Author's Notes:

Note: This takes place in the middle of the Episode "Dragonquest."

The ash never truly bothered Spike. Nor did dust, wind, or anything that could get in a pony's eyes and make them wince. When he asked Twilight about this odd feature, she was left dumbfounded and wanted to write a paper on this discovery and send it to Princess Celestia.

It bothered Spike that ponies knew so little about dragons. He'd thought that Equestria knew all there was to know. But not even the smartest pony in Equestria, Twilight sparkle, could not tell him even one aspect of being a dragon.

Now, here Spike lay, his belly full of gems from the dragon party, and surrounded by ash that couldn't do a thing to bother him. But he still didn't feel like his quest was complete. He had learned what dragons do to to pass the time, but he hadn't learned anything about, well, being a dragon.

Spike sat up and nudged the red and yellow dragon next to him. "Hey uh, Mr Dragon?" He said gingerly, not knowing what else to call him.

"Name's Garble, Spike,” the dragon replied irritatedly, "What do you want?"

"Well uh," Spike stuttered, "I've partied down with you guys, and that was awesome! It's just, I haven't learned anything about being a dragon. Is this all a dragon does?"

Garble sighed. "Dude, there’s way more to being a dragon. We’re just teaching you what we do for fun around here." Garble sat up to continue, "If you wanna be a real dragon then stick with us."

"Stick with you?" Spike said curiously.

"Yeah! Come back home with us dude! This is the dragon migration, where all the dragons come to kick back and relax!" Garble said while getting to his feet.

"You mean, go with you guys? Where?" said Spike, getting up too.

"To the dragon caves!" Garble said proudly. "It's where all dragons go to learn dragon stuff."

"Sooooo, it's a dragon school?" Spike asked.

"Yeah, something like that. Come with us and the elders will make a dragon out of you in no time!" Garble then grinned before saying, "Of course, that does mean you'll have to leave your pony friends."

"What!?"

Spike hadn't even thought once about his pony friends since he arrived here. His pony friends were the most dearest things to him in the world. There was no way he was going to give them up, not for all the knowledge in the world... But, he barely knew anything about himself. And if he didn't know himself, how could he know his friends? Spike's mind tensed under the pressure. He didn't know what to do. He could go home and stay an enigma to himself forever, or go with the dragons and learn everything he's ever wanted.

There was one thing Spike wanted to do for his friends, and that was to help them in anyway. He looked at himself. He was in no way able to help his friends. He needed to learn how to be better, he needed to learn how to be a dragon.

"Well Spike, what's your decision?"

"...I'll go..." Spike said.

"Awesome!" Garble yelled. "Hey guys, Spike's coming with us to the dragon caves!" All the surrounding dragons erupted in cheers. Garble put the small dragon on his back as the rest of the dragons were getting ready to take off.

"Wait! We’re leaving now?" Spike yelled.

"Of course were leaving now," Garble said happily, "The elder dragons will wanna talk to you right away."

The depressed dragon felt a pain in his heart as they took flight, heading for a far off place Spike had never heard of. But not only that... three ponies watched with tearful eyes as their small dragon friend was taken away from them, and there was nothing they could do about it.