Spike and Firestorm followed Titan but kept their distance of two pony-lengths behind him as he led them down a path through a rough-looking environment. A lot of it was rocky but here and there they saw woodlands, there was a river, but the air was dry and warm. Every so often, they saw dragons, dragons that were more like the ones Spike had seen. Large, ferocious, and even bestial. But Spike also noticed some dragons were like Titan.

Smaller but still imposing, walked on two legs, carried themselves with an air of superiority and adorned with simple yet majestic looking wears, like cloaks, scarves, some wore armor and helm, plenty carried a weapon like a sword, a battleaxe, a spear, and they snarled at the larger dragons who all kept their distances despite being much bigger. Spike also noticed a lot of the dragons, among the larger ones and the ones like Titan, their wings were also their forelimbs, unlike Titan, whose wings grew out from his back.

"Uh, Firestorm?" Spike spoke softly to his escort, "Why are some of these dragons... different?"

"You mean, like how some are smaller and similar to our guide here?" Firestorm replied and got a nod from his charge. "Dragons as a whole are prone to Greed, but for Dragons Greed can be most dangerous. If a Dragon succumbs to Dragon Greed, he begins to collect anything that catches his fancy, and the more a dragon collects the bigger and greedier he gets.

"As a result, the dragon grows in size and strength, but he is robbed of his potential."

"Potential?" echoed Spike in confusion.

"You talking about the wyrms?" asked Titan, revealing he was listening to their conversation.

They stopped walking as Titan turned around to face them, looking arrogant as he pointed his battleaxe to one of the larger dragons.
"I'll tell you the difference between that wyrm and myself, little dragon. I... am a true Dragon."

"True Dragon?" Spike was confused, "Firestorm aside, aren't we all dragons here?"

"Ugh, you might be a dragon but culturally, you're a pony," Titan rolled his eyes. "As your... escort said, all dragons are vulnerable to greed. But there are some dragons, such as myself, who are able to learn the merits of Focus and Discipline, so as not to allow greed to overcome us.

"When dragons reach a certain age, they undergo various studies, tests, and training in order to be tempered with a steely resolve. Those that are successful are able to forge for themselves an iron will so as to exercise self-control and become true Dragons, as I did. But some like him..." He pointed to the large dragon again, as the brute was basking in the sun like a cat, raised his tail, and let out a fiery fart.
"...such weaklings fail to find the inner strength to hold fast in the face of greed and become bestial wyrms! Still capable of thinking and conversation, but they are now practically animals, driven by primal urges and baser instincts."

"So they're... not as developed as they could be," Spike debated, "Is that really such a big deal?"

"YES!!" Titan roared at Spike, who cowered behind Firestorm. "Because wyrms sacrifice their true potential for larger size and strength to protect their precious hoards, when they could learn true disciplines, such as the study of warfare and combat, the honor of leadership and purpose, and most of all, the potential to learn Dragon Magic!"

"Dragon magic...?" Now Spike was really interested.

"He means that when a dragon gives into his Greed and becomes a wyrm, his mana, as well as some of his intelligence, is expended in increasing the dragon's size and strength," explained Firestorm. "As a result, the dragons that become wyrms are unable to learn or wield Dragon Magic as the True Dragons, like Titan here, can."

"And they live the rest of their miserable lives in disgrace," Titan snorted bitterly, "they still serve a purpose, they are still dragons, but they could have become so much more... Let's keep moving! Lady Infurya frowns upon tardiness."

About half an hour later of walking, Infurya's palace was soon in view. Spike was getting tired, but he'd declined Firestorm's offer to be carried as he didn't want to look weak in front of the other dragons.

Infurya's palace, known as Burning Rock, was a large fortress carved into a mountaintop sided by two active volcanoes. There were fortifications along the foot of the mountain, towers between it and the volcanoes, and what appeared to be a waterfall pouring between the mountain and the volcano to the right. Burning Rock, even at a distant, glimmered and sparkled fiery colors, which Spike could tell, even at a distance, were coming from gemstones.

Titan noticed the look of wonder on Spike's face and chuckled, "Her Ladyship is wealthy and vaunts it by decorating Burning Rock with choice gemstones, as well as gold."

"But... isn't she afraid that a dragon will, uh...?" Spike made a berry-plucking gesture before putting the imaginary berry towards his mouth.

"Heh, no one dares steal from Her Eminence," Titan scoffed, "Lady Infurya enforces Dragon Law in a manner ruthless yet just. Any so foolish to steal from her will wish they'd never hatched..."

It took another ten minutes to reach the gates surrounding the bottom of Burning Rock, but as the doors opened Spike and even Firestorm were amazed by the reception as they saw two rows of True Dragons, about sixteen in all, standing in the middle of the courtyard, leading up towards the palace doors. Almost all of them, their wings doubled as their arms.

Titan took a deep breath and let out a mighty roar and the Dragons raised their halberds and held them crisscrossed, indicating the obvious as Titan bade his charges, "Follow me."

They did so, and every Dragon they passed pulled his halberd back and stood at attention. If things didn't feel so tense, Spike might have enjoyed this welcoming committee. But every now and then he caught a glare from one of the Dragon guards and heard a soft growl.

They were less than impressed by the guests of their Lady.

Reaching the opulent doors of the palace, Titan grabbed the door handles, gave a soft grunt of exertion and slowly pushed them inwards. The interior revealed an entry hall of stone with the walls glittering with rubies, topaz, garnets, amber and gold, creating a marvelous mosaic-like art of fiery patterns.

The only thing that stood out was a pedestal with the skull of a dragon on it that had a cracked hole above the brow, indicating something had stabbed this poor creature in the head. On the pedestal's front, Spike saw a freshly-polished brass plaque that read 'Steal at your own risk' and Spike got the impression of what that meant as he gulped nervously.

"Wait here," Titan pointed to the middle of the entry hall floor where they saw an emblem of a Cloud from which Fire fell.

They did so but did not stand directly on the emblem, which Firestorm whispered, "The Emblem of the Wyvern Clan. Infurya's kin."

Titan then stepped over to what looked like a gong and struck it with his tail, its majestic reverberation echoing throughout the hall and extending down the hallways that branched to the left and right and even up the stone staircase directly in front of the palace doors. They waited several minutes before they heard footsteps and before long, a female Dragon appeared, standing at the top of the stairs.

She was slender but strong, her scales a vibrant dark orange while the membranes of her wings, trailing from her arms, were burning red. Her spines and horns were charcoal black yet gave off a golden shimmer in the light, and her eyes... Piercing, the color of burning coals, were narrowed in intrigue upon Spike. She wore a gown of chain-mail burnished a resplendent bronze and armbands of gold with rubies to complement the Bloodstone Necklace, the symbol of her rule.

"Presenting her Grace, the Dragon Lord of the South, daughter of Clan Wyvern, Lady Infurya!" Titan declared as he knelt and bowed before his liege.

Spike moved to do the same, only for Firestorm to gesture him no and instead simply bow his head in respect like he did.

"Welcome, welcome," Infurya bade as she descended the stairs, "though it appears I invited one and have received two..."

"Uh, greetings, your Ladyship," Spike cleared his throat, remembering his lessons in etiquette. "I am honored to receive your invitation and to behold your amazing palace!

"Um, excuse me for bringing along my... escort. This is-"

"General Firestorm, yes, I know who he is," Infurya interrupted but then gave the subtlest look of condescending as she seemed to catch herself and say, "Oh! My apologies... Of course, I mean the former General Firestorm.

"My, my, you are quite famous in our circles. For a pony, that is."

"Your Grace is entirely too kind," Firestorm responded with a respectful bow of his head, apparently deaf to the light verbal jab. "It would appear that the rumors about you are... mildly exaggerated."

"Oh? And what rumors would those be?" Infurya asked with the barest raise of her ridged brow.

"Really, Your Grace, I would not waste your time with gossip," Firestorm could just barely restrain a smirk. "Surely you are above concerning yourself with such petty trivialities..."

"Hmm..." Infurya bore a brief baleful look at the pony before snubbing and saying, "Titan, you are dismissed. Leave us and resume your normal duties."

"Yes, my Lady," Titan stood back up before giving a dismissive nod to his Lady's guests and leaving as Infurya raised her wings.

Rather than walk down the stairs, she gracefully glided down them, impressing Spike with her poise and composure, appearing statuesque even in motion until she alighted before them.

"Now then, before we get down to business, allow me the pleasure of extending my hospitality," she invited, "After coming such a long way to be punctual, you must be exhausted..."

"Well, uh, a little R&R would be appreciated, milady," Spike chuckled hesitantly.

"Thankfully, I've a meal in preparation," Infurya chuckled in a haughty manner, "it shall be ready momentarily, so grant a fair dragoness your patience as we take in a few sights along the way to the dining hall. Come along!"

They followed Infurya as she led them down a western hallway and Spike noticed the interior of the palace, the walls, the ceilings, all of it looked like it had been dug out, carved, or even blasted with heat so intense the walls and ceilings were smoothed out.
Unusual method for architecture...

Remembering something, Spike whispered to Firestorm, "Uh, Firestorm? How come you told me to bow like you and not kneel like Titan did?"

"We are visitors in Infurya's realm, Spike," Firestorm clarified, "thus we are not her subjects and so we are not obligated to kneel before her. Instead, visitors like us bow or curtsy."

"Do keep up, Firestorm," Infurya interjected though she didn't so much as glance back at them. "We mustn't be late for our luncheon but I'd share a few examples of my home with you both."

Along the way, Infurya would stop and point out rooms, such as her Trophy Room, which was filled with artifacts, treasures, weapons... and skulls of various creatures who'd once opposed Infurya for some reason or other that she didn't care to remember. To Spike's horror and Firestorm's contempt, among the skulls was that of a pony.

Another place she showed them was the training area for her guards, where they saw Titan overseeing some Dragons training in weapons combat, and Infurya vaunted her guardsdragons demanding yet effective training regime weeding out the weak links and forging the strong.

After showing them a couple of more rooms, like her private study and even her ballroom, Infurya led them to her dining hall where a large and long table with the tabletop made from petrified wood awaited them and she took her seat at it's head, inviting Spike to sit at her right and Firestorm to her left.

She then raised her claws and clapped them together, and almost immediately did a pair of doors open as a tall and rotund dragon, wearing a chef hat waddled in, pushing a serving cart with the dishes covered with cloches.

"My Lady and esteemed guests," the dragon chef declared pompously, "for your dining pleasure..."

He set the dishes onto the table and set plates before Infurya, Spike and Firestorm, including cutlery and gem encrusted goblets and pulled out a crystalline bottle containing a ruby-red liquid and then a pitcher.
Once he was done, he snapped his claws, sparks flying from them, and the cloches gently lifted off the dishes to reveal, "Voila! My latest culinary masterpieces!

"For my Most Esteemed Lady, a serving of Venison cooked to your preference of roasted on the outside and juicy on the inside, dressed with spices and your favorite garnish. For Messr. Spike, a sirloin steak grilled to perfection, and... my apologies, Sir Pony," the chef chuckled derisively at Firestorm.

"We are lacking in pony-appropriate foodstuffs-"

"If you've oats, I'll take an oatburger with bacon," Firestorm interrupted, and his request was met with surprise from not only the chef but also Infurya and Spike. "Yes, ponies can eat meat but it's an acquired taste and not many do it."

"Um, right away!" The chef hurried off to prepare Firestorm's order when Infurya noticed Spike looking apprehensively at the steak before him.

"Is something wrong, Spike?" Infurya asked, sounding just slightly concerned.

"Um, this steak... was made from a cow, right?" Spike poked at the steak with a fork.

"Yes, prime beef, my food supplies hold nothing but the highest quality," Infurya cut some of her venison and almost eagerly snapped up a strip, enjoying the taste.

"Spike is... hesitant as one of his neighbors is a cow, Lady Infurya," Firestorm clarified before raising a brow, "but you would never butcher a sapient bovine, surely, this came from a dumb cow..."

"All my food is derived from sources acceptable within the legal boundaries of my king, Firestorm," Infurya responded before smirking, "And don't call me Shirley."

Spike stifled a sputtering laugh at Infurya's play at humor before recomposing himself, "So, forgive me if I decline your chef's cooking, Lady Infurya, but perchance you might have a ruby you'd be willing to spare? Preferably a fire ruby?"

"Oh-ho-ho my, do forgive me , Young Spike," Infurya laughed condescendingly, "I forget you are still a dragonet. Why, you haven't even grown into your wings yet... Very well, when the chef returns, I can have him fetch for you a fire ruby. You are a growing dragon, after all..."

"A growing dragon with great potential and an even greater future," Firestorm retorted. "Even at a young age, he has shown mettle and continues to show promise."

Spike smiled appreciatively at Firestorm while Infurya backpedaled with a slightly put-off chuckle, "Oh do excuse my misconduct. I... just momentarily forgot the necessity for eating gems for young dragons like Spike."

"Huh? Then... you don't eat gems, Lady Infurya?" Spike asked, genuinely curious.

"My, my, you poor thing," Infurya responded with a facade of empathy, "To know so little of your own kind. While I can see you are a bright and well-mannered young dragon, whoever was in charge of your upbringing was tragically ignorant in dragon culture."

"Well, it's just that ponies generally don't go near dragons because of how big and scary they are," Spike clarified, feeling a little miffed at Infurya's indirect jab towards Twilight.

"You mean, the wyrms," Infurya nodded as she ate some more of her venison. "Mm, they are more numerous than us, the True Dragons, so it's understandable ponies would encounter them fare more frequently."

"Course that wouldn't be a problem if the Dragon Lords could reel them in and teach them a better way before they are too far gone and when they did keep them somewhere safe so they couldn't harm anyone," Firestorm shot back with a smirk as he knew that was as much as her failing then any other dragon lord's but he wanted to get under her scales.

It seemed he had failed as although Infurya's eyes narrowed ever so slightly at him, she seemed to shrug it off and respond, "Well... perhaps that is among the topics Young Spike and I shall discuss."

Spike unclenched in his seat in mild relief, as he'd feared Firestorm had gone too far. But Firestorm could see it. Infurya appeared to be taking his harsh words well, but inside he could feel her rage beginning to boil. His mentor in dragon magic had taught him plenty of things besides some fancy magic tricks to enhance his skills as a warrior. He'd also learned ways to sense things other ponies could not.

For the rest of the meal, barely another word was spoken. Spike got his fire ruby and Firestorm his oatburger with bacon, and hardly more exchanges were made apart from complimenting the food and drink. Infurya and Firestorm had a wine that was only available in the Dragon Lands while Spike was given dragonberry juice.

Once the meal concluded and the dinnerware was taken away, Infurya stood up, "And now, to business... alas, dear general, this meeting is for privileged ears only."

Firestorm had been expecting this - Infurya wanted something from Spike and didn't want Firestorm's meddling.

"I understand I wasn't invited and that I have no right to participate in a diplomatic matter," Firestorm spoke with a calm control, knowing he had to play this right, "but perhaps I should sit in on your meeting with Spike.

"I am afraid he is... inexperienced in these matters and hasn't brushed up on Dragon Law. My mentor taught me-"

"Oh, that won't be necessary, General. Our talk won't be all that complicated," Infurya was not going to let this maimed has-been interfere, so she suggested, "Perhaps I could offer you a guide to... take in the sights of Burning Rock! There are many beautiful places to observe, or maybe you could have a sparring session with my guards.

"I'm sure an old warhorse like you might be able to show them a thing or two..."

She'd responded exactly as Firestorm hoped, so he gave a show of considering before saying, "Hmm, Burning Rock is a majestic bastion, Lady Infurya. I suppose I will accept your offer."

"Then I shall call for a dragon to serve as your guide," Infurya stood up to step out for a moment, and Firestorm knew he couldn't waste it.

He leaned over towards Spike and whispered, "Listen closely, young dragon. Infurya is going to ask you questions that might seem strange or harmless, they but might imply far more than they sound like."

"What should I do? I don't want to mess this up!" Spike was really beginning to worry and realize he might have bitten off more than he could chew.

"Listen carefully, we don't have much time," Firestorm spoke in a tone that meant Spike was listening one hundred percent. "Never give her direct answers, be vague with what you say especially if the question makes you feel uneasy or like something you shouldn't talk about. Don't agree to anything she offers, simply say something like 'Thank you, I shall take that into consideration'. Be polite, flatter her a little but don't go overboard with compliments.

"Finally... if you ever feel as though you are in danger..."

Spike gulped, afraid of the serious tone Firestorm was using, "...make an excuse of some kind, say you need a restroom, anything. Then make your way to the entry hall of the castle to hide."

Spike squirmed a bit in his chair as he ran everything Firestorm had told him through his mind, doing his best to commit it to memory, until a certain question came to mind.

"But what if I'm caught?"

Firestorm was about to answer when the doors opened and in walked Infurya, accompanied by a young dragoness, slightly shorter than Princess Ember, her scales were seashell pink while her underbelly and horns were a soft amber yellow, her spines and the frill at the end of her tail were wysteria and she wore a gold necklace with a red heart-shaped ruby, along with a scarlet shawl around her shoulders that apparently covered her wings.

"General," Infurya smirked slightly as she gestured to the young drake beside her. "My clawmaiden, Amber, will serve as your guide while Spike and I discuss matters..."

The young dragoness, Amber, curtsied to Firestorm and respectfully asked, "If you would please follow me, sir?"

Firestorm and Spike shared another look before Firestorm, hoping Spike could read lips, discreetly mouthed, 'You can do this'. He was glad when Spike nodded despite still looking nervous and followed Amber out of the room.

Once they were alone, Infurya gave Spike a look like an owl would to a mouse and smiled, "Now then, shall we?"

After following Amber down a long hallway, Firestorm relaxed a bit now that they were out of Infurya's earshot, when he heard a cry of alarm and saw Amber stumble forward and fall flat on her face. He almost rushed forward to help her up... when he noticed her shawl had moved just so and how unusually flat it was against her back.

Moaning in pain as she got up on her claws and knees, Amber mumbled, "Um- Please excuse my clumsiness, sir, I...!!"

She noticed the way Firestorm was looking at her. Or rather, at her back, and she realized he'd seen. She stifled a whimper and looked away in shame, so Firestorm cleared his throat and spoke as kindly as he could.

"I understand the shawl, but in a way it's still obvious," he said gingerly, not wanting to upset her. When she didn't respond, he continued. "You shouldn't be ashamed, you're not the first dragon this has happened to."

"...no... but that doesn't make it any better," Amber was on the verge of tears as she undid the brooch holding her shawl in place, letting it fall from her shoulders to reveal nothing.

Amber had no wings.

Firestorm could only imagine how sad and ashamed Amber must feel, and how heartbreaking it was that she had been denied the glory of the sky. He knew some pegasi who'd had accidents that had forever left them earthbound, even one or two whose wings had never developed enough for flight. Magic was a major factor to pegasus ponies being able to fly yet still genetics had a big part to play.

Amber sniffled as she hanged her head, feeling sorry for herself, "So many of the dragons say the most hurtful things after they find out. One time I was nearly beat up by another dragon because she was angry My Lady had chosen me over her.

"Lady Infurya came to my defense, but afterwards, she warned me that that would be the first and last time she ever did. Either I toughen up or I'd be thrown out of Burning Rock to crawl in the mud with the wyrms..."

"I understand how you feel." Amber was surprised by that as she gave Firestorm a confused look. "I am a unicorn but I was born to Pegasus nobility. Plenty of my family members were disappointed and didn't hide the fact from me that they were.

"It was even harder after my older brother died and I became the new heir to be Head of the Family. I worked my ass off to prove my worth in the military and in mastering magic, and only after I showed my mettle did the family finally accept me as the new Head of the House."

Firestorm raised his mystech prosthetic, "It only cost me a leg."

Amber bit back a gasp as she hadn't really noticed Firestorm's prosthetic and how the griffon-like talons flexed in place of a hoof was a little intimidating.

"Forgive me for saying so, Amber," Firestorm said, "but I noticed there was no scarring on your back, so..."

Amber nodded as a tear finally trailed down her cheek, "My wings never grew in... my parents were so disappointed. So when I became of age, I worked my absolute hardest! I just... I just wanted them to be proud of me."

"And they should," Firestorm assured her, "What happened to you is unfair, but every once in a while it happens. But it's random and beyond your control and through no fault of your own.

"Even if you never get your wings, look at you, young one. You're a True Dragon! You proved your spirit and your will are strong. Stronger than many others and that counts for far more than most would have you believe."

Amber then looked up at Firestorm, who saw a she was incredulous but starting to smile just a bit. But he knew he couldn't afford to waste time. "Amber... I need to ask you something. Do you know or heard anything as to why Infurya wanted Spike here?"

Amber shrank back, hesitant and her anxiety returning.

"I know you must feel loyal to her for giving you your position," Firestorm said understandingly, "but I'm sure you've seen her for the dragon she truly is. She invited Spike here, saying she wanted a diplomatic meeting, but where is the logic in having such an important meeting with a child?

"...Unless that's not the true reason, Amber. You know, don't you."

The young dragoness had her gaze down again, but this time it was not shame but doubt and maybe even fear.

"You don't have to say anything, Amber," Firestorm assured, "Just nod or shake your head. Is Spike in any possible danger with Infurya?"

It was a long and tense moment... before Amber looked up at Firestorm again and fearfully nodded her head.

Having the confirmation he needed, Firestorm focused his horn, conjuring a garnet that glowed like a burning coal and levitated it to Amber, who was bedazzled by it.

"Hold onto this gem, don't let any of the other dragons see you have it," Firestorm instructed, "and go to a tower where you won't be seen or bothered by anyone. Someone will come and she'll be a friend if she senses you have this garnet. Understand?"

Amber nodded as she accepted the gem and Firestorm softly told her, "Go, and be careful."

Watching the young dragoness hurry off down another hall, Firestorm turned back towards the hall he'd come from and began his plan.

Infurya led Spike to a balcony that overlooked her castle courtyard and also gave a grand view of her nearby land. For a moment, Spike forgot his precarious situation and was amazed by the beauty of the surrounding landscape despite how dry and somewhat desolate it was. Some nearby mesas had layers of dry colors, looking almost like they'd been painted on, and the woodlands added a nice touch of green along the river.

"You are an unusual dragon, Spike." Spike gulped, remembering who he was with before he turned to look at Infurya, only to see she too was taking in the view. "Tell me, what was it like, growing up in a land so unlike the land of your fellow dragon? Living among the ponies?"

"Well..." Spike remembered Firestorm's advice but a part of him felt he should sprinkle in some truthful answers or Infurya might get the impression he was holding back. "I was hatched in Princess Celestia's School of Gifted Unicorns by a young unicorn filly named Twilight Sparkle..."

Spike went on to say how he was raised by Celestia, a hoofmaid, and Twilight herself, to whom he became close and eventually her Number One Assistant. He learned various subjects and even art forms, though the fact he was a dragon living in the nation of ponies until after he and Twilight moved to Ponyville. Now and then, Infurya asked a question or two but she mostly listened. Still, Spike did his best not to be too detailed and keep some things vague.

"...so now we're here, and I'm really excited to learn more about dragons! Honestly, after Garble and his gang, I was put off by dragons until I, uh... met... Princess Ember."

"Ah yes, I was getting curious about that," Infurya rolled her eyes, making sure Spike didn't see, for much of what he'd said boiled her volcano. "Word really got around, Young Spike. As I understand it, you were the one who reached the Bloodstone Scepter in the Gauntlet of Fire, not Ember."

"Uh, yeah?" Spike confirmed warily.

"Well, Spike, I simply find it curious. You could have assumed lordship over Drazgard, become my peer," Infurya pointed out curiously, "Why pass up such prestige and power to someone else?"

"Well, I didn't enter the Gauntlet of Fire to become a Dragon Lord," explained Spike, "I was only answering the Call I was experiencing and was gonna opt out. But then I heard what the candidates were planning to do if one of them became Dragon Lord, and how it would have threatened Equestria and the ponies. So I entered, thinking it was the only way I could protect Equestria if I became Dragon Lord."

"Oh? Protect them how?" asked Infurya.

"If I became Dragon Lord, I'd forbid the dragons from attacking Equestria," Spike answered.

"So then how did Ember get involved?" Infurya pressed.

"It turns out, Ember participated even though her father forbade it," Spike answered, "We had our differences, but in the end Ember showed she appreciated friendship and that's why, even though I got to the scepter, first, I knew she would be a great leader as well as an ally. But most importantly, she became my friend."

"Hmm, you are an unusual dragon, Spike," Infurya noted, her back to Spike hiding how she was furrowing her brows and sneering in disgust.

This miserable excuse of dragon was assistant to a lowly creature and he was proud of it! Alicorn or not, royalty or not, the very idea of a dragon in a lesser position, subservient to some grass-scarfing prey was disgraceful.

Keeping a firm grip on her composure, Infurya took a calming breath before putting on another polite smile as she turned to face Spike again. She was satisfied to see he no longer looked nervous and less on guard. Perhaps cajoling him for useful information would be easier from here on out.

"Walk with me," she invited and led Spike deeper into Burning Rock, closer to the heart of one of the volcanoes of her castle. "I simply must say, Spike, that I'm so glad you're here."

"You are?" Spike looked upon the dragoness curiously.

"Oh yes! After all, it doesn't matter where we live..." Infurya's eyes glinted as something about her seemed to change, "we're all dragons here, and that's what's important."

Spike was disgusted and although common sense told him he should be afraid, he wasn't. He saw nothing noble or honorable about Infurya. She was cruel, tyrannical, greedy, a monster.

"Infurya," Spike furrowed his brows, "You and I have different ideas of how dragons should act."

"And that's why we're here. To talk," Infurya responded in dry amusement as she went down a passage, and Spike cautiously followed.

Since I'm delving more into some dragon culture, I wanted to diversify on certain things and took inspiration from "Secret of My Excess" (which didn't actually happen in my story-canon but still)

Spike's transformation, which was sparked by greed, gave me the idea of dividing dragons between two types:

True Dragons and Wyrms

The Wyrms are dragons like what Spike turned into, large, powerful, bestial, but above all greedy. I explained that a dragon that gives into and is consumed with greed grows in order to become bigger and stronger so that he is strong enough and fierce enough to take whatever he wants. The downside is, he's expending his magic and some of his intelligence to do so, and thus is robbed of much of his potential. He can still think and have a conversation but he's ruled by his savage instincts, primal needs and greed

True Dragons are what dragons call themselves who've undergone training and studies in order to build an iron will through discipline and self-control. As a result, they don't get nearly as big as the Wyrms but they are in many ways superior and more powerful. The dragons from "Spyro Reignited" were kind of the inspiration for what True Dragons would look like. They're bipedal (like Spike is), intelligent, cultured, and are still large and imposing just not like the Wyrms are. The character Titan was based off a dragon of the same name from the game, the first dragon you free when you reach the world of the Peacekeepers. True Dragons are still strong and fierce, but they are also intelligent and have greater potential, especially to learn Dragon Magic

The song is based off "Lions Over all" from "The Lion Guard", which was sung by the character Zira. I liked it so much and realized how well it applied to my character Infurya and her belief of dragon superiority, and so altered it to fit into the story