A flame burden
So this is the first and only time this will be a thing and I mean the whole disclaimer ordeal. Anyways just to inform you from here on out Sonic and his pals will be wearing clothes from here on out. Just to clarify my fellow readers. Anyways read on.
It was a beautiful day out in Ponyville, and If we go to it's library, then we'll see Spike who's busy cleaning up the place. As he finished he sighed and swipes a beat of sweat from his head.
"Man it's been tough, but I want this place to look spotless for Twilight and Sonic when they get back." He then places his duster down and then stretches. "Ahh I think a well deserved break is in order." He says as he then walks into his room and grabs one of his comic book and goes to read it.
But as he was about to sit down he then starts to feel itchy all of a sudden. "Oh man, just when I thought I was gonna relax." He complained as he was starting to scratch it, but as he did he then noticed his hands were starting to shine. "What the… wait if my hands are shining wouldn't that mean…" He then went to the bathroom and looked to see his face was starting to shine as well.
"Whoa, wait this hasn't happened since… ouch..." He yelped as he felt the burn from his scales. "Oh man this really hurts… but why now?" He asked himself. "Maybe I should go talk to Ember… she is the leader and only the leaders can summon all the dragons." He said. He then left and was walking out the front door, but then as he turned to the view of the dragon's mountain he noticed no smoke coming from it. This made him curious but then he started to feel the burn grow more. It hurt him more strongly as he yelled himself in pain and starts to running around.
"AAAAAAAHHHH…" He yelled, "... AAAAAHH… IT HURTS… IT HURTS SO MUCH." Without finding any solution of the problem, Spike rushed toward the Carousel Boutique in a hope, that Rarity could help him.
Meanwhile in Carousel Boutique.
On the first floor near the dressing camera, Rarity, Knuckles and Silver were standing in waiting for AJ to come out and to show her new dress. Rarity was wearing her glasses, as she smiled herself proudly. Knuckles and Silver was wearing a tired looks on their faces as the changing time took a lot of time on their opinion. Silver then looked at his watch and grunted himself in annoyance as he looked at the changing chamber.
"How much time it should take more?" He asked in annoyance in his voice, prompting AJ to grunt in response behind the chamber's curtain, "Just a few moments, please. Okay?" She groaned. Rarity and Knux looked at Silver questioningly as the two were surprised by his words. Silver looked at them and raised his eyebrows questioningly, seeing their faces, "What?" He asked, "I just hate to wait." He then crossed his arms in the chest area and returned his gaze at the changing chamber's side. Rarity then sighed herself deeply and walked over to him. She wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"Darling." She spoke at him, her trademark lady tone in her voice, "Please be patient. The things like this always taking time. I thought you'd learn it after all this time.", Silver smirked at her as he wrapped an arm around her waist, "I did learn…" He said, "It's just… This waiting always drives me nuts.", Rarity nudged her eyebrows up and down and then she kissed him on the cheek. "I know Silvy, but still, be patient." She said tenderly, and Silver nodded at her, still smiling, "Alright." He said and the two returned their gazes at the changing chamber. At that very moment is when AJ had finally emerged from the changing room wearing what was suppose to be a farmer's outfit, though some parts of the outfit such as the ruby apples on the sleeves of the shirt were questioning. Rarity then stood up and smirked. "Well I must say it turned out better than expected." AJ however was thinking differently as she gave a questioning look. "Rarity not that I don't like it or anything, but… don't ya think it's a bit… much?" She said looking at the dress from different sides.
"Oh nonsense Applejack, I made this out of how you work out there, doesn't it look grand?" She asked her though AJ was looking unimpressed. "Grand is not really the word I'd be looking for here." AJ said. "Knuckles what do you think?" She asked as she turned to him. He blushed a little as he looked at her closely. As he was about to answer her, the door was knocking and Silver then goes to answer it, as he opens it he sees Spike glowing and scratching all over.
"S-Spike?" He said as Spike was quick to answer. "Silver, arrrgh Is Rarity home?" He asks to which Silver nods which makes Spike go in without second thought and then spots Rarity.
"Wait Spike what's happening to you?" He said wondering as he goes to Rarity. "R-Rarity please." He said as he then passes though she then realized what was happening with him. "Quickly everyone help me get him to my fainting couch." She ordered as Knuckles grabbed Spike and place him on her couch. Silver, Knuckles,and AJ were now looking at the glowing dragon with worry.
"What's happening to Spike?" AJ wonders as Knuckles and Silver wonder as well. Rarity then came in and she checked on Spike by putting her hand on his head she then places a wet cloth on his forehead. "He's burning up." She said. Spike then started to toss and turn and shouted in agony. Silver, Knuckles, and AJ were confused by all that is happening.
"What's happening to him?" Silver asked. "I've never seen this sort of thing happened before with Spike." Applejack said as she looked at Spike. "I have, it's similar to when me and Twilight had to go with him to the dragon's valley as he was summoned by the dragon lord to participate in an event." Rarity said pondering to herself.
"Maybe the dragon lord is summoning him again?" Knuckles asked though then they hear moaning and everyone sees that Spike has woken up from his faint.
"T-T-This feels really different from before, I don't remember burning up the last time this happened, though I don't know why it's like this." He said trying to get his words out bit by bit though stopped as he groans more as his scales start glowing more and he starts screaming as he couldn't bear the pain. Rarity touches his head again though then she takes it off from burn as she felt heat coming from it.
"Ow, he's burning up more than usual." She said as she then shakes her hand and tries to get rid of the feeling from her hand. Knuckles then looks at the scales and turns to Rarity. "Ok then. So the best thing for us is to head to wherever the dragon lord wants to meet and then hope he'll make it stop?" He asked. Rarity stood up. "Yes." She then turned to the volcano.
I just hope Ember isn't in trouble. She thought to herself. Though Knuckles then crossed his arms. "Ok, but now I have another question. How exactly do we get there? If I recall it's at least a two to three days of walk to the dragons volcano." He said. "He's right and I don't think Spike here can last that long with his scales flare hotter than Celestia's great sun" AJ said as she looked at Spike. This left the others in thought as they weren't sure what their next move was. That's when Silver had an idea go through his head as he turned to the others. "I think I know how we can make it there nice and fast." He said.
Meanwhile behind Fluttershy's tree was a small workshop where we spy our young fox inventor. He was wearing a usual mechanic's work clothing and black ankle boots as his face he has the annoyed look, probably displeased with something. In the meantime he committed for the next upgrade of his aircraft. He was trying to tighten a stubborn bolt that made things go much slower than he wanted.
"Oh come on you... no good excuse for a bolt." After some pull he was able to give it a good tightened as he huffed. "Whew. Man I hate when bolts get stubborn." He then looks over his blueprints for the new upgrade he was giving the tornado. "Ok, now all I need to do is wield this last metal sheet over the new engine and we are golden." He said as he reached for his welding torch, but as he does he can't seem to grasp it. He then turned to see his torch was gone which confused him, but then he heard something that made him jump a little. "Whatcha working on Tails?" Knuckles asked from behind. After jumping Tails turned to see Knuckles and Silver with Knuckles holding the torch. "Agh. Knuckles how many times have I asked you not to do that? Seriously man." He said as he snatches the torch from Knuckles. Knuckles then chuckled. "Oh come on Tails I was just having a little fun." He said. Tails though then flew up to the top of the plane and started to use the torch. "What do you two want anyhow?" He asked.
Silver then approached closer to him, and crossed his arms in the chest, "We need your plane for short travel to the Dragon volcano." He said, "Spike well, he got some problems with his scales.", Tails looked up at him with a puzzled look on his face, "What problems?" He asked. Silver sighed simply. "Come on we'll show ya." He said as he motioned Tails to follow. Tails placed his torch down and followed them back to Fluttershy's cottage. As they came in they threw his gaze at Rarity and AJ, who comforted Spike. He saw Spike's scales burns like a fire. His eyes then turned wide, as he jumped down from the plane and walked over to Spike. When he stopped next to AJ and Rarity, he looked at him with a questioning look on his face, and then he looked at Rarity.
"What's happening to him?" He asked, prompting Rarity to look into his eyes, "He's burning, Tails darling." She answered worryingly, "We need to get to volcano dragon fast. Only they can help him.", Tails then sighed and turned to his workshop thinking about his plane, which was still not ready for a flight.
"Rarity, I'd love to help, but the tornados upgrades are still not ready. If we try to fly right now, we may crash." Tails stated, before he took a look at Spike and met with his begging childish eyes. He then sighed and returned back to the plane, "I'll try to finish it as fast as I can." He said, as he was heading out the door, "But you still have to wait." He said as he shut the door, but that's when Silver turned to Knuckles and the two agreed. "We'll be back." Knuckles said as he turned to the girls and then they left through the door right as Fluttershy came down with some ice cold water. She then turned to her friends and gave a confused look. "Whats going on with them?" She asked. AJ and Rarity just shrugged
In the meantime Tails was grabbing his blow torch and was about to get started when Knuckles and Silver came in. "Hey Tails did you want any help?" Silver asked. Tails however just turned away. "Thanks guys but I can handle this myself." He said as he got to work, but Silver and Knuckles just smirked as they figured he would say that. As Tails was about to grab the metal sheet he noticed there was a light green aura holding it down for him. "Figured you would need a hand." He said jokingly. Tails then sighed and grabbed the metal sheet, "No, I don't. I am fine with my own hands." He said sarcastically, and resumed his work. Silver and Knuckles chuckled a little at his sarcasm and then just started to look around while Tails wrapped up the upgrades.
Outside the workshop, and near the cottage, Fluttershy placed a cold towel over Spike's head, as she was sitting next to him and holding a huge bowl of the ice water just in the case. She was looking at him with concern, as well as AJ and Rarity, "Poor Spike." Fluttershy said in her trademark intonation, Spike though just groaned a little while AJ paced around. "So to be clear Rarity. You sure you know your way around the place? I mean you, Twilight, and Pinkie Pie are the only ones who have seen this place" She said. Rarity turned to her. "Don't worry AJ darling I know where to go. I just hope Ember can help." She said as she looked at Spike. After the short moment, the girls heard the mechanical sound of the opening door. The three then made their eyes wide, and looked at the side of the workshop to see Silver, Knuckles and Tails pushing the plain outside. As they finished, Tails nodded to himself, and glanced at the girls.
"It's almost done." He said, "There's only one small thing have left.", He then returned back to the workshop. The girls and the boys was staring at him in question and with wide eyes, and then Silver and Knuckles reunited with Rarity and AJ, "Before you ask us, we'll answer you that we don't know what thing he was talking about." Silver said, as he embraced Rarity around her waist. The four then looked at Fluttershy to hear the answer, but the yellow pony girl just smiled at them awkwardly, and giggled.
"Well... " She spoke, "He's… um… He wants to check the plane on fire resistance."
Applejack looked at her with wide eyes, "How?" She asked in a surprise. But before Fluttershy answered, Tails walked out from the workshop, dressed in a fire resistant suit, and with a huge flamethrower in his arms. The four looked at him in shock.
"Tails?" Knuckles called him out. Tails looked at him with smirk, "Stock up on ice, pals." He spoke, "This is going to be really hot.", Silver reacted fast and created a psychokinetic shield around the six. Seeing this, Tails looked at his plane and prepared a flamethrower. "FIRE IN THE HOLE!" He shouted, before his flamethrower released flames. The flames surrounded the plane. After a few seconds he turned the flames and as he did the group could see that the plane was still in perçet condition. Tails smiled. "Yes it worked. Just like I thought it would." He said, before he smiled and looked back at his friends and GF, "The plane is ready." He said, "Now we can fly to the Dragon's Volcano."
Fluttershy gasped deeply hearing his words, and appeared a frightened look on her face, as she didn't really eager to let Tails to go there, "What?" She asked him with a fearful tone in her voice, "No!" She then flew over to him and landed next to him as she gave a worrying look, "No, no, no, nonononononononononononono… Miles, please don't do that. This place is very dangerous for those who are not dragons. I can not sit here and think about the fact that these dragons will hurt you."
Tails sighed over her reaction as he gave her a concerned look, "Fluttershy… You know this is my one chance to see some of Spike's kind. I can't just pass it up." He said as he smiled at her, "Besides, you don't have to stay here." He then took her hands gently, "Because we're going together." He said with a loving tone in his voice. Fluttershy, though looked at him with a dumbfound look on her face, obviously shocked by his words. But after a short moment, she shrieked and ran back to her house so fast, that no one was a time for reaction. She slammed the entrance door behind her, and locked it on seven locks to be sure that nobody will opens it.
Tails was looking at his girl's house with his eyes opened wide, as her reaction was so sudden, that caught him off the guard. But then he sighed himself in annoyance, and looked at AJ and Rarity. The girls' faces compared to Tails' and then they sighed deeply, and shook their heads.
"What did you expect, Tails?" Applejack asked, "Did you really believe, that Fluttershy will shout in joy, and jump into your plane after hearing about travel to a place filled with dragons?", Tails shook his head in response, "Of course not." He said simply, "It just caught me off the guard."
Rarity then sighed herself as well, and headed to Fluttershy's house, "Don't worry, Tails darling. I'll take her." She said with a tired tone in her voice, but on the half of her way, Tails stood in front of her, and stopped her, "Rarity, don't trouble yourself, please." He said calmly, "I'll take care of her. You guys wait here.", He then turned away from them and headed to the entrance door, leaving their friends outside. Rarity then sighed herself, before she turned to the others and headed to them. As she reunited with the others, she stood next to AJ, and spoke, "I have a feeling that it will take some time." She said with a tired tone. Spike then groaned in annoyance, as he dipped the towel into water and placed it back on his head, "Aw… man…" He moaned. Silver sighed, hearing his groans, and then he sat next to him, and pulled out a game cards.
"I know how we can kill time. Take a seat, guys." He said as he shuffled the cards.
In the meantime, Tails unlocked all the door locks, and opened the door. He entered the house with somehow tired look on his face and ran his eyes over the living room, "Fluttershy." He called his GF out, as his voice sounded neutral, "Fluttershy, stop playing hide and seek.", Glancing at the floor the fox-guy spotted her feathers on the floor, that formed the trace that led from the entrance door to the bathroom door. He then lifted up his eyebrow and headed to the bathroom, as he knew that she was there. As he reached the bathroom door, and stopped in front of it. He then knocked the door.
"Fluttershy." He called her out.
"Miles…" He heard her frightened voice, "I… I… I remembered that I need to… to do one thing… Go without me, I'll wait for you here.", Tails then frowned as he knew that she's just trying to tell off, "Fluttershy, come out." He said as he sounded calm, but somehow annoyed.
"No, I'm still not ready." Fluttershy said behind the door. Tails sighed deeply as he rolled his eyes to the ceiling. Glancing back at the door he smiled himself disapprovingly and spoke with her again, "Fluttershy, either you come out, or I'm coming in." He said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice, "Miles, no…" Fluttershy's nervous voice answered, "I'm… well… I'm naked…", Tails decided that he's done with these games. He then grabbed the door handle and tried to open the door, but it's still locked. Luckily for him, he had a key. He then inserted the key and twisted it to open the door. Opening the bathroom, Tails went inside and spotted his girl standing in the bathtub, by covering herself behind the shower curtain, and looking straight into his eyes with a frightened look on her face and massive blush on her face. Tails was only about to crossing his arms in the chest area, and chuckling himself kindly, by finding her behavior cute.
"Flutters." He spoke sarcastically, "Come out, please.", Fluttershy didn't answer and only shook her head as if saying "Nonononono…", and then Tails walked over to her and threw off the curtain. Of course Fluttershy did wearing her usual cloth, but after he did it, she shrieked in fake embarrassment, and covered herself with her hands. Tails was only about to roll his eyes to the ceiling again, but when he looked at her, he just gave her this "Stop this nonsense." look. Fluttershy then sighed herself deeply, and then she sat down on the bathtub edge and lowered her head, as he eyes closed. Tails sat beside her and took her hand gently, as he was still smiling kindly at her direction. Fluttershy felt this and opened her eyes as she threw her gaze into his ocean-blue eyes with her face still sad.
"I have no chance to get out of doing this, right?" She asked with a quiet tone in her voice, prompting Tails to smirk, "Nope." He answered, "I can always catch up with you and the others.", Fluttershy then closed her eyes again, and squeezed her BF's hand gently.
"I don't want to go Miles, I'm just scared of dragons." She says which makes Tails confused about this, "You scared of dragons? But what about Spike? He's one?" He asked to her, "And what about this dragon you took a control over, when he hurt the girls?"
"I mean like big giant dragons, they just scare me so much, and at that time I just did that because I gathered all of my courage together… *sigh*... But it was enough only for one time." Fluttershy clarified her answer, and then she opened her eyes again, and looked at him, "But this dragon was just an animal dragon, and not the smart ones. I remember how Spike when there a few years ago and explained that the dragons their could talk and walk on two feet. I'm afraid that my trick isn't going to work with them." She then moved closer to him and rested her head in his shoulder, "I'm afraid, that I'll be defenseless in front of them.", Tails smiled at her kindly and wrapped an arm around her waist as he brought her closer. He then brushed her hair, "Look. If what Rarity told about Spike's friend being the head among these dragons was true, then you have nothing to worry about." He suggested, "This friend of his may tell the other drags to back off."
Fluttershy sighed simply, and looked into his eyes again, "Still. I'm can't feel myself in safe among of these fire-breathers." She said quietly, what prompted Tails to chuckle kindly. As he tightened his grip around her shoulders, he decided to open one little present for her, "You mentioned fire, and…" He then scratched the back of his head, "I did work on some sort of fire proof armor, I made for you just in the case." He then shrugged, "Maybe if you take this armor with you, you may feel more comfortable among the fire breathing creatures." He said as he sounded calmed and balanced. His words prompted Fluttershy to open her eyes wide in question, as she found herself puzzled by his words.
30 minutes later.
We see in the sky, the Tornado was flying through the clouds Tails was piloting it as Spike was in the backseat still having a towel on his head, while Fluttershy was there also wearing the armor that Tails gave her for protection. Applejack was sitting on one side of the wings and Knuckles were standing on the other side. While Silver was flying near them with Rarity on his back. As they were flying Fluttershy sighed to herself. "How is it I always somehow find my way into these sorts of problems?" She thought to herself.
Tails then turned to Knuckles and AJ on the wings. "You ok with being on the wings?" He asked. "Sorry that you can't sit but I can only have up to three here on the Tornado." Knuckles though was just laid back and acted like nothing was happening. "Don't worry about us Tails. We can handle this." He said. AJ however was just crossing her arms as she looked forward. She wasn't exactly to thrilled to go to the home of dragons. Especially after what happened recently with the spider dragon occurring. She closed her eyes and reflected on it Tails turned to her. "Hey AJ?" He asked. Applejack wasn't listening. Fluttershy then spoke up. "Applejack are you ok?" No response. Knuckles noticing they wanted her attention decided to get AJ's. "EARTH TO AJ!" He exclaimed. AJ finally snapped out of her trance and turned to Knux. He though eye motioned for her to turn her attention to Fluttershy and Tails. Tails then spoke. "Are you alright?" He asked her. AJ turned away for a bit. She didn't want to worry them so she just told a sorta truth. "Yea I'm just… not a fan of going to the dragons home right now." She said as she gave a fake smile.
Silver looked at the dragon's mountain and then turned to Rarity. "So are you excited to come back here?" He asked her. Rarity just sighed and looked at him. "Not entirely, Silvy. However it will be nice to see Ember again." She said to him. After a few minutes of them flying through the air they spot the volcano, though they land in the forest which was nearing the volcano. "Alright guys I parked the plane here to make sure we aren't spotted by the locals, also that I don't think jewels and lava would make for a good landing spot." He said sarcastically, which made everyone chuckle. He then goes to Spike to check his condition.
"Are you hanging in there Spike?" Tails asked as he nods. "Yeah I'm doing fine. Scales still burning, but otherwise I feel perfect." He said to Tails as he hopped out. AJ and Knuckles hopped off the wings of the plane while Tails helped Fluttershy out. Silver and Rarity landed near them as he set her down on the ground, "Last stop." He said as she got on her feet. The gang then met up and started walking towards the base of the volcano. Spike then spoke. "Ok pre-warning to you guys. There are usually big dragons watching the top of the volcano. Mostly the teenager ones hang inside it." He said. Knuckles then spoke. "So basically guard Dragons protecting their young?" He asked. Though Spike gave a look. "Well… you can look at that." He said. Rarity thought crossed her arms. "I'm hoping we don't run into that teenager Dragon again. The last few times we did he was a real hooligan that's for sure." She said.
This interested Applejack. "Who are you talking about their Rarity?" She asked. Spike sighed. "When I first set foot here I met some teenager dragons. At the time I was trying to learn what it's like to be a real dragon. I proved myself and thought I was really like them, but when they wanted to feast off some Phoenix hatchlings I went against it. I wasn't going to let those dragons hurt them. Thankfully not only was I able to protect one but the parents backed me up." He said as he looked forward. "The thing was they accidently left one hatchling behind. So I decided to raise him as my own." He said. Fluttershy spoke. "So that explains how you got that little phoenix back at ponyville." Spike nodded and then sighed in disappointment.
"I still couldn't believe that I thought of being one of those lousy jerks. It makes me upset I was wanting to stay with them." He said, but Knuckles placed a hand on his shoulder real quick to get his attention then took it off before his hand burned. "Well yeah sure that did happen, but hey you did the right thing right? You stopped them from hurting those hatchlings, you stood up to them, and even took in that young phoenix. If it's any consolation. You are far from being them." He said as he held his hands behind his head, had his eyes closed, and kept walking forward. Spike smiled. "Thanks Knuckles." He said. The group then made their approach to the top of the mountain. However once they reached the top the site was something that would make someone shake in their boots. Most of the dragons in the whole valley looked like they were knocked unconscious and some even looked dead and those were mostly the big dragons. The gang looked at this with wide eyes.
"Whoa nelly!" AJ muttered under her breath. Fluttershy gasped deeply, and cringed slightly, as her eyes formed a scared look, "Oh… my…" She muttered as she shivered slightly. Seeing her reaction, Tails wrapped an arm around her waist and help her closer, "Easy there, Fluttershy." He said quietly, "There's no reason to panic… *sigh*... at least for now." He then pulled out his arm cannon, and looked at the others, "Let's go around this place on the perimeter." He suggested. AJ, and Knux nodded at him, and then they formed their own group, and headed to the right side.
Spike then gasped seeing this picture, and then he was ready to run wight into the crater there, but soon his feet stopped feeling the ground, and his eyes went wide. Looking down, he noticed that he surrounded by a bright blue psychokinetic aura and of course he noticed that he's floating in the air. He then threw his eyes at Silver, and noticed the white hedgehog frowning at him as a stern father frowning at his son. Silver slowly shook his head from side to side with his arms crosse in the chest area.
"Hold still, Spike." He said with a slightly demanding manner, prompting Spike to frown at him, "Why?" He moaned in displeasure, "Did you see them? They need our help. We need to hurry.", though, Silver's frown only deepened as he bared his teeth, what prompted Spike to grin nervously, "Exactly. But you probably notice that these dragons aren't exactly doing so hot." He said still being stern, "And what if the one who attacked them is still here, and he might attack you as soon as you got close?" He then returned Spike down on the ground, "Stay close to us, and don't do anything stupid." He ordered. Spike then sighed and nodded at him, "Okay." He said quietly, and headed to the left side. Silver then sighed himself deeply, and looked over to Rarity, who was looking at him with a smile on her face, "Kids…" Was the only word he managed to say. Rarity chuckled at him slightly, before the two followed Spike. Tails then turned to Fluttershy, AJ, and Knuckles. "Ok me and Fluttershy are gonna look around the top here. Knuckles why don't you and AJ head down as well and see if you can find anything that might have caused this." Knuckles and AJ nodded as they slid down the mountain while Tails and Fluttershy started to walk around the crater
After about thirty minutes, Tails and Fluttershy had found at least a few of the big dragons around the crater. As they looked Tails was interested in how the dragons were looking. They were all barely breathing and looked super weak one looked worse than the last one. Fluttershy looked concern. "What could've done this?" She asked as she looked around. "I'm not sure" Tails said. Fluttershy looked at one of the dragons who looked very sick. Even though she was afraid she placed a hand on its head and felt how cold the dragon's scales were. "Oh my… This one feels so cold." She said. Tails was confused as he took his glove off and placed a hand on the dragon and felt the same thing she did. He then got out his Transmitter and used a thermal scanner to check the dragon. What he saw next both confused and shocked him. Fluttershy took note of this. "What's wrong Miles?" She asked him. "Look at this." He said as he showed the screen. The screen showed the dragon in blue and green but the chest part was purple which is what Tails was pointing at. "That right there is what gives the dragons the unique ability to breath fire and what mostly keeps them warm, but this dragon…. It's like the fire was sucked right out of him." He said. Fluttershy was shocked. "The questions are thought." Tails said. "Who or what did this and why would-" He then stopped as he had a realization. "What? Miles what's wrong?" Fluttershy asked. Tails the grabbed her. "Come on we need to find Spike." He said.
Down in the crater AJ and Knuckles were investigating the big fire-breathing creatures. Though, they didn't feel themselves comfortable, as AJ have a concerned look on her face, and was trying to stay as close to Knuckles as she only could. She was doing it in purpose to prevent any attack to his side. Because of their memorable walking on the mountain and meeting with Spider Dragon, she was on alert every time when she saw the dragons. As for Knuckles, it was impossible to see on his face, if he was nervous, or not, because his face wore only one single emotion. Frown. This concentrating frown, which signaled about Knuckles' 'Hercule Poirot' working mode.
Just as the two reached closer to another dragon, the creature let out a weary groan, what prompted AJ to gasp in fear and glaring deeply. She then jumped in front of Knuckles, and took a fighting stance. Knux looked at hs girl with a questioning look on his face, and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"AJ?" He called her out with a questioning tone in his voice, but when Applejack turned to him, he spotted her mournful face, she had back there, when she thought that she lost him. He then sighed himself deeply, and took her in his arms, "Come here." He said softly. AJ cuddled to him tightly, and wrapped her arms around his neck, not wanting to let him go. Knuckles knew why she was concerned, as he remembered it very well, but if he actually managed to let it go, she was still nervous every time when it comes to the dragons.
"Hey, baby." Knuckles spoke with he softly, when he opened his eyes and looked at her face, "It's not like these dragons are actually danger. Don't worry.", Applejack then opened her eyes and looked into his eyes to see how he was smirking at her. She couldn't help, but smiled back and giggled, before she moved closer to his face and gave him one quick peck onto his lips. She then rested her head on his shoulder, and moaned herself deeply, "Oh, Knuxie." She moaned softly, and opened her eyes. She then made them wide as her eyes spotted some footprints on the ground near the lava pool. She then pointed her index finger at this.
"Knuxie, look!" She said. Knuckles looked at where she was pointing. He lifted up his eyebrow in question, "Da fuq?" He muttered, before he place AJ back on the ground and the two headed there. Just as they walked over to it, Knuckles hunched down over the footprints and frowned deeply. AJ leaned her hands on her knees as she bent her back over and and frowned as well, with her eyes fixed on the shoeprints. And not just footprints, but more likely shoeprints. The two then looked up and their eyes ran over every single dragon's feet to see if any of them wearing shoes. But they couldn't find it, so when their eyes have met again, Knuckles announced the only logical concision.
"Whoever made these tracks, he's definitely not a dragon, that's for sure." Knuckles said with his seriousness, but at the same time, being Mr Obvious. That's was enough to AJ's eyes narrowed in annoyance as she smacked him on the head lightly.
"Ouch!" Knuckles moaned as he cringed in pain, and then he glanced at her back with a glare, "What did you do that for?", he asked growling, but Applejack was only about to roll her eyes. "Nothing partner." She said. She then noticed a trail of these prints and pointed at it. "Come on let's follow them and see if it will help figure out what attacked them." Knuckles nodded in agreement.
With Silver, Spike, and Rarity. Spike was speeding ahead with Silver and Rarity behind. "Spike would you wait up?" Silver asked. Spike though turned to him giving him a grumpy look. "Spiky-Wiky you really must stop runnin off like that." Rarity said as they stopped. Spike then sighed. "Ok Rarity that name was okay when I was ten. But I'm 15 years old for one. Secondly some is attacking my kind and I feel responsible for not being here to help." He said as he turned forward. Silver and Rarity understood, but then Rarity gave a smirk. "Are you sure it as well has nothing to do with seeing Ember?" She asked him. Spike then went wide eyed and blushed, but closed his eyes and gave a serious look as he had his back facing them. "No that at all has nothing to do with this." He said trying to deny it. Rarity's smirk grew as she giggled. "Oh yes it does Spike." She said. Spike growled a little and kept walking. Silver however was a little dumbfounded. Rarity then turned and whispered to him. "Spike developed a crush on Ember after they meet. He denies it but we know it''s true." She said. Silver now in the light about the situation nodded letting Rarity know he got what she was saying. The three then approached a lava pool which was the one where Spike and those other dragons had that jumping contest. "Hmm... " Spike said.
"What's wrong Spike?" Rarity asked. Spike sighed and moved away from the pool. "Nothing just some memories." He said. Rarity then walked over to him while Silver approached the pool of hot magma. He then gave it a good throu look, but as he did it started to bubble. "Hey Spike" he said, but Spike was too busy lost in thought while Rarity talked to him. Silver then decided to levitate a little closer to the bubbling, but as he did that's when something popped out. It wasn't a dragon but a worm like creature made of pure lava. It then screeched at Silver while Rarity and Spike turned to see it. It then turned and blasted two fireballs at them, but Silver was able to stop and send them back at the creature. "Get Rarity somewhere safe!" He exclaimed. "No Silvy I can help!" Rarity argued. However Silver was not in the mood to argue and looked at Spike with a death glare. Spike gulped deeply and nodded as he grabbed Rarity and took cover. Silver then turned to the creature as it hurled fire at him, but he was able to dodged it. That's when he jumped and levitated himself and a boulder, but as the creature launched one big fire Silver swung the rock and it caught the fire with it. This caused the flame to surround the rock as he then sent it flying back. It then smashed and crushed the worm severing its head from its body. As soon as the thread have gone, Silver landed back on the ground, and ran over to Rarity and Spike. Just as he ran over to the two, he looked at them. "Are you two alright?" He asked. "Yes Silvy." Rarity said. "Yea I'm cool" Spike said. Silver nodded.
"Guys are you alright?" Applejack's worried voice sounded behind them. Turning their eyes to the where they friends were running to help them friends, the three noticed now. "What happened? We turned to see some kind of huge flame rock in the air." Tails asked them as they ran over to the three. As Spike and Rarity explained Silver took a look at the head of the creature. As he did this brought him back to a time back when he was 14. He was running through the smashed city. As he was flames arose from parts or rubble and debris. That's when two of the same creatures popped out and attack Silver with Fireballs. Silver then gave a stern look as he flung two psycho waves at them. The flash back then ends as Rarity shakes his shoulder to get his attention.
Silver's mind returned to reality as he felt some shakes on his left side, and he then arched his eyebrows and looked at the one who shook him. Of course it was Rarity, who was simply trying to get him back to them, and was looking at him with a worrying look on her face.
"Are you alright, darling?" She asked him tenderly, prompting Silver to smile at her in response, "Yes. I am perfectly fine." He answered, as he took her by the hand. Rarity, though looked at him suspiciously as if she felt that he doesn't saying the whole truth to her, but then she just smiled at him and nodded, as she decided to shrug it off. Soon after Rarity turned away from Silver, the hedgehog's smile vanished and gave a way to frown, as he crossed his arms in the chest area and lowered his eyes. He fixed his golden eyes on the ground, by diving himself deep into his mind. He began to debate himself, and at the same time to swearing himself because the thing he told to Rarity was a lie indeed. It was the first time he had to lie to the girl who he loved, and he hated himself for that.
Tails, in the meantime, finished to listen Spike's explanation, and found himself puzzled, "The lava worm, you said?" He asked the dragon-kid with a questioning tone in his voice, and then he looked at Knuckles. His echidna-pal answered him the same puzzled look on his face. Perhaps they two just didn't believe in what they just heard. Tails then decided to shrug it off, and frowned himself deeply, as he charged his arm cannon and looked at the girls and Spike, by becoming very worried.
"Guys, stay close to us, and do not come far." He said with his voice sounded calmed and balanced, but still somehow worried and troubled, before he wrapped his arm around Fluttershy and help her closer. Though, she was still wearing this armor, that covered her body top to toe, and even her hair, tail, and wings were hidden, but for some reason Tails panicked somehow, and decided that this won't be enough, "Fluttershy." He said by giving her a worried look. The pony girl, though, understand what her BF means, and nodded to him confidently, "Yes, Miles. I know what you mean." She said softly, by trying to calm him down, and took his arm tightly.
Applejack and Rarity wanted to argue with him, and the farm pony frowned herself deeply, by crossing her arms in the chest, "Miles, can you please explain of what is going on?" She asked him, but then she felt Knuckles took her by the hand and turned her eyes at him, "We'll explain it later AJ." He said calmly, "Just let's stick together.", AJ didn't want to argue with him, and then she nodded simply. Rarity and Spike knew that this is the right decision, and nodded as well, before the three looked at Silver. Though, the girls and Spike became surprised when they saw him staring down for some unknown reason. His face was still somehow angry and concerned at the same time. Making a deep sigh, Silver raised his eyes and threw one gaze at his friends. Though, as he looked at them, he saw how they staring at them questioningly. He widened his eyes seeing their looks, as he didn't know what happened.
"What?" He asked. Tails then sighed deeply, and looked at him with narrowed eyes, "Man. Can you stop flying to your dreamland, and concentrate yourself on what is happening right now?" He asked him with a strong hint of sarcasm in his voice. This words was enough to Silver's eyes narrowed as well, and for Spike chuckled mockingly over Silver. The guys chuckled over Silver as well. Well, everyone beside Rarity, who just smiled at him gently, and sighed herself deeply, as she knew that Silver will always be Silver. Just as they finished their chuckle, they moved their way for further investigation. Silver and Spike was walking behind, and of course, the dragon-kid still chuckled over Silver's dreamland travels, and thus he annoyed him. Just as Spike finished his chuckles, he looked up at Silver and grinned at him mockingly.
"You dreamy-hedgehog." He attempted to tease Silver, what caused a glare on the Mobian's face. Next Silver gave a good slap on the back of Spike's head. Spike yanked and cringed in pain and grabs the place where he got the hit. He then rubbed it and looked up at Silver. Seeing the hedgehog's stern look, the dragon-kid smiled at him innocently, "Sorry." He said nervously, what prompted Silver to roll his eyes up and made a deep sigh. After that though Spike then looked at the hedgehog with a smile, but then noticed something behind him. He then got around Silver and looked at the ground while AJ was confused. "Whats up Spike?" She asked. Spike looked down to find some footprints, but these weren't like the shoe prints that AJ and Knux found. These ones looked like bare feet prints, but these ones were a lot like Spike's. He then spoke. "Applejack do you think these are dragon tracks?" He asked.. AJ gave a good inspection of the tracks. She then turned to him. "I need to see yours real quick." She said. Spike looked at her with a look, but then took his shoe off to reveal his foot. He then left a print in the ground for AJ to compare.
She then nodded. "Yep these are dragon tracks if I ever saw one." He then went wide eyed as he quickly put his shoe on and ran off to try and find the dragon that made that print. "SPIKE... WAIT… DON'T... JUST... EEEEERRRRGGGGHHHH!" Silver exclaimed as he growled. He and the others then took off after Spike. The group followed the trail for a while until they came up upon a few caves and two huge pools of lava. The trail had ended somewhere near the caves to which Spike was a little upset to come to a dead end. That's when the others caught up except Silver was not happy however when he saw Spike. "SPIKE WHAT THE HELL! You can't just run off like that!" Silver said snarling at Spike. Spike sighed rolling his eyes. "Look I'm sorry alright. I just thought we had a lead was all." He said. Knuckles the approached him and placed a shoulder on him. "Look Spike I get your concerned, but Silver has a point we can just rush in head first into things. We need a plan." He said to Spike. Spike sighed and nodded. "Yeah you guys are right." He said. "I.. I just was hoping to find any dragons who aren't like them" He said as he looked at the other dragons. The others were in a thought, but then they heard some screeching and out of nowhere two fireballs flew at them. The fireballs crashed down and created some smoke.
As the smoke cleared they could see in the sky flying were two bats made of pure flames. As the bats screeched Silver then was taken through another flashback back to the city. As he was seen running across the rooftops and using his psychic powers to get from one to the next two bat creatures appeared in front of him. He then levitated two nearby metal boxes and launched them at the bats. One hit its mark the other missed as the bat was coming at Silver. However just as it was it was hit by a good kick to its face as it went flying down to the ground unable to control its flight. That's when the person who kicked the bat landed. It was revealed to be a mobian cat with her hair tied like a ponytail and wearing a purple dress and white athletic pants. She then turned to Silver.
"Sigh always having to bail you out huh Silver?" She asked. The flashback then started to end as Silver heard his name from Rarity. As soon as he got out of the trance a fireball came right at him. He then was able to create a shield, but it was too weak as it collided, shattering the shield, and blowing him back. He was able to land on his feet as he gripped the ground as well with his hands. Knuckles then turned to him. "You better keep your head in the game Silver or else your gonna be fired hedgehog!" He exclaimed. Silver nodded as he turned his attention to the bats. They swooped down and tried to use its claws on Tails, but Tails was able to get out of the way and pulled out his arm cannon and started blasting the thing, but the bat was maneuvering past his electric orbs. Knuckles then punched the ground to make a large rock pop out. Silver then used his powers to pick it up and launch it at the bat, but it dodged out of the way and came back in. Rarity wanted to get in to help, but AJ held her shoulder and shook her head.
"They can handle this Rarity. We just need to stay out of the way." She said. Rarity sighed, but nodded. As the girls and Spike were watching Spike noticed it was only one bat and had a thought. "Wait… wasn't there two?" He thought. That's when the second bat who hid was looking and spotted the four and then came out of its hiding spot and then dove right at them. However as it was about to start blasting them; out of nowhere a tail came and whipped the thing where it crashed into the ground a few inches away from the four. They turned and noticed, but that's when who did that came and landed while dust was in the air. Spike got in front of the girls willing to protect them. However the silhouette then smirked. "Heh been awhile since I last saw ya Spike." Spike was confused by this until the creature popped out to reveal a dragon with blue scales, white horns on the sides of her head, and bluefin like spikes going from her head down to her tail. Spike and Rarity recognized it as Spike then ran and just hugged her without thinking. "Ember you're ok!" He exclaimed. Ember though wasn't much on hugs, but just this once did she hug back. After that Spike released her while Ember gave a smirk that gave a little resemblance to Sally's smirk. "And why would I not be? You know I can handle myself Spike." She said. As the two were talking the bat was giving the guys some problems. Tails then turned to Knuckles. "Hey Knux!" Tails called out to him. Knuckles turned to him. "Do you still remember that tornado move of ours?" He asked. Knuckles gave it a thought and recalled their little combo move and nodded. Tails then smirked. "I think now is the time to bust it out. Silver can you keep it busy?" He asked turning to Silver. Silver nodded and then got the bats attention to distract it.
Tails then grabbed Knuckles hand as they took to the air. As the bat kept firing at Silver he dodged left and right. Tails and Knuckles then hovered above them and then Tails started to spin holding on to Knuckles. The two for a short moment were spinning so fast they were like a top. Tails then at the last second released Knuckles as he dove right at the bat and nailed in the back with a good punch as they smashed into the ground. Knuckles then hopped out real quick while the bat gave a last screech and the perished. Knuckles and Tails gave a fist bump very pleased with the results. The group then approached the three guys as AJ tipped her hat. "Have to say that was a pretty good move you did there partner." She said. Knuckles and Tails smiled. "Yeah that's just an old move we picked up a while back." Knuckles said as he put his hands behind his head. As they were talking though the bat to which Ember hit crawled out and then had its eyes dead set on Ember. Its eyes had eyes of fire as it launched a fireball at her. Spike turned and noticed as he then went wide eyed. "Ember! Watch Out!" He exclaimed as he pushed Ember out of the way and took the hit. He was then flung as he fell in one of the nearby lava pools.
"SPIKE!" Silver shouted as he ran for the lava while Tails got his arm cannon out and blasted the bat to which it exploded in tiny fire spects. Silver looked around for any signs of Spike a little worried for him. He then sees some bubbles and readies himself for whatever was coming up until he sees it's just Spike popping his head out. Silver then sighed while Spike smirked. "Who do you think was about to pop out?" He asked.
"A giant fire worm." Silver said teasing him. Knuckles then came up and held a hand out for Spike, but Spike just looked at him. "I don't think that's a great idea. My hands are basically broiling hot." He said. Knuckles though chuckled. "Oh please after touching your scales when they burned to nearly temperatures of the sun. I can handle a little hot lava temps." He said. Tails however was a little interested in Spikes situation. "How is it your in lava but not burning? I thought dragons were only fire proof and lava is 10 times hotter than fire." He said. Spike though swan a bit and started to crawl out. "Well maybe in your world Tails, but here dragons are also lava proof." He said as he crawled out, but that's when the guys went a little wide eyed. Spike turned to see them and was confused. "What?" He asked as the girls approached they to went wide eyed. Fluttershy though eep'd and turned her head away, AJ just blushed as she put her hat over her eyes as she spoke. "Oh sweet Celestia." She said under her breath, Rarity just put a hand over her mouth, blushed, and giggled. Silver, Tails, and Knuckles facepalmed at what they saw, "Oh dear…" They groaned in unison. Spike was very confused until Ember spoke up. "You maybe lava proof, but your clothing isn't." When she said that. Spike looked down and immediately noticed his outfit was burned off. He then freaked a bit considering who was around him and wanted to cover it up, but Ember just stopped him. "Oh come on don't be a wuss Spike. It's fine around here so it ain't really a worry." She said, but Spike just sighed and only spoke loud enough for Ember to hear. "This is so embarrassing" He said as he blushed while Ember giggled.
After a bit of calming down Rarity turned to Ember. "Ember darling while it's always a pleasure to see you again. I must ask what happened to the dragons?" She asked. Ember sighed for a bit and then started to explain the situation. "Well let me start at the beginning. You see after Spike helped me secure my position as leader I've been trying to *teach* the dragon's about how strong the ponies really were and to convince them to cease threatening. Keyword in there *trying*, but then two days ago this strange being entered our domain. It wasn't pony, but I did hear about the mobians before this so I had a feeling it was a mobian. To be honest he looked a lot like him." She said as she pointed at Silver. The others were confused by her words. "He then started talking for a bit. Said stuff about fire and how fire is like the reincarnation of this world. When something burns a new one arises from the ashes like a tree. He then spoke of how the fire burned bright inside of our kind but it burned brighter in me. He was reaching his hands out, but one of my guard dragons grabbed him, but as he did... The horror happened."
She then closed her eyes and winced as she was not wanting to see what happened again. "He grabbed my guard by the throat and held his hand out and like that it was like he was sucking out the inner fire inside him. I still remember watching the guard struggle trying to break free. After that he tossed him down and turned to me and my other guard and only said one more word." She said. Everyone was completely shocked by what she was saying, but then Silver spoke up. "This word… what was it?" He asked. Ember then turned to them with her eyes open but looking down. "Burn."
To Be Continued