Mangle looked back at Spike and the others with tears flooding his eyes. The rush of adrenaline had subsided and the reality had hit Mangle like a ton of bricks. “H-h-het-they” Mangle could barely say out loud what he had just realized, and Spike and the others realized just what was going through Mangles mind.  
Garble and his friends bought him enough time to escape his freedom, by sacrificing their own freedom. And now here Mangle was, separated from his group, his friends, his brother. Something that the others were familiar with, though never to this extreme.  
Spike wasnt sure what do to, but despite that, went up to him and embraced him in a hug. Mangle hugged back, quietly sobbing into Spike shoulder. It wasnt much, but Spike felt he owed it to Mangle to say something.  
“Umits alright, Im sure Garble and the others arestill alive.” Spike didnt want to lie to him, but he knew that the others were going to be subjugated to pretty harsh conditions that were anything but okay. He looked back to the others to help him out. Sharp and Snort were having their own moment of sorrow, but Magma seemed to be tiring of the scene.  
“Alright, Im fed up with this,” Magma said bluntly, “this pity party is over.”
 
Magma pushed Sharp and Snort off of him while approaching Mangle. “Look Mangle, I know I just met you and your brother, but from what I can tell, the last thing hed want you to do is spend the time he got you crying about how he got you time to escape.”  
Mangle sniffled, but nodded in agreement. Magma continued in his blunt way, And what I can also tell is that your friends are some of the toughest dragons Ive met, do you think theyd really be broken by anything that foreman can do to them?  
Mangle shook his head. “So why the waterworks? Look I know youre gonna miss your bro and friends, but this is only temporary, youll see them again, right? Magma asked convincingly.  
“I guess so,” Mangle responded.  
“You guess?” Magma questioned Mangles conviction.  
“I am going to see them again.” Mangle stated with a bit more enthusiasm.  
“That sounds more like the dragon I saw back there kicking butt,” Magma said patting Mangles back. “So what do ya say, why dont you join our group? Well work together to get the dragons saved, including your bro and friends.  
“Really?” Mangle asked hopefully, I can join you guys?  
“Sure thing.” Magma said approvingly. Spike and the others all gave Mangle a thumbs up, showing that theyd be in it together.  
“Wow, Magma,” Spike said, “I didnt know you had a compassionate side.”  
“Well I, uh, I” Magma became flustered that he dropped his tough guy appearance to be the one that cheered up a downtrodden Mangle, “Well, you guys were all useless! If I didnt step in, youd all be crying till sunset! He pointed an accusing finger at them.  
“Aww, come off it,” Snort teased, “You know you care about us and the new guy.” He came up to him and rested an elbow on his shoulder.  
“I do not!” Magma yelled flustered, which caused the other four to burst out laughing at his expense, Im going to Mt. Vouderon without you guys! he yelled at them walking away.  
“Do you even know where it is?” Spike asked.  
Magma stopped in his tracks and realized he didnt, Uh, no I dont, do you?  
“I do,” Mangle spoke up, “we just head south of here, its not too hard to miss, since it stands out.”  
“Well, lead the way Mangle,” Spike gestured to him.  
Mangle led the way as they started walking in the direction of their next destination. Sharp and Snort were still giving him a hard time about being a softy while Spike informed Mangle of everything that had led up to meeting him. The naive start, the attack in the cave, the assault on the quarry, the night in the caverns, leading to the escape from the mines. And thus, the four became five. Mangle joined up with the group to head to Mt. Vouderon and inform the dragon council of what was the cause behind the disappearing dragons.  
-Chapter 4 End-
 
 
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