> The Missing Link > by FlareGun45 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Dragon Tales > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's been several months since Twilight Sparkle has opened up the School of Friendship. Even though it has had its ups and downs, the school has been running very successfully, and most of the students have gotten along very well! One Friday afternoon, Twilight was running one of her history classes along with Spike helping her out. "Good afternoon, class!" Twilight greeted her students. "Good afternoon, Professor Sparkle." The other students said with mixed emotions. "Today I have my number one assistant, and Vice Headmaster, Spike here to assist me in this next history lesson I have for all of you. Now last class, we were talking about the sea serpent, but now we are here to talk about a very similar species! I'm sure at least one of you in the class are very interested in this lesson!" She giggled. "Spike, if you please continue." "Gladly!" Spike said as he climbed up on Twilight's podium as Twilight stepped aside. "Today we are here to talk about the most noble creature of all of Equestria, but as tough as they seem, and scary... sometimes, and... errr, well you get my point. Twilight and I are here to discuss about the History of Dragons!" "YAK HAS DRAGON FRIENDS!" Yona yelled from her seat. "We know you do, Yona." Spike said. "And might I add, both of your dragon friends are very strong in terms of friendship, but very different in many ways. Thanks to Smolder, I was able to learn a little bit about myself! As you know, I didn't always have these wings; I had to go through a very tough, and also very embarrassing, procedure before I was able to get them. Smolder, mind if you tell the class what the condition is called?" There was no answer from Smolder. Spike then cleared his throat and said, "Smolder, care to tell the class about the procedure I had to go through before I finally got my wings?" There was still no answer. The other students were a little curious, and so was Twilight. "Uh, Sandbar? Ocellus?" Twilight asked. "Where is Smolder?" "I haven't seen her all day, Professor Sparkle." Sandbar said. "I haven't seen her since this morning at the dorm." Ocellus said. "She said for me to go on ahead to breakfast and she'll catch up, but she hasn't come at all." "That is odd." Twilight said. "I told Smolder ahead of time of what we were doing today, she seemed rather excited at the time. Is she sick?" "Sick in yak standards? No." Yona said. "Sick in dragon standards? Hmm, maybe." "She actually looked physically okay, but she sounded rather quiet." Ocellus said. "Well, we'll talk about this after class. We should really continue on with the lesson." Twilight said. "Spike, if you please continue?" "Huh?" Spike asked as he seemed distracted. "Oh, right. The condition I had to go through was known as the 'Molt Effect'. Smolder told me that every dragon goes through it in their early teen years." After class finished, Twilight, Spike, Ocellus, Silverstream, and Yona went over to their dorm to check on Smolder. Twilight knocked on the door and called out, "Smolder? Are you in there? It's Professor Sparkle." There was no answer. "Smolder? You haven't shown up to class at all today. The other professors said that you haven't shown up to their classes either. Mind if we have a talk?" There was still no answer. "You're not in trouble, Smolder. Just please open the door." "Smolder, please! We're really worried about you." Ocellus said. "Yeah, class just isn't the same without our friend!" Silversteam said. "Yak never miss class! Dragon, much like yak, never miss class either!" Yona said. "GO AWAY!" Smolder yelled from the other side of the door. "Smolder, if you have any issues whatsoever, I will be happy to help you out with them." Twilight explained. "If you please just open the door, I promise I will not rest until your issue is resolved." "There is nothing you can do, Professor Sparkle." Smolder said. "He isn't coming back." "Wait, who's 'he'?" Ocellus asked. "GO AWAY!" Smolder repeated. "Let's just leave her alone for now." Twilight said. "I need to talk to all of you about Smolder. Spike, if you can try to get her to open up, I will really appreciate it." "Will do!" Spike accepted. > Hidden Problems > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Later thereafter, Twilight brought Ocellus, Sandbar, Silverstream, Gallus, and Yona to her office to discuss Smolder. "Thank you five for joining me." Twilight said. "Uh, Miss Sparkle?" Gallus asked. "Excuse me, but... I have a class going on right now." "I'll make sure all of you are excused for the day. I just need you all to talk to me for a little bit." Twilight said. "Talking in exchange for a free day?" Gallus smiled as he leaned back on his chair. "You got yourself a deal!" "So what do you need to know about Smolder?" Sandbar asked. "I never seen her act this way before." Twilight said. "Her behavior has been incredibly strange as of late." "We never seen her like this either." Ocellus said. "Usually she's all jerky and all, but very optimistic, even more than me perhaps!" Silverstream said. "Ok, well, how was she acting this morning?" Twilight asked. "Dragon was mostly quiet, even more than what dragon normally does." Yona said. "It really felt like she was hiding something." Ocellus said. "I saw it in her eyes - she was really sad." "Really? Because she mostly looked grumpy to me." Silverstream said. "Her facial expression might have said 'grumpy', but her eyes said 'sadness'." Ocellus said. "Something is really bothering her, like something personal." "Gee, Ocellus, how could you know all that to be sure?" Sandbar asked. "I used to spend alot of time in Feelings Forum." Ocellus said. "I was one of the renegade changelings that had trouble living under Thorax's leadership, but thanks to the Feelings Forum, I was able to open up and explore new things about myself that I never noticed! I also listened to my fellow changelings, and I explored alot of their emotions just by looking in their eyes. "So what could dragon be sad about? Dragon usually happy like yaks!" Yona said. "Yesterday, dragon happy. Today, dragon sad." "Interesting." Twilight thought to herself. "Are you sure Smolder was okay yesterday?" "Well I did overhear her last night at midnight." Silverstream said. "She sighed to herself before she went to bed and said, 'The day has come once again'." "I see." Twilight said. "So what Smolder is going through could be something traditional. On this very day, years ago, something must have happened to Smolder that really affected her emotions." "But what could it be though?" Sandbar asked. "Broke up with her boyfriend or something?" "Maybe she lost someone she really cared about." Ocellus suggested. "We can't just jump to conclusions right now." Twilight said. "If Spike is lucky, maybe he might be able to get Smolder to open up. Until then, we should respect Smolder's privacy." Meanwhile, with Spike, he spent a few minutes by leaning on the door silently. Just then, the door suddenly opened which caused Spike to fall backward right under Smolder. "Ouch." Spike said in pain. "Ugh." Smolder groaned. "What are you doing here?" "I came to check up on you." Spike said. "I'm fine." Smolder said grumpily. "I'm just going to get myself a drink of hot sauce, and then it's back to bed I go, so if you excuse me." Smolder began to march away, but Spike wouldn't give up, so he followed along. "Smolder, wait!" Spike cried out. "Leave me alone, Spike! I don't want to talk right now!" Smolder demanded. Spike ran up in front of Smolder and said with determination, "You wouldn't leave me alone when I had the 'Molt Effect'." "UGH." Smolder groaned. "FINE! We'll talk! Just let me get my hot sauce and we'll talk in the room." Spike gladly accepted, but kept an eye on her to make sure she wouldn't give him the slip. > Lost > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spike and Smolder eventually went back to Smolder's dorm room so they could talk. They each shared a drink of hot sauce. Spike playfully said, "You know, hot sauce is really spicy for ponies, but to us dragons, it's just tomato juice!" He chuckled. "Spare me your snarkiness, Spike. Just tell me what you want to know." Smolder demanded. "Every creature is worried about you Smolder." Spike said. "You haven't shown up to any of your classes. You've been avoiding contact with your friends, and even declined help from Twilight. Is everything okay?" "I'm fine, I tell you!" Smolder yelled defensively. "What is this, 20 questions or something?" "Uhh, I only asked you one question." Spike corrected her. "And that's the only one you'll give me." Smolder sulked. "Now please, Spike, I would rather be alone right now." "I know, and I'm really sorry to bother you." Spike said as he patted her knee. "Don't touch me!" Smolder demanded. "I just want to help you!" Spike yelled. "I hate seeing my friends sad, alright? I will not give up until I know how to help you." "Look, you wouldn't understand, okay?" Smolder said. "I lost someone very dear to me." "Really? Who?" Spike asked. Smolder sighed and said calmly, "When I was a baby dragon living in the Dragon Lands, I was being picked on by my brother. I wasn't always the tough dragon you know now. I had to rely on mom and dad just to keep me safe. Well... them and... my little brother or sister." "Brother or sister?" Spike asked. "I had no clue." Smolder said. "It was just an egg. I was so happy when I saw that egg for the first time in that nest! I was going to have a little brother or sister! I wanted to be a better big sister than how my older brother was to me. I wanted to be the best big sister that I could possibly be! But then, we were under attack by an army of centaurs. We were all in panic! I was lost in the commotion, trying to find my family, but luckily for me, I was picked up by my dad! The four of us were safe and sound in the nearby caves as the army ran by outside. I thought we were all safe, until my mom asked where the egg was. Dad didn't know, my brother didn't know, and I had no clue either!" "So what happened?" Spike asked. "I'd get to it if you'd stop interrupting!" Smolder informed him. "We went back outside when the heat died down, and when we returned to the nest," Smolder began to whimper and tears came out of her eyes, "our egg... our... my... little brother or sister, still not hatched yet... was gone. My little... my little guy.... the one I knew would help me become the big sister I always wanted to be.... and now I'll never have the chance to actually be one." Smolder started to sob, and Spike started to feel really bad. He went over to her and gave her a hug. "Smolder, I am so sorry." Spike said. "No you're not. You wouldn't understand." Smolder said. "Actually, I kinda do." Spike said. "I never knew my real family. I've always been with Twilight all my life. She hatched me, she raised me. She was the only family I've ever had. I never knew who mine was." Smolder sniffled and said, "I'm sorry... it must be really hard for you too." "A little." Spike admitted. "I was very content with the family I have now. Twilight, Shining Armor, their parents... they raised me as their own. I was very happy with them. However, there are days that I would want to know how my life would've been if I was with my dragon family." Just then, an idea popped up in his head. Spike felt very uneasy, and quite confused, but he really felt that he needed to do what he needed to do. "OW!" Smolder yelled. "Are you KIDDING me?! I opened up to you, and you pull off one of my scales?!" "I'm sorry, but I have a theory." Spike said. "It sounds a bit far-fetched, but I just want to make sure. I'll see you later, Smolder." Spike quickly ran off with a big grin on his face, as Smolder felt very insulted. "Yeah, thanks for everything, Spike! You were BIG help!" Smolder yelled sarcastically. She then slammed her face in her pillow and continued to weep. > Spike's Theory > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A couple of weeks went by, and Twilight was teaching another class. "And that is how the changeling transforms into their new look." Twilight said just before the bell rang. "Wow, good timing! That's all for today, class! Next time we'll be discussing the seaponies and hippogriffs!" "Oooo my favorite!" Silverstream cheered in excitement. Just before Smolder could leave the classroom, Twilight stopped her. "Excuse me, Smolder? Mind if we talk for a second?" Twilight asked. "Sure, Professor Sparkle. What's up?" Smolder asked. "I need you to come with me into my office." Twilight said. "There is a large matter that we need to discuss." "Errr, ok sure." Smolder said. Smolder was quite confused on what was going on, but Twilight felt very giggly and quite hyped. She even let out a small spark of magic from her horn. Smolder felt even more confused. Just as the two of them arrive in the office, Smolder asked, "So what's this about?" "Welllll...." Twilight started, but she couldn't stop giggling in excitement. Spike was also in the room as he stared at Smolder with a grin on his face and tears in his eyes. "I don't... I don't understand what's happening here." Smolder said. "Spike, what's going on? Why is Twilight acting like a serial killer?" "Well... remember that conversation we had a few weeks ago?" Spike asked. "The one you told me about your lost egg?" "Yeah, you still haven't apologized for running off." Smolder said. "What gives, dude?" "I think you should read this." Spike said as he handed Smolder a folder. Smolder curiously opened it and saw a note inside underneath some pictures of eggs and blood samples. The note read: "Dear Spike, We have researched the scales you have given us by Smolder and yourself, and after some testing, we are gladly to inform you that Smolder is your biological sister." That is all Smolder read on the note until she fell backward, feeling light headed. Twilight squeed in excitement, and Spike just kept smiling. "I don't... I don't believe it." Smolder said to herself. "What is this? This is some kind of prank? I'm not laughing! This is offensive!" "No, Smolder." Spike said as he walked over to her. "It is legit." "H-how... how is this even possible?" Smolder asked. "The egg! It was gone! The centaurs took it! I was never supposed to see you again!" Smolder started breathing heavily. "I don't know how I ended up in Celestia's possession," Spike said as he hugged Smolder, "but all that matters is that we're together again. I never thought I would ever meet my real family." Smolder was silent, but her breathing began to calm down. Spike then looked up at her and said, "Hello, sis!" Smolder started to tear up, as she crouched down and gave Spike a hug in return. "Sup, bro?" She asked. Twilight also started to tear up and hopped excitedly. "OHMYGOSH OHMYGOSH OHMYGOSH!" Twilight cried. "This is the best thing I have ever seen in my entire life! Spike, I am so proud of you! I have so many questions! Did Ember know about this when she sent Smolder here? How did Spike end up in Celestia's possession? How was he able to survive the centaurs only as an egg? Do your parents know about this? When are you going to meet them, Spike? We should definitely go to the Dragon Lands and find them, and-" "Twilight?" Spike interrupted. "Yes, Spike?" Twilight asked. "That can wait." Spike said. "For now... I'm happy with this." "Oh," Twilight chuckled in embarrassment, "of course, my bad!" Spike and Smolder both started laughing as she put Spike in a head-lock and gave him a noogie. "HEY!" Spike yelled. "I have ALWAYS wanted to do that!" Smolder said, the happiest she has ever been!