Spike, Twilight, Shining Armor, and Cadence had reached the team's building on school grounds. Upon entering they found Celestia and the rest of the girls waiting for them.

"Hey, girls." Shining Armor greeted Twilight's friends.

"Shining Armor, what's up?" Rainbow asked, as she and Shining fist bumped.

"Cadence, it's so wonderful to see you again." Rarity greeted the princess in an embrace.

"It's great to see you too, Rarity. All of you." Cadence said, as she looked at the rest of the girls.

"I'm glad you two made it here." Celestia said in relief.

"Well, we did run into a bit of trouble." Shining Armor explained.

"Trouble?" Celestia and the girls inquired.

Cadence continued, "When we arrived we found Twilight and Spike fighting a bunch of Shadow Bolts."

"Shadow Bolts?" The girls asked in worry.

"Yeah. Descent and a whole bunch of his partners got the drop on Twilight and me." Spike explained.

"We were holding our own, but more kept coming." Twilight added.

"Luckily we showed up and drove them off." Shining finished.

"This is very troubling," Celestia began, "Nightmare is stepping up her attacks now. You can be sure we'll be seeing more problems like this."

"We'll be ready for them, Princess." Twilight assured her, as Spike and the girls stood strong.

Shining and Cadence smiled at their courage and bravery, as Celestia spoke, "I know. But for now it's best we go over our plans for the Summer Sun Celebration at Canterlot."

"Right." Shining and Cadence agreed, as they stopped and sat down.

"There's no question Nightmare will attempt to crash the celebration. So we'll need to take extra precautions in terms of security." Celestia explained.

"And how're we going to do that?" Spike asked.

Shining Armor spoke up, "With me and Cadence. Our magic combined can created a force field strong enough to repel dark forces. You see I used to work for Princess Celestia as Captain of the Royal Guards before Cadence and I got married."

"I should've figured your occupation was a guard or a knight based off your name." Spike said.

"And the seven of you are also invited to help protect the castle and all the guests. While I have faith in Cadence and Shining Armor's magic barrier, I won't take any chances. Especially if Nightmare is involved."

"We understand, your highness." Twilight nodded.

"Well, then. We should all go to Canterlot where you can begin in preparation." Celestia ordered.

"Canterlot? The capital city in Equestria?" Spike asked.

"That's right. This'll be your first time ever in Equestria." Twilight realized.

"You're gonna love it, Spike. It's awesome." Rainbow said feeling excited.

"It's beautiful." Rarity added.

"It's magical." Fluttershy put in.

"It's fun!" Pinkie cheered.

"I'll take your words for it." Spike answered.

Celestia spoke, "Ok, everyone. Transform." Celestia took on her alicorn form, followed by Cadence and Shining Armor. Twilight and the girls transformed into their pony forms as well, confusing Spike.

"Do we really need to change?" Spike inquired.

"For Princess Celestia, Cadence, my brother, and me it's a need since these are our real forms." Twilight explained.

"We just like to change to go with the crowd." Applejack added.

"And we recommend you do it as well, Spike." Rarity suggested.

"All right then." Spike answered, as he turned into his dragon form.

Celestia raised her hand and opened a portal, "Let's go." they went through the portal and it closed.

Suddenly the group appeared in a garden with exotic trees and animals. Everyone smiled seeing they arrived without trouble, while Spike looked around in amazement.

"Where are we?" he asked.

"This is the castle garden, Spike." Celestia began.

"Castle garden?" Spike asked, before looking up and saw the tall towers of Canterlot castle, "Whoa."

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Twilight asked, "I spent a long time here learning about magic." Twilight explained.

"And this is where I myself was raised." Cadence added.

"No kidding?" Spike asked.

"Come on, you should see the inside." Rainbow said, as the group escorted Spike inside.

As Spike walked through the halls of Canterlot castle, he looked all around in amaze at the tall pillars, the chandeliers, the stain glass windows, the tapestries. Everything.

"Now this is the kind of castle I would love to live in." Spike admitted, "I'd have servants, valets. I'd have it all." he salivated at the idea.

"Spike, clean your mouth. You'll drool on the carpet." Twilight warned him.

Spike quickly cleaned his mouth and kept it shut. They entered the ballroom, where they saw some servants and such decorating the place.

"Everything looks so good." Pinkie smiled.

"Everything looks so horrible!" a voice complained.

Everyone looked around before spotting it came from a male unicorn with a white mane, neatly done blonde hair, and was dressed in a white fancy tux. He was giving orders right from left to the servants.

"Those are not the drapes I suggested, and the catering is all wrong. Honestly, can't you all do anything right?" he ridiculed the servants who swallowed the urge to wanting to clobber him and attended to their work.

Spike eyed the unicorn and spoke to the group, "Jeez, he certainly likes to boss others around. What's his damage anyway?"

"Prince Blueblood, Celestia's nephew." Twilight explained.

"Nephew?" Spike asked in disbelief.

"Unfortunately." Twilight rolled her eyes.

"When we were first introduced to him, I thought he'd be the definition of Prince Charming," Rarity began, until she scowled, "I learned the hard way not all royalty is charming."

"Do I dare ask how you found out?" Spike asked, feeling it wasn't good.

"I'd rather not say." Rarity replied.

"Well, he doesn't know how to set up a celebration. So I'll be filling in." Pinkie said.

Celestia nodded, as they approached, "Blueblood."

Blueblood turned around, "Why, Auntie. I'm doing just as you'd want by overseeing the preparations for the Summer sun Celebration."

"Well, I'm relieving you of that duty. I didn't even order you to do it in the first place." she replied.

"Relieving me?" Blueblood asked in disbelief, "But who will make sure this place is perfect for the celebration?"

"Me of course." Pinkie spoke up, as Blueblood noticed the girls.

"Oh, you all again?" he asked with a snooty attitude, before looking at Celestia, "Aunt Celestia, I must protest that the pink one should be in charge of overseeing the plans."

"I'm afraid it's not your place to make that choice, Blueblood." Celestia replied.

"But Aunty." he complained.

Spike felt annoyed by his whining, and spoke up, "Hey, Bluey. Didn't you hear the Princess?"

Blueblood hearing Spike looked over and saw who he was, "Oh, great Heavens! A Dragon in the castle?! Guards! Guards! We have an intruder in the castle!" he called out for help.

"Intruder?" Spike asked, feeling insulted.

Guard ponies came charging in armed with spears, only for Celestia to speak up, "Stand down. My nephew was exaggerating again." the guards stood down, much to Blueblood's confusion.

"I am not exaggerating! Can't you see we have a dragon in the castle?"

"You got a problem with dragons?" Spike asked, while getting into Blueblood's face.

"Get your face away from me," Blueblood backed up and plugged his nose, "I can't stand being around such a filthy dragon like yourself. Revolting."

Spike's eyes widened in anger, "You prick!"

Blueblood was suddenly almost blasted by Twilight's energy magic. The Prince looked at Twilight who glared at him in fury, "I don't care if you are the princess' nephew. Because if you dare insult Spike like that again I won't 'miss'."

Blueblood frowned at Twilight's threat, until Celestia got between them, "That's enough, you two. Blueblood, Spike is our guest just as the others. You will treat him with the same respect as I have always given others."

Blueblood looked at Celestia almost ready to argue back, but didn't want to further shame himself and the royal name, answered, "I understand, Aunt Celestia," he turned to Spike, "My sincerest of apologies, Spike was it?"

"That's right." Spike answered, while still bearing a scowl. He knew Blueblood didn't mean his apology, but went with it.

"If you'll all excuse me. I must be going." Blueblood said, before taking his leave.

Spike watched him leave and snorted, "I've only known him for a minute, and already I want to rip his horn off."

"I am sorry for my nephews behavior," Celestia apologized, "He's let his status as Prince go to his head since he came of age."

"No offense, Princess. But if I were you I would've put him up for adoption years ago." Spike replied.

"That's what I said." Rainbow noted.

"I know my nephew is a handful to deal with and hard to be around, but I promise you he will better behave himself for the Celebration." Celestia promised.

"If you say so." Spike answered.

"Come on, we gotta get this place ready." Pinkie said, as the group joined in to help decorate the place.

Within a few hours the whole castle ballroom was decorated to perfection. Spike and the girls stood looking at their work.

"This is perfect." Twilight smiled.

"Pinkie your party decorating skills know no bound. And your choice in styled decorations, Rarity, only compliment the décor." Spike said.

"Thanks, Spike." Pinkie and Rarity said, feeling flustered.

Celestia looked around, "Everything looks perfect. I thank all of you for your hard work. And am looking forward to your attending at the Celebration."

"It's not going to be filled with nothing but snooty snobs, royals, and rich ponies are there?" Spike asked, fearing the thought of being in a room with a plethora of Bluebloods.

"I promise you there will be normal pony folk attending the Celebration." Celestia promised.

"Good. Because I'd hate to take criticism from more dragon hating ponies. Heck, this isn't even my true form." Spike said.

Twilight laid a hand on Spike, "Don't worry, Spike. I won't let any pony here look down upon you."

"Thanks, Twi." he smiled.

Celestia spoke, "You should all head home. The Celebration is in a few days."

"Quite right. And I need to decide what I'm going to wear." Rarity added.

"Like it's gonna matter?" Applejack asked, "You always wear something fancier than the last when you go all formal and stuff."

"Not everything is the same, Applejack." Rarity replied, while feeling prideful.

"If you say so." Applejack retorted, as everyone laughed, while Rarity scowled.

That night back in the human world, Spike was at home in bed while tossing and turning as he was having a dream.

Spike found himself standing atop a tall rocky pillar surrounded by fire. The boys gasped as he looked all around him, "What the hell? Where am I?" he was cut off as a fiery aura appeared before him and started taking form.

Suddenly towering above him was a fifty foot tall purple scaled dragon, with wings, red eyes, and black markings on his body.

"Spike Drake!" the dragon announced.

"Holy crap! A dragon and it talks!" Spike panicked.

The dragon continued, "Why do you look so surprised. Don't tell me you don't know who I am?"

"Not really. And I think I'd remember a dragon like yourself." Spike answered.

The dragon sighed in exasperation, "Then I guess I should properly introduce myself. I am the Dragon King Bahamut, spirit of the Fire Ruby."

"Dragon King? Fire Ruby?" Spike gasped, and realized, "Wait hold up. You're the Dragon King spirit that's inside me?"

"Precisely." the dragon answered.

"Is this real or am I tripping?" Spike asked in worry.

"This is very much real." Bahamut answered.

"Ok. So why am I here and you are talking to me?" Spike inquired.

"I've come to warn you of a danger closing in on you."

"A danger? You mean Nightmare Moon?"

"Precisely. It is imperative that you remain strong and be prepared for what follows you."

"Can I seriously take on someone as powerful as Nightmare Moon? I mean I've had difficulty taking on an armada of Shadow Bolts." Spike explained.

"I fear you will not be strong enough to fight Nightmare Moon at your current level."

"So what can I do?"

"You must unlock your true dragon power. Only then will you be strong enough to take on the Mare of Nightmares."

"How can I do that?" Spike asked wanting answers.

"You must figure that out for yourself, Spike." Bahamut finished, as the place illuminated with light.

Spike shot up awake in his bed panting. When he calmed down he felt his cheek, "A dream? No that definitely was real. What did he mean unlock my true dragon power?" he fell back on his bed and gazed up at the ceiling, "Whatever he meant I'm probably gonna have to find out how to do it."

Meanwhile at Nightmare's lair, a figure in a cloak stood before the Nightmare Pony, Trixie, and Descent. Nightmare Moon spoke up, "Is everything ready?" the figure said nothing but nodded in approval, "Excellent. You've done well, my spy. Now hurry and get back." the figure nodded once again before taking their leave.

Trixie spoke, "This is going to be perfect."

"We'll leave those ponies with such a surprise." Descent added.

"Indeed," Nightmare agreed, "Descent, rally your platoon. I want every Shadow Bolt to be ready on my command."

"Yes, Mistress Nightmare." Descent saluted, before flying off.

Nightmare Moon turned to Trixie, "And I should hope this time, Trixie, you do not fail in eliminating the dragon."

"I shall not, mistress." she promised.

"Good. Now go," she ordered. Trixie nodded, and took off, "The time is close. Soon I will be the leader of Canterlot, Equestria, and the world itself." she snickered.