I knocked on the door. This tree house must be mother's house. I know it is...It must! So, I should I greet her? A smile? Or maybe some flowers will do...No, she will think negatively. She will think I like her. Well I DO love her, because she is my mom. However, she doesn't know that yet. I heard the door open.

"Oh Blade! Came for a visit?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, I did".

She gladly opened the door. I gazed around, seeing a lot of mess. There were many books on the floor and scrolls were scattered. Huh, maybe we do need the 24/7 Rarity on the double.

"My...what a wonderful sight to see" I clucked.

"Sorry, I was just searching for a specific book, hehe".

I walked around her library, searching for a interesting book. I saw a little twinkle in the corner of my eye. I turned and saw a book with a dragon's eye on it.

"You want to see that book? Go ahead" Twilight said.

"Thank you".

I opened the book and dust swirled in the air. I coughed and shooed the dust away.

"Have you ever touched any book here?" I asked.

"I don't live here anymore. I live in Canterlot now with Princess Celestia. You know how--".

"Yes, yes, I know" I interrupted.

She rolled her eyes and I looked through the book. Wait...These are ancient dragon scriptures. Hm...I was learning how to read them from mother, until the siege. I guess I will have to make up stuff as I read.

"You know how to read that? What language is that from?" Mother asked.

"Dragon" I replied, "These are written from the tongues of the ancient, legendary dragons. Hmph, my mom taught me a little bit (AND she is standing next to me)".

"Wait, what was the last thing you said? You spoke a bit low".

"Nothing, I must read this".

I emitted a beam from my horn.

"Gaar Rot".

I casted the spell and the words flared in fire.

"Cool" Twilight commented.

"Aye, that's what I said too".

I skimmed through the book. There was nothing about Xithcotal...Dang, I hoped to find it here. But wait...What's this? I picked up a small piece of paper.

"xithcotal, zokmul dovah do ok sonah, vis nunon kos kriaan naal sok pruzah zahreik sil" I read out loud.

"What does that say?" Twilight said in confusion.

"Hm...I will try to read...Xithcotal...Strongest Dragon...Be killed by...By....".

I got stumped. Err...If only that blasted Xithcotal allowed me to learn his language and I will find out what is his weakness. I wished that there is a dragon in this room...No, Spike can't read this, he is not an ancient, legendary dragon. I heard the door opening.

"Hey Twilight" I heard.

"Oh hey Spike, how's it going with Rarity?".

"Fine like always! She will be in my paws in no time! Hey, is that Blade?".

"Yes, we are trying to figure out something".

Spike dashed to us. He examined the book and smiled.

"Hey...I can read that? It is so clear! How can you guys not read that?".

What! Spike can read it? So the superstitions are not true. Any ordinary dragon can read this language!  

"Spike, read it to us" I commanded.

"Okay...It says...Xithcotal, the strongest dragon of his kind, can only be killed by the six good heart souls".

Six good hearted souls? Hm...Who can be that six? The options are broad and there can be many combinations of six ponies all around Equestria...This will be difficult.

"Hey, who is this Xithcotal dragon? Sounds scary" Spike said.

"It is none of your concern" I replied.

"I read that for you, now you return the favor".

I grunted. "Just something to learn about".

Spike shrugged and hopped on his bed. Evening already? I started out the window. The sun is setting at a fast rate.

"Well, it is nice meeting ya, but tomorrow, I got to Canterlot" Twilight said.

She started to fix her books and arranged them by alphabetical order. She too went to her bed.

"What time is the train?" I asked.

"Um...ten o'clock in the morning" she yawned "Gotta get some sleep".

She went KO'd after she was done speaking. I wonder what she did that made her sleep so quickly. I chuckled and tucked her in. I felt a loving sensation after I was done. I remembered mother tucked me in when I was a kid. Those were the times. I turned off all lights and went outside. I turned and face the silence of the town. I sighed and flew back to Apple Acres. I landed in front of the barn.

"So this is where I will sleep" I sighed "Gotta live with it".

I heard a voice calling my name. It was Ms. Applejack's voice.

"Blade! What are you doing?".

"Um...Going to sleep?".

"In there? Come inside, the others are sleeping already".

I ran to the house. She allowed me to enter inside. I glanced at her house. Old classic western styles all over the house. I saw a portrait of two ponies. One is male, another is a female.

"Who are these ponies?" I asked.

Applejack's face turned gloomy. I was shocked that I asked such question.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean--".

"Nah, it's alright. To be honest...I didn't know what happened to them. Granny Smith says that they 'disappeared' somehow".

I felt the sadness overwhelmed me. I never knew such thing. I'm stupid to ask such question. I gazed in the stars and saw two comets blaze across the sky.

"Your room is next to mine," Applejack said "When yer ready, just go to sleep. Gonna go now".

She slowly went up the stairs. I went outside and sat on the porch. It is weird how me and Applejack both don;t know what happened to our parents. My father, "magically" disappeared after that day and Applejack's as well. Well, ponies who witnessed that event in my life said that the demons took his soul and perished the body in front of them. Bah...Thinking about this makes me depressed. I should get some sleep, I need to get on that train.

Next Chapter: All Ends Well...Or Does It? Estimated time remaining: 8 Minutes