> The Dragons Return. > by SixLeggedHorseOfOdin > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The Ponies and the Dragons. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pipp the Pegasus Princess was sleepy and hadn't her coffee, her violent mane and pink body were looking good but her face a cranky sleepy mess. As she went out the door to pick up the morning News Paper which no one would read much of due to it was basically just some rag which barely had anything that didn't interest only the older generation. She suddenly saw a huge shadow, she looked a little more alert and darted back inside, whatever it was huge and scaly. She started closing the blinds first downstairs then up stairs. Zipp the Other Pegasus Princess and future Queen and her sister, got up with her buch Pink and blue mane and snow-white fur and saw her pulling down the blinds. Zipp asked, “what the hay, yeah doing, is there some sorta surprise and you don't want us to wake up too soon.” Pipp kept pulling down blinds. Zipp suddenly started getting worried and made a guess, “Is mom out there?” Pipp replied, “No there's a huge monster out there.” Zipp looked and ask, “What you gotta be pulling my hoof?” Pipp whispered, “Look through the smallest crack you can make.” Zipp put her hoof on one of the shutters to the blinds and with the tip of it and poked the side of her head up to it and looked with her. Out it, she saw a huge form. She couldn't exactly make it out but it looked like a large bull with a lizard's tail and a snake's head and neck with horns like a goat only facing in front of it. Zipp looked and got her phone out and started calling the police. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Now there is only one police officer in Maretime Bay and he's the Sheriff, he once had a deputy but no longer. Hitch was listening to calls about strange lizards trying to ride ponies. His Teal Mane and Tail as well as his yellow fur and brown hooves. He looked at the phones as they rang off the hook. Suddenly his cell rang, and he saw it was Pipp. “Oh brother he thought, she must be going on about the fake celeb vid with a pegasus doing unspeakable things while impersonating her. Unfortunately despite how awful that is, it's freedom of speech.” He looked around for his little guy Sparky a baby green dragon with four horns and two silly ears, once he got little Sparky Sparkaroni he started walking out the door. Right after he was out he saw ponies running and screaming, “Crazy Lizards.” and suddenly he heard a preteen male voice ask loudly, “How come that little guy gets to ride one?” He looked towards the voice and saw two reptiles similar to Sparky except taller and thinner in proportion. He took out his whistle and blew, the two Dragons plugged what he assumed were their ears. He looked at them, there was a purple one with blue spines that had feminine-looking features and a blue one with green spines with masculine features. Both had white bellies. They both looked at him and he looked back trying to gain his composer, and he asked, "What are you doing, and are your dragons?” The blue and purple explianed, “Our dad Spike used to rid a pony called Twilgiht Sparkle who was also his foster sister...? and why does he get to ride you?” They pointed at Sparky Sparkaroni. He looked and stated, “Because I am kind of his dad?” They uttered, “Ooooohhhh!” +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Meanwhile at the Bright House. A purple with a blue mane unicorn pony named Izzy was sleeping contently while making strange remarks about a pony named Misty and including wanting to pick that pony's nose. Meanwhile, a sleepy Apricot Earth Pony with a purple mane named Sunny Starscout was drooling all over her pillow while hugging a lantern filled with Prisbeam energy, which basically looks like a rainbow. Suddenly Pipp walked up to her bed and started shaking her, Sunny awoke. Sunny muttered, “Wait Dad I want some cake too?” Pipp whispered, “You can eat cake with long-lost family members later.” Sunny looked at Pipp and ask, “You could not have woken Izzy up first?” Izzy muttered something about covering a female dog in peanut butter very excitedly. Pipp explained, “There's a huge monster outside!” Sunny started walking from her bed, she did her morning ritual and then headed downstairs, grabbed a baseball bat with her mouth, and muttered, “Okay Raccooonacus, last night was your final warning.” She opened the door and saw a huge purple dragon. She dropped the baseball bat and walked up in awe. He looked at her, and she almost... peed herself and then screamed in the most girly way a girl could. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Hitch meanwhile had the two dragons in his station, “Would you please just tell me why you're here?” The Female who had divulged her name was Twi and was named after her's truly, stated, “We are here with our parents looking for the element bearers?” Hitch asked, “And who are the Element Barers?” The male who was named Shiney told him, “Our father knew a group of them, which included Twilight, Pinky Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack and Fluttershy, plus a few friends like Starlight Glimmer, Sunset Shimmer, the Creature Six which are Aunt was part of, Smolder, and a Pony named Trixie who was described as, 'Completly and Totally Insane' by our dad.” Hitch looked and said, “I knew Twilight was real but the rest of them?” Suddenly Hitch's Phone Rang and he answered, “I can't do anything about the fake celeb nose-picking video!” On the other side, Pipp yelled, “I am over that pretty much, there's a huge monster outside our house?” Hitch replied as his own cell phone, “Wait is it a dragon?” Pipp said, “Looks a little like one, Sunny was out and there and just ran back in.” Hitch stated with certainty, “I think it just wants to talk. Tell them the Element Bearers no longer exist?” Pipp told him, “That better be it?” Pipp looked at Sunny and told her, “Sunny it wants you to talk to it?” Sunny looked, “And if it eats me?” Pipp looked and commented, “If it were going to do that, we'd already know.” Then Pipp squeaked, “I think?” Sunny started slowly walking towards the door, as she exited, she muttered, “This better be a good idea or Hitch is getting it.” She walked up to the beast and said, “What... What... Do you... Want...” The Dragon looked at her, and asked, “Can I talk to a unicorn or alicorn?” She muttered, “What's wrong with an earth pony?” The Dragon muttered, “Whoever is in charge?” She told him loudly and bravely, “I am, names Sunny Starscout, and I and my friends live in the Bright House behind me.” The Dragon asked incredulously, “Do you know of the Element Bearers?” Suddenly an equally big blue dragon walked up beside the Purple One and ask, “How can we be sure this isn't an element bearer?” The Purple Dragon replied ignoring Sunny, “I am pretty sure the element barer leader would be a unicorn like Twilight or an alicorn, also like Twilight?” Sunny suddenly had a revelation and ask slightly excited, “Your Spike aren't you?” The Purple Dragon said proudly, “Yes, I am Twilight Sparkle's Younger Brother by Adoption and furthermore Husband of the Dragon Lord and Ambasdor for the Dragon Lands as well as former Prince of Equestria.” Sunny looked, “Wait not only did she consider you her brother, but you became Prince?” Spike said, “I was the first non-Pony Prince and I had a Throne besides Twily's?” Sunny stated, “My studies said you were of importance, but during our time with Discord we were unable to gleam too much info?” Suddenly Zipp and Pipp flew out, with Izzy following on the ground. Zipp and Pipp landed on both sides of Sunny, and Zipp asked, “Need help?” Sunny told her, “It's fine, this is Spike, Twilight's assistant and adopted Brother?” Pipp looked and ask Sunny, “Wait how can someone who knew Twilight still be alive?” Spike looked at Pipp and ask, “You do realize that not every Creature has a sub-Century Lifespan?” Pipp muttered, “Well, Discord, but there is only one of him.” Spike ask, “Are you Ponies the Element Barers?” Sunny spoke and stated, “We are chosen by the Unity Crystals, to keep Pony kind united, but the Elements are lost to history, but may I ask why you need them?” A Blue Dragon walked up behind Spike and suddenly spoke, “I am Dragon Lord Ember and my Kingdom has just reawakened and is freshly under attack by Evil Alicorn Opalin, we require assistance in repelling her and her Vampiric Powers.” Izzy asked, “Is there a Blue Unicorn with her?” Ember looked at her and asked, “How did you know?” Sunny replied for Izzy, “Because that's our spy.' Ember stared with a Smile and announced, “You may be useful yet.” Suddenly Hitch walked up behind Spike and Ember with Sparky Sparkaroni on his back with two other dragons on his back and asked, “So they are not going to eat us right?” Ember looked and so did Spike, “Hello who are you?” Spike asked. Hitch stated, “I am Sharif Hitch and Sunny's Oldest Friend.” Spike looked and suddenly started hopping up and down, “I finally can have a male friend who isn't Twilight's Brother.” End of Chapter One > Wow, this is getting interesting. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- So Spike stopped hopping when he noticed he was shaking the area around him and apologized, “Sorry I have that thing where adult dragons don't understand how big they are all the time, a dragon I learned was actually very nice later on almost harmed my friends after Rainbow kicked him.” Zipp asked, “Okay I have heard a few things about dragons from Pegasie Legends and you guys are supposed to be big and stupid and ornery?” Spike replied, “Yeah we can seem that way, and there is kinda a problematic cultural thing with some dragons and smaller creatures, it got especially bad before my wife started dealing with the problem.” Pipp looked and ask, “Do you know anything about what happens when a Dragon is drained?” Spike suddenly made an alarmed grimace and asked, “Is that the baby Dragon on the stallion's back?” Hitch yelled, “What's wrong with Sparky Sparkaroni.” Both Twily and Shiny got off of Hitch's back and left Spaky there, Hitch noticed a group of blades mounted on Spike's wings, Spike pointed the smallest of the blades at Sparky's head and then Spike bent down and sniffed him. “I don't smell her stink on him that much, it's usually pungent if a dragon is infected.” Hitch asked loudly, “Infected with what?” Spike told him, “I need to ask you a few questions before I explain, how long has it been since he was drained and is he recovering?” Hitch explained terrified for Saprky, “Listen it's only been a month and he's find, got all his strength back,” he turned his head back and said in a playful voice, “Insent that wright Sparky?” Hitch continued, “If you hurt him, I have no idea what I'll do, but I'll do something.” Spike told him, “If he was infected I'd kill him to spare him from a fate worse then Death!” Hitch said sarcastically, “Oh fate worse than Death, like what!” Spike told him, “Opalin's Magic is corruptive in nature and those even not fully drained can become unimaginable horror known as Animated Husk, the Animated Husk goes around killing and turning those it kills into other Animated Husk and those Animated Husk and so on, and the only way to prevent is to either Labottomize the victim or kill them by cutting off their head or getting them in the brain, the worse part is when Twilight Sparkle studied this condition, she discovered the creature's Soul is trapped in the body watching the horror but unable to do anything since a Labottomy is also a fate worse than death in my eyes,” he looked down in shame, “I have had to do things I am not proud of. Sparky fortunately is entirely in good health.” Hitch looked at him and anger blazed in his soul at Opalin, something that horrible could have happened to Sparky Sparkaroni, and then he realized if she had been successful she would have done it to him too, he imagined himself watching as his body killed Gran Gran then other ponies he cared about. Hitch told Spike, “I want to help, she hurt my son and tried to turn me into a bloodthirsty monster.” Spike looked at him and said straight, “You can help, Ponies are needed for this, but I get the final blow, it's important that I get closure.” Hitch asked, “How are we going to defeat her?” Spike told, “We need Pony Magic and a lot of it. Hitch told Spike, “Sunny has a ton of magic and can transform into an Alicorn when she wants to help someone.” Spike said, “You mean temporally, also the greatest magic wielder here is an Earth Pony? Well, I thought that Pinkie was kinda magical but?” Sunny walked and stated, “Yes I can temporally become an Alicorn, also now Earth Ponies have magic too?” Spike suddenly spluttered, “Oh cool?” Pipp asked, “Do you look down on Earth Ponies? Because I won't assist someone who doesn't see them as equals?” Spike looked insulted and said, “I don't look down on any pony, I just need to update on everything?” Pipp was about to say something but Zipp cut her off, “Listen you need Ponies, we are here, but tell us why you can't deal with Opalin yourself.” Spike stated, “Because our magic is easily turned into fuel by her and we have no way to use our strength against her.” He continued, “Every Dragon she is able to get close to her falls to her and makes her more powerful, even weapons and things like that can only do so much.” 'Pipp stated, “This sounds like a bad situation.” Zipp looked at her sister and corrected her, “This isn't a bad situation, this is a pony committing Genocide against another group of creatures.” Izzy looked and ask, “How do you know that word?” Zipp looked and asked back, “Genocide?” Izzy stated, “I read that word in an old scroll.” Zipp said, “It means the destruction of an entire race or species, and that's what will happen if we don't do something.” Pipp looked, and ask, “Dragons haven't been seen till Sparky first appeared, the idea they could disappear again... Permenately?” Izzy stated, “But I have heard legends about Dragons doing things to ponies.” Spike said, “Listen I know my species and your species have had rough spots, but my first love was a pony, the creatures I considered my parents were ponies, my loving older sister was a pony, I was raised in Pony Society, please do not let me down now when you are my last hope and possible saviors. I can't bare my children being murdered or my wife.” Hitch asked, “Could we all go back to the Bright House?” Spike told him, “Sure we can wait, but remember every dragon Opeline drains makes her more powerful, and just to be clear, I may be the Dragon, but she's the monster!” ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Hitch inside told them, “He seems like a nice guy, and I really need some fellow Dragons for Sparky to socialize with?” Pipp stated, “The problem is we don't have much of a choice if they are dangerous, but they do seem to act like they aren't out to kill us.” Zipp asked Pipp, “Could we get some of Mom's Army down to the Dragon Lands with us?” Sunny interjected, “Putting an army down there might make us seems like occupiers, these two dragons see us as different than Opaline. But we don't know if all of them are so friendly?” Izzy said, “They might just want to eat us?” Pipp told her, “I am pretty sure with their size they could have eaten most of Maretime Bay.” Zipp stated, “I am pretty sure also that looking at how strong Sparky is that if they wanted to if their strength is relative to his, they could just go act like Trotzilla and no pony would be able to stop them, but yeah apparently Ponies and Dragons do have a different skill set which is why they need us.” Sunny said, “If that is Spike out there, he was a hero to many of the ponies of old, unless things have really changed with him, I don't even think he'd hurt a pony for any reason?” Hitch looked and said, “I interviewed those kids, apperently he was allowed to ride on Twilight's back when he was much younger and... well smaller... and they don't seem to feel ponies are snacks?” Hitch continued, “Sunny I am pretty sure he is who we think he is.” Sunny said, “Yeah it seems he is telling the truth. We can trust him.” Hitch told her, “I need to get over there also to confront that Opaline for what she did to Sparky, I mean that was just crual and evil, I have had trouble even forgiving Misty, and she wasn't being told everything by that crazed female dog.” Suddenly there was some barking and Hitch answered, “Sorry didn't know you where out there?” Sunny announced, “Okay we are going to help them, we can't allow innocent creatures to be murdered by that creeptress, nor can we allow her to become more powerful.” They walked outside and looked at Spike, Ember, and their kids, Sunny announced, “We are ready to go to the Dragon Lands and see if Opaline is really attacking you.” Spike replied, “dont't worry I am no liar, I swear on whereever Twilight and Celestia and Luna are that you can trust me.” ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ They were all riding on Spike's back. Sunny was talking to the two young dragons while they played with Sparky. So you're saying you went into an unaging sleep when magic disappeared?” Twi explained, “We also took the form of stones, mom says it was some type of hibernation.” Shiny broke in, “We basically we are still kids when we woke despite the that a huge amount of time had passed, makes me wonder what happened to Twilight's Friends, they never let us ride them by the way.” Sunny said, “It must be hard to know that ponies you knew what only seemed like days ago, are now...” Twi answered, “My namesake is probably still alive?” Sunny told her, “I wish I knew where she still was. She could help me be a good alicorn.” ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Hitch was on top of Spike's head, he asked, “How evil is the Arkana?” Spike told him, “I thought I knew evil when I and the Ponies encountered Tirek, the truth was, that was only a taste, she hurts to hurt, manipulates to manipulate, and hates creatures for no other reason than they aren't fully doing what she wants. I said she was a monster?” Hitch asked, “Why is she like that?” Spike explained, “Long ago before even the History I know, there was a land where the elemental Alicorns lived, Celestia and Luna always tried to make her feel welcome, but something was wrong with her. It never made sense, even though she was gifted and powerful, she didn't seem to be open to friendship, with anyone, not Celestia, not Luna, not anyone.” Hitch asked, “So how do you know that?" Spike said, “Luna and Celestia told Twilight and she told me?” Hitch asked, “So you don't know?” Spike said darkly, “It makes me doubt the Gods themselves and the idea of a loving universe.” Hitch asked, “Then what do you mean by the final blow, you aren't going to...” Spike told, “There are things she has done which warrant it, and plus she will try to do this over and over again, I can't have more creatures suffer?” Spike continued, “I know it sounds awful.” Hitch inquired, “You have thought it over though?” Spike stated, “I lost every bit of my innocence to her? There's nothing else to think over.” Hitch muttered, “It's chilling how somepony could be that big of a problem?” ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Zipp and Pipp and Izzy were on the furthest point on Spike's back from his head. Izzy said, “He seems nice and he knew Twilight from what we know, but I see something dark in Lumanicence?” Zipp looked and told her, “He seems okay, plus would we want to let the Dragons be wiped out?” Pipp asked them, “Do you think by final blow, he meant he's going to... k... k... ki... kill Opaline?” Zipp explained, “This isn't a good situation, we've seen the ruins of the old villages, there was once a huge population in Equestria, how do you think they were wiped out? By just the passing of time?” Zipp continued, “You know how I knew the word, Genocide Izzy?” Izzy asked disturbed, “You heard the story too, only from the side of the murderers?” Zipp said, “There was after the great war according to a scroll I read, there was a belief that the Unicorns needed to be punished for having started the war which destroyed Equestria, a group of Pegasi and Earth Ponies did horrible things which made the old war look far less horrible, eventually Queen Rainbow stepped in and stopped the atrocities, who I suspect is Rainbow Dash of legend, I never thought something that horrible could be....” She inhaled and said, “Real!” End of Chapter. > Spike's Home > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spike's Home. Smolder an orange Dragon with a Purple fin and two yellow horns was sweeping the cave house in a giant dress, watching the door, she saw her kill Garble and turn him into one of the things. Garble refused to believe a Pony, even an Alicorn who caused a massive civil war could be dangerous and paid. Smolder thought of the Purple Alicorn opening the door. She was basically in full panic mode and trying to suppress it. If it hadn't been for Spike... Let's just say she didn't want to think about it. That Gods Darn Creeptress. She suddenly heard the door open. Spike walked in and stated, “I got some ponies to help us with the problem of that female dog of an Alicorn. She ran to him and grabbed him in a hug, Spike muttered struggling to take a breath, “Okay, I get it is scary, but I can barely breathe.” She unclawed him and ask, “We can stop her right.” Ember answered, “Please Girl do not hug my husband like that or I might have to harder.” Spike sighed. She watched as the Ponies walked in with the dragonlings. There were only five. Smolder asked looking at Sunny and Gang, “Where's the sixth one?” Spike said, “This a little bit of a problem, the sixth member of the new Mane Six is also a spy, you know about that blue one that scouts for Opaline.” Smolder said, “Not sure if I am impressed or offended?” Ember said, “We'll need to blow her cover at some point once we locate the tree?” Sunny asked, “Tree what Tree?” Ember explained, “There's this tree which is called the Tree of Harmony and you get the Elements of Harmony from it which are a weapon (although that's not what most ponies think of them as) which can defeat some very powerful opponents.” “Oh,” said Sunny, “I read about this, Twilight Sparkle and her friends used them?” Smolder asked, “Could we talk to the Unicorn on this?” Spike stated, “Apparently this time an Earth Pony is in charge. And anyway, that Unicorn is basically being way too impressed by my cave house right now.” Izzy yelled, “WOW, You have a kitchen in a cave.” Ember yelled, “Just remember don't cook anything until we're sure that Opaline won't see the smoke tunnel bellowing.” Spike explained continuing what his wife had said, “The Elements are Powerful enough that they can even take down fully powered Alicorns, something tells though in this case, we'll need to get the jump on her though because I think a direct attack even if she wasn't able to get a hit in would allow her to defend herself too much.” Smolder asked, “Can we just find a way to kill Opaline?” Spike rebutted, “This is the best way to do that.” Sunny told him, “Are we sure we have to kill her?” Spike said, “For a long portion of my life I held all life sacred too, but some creatures just can never be allowed to endanger others. Sunny said, “Okay we'll do what is necessary, but no more, no less.” Spike replied, “Good, now we are going to have to figure out where and what the Tree of Harmony is now?” Sunny stated, “There are several trees in different locations which Sparky seems to be attracted to?” Spike said, “Yeah I have been noticing that that little guy is pretty powerful, he might have a natural attraction to heavy magical energy, and there's no more powerful of magic than the Tree of Harmony.” Spike then said somberly, “I am very glad I didn't have to kill the little guy, ever since I was forced to become a soldier of Twilight to stop the Civil War I have felt helpless and cold, I remember what Big Mac did in a fit of rage to Rarity when she was volunteering with the medical corps, she had been selected to treat his shock syndrome because they thought they could get him to stop seeing all Unicorns as a threat if they had one helping him with his therapy, welp, that didn't go as planned, he slashed after sharpening up the edge of his hoof. I remember me and Fancy Pants just holding her as she waited for medical, I actually discovered that the fainting stuff was an act she did to appear more upper class. It was weird having a pony's blood on me, I kept having strange feelings about the smell, now Dragons don't eat ponies, despite what some ponies think, but when we smell a fair amount of blood we can start getting... excited? I had to take a cold shower afterward and felt some weird character from those experimental horror novels Scootaloo started reading, that was when I realized I had to get out there and do something. To me, despite being listed as a volunteer there was no choice.” He then said, “Tell Hitch we need Sparky?” Sunny ran across the cave. Spike meditated, Rarity was dead, did it even matter now what had happened to her? Why was he obsessed with a bunch of creatures who beyond the Alicorns didn't live much longer compared to him than they did compared to their pets? He'd been raised in Pony Society, and while the Unicorns who raised him loved him, he wondered how a lot of Ponies had felt about him being prince, if Twilight had been to go down a Dragon would have been in charge, ponies even in the more compassionate days of Twilight's Empire had somewhat feared Dragons. They feared him once he wasn't little and cute, what would happen to the Hatch-ling once he wasn't little and cute anymore? How much of the world had been destroyed, the old cities were in ruins, a few pony colonies existed beyond the three two large ones, the Unicorns were small and if the political tides turned against them they might become extinct very quickly. As they had been talking the two princesses and Izzy had been in the various parts of the house discussing more about the problem of what they now knew about the history of the Unicorns and the Earth Ponies and Pegasie. As well as they were doing this the two princesses were also keeping Izzy out of trouble. Pipp stated, “It could still be some sort of revisionism by ponies who wanted some extra sympathy for the Unicorns?” Izzy as she started staring around the huge bathroom of the Dragons replied, “While that idea seems a little stinky like this huge toilet above us, yeah Pegesie were spreading a lot of hate, so I can see ponies being a little too opposed to it.” Zipp said, “The evidence does seem to fit though, there are way fewer unicorns than Earth Ponies or Pegasie? They seem to be somewhat traumatized and way too agreeable, like they wanna keep anything bad from being done to them. ” Pipp muttered, “It could just be culture?” Izzy countered Pipp, “We do kind of seem... A little too agreeable?” Zipp then said, “Except for Alphabittle, most of the Unicorns seemed relieved when Mom gave that speech about unity and togetherness, of Alphabittle is mom's boy.... friend.... so?” They wandered into the family room, and Izzy wandered around noticing huge Cushions and small ones, as well as a pile of books and other things which looked of pony make, Zipp muttered, “So they raise their two dragonlings like ponies?” Pipp stated, “Is that creepy or cute?” Zipp replied, “Neither,” while keeping Izzy away from a more delicate toy, “He was raised by Ponies?” Pipp suddenly screamed. Zipp looked and asked dryly, “What...? How to Serve Pony?” Pipp picked up a photo of Twilight Sparkle and Spike, “OMG, he used to look a lot like Sparky?” Zipp said, “Yeah but look at the photos, originally he didn't have wings?” Pipp looked and said, “Yikes apparently dragons can be born without wings. Imagine if that happened to a Pegasus, you wouldn't know it wasn't an earth pony till they got them.” Zipp looked and saw a photo of a white unicorn mare with a purple lipstick mark on it. Zipp stated, “His first love was a pony? WOW, he really was raised as a pony.” Pipp said, “Erm this one is him a little older at a funeral for a member of the Apple Family, with erm, Oh My Gosh?” Zipp said, “What?” Pipp said, “There's an old news clipping, it says a pony named Big Macintosh Apple hung himself after a long struggle with shock syndrome, and below it calls him, 'My favorite Table Top Game Partner, besides Shining Armor, Sorry the Doctors couldn't help you, may you find peace in the next life.'” Zipp just stated, “Wow?” Pipp said, “So a pony had a problem that was so bad he took his own life? I have heard of that, even performed at one's funeral because his brother was a fan. What's shock syndrome?” Zipp said, “Shock Syndrome, it's something that happens if one is prolonged to long intense trauma. We haven't had cases since the great pony war, which is where this happened probably.” Pipp looked and said, “Yikes the stuff gets darker, it's no wonder he wants to... kill... her...” They looked a the two dragonlings who were looking at them, Shiny spoke, “Dad wanted Ember to explain that stuff to you in a less, erm, painful way?” Zipp asked, “Are we in trouble with Spike?” Twi said, “No, but we would, we aren't allowed to look at the more, adult stuff, as well as the other adult stuff he keeps under...” Shiny elbowed Twi. Zipp stated, “Too much info girls, but we need to know, are we going to have blood on our hooves?” Shiny yelled, “She's evil, of course, Dad has to do that!” Twi stated pushing Shiny to the side, “Look at the things she has done, look what she tried to do to you and Sparkaroni, she's a pony, but she's not, as Dad said, a pony despite that she's a pony.” Shiny broke back into the conversation, “You do want to help us? Right?” Zipp said, “Of course, she's a mass murderer and the things she's done have hurt so many, I am not even sure Tartarterus itself can punish a pony for this?” Zipp continued, “We just need a full brief before we go out and just murder some pony?” Shiny and Twi looked at Pipp with loving expressions and ask, “So you'll help us?” Together. Zipp stated, “The crimes she is committing are horrible, and if we didn't stop we would be guilty of allowing it to happen. She has basically done things that can never be forgiven and frankly looking, Spike's Right, even though it's horrible what we are going to have to do, yeah it's going to have to happen!” To be Continued. > Chapter 4, Finding the Tree. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hitch looked as Sunny came over to him. She looked at him and asked, “Do you trust Spike with Sparky?” Hitch inquired, “Why?” She told him, “Sparky maybe the only one who can help find the legendary Elements of Harmony?” Hitch looked her in the eye, “Just make sure he doesn't try to brain him.” Hitch then laughed, “What am I saying...? He seems nice, I am just still a little.... peeved,” Sunny winced at the swear word, “He was about to stab Sparky in the head?” She told him, “We need to defeat Opaline and he seems to have some idea how.” Hitch hoofed her Sparky and ask with some nervousness, “Just make sure no Raccoon Poop happens, hoof to heart.” She replied, “Hoof to heart, and just so you know if he were going to something bad he'd have done it by now.” She trotted back over to Spike and asked him, “Should I try to get my Alicorn Form working or should I just ride on your back?” Spike replied, “Whatever you like, snack?” She looked at him terrified, and he gave her a screwed-up and funny look with his tongue out, and they both laughed. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Smolder was in a giant dress and the ponies and dragonlings were at one table while the adult dragons were at another one. They had a bowl with a mix of vegetables and bread with some freshly squeezed lemonade as a drink. Ember stated, “Sorry my little ponies the dragonling table is the only one small enough for you guys to sit at safely. Fortunately, my children are well-behaved.” Hitch was fiddling with his fork and so were the pegasus princesses, Izzy just used her magic. Ember chuckled, “I suppose that's what happens when a huge dragon makes something that's supposed to be pony-sized?” Hitch replied, “It's fine really, just takes a few moments to adapt to.” Pipp suddenly sent her food flying at Zipp. With the broccolini on her snout, Zipp sent her a disapproving glance. Twi said, “Just make sandwiches using the bread.” Hitch asks Ember looking at her, “Can we do that?” Ember said, “I normally discourage Twi and Shiny, but hey you are adults. You could stuff your snoot in it for all I care!” Smolder said, “'I would be doing it if adult-dragon-sized dresses weren't so expensive.” Izzy stuffed her snoot in it. Hitch started picking up the salad and sandwiching it. So did Pipp and Zipp. Ember said, “Heh, I like the Unicorn, names Izzy right?” Izzy took her head out of the bowl and yelled, “YEAH! You know how to let your freaky fun flag fly!” Hitch asked, “Tell me you don't have potatoes and something to fry them with?” Ember said, “Want me to use my breath and pot full of oil to make home fries?” Everyone yelled, “YEAH!” __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Meanwhile, Spike and Sunny were camping on their way to Bridlewood, Spike asked, “So may I ask how it's been, while I slept, it appears to be that the Ponies Segregated then Desegregated?” Sunny told him, “Yeah that's what happened, I got everypony back together.” Spike asked as he chowed a pile of apples, while Sunny ate only three, “So how hard was that?” Sunny replied, ”Well yeah it was hard until Izzy showed up, I wasn't sure what to do, but when we went on our journey...” Spike interrupted, “You found Ponies who you, 'just had a connection with!” Sunny looked and asked, “How did you know?” Spike explained short and sweetly, “Twilight told me the same things about her friends when I woke after they defeated Nightmare Moon!” Sunny stated, “I wore a costume off Nightmare Moon, and wow I am like Twilight was.” Spike said, “Probably still out there somewhere?” Sunny inquired, “Wait are all Alicorns Immortal?” Spike replied, “I don't know, but Twilight seemed to be." Sunny asks, “I wonder what it's like being immortal?” Spike told her, “Probably like an even more extreme version of being a dragon. The world by the time you're old will be very different than when you were born. With true immortality, I suspect the only end would be the end of everything. I really don't like to think about that. I just hope I can find Twilight so I can spend time with her?” Sunny stated, “She really is your sister?” Spike muttered loudly, “I love her sooo much!” Sunny looked into his eyes, his silted pupils despite their differences did show a person in love with his family. She felt guilty for having thought he might eat her still. His sister was a pony, his brother was a pony, his parents were ponies and his first love was a pony. Yet he ended up with ponies treating him differently. He wasn't a monster as they had originally thought, he was just as kind and loving as any pony. In fact, she wondered, she had seen ponies who would do intensely bad things, Phyllis had led the earth ponies to fear non-Earth Ponies to a great extreme, Sprout had almost gone on a war of extermination, and despite what a great friend he was now, Hitch had gone along with a brutal system. She remembered Hitch after the time the leftover unicorn trap had gotten Izzy stuck in a box, Hitch had admitted to her that since they would be too afraid to let her out they might have either had her ground down or poured something into it to drown Izzy, that he had been that scared of someone so innocent like Izzy, a Unicorn who'd come to an earth pony village just to find a friend. Oh by the Gods above. How could they really not though, Sprout and Hitch had been told at their school that Unicorns and Pegasi were cannibals right after Sex Ed which they could opt out of, unlike the hate lesson. They had been shown gory "reenactments" which if they had been movies would have been banned for being too realistic looking, according to both the Pegasus Princesses and Izzy they had been told earth ponies were dumb and smelly and that the other were cannibals, but they hadn't been shown something like that, Pipp had compared the movies to a website called Horshish which was known for showing disturbing video of violence and had halfway vomited before Sunny turned them off because Izzy had wandered in. She had, despite that Izzy had only seen a little, they had to comfort her by explaining everything on screen and the fact was Izzy while she did close her eyes during violent scenes could watch horror movies. Hitch didn't talk to Zipp or Pipp for a day after they rewatched it. She knew Hitch had grown to be the two sisters' best friend and he might or might not be trying to get the courage up to make a move on Zipp. Hitch at one point related to her when he disguised himself as Pegasus he thought that he was going to see horrible things, when he saw them eating food normal ponies would he was taken aback, they weren't cannibals at all they were like Earth Ponies only with wings. It was like having a revelation about God that contradicted your religion's teachings and it was the only reason he had gone into the unicorn forest so freely. He had also been afraid that he would find her eaten by Izzy. She could tell first thing she met Izzy that she was a nice person, if a little weird, which apparently due to what the shrinks believed was autism, she had trouble making friends, no wonder she had been able to march with Sunny to Zephyr Heights, she was easily influenced and Alphabittle according to her had actually been keeping her from being taken advantage of scarily enough. Poor Spike, he was now too large to really fit into pony society anymore and she didn't know how the unicorns would react when they got to Bridlewood. She thought would they have an Earth Pony style freak out? She looked at Spike and said, “When I first saw you, I discriminated against you for your size and... I.. am,.. sorry!” Spike said, “Don't worry I am expecting more of it, but it's okay, you're a little pony and I am a huge dragon. I wish I could go back to pony society, but I am too big now.” She told him, “Well you shouldn't have to... Expecting more of it that is.” He told her, “I just need closer and then I can deal with anything.” ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The ponies were in the old Mane Six's sleeping quarters with the Dragonlings. Shiny asks, “So how are you getting along with Twilight and friends beds.” Pipp stated, “I just wish Sunny could be with us, but hey these are retro-medieval.” Twi told them, “We got the dust out ourselves.” Zipp said, “I am taking the one which belonged to Rainbow Dash.” Twi stated, “Should Izzy take Pinkie's Bed or Rarity's and should Hitch take Applejacks or Fluttershy since he can talk to animals, but is also the tough one?” Hitch said, “Fluttershy could talk to animals like me, just, to be honest, I am not always honest, but even though I don't believe in ACAB since I am a cop myself, I must admit sometimes it's not convenient to be nice in this job. So maybe Applejacks but maybe also Fluttershy?” Zipp interjected, “Your the nicest guy I know, and besides you take care of my sister a lot when she's not at her best. I mean the only weird thing is you want me to eat fries with you all the time.” Hitch said, “Well erm, what's so wrong about a stallion wanting to with his mare... female friend?” Zipp replied snickering a little, “Well I your mare... whoops... Female Friend feel would like to know what's up with you wanting to randomly want to eat fries with me?” Hitch told her sorrily, “I want to see you eating something I like to eat... because and I am ashamed to say this... Part of me still believes you might be a cannibal... and yes you can hate me.” Zipp looked and walked up to Hitch, “Listen we all got brainwashed by our tribes that the others were dangerous, part of me was sure when I walked into Bridlewood that I would see horrible things, all I saw was unicorns acting pretty close to normal. Well except them all being depressed.” Then she said, “If it will make you happy I'll eat the home fries tomorrow.” Hitch looked and thought, Is she aware of my feelings and if so does she return them?” End of Chapter. > The Tree > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunny woke up to a sound which was like a chainsaw. She saw Alphabittle and the rest of the unicorns looking at her, Alphabittle looked at her and said, “Move towards me slowly and we'll figure if we know if it's really possible to fire horn lasers.” She bucked Spike's foot with one hoof and he muttered, “Rarity you look so goood!!!!” Alphabittle whispered loudly, “What are you doing?” She bucked his foot again. Spike opened his eyes and then there was non-stop screaming from the unicorns for the next five minutes. Spike looked, got up, got confused and then reorganized and yelled, “QUIIIIEETTT!!!” Someone went, “Bing Bong...” Alphabittle looked up as he got the other unicorns to re-form their ranks and yelled, “SUNNY!” Spike looked at Alphabittle and said, “You basically were ganging up on me and Sunny, why?” Alphabittle responded, “Because your the huge dragon who flew over our town and ponynaped Izzy and her friends.” Sunny complained, “Just because we left does not mean we were ponynaped and why are you stereotyping this dragon?” Alphabittle looked at Spike and then looked at Sunny and said, “Because he's a dragon!?” Spike looked at Sunny and Sunny looked at Spike and Spike said,”Oh, dear Celestia!” Alphabittle looked at Sunny and asked, “You do realize there was a race riot while you were gone?” Sunny muttered with a messed-up look, “What?” Alphabittle said, “A mister Sprout who tried to run over me and my animal friends way back during The Battle of the Lighthouse, happened to get in a fight a Unicorn whose dog pooped on his doormat, he rallied the Earth Ponies and some Pegasi behind him and half the town was burned down before Queen Haven stepped in and put her army there.” Sunny looked horrified. Spike looked at Sunny and ask, “Do you want to go to Maretime Bay and see what happened?” Sunny replied with a little fear in her voice, “No we have to stop Opaline, once we are done, then we see what all happened?” Sunny announced, “Attention Unicorns we are here on an urgent mission and we need to see if the magical tree in town is the Magical Tree of Harmony!” They walked in without incident. Pipp, Izzy, Zipp and Hitch were at the Table with the Dragonlings and Ember was giving each of them a huge healthy (if that's what you call it) batch of Home-fries, Zipp stated, “Hey just so no one panics I saw a weird book called Pony Cooking, could Ember or Smolder explain that?” Twi the Dragonling said, “I can show you a copy of Dragon Cooking,” as Ember put salted Tomatoes with eggs in everyone's bowl. She returned as Izzy began scarfing down her own food and the Dragonling opened it up. Zipp read on the inner cover of the book, “Commissioned by By Twilight Sparkle's Institute of Everycreature Cooking.” Hitch said, “Okay everycreature was inviting everycreature's house. Wow, what we were taught in School was so, not just Earth Pony Centric but Pony Centric in General?” Smolder stated, “Yeah it was a little Golden Age, and then it all fell apart when someone hyped up a unicorn hurting an earth pony into attempted murder trial. Opaline took advantage of this to get the Unicorns to Rebel, she herself pretended to be unicorn!” She continued, “She didn't even care about rules of war, her army murdered every non-Unicorn, pony or other creature alike. They were the most.. Evil.... things I ever saw... If a brave unicorn hadn't disobeyed orders, I would be a dead dragon?” Izzy looked horrified, and asked, “Did you ever hate us... Unicorns?” Smolder said proudly, “Nope!” Izzy then stated cutely, “O-KAY!” Pipp looked and stated, “So Smolder, according to the Dragonlings you attended something called the Twilight School of Friendship?” Smolder told, “Yeah, made friends with a lot of Ponies and other Creatures there, was a professor too?” Hitch yelled excitingly, “Like Sunny's Dad Argaile?” Smolder exclaimed excitedly, “Oh my Gods above, I can exchange notes to see what's all happened?” Hitch told her disappointingly, “As far as I know, he's dead.” Smolder muttered, “Poop!” Ember said, “Put a coin in the swear jar!” Spike was analyzing the tree with a magical device which had been long forgotten. Spike stated as he analyzed, “It appears we could have gone to anywhere with one of these trees.” Sunny asked, “What do you mean?” Spike replied, “It appears this is not the only one tree of harmony anymore, it has gone through all of Equestria now, this of course explains why Earth Ponies have been given magic now, the tree couldn't handle anymore Magic thereby must have used the reunited Crystals to expand it, since magic has ability to change the fate of ponies, the unicorn showing up at that time, erm?” Sunny reminded him, “Izzy!” Spike continued, “It set all the pieces in motion and had you ponies do what was needed. The reason it made you an Alicorn is apparently it needs someone to take down an equal magical force. And I think we know what that is.” Sunny answered curiously, “So your saying I am meant to take down Opaline? But where are you getting this?” Spike explained, “Magic cannot kill or disable a creature on its own. You were given magic that would have belonged with Opaline if it weren't for it being given to you, you basically are meant to destroy her or at least stop her, that could be a problem for me?” Spike then started explaining, “Your going to need to reawaken the tree, to get the elements, I am going to guide you how to do this, so...” Suddenly Queen Haven's voice came from behind, “READY AIM AND WAIT FOR MY COMMAND!” Sunny twirled around, and looked right at Haven and saw her guards behind her with apparently some type of projectile weapons. Sunny yelled, “Stop, he's not a monster and him and the other dragons need help.” Queen Haven looked and ask, “What help does he need that he would kidnap you?” Sunny looked at the Pale Pink Pony with a Periwinkle and Lilac mane, the Pegasus had beautiful multi-colored wings, and then another Pony came up who was also familiar although not expected came trotting up. Phyllis stood beside Queen Haven and told her, “Why are you doing this, my son just caused a race riot? Your needed in Maretime.” Sunny looked and said, “Listen you know that Evil Alicorn Pipp talked about on her YouHoof Videos. She right now is turning innocent dragons into undead husk.” Phyllis with her blond mane and pink fur looked at Sunny and stated, “Listen we all love your whole courageous and heroic acts, but listen I need you to convince the Queen here to de-occupy Maretime Bay, listen I finally committed my son. I am going to tell you something to gain your trust...” Phyllis came up to Sunny's Ear and told her, “I bribed a doctor to declare my son sane after incidents throughout the community and got Hitch to make deputy...” Sunny stared and asked, “So your basically admitted in order to get my trust that you are responsible for one of the worst ponies in Maretime Bay, who started a race riot.” Sunny walked up to Queen Haven and asked, “Could you please just help me defeat the Evil Alicorn and not make Spike's life any worse then it already has been?” Spike suddenly yelled, “If you ponies are done, I need Sunny to extract the elements.” Queen Haven glared, “If you do anything to Sunny, my Daughters or their friends...” Spike said, “I understand, Dragons and Ponies will have to find a way to get back to the way it was, we can't trust each other until we actually understand each other.” “I'll be doing the extracting now Spike,” as she walked back over to him.