Spikes Quest - Chapter 6: [132][133]
 
Spike thought to himself what he needed to ask next; he had so many thoughts that he felt he should get them organized before he sees Kitoith next. He summed up what he knew so far: he learned about the council from Jitte just now, Barius gave him the basics on how he was a magic dragon, (which was crazy), the guys told him about how they all made troops when they were younger and how puberty can be a bitch if there arent other dragons to keep you in check. Maybe thats how those clans started? Small dragon gangs, or maybe they just joined bigger clans when it was for their benefit? Dragons certainly seemed much more self-reliant than ponies were, Spike mused. Ponies had one job, and each one is one gear within one machine: the Equestrian society. But with dragons, you were your own gear and you could combine with any combination of gears or not at all.  
Spike exited his train of thought when he saw Kitoith walk around the corner of the entranceway and he smiled and waved. Kitoith walked and took a seat beside him. Mornin Spike, Kitoith said informally, I bet you had a good time last night. I should thank you for really getting Barius to do something rather than be in that cave all by himself.
 
Spike rubbed a bit of blueish syrup (What was that syrup? It doesnt taste like blueberries or sapphires) when he suddenly realized, he didnt really know all that much about Barius, No problem, but I have a question, Spike began, The other guys told me that young dragons usually join troops and dont normally live with their parents. With Barius living here, its almost like a pony thing for him to still be with you. How come?
 
Kitoith sighed and smirked as if shed been caught in a lie, First give me a flapjack, Spike obliged by pushing his plate over to Kitoith. She picked up a flapjack with her claw, and hunched over the table while staring at the wall. Barius was always a bit shy, even as a baby dragon he kept to himself a lot. When he was old enough, I took him to a dragon migration, and hoped that hed find a group that would click with him. But, well, he didnt. Other dragons wouldve just left him there and hoped for the best. But Barius never could handle other dragons very well, I couldnt bring myself to do that to him, leaving him to fend for himself. So, I figured he could just join our clan instead. Kitoith frowned as she looked at her flapjack. Though I admit I wonder if it was the right decision, or if I let my motherly instincts get in the way.
 
And ever since then, hes just been keeping to himself? Spike asked.
 
Kitoith looked at Spike. Ive tried to do fun things with him, Kitoith explained, The size difference may get in the way a little bit, but ever since he found that broken down wagon with all those spell books and scrolls, hes been entranced with it. It made him happy, so I encouraged him to learn about it. She chuckled. But I think he may have gotten a bit too into it, you know what I mean?
 
Oh yeah, I know what you mean, Spike said, reminded of somepony also obsessed with learning. He finished up his large plate of flapjacks, with the help of Kitoith, and turned to Kitoith to changing the subject. So whatre you going to do about the diamond dogs?
 
Kitoith spoke. I had suspected something bad was happening up on Spiral Mountain when it started glowing green and the councilors from that area didnt show up to the last council meeting. Was it a natural phenomenon or something worse? I asked some of the smaller troops in the region to do some scouting and offered a nice reward if they could come back with any information. None of them came back, but it could very well they just decided it wasnt worth their time or they couldnt do it Spike noticed Kitoiths voice dropped on that last sentence, seeming like Kitoith didnt believe that the scouts disappearences were anything other than ominous. Kitoith continued speaking, Your friends Mangle and Sharp may have been in some of those troops. You were the first one in fact to actually show up with some kind of information, and boy is it more useful than having nothing.
 
That sounds like what Jitte said before. So whats the plan? Spike asked.
 
We light the beacon.
 
“Beacon?” Spike asked.
 
Kitoith smiled, and stood up from the table. Cmon, youngling, you should come see this.