Chapter 15: The Times They Are a Changeling

A train was making its way to the Crystal Empire. Twilight and Chase had decided on an impromptu visit and had brought Starlight, Spike, Jade, Sunray, Antonio, Trini, and Nyx along with them. A surprising guest decided to join her in the visits, as well.

"We're going to see Uncle Shining Armor and Aunt Cadance!" Nyx squealed happily while bouncing on her seat, "And I can't wait to see Flurry Heart too!"

Jade giggled at her niece's enthusiasm and excitement.

"Yeah, and it would be nice for us to get away from Ponyville for a while to see the rest of our family." Jade said with a smile.

"You said it, sister." Sunray agreed with his older sister.

"I hope Shining Armor and Princess Cadance don't think it's too soon for me to come back to the Crystal Empire for a visit." Twilight Sparkle said happily, "But I just know Flurry Heart's grown so much already. I wonder if I'll even recognize her."

"Honey, there's no way I can forget a little filly who likes to snuggle into your face all the time," said Chase with a chuckle as Nyx, who was sitting beside him, giggled.

"She's the only baby they have, Twilight," Starlight added, "I think it'll be pretty easy to figure out who she is."

Twilight just grunted annoyingly at the both of them.

"Sorry," said Starlight as she closed her book, "I know you and Chase want to visit your niece as much as possible, and I'm excited to see Sunburst again. I just don't wanna fall behind on my friendship lessons back home."

"Aw, don't be silly, Starlight." Nyx said happily.

"She's right. your work in Ponyville isn't going anywhere," Twilight told them, "Besides, I think we all know you can learn about friendship anywhere. Right, Spike?"

Twilight leaned forward to look at a seat across from theirs. Spike and his guest were sitting opposite of them, each of the two were wearing a trench coat and holding a newspaper.

""Spike?" Who's "Spike"?" Spike asked in a deep voice.

"Spike? Seriously?" Ember asked in annoyance as put hers down, "And why are we even wearing this?"

"Oh brother," said Nyx, Trini and Jade, face-hoofing themselves in annoyance as Twilight gave Spike a funny look.

Chase, Antonio, Sunray, and Starlight just smirked.

"Pfft. Uh, you're Spike, Spike," said Starlight, "And why are you and Ember dressed like that?" Spike groaned.

"Guys! Princess-! I mean Dragon Lord Ember, you're blowing our cover! Ponies will know us!" Spike complained as he tossed the newspaper away and walked up to Starlight and Twilight. He was also carrying a small travel bag with him.

Ember sighed in annoyance while rolling her eyes as she threw her newspaper away and walked up to Spike.

"Spike, we're the only ones here. So, everyone knows us." Ember said.

Surprised by what Ember had said, Spike looked around at his surroundings. He realized that there weren't many ponies but him and his family only in the train.

"Only a complete airhead wouldn't recognize you," Nyx added.

"Yeah, nice hat and get up. What're you trying to look like? A secret agent?" Sunray asked with a teasing smirk.

"Gee...thanks," said Spike sarcastically.

"Spike, why do you need a disguise?" Twilight Sparkle asked in surprise.

Ember nodded while she giggled a bit.

"Yeah. Don't tell me you're afraid of something or someone to chase after you, aren't you, little runt?"

"No!" Spike exclaimed in annoyance, "Last time we came to the Crystal Empire, there was a lot goin' on with the new baby and the Crystalling, but I still got mobbed in the street."

"Okay. Seriously?" Antonio asked in amusement, "I thought you liked the attention. The screams. The cheers. And the praise. You loved them."

Trini giggled a bit.

"Yeah, Antonio has a point. You'd always want them so badly." Trini added.

"True. But this is just a family visit." Spike said calmly and firmly, "So I wouldn't want the presence of Spike the Brave and Glorious to turn it into some kind of circus. Plus, I'm showing Ember about what other ponies do here and learn more about 'friendship'." He scoffed. "Good thing that I didn't bring Echo and his team along. They would get some unwanted attention, especially from me."

"We get it," said Starlight, "The Crystal Ponies adore you."

"He did save the Empire. Twice," Twilight added before she looked at Chase as she smiled at her husband. "And that makes you on saving the Empire from Sombra and Zhao's army."

"Yup. but those other times were with my family." Chase said as he smiled at his siblings and older cousins, who smiled back in reply as Twilight giggled.

"Yeah, but take it easy with that inflated ego of yours, Spike," said Nyx, "we still gotta get your head out of the train car."

Chase, Sunray, Ember, Jade, Trini, and Antonio snickered.

"Oh very funny," said Spike indignantly.

"But still, Spike," said Twilight as Spike began searching through his little travel bag, "I don't think your presence will turn our visit into a circus."

"Not if I find the right disguise, it won't," said Spike as he posed with a bright orange afro wig with his hat and sunglasses.

Twilight, Starlight, and Chase just shared smirks with each other.

"Unbelievable..." Ember groaned while rolling her eyes in annoyance.

Nyx, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio burst out laughing.

"Spike, you look absolutely ridiculous!" Nyx laughed with her family. Spike just blew a raspberry at her and rolled his eyes.

*Main theme*

Once their train arrived at the station and had puffed away, the seven ponies and two dragons were surprised to see that the platform was empty.

"Uh, disguise or not, Spike," Ember said in concern and surprise, "I don't think you need to worry about being mobbed. Nopony's here."

"It's like a ghost town." Spike remarked.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," said Twilight.

"Yeah. Something's been going around here." Chase said suspiciously and firmly as he looked around his area, "We need to check it out."

Nyx nodded.

"Just hope Uncle Shining Armor and Aunt Cadance are alright, especially Flurry Heart." Nyx added with concern.

"Then, we'd better go and check it now." Sunray said firmly.

"Right. Let's go." Chase said as he led the group to the Empire.

(Scene changes)

Soon, they were walking down the streets of the city, which was looking just as empty and deserted.

"Yeah, this is weird," Starlight remarked.

"I don't really like it," Jade said in concern.

"Well whatever is going on around here, something must've scared the crystal ponies." Trini said with a concerned look.

"I wonder what's got them all so afraid," said Antonio.

"It might be best to keep our eyes, ears, and mind open." Chase advised.

"Can I take these ridiculous fashion off, Spike?" Ember asked in annoyance as she was scratching her back and front hard, "They're giving me some serious itch!"

Spike sighed.

"I guess we don't need the disguise after all." said Spike as he and Ember removed their disguises.

Not three seconds later, Spike, Ember, and Chase were surrounded by crystal ponies.

"Here we go again!" said Trini as she rolled her eyes.

"It's Spike the Brave and Glorious! And Chase the Determined and Courageous!" Honeysparkle shouted.

"They've come to save us yet again!" Sapphire Joy added.

"Spike! Chase! Spike! Chase! Spike! Chase!" the crystal ponies shouted as they tossed Spike, Chase, and Ember up and down.

"Wow. This is something..." Ember said in surprise, "Is this always happen every time you come here, Spike?"

"More or less, Dragon Lord Ember. Sorry about this." Spike chuckled uneasily, "But seriously. Save you from what?"

"Seriously, ponies. What the heck is going on here?" Chase demanded suspiciously and firmly.

"Yeah, what's going on?" Starlight asked.

"Why was everypony hiding?" Twilight added.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Antonio asked as Nyx nodded in agreement.

Two crystal ponies, named Amber Laurel and Scarlet Heart, looked at them nervously.

"Oh, it sure looks like Princess Twilight and her pupil." said Amber Laurel as she turned her attention to Chase. "This looks like Master Chase Young, as well as his family."

"But how can we be sure?" Scarlet Heart remarked as they both winced.

"We can't!" said a third crystal pony named Golden Vas, "Either one of them could be the...you know!"

The pony then cringed and ran off.

"Huh?" Sunray asked in confused as Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Nyx, Twilight, and Starlight shared puzzled looks with each other.

Amber Laurel gasped.

"What if this..." Amber Laurel gasped again, "isn't..." she gasped a third time, "the real Spike and his girlfriend?! And What if this isn't the real Chase Young?!"

"Uh oh." Chase said as he flew out of the ponies forelegs and landed beside his family, knowing that he might fall to the ground with Spike and Ember.

"Everypony, run!" Scarlet Heart screamed.

After some thinking and questioning, Crystal Ponies yelped and screamed in concern and fear. They all ran off at once while dropping both dragons to the ground hard.

Ember groaned as she wiped some dust off.

"I am not his girlfriend! He's my friend, that's all!" Ember shouted.

"Okay. Something strange is definitely going on," said Twilight.

"And we need to find out." Chase said firmly.

"Ya think?" Spike groaned.

Ember helped Spike get back on his feet.

(Scene changes)

The group wasted no time reaching the center of the city where the crystal heart and the castle were. Two royal guards were standing nearby as they nervously approached.

"Who goes there?" the first royal guard asked.

"Um, you don't recognize the Princess and Prince of Friendship?" Starlight remarked. "And Chase's Elite Ninja?"

The two guards just glared.

"Of course we recognize them," said the first guard.

"But that doesn't mean it's really them," said the second guard.

Twilight and Starlight shared looks with each other. Chase sighed.

"There is a way we can settle this issue," said Chase plainly.

"How?" Twilight asked.

"We could tell them something about us that only the real us would admit is true," said Chase with a stern glare. Twilight, Nyx, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Jade, and Starlight all cringed.

"Chase, please!" said Twilight.

"There's gotta be another way!" Starlight pleaded.

"Yeah, Daddy." Nyx said nervously, "The first fact that I could think of when you're angry for being accused would be really scary!"

"It can't be as bad as what I'm going to do," said Chase with a straight face.

Seeing the Royal Guards refusing to let his family in, Spike stepped in.

"It's okay, guys," said Spike, "They're with me. And any friend of Spike the Brave and Glorious is a friend of the Crystal Empire, am I right?" He gestured to Ember while smiling proudly and gently to her, "this beautiful and elegant lovely lady is a friend of the Crystal Empire, am I right?"

"Beautiful? Elegant? Lovely Lady?" Ember asked dryly and sarcastically, making Spike yelp nervously as Chase groaned and facehoofed himself in annoyance of Spike's lamebrain move. Ember snickered at Spike, "Be careful of what you say, Spike. I bite boys for saying 'those things' about me."

"Well, it is true, isn't it? You are one." Spike gulped.

"Alright. I let this one off for being nice and giving a good compliment to me." Ember sighed while she rolled her eyes in amusement.

"Oh brother," Nyx remarked with an eye roll.

"Huh. It does look like him." The second crystal guard commented, "Especially his girlfriend."

"Well, it would, wouldn't it?" the first royal guard replied and stuck his face into Spike's, "I'm sorry, but we'll need to see some sort of identification."

Spike just looked dejected as Ember snarled a bit while ready to fight.

"I'll show you my identification, you little jerk!" Ember said angrily.

"Bad idea!" Antonio and Nyx yelped in concern and worry as they quickly held Ember back, "Bad idea! Really bad idea!"

"We'll take care of things from here," said Cadance as she, Shining Armor, who was wearing his military armor, Sunburst, Billy, and Flurry Heart, who was sitting on a floating gold baby carrier chair approached the scene.

Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio just breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh, Cadance, thank goodness!" said Twilight, "What's going on?"

"We can explain, Twily...if it really is you and Chase," said Shining Armor firmly.

Cadance then walked up to Twilight first.

"Sunshine, sunshine..." Cadance began.

"...ladybugs awake!" Twilight danced with Cadance, "Clap your hooves and do a little shake."

Then they shared a happy hug together.

"Now what about you and your team, Chase?" Shining Armor asked Chase firmly once Cadance joined beside him. "How do we know it's really you guys?"

SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT!

Shining Armor got his answer as he grunted when five snowballs hit him right in the face.

"Does that answer your question, ya big dork?" Chase asked with a smirk as his team laughed since they were the ones who threw them.

Twilight, Cadance, Nyx, and Starlight giggled at Shining Armor's expense. Spike, Ember, Sunburst, Billy, and the crystal guards snickered silently.

"Very funny, Chase." Shining Armor said with a smirk as he rubbed the snow off him. "It's okay, everypony! It's them!"

"Of course it's them!" said Starlight as a matter of fact as she walked up to Sunburst, "What's all this about?"

"A changeling's been spotted nearby," Sunburst explained.

"A changeling?!" Twilight spluttered as Chase, Jade, Sunray, Antonio, and Trini were shocked by this.

"Oh great. Just what we need," Sunray said dryly, getting out of his shocked state. "More troubles."

"That's not good," said Spike.

"No, it's not," said Cadance in agreement, "After Queen Chrysalis took my place at our wedding and invaded Canterlot with her army of minions, we're not taking any chances."

"Well, she's the last thing I wanna see after that bug tried to drain my love away from me and nearly took me down." Chase said, not liking this.

"Don't remind me, honey." Twilight said with a weary look, still remembering the fight Chase and Chrysalis had back in Canterlot when she nearly defeated him.

"Indeed," said Sunburst, "Changelings feed off of love. And ever since Flurry Heart's Crystalling, the Empire is filled with more love than anywhere in Equestria. It's possible they've come for the baby."

"That's why we posted the extra guards," Shining Armor added, "and why we're-"

"Checking everypony's identity," Twilight finished for him.

"And to see the real deal." Jade added.

"I'm sorry for all of this," said Cadance before she looked at her daughter with a smile. "Flurry Heart's really been looking forward to seeing you."

Flurry Heart just giggled and cooed as Chase, Twilight, Jade, Sunray, Antonio, Trini, Nyx, and Starlight gathered around her and smiled.

"Good to see you again, sweetie," said Chase.

Flurry Heart then flew up and held onto the side of Chase's head. Giving him a kiss on the cheek, which made a cute baby sound, before snuggling his cheek.

"Aww!" Twilight, Jade, Trini, and Starlight said before they giggled as Flurry Heart landed back into her baby chair.

"Hey, Flurry! Remember Cousin Nyxie?" Nyx asked happily. Flurry Heart giggled happily while playing a peek-a-boo to her. She giggled, "That's my favorite game! Peek-a-boo! I see you, little Flurry!"

"Wow. She likes you a lot." Antonio smiled.

"Oh, she's gotten so big!" said Twilight as Flurry Heart grabbed her fore-hoof, "My husband, his Elite Ninja, Starlight, and I will do whatever we can to help protect her."

"To be honest," Cadance replied, "having you here already is a big relief."

It was then the second royal guard whispered something to Shining Armor.

"Hmm," Shining Armor pondered before speaking, "The royal guards were wondering if Spike the Brave and Glorious would like to join in the search for the changeling."

"Really?" Spike remarked.

"Uh, I don't know if that's such a good idea, Spike," said Twilight worriedly, "It sounds dangerous."

"Come on, Twilight," Spike boasted as he flexed his arms, "This is Spike the Brave and Glorious you're talking too. Have you ever known me to run from danger?"

"Um..." said Twilight slowly.

"You mean like the last time you met Zhao in the Everfree Forest face to face? Or our Underground adventure?" Chase asked sarcastically.

Spike just slumped forward in defeat.

"He'll be safe with our guards." Shining Armor said with a smile.

"Or will your guards be safe with me?" Spike bragged.

"I'm voting more on the guards," said Nyx bluntly as Spike shot her an annoyed look while Sunray, Jade, Antonio, Billy, and Trini snickered silently in amusment.

Twilight and Chase just smiled and rolled their eyes, but the latter also shook his head.

Ember approached and held Spike close to her.

"If it eases you up a bit, Twilight and Chase, I'll look after him," Ember said confidently and proudly.

"Really?" Spike asked in surprise. He yelped in realization, "I mean 'no'! Bad idea! You're here to know more friendship lessons from Twilight and ponies. You need to make dragons more friendly and better too."

"True. But I won't get better if I don't have my teacher and guide to help me." Ember giggled while she smiled amusingly.

"Guess... That makes sense..." Spike chuckled uneasily and blushed in red.

"Do I sense love in both of them?" Billy asked in amusement.

"Feels like one. Spike sure has a bigger crush on Ember than Rarity." Nyx giggled.

(Scene changes)

Far north from Crystal Empire, Spike and Ember were leading the squadron of Crystal Royal Guards, in search of two Changelings.

"Spike the Brave and Glorious," Crystal Royal Guard one asked, "you've faced the evil changelings before. What can you tell us?"

"Oh, uh, well," Spike said uneasily and fearfully, "they are changelings, so they can...change."

"Smooth move, Spiketail. Smooth move." Ember said as she rolled her eyes in amusement.

You hear that? These monsters can look like any of us, so be on guard, guards! Even more than normal."The first guard told the others.

"And they could be anywhere." Spike added in. Crystal Royal Guards nodded firmly. He smiled, "So we should cover as much ground as possible." He cleared his throat as he began giving instruction to the Royal Guards, "You, search on the left! And you, search the right!"

Royal Guards headed off to different directions - some went left while others went right. Thus, leaving both Spike and Ember alone.

"Wow. They're really 'good' at following orders." Ember remarked sarcastically.

"And... We'll... just search... here, I guess." Spike said uneasily. He laughed uneasily, "Guess I should have thought about it." He cleared his throat while smiling to Ember, "But thanks for accompanying me, Princess Ember." He yelped about his mistakes, "I mean Dragon Lord Ember!"

Ember giggled before giving Spike a kiss on forehead.

"Just call me, Ember, Spike. After all, we're friends." Ember said with a smile.

Looking at her beautiful scale and figure, Spike sighed happily.

"Yeah, friends..." Spike said dreamily.

"Anyway, we should check on the north part. We might find our little Changeling." Ember said firmly while looking ahead north. She turned and smirked slyly at Spike, "I want to see how 'Spike the Brave and Glorious' handles it."

Snapped to reality, Spike cleared his throat.

"Uh, sure. Whatever you say. No pressure." Spike said nervously.

Ember and Spike continued walking to the north and couldn't find any sign of Changelings. And not to mention, it's getting cold and colder. But luckily, their scales were able to withstand it.

Ember hummed.

"The Changeling couldn't have gone that far. There's no way he can withstand this cold weather much longer, especially when they're hungry." Ember said with concern.

"Really? Why?" Spike asked curiously.

"They need love to feed. Without it, they will starve."

"Wow. You seem to know a lot about the Changelings."

"Yeah. Let's just say I learn about them from my class, especially the history lessons that involve Dragons and Changelings."

"Awesome..." Spike remarked in amazement. He looked around the surroundings while humming, "Not many places to hide. Unless that rock is a changeling." He turned and spotted a giant rock ahead of him. He 'interrogated' it, "Okay, rock. How do I know you're really a rock?"

"Because it is a rock," Ember said calmly. Spike turned and looked at her. She sighed, "Because I can smell their scent. And this is not one of them."

"Maybe. But I'm not taking any chances," Spike said firmly as he turned to the rock, "Well, you can fool me but you can't fool me!"

As Spike kicked the rock hard, he yelped painfully as he fell down hard. Unfortunately, he actually fell into a hole, making him scream in fear.

"SPIKE!" Ember yelped in concern.

Ember dived down at once to save Spike. Both of them were sliding down a long cavern slide-like. Minutes passed as they gasped upon spotting a ravine. Spike about to fall off the edge.

But luckily, Ember grabbed him while her tail held a big stone tightly. They even took a glance at the abyss of the ravine. They both sighed in relief.

With the help of her tail, Ember began bringing Spike up. They both panted heavily yet softly while looking at each other for the moment. They couldn't help but one thing to do. They grabbed and held each other as they both gave each other a long passionate kiss.

As both were enjoying their moment, Spike and Ember yelped in realization. They departed while blushing in red while clearing their throats like they had something in it.

"Sorry! Didn't mean it! I thought you had a heart attack-!" Ember exclaimed frantically.

"Yeah, me too! I thought you were fainted so-!" Spike chuckled uneasily.

"So, I thought I could help you out!" Spike and Ember exclaimed at the same time. They both laughed happily and amusingly while blushing in red, "I guess you don't need it."

"So... What's next?" Ember asked.

Spike sighed, "I guess we'd better find the guards. They, uh, do need us to protect them. After all I am Spike the Brave and Glorious for saving the Empire twice."

"Okay. I'm gonna do some recon of how to get out." Ember giggled. She turned and glanced at the hole that they came in, "Hopefully, climbing back up won't be the problem. Be right back."

Ember began climbing up the slides while doing some recon. Spike sighed as he was all alone.

"I guess that I'll check around here," Spike said calmly before yelping in surprise. But instead of panicking, he sighed while looking at his reflection, "Just my reflection. Since I'm waiting for Ember, time to make my own impression!"

Using his reflection, Spike began making an impression, showing his moves and talking smoothly and nice to himself that will help him impress Ember.

"Uh, Spike, what are you doing?" Ember's voice asked.

Spike turned and found Ember was shocked and stunned.

"Just showing off my muscles with my reflection." Spike smiled.

"Really? If that is," Ember said in concern while chittering her teeth and pointed her claw to the front, "Then, where is mine?!"

Spike turned back and found the reflection only has his, and not Ember. The 'reflection Spike' yelped in concern as he transformed into a familiar creature. This shocked and scared both of them to gasp and scream.

"Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-changeling!" Spike and Ember shuttered in shock and fear.

"RUN!" Spike shouted.

"ATTACK!" Ember shouted, ready for battle.

As Ember readied to attack, Spike ran off. This surprised and shocked her and the Changeling. They even spotted where Spike was heading.

"No, wait! Come back!" The changeling said.

"Look out!" Ember shouted.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!" Spike screamed before he then ran into the crag.

He felt woozy and ended up wobbling right over the edge of the ravine just as he recovered his senses.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!" Spike screamed as he fell into the ravine.

"Noooooooo!" Ember screamed in concern.

Surprisingly, the Changeling flew off and grabbed Spike by biting his tail. His action surprised and shocked both dragons. They couldn't believe what they just saw. Nevertheless, the creature brought him to safety. Ember came and hugged Spike warmly.

"Don't ever do that again!" Ember scolded Spike. She sighed, "Twilight won't forgive me or even want my alliance if anything happens to you."

Spike smiled before hugging her.

"I'm fine. Really." Spike said gently.

"The ice is pretty slippery." The Friendly Changeling said sincerely with concern tone, attracting both the dragons' attention to him as they broke the hug. He continued, "I wouldn't want you to get hurt because of me."

"You... saved me?" Spike asked in surprise and amazed.

"And...he's really nice," said Ember in a rather stunned tone.

"It's okay," The changeling said sadly, "I know you don't wanna be friends."

The changeling turned to hover away.

"Wait!" Spike shouted.

"Hold up!" said Ember. "We didn't mean to sound ungrateful. We're just...surprised. We didn't think a changeling could be as nice as you."

"She's right," Spike added, "I don't understand. Changelings are supposed to be evil...right?"

"Evil?" The changeling answered, "Oh, not me. All I've ever wanted is a friend."

It was then a flashback was shown featuring a dark cavern filled with several insect like eggs.

"From the moment I first split my egg in the nursery hive..." the changeling narrated as his baby self broke out of its egg.

The other newborn changelings came out of their eggs hissing and glaring at each other. His baby self whimpered and cowered back into its egg. The other changeling babies crawled toward Chrysalis and started absorbing her love magic. She then nuzzled and smiled deviously at the baby changeling that represented himself, which the baby cringed fearfully.

"I was part of the attack on Canterlot during the royal wedding," The changeling continued as the flashback showed him, now an adult, hovering about as he saw his fellow changelings attacking and fighting, at the time, the Mane Seven, Chase's Elite Ninja, Clay, and Sokka before he became part of the group, "but I'd never seen true friendship like that. And I couldn't just steal it and feed on its love. I wanted to share it!"

It was then the explosion that Cadance and Shining Armor had created sent the entire swarm flying away.

"After that, I knew I couldn't live with my kind anymore," The changeling said, "I set off looking for love to share. but..."

"But...what?" Spike asked.

"I'm starving!" the changeling answered, "And there's so much love in the Crystal Empire right now. It's what drew me here. But it's drivin' me crazy!"

"That would be from the royal Crystalling," Spike explained, "It's pretty much a giant outpouring of light and love from the new baby." The changeling then hissed loudly, making Spike and Ember winced.

"Hey, are you trying to bite us or something?!" Ember snarled back at him.

"Oh, sorry!" the changeling apologized, "I'm just so hungry! If I had a friend, maybe the love we shared could sustain me, but I don't think the Crystal Ponies want to be friends."

"I'm sorry. I wish we could help you, buddy," Ember apologized in concern.

Spike then got an idea.

"What if I told you there was somepony they respect and admire so much, he could convince them to give it a try?" Spike offered.

Intrigued by Spike's question, both Ember and the friendly Changeling turned and looked at him. While the Changeling was confused and uncertain, the young Dragon Lord gasped in realization of what her friend was talking about.

"It makes perfect sense! Spike! You're a genius!" Ember exclaimed. Spike smiled while the friendly Changeling was confused. She continued, "With him, Crystal Ponies will change their minds and follow your example. After all, you are Spike the Brave and Glorious. Everyone knows about it."

Spike nodded in agreement.

"And you're the Dragon Lord." Spike added with a smile.

"Uh no. Not me, but I was raised by an evil queen." The friendly Changeling explained, making dragon sweat drops on annoyance. He continued, "I'm Thorax. I can't believe you both want to help me."

"Why? Hasn't anypony ever just been nice to you?" Spike asked.

Thorax gave another loud hiss, making Spike and Ember flinch.

"Uh! S-Sorry!" said Thorax, "Kindness like that kind of brings it out."

"Is there anything you need to get off your chest?" Ember asked gently.

"Just that I've always been bullied for not being...evil...like everypony else," Thorax replied, "And all I've ever wanted was a friend, but it seems like I never will. And it really hurts...alot. And I did admit I was part of the invasion during the royal wedding. And I regret it. Do you two still wanna be my friend?"

"Of course," said Spike. "And I am one hundred percent sure I can get the whole Crystal Empire to be your friend too."

Unfortunately, Throax hissed wildly in scaring him off. Spike yelped in fear. The friendly Changeling closed his mouth tightly

"But... maybe I should just, uh, talk to them first." Spike suggested.

Thorax just gave a muffled grunt in reply and looked rather sad.

(Scene changes)

After regrouping the Crystal Royal Guards; the dragons and their Changeling Friend have returned to the Crystal Empire. The dragons explained the situation to them, who were having a hard time to absorb it and believe in.

"What do you mean?" said the first guard, "Did you see the changeling?"

"Did you defeat the evil creature?" the second guard asked.

"Defeating a changeling would be brave," said Spike, "but do you know what would be glorious?"

"Defeating two changelings?" the royal guard guessed.

"Defeating all the changelings?" the second guard guessed.

"Not having to fight the changeling at all!" said Spike, "Because I made friends with him."

Spike gave them both a huge smile and Ember rolled her eyes in amusement. The guards stared and then burst out laughing.

"Oh, wow!" said the first guard, "For a second, I thought you were serious!"

"Could you imagine?" the second guard added as he kept laughing, "Friends with a changeling?"

"Hey! He's serious. He wants to be friends!" Ember exclaimed in anger, "Stop laughing!"

The two guards stood on opposite sides of the little dragon and laughed again.

"Right!" said the second guard as he put a fore-hoof on Spike's head.

"Not only are you Spike the Brave and Glorious," said the first guard as he lay on the floor laughing, "you're also Spike the Hilarious!"

The second guard laughed in agreement. Spike and Ember were feeling most annoyed.

"I'm not joking!" Spike protested, "The changeling is nice! Even Ember would agree since she met him too!"

The two guards just laughed even harder.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think it's funny," said Shining Armor sternly, making the guards stop laughing and side step away, leaving Spike and Ember alone, "The Changeling Queen Chrysalis kidnapped Cadance and cast a spell on me."

He then got sternly into Spike's face.

"Do I also need to remind you and Ember that Chrysalis nearly overpowered Chase before she tried to drain his love from Twilight, Spike? My sister would've been devastated for the rest of her life if she hadn't act quickly." Shining Armor added firmly. "There's no such thing as a nice changeling."

Ember was about to argue, Spike stopped her while shaking his head not to say anything again.

"You're right, Shining Armor," said Spike sheepishly, "Sorry. That was a...bad joke."

"Hold on a minute you three." Chase said as he, Jade, Sunray, Antonio, and Trini entered the scene, making Shining Armor, Spike, and Ember turn to them.

"Chase, what are you doing?" Shining Armor asked. "You're supposed to be helping Twily, Cadance, Starlight, Sunburst, and Billy protect Flurry."

"We did, but Twilight wanted us to check on Spike and Ember." Chase said as he walked up to the two dragons. "Why don't you just go and help the royal guards out? We'll handle this. Okay?"

Shining Armor was hesitant at the moment before he sighed in defeat.

"Alright, but just be back to keep an eye on Flurry." Shining Armor said firmly before he made his way out of the room.

Once Shining Armor was out, Chase and his family turned to the two dragons, who felt nervous since the Elite Ninja had heard everything.

"Listen, Chase. I know what you're gonna say, but what I'm saying is the-" Spike was cut off when Chase raised his hoof, telling the baby dragon to stop talking.

Spike gulped as he and Ember were about to be lectured, but instead…

"We know and we wanna help out." Chase finally said, shocking Spike and Ember.

"Really?!" Spike and Ember asked in surprise.

"Yeah, Spike. We want to see this changeling for ourselves." Sunray replied with a smile as the rest of his family shared the same thing.

"But why? I know we've been over this, but we went through a lot after what Chrysalis almost did to you." Spike said to Chase with a concerned look. "How would you want to help us?"

"Because even though there are some creatures that are evil, that doesn't mean there could be ones that are against them." Chase answered. "I know what Chrysalis almost did to me and that really scared Twilight a lot, but we can't just force ourselves to attack them unless we study them more. We want to see this changeling ourselves to see if he is nice." Then he became firm. "And if the rest of the Empire is not gonna do anything about it to help you and Ember, then we will. Whether they like it or not."

He and his family gave Spike and Ember a smile, making the two dragons smile in return.

(Scene changes)

Once Spike and Ember returned back to the location where they had found Thorax. Thorax was there waiting for them.

"So? So? Uh, what did they say?" Thorax asked excitedly, not noticing the uneasy looks on Spike and Ember's faces. "How many new friends do I have?"

"Well, you might be in for the surprise of your life." Spike said sheepishly.

"Yeah, because there are five we've managed to convince, but the rest of the Empire won't hear us." Ember added.

Thorax looked confused.

"Who did you both manage to hear out?" Thorax asked curiously.

"Us for one." A voice said, making Thorax jolt before he turned to see Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio sliding down into the cave right before Thorax as Spike and Ember stayed behind the surprised changeling.

Thorax yelped in surprise and fear.

"M-M-M-Master Chase Young!" Thorax said nervously.

Chase and his Elite Ninja approached the friendly changeling, who shoke nervously of the five ponies.

"There's nothing to be afraid of. You must be Thorax, right?" Chase asked Thorax, who nodded nervously. "It's alright, we're not gonna hurt you. We just wanna see if you really are not like the other changelings."

"Yeah, our big brother is a lot better in understanding with other ponies and creatures, even if there are some that might be evil. Even we can understand it since we're the Elite Ninja." Jade said, giving a smile to Thorax.

"Yeah." Antonio said as commentary music started to play. "Trini, over there in the light blue, she's most caring to other ponies and is beautiful."

An unseen audience laugh was heard as Antonio chuckled.

"Sunray Steel, over there with the red, he's like a big cuddly teddy bear." Antonio said, making Sunray glare at his older cousin as he corrected. "If big cuddly teddy bears were incredibly violent."

Then he turned to Jade as the unseen commentary music continued.

"Jade Young, over here in the purple, she's a tactical genius, who is technically a genius." Antonio said as the same unseen laughter was heard and he chuckled.

Then looked at Chase, who had his wings crossed with an unamused look on his face.

"This is Chase Young, he's in the black, fearless leader. Silent, but deadly." Antonio said as more unheard laughter was heard before he introduced himself. "And I'm Antonio sporting my signature yellow! I'm a triple threat, brains, brawn, and an obvious charming personality. Ladies like to call me Ani."

Chase rolled his eyes before he uncrossed his wings and placed a hoof on his older cousin's shoulder once the music stopped.

"Are you done?" Chase asked, annoyed.

"Yeah." Antonio answered.

Thorax just stared blankly at them as Ember and Spike had unamused looks on their faces of Antonio's antics.

"Sorry about that. Antonio just gets a little excited to rub everypony's faces of how good we are." Chase said to Thorax.

"Right…" Thorax said before he recomposed himself as he turned to Spike and Ember. "You guys convinced the Elite Ninja to become friends with me?"

"Yeah, why?" Spike asked confusingly.

"Well, I don't even know if you might like this, but Chrysalis will not also like the idea of me joining forces with you guys." Thorax explained. "She's been hearing all about you since you've been taking on Zhao and his Quinkan army."

This surprised the seven.

"What do you mean?" Chase asked in surprise.

"She's heard the news of the Dragonquin invasion and when they tried to invade the Crystal Empire until you guys stopped them with your powers." Thorax explained as he turned his attention to Chase. "And she has her targets set on you, Chase."

"How?" Chase asked.

"She knows all of your best moves since your battle with her in Canterlot." Thorax answered with a concerned look. "And there's no telling if she might be training her army to stop you and your team."

Antonio scoffed.

"Puhlease, she won't get him. Not as long as he's got us to aid him." Antonio said confidently.

"Well, we can't be too sure about that. If she's training her army, we're gonna need something to help us stop that changeling queen big time." Jade said, getting Antonio's attention.

Hearing this, Thorax remembered something.

"Wait! You know, I actually may have found something that might be helpful to you guys." Thorax said, making Chase, his family, Spike, and Ember surprised.

"For what?" Chase asked with a hopeful look.

"I found this hidden deep in the cavern. Follow me." Thorax said as he flew over the crevasse as Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, and Ember followed him with Spike hoping on Chase's back.

(Scene changes)

A little bit of exploring the cave, they went through a tunnel before Thorax stepped into another cavern.

"I found this after I came to the Crystal Empire." Thorax said as Chase, Trini, Antonio, Sunray, Jade, Ember, and Spike walked in before they widened their eyes at what they saw.

It was a big chamber with a familiar flower symbol on the cavern wall. An old Japanese shrine was in the center as well.

"Whoa, is that a White Lotus clan shrine?" Spike asked, surprised and amazed.

"Yeah, it's been in here for a hundred years." Thorax explained.

"But the last one we saw was when we went down into the Underground." Sunray said in surprise as his older siblings shared the same look.

"Well, this one has been down here for a long time." Thorax said.

Curious, the five ponies and two dragons walked over to the shrine with amazed looks. Once they were inside, they found old notes, books, weapon stands, and various weapons scattered on the ground.

"Wow, you know guys, for some masters of jiu jitsu, the White Lotus clan really did leave a mess behind." Trini commented as she looked at the discarded weapons on the ground.

As they looked around, Chase noticed something glowing behind a bookcase. Curious, he went to the bookcase, used his magic to move it and was surprised to see a glowing crystal with a rainbow color on the ground.

He picked it up as his family, Spike, Ember, and Thorax, who joined them, approached it.

"What is that?" Ember asked while looking at the crystal curiously.

"It looks like a crystal of some kind." Chase said as he eyed the crystal.

"What exactly is it doing down here?" Trini asked.

"I found it lying on the ground and I went over to look at it, only to get badly zapped since it is very powerful." Thorax explained. "Oh and here's what I also found."

Thorax pulled out a book and handed it over to Jade, who took it and opened it. The book revealed itself to have pages and texts about the White Lotus clan joining forces with dragons fighting off against the Quinkan, along with five shadowy dragon figures harnessing their power into a strange aragonite crystal.

"What kind of crystal is that?" Sunray asked with a curious look.

"I don't know, but it looks like these five dragons must've been helping the White Lotus clan to harness their energy into it so that maybe a new hope would fight off the Quinkan." Jade said while looking at the page.

"There's gotta be something in there that might help us stop them and possibly the changelings." Chase said.

Spike hummed for a moment before he noticed something.

"Huh?" Spike asked in shock, gaining the others' attention.

"What's up, Spike?" Ember asked curiously.

"Guys… Look!" Spike exclaimed as he pointed at something offscreen.

Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Ember, and Thorax looked to where he was pointing at. At a dark part of the cave, a pair of glowing narrow orange eyes appeared as something growled.

"Uh, guys? Something tells me that we're not in here alone." Antonio said with a scared look as the others gazed at the mysterious narrowing orange eyes in surprise.

"What is that thing?" Chase asked with a glare.

The orange eyes continued to glare at the group before the creature revealed itself to be a Dragonquin.

But this wasn't just any Dragonquin, it was the same one that escaped the Quinkan from the royal crystalling. Needless to say, the eight were shocked and almost scared by the beast as it continued to glare at them while growling menacingly at them.

"It's a Dragonquin." Chase said in surprise.

"Guys, please tell me that's not what I think it is." Trini said with a terrified look.

"If it's the same one that we fought with Kai and Tai Lung, then yup." Antonio whimpered with a look of fear.

"How did it get down here?" Ember asked with a curious look on her face as she hid the fear in her, even though she was a little scared of the beast.

"It must've found an entrance down here somewhere." Jade theorized.

"Maybe we should get out of here and try not to bother him." Spike suggested while shaking in fear a bit.

"Hold on a minute, guys." Chase said as he blocked Spike's attempt to escape as he looked at the Dragonquin's eyes. "Check out its eyes. It looks like they're almost dragon-like."

To prove Chase's point, the Dragon's eyes did have the eyes of a dragon.

"You're right, Chase. Something tells me this Dragonquin must be a normal dragon that might be under Zhao's control just when Pakku, Bumi, Iroh, and Grazer almost fell into." Trini said, following along with Chase's theory as Jade, Sunray, Antonio, Thorax, Trini, and Spike did.

"Yeah, that could be it." Spike said.

"Well, nevermind that, let's just try to capture it and turn him back to normal." Sunray said before he and Antonio used their magic to fire beams at the beast, who blocked it with his wings.

The Dragonquin roared out viciously, not happy at being attacked by the two ponies. Sunray and Antonio were about to attack, but Jade stopped them.

"Guys, no!" Jade said. "We should try to talk to it!"

"It's a vicious Dragonquin beast without a mind!" Antonio argued. "What do you wanna talk about?! Current events?!"

The Dragonquin growled before it charged straight at the group. They gasped in surprise before they moved out of the way as the Dragonquin flew over them.

Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Thorax, Ember, and Spike made it out of the shrine as they noticed the Dragonquin glaring down at them.

"We gotta get outta here!" Trini shouted.

"Yeah, but which way?!" Ember asked, looking around for an escape route.

Chase glared at the Dragonquin before he noticed a big hole up on the ceiling of the cave.

"That way!" Chase shouted. "Everybody, hold on!"

Chase used his magic to concentrate as he teleported himself and the group through the hole and out of the cave as they reached outside.

Once they were outside, Chase stopped using his magic as they breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

"I think we lost him." Chase said.

"What do we do now?" Jade asked with concern.

"We don't have time to figure anything out. We gotta warn the others about-" Trini was cut off when a loud roar was heard from the cavern.

They turned to the hole before it exploded, sending the eight flying as they screamed in surprise and they landed on the ground with grunts. A loud growl was heard as Chase was the first to recover and saw the Dragonquin emerging from the cave as it growled at them menacingly.

"What's the plan, chief?" Sunray asked Chase as his older brother glared at the beast.

"We gotta keep this thing from getting to the Crystal Empire! Stand your ground, guys!" Chase said as he lit his horn, stood on his hind legs, his aura hands appeared on his front hooves, dished out his katana swords, and positioned himself in a fighting stance.

Sunray, Jade, Trini, and Antonio did the same as they dished out their respective weapons before they got themselves into fighting stances. Ember glared at the Dragonquin as she was ready for a fight. Spike and Thorax were scared of the beast as they hid from it.

The Dragonquin roared out before it charged straight at the group of eight, but they dodged out of the way as the monster crashed through a mountain of snow. It quickly recovered as it growled at the group.

(Scene changes)

At the Crystal Empire on the balcony of the castle, the two crystal guards that Spike had talked to were on the lookout for any sign of the changeling Spike and Ember had 'befriended'. They also haven't seen the two dragons or any sign of the Elite Ninja.

But while they were still looking for the seven, they felt a little guilty for laughing at Spike.

"Any sign of Spike the Brave and Glorious? Or Chase the Determined and Courageous?" The first crystal guard asked.

"No. I wish we could take back what we said to Spike though. I mean, I thought he was joking when he said he and his girlfriend 'befriended' the changeling." The second crystal guard said before he recomposed himself. "Let's just find them and the Elite Ninja so we can tell Spike we're sorry for not hearing him out."

The first crystal guard nodded before he used a telescope to look for any sign of the seven. But then his eyes caught something offscreen in the mountains. He sees through the telescope that the Elite Ninja, Ember, Spike, and Thorax were fighting a Dragonquin as it attacked them viciously as they dodged its attacks.

"A Dragonquin!" The first crystal guard shouted in surprise as the second crystal guard was surprised to see it with his own eyes. The first crystal guard looked more closely to see Spike with Thorax. "And is that Spike the Brave and Glorious with the changeling?"

"They've found it! We must join them and capture the changeling he said he 'befriended'!" The second crystal guard said, but the second crystal guard stopped him.

"No! Wait! We can't just go up against the Dragonquin like that!" The first crystal guard said. "Get Shining Armor, the princesses, Billy, and Sunburst! They've gotta see this."

The second crystal guard was hesitant for a moment before he recomposed himself and went to find the others.

(Scene changes)

Back in the mountains, the Dragonquin roared out viciously as it tried to attack Antonio, but he jumped out of the way as Ember flew in and punched the beast in the face before flying out of the creature's attempt to grab her.

Trini jumped onto the Dragonquin's tail, leapt onto its head, and spin kicked it in the face. It left an opening for Sunray to whack the creature in the face, sending it to the ground.

Antonio and Jade landed in front of the Dragonquin as it got back on its claws before it began to attack them in an attempt to swat the two ponies aside, but they dodged without ease.

Jade jumped out of the way as Antonio charged at the Dragonquin.

"In your face!" Antonio shouted, leaping into the air and uppercutting the monster's chin.

The beast landed on the ground before it got back on its claws as it roared viciously at Chase, who glared at the Dragonquin.

Suddenly, the Dragonquin caught Chase with its tail as the alicorn master grunted. The beast quickly brought Chase to its face as he struggled to get out of its grip.

"Hey, tails off!" Chase shouted as he struggled to break free. "I said TAILS OFF!"

Chase then fires a beam of magic at the Dragonquin's face, making the beast roar in pain as it releases Chase and he gets into a fighting stance while holding a firm grip with his swords.

The Dragonquin quickly recovered as Chase flew out of the way quickly as it stalked towards Spike and Thorax, who looked terrified. The beast then raised its right clawed hand in the air and attempted to swat them, but they moved out of the way.

"Now what?!" Ember asked as she joined Chase's side.

Thinking quickly, Chase saw the crystal he had lying on the ground. Then he saw the Dragonquin staring at it menacingly. It began to stalk towards it. He saw the hole in the ground, leading to the shrine.

"Guys, we need to get the crystal back into the shrine!" Chase shouted, gaining the others attention as he turned to Spike and Thorax. "Spike, can you Thorax get it back in so we can take care of the monster?!"

"Well, as long as it doesn't get us any closer to being dead, we might do it!" Spike replied back.

"Actually, Chase is on to something!" Thorax said, making Spike look at him. "I found a pedestal behind the shrine! Maybe we can use that to put the crystal on it!"

"Great! You guys do that! We'll deal with the Dragonquin!" Ember instructed as she breathed a purple flame at the Dragonquin, making it roar in pain as the fire struck its skin.

"Man, she is so good." Spike said dreamily as he looked at Ember with a lovesick smile.

"Uh, Spike? We have bigger things to worry about right now!" Thorax said, wanting to get back on track.

Spike shook his head, snapping out of his daze.

"Uh, right!" Spike said, nervously before the two made a run for the Crystal as the Elite Ninja and Ember continued to battle the Dragonquin.

(Scene changes)

Back at the balcony of the Crystal Empire, Twilight, Cadance, Shining Armor, Billy, Starlight, and Sunburst quickly came to the balcony after hearing the news of a Dragonquin in the mountains fighting off the Elite Ninja, Spike, and Ember. Although they were having a hard time not believing Thorax to be friendly, they still weren't trusting the idea of a changeling harming Flurry Heart.

Anyway, they made their way to the balcony as they indeed saw the Dragonquin fighting the Elite Ninja and Ember.

"Is that really a Dragonquin?!" Twilight asked in surprise.

"That must be the same one that was with Kai and the Quinkan!" Billy said in alarm.

"First a changeling, now we have a Quinkan monster to get out of the Empire?!" Starlight asked, not liking this.

"What are we gonna do?!" Sunburst asked. "Even with Chase and his team holding off that beast, how are we gonna keep it away from the Empire?"

Shining Armor looked at Sunburst for a moment before he turned his attention to the battle in the mountains.

"We'll just have to make sure Chase and his team will keep the Dragonquin from coming to the Empire." Shining Armor said.

"But where's Spike?" Cadance asked.

"Wait, there he is!" Starlight said, looking through the telescope to see the baby dragon with Thorax going for the crystal. "And it looks like he's with the changeling he said was nice."

"I still say he's nuts to think he says the changeling is friendly!" Shining Armor said, not taking any chances.

"Shining Armor, we don't know that for sure." Cadance said gently. "Chase has done the same thing for Grazer when he was tormented by Zhao. Let's at least hear him out once this is over."

Shining Armor was hesitant at the moment before he sighed.

"Alright, but I still say this is crazy for him to trust a changeling." Shining Armor said before he and the others turned their attention to the battle.

Twilight looked worried for her husband as she watched him battle the Dragonquin with his team.

"You better come back safely, honey." Twilight whispered with worry.

(Scene changes)

Chase, Trini, Sunray, and Jade dodged another attack from the Dragonquin before they split up to attack it anyway they can.

The monster then stalks towards Antonio as it tries to attack the unicorn stallion, but he manages to avoid several strikes. But then the Dragonquin hits him with its tail, sending Antonio into a pile of snow.

"Come on, guys!" Chase said as he jumped over a tail swipe from the monster. "We gotta keep this beast from reaching the empire!"

"It's impossible! It's just too strong!" Jade replied back as she dodged back fist attack from the Dragonquin.

Ember flew towards the monster as she breathed her dragon breath at it, gaining its attention and attempted to swat the young Dragon Lord, only for her to dodge it.

Spike and Thorax crept through the snowy piles as they watched the battle go on. They found the crystal as Spike cautiously made his way to grab it when suddenly the Dragonquin noticed him.

It then grabbed Spike, causing him to yelp in horror and fear as he gazed at the Dragonquin in horror. The beast glared down at him, but before it could do anything to the baby dragon, something bit it on the tail.

The monster roared in pain as it noticed Thorax was the one who did it. The Dragonquin released Spike, making the baby dragon scream in horror as he fell down.

"SPIKE!" Ember shouted in with fear.

Suddenly, Thorax flew in and grabbed him, making him smile in appreciation as Thorax smiled back. Then they flew down to the crystal as Spike grabbed it.

(Scene changes)

At the balcony, Twilight, Cadance, Shining Armor, Starlight, Billy, Sunburst, and the crystal guards witnessed what they saw.

"Tell me you guys didn't just see what I think we saw." Starlight said in surprise of Spike being saved by a changeling.

"We saw it." Twilight said in awe.

"Maybe we should hear Spike and the others after this is over." Shining Armor advised, having second thoughts.

(Scene changes)

Thorax flew out of the Dragonquin's grabbing attempt with Spike holding onto him while he held the crystal. Thorax landed on the ground away from the beast as Chase turned to them.

"Guys! Take the crystal and run!" Chase shouted. "We'll take care of the Dragonquin! JUST GET THE CRYSTAL BACK INTO THE CHAMBER!"

Not wanting to argue, Thorax made a mad dash to the cave as Spike held onto him as Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, and Ember continued to fight the Dragonquin.

Thorax flew as fast as he could with Spike holding onto him before they eventually made it to the entrance they escaped from the Dragonquin. Thorax then spotted the pedestal behind the shrine.

"There's the pedestal!" Thorax shouted as he dived in with Spike holding onto him.

Once they arrived, Spike hopped off of Thorax and went to the pedestal. Spike then placed the crystal on top of the pedestal.

All of a sudden, the crystal began to glow brighter and brighter. Spike and Thorax gazed at it in awe before it fired a magic rainbow colored beam into the air as it drew the Dragonquin's attention as well as the Elite Ninja and Ember.

Then, it sent out a powerful wave of rainbow magic onto the Dragonquin as it roared in surprise.

(Scene changes)

At the Crystal Empire, Twilight, Billy, Cadance, Starlight, Shining Armor, Sunburst, and the rest of the citizens watched everything in awe.

(Scene changes)

The Dragonquin roared in pain as it felt the energy in him being drained away. Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, and Ember watched the beast being drained from the rainbow magic. Thorax and Spike joined them as they saw the Dragonquin beginning to change.

"Guys!" A voice shouted, gaining the group of eight to see Twilight, Cadance, Starlight, Billy, Sunburst, Shining Armor, and the crystal guards rushing to the scene before they stopped to see Thorax as he became nervous.

Then they turned their attention back to the Dragonquin as smoke appeared around it before the smoke surrounded it completely.

Suddenly, emerging from the Dragonquin's place was a large legless dragon with a green scaled body, a red goatee, and yellow spikes on its head and back.

"Whoa!" Chase said in surprise to see this turn of events as everypony had the exact same expression.

"Brbrbrbrbr!" The dragon babled with a shake of his head. "Man, it feels good to be back to normal again."

Then he turned his attention to the ponies, two dragons, and changeling as they were still surprised by him. He jolted in surprise to see them.

"Who-who are you?" Sunray asked in surprise.

"What are you?" Chase asked.

"Well, looks like I got a new master by my side." The dragon said with a smile as he bowed to Chase in respect before he turned his attention. "Pleased to meet you. Dojo's the name, but some ponies in the White Lotus clan call me the guardian of the Zeo Crystal."

"Uh, pleased to meet you as well." Twilight nervously acknowledged before she gestured to her family and friends. "I'm Twilight Sparkle. This is Cadance, Shining Armor, Billy, Starlight, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Antonio, and Trini. And that there is Spike."

"Nice to meet you all." Dojo said. "Boy, you have no idea how long I waited for help to get the Quinkan magic out of me."

"Wait, you were under Zhao's control?" Chase asked in surprise.

"So, you've been hiding down there after the royal crystaling?" Cadance asked.

"Yup. But you know, for the first five hundred years ago, I lived in an old cave with other dragon guardians until I came into Pakku Shisho's clan to help him stop the Quinkan. But then Zhao had me under his control, but since the ceremony you ponies had, I've been laying low in that cave. Really bad installation there. Brrrrr." Dojo said as he shook himself from the cold weather.

Twilight, Cadance, Starlight, Trini, and Jade giggled in amusement. The others just shared smirks at the dragon's comment.

"Whoop, my body's changed a bit… too. Hehe. Uh, ahem!" Dojo cleared his throat before he shape shifted into a tiny form of his body as he landed on Chase's back. "Hmm, much better."

"Now that we've cleared that up with you, Dojo. We've got other things to deal with you, Spike, and your changeling friend." Shining Armor said as he directed his attention to Spike and Thorax, who looked nervously from the stares they were given.

Chase, Jade, Sunray, Ember, Trini, and Antonio came to their aid.

"Hold on, guys. Before we do anything reckless, let's just take this back to the castle." Chase advised sternly.

(Scene changes)

After they all went back to the castle in the Crystal Empire, Spike, Ember, Thorax, and the Elite Ninja explained everything to everypony. While they had listened to everything, they were visibly shocked and amazed since it proved Spike was right about Thorax being different from the changelings.

Twilight approached the eight as she gave Spike and Chase a proud smile.

"Spike, Chase, I'm so proud of you and the Elite Ninja." Twilight said.

"You are?" Spike and Chase said together in shock.

"Of course," said Twilight as she gave them both a hug, "Spike, you're a celebrity here in the Crystal Empire, and you risked all of it for a friend! And Chase, you're knowledge of being a wise leader proved that you could trust any creature to help us spread friendship to them."

"Well, if it wasn't for Dojo, then maybe we wouldn't have proved we were right." Chase said with a chuckle as Dojo smiled sheepishly.

"Hey, I may have had a rough time, but it was all because of those rotten Quinkan monsters that took me away. So maybe I did go real hard on guys, but it was all because of Zhao's powers that took control over me." Dojo said with a crack. "And even I did get a little wacky too."

Everypony chuckled at his joke as Twilight turned to to face the others.

"As the Prince and Princess of Friendship," Twilight spoke, "we try to set an example for all of Equestria. But today, it was Spike, Ember, and the Elite Ninja that taught us that a new friend can come from anywhere. I guess everypony still has things to learn about friendship. Even us! And if Spike, Ember, the Elite Ninja say Thorax is their friend, then he's our friend too!"

Twilight then extended a fore-hoof to Thorax to shake.

"Thank you," said Thorax as he returned the hoof-shake.

It was then Cadance and Shining Armor shared some looks with each other, exchanged nods, and approached the changeling.

"Oh behalf of the Crystal Empire," said Cadance, "I would like to extend my hoof in friendship, and I'm sure all of my subjects are eager to do the same."

The guards all cheered in agreement. Thorax just gave them a teary smile. Cadance then presented Flurry Heart to Thorax. The changeling looked a little nervous at first, but then Flurry Heart cooed in her cute manner. This made Thorax relax and he found he could handle being near the baby without losing any self-control.

"Welcome to the Crystal Empire, Thorax," said Shining Armor, "I'm sorry we didn't take the time to get to know you. Maybe we can change that now."

Then he turned his attention to Dojo as he gave the dragon guardian a warm smile.

"And we would like to honor our friendship to you too, Dojo." Shining Armor said, making Dojo smile.

"Thanks, man." Dojo thanked gratefully.

"That'd be so amazing!" said Thorax, "I want to know all about friendship, and maybe one day I can take that knowledge back to the Changeling Kingdom! If my kind learned how to create love for one another, maybe they wouldn't have to take it from others!"

"To Spike the Brave and Glorious! And his girlfriend!" The first guard cheered. "And to the Elite Ninja!"

Spike and Ember blushed in shock about the cheers. And just before they could protest, Crystal Royal Guards cheered as they held the dragons, the Elite Ninja, and the Changeling up. Instead of arguing, the of them smiled and enjoyed their moments.

Twilight just watched the scene with an emotional smile on her face as Chase flew out of the cheering, pulled her close and nuzzled her head affectionately as she returned the favor with a giggle as Nyx hugged her parents.

"Looks like you were right after all," said Starlight as she walked up to the alicorn couple.

"Right about what?" Twilight asked.

"Friendship lessons can happen anywhere," said Starlight.

Twilight and Chase just smiled.

"Well, I still say this was a pretty good day to make two great friends." Chase said with a smile. "Wisdom and maturity she displayed today is well beyond our years."

"Guess you're a better teacher than you give yourself credit for, sweetheart," said Twilight.

Chase chuckled as Flurry Heart clung onto his face and snuggled it in agreement, making Starlight, Nyx, and Twilight laugh. Cadance, who was watching Furry Heart snuggle Chase, giggled to herself. Shining Armor smiled as well with a chuckle.

(Scene changes)

Back in the mountains, we focus the scene to the shrine and the pedestal with the crystal glowing a bit.

Then a shadow appeared in front of the crystal and a dagger appeared as the tip of the blade touched the gem.

Suddenly, some magic flew right into the dagger before it stopped. The dagger pulled back as it was revealed to be Tai Lung holding the dagger as he looked at it with a devious smirk.

"That's three magical energies found, now there's two more to go." Tai Lung said deviously. "Pretty soon, Chase, his family, and friends will be done for once we have all of the powers from the Zeo Crystal found in the deepest watery part of Manehatten. Then all of the ponies will bow to Master Zhao once more."

Tai Lung chuckled deviously as the screen died down.

Author's note: Here's chapter 15, guys. I've added some twists to it as well as a surprising guest to it. Hope you like it.

Peace out!