Spike opened his eyes to see a thick black fog cloud his vision. He stood up cautiously and waved his arms out in front of him; making sure there wasn't any unseen hazard in the murky blackness that dominated his surroundings. While his eyes adjusted to the light levels of this environment, he cocked his head to look behind at the source of a noise that had just startled him.

"Who's there?" Spike shuddered in a panicked fear.

Only a few faint whispers replied to Spike's inquiry. He could not recognize what they were saying. It was as if a broken harmony of hushed voices were conversing with each other just out of Spike's line of sight; spectating him from behind the shadows. However, Spike felt an eerie chill crawl up his spine just a few short moments later; sending waves of dread into Spike's mind. Beads of sweat rolled down his face as he felt a cold-dead-hand grab his shoulder. Spike turned to see what was causing his dismay.

"Welcome..." The dark being before the terrified dragon moaned in a dreadful wheeze.

His voice echoed all around Spike; invading his ears numerous times as the sound of the creature's voice reverberated numerous times off unseen walls. Spike shuddered at the sight of the being as it leaned its head out from the blackness.

The creature was skeletal in structure and was shrouded in a misty haze of pure shadow; forming a dreadful black mane that waved in the air like a candle. The creature was clad in a ragged- shadowy black robes. Almost as if they too were composed of shade as well. Upon its head was a rusted- jagged crown that gave the beast more of a menacing appearance as it connected to its long twisted horn. The spectral-black wings on its back stretched out to an impressive length, and his hands were- like the rest of his body, skeletal, but clad in dark armor made of rusted metal. His body sat suspended in the air, levitating. Surely it was an alicorn, but unlike any Spike had seen before.

"Who-Who are you?" Spike stuttered; practically choking on his words as he struggled to vocalize.

"Young Hatchling, I am the one who had fallen long ago. I am the one who reaps, who grieves, and the one who destroys...." The specter wailed in a low and eerie moan.

"You're Leere..." Spike uttered in disbelief.

"I am the one you speak of, mortal. However, I am not what I used to be. I am a shadow of my former self..." Leere whispered like an injured animal; his empty black eyes piercing Spike's soul

Spike could barely utter a phrase in Leere's presence. Fear clouded his mind for a brief moment as he gazed into the hollow eyes of the dread lord, but thankfully he regained his conscience after he averted his eyes.

"Why am I here?" Spike questioned.

"For over ten thousand years I've waited. Ten thousand years I've sat in silence within this realm of existence you are in. Slowly tearing at the seams of this extra-dimensional quagmire around me for eons." Leere stated in forced whispers of malevolence. "I wanted you, Prince of the Fire Dragons, to be the one who sees me for the first time in ages."

"Why me?" Spike asked; intently eyeing the ethereal ghost before him. "Why not Celestia or Luna?"

"You seek the stones, child. You seek to destroy the Sorcerer's Stones that shall bring me unto your world once more." Leere hissed in a voice demonic-harmony and agony. "My dear sisters knew that my return to this world was imminent from the beginning. What use would there be in telling them what they already know? What use would it be for me to entertain myself with old pieces on the playing board?"

"What do you-" Spike looked down to see that the mist clouding his feet had cleared to reveal the floor beneath him.

When the mist cleared, a giant chessboard lay beneath Spike's feet. Spike was sitting on a singular tile that encompassed his body, and Leere sat at the end of the board within his own tile. Leere seated himself on a black and white throne gracefully, and gestured to the board around Spike with a wave of his hand, and let out a ghastly cackle as he did so.

"Welcome to the game pawn..." Leere stated in his raspy voice. "There are no rules. Only the strongest shall prevail."

Spike looked around to see statues of his comrades. Rainbow Dash, Twilight, Fluttershy, and what looked like Pinkie Pie... almost all of his friends were pieces on the playing board positioned on the tiles near him.

"It appears we've run out of time. Good luck young dragon. The Sorcerer of Right awaits you." Leere rose from his throne and rushed at Spike; releasing a deafening shriek as he flew at light speeds towards him.

Just as Spike screamed he opened his eyes and gasped for air. He held his heart in an attempt to slow its rapid beating, and his breath slowed as he came to his senses. He was still in the ship, and still in one piece. His candle burned brightly in his quarters, and the night still reigned over the mountainous peninsula of Mount Wantthai. He let out a sigh of relief and laid his head back onto the pillow.

"Just a dream..." He whispered to himself as his eyes shut tight.

****

A knock on Spike's door caused him to put a pillow over his head in a childlike reluctance to wake.

"Spike? Are you in there?" Fluttershy asked softly.

"Yeah... I'm... yeah..." Spike grunted into his pillow.

Fluttershy opened his door slightly; trying not to be intrusive in her attempts at making him wake from his slumber.

"Spike. Draven says it's only a couple hours until you have to enter the tournament with Coba." Fluttershy innocently squeaked.

"Yeah... I nnnghaah... uunngg ha." Spike mumbled nonsensically.

"Oh for crying out-. Wake up you lazy fire-breathing lizard!" Gin barged into Spike's room abruptly and smacked him on the back.

"Ouch! What the hell?!" Spike shouted as she smacked him hard.

"Get out of bed or you won't be in the tournament you daft salamander!" Gin stated in exasperation.

"Gin, I don't think that was completely necessary..." Fluttershy trailed off.

"What? We did it your way and it failed miserably." Gin stated.

"Can you guys give me privacy so I can cover up, please? As much as I love to hear mares bicker, which I don't. I would appreciate it if I had a little alone-time, please." Spike interjected as he covered up his lower region with a blanket.

"Oh, um sorry Spike..." Gin replied in embarrassment. "We'll be right outside waiting for you."

"Yeah, thanks." Spike groaned.

Spike got to his feet and changed into his vested jacket, shorts, and foot-wraps. He headed out the door quickly as he heard the roar of the city from across the port. He opened the door, and sure enough Gin leaned carelessly on the wall adjacent from the entrance to his room.

"Ready to go lazybones?" Gin teased.

"Ready as I'll ever be," Spike replied with a grin

Spike exited to the main deck outside with Gin and Fluttershy to truly see the land for the first time in the daylight. The city itself gleamed like gold, and its structures were colored with regal shades of purple and light beiges. Golden decorations were hung from every street in the downtown area, and in the distance Spike could see massive towers dominating the mountainside, along with the tournament coliseum near the top.

"Outsiders that had seen the city of Mount Wantthai for the first time had called it 'The City of Majesty'." Coba stated as he walked up to Spike and stood beside him; also admiring the magnificence of the great city. "An appropriate name indeed."

"It certainly is an eye-opener," Twilight said as she too had eyed the massive city. "Were you born in this city Coba?"

"Yes, I grew up in Mount Wantthai with my father and younger brothers," Coba explained. "I joined the royal guard when I was of age, and I earned great respect amongst the people of Mount Wantthai."

"What happened though? Why are you here on this ship today?" Twilight questioned in curiosity. "Did something happen?"

"That is a story best saved for a later day my friend," Coba answered merrily.

Draven emerged out from his quarters onto the balcony and jumped down onto the main deck as he saw Spike. He ran over to him and patted him on the chest; unintentionally winding him for a brief moment.

"Well, I'll be damned! This lazy fire-breather is alive after all!" Draven chuckled. "You look like hell. Are you sure you're ready for this, boyo?"

"We'll just have to wait and see then won't we?" Spike grinned; feeling slight stiffness in his shoulders as he rolled them around in their sockets.

"Then we best be there before registration," Coba stated. "Perhaps there'll be time for a grand -tour later?"

"Sounds awesome!" Spike gleefully agreed with the idea.

****

Spike and Coba marched up downtown together side-by-side. Spike knew Coba was tall, but in comparison to everypony lining the street, he stuck out like a sore-thumb. They walked up to the center square; admiring the beautiful architecture around them.

"Majesty is right," Spike said with wide eyes as he looked to the gargantuan governmental building ahead.

"C'mon, this way," Coba ordered Spike as he began to walk to the government building. "We should be able to register this way.

"Hey! Coba wait!" Spike shouted as Coba walked away; oblivious to Spike.

Spike lost Coba in the crowd of people, and became utterly lost and confused as he retreated to a narrow alleyway at the edge of the street. He leaned against a small market building as he let out a disappointed sigh.

"Coba!" He shouted out to the crowd. Alas, his words were muffled by the massive swarm of people walking by.

Spike remembered the direction of the building and began to walk up the alleyway, hoping that it would somehow act as a shortcut up to the government building. He stopped, however, when he reached a dead-end and heard a voice call out from behind him.

"Well, well, well..." A raspy voice hissed. "What have we got here?"

"I believe this would be a fire dragon." A more intense mare voice replied.

"Ah yeah, I remember those guys!" The hissing voice replied.

Spike turned to see two mysterious ponies behind him. One was a half-changeling wearing a dark hood that shrouded a long ragged red mane that poked out in front of his dark face. His armor was that of a thief, but of much higher quality, made of a fine black leather that had little wear or tear. The other one was a pegasus mare with armor made of a brighter colored, much heavier metal and hide combination. Her fur was a light gray, and her hair was an olive green. Probably one of the most defining features of this mare was her right arm, which was more extensively clad in metal plating than any other place on her body, encasing her hand, and reaching all the way up to her shoulder.

"Who are you two?" Spike asked cautiously.

"We're competitors too buddy. Only, we play for keeps you see... someone's been looking for you." The changeling stated as he pulled out a dagger from his side-pocket. "We've got a contract to fulfill you see. And we always finish our contracts. Isn't that right Sigrid?"

"I couldn't agree more Viper." The warrior said as she drew a double bladed ax in her left hand.

"Ah, ah, ah... don't get ahead of yourself my dear. Introductions are important in this line of work." The changeling hissed; his ghastly forked tongue displaying itself as he did so.

"Very well, have it your way. I am Sigrid Bjornheart." The brooding mare greeted.

"And I am Emmerich Daggerfang." The changeling purred mischievously. "You may call me Viper."

"Listen, guys, I don't know what you plan on accomplishing, but I won't go down without a fight," Spike said as his fists ignited.

"Trust me kid... there won't be a fight. Sigrid!" Viper shouted.

In the blink of an eye, Spike heard a gust of air. Sigrid had dashed behind him almost instantaneously, causing Spike to be completely caught off-guard. He could not defend against her ax in time; as she attempted to slash at his throat. Spike closed his eyes for a moment; believing the ax would strike him... but the sound of clashing steel caused him to open his eyes in shock.

"Dripping with dragon 's bane. You plan on crippling him?." Winslow said as he observed Sigrid's ax.

"A paladin?" Viper shuddered at the sight of Winslow. "This dragon definitely has friends in high places!"

"I shall ask only one time. Stand down and retreat." Winslow said; his left eye burning in anticipation.

"He, he..." Viper sneered maliciously. "Alright, alright! You win! We'll back off!"

Viper walked past Winslow and whispered into Spike's ear "Can't wait to beat you to a bloody pulp in the tournament!"

Viper gave Spike a push as he walked away into the downtown area, Sigrid following behind. Winslow turned to face Spike and gave him a look of relief.

"Spike where's Coba?" Winslow asked.

"I lost Coba in the crowd," Spike explained. "What are you even doing here?"

"I followed you. It is my job to make sure my fellow crew members are safe! What you did was moronic!" Winslow scolded Spike. "Still, I'm glad I got here in time to keep you in one piece."

Spike pondered on Winslow's words, believing he was withholding something else that he was doing. He did not wish to cause a dispute, though and started reviewing what just happened in his mind.

"Who were those two?" Spike asked Winslow.

"Obviously hired mercenaries. I can make a fairly accurate assumption on who hired them." Winslow answered.

"Constantine?" Spike said to both himself and Winslow. "Why would he hire mercenaries?"

"Mercenaries are sworn to secrecy, and will not give the name of their employer," Winslow replied as he sheathed his sword. "Directly attacking you with Changeling soldiers would cause a ruckus with the citizens of Mount Wantthai and the Changelings, possibly resulting in conflict. Hiring mercenaries in this situation is much smarter in a sense"

"Why me, though?" Spike said, looking down at the ground as he did so.

"I do not yet know. Perhaps he sees you as a credible threat to his goals." Winslow suggested. "Whatever the reason, though, we must remain vigilant. It's obvious Constantine intends to interfere with the tournament."

****

Spike, Coba, and Winslow walked up the steps of the government building. Spike stopped, though, and questions boiled over in his mind. He looked up to Coba, who had stopped after noticing Spike stop.

"Why are we registering at a governmental building?" Spike asked Coba with a confused look on his face.

"It is because we had sailed from Equestria," Coba replied.

"We must pay international fees on order to legally compete," Winslow added.

"Ah..." Spike said, still a little confused.

The group walked inside to find a magnificent towering structure with opulently painted ceilings and regal banners hung from the exits and entrances. Spike gawked at the sight of the tremendously large room as he walked up to the main desk with the others. Coba began speaking with the stallion at the desk.

"Name please." The stallion said in boredom.

"Coba Munyetta and Spike." Coba complied.

"Late fees will apply." The tired stallion added.

"We're well aware," Coba said, signing the paper laid in front of him.

"Say... is that a dragon?!" The depressed stallion behind the desk lit up at the sight of Spike.

"It is..." Coba answered.

"Oh wow! I've only seen one so far today, but I want to see a fire dragon in action with my children! The late fees are on me, fellas!" The now excited stallion insisted.

Spike tried convincing the stallion otherwise."Um, you don't have to do that bud-"

"Oh, but I do! I've told my children tales of dragons, and now they get to see one for real at the tournament! A real fire dragon!" The desk worker said gleefully.

"Thank you, sir." Winslow bowed in respect. "We shall remember this act of kindness."

"Good luck to you two at the tournament!" The stallion waved as the group walked out of the door.

"Well, that's new." Spike shook he head in amazement.

"What? You don't get that kind of attention in Equestria?" Coba wondered.

"Not really. Dragons are a lot more common in Equestria I guess." Spike told Coba. "It's more about royalty and nobility where I come from."

"You should get used to the attention Spike," Winslow said with a half-smile. "Not many ponies in the Blacklands get to see a real fire dragon very often."

After Spike thought about the statement for a moment, he thought about what happened to his race in the Blacklands and stood silent for a moment. However, his brief period of reflection was interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Hey, Hotshot!" Cyro yelled up to Spike from the bottom of the stairs. "How've you been!?"

"Hey! Cyro!" Spike's sadness melted away as he ran down the steps to meet up with his fellow dragon.

"You registered mate?" Cyro asked. "I was just about to head up the mountain with Jhettei here. Care to join me?"

"We would be honored to escort you." Jhettei bowed in respect to Spike and his friends.

"Your hospitality is appreciated frost-dragon." Winslow thanked Cyro. "We accept your offer."

"Then we best be off, mates!" Cyro said with a smile. "It's a long-haul up to the top of the mountain! This way! Jhettei and I know a shortcut."

"Let's get going!" Spike said with a jolly grin as he began walking with Cyro and Jhettei, with Winslow and Coba following not far behind.