A/N: End of Arc I

Confrontation

Bells rang in the mountain city hall of Canterlot, signaling a call for all of the population to come and witness a spectacle. Today many of the populace were very excited to attend a grand wedding of royalty. Some were upset about the endeavor and mumbled as they were shuffled into the multitude of ponies who gathered together in the courtyard of the newly rebuilt Canterlot Castle.

Birds sang beautiful heavenly songs in the air as they flew overhead, giving their own approval of the wedding below. Flying up above the balcony leading to the throne room were the four royal flags of the four Princess' of Equestria, with a hidden banner between Celestia's and Luna's. This one was covered with a white sheet, and was soon to be revealed after the wedding had concluded.

A low tune humming filled the air as Princess Luna strode up to the altar set up on the balcony. In her arms was a young dracony roughly the age of two. Speaking in a booming voice, that was filled with joy and giddiness to begin, she said, "I thank you my citizens of Equestria for coming out to witness the ceremonial union of my nephew and his chosen princess." Cheers went up in respect for the princess if not for the happy couple about to be wed. "It's a shame that my sister could not be here to witness this union." Silence spread out for a few moments as all of the ponies and dragons bowed their heads in respect.

"Without her sacrifice, this war would not have ended. We would not all be standing here in this grand capitol several months after it was rebuilt. For the memory of my sister, I now announce her son, and the true king of Equestria, Prince Spike Guâlhoran!"

More cheers went up as the amethyst drake stepped forward to stand on the right side of his aunt. Taking a bow, he faced out over the crowd with a smile gracing his features. "Citizens of Equestria, ponies and dragons alike, it is with great pleasure that I have the honor to present to you my future queen, and hero of Equestria, Rarity Yugen!"

Roaring cheers arose as Rarity delicately strode forward, garbed in a royal white wedding dress. With the hem dotted in magnificent sapphires, and the bottom collared in emeralds, it was a dress made for royalty, one of the most beautiful dresses ever made.

Together, the couple turned to look at each other. Spike could not keep a smile from his lips, while Rarity could not hide a blush as she continuously glanced down at her stomach. "Mares and Gentlecolts, Dragonesses and Drakes, I hereby present to you our saviors, Prince Spike and Lady Rarity."

Clearing her throat, Princess Luna opened her palms towards the two lovers. "We have been brought here together by your love for each other. Evident not only by your actions, but by the simple deeds that you have performed. We are graced with your presence, and we are truly humbled to witness this union."

Spike could not help but blush as he took Rarity's hands in his. "Is there any pony or dragon who wishes this union not to be? Speak now, or forever hold your peace." Silence accompanied her words, broken only by a stray cough here or there.
"As you wish." Luna lowered her head to look both lovers in the eyes, seeing their happiness and eagerly awaiting for her to say the magic words. "Spike Guâlhoran, do you take Rarity Yugen to be your lawfully wedded wife, to cherish and to hold, to love forever more, to give your life should she require it, to bestow upon her the gift of child and to raise that child, and to allow her to tend to you in sickness or in health so long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

"And do you Rarity Yugen, take Spike Guâlhoran to be your lawfully wedded husband, to cherish and to hold, to love forever more, to give your life should he require it, to bare his children with honor and to raise them, and to allow him to tend to you in sickness or in health as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

"If you will please present the rings." Spike never lost his smile as he slipped a small ring from his pocket, gently sliding it onto Rarity's third finger on her left hand. In turn Rarity slid a ring from Luna's hand onto Spike's third finger of his left hand. "By the power vested in me, both below and above the skies where Pegasi soar, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss..." Before Luna could finish both Spike and Rarity rushed forward, wrapping their arms around each other and bringing their lips together.

Luna only smiled as she watched the scene unfold before her. Past the two she could see her subjects starting to howl with cheers. Pulling away, Spike looked deep into Rarity's eyes, speaking the only words that needed to be said. "I love you my darling wife."

Rarity's smile grew as she took in a sharp breath. "Spike? Did ya hear me?" Spike had to shake his head as he thought he heard wrong. It sounded like Applejack had just spoken to him, but for some odd reason, it came from Rarity's mouth.

"Applejack?"

"Spike. Wake up Spike."

---

Spike groaned as he opened his eyes, seeing the vast open ocean blue sky high above him. A few clouds waltzed by in lazy strides as he stared at them. To the left he could feel the warming rays of his mother's sun. "Spike, are ya alright there sugar cube?"

The drake lowered his head to see that he was sitting on a small incline in the hillside that made the border for the North end of the soccer field. Letting his gaze sweep over the open field, he could see that Rainbow Dash was practicing her newer more tricky kicks, while Rain was busy trying to keep her balls from going past him and into the net. Shining Armor was busy walking around making small marks on his clipboard. A few other ponies were out practicing their various roles on the team.

Walking over towards him was Applejack, with a look of worry present on her features. "Are ya alright there? Ya haven't moved an inch since practice started?"

"What? Oh, hehe, ya." Rubbing the back of his head, he sighed as he looked back up at the sky. "Say Applejack, are you in love?" As he spoke, he could not help but think about what he had seen. Was it just a dream, or was it a vision? Father said that I was always more in tune with the future than anything else.

Applejack could not help but blush as she looked out over the field, sitting down next to Spike. "Ya could say that. There is a fella ah find kinda catches my fancy. Why do ya ask?"

"Well its just that, I have loved Rarity for a long time. Almost since we first met actually. And now that she is actually giving me a chance, I don't want to mess anything up, I want this to work out."

"Ah know how ya feel sugar cube. Ah hate to see anythin' happen to my relationship with Rain." She covered her mouth when she realized that she had let his name slip from her lips. Spike seemed to pay no mind as he looked over towards the bleachers, where he saw Rarity watching the field, sometimes glancing at him. "Ah've never seen her this happy with any pony before Spike. Ya must be her luckiest catch yet. Just be yourself though. Don't try ta do anythin' fancy alright?" He nodded. "Let's get back to practice."

Spike silently agreed as he followed Applejack down to the center of the field, where the rest of the team was starting to gather with Shining Armor in the center. After a brief pep talk about their upcoming game, he dismissed them to run a few laps around the field.

As the team ran, passing by the bleachers, Rarity could not help but admire how much Spike had healed in the last few weeks. Even after his scuffle with Thunderlane at the beginning of the month, he was bound determined to not let the bully get to him. Awing at his impressive bravery, she could not help but feel her heart flutter when she remembered that he was her boyfriend.

"His love for you is eternal you know. It knows no bounds." Rarity almost jumped when she looked to her side, only to see someone that Spike had described to her on numerous occasions. "You don't seem so surprised to see me Rarity."

"Spike always told me that when he needed your guidance you would visit him. Sometimes when you wanted to pass some wisdom on to him you would seek him out anywhere. Guess I need a little of both right now."

"What seems to be the matter young Rarity? You have the drake or in this case, boyfriend that you have always wanted. What more could you want? Unless, you fear something." He smirked as he saw her raise her eyes to seek out the drake that had captured her heart. "You fear losing him don't you?" When she nodded, he placed a wing around her back. "You could never hurt him unless you were not to love him. That I know is never going to happen. The bond you share with him is unbreakable."

When he sighed, Rarity asked, "Spike once told me that you and Princess Celestia were great friends, but not for long. Instead you chose to dive head first into the relationship. Why did you do it?"

"Ah, that story." He chuckled as he looked up towards the sun, "I was a young fool who had finally found somewhere I felt like I belonged. With his mother, it was incredible. Those hundred years we were together, were worth every second. I would never trade them for anything." Again he sighed, although this sounded more heavy.

"Why are you really here?"

Again the drake sighed as he looked back towards Rarity with a slight hint of worry. "What do you know about magic Rarity, or for that matter, dragons?"

"Well I know that Spikey was taught magic a little over two years ago, as far as dragons, all I know is what Spike has told me, which is very little."

"Spike was told by his mother about magic years ago. Recently he has been able to tap into that flow, but there is something, more to him. His magic is stronger than even my own, which is a feat that is nigh on impossible." Silence fell between the two, broken only by the heavy panting of the soccer team as they lapped by.

"Spike is powerful, but he doesn't want it. All he wants is to be with me. Being able to use magic myself, I have felt the power that he has, and he knows it. In his heart though, he can't accept what fate has bestowed upon him. If he could, he would give it to me, or you, or any pony else."

"Yes, he would. Spike has a noble, valiant heart. He would lay down his life if it meant that he could save any pony or dragon, especially if it were you." Now the drake turned to look back at his son, while she did the same. "Listen to me when I say that to be loved by my son is no easy thing. As a dragon, we like to claim what is ours in a different way than ponies do."

Rarity smiled as she looked back towards Spike for a brief second. "Mates. Dragons choose a single female to mate with, and when they do, they are bonded for life. They perform many different rituals to become mates, one is the 'Blodren Tyuek' or the 'blood bond', which is what Spike told me about."

"The Blodren Tyuek is not to be taken lightly my dear. Out of the three total ways of mating rituals known to dragons, that one is the most intimate and the most meaningful. When two dragons perform the Blodren Tyuek, they are in essence giving up their complete freedom to gain another form. There is a certain perk that comes with being a female claimed this way." A sly grin graced his features.

Rarity went wide eyed when she heard what the drake had said. Lust for more knowledge was at the forefront of her mind and the drake could see it. He knew exactly what she wanted to hear, and he knew exactly what she was going to do when she heard it. Sadly however, he could not hold back a heavy sigh. "What's wrong?"

"Rarity, I know what you are thinking. Before you go making any decisions, let me finish what it is that I have to say." When Rarity slowly nodded for him to continue, he smiled. "When you are claimed, no pony or dragon will ever mess with you. Sure when you perform the other two rituals your are covered in your mates scent, but not like this. The scent of your male is so heavy that you could almost gag on it. You will love the scent however, and you will only ever smell his scent, never another males."

"So I can't smell any other stallions?"

The old drake stifled a laugh. "No Rarity, let me reword that. You will only ever smell your males, musk. If say a stallion is lusting after you, or even a drake, they release a sort of musk that females can smell. You, if you were claimed in any way, would never be able to smell that musk unless it was from your mate. The same thing goes for the male. Your scent is the only that he could ever smell."

Rarity nodded her head slightly to show her understanding. "It seems like there is more to his ritual than just that one perk."

"You are right Rarity. When mated through the Blodren Tyuek, your male will kill any dragon that even remotely thinks about raping you. My son would never do that unless there was no other choice however. Many of the dragons will know that you are claimed by the scent of your male, but the ponies require another form of proof." Silently, the old drake slid down his shirt a little to reveal the right side of his neck, where two fang marks could easily be seen.

"Where did you get t-those?" Her voice was slightly shaky as she thought about the pain that he must have went through when he was bitten.

"These were made by his mother. During the Blodren Tyuek, I gave her fangs so that she could mark me like I did her."

"D-Did it hurt?"

"Rarity, for a dragon, it is absolute bliss. It is the most amazing feeling to be claimed by the one that you love. I would do it again in a heartbeat if I could."

"You would?"

"Yes I would." He sighed again as he looked back towards his son. "When you are bonded, you feel, different. You will know what I mean when and if you chose to go through with this."

"I understand."

"We are going to have to cut this short I'm afraid. There is something that I must attend to elsewhere." As he rose to leave, the drake took one last look at his son before turning his gaze to the silvery-white mare, "Remember one thing about the Blodren Tyuek, only ever do it if you truly wish to spend the rest of you life with him."

"Wait." When the drake halted, she quickly said, "Is it worth it?"

"Only if you truly love him." Without another glance the old drake vanished into the air as if he had never been there.

With a smile gracing her wonderful features, the silvery-white mare sat watching Spike as the team made their final lap.

Behind the mare, sitting higher up in the bleachers, was a cloaked figure that stared out over the field with an evil grin. In a deep, low, raspy voice it said, "He is here master. He has recovered." Saying nothing more, the cloaked figure dissipated into shadow before slithering away, leaving only a cold chill in the air from its departure.

---

Spike walked out of the locker room feeling refreshed and sporting a smile at the thought of spending time with his girlfriend Rarity. Just before practice she had asked that he swing by her Boutique to help her with some homework, among wanting to have help with catching up on her orders and spending time with him.

The amethyst drake took in a deep breath of air as he emerged out onto the playing field from the field house. Looking around, he took a moment to bask in the cool feeling of the air as it passed over his scales, softly caressing them as if to tell them that he was going to have a fun time with Rarity. Grinning like a little school filly, he darted across the field at record speed, making for the hill that shielded the parking lot from view.

At the top, he could not hold back a sigh of content as he saw Rarity and Twilight walking together and discussing something about her newest fashion line, while further away he could see Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Ryder, and Rain all sitting in the back of the farmer's truck, laughing about something that only they could hear. Feeling the wind pushing him forward slightly, he accepted the invitation as he spread his massive silky wings, letting the air brush against the sensitive membrane.

Feeling exhilarated, and eager to hold Rarity in his arms once more, he jumped up, letting the wind carry him over to her. Flying low, he stuck out his arms as he neared her, knowing that she was going to surprised when she felt him. With a sly smirk across his lips, he grasped her waist with his hands as he lifted her into the air with him, starting to soar higher.

Rarity shrieked when she felt a pair of hands grasp her waist, but when she caught sight of the amethyst purple wings, and those sparkling emerald eyes, she could not help but nuzzle his cheek with hers. Knowing that she was safe, Spike went even higher, holding her close to his body. Up they went until the parking lot below looked like an ant hill in the middle of a field of houses. Turning her around so that she could hug close to his body, with his wings steadily flapping, he placed a kiss on her cheek.

The silvery-white mare giggled before she returned the gesture. Looking into his eyes, she could not help but feel completely safe with him. Spike's smirk never left as he pulled Rarity even closer, almost squeezing her body against his.

Closing his eyes, he stopped flapping his wings, and instead clung them around Rarity, shielding her from view of the world. Together they began to fall back towards the ground, with Rarity screaming in delight while Spike just laughed. As they fell he could not help but roll thrice, doing a triple barrel roll, followed by them spinning towards the ground like a screw, before he made them do a triple back flip.

As the ground grew near, the amethyst drake once more spread out his wings as he leveled out, still being a fair distance from the ground. Slowly, he began his descent, letting his wings remain straight as he ever so slowly began to circle the outer edge of the parking lot. Rarity, loving the feeling of flight, thanked Celestia that Spike was not in any hurry to reach the ground. "Spike, I have been wanting to talk to you."

"Hmm. What about sweetie?"

"About us."

He audibly gulped before a light shiver rocked his body. "W-What about u-us?"

She giggled at how worried he was about their relationship. As his father's words from earlier rang in her mind, she could not help but feel the same way. "Oh its nothing bad. Just wanted to know if we could do stuff like this more often. You know, flying..." As she spoke her tail began to rub the underside of his own, her arms closing tighter together. "Holding tails, kissing..." He shuddered when her breath was against the nape of his collarbone. A shiver went down his spine when she placed a kiss against it.

"Ya, I-I s-suppose that we c-could do t-that a l-little m-m-more." He chuckled nervously, silently thanking his mother that it was not something else. "D-Do you want m-me to ride home with y-you or do I need to fly over?"

"Hmm." She hummed into his neck as she laid her head against his. "Twilight is coming over to help with my homework. I think that she is going to stay over to help us with my dresses as well. After she leaves however, it is just going to be you, me, a couch, and a good movie." She giggled as he started to rub her tail back. "Sound good to you honey?"

"Sure sweetie." His smirk turned into a genuine smile as he drew closer to the ground, alighting himself on the tailgate of Applejack's truck. "Hey guys, what's up?"

They all shared a laugh while Rarity slipped reluctantly free from his grasp, beginning to walk away as he folded his wings flat against his back. "See you later honey." She blew him a kiss before striding back over to her car, where Twilight was already waiting.

"Geez Spike. One would think that you too have been together for years, like you were married or something."

"Shut up Rain. Your just jealous that I am with Rarity and that you are not with Applejack." Both Applejack and Rain started to blush, neither one able to say anything as they looked away from each other. "My point exactly."

"Shut up Spike." It was Ryder who spoke this time, looking away from his fiance who was trying hard not to laugh. "Really smooth man, just what do you think you are trying to pull?"

"Nothing."

"Oh really. Then what was that crack about..." They all grew quiet as both Ryder and Spike thought that they had heard a scream.

"Spike! Spike help!" Spike jumped out from the bed of the truck to look over towards Rarity's car, where he saw Thunderlane, Lightning Dust, Sunset Shimmer, Storm Windsor, and Cloud Chaser all gathered around both the silvery-white and lavender colored mares. Rarity had her feet tied to her hands behind her back. Storm Windsor easily lifted her onto his shoulder after a gag was slipped over her mouth. Twilight, who had tears streaming down her face, was also tied up with a gag, hefted over Cloud Chaser's shoulder.

"Quickly, let's get out of here. I want that bitch to scream out loud when I take her. To have his sister too, talk about a bonus. You can have her Cloud, just make sure that you have some 'fun' with her before you get to the main event."

"Da. She vill know ze meaning of suffering." Together the five laughed as they took off back towards the school. Unaware of the amethyst drake who was watching them.

"Spike, you have to get them! Now!" Spike did not hear what his brother said, instead he looked off into the sky, debating inside. I can't fight Thunderlane. I would kill him. But he could kill Rarity too. He is going to take her innocence away, something that she was saving for me!

Spike closed his eyes as he roared loudly, challenging what ever gods there were to try and keep him from killing Thunderlane. Flames erupted in a large torrent, rising up towards the sky, almost touching the clouds. Cutting his flame off, he let out a deep, bellowing voice in a roar, "THUNDERLANE! I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!"

Ryder watched in absolute horror as his brother continued to roar as he raced after the group. Inside he knew that his brother was going to do something that he was going to regret. Deep down he wanted to stop his brother, but something in his heart told him to stay out of the way. Applejack however had no reservations as she began to chase after the drake, hoping to stop him before he did anything too bad.

Rain soon gave chase, leaving only Rainbow Dash and Ryder. "Should we try and help?"

"No. It will do more harm than good. Nothing is going to stop Spike now, not until she is safe. Father always told us to never get this attached, but I fear that it's too late for the both of us. If they had taken you, I would be doing the same thing that he is doing now. I just hope that he doesn't hurt anybody too bad."

---

Spike crashed through the door into the gymnasium with a loud thud, sending one door flying into the bleachers while the other was sent flying across the room, landing just behind the group of five. Cloud Chaser looked like he was about to turn tail and flee, Storm Windsor gulped audibly, while both girls had to hold back their shivers. Thunderlane simply smiled evilly as he held Rarity by the throat, his hand dangerously close to the hem of her pants. "Don't you dare touch her." Little wisps of flame curled out the side of his mouth as he snarled at the pegasus, never looking away from him or Rarity. "Let. Her. Go."

"No, this bitch is rightfully mine and you know it. If you want her so bad, fight me. Here and now, fight me. If you win, I promise to leave you alone, but if I win, then I get to screw her eight ways to Tuesday."

"If I win, you will be dead. Let her go, or I will kill you. I promise." His snarl grew more threatening as Thunderlane just clenched his hand tighter around Rarity's throat. "Fine, you want to fight." He slammed his fists into the ground, sending the five to the ground, making Thunderlane release his grip of Rarity. "Let's fight."

Thunderlane grinned as he pulled his shirt off, leaving him only in his black track pants and running shoes. Spike opted to take a more natural approach. Ripping his shirt off to reveal his scars from years previous as well as recent, along with showing off his slightly tone body, he opted to slip out of his shoes, letting his paws feel the cool wood beneath him. Taking a calming breath, he cleared his mind and thought of Rarity, of his love for her, and her love for him. "Ready?"

Thunderlane spat at Rarity, hitting her tail and leg as he said, "Ready." Neither the drake nor stallion moved, both of them still standing in their fighting stances. Spike with his eyes closed and Thunderlane with his eyes pouring out hatred towards the drake. The other four of his group were standing over by the bleachers with their two captives, some of them nursing a bleeding elbow or sore bone from the impact with the floor. On the other side of the gym was Ryder, Applejack, Rain and Rainbow Dash, all watching just like the other six were.

The stallion rushed towards the drake, not even thinking about what he was doing. Raising a fist up, he prepared to strike the drake in the left. Just before he could make contact the drake grasped his wrist, thrust his arm behind him, dropped him to his knees with a swift kick, then sent him onto his stomach with another kick to his back. Spitting towards the drake, the stallion rose to his feat as he looked over towards Rarity.

An idea popped into his head as he motioned towards Lightning Dust. She nodded as she kicked the mare in the back, making her groan. Still Spike just kept his eyes closed, never even facing the stallion. "Hmm. Seems like some dragon hasn't been whipped yet. Care to up the wager?"

"No." He spoke so fast and so low that Thunderlane thought he was hearing things. Rising to his feet, he went to grasp the dragon by the throat, but found his arms pushed out instead and was sent sliding back a few feet. "Is that all you have Thunderlane."

The stallion growled as he said, "Not even close." Yelling, he charged at the drake again, sending a flurry of punches towards the drake. Each one was blocked, but he could easily block every punch thrown his way too. Using his tail, the stallion tried to swipe at the dragons feet. It failed as the drake easily jumped over the tail, grabbing it with his own and pulling the stallion onto his back. His breath escaped him as he struck the floor.

Getting back up once more, he went to throw a kick at the drake's head, but he just dipped his head back, then reached up and grasped his leg. Throwing it back to the floor, he threw a punch into the stallions face, a sickening crunch heard as blood started to flow from his nose, followed by another punch that made blood start to flow from his mouth. Spitting at the dragon, he grinned when it landed on his precious amethyst scales, staining them a crimson red.

Spike still stayed as still as a statue save for his breathing, not once having opened his eyes. "Are you done yet Thunderlane?" His voice still had its malice, and the stallion could tell that the dragon was really trying to hold back his anger and furry.

"No, and since this is an unfair fight, I am going to bring in Cloud Chaser and Storm Windsor." Ryder and Rain both began to walk forward to aid Spike, when the drake held up a hand and waved the back. "Oh this is going to be fun."

Storm Windsor walked behind Spike to grab his hands, holding them behind his back while Cloud Chaser and Thunderlane rushed at him, yelling loudly. Just before the two could strike him the dragon jumped up to kick both in the mouth, a crunch echoing in the gym as he knew a few teeth were knocked loose. Using his momentum to his advantage, the drake was able to land on the bigger stallions shoulders, making the grip on his arms lesson. Throwing a kick to the stallion's neck, he jumped backwards and away from the three as the giant stallion began to fall over.

Cloud Chaser rolled out of the way so that Storm could catch himself on his hands. Rising to his feet with a swift arch of his back, he followed Thunderlane over towards Spike while Storm was rising to his own feet.

Spike finally opened his eyes, only to see Rarity, fear for his safety prominent in her mind. He mouthed, 'I love you' before closing his eyes once again. A small smile forming on his lips.

Rarity watched with both worry and amazement as her boyfriend dodged almost every punch or kick that was thrown his way. He managed to land a few blows here and there during the fray of fighting, but mostly he was on the defensive. No matter what the three did, they could not manage to land a single blow on the drake. The more that they came after him, the more that it looked like he was a spec of dust in the wind.

As time wore on, the three began to falter as fatigue overtook them, sweating profusely as they began to pant heavily. Spike simply shrugged as he wiped some sweat from his brow, not even beginning to pant. "Sounds like you are getting tired. You okay Dunderlane?"

Thunderlane growled as he pulled a knife out from his back pocket, howling as he came at Spike. In his haste, the drake did not even think as he grasped the stallion's wrist, twisted the knife out of his hand, then kicked it over towards the bleachers. What happened next, left every pony present in a daze. The knife flew through the air until it embedded itself into Lightning Dust's throat, making her gag as she put her hands up to her bleeding throat.

Crimson blood began to pour out onto the floor, coating the wooden glossy surface in a deep scarlet red. Almost immediately Thunderlane dove to the floor to help the light turquoise mare as she slowly bled to death. When Spike heard only the sounds of sobbing, he opened his eyes to see that Lightning was on the floor, her blood soaking into the wood. His breath came in heavy gasps as realization struck him, especially when he saw the knife in her throat. I killed her.

Spike quickly ran over to where Rarity and Twilight were, using his claw to slice away their ropes. When they were free, both mares ran over to where the rest of the group were, leaving behind the bullies and Spike in the gym. Said drake could only look at the now lifeless form of the mare before he made a mad dash for the gym doors, taking to the sky as soon as he was outside.

Wind whipped at his face as he flew over his home town, tears falling from his eyes. Below, the little lights from homes and the streets looked like thousands of fireflies scattered about wildly. Wiping the tears from his yes proved to be fruitless as more just kept coming. I killed her. It could have been Rarity if it was only a few inches to the left. I killed her. Over and over he kept repeating the words until he managed to land in the back alley of the Boutique.

He slowly strode to the front of the Boutique, where he watched his sister and girlfriend shakily walk inside. His heart felt heavy as he watched her shake, knowing that she was thinking the same guilty thought he was, Thank Celestia it was not her. Taking a steady breath to calm his nervous, he walked around to knock on the door, gulping when there was a pause before Rarity answered. She was still shaking as she spoke, her voice tainted with fear, "H-Hey S-Spikey-W-Wikey. S-S-So uh..."

Rarity could not stop shivering when she felt Spike wrap his arms around her, pulling her into a warm embrace. His wings encased them so that he could talk to her without fear of his sister hearing him. "I am so sorry Rarity." His tears were pouring down now as he buried his head into her neck. "I am so sorry. I could have killed you. But I killed her instead. I-I didn't mean t-t-to. I s-s-swear."

"Spike." Rarity cooed softly as she began to rub the back of his head, her body shaking less the more that she held him close. "I was scared that you had forgotten about me, that you were trying to kill me. I know that you would never forget me, never stop loving me. Spike, I am scared. For you more than myself. I don't want them to take you away from me."

"I know sweetie. I know. I don't want to leave you either. I'll talk to mom in the morning."

"That would be best." Neither was aware of Twilight in the room, who knew that the two needed to be left alone. Excusing herself, she went upstairs and into Sweetie Belle's room, who was busy away on her field trip with her girlfriend.

When the couple broke apart, they looked deep into each others eyes, seeing nothing but love for the other, and the fear of separation. Without missing a beat, they brought their lips together, their passion taking over as their tail began to coil together. Fitting his hands beneath her legs, Spike scoops Rarity up in his arms as he takes her up to her room, almost as if she were his wife. Step by step she could hear his heart starting to beat faster and faster as he realized that this would be the first time that he was alone with her since they got together that night on the beach.

Kicking open the door to the room gently, he waltzed in before using their coiled together tails to shut the door behind him. Laying her down on the bed, he was giddy as she began to slip out of her clothes, leaving on only her undergarments. She motioned for him to do the same. He did not blink or move as he just stared at Rarity as though she had asked him to kill her. She giggled as she slid over to him and slid his shirt over his head, sliding down his pants soon after.

Only garbed in their undergarments, the mare pulled the drake down so that he was lying beside her. A smile graced her features as she pulled his arms over her, resting his hands on her stomach as he pulled her closer to him, wrapping his legs around her. Rarity rested her head just below his, humming in content as he began to place small kisses on her neck. "I love you Rarity Yugen."

"I love you Spike Guâlhoran." Together, they closed their eyes as they let sleep overtake them, both still seeing Lightning eyes as she bled to death on the floor of the gymnasium. But as they took comfort in knowing that they were with the one that they loved, they both allowed a smile to grace their lips.

Rarity's last thought that night before sleep could whisk her away with dreams of the drake was of how he was her guardian angel. Ponies are wrong. Spike is not just a dragon, but is my dragon, and my guardian angel...