Of Dragons and Dogs [SeaJay]

[Jabberwock]

"Okay Spike, I've packed up everything you should need, Celestia has a room in the castle waiting for you when you get there! Be careful!"

"Urf...Could have packed a few less books, Twi."

The pack was heavy over his shoulder as he hauled it to the train station, Twilight had been called by the map to an important mission elsewhere, so she had entrusted him to travel to Canterlot to assist Celestia with this research, she was sending him with all of her notes and writings, so really he was just a delivery boy. But he enjoyed being given such an important task, knowing Twilight trusted him to do things like this made the little dragon's chest swell. He hopped up the steps to the station as the train rolled in, handing his ticket off to the pony as he climbed in. He'd done this a million time before, he enjoyed riding the train, seeing the countryside fly by as he made his way to Canterlot.

He picked a seat near the back of the train and climbed up onto the seat, his little tail tip flicking eagerly as he waited for departure. When the train finally whistled and heaved into motion, his green eyes trained on the scenery as it slowly went into motion, picking up speed as the train left the station. Watching the scenery go by was nice, but as minutes became hours, he began to feel the effects of waking up so early this morning, and his eyes began to droop until he was fast asleep.

-----

"Hey, uh, kid?"

Spike's eyes widened and he startled in his seat, looking around, "Ah! Uh...Woah..." He stretched and looked pleased, glad to have gotten in a nice nap during the train ride to Canterlot. He slid off the seat and quickly made his way to the exit, shouldering the heavy pack of books and scrolls, "Maybe I'll stop for a bite to eat before heading to the castle..." He leapt confidently from the train and eagerly exited the station, despite the promise of lots of work and study ahead, he was eager to see the princesses again, he always felt extra important when he was doing anything with them.

All his confidence and eagerness seemed to suck from him at once when he cast his eyes over the surrounding city.

This was most definitely not Canterlot.

He began to feel a panic rise in his gut, looking back as if expecting the train to be there, when he saw that it wasn't he immediately set to pacing, his mind racing as he tried to think of what to do. Should he contact Twilight? She could easily blink to where he was and fetch him. NO. He squashed that idea instantly, she trusted him to do this, she had faith that he could handle himself, if he contacted her in the middle of her important mission, she'd never trust him to do anything again! He felt a pit in his stomach, she might even disown him as an assistant. He tried to swallow the lump that was threatening to make tears come, he was NOT going to stand here crying like a baby. He was number one assistant to princess Twilight Sparkle, and he was going to find his way home.

-----

Beakbreak city, he couldn't recall if he'd ever been here before, the name certainly sounded familiar but the city itself had been a total mystery. It didn't matter, because he was now traveling in the opposite direction of the city. He didn't know exactly which way Canterlot was from here, but he figured he would find it eventually. He took in the approaching night, and the fact that the trees were thickening, "Must be getting close to a forest...Heh heh..." There was a nervous edge to his voice that he couldn't hide, and the intrusive thought of calling for help was worming through his mind again, "Ugh. We're NOT bothering Twilight." The last thing he needed was to hear a long winded lecture from her. Though he felt a pit as he realized how much he missed her, and everyone else.

He was very alone right now, on the empty road, and he was most definitely heading into the woods.

[SeaJay]

"Hey, Tiph."

The male pup busy with his task at paw seemed to ignore his name being called. He could already guess what the other wanted and he refused to give her the satisfaction. It had been a long day, one filled with chores around the den, cultivating precious jewels and gems from the mine, and finally hunting. It wasn't that he minded doing any of these task especially not the last. No, that was not the problem. The source of his ever increasing irritation was from the cheeky blue-eyed female currently sitting across from him. "No." He groused a response as he continued to place today's kill in a satchel. Pheasant is what they were bringing home, a favorite in their household.

"Hey, Tiph."  Said blue-eyed female continued unaffected by her brother's grouchy tone. "It's getting kinda dark out here" Miph paused as she scooted closer to the other and leaned into his personal space to get his attention. The dog's eyes lighting with joy as her efforts paid off when amber eyes met her's. "We should make like a tree and leave." 

"Yeah. Yeah. You think you're so funny." He responded with a role of his eyes and pushed his giggling sister away. "I think I've suffered enough from your puns today." He replied crossing his arms over his chest and tried to give her his best disapproving look.  Watching as she held onto her aching sides as a result of her laughing fit.Though he found that increasingly difficult as her laughter was contagious. "Anymore and I'm leaving you out here."  Pushing away to the urge snicker along with her opting for a lop sided grin instead.

"Nope. I'm punny~!  And you know you couldn't live without me. Who else would be there to make sure you didn't turn into a grouchy old dog?" She replied sweetly standing up on her hind paws and dusting herself off. She stooping to pick up her own satchel and slinging it over her shoulder. "In all serious though we shou-...." Miph's train off thought came skidding to a stop as an unfamiliar smell caught on the breeze. "Do you-?" Her question being cut off as she was roughly dragged down to be closer to the brush.  She would have yelped in protest if a paw wasn't clamped around her muzzle and her gaze wasn't fixated on the curious looking creature walking by.

Tiphes released the hold on her when he was sure she wouldn't speak. He watched as the purple and green thing drew closer. It looked to be of some sort of reptile, judging from the scaled hide, clawed appendages, and the maul filled with razor sharp teeth no doubt. A shiver ran down his spine at these observations. Truly a destroyer of worlds.  Tiph was thankful for the setting sun shrouding them in the dark and the dense underbrush that surrounded them. Okay, think! How would they get out of this? The creature seemed to be unaware of their whereabouts. So maybe if they just slowly backed aw-oh my gosh what is SHE doing?! As his mind raced with plotting their escape he failed to realize the absence of a sister. And now all he could do was stare in pure horror as said sister trailed quietly behind only a few paces from the beast.

Miph quietly watched the little creature with sheer curiosity. She up right and following closely behind as if they were partaking in a harmless game of follow the leader. This is by far the coolest looking lizard. She mused, debating on whether to reach out and touch the bag it carried. What is in that anyway?  More importantly what is it doing here? Perhaps she shouldn't have followed so closely behind or rather have been more aware of her sourroundings because, the snap of a twig under her paw  seemed to echo a bit too loudly in the now nearly dark forest.

[Jabberwock]

Grrrgle.

The small dragon's feet were beginning to drag across the ground as he plodded rather miserably through the ever thickening woods. It was getting distinctively darker as time went on, and he was beginning to have very unwelcome thoughts as he walked. What if I'm walking farther away from home? What if I never make it home at all? He gulped and pulled his tail closer to himself for comfort, trying to banish those thoughts away as they tried to settle in his stomach like a hard stone of fear. Speaking of his stomach.

Grrrgle.

He was beginning to wish he'd packed provisions, even just a snack for the train ride over would have been better than nothing. He hadn't eaten since breakfast, and his growing body was craving something to eat. The hunger mixed with the fear and onliness was beginning to bubble up in the form of large tears, but he was quiet as they slid down his cheeks, he squeezed his tail tighter, he knew the only way out of this was to call for help, he could find a way to write a makeshift message and--NO! He sniffled and wiped his eyes, a dogged determination replacing the hopelessness that had clouded them before. Twilight didn't need to be bothered, no one needed to be bothered. He could take care of himself.

His growling stomach thought otherwise.

He wasn't even aware of the presence behind him, the shadow following him closely, to caught up in his own negative thoughts to even sense another creature behind him. The darkness masked any shadows, the rustling of the trees hid any sound, and the damn smell that hung in the air hid the scent of the dog-like begin following him closely. It wasn't until he heard a distinct snap that he jerked his head up, suddenly acutely aware of his surroundings. He glanced around before turning, his green eyes meeting the blue eyes of.

"D-d-d-diamond dog!?" Fight, Flight, Freeze, his instincts battled in his head until one won out, he lowered himself to the ground and covered his head with his arms, shaking like a leaf, "P-please don't eat me! I'm tough and scales are a pain to pick out of your teeth!" He'd had a run in with Diamond Dogs once before, they had tried to kidnap his dearest Rarity, was this one going to capture him too?! He made a pitiful noise and looked up with a fearfully wide eye, from the bristling fur to the sharp teeth, he was absolutely certain that she was either about to swallow him whole, or steal him away as a prisoner.

[SeaJay]

The female dog  flinched a bit at the little reptile's out burst. She hadn't expected it to talk especially not in such sudden and fearful manner. Miph recovered from her initial shock and simply stared down at the quivering creature. Was he afraid of her? She didn't look scary did she? Maybe the day's endeavors had left her physical appearance cringe worthy. Yeesh. If this was the case she wondered how she looked on a daily basis. Still, she felt a twinge of guilt in the pit of her stomach for scarring the little thing. However, that feeling was momentarily forgotten as said little thing pleaded for her not to eat him. She eat him? What a silly thought! He looked more physically capable of eating her. The mere notion bringing the pup to giggling. Taking a step back, the rustic patterned dog promptly plopped her rump on the ground resting her bulky paws in front, settling in a relaxed position. She was a might bit taller than this funny lizard and towering over him seemed a bit rude and un-called for. She hoped that her new stance would be less intimating even if she still had a few inches over him. "Hmm..." She hummed as if pondering his statement before shrugging with a toothy grin. "Okay, but only if you promise to do the same. Hair-balls are no fun either you know."  Her tail wagging in a lazily friendly motion. "You can munch on my brother. Though, I will warn you, he's a bit prickly. Not sure if he'd taste all that great either. Kinda scrawny." She mused with a teasing lit to her tone.

Yep, he was sure of it. As soon as the twig snapped Tiph's heart practically leapt from his chest. He was so sure that as the tiny terror whirled around his sister would be no more. How would he explain to this to the pack? To his mother?  Gee, Mom. Sorry but Miph was eaten by a monster in the woods today. No! He couldn't even imagine that. The look on her face, his life without his wonderfully annoying sister, her horrible puns! Sure she got on his nerves a lot but, that was what sisters are for. And he wasn't ready to lose his! Beads of tears collected in the corners of his eyes as his thoughts clamored around in his mind. His limbs tightened in preparation dash from his spot in a hopeless attempt to rescue his twin.  However, the cries from the beast and it shrinking in on itself, made him freeze in surprise.

What?

Why is it cowering? And is it afraid of Miph?  A mix of confusion and relief spread through him at the scene before him. There they were. His sister chatting comfortably with what he assumed was the Harbinger of Destruction. She was talking with it- actually talking to the monster as if they were old buddies reuniting after years of separation! And wait...what did she say?