Chapter 25: Father Knows Beast

On a clear sunny day, Spike was out flying while Chase and Twilight were helping him out as they were on the ground. Spike passes through some poles that Chase had brought out to help the baby dragon and does it perfectly.

"Woo-hoo-hoo!" Twilight cheered excitedly.

"Yeah!" Chase cheered on as well with his wife, but Spike got a little distracted and almost lost flight before he managed to recompose himself.

In just a short time, Spike came down for a landing.

"Ta-da!" Spike exclaimed happily as Chase and Twilight clapped for the baby dragon, who bowed to the royal couple.

"Way to go, Spike!" Chase said with a smile. "You're getting pretty good getting the hang of your wings like that."

"Thanks, Chase!" Spike said as he and Chase shared a fist bump with each other.

"Okay, Spike. Now let's try a flip." Twilight said as she gestured to the sky, her wings, and a slight swirl of her hoof. " Remember - 2 flaps, then straight up!"

"Got it!" Spike said after he flapped his wings while staying on the ground.

Soon Spike flies up and then tries it, but ends up falling as he hits the water of the pond before he soon comes up with a gasp for breath. He looks back towards Twilight and Chase with an embarrassed look as the alicorn couple looked back at him with concern.

"Hmmm." Chase hummed as Twilight placed a hoof under her chin to figure out a better way for Spike to get the hang of his wings.

(Scene changes)

Later, Spike was still flying as he glanced at Twilight Chase while waving to them. They wave back to him, but Spike then hits a tree without paying attention and then fell into the bush below.

"Ooh!" Chase said as he and Twilight winced at the sight.

(Scene changes)

Later, Spike was flying backwards and ended up in the castle with a loud crash. He came out with the curtain over him and as he flew to the poles, the curtain got caught. Spike was flung back and hit the ground while Chase and Twilight winced at the sight again.

"You're doing great, Spike." Twilight said with an encouraging look. "Now let's see the big finish!"

"And this time you'll do great, little buddy." Chase said with the same expression with a smile.

Spike soon got up, and sighs. He takes off again and flies past the castle. He tried a flip, but after that he suddenly lost balance with a scream as he fell down into a crash landing and skids across the ground. Almost like how Twilight was in her early days of flying. Chase and Twilight winced again at the sudden impact before they quickly rushed over to him.

Spike climbs out with some dirt on him and a small flower. He was feeling miserable from all of the flying Chase and Twilight were giving him, even if he knew they were trying to help him.

"I don't know about "big", but I am definitely finished." Spike said with a glum look.

"You know, Spike. Maybe we should try to go back on the easy part before you move up to the next level of flying." Chase said as Spike turned to him.

"No way, I'm not doing this ever again for as long as I live." Spike said with a stubborn look.

"Maybe I should get Rainbow Dash." Twilight suggested. "She's the one who taught me advanced flying techniques."

"Yeah, and maybe she can help you learn to control your speed and agility too." Chase added.

"No, thanks, Chase." Spike said while cleaning himself and throwing the flower away. "If I'm gonna mess up, I'd rather do it in front of you and your wife. I just don't understand why none of your advice is helping."

"Because they're teaching you to fly like a pony instead of a dragon." Smolder suddenly spoke and leaned against a tree as the three turned to her.

"What's the difference?" Spike asked with a confused look.

"Well, we don't have feathers, for starters." Smolder said as she came over and held up Spike's right wing.

Realizing this, Twilight and Chase glanced at their own respective left wings as they realized Smolder was right.

"She's right." Chase said with a realization. "The difference between a dragon wing and a pony wing is that pony wings are similar to that of Birds. And made of feathers allowing them to fly. A dragon wing is more of a hand like limb with thin, but strong rods connected with a thin membrane of skin allowing them to fly."

"Exactly, Chase." Smolder said with an impressive smile, seeing how well Chase has studied dragons long before Twilight did.

"Then you should help Spike out, Smolder." Chase requested as Smolder nodded in reply that she will help the baby dragon to fly.

(Scene changes)

Later, Smolder was giving Spike some real dragon flight and was getting the hang of it.

"Yehehes!" Spike cheered happily as he did a backflip, performing one of getting his tan on, before he and Smolder flew around the castle two times.

Soon, they come down and Spike fist bumps Twilight along with Chase.

"Wow!" Spike said. "Thank you so much! How did you know I just needed to bend my wings?"

"Honestly, this is Dragon 101." Smolder said, obviously before she thought of something. "Usually dragon parents teach this stuff."

Chase, Twilight, and Spike turned to each other.

Throughout his entire life, Spike hasn't even had one clue to what had happened to his parents.

(Scene changes)

Sometime later, Twilight knocks on Spike's door and enters.

"Spike, Chase and I've been thinking about our flying lesson." Twilight said.

"Uh-huh..." Spike said.

"I can't believe I overlooked something as simple as feathers." Twilight said. "It's no wonder you were having trouble. I wish I had more "dragonish" knowledge to give you Just like Chase has with his family. Do you think being raised by ponies has affected you in other ways?" She then noticed he seemed off. "Spike?"

"Did you say something, Twilight?" Spike asked, not listening. "Sorry. I'm just finishing up this "thank-you" throw pillow for Smolder." He was working on a turquoise pillow with an orange wing. "And you know how I get when I'm in the embroidery zone."

Twilight chuckled a bit as Spike continued to make the pillow.

*Main theme*

Later, after finishing the pillow. Spike gave it to Smolder as they were walking through town.

"It's a pillow!" Spike exclaimed. "But not for your head. Although it could be. It's a throw pillow. They're more casual. You can use 'em anywhere." He then noticed the questionable look on Smolder's face. "You don't like it."

"Uh, it's that not. It's just Dragons don't really use pillows." Smolder said. "At all."

"What?" Spike said in disbelief.

"Hey, what's that?" Smolder asked as she pointed at something in the sky.

In the air was a flaming object, and looked like a meteor.

"I don't know." Spike said as he frowned before he became shocked. "But it's... heading right for us!"

They quickly got out of the way as the fireball hits the ground. They glanced back as the smoke clears and Spike picks up the throw pillow. It breaks apart as it was now bits of ash.

"Okay. Now I really owe you for the lesson." Spike said.

Smolder and Spike went to check out the crater, but then the fireball was revealed to be actually a light green scaled Dragon. He resembles Spike, but with the spikes on his head, his eyes, and arrow tail being purple instead

He painfully struggles as he got up before he turns to Spike and Smolder.

"Hey there, young Dragons." The male dragon greeted casually before he coughed a bit. "Name's Sludge. How are your tails shakin'?"

A crack was heard on his left arm as Sludge then held it in pain. Spike and Smolder glanced at each other in slight surprise.

"You all right?" Spike asked.

"Yeah. What happened?" Smolder asked.

"To what?" Sludge asked and then carelessly fell into the crater he made. "Oh." He then got up. "I don't need to explain myself to a couple of baby Dragons."

Sludge then got up again, and then painfully whimpers as he walks away. He tries to fly, but falls flat on the ground.

"Maybe not." Spike said as he rushed to his side. "But you're hurt and need help. So I'm taking you to Twilight and Chase's castle whether you like it or not?"

"Castle, eh?" Sludge frowned and Spike helped him walk as they headed to the castle.

(Scene changes)

Later, they were at the throne room with Twilight and the others.

"I'm glad Spike brought you here, Sludge." Twilight said. "I understand you made quite the impression in town."

"And it wouldn't be wise to go back from wherever you came from." Chase said while looking at Sludge's condition. "Not like that."

"Literally!" Pinkie exclaimed as she popped from behind Sludge. "There's a hole in everything!"

"You don't have to point out the obvious, Pinkie. We saw everything on our way over here." Sokka said to Pinkie with a blunt look as the pink pony glared at him annoyingly.

"Well, I hope you're not expecting me to fix it." Sludge said and then groaned in pain.

"It doesn't look like you're in much shape to do anything." Applejack said while noticing his condition.

"I'll manage." Sludge said stubbornly. "Dragons take care of themselves. I don't need help from a bunch of castle-livin' Ponies."

He then got up from his wheelchair but then whimpers in pain.

"Darling, do be careful." Rarity advised, concernedly.

"It's not safe to just get out of your wheelchair like that." Trini added as well and stood next to Rarity.

"And don't do anything you might regret." Jade said sternly as she used her water element to perform a healing technique while placing her left hoof on Sludge's arm to heal him. "You can't expect to just look after yourself."

"I'm… fine." Sludge said as he whimpered in pain before he fell flat on the floor.

"I can't watch!" Fluttershy exclaimed as she looked away while Sokka holds his wife close to him for comfort.

"You're not the first stubborn Dragon we've met, you know?" Rainbow said.

"Yeah, we've met a lot of stubborn dragons before. But yours takes the cake out of this one, pal." Sunray said in agreement.

"And sometimes, even Dragons need help." Spike pointed out and flew next to them as Sludge was lifted by Twilight's magic and was gently placed back in the wheelchair.

"I promise. My friends, my family, and I will only do enough to get you back on your claws." Twilight said.

Soon the others joined her side, and Sludge only scratched his chin.

(Scene changes)

Later, in Rarity's boutique, Rarity finishes sewing a sling, and placed it under Sludge's left arm. Seeing that his arm was feeling much better now, Sludge appreciatively smiles at her and Spike.

(Scene changes)

A little while later, Sludge was brought into Spike's room as Sokka and Fluttershy brought some extra pillows as well as a blanket for the adult dragon. Sludge lays down and soon found it comfortable as Fluttershy tucks the blanket over him.

(Scene changes)

Later, Applejack and Clay brought him into their barn house as Applejack hops onto a treadmill. Soon, Sludge climbs on as they walked and then, Big Mac came in while bringing some apples down a ramp. They were smashed under the rock working the treadmill and apple juice poured out into a barrel.

Sludge soon noticed that, and got interested.

When Applejack glanced to check on him, he was gone and under the pipe with his mouth open as the apple juice poured into his mouth as Clay was watching him with a flat look on his face. Applejack lost her footing, and then was nearly flung back into some barrels when Clay managed to catch her in his forelegs as he held his wife in a bridal position. Applejack smiled at her husband gratefully when Sludge's tail knocks a few apples away and some of them hit the Earth Pony mare on the head.

Clay glared at Sludge annoyingly, but the dragon didn't notice it.

(Scene changes)

Meanwhile, Twilight exits her library and reads a book when she suddenly saw Sludge on all fours, crawling as Pinkie was on his back holding a stick with a cupcake tied to it.

Suddenly, something swiped the cupcake from Pinkie as she and Sludge turned to see Chase glaring at them sternly for messing around in the castle while he held the dessert with his magic. Pinkie and Sludge smiled nervously at the alicorn stallion, who still looked very unamused by it.

(Scene changes)

Later, Rainbow was helping Sludge with flying as Soarin agreed to help out as well. When the two pegasi glanced back, they saw Sludge relaxing as two Wonderbolts were struggling to hold him up as they flew.

Rainbow and Soarin get next to him as he turns to them. They both gave him some glares and Soarin lightly shook his head in disapproval.

Then Sludge flaps his wings as Rainbow and Soarin smiled, but it didn't last long and then the big dragon slightly dropped a bit.

(Scene changes)

Later, Sludge was relaxing and then Pinkie came by strolling a cart of treats with gems as Nyx helped out as she holds a cupcake. Soon, Sludge smells them and then peers out the room, seeing the treats.

He begins to approach them. Pinkie and Nyx glanced as they saw him before they started to pick up the pace as they were soon running from him. Sludge soon flies after them.

Soon they entered the throne room as the cart hit the table and then the treats landed on the table as well as Sludge before he started eating them.

The rest of the Mane Sixteen members cheered while Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio just glared at him for his misuse of table manners.

(Scene changes)

Later, they were outside as Sludge flew around and was clearly back in perfect shape. No sooner or later, Sludge lands and brings a cupcake in his mouth as he eats it.

"I know you had your reservations, but it's good to see you feeling better." Twilight said with a smile as Chase and Spike stood next to the alicorn mare.

"Yeah. And by the looks of things, you have managed to survive here as well." Chase added with a smile as well.

"T-Thanks, I guess." Sludge said, unsure of how to make this gesture of kindness the ponies were giving him.

"That's what friends are for, darling." Rarity said.

Then Sludge turns to leave, but then glanced at Spike.

"You're pretty lucky to have friends like these, kid." Sludge said to Spike with a glum look on his face

"Actually, I was orphaned as an egg, and Twilight and Chase raised me." Spike corrected. "So these Ponies are more than my friends. They're my family."

Spike hugs Twilight as she brought her wing over him and the baby dragon shared a fist bump with Chase.

"We try our best, but sometimes I worry that maybe Spike is..." Twilight said while unsure to finish her sentence with worriment.

"Missing something deep down and Dragonish." Spike finished with a sad look.

Hearing this made Sludge turn back to him.

"Really? Wow. I-I can't tell you how glad I am to hear that." Spike said happily.

"Why in Equestria would you be glad to hear that?" Applejack asked with a confused look on her face she shared with Clay.

"Yeah, doesn't it seem a bit odd that you just came here by mistake?" Clay added as well.

"No. Not really." Sludge replied back as he turns to Spike while rubbing his arm a bit uncomfortably. "I wasn't gonna say anything since your life seemed so perfect, but I have a confession to make."

Chase, Twilight, and Spike glanced at each other as Sludge kneels down.

"Coming to Ponyville wasn't an accident." Sludge confessed. "I was looking for you. Spike..." He then sighs. "...I'm your father."

"Huh?!" Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio asked in shock as the Mane Sixteen members gasped, but Pinkie's lasted longer.

POW!

"Ow!" Pinkie shouted as she rubbed her head in pain as she turned to see Sokka glaring at her annoyingly along with the others.

"Pinkie, stop doing that already." Sokka said to the pink pony annoyingly.

"Sorry." Pinkie said as she turned to them with a smile.

Chase, however, was feeling something suspicious about Sludge as Twilight turns back to the adult dragon.

"So you crashed in Ponyville on purpose?" Twilight asked, still shocked and surprised.

"Yeah, I'm sure we'd like to hear that one." Chase added while looking at him with a puzzled look on his face.

"Well, the crash part wasn't on purpose, but heading here was." Sludge said. "I've been searching everywhere for you, kid."

"Did you ask in the Crystal Empire?" Spike asked before he added smugly. "I'm kind of well-known there."

"Even when he's not being a total goofball." Jade added with a smirk as the rest of her family of the Elite Ninja silently snickered at that, which Spike glared at them indignantly.

"Actually, Spike's well-known everywhere." Pinkie pointed out correctly. "Not a lot of Dragons were hatched by the Prince and Princess of Friendship."

"Mm-hmm." Applejack and Clay said together as they nodded in agreement.

"You make it sound so simple." Sludge said as he began to choke up and opens the door as Spike went inside. "I wish you'd been there to help me."

Sludge followed Spike as the rest of the ponies followed behind the two dragons. It wasn't long before they arrived back at the throne room as Spike still couldn't get the shock out of him of hearing Sludge being his father.

"I can't believe it." Spike said with a surprised look on his face. "I have so many questions."

"Well, ask away." Sludge said as he sat on Twilight's throne chair. "Answering questions is what dads are for."

"I guess my biggest question is simple." Spike thinks of one. "Why was I an orphaned egg?"

Sludge strangely stammers panicky, which Chase noticed while keeping to himself.

"You sure you don't want to ask something else? It's a lot of painful memories." Sludge said while looking away with a hand to his face. He then noticed the members of the Mane Sixteen looking at him with concern, except for Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio since they felt something was not right about Sludge. He then saw Spike's look that he needs to know and sighs in defeat while bringing the baby dragon closer to him. "Your mother was the best Dragon I'd ever met."

Flashback

Sludge told his story as Spike's mother was with the previous Dragon Lord, Torch as he pointed in the south direction for what appeared to be the Dragon Migration.

"The Dragon Lord even picked her to scout for the Great Migration, and-and even though she just laid your egg, we knew she'd have to go." Sludge explained as a female dragon with a light pink color scale body with a lightish green belly, green scales, and green eyes stood before him.

The scene changes when she left Sludge with Spike's egg before she flew off.

"But finding the Migration route could take a lifetime, and you deserved a chance to know your mother. So I went looking for her, carrying your egg to places no Dragon or Pony has ever seen." Sludge explained as his past self carried Spike's egg and they flew across the land. "Past Mt Aris, the abandoned home of the Hippogriffs."

Flashback ended

"Ooh! Did you visit Klugetown?" Pinkie happily suddenly said as she interrupted the story.

"Pinkie, don't interrupt the story." Chase said with a glare as Pinkie smiled apologetically.

"You've been to Klugetown?" Sludge asked confusingly as he frowned.

The rest of the Mane Sixteen variously affirmed.

"Also, the Hippogriffs returned to Mt Aris after we helped them defeat the Storm King as well as finding evidence that Chase's grandfather, Darius Hisomi, was friends with Queen Novo." Twilight added as Chase stood next to his wife, but he still felt unconvinced by Sludge. "And now my husband and his Elite Ninja are the new heroes of our new allies."

"As well as gaining Deker's respect." Sunray added in agreement.

"Oh, well, have you ever heard of the Land of the... Scale Collectors?" Sludge asked.

"Uh-uh." Twilight replied back as she and Chase shook their heads while Sludge then turned to Spike.

"Because that's where your mother's trail finally led." Sludge said, shocking Spike even more as his father explained further.

Flashback

In an unknown location that had a lot of floating mountains and cages, which would be called the Land of the Scale Collectors, Sludge was cornered by two hunters as Sludge held Spike's egg.

"To a prison world of dragon hunters, where I was forced to choose between surrendering myself or surrendering your egg." Sludge explained as his past self was in a cell with a heartbroken look on his face. Outside, Spike's egg hid behind a rock the whole time. "Of course, there was no way I was gonna sacrifice my boy. So they took me instead, and that's where I'd been ever since."

Flashback ended

"Locked up somewhere not even the Princess and Prince of Friendship has heard of." Sludge said as he pulled Chase and Twilight to him.

But Chase just glared at Sludge again.

"Whoa..." Spike said in disbelief of the story. "How did you know I was a boy?"

"Whatever happened to Spike's mom?" Fluttershy asked as well.

"Where is she now?" Sokka added with a curious look.

"Why is she not with you, Sludge?" Clay asked just as confused as the rest of the group.

"And how did the egg make it all the way to Equestria by itself?" Rainbow added.

"Hmm?" Pinkie frowned.

"Yeah, it couldn't have just rolled down a river even if the Land of the Scale Collectors didn't have one." Chase said with a suspicious look. "In fact, there are some places that don't have water."

"I wish I had the answers." Sludge said and then breaks down into crying as Spike comforts him while the others glanced each other.

"Well, that's all in the past." Spike forgave him. "The only thing that matters now is that we're together. And I'm gonna make up for lost time."

Sludge turns to him, and smiles. Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio still had doubts about the adult dragon though.

(Scene changes)

Later Spike and Sludge were walking around town.

"I hope you don't mind, but I have a list of all the things I always wanted to do with my dad?" Spike said with a happy look on his face.

"Mind?" Sludge said as he smiled with a raised eye brow. "Spike, my boy, with you by my side, I feel like we could do anything. What do you want to do first?"

"Well, I've kind of been working on a list for a long time." Spike said while bringing out a scroll and then it rolled out a few feet.

"Dude, you want to do all of this?" Sludge asked while he frowned.

"Oh, I mean, w-we don't have to." Spike answers uneasily as he rolls up the scroll.

A little ashamed, Sludge then placed his foot on the scroll.

"If you think doing everything on this incredibly long list is gonna fill the hole where your dragonishness should be, then that is exactly what we're gonna do!" Sludge said with a smirk after he pulled Spike closer to him before pulling away from the baby dragon.

Spike happily gasped.

(Scene changes)

Soon, they were having a buckball match with Pinkie and Fluttershy. Antonio was among them while watching the game, in which case he was still not sure of what to make of Sludge.

Granny tossed the ball up as Spike bumps it to the basket. But Fluttershy quickly knocks it away and Sludge gulps down a cupcake before he lets out a stream of fire turning the ball to ash.

Spike and Pinkie cheered, but Antonio just glared at him suspiciously still.

(Scene changes)

Later, Spike and Sludge were a Hearth's Warming gift exchange.

Spike hands Sludge's, and he opens it to find that it was a pillow. Then Spike had a big smile, and Sludge quickly panics of not having something for him.

But then Rarity appears with a gift and Sludge hands it to Spike. He opens it and brought out a scarf. Trini absurved everything while staying behind a pillar as she glared at Sludge.

Meanwhile outside, the snow is actually Rainbow pouring bits of salt from a bag.

(Scene changes)

Later, Spike and Sludge were cooking together.

Spike brought out a tray of cupcakes from the oven and then Sludge quickly gulps them down while they gave each other a thumbs up.

(Scene changes)

Later, Spike and Sludge were wandering around the hall.

"I can't believe we got so many things done." Spike said while looking through the list. "But this is all my stuff. Is there anything you always wanted to do with me?"

"Not really." Sludge said, picking his ear as Spike felt sad, which caused his 'father' to look alarm by this.

"Uhhh, I mean, uh, I'm happy to do whatever you want." Sludge quickly said. "But if I had a castle like this with all this stuff, I'd probably just lay around all day doing nothing like a real dragon."

"Like a real dragon?" Spike questioned with a surprised look on his face.

"Sure!" Sludge said. "I'm not surprised you don't know any better. Twilight basically raised you as a pony. You're barely a dragon yourself."

Sludge then walks off.

"Huh?" Spike frowned and then he walks off.

(Scene changes)

In the throne room, Twilight was doing some reading as Chase was busy cleaning his katana swords while using a towel. He and his family were still having doubts about Sludge's behavior lately as if he wasn't who he thought he was.

Twilight noticed her husband looking down a bit.

"What's wrong, Chase. You look so serious." Twilight said as her husband turns to his wife while he stopped cleaning his katana swords.

"Well, I was just thinking. I'm happy Spike found his father lately, but there's something about him that my family and I are having trouble figuring out." Chase answered as he puts his katanas away.

"I admit he does seem different than Spike, but at least they're back together. Right, sweetheart?" Twilight asked with a hopeful smile as Chase turns to her.

"Maybe." Chase said doubtfully and then Spike came in.

"Hey, Spike!" Twilight said as she and Chase turned to him as they noticed the sad look on the baby dragon. "How are things going with Sludge?"

"Honestly, I thought having him around would make me feel more dragonish." Spike admitted. "But I feel less."

"Oh, I'm sorry." Twilight apologized. "I wish I could help."

"Awww, shucks." Sludge's voice said.

The three turned and saw Sludge at the entrance with a tray of two cupcakes as he ate them all.

"I guess I shouldn't have said anything about you being more pony than dragon." Sludge said guilty as he walked up to them. "I just wish we had more in common."

"Maybe you 2 can come up with ways to turn up Spike's, uh, dragonishness." Twilight suggested as she and Chase came up to them as Spike happily turned to Sludge.

"You think that's something we can do?" Spike asked with an eager smile.

"You know what, son? I think it is!" Sludge said in agreement as he smiled.

They both headed out as Twilight smiled, but Chase still felt that he was not liking where this would lead to Spike.

(Scene changes)

Later, Spike was with Sludge and he teaches the baby dragon of being a real dragon.

"Spike, I'm gonna teach you a thing or 2 about being a dragon." Sludge said. "So, listen up, my boy, because I'm only gonna say this once."

[Sludge - he flies up and hovers in the air]

Look at this castle where you live

"It's pretty sweet, right?" Spike said with a smile when Sludge sternly came up to him.

[Sludge]

You can't be a dragon here

"Uh, I can't?" Spike asked confusingly as he frowned.

[Sludge - the two were in the library and then Sludge started tossing them from the shelves.]

Look at these books up on the wall.

"Hey, I just finished organizing those!" Spike exclaimed as the books came down.

[Sludge - he lays on the pile in a lazy position before bringing Spike up next to him]

This treasure pile's not right, I fear

"Trust me, I got you covered here." Sludge said as they were back in Spike's room and he accidentally stepped on a doll that looked like a version of Ember as well as tossing the chair Spike was sitting on. "You see all this soft pony stuff you're surrounded with? This has got to be the first thing to go."

He steps off the Ember doll and looks at it curiously.

"Is this Dragon Lord Ember?" Sludge asked with a confused look on his face before he smirked. "Huh, didn't think you were into her now."

Spike gasped before he grabbed the doll from his father and hid it away under his bed.

"Uh, it's not what it looks like." Spike answered with a sheepish smile as he blushed a bit.

"Ah, don't worry. I understand." Sludge replied back and cleared his throat. "Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah…"

[Sludge - he bounces on the bed, went to a clothes hanger and flung the jackets away, but Spike was able to catch them. Sludge took the dress Spike was tangled with away, causing the baby dragon to spin around a bit. They were in the dinning room as Sludge hovered in the air, tossing some treats away, but were actually caught by Spike. Eventually, Sludge tossed another large pile of treats at Spike as he accidentally fell to the ground after they collapsed on him.]

Nothin' 'bout this place says "dragon den", there's too much fluff

All these fancy robes, toss in a pile

Take those goblets, dishes, is that gold? Still not enough!

De-ponifying might just take a while

[They walked down a hallway as they came across a picture frame of Twilight and Starlight smiling in the photo. He grabs Spike and makes him belch a shot of fire from his mouth. They were on top of the roof as they oversee the town of Ponyville. Sludge hovers in the air before he and Spike take off.]

Sure, this place is grandiose

But to a dragon, it's just gross

Time we make the lot all together

Reality you need a dose

To all these ponies, you're too close

You just can't be a dragon here

"Good job, my boy!" Sludge said as he smiled proudly. "But this is still just the beginning!"

(Scene changes)

[Sludge - they were back inside while walking down the hallway as they wagged their tales from side to side. Sludges grabs a bigger bed version of Spike's with lots of pillows and gives them to the baby dragon. Not only that, but there lots of treats, fruits, vegetables on the pile.]

Each and every dragon has a swagger all his own

Watch and I'll show you what I mean

You can't move like this with so much stuff to weigh you down

A dragon always keep it lean

"Lose this!" Sludge said as he flew in the air to the top and tossed some of the stuff away before finding a red bathrobe with an orange outline. "This! Ooh, this is nice!"

[Sludge - they were in Spike's bedroom as Sludge tossed two pillows away and flapped the blanket that Spike was on. They were in Twilight and Chase's bedroom as Sludge was sleeping on the alicorn couple's bed with a sleeping mask on before he removes the curtains. He tosses Spike's toothbrush away in the bedroom while showing his rotten teeth.]

Life is soft, your scales are coiffed

These pillows, beds, and sheets are washed

A delight, but it's just not right what's underneath

Every dragon must be free

Look at you, then look at me

Since when do dragons brush their teeth?

"Ha! Please!" Sludge said as he smugly smiled.

[Sludge - They walked down the hallway before Sludge stopped with a pose. They were back in Spike's bedroom as Sludge tossed out some flowers as well as a chair and even Starlight, who was taking a bath before she used her magic to levitate in the air.]

Sure, this place is grandiose

But to a dragon, it's just gross

Time we make the lot all disappear

"What do I do?" Spike happily asked.

[Sludge]

Just grab it all and give it to me

After that, then you'll be free

You just can;t be a dragon heeeeere!

"Ha! You're right!" Spike said as he smiled. "I feel better already!"

"See? What did I tell you?" Sludge said proudly as he ruffled his head. "You're very lucky that I found you. Now, go get me some more."

"You got it!" Spike said and got outside the room. "I'm gonna get all the cushy pony stuff I've got... Dad."

"Great!" Sludge beamed. "Go get 'em... son!"

Then Spike happily zips off.

[Sludge]

'Cause this dragon just can't wait to live here

Sludge then lays flat on Spike's bed, and laughs sinisterly while he smiles as the screen dies down to show his devious eyes.

(Scene changes)

The next morning, Twilight knocks on the door of Spike's room and then peaks her head inside.

"Spike?" Twilight said to him. "I just thought I'd check on you and Sludge had any luck turning up your dragonishness. It's hard not to feel like somehow I let you down all these years."

Then suddenly it was revealed that Sludge was actually laying on Spike's bed as he turned around while wearing his bathrobe and got up.

"Oh! I'm so sorry!" Twilight said as she stepped back and looked away. "I didn't mean to barge in on ya!"

Sludge stretches himself awake.

"Ah, don't worry about it. Mi castle es su castle." Sludge said with his hands on his hips with a smirk.

"Right." Twilight said embarrassingly while she smiled. "I'll just get out of your way. Besides, I think I hear my beloved husband calling me. Ahehe."

Twilight closed the door and she left. As Twilight backed away, she accidentally bumped into Spike, who was carrying a lot of food.

"Oh! Spike!" Twilight said as she turns to him. "I'm so sorry. My morning is not going well." She then lifts up the food Spike was carrying and he got up and holds it. "What is all this? Why'd you leave the castle so early?"

"I didn't leave." Spike said. "I spent the night outdoors to get in touch with my dragon side."

"Outdoors?" Twilight questioned.

"Yeah!" Spike said as he smiled. "And Sludge asked me to bring him the best breakfast Ponyville has to offer so he can show me how a real dragon would eat it. See you later!"

He then entered the room and closed the door, but Twilight soon left as she was a little confused. That's when Chase came up to her.

"Hey, honey. How's it going?" Chase asked as his wife turned to him.

"Fine, honey. But I'm worried about Spike lately." Twilight answered as she was still worried and confused.

Chase didn't need to figure it out as he glared at the door leading to Spike's bedroom. He then brought Twilight close to him as he held his wife to comfort her and she tucked her head under his chin.

(Scene changes)

Later, Twilight and the others entered the throne room, discussing something.

"And that's why I thought we could use the map to-" Twilight said but then froze.

They all saw Sludge laying on the table, and Spike giving a nail file to his foot claws.

"Spike, what are you doing?!" Chase asked in surprise by what Spike was doing.

"Hey, gang!" Spike greeted as he turns to them. "Dad was just showing me how a real dragon would act in a throne room."

"By letting him lay on the Friendship Map?" Jade asked with a glare. "Spike, you can't be serious to think he would let you do that."

"Dragons like to sprawl when they get their claws done." Sludge said and then he got up as he headed out.

"Right, assuming you don't need anything from us?" Chase asked as he and the rest of his family glared at the adult dragon with suspicion, making Sludge flinch in panic before he recomposes himself.

"No, Chase. Not at all. Now if you'll excuse me, it's time for my bath." Sludge said as he left, leaving Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio glaring at him.

"Isn't he the greatest?" Spike asked as he sighs happily.

"I'm not sure that's exactly the word I would use." Rarity said a little uneasy and then Sludge came back.

"Uh, Spike? The bath isn't gonna fill itself, son." Sludge said before he then walks off.

"Be right there... Dad." Spike said as he smiled and then he flies off.

Chase glared while he looked down in thought.

If Sludge is really Spike's father, then why is it that he's taking advantage of him? Chase asked only in his thoughts.

(Scene changes)

Sometime later, Spike was going through the books since he was looking for one and then Twilight came in.

"I'm glad you're not sleeping the night outside again." Twilight said to Spike with a smile as he turns to her.

"Oh, I am." Spike said, surprising Twilight in the process. "I'm just looking for a good bedtime story to read to my dad first."

Twilight lifts up three books with her magic.

"It's nice that you have somepony to show you dragon culture." Twilight said while smiling uneasily as she sets the books on the shelf. "But are you sure that's what Sludge is doing?"

"What do you mean?" Spike asked with a confused look.

"Well, taking over your room, making a mess of things..." Twilight explained.

Hearing this caused Spike to scoff as if he thought it was ridiculous.

"That is dragon culture." Spike said with a smile, not seeing the problem.

"You never acted like that." Twilight said while she pointed it out in her defense.

"That's because you and Chase raised me." Spike said, reminding Twilight while he went through the books to find the right one. "Now I finally have a chance to see how I'm supposed to be."

Twilight just looked to the side while feeling doubtful if that's what Sludge has been doing to Spike.

"I don't think you're supposed to be any different than who you are." Twilight said. "Chase would have to agree on that."

"Maybe you two just don't like that I have a real parent now!" Spike suddenly snapped in anger. "And I bet Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio feel like they don't have faith in me anymore! Is that what they really think?!"

Sadden by that, Twilight felt that her heart just cracked, and it broke apart.

"That's not true!" Twilight said sadly in defense as she wiped away her tears. "I'm glad Sludge is here. I-I just wish he wasn't such a-"

"Dragon?" Spike coldly interrupted. "Of all ponies, I can't believe you and Chase would have a problem with that."

Then Spike heads out of the room and Twilight sadly sighs. Once Spike was gone, Chase and Starlight entered the room.

"Hey, honey. We just saw Spike leaving and we…" Chase said, but stopped once he and Starlight saw the heartbroken look Twilight had on. They were concerned about the alicorn mare. "Honey? Are you okay?"

Chase walked up to Twilight as she turns to him and Starlight.

"What happened, Twilight?" Starlight asked with a worried look as Twilight sighed sadly.

"Spike just broke my heart." Twilight answered as Chase wasted no time wrapping his forelegs around his wife as she rested her head under his chin.

Chase and Starlight turned to each other, thinking that Sludge may have turned Spike against Twilight.

"I don't think he meant to say that, Twilight." Starlight said to Twilight gently placing a hoof on the alicorn mare's back. "If you let him find the right answer, he'll come around."

Twilight sadly smiled at Starlight in response, but Chase was having a feeling about this.

"Maybe or maybe Sludge isn't who Spike thinks he is." Chase said to his wife and Starlight as they turned to him.

"I'm not sure Spike will listen to you, Chase. He's made it pretty clear he doesn't want anything to do with us anymore." Twilight said sadly as she sheds a few tears from her eyes while Chase continues to hold his wife tenderly.

(Scene changes)

The next day, Smolder was at the pond skipping rocks and was hanging out with Korra and Nyx. Korra tossed a rock through the water as the pebble skips a few times before it sank. Nyx tosses a few stones into the water before she skips a few stones as well.

"Boy, we sure picked a nice sunny day to throw some rocks in to the lake, guys." Korra said to Nyx and Smolder as they nodded in agreement.

"You got that right, Nyx." Korra said as she tosses a rock into the lake. "Feeling the sun in my eyes makes my day brighten every day."

Just as the three were about to skip some more stones into the lake, they heard the bushes behind them rustle as they turned and then saw Spike stepping out all scratched up.

"Spike? Is that you?" Nyx asked in surprise.

"What happened to you?" Smolder asked.

"Are you okay?" Korra asked with concern. "Why are you outside and not in the castle like you always sleep in your bedroom?"

"Just sleeping outside like we're meant to, Korra." Spike simply said and removed a leaf from his head spine. "It's not like dragons are supposed to live in castles."

Nyx, Korra, and Smolder turned to each other with slightly stunned looks on their faces before they turned back to Spike.

"I... guess not." Smolder said a little confused about what Spike was talking about as Nyx and Korra felt the same. "But I live in the school. Nothing says we have to live outside."

"And we sleep in the dojo house as well, Spike." Korra added. "Since when did you sleep outside last night and yesterday?"

"Spike, I don't really think that's what dragons do. They sleep in caves since it's their homes in the Dragon Lands. Didn't Sludge tell you that or no?" Nyx asked with a confused look on her face and Spike just sighs to himself before he turns back to his friends.

"I'm so confused. It's been great having Sludge show me how to be a real dragon, but Twilight and Chase just don't get it." Spike answered as Nyx looked confused.

"Say what?" Nyx asked in surprise.

"What do you mean?" Smolder asked.

"What happened?" Korra asked.

"They can't handle how good at being a dragon Sludge is." Spike explained. "Maybe someday, I'll be able to lay around doing nothing as well as he does."

"What?/Huh?/Say what?" Smolder, Nyx, and Korra asked as they each frowned at him.

"Well, not now, of course." Spike said. "I'm too busy bringing him pony stuff so he can show me what a dragon would do with it."

"So, Sludge just lays around while you wait on him claw and tail?" Smolder questioned.

"What do you mean?" Korra asked. "I don't think that's what parent dragons do. My grandfather told me that giving love and kindness is one thing that dragons do for their children."

"Korra's right, Spike. Dragons are rude and rebellious, but they aren't lazy lumps who take advantage of their kids." Smolder said, agreeing with Korra.

"Huh, now that you mention it." Nyx said while looking down in deep thought. "After bringing you here, Smolder, I've seen dragon families who actually care for their children. And being there for them."

"Huh." Spike said as he frowned. "Now I'm really confused."

"You know, guys. Something tells me that Sludge is hiding something. Korra said as she frowned a little confused.

"Me, too." Smolder said while she agreed with the three of them. "Why don't you tell us everything Sludge said about being a dragon?"

(Scene changes)

Later, Sludge enters Spike's room eating a cupcake and finds Spike in as well.

"Hey! What's going on, son?" Sludge said as he smiled.

"Twilight doesn't like having real dragons in the castle, so I told her we're moving out." Spike explained, which Sludge then coughs from that.

"You what?!" Sludge asked in shock and worry as Smolder appeared from the window.

"Spike! Nyx, Korra, and I found the perfect cave where you two can live! There aren't even any comfortable rocks inside!" Smolder said and then Korra enters the room with Nyx.

"And, it's also homed to a few Rattlesnakes." Nyx said with a smirk.

"Plus, it's got a lot of gems in there for you guys to eat as well." Korra added as well with a sly grin.

"That does sound perfect." Spike said as he smiled, but Sludge felt scared about this.

"No, it doesn't!" Sludge exclaimed in fear before he recomposes himself with a fake smile. "I-I-I mean, uh, I'm not sure I fully demonstrated all the ways a dragon would live here."

"But we're not gonna live here anymore, so it doesn't matter." Spike said.

"It matters to me!" Sludge yelled and then he stammered. "I want to make sure you have all the knowledge you need."

"But I do." Spike said and held his hand. "Dad, you've already shared so much."

[Spike]

This bed is much too soft

Just take that silk robe off

Smolder flew up and removed the robe from Sludge.

[Smolder]

We can't be dragons living here

Then they turned to a pillow on the bed. And then they turned to each other, and they quickly snatched the pillow and were in a tug of war match. Soon, Smolder, Korra, and Nyx helped Spike.

"Stop!" Sludge yelled, letting go of the pillow as the three young ones fell to the floor. "I'm not your father!"

"What?" Spike asked in shock as he stared.

"I just said that to get in on this sweet castle life." Sludge confessed.

"So... you... pretended to be my dad?" Spike said sadly.

"Now-now-now-now-now, don't look at me like that, kid." Sludge said dismissively. "I did what any dragon would do."

"No, you didn't." Smolder corrected.

"Since when dragons take advantage of dragon kids?" Korra asked angrily as she and Nyx glared at him. "Do you have any idea how happy Spike was earlier? But now, you're nothing but a self absorbed selfish creature."

"Yeah, that's just wrong, pal!" Nyx said angrily. "If you think taking advantage of Spike is okay, well it's not!"

"Hey. I saw an opportunity, and I took it." Sludge said, ignoring Spike's sympathy. "That's what dragons do."

"No. It isn't." Smolder said as she glared at Sludge.

"Yeah." Korra said, agreeing with her.

"You never understand how it's like to lose a family over nothing. I lost mine a while back because of the Quinkan." Nyx said while glaring at Sludge sternly. "But now I found a family where I belong and I love it."

"Well, you just don't get it, kid." Sludge said to Nyx. "We're dragons, we take advantage of the weak. You know what? I don't need this. I'm out of here! Enjoy lovin' pony town!" He then flew out the window and Spike sighed sadly. Then Sludge came back and snatched the pillow. "I'm taking this pillow."

"Get outta here!" Korra snapped angrily and then Sludge truly leaves for good, but was then stopped by a magical aura that encased him.

"Hey, what the-?" Sludge said in surprise.

"Going somewhere?" A very low voice came from behind Sludge, making him turn to see Chase Young glaring at him with a very very angry look while hovering in the airas the adult dragon looked very terrified by the expression.

"Oh, uh… hi, Master Chase." Sludge said with a weak smile. "I was just… uh… going to see if there was anything else I needed to do for my son."

Sludge let out a weak chuckle as he nervously smiled, but Chase still looked at him angrily as aura hands replaced his front hooves and cracked his knuckles together. Sludge gulped nervously as Chase's shadow loomed over him.

POW! SMACK! POW! POW! SMACK!

Pounding and slapping could be heard, including Sludge screaming loudly like a girl, as Nyx, Smolder, Korra, and Spike looked away from the scene while wincing a bit.

Now Sludge was covered in bruises, scratches, and his right eye was black as he landed on his stomach with a painful grunt. Chase loomed over him as the adult dragon gazed him in fear. Chase leaned his face into Sludge's.

"Never. Come. Back." Chase said slowly as Sludge nodded in agreement and the alicorn stallion took the pillow the adult dragon stole from Spike.

Chase uses his magic to grab Sludge, tossed him in the air as he screamed while flailing his arms around, and used his lightning element to send a powerful electric beam at the big dragon, sending him into the mountains as he screamed. His screaming died down as Chase smirked in victory before he joins Nyx, Korra, Smolder, and Spike.

"Way to go, Daddy!" Nyx said as she hugs her father, who hugs her back.

"You were awesome, Chase!" Korra added with an excited smile as Chase chuckled back in reply.

Seeing that Chase and Nyx shared their father-daughter hug, Spike sighed sadly.

"I can't believe I thought somepony like that could show me how to be anything." Spike said as he was tricked this entire time.

"Oh Spike, I'm really sorry." Korra said sympathetically as Chase and Nyx turned to them. "I can't imagine how happy you must've been to think you finally met your dad."

"Uh... it must be hard growing up not really knowing who you are." Smolder said, feeling sorry.

"That's the thing." Spike said. "I know exactly who I am. And how I got that way."

He turns back to Chase, feeling nervous of what the alicorn master might do to him.

"Chase, I'm really sorry… for everything. You and Twilight were right about Sludge all along. I can't believe I was so stupid to fall for his trick." Spike said with a guilty look.

"You don't need to apologize, Spike. What happened was that you mistook your fake father by mistake." Chase said with a gentle smile. "Besides, you already have your family by your side no matter what and that's what really counts."

Spike smiles at that when they hear the door opening. The four turned to see Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio walking in.

"And to be sure that you won't be tricked again, we'll always be by your side all the way." Jade added with a smile she and the rest of her family gave Spike, who returned it. "Plus, I think Sludge deserved it from Chase as well."

"We got to admit it was pretty funny when he was sent flying into the mountains as well." Sunray added as the rest of the group laughed in agreement with him.

(Scene changes)

Later, Spike, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio entered the library as they found Twilight and Starlight placing the last books on the shelf.

"Um, Twilight?" Spike said a little uneasy as Twilight and Starlight turned to him.

"Oh. Hi." Twilight said uneasily. "Where's your father?"

"He's gone." Spike answered sadly. "Turns out he wasn't what a real dragon should be after all. He also wasn't my real dad."

"He wasn't?" Starlight said sadly as Spike shook his head.

"Oh, Spike." Twilight said as she went up and hugged Spike. "I'm so sorry."

"I guess not everyone is perfect in this world." Starlight said while joining the two along with Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio. "I can't believe someone, like him, lied to you."

"I'm the only one who's sorry." Spike admitted ashamedly as he turned to Twilight, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio. "You guys were just worried about me, and I lost my temper. Sludge was just a great big phony."

"And a big liar." Jade added with a smile. "I can't imagine how happy you must've been earlier."

"I have to say, we're not surprised." Twilight said. "There's no way a dragon like that was related to you. But if you still want to search for your real family, I'd understand if you spent more time in the Dragon Lands."

"I don't think so." Spike disagreed with a smile as he placed his hand on Twilight's hoof that brought him close to her. "I already know who my real family is."

"Aww!" Twilight cooed as she hugged him. "It's us, right?"

"Mm-hmm!" Spike nodded. "Besides, there's no way I'm living without pillows."

He jumps onto a big pillow and Twilight smiles along with Starlight, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, and Antonio.

"And it looks like you have a good taste to them as well, little buddy." Chase said with a smirk as Twilight giggled in agreement before she kissed her husband on the cheek.

"But if you're still concerned." Sunray said with a smile. "I'm pretty sure you'll find your parents one day."

"Thanks, Sunray." Spike said as he turned to the Elite Ninja. "You guys are the best for being my hero too."

Chase, his family, Twilight, and Starlight smiled in reply when they heard the doors open to reveal Korra coming in with an uncertain look on her face.

"Korra? What are you doing here?" Twilight asked the alicorn mare as she turned to the Princess of Friendship.

"I came over to you guys that I brought over a guest." Korra answered as Pakku came into the library, surprising the others.

"Pakku?" Chase asked in surprise.

"Korra informed me of what happened these past few days of Spike being tricked by Sludge." Pakku said to the group with a concerned look.

Spike nodded as he approached Pakku.

"Do you know what happened to them?" Spike asked hopefully as Pakku looked to the side with a regretful look.

Pakku uses his magic to bring out a photo and gives it to Spike as he holds it in his hands. He sees a picture of Pakku when he was younger with two other dragons. One of them was the same female dragon from Sludge's flashback and the other was a male dragon.

The male dragon had a strong ab appearance with slightly large dark green spikes, blue eyes, and his scale body was a dark purple color.

"Wait, Pakku… are they…" Spike asked as he looked at Pakku with a shocked look as the others shared the same look on their faces, minus Korra.

"I'm afraid so, Spike." Pakku said with his eyes closed sadly. "It's your mother and your real father."

Twilight gasped in shock and surprise as Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, and Starlight looked horrified.

"What happened to them?" Starlight asked with concern.

"It was way back before my clan and I became prisoners in the Underground when Zhao's forces attacked. Your parents were our greatest allies by our side to fight off the Quinkan, Spike." Pakku explained to Spike as a flashback showed Spike's parents when they met the alicorn master as Spike's real father shook his hoof with his hand. They were working on practicing their jiu jitsu skills when Spike's mother gave birth to Spike's egg. His parents smiled happily when the Quinkan invaded the area. Spike's parents helped the White Lotus clan fight off the monster spirits when Zhao appeared as two Uberquin soldiers held them captive as he transferred some of the Sansu River water into the two dragons, turning them into one of his minions. It was that moment when during the struggle, Spike's egg tumbled down a path before it fell into a river, caring it away. "They became our students and we passed our teachings to them. It was then your mother had you when you were an egg. But when the Quinkan invaded our home, they tried to fend themselves off, but they were no match. Zhao overpowered them as they gave their life to save yours and transferred some of the Sanzu River water into their bodies, turning them into one of his soldiers. During the process, your egg went into the river and you disappeared without a trace."

The flashback ended as Spike looked at the picture with a heartbroken face as Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Starlight, and Twilight looked shocked and horrified by this.

"So… does this mean…?" Spike asked shakily as he turned to Pakku sadly as the leader of the White Lotus clan sighed regretfully.

"I'm sorry, Spike." Pakku said sadly. "But it was the only way that they could give you a chance to live since Zhao's most recent interest was energy from Dragons."

Korra approached Spike with a comforting smile.

"But at least now that you have a new family that loves who you are, Spike." Korra said with an encouraging smile.

Spike wasted no time returning the smile.

"Yeah. You're right, Korra. Thanks, guys." Spike said as Twilight hugged him which he returned before they broke it and made his way out of the library. "I'm gonna go to my bedroom now. I'll see you guys around."

As Spike walks down the hallway, he looks at the picture of his parents with a sad look.

"Hi, Mom and Dad." Spike said while shedding a tear. "I know you're here, but I'm glad I got to see a picture of you guys." He then changes his sad face to a determined look. "But now that I know what happened to you both, I'm gonna make sure I can find a way to return you both back from being Quinkan monsters if it's the last thing I do."

Then Spike walks into his bedroom before closing the door.

Author's note: Hey guys,

Here's chapter 25 with a little twist on it for Spike's parents. I did my best on this one. Hope you all like what you see. We've got six chapters left remaining. I'll be back to writing chapter 26: Framed.

Peace out!