> “Anonymous? Anonymous? Wake up.”
>Your eyes shoot open, the voice you recognize would make you do anything.
> You stare into the eyes of Celestia, who is smiling down at you.
> “I saw you slay that dragon, Anonymous. I can't say I'm proud of you, since I would prefer you did not kill. But you were very brave.”
> You're too busy gawking at being in the presence of the Princess.
“But, you're captured. Where. What? Am I dreaming?”
>You take a quick look around, you're entirely unhurt and in your armor.
>It's spotless, though you're missing your helmet.
>You're also sitting in an eternal field of sunflowers.
> “I'll leave that up to you to decide, Anonymous. But I would like to sit with you for a moment.”
 
 
> It's almost certainly a dream, but Celestia sits gently down next to you and drapes a wing across your shoulders.
> “I also do not intend to be hurtful when I say this. But you are not truly a knight, Anonymous. Not as you are.”
>You look up at her, suddenly rather upset.
> “I mean that you are not...it is not who you are. I do know you mean well. But your attitude is entirely unsuited. You're crass and often rude. You can be selfish and I certainly know that your affection for me is not always chaste.”
> She's not upset or anything, you can hear that much in her voice. But you're left staring, and not even embarrassed at the last bit because too much is going on to think.
> “Of course, I know why you're trying to save me. Perhaps you are even right that something like that needs to be done. But I worry now about your future, Anonymous. You will not succeed as you are. And if you succeed...I worry you will not be the same after.”
“Not the same? I may have a few scars after, if I'm even alive at this point, but what's the problem?”
> “To succeed you would have to become a true knight, both what you know of them and I know of them. In my own way I had to go through much as you did, once.  You will be changed forever because of it.”
>You're not sure what your dream is trying to even tell you. Though it does sound rather like Celestia to you anyway. The dragon must have hit you especially hard, or you're busy bleeding out.
“You have to be rescued, and the dragons need to be stopped. I'd do whatever it took to make that happen. I don't have anything else.”
> Celestia sighs and gives you a kiss on the cheek for your troubles.
>That actually felt very real, which is surprising.
> “If you do come for me, I will be both elated and saddened. I like who you are, now, Anonymous. My flawed little human. If you arrive a perfect knight, that will be gone.”
 
 
>Your next sensation is waking up in a bed.
>And staring at the thatch roof of Zecora's hut.
>You aren't wearing your armor anymore.
>And you're also currently wrapped up in a hell of a lot of bandages.
>You don't actually look at them just yet, as moving would be far too much effort.
>Your everything is sore.
>Even breathing hurts, to be honest.
>Just waking up made enough noise to bring the sound of footsteps.
>Well, hoof steps, Zecora appears in your vision looming over you.
> “It is good to see you are awake. I did not know how many herbs it would take.”
“Hi to you too.”
>You're happy to be alive and all, but you're not happy to be conscious.
>Not even a little.
> “I am sure that you are very sore. To explain your treatment would be a bore. But let me be plain, when I explain. If Spike had not brought you back in time, you would not be here to hear my rhyme.”
>You probably could have guessed that much. The last thing you remember is being rag dolled around in the mouth of that dragon.
>Not your happiest moment.
 
>But wait.
“Spike brought me here? The little guy didn't get killed?”
> “No, I didn't. Thanks for your vote of confidence, Anon.”
>Walking in, Spike folds his little arms over his chest and glares at you.
>You saw this by sitting up, because you had been surprised by his voice.
>Which hurt like a bitch, even under the skin in your chest.
>Broken ribs, god damn do they hurt.
“Well you can't blame me for wondering where you went.”
> “I was waiting at the entrance to the cave, once the dragon went back. I uh...didn't think I could make much of a difference.”
“You were probably right. I'm surprised I'm even still alive. Where's my armor?”
>Spike blinks, and then snaps his claws.
> “Oh right! You were pretty messed up when I went in, after all that roaring and shouting. You were bleeding everywhere, so I had to take the armor off of you. Otherwise I couldn't drag you back to Zecora here.”
“So my armor and weapon is there? And the dragon is dead and everything?”
>He nods.
>You have a lot to think about, then.
>The first thing is to give yourself a little fist pump.
“Well, guess that's one down. A few hundred more to go and we might get Princess Celestia back.”
>Spike shrugs, scratching his head.
> “But we don't know where any of them are. You won't get any complaints from me, but...where?”
> You grin, because you remember a key bit of information.
“Let's see if I can walk back to the cave and get my stuff. I'll tell you on the way.”
 
>It turned you that you were able to get up and out of the bed after all.
>Sore, but healing ribs, foot in a cast and faded bruises aside.
>Spike doesn't try and pace off ahead, nor does he even give you any shit for taking a couple breaks.
>If anything, you look like you finally made a good impression..
> “So you think the Diamond Dogs have something to do with the dragons?”
>You've also taken a appropriately sized walking stick with you.
“Well that is kind of what the one dragon said. 'Dogs'. And now that I had a moment to think about it, those guys were all about gems. So we'll go talk to them once I'm not so busted up.”
> “Well that makes sense. But the Diamond Dogs are huge jerks, too.”
“I've heard. You'll probably want to stay out of sight for that too. Are there any other creatures we're going to talk too that you haven't pissed off?”
>He shoots you a nasty look while walking.
> “It's not my fault that Twilight and the gang had a habit of getting involved in problems. And besides, I think killing a dragon is going to make you a lot more enemies than I ever had.”
>Which is incredibly true, and as soon as the dragons know you're gunning for them you're probably going to be up shit creek.
>Which is nothing new for you.
“So did I ever tell you what gave me this retarded idea in the first place?”
> “No...what does 'retarded' mean?”
 
>Like any young guy, Spike loves stories about knights.
> Though you're sort of telling an unconventional one.
> “So he's not actually a knight?”
“ Not exactly. The guy just read a lot of books, but he was inspired to go be a knight because he wanted to make the world a better place. Though whether he was right or not depends on who you ask. The book isn't the same as the musical they made out of it. I prefer the musical.”
> “And there's a character in the story like me?”
“Yeah, the snarky sidekick.”
> “That sounds like me. So how does the story end?”
>You think for a second. You really should have read Don Quixote more than just the spark notes.
 “I think the guy figures out he isn't actually knight at the last minute and dies of old age in bed.”
> Spike gives you a deadpan stare.
> “I'm going to do my snarky side kick thing and say that that ending sucks.”
>You laugh. Spike's an alright kid.
>You finally hobble yourself in front of the cave, though you're worn out and need a break again.
 
>You take five minutes, stretching out your muscles and looking occasionally towards the cave entrance.
“You're sure the dragon is dead, right?”
>Spike smacks his face, you've asked him that about three times.
>Not like you're nervous or anything, you were only fighting to the death last time you were here.
> “Yes, Anon. It was dying just as I dragged you out. Twitching a bit, but I didn't really want to stop to check. You were pretty messed up too.”
“Alright alright. Lets go in.”
>And so you do, and you can't help but glance towards possible areas to jump for cover.
>The place is definitely messed up after the fight.
>The hoard of gems is scattered everywhere, only about half the piles are even complete.
>And there is most definitely one very dead green dragon occupying the center.
>Spike glances away from the dragon, sighing.
“Er, I guess I never did ask. The whole dragon thing isn't a problem for you is it?”
>He perks up, looking confused.
> “What? Oh no, I mean. I guess it might have a little bit ago. But I don't want to think of myself as the same sort of dragon as these guys. Not after they attacked Equestria. I just don't really like the whole...dead part in general.”
>You nod, figuring as much. If ponies had social services they'd probably drag Spike away.
>You're still amazed Twilight didn't just drag him back to her place.
> “Anon, I don't know about you. But the piles of gems seem a little smaller than they were a week ago.”
 
“A week? Is that how long I was out?”
>He nods, scratching his head when glancing around the hoard.
> “Yep, I came back a few times during the day to get something to eat. But I definitely didn't take that much.”
“Maybe the Diamond Dogs went and took the loot? They'd know that the dragon was dead for sure. And if you were back here why didn't you grab my armor and sword?”
>Spike jumps, eyes going wide at the realization. Then he nervously smiles.
> “Uh, I guess I didn't really want to get too close to the big green guy. Dead or not, he's still pretty scary.”
>You get to be the one deadpan staring back at him. All that shit he was silently giving you about being spooked in the cave.
“Well I'll go take a look, but you're going to have to help me carry it. It was heavy when I wasn't beaten to a pulp.”
>Though you're not a little nervous you might not have any armor. If the Diamond Dogs took your armor you'll be absolutely fucked getting it back.
 
>Fortunately the dogs, if they were the ones swiping the gems, must have been just as intimidated by the dragon body as Spike was.
>You don't blame them, he still looks terrifying to you.
>But dead is dead, he's laid out on the ground and covered in dried blood.
>Your armor is flung around where the dragon's head had fallen.
>It's all sorts of busted, with scratches and dents and a few enormous holes where it bit into your shoulder.
>And your sword is still stuck in its back, though the dragon had rolled itself more or less onto its side.
>You probably weren’t going to be able to climb up onto it otherwise and pull it free.
>You hobble over towards the hilt of the sword, intent on pulling it out first.
>It just seemed like the proper first step.
>That and the armor would be a bitch to carry, thankfully you have someone to do it for you.
“It's dead, Spike. The stuff is all here, but busted up as hell. I can fix it once we get back.”
>Spike pokes his head up behind a pile, a ruby half in his mouth.
> “Fixing it? How are you going to do that?”
“The same way I made it? I'll just rig up a forge around Zecora's tend, if she lets us hang with her.”
> “Why don't you just go back to Ponyville?”
>You were worried that Spike would say that.
 
“I...can't go back to Ponyville. It would be too dangerous. I killed this dragon here, they'll learn about that eventually and come looking to Ponyville. If they learn they were harboring me then they'll be punished. Badly.”
>Spike stares at you, eyes wide. He probably hadn't thought about that in those terms.
> “Oh...wow. You're right Anon. I hadn't gone back to Ponyville because I figured Twilight would lock me up in the library and not let me go back.”
“She probably would.”
>At this point you finally figure out a way to brace yourself against the dead dragon and pull as hard as you can.
>Not the easiest job, but you manage to pull it out with a sickening wetness noise following.
>Your sword is completely covered in purplish blood, but looks okay to you.
>Good thing dragon blood isn't acidic or anything.
>Fixing busted up armor is one thing, making a whole new sword on your own would have been a serious pain in the ass.
>You swing the sword about in the air occasionally, it feels right somehow in your hand.
>Spike is watching you, and the sword, looking like he's in awe.
> “You actually look kind of cool, Anon. I mean, besides looking so beaten up. I thought the dragon was just going to eat you.”
“Yeah, I thought so too.”
>This was meant to be something of a suicide mission. You didn't really think you had much of a shot, but it had felt right to do something about the shitty situation.
“Anyway, let's see if we can get the armor back to the hut without me breaking something else.”
 
>It actually takes two trips in the end, but you and Spike share jokes throughout most of it.
>Manly bonding and all, Spike seems to really be getting into the whole quest.
>And asking you for more stories about knights.
>You end up telling him about King Arthur, from what you can remember.
>Beowulf sneaks in there too, but that ends up taking over an hour to try and explain how a viking and a knight are different.
>Spike mentions he wants a horned helmet.
>Zecora agrees to let you stay at her place while you recover.
>She doesn't know much of anything about forges or metal work. But has a couple of spare bricks around.
>Which is okay, you'd been watching the blacksmith in Ponyville and even took part in some of the less technical details.
>Which meant you could probably fix your armor.
>It gave you something to do, as well.
>Though any worries about being bored while you recover are solved when half of Ponyville starts coming out to visit you.
 
 
>It started with Twilight, who looked like she'd been crying nonstop.
>Seriously, Purple Smart had a mix of reddened eyes, and black rings underneath.
>Not sleeping, just crying.
>Shit, you feel kind of bad for taking Spike with you.
>Or letting Spike come along.
>Twilight had apparently been forced to come visit Zecora for a sleep remedy, and was shocked to see both you and Spike here.
> “Anon?! Spike?! What are you...you're hurt!”
>You're magically lifted up by telekinesis and dragged from the makeshift forge you'd been working on out behind Zecora's hut.
>Spike is right next to you up in the air.
>You get hugged, tightly.
>So does Spike.
>The next emotion Twilight experiences is rage.
> “You've been out in the Everfree this whole time?! I thought you had both died!”
“Uh...well I didn't? I even managed to kill the dragon in the forest.”
> “Yeah, Twilight. We're okay. Anon was awesome!”
> “You did what!?”
 
>It took awhile, but Twilight eventually calmed down.
>It didn't mean she wasn't pissed at both of you.
>You get all of your injuries rechecked, and then rerechecked.
>Twilight wanted to haul you back to Ponyville Hospital.
>Not that she didn't trust Zecora, but she wanted to be sure you were okay.
>Spike also got checked, much to his protests.
> “You were bitten by a dragon! How can you possibly think it isn't a big deal!”
“Well I mean. I kind of figured one would bite me eventually. It's pretty much a third of what they do. Fire breathing, clawing and biting.”
> Spike rolls his eyes.
> “We do other stuff too, Anon.”
> Twilight is still unamused, and bosses you around for the rest of the day.
>She also happens to know a lot about forges and metal working, of course she does, and corrects about four things you were doing wrong.
>She also builds the forge for you.
>And the started to explain the principals of repairing armor.
>And then almost takes up a hammer to demonstrate on yours.
 
>For the sake of your pride and not wanting Twilight to outright aid and abet a dragonslayer, you get her to stop.
>She eventually leaves, without having a fight about taking Spike and you're left to a nice meal with Zecora and Spike.
>You're starting to think the rhyming Zebra rather enjoys your company.
>She certainly doesn't mind feeding you big ass plates of food.
>Not only vegetables, but meat.
>Zecora is cool, she goes out and murders animals for you and cooks them.
>Spike still has a ton of gems, he keeps going out and grabbing more from the hoard.
>It'd been two days since you went and got your armor back.
> “It's definitely getting taken by someone. I'm guessing you're right about the Diamond Dogs. I haven't seen any though.”
> You're already forming a plan, though it probably won't be very fun.
>As you savor the deliciousness of protein you notice something odd about Spike.
“Are you getting bigger?”
 
>Holy shit, Spike is definitely bigger.
>Not that much bigger, but he's almost as tall as Zecora.
>And his arms and legs are longer.
>He looks down, just as surprised as you.
> “Huh, I guess I am. That's weird.”
>Zecora looks him over, also obviously intrigued by this new development.
> “Many things about dragons I do not know, but I do recall how they grow. Your stolen gems are now quite the size, and a growth spurt is your added prize.”
“So Spike is going to get bigger the more of a hoard he takes? Maybe you'll be useful for a change.”
> “Hey! I went and acted like bait for you. But I guess it's good I'm a little bigger. I'll try not to take too much, or I might get really greedy.”
“Or so big that we won't be able to sneak around.”
>You settle back down for the your meal and contemplate the value of having a dragon fighting other dragons.
>Twilight would definitely kill you if you put Spike out on the front line.
>But getting killed first would be unproductive. You'll need all the help you could get.
 
>The next day you're visited by the entire six Elements of Harmony, and later a few others.
>Twilight must have told her friends, who told others and so on.
>You're bombarded with questions by Rainbow Dash, and Applejack also wants to hear details.
>Rarity, Fluttershy and Twilight fuss over Spike's growth spurt.
>Pinkie bounces around between you all.
>The day is generally unproductive, but you enjoy the chance to kick back and just relax.
>Fluttershy realizes you're injured and goes into full caremode for you.
>You observe Rarity and Spike walk off out of sight together.
>Huh.
>But you're far too busy, and everyone else is distracted, while Twilight further assists in fixing your armor for you.
>She probably went back to her place and did hours of more research.
>Your sword needed touching up, sharpening mostly.
>And Twilight helps patch up the holes in your plate.
>About twenty minutes pass until you see Spike and Rarity again, and you're very aware that Spike has a red face.
>So does Rarity.
>Huh.
 
>The rest of the day involves various ponies showing up to ask questions or just look at the 'famous' dragon killer.
>Apparently you're now a celebrity, and perhaps a new legend.
>You're happy enough to share the story, since it will probably help ponies have some hope.
>But you're careful to suggest they don't speak too loud.
>Don't want dragons to come down on them.
>Of course they understand that, and all in all you enjoy talking to Lyra, Derpy, the CMC and others.
>Days go on like that, while you recover.
>Your foot heals first, surprisingly.
>You decide to start running for exercise.
>Ribs still hurt, but the rest of your bruises are fading.
>You carry your sword while you run, can't be too careful in the woods.
>Spike joins you for exercise, he's evened out to a slightly taller than a pony size.
>Of all the ponies to come visit, Rarity is the most frequent to return..
>Mostly to provide new clothes she's been whipping up a storm on your behalf.
>Better underclothes, sleeping bags, back packs and also supplies to fix all of that yourself.
>But, she also seems to sneak off with Spike each time.
>Which is good in your book, you're proud of the little guy.
 
>You're nearly all better, which means you'll be back to work soon.
>Out on one of your morning runs with Spike.
>Barely feel pain in your side anymore.
>Spike has to struggle to keep up now.
>Your armor is nice and shiny, you can hardly tell you've been in it before.
>The shield is perfectly repaired, the sun symbol as bright as ever.
“So...looks like you and Rarity really hit it off.”
>You decided to just make conversation, after you've slowed down on your run.
>Zecora is about five minutes off.
> “Yeah! I mean, well. I guess she was just impressed we helped with the dragon. And being bigger helps me not look like a little kid.”
>He's halfway between ecstatic to talk about it and embarrassed.
“I'm happy you did. Give you something to work towards and come back to. Though I'd understand if you wanted to head back.”
> “No way. I already said I wanted to help. Plus Rarity kind of likes me acting like a knight. Though I'm not, you are.”
“Squire isn't a bad gig, you know. And who knows, we rescue the Princess and she'll probably knight you if you ask. At the rate you've grown you'll be able to swing a sword.”
>Spike is happy to hear all of that, you've definitely hit it off since you've recovered.
>You'll need to work together better, if you're going to learn anything while searching for the Diamond Dogs.
>You'll be doing that tomorrow, and you're not even apprehensive about it.
>Celestia is waiting for rescue, and you shouldn't dawdle if you can help it.
 
Part 4: http://pastebin.com/kGRzTJNF