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/ Chapter 1/ Story: Oh Spike We Hardly Knew Thee/ by 5u0myn0n4/-/

It was a calm and relaxing morning in Ponyville. The sun ready to rise, and all of its citizens just starting to wake up. Just on the outskirts of the town lay the castle belonging to the Princess of Friendship Princess Twilight Sparkle. Inside the castle rested the princess, her No. 1 assistant Spike the Dragon. Her No. 2 assistant Owlowiscious, and her student Starlight Glimmer. Spike was Twilight's number 1 assistant for a reason, it was his job to do as Twilight requested, and he was more than happy to oblige every time. His loyalty to Twilight showed no parallel. The feels both shared for one another were strong as could be. Spike would go to the ends of Equestria if it meant helping out Twilight, and Twilight would do the same for him.
Everypony and dragon still lay dormant in their respective beds. Twilight started to awaken, letting out a heavenly yawn doing so. She peered over at Spike, who was sleeping like a baby in his little bed. Twilight smiled seeing her little Spikey-wikey so sound asleep. Twilight emerged from bed, and slowly crept up to wake Spike. Psst "Wake up Spike." Twilight whispered. Spike rummaged and grumbled, and then his eyes slowly began to open. His vision was blurred, but he could clearly see a blurry outline of Twilight in front of him. "Is it morning already?" Spike said. Spike was not a morning dragon by any means. Getting up was the single hardest part of the day. One of the only things that motivated him to get up were fun tasks for Twilight, or anything that involved Twilight's friends.
Spike slowly stood up, and stretched his dragon arms up and forward. Everyone in the castle enjoyed a wonderful breakfast of Starlight's pancakes. Starlight had heard that Twilight seemed to like pancakes... a lot. So she made pancakes her signature dish.

There wasn't much time for doddling though, today was an exciting day for Twilight and friends. Pinkie Pie was throwing an outdoor party for a 1 year old Filly named Moon Beam. Pinkie had handled most of the planning and decorating, and had asked for friend for relatively small favors. Rarity had supplied a fashionable birthday filly-sized hat for Moon Beam. Applejack supplied apples for the apple dunking tub. Rainbow Dash was there just to make the party cooler, by about 20% or so. Fluttershy wasn't good with kids, but Moon Beam's parents owned an adorable pet cat that just so happened to need grooming. Twilight's only real job was to simple be at the party. Having royalty makes the party more special by default. Twilight wasn't was thrilled at the thought of being just an icon of being for the guests to admire, but she was happy to help in any way she could.
On the way to the party, Twilight let out a noticeable sigh. "What's wrong Twilight?" Spike asked concerned. "It's just... most of the ponies attending the party are just there because a Princess will also be there." Twilight said. "It makes it seem like I'm just using my title to attract attention, instead of actually doing things to help other ponies." Spike teared up a little hearing Twilight's tale of woe. "Still worked up about this whole Princess thing?" Spike asked. "Come on Twilight, this isn't Season 4 anymore! I thought you've moved on from this. In fact, I think you've officially lived in Ponyville as an alicorn princess for MORE time than you spent living here as a regular old unicorn." "Really? I mean I never bothered to check, but I think what you said sounds true." Twilight said shocked. "That's pretty scary when you think about it."
"Anyway, quit worrying about just being an icon, you're much more than that." Spike said. "Ponies look up to you for a reason, not because you have a crown, but because you are the embodiment and representation of Friendship. You know, the stuff that's so magic. The thing that makes every pony's life worth while? Friendship?"
Twilight sniffed a little. "You're right Spike, I should be less worried about being treated like a 2-Dimensional Princess, and be more focused on being the best pony I can for others to look up to."
"Exactly." Reassured Spike. Twilight reached her hooves over and gave Spike a little hug. "I knew can always count on you to know just what to say to cheer me up." Twilight said endearingly. "You'll always be my number 1 assistant, and best friend. I love you Spike."
Spike teared up a little, and hugged back. It was easy for the two to get sentimental sometimes. Each of them had things that bothered them. For Twilight, it was being admired for her title more than are actions. For Spike, it was more complicated, but it mostly stemed from being a dragon living with ponies. Sure he was different, but most ponies didn't mind. Most anyway...

Twilight and Spike arrived at the picnic party set up just outside town hall. Pinkie had outdone herself with the decorations. Fillies and older colts enjoyed the apple bobbing Applejack had provided (kind of dangerous for a filly's party if you ask me). Rainbow Dash was flying laps as the little ponies (plus Scootaloo) watched enamored. Rarity gave Moon Beem the most fabulous hat one had every seen. Moon Beam was a small little pegasus filly. She had purple hair and light skin. She still had beady eyes. Fluttershy was tending to their cat who was a bit nervous around big crowds. Starlight was there because of course she was. Trixie was unfortunately busy on tour.
"Twilight!" Pinkie screeched right in Twilight's face. She could be a bit hyper at times. "I am so super excited that you and Spike were able to make it! It's not a party without the Princess of Friendship!"
Spike slumped a bit as he thought Pinkie had left her out, but then she finished her sentence "...and the most adorable baby dragon I've ever met, her No. 1 assistant Spike!" Pinkie concluded. Spike blushed at the flattering.
The party was an absolute hit. It had drawn the attention of many ponies all throughout Ponyville. It was as if the entire town had party fever. DJ-Pon3 and Octavia made a surprise appearance and provided a wicked soundtrack to the party. Soon a few ponies started to dance, and them some more, and soon a bunch.
"Wow Pinkie, this party is going better than I could have ever imagined." Twilight said, but Pinkie had somehow disappeared from her side, and was suddenly standing on DJ-Pon3's turntable! "Come on everypony!" Pinkie cried out into a microphone. "I wanna see you shake those groove thangs!" Soon just about everypony in sight couldn't resist the urge to boogie. Pinkie provided vocals to the music. What song she sang is up to you, but if you ask me it was probably a remix of Smile.

After a long day of partying, every pony was absolutely exhausted, and started to head home. The sun was just about to set. Twilight waved bye to the guests as they departed one by one, when Moon Beam's parents walked up to her. They didn't seem very enthusiastic.

"What's wrong Mr. and Mrs. Beam? Wasn't this not the most awesome party you've ever seen?" Twilight asked noticing the look of displeasure on the filly's parent's faces.

"No no it's not the party, although I could have done without the loud music. It's just I don't recall inviting a dragon to the festivities." Mr. Beam said as he pointed to Spike who was playing with Moon Beam herself.

"Pardon me?" Twilight asked confused. "I would imagine a lot of the guests here weren't technically invited.

"It's the uninvited bit that bothers us, it's just dragons..." Mrs. Beam replied.

"You mean Spike?" Twilight asked still confused. "Surely you've heard of him right?"

"I'm afraid this is the first we've seen of your little pal in all honesty." Mr. Beam had said.

"Spike? Spike the Brave and Glorious? Assistant to the Princess of Friendship herself?" Twilight said.
"Doesn't ring a bell, he just looks like a common dragon to us." Mr. Beam said. "We didn't want to cause a scene with too many pony folk around, but want your little pet out of here."
These words struck a cord with Twilight.
"Hey, watch what you call my friend." Twilight snapped. "I don't go around insulting your friends. And who do you think you are judging Spike just because of his species!" Spike was sitting down playing with Moon Beam, the latter of whom was wearing Rarity's hat. Spike had overheard the conversation Twilight was having, and was feeling real down about it. Moon Beam bopped Spike's nose and giggled, which was a warm pleasent surprise to Spike that made him smile. Even if her parents were rotten, at least the heart of the filly was pure and untainted.

"Your filly seems to like Spike." Twilight pointed out. "Why can't you?"
The parents grunted and scoffed.
"We've been inconvenienced for too long by dragons, and by family members obsessed with dragons." Mr. Beam said. "We are not going to allow our daughter to grow up like this!"
Twilight just stood perplexed, and kind of peeved. She'd never met ponies so prejudice to this extent.

Things were going okay with Spike and Moon Beam, until Spike had an itch on his nose, and felt a sneeze coming. Spike was directly facing Moon Beam, and as to not injure her Spike quickly turned his head to his left, and sneezed.
"AHH-CHOOO" Spike out out a big fiery sneeze. The sneeze caught a wooden post in fire, causing it to fall over onto a table cloth, setting that a blaze. A solid piece of flaming char landed on Moon Beam's hat. Basically the situation escalated from bad to worse very quickly.

*****
The fire was all extinguished and no pony was seriously hurt, except for little Moon Beam herself who had a few burns.
"See? What'd I tell ya?" Mr. Beam said with anger. "Can't trust a dragon. They be nothing but trouble."
"We're terribly sorry about what happened Mr. Beam." Twilight apologized. "But-" Twilight was interrupted by Mr. Beam.
"But nothing, that dragon of yours is dangerous and we don't want any part of 'em." Mr. Beam said.
"Yeah well... well..." Spike tried to form a sentence but was too choked up to. Spike fled the scene in tears. Twilight chased after. Starlight and the others stayed behind to clean up.

After the disaster was taken care of, every pony returned home and called it a night.

Back at the castle, Spike was still beyond upset. He busted open the door and marched down the castle hall. Twilight followed. "Don't worry about today Spike, it was all an accident that spiraled out of control. Accidents happened." Spike entered his and Twilight's room without a word, slamming the door behind him. It was obvious he wanted to be alone to vent things out. Through the door Twilight could easily hear Spike in tears.
Twilight entered with care. Spike was in his little bed, crying. Twilight sat besides Spike.
"It's okay Spike, no pony was seriously hurt, and it's all over now." Twilight said trying to comfort poor Spike. "What happened back there doesn't represent who you are." Spike sort of let up but was still sad.
"It's not just the accident, which by it self is enough to cry over." Spike started. "It's those prejudice ponies. What if they're right? I caused all kind of damage, and I made little Moon Beam cry because I'm a monster!"
Twilight sat in silence with her mouth open. She had to think about what to say.
"Spike... don't let what two other ponies think about dragons make you feel like any less of who you are." Twilight said. "all that matters how you feel "You're an amazing being who does all he can to help any pony he could. Would a so called 'monster' do any of those things?" Twilight concluded.
Spike shivered, but he was feeling a tad better.
"No matter what happens Spike, I'll always have faith in you, and I'll always recognize your accomplishments where they happen. You've matured so much since you hatched from that egg, but you'll always be my little baby dragon. Just as it is your duty to assist, it's my job to always be there for you, to support you, through good times and bad, I'm here for you. Nothing can tear us apart." Twilight said.
Spike was still crying, only now his tears had hints of happiness to them. Spike arose from his bed and gave Twilight a really big hug.
"Thank you... Twilight." Spike said softly. "I know the world is far from perfect, and there will be days where all seems gloom and doom. But you somehow always manage to see the light in dark situations. And you always know what to say to make me feel better. I almost don't deserve somepony as kind and caring as you. I'm grateful that fate allowed us two to meet. I can't imagine myself under the watch of anypony else, or at least, not anypony like you."
"Oh Spike..." Twilight started. "When did you get all sappy?" She said jokingly to lighten the mood.
"What me? Don't pretend like you weren't getting all mopey dopey too." Spike said in a cheering mood.
Twilight giggled. "You're such a little rascal."
"I know." Spike said.
"And you're my little rascal." Twilight said endearingly. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Now... let's get rest Spike, I promise I'm going to make sure tomorrow is a better day." Twilight said.
"Thank you... Twilight." Spike said. They exchanged one last hug, and Twilight got up. She tucked Spike into bed, and then climbed into her own.
"Good night Spike. I love you, always." Twilight said.
"I... love you too... Twilight." Spike said choked up. He was still a bit congested from the tears.
The two closed their eyes and fell asleep. The beautiful light of the night was the only thing illuminating the room dimly lit room. Soon the sun would rise in the morning as it always does, shining light all across Equestria for all, except for Spike. Because the following sunrise would not shine upon Spike, a a very sinister somepony else had other plans in mind...

To be continued... In Chapter 2!

Night had befallen Equestria. Twilight and Spike lay asleep in the same room, after Twilight had comforted Spike about events earlier in the day. Starlight had finally returned to the castle after helping to clean the mess made earlier. She walked slowly through the castle, unsure if either Twilight or Spike were asleep. Starlight opened the door to Twilight's room and saw them both asleep. She gave a little smile, and quietly closed to the door as to not bother them.

I hope Spike's not too upset over what happened earlier. Starlight thought. I wish I could have shown Twilight my new spell earlier today.

Starlight went inside of her room to go to sleep. She hopped into bed, but couldn't sleep, her latest spell was bugging her.
"Ugh" Starlight grunted. "I can save Equestria from an onslaught of Changelings, but I can't do this stupid simple spell."
Never the less she laid in bed trying to shut her eyes. The same went for the rest of Ponyville, they all went to sleep. The moon shined dimly in the sky. Starlight closed her eyes, and eventually did fall asleep some time later. All seemed well, but all was not well in Equestria.

Several hours later, deep into the night, Starlight had awoken, feeling thirsty. She got out of bed, and walked to the kitchen.
Gee, Twilight's castle sure is... scary at night... when it's dark. Starlight thought.

She poured herself a glass of water, and drank about half of it. She leaned on counter and bathed in the calm silence. That silence was interrupted however, when she started to hear a faint rumbling sound from outside the castle. She didn't think twice about it at first, but the noise grew louder, and the ground started to shake. Her eyes widened, fearing what the noise could possibly be. It wasn't typical to hear such a noise, let alone at night. She put her drink down, and ducked down behind the counter, wondering what to do. Should she investigate what was going on? Or wait it out? The ground was now really shaking, and the noise was very noticeable. She wondered if Twilight or Spike were awoken by the noise. Then, as suddenly as it came, the noise stopped. Some time passed, and there was a bit of silence. Starlight had wondered if whatever it was had passed by, but no. She could hear the main door slowly open, making a terrifying creaking noise. She'd never noticed the door creaking during the day, but it seemed amplified at night. Somepony, or something walked into the castle. She heard faint hoofsteps clash with the castle tile. They were trotting lightly, as if to be not heard, but she heard them.

Starlight wondered what to do next. Investigate? Or hide and hope they leave?
I have a bad feeling about this. she thought to herself. Whatever it is, I'm not taking this sitting down. I defeated Queen Chrysalis without magic. There isn't anything I can't take on with magic. And whatever it is, I have to protect Twilight and Spike.
With that, she made her conclusion.

It's time I investigate what's going on. She thought to herself. She stood up and investigated. There was nothing at the main foyer, but she heard some rattling down the hallway.

As young fillies, we are told not to be afraid of the dark, but the truth is that the dark and the unknown never stop being scary. It's only a matter of having the courage to face the fear, that is likely what your parents meant when they told you that there's no need to hide when it's dark outside. Any fear you have, just think of one right now, it all has to do from the unknown, not knowing. Twilight is afraid of quesadillas, because she doesn't know how her body will react to so much hot melted cheese inside of a tortilla. Darkness is scary because it can conceal anteing, your deepest darkest fears could be standing right in front of you. Or there could be nothing, but you have no way of knowing without the light.

Anyway, Starlight cautiously followed the sound of the hoofsteps, and wandered through the almost pitch black castle. Twilight's castle gave off a completely different mood at night than during day. By day, the crystal like interior lit up its guests. But at night, the large open rooms and empty space made every hoof-step echo, and trapped more darkness.
Starlight crept cautiously around the castle, following the sound of the steps down the hall. She couldn't see anypony yet, but she made some observations based on the steps. They were walking opposite her direction, aka away from her so she followed. Though faint, she could tell it wasn't just one pony, it must have been two or three, all trotting slowly.

After some cautious searching, the trotting just stopped.
Starlight wondered if it as all in her head.
But surely there had to be something, it couldn't have just bee nothing. Starlight thought to herself. Why would the sound go quiet... probably means they stopped trotting because... *gasp*... they found what they're looking for! But what? The question Starlight should have was not what, but who.

She hastily trotted forward, trying to keep pace, but not make a ruckus as to give away her location. The mysterious trotting started up again, but this time, it was coming towards her.

Starlight panicked, and hid behind a nearby closet door. The door had no openings, so they couldn't see her, but she couldn't see them either. Whoever they were. Starlight was shaking in her hooves. She saw the shadows of somepony wandering outside the door. The shadows paced, as if they were looking for her. It's clear they knew they were being watched. The shadows then went back down the hall which they entered.

What could they want. What's down that hall anyway other than *gasp* Twilight and Spike! They must be in trouble! Starlight thought to herself.

Starlight now had a better idea of the situation. Whoever they were, they wanted something from Twilight or Spike, and Starlight wasn't ready to let that happen. She opened the door and trotted down the hall towards them.
Starlight could see just past the corner where Twilight's room was, were the shadows. She made out at least three horses, and they were reasonably sized.

Whatever it is you want, you ain't getting it. Starlight thought to herself, still trying to stay hidden until the time was right.

Starlight charged up her horn's magic, ready to strike at whoever they were. She paused, and took a deep breath. And then, she jumped around the corner and shot a beam of magic forward. It hit something, and made a bright flash, temporarily blinding Starlight. She tried to regain focus, but the split seconds she was impaired were enough. Some force knocked her to the ground, and then started constraining her. She could hardly breath, and felt her head getting lighter and lighter. And then everything went blank.

---

The sun began to rise upon Equestria, lighting up the castle. Starlight opened her eyes and found herself lying in her bed tucked in. But how? Did the nighttime investigation even happen? Or was it a dream? She wasn't sure. Starlight got up out of bed and walked around the castle. Everything was like it was the previous day. Nothing was touched or misplaced, as if nothing had happened at night. She got up and trotted to the kitchen. Starlight found Twilight in the cooking something with absolutely zero cheese for breakfast.

"Good morning Starlight!" Twilight said warmly.
"Um... morning Twilight." Starlight said with a hint of hesitation.
"Something the matter?" Twilight asked. "You seem a bit... startled. Did you have a rough night?"
"Yeah." Starlight replied. I couldn't sleep all night. All because of this spell I've been trying to master."
"Which spell?" Twilight asked. "I'm sure I can be able to help."
"Well..." Starlight tried to think of a difficult spell to avoid talking about her possible nightmare. "I saw from your tree chandelier a picture of that one time you cast a spell on Rarity to give her artificial wings." Starlight explained. "And I thought it'd be really cool to try on myself. Unfortunately I haven't successfully done it yet."
"Oh that one... *giggle* that was quite a day." Twilight explained. "The day Rainbow Dash pulls off a Sonic Rainboom right in front our eyes in an effort to save Rarity and the Wonderbolts isn't a day you forget so easily."

"But you know well enough that magic is trial and error. I have a feeling something else must be bothering you." Twilight peered wanting to know more.
"I uh... had a bad dream last night." Starlight confessed.
"Oh. Of what?" Twilight asked concerned.
"I um... don't remember. I just remember being scared." she replied half lying. Everything seemed so ordinary, that she wasn't sure if last night was fact or fiction.
"Is that so? Okay then. Dreams sure are elusive things." Twilight said.

"Heh heh yeah..." Starlight took a sip of water from a glass that'd already been sitting on the counter. Could it be the same water she poured and left on the counter the night before? Her eyes widened.
I left a glass of water half empty last night didn't I? Or was it half full? Either way, if the glass is here, then did last night actually happen? Starlight thought to herself.

"By the way, have you seen Spike this morning?" Twilight asked. "He wasn't in his bed this morning and I haven't seen him yet today. So have you seen him?"
Hearing that had startled Starlight. Her heart sank, if her dream was real, she might have just figured out what they were after.
Starlight spit out her water in reaction to the realization.
"Uh he's... probably running some errands like he always does." Starlight said, trying to come up with an explanation. She didn't want to tell Twilight her dream in case it was just a dream and unrelated. She looked over and saw she spit all that water in Twilight's face...
"You know you could've finished your drink before you said something." Twilight said.
"Sorry Twilight." Starlight said.
"I just wish Spike would have left a note or something. It's not like him to leave unannounced. Where in Equestria could he have gone?"

Yes. Where in Equestria could Spike have gone indeed? I'll give you a hint, he was not running errands.

Find out the whereabouts of Spike in Chapter 3! (Or maybe find out in Chapter 4)

"You sure you haven't seen Spike?" Twilight asked.

"I haven't seen him since yesterday, sorry Twilight." said Starlight.

Twilight looked a bit down.

"Well um, how about I make some pancakes?" Starlight suggested. And like that, Starlight began making some delicious pancakes. Cooking gave Starlight time to think. Obviously what she saw last night had something to do with Spike's disappearance, but she didn't know what, and didn't want to say anything until she knew for sure. She didn't want Twilight to think Spike was in danger, even though he very well could be.

Finally, the pancakes were finished, and they looked great.

"Well, breakfast is served. I hope you like it." Starlight said with some hesitation.
"Thank you." Twilight said, albeit a bit quiet. Twilight grew worried. It wasn't like Spike to just leave unbeknownst. Spike was Twilight's number 1 assistant after all, he'd do anything for Twilight, this was very unusual for him. Twilight didn't eat too much of her pancakes. They tasted great, but she had butterflies in her stomach thinking about Spike. Even though Twilight hadn't said a word since being handed her pancakes, her expression spoke volume to Starlight, she could tell Twilight was unwell.
Starlight couldn't just let Twilight sit and mope all day, she had to do something.

"You know what Twilight? How about a walk around Ponyville to help clear the mind?" Starlight suggested.

"Yeah... that sounds like a nice idea." Twilight said. She was slightly in higher spirts, but not by much.

"You wanna finish your pancakes before we go?" Starlight asked. "I hear from your friends that you really like pancakes."

"Oh, of course. hehe." Twilight giggled. She forgot about the pancakes right in front of her.

---

After Twilight ate Starlight's wonderful pancakes, the two left the castle for a walk around Ponyville. Starlight hoped the calm atmosphere of the walk would take Twilight's mind off of Spike's mysterious absence, and that hopefully he'd return by day's end.

"Any idea on where he is?" Twilight suddenly asked.
"I honestly have no clue." Starlight answered.
"Is that so..." Twilight said looking down.
"But that doesn't mean that other ponies haven't seen him either! In fact, if any pony other than us has seen Spike, it's definetly Rarity. Why don't we drop on by?" Starlight suggested.
"I suppose." Twilight said with a slump.

(THE UPCOMING SCENES ARE ALL MEANT TO ESTABLISH EACH OF THE OTHER MANE 6 PONY'S ROLE/THEIR FEELINGS TOWARDS THE SITUATION.
RARITY IS CONCERNED, AND TRIES HER BEST, AS SHE WANTS THE BEST FOR TWILIGHT AND SPIKE.
PINKIE PIE MEANS WELL, AND WANTS TO HELP, BUT HER CHEERY ADDITUDE COMES ACROSS AS UNWELCOME BY TWILIGHT.
APPLEJACK IS CONCERNED, BUT REMAINS CALM, COLLECTIVE AND RATIONAL RAINBOW DASH SYMPESIZES AFTER HER EXPERIENCE WITH TANK FLUTTERSHY IS VERY WORRIED, AND COULD CRY ALMOST AS MUCH AS TWILIGHT WANTS TO. SHE TRIES TO REMAIN IN CONTROL IN FRONT OF HER FRIENDS. SHE ATTEMPTS TO OFFER IDEAS, BUT IS OFTEN NOT HEARD BY HER FRIENDS WHO ARE SPEAKING LOUDER.
STARLIGHT IS CONCERNED, AND WONDERS IF HER DREAM WANS'T A DREAM AND HOW IT COULD CONNECT TO SPIKE.

On that note, Twilight and Starlight paid Rarity a visit at her botique.

"Why hello Twilight, oh and greetings Starlight." Rarity greeted the two.
"Hi..." Twilight said.
"What's the matter Twilight? You seem under the weather." Rarity said concerned.
"Neither of have seen Spike all morning, and we're really worried." Starlight explained.
"Oh dear, I hope the little guy's okay wherever he is." Rarity said.
"So I take it you haven't seen him either?" Twilight asked.
"I wish I could say otherwise, but I'm afraid not darling." Rarity said. "Would you like to lay down on my fainting couch and have some ice cream? It always cheers me up when I'm feeling down."
"Ice cream? Spiked loved to gorge himself with ice cream." Twilight said, reminiscing about Spike.
"Err um, how about-" Rarity said trying to correct herself, but she was interrupted by Twilight.
"No thanks, I'm good, but thanks for the offer." Twilight declined. "In fact, Starlight and I best continue our walk I feel. Thanks anyway."
"You sure you two don't wana check out some new dresses? Or perhaps comission new disigns I could make for you, or-" Rarity tried to help, but Twilight interjected yet again.
"Nah, not today, I'm just not feeling it." said Twilight.
And with that Twilight and Starlight left the botiuque.
"Best of luck darling, and my heart goes out to Spike on behalf of his well-being."

Starlight looked back, but turned back and walked forward with Twilight who did not turn her head.

Twilight and Starlight next headed to Sugarcube Corner for some sweets to treat themselves. Spike loved to bake, maybe he was there looking for new cake recipes for his gem cakes.

Twilight Sparkle and Starlight trotted into sugar cube corner. Inside they saw the usual, Mr. and Mrs. Cake busy with plenty of orders, and the pumpkin cakes on the floor playing. And of course can't forget Pinkie who was at the register. The two trotted up to Pinkie to ask her if she'd seen Spike. Although they already sort of knew the answer.

"Morning Pinkie Pie." Twilight said.
"Morning Twilight, here for some of more delicious if not nutritious cupcakes?" asked Pinkie.

"Not really, have you seen Spike today?" Twilight asked.

Pinkie replied. "I'm afraid I haven't seen him since yesterday when burnt down the whole-" Starlight gestured Pinkie to stop what she was saying, and she actually did. Twilight was not amused anyway.

"Not helping Pinkie Pie." Twilight said mildly mad.
"I'm uh... sorry Twilight. I didn't mean-" Pinkie said.

"No, sure you didn't. You're Pinkie Pie, you always know what to say." said Twilight with mild sarcasm.

"Are you trying to say something Twilight?" asked Pinkie.

"Never mind, don't mind me, if I get mad or anything, it's cause I'm worried." said Twilight.

"Understood, and will quote you on that if need be." said Pinkie. "Anyhoo, did you check every corner of your castle? It is a pretty big castle, I've always worried that eventually I'd get lost in there. Maybe Spike is lost in the castle.

"Hmm, did we check every corridor of the castle Starlight?" Twilight asked.
"Come to think of it no." answered Starlight. "But I doubt he'd get lost, he didn't exactly move in yesterday."
"We'll look, but after we say hi to a few more towns folk. Thanks for you time Pinkie." Twilight said.
"No problemo, see you Twilight, good luck on the search." said Pinkie Pie.

With that, Twilight and Starlight trotted out of Sugarcube Corner.

The two bumped into Applejack who was delivering apples. She was busy, but they had a talk anyway.

"Have you seen Spike today Applejack? We can't seem to find him." Twilight asked.
"Sorry to say no Twilight. You think Spike could be in any sort'a trouble?" Applejack suggested.

"Spike's a capable dragon, he can fend for himself... I hope." Twilight said. "But the mystery is just eating me up right now."

"Well shucks, wish I do somethin' to help, but, I'm in kind of a hurry." said Applejack.

"That's fine, we all got things to do apparently." Twilight said.

"Rainbow Dash, you're a pegasus, and you've been flying around all morning, have you seen Spike?" asked Starlight, who was doing most of the talking for Twilight.

Rainbow nodded her head in disappointment. "Sorry guys, but I haven't seen him since yesterday." Rainbow admitted.

"That's okay, no other pony has seen him either, thanks anyway." Twilight said, and slumped away.

"Want me to look or something?" asked Rainbow.

"Sure, just keep an eye out, and let us know if you see any sign of him." Twilight said.

"You can count on me Twilight!" Rainbow Dash said, and then flew off.

"Sigh. This is really killing me. It isn't just his absence, but the mystery of it to." Twilight said. "If he just left a note, or said to me 'Twilight, I have important dragon business to attend to don't follow me bye' or whatever, then that's one thing, but nothing."

"I'm with you Twilight, I miss the little guy too." Starlight said.
The two sat besides the Ponyville statue in silence for a few moments. Neither one knew what to do next. No pony had seen Spike, it was apparent that he was not in Ponyville.

Starlight, thinking of ways to help Twilight, came up with an idea.

"Let's go see Fluttershy!" Starlight suggested. "Maybe she needs help with animals or something we could help out with."
"I suppose, alright then..." Twilight said.

And with that they headed for Flutters' cottage.

End of Chapter.

The suspense must be eating you up too. Where in the heck is Spike? Well, find out (sorta) in the very next chapter actually. Answering one question, will only bring up two dozen more questions.

Where in Equestria was Spike? Well, he was right here. But where was here?

---

Spike still lay sound asleep, as if nothing was wrong, but things were very wrong. He started to wake up slowly, yawning as he did. His vision was still bury from waking up, when he started to notice something wasn't quite right. He sat on his knees, and looked at his hands, he noticed they were handcuffed together. He panicked when he noticed this, and tried to pulled them apart, to no avail.

He wore himself out, and fell flat on his back. He surveyed the situation while laying back. Spike was in a dark and cold steel room, there was a steel bed, but not much else. Spike stood up to examine the room. He walked about half way to the wall, but suddenly his neck got caught caught on something. Spike only just now noticed around his neck, was a metal collar of some kind, attached to a chain connected to the floor in the center of the room.

Spike looked around in fear. What was this place? Why I here? Spike thought.

Surely this has to be a horrible nightmare. No way this can be real.

If this is some kind of terrible nightmare, then can Luna please come and end it? I'm scared. Spike's request was met with silence.

Could it be this wasn't a dream? How could this be possible?

"If there's anyone here at all, please show yourself. If that's okay..." Spike's voice trailed off, fearing what could possibly be lurking beyond these walls.

It was mostly silence for what felt like an hour. But then suddenly, Spike heard hoofsteps from behind the door. It was the sound of heavy hooves against a metal floor. He knew he wasn't alone, his heart sank and quivered in fear wondering what lurked in the shadows.
The hoofsteps grew louder and louder, until they stopped just before entering the door. There was nowhere to run, all Spike could do was cower. The noise stopped but the door didn't open, which seemed odd.

Somepony, or something knocked on the door.

*knock knock*

"Wh-wh-who are you?" Spike asked. "And what I am I doing here?"

"I am your owner." a voice behind the door said. The voice sounded quite evil, as you would expect. Pick your favorite evil doer voice for this character.

"No you're not, you're just a door, and doors and I have a complicated relationship." Spike said sarcastically. Obviously the voice was coming from behind the door, but Spike was messing around. Anyone who's tried to have a conversation with another person with a door in between knows it's not easy and quite annoying. Spike had similar feelings. He didn't want to talk with some pony who couldn't even see.

He didn't need to guess any longer what was behind the door, as eye holes on the door opened revealing two sinister eyes. The left eye was mildly bloodshot, but nothing too noticeable.
"Is this better?" it asked, as their eyes gazed into Spike.
"Eh somewhat, but do whom do I owe this conversation to?" he asked.

"My name is both irrelevant and for you to never know. But if you insist on attaching a handle for the sake of reference, you may refer to me as Henry." he said.

"Henry? What kind of name is that? I've never heard of a pony with a name like that." Spike said.

It was true Henry was not a very pony like name, but it wasn't actually the pony's name. No pony knew his actually name, so they just called him Henry.

"Okay so let me get this strait, you're Henry the pair of eyeballs attached to a door." Spike giggled. For being trapped and held prisoner, he hadn't lost his sense of humor yet. Key word is yet.
"No you idiot." Henry snapped. "I am the most powerful pony you will ever meet." he said.

"I ain't buying it, if you were so big and powerful like you said, you wouldn't be hiding behind the door like a little coward. I don't blame you. Not many ponies would dare mess with Spike the Brave and Glorious." he said.

The door unhatched and began to open, revealing Henry's true physique. He was a tall gray horse, wearing a black cloak. A hood covered the top of his head. The most striking thing was how study he looked.
"Satisfied?" Henry asked.
"...Somewhat." Spike answered, trying to conceal his fear.

"Now that we got the introduction out of the way, how about telling me what in Tartarus going on!" Spike said.
"Let me explain things in a way so even your dim witted mind can understand" Henry began. These words hurt Spike inside, but he waited to let Henry finish.
"You now belong to me, and you will be doing what I say from now on. Any task I request, you shall fulfill." Henry said.

Before Spike was dumbfounded. It was a lot to take in. Before he could say anything, Henry spoke again.

"This concludes today's lecture." he started to walk away.

"Wait! I have so many questions still! Where are we? When are we? What are these 'tasks' you speak of? If this is today's lesson does that mean there'll be more? And most importantly, why do you suddenly own me instead of Twilight? What authority do you have to decide who I belong to?" Spike concluded after a long breath.

Henry took a deep breath before he gave his answer.

"You are in an undisclosed location. Several important tasks shall be demanded. Many lessons will be enforced. And you belong to me because you're sitting right here in my captivity." Henry stated.
"No further questions will be taken. You will remain here until you are needed. Dismissed."
Henry turned around and began to walk out. Spike wished he could run out the door but he couldn't because he was still chained to the floor.

"Wait so that's it?" Spike interjected. "Just because you captured me doesn't mean you own me! You're a bully and a thief and I will never do anything you said!"

Henry seemed to ignore, and trotted out the room and shut the door. Spike thought that was it, but the eye holes of the door opened. Henry continued to speak.

"I captured a dragon, isn't that reason enough for ownership?" he asked.
"No! Twilight is who I really belong to. She is a good friend and I'm her No. 1 assistant. You on the other hand are evil and I will never do your bidding."

"Mmm hmm, Twilight eh." Henry said. "Do you honestly think that Twilight Sparkle cares about you?"
"Of course she does, she's been my friend for as long as I've been alive, and she'd do anything for me!" Spike said. Twilight was a touchy subject.
"Mmm hmm, ponies and dragons living together. You keep living that fantasy." Henry said.
"This whole place feels like a fantasy, that is to say it doesn't feel real." Spike said.
"If you want to stay alive, here's my advice; forget everything you learned from those namby pamby ponies taught you, because all of it is wrong. When I'm done with you, you will learn the true power of dragons." Henry said.
"Never." Spike said.

"Hmm, are you sure?"
"Absolutely sure." Spike said in defiance. After Spike spoke, a huge surge of electricity ran through Spike.

"AAAAAHHHHH!" Spike was electrocuted.

"If you ever attempt to speak up against me, you are wearing a shock collar that will shock you if you attempt to do so." Henry said.

"That's... that's messed up." Spike said exhausted.

"If you don't like being shocked, then best you do as I say."

"I'd rather die than serve you." Spike said.

"Well at this rate, don't be surprised if you eat those words." Henry said.

The eye holes shut and Henry trotted away.

Henry left leaving a lot of questions unanswered. What was so bad about dragons and ponies living together? Spike found that most ponies were fine with who he was. Aside from that one day earlier in the week.
What horrible things would Henry force Spike to do?

Spike was just left in the dark, both figuratively and literally. All he could do is sit and wait. Wait for what exactly is what really worried Spike.
Spike was still chained to the ground, so there was very little he could do, besides sit... and cry. And cry he did. He was trapped, and he missed his friends. Who knows if he would ever get out of this one.

---

Normally this would be where the chapter ends, but a few more things happened.

---

Spike sat in the dark for an unknown amount of time. There was no way of telling time, so it was hard to say, but after what felt like a substantial amount of time, Henry was back.

The steel door opened and Henry walked in.

"Your time has come dragon." Henry said.

He flipped back his hood revealing that he was a unicorn. He used the magic to undo Spike's chain holding him to the ground. And then he dragged Spike by the chain connected to his shock collar out of the room, and through some dark hallway.

Spike tried to pull the other way, but he wasn't strong enough to overcome Henry's magic.

"Let me go! Where are you taking me!? HELP!" Spike could do nothing as he was dragged... somewhere. To do something...

---

Where was Spike being dragged? What horrors awaited him? Who the heck is this Henry character? And how and why did he capture Spike?
Stay tuned and find out in Chapter 6!

That's right, Chapter 6. From now on, chapters will alternate between Spike chapters, and pony chapters. Even number chapters being Spike, and odd number being ponies. So next chapter we will see the ponies' POV again. There may be some exceptions say if there are events big enough in either that warrant two chapters, then that mixes things up. And of course much later on, the two stories will... converge...

Last time we met up with Twilight Sparkle, she was feeling a bit under the weather about Spike to say the very least.
In this chapter, Twilight and Starlight Glimmer had arrived at Fluttershy's cottage to pay their friend a visit.

---

Fluttershy was in her cottage caring for animals as she typical did, when she heard a knock on the door.

"Oh, it sounds like I have guests." Fluttershy said.

She walked up to the door, and it was Twilight and Starlight.

"Hi Twilight." Fluttershy said.
"Hi Fluttershy.." said Twilight.
"Oh, is something the matter Twilight?" Fluttershy asked.
"Something the matter? Why no, of course not. Everything's... fine." Twilight said, trying to not think about Spike.
"Well alright then, come in girls." Fluttershy said.

Twilight walked into the cottage, passing Fluttershy by. Starlight spoke to Fluttershy.

"Spike's gone missing." Starlight said.
"Oh dear, that just awful." Fluttershy said.
"Yeah, but try not to mention it, Twilight's been taking it pretty hard to say the least." Starlight said.
"She seems alright to me." Fluttershy said.
"She's been trying to cope. She may look alright, but it's really taking a toll on her internally." Starlight said.

Indeed, Twilight at this point was mostly trying not to think of Spike, not because she didn't miss him, she does, but she doesn't want her feelings to make her vulnerable or something. So she tried to act confident.

"So Twilight, what brings you around here?" Fluttershy asked.

Starlight nudged Fluttershy, as if her question was too pushy.

"Oh you know, I was in Ponyville, and then I ended up here... isn't that something." Twilight said.
"I suppose." Fluttershy said puzzled.
"So how have you been Fluttershy?" Twilight asked trying to change the subject.
"Oh the usual, I've just been helping animals. Cause you know, that's... what I do." Fluttershy said.
"Helping animals huh?" Twilight said.
"Yes, there was this adorable flying squirrel who had a broken leg. You just missed him, he made a full recovery and I released him into the wild." Fluttershy said.
"Cool story." Twilight said who was hardly paying attention. She was hovering with the birds inside the cottage.
"Twilight are you listening?" Fluttershy asked.
"Yeah totally." Twilight said.

Fluttershy started coughing to get Twilight's attention.

*cough cough cough* Fluttershy went.

"Fluttershy are you okay?" Starlight asked.

*cough Spike* Fluttershy said.
"Fluttershy are you sick? That was an unusual sounding cough.
"Oh no I'm fine. What about the cough sounded unusual?" Fluttershy asked trying to get Twilight to speak about Spike.
"It was just sharper than usual that's all." Twilight said.

"So Twilight, why don't you like quesadillas?" Starlight asked.
"It's just all that cheese. Tortillas are fine, and so is cheese, but all that melted cheese confined between two tortillas is... bleh." Twilight said.
"But you're okay with pancakes? From what your friends say, you really like pancakes." Starlight asked.
"Oh yeah, me and pancakes have a long history." Twilight said.

"You know who else you have a long history with?" Fluttershy asked.
"Um... Owlowiscious?" Twilight asked.
"Well sure, but I was thinking of Sp-" Fluttershy was inturpted.
"You know I've always been wondering, is it spelled O-w-l-o-w-i-s-c-i-o-u-s? Because I've recieved letters from Celestia spelling it as O-w-l-o-y-s-i-u-s." Twilight said.
"I don't see why it matters the-" Fluttershy was inturpted.
"I mean the latter spelling is more faithful to the name Aloysius, but then there's that time Mayor Mare wrote a letter spelling it O-w-l-i-c-i-o-u-s." Twilight said.
"Twilight!" Fluttershy said.
"Gee, no need to shout." Twilight said.
"I'm sorry Twilight, but you were going off on a tangent." Fluttershy said.
"Yeah I tend to do that." Twilight said.

There was a moment of silence, Fluttershy saw this as a chance to jump in and change the subject.

"So Twilight, how's Spike?" Fluttershy asked.

Starlight nudged Fluttershy roughly to remind her not to speak of Spike.
Twilight wasn't expecting the question, and was caught off guard.
She sat in silence for a few moments before speaking.

"Oh, Spike, he's you know, busy." Twilight said.
"I already told Fluttershy." Starlight said.
"Well gee, thanks for breaking the news." Twilight said stern, to try to conceal her feelings.
"Twilight, we need to talk." Fluttershy said.
"Do we need to?" Twilight asked.
"Yes, because if we don't, you're never going to feel better just bottling up your feelings." Fluttershy said.

Twilight faced the other way, and tried not to entertain the question.

"Twilight, if you don't get this off your chest, you're never going to feel better." Fluttershy said.

Twilight grunted and didn't want to to talk.

"Come on Twilight, it's just you me and Fluttershy here, we're all ears." Starlight said.

"I..." Twilight's voice trailed.
"You what?" Fluttershy asked.
"*sigh* I miss Spike." Twilight said.
"Are you worried?" Fluttershy asked.
"...Yes." Twilight said.

"It's very unfortunate what's happened." Fluttershy said.
"It is..." Twilight said.

"Tell me more about Spike, and what he means to you." Fluttershy said.

"Spike's always been... delicate." Twilight said.
"Oh, is that so?" Fluttershy said.
"When I recruited Owlowiscious as an extra assistant, Spike was very paranoid, and ran away because... he thought I didn't... want him anymore. But of course that wasn't true. No one can replace Spike. He's my no. 1 assistant, and... my closest friend." Twilight said.

Twilight was showing a lot more emotion, now that she was letting her feelings show.

"Spike had been doing so well lately too. He saved the Crystal Empire twice, but every now and again, something comes up that reminds him that he's different from us. And he lets it get to him, no matter how much he seems to be coping. And then... this happens." Twilight lamented.

"I don't know where he could have gone. I don't even know why he left..." Twilight said.
"Twilight. We're here for you." Fluttershy said leaning in closer.
"Wherever he is, I just hope he's safe." Twilight said.
"I'm hope so too." Fluttershy said.
"I'm sure he is." Starlight said, trying to be optimistic. Of course we know she was being over optimistic.

There was some knocking on the door.

"There's someone at the door." Fluttershy said.
"Perhaps I shall get the door." Starlight said.

Starlight got up and opened the door. It was the rest of the main six, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie.

"Hey Twilight. How are you doing?" Rainbow Dash said, sounding more reserved.
"Oh you know." Twilight responded.

"I brought you some of this Twilight." Applejack said. AJ had brought some apple cider.
"It's some apple cider to help... calm your nerves." she said.
"Thanks but no thanks. Drinking won't directly solve anything, it just makes you not think." Twilight said.
"Well, I just thought I'd try to help." Applejack said.

"Thanks AJ, I appreciate it, but right now I just need some time alone." Twilight got up and trotted out of Fluttershy's cottage.
"Where are you going darling?" Rarity asked.
"Somewhere, where I can be alone for now." Twilight said.
"But Twilight, we're here for you, you don't have to go through this alone." Rainbow Dash said.
"It's not that I don't appreciate your help, but I just want to be alone right now." Twilight said.

Twilight trotted off in the other direction, leaving her friends behind.

"I feel so, useless right about now." Starlight said.
"I know, me too. I feel like no matter what I say I may say the wrong thing." Pinkie Pie said.
"Twilight's our friend, and I'm sure ain't nothing you could say that would change that Pinkie." Applejack said.
"Oh I don't know Applejack, you don't want to say the wrong thing to Twilight at the wrong time. She can be quite... touchy." Starlight said.

The girls sat around Fluttershy's garden all wondering how they could help Twilight cope with Spike's disappearance.

"You girls get the feeling that we're overlooking a very obvious solution?" Starlight said.
"Is it writing a letter to Spike since he has the ability to send and recieve letters?" Fluttershy asked softly.
"Whatever do you mean darling?" Rarity said, she did not hear Fluttershy.
"You know, like there's an easy way to find Spike we're not thinking of?" Starlight said.

"Like how Spike used to write letters to Celestia and she'd write back?" Fluttershy said.
"You're killing me sugarcube with all your cryptic, encoded drawl." Applejack said.
"Encoded... encoded... like letters, like the letters Spike would write to Celestia!" Starlight brainstormed.

"Um... that's sort of what I was getting at-" Fluttershy was interrupted.
"That's it! Let's write a letter to Spike and send it via dragon mail!" Pinkie exclaimed. "Let's go get Twilight right now and-" Applejack shoved her hoof in Pinkie's mouth to get her to be quiet.
"Hold on there sugarcube, let's not be too hasty." Applejack said.
"Indeed, let's all of us go visit Princess Celestia where she receives Spike's letters, so we may send one to... wherever Spike is." Rarity said.
"And let's just do it ourselves and not tell Twilight yet, in case we get a... unfavorable response." Starlight said.
"Or worse, no response." Applejack said.

Everypony looked at her.

"What?" she said.

"You bring up an interesting point darling, what's worse? No response? Or bad response?" Rarity asked.
"Well, we'll only know once we try out dragon mail, so, no time like the present." Starlight said regrettably.

---

With that, the mane six sans Twilight, plus Starlight went to Canterlot to see Princess Celestia, where they would try writing a letter and sending it Spike, and seeing what happens. What happens? Well keep reading and find out.

Last time we saw Spike back in chapter 4, he was being dragged by sinister dragon tamer Henry to an unknown part of the facility.

---

"Let me go! When I get loose, I'm going to claw you to shreds!" Spike said.

Henry said not a word, as to not entertain Spike. He just kept dragging Spike deeper into the cold, dark, metal facility.
Finally they had arrived at their destination.

Henry flung Spike into a small cell, and slammed the door, trapping Spike inside.

"Let me out!" he pleaded.
"You won't have to wait long." Henry said.
"Wait long for wha-" the floor from underneath Spike's feet opened up, and he fell into a large circular arena looking area.

"What's going on here?" Spike asked.

Spike was in the middle of a circular arena.
A gate on the other side opened, and something emerged.

"Garble?" Spike asked.
"That's right pipsqueak. It's me." he said.

Indeed it was Garble. That jerk red dragon who teased Spike in the previous episodes 'Dragon Quest', and 'Gauntlet of Fire'.
Garble walked slowly from his entrance, he had a muzzle on his face, probably to stop fire breathing, and his wings are bound down. Otherwise his limbs were unbound.

"Heh, this is what I'm up against? This little pipsqueak? This'll be a piece of cake." Garble said.
"Wait, what are you talking about?" Spike asked.
"Put 'em up!" Garble said.
"Put up wha-" Garble punched Spike and knocked him over.
"Don't you get it? This is a fight! So fight!" Garble said.
"Wait, I don't want to fight!" Spike pleaded.
"But I do!" Garble said.
"Aaahh!" Spike screamed.

Garble continued to pummel Spike right there, while Henry and his henchponies watched from the side, safely outside the arena.

"I think you've totally lost it Henry." said a henchpony.
"Yeah, you've trained many fierce dragons, and now you're training this runt?" asked the other henchpony.
"Hmm hmm hmm. You underestimate his capabilities Sawtooth." Henry said.
"What do you mean boss?" asked the first henchpony.
"It's simple Jeff, it's called hidden potential. Never underestimate based on appearance. He make look useless, and believe me he is at the moment. But this dragon has an incredible amount of power deep within. It's only a matter of accessing it." Henry said.
And just like that, Henry's two henchponies names have been introduced as Jeff and Sawtooth.
"Whatever you say so boss." Jeff said.
"You should just cut him open right now. We'll get more use outta him." Sawtooth said.
"But that'd be such a waste now wouldn't it?" Henry said.

Spike continued to get pummeled, until a bell rang.

"Victory!" Garble exclaimed.

"The winner is Garble!" yelled a loudspeaker.

Gems showered down on Garble as a reward. Spike got zilch.

Spike was an unrecognizable pile on the ground. He was alive, but he had been injured quite a bit.

"I suppose I better clean up the mess. You two put Garble back in captivity." Henry requested.
"Dang Henry, you used to tame some of the strongest of dragons, often dozens at a time, and apprehend them. I don't see what you see in this little dunce." said Sawtooth.
"You will see. You will all see." Henry said.
"You think you ought ease up? I mean, you don't want to kill the dragon before we get any use from him do you?" Jeff asked.
"Trust me, I know what I'm doing. Every step necessary, and believe me, the payoff will be huge." Henry said.

Henry got up to retrieve Spike. Jeff and Sawtooth put Garble back in captivity using their advance tools. Dragons may be strong, but they were no match for their futuristic tools. One of which was a muzzle preventing them from breathing fire, not so high tech. More futuristic tools included the shock collars. Made controlling dragons possible.

---

Henry retrieved Spike and dragged him using a rope tied to him.

"That was the most pathetic display I've ever seen. You should be ashamed to call yourself a dragon." Henry said with most displeasure. He flung Spike into his room.
"I don't care what I may look like on the outside, or what you may think I am, but I know one thing for sure. I am Spike, and I would never fight another dragon for the amusement of others!" Spike said.
"You speak with such nobility, and just, we'll have to fix that over time." Henry said.
"And for the last time, I am not your pet! I am not your slave! You don't own me at all! You have no authority over me and I refuse to take orders from you!" Spike exclaimed.
"Well I think you ought to rethink your stance, you're not leaving anytime soon." Henry said.
"Twilight is probably looking for me now, and when she find this place, she's going to blow you to literal pieces!" Spike said.
Henry chuckled. "You think that that princess pony Twilight is looking for you. How sad. She's a pony, and you're a dragon, why would any pony care about a dragon?" Henry said.
"You're wrong! Twilight's my friend, and she'd do anything for me!" Spike said.
"Impossible. Dragons are feared and hated by ponies of Equestria. You're no different. You may be small, and live among ponies, but you'll never be one of them. Ponies will always look twice when they see you, try not to sit near you on the train, and you're more likely to be pulled by authorities while over driving a carriage. You think you have friends, but no matter what, Equestria will look down upon you for what you are. That's why you should side with me, I'm on your side. Do what I say, I can show you how to take revenge on those ponies. You're better than them, so why should they oppress you? Together we can destroy pony kind and rule Equestria for ourselves." Henry's long speech concluded.
Spike was about to cry, he tried not to succumb to Henry's words. Could he be right? Was it true ponies of Ponyville were biased against Spike just because he was a dragon?
"No, no, you're wrong! You're wrong about everything, and I'll never join you for as long as I live!" Spike said, standing tall in resentment.
"For as long as you live? So be it. Either join me, or die resisting." Henry said.
"Never." Spike said.
"Well then, I'll just let you think for a while, when I come back, you better have changed your mind." Henry said, and he exited the room slamming the door.

Spike held back his feelings, but after Henry had left, he immediately collapsed to his knees, put his hands to his face and started to cry. He eventually gripped his tail, curled up and continued to cry. This was the worst situation imaginable. Spike wished this were just a bad dream, and that when he closed his eyes, he would appear in Twilight's hooves, but no, this was all too real.

"Twilight... *sniff* I'm scared." Spike said stuffed up.
"Where ever you are, I hope you find me soon." he said.

---

Spike laid down for what felt like an eternity ,until something knocked on the door.

*knock knock*

"Whoever's behind that door just go away!" Spike screamed.

The door opened anyway. On the other side was a cloaked figure that walked in with two legs.

"Go away! I mean it!" Spike yelled.

The figure walked up to Spike, and knelt down, and put its arm on Spike.
"Mmm, don't cry little dragon, it's okay. You poor poor little thing, not only physically harmed, but mentally too I can tell." it said, in a soft comforting voice.
Spike was still mad, he couldn't think strait, but the voice oddly soothed him.
"Wh-wh-wh-who... are you?" Spike said under his own breath. Spike looked up and saw what this mystery creature looked like, sort of. They wore a black cloak that covered their entire body, face concealed by a hood. The mystery creature spoke. "I'm a friend, I mean no harm, I just want to help." it said. Spike sat up, and tried to wipe some tears away.
"Reveal yourself." Spike requested.
"I really shouldn't." it said.
"I said reveal yourself!" Spike demanded.
"Okay okay, just keep quiet." it said.
They rolled back their hood revealing themselves to be none other than Princess Ember!

"Spike... it's me." Ember said.
"...Ember?" Spike couldn't believe his eyes.
"Yes Spike, it's really me, Ember. I'm here to help." she said.
"When did you get all sympathetic? You're a dragon, you're rough, and not sympathetic at all." Spike asked.
"Normally that's true, but these are dire times, and us dragons have to stick together." Ember said.

"Okay... then can you please get me out of here?" Spike asked.
"I... can't." Ember said.
"Okay then... anything you can do?" Spike was getting impatient.
"Not... really... yet." Ember said.

"Okay so if you can't help me, then, not to sound rude, but why are you here?" Spike asked.
"To... to check up on you." Ember answered.
"No I mean, why are you here? Why are you wandering around in a cloak and not chained up like the other dragons? Why are other dragons here?" asked Spike.
"I can not say too much, but basically Henry's captured many dragons from Equestria, and locked them all up here." Ember said.
"Where is here?" Spike asked.
"I can't tell you yet." Ember said.
"So why aren't you in captivity like the rest of the dragons?" Spike asked.
"I'll tell you later, it's too long a story to tell right now." Ember said.
"Well that's just dandy." Spike said.

"How are you feeling Spike?" Ember asked.
"How am I doing? Let's see, the diagnosis reads; Spike is in a lot of physical and mental pain! That's how I am!" Spike said.
"I'm so sorry to hear." Ember said.
"You're sorry? That's great! Apology accepted! Now how about instead of talking, how about doing?" Spike was a bit more pushy than he normally would be.
"I told you I can't!" Ember said.
"Why not?!" Spike asked.
"Because... Henry he... he..." Ember said.

"That's the other thing I've been wondering, who exactly is this Henry. Why did he kidnap me? How did he find me? And what's he trying to do with me?" Spike asked.
"I'm not able to tell you anything about who Henry is, nor can I disclose his plans. To be honest I'm still figuring out those details." Ember said.
"Some help you're turning out to me." Spike said rudely.
"Look, I'm trying as hard as I can to help!" Ember said.
"Doesn't seem like it." Spike replied with sass.
"The thing is, I could get in serious trouble for telling you anything. I've said too much as it is, I really shouldn't even be here." Ember tried very hard not to raise her voice, as to not give away her location.

"So why'd you even drop by in the first place?" Spike asked.
"Because I want to help." Ember said.
"Then help, by doing something." Spike said.
"I can't..." Ember said.
"Here we go again." Spike rolled his eyes.
"...yet. I want to help you escape, along with the rest of the dragons. I'm working on a plan. So just hang in there while I come up with something." Ember said.
"So is that it? Today has been awful. And you're just going to let me suffer through many more hoping you actually develop a plan?!" Spike asked in tears.
"I know you're in a lot of distress Spike, and even that's an understatement. But the longer I stay, the bigger chance of me getting caught, and getting in a lot of trouble." Ember said.
"We're up against a threat like no other. Henry's technology is years ahead of anything that exists Equestria, and he is very dangerous." Ember said.

"Well isn't that just great..." Spike said in a slump.
"Don't worry, I'll visit frequently to help keep your moral up." Ember said.
"Thank Celestia for that. As harsh as I've been, I'm kind of glad you're here. Not glad that we're both prisoners, but glad I have you to talk to. If you weren't here, and without a single friend here, I think I would just... not continue on." Spike said.
"Spike, don't say that. You've got to keep going. For me, for your friends. For Twilight. I promise, there's light at the end of this... very dark tunnel." Ember said.
"Yeah right, Twilight probably doesn't even notice I'm gone." Spike said.
"Listen Spike, don't believe a word Henry has to say. He is lying to you, and manipulating you. He's telling lies so you do as he says. Don't let him win." Ember said.
"I'll try." Spike said.

"Anyway, good night Spike." Ember said hesitantly walking away. She didn't want to leave Spike, but there was little else she could do.
"Any last words you want to say?" Spike asked.
"Just remember who you are Spike, you're a wonderful creature who puts the needs of his friends before his own. You are wonderful, and do not ever forget out doubt that, no matter what Henry says. Adieu Spike." Ember said.
"...Adieu... Ember." Spike said.

Ember walked out of the room and quietly closed the door.

There was a glimmer of hope, but not much, but it was better than nothing, I suppose. Spike curled up and cried himself to sleep.

---

Well then, there you have it. What happens next? Does Ember come up with a decent plan for rescuing Spike and thwarting Henry's evil plan? Whatever his plan is. Does Spike ever reunite with his pony friends? Didn't Starlight say she was going to try to write a letter to Spike and send it via dragon mail? How does that pan out? Keep reading and find out. See you in chapter 7.
And if don't like this fic because it's too mean to Spike, well... though luck. The fic is what it is. If you don't like it, here's a secret, you don't have to read it.
Although keep reading if you want to know what happens next.

In the last chapter, we saw what Spike had to endure. But what were Twilight's friends up to in the mean time?

Last time we saw her friends, they were in Fluttershy's cottage wondering what they could do to help Twilight.
And then it occurred to Starlight (Fluttershy really, but she was too soft spoken to be heard), why not just write Spike a letter? He has the ability to send letters through dragon mail. Why not actually send a letter? It only made sense, and it seemed odd they didn't think of this in the first place.

---

Anyway, with that out of the way, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Starlight, all took a train to Canterlot, and visited Princess Celestia. Twilight had written countless letters to Celestia, and sent them via Spike. And Celestia had written plenty of letters too, so they figured she could help. Twilight herself was at home in her castle, they didn't want to include Twilight in their experiment, in case they got... undesirable results.

The mane 5 (I need a better name for this group. Mane 6 minus Twilight, + Starlight, Twilight's friends? Sure) They went to Canterlot and visited Celestia in her throne room.
"Greetings ponies. It's been a while since we last spoke." Celestia said.
"Yes, it's been a while since Chrysalis returned and kidnapped all of us." Rainbow Dash said.
(It actually wasn't that long ago, this fic takes please between S6 and S7, specifically after the first two episodes of S7).
You know what, I've been wondering, how did the Changelings manage to kidnap all of them? Even the four princesses?" Starlight thought in her mind.
"Anyway, what brings you ponies around here? Where's Twilight?" Celestia asked.
"Twilight's..." Applejack thought about how to word the situation.
"Spike's gone missing!" Pinkie blurted out.
"Blunt, but true. Spike's been missing for a little while now." said Rarity.
"Is that so? That is a real shame." Celestia said. "I certainly haven't seen him here. Do you have any idea where he could be?" she asked.
"Not a clue, but that's why we're here." Starlight said.
"Twilight used to write letters to you and send them via Spike. If it worked back then, we have reason to believe it should work now!" Rarity said.
"That's a brilliant idea! What are we waiting for? No time to lose, let's do it." Celestia said.

With that, all of the ponies went to Celestia's... observatory? Library? Whatever room she used to be in when she recieved letters. They were in that room.

"So how do you want to do this little ponies?" Celestia asked.
"I don't know, just write a letter, send it... and see what kind of response we get." Starlight said.
"Why didn't you bring Twilight here?" Celestia asked.
"We didn't want to get her hopes up, in case this idea didn't go to plan." Applejack said.
"But a letter from Twilight would probably be the most effective way to get Spike's attention." Celestia said.
"I'm sure any letter from any of us oughta be just as good. We're his friends too after all." Rainbow Dash said.
"Eeyup. Let's do it." Fluttershy said.
"Okay then! What should we write...?" Starlight asked.
"Whatever we write, it's got to come from the heart." Applejack said.
"It better be gramatically correct to ensure that it isn't mistaken for spam mail." Rarity said.
"The letter's got to live up to our quality standard. Only the best letter, for the best little dragon." Rainbow Dash said.
"Ask him why we weren't invited to wherever he is!" Pinkie Pie said.
"We should just ask him where he is, why he's there, and if he could come home." Fluttershy said.

Starlight started scribbling down the letter.

"Okay! With all of your suggestions taken in to account, here's what I have so far." Starlight began to read.
'Howdy Spike, how are you doing we-" Starlight was inturpted.
"Howdy? Really? Do you want him to think Applejack wrote this herself?" Rainbow Dash asked. "It's got to have a hint of all of us."
"Right, duly noted." Starlight said.

Starlight erased the word and rewrote it. She read the next revision.

"Greetings Spike, how are you doing? We are very-" Starlight was interrupted again.
"Greetings!? Are we welcoming him to the Grand Galloping Gala!? No! This is an urgent letter!" Pinkie Pie said.
"Pinkie, that's not a mistake." Rainbow Dash said.
"No no, let me fix it anyway." Starlight said.

Starlight corrected the 'mistake', and read the next revision.

"Hi Spike, we-" Starlight was interrupted once more.
"I don't know darling, a simple 'hi' is far too casual." Rarity said.

Starlight furiously redid the first word again, and then began to read.

"Dear Spike." Starlight paused to see if any of her friends had suggestions.

"Okay? Good. 'Dear Spike' we-" Starlight was interrupted after all.
"Maybe you could-"
"Maybe you could be QUIET and let me write!" Starlight snapped, not realizing it was Fluttershy who had spoken.
"Oh Fluttershy, I'm so sorry." Starlight said.
"I was just going to suggest adding some x's and o's at the bottom..." Fluttershy said.
"That's a sweet idea, I'm going to do just that." Starlight said.

She made some last minute scribbles.

"Alright, I think I got it this time." Starlight said, she read her final revision.

"'Dear Spike, this is a letter from your friends. We are writing to you because we are very concerned. You left Ponyville so suddenly, and without a note or any thing explaining your absence. We are all worried, and would love to hear back from you. Sincerely, your friends in Ponyville. xoxo.' How's that?" Starlight asked.

"Perfect. Now send the letter!" Rainbow Dash said.
"Should we? I mean. If Spike didn't leave a note, then maybe he doesn't want to be found." Starlight said.
"You're just delaying the inevitable darling. It's now or never." said Rarity.
"I don't know. I'm having second thoughts." Starlight said.
"What's the worst that can happen?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"No reply. Or worse..." Starlight said.
"An honest letter putting into context why he left?" Applejack added.
"Or, Spike replies with his location and asks us to find him!" Rainbow Dash said.
"But like, Spike knows he can mail us at any time. If he wanted to write us, don't you think he would have done so by now?" Starlight asked.
"If we forgot about dragon mail, and I don't blame us, we haven't used it in forever, then he probably forgot to." Rarity said.
"Or maybe he doesn't have access to paper or a quill." Pinkie Pie suggested.
"Any other objections? No? Good. Let's send it Princess Celestia." Rainbow Dash said.
"Well, here goes nothing." Celestia said.

Celestia used her magic, and (somewhat reluctantly) sent the letter.
Her horn started to glow, and the letter curled up and positioned in front of her horn.
Her horn grew brighter, until the letter went poof. It was gone. It was sent.

"...So, now what do we do? Fluttershy asked.
"We just wait I guess." Applejack said.
"I suppose there isn't much else we can do." Celestia said.

---

And so that's what they did. They waited... for about an hour or so.
Ponies were pacing, were laying down, some even dozed off.

"It's been an hour and still nothing." Starlight said.
"Maybe we should head back to Ponyville. Twilight probably needs our support." Rarity said.
"You little fillies head back to Ponyville. I'll keep on the lookout for a letter, and notify you the moment I receive anything from Spike." Celestia said.
"We appreciate your help in these times Princess." Starlight said.
"Stay strong little ponies. Keep your spirits up." Celestia said.

And with that, our little fillies left the observatory, and headed back for Ponyville, empty hoofed.

Celestia wasn't ready to put all her eggs in one basket though, so to speak. She thought about sending a second letter, in case there was a fluke with the first letter. And so she decided to do just that.
Celestia wrote a second letter, and sent it through dragon mail.

This second letter, unlike the first one, reappeared in front of Celestia moments after she sent it.

"Huh? That can't be right." Celestia said.

She tried to send it again, but the same result. This could've only meant one thing.

"This letter isn't even reaching its destination. That can only mean *gasp* that the receiving end has been disconnected!" Celestia said.
"But, but, its can't be. Could Spike have undone the dragon mail spell himself? Or could somepony else have? What kind of pony would do such a thing? Undo a spell, that I cast many moons ago." Celestia said.

---

Princess Celestia had a flashback to long ago. When Twilight was still a filly, and soon after she had first received Spike, and the day she granted Spike the ability to send mail. Specifically a flashback to what was at first an ordinary day at Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns.

"Okay little fillies, that's it for today. It's time to head home." Celestia said.
"Already? But I still have so many questions for you Princess." Twilight said. "If only there was some way we could still talk after class."
"Hmm, perhaps there is." Celestia said.
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked.
"Why don't I just show you little filly?" Celestia said. "Now if you don't mind. May I see Spike?" she asked.
"Sure, but what for?" Twilight asked.

Celestia put her horn up to Spike, and her horn glowed. Celestia had cast a spell.

"What just happened?" Twilight asked.

Celestia took a piece of paper, and used her magic on it. Moments later, Spike burped out the letter and it appeared in front of Twilight.

"Wow! Did you just send a letter through Spike!?" Twilight asked in astonishment.

"Yes, I did exactly that. Whenever you feel like talking, just write a letter, and Spike can send it." Celestia said.
"Wow, thank you Princess Celestia, I'll see you tomorrow at class!" Twilight took Spike and headed back for her home.

That evening, Celestia must have received at least a dozen letters from Twilight.

Celestia chuckled "That little filly's mind knows no limits." she said.

Thus concluding the flashback.

---

"...I hope Spike is okay. That little dragon means the world to Twilight." Celestia said. "It's extremely unlikely Spike could ever undo the spell himself. So it can only mean, somepony else did. But who? Wherever he is, I hope he's okay..."

---

On that... depressing note, that concludes the chapter. What happened to Spike's ability to send and receive letters? If they can't send letters, how else are they possibly going to figure out where Spike is? What horrible things await Spike next? Find out in chapter 8.

In the last chapter, we saw Twilight's friends attempt to send a letter to Spike. They sent the letter, but didn't receive a response. Celestia sent a second letter herself later on, but it came right back, indicating that the dragon mail spell had been undone. But how? Let's find out.

---

Spike was sitting alone in the cell for... hours? Days? All reference of time was gone. All he could do was sit and think out loud to himself.

"If my friends really do miss me, shouldn't they have found me by now?" Spike thought. "Unless... are we even friends?"
"What if we were never friends to begin with. Think about it. What good have I done for Twilight?" Spike asked himself.

Spike had flashbacks of times he disappointed Twilight, and there were a surprising number of moments.
"The Grand Equestria Pony Summit is just one example. I basically ruined the entire event." Spike said.

Spike sat in the cell, cold, and alone, the loneliest he'd ever felt. When all of the sudden, he felt something in his stomach rumbling.
"Oh man... what did I have for lunch?" Spike said feeling his stomach rumble.
Spike burped up a letter of all things.
And yes, it was the letter from the previous chapter.

Spike gasped.

"It can't be... can it?"

He read the letter in his head.

"It's a letter from... my friends... Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Starlight, Rainbow Dash, Celestia, Pinkie Pie and... Twilight... they do miss me." Spike said in tears.
"I gotta reply!" he thought.
Unfortunately, there were no quills or ink in the cell, so he had to improvise.

Spike pulled off one of his scales to use as a quill, but it would not write without ink.

"Oh shoot, come on. What in here can I use instead of ink?" Spike wondered.
The ink already on the letter had already dried, he couldn't reuse it. There was only one other source of fluid in the room.
"Oh man, am I that desperate?" Spike asked himself.
"Yeah I'm that desperate." he answered.

Just before Spike was about to (you know what he was going to do), Henry walked in.

"Uh, Henry! How's it... hanging?" Spike said hiding the letter behind his back.
"What have you got behind your back?" Henry asked.
"Uh... nothing!" Spike answered.

Henry used his magic and yanked the letter from Spike's claws.

Henry read it, crumpled it up and tossed it when he was done.
"So, still pen pals with that namby pamby princess?" he asked mockingly.
"No! I mean, what's it to you!?" Spike exclaimed.
"We'll just have to fix that." Henry said.

Henry stomped on Spike, and forced him against the ground.

"OW! Get off of me!" Spike pleaded.

Henry used his magic on Spike.

"What are you doing-?!" it felt like Henry's magic was strangling Spike. Spike's life flashed before his eyes.
As quickly as it happened, it was over. Henry got up and walked to the front of the room.

"What did you...?" Spike grabbed the crumpled letter, and breathed fire on it, but it simply disintegrated.
"Now you won't be able to send or recieve any more letters." Henry said.
"But... but that's impossible... I can't believe that you just undid that... I've been able to send letters as long as I can remember." Spike said.

Henry just grined. He had removed Spike's ability to send letters.

"Yeah well... well... I can still breath fire!" Spike said.

Spike breathed fire right in Henry's face.
The fire scorched his face, but he didn't seem phased by it.

"What? But how...?" Spike was astonished.
"I've been burnt so many times it doesn't affect me anymore." Henry said.
"Well that's... that's something." Spike said.

"Enough horsing around, it's time for your next fight." Henry said.

"No! Not another fight! I don't think I can take a single other one!" Spike pleaded
"For the sake of my time, let's hope you don't." Henry dragged Spike by his chain collar.

"NO! Twilight! Any pony! Help!" Spike pleaded.
"How many times do I have to say it? Those ponies hate you." Henry said.
"You're lying! They wrote me a letter!" Spike exclaimed.
"That letter? That letter was the most insincere thing I had ever read. They didn't even spell out all their names, it just says 'friends in ponyville.' How do you even know that Twilight wrote it? I highly doubt she did." Henry said.
"Stop lying!" Spike yelled.
"Enough chit chat, we're here." Henry said.

Spike was tossed into a small cell, where the floor underneath him collapsed, leading him to the arena for his next dragon fight.

---

And thus the cycle continued. A nightmare cycle that Spike had been living through for what felt like a few days at least. The letter incident happened relatively early on, but the fights went on for days thereafter, maybe weeks.

No matter how many dragon fights Spike had to endure, it never became easier.

Spike was pulverized by Whip's tail. Torched by Fume's... fumes. Smashed by Clump's tail. Slashed by Snake's claws. Constricted by Baff's tail. Rex chewed up and spit Spike right out. Vex's horns made quite the impression. And those were just a few examples.
Despite how brutal these beatings were, Spike still would never attempt to fight back. How could some pony pit fellow dragons against each other in such a cruel way? Spike refused to fight for that reason, but the other dragons didn't see it that way.

There were many questions Spike had on his mind. How did Henry managed to capture all these dragons? Why were they all doing as he commanded? The mystery was made deeper by Princess Ember, who was not in captivity at all. She wore a black cloak and seemed to wander the facility freely. But why?

The fights were devastating. After each fight, Spike was battered and bruised. Spike was then chained up, muzzled, and dragged by to his room to be scolded by Henry. Henry put a shock collar on Spike early on, but he didn't use it very often surprisingly. Mostly he let the dragons do the damage, but from time to time he'd shock Spike.

Here's just one of example of a typical conversation following a fight.

"You are such a miserable pile of defiance." Henry said.
"You can crush my bones, and you can crush my limbs, but you can't crush my spirit." Spike said struggling to stand up.
"Give it up already." Henry said fiercely.
"I will never, do as you say." Spike said sternly.
"AAAAAHH!" Spike screamed. Henry activated the shock collar.
"You can't resist forever." Henry said.
"Watch me." Spike said.
"The longer you resist, the longer our agenda will take." Henry said.
"All the more reason to not do your bidding." Spike said.
"If you don't lift and claw and fight back against those dragons, I'll make sure your next few fights will be your last." Henry said, as he slammed the door behind him and exited.

After Henry left, all that was left for Spike to do was sit and cry. Soon thereafter, Ember would walk through the door and visit. At least most of the time. She would visit to comfort Spike, which was about the only thing keeping him going.

Here's how their latest conversation went down.

"How are you doing Spike?" Ember asked.
"Oh you know, the usual." Spike said with sass.
"So how's that plan of yours Ember?" he asked.
"It's uh..." Ember said.
"You have no plan do you?" Spike asked.
"I'm working on it okay! "Ember exclaimed.
"Okay..." Spike said.
"Don't give up Spike..." Ember said.
"I'm trying..." Spike said.
"Your friends miss you." Ember said.
"And I miss them even more. I wish I could see them again, even just one more time." Spike said.
"I'm going to reunite you with your friends Spike. Trust me." Ember said.
"Can I trust you? You still haven't explained why your fellow dragons are being held captive while you aren't. What's with that?" Spike asked.
"I don't have time to explain during these meetings. All I have time to do is comfort you briefly." Ember explained.
"Mmm hmm." Spike said skeptically.
"I have to go." Ember said.

"Oh no you don't, I'm getting some answers. I'm sick of being in the dark, both literally and figuratively." Spike said.
"Okay. What's on your mind? And make it quick." Ember said.

"Your fellow dragons are being enslaved and forced to fight each other! But you, you just wandering around and let Henry get away with it!" Spike said.
"I realize that..." Ember said looking away.
"Why? Why haven't you done anything about it yet? Why hasn't he locked you up? What's your affiliation with Henry?" Spike asked.
"..." Ember didn't say anything.
"Is Henry the real villain? Who's really behind all this?" Spike started asking harder questions.
"..." Ember covered her mouth she didn't want to speak.
"Answer me!" Spike demanded.
"...It's complicated." Ember said in tears.
"Ember?" Spike noticed Ember was getting choked up.
"I just let this all happen... I'm a terrible leader." Ember said on her knees, and covering her face.
Spike walked over and hugged Ember.
"Oh Ember, we're both victims aren't we?" Spike said.
"...yep." Ember said.
"I've never seen another dragon cry before." Spike said. "It's not like dragons to be all vulnerable."
"I guess your pony friends have rubbed off on both of us." Ember said.
"I'm glad we have each other." Spike said.
"Me too." Ember said.

"Whatever's on your mind, you can tell me." Spike said.
"But I can't tell you everything." Ember said.
"Is it because you can't tell me? Or you don't want to tell me?" Spike asked.
"...I must go. I've spent too much time here." Ember said.
"Aww... but I feel like we're finally getting somewhere." Spike said.
"The less you know... the better, for now." Ember said.
"But I want to know what exactly is going on." Spike said.
"I'll tell you everything, but now's not the time. Once I break us both out, I'll tell you everything." Ember said.
"Okay..." Spike said.
"You trust me right Spike?" Ember asked.
"I'm not sure who to trust anymore. Reality feels so skewed." Spike said.
"I understand. Good night Spike." Ember said.
"Good night Ember." Spike said.

Ember walked out of the room. It was dangerous for Ember to stay in the room for too long, so there was no time for exposition.
And once Ember left, the cycle would repeat. Fight, then scolding, then Ember, and then maybe an hour to nap if Spike was lucky, but it never felt like long between fights. It was like an endless nightmare with no end. The cycle went on for days, maybe weeks at this point. No sign of hope, just bruises.

---

And that brings us to now. Spike sat in the cold cell, when Henry entered.

"It's time." he said.
"Yeah yeah yeah." Spike. At this point he knew what to expect.

Henry dragged Spike by the chain to the arena.

"What's your big idea anyway? How and why have you captured all these dragons? And for what? You're just making us fight each other. What's your plan? What's the goal here?" Spike asked.
Henry did not answer, he just threw Spike into the arena.

Spike's next opponent, was a rematch with Garble. The first rematch surprisingly.

"So squirt, back for another beating?!" Garble said?
"Why do you insist on fighting? Can't you see this is wrong!?" Spike pleaded.
"But beating up defenseless pipsqueaks like you is too much fun." Garble said.
"That's the most horrible thing I've ever heard! Henry's the one you should be fighting!" Spike said.
"No can do. We've all tried individually, but Henry is untouchable." Garble said.
"How do you know? Have you tried team work? If you and the other dragons teamed up, you could probably overthrow-" Spike was interrupted when he was punched in the face by Garble.
"You use big words for a dragon who doesn't fight. Now fight!" Garble demanded.
"I don't want to fight! I refuse!" Spike yelled.

Henry and his two hench ponies watched from the sidelines.

"I just don't know what you see in this dragon, boss. Maybe it's time to call it quits on him." Jeff said.
"Watching the little guy get clobbered is painful to watch. You should just put him out of his misery now." Sawtooth said.

Henry growled, he was clearly getting impatient.

"I've had enough of this. Hit your opponent!" Henry yelled.
"NO!" Spike yelled back.
"This is your last warning! Either fight that dragon, or I'll make you!" Henry threatened as he held up his remote control.
"Never!" Spike asserted.
"Have it your way." Henry said, he then turned up the dial, activating the shock collar around Spike.
"AAAAAAAHHHHH!" Spike screamed in agony at the pain and collapsed.
"Shocking your own dragon to death? Fine, just get this match over with." Sawtooth said.
"Boss, are you so sure about this?" Jeff asked.
"Trust me, I got this." Henry said, as he dialed his remote to continue the shock.

Spike continued to be shocked.

"Just make the pain go away!" Spike exclaimed.

Spike threw his fist forward, and miraculously hit Garble square in the chest, knocking him back, onto the ground. Garble was out cold. The shocking stopped.

"Oh my gosh are you okay?" Spike ran to Garble's side, but he was out.

The moment was interrupted by the sound of applause over a loudspeaker, followed by gems raining down on Spike.

"G-g-gems?" Spike was surprised to see gems raining from the ceiling, his eyes widened. He picked one up, and put it in his mouth.
"Yum. Maybe things aren't all bad." he said.

---

After the fight, Spike was still dragged to his room, only now Henry's hench ponies Jeff and Sawtooth dragged bags of gems into Spike's room.

"So, what does victory feel like?" Henry said.
"Mmm, these gems taste great, but you still suck." said Spike.
"I see you're still being a bit rebellious, we'll continue to work on that." Henry said.
"Work on nothing! This doesn't change anything, you can't bribe me into working for you with just a few gems." Spike said.
Henry chuckled.
"You so sure about that? Don't those gems taste good? Don't they make you forget all your troubles?" Henry asked. Spike started to feel memorized.
"Just put up a fight, and more gems could be yours." Henry said in a hypnotic tone.
Spike shook his head.
"No way! Don't think this means I'll pony up and serve you. I still refuse to listen you." Spike said while laying on a pile of gemstones.
"Heheh, we'll see about that." Henry said with a smirk.

Henry and hench ponies left the room, and slammed the door.

"What's his deal?" Spike wondered, and then proceeded to eat more gems.

---

Ember entered the room a few minutes later.

"Are you okay Spike?" Ember asked.
"Oh yeah, I'm doing great." Spike answered while eating gems.
"Wow! What a load of gems you got!" she said.
"Yeah I know. Pretty cool huh?" Spike said.
"Where'd they all come from?" Ember asked.
"I totally beat up Garble in my latest match, and I was awarded all these gems." Spike said.
"Oh no, you're not giving in to Henry's orders are you?" Ember asked concerned.
"What? Nah! Trust me, there's no way I'll ever give in to Henry's orders. I just threw a single punch, and well, Garble's not as tough as he looks apparently. He went down with just one hit. Besides, a dragon's got to treat himself from time to time you know? It's been a while since I've had a decent meal after all." Spike said.
"What are you going to do next fight? Are you going to fight back or...?" Ember asked.
"You know, I didn't think that far ahead. Nah, probably not. I got plenty gems as it is." Spike said.

"Okay then... Mind if I?" Ember reached for a gem.
"Claws off!" Spike said knocking Ember's hand. "I earned these myself! I won all these in a fight. Not you." he said, sounding a bit rude.
*GASP* Ember gasped.
"I mean, um... sure." Spike said, catching is odd and rude behavior.
"You sure you're okay Spike?" Ember asked again.
"Trust me, I'm still me. Everything's fine. Or at least as fine as they can be given we're still stuck here." Spike answered.

"What about your friends?" Ember asked.
"My... my friends?" Spike hadn't thought about his friends in a while.
"Yes, your pony friends. Don't you miss them?" Ember asked trying to remind Spike of his friends.
"You know, you're right. I do still miss them, a lot." Spike said.
"And they probably miss you too." Ember said.
"You're right, they definitely miss me, and they probably aren't feeling too good without me." Spike said.
"That's probably putting it lightly." Ember said.
"Okay... so, breaking out. How's that plan?" Spike asked.
"The plan. The plan's going... good." Ember said.
"You still don't have a plan do you?" Spike said.
"No no, it's in the works. It's almost done actually." Ember said.
"...really." Spike said doubtfully.
"Yeah, I mean it. I just have to check a few things to make sure everything will work." Ember started to back up towards the exit.
"Well anyway, I gotta go. And remember, stay true." Ember said.
"Yeah yeah." Spike didn't really listen, he just munched on more gems.
"Well alright then... bye." Ember said.
"See ya!" Spike said.

---

Ember turned around and exited the room, and was quite worried. Normally Spike is in shambles after a match, and is in need of comfort, but right now he was just enjoying his gems, not giving much thought. Was Spike honest when he assured Ember that he was fine? Or was he starting to slip? And what of all those questions still unanswered? Who is Henry? What's his plan? Why are all these dragons in captivity? Why wasn't Ember of all dragons in captivity? Where is this secret location anyway? Can Twilight and friends ever hope to locate Spike? Just what, happens next? Gotta keep reading to find out.
Stay tuned for Chapter 9!

In the last Chapter, we saw where Spike was being held captive, and things were not going very well. In this chapter, we will see how the ponies in Ponyville were doing. And as of late, not well. The ponies still had no clue as to Spike's location.
The last time Twilight's friends tried to contact Spike directly, it didn't work. We saw their previous attempt two chapters ago, but that was not their last attempt.

There was a huge search effort across Equestria dedicated to finding Spike. There were several search parties spanning many locations over the course of days, but every attempt to locate Spike turned up empty. No pony could find Spike. Twilight Sparkle lead most of the searches. She lead searches in Appaloosa, Manehatten, Griffonstone, and more. Many ponies would volunteer to help, but no matter the number of volunteers, it didn't seem to matter. Though all their help was appreciated, it was so far all for not.

Twilight grew more distraught with each failed search, she was in utter shambles. Her friends all felt awful, but there was not much they could do. What could they even do with Spike's whereabouts still unknown?

It had been days now, nay, weeks since Spike disappeared. Finally, enough was enough, and Twilight made the difficult decision to halt searches for the time being, to the surprise of everypony. Twilight decided to put official searches on hiatus until further notice.
And that brings us to the present time. Just how were Twilight Sparkle and friends coping at this stage of the story? Let's take a look.

---

Ponyville was fairly quiet. Ponies still went about their daily lives, but there was an unsettling atmosphere in the air. Twilight's sadness seemed to flow through the air and affect everypony to an extent.
Twilight rarely come out of her castle anymore, and her friends were growing worried.

Fluttershy had decided to visit Twilight. She hadn't spoken with or seen Twilight in a few days, and was worried for Twilight's well-being.

"Twilight? It's me, Fluttershy." she knocked on the front door of Twilight's castle.
"Hello? Are you home?" she asked.

The door opened, it wasn't locked, or even closed all the way. Fluttershy decided to enter.

"Twilight?" she asked wandering the castle. The castle was eerily quiet. No activity in the front room. Fluttershy decided to check the library.
"You in here Twilight?" she asked.
"Oh hey Fluttershy." Twilight said. She was in the library, sitting on a couch reading a book.
"Hi Twilight. So how are you doing?" Fluttershy asked.
"Oh you know, just fine." Twilight said. She seemed perfectly fine.
"Are you sure?" Fluttershy asked.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Twilight asked.
"Because, you know who is still..." Fluttershy said hesitantly.
"Oh, right..." Twilight looked down.

There was a pause in the atmosphere.

"So, what have you been up to?" Twilight asked, quickly changing the subject, and changing mood.
"Oh the usual. Or at least, as usual as possible." Fluttershy said.
"So anyway, it's been nice talking." Twilight pushed Fluttershy all the way to the front door of the castle.
"Oh? You sure you don't want to talk anymore?" Fluttershy asked.
"Not particularly. Anyway, bye!" Twilight slammed the door in Fluttershy's face, and proceeded to trot the other way.
"But what about Spike?!" Fluttershy asked through the front door.
Twilight stopped in her tracks when Fluttershy mentioned the name, Fluttershy could hear her hoofsteps from inside. But then she soon continued to trot away.

Fluttershy was confused. She kicked her hoof in the dirt, and thought. And then she got an idea. She knew what she had to do.

---

Later in the day, there was some more knocking on Twilight's door.
Twilight trotted to the door, and opened it. It was her friends. Fluttershy had gathered Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash together.

"Oh, hey girls." Twilight said peaking through the door.
"Hello darling, we need to talk." Rarity said.
"Not to sound rude, but I'd rather not." Twilight said, not in a sad tone, but more in a disinterested tone.
"Too bad, it's been too long, we got some catchin' up to do." Applejack said.
"Alright, if you insist. Follow me." Twilight said.

Twilight lead her friends to the map room, where they each sat down in their own respective thrones. Starlight Glimmer joined the ponies, and stood beside Twilight.
And now they were all ready to talk, or rather ready to try talking.

Twilight was in such a calm, yet stern mood. No pony wanted to say anything that could upset Twilight, but at the same time, they did want to talk about Spike. It was kind of troubling that first she called off the searches, and now she didn't even seem want to talk about him at all.
They all sat at the map table in awkward silence, not sure what to say, until finally some pony spoke.

"So Twilight, how's your... wings... working out?" Rainbow Dash asked, trying to start a conversation.
"Oh just fine." Twilight said.
"Have you thought about trying out for a wonderbolt?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"You know, I'm confident I definitely could become a wonderbolt if I tried, but I'm already Princess of Friendship. And although first Princess Wonderbolt would be neat, I think that'd be overachieving." she said.
"Is that... so." Rainbow Dash said, awkwardly ending the conversation.

"So Applejack, how have your apples been?" Twilight asked.
"Oh you know. Apples, have just been... apples." Applejack said.
"Have you prepared any grape juice lately?" Twilight asked.
"Since when has grape juice been your specialty?" Starlight asked.
"No grape juice recently. As a matter of fact, grape juice has always been a side... passion... sort of." Applejack said, awkwardly ending the sentence.

"And Rarity, have any ideas for new fashion lines yet?" Twilight asked.
"Not as of late darling. New ideas are very hard to come up with. Some days I come up with new lots ideas without even trying, and then there's long periods of creative drought. Just depends on my mood, and right now my mood has not been the best." Rarity said.
"Mmmhmm. So is that all?" Twilight asked.
"I mean, I suppose... that's it darling." Rarity said.

The atmosphere was growing especially awkward. Normally having conversations wasn't so hard for her friends to do, but something was off about Twilight that didn't resonate well with the other ponies.
Finally, Pinkie had enough, and stood up and shouted.

"Okay, since we're all thinking it I'm just going to say it; is anypony going to mention Spike?!" Pinkie stood up and exclaimed.

The awkward silence now became an uncomfortable awkward silence.

"Um, Pinkie? We try not to mention the 'S' word in the castle." Starlight said.
"Why not?!" Pinkie asked, gritting her teeth.
"It's just what Twilight told me, and it'd be respectful if you respected her request and-" Starlight said, but was interrupted last minute by Twilight.
"No no, it's fine Starlight. She wants to talk, so let's talk." Twilight said.
"I agree, let's talk. Speaking of talking, why don't you want to talk about Spike?" Pinkie asked.
"It's not that I don't want to talk about... you know who, it's just, not the right time." Twilight said. She didn't stare Pinkie in the eyes, she sort of wandered off.
"So when is it the right time Twilight?" Pinkie asked.
"Eh... sooner or later I guess..." Twilight said, seemingly not even answering the question.
"So what you're saying is, just because you can't find Spike you've decided to both give up the search, and forget about him?!" Pinkie exclaimed.

The room went silent.

"Well, 'give up' is a harsh way to put it but-" Twilight started, but was interrupted by Pinkie.
"BUT! That's exactly what you're doing!" Pinkie exclaimed. "I just can't believe you would do such a thing!" she said.
"I'm with Pinkie Pie! It's one thing to take a break and not search for a few days, but I think it's just shameful that you're choosing to forget all about Spike! Pretending that he never existed so you don't have to deal with the... with the loss!" Fluttershy exclaimed.

Everypony was shocked and looked at Fluttershy. Twilight gave Fluttershy an angry scorn.

"I mean... that's just my... opinion." Fluttershy said cowering underneath the cutie map.
"You think I haven't been trying to find him?" Twilight started to show her true feelings.
"More like tried! You-" Pinkie started, but was interrupted.
"You think I haven't tried?! I searched everywhere! I've spoken to leaders across Equestria! None of them have seen him! Not in Appaloosa, Crystal Empire, Manehatten, nowhere!" Twilight exclaimed.
"Just because nopony has seen Spike, doesn't mean he isn't out there somewhere!" Pinkie argued.
"W-well at this point! I'm... I'm starting to have doubts!" Twilight shouted.

*GASP* everypony in the room gasped.

"How can you say that Twilight?!" Rarity asked.
"If there's anything I've learned in my studies, it's that the theory with the most evidence is typically the one that's correct. And right now, evidence saying that Spike is still out there is... is non-existent!" Twilight blurted out.
Every pony gasped again.
"Even if we assume Spike is... *gulp* is choosing to not think about him the right way to handle this situation?" Applejack asked.
"If anypony has any better idea, I'd love to hear it!" Twilight said in tears.
"Calm down Twilight. We're your friends. We want to help. Spike was- I mean is our friend too." Rainbow Dash said.
"Spike was your friends too, but Spike and I were... extra special friends." Twilight said tearing. "None of you know what I'm going through!" she said.
"Twilight! You're not the only one with a reptilian companion! Me and Gummy share an inseparable bond, just like you and Spike." Pinkie Pie said.
"And remember when Tank went into hibernation? Remember how devastated I was? We've all gone through hard times Twilight. You're not alone on this." Rainbow Dash said.
"Well this is different. Hibernation is temporary. With Spike it's just... gahh!" Twilight said.
"Just say what's on your mind Twilight!" Pinkie got in Twilight's face.
"I want to be left alone! Now let me grieve in peace! " Twilight snapped in Pinkie's face.

Everypony went quiet. Pinkie got choked up.
"Yeah- well... Fine! If you want to be left alone, then... then fine!" Pinkie exclaimed, and stormed out of the castle.

Everypony looked at Twilight.

"What are you all looking at?! This meeting is dismissed!" Twilight said and trotted out of the room.

---

Meanwhile, Pinkie was quite peeved outside.

She walked away from the castle in spite.

"Gee, it's sure not like Twilight act so rude. Not to mention she didn't appreciate my advice. She just shot down everything I had to say!" Pinkie thought out loud.
"Then why not help ponies with more open minds? Ponies who'd appreciate your help." said a voice.
"Who said that?" Pinkie asked.
"Psst. Come here." said a mysterious pony in a trench coat, standing adjacent to Pinkie.
"If Twilight doesn't appreciate my help, then who will?" Pinkie asked them.
"Try Ponyville hospital. There's lot of sick ponies who can use some positive energy, maybe a laugh or two. You may even find somepony there with something shocking to tell you." said the trench coat pony.
"Hmm. You know what? You're right! I think that's a swell idea. Thanks stranger!" Pinkie turned around and trotted the other way.
"Wait a second. What do you mean somepony might have something shocking to tell me?" Pinkie asked, but when she turned around again, the trench coat pony was gone.
"Huh. Where'd they go? Oh well, maybe they had somewhere important to be. When you gotta go, you gotta go!" Pinkie said.
"Well then, I guess I know where I'm heading off to." she said as she trotted off.

---

Back inside the castle, Twilight's friends were at a loss for actions.
Twilight trotted off to her room, and Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Starlight were all out of ideas.

"Should we...?" Fluttershy asked, not knowing how to end her question.
"*sigh* This is taking a bigger on toll on Twilight than I could have imagined." Starlight said.
"I haven't seen Twilight act this bitter in all the time I've known her." Rarity said.
"Yeah well, nothing like this has happened before to her so..." Starlight said.
"The way Twilight just snapped at Pinkie was totally not cool." Rainbow Dash said.
"Wow, Rainbow Dash is calling out another pony for their actions." Applejack said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Rainbow.
"Oh nothing." Applejack said slyly.
"I think it is best if we give Twilight time to vent out her feelings." Rarity said.
"Agreed. You can face the bull head on when it's angriest, or wait for it to use up its energy and crash." Applejack said.
"AJ always coming up with the country analogies." Rainbow Dash said.
"Girls, stay focused. I think we've done all we can for now. It's probably best if we gave Twilight room to breathe." Starlight said.
"I don't know, it doesn't feel right to just do nothing and wait for Twilight to get better." Rainbow Dash said.
"Well, we're low on options." Starlight said.
"Touche darling." Rarity said.
"Anyway, I suppose that's it for now. We'll just leave Twilight alone for now, and hope she gets better." Starlight said.
"I guess it is. I wish Twilight the best of wishes." Fluttershy said.
Rarity, AJ, and Rainbow Dash all nodded and agreed with Fluttershy.
"Well, see you later girls." Starlight said.

With that, her friends all left the castle, and they waved good bye to each other.

"Where do you think Pinkie Pie went?" Fluttershy asked.
"Probably doing whatever Pinkie does." Rainbow Dash answered.

---

Meanwhile, Starlight broke her own rule, and wandered to Twilight's bedroom door. Rainbow was right, it didn't feel right leaving Twilight all to herself, even if she says it's what she wanted.

"Twilight?" Starlight knocked on her bedroom door.
"Are you in here?" she asked.

Starlight wandered into Twilight's bedroom. Twilight was laying on her bed, face planted into her pillow. She was crying, Starlight could hear, and see the tears pouring from her face.

"Are you okay? It's not like you to snap at your friends." Starlight said.

Twilight said something, but her voice was muffled.

"You know, your friends have a point. You cant just stop thinking about Spike and let yourself forget about him." Starlight said.

Twilight sat up and looked at Starlight.

"Whether Spike is out there, or... not. It's important to acknowledge him. I know how special Spike was- I mean is to you." Starlight said.
"...But it hurts to think about him." Twilight finally said.
"But forgetting isn't the answer." Starlight said.
"The more I think about, what he means to me, and what I mean to him, the more it hurts." Twilight said.
"And the more I think about how much I love him, and how much he loves me, it hurts even more." she said.
"Well no matter how much it hurts, you aren't going to feel any better by pretending he never existed." Starlight said.
"Hmph." Twilight said.
"Tell me about Spike. I'm sure you have a hundred stories you could tell me about you and Spike." Starlight said.

---

Twilight had a flashback to a cold night in the castle.

"Twilight?" asked a scared Spike.
"What's the matter?" Twilight asked.
"I had a bad dream. Can I sleep with you tonight please?" asked Spike.
"Okay. Anything for you my sweet little prince." Twilight said.
"Thank you Twilight." Spike said.

Spike climbed into bed with Twilight.

"What was your dream about?" asked Twilight.
"In my dream, everyone in Equestria had disappeared besides me. I was all alone. It was so awful." Spike said.
"Well thank goodness that was only a dream. Because I can assure you, you don't have to worry about feeling alone." Twilight assured.
"I feel so safe in your grasp. I hope that never changes." Spike said.
"I promise to do everything in my power to protect you." Twilight said.
"Really?" Spike asked.
"Of course. Nopony's going to lay a hoof on you on my watch. And if they do, they'll regret the day they decided to mess with my family." Twilight said.
"I'm glad I can count on you Twilight." Spike said.
"And I'm glad we met on that faithful day. Receiving my cutie mark was only half of what made that day magical. The other half, was having the honor of hatching you, and calling you my... my friend..." Twilight said.
"*yawn* Good night Twilight." Spike was falling asleep. Twilight's story put Spike to sleep, in a good way.
"Good night Spike." she said.
They both closed their eyes.
"...I love you Twilight." Spike said.
"...and I love you too, Spike." Twilight said.

---

Flashback concluded.

"Spike is... Spike's my bestest friend in all of Equestria. I love all of my friends, but Spike, has a special place in my heart, reserved just for him." Twilight said.
"I promise you he's out there. I just know it." Starlight said.
"I know he is. He's brave, and doesn't give up easily." Twilight said.
"So why should you?" Starlight asked.
"I haven't fulfilled by promise to protect him, but that's going to change. I'm going to find him. Oh Spike, wherever you are... I hope you're okay." Twilight said.

---

And there you have it. Twilight tried to hide her feelings, but all she was really doing was bottling them up.
Who was that mysterious trench coat pony who spoke to Pinkie Pie? What did they mean when they said somepony at Ponyville Hospital might have something shocking to say? You the reader knows where Spike is, so how much longer do you think he could survive? Will Twilight ever find Spike in time? Or will it be too late? Keep reading and find out.

In the last Chapter, we saw to what extent Spike's absence was affecting Twilight Sparkle and friends. So what exactly was going on with Spike you ask? Twilight and friends may not know where he is, but you the reader are fortunate as to be able to see him every other chapter. Last time we saw Spike, he was still being held captive by a mysterious and villainous dragon tamer, whom is referred to as Henry. We saw how worried Twilight was, so how was Spike himself fairing at this time?

---

Spike was sitting alone in his room as he did. Most of the time he was sitting and waiting for things to happen.

"Oh Dear Celestia, I know you can't hear me but, I'm so lonely. I miss my friends so much. The nights are cold and lonely, it's as if even Princess Luna isn't able to find me using my dreams." he said.
"Oh Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, F-Fluttershy, R-Rarity. I never got to tell Rarity my secret feelings for her. I think she already knows, kind of. But... I never had to opportunity to really tell her how I really feel about her." Spike said. "In fact, I don't think I've told any of my friends the fullest extent of my feelings."
"And Twilight... I... I miss Twilight, a lot." Spike said.

Just as Spike was feeling sad, he grabbed a gemstone and ate it. He'd been laying on a pile of gems the whole time.
"Mmm. Good thing I have these gems to help drown out all my sorrow. Heck, I can't even remember what I was so upset about a few moments ago." he said, quickly forgetting his woes.

"It's time for you next fight." Henry said walking into the room.
"You got it." Spike said. Yes you read that right, Spike actually said that. He didn't resist like he did before.

Spike had changed since we last saw him. Before he was defiant, and stood his ground, but now, he was starting to slip. Two chapters ago, when he won his first fight against Garble, he was awarded gems for winning. Since then, Spike had become hungry for gems, and the only way to get some more was to win more fights. Spike could not overcome his desire for gems, and so he gave in to Henry's commands.
Spike still wore a shock collar, but Henry rarely used it at this point, as Spike mostly listened to him anyway.

Henry brought Spike to the arena, where he battled other dragons. Spike was a formidable foe, completely mindless and only after gems to satisfy his greed. The Spike we knew was lost. Henry and his two henchponies Jeff and Sawtooth watched from the sideline as Spike fought other dragons. Here's the most recent fight.

"Wow, Spike's really on a roll now." Jeff commented.
"I never should'a doubted you boss. Leave it to ya to tame any dragon!" Sawtooth said.
"It was easy. The dragon may talk loud, about standing his ground, but he was easy to crack. It was only a matter of time." Henry said.

Spike had basically become a fighting machine. He had become savage, if you want to use that term. The dragons that pounded him before, now barely stood a chance. One match he won using only the one two punch. Another match he showed his opponent dragon the power of fire breath. Each time Spike won, he was awarded gemstones, which served to feed his ever growing hunger for gems. He no longer thought about the immoral nature of fighting, he cared more about satisfying his thirst.

His mind was growing corrupted with greed.

It wasn't just Spike's mind that had changed, his physical appearance also changed. He appeared larger, taller, and more lizard-like. I think you're starting to see what's going on.

After each fight, Spike was put back in captivity, and was given gems for his efforts, which of course fueled his greed.

Henry had this to say after one of the fights.

"I knew you couldn't resist. You stood your ground longer than I expected, but with enough prodding, and you've succumb to your dragon roots." he said.
Spike simply grumbled a bit as he ate his gems.
"Isn't it great to be powerful? This is only the beginning. I have big ambitions, and you're going to fulfill them." Henry said, observing how much Spike had grown in the past few days. Spike again didn't respond as he was more interested in his gems than Henry's words.
"Anyway, keep this up, and Equestria will be ours in no time." Henry said and exited the room, slamming the door behind him.

---

Some time later (a few minutes, maybe half an hour later) Ember entered the room as she usual did, but unbeknownst to either her or Spike, this would be the last time they would meet like this. Ember had her hands behind her back, as if she was holding something...

*gasp* "Spike!" cried Ember.
"Oh no. It's so much worse than I thought. This is happening faster than I could have anticipated. I'm too late aren't I?" Ember said feeling stressed out.

As mentioned, Spike appeared very dragon like, not like his usual baby dragon appearance anymore. He wallowed in his gems, greed had gotten the better of him. It started with one punch against Garble, and has only grown into something worse. Spike was about ten times his original size, walked on all fours, and didn't act like his old self. He could speak, but most of the time chose not to, and when he did, his speech was quite crude, and his tone all deep.

"What blue dragon lady doing in Spike's den?" Spike asked, except it didn't sound like Spike at all.

"This is exactly what Henry wants isn't it?" Ember said.
"Is it? You're his accomplice, you tell me." Spike was also getting sassier.
"I am not his accomplice!" Ember argued.
"Sure, that's why you're letting him torture your fellow dragons while you do nothing." Spike said.
"If you're so concerned about the other dragons, why are you allowing yourself to hurt them?!" Ember asked.
"Hey, gems come first." Spike said.
"Dang it Spike!" Ember said. "This is exactly what I feared most. Henry's been using gems to turn you into... into a monster!" Ember said.
"Look, I do what that Henry guy says, and I get all these gems. So really, I don't see the downside." Spike said.
"I can't believe you'd say something like that!" Ember said.
"You're Spike the dragon, messenger and friend of the Princess of Friendship, Princess Twilight Sparkle!" she said.
"Twi-light...?" Spike said. Hearing her name seemed to have an effect on Spike.
"You can't ignore your past Spike. Think of your pony friends. Aren't they worried sick about you? What about Rarity? The pony you have a crush on. What about Fluttershy? Pinkie Pie? Applejack? Rainbow Dash? Twilight? Sparkle?" Ember said, hoping that mentioning Spike's friends would be enough to snap his mind back to normal.

Spike's eyes widened, things were looking up, but hope was soon lost when Spike shook his head.

"Are you gonna eat that gem?" Spike asked, sounding like older dragon again.

"Didn't you listen to what I just said?!" Ember exclaimed.
"What you're saying sounds familiar-ish, but I really couldn't care enough to try to figure out why. Now why don't you walk back through that door you came in from, and just leave me alone!" Spike demanded.
There was a period of silence where Ember stood in silence.
"So... it is too late... we've lost you." Ember said chocked up.

Spike wasn't just missing, he was lost.

"So can I eat these gems or what?" Spike asked.
"You know what, I'm going to eat this gem, to discipline you! Maybe that'll knock you out of this." Ember said grabbing a gemstone.
Spike hissed. Ember gave back to gem to stop from making a loud noise.
"Fine, take it back, you little jackass." Ember said.
"Alright then, this is not good, this is not good at all." she thought out loud.
"Why blue dragon still in Spike's den?" Spike was growing upset.
"Oh this is really not good." Ember said.

Ember had to figure out a why to snap Spike back to normal, or risk losing the old Spike forever. She could leave and think of a plan later, but by then it may have been too late. She had to think of something quick. And luckily for her, she had a something behind her back.

---

"Alright, I didn't want to do this, but you leave me no choice Spike!" Ember said.
"What is blue dragon on about now-" Spike's eyes lit up.

Ember pulled out the Bloodstone Scepter from behind her back, and held it to Spike's face.
"This is sort of a last resort, but it just might work." she thought out loud.
The scepter glowed. It mesmerized Spike, and froze him in place. It's the same scepter from the episode Gauntlet of Fire. The same scepter that was the prize at the end of the gauntlet. The same scepter, that whoever holds it is Dragon Lord. That scepter. Why was it here though?

"Now listen to me Spike!" Ember said. "You are Spike the dragon. Don't remember what that means? Well take a look!" Ember used the scepter to mess with Spike's head, and bring up past memories.

Spike's life flashed before him literally. He saw the moment, he emerged from his egg, actually more like the moment he burst out of his egg in a big magic explosion. His early days in Canterlot with Twilight. Moving to Ponyville and meeting his friends. The many hardships, but also the many touching moments.
We remember the past abstractly. You're not going to remember every word in this fanfiction, but what we take away are abstract feelings. Though small details were cloudy in Spike's partially corrupt mind, the abstract feeling of love he used to feel around his friends was breaking through.

"Remember who you are!" Ember's voice echoed within Spike's mind. "Spike the dragon, assistant to the Princess of Friendship, Princess Twilight Sparkle."

Finally, Spike's mind cleared and he finally snapped out of it.

"GAH! Ember is that you? Where am I?!" Spike yelled in his normal voice.
"It's me, Ember. But is that you Spike?" Ember asked.
"I don't know, I think I'm me, but I'm all... this." Spike said. "What happened to me?" he asked.
"You've been fighting other dragons to earn gems. Henry's been filling you with greed, and this is exactly what he wants." Ember explained.
"That's terrible. I can't believe I let myself lose control." Spike said.
"Me neither, but Henry has a way of manipulating others." Ember said.
"What do we do now?" Spike asked.
"We're getting out of here now! It's too dangerous around here, we gotta escape." Ember said.
"Right now? What about your plan?" Spike asked.
"Err, I haven't practiced it, but I've ran through the idea enough times, it should work." she said.
"That doesn't strike me as confident." Spike said.
"Well we don't have many other choices." Ember admitted.

"Anyway, how we gonna escape if I'm still big? Why am I still big anyway?" Spike was indeed still big. His mind returned to normal, but his body didn't. He even had a gem in his hand without realizing it.
"I don't know. It's as if the scepter only cured half the problem." Ember suggested. The scepter's effect was only partly effective, and actually seemed to be wearing off slowly. They needed a more permanent solution.
"Your mind is back to normal, but not your body. So we're halfway there. We cleared your mind, now we need to clear your heart completely." she said.

"So then how do we do that?" Spike asked.
"I'm not sure. Has this ever happened before?" Ember asked.
"It did once before." Spike answered. "This is just like that time in Ponyville where I got all super greedy and turned into a huge beast and broke a lot of things in Ponyville."
"Yes... yes that's it!" Ember came to a realization.
"This is exactly like that one incident. Henry's been filling you with greed, so he could turn you into a vicious dragon, and use you as weapon to conquer Equestria!" Ember had figured out Henry's evil plan for sure.
"But I don't want to be used as a weapon of mass destruction used to conquer Equestria. I just want to be Spike! And I want to go home! With Twilight, and Rarity, and all my other friends back in Ponyville!" he cried.

He kicked gems out of his way to resist the greed.

"Think, what made you normal again the last time this happened?" Ember asked, hoping for a solution.
"Well, it'd gotten so bad to the point where I had kidnapped Rarity, and it was when I saw the jewel around her neck. That jewel, that I gave to her. She said it was given to her by a true friend, and hearing her say that, brought back fond memories, and reminded me that I I-... that I have strong feelings for Rarity." Spike explained.
"Hmm, alright then, so only a special gem was able to trigger that reaction. And without your friends here, simply thinking about them doesn't seem to be enough." Ember thought out loud.

"When you went on a rampage in Ponyville, only an act of love was able to bring you to normal, I guess that's why the scepter only cleared your mind, it isn't capable of filling you with love." Ember speculated. The scepter didn't quite work all the way, they needed something more... personal.

"I got an idea, but... you probably won't like it." Ember said.
"Whatever it is, doesn't matter, we're desperate." Spike said.
"Well... what if we..." Ember blushed.
"Just say it Ember." Spike demanded.
"What if we... kissed?" Ember said under her breath.
Spike paused for a moment.
"Think about it, an intense emotional response was enough to revert you completely back to normal, so I don't see why it shouldn't work this time." Ember said.
Spike was still silent. He was processing what she was saying.
"You do have a crush on me right?" she asked.
"Uh..." Spike wasn't ready to answer.
"You don't have to answer that now. All that matters is that we make you... you know." she said.
"Alright, if you say so, let's do it." Spike said.

Ember and Spike got into position. Tall Spike had a different... feel from small Spike to say the least.

"Ember? This kiss is purely a means to an end right? It doesn't actually... mean anything?" Spike asked.
Ember paused to think about what to say.
"...This kiss is whatever you want it to be Spike. Whatever it takes." Ember said.
I can't believe I'm actually about to do this. Ember thought in her mind.

---

The two puckered their lips and kissed. Gross. Or maybe you're into that kind of thing. Spike enjoyed it quite a bit, he felt very relaxed. The plan was working, his body began to shrink to normal size. Everything was going well, but then the worst thing imaginable happened.

Spike's shock collar had suddenly activated and began zapping the two. Ember fell back in pain. Spike screamed in agony. Ember turned around and saw Henry and his two hench ponies Jeff and Sawtooth standing at the entrance.

"So this was your big plan? You know, if you wanted to make love to the dragon, you could have just asked." Henry said with snark.
"It's over Henry, you can consider our alliance over!" Ember said.
"You can't double cross me, because I just declared you an enemy. Not to mention, you've just undone all of our hard work." Henry said, observing Spike shrinking to normal size.
"Too bad! I'm busting Spike out of here. I'll be back with reinforcements, and we're going to free the other dragons!" Ember called out.
"Hmm, quite the tall order. You're not going anywhere other than under traitor." Henry threatened.
"Ember? What's he talking about? What does he mean by 'traitor'? What is this alliance you speak of?" Spike asked.
"Nothing! He's talking about nothing!" Ember said.
"What's the matter Ember? Afraid to tell the truth?" Henry asked.
"Shut up!" Ember exclaimed.
"Afraid to tell him that you're a failure? A failure who surrendered all of her dragons to me?" Henry said.
"What is he talking about Ember?!" Spike demanded answers.
"Nothing! He's lying!" Ember said.
"Am I? Or are you afraid of the truth? Afraid to admit that you've failed?! You failed your dragons." Henry inched forward with his weapons. The moment grew ever tense. Ember had to do something fast.

Without a moment to spare, Ember grabbed Spike, and breathed fire in Henry's way. It was enough distract him, and fly past him and escape the room.

"After them!" Henry yelled. He and Sawtooth ran after, but Jeff trailed slightly slower.
Nevertheless, a chase ensued.

Ember flew through the halls of the complex as fast she could, while carrying Spike.

"Do you know the layout of these halls!?" Spike asked.
"Too well!" Ember answered.
"Where are we going!?" Spike asked.
"The exit!" Ember responded.
"What about the other dragons!?" Spike asked.
"Like I said, we'll be back with reinforcements!" Ember answered.
"But we can't jus- GAAHH!" Spike's shock collar activated, Ember still managed to hold onto Spike. She was forced to endure the pain, or else drop Spike.
"Hang... on... Spike! We just need to get out of range!" Ember said in pain.
Spike's shock collar was on full blast, the pain was unbearable, and Ember couldn't get the collar off, no matter how hard she tried. The collar conformed to the diameter of Spike's neck.

As suddenly as it started, the shock collar stopped.

"It stopped!" Spike said.
"We must have gotten out of range of Henry's remote control!" Ember said. "I think the exit is just beyond this turn!" she exclaimed.
"So what exactly happened? What's this about you surrendering!?" Spike asked.
"I'll explain everything when we escape, right now we're in a hurry!" Ember said.

Unfortunately, Ember would not be explaining what happened to Spike, as fate had other plans.

"Where are we? What lies beyond these walls!?" Spike asked.
"We're in the middle of-" Ember started to say, but she was unfortunately interrupted.

Henry appeared from behind the corner and slammed them both into the arena which just so happened to be right next to them. The arena was a pit, so they fell downward.

"I have to hand it to you Ember, I admire your efforts, but not enough to let this go unpunished." Henry said looking at them from above.

Jeff and Sawtooth jumped down, each carrying electric spears.

"I never trusted you, you know." Henry said as he jumped down into the pit.

Ember did her best to fight off Henry's henchponies, but they didn't play fair. If it was just one opponent, Ember may have been able to take them on, but against two, it wasn't so easy.

Ember breathed fire into Jeff, who was hesitant, but she was literally stabbed in the back by Sawtooth's electric spear, he was a lot more blunt. Ember was shocked and fell to the ground.

"Ember nooo!" Spike cried in horror, watching Ember collapse in pain.

Ember tried to get up, but Jeff and Sawtooth chained her up.

"You don't have to do this Jeff!" Ember said.
"I'm sorry Ember, but I have to. The boss' orders come first." Jeff whispered.
"It's not too late, you can-" Ember was interrupted.
"Quit your yappin' dragon! You're our prisoner now." Sawtooth said. He got out his chain and tied up Ember.

Henry walked up to Ember.

"I knew you'd try to pull a stunt like this, which is why I have a special punishment for you." Henry said, as he put a muzzle over Ember's mouth.
"No! Stop this! You can't do this!" Spike cried.
"You'll never get away with this Henry!" Ember cried.
"Oh, but I already have." he said.
"You can't hide forever, Twilight's going to find you eventually, and when she does, you're in for a world of hurt!" Ember exclaimed.
"...Hehe, we'll see about that." Henry pulled a gem from his coat pocket, and tried to shove it in Spike's mouth.
"NO! I won't let you! Not again!" Spike pushed the gem away, against the force of Henry, desperately trying not to ingest the gem.
"Eat it!" Henry demanded.
"NO!" Spike resisted.
"Stop this now!" Ember called out trying to move, but she was tied up.

Henry struck Spike in the head, knocking him to the ground. While Spike was down, Henry shoved the gem into his mouth.

"Mmm, delicious." Spike's pupils dilated and appeared more lizard-like again.
"Spike no!" Ember cried, as that's all she could do as she watched greed fill Spike yet again.
"Quit yelling blue dragon." Spike said. It was too late. Greed had consumed his mind already again.

Henry dragged Spike to his room, while Jeff and Sawtooth dragged Ember towards a dark room in the compound.
"Spike! Don't succumb to greed again! Remember Henry's plan! You don't want to be a weapon! Don't forget who you are! Don't forget about Twilight! Spike! Spiiiiiiike!" Ember yelled, until a metal door slammed, and her voice cut off abruptly.

---

Things were looking very grim at this moment. The Spike we all know and love was lost under a cloud of greed. Henry had so far successfully used greed to control Spike. Ember's sacrifice was seemingly in vain. She had been captured, only to have Spike be controlled anyway. With all the other dragons in captivity, and with all the ponies unaware of Spike's location, had Henry won? Would his terrible plan to turn Spike into a giant dragon and conquer Equestria succeed?! What's going to happen to Ember now that she's captured?

Will Twilight ever find Spike? Finding Spike certainly won't be easy, there were hardly any clues as to his whereabouts. It's going to take some expert detective pony skills to find Spike. And who was the pony with the expert detective skills up to the task? Find out in Chapter 11.