch to the bat's face. Before it had time to recover, Spike jumped at the bat from behind, and breathed a puff of green fire that singed the dreadwing's behind, startling it.
"Stick a cupcake in your eye, here you go!" Pinkie chirped, rapidly throwing a flurry of cupcakes into the bat creature's face, before she appeared next to the rider, with a gift wrapped box. "Happy birthday! Here's your present!" She zipped away, as the rider opened the box.
BOOM!!!
The rider was blown off of his mount, and into a tree, where he got entangled in its vines.
In the meantime, Twilight magically conjured up another book, and skimmed through its contents, looking for an answer, "Dragons, no. Digimons? No. Dreadwings, c'mon. Dreadwings," She frantically said to herself, before she found what she was looking for. "Ah, here we are! Let's see," She began to read. "Dreadwings are a different species of bats that were bred for combat. Like all bats, these monsters are blind and rely on their acute hearing to locate prey and see with their echolocation."
Back in the fight, Applejack got out a vine, which she used for a makeshift lasso to ensnare the dreadwing by the neck, "Got him!" She exclaimed, before she began to lose her footing.
"You mean, he got you!" Pinkie said, as the farm pony was lifted off her hooves, and was thrashed about by the dreadwing, before it pulled her towards it, repeatedly bouncing her off its wings, before the bat tossed her away.
"Take this you ruffian!" Rarity shouted, angrily thrashing the bat creature with an uppercut, then a high kick, and a side kick, a roundhouse kick, and an elbow drop.
"Whoa you're strong!" Spike complimented.
"Ladies do not start fight, but we can finish them," Rarity boasted.
"Rarity, look out!" Applejack shouted, just as the dreadwing was about to clamp its jaws on the unicorn, when suddenly, it violently shook its head, holding its wings over its ears.
"Uh, what happened?" Rainbow groaned, finally coming around.
The friends looked to see Twilight's horn was coated in a pink aura, emitting a faint sound, "Twilight?" Spike asked. "What did you do?"
"Just a sonic pitch sound spell," Twilight answered. "Only way to repel a dreadwing, and all kinds of creatures with sensitive hearing."
"No kidding," Sparx buzzed in irritation. "Now can you please turn the volume down?"
Smiling with pride, Spike turned to Spyro, "See? It pays to have friends like Twilight!" The little dragon said.
"I guess," Spyro replied, before his eyes widened. "TWILIGHT!! LOOK OUT!!!"
But too late. Twilight looked, just in time to receive a smack to the face, by the dreadwing's wing, interrupting and silencing her spell.
Having enough, the dreadwing arched its head to the air and let out a loud piercing howl that went on for miles. The friends all looked up to see more shadows of giants bats filling the air.
"Uh oh, reinforcements!" Twilight whimpered. "Let's go!" With that, everyone all took off running from the growing number of dreadwings, retreating further and deeper into the forest, where the dreadwings could not pursue any further.
Somewhere
After finding a secluded area, outside of Ponyville, the evil red dragon looked to see the dark gems on his staff, cracking auras of dark magics, before a pair of yellow eyes appeared.
"Your darkness," Red answered as he bowed his head before the eyes.
"I trust you have succeeded on your part, Red?" The figure questioned.
"Partially, master," Red explained, as he stood up. "We have conquered this town, Ponyville, as on the Storm King's orders. Naturally, the princesses attempted to fight us off. However, Princess Celestia is no more, and Princess Luna is our prisoner as we speak, my lord."
"...and what of the Aetheran?"
"Regrettably, he escaped with some friends of his," Red answered, grimly. The eyes squinted as they glowered towards the red dragon, coupled with the sound of a loud raspy hiss. "But rest assured master. He can't have gone far. Not in his current conditions. We will find him."
The hissing softened a little, before the voice responds, "I will hold you to your words, Red. Do not fail me."
"Yes, my dark master!" Red replied with a bow of his head.
A New Adventure Part 2 - Baboons, Manticore, and Enchantress, Oh my!
"Phew. I think we lost them!" Spike panted heavily, while taking a quick peek from behind a tree.
Applejack looked up to the sky, pass the tree branches to see flocks of dreadwing bats flying overhead, "Looks like there ain't gonna be any flying from you, Dash," The country pony frowned. "The sky's too clouded out with those bat creatures."
"Oh, you think?" Rainbow muttered.
"Looks like we'll have to continue the search, on the ground then," Twilight sighed.
"So how exactly are we going to find an old castle?" Spyro asked. "By chance, does that book come with a map, or something?"
Looking back at her book, Twilight quickly skimmed through the pages, but was unable to find what she was looking for, "It's not in here," She shook her head in dismay.
"Of course not. No pony has ever charted the ins and outs of the Everfree Forest," Applejack spoke. "Those who have tried, they were never seen or heard from again."
"Well, that's not going to stop the Storm King’s goons from chasing us, now is it?" Spyro pointed to the dreadwings that were flying above.
“Or them, either!” Pinkie pointed, to a platoon of baboons, jumping down from the trees, screeching maniacally at the heroes.
“Oh goodness!” Fluttershy whimpered. “They found us! What do we do now?”
Snarling in irritation, Rainbow Dash stomped the ground with her hoof, “They may have killed Princess Celestia!” She said. “But I didn’t came into this forest just to return to as a prisoner!”
The ponies, Spike, and Sparx, all looked at the cyan pegasus in admiration, “Neither will I!” Spyro said, standing proudly by the pegasus’s side. “I’m all fired up for a good thrashing! So let’s do this!” With a kick of his legs, Spyro charged forward, with his horns aiming towards the monkeys.
“Yeah!” Rainbow shouted in agreement, as she joined into the fray.
Spyro caught one of the baboons with his horns in between the legs, before with a thrust of his head, he flipped the baboon in the air. From that position, Spyro quickly leapt to the air, did a front flip to slam his tail onto the monkey’s head, followed by a tail spin that knocked the baboon into a tree.
Defeated, in a flash of light, the baboon's whole body dematerializes into several small multicolored gems.
In the meantime, the other baboon lunged towards Spyro, only to be caught mid-air by Rainbow Dash, who tackled the baboon to the ground.
Rainbow Dash and the baboon were both tumbling around, on the ground, in a vicious tussle. Rainbow Dash was punching the baboon in the nose repeatedly, with the evil monkey scratching the pegasus by the neck and pulling her on the mane.
Then, another baboon dropped down from a branch and onto Rainbow Dash, pulling her by the mane in an attempt to get her off its comrade.
“Hey! Get off of me!” Rainbow Dash screamed, jumping and kicking her legs wildly, struggling to get the baboon off.
Just then, some ropes were hurled in the air, lassoing Rainbow Dash by the hooves and wings, with a muzzle secured tight around her snout.
“Hey!” Pinkie shouted in outrage, pulling out her party cannon. “You can’t do that to my friend!” With a loud bang, Pinkie fires her cannon, blasting an explosive bomb at the baboons, getting them off of Rainbow Dash.
With the monkeys gone, Spike quickly went to work, cutting the ropes, freeing Rainbow Dash from her restraints.
A baboon was about to hurl some bolas at the pegasus, had Spyro not intervened, ramming his horn to knock the baboon to the side. The baboon quickly retreated with some of its comrades, while Spyro regrouped with the others.
“You okay Rainbow Dash?” Spyro asked, as Spike helped the muzzle off her face.
“Yeah, I’ll be okay,” The pegasus confirmed.
“Don’t be so sure!” Sparx buzzed. “BEHIND YOU!!!”
Heeding Sparx’s warning, Spyro and Spike looked behind them to see the danger was far from over.
“Look out!!” Spyro shouted, as sticks of dynamites were thrown from the trees and exploded.
The baboons have returned. This time, with reinforceds who carry firearms and ammunition.
“Watch out for those bombs!” Spyro shouted, holding his good wing, protectively over Spike.
“Get behind me!” Twilight said, springing into action, casting a shield spell over herself and her friends, saving them from the explosions.
Undeterred, the baboons took out more bombs, lighting up their fuses with the burning matches that were located in a compartment on the baboons’ wristbands.
Then, the monkeys hurled their explosives at the heroes. The bombs exploded upon impact with the shield, creating cracks in the spell.
Twilight was barely holding on, “I can’t keep this up!” She strained.
“Twilight,” Spike looked anxiously at the unicorn, petting her hoof to calm her. “Hang in there, Twily.”
Spyro looked at the unicorn, seeing the pain and stress she was in, together with the frightened looks on all the ponies face, and Spike’s.
In that moment, the haunting memories of the tragedy he had witnessed from the past came rushing back to Spyro as a tidal wave washing over the dragon, flashing before his eyes.
“No!” Spyro muttered. “Not again!” His eyes opened up with determination burning in his eyes.
“Spyro?” Applejack looked at the dragon.
Before she had time to ask, a bomb exploded, breaking a sizable hole in the shield.
Not wasting another second, Spyro leapt through the crack and charged towards the baboons.
“SPYRO!!” Everyone shouted after the dragon.
Before the baboons readied another wave of bombs, they were caught by surprise when Spyro charged and knocked one of them off its feet with his horns, before the dragon quickly whipped his tail, and sent it flying into the rest of the group. In retaliation, some of the baboons held up their shields, raising their maces and screeched at the top of their lungs, charging into battle.
One of the baboons swung his mace at Spyro, hitting the dragon in the face. Shaking the blow off, with a few drops of blood from his bruise, Spyro rammed his horns into the baboon's shield, before dodging another swing of the mace from the baboon, and repeated his horn attack.
Another baboon snuck up from behind, raising his mace up, ready to strike the dragon from behind, "Spyro! Behind you!" Sparx buzzed, warning the dragon just in time to duck his head, evading the attack.
Not wanting to stand idly by any longer, Spike jumped through the crack and ran after his brother, "Spike, what are you doing? Get back here!" Twilight shouted to the little dragon, who didn't heed to another word from Twilight. "Spike!"
As the baboons continue their battle with Spyro, Spike snuck up from behind one of the baboons, took its tail, and with clamped his jaws, hard on it.
*CRUNCH
"AHH!!!" The baboon screamed, turning around to see Spike puffing his cheeks to blow a raspberry at it. Distracted, the baboon failed to notice Spyro charging from behind, ramming his horns into its bright red buttocks, and sent it flying away.
"Nice chomp there, Spike!" Sparx complimented the young dragon, who could only blush in response.
One of the baboons was about to throw another stick of dynamite at the dragons, when a rope lasso came flying and swiped it away from the monkey's hand, "Uh uh!" Applejack said in disapproval, while holding the stick. "I don't think so!"
"Applejack! Get rid of that!" Twilight screamed, alerting and reminding the rest of the girls of the bomb.
"Here Dash! You take it!" Applejack panicked, tossing the bomb to the pegasus's hooves.
"No way, you have it!" Rainbow said, returning the bomb back to the pony.
"No, it's for you! It's your birthday! Happy birthday!"
"No, it's for you! Happy Apple Family Day!"
"It's too early for the family reunion!"
"Will you girls stop fooling around and just get rid of it?!!" Twilight screamed angrily.
"I'll get rid of it!" Pinkie said, taking the bomb away, and puts it in her mouth.
"PINKIE!!!" The ponies shouted in horror, just as an explosion went off, muffled in Pinkie's stomach, and she belched up a burst of fire.
"Ooh, that's one spicy meat-a-ball!" Pinkie said in an Italian accent, before coughing up a cloud of smoke, much to the other ponies' bewilderment.
Back in the fight, both Spyro and Spike have developed a routine in their fight against the baboons. When some of the baboons were fighting against Spyro, Spike would run up to the monkeys and burn their butts from behind, distracting them to turn their shields and mace on the little dragon, thus leaving their behind exposed to Spyro, and vice versa.
Spyro flipped a baboon into the air with his horns, before he jumped up, did a front flip to slam his tail down into a Tail Hammer, and smashing the baboon into a flash of light and gems upon impact to the ground. Spike breathed a burst of green fire, burning a baboon's buttock, causing it to yelp as it angrily turned to face the baby dragon. With a second, Spyro slashed his claws at the baboon's butt.
"You burn!" Sparx instructed to Spike. "You spank!" He said to Spyro. "You burn! You spank! You burn! You spank! Teamwork dragons! Oh yeah!"
"Wow, look at them go!" Pinkie smiled. "It's like they're made for each other!"
Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement, before she shook her head, "What are we doing sitting here then?" She said. "Come on! Let's fight! YEAH!!!" With a loud scream, Rainbow Dash flapped her wings, taking flight into the fray, and threw several punches and kicks at the baboons, along with the two dragons.
At last, the monkeys have had enough. One of the baboons sounded a call for retreat, in which the entire pack was called back, disappearing in the thickets.
"Yeah, that's right!" Rainbow Dash shouted. "Run, or you'll have to deal with me!"
Spike breathed a sigh of relief, as he fell to the floor, taking the moment to catch his breath, "Hey Spike," Spyro said, walking over to Spike, putting the tip of his good wing onto Spike's shoulder. "You did great back there," The older dragon complimented.
Spike smiled, feeling pleased with himself, "Same as you, Spy," Spike replied. "We do make an awesome team, don't we?"
"Hey? What am I? Chopped liver?" Sparx buzzed indignantly. "I was the coordinator for the fight back there!"
"Oh chill out, Sparx," Spike smirked. "Of course I included you."
"Spike!" Twilight shouted, as she galloped over to inspect the little dragon. "Are you alright? Are you hurt? Do you still have your fingers and toes?"
Spike was about to answer, when his eyes widened in alarm, “Twilight! LOOK OUT!!!” But too late. Before the unicorn had time to react, a stick of dynamite combusted in the air, throwing the unicorn off her hooves, screaming into a fissure.
“AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!”
“Twilight!” Spike shouted desperately, as he and the friends all ran to the edge, and looked down to see Twilight, clinging onto a single branch for dear life.
"Talk about a cliffhanger," Sparx commented.
"Cliffhanger~" Pinkie sang in an operatic voice. "Hanging from the clifffffffffffff~"
"PINKIE!!!" Spyro and Spike shouted at the pink pony, getting her back to focus.
"Hold on, Sugarcube!" Applejack said, after she finishes securing one end of a rope to a tree stump, and tied the other end around her waist. "I'm coming!"
"Do I look like I have a choice?" Twilight frowned, before she felt her hoof slipping. "Hurry! I can't hold on much longer!"
Once she was fully secured, Applejack carefully lowered herself down into the fissure, with the others holding onto the other end of the rope.
But by the time the rope reached its limit, Applejack was only able to grab onto the tip of Twilight's hoof, "Twilight!" Applejack shouted. "Let go of the branch!"
"What?! Why?!" The lavender unicorn shouted. "So I can FALL to my death?"
"No, so I can pull you up!" Applejack reassured. "Ya gotta trust me on this, Sugarcube!"
"Why should I?"
"Sugarcube! I give you the honest truth! It's going to be okay. I'll save you! But you must trust me! Let go of the branch!"
Deciding to go for it, Twilight lets go of the branch with her other hoof and makes a quick grab for Applejack's hoof. Using both of her front hooves at once, Applejack heaved Twilight up, allowing the unicorn to wrap her hooves around the country pony's neck and shoulders, "I got her!" Applejack shouted, giving the rope a tug with her tail.
"PULL!!!" Spike shouted, as he and the other friends all pulled on the rope, bringing both Applejack and Twilight back up to safer grounds.
"Step back everyone! Give them some space!" Rarity beckoned to the group, as Twilight and Applejack were both breathing heavily.
"Y'all alright, Twilight?" Applejack asked. In response, Twilight looked up at Applejack with watery eyes and quivering lips. Before Applejack could react, Twilight tackled Applejack and cried on her shoulders, "There, there, Twilight," Applejack said gently, stroking Twilight's mane to calm her. "It's alright. It's alright. Yer safe now."
"I owe you my life, Applejack!" Twilight sobbed tearfully, before she looked to see Spike, looking at her worryingly. "Spike!" She wailed, as she scooped up the little dragon and hugged him, together with Spyro, and Sparx. "You guys!" She cried.
"Twilight! Get it together!" Spike grunted, as the unicorn squeezes the hug even tighter.
"Choking! Not breathing!" Sparx moaned. "Curse me for this genetically tight exoskeleton!"
"Ow, my wing!" Spyro groaned.
Twilight continued to sob tearfully, "I've never felt so scared in my whole life," She blubbered. "I just...just...you're all I have left!" The unicorn continued her sobbing, and held the boys closer.
"Oh you poor thing," Fluttershy whimpered in sympathy, joining in the embrace to comfort the unicorn.
"Shhh, everything's gonna be okay, Sugarcube," Applejack said, trying to reassure the unicorn. "We're all in this together."
"Til' the end," Rainbow added.
"Not to mention we're Equestria's last hope," Sparx buzzed.
"Come on, Twilight!" Spike groaned, until he finally manages to slip his way out of Twilight's hooves. "Crying won't solve anything. Remember, what we're here for! And remember why we are doing this!"
Twilight slowly calmed herself, with her breathing coming to a steady rhythm. The unicorn released her grip off of the boys, as she wipes the tears from her eyes, "Y-Y-You're right," She sobbed. "I'm sorry."
"No need for apologies, Twilight," Spyro said. "Now let's go look for those Elements of Harmony and save everyone and Equestria."
The unicorn nodded her head in agreement, as the friends all got back up on their feet, to resume their adventure while keeping their wits about for anymore troubles, be it dreadwings or baboons.
Speaking of which, Spike looked back at the site where his brother and friends had their fight with their adversaries. The little dragon was more curious as to why the baboon's bodies had become piles of gems.
"Hey, Twilight?" Spike asked. "Any idea why most of the baboons we've defeated earlier all just turn into gems, whenever we beat them?"
"Beats me, Spike," Twilight sighed. "I think we're dealing with some powerful magics that are beyond Equestrians."
"We'll figure out what sort of hocus locus we're dealing with later," Rainbow said. "Now let's find those Elements of Harmony and give the Storm King's troops and that Nightmare beast a pummeling of a lifetime." Everyone all exchanged agreements with the cyan pegasus.
Little did they know, they were all being watch.
Ponyville
"Knowing his all powerful, high and mightiness," Red grumbled, rolling his eyes in disgust. "The likes of Ponyville is, to put it bluntly, cute for his taste. So let us prepare a proper welcome for his majesty, the Storm King, for when he arrives in Ponyville!"
"Cool!" Grubber said in agreement, as he chows down on a slice of apple pie. "Then let's get it started then."
"Yes. Let's," The red dragon snarled, snapping his fingers to summon a troop of gnorcs who were carrying stacks of dark crystals that are pulsating with evil magics. Knowing what to do, the gnorcs planted the crystals, into the ground.
Grubber watched in shock and awe, as the dark magic flowed from the crystals, into the soils of Ponyville, turning the once colorful, cheerful town, into a desolate, dark land of horror.
The trees were twisted in odd shapes, each with a menacing face that formed on the side of their barks. Then, jet black, spiky roots split up from the grounds, intertwining themselves within the houses and streets of the town. The dark clouds above the town trembled, as they grew even more darker.
"Whoa, so cool!" Grubber gasped.
"Oh please, this is merely a parlor trick," Red sneered. "Imagine the powers we'd be capable of, when we spread more of these beautiful gems, throughout all of Equestria!" To make his point, Red slammed his staff into the ground, in which the dark magics came rushing through his staff, up to the dark gems at the tip, then into the malevolent red dragon himself.
"Ah, the power!" The red dragon cackled.
Everfree Forest
Spyro looked up, sensing trouble back in Ponyville, "Spyro?" Spike asked. "Is everything okay?"
"No, it's not!" Spyro replied, gravely. "Look up!" Spike complied, in time to see the clouds above them, growing darker and darker.
"That can't be good," Spike frowned.
"Gee, what's your first clue, huh?" Sparx asked rhetorically. "The way the clouds are twisting themselves? Or the darker they're getting?"
"I spy with my little eye...."
"A tree." Applejack answered.
Pinkie gasped, "How did you know? Okay, this time, I spy something scary...."
"Is it a dreadwing?" Fluttershy whimpered. "Oh please, don't be a dreadwing!"
"Nope! Not a dreadwing!" The buttercup pegasus breathed a sigh of relief, "Just an angry manticore." Pinkie said with a smile.
"An angry manticore?!!!" Sure enough, standing before them, letting out a thunderous roar, is a ferocious beast that has the body of a lion, wings and ears of a bat, and the tail of a scorpion.
The manticore glared at the friends, baring its fangs, before it pounced forward, thrusting its paws out for a slash. Luckily, everyone scattered away from the beast, evading the attack.
"He's angry alright!" Sparx buzzed. "And he's taking it out on us!"
"Well, he just messed with the wrong dragon!" Spyro snorted, as he got himself into a fight stance.
Fluttershy, however, noticed something, "Wait," She said quietly, which of course, nobody listened.
With a kick of his legs, Spyro charged towards the manticore, with the beast doing the same thing. At the last second, the manticore lunged forward, snapping its jaws, only for Spyro to curl himself into a ball and rolls underneath the massive beast, where he uncurls himself and rockets himself, thrusting his head into the manticore's stomach, knocking it off balance.
The manticore landed on the ground with a tremendous thud, on its back. The beast looked up, in time to see Spyro twisting his body into a front flip to bring his tail onto the beast. But the manticore quickly rolled to the side, evading the tail hammer strike. Once back on its feet, the furious manticore lunged towards Spyro, snapping its jaws at the dragon.
"WHOA!!" Spyro yelped, ducking his head just in time to avoid the fangs.
"Wait!" Fluttershy spoke, again.
Rarity jumped in and kicked her legs out, striking the beast, "Ooh! Right in the schnoz!" Sparx complimented.
"Take that you ruffian!" Rarity spatted, before she was replied with a loud angry roar that messed up her hair. "AH! My hair!" With a frighten yelp, the marshmallow unicorn took off running for dear life, with the angry manticore close behind her, when it came to a sudden halt.
Everyone all looked up to see Applejack riding on top of the manticore's mane, "Yee-haw!" She hollered. "Get along, little doggy!"
"Wait!" Fluttershy spoke up again, a little bit louder this time.
"Yeah! Ride 'em, AJ!" Spike cheered for the farm pony, as the manticore jumped around the area, thrashing and shaking itself relentlessly to throw Applejack off.
But Applejack was undeterred, as she took out her rope, and lassoed a muzzle around the manticore's snout, "Yee-haw! I'm Filly the Ki-AH!!" Applejack spoke too soon, when the manticore pulled her off its back, by the ropes and started to repeatedly thrash her in its paws, like a tetherball, before it tossed her away.
"Yer turn," Applejack pointed to Rainbow Dash.
"Thank you," Rainbow dipped her head, before she flapped her wings and took off as a blur of rainbow.
"Wait!"
Rainbow Dash quickly spins herself around the manticore, trapping it in what looked to be a large tornado of multicolors, landing several kicks and punches on the beast, "How'd you like that, Pussycat?!" Rainbow taunted. "You want a piece of the rainbow, huh? I'll give it to ya! Here! Taste-THIS?" She squeaked, when the manticore finally grabbed her and pinned the pegasus onto the ground.
The beast then let out a loud roar in Rainbow Dash's face, causing the pegasus to lose her colors from her face, in fright, "Yipe," She squeaked.
"Rainbow!" Spike shouted, before he turned to the group, "All together everyone!" Spike commanded, picking up a stick as he lead the attack. "CHARGE!!!"
"WAIT!!!" Fluttershy finally screamed.
With that, everyone, including the manticore, all froze in place. Though, Pinkie Pie, being Pinkie Pie, was able to stay in mid-air.
Seeing that she has the full cooperation of just about everyone, Fluttershy walked over to the manticore, who let out a threatening roar, snapping its jaws, and thrashed its paws furiously in its attempt to drive Fluttershy away.
"Fluttershy! What are you-" Rainbow was silenced, along with the manticore, when Fluttershy shushed them both.
"It's okay, it's okay," Fluttershy said sweetly, as she begins to work her magic on gaining the manticore's trust.
First, she sniffed one of the beast's paw, beckoning it to reveal a large bruise and several scratch marks on its sole pads, "Oh you poor, poor little baby," The pegasus mare cooed.
"Little?" Spyro, Spike, Sparx, and Rainbow Dash all exclaimed in bewilderment.
"Pinkie Pie?" Fluttershy called, in which the pink pony arrived to her side in a quick blur of speed. "Do you have the first-aid kit on you?"
"You bet!" Pinkie smiled, taking out a first-aid kit from her mane and gave it to the pegasus.
"Now hold still. This might sting a little," Fluttershy instructed the manticore, as she went to apply some medicines to the manticore's wounds, before she dons up some dressings and finishes it with a bandage. "There! All better," The manticore suddenly let out a loud roar.
"Fluttershy!" Everyone screamed. But thankfully, rather than mauling the pegasus, the manticore expressed its gratitude by giving the pegasus a wet, loving, slobbery lick.
Fluttershy giggled, as the manticore purred, "Aw, you're just a cute, little baby kitty aren't you?" She cooed playfully. "Yes you are! Yes you are!"
Everyone could hardly believe their eyes, "Wow," Spyro said, finding his voice. "This was....unbelievable."
"Hey, it's Fluttershy," Sparx buzzed. "Caring for creatures is her thing."
But the celebration was short lived, when a loud bloodcurdling scream filled the air, and the group, plus the manticore, found themselves surrounded by dreadwings.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" One of the soldiers snarked. "We heard some flea bitten manticore screaming, as if it had gotten a taste with one of our traps, and we ended up finding some escapees!"
"Yeah! And not just any escapees!" Another soldier spatted. "It's Spyro and his little pony friends."
"We're gonna enjoy ripping you to pieces, and then we'll tear those little pieces into even more little pieces! Just like you did to our king, Gaul, before you escaped!"
"Whoa, Spyro?" Rainbow exclaimed. "What exactly did you do to them?"
"What they deserved," Spyro snarled, as he got into fighting stance.
"Aw, how cute," The soldiers continued to taunt. "I think I'm getting all emotional, to see how he takes after his old man!"
"You don't talk about my dad!" Spyro roared, charging towards the soldier and his dreadwing.
The dreadwing countered the dragon's attack, with a strong swipe of its claw, knocking him to the side, where he was rammed by another dreadwing.
"Spyro, no!" Spike shouted, holding his claws out desperately for his brother.
Spyro was struggling to get up, but the dreadwing above won't let him, as it slammed its feet, pinning the dragon down, "Why you oversize ugly bat!" Rainbow growled, flapping her wings at a burst of speed, flying towards the bat creature. "Get off of him, you!" Rainbow shouted, throwing her hoof out in a punch.
Angered, the dreadwing viciously snapped its jaws at the pegasus, allowing Spyro to slip away. Once freed, Spyro didn't hesitant to ram his horns into the dreadwing's head, combined with Rainbow Dash dropping a high kick from above.
The other dreadwings sprang to life as they assisted their comrade, "You leave my brother alone!" Spike shouted, picking up some rocks and tossed them at the dreadwings and their riders.
"Step aside, Spike," Applejack said, as she picked up some bigger rocks. "Watch how it's done, pony style!" With that, Applejack quickly bucked her legs, firing several rocks at the monstrous bat creatures and their riders. "Take that ya varmints!"
Twilight was frantically skimming through a book, before she found what she was looking for, "Got it!" Twilight exclaimed, memorizing the spell and fired a bolt of magic at the dreadwings.
"Nah-nah-nah-nah-nah!" Pinkie taunted a dreadwing in a furious rage, as it chased her through the fight. "I'm over here!" Pinkie chirped, appearing from a tree trunk. "Here!" She said, popping her head from a log. "No, no, no. Here!" She said, appearing from behind a boulder.
"ENOUGH!!" The rider shouted, as he kicked his dreadwing in the sides, causing the creature to let out an earsplitting scream, which stunned Pinkie Pie and the other heroes, as they covered their ears from the irritating noise.
"Owie-ow!" Pinkie groaned.
"I like rock n' roll, but that's too much for my ears!" Rainbow said.
"Oh goodness!" Fluttershy winced, from her's and Rarity's hiding spot. Having enough, the manticore from before roared thunderously, before it pounced towards the dreadwing, slashing and biting to silence the creature, knocking the rider off in the process.
Just as the rider was about to get up, he was pinned down by Applejack, "Where do ya think you're going, bub?" She frowned, eyeing down the baboon in disdain.
Hidden in his helmet, the rider smirked deviously, "Um, AJ?" Spike asked. "Do you get the feeling he knows something we don't?"
Trusting her intuition, Applejack turned her head, looking at the branches in the trees, eyes wide, "Ah, shoots! Reinforcements!" She shouted in alarm.
And sure enough, jumping from the covers of the trees, cackling menacingly at the heroes and the manticore are a whole platoon of baboons.
"Oh, enough already!" Rainbow groaned. "Where are they all coming from?!"
"There's just too many of them!" Fluttershy whimpered.
"SOMEBODY HELP US!!!" Rarity wailed desperately.
And sure enough, answering Rarity's call for help, stood a tall hooded figure, with glowing yellow eyes that pierced from the darkness of their hood.
"It's the evil enchantress!" Pinkie screamed.
Everyone watched as the enchantress walked her way towards the fight, and spoke, "Rise and fight!"
Before anyone could respond, a loud bellow was heard, "Boom shock-a-lacka!" Everyone turned their heads to see, what appeared to be a tiki-masked creature, raising his staff in the air, firing beams of energy onto the dreadwings and baboons, shocking most them until they exploded in flash of lights and gems.
The Storm King's troops and dreadwings were all too surprised to notice a little creature snuck up from behind them. By the time they noticed, it was too late. And the once little creature became a huge menacing monster that violently thrashed the baboons and the dreadwings as if they were rag dolls.
"Uh, know any of these guys?" Spyro asked the ponies.
"Nope," Applejack shook her head. "Can't say we have."
"Oh, I do!" Pinkie chirped. "They're.....Oh, wait....I don't," The friends all face faulted at Pinkie's cluelessness.
"Well, whoever they are," Spyro began. "They're obviously our friends, if they're fighting our enemies."
All the heroes could do was watch as the two newcomers fought off their enemies, until at last, the baboons retreated into the thickets of the Everfree Forest. But not before most of them collected the gems that were left behind by their fallen comrades.
Then, the two creatures looked at the heroes as they stood by the enchantress's sides, "Come with us," The enchantress spoke. "We have much to discuss."
“Would you care for a nice spot of tea?” The enchantress asked, pouring a few cups for the heroes. “It will put your mind at ease.”
“Uh, thank you,” Twilight hesitantly thanked, levitating her cup for a sip.
“Careful Twilight,” Applejack said cautiously. “It could be poison.”
“Now that’s rude!” The monster scowled. “What a way to show respect for our hospitality, after all the trouble we went to saving your behinds!” Suddenly, the creature shrunk into a little blue gremlin, carrying assorted vials of potions.
"Whoa! You just shrunk!" Twilight exclaimed.
"Aw, so cute!" Fluttershy cooed.
"Yeah, this is how I really look. But so what?" The gremlin continues to grumble. "I can still turn back into that raging monster again if you don't start showing proper respects to our hospitalities." Shaking their heads in disapproval at the gremlin’s behavior, both the tiki-masked creature and the enchantress shot threatening glares at the gremlin.
The tiki-masked creature then said something to the enchantress who nodded in agreement, "You seek the Elements Of Harmony, I see," The enchantress said.
The friends all exchanged looks, “You could say that,” Applejack answered hesitantly.
“How do you know?” Spike asked.
“She’s psychic!” Pinkie whispered.
“Darkness is in the air,” The enchantress began. “All of Equestria and beyond is in despair. A powerful, raging storm is brewing, with the darkness concocting its wicked scheming.” The zebra took a sip of her cup before she resumes, “For you to be here in such a dark hour, it’s no wonder you seek harmony’s power.”
There was a moment of silence, as the friends all stared at the zebra in astonishment.
“Wow! You’re good!” Spike complimented, breaking the ice.
“If you don’t mind the long winded words and everything,” Sparx muttered. “Gee, what’s with you talking lady? Can’t you speak proper English?” Sparx buzzed in aggravation.
“Mind your buzzing, Sparx!” Fluttershy scolded the dragonfly.
“What? It’s not like she can hear me or anything,” The dragonfly shrugged.
“Don’t be so sure, my little dragonfly friend,” The enchantress spoke up, catching Sparx by surprise. “My ears can hear, I’ll assure.”
“You mean you can hear Sparx, too?!” Spyro asked, to which the zebra nodded.
“Whoa!” The three boys all exchanged looks of bewilderment.
“Fascinating!” Twilight expressed her enthusiasm. “You too must have the innate ability to-“
“Okay, okay, so you can hear me,” Sparx buzzed. “Look, not to be rude or anything, but what’s with the crazy talk? You trying to sound wise or something?”
“The words I chanted were from olden times,” Zecora explained. “Something you call a nursery rhyme.”
“It’s sort of her thing, you see?” Pop Fizz said. “Makes her sound wise,” The tiki-masked creature said something in agreement.
“Oh! How rude of me,” The zebra exclaimed. “In all the excitement, I forgot to introduce myself and my friends!” With that, the zebra began, “I am Zecora.”
“Enchantress Of extraordinaire!” The gremlin exclaimed. “And I’m Pop Fizz. And tiki guy here is Double Trouble.” The tiki-masked creature said something unintelligible, as if to express his pleasure of their acquaintance.
“Oh, well nice to meet you all!” Pinkie beamed excitedly. “I’m Pinkie Pie! You already know Sparx! These are Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie - Oh wait, that’s me!” The pink pony giggled. “And that’s Spyro and that’s Spike!”
Zecora looked curiously at the two dragons, with Spike smiling and waving, nervously trying to look more friendly.
“Aye me!” Zecora began. “Do my eyes deceive? Are you-“
“Pleasure to make your acquaintance and all,” Rainbow Dash interrupted. “But in case everyone is forgetting! We’re here to look for some important relics that can help us drive off the Storm King and his army. So can we just skip the idle chit-chats and go straight to, say the directions to the Castle of the Two Sisters, please?”
“Rainbow Dash! Don’t be rude!” Rarity scolded.
“Hmmm,” Zecora pondered in deep thoughts. “The castle that holds the Elements Of Harmony is where you wish to be?”
“What kind of a question is that?!” Rainbow exclaimed. “Yes that’s where we wanted to be!”
“Y’know we don’t have to take anymore of your sass talk, rainbow head!” Pop Fizz muttered. “If you don’t appreciate our hostess, you can just see yourself out!”
To get everyone back on topic, Double Trouble tapped his staff several times on the floor, emitting a bright flash of light.
Everyone all turned their attention to Zecora, who began, “To find the Elements Of Harmony, you must find harmony within thee,” The zebra pointed.
The heroes all exchanged questionable looks, before Spike asked, “Meaning?”
“There are five Elements of Harmony. Five spirits of harmony. You must discover the spirits within, to use the powers within.”
Again, everyone were all confused at what the zebra said. Even Pop Fizz and Double Trouble haven’t got a clue.
“Uh, If you insist,” Sparx shrugged.
A sad sigh was heard, which everyone all turned to see Twilight, slumping her head down on the table, “Twilight?” Spike asked in concern. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
With her bangs hiding her eyes, Twilight quietly said, “I wished Princess Celestia was here,” The ponies and boys all looked at the lavender unicorn with empathy, sharing her grievance.
“What? What happened to the princess?” Pop Fizz asked.
“She’s gone,” Spyro answered glumly.
“She went on vacation or something?”
“No! She’s not on vacation!” Rainbow shouted angrily, before she calmed down and answered solemnly. “She’s dead.”
“WHAT?!!” The gemlin gasped. “The princess is dead?!”
“Yes,” Rainbow turned her head to see Twilight’s head was in her hoof, crying loudly and sobbing excessively.
“Oh Twilight,” Spike frowned, as he tried his best to comfort his friend. “It’s going to be okay.”
“No,” Twilight whimpered. “It’s never going to be okay! Princess Celestia is gone, forever!” The young unicorn continues to cry, with the pipes bursting as her friends crowded around her to exchange their consultants.
Though, none looked more sympathetic than Spyro, shedding a tear at the sight of the unicorn, with memories of a similar event flashing before his eyes.
“Your tale of woe upsets me so,” Zecora said to Twilight. “The sun has set, but hope isn’t lost yet,” The zebra said. “Princess Celestia may be gone, but her spirit still lives on. And she is still watching you now, my little ponies. She is counting on you to retrieve the Elements Of Harmony.”
Twilight’s breathing began to steady as she slowly calmed herself, looking to the heroes surrounding her.
“We were all there when it happened, darling,” Rarity said. “We will all miss Princess Celestia.”
“She’s given her life to save us,” Applejack added. “Let’s not let it be for nothing.”
Twilight nodded in understanding, as she dried her eyes, before Spike offered her a box of tissue, “Thank you,” With that, Twilight blew her nose, before she stood up. “Okay everyone. For Princess Celestia!”
“Alright!” Rainbow Dash shouted, leading the cheer with the others. “So, where do we begin?”
“My friends know where the castle is,” Zecora spoke up. “They shall guide you, as I insist.”
“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go already!” With her wings springing to life, Rainbow Dash was ready to take actions.
“Wait! Before you go, there is one more thing you must know,” With that, Zecora lead everyone to a large cauldron in the room.
“Harmony alone can do much to insure your victory,” The Zecora lectured, as she waved her hoof over her cauldron, revealing an image of the state Ponyville is in.
The friends all watched in horror to see the once colorful town that is their home, was now overrun with creatures of darkness and destructions, dark vines consuming the houses, and dark gems littering the roads.
“Land sake!” Applejack exclaimed in horror. “What have they done to Ponyville?!”
“The seeds of darkness have been sowed,” Zecora explained. “Now darkness will only grow. And harmony cannot defeat such strong forces alone.”
“Then, what do we do now?” Fluttershy quivered.
“To attain complete victory, you need harmony and an army.”
“An army?!” The heroes exclaimed.
“B-but where can we even get an army?” Rainbow asked. “All the guards are in Canterlot! The Wonderbolts are in Cloudsdale, and-“
“Find Harmony! That is your top priority,” Zecora instructed. “We will talk later, after a few more chapters.”
A New Adventure Part 4 - The Castle of The Two Sisters
"No dawdling! Hurry up!" Pop Fizz called, as both he and Double Trouble lead the friends through the thickets of the Everfree Forest.
"Slow down, will you?" Spike asked, while clinging onto his brother's horns as he bounces up and down on his back.
"Hey! Wait!" Twilight shouted, falling behind her friends.
"Come on, hurry up you slowpokes!" Pop Fizz called again.
"Hey! Who are you calling slow?!" Rainbow asked, taken aback by the insult.
The heroes continued chasing after the little blue gremlin and his tiki-masked friend, when suddenly they realized the area around them grew darker and darker, until at last, it was totally pitch black.
"Great Scott! I can't see a thing!" Rarity exclaimed, before she and everyone all tripped and crashed into each other.
"Ow! My nose!" Rainbow grunted.
"Someone is crushing me," Spike groaned.
"Oh, sorry Spike!" Twilight apologized.
"Hang on, Spike. I'll help you up," Spyro said, as he blindly helps his brother in the dark. "Hey Spike? Since when are you as soft as a marshmallow?"
"You've got one second to get your claws off my dragon," Rarity threatened.
"Oh! Sorry."
"Hey Sparx?" Spike called out. "Can you brighten your light a little more?"
"What do you think I run on? AA batteries?" The dragonfly buzzed, feeling undignified.
"Hold on, I got this," Twilight insisted, focusing her magic into her horn, conjuring up a bright aura, illuminating the area in her light, banishing the darkness away. Or, so she thought.
Upon illuminating the area around them, the friends were all frightened at the sight of trees with terrifying faces.
The ponies all screamed loudly, with Pop Fizz and Double Trouble coming back, "Hey, what's with all the screaming? What?" When the two turned their heads, they were just as frightened as the ponies.
"AAAAAHHH!!!" Pop Fizz screamed, jumping into Double Trouble's arms. "Mama! Mama!"
Sparx and Spike both cling to Spyro, as the boys stood terrified before the trees.
"Big brother! Do something!" Spike screamed.
Shaking his fright away, Spyro was about to spring into action, when someone else beat him to it. Instead of screams of terror, there was laughter, and everyone all turned their heads and are bewildered to see Pinkie Pie, laughing at the faces.
"Pinkie Pie?" Twilight shouted. "What are you doing? Run!"
"Oh girls. Don't you see?" Pinkie giggled, before she broke out singing.
When I was a little filly and the sun was going down...
Twilight Sparkle: Tell me she's not...
[Pinkie Pie]
The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frown...
Rarity: She is.
[Pinkie Pie]
I'd hide under my pillow From what I thought I saw But Granny Pie said that wasn't the way To deal with fears at all
Rainbow Dash: Then what is?
[Pinkie Pie]
She said, "Pinkie, you gotta stand up tall Learn to face your fears You'll see that they can't hurt you Just laugh to make them disappear."
Ha! Ha! Ha!
With that, the face just disappeared in a heartbeat. The heroes were all amazed at what they had just witnessed. With that, they all joined in the laughter.
[Pinkie Pie]
So, giggle at the ghostly Guffaw at the grossly Crack up at the creepy Whoop it up with the weepy Chortle at the kooky Snortle at the spooky
And tell that big dumb scary face to take a hike and leave you alone and if he thinks he can scare you then he's got another thing coming and the very idea of such a thing just makes you wanna... hahahaha... heh...
Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuugh!
[End of Song]
"Pinkie," Twilight began. "Sorry we ever doubted you."
"Eh, it's alright," Pinkie smiled.
"Whoever says laughter is a good medicine, wasn't kidding at all," Sparx chuckled.
"Yeah," Spike laughed in agreement. "Now can we go now?"
"Oh yeah, that's right," Pop Fizz chuckled, while struggling to catch his breath. "Anyway, the castle's this way. C'mon, let's go."
With that, the little gremlin and Double Trouble guided the heroes through the forest, before they stopped at a raging river, filled with powerful rapids, too dangerous to swim across.
"Whoa, what's going on here?!" Pop Fizz exclaimed.
"Now how do we cross this?" Pinkie asked.
Before any of the heroes can answer, they all heard a loud sobbing nearby, which they decided to investigate, discovering the source of all the rapids. There, splashing out and about in despair, is a large purple sea serpent, with brilliant orange hair with yellow highlights.
"What a world! What a world!" The sea serpent sobbed.
"Yo, Steven Magnet!" Pop Fizz called out. "What's going on? What's with all the drama?"
The serpent, now identified as Steven Magnet, looked up as he recounts, "I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when all of a sudden, these crazy monkeys jumped out of the trees and tore half of my beloved mustache, clean off!" Steven said, pointing to a little stump where his other mustache used to be. "And now I look simply horrid!" With that, Steven let out another wail as he dramatically falls back into the river and splashed more waters on the heroes.
"Oh c'mon, gimme a break," Rainbow groaned.
"Seriously?" Spyro asked incredulous. "That's what all this fuss is about?"
Why, of course it is," Rarity shouted. "How can you be so insensitive? Oh, just look at him. Such lovely luminescent scales."
"I know," Steven agreed.
"And your expertly coiffed mane."
"Oh, I know, I know."
"Your fabulous manicure."
"It's so true!"
"All ruined without your beautiful mustache."
"It's true, I'm hideous!"
"I don't know. He looks okay to me," Sparx buzzed.
"I simply cannot let such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected," With that, Rarity took a firm grip of one of Steven's scale and plucked it off.
"AH! What did you do that for?" Steven asked.
"Rarity? What are you doing?" Spike asked, watching as the unicorn raises the scale up, and swings it across her tail, chopping it off, much to everyone's shock, including Steven who fainted dramatically.
"Keep it together man!" Sparx buzzed.
Everyone all watched as Rarity levitated her curly tail up to the stump on Steven Magnet's snout, and tied it in place, "Oh-hohohoho! My mustache!" Steven cried happily at having his facial hair restored. "How wonderful!"
"You look smashing," Rarity smiled.
"Oh, Rarity," Twilight frowned, as she and everyone looked at what's left of the unicorn's tail. "Your beautiful tail...."
"Oh. It's fine, my dear. Short tails are in this season," Rarity reassured, while giving her flank a little wiggle to emphasis, "Besides, it'll grow back."
"So would the mustache," Rainbow added.
"Well, tail or no tail, you still look beautiful Rarity," Spike smiled, to which Rarity blushed from the compliment.
"Oh, why thank you, Spike," She chuckled.
Twilight giggled before she gasped, "We can cross now. Let's go!"
"Oh, why allow me," Steven Magnet offered, as he carried the friends across the river. "So, might I ask, but where are y'all heading too anyway?"
"We're just bringing our friends here to the Castle of the Two Sisters," Pop Fizz answered. "Yeah, they're looking for some very important treasures called the Elements of Harmony to fight off the bad guys who had taken over their town."
"Diabolical!" Steven exclaimed, appalled. "What fiends would do such a thing?"
"Some jerk who calls himself the Storm King, that's who," Rainbow frowned. "His goons of rhinos and monkeys, lead by this evil dragon called Red, just came out of the blue, and trashed our whole town like they owned the place!"
"The nerve!" Applejack added.
"Worst party crashers ever!" Pinkie added.
"How dreadful!" Steven commented.
"That's not the worst of it," Twilight muttered, as she looked down in despair. "When Princess Celestia came to save us....she died."
The serpent was further shocked by the news, "What?! The princess. Dead? It can't be!"
"I wished it was," Twilight sighed. "But it's true," Spike and Spyro both came up to the lavender unicorn's sides and hugged her in comfort.
"Well, enough the sob story," Rainbow stamped her hoof. "We came here looking for the Elements of Harmony, because that's what Princess Celestia wanted us to do! And when we find those elements, we'll bring them to justice!"
Wiping a tear away, Twilight looked up with determination, "Yes. Justice."
After Steven had helped them across the river, the heroes were on their way.
"It's not too far now," Pop Fizz said. "It's just past that tree!" Double Trouble said something unintelligibly, which Pop Fizz answered, "That's what I said."
As the group followed the two, Spike walked over to Twilight and her her close, "What are you doing, Spike?" The unicorn asked.
"I just thought you could use the company," Spike replied. "This is what you and big brother would do, whenever I feel lonely. Remember?"
"Nope. Sorry girl, but we're not buying it," Sparx buzzed, as both he and Spyro joined their little brother.
Seeing the boys aren't going to leave her alone any time soon, Twilight spoke up, "You guys are nice and all. But I just want to be alone right now."
"Oh c'mon Twilight. Princess Celestia taught you better than that," Spike said.
"She's gone, Spike."
"Celestia is still here."
"No. Everypony would keep saying she's not really gone as long as we remember her. But it still hurts."
"I know."
"And if anything, I still say they should've taken me instead," Spyro spoke up, to which Spike, Twilight, and Sparx all looked at him in shock. "This whole thing's my fault. Those goons came all the way out here for me. I should've been taken, not her."
"Big brother, not you too!" Spike frowned.
"No, Spike. It's true," Spyro replied. "They wanted me to begin with. I'm an Aetherian, just like they wanted."
"But if they took you, then just think of all the bad things they would've done to you! To everyone! To all our friends!"
"Then maybe we should never have come to Equestria then."
"But then if you never came to Equestria, then I'd have no one else to talk with, besides a couple of bug friends!" Sparx buzzed in.
"Stay out of this!" The two dragons shouted at the dragonfly.
"None of this would ever have to happen, if I had fought off those monkeys from the start!" Spyro continued.
"Then why didn't you?" Spike asked.
"Because the last time I did, I lost my fire and came out with a broken wing!" Spyro revealed, much to the shock of Twilight and Spike.
"Well finally, the truth comes out," Sparx buzzed. "But hey, don't mind me. I'm just a bug."
"But you said that happened in an accident!" Spike said.
"It was an accident," Spyro admitted. "Just a few missing details I didn't want to go into."
"So then, what really happened to you?"
Looking around, before noticing how far behind they were from their friends, Spyro quickly ran off, "Talk later! Right now, let's get those Elements!"
Seeing how they won't get the truth anytime soon, the three all exchanged agreement, before they caught up to their friends.
At last, upon arriving towards a clearing, the heroes arrived at their destination, "There it is," Twilight gasped excitedly. "The ruin that holds the Elements of Harmony. We made it!" With that, the lavender unicorn took of galloping.
"Twilight, wait for us!" Applejack called as she and the ponies followed.
"Whoa, hold your horses!" Pop Fizz shouted, receiving strange looks from Double Trouble, the dragons, and Sparx. "What?"
"We're almost there!" But Twilight spoke too soon, when she nearly fell off the edge of the cliff. "Ah!"
"Twilight!" Spike screamed, lunging forward to grab the unicorn by the tail.
"Hold on little fella!" Applejack shouted, as she grabbed Spike by the tail, with Spyro holding the apple pony by the tail, and together they all hauled Twilight back up to solid ground.
"I told you to hold your horses," Pop Fizz said. "The bridge was out."
"You couldn't have just told us that sooner?" Applejack asked.
"Don't worry. I got this," With a flap of her wings, Rainbow Dash dives down into the chasm, and grabbed the other end of the bridge, and brought it back up to the other cliffside, where she was about to tie the ropes on some structures, when a voice called out.
"Rainbow Dash...."
"Huh? Who said that?" Rainbow asked. "Who's there?"
"Rainbow..."
"I ain't scared of you!" Rainbow said, trying to look tough. "Show yourself!"
"We've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the best flyer in Equestria." The voice continued.
"Who?"
"Why, you, of course."
"Really?!" Rainbow asked excitedly, before attempting to act all cool and casual about it. "I mean... Oh yeah, me. Hey, uh, you wouldn't mind telling the Wonderbolts that, would ya? 'cause I've been trying to get into that group for like, ever.
"No, Rainbow Dash. We want you to join us," The voice said, before revealing itself to be a trio of pegasus in dark purple, black, and yellow uniforms. "The Shadowbolts." The leader introduced herself. "We're the greatest aerial team in the Everfree Forest, and soon we will be the greatest in all Equestria, but first, we need a captain. The most magnificent-"
"Yep."
"Swiftest-"
"Yes."
"Bravest flyer in all the land."
"Yes," Rainbow chuckled, having her ego stroked. "It's all true."
"We need... you." The leader said.
The cyan pegasus could hardly believe her ears, "WOOHOO! Sign me up," She squealed. "Just let me tie this bridge real quick and then we have a deal."
"No!" The leader said, pulling Rainbow Dash away. "It's them or us."
"Rainbow, what's taking so long?" Twilight asked.
"Hey! Who is she talking to?" Spike asked.
Squinting her eyes, looking even further, Twilight gasped in horror, "Oh no," She exclaimed. "Rainbow! Don't listen to them."
But it was no use. The leader of the Shadowbolt's eyes glowed in a menacing aura that made the mists grow thicker, omitting Twilight's warning.
"Well?" The leader asked.
Rainbow Dash thought for a moment, before she answered, "You..." The Shadowbolts grinned deviously. "Thank you! For the offer, I mean," Rainbow clarified, much to the Shadowbolts's shock. "But I'm afraid I have to say no."
With that, Rainbow Dash resumes her role, fixing the bridge, and quickly reunites with her friends, "Alright, Rainbow Dash!" They cheered for her.
Rainbow simply brushed it all off, "See? I'd never leave my friends hangin'."
"YOU FOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLSSSSS!!!!" The Shadowbolts leader roared in anger, before the Shadowbolts burned away into dark smokes, before they merged together to reveal the terrible creature that had terrorized the once happy town of Ponyville, the Storm King Armada's fiendish beast, and Princess Celestia's killer.
"YOU!!" Twilight exclaimed.
"Friend of yours?" Pop Fizz asked, to which the beast fired bolts of lightning at the heroes, and they all scattered. But Pop Fizz was not so lucky, and stood with his furs blacken, and one of his hair singed. "I'll take that as a no."
"So, looking for the Elements of Harmony?" Nightmare glowered, as she emerged from the shadows with her whole body. "WELL YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!" With her eyes glowing intense, and a crack of thunder, a powerful lightning bolt cracks across the air.
"Look out!" Everyone screamed, as they jumped clear of the lightning bolt, as it struck the ground, exploding upon impact.
"Oh! Oh dear goodness!" Fluttershy panicked, jumping behind a tree for protection.
"I didn't come this far just for a storm creature to stop me!" Rainbow Dash snarled, flapping her wings and launched herself at Nightmare, in a flying kick.
Reacting fast, Nightmare disappeared into shadows, evading the pegasus's flying kick, before her tail thrusted up, ensnaring the pegasus and thrashed her around.
"I am no mere storm creature pegasus," Nightmare snarled in amusement, as she tossed Rainbow Dash to the side, crashing into Applejack. "I have lived thousands of years, long before you were born, and when both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were still young."
Further furious, Rainbow Dash got back up on her hooves, as she launched herself at Nightmare again, "It was I who looked deep within Princess Luna's heart and helped her release her full potential," The storm creature snarled, slashing Rainbow away. "But her sister got in the way, and used the Elements of Harmony to banish me into the moon," Nightmare sent a strong bolt of lightning that zapped Rainbow Dash out of the air. "However, thanks to the aid of the Dark Master, he released me from my prison and gave me a new body. And for that, I have succeeded in achieving my revenge, and your precious princess paid dearly, with her life."
Rearing on her legs, Nightmare stomped her claws down onto the ground, sending a powerful shockwave through the ground, knocking everyone over the edge of the cliff.
"AAAAAAHHHH!!!"
Reaching out, Spyro dug his claws into the cliffside, grabbing onto a vine, before he reached out and caught Spike by the tail, "I got ya, Spike," Spyro said, while clinging the little dragon by the tail, in his teeth.
Meanwhile, Applejack quickly pulled out her rope from her hat, spinning a lasso and hurled it in the air to catch a branch. With that, Applejack swings herself to the cliff, catching Rarity and Pinkie Pie along the way. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy both caught Twilight in the air.
"Phew, thanks girls," Twilight breathed a sigh of relief, before she looked up to see Pop Fizz and Double Trouble plummeting towards them. Thinking fast, Twilight caught the two in her pink telekinesis aura.
"Whoa, my whole life just flashed before my eyes!" Pop Fizz said, breathing heavily. "Thanks for the save there, Twilight." Double Trouble quickly said something, as he pointed his staff in the air, to show a whole swarm of dreadwings flying overhead.
"That doesn't look good!" Rainbow Dash muttered.
"When has it ever been a good thing to see dreadwings?" Twilight asked.
Upon landing in the ruined structures of the castle, the baboons all leapt off and screeched maniacally as they swarmed a huge statue, removing five stone orbs from their perch.
"All this trouble for a bunch of rocks?" One of the baboons grunted.
"These are no mere stones, you fool!" Nightmare snarled. "I can assure you, they are the fabled Elements of Harmony, and they must be destroyed at once!"
"Not gonna happen!" A voice cried out, to which Nightmare and the primates turned their attention to the entrance to see Twilight Sparkle, with Sparx, Spike, and Spyro at her side.
"Oh dear, someone's angry," Nightmare snarked.
"You've already ruined our lives!" Twilight frowned. "You killed Princess Celestia! I won't let you destroy the elements!"
"You miss her?" With a cackle of lightning, the Nightmare beast's maws were lit, "Then go and JOIN HER!!" She roared, firing a bolt of lightning at the unicorn and the boys, which exploded upon impact.
Nightmare and the baboons all laughed menacingly, when another flash of light burst, and there stood the unicorn and her boys, unscathed, but disoriented.
"Whoa, warn us next time you're going to do that," Spike groaned dizzily.
"We'll be taking these!" Spyro said, charging headfirst at a baboon, then thrusted his leg out in a kick, and tail whipped another.
Spike ran towards a baboon, trying to throw a punch at him, but the evil monkey laughed tauntingly as he held the little dragon back, with his hand over his little head. Having enough, Spike snapped his jaws onto the baboon's hand, causing the monkey to screech in pain.
Concentrating her magic, Twilight swiftly blasted several bolts of magic at the baboons, while levitating the elements away, "C'mon, c'mon," Twilight said anxiously. "Just one spark!" Feeling her head and horn burning from exertion, Twilight focused her powers into the stone orbs, and felt a twinge of power.
"C'mon, Twilight!" Spike cheered.
BOOM
"AH!" Twilight screamed, thrown off her hoof by a sudden explosive impact from Nightmare's lightning.
"Twilight!" The boys called out to her.
"The Elements!" Twilight shouted, only for her and the guys to watch in horror, as Nightmare crushes orbs into millions of crystal shards.
"What elements?" Nightmare sneered, before she and the baboons all cackled at the four heroes.
"No!" Twilight wailed in despair. "The Elements!"
"You're all fools to think you have a chance to save your realm," Nightmare cackled. "You have all sealed your doom, just as your precious princess had! Say farewell to each other, while you still can!"
Before anything else happened, Spyro stepped forward, "You want Twilight? You have to go through me first!" He said in defiance.
"Ha! You want that disappointment?" Nightmare asked. "What makes you think a dragon like you can stop someone as powerful as I?"
"I'm the dragon you're after!" Spyro continued. "I'm the Aetherean you're after. So take me, but leave my brother and Twilight out of this!"
The baboons all cackled as they surrounded Spyro, with Nightmare sneering, "How touching. An Aetherean, such as yourself, lost to the brother within."
"And proud of it," Spyro spoke up. "If Princess Celestia can give her life to secure mine and our friends, then I can do the same. Now, do we have an agreement?"
Nightmare pondered, before she nodded, "I can agree to your terms," She snarked. "There's just one problem. I don't make agreements."
Surprisingly, Spyro grinned, "I thought you might say that. Now you guys!"
Taken by surprise, Nightmare and the baboons looked to see Pop Fizz and Double Trouble jumping from their hiding spots, throwing bottles of potions and bolts of magic at Nightmare and the baboons.
Pop Fizz's potions all exploded upon impact with Nightmare and the baboons, distracting them in blind dazes, while Double Trouble waved his staff to fire beams of energy at the baboons, blowing them away, before he turned his attention to Nightmare and fired a powerful bolt of magic at the beast.
"Hi-yah!" Rainbow screamed, diving from the air to land a kick to the monster's head, before she flips backward and flies back up to land an uppercut, before she was suddenly grabbed by the tail. "AH!!" The pegasus was thrashed around, by Nightmare who held onto the pegasus's tail in her jaws.
"Let her go you big bully!" Pinkie Pie shrieked, throwing an unlimited supply of cupcakes at Nightmare and the baboons. As of complying to Pinkie's demand, Nightmare released Rainbow Dash from her maws, and the pegasus crashed into the pink pony. "But not like that," Pinkie groaned.
Most of the baboons ran back to their dreadwings. With a firm kick, the giant bats sprang to life, flapping their wings and screeched loudly as they swooped down onto the heroes, when a loud roar filled the air, and everyone looked up to see the manticore from before, standing on top of the walls, before it spreads its wings and swoops down on the dreadwings.
"Oh! You came here to help us!" Fluttershy smiled, to which the manticore nodded, before it was blown off its feet by a bolt of lightning from Nightmare. "Oh dear goodness! Are you okay?"
"You shouldn't have interfered, feline!" Nightmare snarled, raising her razor sharp claw up for the killing blow.
"No!" Pop Fizz shouted, appearing before Nightmare in his monstrous form, catching the beast's claws mere seconds away from killing the manticore. Summoning all his strength, Pop Fizz forced Nightmare back, before he took out another vial of potion and chugs it down.
His face turned red with heat, before he screams a torrent of fire from his mouth.
"Hey! Check that out!" Spike pointed, before he runs up to the monstrous Pop Fizz. "Excuse me, uh Pop Fizz?" The little dragon asked, getting the monstrous gremlin's attention. "Could I borrow that potion you used to breathe fire?"
"Sure, knock yourself kid," Pop Fizz handed the potion.
"Thanks!" Spike quickly ran over to his brother's side, "Big brother! I've got your medicine!"
"Medicine?" Spyro asked, as he was being given the potion. "What's this?"
"You're going to love it, Spyro!" Spike smiled. "It's your medicine to bring your fire back!"
"What? Are you serious?! But how–"
"Just drink it! Trust me!"
Looking at the vial, then his brother, Spyro shrugged, "I hope this works," Popping the cork off, Spyro took the first sip of the potion, and his eyes blinked wide open from the heat that burns in his throat. "AH!!!" He groaned, tossing the vial up in the air, which Spike caught. "What is this?!" The older dragon coughed, with smokes flying out of his nose. "It's burning my throat!" With that, a little spark of flame burst from his mouth. "What the–"
"Whoa!" Sparx buzzed. "Was that fire dude?"
Clearing his throat again, Spyro exhaled another burst of flame from his mouth, "Whoa!" He breathed in a raspy voice. "I-I can breathe fire again? I can breathe fire again!" Feeling happier than he has in a long time, Spyro picked up Spike off his feet and spun him around, "Spike, you wonderful little dragon you! What did you do?!"
"I just borrowed this stuff from Pop Fizz!" Spike answered, before another blast of lightning snapped their attention back into the fight. "Actually, how about we talk this stuff later, and fight for our lives like right now?"
"Oh, right," Regaining his focus, and setting his thoughts in the fight, Spyro thought, 'It's great to be back, dad. Now I'm all fired up!'
With a burst of speed, Spyro charged into the fray, ramming his horns into the baboons, knocking them to the side, before he appears before Nightmare. The storm fiend fired a bolt of lightning at the purple dragon, who quickly rolled to the side to dodge the attack, before he coughed a stream of fire at the monster's face.
Shaking the burn off, Nightmare snapped her jaws at the dragon, who quickly dodged to the side, evading her snapping jaws, before he jumps up and spins his whole body in a horizontal tail spin, landing a hit to the monster's face, before he twists his body forward in a vertical spin to land a tail hammer onto Nightmare's head, before he lands a punch.
Irked, Nightmare disappeared into the shadows, "Where did she go?" Spyro asked hoarsely, coughing up some flames.
"Look out! She's behind you!" Spike shouted.
"Where?" Before Spyro had the chance, he was snatched up, by the tail and was thrown towards a wall.
Recovering from the throw, Spyro looked to see a shadow darting towards him. With another inhale, Spyro exhales another burst of flame, which suddenly died out, "What? No! Not now!" He moaned, before he was snatched up, off the ground, in Nightmare's jaws.
"Big brother!!" Spike screamed.
"Spyro!" Everyone screamed.
End of Rap
Before Nightmare had the chance to disappear into the shadows again, Rainbow Dash swoops in, and lands a kick at the beast, forcing her to release Spyro, who rejoins the other heroes.
"You fools!" Nightmare roared. "It is hopeless to defeat me! You cannot stop the darkness! Our master plan has just begun!"
"Maybe we can't stop you!" Spyro panted heavily. "At least, not without the Elements of Harmony! But we'll keep fighting you to our very last breath! For all of Equestria! For Princess Celestia! For the world! For–" Spyro was interrupted, when the crystals suddenly began to glow in multicolored auras, and they levitated off the floor.
"What?! How can this be?!" Nightmare exclaimed. "The Elements were destroyed!"
"Twilight? What's going on?" Spike asked.
"I-I don't–" Twilight gasped, having an epiphany. "I get it now! It's the spark!"
"Spark? What spark?" Spyro asked.
"She means me!" Sparx buzzed. "It's me, isn't it?"
With a look of confident, Twilight turned to Nightmare and grinned, "You think you can destroy the Elements of Harmony just like that?" She asked rhetorically. "Well you're wrong! Because the spirits of the Elements of Harmony are right here!" She said, gesturing to the Ponyville girls.
"What?!" Nightmare exclaimed in outrage.
"Ooooooooh," The boys all nodded in acknowledgement, before they exchanged confused looks.
"Uh, say what now?" Spike asked.
Twilight began to lecture, "Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of... honesty!"
With that, some crystal shards that glowed in Applejack's orange color swirled around the earth pony.
"Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of... kindness!"
Light pink crystals surrounded Fluttershy.
"Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of... laughter!"
Baby blue crystals surrounded Pinkie Pie who giggled in delight.
"Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift represents the spirit of... generosity!"
Purple crystals surrounded the unicorn.
"And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire represents the spirit of... loyalty!"
Red crystals surrounded the pegasus.
"The spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us." Twilight smiled.
"Hey! What about us?!" Spyro asked on behalf of himself and the boys.
"You still lose!" Nightmare roared. "You still don't have the sixth element! Your spark didn't work!"
"But it did!" Twilight frowned, before explaining, "A different kind of spark," Turning to the ponies and the boys, Twilight continued, "I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you," The unicorn's eyes welled up with tears of happiness, as she smiled. "The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all... are my friends!"
"We're with you til the end, Twilight!" Spike cheered.
"C'mon! Let's get fired up!" Spyro joined in.
"You go girl!" Sparx buzzed, which to Twilight, it sounded more like. "Buzz buzz buzz."
With that, a flash of light erupted and another stone orb was created. Nightmare's eyes widened in disbelief, "It CAN'T be!"
"Oh but it is!" Sparx buzzed. "You're in trouble now, missy!"
"You see, Nightmare," Twilight continued. "When those Elements are ignited by the... the spark, that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element: the element of... magic!" She declared, as the crystals all formed together, to create five golden necklaces, each with a jewel of the pony's respective cutie marks embedded in the center. The sixth, however, took one the appearance of a tiara, with the jewel embedded at the top.
Spike, Spyro, and Sparx looked at themselves over, and were dismayed to see they don't get anything, "Oh, man!" They all moaned.
Back with the ponies, the Elements of Harmony were charging up, preparing to unleash their magic onto Nightmare, "That's an admiral speech, Twilight Sparkle," Nightmare frowned. "But there is only one problem. Who's going to save the tree?"
"Tree?" Twilight asked, as she and the ponies ceased what they were about to do. "What tree?"
Nightmare grinned menacingly, before she revealed, "The Tree of Harmony of course! The same tree where the Elements of Harmony came from! Didn't you know? It's dying! And it needs the Elements of Harmony to replenish its energy! Otherwise, our darkness will grow until it consumes every drop of magic in Equestria, including the tree!"
"Oh dear!" Fluttershy whimpered. "Twilight? What do we do?"
Twilight looked hesitant, "Don't listen to her, Twilight!" Spike called out. "It's a trick! She's trying to get you to surrender!"
"Stop her now!" Spyro added.
"Yes, listen to your friends, Twilight," Nightmare cackled. "Use the Elements to stop me, and let the Tree die and doom all of Equestria! Or save the tree, and let me free, and fail your chance to avenge your precious Princess Celestia! It's your choice! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"
A New Adventure Part 5 - All Fired Up and Burn 'Em Down
"The Tree of Harmony?" Spike asked. "Is there even such a thing?"
Nightmare cackled menacingly, "What? Your beloved Princess Celestia didn't tell you about the Tree of Harmony? Or are you just another of her terrible student?" Nightmare taunted. "I should know. There was a Sunset Shimmer."
"ENOUGH!" Twilight spatted. "You're not fit to speak her name! We're ending this now! For Princess Celestia!"
Cracking an evil grin, Nightmare snorted, "Yes. But for whom, is the question."
With that, Twilight and the ponies resumed their magic show, charging up their chosen elements for a powerful spell. However, just moments before they could fire, the baboons all throw several sticks of dynamites, interrupting the process, causing the girls to lose their focus. Then, in a blur of shadows and smokes, Nightmare's whip-like tail thrusted out, slashing Twilight, knocking her tiara – the Element of Magic – off of her head.
"AAAAHHH!!!"
"Twilight!" The boys called out to the lavender unicorn.
Both Spyro and Spike helped the unicorn up, before she looked to see the Element of Magic was lying the floor, more than six hooves away from her and the boys.
"THE ELEMENT!!" Twilight wailed, galloping towards the crown, only for it to be snatched by the shadows.
"Let's see how you fare without your precious toy!" Nightmare cackled, firing a blast of lightning at Twilight, who quickly jumped to the side, avoiding the hit.
In retaliation, Twilight fired a bolt of magic at Nightmare, who quickly shield herself behind her wings. Rearing up on her hind legs, Nightmare let out a bloodcurdling roar, to which everyone all quickly covered their ears from, before the great storm beast repeatedly flaps her massive wings, creating powerful gusts of winds that threatened to blow everyone off their feet.
Rainbow Dash was the only one who appears to be resisting, "Hey! You're not the only one who can blow everyone away!" With that, Rainbow started flapping her wings like she's never flapped before, pushing her way through the wind.
"You might control the weather, pegasus," Nightmare snarled. "But I control the darkness!" With a roar, Nightmare instantly vanished into the shadows.
Rainbow Dash instantly ceases her wings, as she darts her head in every directions, "Where'd she go?" The pegasus soon got her answer, when a familiar whip-like tail burst from the grounds, and ensnared her.
"AAAHHH!!!" Rainbow Dash screamed as she was thrashed around the castle, as if she was a little rag doll. To further the pain, Nightmare's whole body sparked to life with an aura of cracking electricities, which shocked the pegasus. "AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!" Rainbow screamed louder, as Nightmare's tail tightens her grip around the pegasus, increasing the wave of electricities.
With an evil laugh, Nightmare's head emerged from the floor, "You can die slow, or you can die fast, little one," Nightmare snarled sadistically. "Say good-bye to any chances you'll ever have of becoming a Wonderbolt."
"NOOOOOOOO!!!!" Rainbow screamed loudly, struggling to escape, which only makes it worse in her predicament, as it furthers the beast's amusement and intensifies the electricity. Rainbow's whole life was flashing before her eyes, faster than she could ever fly.
"EEENOOOOOUGGGGHHH!!!!" Twilight screamed, firing a strong bolt of magic at Nightmare in the face, stopping the beast.
With the electricity auras coming to a halt, Applejack quickly tackled Nightmare's tail, prying its grip off, rescuing Rainbow Dash.
"No more!" Twilight snarled. "You will face justice for what you've done!" With another angry shrill, Twilight relentlessly blasted several bolts of magic at Nightmare, who counters with blasts of lightnings.
"How pathetic," Nightmare taunted.
In the meantime, Spyro, Spike, and Sparx all looked to see the Element of Magic was dangling in Nightmare's jaws. Standing between the boys and Nightmare were the baboons and their dreadwing mounts.
"Big brother? What do we do?" Spike asked.
Spyro turned to look at the little dragon on his right, showing his brother a look of conflict, anguish, and anxiety as his answer, 'I don't know,' Spyro thought in dismay, as he hung his head, lost and unsure. 'I just don't know.'
"Spyro....?" Spike called out, along with Sparx. But each time they tried reaching out to their brother, the boys' voices faded further away, as if they were calling out from a far off distance, until Spyro finds himself in complete isolation from the real world.
"....the world needs its heroes." A familiar haunting voice whispered.
'Huh?' Spyro thought, feeling a familiar sense of warmth washing over him.
"And more importantly, your brother needs you...for love, care, and attention. Because for now, he can be your new fire."
Spyro didn't need to know who it was that said that. In fact, he smiled to himself, 'Can be my new fire, huh?' Opening his eyes up again, Spyro's face dons up a look of determination.
"Spike? Sparx?" The dragon began. "You guys ready for some action?"
"Then I take it you have a plan?" Sparx asked.
"Oh yeah, I've got a plan. But do you trust me?"
"I trust ya, big brother!" Spike gave a thumbs up, with Sparx nodding his head.
"Then hop on!" Spyro crouched himself down, letting his brother onto his back. "And get fired up, Spike! Cause here we go!" With a kick of his legs, Spyro charged headfirst into the fight, against the baboons and the dreadwings.
The baboons screeched maniacally, as they all charged towards the two dragon and lunged forward. In retaliation, Spike inhaled a huge gust of air, before he blasts a large green fireball, exploding the baboon upon impact.
"Whoooo-hoooo!!!" Spike hollered, blasting more green fireballs at the baboons, while his brother rams his horns to knock the baboons to the side. "Take this!" Spike shouted, blasting another green fireball that exploded upon impact with a baboon, knocking the monkey off his dreadwing.
The ponies and Nightmare continued their epic fight, when boys's scuffle caught their attention, "What is this?" Nightmare asked in outrage.
"Spike? Spyro? Sparx?!" Twilight exclaimed.
"Sparkle!" Pinkie finished.
The ponies and Nightmare watched as Spyro rammed his horn at a baboon, knocking the wind out of him, followed by a quick tail strike that tripped the monkey off his feet, "Hi-yah!" Spyro screamed, jumping into the air and headbutts the baboon to the ground.
A baboon attempted to get the jump on Spyro, if it weren't for Spike, "Oh no you don't!" Spike shouted, breathing a burst of green fire that blasted the baboon out of the air.
With a kick of their legs, the baboons on the dreadwings sprang to life, surrounding the two dragons and dragonfly, "Spike! You still have that potion on you?" Spyro asked.
"Sure do!" The little dragon replied, holding up the said potion he borrowed from Pop Fizz. "Bottom's up! Say ah!" With that, Spike poured the whole vial into Spyro's mouth.
Spyro's eyes watered as the intense heat sensation returned, scorching his throat, and he screamed a long continuous stream of fire at the dreadwing bats, with Spike joining in, doubling the fiery heat. Can't standing the heat, the dreadwings flapped their wings and flew off, with the baboons on the ground following suit.
"Well, looks like your monkey helpers have gone and ditched ya, Nightmare!" Rainbow mocked.
"Yeah, that's right!" Sparx buzzed mockingly. "Go ahead and run with your tail between your smartened buttocks, ya crazy monkeys! You stinking banana breath! Ya–AAAAH!"
The boys were suddenly blasted away by a bolt of lightning from behind. Spike scrambled up to his feet, rubbing his head, only to find himself pinned down, beneath Nightmare's claws.
"SPIKE!" Twilight and the ponies screamed desperately for the little dragon.
"SPIKE!!" Spyro was about to breath another burst of fire to save his little brother, when a streak of shadows catches him by the neck and lifted him off his feet, thrashing him around the castle, until at last, he was brought before Nightmare's face.
"Little dragon," Nightmare growled at Spyro. "The Storm King will love to have an audience with you," In response, Spyro tried to breath another blast of fire at Nightmare's face, but all he managed was a puff of smoke. "Was that your best shot? Now let me show you mine."
"You leave my brother alone!" Spike strained to breath a burst of green flame.
"Patience," The storm beast sneered at the little dragon. "First him, then you."
"Hey! Has anybody seen where Pop Fizz and Double Trouble went too?" Pinkie asked.
With that, everyone in the room, Nightmare included, all looked around the area, searching for signs of the two magic users.
Then without warning, Pop Fizz, in his monster form, together with Double Trouble and the manticore from before, jumped out of hiding and tackled the fiendish storm beast, scratching, zapping, and clawing at her face.
"Get off of me!" Nightmare snarled, as jolts of electricities coated her whole form, zapping Pop Fizz, Double Trouble, and the manticore, yet still the three were undeterred.
With Nightmare distracted, Twilight and the ponies rushed in to rescue the two dragons, "Are you guys okay?" Twilight asked.
"We could've been better," Spyro groaned, coughing another puff of smoke.
"But she still has the Element of Magic!" Spike pointed.
"Hey guys!" Pop Fizz shouted, waving the tiara in his hand. "Catch!" With that, Pop Fizz tossed the element to Twilight who leapt to the air and reclaimed the stolen tiara.
"Prepare to face justice, Nightmare!" The lavender unicorn smiled in triumph.
But before the ponies can resume their magic spell again, the ground beneath them shook, and the ancient structures of the ruined castle crumbled.
"Hey!" Sparx buzzed. "This place is coming down!"
Nightmare cracked another wicked grin and laughed, "And so it begins."
Before long, the floor beneath the heroes gave way and they all fell down into a cavern, filled with dark vines, snaking and wrapping around a huge crystalline tree. In appearance, the tree has five large branches, each with large orbs at the end with empty slots. At the center is the shape of a six pointed star.
"The Tree Of Harmony!" Nightmare cackled menacingly, as she appeared from the shadows. “The Tree Of Harmony is dying! Darkness shall reign for all of eternity!”
With another pulse of dark magic igniting from her eyes, more dark vines sprang from the ground, ensnaring the heroes.
“Pity you will not live to see our reign over your world. But you shall be the first for me to make your end swift. Say hello to Princess Celestia for me.” With another roar of laughter, the vines tightens their grip on the heroes and their allies, intent on crushing the life out of them.
Nightmare kept on laughing, when suddenly she stopped, as a crack of red light pierced through her smoky coat of darkness, from her neck. Nightmare stopped laughing, "W-What?!" The storm beast exclaimed, looking down at the light. "What is–No!"
The vines suddenly lost their grips, dropping the heroes to the ground, "What in tarnation?" Applejack asked. "What the hay is going on?"
"Look!" Spike pointed.
Amidst the smokes, dangling around Nightmare's neck is what appears to be a red crystal, pulsing of dark magic. What's more, the crystal appeared to have a large crack on it.
"No!" Nightmare growled, looking as if she was being held back. "What have you done?!"
"Come on, girls!" Twilight shouted. "This is our chance! The Elements! NOW!!" With that, the Elements of Harmony came to life once more as the ponies focused their magic, intent on finishing the job, and to avenge Princess Celestia.
But at the same time, Twilight couldn't help but take a glance at the Tree of Harmony, and the state it was in.
Nightmare's previous taunt echoed in Twilight's mind, "Use the Elements to stop me, and let the Tree die and doom all of Equestria! Or save the Tree, and let me free, and fail your chance to avenge your precious Princess Celestia! It's your choice! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"
The sound of Nightmare's taunt and the sight of the Tree of Harmony suffering was enough to hinder the lavender unicorn's focus, finding herself confused and lost, between the choices she has to make. Would she be willing to take a life for Princess Celestia? Or would she give it up to save another; the Tree of Harmony?
"What are you waiting for, Twilight?" Nightmare goaded. "Do it! Attack me if you will! Maybe it will bring back your precious Princess Celestia. I'm sure she'll be so proud to know her star pupil was willing to let all of Equestria die to avenge her."
Twilight looked up, and saw the same prideful grin on Nightmare's face. How badly Twilight wanted to wipe that grin off her face. How much it burns her soul to know her beloved princess's killer could be so confident, so boastful, and so evil, even when she is on the verge of defeat.
"What are you waiting for, Twilight?" Rainbow asked, as she and the girls continued to maintain their magical hold. "Do it, now!"
"We've got to stop her!" Applejack reminded. "For Princess Celestia! For all of Equestria!"
"For all of Equestria?" Twilight repeated, before turning back to the Tree of Harmony, which looked as if it won't last much longer.
"Twilight," Princess Celestia's words from before echoed, "Find the Elements....trust your friends.....save–"
"Trust my friends," Initially unsure of herself, Twilight regains her focus, igniting the Element in her tiara with her magic.
With Twilight's cooperation, the Elements of Harmony became whole as they created a dazzling rainbow of magic, which flowed up in the air, before crashing down on the Tree of Harmony, destroying all of the dark vines that had snaked around it, and restoring the tree's luster.
"Twilight?!" Rarity exclaimed. "What are you doing?"
"I'm sorry girls," Twilight apologized. "But this is what Princess Celestia would've wanted! She wanted us to find the Elements to save Equestria! Not to avenge her!"
"Ah, very well then. Then I'll just help myself to your demise," With a crack of thunder igniting all over her body, Nightmare was prepared to release another electrical blast, only for the red spark around her neck to stop her, interrupting the process.
"Nuh-uh!" Spyro shouted, as he jumps onto the storm beast. "I don't think so!"
"Get off of me!" Nightmare roared, ensnaring the purple dragon with her tail and whipped him off. "You cannot stop me! You're crippled! You've lost your fire a long time ago! You cannot fly! Why do you bother trying?"
"As an Aetheran dragon, it is my duty to try and stop you!" Spyro snarled, standing his ground.
"Make that two!" Spike added, as he stood next to his little brother, doing the best he can to look tough.
"Strike that!" Pop Fizz said as he and Double Trouble joined the dragons. "We make four!"
Then, at the last second, the Elements of Harmony's rainbow have completed the work, rejuvenating the Tree of Harmony with newfound magical energy that flowed into the ground around it, banishing all of the dark vines that had uprooted themselves, until the entire cavern was no longer dark and lifeless, but full of life.
"It can't be!" Nightmare roared in outrage, watching as the tree continues to work its magic, with what appeared to be translucent vines of pale lights snaking from the branches and lunging towards Nightmare. "NO!"
"Bah! This doesn't change anything!" Nightmare scoffed, blasting the vines away with her lightning blasts. "You might've won today, little heroes. But we will meet again! And you shall be destroyed!" With another blast of lightning, the fiendish storm beast disappeared.
"Welp, there she goes," Sparx buzzed.
"Hey! What...what's going on?" Spyro exclaimed, as he was suddenly picked up from the ground by the tree's vines.
"Or any of us!" Applejack spoke up on behalf of herself and the other ponies.
Everyone all watched as the Tree of Harmony's vines wraps themselves around the purple dragon, bathing him in its magic. For a moment, flaming stripes appeared on the purple dragon's skin before they faded and there was a sudden flash of light.
Once the light died down, everyone all stood up, having regained their visions.
"Whoa, what just happened?" Rainbow asked, disoriented from the rush of the events.
"The Tree Of Harmony!" Pinkie smiled, pointing at the newly restored Tree of Harmony. "It's saved!"
"Well I'll be!" Applejack smiled, marveling at the tree. "We did it!"
"It's so pretty!" Fluttershy commented.
"Maybe so," Twilight sighed. "But Nightmare is still at large. And the Storm King is still...."
With a look of concern, Spike walked up to Twilight and gently stroke her mane, "It's going to be okay, Twilight," Spike tried his best to comfort the unicorn. "We'll get 'em next time."
"Yeah, listen to your baby dragon friend," Sparx buzzed, much to the surprise of some friends. "We'll get that storm beast next time. Ya did a good job, braving the danger of the Everfree Forest no pony would ever venture, fight the bad guys, find the Elements of Harmony, all to save a tree's life. So kudos to you and.....what?" Sparx asked, finally noticing the bewildered look on all the ponies's faces.
"Sp-Sparx?" Twilight exclaimed. "D-D-D-Did you just talked?!"
"Well it's about time!" Sparx buzzed. "I've always been talking! But you-Wait. D-D-Did you just understand me?!" The dragonfly asked.
"Yeah, we can understand you!" Pinkie chirped.
"OH MY FAUST!! You guys can understand me!!!" Sparx buzzed happily.
"Uh, what is the little bug trying to say?" Pop Fizz asked, with Double Trouble sharing his gremlin friend's confusion.
"Well, most of you anyway," Sparx shrugged.
"Oh, thank goodness!" Rarity squealed happily, revealing her tail was no longer a stump, but was restored back to its former glory.
"Why Rarity, it's so lovely!" Fluttershy commented.
"I know! I'll never part with it again!" The unicorn squealed happily embracing her tail.
"Well, tail or no tail, you're still beautiful to me, Rarity," Spike commented.
"Aw, thank you, Spike."
Just then, a speck of dust flew pass Spyro's nose, tickling the dragon into a sneeze, "Achoo!" With that, a burst of flame erupted from his mouth.
"Big brother!" Spike exclaimed. "You just breathed fire!"
"What?" Deciding to give it another shot, Spyro inhaled another gust of air, before he lets it out in a burst of orange flame. "Hey! My fire! It's back, for real this time!" Spyro exclaimed, flapping his wings happily. "Whoa! I can fly again? I can fly!"
"No way!" Spike and Sparx shouted.
"Awesome!" Rainbow Dash smiled. "A new flying buddy for me!"
"But...but how?" The little dragon asked.
"It must've been the Tree of Harmony!" Twilight deduced. "It must've seen the good in all of us, and used its magic to restore Spyro's flight and fire, gave Sparx the power of speech, and fixed Rarity's tail! That must be its way of rewarding us for saving it!"
Pop Fizz and Double Trouble couldn't help but smile happily for their friends and the gifts they've received from the Tree of Harmony, and they turned to Twilight, "I guess it wasn't a total loss at all, huh?" Pop Fizz asked.
Twilight couldn't help but smile in agreement, before she turned to the sky, "No matter where you go, Nightmare. No matter what tricks you have left. We will stop you. I swear it." She thought.
After their recent triumph against Nightmare, and the restoration of the Tree of Harmony, the heroes were rewarded with a few gifts from the tree. Sparx was given the power of speech for most of his friends to hear him, Rarity's tail was restored, and Spyro reclaimed his firepower and flight.
Now, the heroes have returned to Zecora's hut to celebrate.
"Man you should've seen it, Zecora!" Pop Fizz said excitedly. "So there we were, at the Castle of the Two Sisters, when suddenly that storm beast jumped out at us, with a whole pack of baboons and dreadwings! She was all–" Pop Fizz went on to mimic blasts of lightnings and roars, "–and we were all, 'no way, we ain't going down without a fight!' And then, there was this tree! It was dying, but we saved it!" Double Trouble said something, as if to validate everything Pop Fizz said was true.
"And the best part is, I can talk to every pony!" Sparx buzzed happily. "Oh, there're just so many stuff I wanted to say to you ponies!"
"That's nothing," Spyro smirked. "The best thing is, I got my firepower back!" To prove it, Spyro inhaled a gust of air, before he lets out a small blast of ember from his maw. "Now I'm complete!"
Spike and Twilight both smiled happily at their dragon friend, "Yeah, I'm happy for you, big brother!" Spike smiled.
"Well done," Zecora took a dainty sip from her tea. "But your quest has only just begun."
"Quest? What quest?" Applejack asked. "We've found the Elements of Harmony. We saved the Tree of Harmony. And we've beaten Nightmare, didn't we?"
"You've saved the Tree of Harmony," Zecora began. "But you did not defeat Nightmare or the Dark Army. Even now, the Storm King is still on the march with the clear intent on fulfilling his tyranny's mark."
As she explains this, Zecora once again waves her hoof over the cauldron, conjuring up another image. This time, it reveals the same fiendish, horned, ape creature from before, cackling maniacally with claps of thunder and lightning to add the ferocity of his appearance.
"EEK!!" Fluttershy screamed, making a quick beeline for the cover of Zecora's bed and hiding under the covers.
"So that's the Storm King," Rainbow Dash commented. “Ha! He doesn’t look so tough, now that we got to see him for real.”
“You say that now, Dash!” Applejack cautions. “But remember who and what we’re dealing with. This is the guy that Red dragon works for!”
“And controls a whole army of those brutes who ruined our home!” Rarity frowned.
“And the monster who ordered Princess Celestia’s death,” Twilight hissed venomously.
“And the coming days, I fear, gets worse and worse,” Zecora said, as she waves her hoof to change the image into another. “The Dark Army have just begun their curse. With every seeds of darkness they sowed, their forces will grow. And with Princess Luna as their prisoner in stone, the Night Of Eternal Darkness will come with the ultimate evil this world has ever known.”
While she explains all this, the heroes looked into the cauldron and saw images of the Dark Army’s soldiers of baboons, gnorcs, and rhynocs, planting more dark gems into the ground. The gems cackled and burst with dark energy like no other, as they corrupted the land around them. To further the misery of the images, several ponies were shown in chain, enslaved to do the bidding of the Dark Army.
“What are they doing to Equestria?” Twilight asked.
“Whatever it is, it can’t be good! That’s what!” Rainbow Dash frowned. “Oh they’re so going to get it!”
“Mother Of Celestia!” Applejack exclaimed. “I think some of those ponies are the Apples! Look! That’s Aunt and Uncle Orange! And that must be—No! It can’t be! They got Big Mac too!”
“Oh dear!” Fluttershy whimpered, as she walked up slowly and hugged her friend for comfort.
“I know I’ve said they’re the worst party crashes ever,” Pinkie Pie commented. “But this far beyond crashing a party!”
“We can’t let them get away with this!” Looking up at the zebra, Spike anxiously asked, “Isn’t there anything we can do?”
Initially pensive, Zecora looks up and answered, “Your recent triumph have proven your defiance and your reliance,” The zebra began. “You have found harmony, thus you are ready to assemble an army.”
“Yeah, you said that before,” Rainbow replied. “But where are we going to get an army? Let alone build one? I mean, who would join us?!”
“Do not let darkness win and blind you the value which lies within. Even in these dark hours, hope has not yet been soured. Hearts of resistance, are barely clinging onto existence. You must unite them all to stand tall.”
“In other words, ‘United we stand!’” Pop Fizz added, with Double Trouble voicing his agreement.
The heroes all turned to one another, exchanging looks, before Sparx buzzed, “Great. But where do we even begin?”
With another sip of her tea, Zecora answered, “If you train with me, so good you'll be. I'll show you all the way to make sure they won't stay.”
“You can train us?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Ya got a problem with that?” Pop Fizz asked.
“No, no problem at all,” Rainbow waved her hoof, before she admitted. “Actually, it’s just that....no offense or anything, but you don’t look like the type who can train us. Back me up here AJ.”
“Uh, I’m kinda with Dash on this one,” Applejack added. “I mean, what can you do to help us get.....y’know, ready?”
“Whoa!” The heroes all exclaimed in awe.
They were brought out to a clearing, where lanterns containing fireflies were held to light up the area, revealing an entire obstacle course populated with fighting dummies, ramps, bars, and all sorts of equipments that befits a fighter’s need to hone and sharpen their skills.
“How long has this been here?” Spyro asked.
“As long as before we were even born!” Pop Fizz answered.
“Well what are we waiting for?” Rainbow asked, eagerly clapping her hooves together. “Let’s get this party started!”
“Not so fast!” Zecora shouted. “The time to train has yet come to pass. First, you must clear the area of rubbish that made it worst.”
“Which means, start cleaning!” Pop Fizz stated.
“WHAT?!”
“Cleaning?!” Rainbow Dash began to protest. “But—we—“
“Clean the training ground, then you may proceed with what you found!” Everyone all complied. Except for one, “As for you Twilight, you will come with me,” Zecora instructed. “Whether you will be alright, we shall see.”
“Ugh! Cleaning?!” Rainbow groaned, feeling undignified. “Why do we have to clean this place?”
“Don’t take it the wrong way,” Pop Fizz replied. “Think about it. This could be another lesson for you guys.”
“Oh yeah?” The pegasus scoffs. “What lesson might that be?”
“It’s a lesson of commitment, or whatever.”
Meanwhile, somewhere in the area, Spike was raking away some dead leaves and pulling out the weeds, when he noticed his brother was close by.
Spike watched as Spyro breathed a bit of ember to burn away some of the weeds that had overgrown all over the fighting dummies and training equipments. The young dragon couldn't help but notice the bright smile on the older dragon's face, brighter than any smile he's ever seen of his brother.
"Must be great to finally breathe fire again, huh?" Spike asked, wanting to strike up conversation.
"Yeah, I feel like myself again," Spyro chuckled. "Check this out!" With that, Spyro opened his maw and released a strong burst of flame, burning away some vines that hung across a branch, then he rolled to the side and released another stream of fire, before with a loud roar he released a huge fireball that exploded upon impact with a rusty target.
"Hey! You're suppose to clean the place! Not blow it up!" Pop Fizz sounded.
"Yeah, yeah, I hear ya, I hear ya," Spyro grumbled. "Spoiled sport."
Spike couldn't help but laugh at his brother's comment. He's never seen this side of him before.
"I'm really happy for you, big brother," Spike smiled. "Remember before, whenever you needed something warmed up, I was right there and then to lend you my fire breath?"
"How can I forget?" The older dragon smiled in nostalgia, while brushing some mosses off. "Back when it was just me, you, Sparx, and Twilight, you were the only one then who could breathe fire. During the winter, on Hearth's Warming Eve, you can heat up a cup of hot chocolate in mere seconds. Or whenever Twilight needed you to send messages to Princess Celestia, and back again, your fire breath was all they needed."
"And what about that time when we went camping together, with Shining Armor and Twily?" Spike asked. "I was the one who started the campfire."
"And then the whole camp was swarming with those bothersome Fly-der bugs," Spyro recalled. "They were drawn by the foods Twilight brought for the trip."
"But thankfully, through the teamwork with me and Sparx," Spike added. "And our combined firepowers, we roasted them!"
"And we enjoyed ourselves to some Fly-der barbecues."
"Mmm-mmm!" The two brothers said together, sharing their equal delights in the memory of the cooked bug delicacy, much to the disgust of Twilight and Shining Armor's at the time.
The little dragon's smile slowly turned sad as he continued, "I guess now you're not going to need me as your fire anymore, huh?"
Spyro looked at his little brother, baffled, "What makes you say that?" He asked.
"Well, now that you can breathe fire again, what do you need me for? I mean, look at you! You can fight! You can fly! But me?" Spike looked down sadly, and frowned. "I'm just a little baby dragon. I don't know how to fight, or even have wings."
Seeing how discouraged Spike is, letting his brotherly instinct take over, Spyro walked over to his little brother's side and draped a wing over his shoulder, "Y'know Spike, just because I have my fire back, doesn't make you any less valuable," He began. "I might've gotten my flame back, but that doesn't replace something else I've gained over the last several years since we've been together."
"Oh yeah? What's that?"
"A brother. You." Spike looked up at Spyro, with his eyes widened in wonder. "You're the only family I have left, Spike. What's left of dad, and the others that is. I was just so downed because I thought, without my fire, then I'd be incapable of protecting you, like a brother would for his little brother."
"That's not true, big brother!" Spike shouted. "Fire or no fire, you're still an awesome brother! You were so fast on your feet, you were brave against a whole pack of baboons and gnorcs, and you're literally headstrong! I couldn't have asked for a better brother!"
Though touched at the little dragon's admiration towards him, Spyro was still weary as he recalls the tragedy, "Yeah, I know," The older dragon sighed. "But think of it this way, Spike. Now that I have my fire back, and I can fly again, all kinds of possibilities for us are opened up. I could even take you flying in the sky, like you've always dreamed of since you started walking on your two legs."
"Still, I wished there was something I could do more for you, big brother," Spike sighed. "I mean, with Twilight, I get. All I had ever done for her was write some of her notes, fetch her books, and all that stuff of being a Number One Assistant. But there's got to be at least something I can do for you."
Scratching his chin, Spyro pondered on what sort of role his little brother would befit in.
"I'm sorry kid," Sparx buzzed, interrupting the moment between the two brothers. "But the position of this dragon's sidekick has already been filled!"
Elsewhere, Twilight was out on a pond of water, levitating three large bubbles around here.
“Ah, no noise, no sound, no din, no fuss must interfere with your focus. Unlearn what you have learned. Only then can victory be earned.”
Twilight calmly and quietly inhaled and exhaled, while maintaining her focus on her magic. Her breathing was steady at first.
Unfortunately, it was all short lived as memories of that awful Nightmare plagued her mind. The waters around Twilight churned and boiled uneasily, as if there was heat beneath them.
Tears flowed from Twilight’s eyes, her breathing became intense, and the corners of her lips curved into snarl as Nightmare’s mocking laugh echoed in her mind, together with the image of Princess Celestia’s dead body fresh in her mind, before it flashes to the sight and smell of Celestia’s blood on the creature’s blade.
Before Twilight knew it, she was submerged beneath the surface of the water.
“There is much, much that I can teach, but the answer you need may still be out of reach.”
With a familiar sting in her heart, Twilight sighed, “I'm sorry, Zecora. I'm trying my best, but... I can't stop thinking about Princess Celestia.” Twilight sniffled, trying to hold back her tears. “I can’t believe she’s gone!”
“Those whom we held close are still close,” Zecora lectured. “Princess Celestia is here, my dear.”
“No,” Twilight sobbed. “She is not here!”
“Look into the water if you need to be calmer,” Zecora instructed. “Now tell me. What do you see?”
Twilight sighed, “What else? Just my reflection.”
“No. Look harder in the water,” Zecora instructed, tapping the water slightly with the tip of her hoof.
The surface ripples slightly, distorting Twilight’s mirror image to reveal another.
“You see?” No longer was Twilight looking at herself. Instead, staring back at her is the gentle and loving eyes of violent she missed so dearly. “In you, she’ll be.”
Twilight could hardly believe her eyes, and ear, when a mist rolled in, “Twilight.”
“Princess Celestia?!” Twilight gasped, as the mist circled around herself, before they formed the shape of an alicorn. Princess Celestia.
“Yes my faithful student. It is I.” The Princess spoke warmly. “And I have been watching over you and your friends.”
“Princess Celestia.” Twilight sobbed, mixture of joy and sorrow. “Please, forgive me. I have failed you.”
“Failed me? What are you talking about?”
“I have failed to avenge you! I had found the Elements, like you wanted me to. But I couldn’t defeat Nightmare! She’s still at large! I’m so sorry!”
“Twilight. All I asked was for you and your friends to find the Elements Of Harmony. Nothing more. And you did it, together with the friends you’ve made, and you have all used them to save the Tree Of Harmony. I could never be disappointed in you.”
“But Nightmare is still out there! The darkness is spreading! All because I failed to stop her when I had the chance!”
“You cannot blame yourself for the actions that are beyond your control. What matters is that you are still here. And now, it's time for you to decide where to go from here. It’s time to move on. The future depends on you.”
“But I don’t know where to go! I’m not sure if I’ll even prevail! I need your help!”
“No. You just need to believe in yourself. Believe in your friends. Believe in the magic of friendship. You had taken the first step. There is no going back now. Promise me, Twilight. Promise you will believe.”
“I...I’ll try.”
“Good. I’m very proud to have been your teacher. But now, you must continue your journey without me.” Twilight’s eyes watered at the last words. “We will meet again, Twilight.” Celestia said, as her whole body began to fade away. “We will meet again.”
“No, wait! Princess please!” Twilight called out, desperately racing to climb out of the water. “Princess!”
“You must believe...” Celestia’s fading voice echoed. “You must believe...”
Feeling the warmth of Celestia washing away, Twilight looked down and lets the last of her tears trickle down her cheek, before she nodded.
"Whoa!" Spike quickly caught himself, when he nearly fell off the top of a pole.
Luckily for him, his big brother was there to catch him.
"What'd I tell ya, Spike?" Spyro smirked. "It's great to fly again."
"Yeah, yeah," Spike replied, as he resumes brushing some mosses off. "Sooner or later, I'll be having wings. And then I'll get to fly with ya."
"And when you do," Sparx began. "We'll be ready to welcome you to the flying club."
Just then, the sound of hoof steps snapped the boys out of their conversation, as they turned to see Twilight walking into the area.
"Twilight!" Spike exclaimed, as Spyro gently sets the little dragon to the ground. "So how did it go? Are you feeling alright?" He asked, noting the pinkish hue in Twilight's eyes, a dead giveaway she had been crying.
In response, Twilight's horn glowed to life as she pulled Spike in a loving hug, together with Spyro, and Sparx.
"Uh, Twilight?" Spike started, only to be shushed by Sparx.
"Don't ruin it for her. Just go with it," The dragonfly advised.
Turning his eyes to the right, Spike could see Spyro giving a shrug. Deciding no other way, the boys all returned the hug as they comforted Twilight, slowly washing away her aura with a newfound feeling of warmth and nostalgia. During the moment, the rest of their Ponyville friends arrived on the scene. Needless to say, the girls were all touched.
"My friends," Twilight sobbed happily. "My family." Opening her eyes, Twilight looked up to see her pony friends all smiling and awing at the sight.
"AW!" Pinkie and Fluttershy both cooed.
"Blech!" Rainbow Dash faked a vomit, refusing to admit she too was moved by the heartwarming sight.
With a giggle, Twilight waved a hoof for her friends to come over, and they all crowded around in a big group hug.
"Okay, we got some–" Pop Fizz and Double Trouble just came back, with some more cleaning equipments, when they saw the friends together. "What's going on?" The blue gremlin asked, to which his tiki-masked friend responded with a shrug.
Previously, after their triumph against Nightmare, and saving the Tree of Harmony, Spyro, Spike, Sparx, Twilight Sparkle and their friends have begun their training with Zecora. Thus, they have taken their first step of their arduous quest to defying the Storm King and the Dark Army.
In loving memory of Princess Celestia, the sun has set. But the sun rises on a new generation of heroes. The Dawn of Heroes has begun.
After many tiring hours of labors and cleaning, the heroes have succeeded restoring the training grounds to their former glory.
"Finally!" Rainbow sighed. "I thought for sure we'd never be done!"
"Well done," Zecora began. "Now your training begins in 3, 2, 1!" With a stomp of her hooves, the training grounds sprang to life, with a pack of fighting dummies bursting from the grounds as if they are living creatures, and several equipments started to move on their own.
"Whoa! What the hay?!" Applejack exclaimed.
"Were you surprised?" Pop Fizz asked.
"Definitely!" Pinkie Pie chirped. "I love surprises!"
"Just what kind of training ground is this?" Twilight asked.
"Behold, the sacred grounds of olds," Zecora began.
"A thousand year old training ground for warriors, long before you were even born!" Pop Fizz added, to which Double Trouble voiced his opinion. "That's what I said!" The gremlin retorted, to which the tiki-masked creature shook his head in dismay.
"Now we can truly begin, to prepare you for the coming Storm King!" Zecora declared.
"Cool! Then let's get this started!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed enthusiastically.
Of course, not everyone did so well on their first try with the training course.
Rainbow Dash was zipping through a course of hoops, but spiraled out of control when one of her wings was hit by one of the flying disks she was tasked to avoid. Fluttershy was standing in a clearing, with a large cannon positioned ten feet away from her. She was suppose to block and deflect the cannon’s fires, but she immediately cowered in fright, and ducked her head down, just as the cannon fired a harmless bouncing ball at her.
Applejack was running through a course of moving targets, kicking, stomping, and punching all of the targets in the best possible fluid movement she can muster, but ended up stumbling and tripping over her own legs in the process. Rarity was too busy grooming herself to care about fighting. Pinkie Pie was too busy using the net as a makeshift trampoline to focus on her acrobatics.
Lastly, none of the ponies had it worse than Twilight. The lavender unicorn would always be seen, skimming through the pages of a spell book to find an appropriate spell for the given situation she's been put in. However, by the time she finds what she was looking for, it’d be too late, and she'd always get hit before she had the chance to cast the spell.
"Aye me," Zecora shook her head in dismay.
"We've got a long way to go," Pop Fizz grumbled, with Double Trouble voicing his agreement.
Nevertheless, the heroes all got back up to improve from their failures. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were a little less clumsier and more coordinate, after every practice. Fluttershy was still a little afraid, but she started getting the hang of it when she happened to catch a ball with her tail. Pinkie started to become more focus, yet she still manages to surprise her friends with the her usual hyperactive, carefree, cartoonish quirks. It also doesn't help that somehow, she manages to manipulate both her mane and her tails as if they're some form of interchangeable tools at her command. For instance, one moment, she was using her tail as a grappling hook, and the next, a propeller.
Rarity, though she's usually not about fighting, she makes up most of the training courses with her elegance and grace in her movements. Almost as if she was dancing to defy the dangers. Unfortunately, while five of the ponies were making progress with their training, only Twilight appears to be falling behind. Though Twilight had memorized all the spells she could find in every books she could recover from the Castle of the Two Sisters, it still wasn't enough to prepare her for the increasing difficulties the trainings had in store for her.
She wasn't able to project a strong shield to defend her from all the incoming attacks and projectiles. She wasn't quick enough to evade some of the obstacles that hinders her from reaching her goal. And worst still, she could still hear the mocking laugh of Nightmare echoing in her head, taunting the unicorn of her failures and the burden of carrying a heavy disappointment that weighs her down.
The boys couldn't stand watching their unicorn friend failing anymore.
Just when it seemed Twilight was ready to give up, her three adopted brothers came up to her and offered their supports. Needing all the help she can get, the unicorn accepted. Later, the four were out in the Everfree Forest, where Spyro and Twilight were both sparring against one another, while Spike and Sparx sat on the sideline, reading out loud the notes Twilight had written on the spells she's been studying.
At first, Spyro would always come out victorious against Twilight, no flying or fire and all. And yet, the three boys never gave up on their unicorn friend. Every defeat comes with a lesson for Twilight, as she learned every mistakes she had made, courtesy of the guidance she received from the boys.
No longer did she hear the mocking laugh of Nightmare, but the encouraging whisper from Princess Celestia. No longer did she feel the cold touch of fear creeping through her vein, but the life-giving warmth of the sun's ray. She kept her head up, determination written on her face, and tears streaming from her eyes, as if she was possessed by Princess Celestia.
By the time the four returned to the training course, Twilight impressed the ponies with her new drive. She blew both her friends and the training away, when she displays her newfound determination that fuels her magical prowess, as well as a new sense of creativity. She was able to conjure powerful shields to block and deflect incoming projectiles. And when it seems she is stuck in a tight spot, in a flash of light, Twilight magically teleported herself out of harms way, then the next, quickly achieving her goal on par with Rainbow Dash's speed. It looked as if Twilight has become a whole new pony.
"Alright, Twilight!" Spike cheered, with Spyro nodding and smiling proudly at the unicorn, and Sparx whooping.
No words can describe how relieved Twilight was, as if a huge weight has been lifted.
But now that all of the ponies are busy making improvements on their skills and abilities, it was time to resume Spike’s training.
Because he’s not as big, strong or athletic like his brother and the ponies, Spike’s training started off with a few simple basics for a dragon his age.
Pop Fizz and Double Trouble has taken Spike out to a field, where a dummy of a pony was hung by a pole, surrounded by fires. Spyro and Sparx both watched from the sideline.
"Rule #6: When rescuing a damsel, always handle with care." Pop Fizz instructed. Then, with a blow of his whistle, Spike took off running, picking up the dummy off its perch, before he was on his way. Unfortunately, Spike tripped and fell into a ditch.
"Oh man," Spike frowned.
"It could be worse kid," Sparx buzzed. "That could've been Rarity."
Later, the boys were out in a field, with several large targets set up for fireball practice.
"Rule #95 kid: Concentrate!" Pop Fizz lectured.
With a long inhale, Spike exhaled a large explosive fireball, letting it fly across the field, but it didn't hit any of its intended targets.
"Rule #96: AIM!" The gremlin scowled, with the top of his head singed.
Despite all his failures, Spike was determined that somehow he can perfect his firepower to be on par with his brother’s. But no matter how hard he tried, it seems he hasn’t been making any improvements.
"OK! THAT'S ENOUGH!!" Spyro shouted, interrupting another seemingly impossible training for Spike. "You guys take five," The older dragon shooed the trainers away. "Spike. You're coming with me."
Spike looked scared, “Did I do something wrong, big brother?” He asked nervously.
"You guys keep doing what you're doing. Spike, little bro," Spyro began. "I'm gonna teach you the same way dad taught me to use my fire!"
With that, Spyro took Spike out to some target practice, where he demonstrates his method to breathing an explosive fireball to his brother. Spike tried to repeat his brother’s example, but instead, he ended up blasting himself off his feet, from the kickback.
A little discouraged at first, Spike pouted, before he felt a tap on the shoulder, beckoning him to look up to see his brother giving him an encouraging smile. With that, the two brothers began on fixing Spike’s stances, encouraging to keep his legs bent at a certain angle, to keep him rooted to the ground. Then, after some fluid, natural, and relaxing breathing intakes, Spike exhaled a fireball that barely singes upon impact.
However, after Spyro encourages Spike to roar at the last second, the target exploded upon impact from the tenth fireball Spike breathed.
Spike and Spyro immediately exchanged smiles, joyful at the little dragon's success of a perfect fireball. With a newfound enthusiasm, Spike happily shot several more explosive fireballs at the targets, until he accidentally blasted Zecora.
"Run for it!" Spyro yelled, and the two dragons took off, running and laughing, escaping the irked zebra, until the arrived back to where the targets were set up.
“Okay, I can do this,” Spike told himself.
"Just relax, calm your breathing, and think no one is watching you but your judging brother and the father you never knew."
"Uh, not helping," Spike spoke up.
"Oh, right. Sorry. You got this, Spike!" Spyro encouraged, watching Spike determined to make both his big brother and late father proud, as he blasted all of his targets with ease.
The ponies had finished their training for the day, and were ready to call it day, when they saw the progress of Spike’s training as he uses his firepower the way Spyro taught him.
Needless to say, every pony were impressed, "Wow!" The ponies cheered. "Spike! You're a walking cannon!"
Watching his little brother doing so well made a heartwarming and fuzzy feeling welling up in Spyro's chest, so strong that the dragon couldn't help but smile proudly for his little brother.
"Ooh, that's the first time I've ever seen ya smile," Sparx smirked. "Feels great to teach him something huh?”
Spyro could only chuckle in response, “Yeah. It does.”
Meanwhile, back in Canterlot
Sitting in his office, peering through a communication potion, Chancellor Neighsay consulted with Tempest Shadow.
"Well miss Shadow, do you have anything to report?" Neighsay asked.
"Chancellor! I-I bring terrible news!!" She said in a frantic manner.
"What is it?"
"It's Princess Celestia, she's...gone." Tempest said dejectedly.
"Gone? What do you mean gone?!" Neighsay demanded.
"I don't know how else to put this Chancellor but the princess....is dead." She replied lowering her head. To prove her point she brings out a charred tiara.
The unicorn widens his eyes upon seeing this, "I-I don't believe this?!?! How could this have happen?!?!"
"It was those two dragons your eminence. I don't know how they did it, but they lured her into a trap and did the deed. I tried to stop them, but I got there too late." She explained.
Neighsay was enraged when he heard this, “I knew those dragons were trouble! But the princess wouldn’t listen, and now it’s too late!”
"What will you have me do your eminence?" Tempest asked, but deep down she already knows what the Chancellor wants her to do.
"I want you to find those backstabbing lizards and make them pay for this treachery!!!" He yelled, with a slam of his hoof.
"It will be done your eminence." Tempest said as she made her leave, bearing a slight smirk on her face.
Little did either of them know however, is that a couple of figures were listening in.
“Ah, my little protégée has done well on her part. I can sense the seed of negativity has been planted in the mind of one who is so prejudice of other species than his own. Now the dragon I seek will have nowhere to hide.”
“And with the death of the beloved Princess Celestia announced, it’s only a matter of time until the dark hour can begin. All of Equestria will soon be plagued with so much negativity, and I will destroy it from the inside out.”
Countdown to Darkness – Day 1 – Dark Clouds Setting In
Last time, Spyro and friends had succeeded in recovering the Elements of Harmony, only to use it to heal the Tree of Harmony, replenishing its magics of light. As a reward from the Tree of Harmony, the purple dragon's wings were healed and his fire power was restored, thus balance is restored to his controls over the elements. Furthermore, Sparx was gifted with the ability to talk to, not only Spyro and Spike, but to all of the six ponies.
Unfortunately, the heroes' victories was only a minor fraction of an ongoing war between good and evil. The Storm King's armada is still on the march, darkness continues to grow, and the death of Princess Celestia was only the tip of the iceberg for the worst that is about to come. The Storm King is coming.
Meanwhile, On The Storm King's Flagship
The Storm King was in his quarters, standing over a cauldron and reading a book, "Alrighty Strife, I think I got it." He said as he closed the book.
At the other side of the room stood, or rather floated, was a small cloud like creature, "Are you sure this time your majesty?" Strife asked.
"Trust me Strife, this time I'm sure I got it right." The Storm King said with confidence.
"Yeah that's what you said the last seven times." Strife said, rolling his eyes, "Your summer home is still in repairs thanks to that razorhail storm you conjured up last week."
The Storm King gave Strife the stink eye, "Have a little faith in me will ya, besides I said I was sorry." He then brings out a couple potions and poured their contents into the cauldron, "Now stop your griping and prepare to be amazed!"
Strife groaned, "Oh, this is gonna suck..."
The Storm King began waving his hand over the cauldron and started chanting in an ancient language that was long forgotten. Just then the liquid within the cauldron began to swirl on it's own until lightning began shooting out of it and a small tornado appeared. The Storm King Smiled with joy, "Yes! It's working! See Strife what did I tell-!" He stopped when he noticed the tornado was getting out of control and things around the room were blowing everywhere.
"Ah, crap!" Strife yelled as he ducked for cover.
"D-Don't worry, I can fix this!" The ape yelled as he ran towards a cabinet and brought out multiple potions. He then starts throwing them in the cauldron one by one and each time the tornado changes. First it spews out snow, then fireballs and finally sand until it eventually died down, "Faust bucking dammit!!!" The Storm King yelled, "I thought for sure that would work! How can I conjure up a storm if I can't even control a simple tornado." He finished as he slumped head first into a couch.
"Yeah, while Gaul can summon up a lightning storm with just a snap of a finger." Strife mumbled. Unfortunately for him however, the Storm King heard that.
"What. Was that. You said?!" He growled, raising his head and staring daggers at Strife.
"Ah, double crap..." Strife said as he suddenly reminded of the golden rule within the Storm Armada; never, ever bring up the Storm King's older brother, especially if his highness is in earshot of it. Strife gulped, "Look sire, I'm just saying-." However, he is interrupted when the Storm King threw an empty beaker bottle over his head.
"Stop criticizing me! That's all my dad did was criticize me!" Storm King yelled as he picked up a jar of darts and brought one out. He then turn towards a portrait of Gaul with darts already on it, "It was always 'Gaul this', or 'Gaul that', or 'son, why can't you be more like your brother, GAUL!!!!!!" He yelled that last part as he threw the dart which landed on Gaul's jewel eye. "Oh but I'll prove my daddy wrong!" the Storm King smiled sadistically, with his eyes twitching to display his growing insanity. "Because my brother couldn't kill a single little dragon. I can feel it! I'll succeed the one thing that my brother never could! TOTAL DOMINATION OF THE WORLD!"
The Everfree Forest | Zecora's Hut
It was another day for the heroes to resume the progress of their combat trainings. Spyro was still in the process of refreshing himself of his fire powers, together with his other elemental powers, while making time to train Spike with his. In the meantime, their pony friends made progress with their trainings.
Rainbow Dash was able to make quick sharp turns and was no longer crashing as often as she did before. Applejack's lassoing skill has improved, which she demonstrated by whipping a row of 10 empty tin cans, without even missing a single one on the first run. Fluttershy was building up her courage in her dodgeball trainings, by dodging and catching a few balls to hurl back, with her tail. Pinkie Pie has sharpened her pie throwing skills, by fixating her concentration on the targets, becoming more focus and accurate with her aims. Furthermore, Rarity too has made improvements in her combat skills, by using her surprisingly, graceful dancing skills and flexibility to evade projectiles that were thrown at her, while looking good doing so, much to Spike's enchantment.
Lastly, Twilight Sparkle has memorized some of her favorite offensive and defensive spells, to the point where she no longer needs books, flashcards, or Spike's assistant to make quick decisions in a fight. Though the recent death of her fallen mentor continues to leave a sting to her heart, with Nightmare's taunts and sadistic laughs echoing, Twilight continues to push through, knowing all of Equestria is counting on her and friends to save them.
Watching the progress of their training, Zecora exchanged smiles with her two companions, Double Trouble and Pop Fizz, before she returned to her tree hut, where she consulted her cauldron, only to soon be met with utter horror, "Aye me! This cannot be!" she moaned. "Is this really the current event unfolding before me?!"
"What is it? What's wrong?" Pop Fizz asked, as both he and Double Trouble looked into the cauldron, and they too share the zebra's dismay. "Oh no."
Canterlot
After he received the unfortunate news of Princess Celestia's untimely demise from Tempest Shadow, the chancellor was left in mixed distraught and unsettling conscience, as if the world was now aching on his shoulders to deliver the heart wrenching news to the public.
Knowing that justice must be served, and knowing the perpetrators responsible for Equestria's supreme leader's death must be punished, Chancellor Neighsay steeled himself, making his way up to the balcony, before a crowd of Canterlot ponies who were all anxious to hear what the chancellor had to say.
“Citizens Of Canterlot,” Chancellor Neighsay began. “I’m afraid I stand before you all with grieving news," he struggled not to choke on some of his words, as he continued, "The Storm King has invaded Equestria!" with that, the Canterlot ponies all exchanged concerns, before the chancellor continued, "I'm afraid the news only gets worse from there. In light of the recent attack in Ponyville. Grave misfortunes have befallen, upon our beloved rulers."
The Canterlot ponies all let out frighten gasped as they chattered and exchanged worriments upon themselves, "Chancellor Neighsay," a unicorn stallion dressed in tuxedo and a monocle asked. "What do you mean? What has become of Princess Luna and Princess Celestia?"
"Princess Luna has been taken prisoner, while Princess Celestia herself was murdered!” he uttered grimly at the last part, which didn't go unheard.
"Murdered?! By who?"
Opening his eyes to show a pure rage that burned intensively on his face, Chancellor Neighsay revealed, "She was murdered in an orchestrated coup de tat," he said venomously. "They signaled an invasion to take place in Ponyville, knowing it would endanger our fellow little ponies, and that it would bring the attention of her majesty to come to their rescue!"
"But who?! Who is the mastermind of it all? Who killed her?"
"THE TRAITOROUS PURPLE DRAGON, SPYRO!" with that, the chancellor used his great magic to display an image of the charred remains of Princess Celestia's tiara, with claw and burnt marks as evidence.
Once again, doubts and worriments exchanged among the ponies as they were left in crippling fears and shocks, "How can this have happened?" they'd all asked. "How could Spyro do this to all of us, after what he has done for all of us? What do we do now? What will become of Equestria without its princesses?"
"Chancellor Neighsay? What should we do?" one of the ponies asked.
"It is clear now. Spyro cannot be trusted," the chancellor said in bitter hate. "Our beloved Princess Celestia gave him the benefit of the doubt, despite my warnings, and she died for it. But I swear to you, justice will be served. From this day forward, Spyro is hereby a public enemy to all of Equestria! He must be found and arrested immediately on sight! Do whatever it takes! I want that traitorous dragon prosecuted, his wings shackled until the day he dies! And should his misguided pony allies interfere, then restrain, but do not harm them! IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?!" with that, all the ponies of Canterlot voiced their agreements on hunting down the purple dragon who had been framed for a crime he didn't commit.
Watching from the shadows, the true evils behind the sun princess's untimely demised all laughed in amusement at the sight of their master's plan, bearing fruit.
"Excellent, my plan has been set in motion," a sinister voice said in sadistic bemusement. "Equestria is now teeming with so much negative emotions, all ripe for the corruptions, my little ones. I can hardly choose where to start. But as a quick demonstration of my prowess to our adversaries, let's start with just one," thunders rumble, lightings cracked across the sky, as the earth trembled in the presence of a power with such intensity, before the voice called out, "Fly away my little darkling, and evilize their grievances!"
Zecora, together with Pop Fizz and Double Trouble were all aghast and shocked at what they had seen from the cauldron. The announcement made in Canterlot was too much for them to take in.
"I don't believe it!" Pop Fizz shouted. "Our friends...they've been framed!"
"A web of lies has been spun," Zecora frowned in sympathy. "Our friends will be forced on the run. Yet I fear the worst has yet begun."
"What'd you mean?” Asked Pop Fizz in outrage. “The worse has already happened! Our friends have been branded as outlaws! What could be worse than this?"
In response, Zecora closed her eyes as she began, "A dark shadow looms over us all. As the moon rises, whilst the sun sets, the pawns have been set, for our downfall. We’ve all been played like toys for an even greater master’s evil ploy."
Getting up from her seat, Zecora turned towards the door, "We must warn our friends of this tragic tale. Good and justice must prevail, or evil, chaos, and tragedy will empale."
"They're not going to like this," Pop Fizz muttered, as he and Double Trouble follow the zebra.
"WHAT?!" Applejack exclaimed. "We're fugitives?!"
"We're outlaws?!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"Big brother has been framed for a crime he didn't commit?!" Spike added.
"Say it ain't so!" Sparx buzzed.
With a solemn look, Zecora answered, "Your pleas for some form of relief is heard, but not earned. The truth I speak is upsetting, as your training and resting was offsetting."
"But...what...what do we do now?" Fluttershy whimpered. "Our homes. Our families. Everything...we can't just leave them all behind. Can we?"
"I'm afraid we don't have much of a choice," Twilight frowned.
"Darling," Rarity exclaimed to Twilight. "You can't be serious! We can't just leave our loved ones behind!"
"No, don't get me wrong, we're not leaving anypony behind," Twilight replied. "But...if we're gonna be any help at all, we've got find a way to clear up Spyro's name, or we won't go anywhere."
"What about Ponyville?" Applejack asked. "Our friends and family? They've all been captured by those horrible creatures, and that Red dragon! We've got to rescue them!"
"AJ's right," Rainbow Dash spoke up. "You know my motto. I'd never leave my friends behind."
"But first, we need a plan," Twilight stated. "Otherwise, if we simply just charge in and try to retake Ponyville, then we'll all be captured, and we won't save anypony..."
"Ok, alright, Twilight," Rainbow Dash began. "What's your plan, then?"
"I'm working on it, right now," Twilight replied, as she paced around the area. "Princess Celestia's gone. Princess Luna's been captured and turned to stone. Canterlot is under Chancellor Neighsay's rule now, and he's branded Spyro a criminal to all of Equestria."
Twilight grunted and groaned as she struggled to think up a solution, under such tense pressure and the stress of the situation.
"What am I supposed to say? What do we do?" Twilight asked. "Ponyville's been overrun with monsters! Everypony we know and love have been imprisoned by the Storm King's troops, and everypony else in Equestria have been mislead to believe Spyro's a criminal, making us criminals as well!"
"But that's not fair!" Spike replied. "We didn't kill Princess Celestia. You saw what happened. We all did! It was that Nightmare monster!"
"Yes, but Chancellor Neighsay and everypony else in Canterlot don't know that," Twilight frowned, until an epiphany struck her. "But everypony else in Ponyville do!"
"Well, then let's go and free our friends," Rainbow Dash replied. "Then we can clear up Spyro's name."
Just then, the sound of leaves rustling was heard, to which the group all looked, getting into fighting stances, anticipating for anything that could potentially threaten them. Thankfully, however, that was not the case, when stepping out of the shrubs, reveals himself to be a pony. A familiar red stallion.
"Big McIntosh?!" Applejack exclaimed.
"AJ," Big Mac breathed a sigh of relief, before following him from the shrubs, is their grandmother.
"Applejack?" Granny Smith moaned. "Is that...really...you?"
"Granny!" Applejack exclaimed, with tears in her eyes, throwing her hooves out for a hug. "Thank Celestia, you're all okay! You and..." Applejack's moment of joy quickly disappeared, when she realized one more pony was missing. "Wait...where's Apple Bloom?"
"Appleloosa!" Big Mac confirmed.
"What?"
"Apple Bloom's escaped," Granny Smith relayed, "With some other fillies, her age. They’re with Braeburn. He’s taking them to Appleloosa. Ya have to find them, Applejack! They could be in trouble..."
At that very moment, an explosion went off in the distance, startling the heroes, and their friends, present.
"What the hay was that?" Sparx asked.
"It came from Appleloosa," Big Mac guessed.
"Oh no!" Applejack moaned worryingly, with a newfound dread washing over her. "Apple Bloom!"
Moments ago on the outskirts of Appleloosa
Out in the prairie, beneath the sun, a small group of three fillies, with a single adult stallion, were on the run, knowing that their very lives depended on it.
Braeburn looked down to see the tired look on Apple Bloom’s face.
“Are we there yet?” Apple Bloom asked, tired from the long run.
“Not yet,” Braeburn sighed. “Just over that next hill.”
“You said that about five hills ago!” A raspy voice bellyaches.
Braeburn and Apple Bloom looked behind them to see two young fillies, about the same age as the second former.
One is a light brilliant gamboge Pegasus filly, with scruffy moderate cerise mane and tail, while the other is a white unicorn filly with grayish mulberry mane and tail with pale, light grayish rose streaks.
“We’re tired, we’re lost, and we’re hungry,” The Pegasus filly listed.
“Yeah! And my hooves hurt,” The unicorn filly added.
“We’re not lost,” Braeburn tried to reassure the little fillies. “As long as we keep following these train tracks, we’ll reach Appleloosa…eventually.”
“I don’t know how long eventually is,” Apple Bloom began. “But I’ll bet it’s very long.”
“We must’ve walked at least a hundred miles by now,” The Pegasus filly groaned.
“I’ll bet it’s more than a thousand,” The unicorn added. “I don’t think we can take another step…”
Suddenly without warning, the ground beneath them shook. Braeburn and the little fillies look down to see tiny rocks bouncing on the ground. They also looked up to see a whole flock of birds flying into the sky, with a great cloud of dusts kicking up.
“Wh-Wh-What’s going on?” Apple Bloom asked, following Braeburn’s gaze.
It wasn’t long before their horror was fully realized.
Their eyes widened, their hairs standing on end, and a gasp of air escaping from their throats, that they lost the ability to scream.
Charging at them, like incoming avalanche, cascading down a hilly slope, was a huge herd bisons, stampeding over the horizon, and heading in their direction.
Not wasting another second to be trampled, Braeburn and the fillies finally snapped out of their stupors and took off running.
Their only hope was to gallop as fast as they could to stay ahead of the herd, to avoid being trampled, and reach Appleloosa in one piece.
Suddenly, without warning, a loud, deafening sound exploded in the air.
KA-BOOM!
The sound was so loud that it could even frighten a grown pony into a run. But neither Braeburn, nor the fillies, had time to see what it was. With their ears ringing, they just kept on galloping.
Not far behind them, the buffaloes were closing in, covering the tracks of the three fillies and stallion.
The intensity of the shaking ground was increasing the closer the wild bovines got to the runaway equines. The ponies nearly tripped.
So close that Braeburn could almost feel one of the bisons breathing down his neck.
Without having to look back, Braeburn knew that very soon, he and the three fillies would soon be swallowed up by the stampede, unless they get to higher ground.
Then, ahead, he saw a ledge, sticking out from the side of a rocky slope.
“Girls! This way!” Braeburn shouted, leading the fillies to the ledge, barely avoiding the hooves of the bisons.
Once they reached the walls of the mountains, Braeburn proceeding to life up Apple Bloom and her friends, onto the ledge.
Before he had time to climb onto the ledge himself, Braeburn was suddenly pulled and carried away by the bisons.
“BRAEBURN!!!” Apple Bloom screamed in horror, holding her hoof out desperately for her cousin.
