I do not own MLP or Skyrim or the Draconic language
Chapter Nine: Spike
Seed watched the purpled dragon before deciding to lead him to the claw in secret. The dragon who was last known to hold the claw didn't trust any creature except for beings with innocence in them. So he decided to lure Spike to the dragon's resting place without causing too much of a scene. The white stallion turned into his spirit ball form and flew towards the purple dragon grabbing the book from his claws.
"Hey!" called Spike as the spirit flew off, the baby dragon deciding to chase it. He followed it quite a ways before it dropped the book inside a cave. It was almost dark.
"Thanks a lot." huffed Spike as he picked up the book before looking around. "Where am I?"
That was when he heard it, breathing from a large creature coming from deeper inside the cave. The baby dragon gulped as he looked behind towards the entrance of the cave when something caught his eye. The assistant moved to investigate only to find that it was an old scroll. He walked over and picked it up only for the scroll to wiggle out of his claws and fly deeper into the cave.
Spike gulped before he followed it, the deeper he went the wider the cave was. The dragon clung to the book from the library wishing that he had Twilight with him at the moment. When he walked out into a large cavern green eyed reptile noticed a large maze of books and a large white dragon sleeping on a large pile of scrolls. The dragon was nearly touching the ceiling from just laying on the scrolls. Just as the baby dragon was about to take a step back he spotted a golden claw near the center of the maze. 'It doesn't hurt to see what it is.' Spike thought to himself before he moved forward to investigate the claw. The purple dragon walked through the maze of books and scrolls amazed that a dragon could do such a thing. When he reached the dragon he noticed something he missed before. The dragon's scale had a crystal like quality to though not seen without light.
'Now where is that... there it is.' thought Spike spotting the claw and walking towards it. It was in the shape of the dragon claw before it curved with sharp protrusions. It even got the foot part, though pure golden. The purple dragon frowned as his stomach rumbled, there was not a single jewel in the cave.
"What do we have here?" a female's voice asked causing the baby dragon to freeze and glance back towards the adult dragon. "A baby dragon? Now what is a baby dragon doing in my library?"
"Your library?" Spike was confused as he turned around to face the dragon as her tongue flickered out. "Dragons have libraries?"
"Why yes little one... at least I do." the crystal dragon responded as she sat up before looking at what she was laying on. "Oh dear I fell asleep reading the scrolls I had just acquired. Tell me Little One, who are you, what are you doing here, and why are you not fully grown? In that order preferably."
"Well my name is Spike, I was here getting a book that a glowing ball of light stole, and I am still a baby dragon." answered the purple dragon looking a bit confused as he held up the book and the adult's pale blue eyes stared at it. Her tongue flickered out before she stood up and stretched before laying back down on the scrolls although her head was up.
"Spike." mused the crystal dragon before her eyes landed on the golden dragon claw. "Do you know what that is?"
"The claw? I just saw it when you glowed." replied Spike confusion still in his voice. "I don't really know what it is?"
"Interesting, I have not seen a dragon resist the curse of greed like you do." said the adult dragon before clearing her throat. "My name is Aurora. I am the holder of knowledge and the second dragon to unlock her core. I awaken once every hundred years to gather all the new written works of Equestria. Well before that it was anywhere there was written works and the only pony who came to see me was Star Swirl the Bearded, I wonder what happened to him... Ahem. You are curious about the claw?"
"What does it do?" the baby dragon asked and Aurora sighed before explaining. "The Golden Claw is a focus point to help young dragons like you unlock their core. This was the first to fade into history, then pegasi cores, earth pony cores, then unicorn core... not that I blame the Princesses. Ponies simply forgot the dangers preferring simpler ways to learn. Tell me young one, I do not see dragons often since this curse started, what are they like?"
"The ones that I've seen aren't really nice just greedy and rude and don't care about living things." the assistant answered sitting down as the crystal dragon shook her head in shame. "Why don't you see the other dragons?"
"I am old Spike." the female dragon began as she spread her wings. "I come from a very ancient time. Since I am a crystal dragon we... I have a tendency to out live our kind so I stay away. But with the Greed curse on them these dragons will try to take the claw just to add to their collections. Ponies... they just see me as a wild dragon and run away from me. I can not give them the claw without it being locked up somewhere so my trust is spread thin. But you, you do not seem afflicted by your need to collect, why?"
"Because when I was I nearly hurt my pony friends and I would hate to hurt them." Spike told the older dragon who raised an eyebrow. "Well I was raised in a pony environment ever since I hatched so I learned more about helping others than I did about greed. The only time I ever experienced it was when I got more than one present for my birthday shortly after coming to Ponyville. I don't like remembering it though."
"A noble heart." breathed Aurora before staring up at the ceiling her eyes glowing before her body glowed with a bright light and a beam shot from her mouth. The light struck an ice crystal that was growing from the ceiling causing it to light up.
"Wow." the purple dragon said as he stared at the adult, her scales glistened creating small rainbows as the light hit them. "What are cores? I mean I know what cores do for ponies, I have heard that lesson before. What are cores for dragons?"
"Cores help the dragon grow physically also allows for more stronger attacks, defense, or breath abilities." the crystal dragon began her lesson. "For me my core is my dragon breath, it can be both light and dark. I am a unique breed of dragon... I think the only one made. I am a crystal dragon so I find time to use my abilities. Using the focus point you can unlock your own core. I would put you some vigorous training exercises so you can unlock it here but your noble heart and sense of right and wrong puts me at ease. You are closer than any dragon I know to unlock your core. Please begin helping our kind remember what we used to be Little One. I do not wish to see our kind fall to ruin. Focus on the claw and find it once again just like your ancestor Spike did."
"How... alright." Spike was curious on how she knew who his ancestor was. The purple dragon reached down before picking up the claw and stared at it. When he looked up to tell the female dragon that it wasn't working he found himself staring at a large wall with cracks.
"What the, where am I?" the small dragon looked around before noticing an imprint of a dragon's claw on the wall. The fire breather walked over to the wall and place his own clawed hand against it. The wall slid down at his touch revealing a hallway with an open area. Moving forward Spike glanced around taking in his surroundings as he moved towards the open area the wall sliding up behind him sealing him in the maze. The dragon gulped nervously before walking up to the open area to see a large stone embedded in an equally large tree with writing inscribed into it. The inscription said:
"One brings chaos but never lies….
One brings harmony but hides the truth….
One protects but never chooses….
Pick the one you will follow."
"So where do I choose which one to follow?" Twilight's assistant mused before there was a bright light shown from three walls. A picture appeared on each of them. One was of a crude picture of Discord. The second of a crystal like tree. The third was of a familiar crystalline heart.
"The Crystal Heart!" exclaimed Spike as he looked around. "So that must be the Tree of Harmony! But which one to choose? The Crystal Heart protects, Discord isn't that bad anymore, and the Tree of Harmony brings harmony. My friends would choose the tree... but what would I choose?"
'This is my test. I have to choose which one to follow.' Spike thought before thinking, he took a deep breath before walking over to the picture of the Crystal Heart. 'I will always be there to protect my friends but you can never make me choose between my friends.'
The dragon placed his clawed hand on the wall watching it slide down like the one before. Moving forward down the hall the wall behind him slid back into place. The assistant continued on until he came across another large open area. This held a large field of flowers surrounding another large stone with an inscription on it:
"Which do you value more?
Courage?
Power?
Wisdom?"
"Another hard one." mused the purple reptile as he looked around three more pictures appearing on separate walls. The first was of a sword, the second a hammer, and the third a book.
"Well the book is wisdom." observed Spike as he looked around. "Which means the hammer is... probably power and the sword is courage? How does that make any sense? Well a hammer can be used as a large powerful weapon and you do need courage to go out into battle with a sword. I guess I have to say courage. It takes a lot to stand up to bullies and to help out your friends."
The baby dragon walked over to the wall with the sword and just as he placed a tip of a claw the wall slid down. Moving forward the assistant heard the wall slide up behind him before he continued on. That was when he noticed that the entire maze had moss and vines growing up the walls giving it an aged appearance. When he came to the next area there were large pillars some laying on the ground and rubble surrounding another rock. Spike sighed before he read the inscription:
"What do you utilize more often?
Heart?
Mind?
Strength?"
"Well that one is easier." said the dragon as a heart appeared on one wall, then a brain, the last picture was of a claw holding a sword. "Heart of course, I follow my heart more often then my head or when I use my strength. Although if I could choose a second one it would be my strength."
The green spike reptile walked over to the wall with the drawing of the heart pressing his hand against it. The wall slid away and the assistant continued on without a glance backwards. The next area completely confused him, when he thought he was going through a maze he thought that it was just going to be rooms. All that was thrown out the window as he gazed across a large expanse of land. To the left was a castle, forward was a large mountain reaching past the clouds, and to the right was a serene lake. Next to the dragon was an obelisk that read:
"Oh weary traveller choose one to rest your head.
One leads to great adventure.
Another leads to vast knowledge.
The last to peace and serenity."
"Well the mountain probably has lots of gems." Spike told himself before moving forward towards the mountain. When he got there the small dragon began to follow a stony path leading up the mountain. There was a ruined and crumbling staircase that seemed worn from the weather about halfway through. 'Well it would be to dangerous to go that way.' the assistant thought to himself before looking around. 'I have to find a place to stay... hey a cave! There might be gems in there.'
The baby dragon ran towards the cave he spotted and entered the entrance looking around. It was large and empty so the green eyed fire breather decided to explore. Going deeper into the cave the baby dragon came across a room with three display cases in three walls. The glass was broken and rocks were littered inside. Inside the cases were items. In the first were three different types of swords: a simple short sword, a long sword, and a claymore. The swords had bits missing, rusting, and dull. In the second case were three tomes: A white tome, a black tome, and a brown tome. Like the swords the tomes were falling a part and the pages were yellow. In the third case were three shields: a small simple wooden shield, a medium sized iron shield, and a large steel shield. The shields were rusting, had dents and chips from the rocks, and dirty beyond belief. There was a tablet on the floor that read.
"Choose one of the six to continue on.
The sword to prepare yourself against unknown foes.
The tome to learn and use.
The shield to protect and defend."
"Well if I really had to choose I would go for the long sword." Spike confessed as he walked over to the case with the swords and grabbed the long sword. Both the display case and the wall it was set in crumbled underneath his touch revealing a long hallway. The dragon looked at the sword in his hand before noticing a sheath on the floor in front of him. Grabbing the sheath and placing the sword in it the assistant tied the sheath to his back and moved onwards. The hallway around him was full of unlit torches and was dark. The baby dragon grabbed one of the torches before using his breath to light it on fire. Taking a deep breath the assistant continued down the hallway before he came across three wooden doors. On each of the doors a picture was carved, the first was a rising sun, the second a midday sun, and the third was of a moon. An inscription above the door, worn and nearly faded through time, read:
"Which do you prefer?
Morning?
Midday?
Night?"
"Pah that's easy... midday! That's snack time." said Spike with a nod before opening the door with the afternoon sun. Down it was another hallway, the small dragon sighed before heading down the hall. He soon came across another room with three doors each with one word. The first was, past. The second was present. The third was future. On the floor was a tablet surrounded by fallen stone. Inscribed on the tablet was:
"Choose wisely friend for you will find
This question is about time.
Will you go to the past to discover secrets lost?
Continue your journey in the present?
Or find out what your life is like in years to come?"
"Well I guess what I really want to see is... where I really came from." Spike mused out loud before entering the door on the left. As he walked down the hallway he saw glass lift up into the air and settle back into the walls were they once stood. The first three sets were of moons. The first moon was a normal full moon settling in over a forest. The second was a red moon over a sea. The third moon was golden, a harvest moon, watching over a large field. The second set of windows was of suns. The first a normal sun over a vast plain. The second was a sun eclipsed by the moon over a city. The third sun was covered by clouds shining dimly over a mountain. The last set of windows was of stars. The first was red, the second blue, the last white. A tablet on the floor was inscribed with the words:
"What do you find taking a liking to more?
The sun and its all encompassing warmth?
The moon and the light it brings at night?
The stars and their cold beauty that guides weary travelers?
Be careful for each light has it's own choice."
"You're telling me." mumbled Spike before looking at them carefully. "I'll go with the white star. It reminds me of Rarity and her gems."
The purple dragon walked over to the window containing the white star and touched it watching the glass fade away allowing him to move forward. His journey was a short one down the hall as he came to a vast white room with cracks all over. A cracked obelisk stood in the center of the room. The faded inscription read:
"What is your greatest desire?
To find love?
To gain power?
To find peace?"
Three images appeared in flames, one of Spike with a figure who's shape was changing constantly. The second image was of the dragon sitting on a throne with a bored look on his face and a crown on his head. The third image was him relaxing in a field with all of his friends surrounding him. There was no doubt in the assistant's mind as he walked straight towards him and the mysterious figure which took the shape of a pony. The image faded revealing another hallway. The small dragon moved forward with a sigh wondering how much further he had to go.
The next room he entered contained nine statues, six were of his friends and the other three was of three dragons. At the bottom of the statues a word was written. A pedestal stood in the center of them all with an inscription:
"Which trait do you value in a friend above all else?
A loyal friend who will never leave your side above all else?
An honest friend who would always tell you the truth?
A brave friend who will always have the courage to tell you when you are mean?
A strong friend who will protect no matter what?
A friend who will always make you laugh?
A kind friend who is always there for you?
A generous friend who will always give you what you need?
A friend who is a friendly pony?
A patient friend who will put up with you even you hurt them accidently?"
Spike gulped as he looked at the statues, his friends had their elements. The three dragon statues had the words: Brave, strong, and patient. 'Well I guess what I really want is... well Twilight. Someone who is just friendly.' the dragon thought before walking up to the statue of Friendship and touched it. The statue moved to the side revealing another hallway in which he travelled down. The purple dragon came to another large white void room with an obelisk standing in the middle. This one had faded words instead of cracks though the words glowed allowing him to read the inscription:
"When your time has come and you could choose
How would your life end?
Being at peace with yourself?
Fighting against enemies?
Protecting the ones you love?
Three images appeared each of Spike. One was of an elderly dragon sleeping peacefully outside of Ponyville with Twilight sitting by his side. The second was of a large dragon fighting another dragon though its scales were black as night. The last image was of Spike taking a hit for Rarity who had a shocked look on her face. 'I will always protect the ones I love.' Spike thought before moving over to the image grimly touching it. He watched the image fade into a hallway which he went down. The dragon did not bite back a groan as he came across another set of doors. This time the were set with crystals. On the first door was a full white gem in the shape of a circle. The second a half circle cut white gem. The last door had a circular shaped black gem in it. On the wall the faded inscription barely read:
"Which do you find yourself looking at more?
A full moon?
A half moon?
A new moon?"
"I've always like the full moon." the assistant said out loud, mostly to himself before walking to the door and opening it. The green eyed dragon covered his eyes as the outside light shown down the hallway revealing him back in the maze. The walls seem to go on forever as he walked until they reached a large wall with the dragon claw imprint decorating it. Spike touched the door watching it slide into the ground and moved forward when he saw the golden dragon claw from before. The sword lifted off of the dragon's back and launched into the claw which began to glow. A beam shot into the air before twisting into the form of a claw before it twisted into a spiked tail.
"Well done." Aurora's voice congratulated from around him. "Focus on my voice little one and you shall return."
Spike focused on the voice and found the scenery around him shifting.
"What just happened? What did I get?" the small dragon as looking from the claw to the crystal dragon who laughed.
"You are a Strength core with the specialization Spiked Tail." Aurora answered as she looked around. "Do not worry your spikes and wings will grow in no time. So do not rush growing up."
"Now why shouldn't he UntyeUryte?" a dark voice asked causing the crystal dragon to turn around as a black dragon sat at the entrance. "Growing up fast is the best way to grow up."
"DurgUa." growled the ancient dragon and Spike grew scared. "How dare you defile my sacred library. How were you unsealed?"
"I believe that was my doing." answered a dark grey unicorn with a red horn walking forward. "I made a pact with the shade dragon in order to find this library. He is willing to get his revenge on you Keeper by becoming my ally."
"You will not read a single book!" Aurora roared the shelves and scrolls lifting into the air as a bag appeared and they dropped inside along with the Golden Claw before shrinking down. "Little one take the bag and climb on."
"O-Okay." replied the small dragon as the satchel was handed to him through a magical aura. Placing it over his shoulder the young dragon climbed on top of the older one who spread her wings. Spike clung to one of the crystal spikes on the back as she flew upwards the roar of the black dragon not too far behind as the cave ceiling broke. Aurora flew forward just as another crash was heard. Spike peered behind him to see the black dragon rushing towards them.
"HOLD ON!" the elder dragon commanded as the younger one clung to the spike as she spun around. Taking a deep breath the female throat light up before a blast of light shot out striking the shade dragon in the face. DurgUa did not seem happy as the light faded revealing a heavily burned face.
"You will pay for that UntryrUryte. You and the descendent of QuirinSurpMiir will pay!" he roared before taking a deep breath. "FusRoDah!"
"FeimZiiGron!" shouted Aurora just as a force hit them, Spike's eyes were closed when he realized they didn't get hit. "FoKrahDin! FiikLoSah!"
An icy breath hit the other dragon and the crystal dragon swerved to the left. The younger dragon noticed a clone flying towards the black one. 'He's going to notice.' thought Spike before looking down at the bag.
"Aurora I have a plan." the purple dragon said earning a grumble from the female. "I can send this bag to Princess Celestia! That way she can keep the books safe while we take him down!"
"Do it!" yelled the crystalline dragon and Spike used his breath to send the satchel away praying that the princess will get it to Twilight. "Do you have anyplace that we can go!"
"This way!" yelled a voice and the young dragon noticed a pegasus flying towards them.
"Sky?" Aurora sounded shocked as the pegasus glided towards them with a large herd of the pegasi behind him. "How?"
"Now is not the time!" responded the white stallion before turning to the others. "Rainbow Dash! You, Fluttershy, Flash Sentry and Thunderlane create a cloud barrier. Aurora do you think you can make a cyclone?"
"I have been asleep for one hundred years not a millenia." affirmed the crystal dragon before launching around as the pegasi gathered up the storm clouds.
"Pegasi get ready for a tornado!" ordered Sky as the ponies behind him got ready for the tornado as the four pegasi began herding the clouds in front of Aurora. A loud roar resounded as a black dragon's head flew through the clouds.
"VenGarNos!" the crystal dragon shouted causing the clouds around him to twist as a cyclone started. It grew bigger as DurgUa tried to fly his way out. The rest of the pegasi finished their tornado and launched it towards the black dragon.
"Let's go to Canterlot!" the white pegasus commanded looking at the others. "We have to warn Princess Celestia!"
"Agreed!" said the elder dragon before they began flying quickly towards the capital of Equestria. "I am guessing that you and Seed had something to do with this?"
"Only Seed." replied the white eyed pegasus as they flew towards the castle. "He was looking for a way for Spike to unlock his core. He didn't realize it would be with you! Was that..."
"Yes, the Dragon of Shadows, DurgUa." answered Aurora looking away as the pegasi landed in the grounds of Canterlot. "Is Princess Luna..."
"She is back." Sky told her causing the dragon to sigh in relief as the two princess exited the castle one with a satchel floating behind her. "Celestia, wanotreyxkaiv di wer kear vur Luna, we wanotreyxkaiv di wer thurkear, coi ui vin tiichi."
"Fekiikiri, UntryrUryte, coi ui bensvelk ekess ocuir wux tenamalo." greeted Celestia with a smile as Luna said. "Svabol tepohaic shinalta?"
"Si nishka visp wux svadrav yth re loaw." Aurora replied before looking at the pegasi. "I will be needing a place to stay. I can not impose on your castle again. I see you got my bag."
"I shall send this to Princess Twilight Sparkle so she can prepare a home for you under her castle." replied the white alicorn glancing over to her sister who nodded. "I believe you have something in common. A love for knowledge."
"Does she have a library?" Aurora asked in an excited tone her pale blue eyes widening. "Does she?"
"Yes she does and I want you there so you can teach young Spike the way of the ancient dragons." Celestia explained and the dragon bowed her head.
"It will be my honor Princess." said the crystal dragon before her face grew solemn. "We must talk, privately."
"Agreed." Luna told her sister before the three nodded. The Princess of the Day handed the bag to Spike before saying. "Rainbow Dash please bring Spike back to Ponyville I am sure he is famished."
"Of course Princess." replied the rainbow maned pegasus as the purple dragon climbed on her back and she took off with the pegasi from Ponyville following her. Fluttershy did not look very good.
"What was that?" the yellow pegasus shivered as she asked her friend.
"I don't know." the blue pegasus responded as she looked forward. "Spike?"
"All I know that he is something called a Shade dragon and that is name is DurgUa." Spike explained looking a bit sick. "And that he made a pact with King Sombra."
"That doesn't sound good." Fluttershy whispered as they made it to Ponyville. "What should we do?"
"Well hopefully Princess Twilight can figure out who else we can ally ourselves with." Thunderlane said before heading off. "I really hope we can get to bed."
"Not just yet Thunderlane." Sky's voice spoke out causing him to groan. "We still have a few more exercises left."
Spike smiled to himself before heading off to the castle the satchel around his waste. The baby dragon was swept up into a hug the moment he walked in through the doors.
"Spike, thank goodness you are alright!" Twilight exclaimed giving him a hug. "I was so worried! What happened?"
"Uh a spirit stole I book so I followed to get it back." explained the small dragon sheepishly patting his friend on the back. "Princess Celestia wants you to set up a cavern under the castle so this ancient dragon can stay there."
"Do I want to know?" the Princess of Friendship asked raising an eyebrow.
"I'll tell you later." sighed Spike feeling right at home again before yawning. "She wants to teach me everything about being a dragon."
"Get some sleep Spike, you can tell me in the morning." Twilight laughed softly. "Or I will be receiving a letter from the Princess soon."
The purple alicorn took Spike to their room and set him on the bed there. The princess sighed before she looked over at the owl who was staring at her.
"Well I have to make a home under my castle for a dragon." chuckled the violet eyed pony sighed before heading downstairs. "I mean honestly how is a dragon going to get under my castle!"
"Perhaps I can be of assistance Twilight? I mean Princess Twilight?" asked a very mischievous causing her to sigh. "Did I hear correctly that you are allowing a dragon to stay at the castle?"
"Yes. Princess Celestia requested it." Twilight told him as she headed to the ground floor. "Do you know if there is a basement to this place? Or perhaps can you make one?"
"Hmmm." Discord began to think before a satchel appeared in his hands. "Why this is hers! I haven't seen her in forever! She was always my favorite no matter what... I'll do it."
"I won't take... you will?" the Princess of Friendship was shocked at the answer of the Draconequus.
"Of course I will." huffed Discord before vanishing.
"What just happened?" Twilight asked to no one in particular before shaking her head. "I didn't even figure... wait there are seven thrones not six. Perhaps Spike is needed to sit with us!"
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Translations:
Celestia, wanotreyxkaiv di wer kear vur Luna, we wanotreyxkaiv di wer thurkear, coi ui vin tiichi. -Celestia, Princess of the Day and Luna, the Princess of the Night, it is an honor."
Fekiikiri, UntryrUryte, coi ui bensvelk ekess ocuir wux tenamalo. - "greetings, UntryrUryte, it is good to see you again."
Svabol tepohaic shinalta?- "What has happened?"
Si nishka visp wux svadrav yth re loaw.- "I shall tell you when we are alone."