The Dragon Lord Legacy
Prologue

Soft brushing with tingles ran up and down his body. He felt wet, warm and a gentle hum breach his senses. His mind was a fog, not lost in dark but a gentle warmth on a soon to be bright morning.

His mouth felt dry, longing for water or nourishment. His nose took in the smells and everything blurred with musky rock, sulfur and a familiar scent that brought him warmth in his heart. The brushing against his body continued and it felt odd, as if he was being rubbed with a giant warm wet hard towel. Great against his scales, but still odd.

Then it stopped. He felt… disappointed. Why did it stop? A soft whine left him, trying to gain back that wonderful feeling back. Then he heard a soft gasp. A muffled voice spoke through his ears. “Spike?”

He knew that name. He knew that name because it was his name. The voice, was warm, just like… whatever it was that was brushing him. Warm and soft, like soft silk on a nice clear sunny day. She. That’s what that voice was, a she.

“Spike?” The voice spoke again. This time, he gave a soft whine in acknowledgement. He wanted to move, but he felt fragile and tight. As if he hasn’t moved at all.

Another gasp left her and he felt hot air blow around him. “Please… please awaken!” It was gentle, yet eager. Why did she want him to awaken? Did she need him? Was she waiting for something?

He was still stiff, binded by the tightness of his body. He struggled and moved, slowly causing his limbs to awaken. A soft moan of displeasure left his nostrils. He was also sore, as if he hadn’t used his ligaments in months.
A large brushing feeling came over his body, warming him with wet warmth. “It’s alright… take your time. Just… please let me know you are trying to wake up.”
A pitiful whine left him and he tried to move his head. He twisted it softly to the left, the to the right. His claws twitched and he felt an ache in his back.

A gleeful restrained squeal left her and she whispered to him, brushing herself against him.
“Oh… my son! At last, you are coming back to us!”
To whom? His mind was foggy. Where did he go?

Finally, with a soft cry of annoyance, he moved his head and he tried to open his eyes. He felt large crustings, keeping it from fullying opening. He pawed at himself, trying to remove them but his claws missed and he sighed in annoyance. He felt the large wet warmth returned and brush along his face. He felt the wetness, albeit more sticky, as it cleared his face. It wasn’t just one brush, but several. Slowly the crusting came loose and he managed to open his eyes. As the last brush came, his vision slowly came to. First, very hazy with colors blending with a low lit area. Browns and reds along with blacks and orange filled his vision. He forcefully blinked his eyes, trying to adjust the lighting around him.

Slowly but surely, his vision slowly began to deepen with details. The warmth that filled the air was the lava pool that he was not too far from, which also explained the smell of sulfur. He was in a large cave. The smell of it was wonderful. It smelled like security, wonder, coziness and lastly… home.
His emerald eyes then looked up at the deep violet eyes before him. Moisture formed near the edges of the eyes, which sparkled with her color in the light of the fires of the cave. No fear, no awe, no negative thoughts came to him when he saw her.
On her muzzle, was a gentle smile. Something that made his heart beat with a glow. Her posture was protective, providing security to anything outside of his view, yet also showed some invitement, as if she wanted him to come close to her.
A small smile touched his own muzzle and he slowly opened his mouth to speak the first time in months.

“Mo-Moth… Mother?”

“Hello, my dear Spike. Welcome back.”

Spike let out a yawn before looking around him. The cave was comfortable but he felt something was missing, something else. He then looked back up at his mother.
“Mo-Mother?” he stuttered, still trying to rework his jaw. His voice was deep but not to strong or rough.

“Yes my son?”
“... Wh-Where… is… is….” Her features froze, waiting for the question. “Where is…”

The sound of large footsteps entered the cave.
“Love?” The voice echoed the cave.

Spike tried to peer over his mother’s shoulder. A large scarlett dragoness, that towered over his mother, came into view, carrying a large satchel on her side.
“Momma!” Spike cried out.

Zynthia stopped, seeing a woken Spike before her mate. Eliyinsa held a smile on her face, tears on her eyes and her posture was that of a mother introducing her hatchlings to the world.
“Sp-Spike?” She asked, in a shocked state.
“Momma!” He cheered, with his body trying to rise himself. However, his body was slow and wobbly. Fearing injury in his new, awakened state, she quickly lifted the satchel from her side, throwing it off to the side and made her way to them in a half crawled were she settled herself down next to her mate, a warm but still shocked smile upon her muzzle.
“Hello… Spike! So wonderful to see you awake!” She brushed her giant head against his little body. Spike leaned in and purred in his own right, while Eliyinsa also leaned in, brushing her own muzzle towards him.
The three dragons, enjoyed each other’s love, Spike practically feeling the love radiating from his two mothers. It was perfect for them, nothing but them, their backs against the world and their son before them.

Almost ten minutes pass between the family and Spike was the first to lean away from his mothers. Looking up at them, he looked at them with warmth but then curiosity slowly kicked in.
“Momma? Mother?”

“Yes?” both answered. However, Zynthia snorted and gave a look to her mate. “Wait, who was ‘momma’ and who was ‘mother’?” she questioned her mate in a somewhat irritated, but humour manner.
“Your ‘momma’!” Spike explained, a small wag on his tail began and a big grin on his muzzle. Zynthia sighed a bit of annoyance and when she looked at her mate, a large grin was plastered on her face.
“You been saying that to him in his sleep, haven’t you?”

Eliyinsa kept her smirk but then she focused on Spike. Leaning in, she brushed snout against him, earning another purr from him before she pulled out lightly and spoke gently to him.
“Spike… my son. What do you remember?”

Spike cocked his head to the side.
“Remember?” he asked, not sure he understood.
Zynthia nodded. “Do you remember anything before awakening?”

Spike looked confused. He then tried to recall something before waking up. Blurry images of sapphire scales and his claws causing someone to be hurt, with a few voices that were not his mothers’. But there was sadness and pain. A phantom pain ran up from the tip of his tail to his spine where he let out a small shiver. He turned his head to look down upon himself, trying to find out what had caused it. He looked at his claws, then towards his spine. His wings, which he wondered if he had always had them, felt tingly but that’s probably because he hadn’t used them yet, were okay. He gave a small stretch upon them, slowly opening the large purple membrane skin, albeit painfully and causing him to flinch.

The two dragonesses watched as he spread out his wings, waiting for his reaction towards them. However, Spike merely inspected them, as if he already knew he had wings, before looking down his spine and down to his tail. He then looked up at them, giving a quizzical look. “I-I-I remember…” he paused, as if trying to describe the feeling on him currently. “I remember pain,” Both females flinched and sorrow covered their features, in which Spike noticed. “I also remember sadness… and one of you crying. I-I remember I hurt… someone...” His features turned sad and his voice somber. “Did… did I do something bad? Did I hurt one of you?”

The truth was painful and it hurt more to see the young drake, who just had awoken not a moment ago, experience sadness at his past. Let alone, he couldn’t remember much of it. Both females realized that perhaps, Spike has lost his memories. Ponies, the trials, his origins and… Ember. For but a moment, both hope to spare the drake his feelings and let him explore his innocence, but the reality would be that Spike would have to learn sooner or later, what has been awaiting him.

Just a moment however, both females needed to quell their son’s sadness and it was their duty to take care of the needs of the young. Leaning in, Eliyinsa brushed her large snout against his smaller body, in which Spike almost eagerly returned. “No my son,” she spoke softly. “Nothing that affected anyone.”
“She is right, son.” Zynthia gently put in, as she too joined in brushing against him. “You are too young, too kind to cause any pain.”
With both mother’s giving him love and the gentle words that he sought, his body relaxed and he knew warmth like never before. Silently however, the two dragonesses held off on telling their Dragon Lord of his awakening.

Spike was too weak to do much, nor did he have the mental stability to handle what awaited him if he were to step outside. For the time, his two mothers’ entertained him as he tried to recover from his long sleep. Tales of their time as Advisor and Successor were spun. They also slowly reintroduce his body to food, such as gems, liquids and if need be, meat.
Then, they helped him ease back into fully using his ligaments. It was difficult at first, with him struggling to get rid of the pain of not using them for months. First, was him trying to stretch his claws, in and out of his palms from his arms and legs. Then came his tail, slowly moving it side to side and cracking any bones he had there. After came his wings, not flapping them, but stretching them out and then withdrawing them back in. Lastly was him trying to stand up. Due to his anatomy, he was a biped, but he began to crawl on all fours.
He felt embarrassed that he was learning how to crawl as a teenager. His mothers’ laughed at his struggling, despite his age and size. He fell down enough times to the point where he felt like he would cry out in frustration. However, his mothers quickly helped and assured him that with time, it would come naturally.

And so, the rest of the time, the family of three stayed inside the cave, ignoring the world outside, forgetting the past that lingered, and enjoying one another to the point where they felt complete. Spike had no other memories return to him that day and both dragonesses knew that they would have to tell him, but today was not that day.
They played with their son, laughing and enjoying each other in their own little games. Spike also enjoyed going into the lava pit, splashing the lava and even throwing some at his mothers. The lava also helped clean him up and made him restart his fire breath. He surprised himself when he burped out a flame, causing him to jump in shock, which only allowed his mothers to have more fun at him.
Reintroducing food was a small challenge, for his hunger was grand. However, he found out that he had favorites and dislikes from his mothers’ hoards. Rubies, sapphires, and emeralds were his favorite, but he didn’t like gold goins or copper. His mother, Zynthia, had left the cave earlier and had brought two elk to eat. When she retrieved the dead carcasses, she had removed any fur by pulling off a couple of layers. After which, she cut it to pieces with her claws and presented them to her son. Large slabs were put in front of him and he stared at them with some hesitancy.
Both females waited for him to start eating but watched as he stared at the large slabs of red meat in front of him. Not sure of himself, he looked up at them.
“What’s wrong son?” asked Eliyinsa.
He was staring up at her and then looked back down. He tried to find the words he was looking for, yet he was not sure how to answer. “I-I… I don’t know if it is right to eat this?”

Something clicked in both females and they glanced at each other. A knowing message was passed between them, without them speaking. ‘He remembers ponies.’ His memories might not all be there but he subconsciously knew that what he was eating might remind him of his past. Yet, both knew that he would have to eat some meat in order to compensate from his recent growth. From the information he had gathered from Ember from the Equestrians, Spike had only been raised on gems to eat, not much else. This caused him to stay at his current height and never really developed his wings early.
When he fell into his coma, he had so much energy in his body stored, that it began to expand in other ways. He went through multiple ‘molts’ in the eight months that he slept, rather than years most dragons do. His first molt had him grow wings, his next molt, he grew in length and body heat with his last molt, his body scales to become stronger. As is, his scales now surpassed diamond density along with sharper scales. Now that he had expanded all that energy into quick and early molts, now he had to keep the energy in his body, not just with simple gems but by iron located in the blood of other creatures.

His mind however, was still reeling that he had to eat another creature in order to stay active, healthy and even alive. Easing him into it, Eliyinsa answered her son.
“My dear sweet drake, it is necessary for you to eat meat in order to stay strong and healthy. I know you think it might be… different but I know that you will not have to worry about it.”
He listened but he still felt an odd feeling in his stomach. He half wondered if that was because he was feeling hungry for it or because something was nagging the back of his mind about it.
It was his second mother who weighed in and helped him. “My son, if you truly don’t wish to eat then don’t eat it. But, as your mother said, you need it to retain your energy and become stronger.”
A half whimper left him and he looked up at both of his mothers with sorrowful eyes. “So I have to kill another creature to live?”

It was a question never asked by normal hatchlings. Every dragon born, never questioned their sires or dams on where the food came from. They ate, they consumed and they never questioned why. The fact is, some meat is hard to come by here in the dragon lands with dragons only hunting in long periods of time. After they grew past the teenager stage, their bodies could be sustained through gems, but with high amounts needed or fish that was easily obtainable from the rivers and oceans nearby. They weren’t the tastiest but they kept a dragon from completely losing their minds on needing meat.

Spike’s case was that he never had either and it put him on the spot with his hidden memories holding him back. This could prove dangerous or even fatal for him the future. It was Elyinsa’s experience and intelligence that would hopefully make him understand this.
“There is a balance… my son.” She began softly and her eyes went a bit vacant as she began to tell him something that she had learned from her own mother. “There is a balance in the world and it must be upheld. What you recieve, you must give back. What energy you take, you must return it.” She then reached over and pointed her large claw at the slab of meat before him. “They are our energy, our source to remain in this world and they are what keep us forward. The same energy that we use, we will return it one day. Whether through the droppings we leave so it could help the green expand and grow or the time of our deaths and our bodies return to the earth, we return that energy. As long as you understand that balance, as you care for it, never hunting or eating more that your fill, you will never truly hurt the balance.” She paused and pointed with her snout the meat. “You, I and your mother, all share in that balance. We as dragons, as sentient creatures, must respect it. Never let a hunt be for game or pleasure. Be quick and make sure a creature never suffers. But please, eat my son, for you need it. You need not to suffer.” She paused then smiled. “If you truly don’t feel right about eating another creature, then pray. Everytime you eat or before you take upon flesh, pray to the creature and thank it for providing nourishment for you. Give thanks for it energy, then wish it a proper return to the next life. For a better or for a safe afterlife.”

Spike looked up at his mother in wonderment and awe. Her words easing him from his guilt with a confidence that made his heartbeat a little easier. He looked down at the meat before trying to think of something to pray but couldn’t. “How do I pray to it?”

Eliyinsa turned to Zynthia and the larger dragonesses thought for a moment before closing her eyes. “As I feast upon you, I pray that my claws were quick and sharp. As I take bite upon your flesh, I pray that your life next be grand and renewed. As I take your energy to be given to me, I pray for the balance to remain strong and just.” She opened her eyes and nodded. “That is a proper and more traditional way of doing it. You may do it silently if you wish. Few dragons know of the old ways, but if you are truly need to eat and have not time to say it all, speak truthfully when you do.” She then slightly bowed her head and closed her eyes. “Thank you for your body, may your soul be renewed and I pray for the balance.” She reopened her eyes and looked towards him. “After you finished eating, whatever you do not eat, make sure that the leavings are left so other creatures could feast on it or, bury them so the earth retakes some of its energy.”
Spike nodded and he closed his eyes with a small bow of his head. Both females watched for a few moments has he held himself like that, silently joining. He then looked up and gave a small smile.
“I-I feel better now.” Pride filled their hearts and Eliyinsa gave a happy growl.
“Good my son, now please eat. We wouldn’t want your food to spoil.” He looked back down and the sick feeling that was there earlier had all but left. Even the small tickling at the back of his mind left. He took a sniff, inhaling the dead carcass. The smell of iron rich blood, some rot and earthly tones filled his nostrils. He didn’t know what kicked his trigger, but when it did, he dove straight in and didn’t hold back.

They ate silently, while Spike tore at his food, his mothers picked in small picking of their food. If they were to really eat, they could eat the elk in one bite, so they savored their food.

When the feeding was done, so was their energy. Spike hadn’t known that the day had gone and went but his mother’s energies were spent. He had some to spare, but he was cautious along with his mothers, that he shouldn’t go outside yet. For now, continue to exercise his body and continue to get used to his limbs. The night approached the family and as did the coldness that it brought. Now that he was awake, Spike no longer had to sleep away from his mothers. Instead, he could sleep with them.
The earth beneath were they slept was nice and warm along with their giant bodies. He rest in between his momma’s forearms where she created a sort of surrounding for him. Eliyinsa laid near Zynthia’s forearms and her own. Zynthia then rested her head over and on top of her mate’s head.
Spike rested near Eliyinsa’s head where their day’s activities had worn them down.
“So are we going to go outside tomorrow?” he asked them.
“We will see, my little drake.” Zynthia gently answered. “You have yet to fully recover and we want you to be ready.”
“But I am ready now!” he half whined. “I can walk and move!”

“Yes, my son, but we must be patient. After all, you have yet to experience the world as is. Small steps must be taken before we leave.”

He sighed but nodded in agreement. A yawn left him involuntarily. “If I slept for so long, why am I so tired now?”

Both dragonesses chuckled.
“Well now that you have been back to your body’s normal routine, you might understand that you will go back to sleeping the same time as us.”

“But I am not that tired!”

His mother thought for a moment and hummed softly. “Perhaps… a lullaby will help you sleep, my son.” He looked up at her wondering what she meant. She then brushed against him lightly. “Close your eyes and I will help you fall asleep.” He softly nodded and lied his head against her hers. Zynthia closed her eyes, for she knew that her mate’s beautiful voice would also put her to sleep. She inhaled and softly exhaled, giving herself some room to speak and began softly, with a hum that started it.

Sleep, please sleep, my dear little hatchling.
The time has come, to sleep and dream.
Of skies and wings, to carry your dreams.
For the day will arise, when you will fly.

Let your heart soar high, let your wings touch the sky,
As you feel the sun on your back, the wind sweeps by.
Far and wide, you will fly, to the ends of the earth,
To the mountains and seas, to explore the world.
I know you will.

The stars will be your guide, through the day and nights,
Draco and Wistala, by your side, never far, never to hide.
They fill our hearts with courage and fire,
To light our world for a strong empire.

Lead not your heart into the dark,
We ignite our flames to the blight,
Never fearing those who hide.
We strike with claws and might.

So, please sleep, my dear little hatchling,
For the day will come, for you to fly.
My sweet wings, my sweet heart,
I’ll see you by and I see you far.

Spike was softly snoring, having almost immediately fallen asleep to the lullaby. Her beloved was not there yet, so she just continued to hum her tune, softly and without a missed beat, going into the night until her own tune sent her into a gentle, blissful sleep. That night, a family of three slept together, with the love that transcended many others.

Ember opened her eyes and felt the Scepter in her claw glow warm. She looked down upon it and wondered what it meant. Turning to her side, Amethyst and Smolder were laying against the warm body behind them, sleeping lightly with both holding each other.

“Something amiss, my Teardrop?”

Ember looked up to find the giant head of her mother looking down at her. Ember shrugged softly.

“I’m not sure, but the Scepter is telling me something.”

Her mother purred, trying not to wake her daughter’s hoard. “Perhaps… something is to come?”

“What?” she asked.

The large sapphire dragoness leaned her head down to her daughter, showing a glint in her eye. “Perhaps something that you have been missing for. Perhaps it is something that you have needed… for almost a year now.” The dragoness brushed her maw against her daughter. “As a mother, I believe that something grand is upon us and it will begin soon. Your rule, your life, whatever becomes of you and your hoard, that my teardrop will begin your legacy.”

Thanks to my editors RomeoDkat for helping me with this wonderful sequel. and Mrof for providing the cover art for the sequel. As it is now, the characters look like they do in the cover, even Spike now.
So one of the biggest inspirations for starting the sequel like this was a little video I saw years back and I have always wanted to start something like it like this. It was inspired by it as well as the next couple of chapters.

Not so much the entire story but the animation, the rebirth and so on.
My biggest story that I have wanted to write since I was young was of someone being reborn into a dragon. Spike here, esstentinally losing his memory is some part of it but it will be something else. I hope that you enjoyed this and trust me, this story will be updated more often than its predesscor! I also ask for constructive criticisms and not simple downvote. It helps to improve the writer!

Also before or after every chapter, I will include a song which brought out the best of the story through lyrics and music.

The Dragon Lord Legacy
Awakening

The morning came soon after, for Spike felt the new day in his mind body and soul. His eyes blurred as he opened them, bringing the vision of his mother’s large arms encasing him in a protective half circle. He yawned softly, exposing his white pearling sharp teeth before closing his mouth. Looking up, he saw his mother and momma both asleep still snoring lightly. His momma still had her head over his mother leaving him alone to his thoughts.

He then began to look around to find something to do. He kept wondering why yesterday they wanted him to remember his past. He knew what he needed too, right? He had two mothers, he was a dragon, he was a teenager and he… he…

He was a teenager, but with no memories of himself as a hatchling. He couldn’t recall much of life prior to yesterday. Vague memories come to mind, seeing himself as a short pudgy dragon. He remember other dragons, some that come to mind where sapphire, light pink and a few other giant ones. He also remembered names like his mother, Eliyinsa and his momma, Zynthia. He remembered…

… He remembered Twi… night? -bright? No, that didn’t seem right. Twi… might? No but the name felt really important for him to remember.

He realized that he would he wouldn’t get much of his memory, if that is what his mother’s were asking for, just by sitting around and doing nothing. Especially if he was just to stay inside the cave all day. He slowly moved away from his mother’s forearms, pushing against the ground with his front claws while raising his hind legs. A couple of cracks and stretches went through his spine. He then slowly settled his back end while sitting then slowly began to twist to the left until he cracked bones, then to the right with the same sound.

Spike cracked his head lastly, sending shivers down his spine for one final time. He had to learn these yesterday after being asleep for so long. According to his mothers, he had been asleep for eight months. After some sort of accident, his mothers’ explained he fell into a short coma. What the accident it was, they did not get to explain.

He slowly stood to his two hind legs, shakily and carefully standing up and standing tall, using his tail and wings to balance. The movements and sounds were enough to wake his mother up. Violent eyes slowly revealed themselves and she saw her son standing up, struggling a bit to move upright.

“Hmmm… my son.” she said softly. Almost startled, Spike wobbled and looked to his mother, giving a smile.

“Good morning mother.”

She gave a smile and yawned softly before replying. “Good morning son. What has you up early?”
He thought about it and answered. “I’m trying to remember the past.” His mother seemed uncomfortable when she heard that. She turned her head slightly and muttered lightly to Zynthia’s ear. He saw his momma groan softly, lifting her head of Eliyinsa’s head and laid it unto her forearms, while keeping her eyes closed. Once detached from her lover, Eliyinsa slowly rose to her feet. Spike watched as his mother stood stories above him, even with his growth spurt, and gave a couple stretches. Yawning once more, she motioned for her son to follow.

The young dragon walked alongside his mother, though she walked slower do to her size, and they both headed to the entrance of the cave.
Spike could smell a variety of different scent fill his nostrils. His eyes saw details with the strong light outside and he could hear the sounds of other dragons from the outside world. He slowed to a snail’s pace at the entrance, seeing the world bright and loud for him. His mothers’ cave was located towards the back end of the dragon lands, on top of a plateau and an overview of the valley. The morning sunlight came from the eastern side, facing them directly. He had to put his hand to shield his eyes. Fortunately, his mother provided some cover using her wing to directly cover him overhead. Seeing her wing, he managed to look up at, seeing conflict in her eyes.
“Mother?”

She looked down at him and finally sat on her haunches, bending her into a curve so part of the sun didn’t him directly but still gave him a view of the world.
“Tell me son,” she began, her eyes sparkling with the sun’s shine. “Do you remember anything at all? Prior today and yesterday?”
He tried once more but his mind was fuzzy and blurred by emotions. He shook his head. “I-I don’t mother.” He then looked at her sadly. “Why? Why can’t I remember anything?” He then followed up with. “Why did I have an accident? Did that damage me? Am I broken?”
Just as quickly as he said that, she brought her head down to his, brushing it against him. “No my son! You are not broken.” she affirmed strongly. “You are anything but broken.”

“Then why can’t I remember anything?” He sniffed, feeling his eyes slowly well up. “Why can’t you tell me what happened to me? What happened to make me lose my mind?”
She wished she could tell him, she wished she could tell him everything, but she knew that that would break him. To know that he was in trials to become something more than the Dragon Lord’s Consort. That he had to fight both of his mothers prior to him losing his mind. The fact that he actually physically hurt the one he loved, violently and that all this nearly killed him. But the truth of it all, the one that burned her most, was that he was not really her son, and that he was raised by ponies instead.

“My son…” she tried to think of something that could ease him into it. “What you went through… what happened to you, will be explained. I know you want to know everything but right now, I think that your mind is to fragile, to delicate and I don’t want it to overwhelm you. I don’t want to lose you again…”

“Again?” he asked, staring up at her sadness. “How did you lose me before?”
The question tugged at her heart strings and she was heavily conflicted. Perhaps if she had help or an advisor on her own she could… She paused at that and realized, perhaps if he had some sort of old memory, some sort of key to his past that he could latch onto, he would be able to gain his memories back. It might be risky but it would probably be better than her to tell him everything at once.
Leaning closer to him, she spoke softly. “Do you remember Ember?”
“Ember?” He thought of it, the name sounding so familiar and so warm, but when he tried to think of the dragon in question, it was a blur. He shook his head.
‘Baaka!’ she cursed inwardly. She hoped that maybe that would trigger something but it seemed for not. Perhaps then, it was time that Ember would be aware of her consort’s awakening. If he saw her, in front of her and physically, it would help him.
She saw a pair of dragons flying over head, low enough for her to call to them. “You there!” She roared to them. The pair of dragons looked down and saw the Advisor of the Dragon Lands calling. “Please send a word to Dragon Lord Ember. It is of utmost importance that she come hear the call of the Advisor!” Knowing it was a rule to listen to the Advisor, just like listening to the Dragon Lord, the pair of dragons nodded and quickly took off.
“Dragon Lord Ember?” Spike asked. “I-Is she the one I am supposed to remember?”
“She is, my son. Though my hope is that she will provide the help you need in your life. The one that may help your memories.”

When the message was sent, Spike had retreated inside, to alert his momma of the approaching Dragon Lord. Though with how quick dragons were, it was no surprise that the arrival of the Dragon Lord was quick, though she did not come alone.

At the entrance, Elyinsa waited for Ember and her hoard to arrive. She saw the sapphire dragoness carrying the Bloodstone Scepter along with her light purple and orange hoard come flying in rapid succession. The three landed gently, with them approaching the Advisor and bowing. Eliyinsa returned the bow and gave a warm smile.
“Dragon Lord Ember.” She then nodded to her hoard. “Amethyst. Smolder.” she greeted them. The two waved back in polite.
“Why did you call for me?” asked Ember. “Is it about Spike?” she asked, almost desperate to learn of what has happened. In the last eight months, Eliyinsa had told and shown the changes Spike had gone through, including his three molts.

Eliyinsa gave her a small sad smile.

“It is,’ she answered gently. “He has finally awakened.” Ember’s eyes went wide and tears formed at her edges. The other two also looked excited at the news. However, it was quickly quelled by Eliyinsa’s somber tone. “However…” she began. “Something has happened to him. He in fact woke up yesterday but… we didn’t foresee an issue that he has developed.”

Worry filled Ember’s heart as did her hoard. “What issue?”

Before she could answer, Spike called from inside the cave.

“Mother? Is she here?”

Without waiting for permission to enter, Ember quickly shot into the cave. Eliyinsa cursed again inwardly, pursing her in and was followed by the other two.

Ember flew into the large cave. It was there at the center, near the other dragoness, was Spike. Ember stopped to a hover before dropping to her feet and stared at the drake. She was in awe, happiness and heartfelt as she looked at him.

Ten months had passed and in those ten months, he had changed. She didn’t watch it personally, but she would come to see his changes when she was alerted to them. He had grown in height, passing her by a few inches. He was broader now, bulkier albeit more toned to a point. Wings sprouted from his shoulder blades, where they were longer than he was tall. His snout was longer, with a set of sharp teeth that made her shiver. And lastly was his eyes. More slit than they were when he was smaller not to mention he had much more depth to them.

Their eyes met for a moment and it was but a moment that Ember all but jumped at him. Spike never saw it coming, as the sapphire dragoness almost tackled him to the floor in a strong, emotional hug. She began to ball her eyes out to him, almost incomprehensible babble. As this was happening, Spike was left confused and somewhat shock that a Dragon Lord was crying, let alone crying on him. He looked passed to his mother and saw that she too, was conflicted on how to approach this situation.

Ember however, finally noticed after a bit of holding him, that despite the heat radiating from his body, there was no warmth in return. She felt… confused and wasn’t sure what had caused it. Slowly separating herself from him, she looked at his eyes and saw… confusion etched across his face. His features, his body, his whole outlook towards her, made it seem as if he, didn’t recognize her. Shakily, she looked at him and wondered if that was true. “S-Spike?”

He blinked and cocked his head. “Uh… yes, Dragon Lord Ember?”

Her heart instantly snapped and fear shot up her spine. Before she could fully breakdown her situation, Eliyinsa quickly got between them.

“My son, why don’t you go and find some of our best gems for the Dragon Lord and her hoard? It is impolite to allow one such as herself into our home without an offering. Spike looked up at her and nodded.

“Alright mother.” He then looked at the conflicted Ember with warm eyes. “Don’t worry, I will find the best one for you.” With that he turned around and walked towards his mothers’ pile without much of a second thought.

Out of ear’s reach, Ember struggled to speak and stand. Her legs felt wobbly and her heart felt cold. Fearing her fall, both Amethyst and Smolder quickly jumped to help her stand, with them easing her to a sitting position. Eliyinsa sighed and sat on her own haunches.

“As I said, there was an issues when he awoke.”

Ember looked up at her somberly, tears running from her eyes. “He lost his memories.” She simply stated.

Eliyinsa nodded. “Just about everything. Over the months, me and Zynthia have been only speaking to him about our past lives as well as how we are his mothers in his sleep. We didn’t realize that as he fell into a coma, he had lost everything but what we told him in his dreams.” She then quickly added. “If we had known that, I would have made sure that he would have remembered you more importantly.”

Ember felt conflict with a mix of emotions ranging from anger, to sadness, pain and frustration. Months of waiting for her consort… no, the one that she loved, to return to her arms, but he is taken away from her again. How much pain did she had to endure in order to be happy?

Eliyinsa felt for the younger dragoness and leaned in.

“I’m sorry, Ember, truly. But I felt that it be best if you were here. If he saw you, I thought maybe he would gain some memory back or recognize you.”

“But he didn’t.” she stated a bit bitterly. Her anger surged a bit forward towards the Advisor. “He hasn’t remembered anything, other than you being his mother.”

“Something that he needed.” Eliyinsa answered almost just as sharply but she sighed and her voice soften. This caused the three younger dragons to gaze upon her in question. “I’ve seen his mind before he fell into the coma. I seen his past and what the ponies have done to him.” Her upper lip curled in small anger. “How often they put him in danger, how much harm they have caused him physically and mentally, playing with him as if was some sort of pet.” She shook her head in disgust. “No proper parents of their young would dare allow their young to endure such cruelty.”

Ember seemed confused but also distraught at the news she was given. During her months of dealing with the bombardment of letters from the Princesses, she read on how they cared for Spike, checking back on his status every few weeks. They constantly beg to be given access to approach and even try to help with Spike’s coma, but she wasn’t sure if their magic would work or make it worse.

“B-But if it weren’t for them, he wouldn’t be here. None of us would be as we are? It was the ponies that taught him how to be kind, caring, loving and more.”
“But it was the same creatures that only taught him that, that they also endanger him.” A small snort left her with a plume of smoke leaving her nostrils. The plume floated up to the ceiling where it dissipated. “The amount of times his life has been nearly lost, or the amount of times they forget that he has been of use, or that he hasn’t received a hatchday, or birthday as they call them. Tell me Dragon Lord Ember, do you believe that until his mind recovers, that we should let him know that he was raised by those whom endangered him at youth, or should we continue to raise him properly, and how to be strong and powerful, but still keep him kind and loving at heart?”

Ember didn’t respond, for she didn’t know how to. She liked the idea of Spike being taught how to be a dragon, how to stay strong and even continue to be kind and caring. Its for that reason she loved him. But why would it be right for them to ignore his past, remove it from him and deny him his return to his home.

Her thoughts were interrupted with the approach of Spike and Zynthia. In his arms, Spike held three, large gems. A giant sapphire, an amethyst stone and a amber diamond, each matching the dragonesses. He handed them out each individually.
“I don’t exactly know which ones you may like so I kinda did it based on scale color. Hope none of you don’t mind.”
Smolder and Amethyst looked delighted with their respective colors. After handing them out to them, he handed the giant sapphire to Ember, whom looked at it with wonder. Being a Dragon Lord, she had no shortage of gems, rocks and jewels of all kinds. Yet, what made this personal was that it was handed to her by the one she loved, yet she could say it to him, for he felt nothing back. It was truly heartbreaking but, with all the dexterity she had remaining from earlier, she gave him a smile and held back tears. “Thank you, Spike. I… I apologize for what happened right now. I am just… relieved that you are awake.”
Spike gave a smile as he handed it to her.
“As am I, Lord Ember.”
“Please, just called me Ember.” Please, just call me Ember and say you remember, she thought. She then moved on with another topic. “I am glad that you are well, though from what your mother has told me, you are missing memories?”
He nodded, feeling a bit shy. “Yeah, mother and momma, are trying to help with that. I want to remember all I can since my ‘accident’ they told me I had ten months back.”
Ember shot an eye to Zynthia and from the corner of her eyes, tried to make it known to Eliyinsa. It was brief, but it got through.

“Well, I was there when it happened and I hope that I can also help you gain your memories back as well. Yo… It is most important for you to gain them back.” She spoke a bit loud and with a small edge in her voice, targeted to the two larger dragonesses. “I hope that with the help of your mothers, that they help you remember everything that you need to…” she paused and brought a claw hand to his head, brushing it gently. “... to come back to us… all and whole.” She saw a small reaction, his eyes glowed a bit and he even looked lost into her own eyes with her gentle claw. He slightly rubbed his moved in closer and wanted the feeling to last. However, he was left confused a bit more, his eyes betraying a hazy look. Was he remembering the first he was held like that by her or was it just the feeling of having something like that happened to him? Neither of them both knew for sure.

He didn’t respond to her but just nodded. She smiled and then turned to her hoard. “Unfortunately, I could only come briefly, and I must return to my duties. I hope for more updates from you and your mothers. Me and my hoard will take this,” she lifted their gems in claws. “To go and enjoy them when we can.” She then turned to Eliyinsa and Zynthia, giving a small bow. “I thank you both for inviting me in your home and hope that in the future, we could truly enjoy each others company.” Bitterness were filled in her mouth that only the two dragonesses could detect, yet they dare not bite down at her. As is, this was a troubling meeting, none expected
“We will try our best to educate our son with the past,” Eliyinsa commented lightly, not showing any emotion towards Ember. “And hopefully, more of your visits would be beneficial for all of us, especially Spike.”
Spike nodded once more, but his gaze lingered on Ember, feeling a tug at his heart. Something that he hadn’t felt before, or maybe he had. Eliyinsa began to walk the small trio of dragons out to the cave. Spike watched them go and he felt the pull more and more. Before she fully left however, Ember turned around and quickly walked back to him, halting the others and waiting for her.
Ember walked up to Spike, her amber eyes meeting his emerald ones. She spoke softly to him, gentle and warm, close to his head. “Please remember. Whatever happened before, trying and remember but don’t let it consume you. You have a good life here, a great one, but don’t forget the one you had before.” He didn’t know how to answer her, but what happened next truly threw him off. Ember leaned in, briefly blew a gentle flame over him, that covered his face and dissipated quickly. He was surprised by it, like the first he was hit with it, and looked at Ember with awe. She gave him a smile, a sad one but one that showed much more than sadness. She really wanted him to remember his past and it showed that she was part of it.
With that, she turned and headed back out of the cave. She gave a brief wave. “Goodbye Spike. I hope to see you well soon.” He was still reeling from the ‘kindle’ he just received from her, though he was able to give a small wave back.
“Good… bye… Lor- Ember.” She smiled and walked out to meet her hoard. A few last words were said to each party before the trio dragonesses took off.

Eliyinsa came back, a bit moody and she seemed to be peeved. However, managing to hide it, she looked at her mate then at her son, giving him a smile. Looking at his mother, Spike briefly brushed his snout where she left her claw and the warm, feeling in his on his face.
“Mother?” he softly asked.
“Yes my son?”
“Is… is she really important to me?”

His mother nodded and lowered her head.
“She is, my hatchling, more than you know. And she is right that we need to try everything to gain your memories back. But… we need to do them slowly, as I said.”
His heart felt like it was being pulled and guided towards where Ember was at. The ‘kindle touch’ she left on him was somehow, so very familiar and warm. It was a hazy experience, something prior to his sleep, yet it was so wonderful and amazing, that when she did it, something triggered at the back of his mind. A deep, rooted memory that briefly, if only momentarily, brought a memory of him and her.

“What was that?” He remember asking her.
“It was a Kindle Touch or Kindling.” She told him

Yes, it was a Kindle she gave him and he liked it… no, he loved it and the warm feeling in his heart is what made it fluttering mad with something he thought his mothers could give but when Ember did it, it wasn’t just kind or care. His mothers did it because they loved him, as any parent would. But this was something more, this feeling was something that he felt was part of his memory and it was the small piece of a very large puzzle that he needed to gain his memory back.

“Kindling.” He thought out loud.

Both of his mothers looked at each other and smiled.

“Yes my son. She gave you a ‘Kindle touch’ or ‘Kindling’ if you remember correctly. It’s what me and your momma do to you and each other. Its a sign of affection and love.”

He nodded and for some reason, that made it all the more confusing as to why she did it. Did Ember love him? Were they somehow close to each other? If they were, it made him feel horrible that he couldn’t remember it. His eyes saddened at the thought and he wished to know what would it take to help him learn about Ember and himself.

He would do anything to gain back something that had been taken from him. He just hoped that if is past was to be uncovered, would there be parts he didn’t like. A sudden memory came up to him, where he encountered his first Kindle. It was sudden when it was done and it was by her...

“Ember!” he called out to her, quickly placing his claws on her arms. “I'm not mad or anything. I just… do not understand. Why did you blow fire in my face?”
“Forgive me Spike. I quickly forget that you still don't understand all the Dragon customs yet. For what I did though, it was something personal and only dragons that have affections for one another do.”
“I kinda like it. I am glad you uh… like me that much, Ember.”

He remembered that, very vividly and it was Ember who gave him that kindle. “Ember.”

Ember and her hoard all landed back inside their cave, where Ember immediately dropped to her knees with a sob leaving her. Amethyst and Smolder are quickly by her side, supporting her. She then finally broke and began to cry, with the two dragonesses holding her as best as possible.

Spike had awakened, but he hadn’t come back to her.

So this will start off slow and the focus will be on Spike. It was supposed to be one chapter and done but I decided to expand the idea a bit more. But now comes the issues of his family and I think that for any family, there would always need to be drama.Either way every 3 to 5 chapters will tackle a new issue and will hoepfully bring everything I have planned full circle.
I have some references hidden there so good luck! I thank my favorite editors for the work and also glad this came out soon. So hopefully I can keep it up and throw another one next week

The Dragon Lord Legacy
Conflict

Evening was fast approaching for Spike and his two mothers as they went back and forth on how to regain his memories while trying to adapt into his setting. Despite him gaining normal motor functions and understanding his biology a bit, he was still unaware of what he was fully capable of.

The first was the use of his wings. He seemed to think of them as odd, feeling like he never had them before. “You didn’t,” his momma told him. “Prior to your incident, you didn’t have them. You went through your molting faze and gained them after.”

He gave them a few flaps, not trying to fly, but mentally trying to understand his new ligaments. This skin membrane on his wings matched his belly scales, though a touch of light green blended at the edges. The actual wing bone sprouted from his two shoulder blades. The top of his wing where it bent, had a large talon on top that he could weave or dab if he were low enough to the ground or use it as an extra appendage to grab a hold of other things. The wing then curved down to a sharp tip. The height was two thirds of his body length with part of the top passing his head. The width of his wings were at least five and a half feet across, roughly a foot more than his height. In all, he had grown from a pudgy, short two foot dragon, to a five and a half foot tall dragon.

But during his molts, he also changed more than he realized. His scales were denser, much more rugged, and stronger. His mothers mentioned this to him as they were cleaning him over his coma.

“You were soft scaled, not too soft but neither were you able to handle so much. Now that you have grown, your scales will strengthen as you mature more. Plenty of meats and solid gems, maybe an occasional iron or two will make you stronger than the most hardened diamonds!”

His last, most intriguing trait to come from his rapid molts in the eight months, was his flames. He had sneezed yesterday, which was the first time he exhaled a flame in almost a year. However, instead of the normal emerald green and light green that he would exhale according this his mothers, he now a brighter green and a standing white mixed yellow. He was also able to hold it now for extended periods of time. But that… was just the beginning.

“What I want to teach you my son,” began Zynthia. “Is how to harness and control your fire with not just your breath, but your body and mind.” With that, Zynthia brought one of her paws close to maw. She then blew out a small flame and held the flame in her claw, closing her mouth and showing him the flame still burned upon her palm. His eyes lit up with awe, seeing his mother hold or cradle her own red and pinkish flame in her palm. The flame danced in her claws, as if she had a source of energy or fuel to keep it there and burning.

“This my son, is how dragons control fire from within. This form of fire manipulation has it where you bend it to your will. Control it from a distance, on your body, to the temperatures and so on. Firebreaking is the form of breaking the rules of normal fire bending and using it for other forms.”

He watched as the flame continued to dance on her claws before spreading across her wrist, slowly travelling up, until once it past her shoulders, the rest of her body caught on fire and she ignited in a bright flame. Spike jumped in surprise at seeing his momma on fire, his own eyes lighting up in amazement and joy. He laughed as his momma gave a smile and danced lightly with her flaming body.

She gave a twirl, flashing her mate with a dance, and even spreading her wings to show that they were also on fire, dancing above and below them in pink flames. With the raise of her right leg, she brought it down hard and the stomp extinguished her flames instantly. Her eyes gleamed as smoke continued to leave her body until it dissipated.

“That my son, is Firebreaking.”
“Whoa,” he said in awe, his eyes still wide with amazement. A grin formed on him. “So, any dragon can do that?” he asked excitedly.
“Any dragon with fire in their blood, has the potential to do it, but it mostly caters to females.” His mother commented, sniffing her mate from afar. A smile formed on her, winking at her lover outside of her son’s view before looking down at him. “Males don’t pursue it because it could take years to decades, even centuries to fully master it.”
“She is right, Spike.” Zynthia furthered the conversation. “Most males think its a waste of time, energy and even believe its useless, because why waste learning to control your flames if you can just spit it out from your mouth?” She mocked. “In sadden truth, Firebreaking is a dying form and I fear that eventually, dragons will forget this in teaching their young. It is not just a form of controlling fire, but it also is part of history.”
He nodded in understanding before perking his head. “Did you teach anydragon how to do it?”
She nodded. “Many have come and have learned from me. I, while not being the full master of Firebreaking, I am one of the few elders that can control it at a much larger level than many of the dragons in the valley.” She paused then leaned down. “Ember, while not able to fully control it, is one of the few that I have taught to harness and master the ability. She can control it, on a rough level only within her sight but has gotten farther than many have before her.”
This peeked Spike’s interest immensely. The subject of learning something as difficult as Firebreaking and being able to show Ember, might make it easier to talk to her next time. Find a proper topic and maybe regain memories.
“Wait, did I know how to do this before?” he asked.
“The way you were raised, I doubt that you were properly taught anything…” Bakka! She spoke before she could think, as Zynthia instantly regretted it. Eliyinsa also feared the words that her made just released. She wanted to correct her but it was too late.
“The way I was raised?” He asked. “I-I thought you both raised me?” He then saw their faces flinch and worry quickly filled his heart. “You… you both didn’t raise me? B-Before the incident?”
The two mothers quickly found themselves in a bind. Ember wanted him to regain his memories, including ones about the ponies whom truly raised him to before they got him. Their fears of him rejecting him however were the more upsetting parts of this. Eliyinsa, being the one of the most intelligent dragons in the lands, decided to take this to a new approach.
“My son, before you think that we are not or never have cared for you, please know that what happened in the past, happened in its own way. We may have not raised you, but after the incident, we took you under our wing to make sure you recovered.” She then leaned her head down to meet his eyes. “I promise you that, whatever memories resurface, whatever past you may uncover, we will always be there to help you move past it. We may not have given birth to you, that I am sure you are aware of now, but we will still care for you as if you are our own.”
“She and I will take care of you,” Zynthia moved in as well. “We want you to remember, but we also don’t want you to be filled with pain or sadness if you start to remember.”

His eyes looked into both of his mothers, for he could feel the truth coming from them. However, there was something more to this. His mind needed to expand and more to remember his past. “You would talk to me in my sleep,” he commented, slow but almost clear voices of his mothers echoing in his mind. “You both were there in the darkness, telling me about your lives, your roles. You told me about dragons, history, and life around me. Yet… you never talked to me about my past. Why?”
“We had no idea you lost your memory, son.” His mother answered truthfully. “We were not aware that you would wake up with a blank slate, so to speak.”
“The things we spoke to you in your sleep,” continued Zynthia. “Were things we wanted you to know about us. Ember, prior to your incident, told us you only had some basic understandings of dragon history. We talked to you about that. We spoke about how dragon culture continued, how we came to be now and were the blood ties of dragons lie. Our history, your mother’s and mine, were just what we did to become who we are. An Advisor and a Successor, our roles in Dragon Lord history and how we met.”
Spike understood all that. Most of it, they repeated to him in his sleep. He knew of dragon history. His memory was filled with that, but he was not aware of the history before his incident, before his own awakening the day prior. Ember was but a hazy vision and memory for him. He couldn’t even remember his own youth, which troubled him greatly. Then the big question finally came to mind.
“Who were my parents?” That left the two mothers at a terrible uncomfortable silence. Spike saw their features in a wave of emotions, especially their eyes.
“W-We… we don’t know, my son.” Eliyinsa said sadly. “I wish, I truly do wish I could tell you but we do not know. Your memories… revealed that you were left as an egg…”
“I was abandoned?” he asked in total disbelief. Tears formed at the end of his eyes and he felt his heart quicken in pace. “I-I-I wasn’t even cared for before I hatched?”
Just like that, he went into a frenzy and depressive state. Both of his mothers quickly tried to calm him down.
“Spike please calm down! We know this is difficult but you still have us!”
“We can take care of you know! You never have to be alone again!”

He pushed away from them, as he tried to remember anything from his past. He began to shake his head in anger, moving away from his mothers as they tried to ease him down. As he did, his mind began resurging back, waves of emotions and memories hitting him.

… he was in his egg, screams of his birth mother echoed around him.
… darkness until a warmth like the sun incomposing him.
… then a bright flash, unprocessed feelings and colors filling his mind.
… power unlike any other filling him, then a purple mashed face staring at him, along with a beautiful face of white, staring at him with adoration.
… Ember’s face staring at him, wonderful orange eyes looking into his own emerald ones, love radiating from her and hope for them in the future.
… he then remember him hurting her, pain because he hurt her, followed by anger and rage, his body experiencing agony like anything before.

He screamed in pain as the memories began to tore at his mind. He dropped to his knees, claws trying to dig into his head as waves of agony came at him, squeezing his eyes tight.
“Eliyinsa, do something!” He heard his momma scream.

Spike then felt large claws lock around his body. He yelled in protest and tried to remove himself, doing everything he can to dislodge himself. Pulling up to her face, Eliyinsa finally spoke to Spike.

“Open up your eyes, Spike!”
Spike managed to open them through the pain and saw his mother’s deep purple eyes.
“Sleep,” was all she commanded as they glowed brightly and just like that, Spike’s mind went hazy before he slumped on her claws and fell asleep. The pain faded and he found himself softly breathing, with his memories fading into the back.

They set him upon their sleeping area and allowed him to calmly rest while they moved away from him. Eliyinsa began to pace the area in anger and sadness. She allowed him to be hurt… again. This time intentional and with it nearly sending him back to a deep sleep. Luckily, it was a soft one but nothing ever came easy.
“How could I have been so stupid?!”

“You are not the one whom reminded him that he wasn’t raised nor hatched by us.” Her mate countered, trying to take the blame. “I slipped, I told him that we didn’t know of his past…”
“Something we both should have told him, something both of us should have mentioned as he woke.”
“Then he would ask who raised him,” Zynthia mentioned. “He would ask about how he came to be here, where he came from and so on. As it is, we want to raise him right, not the way the Equestrians had done so.”
“But they are the reason he is the way he is! They are the reason he is kind, loving, generous and so much more. I can only name a few dragons in my claws that have a personality like that.” She sighed and her mood dampened. “Ember is right that we have to tell him of his origins. Including how he was raised by the Equestrians.”
Zynthia snorted in disdain, looking away from her mate. She didn’t like how it was all true. He wouldn’t be the kind or sweet drake that he was now if it weren’t for them, but it would also be ill to forget their wrongful mistreatment of Spike.
“Should we tell him all about they raised him? Should we tell him how he came for the sake of Ember?”
Eliyinsa hesitated, moving her head side to side. “I feel as if right now, its too much. He must be slow to remember his past. If we do it too quickly, it might overwhelm him, like right now. We need to do it at a rate that he could adjust.”
Zynthia nodded, though she eyed her mate.
“Why not use…”

“I rather he not fully understand how I use my… abilities, to read or tap into the minds of others.” She cut her off. “If anything, that last thing I want him to reveal to the Equestrians that dragons have magic and abilities outside of their knowledge. Plus, it makes others uneasy when I use them,” Her tail wagged in annoyance and scratching the metal band around it scratch the floor. “The bind is punishment as is.”

Zynthia understood, staying silent. She leaned down and brushed her snout against his body, sniffing him and making sure he was still sound asleep.

“So what do we do then?”

Eliyinsa shook her head.

“I feel the need to clear my head. I still feel angry at myself for making him sleep, rather than calm him down.”

“It was necessary.”

“And also a risk. Bad enough that he is going to wake up with questions and answers, I, you or even Ember won’t have.”

“Why not tell the Equestrians he has awaken then? They would love to know that he has.”

“Perhaps, but I doubt they would understand that he has lost all of his memories. If the previous incident hadn’t caused an international turmoil, this will.”

“What of Ember telling them?”

Baaka! She forgot that Ember had left with that knowledge. A soft rumble vibrated from her throat before responding. “I believe that Ember won’t tell them. She is smart enough to know that revealing Spike’s memory lost, may not help us.” She then walked past her mate and headed to the entrance. “I need to breathe, I just want some time to myself.” She then turned her head to her mate. “Perhaps I can find a solution for us.”

Zynthia nodded and blew a small flame from her maw to her mate. It wasn’t meant to reach, but merely showed she still cared for her mate. Eliyinsa smiled at the gesture returned the kindle before walking out of the cave. Zynthia settled herself with Spike, lying on her belly and using her arms to encompass him, bringing his head closer to her arm. She then began to gently hum to him, for she was not as good as singing, she hummed the tune her mate would.

Eliyinsa immediately took wing as she left the cave, expanding her large wings and using the warm desert winds to rise high. The sun was all but below the horizon now and the stars began to twinkle in the night. The moon held its just glow that illuminated the area giving it a pleasant view. Dragons roamed around, not active as during the day but soft mingling and enjoying the warmth from the rivers of lava or nightly activities.

Mates and friends took flights around, the night having little effect to their visions. From the sky, Eliyinsa enjoyed the soft cooling winds that came, not too cold that it would affect her but a nice lukewarm that made gliding a breeze. She allowed her thoughts to wander, as she tried to find a solution for her Spike, Ember and her mate.

To let Spike remember his past, was for him to remember everything about how he grew up with the ponies. He would remember why he came to the dragon lands to help Ember and become her consort. He would remember the trials. He would remember the pain, the agony he suffered, not just to himself but to Ember and Zynthia. But most likely, he would remember his past before he hatched, a time when his awareness outside of his egg was hazy.

She was only able to briefly experience it, since he himself was unaware of the vague memory. His own mother, had either abandoned him or… something happened to her and she left him. Why? Who was she? And how did it happen that Spike’s egg got left with the ponies? It just doesn't make sense.

According to Ember, she had asked the Princess of Equestria, one of them that is, on Spike’s origin. According to her, his own memories and part of the history she gathered, he was hatched by the magic of his caretaker’s magic during some sort of test. With it, she managed to hatch his egg and after, took care of him. His older memories were vague at best, but she did saw that for a period of his life, he was taken care of by the elder Princess of Equestria, the ruler of the sun. He saw her as his mother and his caretaker as his sister.

She inwardly growled at that. She stopped in mid flight, using her wings to slow her speed until she hovered in the air. Why did she dislike that? Why did she hate the idea of the ponies raising Spike? What was the animosity towards them when they are the reason he is the best dragon out of thousands?

Jealousy? She didn’t get to raise him?

Anger? Him having not grown up properly but still managed to be a great dragon?

Or was it the fact that he is still the enigma of them all? That his past is shrouded to even the ponies? That he himself has gone through numerous of tragic yet amazing adventures. He became a saint amongst the creatures different from him. What values he gain by being raised by non dragons?

He was raised by ponies, that was the fact that he was who he is. He should remember the values of creatures that have been a part of his history. She gave a heavy sigh, hating herself for doubting the ponies but she knew that they were also full of flaws… just like dragons. She dared to hope that they were lenient towards the incident and were prone to holding a grudge.
She took a gentle glide and made her way to the Dragon Lord’s cave. If anything, the first time Ember encountered Spike, she had expected him to be the one that left her eight months ago. Earlier, she met a dragon who was not himself. It was up to her and Ember to help him remember who he was and what he became the dragon that he is now.

Approaching the large cave, she moved to the area where large dragons could only enter with their heads, like Torch. However, she was the smaller than him, so she could fully fit her body, albeit in tight conditions.
“Lord Ember?” she called from within the cave. “May I enter? It is I, Eliyinsa.”
“You may.” Came an immediate response. The larger dragoness shimmied her way in, though trying not to fully enter, her body slimmed its way to the entrance and she saw the dragon lord, along with her hoard near her. Ember was looking up at her, confusion mixed on her face but concern filled her voice. “Is everything alright? How is...he?”
The larger dragoness shook her head in denial.
“No better than before. In fact, we may have slipped.” She sighed angrily. “We accidentally revealed to him we were not responsible for his upbringing nor whom was his sire or dam. This upset him and he became frantic. I had to… put him to sleep.”
Ember’s eyes went wide, with a wave of emotions cascading over her features. Eliyinsa nodded but continued on. “I know it is difficult right now with all this, but for his sake, I think that we should try to get him to remember his past. All of it. Ponies, the trials, us… you.” She lowered her head to the Dragon Lord. “You are the key that may give him his memories back. When you gave him his kindle, he seemed to remember you more specifically, a hint of something before. That is why I believe that we are to gain back the Spike we… you’ve lost, that we slowly ease his mind with his past.”
Ember acknowledged the Advisor’s words, knowing she was just as intelligent but fear and concern clouded her judgement.
“B-But he didn’t remember me at all. What good would that help if he couldn’t fully remember his own consort? Would I also have to remind him how he went and suffered for the trials? Or how he separated himself from me when he…” She didn’t finish, for the memory was too painful… literally and mentally.
Eliyinsa nodded in understanding. “I’m aware that there are some… unpleasant parts but if we focus on the positive aspects, it would benefit him. The negative should come after. Before anything, we should target your’s and his relationship prior to this. Before the trials, your friendship, the Gauntlet of Fire and so on. After that, then we could slowly remind him of the family he had, before coming here.”
“Should we not just contact Twilight and the others to come and aid? Maybe this is the best if…”
“If we wish to avoid more turmoil than as is.” Interrupted Eliyinsa. “As is, not only have we caused him to suffer for the trials, but we have indirectly erased his mind and fill it with the only history he knows and that is us. For eight months, we spoke to him in his sleep about the history of dragons, culture, names, anatomy and so on. All of that is currently in his head, including how we were his mothers, how we care for him, who we are and why we love him.” A sorrowful sigh left her. “I wish we would have know this sooner but it would not help any of us, if we were to explain to the Equestrians that Spike is not who he is because of our faults.”
“We should atone for our mistakes, Eliyinsa.” Ember said a bit firmly. She swallowed any sadness she had and held strong against the Advisor. “Whatever they say or do, we have to atone. Even if it means they want us to get into a conflict.”
She dared not deny the wise words of Ember but she would also not her to foolishly push for it. With her own firmness, she gave a serious stare at her.
“And how many dragons, outside of yours, would ever go to conflict for a single dragon? How many dragons would want to go to war for the sake of one? Bleed or die, even at the word of their Dragon Lord?” Ember gaped at the Advisor, unable to believe at what she had just heard from her. Eliyinsa pushed on, still trying to dissuade Ember. “I dare not call you stupid for saying we should stand by our mistakes and face the wrath of the Equestrians, but I am saying, be aware that they are quick to judge and should not be taken lightly. To return Spike as a broken dragon to them, would no doubt believe that we are nothing but monsters and mindless beasts, only for them to gain reason to go to war with us.” She withdrew her head away from Ember. “Its needless conflict, Lord Ember. If you want to truly secure and establish a proper relationship with them, let us first deal with one of their own and bring him back to their graces, whole.”

Ember didn’t speak but the emotions that ran across her face spoke volumes and it was not how she wanted her night to end. She hated Eliyinsa for even trying to dissuade her from trying to seek aid from Twilight, let alone escape punishment. Eliyinsa was not an Advisor for nothing. She was meant to be quick with her tongue, intelligent in conversations and mindful of any future situations. Ember saw her as the greatest teacher in all of the dragon lands and is the reason why she was smarter than the most dragons. Knowledge was power and the more you had, the more you had advantage on the weaker minds.
What made Eliyinsa even smarter than many dragons out in the world combined, is that she had abilities which were rare on dragons. Her abilities to read the minds of others, see into their history, and if she truly had full control, be able to control their minds, made her a dangerous dragoness.
She could be kind but manipulative, supportive but controlling, intelligent but cold. Outside of the view of her mate and the few she trusts, she is a steady, silent manipulator with goals hidden to those around her. Its her thinking and intelligence that allowed her to be an Advisor… without being put on the trials.

Ember saw no other solution that would have dragons hate her or think of her unfit to rule if she were to allow turmoil with the Equestrians. As it stands now, her best option was to have Spike regain his memories and come back to his former self before Twilight would ask for the next update or demand that they finally be allowed to see him. As it stands now, Ember was on thin ice.

With a reluctant nod, Ember responded. “We will help him. Tomorrow, we will try and recover his memories. Though I pray that it won’t be to much for him.”
“As do I, Lord Ember. I care that his sanity remain intact and his heart strong.” A smile tugged at her snout. “He has a heart bigger than any dragon I have ever seen and a soul to match Draco’s.”
Ember smiled at that as well. Draco would praise and cheer for who Spike was and Wistala would be proud at the love and care he gave to others. She no doubt that Spike would be sung or spoken of in stories for many years to come.
“I think so too.” She paused and lowered her head in a small bow. “Thank you for this. I know this isn’t how the night was supposed to end but I believe that we needed to establish a ground.”
Eliyinsa returned the bow. “As it should be. We want Spike to return to himself. You miss your consort and the Equestrians miss their family.”
“And what of you and Zynthia?”
Eliyinsa paused, trying to think. She rumbled in her throat for a bit before softly responding.
“I hope that when he does remember, he will not hate us for being his… mothers for the time.” She then quickly added. “Speaking of, your mother has awaken, had she not?”
Ember nodded with a bit of a gleeful tone leaving her.
“Yeah. She woke up a week ago but has been aware for the last couple of months. She should be out and about soon.”
Eliyinsa bristled with joy for the young dragoness, feeling the joy and love for her mother’s return. She hoped that she would experience that when Spike regained his memories.
“Well, I am glad she has Ember. May she return to good health.” She bowed her head and was about to leave before quickly speaking up again. “Oh, please tell Saphira, that I said ‘Hello’ and we should catch up again, like old times.” And with that she left, the cave.

I will add inspiration to each chapter based on music, video or movie and link it so you all may see where it came from.

So this is being sped up a bit and that reason is because of my new job change. I am trying to become a trucker but the process is about 2 months overall. My time will be focused on that. If not there, im working until I make my income. So there might not be an update for that time frame until I get it all set and done. By that time, MLP will be starting and hopefully I can enjoy the show properly.
I will release three other stories, in the next week to hopefully have something to keep you occupied until I return with this in mid to end april. They are my r-rated stories so... keep an eye on that.
Lastly, Im hoping that with this truck training, I start local so I can continue this and finish off my stories. Now saying it here and now, By years end, I will finish my pony based stories before this year is out. Any dragon ones I will continue long after. A blog explaining more on it. My editors RomeoDKAT and BAdwolf231 as always, I thank you.

And I thank all of you for sticking with this wonderful series!

The Dragon Lord Legacy
Recovery

Spike’s sleep was not easy, nor was able to escape from his vivid dreams. His mind was scattered. Weaved with memories from his life. He recounted colors, shapes, voices and other things that made no sense to him.

Quardroped creatures of multiple colors that filled a rainbow. Several stood out more than most. Violet, white, and other colors varied from orange, sky blue, yellow, pink and sapphire. Voices of warmth and laughter echoed in the back of his mind. Vivid images of seeing different areas, parts of the world he never had been too… at least that he could remember.

Then came exotic feelings, strange but wonderful feelings. He felt… love from a white figure in a rainbow hue, her features cascading like a lava fall but more… happily. Then came amethyst eyes that looked into his own, staring at them with love, hope and more. Unlike his mother’s eyes, they were young, intelligent and full of love that he could not describe. It wasn’t the love like a mother, rather they were that of a close friend or even a sibling.

‘...my number one assistant…’
He inhaled and exhaled deeply in his sleep.

‘...my! Is that a baby dragon…’

He felt his claws tighten, almost as if he was trying to hold on to something.

‘...such a gentledrake…’

He whimpered lightly in his sleep, seeking a certain voice.

‘...may not be my blood, but you are still a child I can love…’

Tears slipped from his closed eyes, softly bringing him to a soft sob.

‘...I just want to be with you…’

‘...I…love… you…’

That was his voice. That was his voice and he told that to someone. Not his mothers, but to someone dear to him. Someone that pained him physically and mentally to forget. Then, it turned on him. The pain came hard...

‘... Hold the Scepter! We can still save you!’

He twisted and turned, groaning in sleep, pain and fear etching his face. Whimpers left him his mouth.

‘...You dare strike my daughter! She trusted you! She cared for you!’

His blood boiled and he began to frantically toss and turn in his sleep, whimpering as the memories tore at him. Then a memory came to him, something that was so clear, it seemed as if he was there.
His eyes looked up at his mother, her bright violent eyes filled with sadness. The oddness of it was that he almost matched her in height. After that, he looked down and saw Ember. She was in extreme pain, her body looked worn and beaten. But her eyes… her amber eyes betrayed sadness, fear, and a hurt that was more emotional than anything.
The pain returned with a vengeance on his chest as he stared at those saddened eyes, looking back at him. Then his mind went blank as he felt himself floating in a sparkling void. He was surrounded by stars and swirls of colors akin to the night, but what made it stranger was that it felt familiar.

A tug at his mind made him spin, trying to finding where the pull was coming from.

“Spi…”
He heard a voice, one familiar, yet he couldn’t pin it.

“Spike?”
It called out to him, this time louder. A feminine and beautiful voice called from the starry void.

“Spike? Is that you? I… can’t seem to reach you. It is as if your are… blind…”

Blind? How could he be blind? He could see clearly.

“Your mind is… hollow. Why?” There was a paused before a short gasp. “You...You’ve lost your memory!” The world around him began to spin and from the void, he managed to see a vivid outline of a… figure with a swaying mane of blue, as if her very hair was flowing cloud of stars. “Are you, Spike? Are you… you?” He tried to speak but his mind burned with obscure images of figures and creatures he remembers not. “I...I am sorry Spike, I can’t help you… yet. Recover your memories and reach me out agi-”

Suddenly, he was yanked hard out of the starry void and he gasped awake as he felt a burning feeling in his chest. In a painful growl, he shot his head up and released a massive fire from the bellows of his chest, shooting straight up into the cave ceiling and lighting up the entire cave in a bright green flame.
The flame lasted for a few seconds with pain mixing into his flames until he stopped and groaned, collapsing over to his side, panting and fumes leaving his mouth. Tears fell from his eyes as he began to sob silently.
He was alone, that he knew for he could not hear nor smell his mothers nearby. They are out and probably trying to take care of their own needs or had other duties to attend. Why did he have to suffer by himself?
The cave softly echoed his cries, as he laid there with pain in his chest. His heart hurt, both physically and figuratively, as he his memories of hurting Ember filled his mind, replaying the scene. His mind was in turmoil, his body was aching from rapid growth and he had just remembered a bitter part of a forgotten past. Then Ember came to him, trying to comfort him, hoping to provide aid.

He struck her. He struck her down because his mind was broken. He hit and hurt the one that had helped him in the beginning. When she was hurt, he felt the backlash of that. He felt her pain and what was worse, there was some sort of feedback from that. It was like if something was torn or cut from him, and that when he struck Ember, he felt it affect him worse.

He moaned in soft agony as his chest compressed itself. He tried to call for his mothers, call for anyone to help, but all that left him were soft cries of pain.
He didn’t know how long he laid in pain, it felt like minutes or hours, but he knew that it continued on. For the briefest of moments though, he felt as though he might slip and go away. His mind continue to replay terrible scenarios and vivid memories. Nothing deep into the past but something recent prior to his coma. His arrival to the dragon lands, his meeting with Torch up close, the feeling of betrayal from Ember.
Then came the true horror as he remembered being in the trials set by for elders. Torch, another dragon… both of his mothers. Torch made him go through one of will over greed. The other dragon made him recall history and how to deal with situations. Then his mother… his momma… she did the physical aspect where she planned on hurting Spike. The physical attack being struck by her tail.

The memory was so strong that when he remembered the physical blow, his chest throbbed and he gasped in pain as relived the memory. The memory moved on as she continued to taunt him, forcing him to protect himself and attack. The final part of the memory is when he managed to attack her when she was on the ground and pointing a pointed rock to her weak point on the neck. He could have killed her… he could have pushed it in and killed her.

From there, came that last few memories as his mother, tapped into his brain and looked into his passed. He couldn’t remember all of it, but he felt her mind in his and how she was affecting him inside and out. The physical change as he began to grow. His body spasmed as he recalled each bone cracking or forming as he grew in height.
His final memory was Eliyinsa unlocking something deep in his mind, something that made him snap.

“...My Special Emerald.”
“...Mother?” he managed to say through his teeth. It was the one whom gave birth to him. He was in his egg but he could remember that well enough.
Then came darkness, screams of his mother, motion and fast blur of colors. Finally, came the reveal of the world, as he saw violent eyes staring at him.
‘Twi… li… ght… ‘

“Spike!” Eliyinsa and Zynthia ran into the cave and towards Spike, where they saw him writhing and moaning in pain. “My son! What is wrong? What has happened?!” Eliyinsa cried out, moving close to him.
Spike didn’t answer or couldn’t. His mind was trying to piece together his past and present to quickly. “I-I-I r-remember… I-I remember hurting…” He paused as tears poured from his eyes. “Em-Ember… I-I hu-hurt Ember…” He then shook his head side to side. “Why did you h-hurt me?” He couldn’t understand the pain his mothers caused him. “W-Why?”
Both mothers were struck with grieve as he remembered the pain he received from both. Zynthia from the physical aspect of the trial while she broke his mind. They weren’t even sure how to help him at this point. Even if he wasn’t their blood hatchling, they loved him enough that seeing him in this pain was agony at their own hearts.
It wasn’t until they heard the screams outside their cave, did both dragonesses look towards their entrance and saw Ember, along with her hoard and even Torch entering. They didn’t even wait for permission to enter as Ember flew past them, with a glowing Bloodstone Scepter in claw.

“How?” was all ELiyinsa managed to ask.
Ember, whom had pain etched into her face, ignored them both and quickly landed in front of Spike. She carefully placed a claw upon his face, shedding her own tears as the Scepter continued to glow.
“S-Spike?” she asked, a voice of pain and sadness leaving her.
Spike managed to open his eyes and saw Ember right before him, a beauty he never thought look or feel more real than now. Her gentle brushing against his face, slowly made the pain go away. His vision was starting to clear and he could actually remember the reason why she was here.
“E-Ember?” he asked through a raspy voice. His chest was still tight but, he slowly reached out with his palm towards her. She immediately grasped his and she smiled as he held her claws tightly.
“Do y-you remember?” Hope tugged at her heart, but staying at bay incase he was just hallucinating. He blinked, with tears streaming down his face, looking away and began to cry softly.
“I-I remember… hurting you…” He quickly inhaled and exhaled with his cry, trying not to look at her but squeezing her palm tightly. “T-The p-p-pain I caused… you! M-Me hitting you! I-I…” He couldn’t continue and began to cry fully.
Despite him remembering the pain he did cause her, it did give her merit that he at least remembered her. His memories maybe returning but there was pain to come with them. She dared not move him, not wanting him to suffer anymore. She moved in close and laid her body right next to his, placing her head on top of his while covering part of his body with her wing. She then used her arms to bring them close, letting him feel safe with her. She didn’t care that she was being watched by others, she didn’t care that she was in the resting area of other dragons and she didn’t care that Spike had hurt her in the past.

Right now, she didn’t care for anything else but Spike right now.

Eliyinsa and Zynthia had watched and heard everything, both unsure of what to do. It was Torch that had motioned them both to leave them be and follow him outside, along with Ember’s hoard.
Before any of the two could say anything, Torch spoke low enough only for them to hear. “For now, leave them be. Ember was in agony this morning and now she shares it with him. Let them deal with it together… alone!” He then huffed hotly. “We can discuss what to do with him outside.” He saw them flinch but both nodded. He then looked towards the smaller dragonesses before him. “You two… Keep watch at the entrance. You can’t be to far away but don’t disturb them. They need this.” Both dragonesses nodded without complaint. With that Torch, lead the two dragonesses outside and away from their own home.

Meanwhile, Ember held Spike, while whispering to him. “You didn’t mean to hurt me. You never want to hurt me. You were not you, you had no control. I still care for you.” Over and over, she would repeat that, along with how it wasn’t his fault or that she never gave up on him. He still continued to cry his little heart out, but it slowly transitioned from cries of pain and sadness to cries of his inability to remember more of his past and Ember.
“I-I-I still can’t remember all o-of you…” he sadly cried. Ember decided then to tell her all of his encounters. From the first time they met at the Gauntlet of Fire, where her father was giving up the throne for the next Dragon Lord, to when she sought him to be her Consort. The lie that came with it, but the truth that was more stronger than the lie. Then, the day they both had physically become intimate.
Seeing his blush made her chuckle. Hearing her chuckle made his heart grow with warmth and make the pain fade quickly. He then asked for details, which got quickly retracted in his state. Ember didn’t hesitate and shared what they had done together. He was intrigued but at the same time, felt a bit happy that his body was still in un-eased state, for the details may have lead to some… awkward holding.
“Then came the day of the trials…” Her mood turned somber but she didn’t hide anything nor left anything out. She knew that this maybe the only way to get his memories back. Or it may damage him further, but she had to try.
“My father started the first one… The trial of ‘Will over Greed’. You passed with no problems. Then came ‘Memory and Adaptation’ with Dereian. You were smart with your memory…”
“Like I am now?” he chidded with a small grin. She smiled, enjoying his small humour.
“Maybe a bit more than now,” she playfully added. She then turned a bit soloem as she spoke. “Then came the physical aspect of the trial which was ‘Survival’.” She ran her claws over his face, reminiscing the pain he endured with Zynthia.
“You do know that they are not your blood mothers… right?” she asked.
Spike sighed and gave a slow nod.
“Part of me remembers them at the trials… but nothing before. I figured that… they took me in after?”
She nodded, brushing her snout against his. “After ‘Survival’ came… ‘Heart and Soul Lock’... by Eliyinsa.”
A sudden twitch or spasm jolted his body as she said that and he whimpered. He blinked at why his body did that and wondered why. Ember gave a purr of sadness for him. “She would look into your memories, see if your heart is pure, if your memories are good and if your mind is stable.” She blinked and small moisture formed at her edges. “She forced your body to grow but at the same time, she looked into your past. What made you the dragon you are today.”
Spike blinked at that and looked at her questioningly.
“H-How did she do that?”
Ember gapped, her mouth slightly open and she instantly concluded that Spike had no idea his mother was with ‘abilities’ outside of normal dragons. Another secret held from him, a mother she claimed to be no less. She mentally prepared to lash at her later for that but for now, she continued on with him.
“She has...gifts or powers that exceed normal dragons. I am sure she would have told you at some point but she uses them to look into your memories and your past.” She paused and then sadness cascaded her features. “She looked to deep and found something that damaged you. Something in your past that made you remember something that you were not supposed to.” She then tightly wrapped herself closer, as if worrying he might push away in the next part. “Your mind fractured and you fought against it. You lashed out at…” She didn’t say it. She didn’t have to. Spike finally wrapped his arms around her.
Despite the uncomfortable laying positions they are in, with Ember’s wings wrapped around Spike’s, he still managed to wrap his arm around and under her wing. His tail, longer than before, managed to reach out and wrap around hers. His snout was directly on her, brushing it on her.
“I remember… we both suffered…” He swallowed the dry spittle that lingered in the back of his throat. The memory of his forced transformation, the memory he had to endure with his mother. “I hurt you…”
“You didn’t mean for it to happen,” she countered with a stern tone. “You lost your mind and had no idea what you experienced…”
“My mother,” He cut her off with that. She balked a that. He pressed on. “My birth mother… I don’t remember much but she is what I remembered. She was… talking to me, in my egg. I heard her voice.” His eyes went vacant as he remembered more. “She called me… her ‘Special Emerald’.” Ember’s eyes glittered in amazement as she saw Spike remember a past, that would be near impossible for most dragons to remember.
But his eyes then turned to sadness with a small whimper leaving him. “Then I hear her scream, I feel myself being… carried. Tossed or turned, I’m not sure. But after that, I suddenly feel like the warmth of the sun holding me. I hear another voice, not my mother’s but ‘she’ sounded like one. After that, I remember a bright light, brighter than the sun and it felt just like it. Then it went away and I was looking into the eyes of… violet.” He opened his eyes and matched Ember’s with intensity of warmth and hope. “She was staring at me, not like my mother, like… Eliyinsa. No, this was someone else, this was someone I don’t recognize.”
Ember was about to answer but she heard the approaching steps of small feet on the cave floor. She knew who it was and decided that for now, that conversation could wait. She gave a quick lick across his snout before smiling. “I want you to meet the rest of the hoard. Come on!” She untangled herself from him and slowly rose. He did the same, albeit softly with any lingering pain just softening his joints. From his view, he saw the two dragonesses he had met before. He didn’t catch their names but he knew they were important to Ember.
Ember motioned them closer, where the pinkish dragoness, taller than Ember and Spike, seemed joyful and giddy with them both. The smaller one, however seemed a bit off. For one, she had taken a good look at him, before she became stiff and her face flushed. He saw her cheeks turn a bit red as she stared at him wide eyed and near motionless.
“I know you’ve seen them yesterday but I like to properly introduce them.” She motioned for the pink one. “This is Amethyst, though I am sure you would remember her before.”
Vague and un-detailed memories of the dragoness come to mind, though the color was familiar, as was the warmth of the smile coming from her. She gave a quick nod and even quickly reached out, pulling him into a hug. He was caught by surprise by the taller dragoness, as she squealed loudly next to his ear.
“Oh! So glad your back! Somewhat!” She then pulled away, clapping her claws in delight. “Can’t wait to have you back!”
Spike blinked and gave a cautious smile. “Um… I hope that I can get back?” he wasn’t sure of his own words. He then looked to the smaller, meek looking dragoness. Ember moved to her and brought her close to both herself and Amethyst. “And here we have Smolder, the youngest of us.”
Spike gave her a warm smile, Smolder tried to return it but failed as she felt her cheeks flushed. “I...I’m sorry that we didn’t meet… properly…” she rubbed her arms. “It was… weird at the time.”
Spike nodded in agreement. “It was.” Was his simple reply. He looked up towards Ember. “Are they… were they with us before?”
Ember’s smile dropped, as did the mood. “No,” she said, shaking her head with a soft tone. “After the trials…” she paused, really trying to find the right word. Spike nodded in understanding. “After I struck you.” It did not come out easier saying it.
Ember and Amethyst flinched at that while Smolder looked a bit frightened to hear it directly from the source. She was not there at the trials, but she had heard what had happened.
“After that,” she repeated uneasily, “The backlash from you and I sharing the Scepter’s power caused me to receive most of the feedback. It would have begin to tear at me,” Spike was beside himself, trying to phantom how much pain he put her through, even as she went on, he did not like how this all turned out. “So, I quickly choose Amethyst to join my hoard.” She paused as her eyes glistened with minor regret, but it was based on survival that she had done so. “At least, when you came back.” she stated with certainty, saying ‘when’ instead of ‘if’.
“But it wasn’t enough?” he asked, innocent enough to let Ember know that he wasn’t upset on taking more than one dragon.
She shook her head. “You and I are different. Our different interactions with the Scepter has us at odds that we two alone could handle that energy. Normal dragons our age would need three or more dragons to handle it. Few would be able to handle it for a time before needing a Consort or a Hoard.” She paused and motioned for Smolder and Amethyst. “They were the only ones I can trust to not seek being my… Hoard for the gems or fame.”
Spike liked knowing that Ember trusted these two females with her. He also liked knowing that one of them was kind and warm and bubbly but the other seemed…
“And Smolder?” Was his question.
Smolder jolted when she heard her name, as if she was spacing out. Ember gave a grin and laid a palm on her shoulder. “She is just shy and perhaps… she enjoys your grown new looks.” Smolder turned a deep shade of red as she flushed.
“Ember!” she growled lightly in embarrassment, not meeting Spike’s eyes. Amethyst giggled at the display and Ember rubbed her arm, teasing the younger dragoness. Spike seemed perplexed and looked down at himself, as if just noticing his body for the first time. He didn’t see himself any different, but then again, Ember said he was smaller before he fell into his coma.

He slightly flexed his chest and wings out of habit to see more of his body. This made Smolder look wide eye at his form, rippling with mass and stature that wasn’t on him when he was her height. When she saw him over the course of the months as the molts changed him, she grew attached to his form, even dreaming of him being next to him, holding her, along with Ember and Amethyst. The truth was never a doubt that she would like him, for Ember described all the best qualities about him, including his life before, but now that he stood before her, handsome yet strong, intelligent but mindful, tall and gentle, she saw the ideal drake that would make anyone dragoness happy or loved...

“Your not doing any favors for us either, Spike.” Stated Ember. Spike looked up and saw that Ember and Smolder were both staring at him like if he was a hunk of meat that was being scrutinized with greed… or in this case lust. Amethyst was just staring at him and then staring at the other two before nodding with a grin.
“Things about to get heated in here… and I ain’t talking about lava pits we all might jump into later.”

Outside the caves, Torch had just finished talking to the two Elders.
“I had hoped that this would be easier for him.” He grumbled lightly. “Clearly, there is much that we are unaware of.”
“It’s not like his past is fully cloaked.” stated Eliyinsa, shuffling on her feet. “I’ve seen that the ponies have done good, but even they know nothing of his origins.”
“We haven’t had dragon hunters, missing eggs or even foul play on other dragons, reported for half a millennium.” Added Zynthia. “His age and the description provided to us show that his egg would be no older than a couple of decades. Anything longer, he would be dead or stone.”
Torch grumbled in acceptance on that statement. “Then there is clearly something we are missing. Dragons outside the lands still keep in touch during the ‘migration’, so nothing has been reported then either.”
Eliyinsa shook her head. “Either nothing was reported or…” she paused as a disturbing thought came. “A dragon didn’t wish to report it.”
This alerted both her mate and Torch, though the former dragon lord growled lightly.
“Any dragon who abandons their egg…”
“Would be dealt with harshly.” Finished Zynthia with venom in her own voice.

Eliyinsa didn’t like the idea either but that was the only clear case on Spike’s egg. She then gave a quick glance at her cave, hoping the others weren’t close enough to hear before speaking low to the others. “Perhaps we need to pay Equestria a visit and speak to the Alicorns. They may be the ones that hold the key to his past and finally resolve where he comes from.” She lowered her head and shook it lightly. “It’s not fair for him to not know of his past.” She quickly raised it back up and looked at them both. “But it is not fair that we, as his mothers, are not fully understanding why he is the way is. His reaction to my abilities should have been a meer headache when all was said and done but it went beyond that and I cannot phantom the pain I…”
“We put him through!” Clarified both Torch and Zynthia aggressively and simultaneously.
Eliyinsa huffed and briefly smiled in appreciation, before continuing on. “He has suffered because of us.”
“I agree with that.” Torch said before sighing loudly. “Though I would love to speak to the Sun Princess again after a few centuries, I’m afraid that Saphira has not fully recovered yet, so I will not join you.”
Both nodded in understanding. “You want us to leave so soon?” asked Zynthia.

Torch nodded. “If we are to uncover Spike, as well as any other secrets on dragons the Equestrians are hiding, I suggest we find them quickly. Something in my gut tells me we have a little bit of time to get some answers.”
Zynthia snorted in sympathy. “That something telling you that you want to find the answers for Ember’s sake as well?”

Torch grumbled in seriousness. “Ember was with us when she screamed in pain, including Saphira.” Both females flinched and felt sorrow for the young dragon lord. Her own mother having to witness her daughter in pain, no sooner than her awakening.
“I-I’m sorry, Torch,” Eliyinsa apologized. “I had no idea…”
“None of us did,” He grumbled lightly, huffing once more before motioning towards the cave. “Speak to them all. Tell them that you need to head to Equestria.”
“I agree,” said Zynthia. “We need to find his origins, his history and where his parents are.”
“But he is not ready!” ELiyinsa bristled with worry. “He has not fully recovered his memories, let alone aware of his changes.”

“Then be quick with it!” Stated Torch. “We need him to at least be presentable with the Equestrians.”
“What’s the worst they can do?” snorted Zynthia. “Go to war? We would turn them to ashes, despite their past deeds.”
Torch growled at the thought of war, not directly at her. “The chaos chimera is on their side now, as well as the changelings. They have low numbers but their magic can surpass our own in but raw power, just with them. The twisted freak and the bugs can target us in many different ways.” He then shook his head. “This was all done within the last year. I’d rather not take our chances on angering them.” He paused, his mood suddenly lightening a bit. “Besides, despite the issue with Spike, Ember has made allies with them, along with dragons living with them peacefully in towns.”
Eliyinsa knew of this but she never cared for dragons that lived within pony society. They abandoned their roots and forsaken the ‘Call of Dragons’ when they disbanded from dragons life. Shaking her head, she moved past the topic.

“How do you suppose we help our son recover his memory?”
Torch gave her an eye. “Tell him everything, leave nothing.” Short and simple, but for her, complex and annoying.
She growled inwardly but nonetheless nodded. “If you must, use your abilities to help.” She was about to retort but he cut her off before she could. “His reaction to your abilities have had effects that could help him further along.”

“Or it could cause permanent damage and erase his mind altogether.” Stated Zynthia. Torch looked at her briefly before focusing back on the smaller dragoness.

“Do you doubt your abilities?” Was simply asked by Torch. Eliyinsa’s tail twitched. The metal band around her tail, glowed a vibrant purple. Torch watched it from the edge of his eyes but focused on her own. She wanted to test his words on him, but she knew he wouldn’t take to kindly to it.

“I have no doubts,” she stated coldly, “But my son should not have to suffer if I trigger another relapse on him. I warn that I will do whatever I want to help, regardless of what you may think!”

Torch kept his stern gaze on her, not giving her even a hint of emotions. She was intelligent beyond other Elders but her little gifts made her also dangerous. She was ticking to use them, eager to unleash them on anydragon, if need be. But she was not stupid.

He snorted when she remained glaring at him, knowing she wouldn’t do anything. “Don’t let your emotions cloud your judgement… or your performance to help Spike.” He leaned down at her, matching her glare. “We already dealt with this in the past, we don’t need another ‘incident’ again.” He growled the last bit. She tried to hold her own. She was not afraid of him, but… she was afraid of losing control. She wilted and stood down.

Zynthia whom was watching, had enough and quickly pushed herself between the two. “We will do what we must,” she quickly answered, trying to ease the tension between her mate and Torch. “But we also know that we can help Spike, without needing to use her abilities on him.”

Torch leaned back, giving space between the two. He looked down at the now wilted dragoness. Her eyes remained on him, but her gaze was anything but strong. “I...I will try…” Was all she replied.

He gave her a stern look before he too eased and lowered his posture. “That is all I ask.” He then released a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “And perhaps… we can find a better way to help our hatchlings. For their sake.” A soft whine, barely audible was heard. “I can’t stand to hear Ember scream again, nor Saphira to see her daughter in pain again.”

Zynthia and Eliyinsa nodded to that, knowing that it was the worst thing to see a hatchling in pain. Especially when you can do nothing about it.

For the sake of their young, they would do what they must.

A parents biggest fear is watching their children suffer, not being able to do anything about it.
A child's biggest fear is losing the only people that matter most, and being left alone out in the cold world.
It is a crime to take a child away from their parents or vice versa. But it is also a crime for parents to neglect their kids.

The story is here is that at some point, something happened in the past and what it is, cannot be explained. What awaits looking into the past, can alter the future. The choice is never simple, nor is it ever easy. From the experiences of many, we ask that we keep close to our loved one, that we never let them fall away unwillingly and to always stay close to your heart.

I seek artist. I want to try to properly detail the dragons. Eliyinsa, Zynthia, Spike, and even a few others. Any willing, just p.m me.
Thank you again for sticking with this story. I hope to continue to impress you.

The Dragon Lord Legacy
Ascension

Spike, along with Ember and her two hoard members, Smolder and Amethyst, waited as the Elders made their way back to them, with both of Spike’s mothers looking like if they just received terrible news. In a sense, it may have been the case.

“Mom? Mother?” Both female elders looked at their son, surrounded by his hoard… in time. Ember looked stoic, much like her father, but she knew that what may happen next, Spike needed her more than ever. “What’s going on?” he asked, almost innocently, thoughts of confusion and hesitation filled his voice however.

Eliyinsa was the first to break the ice, though her own voice betrayed sadness and guilt. “We… we have spoken Spike,” she motioned towards his mom and Torch. The two giant dragons looked almost just the same as his mother, though Zynthia was less guilty and more worried while Torch was… Torch. His face didn’t give much else. “We have spoken,” she said. “And it was decided that we need to tell you everything about you. Your past, your history… how you came to be here.”
He got the jist of why he was here by Ember. The trials, the lie, the truth and so on, but to hear it from his mother was something else. “What about my past?” he asked her.

Once more, Eliyinsa was hesitant, which irked Torch,who growled. “Spike, where you are originally from, is not here in the Dragon Lands. You are from a far away land, raised by non-dragons and only came here to save my daughter from an ill-gotten fate.” The truth rang in Spike’s head, but that may have been Torch’s loud voice. Both of his mothers flinched but they also looked more guilty than before. Torch pressed on. “You come from the land of ponies. Ponies who hatched, raised, and cared for you, up until a near year ago when you came here to be my daughter’s consort. The trials we put you through had sent you into a catatonic state.” He snorted, releasing a puff of smoke from his nostril, then focusing on his mothers. “They took you in, kept you safe until you would have awakened.” His mood slightly dropped, focusing back on the purple and green drake. “Your… memory loss was a factor we have not considered.”

Spike could feel every eye focused on him, waiting for his reaction towards all of this. Torch was blunt, to the point and held nothing back, yet none of his mothers denied everything. Instead, they nod slowly with guilty eyes, while Ember just holds him close. His mind was racing, millions of miles in seconds, with his eyes staring blankly out.

Was not born, nor raised by dragons…

A land of ponies from far away…

Lost his memories do to his mother…

Had no real mother and father… or any parental figure…

What did he have?

A squeeze in his claws made him look down, to see his claws wrapped with Embers. He looked at her, seeing worry on her own features. Had it gone to far? Was it right to just… unleash all this upon him without proof or warning?

He realized that despite everything, he knew that it was all done in vain. He needed the trials to become a proper mate for Ember. He suffered and endured them all to be worthy for the eyes of other dragons. Two of the dragons that had harmed before, made it their duty to take him in. They could have let him go, like most parents, he had found out, and let him suffer. They cared for him when he was in a coma, even dealing with his molts and did their best to keep him safe.
Waking up, he only knew that they were his parents. They lied, they manipulated and they only told him what they wanted to keep his mind sane. Yet, he felt content with them, treating him as if he were their flesh and blood. The care and love they gave him, the warmth and joy that surrounded him… that was no lie. That love, that care, despite the manipulated stance they did, the love was all true, which is why he didn’t hate them.
No, but that did leave out something that bothered him with his black scaled mother.
“Why didn’t you tell me you could read or manipulate minds?” His eye focused solely on Eliyinsa. Her deep purple eyes stared at him with fear. “Why didn’t you say anything about your abilities?”
She was lost at words, even her mate had some trouble finding words to back her up. When Eliyinsa spoke, she sounded fearful, almost expecting rejection from him. “I-I-I didn’t manipulate you to believing w-we loved or cared for you. T-That was all true…”
He shook his head. “I know that you did,” A brief, appreciating smile appeared on his muzzle, easing part of her heart. “That love was true, but… why didn’t you want me to learn about your mind… powers or whatever they are called?”

“They weren’t relevant, son.” Spoke up Zynthia. “Eliyinsa’s gifts aren’t needed to be mentioned often. Most dragons respect or fear her because of them. Any conversation has no merit with her abilities to be spoken of.”
“Along with that,” added Torch. “Is her abilities are meant to only be used on the most extreme cases or when information is needed.”

“Information needed?” asked Spike. “Like… reading a mind and pulling it out?” He paused, another memory coming back to him. “You wanted to know of my past…” It almost came out as a question but spoke in a tone of an accusation. Again, there was no malice in his voice, but things were starting to connect into his mind that made this a bit more harder to understand his mothers’ full intentions.
Eliyinsa nodded, though she swallowed whatever lie she wanted to spew. “I-I… As part of the trials, I had to make sure that the mate Ember was going to be with, was worthy and not going to steal off with her hoard or usurp her throne. If she chose you as a simple consort or hoard member, the trials were moot. Otherwise, you choosing to be an Elder, Advisor, Successor or Guardian.” There was a pause after as she said ‘guardian’ but pushed on. “But again, the trials are the only time my abilities are used.”
Spike absorbed all that information, understanding the parts of only using them for needs like that. However, it didn’t stop this question from coming up. “Why can’t you use it to restore my memories then?”
A heavy flinch came from the surrounding dragons and he felt a cold shiver run through his spine. Torch answered. “I wish for your mother to do so for you.” He noticed their harsh but tense glare but brushed it off. “Time is of the essence, Spike. Your presence in Equestria is needed.”

Spike was in a dilemma between asking more questions on his past, his mother’s abilities or what is so important that he had to return to the ponies… whom helped raised him. But first and foremost, he wanted his past back. Turning to Eliyinsa, he stared at his mother. “Do it.” His voice was uneven but determined.
The black scaled dragoness quickly shook her head. “No, we have to do this slowly. Rushing it could damage your mind permanently.”
“We do not have the time, Eliyinsa.” Warned Torch, his voice betraying his command. “As is, the Equestrians are seeking asylum and passage to see him and judging by the year of constant patrols from their guards, their waiting has gone far enough.” He then nodded towards Spike. “Give him his memories back.”

Elyinsa was torn, as a mother not finding comfort in hurting her hatchling, or as her duty to doing what was best. Her heart thumped with uncertainty. Her only comfort was her taller, scarlett lover brushing against her, trying to ease her worry.
“We need to do this… for his sake.” she whispered to her.

She looked down at Spike, still seeing determination, small traces of fear but something was different. Unlike before during the trials, Spike had no one to support him. No lover standing next to him, no friends or family. He was on his own when she used her abilities to use them on him.
Now, Ember held his claw in hers. Next to her side, was her hoard Smolder and Amethyst, both of them acting as her backbone and support for Spike. Her lover had her tail surrounding them, as if protecting them. Torch himself was standing ready to give support if needed. Lastly, her own love for Spike was there since the beginning of taking him a year back. The trial he endured alone, but this trial… this was his final trial and it would be the greatest one he would face.

WIth a sigh and a nod, she leaned down. “Alright my son, I will do it.” She paused. “I believe that this time though, you can handle it.” She gave a smile and motioned to the others. “You have them for support.” Spike felt his claws wrapped with Ember but he kept his determination, looking into the eyes of his mother.
“I’m ready, mother.” She gave a small smile, but felt turmoil. She inhaled softly... breathing in as much air as possible, closing her eyes, then… she exhaled. Her eyes opened up once more and a bright violet glow came from them. Spike’s eyes were immediately caught in their glow. Ember held tightly to his claw, letting him know that she was still here.

The other dragons watched as Spike nor Eliyinsa hadn’t move, their eyes meeting each other but never blinking.
Ember knew that Eliyinsa’s abilities allowed her to see into the minds of any she wanted. But she also knew that she could read their minds, their intentions and go as far manipulate a dragon against their will. But all this could happen in seconds or minutes, while in the ‘mindscape’ as Eliyinsa called it once before, that would be hours in there. Memories, history and such playing quickly and rapidly at such speed that…

Spike suddenly slumped, his body almost heaving forward and Eliyinsa blinked, breaking out of her glow. She blinked rapidly, trying to get her vision to focus, before her eyes focused on Spike, widening in panic.
“S-Something is wrong!”

Just as she said that, Spike began heaving, clutching his stomach while leaning forward.
“Spike!” Every dragon looked in distress as Spike began to cough violently, small wisps of flames leaving him. Ember held him, bringing him close. Eliyinsa watched her son was once again affected by her abilities. She growled and snapped at Torch.

“I told you! He wasn’t ready!” She roared at Torch. The bigger dragon didn’t argue, as worry filled his own heart. Ember was important to him and if something else happened to Spike, she would die… maybe literally.

Ember couldn’t do anything but watch as Spike continued to heave or cough violently… until he gagged once before a huge burst of flames left his mouth, inflaming the area in a bright emerald flame… and a scrolled appeared.
Spike slumped forward and the scroll fell to the floor with a light thunk. Ember caught him, bringing him gently to his knees, while he tried to regain his breath. The others watched as he regained his sense but were confused at the scroll landing before them. Silence reigned between them all, but it was Smolder who broke it.

“Um… what in Mother Wistala was that?” she asked out loudly, pointing to the scroll on the floor.
Ember checked on Spike, seeing that his breathing was back to normal, before she focused on the scroll. Her eyes went wide as she saw the stamp and a violent bind around it.
“I-Its from Princess Twilight.”

A heavy silence then followed, with the dragons all in different states of emotions. Eliyinsa was still worried for her son, though the letter was intriguing. Like her mate, Zynthia found herself curiously looking at the scroll on the floor, intrigued at the unique way of sending an item over. The care for her son was first and foremost, but the idea behind the delivery… very peculiar.
Torch was actually at eased for once, his heart settling as Ember hadn’t lost the one she loved. Though his mind wandered towards dropped scroll.
“Why would they send a scroll through him? How is that possible?”

Ember was about to speak but it was Spike who reached for the scroll, seeing the band. “B-Because that's how I-I talked to Twilight and the other Princesses through messages.” His voice was hoarse but he kept trying to clear it, coughing here and there. No one said anything. His focus was on the scroll in his claws. He sighed. “I-It feels like forever since I had t-to cough out these… more like burp it out.” It was Amethyst whom actually broke the tension with a sharp laugh.

“Ha! That’s a great way of sending messages… and a greeting!” The others regarded her for a moment, Spike gave a small chuckle and slowly stood up.

“I think that… if Twilight sent me a letter… she must know I am awake.” A vivid detail in the dream he had, it was pony shaped and the figure was memorable. Luna… She had probably alerted Twilight. He pulled on the purple bind, letting the scroll unroll. Three words were simply posted in the middle.

“Are you awake?”

He sighed and turned to everyone. His eyes were focused, emerald colors staring at them all, waiting for confirmation that he had gained his memories back. “Spike?” Ember asked, unsure if he was all there. He give her a look, smiling lightly before bringing her close and blew a kindle across her face.

“I love you, Dragon Lord Ember.” A tear fell from Ember, with a smile wide upon her muzzle and she instantly hugged her returned mate tightly.

A sigh of relief washed through everyone and with it came so many questions, though one was important than all the rest. “Wait, that’s it?” Blurted out Smolder. Everyone turned to her, Ember and Spike separating. She had a crossed look upon her, though somewhat timidly shrunk at their eyes. “No… harsh or difficult way of trying to gain his memories back? No… days or weeks of trying to restore it all? Not even an epic scream or cheer? He endured way worse before! What gives!?”

That actually did cross the minds of the elders.
“That… surprisingly makes sense… and no sense as well.” Stated Zynthia. She turned to her mate. “Why was there no feedback?”

Eliyinsa herself seemed unsure, though she tried her best to answer. “My abilities were freely used upon this time for his mind didn’t resist it. During his trials, he kept trying to push me out, while I forced my way back in. Here… his mind was open, free and I could easily influence any gaps or blocks he had. The few memories I put back in… where from what I had seen before. But I can also assume that him having Ember here to help you, was what made it easier.” Her tone lowered, as did her head. She looked down at Spike, sadness filling her features. “I apologize Spike. For everything that has befallen you.” She swallowed, trying her best not to showcase her emotions. “I hope that you could forgive me…”

“Us!” Exclaimed the other two elders.

“...for what has befallen you. I know you wish to go back home now, though I hoped that we had tried our best to make it feel like you belong here.”

Spike cocked his head. Yeah, his memories were back. He remembered the trials, the pain, the near destruction of his mind and the fact that he nearly lost his friends and family. Yet… from that mess, he gained more family. Two mothers who took him in while under a coma. Ember had gained a hoard and it would be part of his as well. He possibly also had a father-like-influence from Torch. Possibly… He was still waiting on that one to fall through.
He noticed that Zynthia also seem hopeful as well, maybe silently praying that everything they had done to him as well as for him, would make him want to keep them as his family.

“Everything you have done, after the trials,” he began, slowly but through confidence. “Was to keep me alive. Whether out of guilt or your sake, you kept me safe and warm. You filled my mind with your lives, your love and more. You both didn’t know I had lost my memories, but you did your best to hopefully keep me sane.” He gave a smile towards them both. “I know that you think I will… forsake what you have done, but I won’t, despite what anyone else may think. You are still my mothers.”
Sheer relief and joy filled the two females, tears forming at their tear ducts at their son’s words. He could see their forms relaxing and love radiate from them at his words. “Thank you, Spike… our son.”

He kept his warm smile towards his mothers, though Ember broke through their moment. “Are you going to respond to Twilight?” She swallowed, small amounts of worry crept into her voice. “I don’t think she could wait any longer.”

He looked down at the scroll in claw before nodding. “I will, though she will be begging for you for clearance to arrive here, I think it would be better if we go to Equestria to see them.”
“We?” she asked.

He nodded. “We all… should go.” he motioned to a wave of everyone in the cave. “I think it would be a great way to introduce everypony to everyone here. Not only that, but maybe seeing the Elders could prove a benefit for the future of both nations. The princesses could meet the elders of the dragon lands and establish a peaceful ruling!” His voice was filled with excitement. However, he quickly noticed worried look upon everyone’s faces. His mood dropped. “What?”

“Spike,” Ember hadn’t let his claws go, though she held them firmly as she spoke. “A lot has changed in the time you were in a coma. You might not know but almost a year has passed since you were awake.”

He knew he was in a coma, he knew time had passed, but it still somewhat came to a small shock that a year had passed. A lot could happen in a year. “Did… anything happen to Equestria?” he asked, his early, happier emotions began to drain from him.

“As far as we can tell, Twilight has been trying to steady the relationships between us and the ponies,” Ember stated. “I have been trying my best to keep them peaceful but… if you hadn’t woken up anytime soon, the Princesses themselves would have forced their way to us.” She then looked up at her father. “We… me and father, have been seeing ponies patrolling our borders, setting up camps and outposts, not to mention that we have had infiltrators nearby.”

“Normally, we would deal with the issues the way dragons do,” Torch said a bit gruffly, hating to sound weak. “But the fact that the ponies have the aid of the Chaos Chimera and those shifting bugs, it is getting difficult to be sure how close we are to a fight or… a war.”

Spike had never known that he was that important to the ponies. He knew that… he played his part with his friends, was the official/legal son of Princess Celestia and hero to the Crystal Empire, was there, but a whole nation nearly going into war just for him? Base camps? Infiltration? Shifting… wait bugs?

“Did you just say… shifting bugs? As in… changelings?” he asked.

Ember added in quickly, “According to Twilight, some months ago, they became allies with the changelings after the fall of their queen. They already created an ambassador station for both ponies and changelings. It was your friend… uh… Starlight?” She shrugged at the name. “Whatever the other purple unicorn name is… she helped create the bond with them. She defeated the queen, along with the Chimera.”

That was… a real shock value for him. Never in a million years would he have thought that the changelings would be allies to ponies, especially since the invasion at Canterlot back then. It also seemed odd that it was Starlight whom defeated Chrysalis. Truly… a lot has changed.

“So… if I bring you over, I have to let Twilight and the Princesses know that you are all coming?”

“It would be best, son.” Eliyinsa answered. “As is, the princesses have months at stating their intentions. We have no way to retaliate if push comes to shove, especially with the Chimera and changelings on their side.”

Spike somewhat waved off the mention of Discord. “Ehh… Discord… uh, that’s the name of the Chimera your talking about. I wouldn’t worry to much on him. When it comes down to it, he’s really a big softy when you get to know him. Before coming here, me and another pony named Big Mac, we used to play with him in Ogres & Oubliettes together on guys night! I don’t know much about the changelings, but I’m sure that everything is just a precaution, at worst, they just really want me back.”

They all looked at him as if he had grown another head. Playing? With the chaos chimera? With no ill intentions?

Torch shook his giant head, trying to make sense of it but moved onto a question. “Tell us Spike, what is the relationship between you and the princesses? Clearly, you had some sort of affliction to them if they have been demanding your return and throwing threats at us.”

Spike furrowed his brow a little. “I thought Ember told you. I was adopted by Twilight?”

“And the Princess of the Sun herself?” Zynthia curiously asked. “Surely… well you mean a lot to us but to her? No real leader would go to war or conflict with another nation unless… that leader’s children or blood relatives were on the line.” A tense shuttered went to the room and even Ember forgot about it until now but… Twilight had stated that she adopted Spike into her family until later on but who was it that raised him since he hatched? Even Twilight’s pony mother had no knowledge on dragons, so the only one that could possibly raise him was…

“Well,” he began lightly, not seeing their tension. “I was hatched by Twilight, but she was a filly at the time, so she couldn’t raise me herself. In truth, I was raised by Princess Celestia. I was her officially adopted son.” He paused. “I technically am still her adopted son and since I am her son… and I guess Twilight’s brother too… I guess that would make me prince but I...”

The color drained from his mothers’, Torch looked shocked and Ember was filled with fear. In no effort to restrain herself, she practically boomed at him. “YOUR PRINCE OF EQUESTRIA!?” Her voice matched her ferocity… and her fathers.

Spike’s ears rang, forcing him to move away from Ember. That in itself sent an all to familiar feeling between the two. Something they hadn’t experienced since before the trial. There was no feedback, but the feeling of being separated was there. It was something that Ember never wanted to experience again. She instantly regretted yelling at him, trying to regain their bond and quickly trying to move towards him.
“S-Spike… I-I’m sorry!”
Spike just shook his head, trying to get the ringing to stop before giving a small, pained smile at her. “Hey, its okay. I should have mentioned it before… but I didn’t think it was that important.”

“It is more important than you know, Spike.” Eliyinsa stated loudly. “You being the son of the Princess of Equestria has been causing severe consequences, not just by coming here but also falling into a coma!”

“But all that wasn’t… well it was my choice!” He almost yelled back, trying to defend everyone’s action. “It was my choice that I came here!” He looked back towards Ember. “I will say everything has been on me… all of it. None of you or any dragons should have to suffer because of… accidents that lead to my injury. I can write to Twilight and clear everything up.” He paused and looked around the cave, then refocused on Ember. “Where is the book where I could send Twilight with notes and messages quickly?”

“I have them in my cave,” Ember answered, though she hesitated lightly. “I… haven’t checked in on it that last month, so maybe there are messages there I haven’t seen.”
Spike nodded. “That’s okay. I’ll send this one back to Twilight that I am awake but I will talk to her through the book. You go get it and once I start talking to her, I can also send a message to Princess Celestia to clear out the patrol.”

Ember nodded and moved away, motioning for her hoard. “I will and hopefully we can resolve this quickly.” The trio of dragons quickly made their ways out the cave and took off in flight. Torch meanwhile grumbled lightly… and that was saying something, as he shook his giant head.
“You should have mentioned this when you got here, that you were royalty.”

Spike looked up at the giant, towering form of the former dragon lord. “I am not royalty though. I have no title, no influence, not even a checking's account from Celestia. In truth, she adopted me, so I could be raised by a pony and not be declared a pet or something.” He then realized what he said and quickly retracted his statement. “I-I mean … not that ponies have other pet dragons and such!”

“That is too close to what the true assumptions were.” Zynthia nearly spat, a low growl vibrating from her throat. “Your history, along with what Ember has told during your coma state, you were practically their pet or toy...”

“No I wasn’t!” He practically yelled back at his mother. Zynthia’s head jerked back in surprise at his loud voice. His glare was directed towards her, not waning at all of her height… or the sheer fact this was his mother he was yelling at. Torch and Eliyinsa were caught off guard by his sudden outburst. “They never treated me like a pet! They treated me like family and you have no right to say that!”

Eliyinsa had seen all his memories, his past, his actions and what each and every encounter with him has been. Some of them are not as clear as he thought they were.
“Son, I have seen your memories,” spoke Eliyinsa, trying to defuse the heated situation. “From the few instances, they have treated you as family, but other times…” she trailed off. Spike looked up at her, seeing that sadden looked in her eyes. He couldn’t deny it. “There are instances where you were put in danger. For one so young, you had instances were they could have killed your or the minor, raised you incorrectly.”

Spike huffed loudly, allowing smoke to leave his nose. “I chose to go on most of those adventures, even of what would happen. Also, of course they would raise me differently. How could they know how to raise a dragon, if they could never study them?” He waved to them all. “How could they know how to raise me, when dragons didn’t want anything to do with ponies? That ponies were too afraid of dragons that they didn’t want to ask one in fear of getting eaten?”

“The fear is there for a reason, Spike.” Torch answered immediately, his form shifting to a more stern approach. “As it is now, your adopted mother had a dragon egg. One she received or found, with no information. As far as we can tell, no eggs have been reported missing in centuries outside of…” He stopped and he look like he was visibly struck. Eliyinsa and Zynthia looked at him, difficulty etching into his face. He shook his head and looked away, a frown settling upon his face

“Outside of what?” asked Spike, watching the former Dragon Lord trying to find his wording once more.
Eliyinsa lowered her head and spoke low to him.

“Torch’s mate, Saphira, was born in a clutch of two. One was taken and was never seen again. Ponies were the assumed culprit for centuries” She gave a quick glance to Torch and saw him nod, though he gave no indication that he would speak on. She leveled her head back up and looked at Spike. “We keep the fear in ponies and other creatures because we do have our weaknesses, Spike. The trials themselves could be used to exploit our weaknesses.”
She looked towards her mate, whom continued on for her.

“You already aware of them,” Zynthia huffed lightly, showing the scar on her leg that he had created, then she lightly lifted her neck where he held her life in his claws before. “These… Spike, are the weaknesses of dragons. The trials have shown more to the world than any other creature could see if they were not looking closely. If our greed was forced to come out, could we be blindly set on an innocent town of ponies or creatures? If they find that certain materials or minerals could destroy scales, would others not weaponize them? The exposure in between scale that you exploited… have others not found them yet? Most, if not a lot dragons don’t have strong minds, what is to say they cannot be controlled?” She hesitated, but leaned down to brush against him. He didn’t fight it, in fact leaned in, almost purring at her gentle caress before she pulled back.

“Our hatchlings, Spike,” she said softly. “Our hearts and souls are in the eggs. They are vulnerable, they are vulnerable and they are the greatest weakness we can ever have. I dare not imagine the difficulty that you endured as an egg to be among ponies, but I know that we stay to ourselves because… we dare not admit it, but we are just as frail, just as sickly, and just as likely to be killed, if we are not strong.” She lifted her head back up.

“What has happened to you,” continued Eliyinsa, nearing him as well. “We wish to find out. Regardless of what the ponies and the princesses think of you, we feared that their neglect in some...” She quickly emphasized on ‘some’. “...Of their ways of raising, may have been prevented or in some cases… discovered.”

“But… I’m ‘me’ because of them,” He pointed a claw at himself. “I am… the nice dragon you all know because of them. Yeah, they are with flaws and all but, I am here because of them. If ponies weren’t nice or careful, who is to say that I would be here? If Princess Celestia wasn’t nice to take care of my egg, would I even be alive now?”

“Perhaps,” answered the blacked dragoness. “Perhaps she raised you… as a sort of diplomat for species. The peace between dragons and ponies. She kept your egg and your life safe yes, but she raised you with kindness not seen in dragons normally.”

“And that is a bad thing?” he asked, confused at his mother’s words.

“Far from it,” She shook her head, motioning at Torch. “Dragons like him come far and few, natural kindness or genuine intelligence that speaks volumes…”

“His case, literally.” Zynthia chuckled with a snort. Amusement danced in her features as well as Spike’s. Torch snorted with a huff, but a glint of merit sparkled his eyes.

“But what you must also realize is that you were meant to be a diplomat, a bridge between two species, born and raised to help keep that relationship stable.”

“...But none of you knew I existed until I stepped foot on the dragon lands.” He stated, somewhat vexed. “How could I be born to be a diplomat, if none of you knew who I was? Again, you said that no eggs had been reported missing since…” He gave a glance to Torch before continuing on. “And not to mention that Princess Celestia didn’t even know about my egg…”

“That we know of,” Cut in Zynthia, though she was tamer with her speech at the mentioning of ponies. “I know it maybe difficult to believe it, son, but chances are, your pony princesses have secrets or lies they have no told their subjects. Just as we are as old, if not older than her, she has thousands of years to hold in any information she did not want the masses to know,” she paused. “Or where you came from either.”

He frowned lightly, wanting to defend his adopted mother’s name, but it wasn’t only until after Twilight left to Ponyville did he also learn that she was destined to become something, she was not told of. As is, Celestia had many secrets, and it was true that she kept a few to herself for the safety of others. Did that include those around him?

“Does that mean you have secrets too?”

All at once, the trio of elder dragons answered in a unified voice of certainty. “Yes!” There was no hesitation, no regret in answering him and there focused remained on him.

“Every leader, every conquer, every lord or master,” Torch spoke heatedly lacking the charm of his usual gruff, “Everyone that has ever held a title, has secrets and lies. Your naivety and innocence is sometimes blessing in disguise, young Spike. That goes for many across the lands. In order to be a ruler, sometimes secrets or illusions must be placed. To keep those in check and to keep your status safe.”

“I am a good example of that,” Tuned in Eliyinsa. Her eyes glowed, as did the brace on her leg, parts of her body also glowing light violet. “My abilities were once considered omens and dangerous, causing fear for others including my own sire and dam.” The glow ceased and she looked down at Spike with saddened eyes. “I had to keep them in check, had to hide them away from potential suitors, even be forced to wear this,” she swung her tail around, bringing the large dark metal brace around her tail into view. Spike looked at the thick ring around her. Small runes could be seen etched or engraved in them. The dark metal, an almost gloss like sheen, in two rings on the top and bottom carried a very thin line, almost a mane’s width of gold. She flashed her abilities through her body once more, allowing the ring to briefly glow once and highlighting the runes before it cease. “This is to keep me in check.” she finished.

More than ever, Spike felt sorrow for his mother, though he voiced it this time. “Why would you…”

“Bonded onto her when her powers first manifested in her teenage years,” Torch answered gruffly. He then sighed. “A mistake I regret years later.” He then locked eyes onto Spike, lowering his giant head to meet them. “And that Spike… is our secrets.” Spike saw that Zynthia and Eliyinsa all nodded. He didn’t push for it.

“The history behind my abilities and all the reason for it, are my secrets Spike.” The black scaled dragoness spoke with an even tone. “As we have said, we all have secrets… Celestia is no different.”

His confidence was broken, yet remained undeterred that Celestia was still a good pony. “Does having secrets make a leader a bad one? Are you saying that all leaders are prone to keeping secrets at some point?” He dared ask.

“Good or bad, its serves a purpose.” Stated the scarlet elder. “Some can be revealed later on,”

“While others must be carried to the graves,” Finished Eliyinsa, a small brisk cold filled the room. “When you and Ember fully embrace your roles later on in life, you will find truths that may disturb you or others and that is what must be kept from others.”

“...Ember will have secrets?”

“Yes. She already kept one from you,” Torch reminded him. “She did so for both of your sake's, to keep you alive and well. Does that make her as bad as a leader in whole, or is doing what she needed to do in order to keep both alive something that needed to be done, despite some consequences?” He then lowered his giant head to meet his. “You both, future rulers of the dragon lands, may or will develop secrets or lies, later on. Whether you want them or not.” He raised back his head.

Spike remained silent and the elders felt that should be the end of their conversations. The sound of flapping wings were heard and the dragons saw the return of Ember and her hoard. In her claws, she held the Bloodstone Scepter and Twilight’s book.
The mood lightened a bit. Ember was smiling as she came in with book in claw.

Spike could already tell that once he sent the letter, that book would light up like Heartwarming Eve. He looked back at the scroll in claw. “Well, its now or never, we fix the mistake that…” He looked up at everyone. “We all had a part in. My choices, or all of our mistakes.” That had everyone nod, except Smolder and Amethyst, the tallest being the one to input loudly her disagreement.
“We had nothing to do with you dude!” The light pink dragoness yelled, irritated and huffing black smoke from her nostrils, while retaining a small grin “We ain’t at fault in anyway!”

This really brought up the mood, with everyone chuckling at that. He nodded. “Right.” He flipped it over, making it a blank slate. He then reached down with a claw, scratching the cave floor lined with soot and sulfur. With a good part of claw tip blackened, he wrote only a few words on it.

“Hi Twilight. This is Spike. Yes, I have awakened. But if you want me to speak better, let us do it on your instant messaging book.”

He paused looking at it. He then thought that if she wanted his proof of his awakening, he made his brand of calligraphy to the last part in the only way possible.

“Sincerely, your number one assistant.”

With a small puff of flames, the scroll ignited brightly before swirling in a flaming green light and flashed past them all and out of the cave, disappearing outside.

“Incredible,” Zynthia saw with awe, watching the flame carry the scroll out. “Sending objects or items in fire and it to be delivered almost instantly.” She looked at Spike, joy and wonderment twinkled in her eyes. “Truly magnificent. Tell me… how did you come up with that method of magical flame manipulation?”

Spike shrugged, reaching for the book in Ember’s claws. “In truth, Princess Celestia casted a spell over me when I was young. I guess we are not magic resistant when we are young, so she placed one when I was about… mmmm ten years old? Yeah… she created one for me and what it did was that since Twilight was her sister, she needed ways to contact her through her studios without bothering her if she was busy.” Ember gave the book, along with a quill and just as it did, the book began to light up. “That was the old system, this one is the new one.”

He opened it up and just as he knew it, each page began to flash with words be written at sentences per second. Twilight writing as fast she would in real life, making a lot of the sentences in a blur. He did get a gist of most of it.

“...So happy to see your awake!”

“...Missed you for so long…”

“...So much has changed…”

He allowed her to finished what she needed to say, ignoring most of it since a lot of it repeated itself until he decided that it was his turn. He took the quill and began a few pages over before they could be filled by her ranting.

“Yes Twilight. I am fine, glad to see… err read from you soon. I really missed you. You and everypony. All of our friends, I hope that they are doing well!”

He paused, looked up and saw that all the dragons were waiting on him intently on sending a message to Celestia. He quickly wrote in.

“But before we play catch up, I need you to do me a favor. I need you to send word to Princess Celestia that I am indeed awake and that she can recall all the soldiers that are patrolling and setting up bases by the Dragon Lands. They have all the dragons on edge and it would be terrible if one pony made a mistake and started something. Do this first priority before we can speak anymore.”

As he wrote all that, he spoke out loud for the surrounding group. That seemed to ease them a bit, though they still waited for the response. In came in shortly.

“I didn’t know Princess Celestia had sent guards to the borders? Are you sure they’re patrolling there? I mean, why would she do that?”

Immediately, he looked up at the elders and confirm their suspicions. “S-She didn’t know about the guards.”

The trio of older dragons remained silent, but their eyes said it all. ‘The princess had secrets. Secrets even from Twilight’
Once more he spoke out loud as he wrote.

“Yeah, for the last couple of months, they have been bordering the Dragon Lands… along with changelings?”

The book actually paused for almost a full minute. It was a tense minute and Spike wondered if it even went through. Finally, the book lit up and the next words came.

“I’m sorry Spike, but I didn’t know that Princess Celestia had sent guards on the border or changelings. Wait, how did you know about the changelings?”

He sighed in somewhat annoyance at the confirmation of the changelings.

“Yeah, I just got informed that they have been allies with us for months now. What gives?”

He stopped and quickly shook his head.

“I’ll read more about that later. For now, please, get Celestia to recall all the troops. Last thing we need is conflict or a war.”

At the word ‘war’, the dragons bristled in different states of anger, disgust or fear. Spike felt the vibrations through the floor, also hoping that nothing to it comes close. A follow up message came up next. He read this one out loud too.

“As much as I want to speak to you, I think this should come first. I’ll send a letter to Princess Celestia, but it will take me awhile to get through.”

He softly exhaled and wrote back.

“That is fine. The sooner, the better. I rather not delay it any longer.”

He sighed, feeling a bit sadden he couldn’t respond to Twilight with better news.

“Sorry Twilight, but like you said a lot has changed. Some of it I wasn’t even aware of until I…”

He paused, looking back up at them all before shaking his head.

“Woke up today. For now, just briefly run down any changes we have until after you send the letter.”

“Alright. Again, glad your back.”

“Me too!”

He sighed and spoke up to the others. “She’s going to send a letter to the Princesses. Hopefully in a couple of hours we can see them leave soon.”

Apparently, Celestia also had created the same type of fast communication for her soldiers. When the elders, Spike, Ember and her hoard stood near the borders, they witness that the patrols have already began disbanding and cleaning up their outposts, shy of just the hour of the letter sent. Most of them were tents and the few buildings they had built were easily demolished, leaving a heavy print of where they were.

From their view, Spike saw that there were changelings amongst the ponies. But… they were not the black and cold changelings that he saw in Canterlot during the wedding. No, they were completely opposite. Bright and colorful, more so than ponies, with light vibrant riches that extended the rainbow. Some were cheerfully interacting with their brother in arms, while others just enjoyed being out and about without fear of ridicule or hate.

“A lot has changed,” He muttered out loud. “I would hate to imagine if I had slept any longer than just a year.”

“We are also grateful for your early awakening, son.” Eliyinsa lowered her head near to his. “We were wondering what would be the consequences if they decided to force their way to you.”

“We would have fought…” Began Torch.

“But I am not worth it.” It came out as a counter but he felt unsure of his own words. Celestia had set out a camp for soldiers to monitor the dragon activity here. Twilight and the others had demanded clearance to enter and visit, almost wanting to fight Ember for him. “Why would anyone die for me? I am no one special, I haven’t done much… I shouldn’t be fought for, let alone start a war.”

Ember was by his side when he said that. In truth, she wanted to argue that he was worth fighting for. He was the reason she was alive and why the dragon lands were changing. He alone had done more in the time he was here, than any other dragon in history. It would be unfair to say that he wasn’t special.

Spike’s influence when it came down to actual dragons were vague or non-existent prior to Gauntlet of Fire. Outside of actually beating the trials, he was just known as Spike, the pony lover. Now, he was the winner of the trials for her consort, as well as succeeding all of them in near perfection. That barely phased most of the dragons here.

“I would fight for you,” Ember grabbed his claw in her own, looking at his emerald eyes. “You are worth fighting for. Whether you know it or not, you have changed the lands, something no dragon has done before.”

“Indeed young Spike.” Torch continued on before. “You may not see it now, but the dragons here have changed because of you. Mindful, generous, with others beginning to show loyalty or merit that has never seen these lands before.” He gave the smaller drake a small grin. “Just like you said to me before, it’s like… magic.”

The other dragons nodded in unison, though it was Amethyst who snorted out loud, trying to hold back a laugh. It failed, but the others also saw it did seem a little funny. Still, Spike smiled at the mention of what he had told Torch before but the moment lost its merit, still hating the idea of any kind of battle for him.

The book in his claws lit up and he saw that there was a message.

“Hello my son, I am thrilled to see you are awake.”

A returning warmth settled through Spike, as he read the flawless calligraphy of his mother. When he would get personal letters from her, they would always fill his heart with warmth… along with the few chocolate infused gem cookies she would make for him. Even now, with the secrets and guards, his warmth remained strong for her.

“Hello mother, I’m glad to… read from you again. I’m sorry it took me to long to respond but, I guess I overslept.”

It was a terrible way to defuse the situation but, he felt that if anything were to go wrong now, he might wanted to get some answers from his mother.

“I see that your humor hasn’t left you, son. Glad to know that after your coma, that you're still you. I hope that know you are awake, you will return home soon, right?”

He paused at reading that. Yeah, he wanted to return home, but not soon. Awakening left him with many more questions than answers and he still needed to learn how to harness his inner dragon. That included his newly grown wings, his fire breathing and perhaps, learn from his mothers on fire manipulations. He decided to not answer that as the first message.

“Maybe, but first I do wish to ask. Why did you have guards at the border? Why did you keep trying to fight Ember on being able to see me? She told you that any magical sources could be bad for me.”

Like Twilight, there were pause though it took few minutes. Spike realized that despite being hundreds of miles away, he could feel the hesitance and obscure features his mother would have when caught with a problem that she didn’t want to deal with. Another minute passed before he got a reply.

“We wanted to know if you were held captive against your will or being mistreated. When we got word of the coma, we believed it was their fault and we wanted to come. However, Ember stated that you were… overfed with magic of sorts and that whatever the trials did to you, gave you a feedback that nearly took your life. I dare not imagine what would happen if they told me you had died.”

Spike sighed out loud, alerting all the dragons to him. He didn’t want to look at them yet, and responded back.

“I am not someone worth creating a war with. I maybe your son but I have no stake in anything. You above all should know that war would never be good. No amount of thousands should die just because what happens to me. I’m not worth fighting or dying for.”

He actually hated himself for saying that, but he didn’t like knowing of others bleeding or giving up their lives for him. He had no value, no particular value that could benefit Equestria or the Dragon Lands. He was no prince that could influence much, he was leader, and he definitely wasn’t worth the amount of ponies that would get hurt for him.

He hadn’t received a response from her yet, so he decided to right more.

“Either way, I am not coming home… yet. I need some time to adjust to my new ‘body adjustments’ and learn more about dragon history. I promise to return home, but all I ask everypony whom is with you there, that I will return home in one week.”

Reading that outloud, the dragons around him gave different looks of confusion, especially his mothers and Ember.

“Y-Your not going to return right away?” asked Ember, relieved but confused.

He nodded and looked towards her. “I just woke up… not even a couple hours ago. I literally remember my life up to this point but… I need time to deal with body upgrades and I need to learn more about what it means to be a dragon...” He was about to continue but his book lit up.

“What do you mean a week?! Why not return now?!”

That was Twilight’s writing and she was freaking out. He gave a small smirk and snorted with a puff of smoke.

“Well… to make long story short, I had gotten through several ‘molts’ or maturities that ponies call them, but molts are for dragons. With them, I grew bigger, I am stronger with my flames and… I… got… wings!”

Instantly…

“YOU GOT WINGS!”

He could practically feel her yell from here and the book vibrated hard to mimic her excitement.

“I did. I got them when I was asleep, so that is why I need to stay here just a bit longer. I need to practice how to use them, as well as anything else I can learn. I wouldn’t want to come to Ponyville and meet our friends back and suddenly crush them with my strength or accidentally burn them. I need time, Twilight. Just a bit more.”

He felt his tail being wrapped and Ember brushed her head next to his. “I will teach you everything I know. You will learn fast and you will show them how much you’ve changed for the better.” He smiled at that, brushing back against her.

The book lit up and he saw her responds.

“Well… if its only one week more, than that is fine Spike. It would help to learn more about your biology, especially in the dragon lands since you are surrounded by teachers and such. If possible you could send me more notes on dragon biology.” There was a pause in writing. “Though Rainbow Dash is disappointed that she won’t be able to teach you.”

He grinned at that, writing in,

“I don’t think dragon wings and pony wings are the same, however tell her that once I learn how to properly fly, I will race her.”

An immediate response.

“She just said ‘Yes!’ before getting out of hoof. Anyways, will you still be speaking through me here?”

“Of course. Just because I am not there yet, doesn't mean I can still respond.”

“Is Ember the only friendly dragon you have over there?”

At this he shook his head and looked around him to see the wonderful dragons he was surrounded by.

“No, I am surrounded by family more than anything.”

There was a delayed response.

“You have a family over there? How?”

“I do and for the last year, they have been taking care of me, making sure I was cared for, loved for and even though you, the girls and Celestia are my family, I gained one in the form of dragons. That is also why when I return in a week, I want to bring them to Ponyville and hopefully, we can all get along.”

He paused, as if trying to remember something really important before quickly adding in,

“So prepare Ponyville for the arrival of large dragons the size of Torch… including Torch.”

“I can’t go, young Spike. My mate is still immobile.”

“Scratch that, just the arrival of two dragons the size of Torch, along with me, Ember and her hoard.”

“Ill… try me best to warn them. But again… how did you gain your family? I mean… you don’t just gain a family like that? You were in a coma. Ember told me you were being taken care of by two dragons but she didn't mention that they were your family.

“I’ll explain more later, but just like you and Celestia, they adopted me.”

he answered quickly.

“Right now, we are waiting for the last of the guards to leave so the dragons have some peace. Once all that is done with, I’ll speak to you again.”

“Keep me posted then.”

That was the last of the communications. But then came the response from his mother.

"Forgive me... son. I pray that you do not hate me for what I thought was best."

Spike didn't want to respond, but... he felt guilty. He didn't like being disappointed in someone he loves, he also couldn't blame her. For what its worth, he was something to her, he was something to Twilight and her friends. And he was worth something to many ponies out there... but not here.

"I will... but for now, this week is with me and my family here."

With that he closed the book.

The dragons watched from the distance as the guards had all gathered the bases, leaving only wooden outposts or degradable waste.

“And… they are not to return for any reason?” asked Eliyinsa, leaning down to her son, wondering if there was something in the messaging missed.

He shrugged. “Not unless we give them a reason to. Celestia thought you were holding me against my will. I said otherwise.” There was a snarl on both of his mothers, with their upper jaw teeth visibly twitching. He quickly assured them. “Its a misunderstanding, that is all.” He actually felt tired and slightly slumped. “All of this… all this conflict… for me. Such a waste.”

They had already tried to tell Spike of his value, yet… they didn’t wish to repeat it. A month into his coma, the guards had been sent. Three months, they set up a post. Six months suddenly brought in the changelings and at ten months, they had infiltrators within. If the year had gone, Celestia would have walked in with an army.

Ember, Torch, Eliyinsa and Zynthia all knew of it, yet they did not tell him. Another secret that had to be held from him.

The drake had been through a lot. He didn’t want to feel down, even with Ember pressed against him, he didn’t want to feel like the world should revolve around him. Seeing the last bits of the ponies and changelings pack up, Spike along with Ember and her hoard turned around and made their way back.

The trio elders allowed them to leave, waiting until they were a good distance away before speaking.

“He is right you know.” Spoke Zynthia, somewhat moodily. “All of this for him,” she gave a flicker of her head to the ponies. “It’s not worth it for him.” Eliyinsa hissed and was about to growl at her mate, but Zynthia quickly cut her off. “You know what I mean.” She towered her mate but she tried to brush her at her level. “We see him as our son, as our love and more. Ember sees him as a mate and suitor. The other dragons… only see him as a dragon with a title… but not worth going into conflict for.”
Eliyinsa wanted to back away from her mate but she didn’t. She growled at distaste for her words but lowered her head, submitting to her mate’s touch. She closed her eyes, leaning into her next for support.

“I know, I know,” She felt unclean, knowing she said that about her own son. “But… he has done so much for us… for us all.”

“And he does it without even realizing it,” Jumped in Torch. His focused remained on the last of the ponies. “His influence alone has made it impossible to revert the Dragon Lands back to its origins.” He snorted, smoke leaving his nostrils. “I hate to say it as well but despite his deeds, there are many dragons out there that would not fight for him.”

“But why would the alicorns send their guards here? Why create outposts, guard-stations and more? Why the near conflict just because of him?” Eliyinsa almost pleaded for an answer. “Why did they set all this up for him?”

“His deeds in Equestria have made him popular.” He looked at her from the corner of his eyes. “Surely you have seen his memories? Why have you not been able to see that he has made an impact on the ponies?” He shifted his giant form to turn to them slightly. “The savior of their Crystal Empire. The help of defeating that Nightmare that we also nearly suffered for. The reformation and befriended of the chimera… And those are just what we know of. Who is to say that there isn’t more to what he has done over there or outside of his view?” The giant dragon then pointed his giant paw to the retreating ponies. “They are clearly here because he means more to them then he does to us. That means that we would have sacrificed unnecessary blood and scales on our end, if we just simply handed him over to them.”

“As much as it pains me to say it, its true.” Zynthia said in seldom. “We love him with all of our hearts… but he has hundreds, if not thousands of influences in Equestria and maybe beyond. Helping save the world or an empire or defeating chaos gods, he has gained love and favoritism from them. But here… he is only another dragon.”

Eliyinsa wanted to tackle the issue more, but… it was moot at this point. Her love for her son was grand but to any other dragon, he was just another dragon amongst dragons. Not much else.

When the last ponies disappeared in the horizons, the trio went back to Eliyinsa’s and Zynthia’s home, to hopefully enjoy as much time as possible with their young ones.

Spike had gotten to reading any bits of information he could from the book during the last few sessions Ember had with Twilight and the changing that had happen. When his mothers and Torch returned, his mothers allowed Ember and her hoard to take some gems from their hoard to eat, while they discussed the future.

“With the threat of the Equestrians now dealt with,” began Torch, sounding optimistic in his normal tone, “I ask, what happens when you return to Equestria, Spike?”

Spike didn’t look up from his book, though he shrugged and replied without removing his eyes from the pages. “I don’t know. Talk to Princess Celestia, catch up on current events… and get me a hayburger the size of my head because I’m craving one badly.”

Eliyinsa tilted her head slightly. “And… that is all?” she asked curiously.

Her tone had Spike look up and stare at her violet eyes.

“What do you mean? That’s all there is, no?”

“What I mean son, is that you must ask your… adoptive mother where your origins lie.” The words ‘adoptive mother’ came out like poison to her. “Where did she receive your egg or how did she acquire it.”

A puzzled look settled upon him, with suspicion being woven in. “Where I come from?” He closed the book. “I told you where I came from.”

“You told us what came after you hatched… we want to know, where you egg came from.”

“Does it matter?” The question was sharp and it stung quick. Both of his mothers almost jerked at his tone. It was only until Ember had moved in close that she actually eased his mind with her presence.

“Spike, don’t be mad at them. They just want was best for you. Maybe a little bit about your past my ease them.”

Despite his calmer tone, he still nicked at them. “But… why? Why does it matter? Isn't best if I didn’t know past? For all we know, my mother… didn’t care for me. Didn’t want nothing to do with me. I don’t want to know...” A sigh left him, though he was comforted by a wing wrap by Ember. Her eyes betrayed her sadness for him, but behind them was the love that he yearned for. Looking towards his mothers, he saw the same expressions and gave a small smile. “Besides, even if she doesn't know, you are my family. You, Eliyinsa, and you, Zynthia, are both my mothers. You may have not raised me but… that is why I want to stay here for a week more.”

Eliyinsa and Zynthia transitioned from cautionary guard on their words, to slowly radiated joy and love for him, his words catching them. He saw it in their eyes and continued. “I need to know how to properly be a dragon… without all the bad stuff I learned from Garble and the other dragons before.”

“Wait, you learned something from my brother? And what bad stuff did he do?”

The question threw Spike off hard, almost physically struck and his mood doing a one-eighty at the words. He looked a bit wide eyed at Smolder whom had her arms crossed, looking a bit annexed at bad mentions of her older sibling. All that left Spike was a deep unending stutter. “Y-Y-Your...Y-Y-You are his…. He-he’s…”

Ember and Torch actually smacked their faces hard with their palms, creating two different but deep echoes of smacking scales that bounced off the cave walls. His mothers, himself and Amethyst looked between the two of them, wondering what had happened.

It was Amethyst whom actually figured it out first and she began to giggle before it turned into a large laugh. “Oh Wistala! You guys never told her before!”

Torch and Ember looked guilty towards Smolder who looked very confused at the dragons around her. “Told me what? What does this have to do with Gar-Gar?”

Amethyst lost it and dropped to the floor, holding her sides as she burst into uncontrollable laughter, flames jetting out of her mouth. “Gar-Gar!” She wheezed through breaths. Smolder quickly fumed and walked over to the fallen dragoness, began to kick her to stop making fun of her brother.

“Hey! Only I get to call my brother Gar-Gar! It’s our names we had when we hatched! He didn’t like Garbles or Gary, so I chose Gar-Gar! And only I can call him that!”

This only made the fallen dragoness laugh harder, wheezing and spewing flames longer, even with Smolder kicking her. “That is not funny!”

Meanwhile, the more… mature audiences looked back at one another before sighing in unison, though Ember and Torch filled with guilt, looked towards him. Spike broke from his shock and looked towards Ember. “Sorry, it never came up.” She brushed her arms. “And I forgot only because she hadn’t hung around him for months.” She then quickly assured, “She is nothing like him. In truth, he his actually softer, just… hiding it better than most.”

“...And that is why you chose Smolder?” She nodded.

“If he could see that his sister was a better dragon for being nice, he would want to change for the better as well.”

He gave a curious glance at Smolder, seeing nothing of her brother, but seeing a teenager that… well, acted like a teenager and not much else. A pity smile graced his mouth. “I...I think I know why you chose them.”

Ember scoffed, but gained her own smile. “The… brighter of dragons around, but they were the smarter and better behaved ones.”

“Stop kicking me!” Wheezed Amethyst, still laughing, “You gonna make me pee!”

“I’d rather you not!” Zynthia warned loudly, though it fell on deaf ears.

Spike shook his own head, before focusing back on his mothers.

“Anyways, as I was saying, I wanted to live like a dragon, but I won’t get that in Equestria.” He paused and looked at Ember. “Though… are you and I still…” The question was left hanging in the air. Ember shook her head.

“After we… separated, I haven’t been able to put you back in. It must be voluntary.”

He nodded in understanding. “Then…”

She walked over to a nearby wall where she had sat down the Bloodstone Scepter. She then returned and held it out in claw for his own. “With you by my side, as long as you will have me.”

Amethyst and Smolder had stopped their meddling to watch the scene unfold. The elders watched as well, anticipation and waiting.

Spike saw the center stone glow brightly, waiting for the energy to be transferred to him. His eyes marveled at the glow, something warm and tingly nipping at the back of his head. The emerald in his eyes danced with the hidden flames inside the blood red stone and just for a moment, his mind remembered the energy.

He reached for it… but stopped. Instead, he reached for Ember’s wrist holding the scepter. She looked confused and a small amount of fear began to form. Before she could ask, he quickly cut her off.

“If I rejoin you, I will have to stay with you…” He then lowered it and moved closer. “But that means I can’t be with my mothers as well.” He sighed and looked at her intently with his eyes. “I love you, no matter what. That is a given. But… like I’ve been saying. I didn’t get to be raised as a dragon like you and the others did. That is why… just like I told Twilight, I want a week to be raised by my mothers. No major interference's, just be… the son that they want.” He then leaned in and blew a gentle kindle across her face. “In one week, I will return to you. Forever and eternally. I will grab the scepter and we can be together again. I will be by your side, never to let go, until our final breath, you and I will be bonded.”

Ember had never experienced such words in her life, at least not to herself directly. The few times she has heard words as beautiful and as kind as that had been true love dragons. Dragons that had bonded and fallen so deeply in love that their vows were set in blood and flames. His father did so with her mother, before she was conceived. Every now and then, before and after her own mother’s awakening, he would remind her of the words that he had told her years ago and repeat them to her.

Spike, as young as he was, spoke of ages of wisdom and care that even dragons many times older than her father, couldn’t comprehend. His adoption from his pony family made him far more intellectual than most dragons combined and it spoke volumes.

Her heart swelled with love and she nodded, lowering the staff. “One week,” she confirmed. “One week to enjoy your life as a dragon.”

He smiled and brushed his snout against his. “One week.” He then turned around to see everyone giving him gazes of absolute adoration. His mothers looked ecstatic and enraptured by his words, while Amethyst was gushing with her own love, shedding tears of joy for her hoard master. Smolder had calmed down enough to somewhat enjoy that Spike would come back, but he would get a chance to live as a dragon.

Torch felt a huge weight off his chest, knowing that soon, his daughter and future son-by-bound were to reunite in a week. His mate would love to seem them both. Clearing his throat to gain their attention, he spoke in a bit of a cheerful gruff. “Now that… we have all settled any problems, for the time being that is, what say we enjoy the day and spend it outside. We have only been outside for the time being and it was a bit moot.”

The others nodded and confirmed their own agreements. Spike and Ember agreed and walked in claws as they all made their way outside. Though Spike did have one more thing to say.

“Since I beat the trials, have you three decided what I was good for later on in life?” This cause the three larger dragons to stop and look at him. “I mean, Ember and I will return to one another but I still kind of wish to know what I will be. An Advisor? An Elder? A Successor?”

There was hesitation for their responses, trying to figure that out themselves. Turning fully towards him, they looked at each other, wondering if the other had a clue as well.
Zynthia shrugged and Torch raised an eyebrow. Eliyinsa looked at them both and turned to her son. “Well… in truth son, your intelligence, your skills, adaptation, cunning and quick wit makes you a perfect candidate for all three.” Spike looked confused cocking his head to the side.
“So… I can choose whichever I want?”

“You can,” Zynthia answered, though she looked a bit conflicted. “In truth, when a dragon wins the trials, we highlight the best in which one they did better on but you surpassed them all with no major flaws.” She nodded her head. “You can choose whichever you want.”

He himself seemed unsure, for each option did hold some benefit, but he conflicted on what his best one was. “I-I don’t know what to choose. Is there a another option?”

A moment of silence passed at the mention of another option. This time, the trio of large dragons looked at one another and seemed to be thinking the same thing. It was an unorthodox one, but… the opportunity was there.

Lowering her head to meet her son’s, her features bristled with small wonderment, but contained cautionary eyes. “There is… another option, one that is different. It is… of its own, but never asked for by dragons who win trials. This one… special option is a little bit of everything, but its masked by the duty only given to those whom fit the role.” There was a twinkle in her eyes that sparkled in Spike’s own.

“My son, it has been nearly two and a half millenniums since a dragon has choose to fit this role. It is one that is demanded respect, but at the same time, if properly understood, could demand the same amount of authority as a Dragon Lord, an Advisor or Elder. If you are up to understanding what that role is, I think you will be well respected in the Dragon lands for eons.”

Spike’s eyes danced with curiosity, wondering what this strange role was. “Why wasn’t this mentioned in the trials?”

“It is… a difficult role and none of us here could teach you. If you were born here a time before Torch and Zynthia was Dragon Lord, there was a master of this role and he would teach the next dragon to take over his part before he would move on. Outside of him, no other dragon, except the architect, the dragon whom collects knowledge and books, would be able to teach you what this role means and… how it could change the dragon lands, especially if it laid in your claws.”

Finally, his hungering curiosity got the best of him and he asked the question.

“What role is that?”

Eliyinsa spoke and when she did, Spike had realized that this may have been the choice he never had until know.

“The role… my son… that is an honor to have by your name is called…”

And that is it for the first act of Dragon Lord Legacy....
56 pages 12000 + words and three weeks to nail down what would be the better end of Spike's return to the world.

I originally had this down but... some things needed to be added or replaced. I debated with my editors on if I should split in two but... It was to much work and I just wanted to end this.
So, the next few chapters will be shorter than these, but it will bring Spike up to modern time. These chapters will be known as Spike's week. Shorter but still containing a good story for him and the others. Smolder will be more involved along with Amethyst. Saphira will be part of it too.

Speaking of which, those of you into my side stories of dragon tails, expect a chapter deticated to the parents of Ember soon!

Thank you all for your support!

Spike watched as his momma, Zynthia the Successor, manipulated and played with flames in her palms. She was sitting on her haunches and allowing the pinkish red flames dance on her claws and flicker without any signs of it dying.

He sat between his mother’s forelegs, Eliyinsa the Adviser, watching in amusement as his momma bended the fire in her claws with ease, a perpetual motion of flames dancing in the air or around her palms. She had started out with a simple small flame on her palm that somehow expanded and burned faster than he could have anticipated.

“The control is in your body, not just your mouth.” She exclaimed. Eliyinsa vowed to remain silent and let her mate teach their son. The scarlet dragoness bended the flames in paws, to and fro as if a puppeteer and danced them in unique ways. “Dragons have total control of their fires in their bodies but a true manipulator could ignite themselves and never burn the grass below them.”

From Spike’s memories, there were very few actual fire manipulators in Equestria, due to how dangerous and unstable the form was. But here in the Dragon Lands, controlled by actual fire breathers, Spike knew that this was proper technique. Of course, this was just basics.

The course went on. “The heat travels throughout your body. Every part of you, from the top of your head, to the tip of your claws, down your spine, and through the tail, has heat. From the heat, you can and will be able to control your flames.”

“Any part of my body?” he asked. “That has heat?”

She nodded her head. “Yes, but to really control it, you must first understand where your heat stems from. Where it begins, where it travels and how it all circulates in your body.”

To demonstrate, the flames danced from her paws and began to run up her arms, spreading itself as it traveled in her body. Spike watched in awe as it moved through her body, like magic and traveled downward, instead of up. The fire spread and separated so that the trails went up to her wings while the others continued down onto her legs and to her tail. The final trail went up to her head and remained aflame on top of her, between her horns like a crown.

Spike found himself in cheer, seeing his momma in flames, dancing on her body with no visible reaction from them. In fact, the fires seemed like a light show and varied in colors in certain places. Her wing membranes were a little bit pinker at the base of the flame, while the ones on her head burned her traditional red color. The tail one burned a standard yellow orange flame.

“Whats the difference in colors?” he asked, pointing at the flames.

Zynthia switched her tail, creating an arc of flames. “Different body parts have different temperatures, each responding to your anatomy.” She ceased her tail swishes and then lowered herself to her forelegs. She then gave a small growl and her whole body grew brighter in flames, as they began to burn hotter and bigger.

Spike could feel the heat from here. The scarlet dragoness then wilted her stance, which caused the flames to dim slowly. She then inhaled once, causing them to grow, before exhaling greatly and the flames completely died on her body.

“Wow!” Was all he managed to say. Both of his mothers smiled, seeing the hatchling like look upon his face. Truely, he was enjoying being treated like one of their own.

“And that my son, is Firebreaking.”

He nodded, still in awe at his momma’s display. He approached her, feeling up her arms at the heavily heated parts. He saw no damage, obviously, but he still wondered what was the effects or if how much in control of the flames she had.

“So… any dragon can manipulate their fires to do stuff like that.”

His mother above him gave a small hum.

“It is mostly the females that can produce this ability son, though few males have shown to do so.”

“Why only females?” A part of him remembered this prior but because he had so much of his memory just shoved back in at once, that small tiny area where he was just a hatchling waking up from his coma, had been partially erased.

Zynthia laid in front of him with her paws right in front.

“We, as females, have this ability, because we need to keep our eggs warm. If a dragoness were to say, leave the safety and heated lands here, to search for her own place and couldn’t find one, she would need to be able to keep herself warm or her eggs. Her belly, after she has laid, could be a great place to keep her eggs warm but if she were to surround herself in flames, she would be able to keep her eggs warm on all sides.”

“Along with that,” continued Eliynsa, “Is that while we are laying or caring for our young, we could light part of our bodies on fires to keep away unwanted intruders or would be egg-nappers.”

He nodded in acknowledgement, though he huffed in disappointment. “So I won’t be able to do it?”

“Not true,” quickly assured Zynthia. “I said to you before that most males don’t want to learn it because it could take decades or centuries to learn. However, I believe that if you wish to be greater than a Successor, an Elder, or an Advisor, you would learn this ability to become more respected.”

He thought on this. “Would… would I learn from you? Even if it took me forever?”

She lowered her head to meet his eyes, flashing him a disappointed sigh. “Unfortunately son, the difference between males and females in Firebreaking, is vast. In truth, I could show you how to focus your flames from your palms, conjuring them from the center, but not to spread on your body. Again, females do this to protect themselves and their young. Males… would only do this to show off or be something else.”

Spike thought about what they had told him he could be if he didn’t choose to be a Successor, Elder or Advisor. His fourth option would surely be something worth trying to learn it for, right?

“So… who would I ask to help me, if I am to choose the other option you gave me?”

Eliyinsa met her giant eyes with his. “The same one whom would teach you to become your desired role here.”

Spike realized that he wouldn’t need to focus on Firebreaking for awhile, so he decided to do something else. While he wanted to learn how to fly, his mother’s had him learn how to first adjust to his wings.

“You can’t just open your wings and expect to fly right away. That is not possible.” Sure, because he figured your are born with the wings on your back and you learn how to fly after your first molt.

Eliyinsa was the one instructing this time. She was actually lighter and smaller than her mate, plus her wings matched Spike’s almost down to the talons. It was a weird coincidence but nonetheless, she felt that this would make training him faster. She wasn’t going to start off right away.

Rather, she was going to teach him first his anatomy of his wings. “Your wings are more than just another part of you, they are an extension of your mind and body.”

All three were outside, on top of a large cliff that overlooked the Dragon Lands. Here, the black dragoness had her wings drawn out, allowing the heated wings to sway her back and forth with the strong zephyrs that came. Spike spread his wings, only to almost get thrown backwards as the sudden opening, throwing him onto his back. “Whoa!” He landed on his back with a thud, earning a grunt loud enough that his mothers heard.

This earned both of his mothers a chuckle, knowing this might have happened.

“You should have opened them slowly, son.” Eliyinsa snorted with merit. Both saw Spike sighed with annoyance, closing his wings to his sides before sitting up on his haunches.

“Should’ve figured that out.” Indeed, the winds were strong right now, powerful enough to get a dragon as large as his mothers airborne but also a little too strong to send him flying backwards and on his tail.

“We all learn in our own ways, Spike.” Zynthia mused. She used her giant paw to uproot Spike to standing once more. The young drake begrudgingly did so though he kept his wings clamped shut on his back. The strong winds should have told him to wait but seeing how this was his first time using them, he was excited. “I was the same way after I molted.”

“What you first must learn is that pony wings and dragon wings are different.” That, he knew of. “Feathers and soft bone are nothing compared to skin and muscles that keep you airborne. While its true that those pesky pegasi have speed, maneuverability, and agility, dragons on the other claw have stamina, strength and stability. Our wings may not look it, but a dragon could stay airborne a lot longer than any pony. Due to the sizes we grew into, many assume they could out race or outperform a dragon. While speed has been a bit of a defect for some of us, there are other ways to compensate.” A purplish glow with a light touch of pink, cascaded over her scales, like a light passing over before her body ignited into a gentle violet flames, with a rosey pink at the tips of the flames leaving her body. This was the first time he had ever seen his mother’s fire and the way it danced around her body, made her look all the more stunning.

As she allowed her body to be consumed, she focused them on her wings and her palms, making her wing membranes catch on fire and her palms as well, with the ground itself heating up around her.. He suddenly found himself being pulled back from her by Zynthia, giving her room as they watched as his mother crouch herself, low to the ground. He knew she was about to take off, but he didn’t expect what would happen next.

Eliyinsa focused all her fire downward, then like a rocket, launched herself with such force and power, that ground below her cracked. The sheer explosion would have sent Spike flying had Zynthia not been there to hold him. She had dug her claws to the ground just in case. As soon as she took off the ground, she shot up at extreme velocity in the sky. He watched in almost disbelief that right before Spike and Zynthia, they saw and heard the crack of thunder.

Spike’s jaw hit the floor, as his mother had just broken the sound barrier. A light violet and pink trail left her body as she flew, taking a sharp turn east, where he saw her flying at breakneck speeds across the lands. He wasn’t the only one seeing this, as many dragons around heard his mother break the sound barrier along with her flying and circling the skies in sonic speeds. The trail that left her made her look like a black comet with a violet streak tail. He was still reeling, his mind in utter shock and joy at seeing a creature, let alone a dragon, flying at speeds near Rainbow Dash’s level.

But he also saw, that despite her fast speeds, the focus of her velocity is her using her palms and her wings as propulsion. It reminded him of Trixie’s rockets, being lit and shooting up to the skies an exploding. He hoped that didn’t happen with his mother though…

For what seemed like magic, probably some form of it, Eliyinsa had circled the Dragon Lands in a matter of a few minutes, her trail being seen far away. Eventually she had focused her way back towards them, with her trail disappearing and she began to decrease her speed. She approached them all but dropping her speed to a near dead stop by throwing her wings open into a complete stop in the sky before quickly turning into a glide, circling overhead until she land gracefully in front of them, as if she had never left the very ground.

Spike’s mouth still hadn’t come up, though he was aware that Zynthia had a grin that showed a bit amusement at seeing her mate show off.

Eliyinsa had her own smile, though it was more pride than anything, along with merry at seeing her still stunned face, son. Finally, Spike looked at his mother with joy and almost leaped into the air as he saw the most amazing display of speed and aerial maneuverability on a dragon.

While seeing Rainbow Dash perform and pull off the Sonic Rainboom was amazing, seeing something close to it being pulled off by a creature three times the size and weight, let Spike know that dragons were truly capable of matching up with ponies.

“Mother that was amazing!” His body was shaking with excitement, tail wagging happily. He ran up to her, hugging her arm in a tight embrace. Eliyinsa bristled with warmth and the attention she was receiving. “I don… I can’t….” He was truly speechless yet she knew what he was trying to get at.

She leaned down meeting her eyes to him, flashing him with a grin. “Never underestimate what you are, son.”

“And never downplay what you can accomplish.” Added Zynthia. “Believe it or not, it took her half a century to do something so complex.”

“So… will I be able to learn that?”

Eliyinsa nodded through some hesitancy. “Again my son, what you learn and what you accomplish is up to you. I could teach you everything I can today and you could master it by tomorrow or by the end of this century. Your willingness to push beyond your limits and your mind is all on what your goal is. I have no doubts that you can and will learn whatever you are taught. You didn’t past the trials without pushing yourself and we have full assurances that you can learn this.” She flashed her violet eyes towards him. “But if you wish to learn all of it this week, we will teach you.”

He thought on it. In truth, yeah he wanted to learn that neat little trick to propel himself at near mach levels of speed close to Rainbow Dash, but… this was his week. He wanted to learn what it was like to be raised a dragon. After all, his home is here too now and whether he came to live or visit here, he could always learn from his mothers on how to do this. After all… dragons had long, long, lifespans. He had as much time here as he did with Equestria. But he at least wanted to know what it was like to be a hatchling, raised among dragons.

“I have plenty of time to learn that,” he answered, hugging his mother’s leg. “Like you said, it could take centuries to learn. But I don’t have centuries to be a hatchling, so what else could you teach me while Im still young?”

"We will find a way to get you to learn how to fly quickly, my son." Zynthia promised.

Once more, the motherly love he received from both females let him know that he was making their moments count. Mother and Momma were about to go into full loving parents mode.

He felt their affection all day. When they were teaching him something about his inner flame, or how to dig for certain gems with his claws or tail, he felt a wave of love wash over him. He knew most of this stuff, but he enjoyed learning it from dragons and not just on his own or half guessed words from unicorns with basic understandings on dragons.

He feigned surprise on a certain things that he knew of, triggering some praise and warmth with his mothers and feeling them brush against him or nuzzle him with love.

The few surprises he did have were even better because it made him appreciate their teaching and knowledge more meaningful. They are two of the smartest dragons in all of the lands and he felt that every bit of information was truthful and accurate. He didn’t blame ponies for lacking good bios and knowledge on dragons, but it felt better hearing it directly from the mouths of his mothers.

Though there was one bit of subject that he was trying to avoid. He knew it may come up, but whether it be today or tomorrow, he knew that being his age, he would have to hear it.

“Do you wish to know how the reproductive system works between a male and female work, my son?” Zynthia had asked.

A small whine left him, a bit of red hitting his cheeks as he nervously twiddled with his claws. He already got this lesson from both his pony mother and his pony sister. Celestia used references for her words on certain anatomy parts as well as playful meanings and keeping it simple.

Twilight on the other claw was… brutal. She gave detailed diagrams, sketched out the body parts, both internal and external as well as using long complex wording that flew over his head. Her lecture made him feel like it wasn’t worth trying to tackle or make an effort to actually learn how to properly mount a female. Again, since that was pony anatomy and not dragon, it was way different.

Not to mention he already knew how things worked since he and Ember had… gotten close to doing it.

Swallowing, he answered a shyly. “Um… c-can we maybe s-skip that or save it until the end?” He gave an embarrassed, uncomfortable smile. “I kinda… already know about how it goes.”

Both dragons looked at him a bit owlishly. “How can you know of how things work son? You yourself said the ponies knew little on dragon biology?” His mother questioned.

His face burned redder with shade, he looked away from them afraid to speak. “I just… know…” Was all he could respond.

Zynthia was the one went wide eyed and a small grin formed on her muzzle. Turning to her mate, she spoke to her openly. “Torch had mentioned prior to the trials that Ember and him had some coitus.” He grin grew when she saw her mate’s eyes widen. “According to Ember, they did not mate but they were covered in their secretions… excessively, especially him.”

Spike wanted to die now. Forget learning more about being a dragon, just head back to Equestria now! He shied away and used his wings to hide himself, wrapping them around his body.

Meanwhile Eliyinsa grew a Cheshire grin and both females looked down at their son. He was hiding behind his wings, trying not to be embarrassed.

“Son?” his mother cooed at him, almost sounding like a purr. “Is there something you wish to tell us?”

A muffled ‘No’ was his response, choosing to stay hidden. His mothers chuckled at his, making him squeeze his wings tighter around him along with wrapping his tail around him too.

Zynthia moved over to him, approaching from behind and leaning in close to him. “Did you and Ember have some sort of… issue on why you couldn’t mate?” He heard the predatory growl from his mother, he could actually hear the corner of her snout pulling up as she held her grin.

Eliyinsa also leaned down to meet her shy son.

“Was it something on your end or hers?”

No response, the teasing was too much. Both mothers gave weary grins but they knew that he didn’t wish to Spike live the rest of this week in embarrassment and shyness.

“We wont ask much more, Spike.” His mother said smoothly, though it didn’t take away her grin. “If you wish to learn more subjects, then we can move past this. But… we will bring it up some time again this week. If you and Ember are to properly consummate in your future, then it is up to us to teach you to do so correctly.”

Spike stayed as he was though he responded still through his wings. “I already got this lesson twice, I don’t need to go through it again… please!”

It irked the two mothers to know that he was already told about how mating goes, but that was how ponies mated. The differences were large and both of them knew that he probably got a few things wrong. Clearing her throat and not commenting ill towards his pony family, she spoke evenly, trying to retain her motherly tone. “Regardless of their teachings, we will teach you properly on how dragons successfully mate son. We will make sure that when you and Ember are ready, you may please her in ways that may surprise her.” That teasing tone made him shutter.

“We can even do demonstrations that will help you…”

Without allowing her to continue, Spike immediately screamed in fear and shot out of his cave. He learned quickly, there and then on how to fly, for he shot open his wings and flew out the cave in a hurry, not realizing he had just flown out without stumbling or flaying around. He disappeared from view right away.

Both mothers looked at the cave entrance. They were a bit surprised that he learned how to use his wings that quickly but they gave each other smiling glances.

“Well, he learned how to fly quickly so that’s one lesson down. Perhaps we can teach him how to Firebreak if he saw us mating.” Zynthia growled to her mate, ideas brewing in her mind.

Eliyinsa snorted, flashing her a smirk. “If we wish to mentally scar him, yes though I think that since he is not of our flesh, it wouldn't matter.” She paused. “Did you plan this so he could learn how to fly sooner?”

Zynthia licked the snout of her mate. “I did promise that we would teach him how to fly quickly, though I figured he would have crashed several times along the way. I am glad that you went through with it though. He may have the body of a teenager but his mind is still young. His prior experience with Ember may have left both of them needy.” She then brushed against her, rubbing her cheek against the other. “Also, if we are to teach him on how to be a dragon, he must learn quickly if he is to catch up with others that are at his age… err physical age.”

Eliyinsa nodded and kept her eyes locked on the cave entrance. For a moment, they sat in silence, wondering if he was coming back.

“How long do you think it will take?” Eliyinsa asked.

Zynthia hummed for a moment, trying to guess the time. She narrowed it down between Spike realizing he just flew, the time he would understand on how he was flying, what made him fly, then add into account that he was just embarrassed by his mothers on how dragons should mate. The drake would likely stay away from here, check his new wings out and giving them ago with excitement. Either he would get over confident and fall or he would learn how his body made flying possible and would do laps around the land. He might seek out Ember to show her that he could fly, showing off and then speaking to her about what he learned, all of today until the moment he left.

“Give or take, a couple of hours.” She then looked towards her mate. Eliyinsa was giving her ‘longing eyes’ of need. “Did discussing that….”

She nodded, her body was pushing against her, rubbing herself against her larger mate. Zynthia gave a final look at the entrance before turning to her mate. “We have time, but we need to do it inside the lava pit so he doesn't comeback to the smell.”

Eliyinsa growled with excitement.

So not as long as the others, but it is just a filler between the week of being raised by dragons before going home.
Also the show is ended.... what a ... way to go. Not to bummed, actually quite happy. That means that with the show being done, nothing else to break my continuity here and go all out for dragons. I have plenty more to write with dragons for the next half year so Im not going anywhere for awhile.
Though like i promised on my blogs a while back, this year will end the pony based stories. No more new stuff, just tying lose ends, adding one shots here and there and pony stories will end there. Dragons will live on... here and my other sites.

Also any mistakes, let me know, threw this out there for the sake of keeping up to date. No edit.

Night had come and so did the tranquility of the Dragon Lands. Dragons young and old headed to their home caves to call it in, with few staying out by the lava pits or rivers to relax.

Spike was returning home, albeit slowly and cautiously. He had flown away earlier, literally flew out of the cave in fear of his mothers’ teachings on sex. About a few minutes after he had flown out, he realized he had flown out and was happy to have that, only to inevitably and painfully crash.

Worst of it, he crashed landed in front of hundreds of dragons out in the open. Of those that did laugh at him, where teenagers getting the best of him in his first outing with his wings.

Fortunately, he had a few of the adults understand that gaining new wings were a bit troublesome for the start. After that, he had gone over to Ember to show off his nearly flight-ful ability, though it resulted with him later explaining that he had to fly out of there so his mothers didn’t give him the mating talk, or as Ember had put it by her father’s saying ‘The Volcanoes and the Eruptions’. Spike had to really think on that for a good few minutes before he realized what it all had entailed.

He spent the remainder of the day, since his lessons were spent with his mothers in the morning, with Ember. He wanted to avoid the ‘talk’. Ember chastised him for it, wondering why it would be awkward, if they had nearly mated themselves.
After telling him the horrors he endured with his previous talks about sex-ed, by Celestia and the true horror, Twilight, she reluctantly agreed to allow him to stay with her and hide.

Though all it resulted was him regretting this because he had specifically asked for one week to be spent with his family.

“And that is what family is,” Explained Ember to him. “That they do whatever they can to embarrass you, but they do it with love and joy, knowing that you will always be in there heart.”

Smolder had thrown her two bits in too. “Garble was also like that, always trying to protect me and at times, it got really embarrassing, but in the end, I knew that he would beat up any dragon who would mess with me. He also goes out of his way to make me look more tough than himself.”

It spooked him to know that there was a side to Garble that seemed soft and cuddly like a pony. More so, it was the fact that he also had a little sister and that he would be with her all the time as part of Ember’s hoard. Did that mean that he would have to share Ember with Smolder and Amethyst in a personal way as well?

He avoided asking or figuring out that question himself, but it didn’t hide the fact that Smolder did kept giving him long glances. Any chance that she could, would look him over, staring at his new, leaner, body. If he did catch her staring, she would quickly look away with embarrassment and red cheeks. Along with that, he knew and was confirmed by Ember that Amethyst was only interested in her, not him. That was one less… female had to worry about.

When the evening arrived, he reluctantly went home, dragging his tail on the way. He actually wanted to return and apologize to his mothers, dealing with inevitable ‘talk’, though in part he actually did need a bit of useful information in case something did come up he had questions on.

Pulling into the cave, he slowly made his way inside, hoping that he hadn’t upset his mothers in anyway. Each step was light, hoping that he didn’t bring unwanted attention to him….

“Son, if your going to sneak in, you might want to keep your tail lifted and your breathing silent, it would be difficult to sneak upon anyone like that.

'…self’. He sighed out loud. Turning towards the corner of the cave, he saw both of his mothers lying together with their bodies facing forwards. He expected anger or a bit of a disappointment but instead, both were smiling and both looked… content.

“Hello, Spike.” They spoke in near unison. Okay… that was weird. Approaching closer to his mothers, a new tingle ran up his spine and a small shudder ran down them. A unique smell hit him and it was something he was close to recognizing, akin to that of Ember. Only it was stronger, a slight hint of cinnamon and musk that baked into the cave all around. It wasn’t potent or over empowering, but it was intriguing, even having him move a bit sluggish.

“Why does it smell so…”

Both of his mothers flushed and shuffled between themselves.

“That… would be us, Spike.” His momma Zynthia explained, her scales turning a slight shade of rose. They shifted around, making themselves seem more presentable.

“Why do you both smell like…”

“Well…” begun Eliyinsa softly, cheeks still glowing. “When you ran or ‘flew’ off, in that case, we were a bit too focused on teaching you on mating that we may have… ‘triggered’ ourselves.”

Spike felt like he should be disturbed that his mothers just confessed they had just mated or at least participated in sensual activities, which it didn’t. If anything, he felt warmth fill his body, as well as a bit of a tint of red enter his cheeks.

Noticing his lack of disgust, both dragonesses saw that he was somewhat caught up on their scents and was being influenced by it.

No use in hiding it, the females motioned for their son to approach. He did so, though he felt a bit light headed and his movements seemed a bit sluggish. Did he hear humming? It was as if he was in a trance, though there was a nice warmth surrounding his body. Speaking of body, he found himself suddenly at his mother’s forelegs, already laying in between her. How did he get there so quick?

Leaning down, Eliyinsa and Zynthia brushed against him, giving warm growls in their throats that sounded soothing to him, though humming was heard from them. “I feel… fuzzy… m-m-momma… m-mother…”

Both females continued to brush against him, making him feel lighter and lighter. “Your tired son, just sleep now.”

His eyes began to flutter, trying his best to stay awake. Whatever was that smell, it was nothing compared to the feeling of being nuzzled and rubbed by his mothers. Tingles and light shivers raced across his body, making his body feel numb but in a good way. Like if this was natural way to fall asleep like this. Soon, his body began to slowly slump over, the gentle tenderness of his body, being caressed continuing to relax his body up until he was on the floor, his head resting on her arm and his eyes fading.

“Just sleep son,” Eliyinsa spoke so softly, coming as low as a whisper. “Let your dreams take wing.” The soft hum rumbled from the back of her throat, which was echoed by her mate. Spike fought sleep no more and soon fell into a gentle snoring. His chest rose and fell easily, signs of a resting state. However, even with his sleep, the duo mothers continued to hum, keeping the low tune the same so he could always remember this.

For almost a year, they would do this to him. For almost a year into his coma, this humming would let them feel like parents and hoped that one day when he would wake up, this would be in his mind and they could always use it to get him to sleep. It was a gentle, more meaningful method to get him to sleep, rather than Eliyinsa uses her abilities towards him.

The fact that now, they could enjoy it, watching their son fall asleep to their hum made them bristled with pride and joy. Though, it would have been better if their scent wouldn’t be what he would associate it with later on.

“We will have this discussion later, yes?” Zynthia asked his mate, pausing to speak and continuing to hum after. Eliyinsa nodded, not braking from her humming. “Interaction?”

This did cause her to stop her hum and look at her mate intently. Spike stirred slightly but remained asleep. Zynthia returned to her humming as she let her mate contemplate what she had asked.

The question was a conundrum and it begged the question on whether or not the two should actually demonstrate on a physical interaction between them and their son. They had no blood connection to speak of, but Spike had already been taught some education on mating. Though ponies and dragons were different by a large margin, some details were the same when it came down to the ending or outcome.

She lowered her head down to her forearms, letting it rest. “We will… decide it necessary when the topic shall return. For now, let him enjoy what he wants for this week. Come the week’s end, he will be taught properly on dragons.” She resumed her humming next to her son, who moved his head close to hers.

Zynthia laid her head across and on top of her mate’s neck, adding to her tune once more. Pausing momentarily, she added, “Why the end of the week?”

Eliyinsa smiled softly, giving her song a small lick to his smaller frame, earning a small sigh from him.

“Something tells me that he may need it before his return trip to Equestria. Ember and him need to understand that their future must be prepared.”

Dawn came, signaling the second day already for Spike and his time here. His mothers were treasures beyond any hoard he could ever have. Waking up to warmth that exceeded any blanket, feeling the care of a body held you close, and inhaling the rich smell of sulfur, his mothers’ unique scents and home.

Though his mind was still reeling in the fact that his mothers had mated and… they somehow got him to sleep through the scent. Was that a dragon thing? Was he slowly becoming acquainted with them so much that it didn’t bother him, or was it because he had Ember already? He had to ask that.

The second day had him wondering what else could be taught to a dragon that he didn’t know. He wanted to be treated like a son to both Eliyinsa and Zynthia, but he also wanted to learn things as a dragon he couldn’t learn from ponies. Though that meant that he wasn’t taught his lessons like a newborn hatchling. He needed to learn quick, but he still wanted to enjoy it.

His stomach growled at, letting him know he was hungry. His eyes wandered towards his mothers’ hoard and licked his maw in hunger, eyeing a few gems that stuck out brightly. However… something else gnawed at him, like the gems weren’t his goals for consumption. They sparkled, they smelled delicious even from this distance, but his body craved for something more, something… stronger.

A small dread crept up his spine and he soon found himself eyeing the remains of a deer his mother caught days ago. The bones were left towards the side, as toothpicks or as something to chew on, and it reminded him of the darker side of what his body needed. A brief remembrance that he had tasted flesh before, prior to his memory returning. His tongue flicked out instinctively, as he remembered the taste of rich cooper, earthly tones and indescribable taste that his body, his tongue and his primal mind craves. A brief flash of his friends and family with their blood in his jaws entered his mind.

Even with his more advanced mind, matching that of most adult dragons, he felt like a whelping right now. A tremor of fear rose through him at the recognition that his body needed the blood and flesh of another animal to continue to grow. A whimper, a cry for help in the drake, left him almost inaudible to any other species. But it triggered parental instincts and nerves that immediately woke up both of his mothers.

Eliyinsa’s eyes flashed open and she looked down at Spike who was staring at their cave, as if something spooked him. Her instincts told her to seek the threat that threatened her son, but saw none. Casting her gaze, she gently brushed her son with her snout, stirring him. “Spike? What’s wrong? What scares you?”

Spike blinked, forced to return back to reality and he turned to look up at his awakening mothers. He shook his head, trying to quickly forget the mental image out of his mind. “I-I-I just… had a bad thought and…” he swallowed the lump in his throat. “... and I-I was hungry and wanted to eat but… I didn’t want gems.”

Both parents were now fully away and staring at him intently, letting him continue. “M-M-My body wants… it wants…”

“Flesh?” His mother finished for him. It came out more of a statement than a question and in doing so, sent another shiver up his spine, followed by a shaky nod from him.

“And what of it… causes fear, in you son?” Zynthia moved her head down at him, bringing her eyes into his own. “Did we not already deal with how to properly eat your meat or what to do when we encounter our food?”

Spike remembered some of it, but the ideal of eating the flesh of another was still in his mind. “I don’t…

“You cannot ignore what your body needs.” Eliyinsa chided with a light warm tone. “Ignoring it or denying it will make those thoughts become reality.”

This really caused him to cease up in fright. He would lose control? Like he did with his greed?! No! That wasn’t what he wanted it! He didn’t want this!

His emotions began to radiate and this was not a healthy sign to start off the morning. Both mothers saw his emotions flaring, like before. How he would become unstable and lose his mind. But they were ready for this. Unlike before, they understood who Spike was and why he was this way.

“Spike,” Eliyinsa began, still softly spoken, “Relax my son. Relax, you have nothing to fear.” As she did this, Zynthia began to hum a small soothing tune in the back of her throat as her mate continued to ease her son. “You are strong, son, stronger than your fears can be.” Spike started to ease up, his breathing slowing and he blinked away any fearful thoughts. He sighed.

“I… I’m sorry mothers.”

Both mothers leaned down and nuzzled him on each side, purring from their throats. “You have nothing to apologize for.” Warmly assured Zynthia. “Your still emotionally attached to your pacifist side by your ponies and that holds you back.” Spike was about to retaliate on his mother’s words but she quickly added more. “Nothing is wrong with that. But you must be aware, that if they were here, they would want you to get better, stay strong and live your life without suffering.” A small snort left her with a plume of smog leaving her nostrils. “They will come to understand that when you return, you have changed… for the better. You need to consume flesh but they shouldn’t hold it against you for being what you are.”

“Neither should fear of losing control enter your mind. You are not going to go savage or feral if you do not eat meat at a constant rate. You may get sick or feel hungry or even lash out emotionally, but you will not go savage. You consumption for meat is only that when you feel your body the need for it on a bases.” She rose from her resting, slowly rising to all four of her legs, stretching out her joints. Zynthia moved away to her own space, while Spike remained sitting, waiting for his mothers.

Once done with their stretches, Eliyinsa stepped over her son, with Spike looking from the underside of his mother as she moved over him.

Eliyinsa looked back at him and motioned to follow.

“Come now son, I think if you want a better understanding, we will teach how it's done properly.”

Despite being told he had nothing to fear, he still felt tense at what he knew he might do. Still, he had to ask. “What are we doing?”

Zynthia used a wing to create a ramp for Spike to climb onto her back. “We are going to hunt, son.”

The morning winds were cool and the fact that he actually enjoyed spending some time up here for awhile, made the situation on what he was about to do, a lot less stressful.

However, he still didn’t know how to properly use his wings. It's not like he could master flight in a couple of minutes…

Holding onto one of the spines from his mother, they had apparently headed far north of the Dragon Lands. Far from the heated deserts and dangerous outlands, desert transformed into plant life, with jungles and forests began to show. With rivers and streams of pure blue water ran down. Nature’s rainbow colors returned and it sent a warmth up Spike’s heart. It was as if he had returned to Equestria’s beauty.

They landed in a clearing in the forest with light gusts of wind. As they touched, Spike used his wings to jump to a light glide unto the ground. His first site was green in every direction around him, trees and bushes, grass and the vast arrays of plant life native to the area.

He looked up to his mothers. “So… what now?”

Zynthia looked down him. “Being raised by ponies has robbed you of your keen instincts,” she began. He bristled a bit at the jab at ponies, but remained quiet. “You were raised in a safe and sheltered environment, never hunting, never getting a chance to explore your instincts.”

“And while it was good that you never had to struggle,” Continued on Eliyinsa, “They removed the predatory part from you, making you… like them.”

A look passed over him. Once more, he bit back the flare to say something. They caught it. “Speak up!” Zynthia said sharply. He jumped at that. Never had he heard her speak like that to him… at least not since the trials. Zynthia had a different tone now, while Eliyinsa remained stoic and passive. What changed? Spike tried to chose his words but failed, so he only looked down. Zynthia snorted. “Out here, its different Spike. Out in the open, the world is wild and unpredictable. The Dragon Lands are made for dragons to live and rule there. The world and outside the boundaries of the lands, are where prey and predators are born.”

She looked down and around them. She saw a few tracks of various animals; she took in a deep inhale and smelled a variety of species that roamed the area recently. From their fur to their droppings, to their usual eating grounds, she took in the world around her. The black dragoness then refocused on him. “I don’t expect you to understand right away, but you should have figured out by now that… just because you are a dragon, doesn't mean your invulnerable.”

He looked up at her, a bit intimidated by her words, but understanding them easily. Though he did ask, “What does that have to do with hunting?”

“Everything!” she snorted, a puff of smoke leaving her nostrils. “You are at your weakest when you are hungry or hunting. You are more vulnerable when you are resting or sleeping. Most if not, all the creatures that grace the lands and beyond are intimidated or afraid of dragons. Any that can find a chance, will use that chance to fight or kill you. Especially one as young as you, Ember and the others.” She then began to walk towards the trees, followed by Eliyinsa whom remained quiet. He followed after, though his mother used her tail to shove him close to her side, continuing her speech. “When you think you about to land a kill, another creature could blindside you. When you are hungry, your movements are desperate and uncoordinated. Your belly guides you, not your mind.”

“The first time I ever hunted, was when I was a little older than you are, but less patient. I was hunting a deer, not caring that it was intelligent or that it already knew why I was there.” She stopped, standing in her place while scanning the area. “I was itching to hunt, excited that I was about to kill something. But I failed to realize that deer are smarter than dragons, far more than they are given credit for. It knew of my hunger, it knew of my impatience and it knew that I would only care to catch it.” She lowered her head, eyeing the ground, finding more cloven tracks before pressing forward, albeit at a slower pace. He gave a quick glance to Eliyinsa but she remained quiet and focused forward.

“When I jumped out to catch it, it sprung a trap, using itself as bait.” A small sniff left her, followed by a plume of smoke from her mouth. “The forest came alive and the vines wrapped my body. I struggled, I fought, and I roared in anger at being played. A group of deer had set up the ambush, having known that my kin were hunting now. But I was just the first to fall for it… and the last of that season to do so.” Her upper lip twitched upward as her memory returned to that moment. “They left me bonded to the trees, my mouth, tail and wings tied, until I remain calm enough to collect myself.”

She stopped moving, almost freezing up. Eliyinsa also froze, eyeing any movements. Spike stayed by her side, expecting something to come out and attack them. For a few moments, no sound was heard, except the wind that blew through the trees. Once she got over her spook or whatever it was, she sighed and raised her head, speaking calmly and evenly. She remained in her spot, sitting on her haunches. “I struggled for three days in the trees, trying to bite, burn, or claw my way out. For three days, I roared in anger and rage for the binds to cut lose. By then, my hunger was high, almost bleeding to a point of starvation. But the deer didn’t let me die. The vines in my mouth would spill with fresh water, to keep me calm or burn the forest down at least.”

She cocked her head to the left, as if gauging on something, the forest giving her nothing. She straightened out and kept her eyes forward. “I would have burnt the forest down if it meant getting my revenge. But… I knew that I would not be eating deer that day or any other. Two more days passed and I am weak, from the lack of food or gems in my belly. I was not dying with the water I drank, but I knew that I was in no condition to fight or hunt. That is what they were waiting for.”

She swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat, making the memory more vivid. Spike could tell that this had really affected her. “I hung by the trees, weak and tired. The leader of the deer had come to me and told me that I shouldn’t hunt his kind, for they were intelligent and resourceful. They had methods of dealing with me. Should he wanted, he could leave me there for a day more until I either die of hunger or, allow a Roc to come and kill me.”

Spike vaguely remembered the creature in Twilight’s book on Mythical Creatures. A Roc was a giant eagle, the same size as an adult dragon. However, he hadn’t known that they hunted dragons. Maybe the young ones?

“I realized that I was at the mercy. Me! A dragon! At the mercy of deer!” She huffed, but no smoke came out. Instead, she inhaled deeply and exhaled with prolonged exasperation. “I hated them, I hated every last one of them. I wanted to rip them to shreds and feast on their insides… but I couldn’t and I didn’t. I felt horrible, even shameful that I had been brought down by what I had assumed were lowly creatures. But instead, they were smarter in the small group then perhaps most of the dragons at the time.”

A paused moment passed before she slowly rose from her haunches and back to her feet. Her mate followed suite and Spike followed by her side. She continued to look forwards towards the forest. “He only wanted his kin to live long enough to reproduce and so they wouldn’t be driven from their homes. They had magic to hide themselves but they didn’t wish to remain hidden forever. At the time, many dragons were hunting and driving their numbers low. I was the first one they tried their new traps on, so it was up to me to decide whether I would be the first dragon to fall at their hooves, or remain away from the forests. At the time, I just wanted to eat, for my belly began to claw at me from the inside. I surrendered to them, hoping they would give me a quick death. Instead, they had gathered gems and pressed them to me, basically giving me the small energy I needed to live on.”

Zynthia then began a slow move forward, not taking large steps in to the forest. “I ate with ravenous intent, though I re-framed from lashing out. Instead, this was the first of many challenges that I would face in my life and that I would carry with it, the pain and scars that it left.” She brought a claw up and pointed to her lower neck, the region where it met with her chest, showing a line of deformed, uneven scales. “The bind had broken my scales here and even after I shed them, they would never grow back properly.” She shook her head and neck to the left and right, as if shaking off a phantom pain. “After I ate, they told me that should I ever return, that if I were to hunt, it would be the non-intellectual life that flourished around here. I agreed almost immediately. If I went after their kind, they would kill me.”

‘To ever return…’ “Wait, then how did you get the deer…”

“When I made my way back home,” she interrupted him quickly, silencing his sentence. “I had realized how weak and powerless I felt to a physically weaker creature. One that beat me not in strength but in mind. They knew dragons and how we were, so they found our weaknesses and took advantage. My greed and hunger didn’t make me check for my surroundings. I should have paid mind to the numerous waiting deer.”

“But… how could you know that they there if they are hidden?” Spike asked confused. “If they are hidden then, you wouldn’t have known.”

She remained silent for a moment before briefly looking around her environment. “Have you paid attention to the environment around us?” Spike blinked, realizing he hadn’t for he had been paying attention to his mother this whole time. He didn’t admit it outloud but they were just walking. Seeing from the corner of her eye that he hadn’t, she bobbed her head up and down. “We have been followed since we stopped for the moment, they have been following us ever since and continue to do so.” She stated matter-of-factly. Spike’s eyes went wide and began to immediately scan the area for threats or anything that stood out. At first, the forest remained still and quiet, but then his keen eyesight had shown the branches and trees moved, not like the way they do in the wind, but they moved alongside them, as if the forest was alive.

“Their magic projects what’s behind them allowing the forest to conceal them. The illusion is broken when they move.” She didn’t seem afraid or even affected by this. “They are the ones that protect the forests now.” Spike looked around him and saw that the whole forest was practically alive, moving with them as they ventured into the forests. He was scared now, feeling an odd chill running through him, not to mention that it was really hurting his eyes as they moved alongside them.

“Worry not,” assured Zynthia, “They are not here to harm us, just guide us and make sure we stay to our goal, nothing else.”

Spike swallowed, nodding in understanding but remained scale to scale close to his mother. “B-But I thought you said that if you ever came back, they would…”

“And I knew of that, Spike. I knew that I would face their wrath but… I had come to understand many things.” She stopped once more as did the forest. A clearing was in front of them, where it opened to reveal a small river flow and a view of a valley stretched on for miles. “In my return home, I had come to realize that I was alive because the kindness of creatures. That I would live on because they were not as I had thought. I gained some insight on the outside world and learned that not all creatures are what we are thought of as young.” She then lowered her head and met his eyes with her own. They glistened with insight and wounded pride. “Sadly, I am still learning that lesson painfully and shamefully... through you and the ponies.”

He felt happy that she had turned around on this, though he could still tell there would be some turmoil. She then gave a quick motion to the forest behind them. “Coming home, I wanted to do something kind for them, in thanks that they had let me live. The current Dragon Lord of the time named Magmus, had been looking forward to hunting deer at the time. I knew of it because he announced that he had wanted a few on the menu.”

“I had gone before him and told him that the deer had been driven to extinction. That there were no more; That I had gone for about a week to find some myself but returned empty. He of course, didn’t believe me, thinking I was trying to trick him and keep an area to myself. But when I showed him that my belly was empty, save for a few gems and I carried no scent of blood on me, he was disappointed. He called off the hunt and no dragon since returned.”

She gave a faint smile and opened her wings to pull him close and her mate close as well, giving them a warm hug. “I was thankful to my heart that I lived and because of them, I learned patience and virtue. I returned years later to keep the new generation from seeking out and trying to hunt them. Doing this, I had prevented their numbers from going out again. The leader at the time was thankful, seeing that I was the same dragon they had captured way long ago. Because of my announcement, their population had increased, but was slow.” She paused as she threw in a quick fact. “They are slow to age and live a few centuries but their birth rates are lower than dragons. Without the fear of dragons in their home, they were able to come out of hiding and live. The leader, seeing my place in protecting them, told me that I could hunt in the forest for other livestock. Should one of their own passes and I was in the area, I would be able to take their corpse for food.” She looked down at him, seeing realization pass in his eyes.

“I say I hunt the deer because I need other dragons to believe that I go further out and seek other locations for my kills. They will never hunt in an area where no food lives. Every deer I bring back, it's one of their own that passes. Or its an elk, or other herbivore that looks similar to trick the dragons whom watch me come home with.” She pulled her wings from them and turns around to the forest. Spike and Eliyinsa do the same. From the forest, it shifts around them and shakes, the illusion breaking with a few deer suddenly coming into existence. Spike realized that their magic allows them to camouflage seamlessly. “As I will always honor and respect, those who've shown me the way to patience and respect.”

A male deer with large antlers that carried glowing, orbs on some of his tips, walked into the view of them. Spike was awed by the large deer and the orbs on his antlers. A voice, as deep as a dragon’s, spoke with the gentle brush of a breeze through the trees. “And we will forever be grateful for your kindness. As it should be, balance and harmony. When a life is taken, it will be renewed. When your energy is replenished, you will return it.” He moved forwards towards the dragons up close and calm, without fear until he settled right in front of them, particularly Spike.

“You, young dragon, are something I have not seen in a long time.” He blinked owlishly at the deer. The male explained further. “A blend of both worlds. Pony magic surrounds you, but are of draconic nature. Something not seen in eons. Perhaps one day, you and your kind can restore that balance, and bring worlds together. Fate smiles kindly on your soul, but your future is not set. We are curious as to what it entails for the world.”

So my reasoning for this one will help Spike understand that he can't ignore his nature, but he can decided how to go forward with it. You never can ignore what you were meant to do, but you can control your actions on how to achieve it.
The second thing is that, your parents will always stay your parents, but there are moments that they need to be instructors, guides and other things, in order for you to improve your life. One has to let the other lead, or the other has to stick by their partner.
One thing that dragons as a species, are fierce in both sexes, regardless of your view and the history you read of them. Both are strong, wild, powerful, but here, the female is the one that will show you knowledge and then make you experience it. My view on dragons are that, the mother or mothers in this case, are the ones that will provide Spike with everything he will ever need to learn about being a dragon.
No pony will ever come close. As the week progresses, you will learn of a story about dragons you may never have come across in other works on and experience a different side to them.

I thank you for reading. Please comment and rate my work! I appreciate any criticism.

The forest held an eerie calm, something Spike never really experienced before. Having the terror of the Everfree as a short understanding of how it works, this really threw him in for a loop. Not only that, but the leader of the deers, going by the name of Styr Kalen, had accompanied them to the valley below.

His mothers moved behind him while he walked alongside the deer. Spike couldn’t help but stare at the small orbs of lights at the end of his antlers. They didn’t jump up and down with every step, staying motionless.

“Your presence here is a peculiar one, Spike.” Styr spoke, his voice masculine but gentle. He sounded quite old, though he didn’t show it. “I haven’t seen a dragon with pony magic in a long time, not since my predecessors.”

That made Spike blink. “How can you know that? I mean, about your predecessors?”

The deer shook his head, the orbs jiggled lightly. A soft ring echoed from each one. “These orbs are more than just lights. They are a symbol of leadership as well as holding all the wisdom and memories of those before me. For thousands of years, we have lived and hid in the world. We are far and few, with those around in the forest being the last, true deers of intelligence and free roam in the lands.”

Spike looked back, watching as his mothers followed behind, though Zynthia looked nervous being in the area, while Eliynsa kept trying to reassure her. Feeling their unease, Spike refocused on the stag.

“I-I haven’t met deer in Equestria, though they are almost like nomads to ponies. Hiding in far away lands, holding magic no one can understand.” He paused before adding. “You said that you… err your predecessors haven’t met someone like me in a long time. How long ago was the last one?”

One of the stag’s antler orbs glowed brightly though briefly before shimmering down. “A dragon much like you, though very different, was encountered about 1000 years ago. Though the dragon is long gone now, it was one of the biggest enigmas we have ever had.” He then motioned with his head forward. “But you are now the biggest one we have now.” He stopped in his tracks, with Spike stopping by him. From the forest, they were led to the center of the valley, where Spike could tell all sorts of wildlife would live here. The sounds of various animals were loud and strong, mixed with high and lows of everyday life. He turned to the dragonesses.

“The lands here are free game, though I ask that whatever you hunt, you make it quick and nothing suffers.” His tone was strong, firm on his words. It spooked Spike that his mothers bowed to him as he did, though it might be out of respect.

“Never shall they suffer, never shall we hunt for sport.” Zynthia replied, keeping her head low. Eliyinsa kept it low as well. The stag nodded before turning to Spike.

“The lands here are as magical as we are. Respect it, young Spike. It can teach, it can reveal, and it can perhaps show you something that you were not aware of, including learning more about yourself.” Spike nodded meekly, before following his mothers’ lead and bowing to him. Styr gave a bow back and with that, he headed back into the forest, his magic taking hold and he blended and disappeared from view.

Once gone, the trio of dragons made their way through the open. In truth, this was beautiful and it reminded Spike of the open country of Equestria. Untouched, unaffected by the influences of modern times and inventions. The world would grow without the interference of technology or ponies, left to its own devices. The air was ever crispier here, the whole valley smelled wonderful. It was a wonder that no dragons have found this area.

“Must be more magic,” He thought out loud. In truth, he wanted to sit here and watch it all. Celestia’s sun high in the sky, warm and bright, with the sapphire sky just as beautiful to match.

It was here that his mothers stood on either side of him, though they also enjoyed the view.

“It is quite beautiful, isn’t it?” Eliyinsa stated, her voice filled with warmth as the surrounding area.

“Never have I encountered a more wonderful place then that here.” Zynthia agreed. “It makes me wish we could live here.”

That had Spike look up at her. “Why not?”

His momma snorted, amused. “It’s impossible, my son. Can you imagine? A dragon living in all this… green?”

“I did.” He answered, though he held back any tone. “I enjoyed it all.”

“And now that you live in the Dragon Lands, how does it compare?” She added in.

There was a pause from him before he shook his head. “Both have their pros and cons, there shouldn’t be a reason why I can’t have two homes.” He didn’t wait for them to answer. Spike took an immediate walk towards the valley. There were two large mountains that ran parallel next to each other, giving the valley a very closed off feeling, like a hidden realm from the world. He focused on the beauty this held, rather than his mother’s comments towards his family.

Zynthia had been trying her best to get on his good side and even though they loved each other, it was hard to understand what the other was thinking, let alone what were the right words to say.

“Give it time,” her beloved lightly spoke to her. “He’ll turn around.”

Zynthia only gave a small snort, following close behind him. The area around was large, so there would be plenty of room to run, fly or even hide to catch an animal, so it wouldn’t be a problem for them.

Speaking clearly, she walked alongside Spike. “First lesson when it comes to hunting is understanding your area. See where your prey frolic, where they mingle or join into a single area. They always want to stay near their food source as well as where water is available.”

Spike gave a nod and began to scan the surrounding area. There were a few rivers that ran through the valley, though no visible herds yet. “Are we looking for anything in particular?”

Zynthia gave a small shake of her head. “Whatever you want, whatever you desire, Spike. Just be sure that you know enough of the creature you are going to hunt, whether it's bigger than you, well protected or poisonous.”

“You told me… that when we are hungry, we are at our most vulnerable, at our weakest.” He looked towards the distance where he saw a group of animals herding in the distance. “Will the hunger always outweigh the will to make the right decisions?”

That had Zynthia pause. In truth, she always felt that instincts outweighed many things, but intelligence could go beyond that. However, desperation plays a part in vulnerability and inability to conjure coherent thoughts. She took a deep breath, taking in the rich air that tickled her nostrils and filled her lungs with the freshness she only experiences a few times a year. “Intelligence Spike, can be both blessings and curses. Too much, you are overwhelmed by the vast knowledge of the universe and the weight would be too great; too little and you become feral or primal, going mostly on instinct. We are intelligent but we may go feral. We can think thoughts complex, but still feel stupid to fall into our urges. Whether hunting, mating, hoarding or everything else, we have the capacity to have choice.”

She smelled wild boar, avoiding not to hunt another cervaine again. Though the boar were tougher to kill with thick skins and large tusks. For Spike, it would be a challenge, but it would prove what could happen when nature retaliates when in danger.

She began a slow walk to her prey, keeping her head lower than usual, her mate doing the same. Spike followed, feeling his heart quicken, with the unease of the hunt about to begin. Already he could smell the wild life in the area, thick with their scents that dwelled in his lungs. A small tingle of something tingling at the back of his mind, perhaps instinct kicking in. He never had that feeling before but now… He was aware what he was about to do, to take part of and his body was preparing itself.

“I want you to tell me Spike-” his mother asked, lowly of her voice and keeping her footsteps light. “-when you lived amongst your ponies, that instinct you feel right now, have you never had it?” He stopped. How could she tell?

“How-”

“Your nostrils are flaring-” she explained, keeping her eyes forward, but still seeing him from her peripheral side. “-your tail has stopped moving side to side, your hunched like us, trying not to be seen and your breathing has slowed.” She stopped in her tracks as did he. He looked over himself to find that he had been doing exactly like she said he was. He hadn’t noticed, so did that mean there were times that he did this when he was with his family?

“I-I never noticed…” he answered truthfully, though he felt a small piece of dread run up his spine. Not only was he aware of his almost feral like stance, but now he could feel his sharp teeth always displaying. His voice was low but he could feel the small growl at the edge of his throat creeping in. “I-Is this what the feeling of a hunt is? Do you lose control?” He asked Zynthia.

The scarlet dragoness looked down at him, her eyes showing an almost feral like look. Her slit pupils were sharper than before, her face betraying no emotions; although cold and calculating were probably the closest he could describe her features. The aura around her put fear into Spike’s heart, for he had never seen his mother like this.

But just as menacing and terrifying his mother displayed herself, that feral look and feeling around her disappeared. Her warm aura returned, her face softened in features and she looked more like herself than ever before.

Spike found that odd, feral tingle in his mind disappear and he realized then and there, he was in control. Speaking softly, as a mother could, she leaned in close. “As long as you know and remember who you are, you will always be in control, Spike. You will always be able to stop yourself, even at your most desperate hour, your mind will and can remember that you have a choice.”

Eliyinsa has been quiet the whole time, letting her mate instruct their son. In truth, this was one of the few lessons she had no part in. She wanted to be the part where he learns what it means to be a dragon, in the natural, smart way. Her mate was teaching him the base of instinct and control. Hunting, hiding, feeding and growing; they are Zynthia’s teachings.

But they were in question, being questioned by their son. It bothered her a bit that their son was far more intelligent than most whelplings his age, but at the same time, it filled her with pride that the level of sophistication that he had.

Spike was too smart to be around other dragons, yet he did not behave like them. His emotions ruled over instincts and while that is all well and good, it troubled her to know that should it come down to him hunting or fighting another animal to survive, he would lose. This hunt was what he needed… hopefully. She followed slowly and quietly after them, wanting to attract less attention for her son’s first hunt.

His prey was forward, his mind was set and he had managed to track a small group of warthogs separating from the main group and heading into the forest nearby, a perfect place to ambush.

He pushed on, leaving his mother behind, dropping to all fours into a feral beast, sprinting lightly on the ground. He spread his wings out, but kept them flat to not alert them. Instinct told him the wings would help keep him steady while leaving his feet light and cause little disturbance around him.

The forest drew near, the large pigs were going deeper. His eyes locked onto his target, his body became tight but remained agile for he was ready to pounce. He heard the soft but deep steps of his mother, both of them coming in close and right behind him. Keeping her voice low and hushed, she spoke to him within ear shot.

“Keep your eyes on them, watch their patterns, wait until you have a clear opening when their backs are turned.” He did, seeing that they were scanning their areas still. The boars probably were used having little to no predators to deal with, which is why it was weird for them not to see the large red and black dragonesses in their views.

Still, they remained still and as low as possible, using the trees to hide them enough. Their ears kept twitching to the left and right, still picking up what they could out of instinct or habit.

As he watched on, he saw that alongside of the boars, there were also a few younger ones, frolicking with the older ones.

“The young ones maybe easier to catch, but the parents will react much more aggressively.”

A snort left him. “Why wouldn’t they? If I wanted to attack the smaller ones, I think that applies to any species.” He then realized what he said, stopping his movement. He was about to attack… a family, with the intent to feed on them. Was that why ponies were afraid of dragons? Was that the fear that was brought on by thousands of years?

“Spike?” His momma looked at him from her low point. “What is wrong? You’ve lost your hunting stance.”

Eliyinsa pulled right up, her eyes flashed purple and immediately the boars fell to the floor asleep. Spike blinked, seeing this happening in front of him. He turned and saw the last glimpses of the violet coloring in his mother’s eyes disappear.

“What did you do?” He asked, it came out almost demanding. Eliyinsa gave him a glance before focusing on the hogs.

“They are merely asleep, son. We want them to still be here when you hunt them.”

“I’m not sure that I can go through with this-”

“Don’t be soft,” Zynthia chitted with displeasure. “I brought you here so you can hunt, so you can rely on instincts and let yourself lose.”

Spike felt a bit of a rile stir in him. He moved away from them, facing them as he turned his back towards the boar. “I don’t need to be let loose, I just want to be me without having to kill anything to do so. Hunting is something I can’t do!”

Eliyinsa rolled her eyes while Zynthia scoffed. “That’s ponies talking for you, Spike. They do not know everything about you. What you need is to be a proper dragon.”

“I am a proper dragon!” He yelled, his voice now high. Both females were startled at his sudden change in attitude. His upper lip twitched, a growl threatening to leave him. “What the ponies did was make me who I am!”

“But they also took away your hunting instinct, something you will need in the future.” Zynthia tried to counter, though it wasn’t as strong as before. “They have manipulated you to forget your true-self and-”

“Enough!” He roared loudly, scarring away any wild life that was in the area. His mothers recoiled at the sudden boost in volume, though it was more of the the shock that really sent them back.

Spike glared at his mothers, a small growl leaving his throat. His gaze at them was bitter but he stood on his legs with his head held high, his leer focused on them and his voice stronger than before.

Both were disturbed by his sudden turn in attitude, though both held strong on their words. “Spike, we are only trying to-”

“Steer me away from my family!” He growled at them. The forest had gotten silent. No wind, no animals lingered from his shout, scaring them away. He stood away from them, almost too angry to be near them. “I am tired of you trying! You took me in so you could no longer feel guilty about what happened to the trials! You tore into my mind when I didn’t want it! You fought me when I was no bigger than your claws!” He yelled, as angry tears began to run down his muzzle. “I was just twelve and you threw me around like a ragdoll!” Puffs of smoke left his nostrils, creating a dark fume of smog around him.

Both his mothers flinched at the past actions, not even bother trying to defend themselves. Yet Spike chose to drill the pain even further. “I didn’t care that you took me in when I was in a coma! I didn’t care that you filled my head with your needs of wanting to be my mothers! I didn’t even care that you have been manipulating me since I awoke!”

This sent a sharp stab at their hearts, both almost physically struck by the words. Spike had targeted their hidden intentions, although it was never their full attention to manipulate him. They dared not deny it, but were staggering to respond.

He sniffed, wiping away his tears. “I just wanted to have a family here in the dragon lands. I wanted to have some… good interactions with dragons as a family, not to try and rip me away from my other one!” His knees were weak and he felt himself slipping onto his haunches, casting his head down. “I don’t want to defend what my pony family has done to me or at me anymore. My life there has been wonderful.” He looked up at them, sadness showing in his face. “Why can’t you see that?”

It was painful to watch him cry, it was worse when his pain was caused by them, again. They didn’t know whether to approach or leave him be. As is, they pushed past his boundaries already and now it was looking like anything else they might try, would just ruin whatever small amount of respect he had for them.

Eliyinsa sat on her haunches, realizing there was nothing else to do. She stared silently at her son, waiting for him to finish his tears. Zynthia watched her mate from her side and she too sat, feeling sorry for him.

None of them paid attention to the time that flew by, with Spike still sobbing to himself, while the two females tried to find some way to get back into his good graces.

The sun was starting its descent and the forest was starting to settle down. Spike had managed to calm down. He felt drained, more than ever. Perhaps the lack of food, perhaps the emotional turmoil, perhaps… his heart was just trying to rest. He didn’t even feel like eating.

He knew his mothers had remained in the same spot, feeling their loving eyes on him. Without looking up, he finally spoke to them, though his voice dulled and weak.

“I don’t want you to talk about them anymore. I don’t want you to fight their ways on how they raised me.” He looked up at both of them, eyes stained red and cheek scales carved by tears. Once more, the two mothers saw a hatchling in front of them, physically but with the mentality of an adult. “They raised me, I am who I am because of them. I am no one without them.” He sniffed. He shook his head, facing down again. “My life is and forever shall be, with those ponies. You won’t ever change that.”

Both dragonesses remained silent, accepting that. He lifted his head back up, focusing on them with a strong glare. “As for what you’ve been doing to me-” The duo females stiffened, feeling a sudden twist in their hearts, the fear of rejection playing into their minds. Spike stayed stoic, seeing their tensity, studying their features. He took it in, inhaling deeply, letting in the fresh air of the environment around him before exhaling. “I was aware that you have been manipulating me to a point,” Both were about to refute this but Spike cut them off before they could. “You love me and that is not fake, I know. But… you have been trying to control me in a way.” His eyes focused on Eliyinsa mostly. “If not indirectly then just simple words or phrases. Please stop, I can’t trust you if you continue to do this.”

He swallowed some saliva, feeling his mouth dry before continuing. “There shouldn’t be any reason to control me, like others and I am wondering what it will take for me to regain your trust.”

For a moment, none of the two responded, not sure how to, but Eliyinsa lowered herself to her front legs, trying to get on his level. Her intelligence and role as an Adviser didn’t really prepare her for trying to gain back her son’s trust. So she tried her best in stressful and taxing times like this.

“What would you like from us, Spike?” Her voice betrayed her worry and her eyes carried the guilt that she had for him.

He blinked, seeing his mother stare at him at this level. Zynthia also laid to his level, though she being taller than her mate had to really lower her head. Now that they were almost eye to eyes, he slumped a bit.

“What I want is that you trust that ponies raised me good and right, that is it.” Both nodded, albeit hesitantly, keeping their silence. He gave a small sniff before rising up to his feet and standing up, so now that they were evenly at eye level. His eyes dried up and he became more focused, regaining his composure. “No more secrets, no more hiding things from me. I want to know that I can trust… the only few dragons that I care for.”

They both were apprehensive of sharing their secrets but, they knew there had to be a point to release them. Giving a single nod, Eliyinsa spoke evenly. “No more secrets, from here on out.” She paused. “You may ask but I, including your mother, still have a few we must take to our deaths. I am sorry but I just wish to spare you the pain of knowing everything, as well as compromising the peace we have with our kind amongst each other.”

Spike could understand that not all secrets could be revealed, but it would put him at ease if he could learn some more from them. Thinking, he thought of one that came to mind right away, to test out how far he could go.

“Your abilities, have you been controlling me or anyone I know since I woke up, or maybe even prior?”

This was no secret but a demand for the truth. Eliyinsa shook her head almost right away. “No son, my abilities haven’t been used on you since…” She paused as a bit of guilt was raised through her at the recent times. “Well, they have only been used to help you go to sleep when you were stressing out and to regain your memories. Outside of the instances on those, I haven’t used them on you or anyone else.” That he could believe, seeing as he remembered those instances, feeling somewhat safe with that knowledge. “As of now, you should know when someone is trying to enter your mind, Spike. When the first time I entered your mind, you felt a bit of a sharp jab in your head?” He nodded. “That will let you know if anyone, any creature is trying to enter or control your mind. Building a resistance to it should grow as you do.”

That was news, even better if he could keep his mind from being read by others, so that was something worth liking from his mothers. Though that begged the next question.

“Are there others like you?”

This, he saw some serious hesitation, along with an inward cringe from her. That was definitely a ‘yes’, but what kind of response that followed would be the answer he sought.

After a few moments of silence, along with inward turmoil on how to answer, she finally spoke with much hesitancy. “There… are a few Spike. The few have abilities much like my own and even fewer that are known publicly. Abilities like this are a danger to not only other dragons and creatures but to those with the abilities themselves. All of them however are only female. But one in every ten-thousand dragons.”

Well, there goes that theory that he could try to develop some mental control. The number count was odd though.

“Ten-thousand?” he questioned. “But aren’t there only like fifty-thousand dragons or so in the dragon lands?”

She nodded. “Yes, around that, which is why they’re very few. I am but one of the few that are open and publicly known of my abilities. Others are either in hiding or not living in the dragon lands.”

Another nod from him, understanding that situation too, though that begged the question, “Why do you have a brace on your tail to inhibit your abilities?”

“That is a secret I have to keep with me,” was the immediate response. She shifted her form, trying not to show much signs of discomfort, as well as keeping the brace out of view. “But… for your sake, I will tell you that, without it, my abilities would be far more powerful and uncontrollable. We already told you before that my abilities were dangerous to not only myself but as did my sire and dam. They were the ones who brought it up to Torch during his early years of ruling.” She paused as she tried to think of an example. “My abilities without the brace is the same way we control the lava flows that run under the nesting grounds. We have rocks that allow a certain amount of lava to spill over. Too much and the overflow may burst a leak somewhere and potentially damage the eggs or wash them away.”

That was a useful analogy, though he has never seen the nesting grounds, he had to bring that up later. “So… it's an inhibitor to control your abilities?” She nodded, hoping that was the end of that question. It was not.

Spike relented. “I think I get that, though Torch said it was a regret he had when he placed it on you during your teenage years, wouldn’t that make you way younger then Zynthia if she was a successor before Torch won the Gauntlet of Fire?”

Zynthia snorted, a bit dramatically, feigning mock of the age mentioned. “It is rude to ask a female her age, son.” This was a small way to light up the tension between them, which did earn a small smile from him, as well as a scoff. “And while I am older than Torch, keep in mind, I was not a Dragon Lord, rather a successor to one. My time was short however, as I had no real interest in keeping the title for long. So Torch was immediately the new Dragon Lord. Eliyinsa was younger than him but not by much.”

“Then… does that mean that you were there to see her getting the bind put on?”

“Yes, though it was her and her-” An immediate growl erupted from Eliyinsa as she snapped at her mate, that caused Spike to jump back in surprise and for Zynthia to be cut off. Despite her intelligence, it was a habit that she would go on and on. Eliyinsa was growling intently at her, a deep and angered scowl was present.

Spike recovered from the sudden reaction, staring unsure of Eliyinsa. Why did she growl? What didn’t she want Zynthia to say? Before he could ask, her scowl morphed into regret and disappointment, looking at him. She shook her head. “That is the end of my secrets, Spike. I cannot reveal any more about my abilities or my past.”

He had never heard his mother so… disturbed by her past, let alone snap at anyone, let alone her own mate, for potentially revealing something. This haunted him to know that his mother didn’t trust him revealing her past, more than him trying to trust her with anything else.

“...You won’t reveal your past, your abilities, yet you want me to trust that you are not using them on me or anyone else? What is it that makes you afraid of telling me?”

Eliyinsa chose to remain silent, though she gave a quick glance towards her mate from the corner of her eyes to do the same. Zynthia looked upset with herself for almost revealing it. Spike felt a bit betrayed that the two he held close now, where willing to lose his trust for the sake of keeping a secret. He couldn’t blame them, for he understood. Celestia had kept it a secret that Nightmare Moon was actually her sister Princess Luna. She also kept other secrets from others to protect them, like the statues housed the Mad Spirit of Chaos. She kept dark magic, the Alicorn Amulet, and huge assortments of knowledge out of public view. The biggest was probably knowing that Twilight would have ascended to Alicorn status earlier.

Perhaps this is what this situation was to them both; Torch included. Whatever her past holds, maybe to not only protect others but to keep their only loved ones safe. This still bugged him though that he was not being told of everything though. He hated being left in the dark, more so that yeah, Eliyinsa had it right that Twilight and Celestia do keep stuff from him, and he was annoyed with it.

But he couldn’t force his mother to reveal it. At least, not without an ultimatum. Would he dare go that far, just to get his mother to reveal something so dire to him? Would he push past their already breaking limits that may drive them apart?

The wind blew through the forest, shaking the trees with a light rustle and breezing the grass below them. The sun’s rays beamed down at them warmly, almost like their home would with the lava pit. Fresh and crisp air filled their lungs with the wondrous and beautiful scents of nature. The river running right behind them sounded melodic and calming, tickling their ears to an extent. It seemed as though nature was at peace and it wanted them all, to be in peace.

Zynthia was the first to speak, though she tried to think her words carefully. “Spike?” He looked up at them, his face lacking any real emotion. The crimson dragoness spoke slowly, but with much ease in her voice. “Whatever we can do to make it work, please just let us know. While our past should remain in the past, it should not stop you from trusting us. We want what is the best for you. While we do not like how the ponies raised you, we trust that they did a wonderful job. You are right in the regard that you would not be who you are without them. Our job as Elders should be to see what others don’t. We are smarter than your typical dragon and we must demonstrate this by letting you show us how good your life is with those ponies.”

She wanted to brush against him, but she wasn’t sure if they were there yet. He actually had moved back further when she had snapped, keeping their distance further than she was comfortable with. Pushing her discomfort out of the way, she further elaborated.

“While I still find certain things in your memories about them uncertain, I am willing to admit that we dragons are not perfect as well, especially parents.” She inhaled and exhaled deeply. “My sire and dam have all but forgotten I was their daughter once the brace was on, they were willing to move away from home to avoid me, but that is something I don’t want to do with you. Rather, we don’t want to drive you away with our distrust of your previous caretakers. Perhaps we could meet in a way where we can feel satisfied by how you were handled and destroy any lingering doubts that they raised you right.”

That was a relief for Spike, though he already had planned for them all to meet by the week’s end, it felt comforting to know that they were willing to do so for his sake and throw away their distrust.

Once more, wind blew through the forest and it seemed as though his troubles had somewhat been blown away along with the wind. But there were still lingering doubts in his mind. Their past remained questionable but easily forgettable, if it didn’t interfere with their future as a family.

Speaking of, he knew he had to add this in. “I hope you realize that I will go back to Equestria at some point to stay.” This showed a look of defeat to pass over his mothers, but they nodded in acceptance, stirring clear of any verbal responses. That was assuring, though he still had to figure out what the full range of the Bloodstone Scepter, Ember and how long they were able to stay in Equestria for. He would have to ask Ember or read up on it later.

For now, he felt that now was a time to leave. Standing up, he slowly made his way towards his mothers, though he knew they made progress, there was still some tension here. “Can we go back to the cave?”

Zynthia cocked her head to the side, confused by the response. “But you have yet to eat son? We need to get you to at least try-”

“I lost my appetite.” It wasn’t sharp, but it did sting a little at his tone. He moved passed between them, heading back the way they came from. “I just want to relax now.” Not waiting for their responses, he began to walk towards the open area where they could take off.

Zynthia and Eliyinsa looked at each other, feeling the unease between them. Zynthia felt defeated at this missed opportunity to teach him to hunt, while Eliyinsa felt torn at having to keep secrets from Spike but also continuing to add more distance between them. He didn’t even call it ‘home’, but ‘cave’, as it was someplace to be and not welcoming at all. Choosing not to wedge the gap between them further, they followed him out to the open field to make their way home.

Spike moved past the trees and foliage of the forest until the open view of the valley came to sight. However, what he didn’t expect was Styr Kalen and a few of his herd members at the center of the plains. It was like they were expecting them.

Coming up to right in front of them, the trio stood in the center of the plains, ready to fly back home.

Styr approached Spike, casting his gaze at the young drake. Wisdom filled his hazel eyes, that much Spike could see, though it remained harrowing how a deer like him, who share the same height as him, as well as be smaller than his own mothers, seem so big and intimidating. His voice came strong, but calming.

“The forest speaks, for it tells me that three of you are in some trouble. Not with your hunts, not with your food, and not with your appetite. Your troubles lie within each other.” He bounced his head side to side, jiggling the orbs on his antlers, causing a low humming to emanate from them. They glowed softly, where Spike swears he could hear whispers from them as well.

Styr looked past Spike towards the two towering dragonesses. Both carried their burdens of their troubles, though it showed much with their crestfallen faces.

“You three clearly have been given some insight by the forest on your troubles.”

Spike gave a back glance towards his mothers, then focusing back at Styr.

“How does the forest know of our troubles? Is the forest and valley magic?”

“As magical as you are, young Spike.”

The threw off Spike, momentarily giving the stag a look of uncertainty as well as astonishment. “I… I don’t have magic,” Spike stated, unsure of his own words, though he meant it. “How can I be-”

“Creatures of all kinds, whether intelligent or not, are magical. Certain areas like this have magic as well, though in difference to you and I.” The deer nodded, one of his orbs glowing brighter than the others, this one close to the edge of his horns. “We have magic that branches into many forms, many types, and many ways. My kin, as you are aware of now, have magic with the forests and nature itself. Your kin, have magic in fire manipulation as well as the gifts of transformation through emotions and physical maturity.”

Okay, that made sense that magic was involved for him. Dragons getting greed growths did seem magical, though as for fire manipulation, he was sure it meant breathing fire, right?

“You doubt that you have more to your magic than just the ones you know of?” The stag asked, seeing the partial confusion on Spike’s face.

Spike to his credit, shook his head. “I mean, that aspect makes sense. That all living creatures have some form of magic, but… it is just as normal magic for me as the forest is to you?”

It came out as a question, rather than an answer, for he wasn’t sure himself.

Styr gave a small nod. “While that is true, your magic exceeds far more than your kin normally carry.” Spike was about to ask what that meant, but Styr beat him to the punch. “That is for you to find out, young Spike. Your future is very peculiar and uncertain, with claws in two different worlds, perhaps it is up to you to unite them.”

Spike felt that there was something here for him to listen. Celestia had once shown her to a better life by making friends and looking where it brought her. Maybe this was his guidance to something like Twilight only… from a deer. He gave a bow, with nothing more to add.

The giant steer lowered his giant antlers in return. Both rose back up and the deer began to recede back to their homes. His mothers came to his side, watching them go. He felt odd now, like something was given, then taken, then given back. Perhaps it was… enlightenment in a queer way. He wasn’t sure what to do with this new found information about having more magic than normally. Then again, he hung around and grew up around the most powerful ponies in Equestria.

His mother was a near demi-goddess who raised him from hatching. Twilight was by him the whole time the whole time as well, along with her older brother and Cadence. Was that the source of all his magic?

“A-Are you ready to leave, son?”

Spike looked up to see the sadden and crest fallen looks of the two dragonesses. In truth, no, he didn’t want to leave. He actually liked it here, the fresh breeze, the crisp air and the feeling of calmness now normally found anywhere in the dragon lands. But, he knew that they were overstaying their ‘welcome’, especially since now most of the herd that they had planned to hunt, had scurried far away from them.

Seeing them like this really didn’t bring him much happiness, but he also didn’t like how this week was turning out. Whatever problem they have, should be dealt with. Nodding quietly, he approached Eliyinsa, who already lowered herself and a wing to allow him to climb. His wings were still new to himself, so he wasn’t going to strain to fly back.

They did say to have them open on the rides to and from there so he could understand what it felt like to have a draft under the skin. With a few flaps of their wings, both females were airborne and they began their trip back home.

The flight was silent, outside of the flaps of wings and the rush of air, an uncomfortable silence lingered between the three of them. Every now and then Zynthia would look from her peripheral vision to check on him. Spike remained stoic, keeping his head forward and his thoughts in the clouds, trying to recover himself from today. Even with his stomach gnawing at him for some nourishment, he didn’t feel like eating. All of today ruined his hunger.

The trio arrived just by evening, as the sun was hitting the horizon. Arriving at their cave, Spike immediately jumped off Eliyinsa, landing with a small glide. The two dragonesses waited for him to walk forward, assuming towards their gems so he could eat, yet he moved straight towards the resting area where he immediately plopped himself onto the heated grounds. He curled up to himself and used his wing to shield his face from view. He inhaled deeply then, released, with much weight leaving his body.

Both females looked at one another, silently debating on what to do. Fear gripped their hearts, both unsure how to handle this. Clearly, a lot was revealed today and plenty more was held back. The verbal exchange felt like physical blows for them all, with a small gap forming between them. For all their wisdom, intelligence and years of experience, the two females feel so stupid for having let their own adoptive son get hurt again. This time, it was emotional and the distrust was the action causing the pain. Eliyinsa approached Spike, hoping not to anger him any more than need be. Zynthia went to their hoard, picking up a few tiny pieces of gems and brought them back over to Spike.

Eliyinsa laid by him, once more surrounding him with her forelegs, though it did nothing to stir him. However, when Zynthia came over and dropped the small amount of gems near him, the sound of them dropping on the floor roused him to lift his wing to see the offering.

“Please,” Eliyinsa said softly. “I-I know you say you don’t want to but… it would help you a bit if you did.”

Not wanting to argue, he simply pulled one of the gems with a claw back under his wing and into his maw. The sound of his crunching was heard but nothing else. He continued to do this until the few that were brought, quickly disappeared.

Swallowing the last fragments of the gem, he muttered ‘Thank you’, before staying silent once more. His wing provided a cover to not show his current emotions and it pained either of them to be kept out like this.

It was too early to fall asleep but they were all tired. Lowering her head to her forelegs near him, she pushed herself to try and comfort him. She gently brushed her snout over his body. He instinctively flinched, his whole body twitched on contact but remained silent.

“I am so sorry for hurting you Spike. None of this would have happened, should we have tried to understand your upbringing more.” No response, so she pushed on. “Our manipulation of your emotions should have been handled more openly. To show you how we could have been raised differently or like other dragons.”

Leaning in to her mate, Zynthia added her own input. “We also wanted you to be aware not all dragons were cruel or violent like you have believed in the past.”

A shift under his wing had his snout appear to speak. “I stopped believing that dragons were violent and mean when I came back with Ember. Even during the trials, when I was being… tested-” A small twinge of regret passed them all. “-I realized that you were only doing the best interest for Ember and me.”

“Do you regret all of this then?” Eliyinsa asked, her voice devoid of emotion. “Do you regret doing the trials? Do you hate where you are now?” She paused, her voice lowering more. “Do you hate us?”

For a long moment, he didn’t answer. The silence that hung between them was so still and so thin, the heated winds could fracture all that surrounded them. At some point, both females felt their hearts were about to give out, having failed their one and only hatchling, less than a year after having him.

When the tension couldn’t last any longer, Spike slowly unfurled his wing over him and looked up with his bright emerald eyes to the two females in his presence. Amethyst and scarlet eyes looked down at him, filled with sadness, worry, pain and perhaps most of all, fear. Dread of rejection, failure and the loss of their only son, to have him leave them would destroy their hearts and souls. It was something no parent should ever deal with.

And for that moment, Spike saw something so equine but universal in all creatures, in his mothers. It was the fact that even the biggest of creatures, the strongest, and those that dared not try and show emotions, can be brought down by the young.

Physically, Spike had brought Zynthia down to her legs but her will didn’t allow her to fall down until she laid dead. She would fight anyone until the end, to either protect or to destroy.

Eliyinsa on the other claw was prowess through her mind and abilities. She was the smallest dragon of the Elders, but she was smarter than most adult dragons combined. Her intelligence could rival Twilight’s if she went through the same education as she had. Spike knew that if she truly wanted, she could probably outwit Discord and perhaps even plan further than Celestia.

All of this was useless to them when it came down to trying to raise and care for him. He was not their blood, he was not their adoptive parents since his birth and they were less qualified to try and get him to forget his other family.

But he knew that they were trying their best, despite some less than intellectual intentions here and there. He knew that if he was truly their blood born, they would have raised him with the right virtues, the right mindset and perhaps, make him a noble dragon amongst dragons. Others would respect or fear, just like the both of them.

Finally, he gained some insight to leave the anger away from his heart and looked at them with tired looks. “I-I don’t hate you, I could never hate you.” The look of relief washed over them, their whole body relaxing and it showed greatly. He could see moisture forming at their tear ducts, waiting to be released if he answered negatively. However, he knew that this would be a process. He lifted his head and rested it on the side of Eliyinsa’s arm, indicating his feelings.

“I-I just want us to focus on us.” He swallowed, his eyes looking at each of them. “I don’t want my past to come up, just like you don’t want yours to come up either. The ponies are my family, they raised me, they loved me and I will always return to them. But I want you to teach me stuff they couldn’t without you trying to push their memory and their knowledge away. Celestia raised me like any mother would,” He paused to let that sink in and both females gave a small decline of the heads, understanding that. He continued. "Twilight and her brother treated me like their little brother. I am smart, I am kind and I am… me because of them. No, not just them, but a lot of ponies in my life, many of which you have only seen glimpses of. I hope that the day we go back to Equestria, you can meet those who made me the dragon I am today. The dragon you are also trying to raise.”

His words were now burned into their minds and they knew that if they wanted to improve their relationship from here on out, they would listen and understand him more. No more secrets, no more manipulations and no more deceits, this was their goal.

“By my heart and soul, Spike,” Eliyinsa began, “I swear that we will do everything we can to be at peace with your past. We won't interfere with your history, we will not deny you of their influences and we will not try to let our emotions destroy what we have.”

Zynthia leaned down. “I swear as well, Spike.”

He sighed. “That’s all I ask.” He said nothing more and closed his eyes, letting his head rest on her arm. The two females finally accepted that this would indeed be their last conversation in his past and both reluctantly allowed sleep to consume them.

During the night, Spike’s dreams were filled with distorted colors, nonintellectual voices, and odd movements and jumps in his mind. Everything made no sense… except one.

“S-S-Spike?” The voice is familiar, not that hard to miss. He searched his landscape.

“Princess Luna?”

“Y-Your… mind is very clouded… Something… ! Who shielded....? I’m l-losing y-you! ‘C-Ca… Can’t r-reach yo…!”

He then heard silence, the scenery changed and suddenly, he was surrounded by a warm light, something akin to waking up in the morning; but this was much more. It was like the earliest memory of his younger days, when he was so young. A day where he would wake up, feeling safe and secure with the world around him. The comfort of wrath, surrounding him with uncoordinated shapes and colors. Nothing made sense, yet he was okay with that. He was warm, he was safe and he felt loved.

“My little emerald…” The voice, the beautiful voice of his mother. Why was it so… close to someone else’s voice? Why now could he hear it? The voice echoed, almost blended in with other voices. Why?

“My little emerald… I know that you can hear me, but you will not understand yet.” A small sigh left her. “I want you to know that no matter what happens, no matter where you are… I will always love you. That I will always love that you were the first thing in my life I cared for. Keep it in your mind and your heart, that I will not be here to raise you, but I will always keep you in my heart, forever until the final sun burns out. Good Bye, my son, may this new life treat you grand.”

The dream stopped and Spike slowly became aware he was waking up. His eyes moistened, a sob threatening to leave his throat and his heart was beating rapidly. He looked around, finding himself back in the cave, though the smell of the wind told him it was the early hours of the morning. Spike looked up to see both of his mothers still asleep.

His birth mother, he heard her and remembered her voice. It sounded so close to the females in his life. A blend of Twilight, Celestia, Zynthia and Eliyinsa. Perhaps because he could only remember their voices and not place his mother’s exact voice?

Then how did he remember those words? Another sob came up. More tears spilled from his tear ducts; realization in his hazy sleepy mind told him that… he had a mother and that she loved him. She always had and always will. But she left him for a reason. He was an orphan, he was given up or abandoned.

Now, he had three mothers. One was an alicorn and the other two were dragons. He loved them all and his family. He was saved by them all and he was going to be amazing with them.

He moved closer to Eliyinsa’s chest and head, curling closely and tightly to her. He pressed his head against her jaw and rested it there. Sleep took him once more, although this time, happier moments between his pony mother and his dragon mothers played. Luna didn’t come back that night.

Mother instincts for Eliyinsa kicked in subconsciously as she moved her forearm around Spike to surround him, making him relive that safe and surrounded feeling of warmth and love. It was the first time since he had re-awakened, that the trio of dragons have never felt closer to each other than they did now.

Wow so this one was a doozy
First off, the middle and ending of this story was done before the beginning, meaning I started with the middle and the ending, so if there is some weird transition somewhere there, let me know, I kinda dont remember where it perfectly fits or not. Sorry
Second off, this one was way more... focused on a story aspect I didnt expect to tackle because i felt it would go nowhere until I had to re-read it like 10 times before I realize where it MAY lead to. I am not even sure myself.
With two chapters left before we go from dragons lands to Equestria, which if you dont know why the cover is there, will lead to right before the movie. Im also trying to cover most of the things that happened between season 6 to season 8.

My biggest annoyance with this chapter is to tackle issues that have been brought up by others and I hope it covers a bit of the issues. The biggest being... is Spike aware of his manipulation? The second being, why it was so easy for him to accept them as his parents?

I have this vague idea that if many of you can really pay attention to the story, you may able to piece his back story a bit more before the return to Eqeustria.

Lastly, this was all been pushed and held for so long, Im sorry for lack of editing but I wanted to throw it out there before I lose my mind with it just sitting there for another month. Thank you all for stick with it and please comment! Good, bad or anything between, I love to hear it!