My Little Pony: Equestria's Warriors Returns

by Spirit Of Fantasy

After many wars, heavy losses, and violence with enemies. The eldest brother of the royal sisters makes his return, and discovers the student of the sister he blames for their youngest sister's banishment. Now along side this young and talented unicorn, ready to battle evil. He will discover the new world of friendship and love that replaced his world of pain and hateful battles.

36. Chapter 36:Secret Of My Excess

Chapter 36:Secret Of My Excess

Today of all days was not all that special, aside from reshelfing day with Twilight. But next week was something to some what special that needed to be respected no matter what. Shadow Swirl already have a present in her bag for a certain dragon, while Orion had supplies for making party food. Next week was Spike's birthday, one of many that would come before the baby dragon could ever be considered a grown dragon. And boy did the warriors like the idea of Spike slow growing under the care of ponies.

It was one of the things that allowed them to condone on even offering any presents to Spike. For they knew dragon growth accelerate through greed, and turns that dragon greedy and dangerous. But for a dragon like Spike, they truly felt that there was no need to fear a couple presents.

"So you and Twilight got the hot dishes and orderves, and I have the job of hiding the presents,"Shadow Swirl assessed the idea of who was in charge of preparing something for next week,"Spike certainly is coming a long way, growing the long way to become a noble and loving dragon, rather than submitting to greed."

"Indeed… He may be an irritable knucklehead at times, but I can tell he means well,"Orion agreed regardless of how obnoxious Spike could get at times, being a dragon and all,"Twilight did a great job raising him. He's been the furthest thing from your average dragon from what I've seen. Razor and Smoke would vomit to see Spike being raised in such a manner…!"

"Those chaotic brutes can snarl and cry all they want. War Fire isn't here to enforce their trouble making habits any more,"Shadow Swirl made that clear, and Orion was already well aware of that,"I see those two anywhere near Spike…! I swear, I'll-"

"I've already warned Razor a few times to keep his distance from the town, and Spike…!"Orion informed before Shadow could go on a rant about the mischief the drakes tend to make.

"Good…! Now then, I'll stick to the shadows and sneak the present upstairs,"Shadow quickly instructed the moment they were closing in on the library,"You just go in and put the ingredients away. We gotta try and make this party a surprise for the little guy."

"I know, I know…! It's not my first time doing one of these…!"Orion replied before Shadow turned pitch black and dove for the first shadow she could find to sneak on in.

This left Orion to sigh and shake his head, hoping for a smooth entrance into the library. He came to the door and held the bags with one hand before reaching for the door knob. Only to pause at the hint of great heat that smelled metallic and hotter than the hottest flames. He felt the blast of heat and stench roll down his neck, making his spine want to be chilled, but it was too hot. Slowly, a growl left Orion's lips as he dropped his bags and walked away from the door a bit.

He lowered his head and huffed a bit before he heard a rustling in the tree branches again. He took out a shard of red crystal and let it shine in the sun light, before he made a sharp turn back to the tree. His sharp turn allowed for a speedy throw that launched the shard of crystal into the tree branches. Before it connected with something that was not wood, but solid scaly hide and flesh. A quick sharp shriek erupted from the tree before the tree top quaked like crazy with activity.

Finally, the blue drake burst out of the tree top and slammed to the ground on it's feet. Before it needed to turn it's very long neck and bite at the crystal that got plunged into the left side of his chest. It took only three tried to bite the shard and yank it out of the sternum, and spitting it out at Orion's feet.

"That can happen when you keep sneaking around some pony's back yard one too many times,"Orion first ranted and yelled at the drake as it licked the wound and turned to face the prince,"I've told you numerous time that you're not allowed here! You'll cause a panic! And I know you're trying to mess with Spike in some way!"

Razor growled and approached the prince to the point that it's sharp beak touched his nose. The ponies around them were already running for their lives, thinking they'd see great brutality this day. However, Orion stood his ground and shoved Razor's head away from his face.

"Go back to the forest…! And leave the baby dragon alone. This is your final warning, Razor,"Orion finally gave Razor the final threat before he would bring the drake's destruction,"You wanna make yourself useful and do something constructive with your chaos desires? Go hunt down some Cinders…!"

Razor only grumbled and took a one eighty look behind himself to peek into a window. Where he could see Spike testing out quite the impressive fire ruby that was shaped like a heart. He sniffled and shook his head before blasting out a sneeze, detecting some very slow aging from the baby dragon that made it's stomach churn. For now, he looked back to Orion and snarled before flapping it's wings and letting it's spikes electrify. Allowing the drake to instantly shoot into the sky like a lightning bolt and fly back to the forest.

Once the drake was out of sight and back into the forest where he was instructed to stay. Orion released a breath of relief, and looked around to the other ponies that saw the spectacle. He was then able to talk down the ponies, and ensure that there would be no more drakes in town.

"It's alright! You all heard that conversation…! He shows up here again and I'll deal with him,"Orion announced and calmly went inside to leave the ponies to try and go on with their day,"Now then, that was fairly painless. Hope they can just not think about Razor and move on with their day."

The moment he had entered the room, he was then hit with a shocking sight. Spike was at long last readying his famous fire ruby he had been aging for the longest time till it was completely ripe. However, instead of showing it off and being quick to take it back to it's hiding spot. He had then showed it off to Rarity, and she was marveled by it's beauty and near perfect complexion. What would become of this would soon shock him, and reveal more hope for Spike than he ever thought possible.

"Is that a fire ruby?! Huh, that must be at least twenty carats! No inclusions, pristine facets…"Rarity was practically drooling over the ruby, as would numerous of the most greedy and ravenous dragons.

"And totally delicious…!"Spike excitedly revealed what he had in mind for the ruby once it was ready.

"Uh… If you guys don't mind…!"Twilight called to them while she was dealing with an odd issue with books all over the floor.

"Oh, uh, of course. I just came by to see if you had any books on historical fashion,"Rarity asked for a history book on fashion, but her real interest was all about Spike's ruby,"Did you say…delicious?"

"Sure did! Next week's my birthday, and this is my birthday dinner!"Spike explained the importance of the fire ruby and the purpose it served for the baby dragon.

"Start with this one."Twilight manage to find a book from within the pile on clothes from the second harmony age.

"Thanks, Twilight. I've got a feeling ruffled taffeta capes are going to make a huge come back this season, and I want to be ahead of the game,"Rarity explained her reason for the required book before she could not help but look to Spike and his ruby,"I hope it's as tasty as it is beautiful, Spike… I've never seen anything quite so stunning before…!"

"Gosh… You really like it, huh?"Spike couldn't help but be sympathetic and enticed by Rarity's adornment for his ruby.

"Like it? It's magnificent!"Rarity could not help herself but to be fascinated and amazed by the heart shaped fire ruby.

"Then you should have it. This beautiful gem was meant to be with you…!"Spike sighed and swallowed his own desires by offering the ruby to Rarity to keep, much to even the warrior's shock.

"I…don't know what to say…! this is so thoughtful…! Oh, my little Spikey wikey,"Rarity a lit with happiness and boldly kissed the dragon on the cheek with deep gratitude,"Thank you so…much!"

Rarity barely could hold back her happiness as she ran pass Orion and out of the tree. Leaving the warriors stunned and Spike frozen in shock from at last getting a kiss from his crush mare. While every pony else was still stuck on the fact that the dragon gave a very prized possession away to another.

"Wow, Spike, that's one of the kindest, most generous things you've ever done,"Twilight admitted as the warriors entered the library and came down the steps,"I've never seen Rarity so happy!"

"I'll say…! I've never once seen a dragon this void of greed in all our years as warriors,"Orion admitted and sat down on the couch just as Spike finally shook himself our of his shock,"Dragons were naturally brutalists and unmatched in the ways of greed, but Spike…"

"He's a one of a kind dragon! Yes he is…! Yes he is…!"Shadow appeared from out of a shadow and picked up the happy dragon to baby him for his generosity.

"I will never wash this cheek again…!"Spike admitted while dreamily sighing and laughing.

"You might have to… never know when you may get another kiss with time,"Orion informed while slyly gesturing Twilight to come over to give her some information,"Razor was outside in the tree top again. He was most likely spying on you from the second floor window…"

"The drake…?! Why does it keep spying on us…?! What does it want…?"Twilight exclaimed quietly and felt her skin crawling now that she knew a large blue drake was spying on them.

"I don't know… I can only think of it having to do with Spike. Drakes hunger for chaos and combat,"Orion explained and peeked over at Spike, knowing that Spike could easily become the perfect beast for the drakes to fight,"They probably find it disgusting to see a dragon like Spike living among ponies in peace… Heck, if he saw Spike giving his gem to Rarity like that. You'd have drake vomit all over the windows…!"

"Please, do something about those creatures…! I don't want them anywhere near us, or Spike…!"Twilight begged that the warriors did something about the drakes to prevent further trouble.

"Relax…! I already gave Razor his final warning. I see him or Smoke near the town, they're done,"Orion explained his final warning to his old comrade's pets,"I'll hunt them down and kill them…! No more pity will be shown next time they show up where they don't belong…!"

"I hope so… I don't want any creatures like them near Spike… I can tell they're bad influences…"Twilight worried as she looked to her fun loving and innocent baby dragon.

"Don't worry… Spike has come a long way… I'm sure he will start to learn the good from the bad…"Orion admitted this thanks to what he witnessed the baby dragon doing what was against his very nature.

---

The next week could not have come fast enough, the hour was at hoof at last. Another year gone by and Spike was now a slightly older dragon, this was one of quite a few years that would pass. And at the rate he was going, Spike would remain a young dragon for decades to come. And that's just how every pony preferred it, for this also meant that Spike would grow to be a noble and good dragon. However, something was striking Orion, as he helped set up the decorations for the party.

Spike was clearly in love with Rarity, and he gave that ruby out of the goodness of his heart that yearned for her. However he was still considered a baby dragon, or at the most, he was a child. While Rarity was almost a full grown mare with her own business and career to operate. Even if they were to express feelings for each other, Spike was too young, and his current aging process would keep him from ever being with her. His only hope of being at her age and have a chance, would be for him to surrender to greed and grow like all the other dragons.

This made the prince somewhat solemn and feeling guilty for the baby dragon. He was a knucklehead, but he had proven to be a good hearted dragon with a lot of love to give. And soon he would discover that he could never be with the mare he claimed to have feelings for.

"Just about finished, Spike? Every pony will be here soon!"Twilight shocked the prince from his thoughts as she called up to Spike from the second floor.

Orion watched as Spike at long last came down the steps sporting some shiny spikes and scales. He was quite the sight to see, a young dragon coming on down to celebrate his birthday. Normally dragons don't care much for birthdays, all they cared about is what or who they could hurt or steal from. Shadow Swirl had meanwhile exited the kitchen all covered in cake batter to see the baby dragon. As he proudly walked down the steps to show himself off, feeling confident with his looks, except for one detail.

"Not quite everything…!"Twilight spotted the detail that came in the form of Spike's dirty cheek that held the kiss Rarity gave him, she then gave him a wash cloth.

"A wash cloth? I don't get it. Ah,no way, Twilight…! I said I wasn't gonna wash the cheek that Rarity kissed, and I meant it!"Spike refused to wash the cheek and threw down the cloth, only for Twilight to accept that challenge, by taking up the cloth herself and grinding her hoof in the floor.

"Oh just clean off the cheek…! It's not going to be the only kiss you'll ever receive from a girl…!"Orion tried to make sense of Spike's childish obsession with the kissed cheek, but the baby dragon only responded by trying to run.

"It's over, Spike! I'm cleaning that cheek!"Twilight yelled while constantly trying to teleport the runaway dragon back to her so she could get his cheek.

"It's mine! Stop it!"Spike panted and tried to out run the teleportation or at least out pace Twilight.

"Never!"Twilight argued and began to waver before Orion decided to intervene and end this issue.

"I got him…! Just a second!"Orion yelled before he pounced on top of Spike and crushed the dragon under his body before putting Spike in a light choke hold.

"Hey! Any of you wanna stop bickering over a cheek kiss and help me!?"Shadow Swirl called out to the others as Orion wrestled Spike over to Twilight before they were interrupted.

"Happy birthday!"Pinkie shouted between the the friends, making them all stumble and fall into each other, while she blew her party hooter and trumpet.

In that moment, all the other mares entered the library and gave a cheer for Spike. This distracted Spike long enough for Twilight and Orion to recover and do the required deed. Twilight quickly managed to wipe at Spike's face and finally dispose of the dirty kissed cheek. Once that was taken care of, the warriors then stood in awe at the sudden arrival of presents the mares brought with them. There were an awful lot of presents, and they had no idea whether to be impressed or concerned.

"Party time! Woo hoo!"Pinkie cheered while Spike was next to see the amount of gifts that were his.

"Are those… for me?"Spike asked out of disbelief to see so many gifts that belonged to him.

"You bet they are, birthday boy."Applejack answered and got the baby dragon excited to the point that he wanted to jump into the presents.

"Happy birthday, Spike…!"Fluttershy chirped as Spike could no longer resist and crash dived into the presents.

"Don't you know you get presents on your birthday?"Rainbow Dash asked as Spike emerged from the presents to respond.

"Well, actually, this is my first birthday in Ponyville… I usually just get one present…from Twilight… A book."Spike explained that he didn't exactly get a lot of gifts or had too big of a celebration for his birthday.

Meanwhile Twilight was made out for passing on the gift of knowledge in the form of birthday books. As she stopped in her tracks on the steps, carrying down a book all wrapped up as a gift. She smiled with embarrassment, and slowly walked back up the steps with the gift to hide it. It was then that Rarity had a bit to say about her ensemble for today and the baby dragon.

"Speaking of presents. This is from my new line of taffeta capes. I'm going to make one for each of you!"Rarity chirped with excitement and showed off her designs for capes that every pony was getting.

"Those are quite impressive capes…!"Orion admitted as he judged upon the interesting capes Rarity had designed.

"Fine…! I guess I'll just continue baking ALL by myself! Why did War Fire have to be the one to croak? He was the cook of the group…!"Shadow scoffed and went back in to finish baking the cake.

"I've been inspired by the generosity of my little Spikey wikey! Who gave me this beautiful fire ruby,"Rarity showed off the gold necklace that she made out of the heart shaped fire ruby,"One of the kindest acts I've ever experienced…!"

Rarity nuzzled the cheek of Spike, flattering the baby dragon with her gratitude. While Orion at first felt happy that spike was actually starting to look like a noble young dragon. Only to once again feel bad that his hopes of being with Rarity were most likely an impossible dream. However that was not the issue at hoof a couple minutes into the act of checking all all the presents. Right now, Spike was more worried about how he could ever thank every pony for the gifts, his gratitude once again surprised the prince.

"Applejack, I can't thank you enough for this great blanket! I really needed a new one."Spike opened up his present of a new blanket and hugged Applejack with great gratitude.

"Come on, Spike. You've thanked me for the fifteenth times. I'm starting to get a little embarrassed…"Applejack admitted that Spike was getting too grateful about the gifts he received from his friends.

"I know I keep thanking you guys, but I'm just so grateful. I wish this party could last forever!"Spike exclaimed while balloons popped around him.

"Duh! The party can't last forever, cause you gotta go to Sugarcube Corner, cause the Cakes said they have a special surprise for you. Because it's your birthday!"Pinkie excitedly explained why the party could not last forever, but the reason deeply excited Spike even further.

"No way!"Spike was taken by the excitement and immediately rushed out of the library to make his way to Sugarcube Corner.

"I said that party couldn't last forever, but it doesn't need to end right now!"Pinkie called to Spike, but he had already slam the door shut and was on his way.

"Well now…! That's a shame… I was hoping to give Spike my present to him before he left…!"Orion huffed and pulled out a smooth rectangular shaped rod of red crystal that glowed very brightly.

"Oh! You got him a gift too? That's very sweet of you!"Twilight cheered while the other mares found his present underwhelming at first sight.

"Uh… Don't you make hundreds of these all the time?"Rainbow Dash was the first to question the gift Orion had.

"Yeah, at this point it's just another hunk of crystal you could make at any time! Where's the thought in that?"Applejack was next to question the crystal, and was the designated mare to take that very crystal cracking her in the noggin to leave a bump.

"This specific crystal is infused with a sliver of my very spirit you fools,"Orion decided to inform the ponies of what made this piece of crystal far more special,"This is a token of my respect and my friendship. Because it means you have a piece of life from my everlasting spirit! This is NOT just a hunk of crystal!"

The mares all fell silent, they knew they were not gonna live this one down so easily. After questioning and thinking very little of something that contained a piece of the prince's very life. No pony dared to question it any further, thankfully Shadow Swirl was there to bring down the tension.

"Hey! Any pony wanna get in here and help with decorating the cake?!"Shadow tried her hoof in asking for a little help from the others with the cake she was baking.

"Yeah…! Anything is better than having the meanings of my very life questioned…!"Orion spoke low and walked away from a group of very guilty ponies.

"Girls…? Next time, it be best to not jump to conclusions based on appearance…"Twilight warned with deep concern before she was next to follow the prince into the kitchen.

Slowly the mares looked at each other, and they were feeling like the big donkeys this time around. So far Spike was still holding the title for most grateful and kind on this very day. At least until he would meet a very certain friend that the mares were clueless of, as they slowly ventured into the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Spike had quickly made his way to Sugarcube Corner at long last. All the hype for a special gift gave him all the pep he needed to run his small legs into the building. He searched around, and he could already spot the Cakes going about their day at work. His excitement kept him from noticing another shine of light and static shooting back into the town. As he ran to the Cakes to search for this special gift they had for him.

"Hi Mr and Mrs Cake!"Spike called out to greet the happy couple of dessert makers.

"There's the dragon of the hour. Happy birthday, Spike!"Mr Cake welcomed the birthday dragon into the work place, knowing exactly what Spike was here for, and got out a special cupcake.

"Thanks!"Spike replied before he was given the special ice blue cupcake with sapphire gem bits in the frosting.

'When we found out it was your birthday, we couldn't resist trying out a new recipe. Sapphires!"Mrs Cake explained as Spike marveled at the cupcake with excitement.

"Wow!"The baby dragon felt an overwhelming feeling of joy to get something so precious.

It did not take too long before the proud and happy baby dragon was leaving the building. With his cupcake in his claws, he was eating it with joy and gratitude for the Cakes creativity. So far this birthday was turning out to be one of the best birthdays he had ever had in his life.

"Thank you so much! Man, first I get a bunch of great presents from my best friends, and now an amazing cupcake, hohoh, what a day"Spike admitted with glee about all the things he was getting on his birthday, only to not look where he was going and bump into Ms Cheerlie,"Whoa! Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry, Cheerlie!"

"That's ok. What's got you so excited?"Cheerlie asked while dusting off her hat as Spike tried to recover his blue cupcake.

"Pinkie Pie told me I should come see the Cakes, so they could give me a cupcake. Because it's my birthday today!"Spike explained while eating what was left of his cupcake.

"Well, happy birthday, Spike! I wish I had something to give you…! Uh, oh! Here ya go!"Cheerlie was kind enough to suddenly give Spike her hat as another extra birthday present.

"Wow, really?"Spike wondered with shock that he was given yet another present for his birthday.

"Sure! Every pony should get fun gifts on their birthday! Have a great birthday, Spike!"Cheerlie responded before she was then on her way, leaving Spike to adore his new gift.

"I wish every day was my birthday…"Spike had to admit after how well his birthday was going.

"If you would embrace what you truly were…! It just may be your birthday every day!"A deep and echoing voice growled out from an ally way, a voice that only Spike could hear.

"What…? Hello? Who's there?"Spike asked around till he found the ally way that the voice echoed from.

"Come closer… We can only talk in secret…! I'm not allowed here."The voice grumbled as Spike showed a bit of skepticism, but also a bit of curiosity for the voice.

"Well…this seems a bit sketchy and shady…"Spike thought, but his curiosity had finally overpowered his caution.

And so the baby dragon took the bait and walked down into the ally way out of the public's line of sight. He searched around in the darkness of the ally way while braving it's less savory aspects. From the piles of trash next to the dumpsters to the dirty windows that were also broken. He was already regretting this curious hunt for the mysterious voice that spoke to his true nature. Finally he had to stop once he had reached a dead end, he felt like he was either tricked or he was going crazy.

At least until he heard a grumbly growl and the shutter of solid rock like spikes rattling together. This prompted the baby dragon to turn around and look to every edge of the ally way. Before he then spotted a great shadow looming upon the ground right in front of him. Once Spike was brave enough to look up, there he saw the great blue beast himself, Razor the blue electric drake. As he slowly released his grip on the walls and slammed his talons down into the dirt and stretched his wings.

Before he the folded them up like a bird and stomped his way towards Spike. The baby dragon could only stumble and fall on his back side before trying to back up in a panic. Knowing what Razor was capable of when he and Smoke took down a large dragon, these beasts were no joke. He could only pant and sweat as Razor approached him with a snarl and a rattle of his spikes.

"What's a matter young one? You look like you've seen a monster,"Razor growled but his words only echoed from deep within his throat to reach Spike's ears on a different level,"What's to be afraid of? We're on the same side here…! We're practically cousins!"

"Razor?! How did you…why are you? What are you doing here,"Spike spat many questions at Razor as the blue drake stood tall over the baby dragon,"And… I can understand you…! How am I hearing what you're saying?"

"Of course…! You are a dragon, and I am a drake. We're both great beasts with so much common ground,"Razor growled out his next words while noticing all the gifts Spike was in possession of,"So your birthday has come… Yet you are still this small hatchling among ponies that could never understand what you truly are, and what a beast like you deserves…!"

"You mean my friends? Oh, it's all good. They gave me so much for my birthday already,"Spike admitted while Razor snickered under his breath, for he could see doubt in the young dragon,"What more could I ever ask for?"

"Gems of course…! Gems and gold, all the things a real dragon has ever been entitled to. A dragon deserves all,"Razor hissed before he then smirked, for he knew exactly what Spike wanted more than anything,"And lets not forget the affection you desire by the… Element of Generosity!"

"Oh…! You mean Rarity? Well…I just gave her a fire ruby as a token of my feelings. Surely she will see that…!"Spike insisted while Razor only shook his head with deep pity for the dragon.

"I'm afraid it won't work…! You are a baby dragon, and she is a young grown mare…! She can never acknowledge the baby dragon you are now,"Razor decided to be the one to let Spike in on the painful truth that even Orion could not share with him,"And the way you are growing right now? You'll never be able to grow up fast enough to be with her…!"

"What…? But… It's meant to be…! I love her…! I want it to be so…!"Spike slowly stood up and looked down to the ground in disbelief that his feelings would never be acknowledged.

"I know… And there is a way to fix that, and be the dragon that she can always be with,"Razor incited to prevent Spike from falling into defeat to the point that he would not listen,"You have to desire her…! To want her like you've desired many more gifts! You must embrace what you truly are…! A dragon!"

"How do I do that? I was always raised by ponies, Razor. I don't know the first thing about being a dragon!"Spike admitted while Razor grumbled and cracked a wider smirk.

"That part is easy…! Just go with the feelings you will soon experience, young dragon,"Razor replied and suddenly let his stomach rumble while he began to oddly cough as if he was hacking up a hair ball,"Think of this…! As a personal birthday present…! From me…to you!"

Razor gagged and coughed as a bulge was moving up his stomach, it was moderately large. He steeled himself and moved the mass up through his chest before it was stretching out his long neck. Spike was already cringing, for he had a feeling that he was going to get puked on. He covered up as the mass finally reached into the cheeks of Razor, so he could finally breath again. He was then able to rear back, and let it all rush out of his jaws, every last bit of gold coin, gold nugget, and gold bar.

Even gems were part of the large haul that poured out of the drake's sharp jaws. Spike felt the ground rumble a bit while the loud ring of gold and gems rattled in his ears. Forcing the baby dragon to open his eyes to witness the great pile of treasure that Razor spewed up, just for him.

"Wow! All that gold…! All those…GEMS! Who knew drakes were such good collectors!"Spike exclaimed after seeing the stunning haul of treasure the drake was keeping.

"I took it from foes that foolishly dared to combat me…! Unfortunately I have no use for such things,"Razor explained openly that drakes were not one for greed and keeping treasures, unlike dragons,"But a young dragon like you could make shocking use from these treasures…! It will surely give you what you truly desire, young dragon."

"Really? I could have…whatever I desire…? Anything I…want?!"Spike's eyes widened and his tongue flickered with very lustful greed suddenly bursting out of him in mass.

"Of course…! You just have to take it! And no matter what happens, you must defend what is yours,"Razor instructed as Spike trembled the moment he picked up two claws full of gold coins,"No others can have it…! You are a dragon by nature…! And it's time they learned that!"

"Thank you…! Thank you so much! There's no knowing what I could do with all this,"Spike exclaimed and smirked evilly all the treasure he had before he spotted Junebug with flowers,"Anything I want huh? Hey, Junebug! It's my birthday!"

"Go on ahead little dragon. I'll kindly take your new found treasure back to your home!"Razor responded and watched Spike start to indulge in his new found sense of desire.

"Happy birthday, Spike."Junebug was willing to wish Spike a happy birthday, but Spike now desired more.

"Aren't you gonna give me something? You know, like a birthday present?"Spike insisted upon a present this time around, but Junebug unfortunately did not have anything but flowers.

"Um… I… I don't have anything…!"Junebug got worried the moment Spike noticed the flowers.

"Well, how about those flowers? I'll take those…!"Spike decided and was suddenly attacking the pony to steal her flowers, while Razor chuckled from the shadows.

The drake grumbled with pride to see the true nature of a dragon being embraced at long last. To see Spike trying to shake a pony down for what he desired, it was enough to awake Razor's spirit for a bit of destruction. But it was then that the fun was ruined by the one mare that could stop the dragon's fun, Twilight.

"Spike! Uh, sorry, Junebug. I think Spike got a little carried away…!"Twilight snatched Spike away and apologized for the trouble that was given.

"Uh, no problem… H-happy birthday, Spike…!"Junebug responded before running off with the last of her flowers, leaving Spike to Twilight's discipline.

"What are you doing? Now you're out here demanding gifts now?"Twilight questioned while Spike could see Razor zipping right through the skies undetected to deliver Spike's treasure to his home.

"Wow, you're right, Twilight. I don't know what got into me,"Spike admitted, though even against his better nature, he still desired it all, and Razor was feeding his greed,"Thanks for snapping me out of it. I'd better go give Cheerlie her hat back…"

"No problem. See you at home later? I'll keep Orion in the dark about this one."Twilight picked back up with a smile in hopes of the mess being easily forgotten, while Spike got a wave from Razor that his treasure had been delivered.

"Sounds good! Bye, Twilight. And thanks for covering for me,"Spike waved off Twilight as she walked off, before he was then waving at Razor before the drake disappeared in a spike of lightning as he then hissed,"Heh, Razor seems like an awesome guy to me! Now… Who else has a present for Spikey wikey?"

Razor in the meantime watched Spike for a moment more with deep and wicked enthusiasm. Now that the baby dragon was embracing what he truly was, now his form of fun was beginning. A fun that would soon cause terror and havoc upon the town and the ponies that lived in it. But for now, he needed to leave the town and his new little friend before he was discovered by witnesses. So he rattled his spikes and charged up his static before disappearing in a flash of electricity.

The rest of that faithful day went on without an issue, or without any notice of an issue. Spike had returned within a few more hours and they had all embraced a grand party at the library. There was a whole lot of cake, drinks, dancing and playing games that lasted almost through the whole night. It was one of the best nights the had all had together, it was like the party had made them all grow closer. Though they were unaware of the mischief Razor influenced upon Spike.

---

Eventually every pony had passed out and went to sleep, they all found their beds and couch. Knowing that it was going to be a rough awakening since Thunder was once again drinking. While Shadow, Twilight, and Orion got far too hopped up on soda and cake. Orion was currently laying in a pie of cans while Shadow had the remains of the birthday cake all over her face and chest. Twilight was the least messed up, and only her mane was a little messed up, but a head ache woke her up.

She raised out of bed with a grown and sat on her bed in deep silence for a moment. She could barely remember too much of the party she had for Spike, every pony had lots of fun. But now they were experiencing a brutal after party crash, regret and head aches to go around.

"Wow, what a rough night's sleep, Spike. I had the weirdest drea-"Twilight started out before she saw a transformed Spike laying in his way over crowded bed.

Spike had suddenly groan sleek and five times taller, even his arms and legs were now lanky. His pot belly was gone and his tail was longer, as he slumbered and snored like a true dragon. Only for him to wake up, just in time for Orion to wake up at the same time and emerge from the pile of cans.

"What's going on…? Did some pony get the warm water trick?"Orion asked before a frighten Twilight pointed to the more grown dragon that was in Spike's bed.

"What happened?"Spike asked with a yawn full of prepubescence while looking down to himself and seeing an all new him.

"What the buck…?! Spike you've gone through some sort of growth spurt!"Orion slowly got out of bed and grasped his head that was still aching as he assessed the dragon's new form.

"What?! I'm growing up? How was this even… Possible…?"Spike asked, only to remember the words of the drake that gave him his more valuable present.

"You have to desire her! To want her like you wanted all these gifts! Be the dragon that she can always be with!"Razor's voice echoed in his head.

"I don't know! Think back to last night. Did something happen, Spike? What did you do after I saw you?"Twilight wanted to try and retrace Spike's steps to find out what happened.

"I went to talk… To…"Spike tried to explain, only to be enticed by the looks of a globe that he wished to be his.

"Talk to who, Spike?"Orion questioned only to look to the globe that had Spike so interested.

"Spike!"Twilight yelled out loud to shock the baby dragon out of his trance while spooking Shadow Swirl awake.

"Wha?!"Shadow fumbled and slammed to the floor before slowly rolling to her back to start processing what happened last night.

"Huh?"Spike shook his head to listen to Orion and Twilight.

"You went to talk to who?"They both asked the baby dragon while he eyed up the globe once again.

"Oh, um… I don't remember. Hey, can I have that globe? You're not using it, right?"Spike asked for the globe, which triggered a form of familiarity Orion had about this change of nature.

"What…? What could you possibly want with a globe? Don't you have enough junk?"Orion asked as he pointed out the junk and items that were all over the dragon bed and floor.

"Huh?"Twilight was baffled as Spike suddenly rushed for the globe, forcing Orion to take the globe away by levitating it up against the ceiling.

Finally after Spike tried jumping for the globe to snatch it up in his claws. Orion decided to give Spike a solid slam to the head using the bottom piece of the globe. It knocked Spike away and made him crash into his pile of junk, only to shake the blow off and take interest in something else.

"What about this book?"Spike asked only to immediately steal a book and try to put it with a pile, only for Twilight to grab for it.

"Spike, I'm worried about you. You're usually not this…grabby…!"Twilight pointed out while Orion recognized the behavior of piling up the things that Spike wanted.

"My arms are usually not this long either,"Spike spoke before his voice dropped even more to a teenage voice that he slapped his trap shut to,"What's happening to me?"

Deep down inside, Orion had an aching feeling that he knew what was going on. He was just hoping that it was not what he feared it would be, for it could very well mean the end of a noble dragon. To be safe, he chose to bury the fear for now and take a different route instead.

"I think I know… But first lets take him to a doctor and verify other possibilities,"Orion's response slightly surprised them, since most of the time, Orion knew what was going on,"Trust me… I want to make sure we know for sure what's happening…!"

Orion was quick to then grab the dragon by his arm and drag him to his feet to walk. The group then quickly went to leave down the steps while Orion made his outfit appear on himself. While Shadow Swirl was brushing herself off, just in time to see the new Spike the dragon.

"Does any pony wanna tell me what happened to Spike?!"Shadow flailed to stand up and clean herself off before grabbing Spike by his cheeks to inspect him.

"We're not sure…! That's what we're going to find out."Orion informed while Spike was oddly grabbing at Shadow's robe with interest in taking it.

"Are you using this robe at all-"Spike was going to ask, before he then got a slap to the back of the head.

"Yes, she's using the robe right now! Now get out that door and get moving!"Orion yelled and shoved Spike to the door before they could all leave to go get Spike some help.

An hour later they were in a patient room within the doctor's office for a check up. Spike sat on the bed quietly while Twilight was at the dragon's side and Shadow Swirl was just outside the room. Orion in the meantime sat quietly in a chair at the corner, he was silent and jumbling numerous thoughts around. His heart was starting to race with worry about this growth spurt. Last thing he ever wanted for Spike was for the young baby dragon to become the beasts he had slain numerous times.

If this was indeed what was happening, he worried for what he may have to do. Spike will become a lethal and greedy beast, and he may have to slay this beloved dragon for Equestria's safety. And Twilight would never forgive him, no matter how sorry he was for the tragedy. He prayed for this not to be the case, as he clutched his hands tightly to put his body at ease. Until doctor Horse had finally entered the office with paper work, the prince was tempted to shoot up from his seat.

"Well now, what seems to be the problem?"Doctor Horse asked shortly after Twilight had to slap Spike's claw away from a stash of candy.

"This is Spike. And there's something wrong with him. He use to be half this size,"Twilight explained while constantly having to slap the baby dragon's claws away from the candy,"And he keeps trying to take things that aren't… his…!"

"All right then, lets just have a look, Shall we?"The doctor asked while Orion finally nodded slowly.

"We shall, doctor…"The prince spoke quietly, containing his fears for Spike.

"Widdle guy not Fweeling too good? Who's a brave widdle boy, huh? Who's a brave one?"The doctor asked in a kiddish voice and petted Spike's chin while Orion wanted to cringe.

Spike responded by accidentally belching loudly and with a great wake of green flames. Which slightly burned the doctor's face, Orion grew a bit tense from the sudden show of new found fire power. Only for the doctor to clear his throat and casually conclude his inspection.

"So, what do you think, doctor?"Twilight asked as the doctor prepared to give his evaluation.

"Well, I think I know what the problem is… He's a dragon!"The doctor got them excited, only to give them some info they already knew.

"Of course he's a dragon! He's been that way his whole life!"Orion ranted about the overly obvious evaluation that made their heads hurt.

"Oh, well that would explain it. Listen, I don't know anything about dragons,"The doctor crushed their hopes by informing that he knew nothing of Spike's kind,"I know about baby ponies. Maybe you should try a vet."

"Ok, doctor. Thank you…"Twilight sighed, as did Orion, knowing that things were starting to look grim.

"Great… Why did you do this to yourself…?"Orion groaned to himself before they all departed for the vet.

Thankfully the vet was just next door to the doctor's office, a short and easy walk. Once again, Twilight was at Spike's side as he stood on a pet table to await the vet. And Shadow Swirl was once again benched, sitting outside the office while Orion sat quietly in the corner. Slowly he gripped his wrist, as the tip of his sword was sheathing itself partially out of his limb. For he was nervous about the severity of what may come to pass, and right after Spike had just celebrated his birthday.

It was then that the vet entered the room, and they all tensed up with seriousness. And the vet wasted no time checking the dragon out, and preparing her own evaluation on Spike.

"Hm, well, I'm flummoxed. Ya bring me a dog, I've got it diagnosed in seconds,"The vet started as she finished checking out Spike for any signs of issues,"Snake even faster. But…to be honest. I've never seen a real live dragon before…!"

"Well… Is there anything you can tell us at the very least…?"Orion asked while Spike was caught trying to go for the dog treats.

"Not really… Other than there doesn't seem to be any physical issues wrong with him,"The vet answered while taking up the dog treats and offering one to Spike,"Who's a good boy? Who's a good boy? Sit."

At the very least, Spike was willing to be somewhat obedient and sit for the vet. And for that, he was awarded a dog treat that he ate in kind as Orion held his aching head with fading hope. While Twilight gained an idea of who else could assist them, but it involved a trip to the forest.

"Thanks anyway. Come on, Spike…"Twilight groaned and decided to get every pony moving to the next destination.

"Don't even think about it…!"Orion warned the moment that Spike tried to take the bowl full of dog treats by slapping him in the back of the head.

Orion was now heated, for there was only one last expert they could go to, and she knew the truth. He knew what she was gonna say, and it would mean only one thing for Spike's future. Either a life of imprisonment for the sake of Equestria's safety, or the young dragon would ultimately be destroyed. Something Orion was praying that would never come to pass…

Two hours later they had all made it to the hut of Zecora the zebra, their last resort. This time they were all in the hut watching the inspection while Orion stood against the wall silently. Trying not to think about what was happening, Zecora could see the prince's fear clear as day however. Which is what made the zebra hesitate to give them all her own evaluation on Spike. But she had no choice but to be forward with them, and hope that perhaps the solution would cushion this blow.

"Ooh, he is starting to mature. Of this fact, I am quite sure…!"Zecora grimly spoke while Spike got his claws slapped away from more things that weren't his.

"Mature? So he's just… Growing up? But that doesn't explain why he keeps grabbing things…!"Twilight pointed out while Orion turned away and shook his head while his ssword was sheathing out of his wrist again.

"Actually it does… A dragon grows rapidly when exposed to it's natural greedy desires…!"Orion explained while his hand trembled with an urge to draw the sword and do what needed to be done.

"Precisely, the resulting bigger size only makes their hunger rise,"Zecora added to what the warriors already knew, Shadow was petting Spike's head to keep him in check,"If this trait should go unchecked, if Spike continues to collect. More growth will certainly occur. He is going to turn into a monster…!"

"We're well aware of that, Zecora…! And there is a cure for it. It's like an addiction in some cases,"Shadow Swirl explained what they themselves knew about dragon growth,"We just need to keep him away from any form of greed, and help Spike summon the strength to kick this habit…!"

"I don't see a point in acting like nothing bad is going to happen…! You know how this ends, Shadow,"Orion's words were sharp and tweaked Shadow's nerves with his hopeless talk,"The dragon grows up, and takes what he wants! But when he finds out that what he truly desires will never be his…! Greed turns to hatred and a lust for destruction for what caused him pain…!"

"What are you talking about, Orion…? It can't be that bad…! It's just like Shadow said. We-"His sword cut off Twilight's words as it was drawn and wielded to his side.

"There will be no weapons and fighting in my house! Drop the blade you crazy louse!"Zecora demanded only for Orion to aim the sword slowly towards the chest of Spike.

"Orion…?! Whoa whoa whoa…! What are you doing? This is ME we're talking about!"Spike had his claws up as the tip of his sword touched the dragon's snout.

Orion only responded by tapping at the nose of Spike with his sword tip. He didn't want it to come to this, but he was now torn between his conviction to Equestria, and his friendship. Right now, he was fighting the urge that was normally instinct to the prince in the past that he never hesitated to follow through with.

"You won't be yourself once you've fully grown…! Your greed will crush the dragon you once were,"Spike tried to scurry away, only to be trapped in a corner with a blade against his neck,"All you'll do is pillage, destroy, steal and hurt…! Even kill! I can't let that happen!"

"Orion that's enough! You're scaring him!"Shadow yelled and responded by attempting to disarm the prince.

She leaped for the sword and gripped his arm in both hooves before back hoofing Orion across the cheek. She then tried to wrestle the sword from his hand, only to take a rising knee in the gut. She bent down, and flexed her back hoof backwards and up to kick him in the side of the head. Leaving a welt against the prince's other cheek, and thoroughly infuriating him. He then finished it by performing a fully focused head butt down on her back, forcing Shadow face first into the wooden floor.

He then kicked Shadow against the walls of the hut, causing several afriquine masks to fall. He then aimed his blade back at Spike just as Twilight tried jumping on his arm to do what Shadow couldn't. Only to basically look like a paper weight that swung around on his arm like a wind chime.

"It just had to be now…! You just had to grow up and give into your greed, didn't you?!"The prince suddenly questioned the baby dragon as he panted with mixed emotions rushing through his head.

"No! I don't know! I didn't think this would ever happen! I swear!"Spike was panicking and whimpering as he feared the quickest and clean slice ending his life forever.

It was then that in the heat of the argument, something rolled out of Orion's pocket. A glowing rod of crystal rang and glowed as it rolled from his pocket and slammed to the wood floor. It was loud and clear for all to hear, as Shadow finally recovered from the momentary scuffle. Spike immediately eyes up the crystal, but Orion's sword kept him in the corner, leaving it's owner to stare solemnly to it. Before he then slowly bent down to pick the piece of crystal back up to look at it much closer.

"I was going to trust you with this…! A very piece of my own life…! Because you were one of very few noble dragons,"Orion explained the meaning behind the rod of crystal and the intentions he had for it,"I wanted to deem you a good friend that I would trust with my life!"

"You were going to give that…to me…?"Spike looked sadly to the shimmering crystal he missed out on during his birthday.

"Yeah… But now look at you… This is not the Spike I knew… The Spike I knew would never succumb to this,"Spike noticed as a very small tear was sliding down the prince's cheek as he said these words,"And now… I'm having to choose between Equestria's safety… And a dragon I grew to care about…!"

The words of the prince were sharp against his heart and rattled Spike's brain with conflict. He gripped his head the moment the words of Razor then began to chime in as well. The young dragon did not know what to think at first, but there was something he was finally willing to admit.

"I just wanted to be the dragon that Rarity could finally accept…! And maybe I could finally see if she would be my special some pony,"His confession was made clear as Spike gripped his aching chest full of regret and wishes,"Razor said that doing this would make me the dragon that she would desire…! I should have known this was all too good to be true!"

Spike cried, and shoved a shocked prince's blade away from his body at last. Before he then charged for the door, and left the hut in a large explosion of emotions and regret. Leaving his friends and family bewildered and aware of the true cause of Spike's sudden growth spurt. The mere mentioning of the blue drake's name got the blood of both Orion and Twilight boiling. While the shock was just enough to make Orion drop the sword, now that Spike was aware of the truth behind his feelings for Rarity.

"Razor…! RAZOR!? RAZOR! I'll kill that wretched drake and mount him to the wall!"Orion roared and punched clean through the wall of the hut.

"Control yourself for the love of Celestia! This is my home, not an arena!"Zecora demanded that no more damage was done to her hut.

"How…DARE that drake do something to my little Spike! I knew that drake was trouble!"Twilight stomped her hoof, feeling stupid that she did not take the drake as seriously as she should have.

"Now's not the time for regrets every pony…! We have work to do now,"Shadow announced while cracking her neck and brushing off the damage she took,"We gotta go get Spike back and put him somewhere that he won't be able to escape and steal. See if we can get him to kick this greed habit."

"And meanwhile, me and some pony else gets to go on a drake hunt!"Orion growled and looked down to the crystal he was still holding, now that the fault was not entirely Spike's.

"Spike first, then Razor…! Lets go, Shadow. Thank you for your help Zecora…"Twilight was quick to decide what came first and rushed to leave the hut to find Spike.

"No problem, Twilight. For Spike and his innocence, try with all your might,"Zecora waved off the two unicorns that were quick to leave, while looking to the prince that was still a bit broken about what was befalling Spike,"Your conviction to Equestria's safety is more than understandable, but for this to happen to such a good dragon, you find it unbearable…"

Orion gripped the crystal tightly, causing it to glow just a little bit brighter. He closed his eyes, remembering the baby dragon that had proven to be anything but the ordinary dragon. And fear was quick to grip him next, for it seemed that Spike's days as a lovable baby dragon were over.

"In the end, conviction is not what should guide your blade,"Zecora decided to share some insight with Orion as he sighed to get his bearings,"The heart on the other hoof can be the guide that will ensure that your friendships will never fade."

"I know… But I can only bend the rules of my conviction so far,"Orion replied before standing up and shaking out his uniform before departing,"I must go… And see what else I can do for my friend…"

With that he was able to leave the hut in hopes of catching up with the other mares. He had now decided to bend the rules of his devotion to Equestria, and do what he could for Spike. Something he had thought was only a mistake to do when he was once friends with Discord. But he was determined to make this one different, and save a life rather than take it out for a change. For a noble dragon, and for the friendship he shared with the baby dragon, he was willing to try for him.

That was going to be put to the test the moment they arrived back into town. Once they were in, it became another scavenger hunt to find the young run away dragon. Thankfully they did not have to look far, for the yells of another guided the group towards the middle of town. Orion recognized the voice immediately and rushed in front of the others, before they came to the scene. Where Apple Bloom was trying to help her friends stop Spike from stealing Scootaloo's scooter.

"Get away from her you, brute!"Apple Bloom demanded as they were engaged in a tug of war for the scooter.

"Spike want!"Spike's greed was already growing, with his feelings shocked from the drama he was now more open to greed.

"You're not getting my scooter!"Scootaloo denied while Twilight and Orion were thinking of a quick plan.

"You two have a plan? I would love to hear it…!"Shadow Swirl warned before Orion quickly brewed a plan thanks to Apple Bloom's presence.

"Spike want!"Spike hissed and growled, while his desire gave Twilight an idea.

"I got an idea! It's a long shot, but it might work!"Twilight informed while pulling out a brand new broom of all things to use as bait.

"I do too…! And it's a little more practical…!"Orion replied, only for Twilight to give her own plan a try first.

"Hey, Spike! Check out this amazing broom!"She waved the broom around the dragon, but he showed no interest in the broom.

"Right… Even dragons have standards about what they take…! Allow me,"Orion decided to try out his idea with a little help from young Apple Bloom,"Apple Bloom! We need your help for a moment!"

"Yeah?!"Apple Bloom struggled but was quick to pay attention to the words of her teacher.

"You mind using that muscle and moving Spike to our house?"Orion requested her muscle to deal with the thieving dragon.

"You sure that's a good idea, sir? That sounds a bit dangerous!"Apple Bloom was hesitate to use her powers for something as simple as a greedy young dragon.

"Don't worry, he can take it! Just aim for that window if you can!"Orion pointed out the target, and the filly thought for only a minute before she could agree to it.

"Ok…! Hope this works…!"Apple Bloom feared, but went ahead with the plan by releasing her friends for a moment.

Apple Bloom rushed in while her friends still struggled to retrieve the scooter. It was then that the young Apple grabbed the dragon by his wrists before focusing hard to make herself glow. Only then was she able to suddenly crush Spike's wrists to force him to release Scootaloo's scooter. She then switched to grappling one arm with both hooves to overpower the dragon and force him to the ground. Where she then growled and heaved him over her shoulder to slam him down on his back.

Before she then twirled him around like a child playing with their first rag doll. With a strong hurl over her shoulders, Apple Bloom viciously threw the dragon through the air. He roared and panicked as he crashed clean through the window, where he violently crashed into book shelves. Orion watched the ordeal with a nod of approval while Apple Bloom was winded from the show of strength. Thankfully her friends were there to keep her standing and able to collect herself.

"Thank you for the help, ladies. And we begin our lesson this Saturday Apple Bloom…!"Orion saluted the filly for her assistance on the matter before taking off towards the library.

"You got it, sir…!"Apple Bloom saluted before her friends caught the little Apple before she could fall on her back.

"Lets move, ladies!"Orion demanded and got the mares following him to the library.

They burst into the library, and quickly looked around for Spike's whereabouts. Judging from the mess, he did come through the window and crashed through the main shelves of books. But he only passed by the room before coming to a crashing halt in the next area of the library. There was a large and perfect shaped dragon figure hole smashed through the door way and wall. They all looked to each other for a moment of silence, and quickly ran for the door to quickly shut it.

They stopped at the door, just in time to see that Spike had once again grown bigger. For he had now revealed the main pile of treasure he was secretly collecting from before. The mares tried to shut the door to keep Spike contained, where he could burn out his practice of greed. But Orion stopped them the moment he saw something impossible, piles upon piles of gold and gems. They were just under much of the junk and common items that were stolen, but they glowed the brightest.

Shadow had to slap Orion in the back of his head to snap him out of it and slam the door shut. Where they then held the door shut in hopes of keeping Spike contained in the room. Giving them a chance to recollect themselves and process what they have learned so far about the issue.

"Tell me that both of you saw what I just saw…! That glowing gold and gem pile,"Orion decided to address the bright and shiny elephant in the room,"There's no way that dragon got all that stuff from your average pony…!"

"Yeah… We saw all that… I think we just found out what caused Spike's greed to trigger…!"Shadow realized as they felt Spike banging against the door to get free.

"Fight all you want! I'm not letting you out,"Twilight yelled before they felt Spike slamming and smashing books from their shelves out onto the floor,"Oh, Spike…! I just reshelved that room! So…Razor gave Spike all that gold and gemstones, and triggered all this?!"

"Oh yeah…! It seems that way! It sounds like something a drake would do,"Shadow explained what this was shaping up to be now that so much gold and gems were now part of the issue,"He wanted Spike to grow up and become a rampaging dragon…! Something that be perfect that would demolish and cause all kinds of chaos…!"

"Chaos…! Yeah..."Orion felt a sudden trigger from the word, and was getting an aching feeling about who was responsible.

"So what do we do? It's looking like we may not be able to contain Spike!"Twilight exclaimed as they then heard Spike crashing against the walls and the windows of the room.

"We will contain him, we'll just need a bit more muscle is all. I'll round up Thunder and Typhoon…!"Shadow decided that they needed some warrior strength to stop Spike.

"And I need to go…! I think our friend Razor needs to answer for all of this!"Orion decided before they all then heard a smash and crumble of stone and wood from behind the door.

"Ugh… What now…?"Twilight groaned and decided to be the one to open the door for them all to look into.

Once they all peered into the room, their worries were then realized even more so. Spike was suddenly big enough to smash a gaping hole through the wall to escape into town. The worse part was that he took the gold and gemstones with him, proving that they were his most valuable possessions.

"Twilight…! We'll leave the pursuit to you! We'll meet back in town, hopefully with Spike captured."Orion instructed Twilight while Shadow nodded and took off through the hole to find the other warriors.

"You got it…!"Twilight agreed and quickly took off after Spike in hopes of stopping him.

"Alright, Razor…! You got a lot of explaining to do."Orion mumbled before he had then rushed out to town to go find the blue drake.

He rushed into town, he wasted no time as he slammed his fists together and clean the dust off the crystals around town. He then began the hunt, his crystals glared down every corner and ally. While ponies were fleeing from the chaos that Spike had caused earlier. However, it only took the natural sense of smell to detect sulfur, and iron hot metallic like fumes on a few buildings. All the scents given by an electric based creature, it was specified thanks to sulfur to make it out to be a drake.

"He's here! He'd want a perfect view of the carnage once Spike was full grown…!"The prince looked around, and then turned to stare towards the tallest building in Ponyville, Mayor Mare's house.

Orion glared to the top of the building, he did not see a thing on the outside. But once he looked closer, he could see something watching from inside the attic area of the building. With his target in sight he quickly charged towards the building and made a big leap for the main window. He tossed an argument with the mayor aside before he committed to going through the glass. Littering the carpet with glass as he barely soared right over Mayor Mare's head and landing right in front of her.

"What in the name of sweet Celestia are you doing in here?! And what did you do to my window,"The mayor immediately went on a rant as she looked to the large window behind her chair and desk that she sat at, completely shattered,"For once, could you warriors NOT destroy my house?! I have to work here too ya know!"

"Well if you don't mind living with a blue drake in your attic, then by all means keep whining…!"Orion informed while drawing his crystal blade out and kicking open her main doors.

"There's a WHAT IN MY ATTIC?!"The mayor exclaimed as Orion went into a hall way and marched for the nearest entrance into the attic.

Orion's head swung in every hall way and direction he could see for a way up. But so far, all he could see was a whole lot of doors and hallways full of political junk. He had even gotten pass the main hall before he was finally able to look for a pair of steps that lead to the upstairs area. He marched quickly up the steps in a huff, his eyes continued scanning every area they could spot. Finally his eyes id the trick and finally found a ceiling entrance that most likely lead to the attic.

He came to a sharp and cold stop under the hatch where he then slowly reached for the string. He quickly pulled it and watched the ladder steps unfold and set themselves up to the floor. While he quickly had his blade aimed at the entrance to the dark and dank attic. His eyes sparkled to provide acceptable light as he slowly began to climb up the steps into the dark room. Where he knew the beast was waiting for him, and after the warning he already gave Razor, chances are, the drake was ready to fight.

"Where are you…?"Orion wondered while slowly gripping the ladder and pulling it up to close off the entry way, and the only exit Razor had.

He two handed his sword and held it at the ready as he began to explore the attic. His guard was completely up and his eyes were sharp like a hawk, there could be no mistakes in this scuffle. He waved his sword around, letting the light guide his hands that would deliver his weapon's fury. One mistake while combating a predator in the dark would guarantee a violent and humiliating death. So caution was required, as he kicked aside any junk the mayor had stored in the room.

"I know you're here…! I could see your yellow slit eyes watching the carnage from afar,"Orion growled and walked a bit slower to ensure that he was fully aware of any surprises,"You gave Spike all that gold and gems, didn't you? A dragon's most favored piece of treasure…! You really shouldn't have…!"

A creak and a growl responded to Orion's low voice that reeked of displeasure. The attic was residual and echo like, so he was not able to pin down the source of the growl. It was coming in from all directions, which meant Orion was being stalked from the shadows of the room.

"Why did you do this? Spike was an innocent dragon that lived happily with ponies,"Orion stood his ground and crept through the attic that creaked with age and weight,"What do you want with him? Why do you even have ANY sort of interest in Spike? Tell me!"

Silence was the only answer, pure dead silence was what came to the prince next. Which only meant that a predator was soon going to strike, Orion held the blade up in front of him. Letting his eyes slowly start scoping around for any sign of the vicious blue drake. His fingers cracked as he readied to start swinging, and it could not have been any better on the timing. For he had then heard the snap of wood from above, where he then looked above to see the ambush coming.

"Because the ultimate predators do not belong with the weak!"Razor roared so loud, it blasted out the windows before he came crushing down on Orion.

The prince manage to slice at the left foot of the drake to keep himself from getting pinned. Razor responded by rattling his spikes till he got static circulating through them. He then snapped at Orion, only to take a blade slashing at the side of his face, forcing him to slam his head into a wall. He then tried again, only to get swung at and slashed into another wall with more force. He growled and surged some lightning into his horns before he finally rammed the prince in the gut.

This forced the both of them to crash right out of the ceiling of the mayor's home. Sending stone and wood flying as they soared through the air and dropped back down towards the dirt. Ponies fled in every direction to avoid debris, as Orion smashed right into the town's market place. Getting a nice coating of apples, yams, and pineapples broken all over his face and outfit. While Razor crashed into a delivery of rocks, straight from the Pie farm itself.

Razor was quick to stand up and shake it's head to throw off all the smashed up rocks on it's cranium. Before it looked around to all the ponies that saw him, and unleashed a large roar of rage. This was enough to throw the ponies into a mad panic of screams and out of control running. Leaving Orion to slowly pick himself up and brush off the fruit that was all over him. He then popped his neck and pulled out his sword to challenge the lethal lizard, this time, to the death.

"Razor! You have a lot to answer for what you've done! Because of you! Spike may have to die!"Orion roared with fury and desires for revenge on Spike's behalf.

He then charged and quickly fell to his knees to slide under a sweeping chomp from the beast. Before slamming into the drake and using raw muscle to carry the drake in a tackle. He then slammed the beast against the wall of the mayor's house, causing the wall to crumble. While the ceiling of the house cracked and caved in, once again the warrior was demolishing her house. But Razor was the bigger priorty at the moment, and he was not ready to submit to the drake.

"He may be a baby dragon, but he is STILL a dragon! A top predator of the world,"Razor argued and growled about what Spike truly was, and what he was meant to be,"Sooner or later! He will be a great green dragon! One of the most powerful breeds of dragon in the world! How can you deny the hatchling his TRUE nature!"

The blue drake then rammed Orion away with his head, cutting up Orion's cheek and right hand. Before electrifying his club like tail whipping it around to smack Orion like a baseball. Sending the prince flying and smashing through a wall and into Sugarcube Corner. Razor roared, knowing that he bought himself a couple minutes to flee for higher ground and try calling Spike to the town. He looked around, and he spotted his new perch up top of none other than Rarity's boutique.

So he stomped his way forward and pass many ponies that ran out of fear for the beast. He crushed and crumbled stands and precious cargo upon his approach to the boutique. He roared as he swung his tail to smash three houses in two on his approach, before he then began to climb the building. The boutique was barely able to remain stable as his talons and thumb claws dug into the walls. He grumbled and quickly looked around to see if he could see Spike any where.

He then stopped for a moment to look into a window and see the mare of Spike's true desire. He cringed and almost wanted to spit at the dragon's weird affection for a pony. He shook his head and continued climbing up the boutique till he reached it's peak lightning rod it recently got installed. He then began to scan the town for any sign of Spike, but then was sidetracked by a signal. His eyes narrowed the moment he saw black smoke growing from the trees near the Ever Free forest.

He growled, and soon turned his growl into a mighty roar that echoed through the town. It made ponies scream and hide, fearing what the large reptile would possibly do to them. Allowing Razor to no longer be distracted by so many colorful ponies, and focus on the real target.

Meanwhile, Orion was finally coming to after his less than impressive struggle with Razor. He sighed and slowly opened his eyes, only to shoot them open the moment he heard screaming. His head flailed up and frantically searched around for the source of all the screaming. While looking down at himself to see his outfit now caked in cookies and frosting, there was just no staying clean today. Suddenly he then noticed cakes and cupcakes being tossed over his head.

Once he was able to look around, he found out the screams came from Pinkie Pie. Who was currently tossing desserts at none other than a half grown Spike the dragon. From the looks of it, he was nearing his adolescent years, just about peaking at the age of eighteen perhaps. And boy did he have a haul of numerous things in his grasp already, from apple farm materials to even a chicken coop. It was already appearing that it was too late to save Spike from this fate.

He was aching to just give up, and accept that there was no saving Spike from his nature. Suddenly he was forced to snap out of his mental conflict by the bursting of doors. He stood up and brushed himself off before turning to the friends that entered Sugarcube corner.

"Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy, Shadow, and Typhoon…! How are things on your end?"Orion wanted to appear casual and not think about his hiccup with Razor too much.

"Well, lets see…! Spike just stole a bunch of things from my farm, and got me and Twilight tied up together at one point!"Applejack ranted while Orion only nodded with lack of amusement for their progress.

"And then he stole our chicken coop and forced me to spend almost an hour prying Fluttershy out of a tree…!"Typhoon added with his own feeling of outrage for these sudden antics.

"Did you find Razor at all?"Shadow asked while noticing Orion appeared a bit banged up from what looked like a fight.

"Yes… He's behind it all…! And when I demanded answers to this betrayal he responded by sending me clean through a building…!"Orion groaned before he was able to wipe off the frosting all over his outfit.

"So we've been betrayed…! They think they can do whatever they want now that Warfire is gone!"Shadow growled and stomped her hooves in outrage for the drake's betrayal.

"Um…hello?! I'm kind of in an emergency here,"Pinkie Pie panicked while throwing more cakes at Spike,"Back! Get back!"

"Pinkie Pie! Stop giving him cake!"Twilight demanded, for that was only fueling Spike's greed even further than before.

"I'm not giving him cake! I'm assaulting him with cake!"Pinkie corrected as Spike collected the remains of the cakes that struck him.

"You're still giving it to him! And it's making him-"Orion was cut off for a moment before Spike had then gone through another dramatic growth spurt that forced him through the building wall,"Greedier, and bigger…!"

"How dare you take the cake!"Pinkie yelled as Spike fully smashed his way outside to roar and show off his full grown form.

He was now a giant dragon, his size matched, and maybe even surpassed the size of Smoke. He was wingless, but Orion could study and realize that there was no end to his strength. His claws appeared clean and sharp, just like his razor sharp spikes running down his back. Even the hide of a cragodile could not handle the claws of the new Spike, he truly was a special breed of dragon. As he stomped his way through town, carrying all the materials he collected since yesterday.

"He's completely out of control! Who know where he'll go next!"Twilight exclaimed while Shadow noticed the direction Spike was now heading in.

"I have an idea of where he might be going…! He's going for what he desires the most!"Shadow realized before they all froze to a sudden deep throat like call from afar.

They all quickly rushed out of the hole to find the source of the strange throat rattling call. With a quick look around, there they spotted Spike heading towards Rarity's boutique. Where Razor was waiting and calling for Spike from atop the building, like a moth drawn to a flame.

"Razor…! He's going to pay for what he did to Spike…!"Twilight promised while her friends agreed with nods, seeing the cause of Spike's affliction.

"Twilight…! There's something I need you to understand before we go after him,"He gripped Twilight's shoulder and got her to turn around to listen to honesty,"Spike was manipulated and turned into a monster by the manipulation of Razor…! It's not all his fault. But it does not mean Spike is not a threat to our world…!"

"Orion, please don't start talking like this now…! We settled this already…!"Twilight did not want to hear what needed to be understood about the situation.

"Listen! Spike is a victim! But he is now a danger to our world…! If worse comes to pass, then we'll have no choice,"Orion had to come out and remind Twilight of what he was and what he would have to do,"He'll have to be put down… Before he tarnishes the nobility and respectable name he made for himself as a young dragon…!"

Twilight responded by closing her eyes, trying to hold back tears of fear. She shook her head, and then jerked it away from Orion to run towards Spike in hopes of stopping him safely. Her friends and the other two warriors looked to him solemnly, as hard as it was, they all understood his position. Before they too had to go running after Spike, hoping to end this more peacefully. He sighed and shook his head, before he too buried this outcome and pursued the young dragon.

"She's in there, Spike. She's doing what she appears to always be doing. Making outfits,"Razor informed Spike as he approached the boutique and tilted his head at the sight of Razor,"You're a grown dragon now…! She's all yours! Age will no longer stand between you and love any longer."

"You think so…?"Spike struggled to speak in his new form that had a stunningly deep voice.

"I do… Go ahead…! Take her! Take what you desired the most…! Show her the dragon you needed to be!"Razor demanded as Spike slowly peeked through the window to see Rarity trying out a new dress.

"Hmm… Perhaps some more ruffle…!"Rarity casually thought as she looked to her new outfit, only to see and hear her window smash open.

She screamed as Spike smashed the window open, and scooped her up into his claws. He then pulled her out and was personally carrying the screaming mare through the town. He then needed a new place to store all this treasure, for his claws and arms were filled with treasures. He then spotted a temporary solution to make carrying the treasures easier, a giant water tower. The dragon gladly grabbed the giant vat of water and tore it off the tower, letting water gush down to the town.

It washed away ponies that hid in the ally ways, forcing them to climb to the roofs till the water died down. Meanwhile, Spike stashed all his treasure into the giant water jug for better carrying. While Razor watched with excitement to see chose erupting where ever the dragon went.

"Put me down, you brute,"Rarity interrupted Spike as she pounded away at his claws making him roar at her,"How rude!"

"I don't understand…! Does she not like what I am…?"Spike manage to ask Razor for more guidance after it appeared Rarity was liking the new Spike.

"She just needs time to warm up to you…! Take her somewhere that you both can settle in,"Razor informed before they both spotted Rainbow Dash, Thunder Blitz, and Fluttershy flying in,"But first, you must deal with those ponies! They want to take it all away from you! They want to stop you from being who you are!"

"They are…? But…? But…?"Spike recognized his friends, but the greed and violent nature of the dragon seem to wipe his mind and replace it with the primitive thoughts of a dragon.

He then roared in outrage and grew hostile thanks to his nature taking control. It made Spike desire to destroy and attack everything that threatened all his valuable treasures. So he wildly challenged the Pegasus ponies that approached and dared to challenge him.

"Don't worry, Rarity! We'll save you!"Fluttershy promised as they approached Spike, only to dodge a swing he took, using Rarity like a club.

"Put her down, right now!"Rainbow Dash demanded as he swung at her and growled at being told what to do.

"I-if you don't mind, that is…"Fluttershy added, hoping to convince Spike to peacefully end the madness.

"I mean it, dragon boy!"Rainbow Dash demanded again before Thunder decided to enter the fight in his own way.

"She said…! Put the unicorn down, dragon boy!"Thunder yelled before he brought his solid electric hoof down, crushing it into Spike's forehead.

The force sent Spike face planting down and into the dirt, while his electricity splinter his scales. The lightning proved stunningly hot and sharp, perfect for piercing dragon scales. A threat that Razor realized as Spike was pinned down and rattled from the blow that opened up a wound on his head. Razor then decided to get in on this fight, and help the dragon in his struggle. As he took to the sky and charged at Thunder, while Spike was shaking off the blow and swinging Rarity at the stallion.

"Hey! I'm…not some…sort of…common fly swatter!"Rarity struggled as she swung around towards the electric Pegasus and the mares.

"He's a grown dragon now lady! He doesn't care for the well being of others!"Thunder yelled before he was suddenly snatched up into the jaws of Razor.

"Thunder! Hold on!"Rainbow quickly flew after the drake that tried to carry Thunder away from Spike.

"To the mountain! They won't dare challenge you in a cave that you control!"Razor was able to point out the nearby mountain that held a cave for Spike to claim before he felt daggers stab into his lips.

This was thanks to Thunder stabbing Razor in the mouth and burn the jaws open. Allowing him to fly free and shrug off the damage that was in the form of teeth marks that bled from his chest and left arm. Just in time for Rainbow to fly to his side and bravely stare down the blue drake.

"Are you ok? You're bleeding from the chest…!"Rainbow worried while Thunder only shrugged his shoulder and stretched his fore arms.

"Didn't hit anything vital…! I can still tear into this great blue bucker!"Thunder assured while twirling his daggers and electrifying them for battle.

"What good are those gonna be against a lightning reptile?"Rainbow Dash questioned while Razor electrified it's spikes and flew towards them.

"These babies can do much more than what you think, Rainbow…!"Thunder spoke before charging and tackling Razor by stabbing into both of Razor's sides.

Before they were carrying each other into another building, smashing clean through the roof. While Rainbow Dash tried bucking and punching the drake in the head. With them distracted by the drake, the rest of the group was now free to pursue Spike, as he headed towards the mountain. The young dragon still had Rarity in his grasp as he approached the mountain to climb it. Only to then hear the sound of sharp soaring wings approaching through the skies towards him.

They all looked to the skies and there they saw the Wonderbolts themselves approaching. They made a few flight formations and prepared to fly in towards Spike for a deceptive assault. Thunder and Rainbow took a moment to look to the skies as the Wonderbolts separated and flew around Spike.

"Look! The Wonderbolts!"Rainbow pointed to the team of flyers that surrounded Spike in all directions to confuse him.

"Give it a minute…!"Thunder insisted before the both of them were struck by a wave of static that knocked them out of the house.

Spike roared at the Wonderbolts, for they were like the pesky flies that could not be swatted. However a plan quickly formed the moment he climbed up the mountain just enough to spot a small cave. He quickly took his giant water jug and dumped all his newest belongings into the cave. Serving as a good hiding place for the treasures while he then had a metal net for the team of Pegasus. He swung the jug around to catch the Wonderbolts like a flock of butterflies.

It took only a few tries before he then suddenly caught all three Wonderbolts inside the jug. They slammed hard against the jugs metal walls before Spike dealt with them thoroughly. Slamming the jug into the side of the mountain, trapping the team of flyers inside the jug.

"Told you so…"Thunder remarked as he and Rainbow Dash laid in the dirt for a bit to catch their breath and recover.

"You sure you're ok?"Rainbow Dash calmly asked as she put a hoof to his shoulder to make sure Thunder wasn't too banged up.

"Yeah… I'm fine… Don't you worry your rainbow head…"Thunder insisted while doing the same to her shoulder and silently looking into her eyes with trust and assurance.

"We gotta stop him! Spike! We know you're in there! Don't listen to Razor!"Twilight yelled out to Spike as he looked down to the rest of the group that pursued him.

"He's not helping you be what Rarity desires! He's making you into a monster!"Shadow added as Spike slowly started looking to Rarity, the mare that he desired to be with.

"SPIKE! I'M COMING UP THERE YOU KNUCKLEHEAD!"Orion roared before he took off towards the mountain and began to wall run right up the side of it.

The prince had his sword at his side, running up the mountain while Rarity heard the sudden reveal. The dragon that had her captured was none other than Spike, the young and generous baby dragon she knew. She gasped the moment his name was uttered, and she was frozen for the longest time. Staring to the reptilian beast that was once so young and so kind to her. At least until Orion war cried and leaped right above Spike's head and slammed right above him on the side of the mountain.

"Don't make me kill you, Spike! This isn't how our friendship should have to end,"Spike tried to shake away Orion's words by swatting at him, only for the warrior latch onto his neck,"Razor is lying to you! Rarity will not love the monster you have become! She loved the baby dragon you were before!"

Spike shook his head, his greed was now in battle with his pony grown conscious. He tried grabbing for Orion, only to have his claw punched away before Orion spun a full three sixty. Giving him momentum to swing again and crack him in the jaw, forcing Spike's head back.

"Talk to him, Rarity! You might be the only one that can reason with him!"Orion yelled while gripping at Spike's neck to hold him still.

"Is this… Really… Spike…?"Rarity dared to ask, but got the answer when she got to take a closer and more clear look at the dragon.

"Razor did this to him…! He fooled him into taking this greedy plunge in hopes of growing up,"Orion gestured to the blue drake before it had finally broken free from the building,"He did it because he loved you, and realized as a baby dragon he could not be with you like he always hoped…!"

Razor roared, seeing that Spike was struggling with his inner conflict of influence. He then flew to the mountain and slammed next to Spike, roaring and trying to get Spike to resist. But Rarity's sudden touch alarmed Spike, and got him looking at her solemn face, now that she knew who he truly was.

"He loves you, Rarity…! He's held it in for so long…! And that was his only true desire,"Orion informed Rarity as she rubbed Spike's thumb while she kept eye contact with him,"The desire to be what you would desire…! To be the dragon you could love the way he loved you."

"Spike… You shouldn't have had to do all this for me…! You were fine…just the way you were,"Rarity slowly began to speak as the dragon fell silent to her words,"What has that monster done to you…? He turned my Spikey Wikey into the monster he wanted you to be, not what I wanted…!"

"She's lying to you…! She just does not wish to admit her feelings for a grown dragon!"Razor tried to roar his own influence, only for Spike to suddenly shake his words aside.

"The Spikey Wikey I cared about was young and generous and kind! You were so much more when you were a baby dragon,"Rarity said before she then held up the very fire ruby she wore with her outfit to show to him,"That very same dragon gave me this! A token of his feelings and generosity towards me! No grown dragon could have that big of a heart…!"

Spike looked deep into the fire ruby for the longest time, frozen by it's familiarity. He tilted his head, as memories were then shaking into his mind as he groaned in distress. He had then remembered it clear as day, it was yesterday that he recalled it all, that day when he was still a kind hearted dragon.

"Then you should have it. This beautiful gem was meant to be with you…!"Spike had remembered how special the ruby was and how much it was meant to be with Rarity.

"I…don't know what to say…! this is so thoughtful…! Oh, my little Spikey wikey!"He remembered how happy Rarity was when he had given her the fire ruby as a token of his love and generosity.

Spike was then suddenly gripping his head, his greed lusted for only silence and more things. But Rarity's words proved stronger, he struggled and groaned loudly from his inner war. He felt his blurry vision clearing and his true feelings and personality pushing towards the surface. As his green eyes became sparkly and larger, slowly he released his head from his sharp claws. Before he was seeing Rarity more clearly, and realizing she was in the grasp of a dragon's claws.

Razor realized he was losing the dragon to the influence of his friends and crush. He was quick to try and roar, hoping to shake Spike back into his dragon nature, and get him rampaging again.

"SPIKE! Do not listen to their words! You know what you truly are inside!"Razor roared, but Spike did not listen, he was too busy slowly looking at himself, and seeing the creature he had become.

All this time, he thought by listening to Razor he would be what Rarity desired. But now he was seeing what he had become, he was the furthest thing from what she would desire. He was a giant dragon that had terrorized the world, he looked to her with fearful eyes as he did to Orion.

"What…? What happened…? What the hay have I become,"Spike looked at his new body before he then looked out to the chaos throughout the town,"What did I do? This is not what I wanted to happen! This is crazy! What did I do?!"

"Spike! It's not your fault! You've been lied to!"Rarity called to the dragon as he looked back to her and let her simply stand on his open palms.

"Rarity? What happened to the town?! Did I do all this…?!"Spike wondered as he brought Rarity closer to his sad eyes, hoping for some answers.

"It's ok, Spike! It wasn't all your fault…"Rarity tried rubbing his thumb, hoping to keep Spike from freaking out from all the devastation.

"You want your answers, Spike? Then talk to him!"Orion got Spike's attention, and pointed out Razor to his left of the mountain.

Spike slowly turned to the blue drake that roared with outrage that Spike somehow overcame his greed. Razor could only voice his outrage, while watching the black smoke in the distance get thicker. He was boxed in, and the moment the smoke grew thick and strong, he now had help.

"What are you doing?! You were to establish this town as your own! To take what you wanted!"Razor growled while Spike shook his head with confusion at the sudden change of intentions.

"Razor? Why am I a gigantic dragon?! Why did I trash the town?! This isn't what I wanted!"Spike insisted and begged for answers to this sudden change that did not suite his own intentions.

"How can you be so sure? You are a dragon! It is in your nature to steal and take whatever you want,"Razor retorted with a bit of confusion that Spike resisted his true nature and no longer wanted anything,"I think the question is… Why are you not all these things?! You are a dragon! Not a pony!"

"What?! This wasn't about what I am, it's about what I wanted! And this was not it,"Spike argued back while containing his shock that Razor was so critical about his life,"Look at me! I'm a monster! I've attacked my friends, I destroyed half the town, and I took so many things from every pony!"

"To want something is the nature of a dragon, and it is to be embraced, hatchling,"Razor began to spout his view about what creatures are and the nature they all needed to follow regardless,"You are a dragon! It is your destiny to take what you want, destroy whatever and whoever you want! Your time of being a pet to these ponies are over!"

"What are you…? Destroy what ever… And whoever I want…? Wait,"Spike suddenly realized that Razor had suddenly admitted a different desire from what Spike wanted,"It was never about what I wanted at all…! It was about what YOU wanted! And you wanted me to become this big monster!"

"Of course…! Nothing would help a drake cause more destruction than a dragon that did whatever he said,"Orion decided to sum up what he had collected from what the dragon and drake said to each other,"So he lied to you and made you embrace greed to become the ultimate chaotic predator…! A full grown dragon."

"Is that…what I really was to you? Was I really just some weapon for you to exploit?!"Spike demanded more answers while Razor twitched his head in frustration.

"You are what you were meant to be! You can't deny what you are forever, hatchling,"Razor argued while Spike shook his head with stress and rising anger,"Listen and trust in your fellow beasts! We are cousins, Spike! You should be able to understand all this!"

"No! I won't! You turned me into a monster and made me attack my friends for some sort of chaotic thrill,"Spike growled and clutched his claws in rage for being used like a tool,"You're not family…! You're a lying, manipulative monster! You…you liar!"

Spike suddenly responded with a roar and a sudden assault towards Razor. He gripped the drake into his right claws and crushed him against the mountain, making the drake shriek. Before Spike had then swung his claws back, and tossed the drake down, smashing him through the market place. The group of mares and warriors looked on in shock, Spike was in control again. And now he had a bone to pick with Razor, as he slid down the side of the mountain and landed before the group.

They all had then suddenly began to cheer as Spike slowly put Rarity down. To see Spike back on their side and in control of himself was the best scenario they could hope for. Once Rarity was safe, Spike stomped towards Razor as Orion himself slid down the mountain. Where every pony decided to run to Razor to back up Spike, knowing that Razor was a formidable beast in his own right. But Spike was in no mood to judge his chances of fighting a more experienced monster.

"LIAR! I'm a monster because of YOU!"Spike roared and threw a punch down to crush Razor into the dirt.

"I made you what you were meant to be! And this is how I am repaid,"Razor dodged the punch and swerved around Spike's arm before wrapping his tail around it, and biting at Spike's shoulder,"But if you insist on being a pet to these weak creatures…! Then perhaps you were never meant to be a true predator! Just a little snack for the real ones!"

Suddenly, Razor felt the sharp slashes of blades splitting his back open. He screeched and rattled his spikes before Spike grabbed his whole torso into his claws to pry him off. Once he tore the drake off his shoulder, he then forced him to the ground again and put his foot down on his back. Pinning the smaller beast down and grinding him into the dirt in revenge. While Thunder and Rainbow surrounded the drake, his very blood being cleaned off the blades that slashed up his hide.

"So how's it feel to have this whole plan of yours back firing big time on you?"Orion stood in front of the drake's head as he kicked and struggled wildly under Spike's foot.

"You're going to pay for what you did, Razor…! Now you're going to suffer the consequences for your actions!"Twilight promised as Razor looked around to see himself surrounded by his enemies.

Razor was now in need of a way out, he was trapped and on his own in this fight. At least that's what he thought before he saw the big smoke hitting the skies, he now had helped. All that was left, was to signal his back up and start fighting since fleeing was no longer an option.

"You got something to say for yourself, you lying varmit?"Applejack asked as they all closed in all around the downed blue drake.

"You're going down!"Rainbow Dash promised as Razor took in a deep breath and made the call for help that he needed.

He then reared back and let out a loud rattling roar that blasted through the skies. They all backed away for a moment to process his sudden roar to the sky that made their spines tingle. Only to then hear a colossal explosion in the distance near the Ever Free forest. Dirt, trees and smoke lifted in mass and filled the sky before an even bigger roar erupted from the chaos. Before the spikey giant red head of a big drake peered out of the cloud of debris and roared to the sky.

"Oh…no…! Smoke! He just called in Smoke,"Orion yelled and turned around to face the bigger threat that approached the town,"Every pony! Ready yourselves for a fight! We got a formidable duo coming in for some action!"

They all turned, while Spike was distracted by a desire for revenge against Razor. They all watched the giant drake making his slow approach to the town, his stomps rumbled the ground. Razor roared at Spike, keeping the dragon distracted on him so he couldn't see Smoke coming. Thankfully the group was all focused on Smoke, it appeared that they had the advantage. At least that's what it appeared to be, until Smoke finally arrived into the town of Ponyville carrying some company.

They all prepared to scrap with the giant drake, knowing fire and sparks were gonna fly. Smoke had finally stomped over and into town before unleashing a thunderous roar. Smoke looked to Razor, and saw him struggling, but there was a group of ponies standing in his way. Thankfully he had some back up to deal with them, upon his approach, they all prepared to attack the giant beast. Before an impossible and stunning sight had shocked them all as they suddenly appeared.

The Cinders themselves poked their heads out, shocking the ponies that stood their ground. Smoke stomped and stood before them as the Cinders came out from behind the giant spikes of the drake. And looked down to their enemies and the town that was in complete devastation and chaos.

"All this was caused by a young dragon and our good friend, Razor…! We are impressed!"The lead unicorn Cinder smirked as ponies around town hid in fear.

"Are you surprised to see this, warriors? Your comrade's own pets at our side?"A Pegasus asked asked as Smoke continued looking to Razor, knowing that he needed help.

"Not exactly…! We just never pictured that this was how far their betrayal went,"Orion admitted as the group of ten Cinders lined up on Smoke's shoulder,"How long have you been working with these animals?! How long have you gone against the wishes of your owner!?"

"Heh…! You fools don't even know the half of what's going on…! And already, your town is crumbling,"The unicorn announced as the other Cinders pulled out daggers and short swords,"And now… You will crumble along with this town! And burn to ash!"

"Smoke…! Put the purple dragon down before he kills Razor…! Leave these fleshlings to us!"An earth pony Cinder commanded before they all had then leaped off the drake's shoulder.

The Cinders dove down and towards the group of ponies, leaving Smoke to his own business. The group readied themselves, and the fights broke out like wild fire once the first Cinder landed. Typhoon already engaged the two earth ponies as they jabbed and swung their daggers, slapping blades with his scythe. While Shadow stopped two short swords from hitting him in the back with her mace. She smacked them back and charged towards them to start crushing some ashen skulls.

While Thunder and Rainbow were brawling with two Pegasus ponies right above her head. Rainbow was getting down some swift shots with her bare hooves thanks to some lessons from Thunder. Allowing her to out maneuver and throw swift punches that kept her away from his blades. Leaving Thunder to simply slice and dismember his Cinder for a quick and easy kill. Where he spun behind the foe and rammed both daggers up and through his chest.

The rest of the group engaged the rest in a frontal assault of tackles and magic. Twilight traded magic shots and headbutts with the leader while Applejack and Pinkie wrestled with the earth ponies. This left Fluttershy to pretend fight, and hide behind Rarity, as she manage to get some lucky magic shots off two unicorns. Blasting holes through their chests to destroy their hearts. One Cinder had then dared to jump on Rarity from behind, but a cowardly attack like that did not go unpunished.

For his sneak attack was ruined by the crystal blade of Orion bursting out of his chest. And giving him a toss right our in front of her where he would explode into fire and ash. She turned to Orion and smiled while he nodded, the Cinders were starting to grow very trivial to them all.

"Much obliged, Orion. I do say, these fiery rascals are getting quite easier to fight."Rarity admitted as they looked to Twilight struggling with the unicorn leader.

"It's because we know how they fight, and how they die…! All it takes is some observation!"Orion responded and ran to help Twilight with her enemy.

Only to stop the moment Smoke stomped down a foot right in front of them. He slowly walked over Twilight and lead Cinder before he was rushing towards his target. Spike himself was just now finishing Razor up by snatching him up in his claws to put a merciless squeeze on the drake. Making Razor shriek before he then tried fighting back by biting Spike's wrist. Spike growled in response, while Smoke lowered his head to ram Spike in the back, allowing Razor to squirm free.

This caught the attention of the others after Orion gripped and threw the lead Cinder off Twilight. He helped her up, before they both turned to see the horror as Spike got rammed into a building. Before Smoke then instantly went for Spike's right leg and bit into it to keep him down. Twilight screamed in a panic, while Orion drew his other sword in hopes of helping Spike. Only to get jumped on by the lead Cinder, who manage to drill a dagger into Orion's left arm.

He let out a scream, much like the one Spike was giving as he tried kicking at Smoke's head. Only for Razor to circle around and latch his talons into Spike's shoulders to pull him back. Leaving the dragon to take a head full of red Spike's in the chest and getting shoved through the town. This was a horror show Twilight witnessed before, the way that the drake's worked together when they killed the spike fiend before. Spike was now the next victim of their merciless tag team.

And the warriors were too busy fighting the last of the Cinders to help out. Spike was on his own, as he tried biting at Razor's leg to get free, only to get bit in the neck by Smoke. Leaving Razor to snap down on some of Spike's back spines and break them off, he could only struggle and roar with pain. They forced Spike onto his stomach, where both drake's then had him pinned. Smoke began to curb stomp Spike in the back, while Razor dug his beak into the downed dragon's shoulders.

"SPIKE! Get off of him!"Twilight ran while she had the chance and quickly started shooting beams of magic at the drakes.

Smoke took the stream of magic in his spikey cheeks before he slowly turned to her. Leaving Razor to wrestle for more ripping and tearing into Spike's flesh on his own. Twilight was quick to stop her magical assault once Smoke was towering over her and growling for her intrusion. Orion had finally just pinned down and put the lead Cinder in a choke hold before he saw Twilight. Just as Smoke let his mouth fill with molten smoke and blazing hot fires that could melt the flesh from bones.

"Meddling soft ponies…! Burn away! Burn away! TO NOTHING!"Smoke demanded death before he unleashed a massive funnel of flames down towards Twilight.

Thankfully, Twilight was saved at the last minute by Orion and a couple rising plates of crystal. He jumped in front of her and let the crystal plates rise from the dirt to form a dome. Allowing them to be safe from the spout of fire that rapidly heated up the crystals. While inside, they had the chance they needed to think of something, there was only one issue with that. Orion still had the Cinder in his arms, unable to suffocate and merely struggling and fighting his hold.

"Not a good idea to fight a giant fire drake on your own…! He's way too big to be bothered much."Orion insisted as the flames finally stopped, only for Smoke to try and stomp down on the crystals.

"Well do something! They're killing Spike!"Twilight screamed as they heard the screams of Spike outside the dome.

"Already ahead of that! Let's make good use of our friend here!"Orion assured Twilight before letting go of the Cinder's neck to grab his left hoof.

"You can't win this! We will light this place a blaze and burn your town to nothing!"The unicorn yelled before Orion manage to tear the Cinder's arm off and kick open his crystal dome.

"Do me a favor, and shut the buck up!"Orion remarked before ramming the dismembered hoof into his chest to force the Cinder's self destruction.

As the Cinder lit up and became swirled in fire to warn of his incoming explosion. Orion picked him up in both hands and gave him a twirl before throwing him at full strength. The Cinder was used like a missile as it soared just over Smoke's head, making the drake look down at them with lack of amusement. This distracted him from where the destroyed Cinder was actually heading. His destination was Razor, the drake that was now being gripped and struggling to stay on top of Spike.

The green dragon was at the very least able to fight back still, even when Razor was very clingy. He was at least able to use his feet and stretch Razor up and away from his face and shoulders. He was then awarded with some help that came in the form of the Cinder slamming against the side of Razor's face. The drake paused and looked to the pin cushioned ash pony that was stuck in his spikes. Only to then get a face full of fire that exploded on an impressive level of power.

The force could easily fry half of the town, but instead it fried the head of Razor. Sending him flying off Spike and smashing right into the house of the mayor, as she screamed in outrage. This gave Spike the chance to roll and slowly stand up to recover, even with bloody arms and torn up shoulders. He panted and tried to catch his breath, as Smoke looked to see his partner down again. He roared and was quick to try and run to take down Spike again, but Orion objected.

As Orion stomped a foot in the ground to spawn a crystal cluster that hardened around Smoke's foot. Spike had then roared and decided to give Smoke a taste of his own fire. As he blasted a stream of green flames that pelted Smoke in the chest, and forced him to topple over. The red drake ended up slamming down and crushing another house under his spikey back. As every pony looked to see the carnage, after the Cinders were all but dispatched cleanly and with ease.

"That a boy, Spike! Teach our old boys here what happens when they go bucking around with the wrong group!"Thunder cheered as the young dragon slowly groaned and tried shrugging off the pain he was in.

Spike heard the cheers of his friends, but all he could think of was stopping the drakes. As he slow walked to Smoke and grabbed him by the shoulders to pick him up for some lessons about betrayal. Meanwhile, Razor had slowly recovered from the hot and fiery surprise he got. And was shaking it off before he saw the scene he awoke to, all the Cinders were already destroyed. And Smoke was now the one being overwhelmed, and he was being overwhelmed by Spike of all things.

"YOU AND RAZOR MADE ME INTO A MONSTER! I'LL NEVER BE ACCEPTED BY OTHERS EVER AGAIN!"Spike spat before head butting Smoke right against the library tree.

Razor narrowed his eyes at the damage his partner was taking and thinking of a way to get the upper claw again. Then he spotted the mare of Spike's desire standing next to Twilight. The time had come for some desperate measures, as Razor flapped his wings and flew towards the group. He screeched, gaining the attention of every pony before using lightning speed to go pass them. Snatching Rarity up in a flash and reappearing at the tip top of the library tree.

Once he let out a rattling screech, he then held up Rarity in his left wing thumb claw. Where she screamed with fear, for she was high up off the ground, and being dangled by lethal predators. Spike heard her screams, and was promptly head butted and sent crashing into the dirt on his back.

"Let go of me, you lowly vile monsters! How dare you use me like a shield!"Rarity struggled but froze the moment Razor threatened to toss her right into the ground.

"We gave you the opportunity to become something more than a mere hatchling!"Razor grumbled and snarled with outrage for Spike's rebellion against his own kind.

"And you repay us by attacking us and denying your true nature to coexist with these puny ponies?!"Smoke growled while Rarity screamed and tried to hold on for dear life.

"Such a crime against your kin will not go unpunished, young dragon,"Razor looked to Rarity while Spike struggled to get up with a bleeding forehead,"perhaps the death of this wretched mare is required for you to understand what you are meant to be…! And relinquish this pitiful old life of yours!"

"Never! I'll never join you if all this destruction is what I'm suppose to do!"Spike replied, only to get kicked in the chest and get stomped on by Smoke.

"Very well then…! Let's see if me ripping your Rarity apart and sucking up her entrails will change your mind!"Razor decided and gripped Rarity with both thumb claws to start pulling her body to it's limit.

"NO! No, no, NO!"Spike screamed as he heard the screams of Rarity being tortured and pulled at with brutal force.

Thankfully, help came once again as a spray of crystal shards swarmed up. Slapping Smoke in the face before exploding and shredding pieces of his right wing in the process. Smoke roared as Razor turned to see the group still holding it's ground, Twilight shot some magic. Nailing Razor in the left wing, forcing him to release partial grip on Rarity, giving Spike the chance he needed. While Smoke turned and engaged the group of friends that charged at his legs.

Thunder and Rainbow flew around his head, kicking at his face while the warrior threw spears of lightning at his arms and chest. Hoping to splinter and melt away his touch spikes and scales. While every pony else attacked his legs to cripple and take down the giant reptile. Razor roared, wanting to charge up his spikes to electrify the ponies that dared to stand their ground against them. Only to suddenly feel a large fist crush against the side of his spikey head.

He could barely turn an inch before he was sent flying over the houses and crashed near Fluttershy's cottage. Rarity was released in the process and quickly grabbed by Spike. He held her close to his chest, but kept her from touching his punctured up bloody chest. For he still wanted to treat her like a lady, and a lady was not to be stained or dirtied up by blood. He looked down to her solemnly, for she brought him calmness and peace of mind from the violence.

"Rarity… I'm sorry I acted like such a monster…! This wasn't what I wanted,"Spike tried to whisper, even with a deep grown dragon voice booming,"I wanted to be a grown up because…. I… I have a crush on…"

"Shh… It's ok, Spike…! I know already. I know the secret now."Rarity shushed him, making him a bit scared and grasp at his heart now that Rarity knew about his feelings.

"You do…? So you… You probably think I'm just… I'm-"Spike wanted to go for it and ask her how she felt, but they were then interrupted by by a sudden strike of lightning in the side of Spike's hip.

He roared and fell on all fours to grip at his smoking scorched hip that burned from the shock. He then turned to see a screeching Razor approaching them, and going for a vulture like circling. Charging his spikes and focusing them into his beak as Spike huddled Rarity into one hand. Just in time to feel Razor latch onto his nack, and snap his electric jaws into Spike's shoulder again. But this time, Spike learned from the last scrap, and Razor made an error in this bold attack.

Spike had all the room he needed to move his head to his shoulder and clamp his own jaws down on Razor's neck. This was the cost of having a spikey long neck that moved around like rope. Once Spike had his teeth down hard on Razor, he braved the spikes going into his mouth. While Razor was forced to release Spike and get taken for a ride around town. Spike spun him around and smashed him through a couple trees before tossing him away into the sky.

He watched Razor slowly making a big loop around to try and fly in while fully electrifying his whole body. Spike looked down to see Rarity holding on tight to his index claw. She was still in danger, and it was coming in fast as Razor shot like an arrow made of pure electricity. Spike looked back to the incoming drake and glared, while his free hand clenched into a fist. For he needed to take quick action, so he took a deep breath in, closed his eyes, and swung at full strength.

His fist connected, and it burned with white hot pain as he felt spikes plunge into his knuckles. But that one punch ended the fight, for it was powerful enough to crack Razor's skull. And crush him into one more building, causing a powerful blast of wood, dirt and stone to burst like a volcano. Debris pelted the dragon and the group below as they all stopped the violence for a moment. Just in time to see Razor rattle and collapse to the ground under a pile of rubble and dirt.

He grumbled as blood oozed out of his jaws and the sides of his head profusely. His right wing was fully broken, and he was struggling to breath as he laid on his side. He growled and rattled with pain, his legs were like jelly as they kicked and struggled to try and stand him up. Smoke heard Razor's growls and rattles for help and turned to see the bloodied up Razor. And Spike was standing over him in triumphant, before looking to Smoke, now that he was alone.

"Great! Razor is down! Way to go Spike!"Rainbow Dash cheered as Smoke roared out loud and turned to challenge Spike.

"Come on, every pony! We can take Smoke down together! As a team!"Twilight announced, but Orion stood in front of them all as Spike turned to Rarity.

"No…! I know what Spike wants to do…! What he actually wants to do,"Orion insisted as Spike slowly then put Rarity down where she would be safe,"He's being the noble dragon she would want him to be…! So let him do this. Let's see what Smoke can do when he doesn't have his friend at his side!"

"Be safe… And no matter what happens… I…love you…!"Spike admitted before he slowly began to stand up and face the red drake.

"Spike!"Rarity reached for Spike but he was already on approach to meet Smoke's roaring challenge.

Smoke roared one more time before Spike was ready, two full grown beasts facing off. A battle of the apex reptilian predators was taking place, as they stomped and sized each other up. They both roared at each other, as the warriors quickly began pushing the mares back from the imminent chaos. Just as the drake and dragon charged at each other, and finally clashed together. Their heads smashed together, and Spike quickly took the advantage by clamping down on Smoke's head.

He shook Smoke's head around and tried forcing him to the ground, he even got a kick to the snout in. He then tried punching Smoke in the side of the body where the least spikes were. But Smoke flailed his head and finally broke free of Spike's vice grip. And jabbed Spike's cheek with his beak before grabbing onto Spike's neck in return and shaking him until he was then slammed against the house of Fancy Pants. The dragon returned the favor by gripping at Smoke's back with his claws.

He then dug into Smoke's back while chomping down on Smoke's neck again. Before he then swung the drake into the other side of the big house, forcing him to roar with pain. However this also enraged Smoke, and forced him to go into a rage as his spikey neck tore out of Spike's mouth. As Smoke then stood tall and began slashing and grabbing at Spike's head to tear at the dragon's face with his thumb claws. Cut after cut tore into Spike's head and face before others ever ripped into his side.

Spike shrieked, but Smoke did not stop digging in as he bit into Spike's back. Before he then gripped him by the neck to roll him over and slam him onto his side. Where he could then kick him in the face and clamp down even tighter on Spike's neck to tear into him more. Spike was forced to roar in pain as Smoke dragged him by his neck and slammed him through the house. Only to then bite at his tail to drag him out and grab him in his wings again.

Where he then hoisted Spike over his head and sent him flying across half of the town. He slammed just mere inches from the Ponyville park, where he was now in a daze. It was dawning on him as he laid there bleeding, battered, and struggling to even move much. He was challenging a drake that served alongside the Equestrian warriors, he was far more experienced than Spike could imagine. And now he was in a primal fight to the death with the beast, and on the losing end.

But he looked into the pond of the Ponyville park and saw his own reflection. To see himself stuck as a giant dragon that was now fearsome looking and a threat to all of Ponyville. It hurt his noble heart, as a tear escaped his left eye and rolled down his cheek and neck.

"I'm stuck like this…! I'm gonna be a monster forever. And all because I gave into my greed,"Spike groaned to himself as he thought about all his friends that trusted and loved him,"I already had everything I could have ever wanted, but now it's all gone! It's all my fault…!"

Spike slowly looked forward to see Smoke stomping towards him, ready to end the fight. There was a moment where Spike even wanted to just close his eyes and accept death. But then a thought his him as he looked into the cocky eyes of Smoke that readied a fire breath. This was Spike's fault, but even then, they all wanted to help him rather than ridicule him for what he now was. Even Orion shed a tear and could not bring himself to actually kill Spike, even if it went against the warrior's oath.

Finally, Spike gritted his teeth in anger as Smoke prepared to fire his stream of fire. He noticed how soft and fleshy it looked within the drake's gullet, the one spot that wasn't fire proof. Steam left Spike's nose as he growled and realized that this was also the fault of both drakes.

"I hope you're happy with what you've done to me! My life as I knew it before is over,"Spike struggled with tears that streamed down his cheeks before he then began to stand up,"And all because you guys wanted to control me and act like this was all about me being what I am…! Rather than who I am! I really hope you're happy with yourself!"

"Don't worry…! You will soon be able to leave this wretched life of yours behind, hatchling,"Smoke mocked as he reared his head back and aimed at Spike,"Burn..! Burn like the ponies that made you their pet!"

"Come on, Spike! You can't lose here you knucklehead! He may be more experienced, but that don't mean he can't fall!"Orion yelled as the others cheered for Spike slowly standing back up.

"No… How about for everything you and Razor did to me and my friends,"Spike groaned as Smoke shot down his head and started blasting fire at the dragon,"Why don't YOU burn for a change!"

Suddenly Spike rushed forward with what strength he had left and Smoke by his neck. Aiming his head up to let the fire blast into the sky, Spike did not let go, no matter how torn up his claw would get. He waited for the longest time, watching as smoke and fire filled the blue sky. After a solid minute, Smoke had to stop his fire breath in hopes of getting free from Spike's grasp. Only to then see Spike fill his own mouth with purple and green fire, while Spike gave him the death stare.

"Rarity can never love me now… I'll never know what it's like to be with her, to treat her like the lady she is, to kiss with her,"Spike growled for his losses before he then grabbed Smoke's mouth to force it wide open,"How about I give you one in return?!"

Spike pulled Smoke's head in close and reared back before unleashing his green fire stream. The fire went straight down Smoke's mouth and throat, the drake barely got a roar in. Before he fell silent to the green flames instantly cooking and melting his insides within ten seconds. He tried to grip at Spike's head again, but his body quickly gave up after feeling his insides burn away. It was then that it all ended as Spike's kiss of death finally made Smoke's belly explode in a cloud of green and purple fire.

Smoke's eyes widened, and then rolled into the back of his head as he died right there. Once Smoke was no longer moving, Spike slowly let him go, and let his body slam to the ground. Where the young dragon could then stomp his foot onto the back of the dead drake. He then listened and felt around for any sort of breathing, but there was none, no breath, and no heart beat. That was all that he needed before he then stood tall and unleashed a triumphant roar of victory.

His friends all cheered even louder, Applejack and Pinkie jumped for joy. While the four Pegasus cheered and spun in circles in celebration, Shadow Swirl simply raised her mace and shouted in triumph. Twilight, Rarity, and Orion all rushed over to a bridge that stood over a small creek.

"Spike! I'm so proud of you!"Twilight waved at him an announced deep pride for what Spike had done.

"WE…! We are so proud of you, Spikey wikey!"Rarity added as Spike slowly look to the group that was cheering and waving to him.

"Come on, Spike! Lets get you home and see if we can't fix you up!"Orion called out and waved to Spike as the baby dragon smiled weakly and started walking.

"Spike! Spike! He's our dragon! All his foes got taken away in a wagon!"Pinkie danced and rhymed like a cheer leader for Spike.

"My friends… They still want me…! Even when… I'm…a monster…"Spike slowly stomped towards them, but he was bleeding from so many bite and slash wounds around his body.

He panted, his vision was growing weak and blurry, his strength was starting to fade. His arms dangled and his legs were giving out the moment he approached the bridge like a slug. Orion was the first to noticed Spike's behavior, especially when he noticed Spike about to close his eyes. Before all their smiles faded the moment Spike fell forward like an immense falling tower. He let out a groan, as his legs finally gave out and he crashed down and into the sparkly creak below the bridge.

Water and dirt kicked up from his massive body and almost blinded every pony. While his head rested all over the creek shore, where he was breathing slowly and rattling weakly. Orion cleared the mist of dirt before seeing Spike barely able to breath, he was quick to spring into action.

"Spike? Spike?!"Twilight raised her voice in a panic while Orion jumped over the railing and into the creak.

The other two unicorns while Orion walked through the water to get to Spike. As he neared the wounded dragon, he pulled out a small vial made of red crystal from his hand. He panted and kicked before he got to the shore, where he could then assess Spike and see his wounds.

"Hang in there, Spike…! Just stay with me, you hear me, knucklehead?"Orion pushed for a bit more will power as he tried to open up Spike's mouth while Spike manage to look to Orion.

"Even after what I've done… You all still… Cared about me…"Spike blinked his left eye before another tear streamed down his cheek.

Steam was slowly rising from his wounds after so much fire was used. While Orion cracked open the vial and began to force feed Spike some sparkling water that held healing properties. He made sure Spike took every last drop as the young dragon tried to move his head more.

"I'm sorry…about what I did… I was stupid, and greedy… All I wanted to do… was…love…"Spike groaned as his eyes slowly began to close the moment the steam was starting to cover his body.

"It's ok! Don't think about that right now! Just hang and let the-… The…"Orion looked to Spike, only to see the dragon shut his eyes and let his head roll over to it's side.

Finally the steam caused Spike to slowly vanish without a trace, Orion even felt himself lose his grip on Spike. He tried grabbing for Spike, but it already appeared that Spike was gone. He just vanished within the steam as his hands trembled and fell to his side cold.

"Spike…? Spike!? SPIKE!"Orion called out and let his voice announce loudly through the town.

"Spike…?"Twilight whimpered as the whole group approached in silence, her eyes were watering and growing heavy with sorrow.

Orion remained silent and heavy breathing, nothing but solemn silence on the wind. Behind him he could hear the sobs and sniffles of the elements growing heavy with grief and pain. Seeing such a young dragon suddenly die before their very eyes, the dragon they all knew and loved. Applejack and the warriors were the only ones that resisted crying and lowered their heads. While Twilight began breaking down and weeping with Rarity to see the passing of Spike.

Orion only stood there in silence and devastation, Spike had given his life to save them all. Something that no dragon could ever do for others, let alone the one he loved. His hands clenched and he turned away, nothing stirred as the steam began to settle and reveal a vacant sight. Nothing but water and a bridge could be seen, the dragon was completely gone, nowhere to be seen. It was becoming more clear that Spike was gone, perhaps his remains were most likely carried away with the current.

"I'm sorry too, Spike…"Orion sighed and finally turned away to leave the creek while wiping potential tears from his eyes.

His walk was almost silent, and it was slow as he approached Twilight and Rarity. He then stopped right where he was and lower his head to them, this only hurt the mare's even more. As he shook his head, letting them know that the worse has happened, and there was nothing they could do. Twilight slammed on her flank and started crying, her hooves covered her whole face. While Rarity broke down and fell to her belly while she held the fire ruby she was given by Spike.

Her tears dripped upon the ruby as Orion closed his eyes and kept his head lowered. With all the silence, he could only listen to the weeps of the two unicorns and the sobs of their friends. Their grieving carried on the wind as ponies quietly began to exit their safe areas to see the carnage. The wind itself was quiet but blew with gentle ferocity, even the smallest rush of water could be heard. The simple splash and drip of the creek as it rushed and swished down the creek, but a creek does not swish on it's own.

Orion's head slowly lifted as he listened to the splash and swish of water behind him. The mix of watery sounds would only be possible by rushing rapids, or some pony swimming in it. His ears twitched as the sound had then began to get louder, the other warriors heard it too. And they were the first to see an impossible sight in the creek, while the shoved and pushed at the mares. Shaking them from their moment of mourning to point to the creek and get them to see it for themselves.

They all gasped and stared with looks of impossible beliefs and tears. As Orion turned around and started staring at the creek, where he then noticed bubbles and a moving figure in the water. He widened his eyes and gasped, while he gripped at Rarity and Twilight's shoulders to give them a shake. They both sniffled and were barely able to open their eyes before they saw a miraculous sight. In a burst of water, the face of baby dragon Spike had suddenly surfaced from the water.

Their hearts froze and disbelief took over as Spike coughed out some water. He panted and started swimming towards the shore with what energy he had left to spare. Orion shook his head in disbelief, while Twilight and Rarity lit up with shock, their hooves went over their hearts.

"Spike?! Spike!"Twilight was the first to stand up to watch the baby dragon near the shore.

(Sanctuary, Utada Hikaru)

Spike only panted and continued to swim before he made it to the shore. He then could only crawl the rest of the way out of the water, before he was then stuck on his knees. Where he could only pant and struggle to catch his breath, his heart was going a mile as second in his chest. As he looked down to his claws and saw a most relieving sight, his tiny baby dragon still had some minor wounds, but the crystal water appeared to have healed the more serious ones.

But the good news out weighed the injuries that still remained on his arms and head. He was once again a baby dragon, the big dragon he took the form of was no more, he was the true Spike now. He laughed for a little bit, while a smile crept up on his face to see this miracle.

He released a deep breath of happiness to go with the laughter, it felt good to be back to normal. Suddenly he then heard the steps of hooves running towards him, he then looked up to see the source of the hoof steps. There he spotted Twilight running to him with teary eyes and a big smile on her face. Rarity was right behind her, her eyes sparkling and drying up her tears full of boundless joy. Orion was the last one, and he ran a bit slower to soak in this miraculous reality they were given this day.

"Spike! You're ok!"Twilight shouted with joy before Spike was suddenly tackled by both mares, forcing them all into the water.

"Twilight…! Rarity…! You're both ok…!"Spike exclaimed as they let him up, only to giggle and hug Spike to pieces with love.

They nuzzled his cheeks and Twilight gave him a kiss on the forehead before rubbing his back. She wept a bit more, but this time it was with happiness and relief to see him alive and well. Rarity did the same and rubbed his back and squeezed him in a big hug. Spike was surprised to see such affection after what he had done, but then again, they seemed to have never left his side. He himself witnessed the loyalty they were showing him still through the heat of the battle.

Suddenly, Spike paused and widened his eyes to see Orion approaching. Surely he of all ponies would be outraged at what he did, the warrior even got tempted to skewer him at Zecora's hut. But as Orion stood tall and over them, Spike was about to get another big surprise.

"Orion…! I'm sorry! I know, I shouldn't have gotten greedy and trusted Razor! I jus-"Spike suddenly found himself getting lifted up along with the mares in both of Orion's hands.

"You are the most ridiculous, idiotic knucklehead I have ever come to know,"Orion yelled before he then out of nowhere brought Spike in with a warm and shocking hug,"And by Galaxia, you're the most noble dragon I have ever seen in my life!"

Spike felt his chest ready to burst by the shock of Orion's sudden affection. The prince was actually holding him, it was as if Spike was family to him all of a sudden. Spike gulped, and struggled to believe that the prince was actually happy and glad to see him.

"But… I destroyed the town…! I gave into a greed and became a giant dragon!"Spike felt that he did not deserve such appreciation and affection for the this he had done.

"Spike…! Not only did you resist and break away from your natural dragon instincts,"Orion decided to explain what made even himself wash away Spike's mistakes,"But you stood up to a vicious and ancient duo of drakes to save us…and the one you loved…!"

"We're so proud of you…! You truly are our noble dragon!"Twilight cooed and hugged Spike tighter before she was able to subdue her tears.

"Really…? You guys think I'm noble…?"Spike looked around to his friends that were gathering around to see the heroic dragon.

"You know it, little fire breather…!"Thunder admitted and placed a hard hoof to his heart with strength.

"You have proven yourself to be a hero…!"Typhoon complimented while Spike began to blush and hug every pony back.

"You're the furthest thing from a monster, Spike…!"Shadow Swirl added before she spotted the area where Razor last laid, only to see a lot of blood and a trail of it leading out of town.

"You guys…! You girls…! You are all the greatest friends I could ever hope for! Thank you,"Spike exploded with joy and gratitude, just like he did on the start of his birthday,"Thank you…! Thank you… For not giving up on me…! Thank you."

Spike then hugged Orion, realizing that the prince went against his own oath to help him. All the warriors did, and he would never forget what these equally noble fighters did this day. But first, he remembered something he needed to do as he looked to a smiling Rarity standing a few feet away from the group.

"Uh… Hey… Mind letting me down for a bit? There's something I gotta do…"Spike whispered to Orion and gestured to Rarity, as she stood outside the group.

"No problem… Go get her little buddy…"Orion agreed and slowly put the baby dragon down.

"You're the dragon Spike…!"Rainbow complicated Spike as he walked passed his friends.

"You gotta be the bravest dragon I've seen in a long time!"Applejack added as he blushed and maintained humility this time around.

"Goooooo SPIKE!"Pinkie shouted like a cheerleader once more.

"The most noble little dragon we've seen ever…!"Fluttershy chirped before Spike was able to get through the crowd and walked to Rarity.

She looked beautiful as always, and for once, her crying did not result in running make up. It was as if she was waiting for him, and she knew exactly what he was coming to her for. He took a deep breath, before he was finally standing before the mare of his dreams, the mare that now knew his secret.

"I'll never forget what you did, Spike…! At first… I thought this ruby was the sweetest thing you could have ever done,"Rarity held up the fire ruby she had yet to let go of since Spike gave it to her,"But… You were willing to die for me… To hurt for me… Even when you were but a young dragon…! I never wanted to see you hurt like this…!"

"Of course! All I wanted was to be the dragon that you would want to be with,"Spike decided to be open with his feelings at long last as Rarity was now the one to blush,"Because… I love you…! And I just can't shake how I've felt since the first time I saw you…!"

"Spike… I don't know what to say…! Well... Maybe I do..."Rarity sighed, and lit up her horn the moment she placed a hoof to his shoulder.

Almost immediately, a blue dome of magic spiraled all around the both of them. The others watched in awe, but they understood that there was something they needed to say to each other in private. And they couldn't be more right about that, as Spike looked around the dome they stood in.

"Spike… You are everything I could have wanted in a special some pony. Your heart is a noble one…"Rarity explained while Spike smiled, but then sighed at the reality of the issue.

"But I'm too young… And by the time I grow up the proper way… You may not be around any more…"Spike admitted while Rarity lifted his chin to keep him from looking down.

"Spike…"Rarity never stopped smiling, and she was the one to give him one last birthday present.

He looked up to her, and watched her lean in before he was almost frozen in time. For she had then put her lips together, and gave the dragon a gentle kiss, not to his cheek, but to his lips. The kiss lasted mere seconds, but for Spike it felt like an eternity of burning happiness and love. As she slowly parted away from his lips, and gave him a moment to collect himself. Before she then gave him a warm hug, he wanted to exclaim his confusion, but he was too happy to object.

"I'd be the happiest mare in the world to be with you… And I'm willing to wait to the end of the ages for you,"Rarity admitted as she sighed happily and held him tightly in a sweet embrace,"And besides… Nothing is impossible in the world of Equestria…! One day… Maybe even one day soon… We can be together, my loving Spikey Wikey…!"

"Y-you really think so…?"Spike stuttered and held his melting heart that was so full of happiness.

"I do… But until that time comes… please don't stop being the dragon you truly are,"She parted from their hug and rubbed Spike's cheek with a loving smile,"Because what I will ever want from you… Is to stay the noble and kind dragon you've always been to this day…!"

"I will… I promise… For you…!"Spike kindly did the same and held her cheek for a solid moment with satisfaction before she lowered the dome.

They both stood there and looked to their cheering friends that waved to them. They wore smiles and smiled back, knowing that none of them saw what transpired under the magic dome. That is, except for Orion, for his crystal eyes could pierce through her magic to see it all. And all the prince could do is smile proudly, he now had the deepest of respect for Spike now. They all did, even among all the chaos that transpired all through the town, there was only cheer to give.

Hours later, with the help of some mending crystals and warrior muscle. The town of Ponyville was starting to recover from the damage it endured under the reign of Smoke and Razor. Every pony was willing to help out, even a deeply angered Mayor Mare that wanted to strangle Orion for trashing her house again. Thankfully it was an easy fix all the same, and the ponies were willing to forgive Spike. Due to his services to rid the town of Razor and Smoke, his actions were forgotten.

With this off the baby dragon's conscious, he was now happily back home. Twilight and Orion were at his side, for he had an important lesson he needed to write down. For Celestia was more than in need of this specific lesson, a lesson from a young dragon that served her pupil. Twilight hugged the baby dragon as he readied himself to write the friendship lesson. While Orion watched and listened, for this felt like a lesson that was needed in hopes of helping others with greed issues.

Dear Princess Celestia

While Spike began to write his letter, Orion decided to start pulling a little something out. Something that he had hoped for Spike to get on his birthday, but it was always delayed. Fortunately, after what Spike did here today, he more than deserved this token of Orion's friendship.

Today I learned a great lesson about friendship. Well, you may think that it would feel good to get lots and lots of stuff, but it doesn't feel nearly as good as giving something special to some pony you really care about. But I learned that it truly is better to give than to receive, and that kindness and generosity are what lead to true friendship. And that's more valuable than anything in the world. Well… Almost anything…

Spike sighed with relief as Twilight held him with one arm to rub his shoulder. She never felt so proud of Spike in her life, and the love was not done being shared among the friends. For Spike was about to send the letter on it's way, before he turned around and was met with Orion's gift. The glowing red rod of crystal crafted smoothly and holding a piece of Orion's life force. It was once again before Spike, and this time, Orion was more than happy to offer it to him.

"I almost forgot to give you your final birthday present…! I think you've earned it,"Orion got down on his knees and presented the crystal like a sacred sword,"After your display of self sacrifice and nobility in a time of great danger… I deem you a real friend that I would trust with my life Spike."

"Spike…! Orion…!"Twilight giggled and felt her heart bursting for this magical moment of friendship.

"Will you accept this token of my friendship?"Orion asked and smiled as he awaited Spike's answer.

"I… I do… And I won't ever take a friendship like this for granted…! I promise!"Spike replied and grabbed at both Orion's hand, and the crystal he carried.

Allowing the prince to stand up and share this moment they had between them. For once, Orion did not want to put Spike through a wall or hit him with a book for being a bragger. He now saw Spike as a noble friend, a friend that he could trust with his life till the end of their days.

"And next time…! We'll get that Razor! He won't escape a second time!"Spike added another promise before he finally took up the crystal and held it to his chest.

"Indeed he won't…! Smoke is dead, and he's alone with mere Cinders to protect him,"Orion turned to a window to look out into the Ever Free forest,"The next time that traitor shows up, we'll be ready, and we'll put an end to the chaos that he's caused…!"

---

Ever Free Forest

"Razor…! Welcome home…!"Announced the mysterious fiery stallion as he stood at the mouth of the cave, guarded by many Cinders.

At that same moment, Razor the blue drake slowly pushed through the trees. Limping and bleeding all the way before he was able to stop before the cave where his mentor stood. Razor grumbled and lowered it's head in respect to the stallion as he looked both ways. He then sighed, for he realized that Smoke was nowhere to be found, the worse had to be realized. Especially when Razor rattled with a bit of mourning, warning that tragedy had occurred.

"Smoke never came back… Then he's dead, correct,"Razor snarled and slowly nodded while Cinders decided to rush in to aid the drake,"That is… Unfortunate… He was a mighty beast… But it seems that my former comrades have only grown stronger since I departed them…"

The stallion approached the drake and placed a hoof to his spikey head. As he then began to slowly lift up his hood and throw it off to let his fiery mane free to flicker. While his blazing dark and fiery eyes lowered for a moment of mourning for his pet drake. But at the very least, he still had Razor, for he was the drakes true master and owner for his strength and fire. He was none other than the pony of fire, the killer blaze of all impurities, the destroyer of dragons, and a member of the Equestrian warriors, he was… War Fire.

"Take him inside and start patching Razor up…! He's earned that much for his work,"The pony of fire commanded and the Cinders obeyed as they all gathered around Razor to carry the drake inside,"Well played my old comrades… It seems you are ready for the war that's coming to Equestria…! But I do hope you're ready for ME to join the war…!"

Couldn't hold it in any more, I had to reveal who it was. Well I'm back online and I'm able to write once again. So I will be getting to work as soon as possible my lovely readers. Thank you for all the patience you were willing to give me during my move into a new place. And this couldn't be timed any better, because it is now the holidays every pony, and thanks to a land slide of votes, we got the back in time version of Heart's Warming Even. So I hope you're all ready to meet the real founders or should I say, the ponies that rediscovered Equestria ;) Till then, stay pony every one.