Spike took a deep breath as they turned down the street, seeing their destination in front of him, Sweetie Belle taking his hand in hers and squeezing. It wasn’t meeting his parents at their home which was making her drake nervous, but the nature of their upcoming conversation that was making him shake slightly. It was up to her. She led him down the surprisingly quiet street, wondering why there was nopony around, but she could ask about that later. They had something more important to do.

Following the directions on the paper she held in her free hand, they located the correct street address and entered into what was once an opulent garden to a mansion, but it now looked like somepony had been flinging fireball spells around for fun. Ignoring this, she dragged her still hesitant husband up the path and knocked on the door, a muffled conversation from inside reaching their ears. Next came a knock back, along with a loud voice telling them the door was open, so they pushed it gently and stared down in shock; neither were expecting to see another dragon, and a baby one at that, its blue eyes staring up at them in wonder.

“Saphira, come away!”
.
“Uh… hello?”

“S-Spike, are you here already?” Looking up from the baby dragon, the young drake saw Omoroca peering at them through an inner doorway, a half smile upon her face. “Mythic, Spike and Sweetie Belle are here!” Coming along the hall, the couple noticed the dragoness had an apron splattered with several strange stains, which the baby seemed to enjoy when picked up. “Well, I don’t expect my son and daughter-in-law to stand on the doorstep, come in!”

They didn’t need to be told twice, entering the hall and closing the door behind them. Omoroca took a room on the ground floor, their guest room, and they dropped their bags on the floor. They were then taken to a rather large lounge and Omoroca set the little dragoness down on one of the couches, her face smeared from the stains on the dragoness’ apron. “Oh, you messy little thing! Spike, could you watch her whilst I get a cloth?”

“Uh, sure.” She gave him a smile, then left the trio to their own devices, complete silence now filling the room, Spike’s eyes locked with those of Saphira. Slow movement came from the scaly toddler, her arms coming up and stretching towards him. A nudge to his side caused him to turn, Sweetie Belle giving him a nod, so he got up and slowly walked over. His claws gently wrapped around the small dragoness and lifted her up, pulling her close so that her tiny claws rested on his chest, their eyes locked once more. “So… Saphira, huh? Guess I’m your big bro…”

What ever words were coming got cut off as the baby dragoness gave a little hiccup and expelled her most recent meal onto his jacket, Spike blinking in shock as Saphira giggled. Sweetie Belle joined in with the mirthful sounds, taking hold of the baby dragoness whilst Spike removed his soiled garment and checked to ensure it was only on his outer layer, then glared at his sister, but Sweetie Belle turned to shield her from him. “Spike, be nice.”

“Yes, Spike, be nice to your sister.” The young couple turned to the doorway to see Mythic Flame watching with a smile, Saphira babbling excitedly and squirming until Sweetie Belle passed her over, the stallion giving a chuckle at the mess on her face. “Has mommy been cooking again?”

“Yes, I have, now let me clean her… up.” Omoroca returned, glancing from Saphira to Spike and then to the jacket in his grip, now balled up. She remained silent as she cleaned Saphira’s face, then took Spike’s jacket and placed it in the laundry, before returning to the lounge with a tray of assorted cakes, some topped with small gems, and some tea. “So, Spike… I think we know why you asked to come, or at least the main reason. Go ahead, we’re ready.”

Sweetie Belle placed a comforting hand on her husband’s shoulder, and he pulled her close before looking over to his parents and taking a deep breath. “Okay… why… why did yo… no, that’s not right.” Sensing his rising frustration, Sweetie Belle calmed him the only way she knew how, sliding sideways across his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek, then laying her head on his shoulder; it did the trick, just like she knew it would. “Why was it left to a complete stranger to hatch me?”

“Because… I failed you as a father, Spike.” That certainly wasn’t the answer the young couple were expecting, and it was Omoroca’s turn to comfort her husband with a tight embrace, one which Saphira, young as she was and not understanding what was going on, tried to emulate. “You see, Spike, there are differences between a dragon egg that is… ‘pure’, and one that is not.”

Sweetie Belle moved back onto the couch as Spike shifted, and he had easily picked up on the way ‘pure’ was spat from his father’s lips, beginning to understand there was more here than simply being abandoned, so he chose to hear the rest of what they had to say before asking any questions. Still, there was one thing he needed to ask right away. “So, I’m not a pure dragon?”

“You’re as pure as your heart, Spike, that is enough.” Omoraca reached behind her and over the couch, pulling a book into view and setting it on the small coffee table in the room. “That there has all the knowledge ever learnt about pony-dragon relations. If the sire is a dragon and the dam is a mare, then they will have a pony. Some traits may pass over, such as 'reptilian' eyes and other such things. If it is the other way around, then the couple will have a dragon.”

“Now, here’s the important part, Spike, and you’ll understand my failings once you hear it.” Saphira suddenly let out a loud yawn, but wouldn’t sit still in her parents’ hold, waving her arms towards Spike. A red glow surrounded her, and she giggled as she floated through the air to her brother, then quietened down once in his arms, and he nodded for Mythic to continue. “An egg from a pony and a dragon needs magic to hatch it, and one from a unicorn, even more so. Not even Celestia could crack your shell.”

“Princess Celestia tried to hatch me?”

“Yes, she tried for several weeks, but never managed it. She apologised profusely, then went still as if struck by… something. Anyway, she spoke of a pony that she believed might be able to help, so we… and it was a hard decision, left you in her care.”

“Why… why didn’t you come find me sooner?”

“Because I wanted to wait, Spike.” The young dragon cocked his head at Omoroca, whose gaze was dropped to the floor. “The only thing my late father left imprinted with me was that of tradition. I didn’t want to break from it, so I… chose to wait. I’m sorry.”

“I can understand… and there is nothing to forgive.” Omoroca snapped her head up and stared at Spike, but he just sat back with a smile, using a free arm to hold Sweetie Belle close. “After all, look who I’d have never met otherwise.”

"You aren't angry with me for not being there for you?" Omoroca asked hopefully, tears glistening in her eyes.

"You were doing what you thought best and followed the traditions taught to you. I am not angry, just don't expect me to follow your example with my offsprings. Speaking of which..." He briefly glanced at Sweetie Belle, and she nodded, so he took another deep breath as he prepared to ask the next big question. “In the known history of pony-dragon relations… has there ever been a complication when trying to conceive?”

“Not that I know of. Mythic?”

“Well, there can be complications with a more… conventional pairing, but let’s take a look anyway.” The stallion’s horn glowed a dull red once more, followed by an aura over Sweetie Belle’s stomach and Spike’s crotch, Mythic giving a hum as his magic worked for several minutes. “As far as I can tell, there is nothing wrong with either of you.”

“So, why aren’t I pregnant yet?”

“Just keep trying, you just have to be patient.”

“It’s not fair! Applebloom wasn’t even trying!”

“Stop being such a spoiled brat.” All eyes turned to Mythic, who was staring at Sweetie Belle. He reached for some tea and took a long sip, setting the cup back down with a sigh. “So what if she’s pregnant? I’ve just told you both there’s nothing wrong with either of you. What about all the others out there who can’t have children? Did you ever think about them?”

Sweetie Belle’s mouth opened and closed in an attempt to respond, but no words came as she burst into tears and ran out of the room, a door slamming shut from the hallway a moment later. Spike went to follow, but Omoroca stopped him with a raised hand, glaring at her husband as she made her way to the guest room, gently knocking on the door. “Sweetie Belle? Can you let me in please?”

Trying the door, she found it to be unlocked, slipping in and giving a sigh as she saw the sobbing mare on the bed. Closing the door behind her quietly, Omoroca slowly approached and sat down next to Sweetie Belle, pulling the mare into a loose embrace. “I’m not going to apologise for what he said, but I will apologise for the way he said it.” Sweetie Belle looked up at the dragoness and fought to calm herself down, until she just sniffled every now and then.

“S-so you think I’m b-being a spoiled brat as w-well?”

“In a way, yes, but unlike my husband, I can understand how you are feeling. Please, Sweetie Belle, dry your eyes. A mare like you should never cry. Why, even then, I’m sure you’re beautiful to Spike.” That made the mare giggle a little and she nodded her head. “Now, as to my husband’s tone, I am sorry. You see, he is a nurse at a rest and recuperation centre for injured Royal Guards. He’s used to telling it straight, but sometimes he forgets he’s not at work. Do not worry, he will get punished.”

“H-how?”

“Let’s just say that Spike will be the only dragon getting any action in this house for the foreseeable future! Just… don’t do it whilst we are home, okay?” The pair shared a good laugh, then Omoroca stood up and pointed to a side door. “There is a bathroom through there. Clean your pretty face and come out when you are ready, okay? Besides,” as soon as Omoroca opened the door, they could hear crying and two male voices trying to appease the wailing. “I think somedragon wants her sister-in-law back!”

Arctic Halberd looked at the note he had received, then to the door to ensure he was at the right room, and raised his hand, giving a few solid knocks. Somepony on the other side shouted an acknowledgement, and soon the door cracked open, revealing a half dressed unicorn stallion. “Yes? Can I help you?”

“I am here to seek an audience with Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.”

“Hmm, sorry, nopony by that name is here. Why don’t you ask at reception to ensure you have the right roow ow ow!” A blue glow appeared and tugged at the stallion’s ear, pulling him back into the room. He was replaced by a petite pink, and very pretty, alicorn. Halberd stared for a moment before remembering his manners and bowing low, causing the mare to giggle.

“You can stand up, there is no need to dote on ceremony here.” She stepped back, glaring at the unicorn as she led her guest in, the door being closed behind them, and they all sat down around a small table. “Also, please, just call me Cadance. Now, what can I do for you, Mr Halberd?”

“I am having some… troubles.”

“With a mare?”

“Two, actually.”

“Ah, I see. Cannot decide which one you want?”

“No, I want them both. It is… how to ask that I am unsure of. There are… traditions that I must uphold, but I do not wish to do so in this case.” Cadance leant close to the unicorn and they had a whispered conversation, before he nodded and left them alone.

“These traditions, would they be the same as what Boreal Spear had to do?”

“Only for one mare, but that is not possible, for her father has passed. It is the only way I know how to ask… so please, could I have your assistance in asking two mares to marry me?” He certainly wasn’t expecting her to burst out laughing, which he took as offensive at first, until the stallion returned and passed him a grey folder. He opened it to find several pictures of him, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie, as well as them with each other, either in pairs or all at once.

“When your sister is a total nerd, she likes to document everything. Name’s Shining Armour, that’s my wife… and Twilight Sparkle is my little sister. Of course we’ll help one of her friends.”

“Thank you both, your help is much appreciated. I have to ask though,” Halbert mused as he looked through the assorted pictures, “has your sister faced many legal actions for this hobby of hers?”

“Not really.” Cadance took the pictures back and returned them to their unassuming folder. “But Celestia had to create a separate slush fund to keep it that way.”

Two days in Manehatten and Scootaloo was starting to get annoyed. It wasn’t that she didn’t like the attention her bloodline bought her, but that she’d hardly had time to herself or just Pip, discounting her guards of course. Rumble was off to do some modeling whilst there for one of Rarity’s business contacts, Applebloom going with them.

So it was easy to understand when, after another group of excited fans finished swarming her, Scootaloo breathed a sigh of relief as she entered the Manehatten History Museum. It was after closing time, something Pip had arranged so that they could spend some time alone, with Scootaloo’s guards remaining in the lobby; Halberd’s mood seemed to have improved a lot as well. Moving through the large building, she followed the trail of lights until she found who she was looking for, sat at one of the large desks. “PIP!”

“Huh?” He only had time to look up as she jumped into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him close, pressing into a passionate kiss. She didn’t loosen the embrace when their lips parted, having no chance for intimacy due to the fact her parents had turned up to spend time with their daughter, and Vinyl Scratch had taken Pip to a couple of her concerts she was doing for the games. “Yeah, I’d miss me too.” Scootaloo giggled and lightly slapped his shoulder, then turned to look at the piles of papers spread out in front of them.

“So, this is what you found?”

“Yeah, I needed to double check what I already knew. Okay, might want to get comfortable, this is going to take a while.” The mare turned so that her back was pressing against his chest, and she settled her head under his chin; after a sudden late growth spurt, she had to stand on tip toes to give him a kiss on the lips, as she only reached his chest with hers otherwise. “So, Crimson Stone is a member of Celestia’s Order Of Memories. These ponies, like the usual races of ponykind, tap into the unique magics of their kind; what they call the race-memories, the collective knowledge of ponykind as experienced in myths and legends. You following so far?”

“Like me and my weather magic?” Pip gave a chuckle, gently squeezing the mare in his lap tighter then pulled away and kissed the back of her neck, making her giggle.

“Very similar, yes. Now, the first Memory was found shortly after the banishment of Nightmare Moon; Princess Celestia discovered a unicorn filly using bits of broken pottery to make a mosaic that bore a striking resemblance to her battle with her corrupted sister, despite being born a few years after Luna’s banishment. The filly’s mother was a maid who worked in the castle, and she gave her daughter shards of vases and other ceramics as she found them. As the bits had a connection to the event, the little filly tapped into their history, and shaped them into a representation of their destruction.”

“Whoa, that’s pretty cool. So she saw the battle from what, a vase?”

“Pretty much, yeah. Not long after, Celestia began finding more ponies with the filly’s abilities, each of them gifted in some way or another with a sight that stretched through the ages. Another thing she noticed was that, if they went too long without discovering their talent, they became neurotic, obsessive, and irreparably insane.” Scootaloo gasped, trying to imagine what it must have been like for those ponies during those times, but she couldn’t picture it clearly.

“That’s horrible. Please tell me something was done?” Pip nodded and reached for a piece of paper, which held a drawing of one of the many buildings in Canterlot, this one close to the castle; Scootaloo could see her coltfriend’s hand in the artwork.

“Worrying for her subjects’ safety, she created the Order of Memories to allow those who needed its care a place to learn how to master their unusual abilities.” Grabbing another piece, Scootaloo saw it was a list of several ponies in the Order, each with a date of birth and death. “However, it was not long after that the princess also noticed a disturbing trend among the newfound Order: Memories aged rapidly, and died of complications or illness as young as forty, and nearly none lived past sixty. Over time, meditation techniques improved their health and longevity, but few live to reach eighty, and fewer still have enough of their minds intact to be considered living after that age.”

“So… Crimson…”

“Most likely, but he would have not made it this far is he wasn’t found and taken in. Being a Memory manifests as a minor mental illness that grows worse as time goes on; it is observable at a young age, even in infancy in some cases, but always takes a serious jump in severity after pubescence if the proper care is not taken in handling them. For this reason, the Order recruits members as young as eight, but no sooner.”

“Taken… from their families that young?”

“The families and the foal have a say. I… refused.” That made Scootaloo sit up and turn to face him with a look of shock, tears building in the corners of her eyes. She then buried her muzzle into his shoulder and held on tightly to him. “Scootaloo?”

“No… no, I don’t want to lose you.”

“Scoots… I’m different. I’m not like other Memories, my abilities are… they pale in comparison to even a novice Memory. It comes from my mother’s side of the family; they were all eccentric in some way, but the connection has always been really weak.” He pushed Scootaloo away so that he could see her face, gently tilting her muzzle up to look her in the eyes, and he could see the tears now falling. “Scootaloo, I will live a normal length pony life. You won’t be losing me anytime soon.” He wiped her tears away, then moved in and planted a soft kiss on her lips.

“Do you… do you promise?”

“I do. Scootaloo, I promise you’ll never lose me.”

Light moaning filled the hotel room, muffled by a black ballgag with red strap. The mare whose teeth dug into the rubber could barely move, a red rope harness around her chest keeping her upper arms pinned to her side with her wrists tied tightly and pulled against her ass with a strict crotch rope. Her legs had been folded over her and secured with more rope, also attached to her chest harness. “This is what you get for opening your present early.”

Diamond Tiara stopped her struggling and glared up at Snails, giving a muffled angry retort that did nothing but make the young stallion chuckle. He moved closer, making the mare whimper slightly as he ran his hands over her stocking clad legs up to her suspender thong, around to her matching black bra with floral accents, firmly giving her breasts a squeeze. “I will be nice to you though, I’m sure you want these off.” She gave a soft moan as her high heels were slipped off her feet, but then burst into a fit of giggles as Snails started to tickle her soles, Tiara thrashing about on the stool where she was set down, doing her best and failing to get free.

“Come on, keep it down will ya!” Snips, who had just put his head out of one of the bedroom doors to see what the racket was, closed the door once more and returned to his own mare, who was in a similar condition as her friend. Panting through her ring gag, Silver Spoon used her eyes to plead with Snips, but he just shook his head and grabbed a small remote from his pocket, turning the vibrations up and making her moan loudly. “You two need to learn to wait. Oh, and any mess you make, you will clean up. You’re kinda dressed for it.”

Silver Spoon was sat upon a chair in a black Prench maid’s outfit with a white trim and underskirt, attached suspenders keeping her white stockings up, ballet heels upon her feet. A tight chest harness secured her to the back rest, her wrists and ankles were tied to the arm rest, her thighs the same and leaving her on display if not for the little white apron. On the seat was tied a very powerful vibrator, the first very inches buzzing within her pussy, enough to arouse, but not enough to push her over the edge. Snips slowly walked over and unzipped his pants, pressing his cock through her gag.

Meanwhile, in the hotel suite opposite, another mare bound and gagged was moaning loudly, two stallions pounding away at her whilst a third sat back and watched. She couldn’t see who they were because of her blindfold, but Trixie knew one thing; her coltfriend was going all out this time, as these were only the next in line after several stallions. The one behind her suddenly thrust in hard, releasing wave after wave of spunk into her ass, joining the loads that were already there.

The stallion in her pussy followed a moment later, pulling out so that he spurted onto her stomach, his seed rapidly cooling in her fur. They didn’t leave her alone just yet, plugging her holes with large didlos and keeping them in place with a tight crotch rope. Being set down on her knees, Trixie gave a small whimper whilst waiting for the next one, but he never came. She blinked rapidly when her blindfold was removed and the light hit her eyes, looking up at the only stallion left in the room. “Just how Ah like you; filled to spillin’ point with the seed of other stallions.”

Trixie looked down her body and gave a small giggle, seeing her stomach had a slight bulge to it, as well as the mess on her fur. Whilst she wouldn’t mind another round with the stallion that was speaking, he had already gone several times with her, then the ‘lucky winners’ from the raffle at the show that night had come to her hotel. Being stood up, she waited patiently as a collar was buckled around her neck.

The stallion leant in and kissed her around the gag, making her moan happily, her eyes staring into his shimmering green orbs, her body writhing against his when he held her close. “So then, mah lil’ fuck slut, what’s next? Shall we go see how the yougin’s are doing?”

Trixie gave a muffled yes along with a nod, the stallion clipping a leash to her collar and heading towards the door, ensuring the coast was clear; Trixie was naked after all. Taking out the spare key to the other room, to which the showmare had insisted on to keep an eye on her assistants, he unlocked the door and entered, Trixie following. “Well, seems like things are fine in here, don’t it Trix?”

Looking around, she saw Snips and Snails sat at the table playing cards, Diamond Tiara bound and gagged and doing her best to get free. Silver Spoon was on the opposite side of the room in the same situation, but different position, the chair she was on shifting slightly with every sudden move the young mare made. Dropping Trixie’s leash, the stallion walked over to the table and pulled up a chair, taking his hat off and placing it on the table. “So, room fer one more?”

Snips and Snails looked at each other and then at Trixie with a smirk, then began to deal another round. Looking at her assistants, Trixie felt a little sorry for them, because she could see the mares had been in those positions for a while and her lover would destroy the colts in cards. While the colts were doomed, she could at least help the mares. Thankful her legs hadn’t been bound, she approached Diamond Tiara and sat next to her, the earth pony giving muffled moans of protest when Trixie leant over her, but she stopped as soon as she felt the ropes around her wrists loosen a little.

Several minutes later and she was free, returning the favour to the unicorn, but Trixie stopped her removing the crotch rope. The pair made their way over to Silver Spoon and untied her as well, the trio then walking over to the table and using their stallions’ laps as seats. Trixie looked at her four young assistants and smiled, the small group being part of something she never really had; a family. “Well, it looks like our show is a hit in Manehatten. As tomorrow night is an off night, I’d like to take you four out for a treat, but I’m not telling you where.”

“An’ what about me?” Trixie leant back against her stallion and kissed his cheek, then nuzzled against him.

“Braeburn, darling, who do you think is paying?”

Author's Notes:

The part with Scootaloo and Pip links with the fic Making Memories, by Whitestrake. Go give it some love.

For those RumbleBloom fans, do not worry, we return to them next chapter!