[birds chirping
[knock at door]
Uh, Headmare Twilight?
Sorry to bug you in the teachers' lounge.
Is it OK if I miss class?
Mm hm. You can make it up tomorrow.
Actually, I'll be gone for a week.
A week? In the middle of the semester?
Oh! Is everything all right, Smolder?
Not exactly.
[sigh]
My brother's been having a hard time
since I left for school.
I want to go home and check on him.
He's a really sweet guy,
and the other dragons can be kinda rough.
Did you say sweet guy and dragon in the same sentence?
Yeah. He's sorta like you, Spike.
Aww!
I'm sorry to hear about your brother, Smolder.
But the Dragonlands are really far for you to go by yourself,
and I'm not sure about you missing so much class.
Hey! What if she got school credit for it?
Kind of like a... Kindness field trip! I'll go with her!
Thanks! The Dragonlord is way too busy for personal problems
when it's baby-dragon- hatching season.
Baby-dragon-hatching season?
All those cute little snouts poking out of those
adorable little shells? Teeny tiny twitchy tails.
Can I go too?
Well, you are the perfect pony to lead a kindness field trip.
[sigh]
Fine. But I'm going to expect a full report
when you get back!
How many pages?
I was talking to Fluttershy.
Hatching season sounds fascinating!
[giggle]
♪ My little pony, my little pony ♪
♪ Aaaahhh ♪
♪ My little Pony ♪
♪ I used to wonder what friendship could be. ♪
♪ My Little Pony ♪
♪ Until you all shared its magic with me. ♪
♪ Big adventure! ♪ ♪ Tons of fun ♪
♪ A beautiful heart! ♪ ♪ Faithful and strong! ♪
♪ Sharing kindness ♪ ♪ it's an easy feat ♪
♪ And magic makes it all complete! ♪
♪ To have my little pony ♪
♪ Do you know you're all my very best friends? ♪
♪♪
Spike: OK, I made a list of what cheers me up when I'm down,
so if your brother's like me, he's gonna love it!
What should we do first: the "smile" song,
the sharing circle, or friendship bracelet weaving?
I'm not sure those are the kind of things
my brother's gonna be into.
Well, what would make your brother happy?
Just having Spike and me accept him for who he is
will make a huge difference.
Dragons who appreciate his more sensitive side.
I got it! Showtunes!
Yeah, no. But good try.
[Fluttershy sniffs]
Oh! Um, that's an interesting smell.
[big inhale]
Ah. The stink of sulfur, sharp rocks under my claws.
It's good to be home.
I can't wait to meet your brother, Smolder.
We're gonna be best buddies, I just know it.
He usually hangs out near here. I'll go try and find him.
Spike, do you mind if I take a peek
at the cute little baby eggs?
No problem! I'll stay here and finish this comfort blanket.
It'll be like a hug
every time Smolder's brother wraps it around himself.
Aw, I'm sure he'll love it, Spike.
♪♪
[excited gasp] Oh, my goodness!
Good morning, little one. I've come a long way to meet you.
Did you know there's a whole wide world out here
waiting to say hello? Did you? Oh, did you boo?
It can't answer you. It's an egg.
Oh! Dragonlord Ember, how nice to see you.
Nice to see you too, uh ...which one are you again?
The party one? Apple Dash? Or was that the country one?
Fluttershy. The one who loves creatures.
Are all these yours?
WHAT? No! None of them are.
Watching over eggs is just part of the glamorous life
of a Dragonlord.
I think it sounds wonderful.
Yeah? Then maybe you can help.
I'd love to! Just tell me what to do.
I don't know! It's my first time being in charge.
Dad wasn't big on sharing Dragonlord details.
It's kind of a burn or be burned job.
Well, I'm sure you're doing great!
Not really. The eggs should have hatched by now...
But none of them have even cracked.
Oh, dear. Maybe they're lonely.
Don't you worry. Auntie Fluttershy's here.
And the Dragonlord and I are going to do everything we can
to welcome you into this world!
Really? How?
Um. I have no idea.
Now that's a thing of beauty.
♪ [tense music] ♪
Whoa!
Well, if it isn't our little pony-friend, Spike.
That's Equestria's Official Friendship Ambassador
to the Dragonlands to you.
And I'm not little. I had the molt, see?
[nasty laughs]
Ooh, runt's got wings! I'm so impressed.
What's that supposed to be?
Nothing.
Agh!
Looks like a... baby blanket to me.
It's not a baby blanket! It's a... comfort blanket.
[hooting laughter]
Aww... Did your pony pals make it for you
with friendship and gumdrops?
No... I made it.
And by the way, knitting is a lot harder than it looks.
Check out the baby blanket, guys!
It's a lot harder than it looks!
Got your bwankie.
Aw, the little baby crying.
Whoa, miss!
Bet he broke a claw and everything!
Give it back! That's for my friend.
[laughter]
Cut it out!
You know laugh-fire is dangerous! It can...
[poof]
...do that.
Garble!
Smolder?
What are you doing here?
[clanging]
How's it scalin', bra?
We'd better get out of here before your brother shows up.
Garble isn't very nice to sensitive dragons.
But... Garble IS my brother.
Your brother?
Got a problem with that, ponyboy?
Oh, brother.
I've missed you, bro! We got a lot of fun to catch up on.
There's no lava diving at school.
Good luck getting Garble to do anything.
Yeah, he's been so weird since you left.
Hiding, and moping around.
I have not!
Have so!
Easy, guys. I learned at Twilight's school,
ganging up on each other isn't half as cool as you think.
Aw, Pony school made you soft.
Wanna try me and find out?
[gulp] Maybe later.
So... Let's get lava diving! Whaddya say?
Better stay here, shrimp.
Lava might ruin your blankie-wankie.
Let the wimp tag along.
Then we'll have somedragon to dunk!
Only gonna warn you once. Spike's my friend.
You mess with him, you mess with me.
Besides, he came here to hang out with YOU, Garble.
[guffawing]
Aw, how sweet.
Let's go do dragon stuff.
Garble can have fun with his new friend.
[shouts]
But I'm not having fun! And he's not my friend!
[growl]
Just ignore them, GarGar.
Smolder! Not in public!
Oh, it's OK to have a nickname!
Sometimes I'm called Spikey Wikey.
Seriously? You're admitting this?
I am not hanging out with him.
Give him a chance, Garble. You guys have a lot in common.
Fine. Race you to the Lava Pit.
Wait! I thought you said your brother was sweet.
All the tough guy stuff is just an act.
He's a big marshmallow.
Yeah. Not seeing it.
Well, maybe a burned marshmallow.
Smoky on the outside, but squishy inside.
He just needs friends who can appreciate that part.
Like you.
You're not changing your mind
about helping me cheer him up, are you?
Me? 'Course not.
[groan]
OK! Lava jumping, just like old times, huh GarGar?
Yeah. Just like old times.
Except for one little, annoying thing.
Scales away!
[splash]
Come on in! The lava's fine!
[groan]
Ya know, whenever I'm feeling a little down,
it always helps if I do something with a friend.
How about we jump together?
Agh!
[splash]
[gurgling]
Oh. Spike? You OK?
I know there must be something worse than lava up your nose.
Ah ah ah ahchoo!
I just don't know it is.
CANNON BALL!
Woohoo! Ha ha ha!
Oops!
[choking]
SWALLOWING lava. Swallowing lava is definitely worse.
My bad.
And then they all lived happily ever after!
Time to come out, little ones.
[baby talk]
Maybe you'd like a song?
I think you might be encouraging them to stay in.
Dragons aren't much for touchy-feely stuff.
Oh. I'm sorry.
[crackling]
Goodness! Why are the eggs shaking?
Are they finally hatching?
I wish. They've been doing that for days.
I'm sure it means something. But it's probably not good.
Try this. Red velvet.
Guaranteed to brighten anycreature's spirits!
[splat]
Feeling better already.
I don't know about you, but a change of scenery
always turns my frown upside down.
AAh!
[thud]
I will be the bigger dragon. I will be the bigger dragon.
Sometimes just hearing what someone appreciates about you
can make you feel better about yourself.
I'll go first.
Spike,I think it's really nice
that you're trying to cheer up GarGar.
Aw!
Thank you, Smolder. My turn.
I like how you always let everycreature know
how you're feeling, GarGar.
ONLY SMOLDER GETS TO CALL ME THAT!
[choke]
Thank you for speaking your truth.
[groan]
More fresh lava, comin' up!
[falling rocks]
[bubbling lava]
OK, NEW activity. Who wants to make vision boards?
Hey, Garble! Smolder! Surf's up!
Let me show you how it's done!
You coming?
I'll catch up with you.
[Spike sighs]
Spike! There you are!
Hey, Fluttershy.
For a land that's all rocks,
this place is surprisingly easy to get lost in.
How are the baby dragons doing?
The eggs won't hatch! They just keep shaking.
I'm starting to think the dragons are too scared
to come out. I was hoping you could help...
If you're not too busy
cheering up Smolder's brother.
Not a chance. Smolder's brother is GARBLE.
The only thing that cheers him up is to make me miserable.
Hey, Spike! Wanna play lava ball?
Excuse me. But that's not a very nice game.
[laughter]
Ah, nearly got you!
ENOUGH!
I mean, leave my friend alone, please.
Spike came all this way to cheer up Garble,
which was a very kind thing to do.
Aw, do you need cheering up?
What's wrong, Garble?
Did somedragon hurt your wittle feewings?
No! I don't know what she's talking about.
Spike's the one who's gonna cry!
HEY! Are we lava surfing or what?
Yeah! Yeah! Let's go hang with a REAL dragon.
Not a pony wanna-be!
See? It's no use.
Why don't I see what I can do about the eggs,
and you cheer up Garble. At least he listens to you.
Just you wait, Garble. You're dealing with Fluttershy now.
And she's packing a whole lifetime of kindness.
Koochie koochie koo. Koochie koochie koo...
koochie! Koochie koochie koo. [angry] Koochie!
Spike: Uh, what are you doing?
SPIKE!
Hi Ember!
Shouldn't you be doing whatever it is you do
at Twilight's school?
I wish. It's a long story.
Wow. These eggs really do look scared.
Wait, aren't the hatching grounds supposed to be hot?
Of course! There's a lake of molten lava under them.
That's why the eggs are laid here;
the heat makes them hatch!
Then something's wrong.
I don't think the eggs are shaking
'cause they're afraid. They're cold.
You're right! But what happened to the lava?
I might have an idea.
Garble? Smolder? Is any dragon there?
♪ [drumming] ♪
Oh, my. Are those... bongo drums?
Fire, dragon, wig and wagon... Feelin' like I be saggin'...
Oh, yeah, I dig!
♪♪
Ragin' lava, balaclava ...
Huh?
[groan]
Fresh lava coming up.
♪♪
See?
I wondered where that lava was coming from.
They must be draining it from the underground lake!
[crash]
Put that rock back! Immediately!
Uh, yes, Dragonlord Ember!
How long have you been removing these boulders?
A while?
It made our lava pools so nice and warm-like.
It's supposed to be heating the eggs!
Now they'll never hatch!
Sorry, Dragonlord Ember!
We'll put the lava back!
Here you go, lava! Aw come on! Don't you have to go!
Faster!
It's liquidy!
I don't think it works that way.
The hatching grounds can't be the only
warm place in the Dragonlands.
There's got to be somewhere else we can take the eggs.
You know how fragile those things are?
No way we'll be able to move them all safely.
YOU! Go and bring all the dragons
to the hatching grounds.
We'll have to make the heat ourselves.
What do you think you're doing sneaking around here, Pony?
Sneaking? It looks to me like the only one sneaking around
is you, Garble. Why didn't you tell me you were a poet?
I'm not!
♪♪
♪ Words, rhythm, sometimes rhyme. Weird punctuation. ♪
Sure sounds like poetry to me.
It's OK, GarGar.
Fluttershy won't think you're soft for being a poet.
And neither would anydragon who was your real friend.
OK, fine. But I'm not a flowery namby pamby poet.
I'm a beat poet...dig?
I totally feel you.
And you better not tell my friends about it.
But...why? If I was a poet,
I'd want to share my creations with everypony.
I'm the only one Garble will perform for.
He hasn't written any poetry since I left.
That's why he's been so sad.
I NEED to create! But if the other dragons ever found out
I like this junk, they'd make fun of me. Forever.
Is that why you pick on Spike?
To make your friends think you're tough?
Wait. You've been picking on Spike?
Only when you're not looking.
But if I didn't pick on Spike, they'd just pick on me.
And he is kind of a weakling.
Hmmph! I'll have you know Spike is stronger than you are!
Any day!
Yeah, right. That little cupcake-making,
blanket-cuddling pony-dragon? Gimmie a break.
First of all, there's nothing wrong with being a pony.
Second, Spike isn't afraid to be who he is,
no matter what you... or anycreature thinks.
That's real strength... Not like somedragons I know.
For a pony without a horn, she's sure got a point.
I've been looking all over for you guys.
We need your help! Hurry!
[whooshing]
I've ordered everydragon to warm up the eggs,
but they still won't hatch.
I don't know what else we can try.
We can't give up! There's got to be something we can do.
How 'bout we wrap the eggs in a bunch of baby blankets?
Yeah! The wimp can knit 'em up real quick-like.
Hey, watch it! That laugh-fire could burn someponies!
[laughter continues]
Burn! Good idea, Spikey Wikey.
Eggs. Come. Burst into that light.
Break through shells that... bind!
[snapping]
♪♪
Break free. Explore!
Stuck between rock and hard place!
[laughter]
Freedom. Come. Don't be shy. Look those others in the eye.
[laughter]
Stake your claim. Don't stop, just do!
Be the one and only you!
♪♪
Spike, look.
[cracking]
Their laugh-fire is so hot, it's hatching the eggs!
Come to light. Proud to be. Open up! Bam! Be... FREE!
[laughter]
[cracking]
You did it, GarGar!
You performed in front of other dragons!
And it was SUPER-LAME.
What kind of weakling writes poetry?
The hero of the Dragonlands, that's who.
Yeah! Garble saved our eggs because he was strong enough
to be who he is, whether you liked it or not.
I grew up thinking it was OK to make fun of differences.
But my friends have taught me to celebrate them!
And from now on, in my kingdom,
that's exactly what we will do!
Now, if you don't mind, can you teach me
how to write poetry like that? It's pretty cool.
Uh, yeah. Sure, no problem.
Yeah, me too!
I wanna learn!
Take a number, guys.
I'll take them all! Oh, my!