>It had been several days since Anonymous was exiled from Ponyville. Since then, there had been no sight or sound of activity in the mountains.
>Twilight opened the door to Spike's personal chamber seeing inside the young dragon was looking out the window towards the mountains.
"Spike, you know how I feel about all this but it's already decided. Princess Celestia has been informed of Anonymous and his current condition, she's also concerned about this development."
>Spike jumps down from the windowsill and gets his travel pack.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"I'm going to talk to him. No matter what you think, he's still my friend and I'll figure out what's wrong with him. Even if you don't want to."
>Twilight stood shocked at Spike's words as he started walking down the stairs to the main door. A purple bubble lifted him off the ground.
"You were specifically told to stay away from him. What if it's some kind of contagious disease? I'd never forgive myself if you also turned into some kind of..."
"Monster?"
>Twilight scowled at him.
"You know I wasn't going to say that but if you want to be blunt about it, yes, some kind of monster."
"And what if it is a disease? He needs our help."
"I understand you that but it's still too dangerous. For now, we're going to wait on Princess Celestia's decision for what to do next. And that's that!"
>Spike folds his arms and grumbles about cheating magic, unable to fight against Twilight's authority.
>Celestia stared at the letter Twilight had sent her, faced with a difficult decision. Several guard ponies waited in her room, each carrying several other missives and reports.
"Please tell me this is just preparations for the next social event."
>The guards gave each other a nervous look and unfurled their packs.
"I'm sorry your majesty but these are more of the local reports of missing ponies, stolen property and dragon sightings in the Ponyville area."
>Celestia grimaced as she went through the reports. Things were spiraling out of control now, each subsequent report having similar details of a red dragon wreaking havoc without warning and leaving shortly after.
"You can come out Discord, I know you're hiding here enjoying the trouble you've caused."
>As if on cue, the lord of Chaos manifested himself between the two guards startling them.
"Oh princess, you always knew when I was watching. And for the record this isn't my fault. Entirely. I just happened to take something that didn't belong to me, hardly the consequence for curiosity."
>Celestia sent away the two guards and locked the door.
"Because you felt the need to hit the hornet's nest, Anonymous is running amuck like when he first made himself known only now Twilight informs me he's lost any sense of reason and is indulging in the most basic animal instincts. I've had the Wonderbolts track him but they keep coming back empty hoofed."
"Well of course they won't find him because he doesn't want to be found. I personally checked out his little abode recently and you know what I found? Nothing. Oh sure shiny trinkets galore but no dragon. He's even left his precious rocks behind."
"Take me there at once!"
"No need to be so pushy. You may be royalty but you still have manners."
"Now!"
>Discord clicked his talons together and the two of them were in Anonymous' den. Or what remained of it.
"See, like I told you. Nothing. It would seem he's abandoned it and taken residence elsewhere."
>Celestia walked about the den, looking outward where the 'door' used to be. It had been thrown down the mountainside with excessive force.
"He could see the whole town of Ponyville. But he just stayed in here to keep to himself."
>She made her way to the end of the cave and found the two treasures Anon held dear.
"Why would he abandon this after going through so much trying to get it back?"
"Ah now that's the question. Maybe he realized he doesn't need it anymore. Whatever the reason, he's not here now and he left them behind."
"Them? I thought you said he only had one treasure? There are two stones here.."
>Discord picked up Spike's gift, tossing it around carelessly.
"Oh it's some little thing Spike gave him at that party earlier. Rocks and dragons, somehow there's a connection I'll figure out.
"Spike?"
"Nonny was quite taken to the little dragon. The two were quite inseparable when he took him out for their regular lessons."
"Yes but where did they go? Maybe that will lead us to where he is now. We have to stop him before he causes any more harm."
"Princess Celestia, what are you doing here? I didn't know you were coming so soon, I would have cleaned up first!"
>Celestia looked around and found herself in Twilight's room. Discord gave her a little grin, hiding his claw behind his back.
"Twilight, where's Spike? I have something very important to ask him."
"Spike? He's in his room. Why? And what's Discord doing here?"
"I'll explain later, right now we have to find Anonymous. He's not in his den any longer and there are reports of him causing havoc all over. Spike may be the key to finding and calming him down."
>Taking them to Spike's room, Twilight discovered it was empty. Frantically searching, she found his pack was gone also.
"We have to find him! If anything happens to him I'll never forgive myself!"
>Celestia rests her head on Twilight's.
"Calm down, we'll find him. Discord seems to have eyes everywhere so we can get to him before it's too late."
"Or we can just wait it out and have him lead us right to Anon. Just saying."
>Twilight and Celestia share a look of surprise.
"Clearly he knows where to go so we just have to sit back and wait. I'll get us snacks! I do love a dramatic buildup."
>Spike was nearing the spot Anonymous had shown him. The rock wall was missing.
>Slowly going through the tunnel, Spike came to small pond surrounded by ice.
"He's not here. Now what do I do?"
>"It's not often for meals to deliver themselves. And what do I owe this pleasure, little one?"
>Spike jumped at the raspy voice, turning to see the frame of a red dragon silhouetted in the cavern tunnel.
"Anonymous! Don't scare me like that. We really have to work on your humor, it's getting creepy."
>Running up to hug his teacher, Spike slowed to a stop when he got a full look at his greeter. It was Anonymous all right but he was largely built, adorned in spines. His scales looked burnt almost, taking on a darker tinge of red.
"You look, different. What happened to you?"
>"Oh I wouldn't be concerned with that. More I would be worried about you, little thief."
"Thief?! It's me. Spike!"
>Anonymous left the tunnel and came up to Spike, trails of smoke fuming from his jawline.
>"Can't quite say I remember the name. But then again, why should I remember every meal after all?"
>Spike ducked behind a singing stone as Anonymous lunged at him with his jaws.
>Making a dash for the tunnel, a large claw was smashed in the way.
>"Always when I'm not looking, little thieves try to steal from me. Now I've caught you."
"Anonymous, please remember. It's me, Spike. Your student."
>Anonymous paused and stared at him, scrutinizing at Spike's words.
>"Why do you keep calling me that name?"
>Spike stood there, mouth agape as the shock slowly set in.
>His friend and mentor had forgotten everything, even himself.
"What do you mean? That's your name. Anonymous. At least that was the name you told us when we first met you."
>Anonymous eased up and leaned in close to Spike.
>"How strange of a name. It's an irony in itself. A being that doesn't know who it is, calls itself by a title for those that wish to not be known. And you're saying I chose that foolish label?"
>Anonymous starts laughing, the cavern echoing and shaking slightly.
>"Little thief, you amuse me with your fanciful lies. Perhaps I have a use for you yet."
>Picking up Spike, Anonymous holds him above his jawline as rows of sharp teeth creep into view with each enunciation.
"I don't understand, what happened to you? It's like you've turned rotten or something. You're not the friend I remember!"
>A plume of smoke shoots into Spike's face.
>"Friend? With you? Now truly you are full of lies. Why would a creature such as myself befriend a small, meek thing like you?"
>Spike hung there, unsure of what to say.
"It's because you saw promise in him and wanted to help him grow, despite your reluctance to get close to anypony."
>Anonymous turns and sees another intruder in his den. A purple and winged unicorn stood before him, her horn glowing.
>"More uninvited guests? Friend of yours I assume?"
>Spike sheepishly nods as a little grin forms on Anonymous' maw.
>"Normally the ponies know better to stay away but I could always indulge myself on picking off the less intelligent ones. Especially those that think it's wise to waltz right into a dragon's home."
>Dangling Spike in one claw, Anonymous faced himself toward Twilight. His body was much larger now and his tail slowly encircled her, cutting off any escape.
>"I should burn you little thieves here. All alone with no one to help you. Yes, that sounds right. Make examples of you."
>Anonymous' words rolled out on the last syllable, as if echoing his own statements.
>Celestia slowly walked out from the entryway and stood beside Twilight, her face contorted in grim determination.
"It pains me to see you like this Anonymous but I cannot allow you to go on like in such a way."
>A shield flickers as Anonymous sprays the two winged unicorns in a sheet of flame, the blast being divided as it hits Celestia's protective spell. Twilight can't bring herself to look at Spike.
"Twilight, what are you doing? Princess Celestia, you have to help Anonymous. He's forgotten everything he was."
>Celestia's horn glows brighter and the flame burst stops abruptly. Anonymous drops Spike and frantically starts to cough.
>"Little thieves and your magics! Now you steal my flames!"
>Spike runs over to Twilight, only able to watch as Princess Celestia slowly subdues Anonymous, his heavy frame sinking into the earth to swallow his limbs and trap him in the ground.
"I'm sorry Spike, we're helping him the only way we can now."
>Twilight only looked on as Celestia strengthened her spell, fully engrossed in concentration as it was taxing the limits of her power. The more Anonymous fought against her hold, the more exhausted he became.
>Managing to tear one claw free, he took a half hearted swipe at Celestia but was stopped and contained again as Twilight joined in to lend her strength.
>"Leave me be! I will not be caged like some degenerate, you cannot treat me like some animal!"
"No Anonymous, you aren't an animal. You are a dragon."
>Celestia wouldn't look at him as she performed the last of her spell. The earth began to liquify and leap onto Anonymous' frame, turning to stone.
>Thrashing with what strength he had left, the spell took hold as the hardened stone weighed down his body and slowly congealed together to spread over him.
>Twilight held Spike close as the two watched Anonymous slowly turn to stone before their eyes, what remained of his face rife in panic as he fought against the inevitable. A small glint changed in his eyes for a brief moment.
>"Spike...."
>Fully encased in stone, Anonymous' body stood silent. He was gone.
>Spike slowly walked up to his former teacher, placing a claw on the stone talon resting before him.
"Spike, I'm sorry. There was nothing else we could do for him."
>Spike ignored Twilight's words and slowly made for home. Princess Celestia stood before Anonymous and placed her head against his stoney chest, a faint glow coming from her horn. Turning about, she stops next to Twilight before heading out.
"I never wanted for any of this but I did what I had to. In time, I hope you never have to make such a decision."
>Twilight didn't leave immediately after. She sat down in front of Anonymous, blankly staring at the former dragon as Celestia's words sank in of what she might have to do as well someday.
>She hoped that day would never come.