Chapter 2

Repercussions  

“The path to a brighter future is sometimes paved by the worst intentions.”

                                                                                                   Celestia Evictus

It was just after midnight as Spike touched down in a large clearing in the Whitetail Woods. All manner of woodland creatures, predator and prey alike, scattered to give the mammoth dragon a wide birth as he landed. Drawing a deep breath Spike unleashed a plume of dull green smoke into the clearing completely covering it. Once the smoke cleared it revealed several ill looking ponies several rushing to the bushes around the glade to puke their guts out.

Moondancer was barely able to keep the contents off her own stomach where they belonged as she trudged over to the dragon and patted one of his claws with a hoof.

“Remind me to never let you do that again.”

“I for one found it rather pleasant.” Dr. Whooves said trotting up to the pair completely unfazed by the experience.

‘How in the hell…’ Moondancer thought gawking at the stallion in shock.

”You know what I’m done trying to figure you out.” The fuchsia mare huffed as she pushed past and began barking orders. The Doctor looked at Spike with a look that said 'what did I do,' and the dragon just shrugged.  

"Okay ya pansies quit the lolligagin’. Pin Cushion, Shard set up a parameter. Everypony else start settin’ up camp. Move it!.”

The ponies saluted, albeit a little shakily and went about their tasks. Moondancer then took out a map of Equestria and pointed to their current locaction. “Okay we’re here in the Whitetail woods here in neutral  territory. My contact wants to rendezvous here in Ravenhoof a small village just inside Stormwing territory. It’s a good two day march from here since flying isn’t an option.”

Spike leaned his head down to get a better look at the map, a thoughtful look crossing his face. After a moment he said, “Moondancer you and I will take two others and travel to Ravenhoof  so we won’t draw as much attention. Doctor you’ll take the rest of the group here and travel to Whiteroad to the west of here to meet with the rest of our forces.”

Moondancer and Dr. Whoovers shared a blank look as they looked at each other and then at Spike.

Dr. Whooves was the first to speak up, “No offence old chap but your not exactly inconspicuous.”

Spike simply smirked and rose on his hind legs, his claws outstretched as circles of runes appeared around the now glowing dragon. All the ponies present were forced to cover their eyes as the glade was filled with a blinding light. Once the light faded Spike had shrunk. Now only a head taller than Moondancer he was only a good seven feet in length. His body had also become sleeker, more streamline. He walked up, with an almost feline quality to his gait, to Moondancer and Dr. Whooves, both wearing a shocked expression. Dr. Whooves being the first to recover muttered, “Well that’s new,” as he turned to the mare beside him who was still gawking at Spikes new form.

“Moondancer it isn’t polite to stare. Bad form that,” the brown stallion said matter-of-factly.

"Like what you see Dancer,” Spike said a glint of mischief sparking across his emerald eyes as he smoothed a set of claws over his toxic green spines.

Moondancer quickly shook her head and became suddenly very interested at the map at her hooves, a blush darkening her cheeks.

Spike chuckled as he stretched his thin wings and gave them an experimental flap.

“Overall I’m glad the spell worked. This form is actually permanent and to be honest I prefer it.”

Dr. Whooves gave the dragon an inquisitive look, “Are you sure it was a good idea to transform mate? I mean you were rather fearsome beforehoof.”

Spike shook his head, “At that size I’m too easy a target and besides I can’t stand having to look down at others and watch where I step. As well I can easily handle myself without having to fall back on size alone. Anyway lets try to rest up we move out at dawn.”

“Yes my lord,” Moondancer bowed.

“Will do old chap,” Dr. Whooves nodded.

With that the group had a light meal and settled down for the night

Within Canterlot Castle the halls were abuzz with activity. The guard had been doubled and marched the halls and corridors enforce and all manner of slaves and servants were gathering the bodies of guards that had meet their end to the earlier intruders. When Twilight Sparkle came trotting down the halls the servents and slaves cowered away from the lavender mare and the guards saluted smartly trying to avoid her piercing glare. Twilight was furious and it shown as the runes adorning her face and horn glowed a slight crimson as she made her way to the crystal caverns that had served as Spike’s home. Upon coming to said cavern’s large ornate doors her horn glowed as she blasted the doors open causing her black robes to flutter around her.

Trixie Lulamoon, a beautiful azure unicorn mare with a silver mane and tail adorned in light purple robes  and a matching wizard’s hat, turned toward the now open doors to see her rival trot out onto the balcony overlooking the massive cavern to stand beside her.

“What has he found.” Twilight said as she gazed down at the runic circle down below on the cavern floor

“I don’t know Twilight Sparkle. He’s been ignoring Trixie.” The azure mare said with a huff. Twilight just rolled her eyes as she teleported to the cavern floor. Inside the runic circle Starswirl the Bearded was in deep meditation his horn glowing a bright blue.

“Starswirl, what have you found?”

“It is a powerful draconic magic that I am sure of.” He said not moving from his position in the center of the circle.

“Where could Spike have learned to have done this? The closest thing to a spell he knew was how to do was send letters by flame.”

“Tell me Twilight Sparkle did you ever learn how he did it?” The ethereal unicorn inquired.

An annoyed look came across the mares face as she glared at Starswirl, “No I had asked Princess Celestia when I was younger how he did it and she told me it was something he was naturally able to do.”

“This is the same case then.” Starswirl said gesturing to the runic circle, “It appears Spike is a Magidragon, a very rare species of dragon. Unlike feral dragons they are extremely intelligent and rely  more on wit and tactics rather than tooth and claw. Rune magic is instinctual to them but the strange thing is they don’t develop its use until they are at least fifty to sixty years of age.”

“Then I ask again how was he able to do this?” the lavender mare said through gritted teeth.

Starswirl ignored Twilights growing anger as he continued, “I believe that the circumstances of his birth are to blame and the fact that Celestia was the one who raised him. She knew more about dragons than any other pony I knew. She had a great respect for the species actually.”

“But he was still like a child though even after I aged him. He showed no signs of increased intelligence either. How could he suddenly be able to do this?”

“None that you are aware off. He could have simply hid his intelligence from you or the trauma of being forcefully aged could have unlocked his potential. Either way this is among the most powerful teleportation spell I’ve seen. With this he could teleport an army easily. By the way have they been able to find out how the barrier matrix was disabled.”

Twilight nodded grimly, “Yes they found it was caused by some type of bomb designed to disrupt magic flow.”

At that Trixie teleported beside Twilight.

“Trixie has just been informed that Princess Cadence is on her way here from the Crystal Empire and will be arriving by tomorrow.”

“Thank you Trixie get Polite Poise to begin making arrangements for her arrival then assemble a battalion of seriphs to begin looking for Spike its only been a few hours so he couldn’t have gotten far. I am going back to my chambers. If there are any more developments do not hesitate to wake me.”

Trixie gave a nod at Twilight, sent a sneer at Starswirl and teleported away to perform her tasks.

“Good night Starswirl.” Twilight said briskly as she teleported away to her chambers.

“Good night Twilight Sparkle. Rest well for I feel that you will need it.” Starswirl said. He turned to the runic circle and sighed. “I had hoped you would see the error of your ways before something like this would happened. Gods preserve us.”  

Next Chapter: The Contact Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 24 Minutes