It has been a few months since the winter holidays. Draigo had left the castle and Equestria not long after Magnus had left. He had gone to check on the Asian dragons he’d established with the hope that he could keep them from killing each other to win the attention of Shen Long’s mate. Celestia and Luna were saddened that he had to leave, but understood why and would send him letters with any news they thought he should know about. They were especially sad that Draigo was gone when Spike succumbed to his greed and tore Ponyville apart in his greed induced growth. That letter had been hard to write since they knew Draigo thought Spike had great potential, but they also knew that he should know about it.

Spike was glad that the towns ponies had forgiven him for what had happened that day and had gone back to their normal routines once they remembered that he was usually very nice and considerate. This didn’t stop Spike from beating himself up over the event and wondering who he truly was. He had gotten some info about being a dragon from Draigo, but he still didn’t know what it meant to be a dragon and it was really bugging him.

“Spike, I’m going to go help Rainbow talk to Fluttershy about joining us in observing the dragon migration. Would you be a sport and whip up some snacks for us? Thanks,” Twilight said as she trotted out the door of the library.

“Sure thing, Twi,” Spike called after her. He began making some cookies, cupcakes, and other assorted snacks while he contemplated what it meant to be a dragon. He knew that making blueberry muffins had the potential to leave a stain on his scales for a couple days so he made sure to wear the apron Twilight had gotten for him. It wasn’t the manliest apron ever, but he appreciated not having to scrub and scrub at stains on his scales. In truth, the stains weren’t really that noticeable to anyone besides himself, but he didn’t want anyone thinking he couldn’t take care of himself. Soon enough his snacks were complete and he loaded them onto a tray that he put on a cart to take to the trench Twilight had told him about earlier.

On the way, Spike couldn’t help but admire the dragons flying through the sky above. He couldn’t wait for his wings to grow in so he could join them. He knew he’d make a great dragon even if he didn’t know what that actually meant. As he neared the trench that Twilight, Rarity, Rainbow, Pinkie, and Applejack were hiding in, he noticed that his friends were admiring the aerial acrobatics that the dragons were performing before one dragon got hit by another and blew some fire towards the trench. Spike had gotten a little worried that one of his friends might’ve gotten hurt, but noticed that Twilight had thrown up a shield spell to protect them. He had a bit of a chuckle when he noticed that Rainbow had gotten a little soot on her face before Twilight’s shield was fully up.

“There, that should hold for awhile,” Twilight said after her spell was complete.

“Couldn’t you have done that a tad bit earlier? I know that the trench and camo are to help us not get noticed by the dragons, but that shield would’ve been nice from the start,” Rainbow complained as she wiped the soot off.

“If Twilight had put the shield up from the start then the dragons would’ve known where you guys were from the start. Besides, she probably wanted an unobscured view of the dragons for everyone,” Spike explained as he started to hand out the snacks.

“Yeah? What would you know about dragons, Spike? You aren’t exactly what we’d think of when somepony mentions dragons,” Rainbow said with hoof pointed at Spike accusingly.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well, Spike. Ya don’t act like the dragons up there and I don’t rightly know why you’d want to,” Applejack said.

“Of course, Spikey-wikey doesn’t act like those brutes. He’s far too cute. Just look at those chubby cheeks. Aren’t they just adorable looking?” Rarity chimed in.

“Cute? Adorable? I’m a guy and a dragon. We aren’t supposed to be cute and adorable, right?” Spike asked nervously.

“Now, Spike. I’m sure Rarity just means that you’re unique and don’t act like other dragons,” Twilight said in an attempt to make the situation better.

“I don’t act like other dragons?”

“Of course not, silly billy. Other dragons don’t make nice food for their friends,” Pinkie said as she took a bite of a cupcake.

“They also don’t wear frilly aprons,” Rainbow pointed out.

“Hey! It was a gift from Twilight and getting stains out of scales takes forever,” Spike explained with an embarrassed blush on his face.

“Uh huh. Stains. Right. None of us have ever seen you or any other dragon with stains on their scales,” Rainbow said while gesturing to Spike and the multitude of Dragons above them.

“Just because you can’t tell doesn’t mean that the stains aren’t there,” Spike said as he began to walk back to the library.

“Spike’s right, Rainbow. We wouldn’t want any of his cute scales being damaged or tarnished from some accident,” Rarity said as she watched Spike.

“There’s that word again,” Spike mumbled to himself.

“Isn’t it just adorable the way Spike waddles off in anger?” Rarity asked.

“Argh! Waddle? Adorable? Cute?” Spike said angrily as he picked up his pace. He was soon out of earshot of the five mares in the trench. Spike pondered everything he’d heard as he journeyed home.

Soon enough Spike was back in the library and enjoying a nice gem salad while trying to find a book that could tell him more about dragons. He'd decided to ask Twilight about what she knew about his origins and everything else she knew about dragons. He'd then realized that he should be looking for whatever he could find as he waited for Twilight to return home and was thus began searching.

After several hours of searching, Spike had found nothing. None of the books in the library had information about dragons. He found this ridiculous considering Draigo lives in Canterlot Castle and somepony could've asked him about dragons and written a book with what they learned. Apparently even the friendliest, and most willing to answer questions, of dragons was still too much for ponies to handle. Ugh, what did a dragon have to do to find out about his own species go out on a journey to find a dragon to ask? Wait, there’s hundreds if not thousands of dragons flying overhead.

“Everything okay, Spike? You have a crazy look right now,” Twilight said in concern as she walked in and noticed Spike standing amongst all the books in the library.

“Yeah, everything’s just fine, Twilight. I just figured something out after searching the entire library for anything on dragons. Turns out we don’t have a single book about dragons,” Spike casually replied.

“What!? Are you sure that there isn’t a single thing about dragons amongst all these books?” Twilight asked.

“Yep, not a one. Anyway, I’m kinda tired from searching the entire library. Could you put the books back? I’m gonna go get some rest since I’m going to have a busy morning,” Spike said as he headed for their bedroom.

“Sure, Spike. Why will you have a busy morning, though?” Twilight asked curiously.

“Oh, that’s going to be a surprise. Night, Twi,” Spike said as he climbed the stairs.

“Oh, okay,” Twilight said with a bit of concern in her voice.

Spike woke up earlier than normal and began preparing things for the journey he was going to embark on. He got a sturdy stick, a big handkerchief, and some things to eat along the way. He was almost done with his prep when Twilight came down the stairs.

“Where are you off to, Spike, and why do you have to take that much food with you?” Twilight asked both curious and concerned.

“Oh, right. I’m going to go join the dragon migration and find out what it means to be a dragon,” Spike said nonchalantly.

“Did Spike just say that he was going to join the dragon migration?” Rainbow asked as she and Rarity stood in the doorway, having arrived just in time for Spike’s announcement.

“Spikey, you shouldn’t even associate with those brutes,” Rarity said.

“Yes and those ‘brutes’ are the only way I’m going to find out about dragons since Draigo hasn’t returned and there’s no book about them in the entire library,” Spike said as he shouldered his bindle and started to walk out the door.

“Wait, this is crazy, Spike. I’ve done some crazy things in my life and even I think this is crazy,” Rainbow said as she barred Spike’s way.

“So what? I’m not waiting around for Draigo to come back to find out who I am or what it means to be a dragon. Nopony even knows when he’ll be back,” Spike returned as he stepped around Rainbow and out the door.

“Wait! Spike, please be careful. I’m all for you finding out who you are and what it means to be a dragon. I just want you to be safe so Pinkie Promise that you’ll be careful and keep out of trouble,” Twilight said as she, Rarity, and Rainbow stood on the doorstep.

Spike sighed before performing the needed actions and necessary words for a Pinkie Promise. He then walked off while waving without looking back at the three mares.

It took a couple days, but Spike finally caught up with the dragon migration. He’d had to go up and down mountains, through blizzards, wind and rain, but he’d endured it all. He was now in a land full of volcanic activity.

Climbing up the mountain that most of the dragons seemed to be going to Spike was able to find a large group of full grown dragons with a few teenage ones as well. He decided that the teenagers were more his speed and quickly ran down to see what dragons were like.

“Um, hi. My name’s Spike,” he said awkwardly.

“You sure your name isn’t Shrimp?” teased a purple and yellow scaled dragon whose eyes were hidden behind what seemed like hair.

“Yes, my name is definitely, Spike,” Spike returned forcefully.

“Whoa, calm down, pee wee,” a fat brown dragon said.

“It’s Spike not ‘pee wee.’ I may take being called names by my pony friends but that’s because I know them and those names aren’t hurtful,” Spike said.

“Ponies? That explains why we haven’t seen you before. Now guys, let’s take it easy on the little guy or he might fly away. That is if he had wings!” A red and orange dragon said as he picked Spike up by the tail to show the rest that he had not wings and then dropped him. “You’re no dragon. You’re definitely a pony in disguise.”

“I am too a dragon,” Spike said desperately trying to remain tough.

“Alright, prove it,” the red and orange dragon said.

“How?” Spike wondered.

“By acting like one. Who’s up for a belching contest!” called the red and orange teenager. The rest of the teens cheered so loud that they woke up a few of the adult dragons that were taking naps after their long journey. An odd dragon that was pure black except for his eyes took notice of the teens and the young whelp with them.

The first to go was a white and pink dragon who belched a flame that was seven feet long. Next was the purple and yellow dragon who belched a flame that was eight feet long. The third to go was the fat brown dragon who belched a flame that exceeded twenty feet long.

“Alright, pee wee. Let’s see you beat that,” challenged the red and orange dragon.

Spike walked over to where the others had belched from and waited for a second to build up a belch. Just as he was about to try to belch he felt a sensation that let him know that a letter from one of the princesses was on its way. Spike belched up a small amount of flame and the letter fell to the ground. The red and orange dragon picked it up and read a bit of it.

“Hey, guys. Little Spike here is pen pals with a namby-pamby pony princess,” he said and began to chuckle. Once he began chuckling a big black tail whipped around him and brought him face to face with the pure black dragon.

“What did you say about a ‘pony princess’?” asked the black dragon.

“I called her namby-pamby. What’s-” the red and orange dragon got out before being squeezed by the tail that held him.

“Which princess?”

“The letter said Princess Celestia,” the red dragon said before being flung across the crater and into the cliff face.

“You just called the Princess of the Sun, the one who raises and lowers the Sun, ‘namby-pamby.’ Do you even realize how stupid it is to insult her or her sister? Do you!?” yelled the black dragon as he walked over to the teen he’d thrown.

“There’s no way a pony can do that,” replied the teen as he slowly pulled himself from the imprint he’d left in the rock.

“If you actually believe that then you’re even more stupid than that pony whelp over there,” the black dragon said as he gestured to Spike with a wing.

“Hey, I’m way stronger than him and I’m older as well,” shot the insulted teen.

“I have no doubt that you’re stronger than he is. That’s not the point. Have you heard of Draigo?” asked the black dragon as he pinned the red teen in his own imprint.

“The dragon that’s called the god of dragons by some while the rest aren’t even sure he exists? Yeah, I’ve heard that he’s supposed to be this freakishly powerful dragon that not even the eldest dragons can stand up to,” the teen replied.

“Well, let’s put it this way. If Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were to team up then they stand a chance of beating him. Not so namby-pamby now, are they?” the black adult dragon said with a sneer.

“No... no, sir.”

“Good. Now, I have some advice for the pony whelp,” the black dragon said as he looked Spike in the eye before picking Spike up in one of his claws. The adult dragon then took off into the sky and brought Spike to a set of clouds that overlooked the migration area. “Remember the advice I’m about to give you whenever you are having a hard time, young one.” He then snapped his claws and some music began to play.

Put your faith in what you most believe in
Two worlds, one family
Trust your heart
Let fate decide
To guide these lives we see

A paradise untouched by war
Within this world cursed with hate
A simple life, you’ll live in peace

Softly tread the ash below your claws now
Two worlds, one family
Trust your heart
Let fate decide
To guide these lives we see

Beneath the shelter of Celestia
Only love can enter there
A simple life, you’ll live in peace

Raise your head up
Lift high the load
Take strength from those that need you
Build high the love
Give up the greed
Your good life is waiting
For greed is no stranger here

The black dragon had been motioning to two areas that they could see during his song. One of the volcanic area that the migration was in and the other was a forested area far in the distance.

No words describe a dragon’s greed
No words can heal a broken heart
A dream is gone, but where there's hope

Somewhere something is calling for you
Two worlds, one family
Trust your heart
Let fate decide
To guide these lives we see

The black dragon set Spike down with the teens again and walked over to where he sat with the weirdest looking dragon. The weird dragon somehow had three sets of eyes: one where they normally would be, one in its mouth and another on its chest.

“That disguise only worked because none of the other dragons have noticed the two sets of extra eyes you have. The fact that there's another dragon that looks just like you is extremely weird,” the dragon said to his ‘guest.’

“Yes, well. The adult dragons don't seem to care and the teen dragons are just too stupid to notice,” replied the top set of eyes.

“Yep, the sulfur also covers up the smell of pony and perfume. Seriously, why did you wear perfume when you knew you'd be in a disguise?” The black dragon asked.

“One must always smell as good as they look whether they are in disguise or not,” replied a haughty voice from the dragon’s rear end.

“If you say so, Rarity, but that perfume would have blown your cover if the sulfur wasn’t as strong as it is. I get why you followed Spike, Twilight, but it was completely unnecessary. He can stand to toughen up a bit. Don’t you agree, Rainbow?” the black dragon asked.

“How do you know our names and why aren’t you ripping us to shreds for being ponies? I thought that we’d be in big trouble if the dragons found out we were ponies,” Rainbow asked.

“Yes, do tell how you knew we were ponies and our names. The only dragons we know are Spikey-wikey and Draigo and you don’t look like Draigo. You have neither his size nor his coloration,” Rarity said as she peeked out from beneath their costume.

“I’ll tell you later. For now, let’s see how Spike handles this situation. Remember he’s a lot tougher than you think he is,” the dragon said as he turned his attention back to Spike and the teen dragons.

“Look, Spike. What we did before isn't ‘acting like a dragon.’ That was just a simple belching contest between guys. You don't have your wings and you're obviously too young for the coming of age ceremony. It's the coming of age ceremony that will really tell how much of a dragon you are,” the red teen explained.

“So, how old do you have to be for the ceremony?” Spike asked.

“You have to be at least sixteen. Each of us already did the ceremony a few years ago,” explained the teen.

“Well, it just so happens that I am sixteen,” Spike said firmly.

“What? There's now way a dragon your size is sixteen. You'd be closer to our size if you were,” the teen stated.

“That's the same reaction that everypony else has when I tell them my age,” Spike said in a depressed tone.

“After the ceremony, no one will be able to say that you aren't a dragon or disbelieve your age. We'll have to get one of the adults to administer the ceremony. Hopefully, we can find one that can be convinced that you are sixteen,” the teen said as he started to look around at the gathered adult dragons.

“How about that black one?” Spike suggested.

“That odd one? Hmm, you might be right…” the red teen kept looking around while he had a look of thought on his face.

“Odd? Why is he odd?” Spike wondered.

“Look around, do you see a dragon beside him who’s a single color? That and he’s the only one I know of that’s defended ponies to another dragon. Quite odd for a dragon. He might be our best shot for getting the ceremony started, though,” the red teen said as he looked at the black dragon sitting next to a really deformed one.

“Speaking of odd. What’s your name anyway? You and the others never told me,” Spike said.

“Right, I’m Garble. The purple guy is Spear and the big brown one is Clump,” Garble said as he gestured to his fellow teens. Spear and Clump both gave a small wave when introduced.

“It’s nice to meet you, Garble. Now, should we go ask that black dragon about the ceremony?” Spike asked. He was more comfortable talking now that he’d found out the other dragon’s names and they’d become nicer than before.

“Yeah, he’s our best bet since, as I said before, I don’t think any of the other adults would believe that you’re sixteen,” Garble said as they began to walk over to the aforementioned dragon.

Spike’s gut was working itself into tighter and tighter knots the closer they got to the black adult. The only thing keeping him going was the fact that he was going to go through a ceremony that every dragon went through when they turned sixteen. He'd be one step closer to knowing what it meant to be a dragon after this was over.

“So, why have you all come to me? Surely after our last encounter you'd be wary of even getting near me,” said the big dragon as they drew close enough for him to talk without having to yell at them.

“Yes, but we need to ask you something,” Grable replied.

“Yeah, I need to go through the coming of age ceremony,” Spike said.

“The coming of age ceremony? Which one?” asked the adult.

“There's more than one ceremony!?” the young dragons exclaimed in unison.

The black adult chuckled a bit. “Of course, there's more than one. Do you realise how long we live for? If there was only one at sixteen that would be like having a ceremony at two years old for ponies and never having one again.” The deformed dragon looked like it was going to say something. “That's just an example and it's not very accurate when it comes to scaling the lifespan difference between ponies and dragons.” The deformed dragon relaxed a bit after it heard this.

“Now, the ceremonies are all fairly similar, but each can result differently. If this young dragon is actually sixteen then who knows what the result will be.” The dragon explained while examining Spike.

“What could some of the results be?” Spike asked, hoping for good news.

“I think it's better to find out than for me to tell you. Let's go to the middle of the crater. I'll oversee your ceremony.” The big adult stood up and slowly walked down into the crater while Spike and the others rejoiced in their success.

Once everyone was gathered in the middle of the crater, the adult dragon laid down and gestured for Spike to come over.

“Okay, I'm going to help you find your inner energy. Once you've found it it'll be up to you to release it and make it flow throughout your body. Only once it’s circulating through your entire body is the ceremony over. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few days depending on the dragon. Now, close your eyes and I’ll pour some of my energy into your inner energy as a guide.” The adult raised a claw and lightly touched Spike’s forehead as Spike did as instructed.

Spike could feel a foreign energy enter his body moments after the black dragon had touched his forehead. It felt like ice was flowing into him while electricity coursed through his veins. After Spike had gotten used to the sensations he felt the energy connect touch another ball of energy. This one was warm and familiar yet foreign. It kinda felt similar to how he felt when he sent letters to the Princesses. He delved further into this energy. He allowed himself to be swallowed in the energy inside of him.

“He’s made contact with his inner energy. It’s a waiting game now,” the black dragon said as he retracted his claw. Spike was a statue now that he’d delved into his energy.

Minutes passed as they waited for Spike to open his eyes. Once he did, they were all shocked at what they saw. Spike’s eyes were an emerald green all over. Emerald energy began to crackle and pop across Spike’s body.

“Run! Get as far away as you can! His energy is going wild!” The black adult yelled to everyone in the general area. Dragons were seen flying and running away as fast as they could. Twilight, Rainbow and Rarity took a little longer to react but eventually Twilight was able to teleport them away.

Moments after Twilight had teleported them away, the three ponies looked back to the mountain they were once on only to see the top get enveloped in a ball of emerald energy. The three stood stock still as they watched the energy dissipate, worry evident on each of their faces. Once the energy was completely gone from sight they started their trek back up the mountain.

When Spike opened his eyes, he noticed that the crater edges had been smoothed and were now curved down like a giant ball was could be set inside. He was also floating in a pool of lava that extended over the entire crater floor. The gem piles and everything else that used to be on the crater floor was gone. Spike raised an arm to rest a claw on his head and noticed his claw seemed a bit bigger. He looked down and noticed that his entire body had grown to about the size of Twilight. His back itched a little and he felt two bumps when he started to scratch the itch.

“You okay down there, Spike?” called Garble as he flew down into the pool next to Spike.

“Yeah, I'm fine. I've got these bumps on my back, though,” Spike said in a bit deeper voice than normal.

“Bumps? What are you talking about?” Garble asked with a raised eye ridge.

“There’s a couple bumps on my back that weren’t there before the ceremony.” Spike said and rolled onto his belly to show Garble.

“Huh, those bumps are where your wings should be. Well, you are bigger as well. Looks like the ceremony worked, but where did the black dragon go?” Garble asked as he looked around the area for said dragon.

“No idea. One moment I’m closing my eyes and feeling I was going to die...the next I’m waking up in the middle of this lava pool looking like this.” Spike said, gesturing to his body.

“Well, wherever he went to doesn’t really matter. The success of your ceremony calls for a raid in celebration and for you to get used to your new body.” Garble told Spike as he thought about where to raid.

“A raid? I don’t see how a raid can be celebratory,” Spike asked.

“Yeah, a raid lets us feel our blood coursing through our veins and a rush of adrenaline. There’s no better way, besides fighting other dragons, to feel like a dragon, Spike,” Garble explained to Spike as a look of ecstasy formed on Garble’s muzzle.

“Well...if that’s what’s it’s like then I’ll give it a shot. When do we go?” Spike asked, a bit of anxiety and nervousness building inside of him.

“Right now! We’re going to go raid a Phoenix nest!” Garble shouted enthusiastically as Spear and Clump flew over to hover nearby. “Okay, one of you get Spike. We’re gonna let him feel what it’s like to be a dragon.”

After Clump picked Spike up, the group flew out of the crater and over a nearby forest. They banked this way and that in search of their intended quarry. After a while of searching, they finally spotted a glimpse of red and gold feathers in the distance.

"Okay, Spike. Go over there and get the parents away from the nest. We’ll fly in and raid it once they’re gone,” Garble instructed as he gestured toward the intended Phoenix nest.

With a nod, Spike timidly approached the tree that held the Phoenix nest. He’d only encountered one Phoenix before and that was Celestia’s pet, Philomena. He had no idea how he was going to draw them away beyond trying to hurt them, he’d prefer not doing that. So, he began to think in silence while studying the nest and its occupants.

“Just throw something at them and run away, Spike. We only need a small amount of time,” Garble said as quietly as he could while still allowing Spike to hear him.

“Oh, okay…” Spike muttered as he picked up a rock and tossed it at the nest. It soared over the heads of the nest’s occupants. Spike blew a raspberry at them and then legged it away from the nest as the grown Phoenixes gave chase. He ran for a bit before he tripped over a rock. As he rolled over the parents were right on top of him before they heard noises back at their nest and flew back, leaving Spike untouched. He let out a sigh of relief and made his way back to the nest area in hopes that Garble and his friends had already done what they needed to do.

On his way back, Spike found an egg that was yellow with red flames patterns. He gingerly picked it up so as to not accidentally break it while he was still getting used to his new body.

“Freaking Phoenixes. Making us run into trees and blinding us. This raid was a total bust,” Garble muttered as he got back to where the nest area was.

“Hey, Spike found an egg!” Spear proclaimed.

“What cha waiting for, Spike? Smash it!” prompted Clump.

“That’s the reason we raided their nest, Spike. Phoenixes are small, but they are still a threat to young dragons should the dragon be stupid enough to enter their turf while mating season is going on.” Grable explained to Spike.

“Okay, that makes sense, but smashing a single egg means nothing. Besides, I was just a lone egg and I was able to hatch. I’m going to give this egg the same chance and there’s nothing you can say to change my mind!” Spike declared as he held the egg protectively.

“So, we won’t say a thing. We’ll just smash it ourselves!” roared Garble.

“Not if we have anything to say about it!” called the deformed dragon who’d stealthily walked up on the group while they were talking.

“You? What are you going to do? It’s still three on two!” yelled Garble in disbelief.

“I think you mean four on three, pal!” yelled another voice as the deformed dragon revealed itself to be Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity.

“I’m normally not one for violence, but I won’t let you lay a talon on a single scale of his cute little head!” Rarity said, her voice growing more fierce by the moment.

“Three ponies are coming to the rescue of a dragon? You three obviously don’t know what you’re getting into!” Garble declared with a growl.

“No...they don’t. I, on the other hand, do.” declared a cool, calm, and authoritative voice.

The group looked around trying to find the source of the voice, looking everywhere besides up.

A sigh was heard emanating from the clouds above them. “Why does no one ever think to look up when looking for someone? Well, it just means that there are still things to learn. Isn’t that right, Twilight?”

Upon hearing the voice again, everyone looked up to see Celestia standing in her battle armor upon a cloud. The look on her face when they saw her made a chill run down everyone’s spines.

“P-P-Princess Celestia!? You came to help us!?” Twilight asked, not believing that the princess deemed this a big enough event to intervene in personally.

“Yes, Twilight. After I received your letter, I scryed Spike as soon as I freed myself from my paperwork and redid the spell every day. I didn’t see much to be worried about until a giant orb of energy obscured my view. I informed my guard that Luna was in charge and raced here after donning my armor and arming myself. I didn’t know what to expect, but I did not expect to see my Spike being bullied by his fellow dragons. This does explain why the letter I sent earlier today wasn’t responded to, though.” Celestia calmly explained as she glided down and landed in between the three dragons and her ponies.

“Wait, you’re Princess Celestia? You don’t seem that tough to me. That adult must have been bluffing to try to save Spike from being embarrassed,” Garble reasoned.

“Oh? I don’t seem tough to you? Well, perhaps Draigo will seem tough to you. I really would prefer not to fight if I don’t have to,” Celestia said as she brought out Draigo’s token. “Draigo, you are needed to show three upstart dragons their place! Heed my call and return to my side!”

A few moments passed and nothing happened.

“No...no… no, no, no! It’s supposed to summon him to me! Why can’t I summon him!? Something must be wrong!” Celestia said worriedly before trying to summon Draigo over and over again.

“Pr-Princess?” Twilight asked timidly as she tentatively approached her teacher.

“Draigo was supposed to be here! He was supposed to have joined the migration and return to Canterlot after it was done! I even sent him a letter telling him about Spike coming here!” Celestia told them, concern and worry quite vivid in her voice.

“He was? We didn’t see...Wait, wait. That black dragon! It must have been Draigo in disguise! That would explain how he knew who we were even while under our disguise,” Twilight reasoned triumphantly.

“Yes, that does make sense, Darling. He pulled something similar when he came to rescue me from those horrid Diamond Dogs.” Rarity said thoughtfully.

“So, where is he now? It’s not like he can up and disappear into thin air. Can he?” Rainbow asked.

“Spike? Do you have any idea where he went?” Celestia asked hopefully, ignoring Rainbow's question.

“No, I don’t. Sorry. The last I remember he was helping me with my coming of age ceremony. When I came to, he was nowhere to be seen.” Spike told her.

“Hey! Stop worrying over a dragon that most likely doesn’t even exist. We’re right here!” complained Garble after he and his comrades had been ignored for awhile.

“Oh, right. Twilight, take Rarity and Rainbow and secure a safe zone a good distance from here. Spike, I want you to stay here and see this.” Celestia said, her voice cold and full of authority.

“Yes, Princess. Come on, girls!” Twilight said before grabbing her two friends and heading quite a ways away from the area to secure the safe zone.

“Spike, my son, this will show you just how tough dragon scales are. Remember this and do your best in the future to protect our nation and its citizens.” Celestia said once Twilight, Rainbow, and Rarity were out of earshot.

“Is it okay for these three to hear you call me your son, Mom?” Spike asked, worried about their little secret being leaked by Garble and the other.

“Oh, it’s quite alright. By the time I’m done with them they won’t want to remember this day let alone be able to remember it.” Celestia told him, her voice started motherly and ended up cold as ice.

“You’re his mom!? No way! I knew he was ponyish, but I didn’t realise how ponyish he really was un-...Wait. If you’re a princess. Then, that makes him a prince. Well, there’s still no way you can make us forget. You’re just a pony with wings and a horn that’s also bigger than normal. We’re dragons. We’re gonna win and smash that egg!” Garble declared as he and his fellow dragons charged Celestia.

Seeing this, Celestia drew her axe with her magic and swung the flat of the axe head into Clump’s head, sending him flying face first into a nearby tree. She dodged the attempts made by Garble and Spear to knock her into Spike by just a hair’s breadth each time.

“You two will be joining him soon,” Celestia told Garble and Spear, coldly. She swung her axe again and knocked Spear out cold, his body slumped to the ground.

“Any last words, young dragon?” Celestia asked as Garble stood rooted to the spot by both fear and disbelief in what he’d just seen a pony do. “You know, your basic knowledge about ponies is completely off. You didn’t even know that I’m an Alicorn and am the strongest kind of pony. You only have your own ignorance and personality to blame for this beating. Once you come to you should rethink how you handle situations. Oh, wait. You won't remember any of this. A pity. You really could use some time to think about how you handle situtations.”

“Uh...Uh...Wha-wha-wha...no, no, no. This can’t be happening!” Garble shouted before Celestia silenced him with the flat of her axe head.

“See, Spike? Dragon scales are tough enough that even hitting them on the head with a metal axe head only causes them to be knocked out.” Celestia said cheerfully.

“Yes, I see that, Mom. You’ve demonstrated your point quite well.” Spike deadpanned.

“I have, haven’t I?” Celestia said as she picked Spike up in her magic and placed him on her back. “Now, let’s get you, Twilight, and her friends back to Ponyville. And, Spike?”

“Yes, Mom?” Spike asked curiously.

“You’ll always be my son. No matter how big you get. So, if you’re having troubles, please, come talk to me about it. I’ll always make time for you.” Celestia said in a very motherly tone.

“Thanks, Mom. I really appreciate that.” Spike said with a warm smile. “Actually, could I stay with you tonight?”

“Of course, dear,” Celestia replied right before they came upon Twilight and the others.

“Is everything alright, Princess?” Twilight asked as she trotted forward to meet Celestia.

“Everything is fine, Twilight. I’m going to bring Spike back to Canterlot with me to keep an eye on him while we resolve what’s going on with his body.” Celestia told Twilight, gesturing to Spike’s bigger body and the two bumps on his back.

“Really? Oh, thank you, Princess! When I saw how much Spike had changed I was worried that we wouldn’t have the resources needed to help him, should he need help. I’ll be able to rest easier knowing that he’s with you in Canterlot.” Twilight babbled out.

“I’m more than glad to help out, Twilight,” Celestia said with a giggle. “Now, I must be going. I probably won’t you see again for another few months. Unless you decide to come visit.”

“Of course. Well, have a good flight, Princess. Make sure to behave yourself, Spike. I’ll come to visit soon,” Twilight said before teleporting the Rainbow, Rarity, and herself back to Ponyville.

“Shall we get going, Spike?” Celestia asked as she spread her wings.

“Yeah, it’s going to be nice to be home again,” Spike replied as he gently grabbed onto Celestia’s armor.

“It will be good to have you back, my son,” Celestia replied with a warm smile before taking off for the castle.

Spike lay on his old bed scratching at the bumps on his back that had grown since they had first appeared.

“Man, these things are itching up a storm. Wonder what they are? I mean, they’ve grown and itched, but that’s about it,” Spike complained as he continued to itch at the bumps.

“Hmm, I too wonder what they are. I have some guesses, but I’ll keep them to myself for now,” Celestia said as she walked into the room, Spike had been loud enough for her to hear him from outside.

“Hi, Mom. Yeah, guesses are about all I’ve got right now. I really hope that they tur-GAAAAAAH!” Spike cried out in pain a held his sides, chest, and back as best he could.

“Spike! What’s going on! Are you okay!?” Celestia said concern evident in her voice. She lit her horn and cast a continuous healing spell on Spike in hopes of easing his pain.

This continued for what seemed to be hours. When it ended, Spike lay there on his belly with two new wings that had a wingspan twice the length of his body.

“Well...at least...it’s over...and I...have some awesome...new wings...to boot,” Spike gasped out in between gulps of air.

“Yes, Spike. They are wonderful. Very suitable for a drake such as yourself,” Celestia said in praise as she examined Spike’s newest appendages.

“Think Draigo will teach me how to fly when he gets back?” Spike asked.

“I’m sure he’d be more than happy to, Spike,” Celestia told him with a smile. She was still worried about Draigo’s whereabouts and what was happening to him. “I’m sure Rainbow Dash would also be willing to teach you while he’s absent. I will be trying to summon him every now and then to hasten his return.”

Celestia left the room after making sure Spike was comfortable. She took out Draigo’s token and tried once more to summon him. The attempt failed, again.

“Where are you Draigo? Don’t you know how much you are missed and needed here? Can’t you feel me trying to summon you?” Celestia wondered as she walked to Luna’s chambers. “Luna and I have something to ask you when you return to us, Draigo. I just hope... that you are safe.”