“You look divine, Twilight. I’m sure Spike will be amazed when he sees you. Unless you get amazed first when you see him with the outfit I made for him” Rarity joked while Twilight was looking in the mirror with her new dress.

“It’s very beautiful, Rarity. Thank you very much again”

“You’re welcome, dear. Only the best for you two. Have you made plans yet?”

“Actually, we did. Princess Celestia arranged a meeting for me and my family so that Spike and I can tell them the news tomorrow”

“I see. It’s so kind of her. I’m really glad she took things so nicely, though I thought you’d wait to tell her in the end” Rarity said.

“Actually, that was our intention. But she found out prematurely”

“Really? And how?” rarity asked confused.

Twilight kept wondering who had been the one who wrote the horrible letter they had sent to Celestia, but in no way she would consider the possibility that Rarity or any of her friends had had something to do with that.

“We’d better leave it at that”

“As you wish, dear”

Twilight undressed and packed her new dress in a bag Rarity gave her.

“Twilight, wait please. I have something else for you” She told her before the sorceress left the boutique.

Rarity ran upstairs and returned a short time later, holding with her magic a gem Twilight knew very well.

“Take this. On behalf of Spike for you” She said, giving her the necklace that had the fire ruby Spike had given her so many years ago.

“But Rarity… This is yours” Twilight said.

“It used to be mine. Now it is yours” She replied serenely.

“But… Why?”

“Because that’s how it must be. Spike gave me this precious gem, not by pure generosity. It was his way to tell me how much I meant for him. Back then I was the owner of his heart. It’s a symbol of his love, but now the owner of his heart is you and therefore I want you to have this ruby. You were always the one who should have it. I was only taking care of it” She said, giving her the gem and pushing her hoof so Twilight couldn’t give it to her back.

Twilight looked at her reflection on the many faces of the ruby on her hooves and hugged her designer friend.

“Thank you so much, Rarity” She said, touched by her friend’s generosity.

“You have nothing to be thankful for, Twilight. Now go home, for your knight must be waiting for you”

The next noon, Twilight, Spike, Cadence, Shining Armor and Messrs. Dusk and Violet Star were sitting at a circular table in a balcony of Canterlot castle, enjoying lunch. Both Twilight and Spike were wearing the outfits Rarity had made for them.

“Isn’t it nice of Princess Celestia for having prepared this family reunion” Said Mrs. Violet as she tasted the soup.

“It’s true, though something tells me my aunt didn’t plan all this just for charity. I bet she has a surprise for us” Cadence said suspiciously.

“Please, Cadence. Do you doubt the goodwill of your own aunt?” Dusk asked.

“No, but she never does something for no reason”

“Cadence is right. There’s a special reason Princess Celestia arranged this reunion” Twilight said.

“And what is it, daughter?”

“It’s about Spike and me” She said, blushing a bit.

“Are you moving back to Canterlot?” Shining Armor joked, drinking a wine glass.

“Not exactly. Actually we wanted to inform you Spike and I have fallen in love and now we’re a couple”

Instantly, Shining comically spat his wine, soaking his father, who was sitting in front of him. Twilight’s mother looked at her and the dragon, stunned, as Cadence smiled brightly.

“You and… Haha… Hahahahaha!” Shining laughed out loud.

“Heheh… Yes, good joke, my daughter. Now seriously, tell us what news you have” Said Mr. Dusk, cleaning his face with a couple of napkins.

Twilight was going to speak again, but Spike spoke first.

“Actually, Mr. Dusk, I’m in love with your daughter. I’ve been since I have memory. And I know you have many reasons for you and your wife to doubt me in this moment, but I promise you I’m going to spend every day of my life to make her as happy as I can”

“N… Now seriously, Spike. What are you up to?”

“What you heard, mom. Spike loves me and I love him. We have very serious intentions to spend the rest of our lives together” Twilight solemnly assured, taking the dragon’s right claw with her hoof.

“Daughter, is this serious?”

“Yes, they are serious. I’ve been able to see it since we met at the entrance of the castle. The love they share is so strong it’s almost palpable” Cadence said.

“Did you already know?” Twilight asked.

“Twi, please! I am the Princess and Guardian of love. Did you think you could hide something like that from me? I can distinguish a couple of lovers since I was 3” She said, bragging of her gifts.

“And I can assure you I hadn’t seen a more intense love since mine and Shining’s. I’m very happy for you two”

“Thank you, Cadence” They both said.

“Now seriously, girls. This isn’t funny. What are you up to?” Shining interrupted, very skeptical, as if that was a bad joke.

With intentions to silence his brother and show them all she was serious, Twilight took Spike’s face between her hooves and gave him a strong kiss. When they separated, all of them but Cadence were looking at them with widened eyes, incredulous because of what they had just seen.

“It’s true” Twilight reaffirmed.

Twilight’s parents exchanged worried glances.

“Daughter, are you sure about this? Did you already think about it? What about you, Spike? We thought that when you grew up, you would go live with the other dragons, especially now that a peace treaty with their kingdom is closer than ever” Mrs. Violet said.

“Yes, mom. We’ve talked about this a lot. We agree it won’t be easy, but we will try it by all means”

They observed a minute of silence at the table.

“Well, daughter…” Mr. Dusk spoke.

“You’ve always been a very smart girl who knows exactly what she wants in her life. You achieved independence from us at an early age and you’ve faced and conquered bigger dangers than most ponies face in their life. So it’d be silly to stop you with the excuse: ‘It’s for your own good’ or ‘We know what’s best for you’”

“Dad…”

“Yes, daughter. We’ll need some time to get used to it, for we’ve always seen Spike as another son, but we never imagined he’d be our son in law. But if you both agree and this is truly what you two want and what makes you happy, of course you’ll have all our support”

“Twilight stood up and got closer to her parents to hug them. Then Twilight’s parents got closer to Spike”

“I promise you won’t regret it” Said the dragon.

“We know, son. After all we have always known you and we know the gentleman you are” Violet said.

“Just make sure you treat our daughter well”

“You can be sure of that, sir”

“It’s wonderful, isn’t it honey?” Cadence said while looking at her husband, who remained silent, still stunned.

“Have you all gone crazy” He yelled.

“How can your mate be a dragon? Are you sick in the head? You can’t form a relationship with a creature of another species” He said while looking at Twilight very upset.

“Shining, please calm down. Interspecies romances aren’t a crime. You yourself are part of one” His wife scolded him.

“This is totally different” He countered.

“Ah yes? How?”

“I’M NOT A BUCKING LIZARD!”

“Shining Armor!” His mother shouted in disappointment.

“What’s wrong with you, my son? You should be happy for your sister and your future brother”

“That… THING isn’t going to be my brother! Does Princess Celestia know about this?” He asked Twilight.

“Yes, she does. And she’s already given us her blessing. But I don’t need yours to decide who to love or who to share my life with!” Twilight answered, very upset and offended by her brother’s behavior.

Shining Armor put a face of full disgust. He turned around and trotted from there.

“Shining! Shining, come back here and apologize! His father yelled at him, but the captain of the guard ignored him”

“Shining Armor, don’t you dare to turn your back on your father!”

But the unicorn left anyway.

“What the hell is wrong with him?” Said Twilight.

Slowly, they all stared at Cadence questioning.

“Don’t look at me like that! It’s the first time I’ve seen him behave like that” Cadence defended herself.

Shining Armor asked some guards about Princess Celestia’s whereabouts and went quickly to her study room, where she was.

“Princess Celestia” He said when he entered.

“Yes, Captain. Is there anything wrong?”

“You bet, Majesty” He answered, without the due protocol reverence.

“Did you already know about Twilight and Spike’s matter?”

“Do you mean the intense and pure love they have found for each other? Yes, I did. How wonderful, right?”

“What do you mean by wonderful? It’s an abomination” The captain replied.

Celestia’s smile faded at the unicorn’s reaction and got more serious.

“Explain yourself, Captain”

“My sister is in love with a dragon, Princess. Twilight Sparkle, holder of the element of Magic, Guardian of Harmony and member of the nobility of Canterlot, is in love with a dragon”

“Mmmm… Yes, I know that. I have no perception problems, if that’s what you’re getting at, Captain… Your point is…?”

“You can’t allow a pony of her ancestry to date a scaly beast, a ‘no one’ like Spike”

Celestia stood up with a very unusual glow of anger in her eyes.

“You had better not speak that way about Spike in my presence, Captain. Spike has dedicated his life to protect and fill your sister’s life with happiness and he deserves your respect. If what worries you is that she is with someone who’s technically still part of the plebs, don’t worry. That will stop being a problem very soon” She said confidently.

“You’re not suggesting what I think you think…”

“Ah, of course I’m not suggesting it! I’m saying it. Spike will soon be part of the nobility too. How else do you expect he can marry a Lady as Twilight when the time comes?”

Shining Armor expression wasn’t lying. He was furious and disgusted by his princess’ words.

“But Princess… This is madness!”

“For being against Mother Nature? Nowadays, many species that have managed to form big and prosperous reigns are hybrid creatures that were born because of interspecies romances. Griffins, minotaurs, satyrs… And I’m sure Spike and twilight’s relationship will only be the first of many ones once the peace treaties and mutual benefit with the kingdom of Ikaruga are completed”

Shining remained silent, staring at the floor.

“Buh… But…”

“This conversation is over! Your sister has found true love, Captain. If you cannot be happy for her, at least I hope you do not interfere. Retire, I’m busy” She severely sentenced, turning her back on him.

“As you wish, Majesty” He whispered, almost spitting those words.

Celestia looked askance at the captain when he left the study room.

“Seeing is believing” She sighed.

After taking a bath, Spike went to the bedroom, where he was confused his marefriend was nowhere. A brief search allowed him to find her sitting on the balcony, overlooking the city. He came up behind her, hugging her softly.

“It’s still so beautiful, right?”

“Not as much as you, my queen”

They were in their old tower they used to live in before moving to Ponyville. Her parents had already gone home, having made clear their approval and blessing, something they both couldn’t be happier with. Now, all those who were close to the couple knew about the news but Rainbow, but there would eventually be time for her.

“Seeing is believing” The two lovers heard a soft and familiar voice from the heights.

“Princess Luna!” Twilight yelled when she saw the owner of the night descend from the heavens in front of them.

“Hello, Twilight. It’s been a long time” She said, hugging the sorceress.

“Congratulations to both of you. Celes has just given me the news”

“We thought you already found out since yesterday, but thanks for your support, Princess” Spike replied.

“Spike, please. How many times will I have to tell you you can just call me by my first name?”

“Many more than you have done it… Princess Luna” He joked.

“Tedious… No wonder Twilight is in love with you” She said, pushing him away.

“I guess this also means we can count on your support” Twilight said.

“Of course you can. How not support those who helped me reintegrate into society?”

“Thank you, Princess”

“But hey, this has to be celebrated. Come with me, I know several excellent places, north of the city where we’ll be able to dance and have fun all night long”

“Ah… Are you sure, Princess? Won’t it be a problem that Spike is underage?” Twilight asked very surprised by the new face of Moon’s guardian, who seemed to have gotten very well used to the modern society.

“Of course, Twilight! After all we would only go to a disco, a soda shop and maybe a
cake shop. I wouldn’t be so irresponsible as to take you to a dive bar or a rave” The princess calmed her.

“You’ll only have to be careful some mare may steal your dragonfriend, who has become a very handsome dragon, I must say”

“Thank you, but not even a beauty like your Majesty’s could advert my eyes from Twilight” The dragon said.

“Enough, Spike” Twilight scolded him a bit.

“Haha! Just kidding, Twi. That’s how we treat each other, right Luna?”

“Regrettably, yes” She answered comically.

“Then are you ready?”

“Of course” They both said.

Luna’s body shone briefly in a glow blue. When it faded, Luna reappeared, being Twilight’s size and having lost her wings. Her mane wasn’t waving with her magic’s power or looked like a space nebula full of stars anymore. It was like her old hairstyle when she was younger: a simple light blue color. And finally, her cutie mark was a half-moon with a star next to it.

“What? You didn’t think I go out for fun with my normal appearance, did you? I couldn’t even show my face on the street without drawing everypony’s attention. So I have fun and Celes can be reassured that if I mess up, nopony will know it was the royalty” She said while looking at Twilight.

“… You’ve changed a lot, haven’t you?” It was the only thing Twilight’s brain could process.

“Twilight isn’t one who has a lot of fun, right?” Luna asked Spike.

“Not if it involves neglecting your responsibilities”

“I don’t forget about my responsibilities. I make a necessary use of my powers to be able to enjoy my free nights and get away from my stressing Princess life when I have the choice” She excused herself.

“Whatever. Come on, Twi. Calm down. If there’s somepony in Canterlot who can guide us to a night full of fun, that’s Moonbeam”

“Moonbeam?” She asked confused.

“It’s my secret identity” Luna whispered to her dramatically.

“Oh well… Let’s have some fun!” Twilight said.

“After that Nightmare Night in Ponyville, I’d never have imagined Luna as such a soul of the party”

“Haha. Tell me about it. I myself couldn’t believe it the first time I saw her like that. And how blame her? She’s getting rid of the thousand years of boredom she spent on the Moon. But how good she has… adapted so well to the new surroundings. Now the ponies do seize their nights for many activities”

“Yes, she’s finally happy and the ponies get amazed by the nights she brings them”

Luna had become an excellent tour guide, dancer, singer and comedian. She and Spike had promised her this only happened strictly in nights like this, but the unicorn had her doubts.

Twilight and Spike got to the bed after a long night of dancing, ice cream, candies and walks. As usual, Twilight soon sought shelter between her dragon’s arms, who didn’t take long to wrap her with his body. Comfortable and warm, Twilight sighed, ready to embark into the world of dreams.

“Twilight, aren’t you worried?”

“About Shining Armor?” She asked, guessing the cause of Spike’s concern.

“Yes”

“Of course not. What can he know? Didn’t you listen how he spoke about you? He’s mad because he hasn’t realized his sister has already grown up”

“But what if it’s not only that?”

“Well it had better be because if it’s not, I’m not going to be bearing him and his xenophobia”

“But what if he’s right? What if you deserve something better? What if I’m not good enough…”

Spike, who had looked away from Twilight, felt one of her hooves press against his cheek, which made it turn his face to face Twilight, who kissed him passionately.

“You Spike are all what I’ve always dreamt about. I couldn’t ask anything more to life. And I don’t want you to allow anyone, especially my stupid brother, to make you think otherwise. Did you understand?”

Spike looked her in her eyes before smiling.

“Yes, my queen” He said, kissing her again.

“I love you. And if Shining Armor doesn’t understand, it’s his problem, not ours”

“Good night, Twilight”

“Good night, Spike”

It had already been three days since Twilight and Spike gave the news to her family. And now it was sure everypony in the town knew it, for as soon as Pinkie Pie made what is commonly known as “A super huge massive party” that everypony in the town went to. As expected, those who were close to the couple offered their words of unconditional support. But it was inevitable the couple had to deal with strange glances, discouraging comments or that they questioned their union and even those who openly disapproved of it, like Shining Armor.

But thank to the presence of Princess Luna, who had gone to the event to assure them both she and her sister approved of the relationship of the unicorn and the dragon, the protests and criticisms were kept to a minimum, letting the happy couple enjoy the night Pinkie had prepared in their honor.

Twilight was at home, writing her most recent book about her findings in astronomy as she waited for her beloved dragon’s return. She ended the page she was working on and turned the page ro work on a new one, not before dipping her quill in ink again and looking at the clock on the wall.

“Spike is taking too long…” She said, with some concern when she saw it was eight o’clock PM.

“Is he working a double shift or something like that?”

Suddenly the main entrance door opened and Spike entered the house.

“Twilight, I’ve come back”

“Where were you? You had me very worried” She scolded him before rubbing her face against his.

“I’m sorry, I had a problem with a plague, but I have it controlled” He said, smiling.

“Spike, is everything alright?” The unicorn asked a bit concerned.

“Yeh… Yes… Why wouldn’t it, Twilight?”

“I… I feel you strange”

“It must be you worked a lot all afternoon, or am I wrong?”

“Yes, maybe you’re right”

In that moment, Peewee emerged from the kitchen. When he saw Spike, he croaked aggressively and started waving his wings against him as if he was an intruder.

“Peewee, enough! What are you doing?” Twilight said.

But the phoenix kept his attack and started to scratch the dragon with his claws. Twilight had the need to immobilize the phoenix with her telekinesis and take it out through a window and then closing it. As soon as she freed him, he started to hit the window to be able to enter again.

“What’s wrong with this bird?”

“Maybe he’s trying to say you should be careful of who you share your ceiling with”

“And why would I have to do that? You would never hurt me, Spike” Twilight asked very confident.

“Are you sure, dear?” He asked maliciously.

“S… Spike, What are you doing?... You’re scaring me…” Said Twilight.

“Don’t worry, the night is very young” He said, kissing her brusquely as he held her.

Twilight then knew that something wasn’t only wrong, but TERRIBLY wrong. In that kiss there was neither love nor affection; it was something empty, rude and vulgar. He was kissing her with so much strength that it made her lips hurt. She tried to push Spike from her, but the dragon was too strong.

Spike stopped kissing her on the mouth to kiss her on her face and neck, in addition he began to use his tongue very lasciviously and unpleasantly.

“S… Spike! Spike, please, stop! This feels horrible! I feel… I don’t like it at all!” Twilight started begging.

“My dear Twilight, that just makes things funnier to me!” Spike shouted euphorically.

“Ih… Impossible! You’re not like this. Please stop this craziness!” She said, beginning to cry.

“The only crazy here is you, Twilight, for being stupid enough to believe a prehistoric demon like me could love you!” He shouted insanely.

Twilight looked incredulous at the dragon’s eyes.

“Y… You… You’re not Spike! Don’t touch me, disgusting monster!” She said, kicking desperately to break free from her attacker. She would have used magic, but she was too scared to concentrate.

Suddenly, the window broke and through it, it entered a fireball that went straight to the dragon, separating him from the unicorn. The fireball got closer to the dragon and from it, appeared a couple of bird legs with sharp claws that managed to tear his left eye. The screams of pain of the dragon filled the library.

“Damn mystical bird!”

But suddenly, the dragon felt he was floating in the air, unable to move. He managed to move the eye he had left to see a very furious Twilight look at him with her horn glowing with magic. Then the dragon strongly crashed to the floor, breaking the wood a bit.

“NO ONE-KISSES-ME-EXCEPT-THE-REAL-SPIKE” Twilight yelled, making the impostor crash increasingly harder to the floor.

Finally, when she the poor unhappy one had knocked unconscious, she freed him. But to make sure he wouldn’t cause any more problems, she casted another spell who trapped the impostor in a crystal prison. Twilight breathed deeply, finally seeing she was safe. A sigh of relief was enough for her to start crying in silence because of what had just happened and what could have happened… Peewee got closer to Twilight to try to comfort her.

“Oh, Peewee, I’m so sorry! You were trying to warn me he was an impostor” She said, hugging the bird.

Twilight knew she had no time to start crying.

“If this one is a deceiver… where’s the real Spike?... Where’s my Spike?”

Before she could surrender to fear, she heard someone was knocking the door.

“Twilight, Twilight! Are you here? Please, answer me, I’m Sweetie Belle!”

Twilight opened the door quickly, finding the young diva breathe heavily with a face full of fear and anguish.

“Sweetie, what’s wrong? Why are you so hectic?”

“I…” Belle couldn’t finish her sentence when she saw the dragon in the crystal prison.

“Don’t pay attention to it! He’s just a simple deceiver!” She said between angry with the beast and worried the girl had a wrong idea of him.

“He must be with them…” Belle muttered.

“Be with whom?” Twilight asked confused.

“Twilight, listen: I was at the lake of Ponyville and saw a group of horses drag Spike, who was wrapped in chains”

“Chains? Was he injured?” Twilight asked very worried.

“I don’t know, but he was unconscious. I wanted to go ask for help, but I knew I first had to find out where they were taking him, so I followed them until a cave close to the Everfree forest”

“We must help him, take me to that place” Twilight demanded.

“Come on; wake up, stupid prehistoric monster!” He heard someone’s voice before being hit in his face.

Spike opened his eyes with headache, so he took a while to distinguish where he was.

His body was wrapped in chains and his mouth wore a metal muzzle, probably for preventing him from exhaling fire. He was in what seemed a cavern. Next to him there were another 3 stallions. A pegasus with orange fur, brown horsehair and blue eyes; and two earth stallions, one grey and the other one white, both with black horsehair and eyes.

“What… Where am I? Who are you?”

“My name is Rufinus” The pegasus spoke, taking a step forward.

“And these two are Dust and Morning Bright. And I’m afraid you aren’t going to come back home, young one”

“Why? What’s all this? I’ve done nothing wrong!”

“Shut up, you scaly beast! Just by stepping on our land steal our food and resources you’ve done enough” The grey stallion yelled furiously.

“Dust, control your brother, will you?”

“What my friend is trying to say so inappropriately, is we belong to a secret group dedicated to safeguarding the future and prosperity of Equestria and I’m afraid you and your race are a huge stone on the road to that prosperity. A stone we must keep away from the road. And we’ll do the same with you”

“What’s happening down there?” He heard a fourth voice, one that was very familiar to Spike.

“Shining! Shining Armor, help me!” Spike began to ask for help when he recognized the unicorn who had just entered the chamber, as he struggled to break free from his chains.

“Why should I help you, filthy lizard?” Asked Shining.

Spike stood motionless when he heard his future brother in law call him like that, understanding why the unicorn was actually there.

For a long time, Spike, Princess Celestia has has attempted to carry out these stupid and very unnecessary alliances with the kingdom of your spit-fire relatives. And despite all her efforts and the support of King Ragnarok, the union of both nations has been in vain. Do you know why?

Spike shook his head.

“The biggest impediment that retains the treaty of peace and mutual benefit is opposition of their people. Ponies, reasonably afraid and distrustful of admitting the barbaric draconian beasts in their country and the dragons, too egotistical and arrogant to conceive the possibility of partnering with supposedly inferior beings like us ponies. As well as the belief both sides will be unable to live with each other in the long term. Now ask yourself what would happen if they suddenly knew about the story of a unicorn who fell for a dragon, who returned her feelings… Public opinion could change. They’d see that ponies and dragons not only can live together in harmony and peace, but they can even fall for each other. If these ideas were public, there’s no doubt the union between both reigns would be possible, and that’s something we simply can’t allow”

“Why?” Spike asked very confused.

“Why don’t you want Equestria and Ikaruga to unite? Why do you despise dragons? Why don’t you want your sister and me to be happy?” Spike demanded.

“Shut up, animal! Morning shouted, hitting Spike in his face”

“You don’t seem to understand, boy” Rufinus spoke again.

“Equestria is a kingdom that was born when ponies understood living in suspicion and contempt made no good to anyone. Equestria was founded on the ideals of tolerance, friendship and love. Do you know how Ikaruga was founded? Shenron, Leviathan and Quetzalcoatl; the three were legitimate sons of the mighty Izanagi, member of the Ancients and the one who separated the land from the oceans. As soon as he left and let his three sons be on their own, these started a war that lasted centuries, devastating the beautiful land their father had given them. And how did this war come to its end? It wasn’t because the brothers realized it was bad what they were doing, but because someone else had to subject them and their armies by brute force and force them to make peace. Do you really think Equestria may learn, need or benefit in any way from a kingdom like that? A herd of wild and barbaric beasts who know only war and abuse of power?”

“If Equestria and Ikaruga unite, Spike, it’ll be the end of our kingdom as we know it. But the princess blindly believes it’ll happen the opposite and it’ll begin a new era of prosperity and peace. We can’t afford to experiment if it’s true and open to the possibility that these beasts walk through our streets like normal citizens. Regrettably, you’ve become a crucial piece in the balance that measures if the union of both kingdoms will become a reality or not. Fortunately, you’re a piece we’ll be able to use to our advantage. It’s a shame Twilight had to become a martyr in the process” Said Shining Armor.

“What did you say?” Spike shouted.

“Think about it, Spike. If you and Twilight had a happy and perfect romance, ponies would start believing it’s possible for them and dragons to live together in harmony. But what would happen if the same dragon who said he loved a unicorn… Hurt her?”

“I’d rather lose my claws and legs before hurting Twilight”

“I know. That’s why you’re here while an impostor is blackening your name to show Twilight and all of Equestria why the beasts of you race mustn’t be allowed in this kingdom”

“Will you use your own sister as a scapegoat to achieve your purposes?”

“And to save all of Equestria. Don’t feel bad, Spike. You would never have been able to make her happy anyway. Who are you to claim her affection? What do you have to offer her in exchange? Not even your parents loved you. They abandoned you when you were just an egg and the only reason Twilight took care of you is because the princess asked her to, who in her infinite benevolence took pity on your miserable soul when Mother Nature was mistaken to let you live” Shining Armor said with contempt as a great and unexplained anger manifested within Spike.

“A good day, my sister will realize turning away from you was the best for her and her family”

“Then it was you!?” It was heard a female voice the unicorn and the dragon knew very well.

“Twilight!” Shining shouted surprised to see her sister stand behind the other stallions.

“How has she found us?” Dust whispered to his brother.

“How could you do this to us, Shining? How could you have done this to me? To your LSBFF, remember?!” She shouted like her heart broke in the process.

“Twilight, calm down, please. I know this looks bad, but…”

“Don’t treat me as a little filly, BIG BROTHER! You kidnapped my dragonfriend, you used a metamorphosis spell in… I don’t know who, and you sent him to my house to blacken Spike’s name and hurt me!”

“He would only scare you so you would see how dangerous living with a dragon is”

“He tried to rape me, Shining!”

Shining Armor sighed heavily.

“Twilight, you can’t see how serious this is, not only for you, but for all of Equestria. Dragons are dangerous, irrational and cruel. We can’t allow those creatures in our kingdom” He said solemnly.

Twilight looked at his brother completely astonished and started laughing weakly a little after.

“What’s so funny?” Asked Rufinus.

“You… You make me laugh and disgust. You say dragons are cruel and irrational, yet you’ve kidnapped a dragon who has never hurt anyone in his life, wanted to hurt me and used my suffering as a political cause in your plans... You are in no way different from those that you say they want to fight you!”

“Insolent witch!” Morning yelled, charging towards Twilight, but Shining stepped in.

“You’ve lost your mind, sister”

“No, Shining. I’ve never thought more clearly! I can’t even recognize you. You’re supposed to defend and protect the habitants in Equestria equally and obey the wishes and interests of the princesses. What do you believe they’ll think when they find out?”

“Princess Celestia is losing her credibility and ability to lead this nation. And we know Luna could never do it by herself. It would be a good moment for a new order to come”

“Yours?”

“And Cadence’s. And if it’s for the sake of the nation, then that’s what I will do”

“You’ve gone crazy!” She screamed with every intention in the world.

“Enough!”

Shining Armor shot a dark violet beam from his horn against her Twilight, but she responded with another beam of her fur’s color. The contact of both rays produced powerful blasts of energy that lit the cave.

“You’ve grown very strong, little sister” Shining said mockingly but he really was working hard in his attack.

“I won’t let you continue with this madness! I won’t let you hurt Spike!”

“Spike should be the last of your concerns. You may be the holder of the element of Magic, but without your dear friends to give you power, you’re just my little sister”

Shining’s beam strength surpassed Twilight’s, throwing her against the wall, where she crashed, making a loud sound. Already on the floor, Twilight writhed in pain while feeling his brother’s energy discharge.

“I’m sorry, but you left me no choice, little sister” He said, getting closer slowly with his horn still glowing.

“Shining Armor, please… I’m your sister” She begged, fearing her crazed brother could hurt her more.

“Don’t be afraid, Twi, this won’t hurt. It’ll only make you fall asleep. And you wake up, I’ll have erased all your memories about this and the dragon. It’ll be like this crazy youth affair of yours had never happened”

“N… No… You can’t do that!” She shouted, full of panic.

“You can’t take my memories from me! I love Spike! Please, Shining, don’t do this to me!” Twilight begged, tearing up and seized with fear trying to escape. But her brother grabbed her by her shoulders and touched her horn with his.

“It’s for your sake, Twilight. When you wake up, everything will be ok”

“No, no! Spike, Spike, I love you! No matter what happens, never doubt it! I love you with all my heart!” It was the last thing she could say before falling asleep.

Shining Armor separated from her and laid her down on the ground.

“have you erased her memories yet? So fast?” Rufinus asked.

“Of course not, it’s a very complicated spell and that beam duel has exhausted me pretty much”

“What do we do now?”

“Kill the dragon” He said.

Suddenly the four stallions got alarmed by a loud noise. The sound of steel bending. The four stallions turned to see Spike struggling to break the chains.

“He’s going to break free!” Rufinus said, flying towards Spike, but before being able to get where he was, Spike broke the chains into pieces, several of which dug into the pegasus’ body, who lost his balance falling to the floor noisily.

“Miserable!” Shouted the twins, charging towards Spike before he could take off the muzzle.

Dust lunged at Spike head-on and his brother Morning climbed onto his back to strangle him from behind. Instead of struggling with the stallion in front of him and getting rid of him, Spike raised and joined both his claws, using them as a hammer to hit with a lot of strength the back of the stallion, who crashed to the ground, clearly feeling how his ribs had broken in two. Too scared to see what had happened to his brother, Morning didn’t see how Spike was holding his forelegs, not to get rid of him, but to make sure he would remain in his place. Spike crouched and jumped with a lot of strength, hitting the ceiling, knocking him out.

He returned to the ground, letting the unconscious stallion on his back fall. He tried to take off the muzzle, but he had to use both his claws to stop the lunge of what seemed a lightsaber. Spike then realized that lightsaber was Shining Armor’s horn. Spike’s skin had been able to resist red hot metal, even magma and yet that spell was burning his claws, both his attacker and he could see the smoke and the smell of burning flesh from his claws.

“You won’t leave here alive, monster!” Shining screamed.

“You have no right to call me like that, piece of crap!” Spike replied.

Spike stretched his long tail and wrapped it around his attacker’s neck, but instead of pulling to deflect his attack, he concentrated on crush his throat.

“Let’s see what will resist more: my claws or your trachea” Spike said mockingly.

Shining Armor soon felt the strength from Spike’s tail prevent him from breathing, but he didn’t give up. He put every fiber of his energy in his attack, making the lightsaber of his horn shine more intensely. But in essence, he knew it was a battle he couldn’t win.

Shining Armor lost and gasped in choking, putting his forelegs around his neck and trying to trying to break free from the tail that was strangling him. Spike shook his burned claws for a moment before finally taking off the damn muzzle. He lifted Shining Armor with his tail, enjoying his victory and seeing how the unicorn was struggling to not choke now with the weight of his body held by the tail. Spike roared fiercely against his brother in law and though he exhaled no fire, it was enough for his brother in law to feel like he had his face in front a hot source of fire.

“Do you fear me, Shining Armor? Because I don’t fear you nor any of your coward friends” Spike evilly said.

Shining Armor looked terrified at Spike, whose eyes were shining with an unusual red glare. He knew that he was at the dragon’s absolute mercy and that in any moment he wanted, he could rip his head off or burn him alive.

“Come on… Kill me now!” Shining Armor shouted defiantly.

“I should… I should kill you in cold blood because you deserve it, but I won’t. Not only to show you you’re wrong about dragons, but also because I want you to face the punishment for your actions as it must be… But before that, I’ll make sure you can’t use this to hurt any other dragon or pony”

Spike took Shining Armor’s horn with both his claws and with a relatively big effort, he broke it in two. Shining cried in pain and then he fainted because of the shock. Finally, Spike let him fall to the ground and went where his beloved was.

“Forgive me, my queen. This time I haven’t been able to act in time” He said, crying a little.

He took his maiden in his arms and walked on his hind legs out of the cavern. After a while he heard multiple steps and lights that came from the other end. They were Sweetie Belle and a group of police ponies.

“Spike!” The pony shouted, happy to see him.

“Spike, thank Celestia you’re safe!... What happened to twilight? What happened to you? Where are those ponies? What…”

“Calm down, Sweetie Belle. I’m ok, tomorrow I’ll be fine”

“Weren’t there a group of ponies who had kidnapped you?” Said the sergeant.

“Yes, they are in the deep part of the cave, but you’ll need a medical team to get them out, two of them will have to be retained to leave” He said coldly.

“By the way, does any of you have a paper and a quill? I need to send a letter”

“What are you talking about?”

“Just give them to me if you have them, please”

“Of course, here you go”

One of the police ponies took Twilight with her magic while Spike was writing a letter on a pocket notebook.

Track the origin of this letter and please come immediately. Something terrible happened.

Spike burnt the paper sheet after separating it from the notebook and briefs moments later, Luna appeared there.

“Spike, what happened?” She said when she saw the dragon and her sister’s apprentice unconscious in that place.

“It’s a long story”

The fateful night had finally come to an end and the sun started to rise on the horizon of Equestria. Spike, with bandaged claws was waiting anxiously for his beloved unicorn to wake up, who was sleeping peacefully on the bed in her room. Spike hadn’t been able to sleep because of his concern. Luna had assured him nothing had happened to Twilight and her memories were intact, but he simply couldn’t sleep until he could see her wake up and see if she was ok.

Twilight finally began to move his body and after a big yawn, she opened her eyes.

“Twilight?…”

The unicorn blinked a few times before looking at his face.

“Spike?...” She said confused as her vision cleared.

“SPIKE!” She shouted with full consciousness and then hugged the dragon and began to cry.

“I love you, I love you! I was so scared. I thought I’d never see you again!”

“Here I am, Twlight. Please, forgive me. I could do nothing to help you”

“Don’t apologize. It wasn’t your fault. It was Shining Armor… All the blame is his!” She said, rubbing her neck frantically against the dragon’s chest.

“What happened to him? How did we escape? Where is he?”

“Calm down, Twilight, calm down… Princess Luna took him and his accomplices. She used a spell to see their memories. She already knows everything. What they did to us and what they planned to do”

“My own brother… How did this happen, Spike?” She said, crying in silence against his chest.

Spike remained silent without knowing what to say. He could only hug Twilight and stroke her mane to comfort her.

“Shining Armor… He really believed he was doing the right thing. He really thought our relationship was an abomination and that I and our race were an abomination. In his desperate attempt to ‘protect’ Equestria… He didn’t mind sacrificing his own morality and family”

“Stupid… He lost his mind completely”

“Your brother…”

“He’s no longer my brother. That monster lost the right to call me sister. I don’t need him in my life… We don’t need him in OUR life”

Spike looked amazed at Twilight.

“Right?” She said, filled with determination.

“As always… I agree with you, my queen” He said, kissing her on her forehead.

“I guess you haven’t slept because of me all night, right? Sleep a little” She said calmer.

“Oh, I will” He said, leaning on his back with twilight still in his arms.

“Sweet dreams” She said, kissing him on his cheek.

“Now that I know you’re safe, it’ll be easy”

“All thanks to my brave knight” She said, snuggling on his body, intending to sleep a little more.

The nightmare was over. Their love had faced its second test and once more they had emerged victorious.

Author's Notes:

Fans of Shining Armor, deal with it. Don't forget to write your comments with your opinions about the chapter.