Spike

“Darling. Darling, wake up,” an angelic voice whispered in his ear, followed by a little touch on his left foreleg.

He was still in bliss, having had the most wonderful dream of his life. Yet as the dragon was carried back to consciousness, he could hear the peace and tranquility of the area, filled with little but his slow breathing and the gentle whispers.

Even so, having one of his now rare cases of being slothful, Spike grumbled softly and readjusted himself over the sheets, away from the prodding appendage. “Five more minutes, please,” he murmured, though now he had a beam of light shining in his eyes from a near window. Oh, give me a break while I am at it too, Celestia. I’m on vacation.

The voice tutted delicately and continued in response to his complaint. “Hmm. Well, I am not certain whether that will be possible, dear. After all, it would not do to be late for your appointment with the dragons. It was, after all, you who wished to see them so earnestly, was it not?”

Upon hearing that, Spike perked up a little. He knew that it had been Rarity who had spoken now. He could never mistake that voice for anypony else’s in the world, but what was she doing in his bedroom? That sounds familiar, actually, he pondered loosely, before rolling onto his stomach. Oh well, it will come back to me. It only took a moment, before his emerald eyes shot open, turning rapidly to see the aforementioned alabaster unicorn lying in the same bed as he was. “R-Rarity! I…I…”

She laughed a little, resting her right hoof under her chin for support upon the bed and the left hoof on the sheets before her, having finally succeeded in rousing Spike from his slumber. “Yes, dear?”

“W-well, uh…heh, good morning?” he said, trying to prop himself up on his left side, to face the elegant mare properly.

“Oh, puh-lease tell me that you are not still awkward around me,” Rarity soothed, sliding in closer until their chests were touching. She set her fore hooves on his shoulders and gave what he knew to be her brightest of smiles. “I admit that it is cute to a very large extent, but now I would like to be able to cuddle you like this at times too.” She ended her speech with a little pout and a teasing little nudge with her hoof, “rather, without feeling sorry that I am embarrassing you so.”

The look he gave in answer was a startled one initially, yet once he realized that he didn’t have any butterflies in his stomach from being close to her, and that she was already smirking from what he knew to be a stunned expression of his, Spike chuckled. He brought his claws around her back and cradled her gently. “Don’t worry. You can make me as embarrassed as you want, just because I know that it is you...and I love you.”

“Now that is my dragon,” she said, flushing slightly from the purple dragon’s words. He knew that his cheeks were also rosy from speaking them and from holding Rarity so close. “And I love you too, my little Spikey-Wikey.”

She called me that again, he thought, his face only reddened.

He returned his gaze to the beautiful pony once he heard her giggling. Rarity drew nearer and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek, before leaning away from him again. “Well, my dear, although I would love to simply keep you here longer, you do in fact have an appointment with those elder dragons. Thiuvinal came by and checked on us earlier, but you were still asleep. In fact, I was only just waking up myself when she knocked on the door.”

With a rosiness still present on his face, Spike delicately untangled himself from the proper lady and sat up on the bed. “Really? Wasn’t that…awkward?” Following swiftly after him, Rarity pushed herself up into a seated position as well, grinning at the dragon.

“Well, she was a bit confused to see us sharing the same room and, by extension, bed; however, she does know that we spent this entire trip with one another. Perhaps she already thought that we had some sort of relationship.” She tilted her head to the side with a knowing smile and lidded sapphire eyes; she was awaiting her dragonfriend’s rebuttal with rapt curiosity, Spike was aware.

He simply chuckled nervously at the stare that was given, knowing that she was speaking of his long term love for her and her confessed developed feelings for him. He reached for her front hooves and raised them, held in his claws. The action stirred the lady into shifting her sapphire eyes to his, asking a question with those bright orbs. “I am so lucky to have you as my special somepony. When this is all over, I will have to ask you what finally won you over,” Spike joked, letting out a laugh at the grin that Rarity presented him.

“And I will have to ask you what I must have done to make you not give up on me for all of this time. I am still so sorry that I caused you so much pain, Spike.” Her ears drooped abruptly, and she lowered her head a touch to stare at the covers.

He merely beamed and lifted her head with a claw, with sympathy in his eyes. “I already told you, remember? I enjoyed helping you with all that I did in the past and now. Just being friends with you and knowing how much that you would risk keeping me safe was enough, Rarity.” She stared at him with glistening wide eyes, speechless if not for a cute little whine that she let slip. “Not to mention now that we’re a couple, I can tell everypony who didn’t believe it would happen how wrong they were.”

The glistening in her tear filled eyes ebbed away into a shrewd smirk. The lady placed her hooves on his chest and kissed him on the lips that time, startling the drake into shutting his eyes. When she retreated, Rarity seemed to be proud that she had replaced his cheeky grin with a somewhat dizzy dragon instead. “Yes, indeed, dear; I believe that you can.”

Spike quickly shook himself free of the daze and matched her smile, before standing and stepping down from the bed to hold a claw out to her. “We will need to sit down and have a little chat about what to tell the others…and what the future holds for us too, but right now, why don’t we go sit and listen to some dragon history that I know we are both interested in hearing?”

Rarity simply chuckled at his words and placed a dainty fore hoof in his extended claw, before stepping down from the bed herself. “I believe that is a wonderful idea, Spike. I would like to know just how dragon chests are so unbelievably comfy despite also being so scaly and protective too.” She stroked her free hoof along his exposed chest, giving him a seductive visage when she caught his eyes in hers.

“Uh…Uhhh,” he managed dumbly.

She let out an amused laugh and stepped closer to Spike to drape her hoof over his arm in an attempt to calm him, one that they both knew worked wonders. “I am only teasing, Spike darling. I already know the answer to that anyway,” she quickly added with a giggle. “Now, come along. We have used enough time lying about that could be spent learning of your kind.” The mare began sauntering over to the closed door, her beautiful purple tail swishing to and fro as she walked.

Most of the dirt and grime had been cleansed from her fur, mane and tail by now, but even when she was at her worst with her back broken, Spike still thought that she was the most dazzling and glamorous pony out there. Yes, and she really does love me, he thought, with a warm expression spread wide on his face. He knew if she had glanced back in that moment, she would know exactly what he was thinking. “Right,” he replied after the pause, sprinting forward to open and hold the door for his lady, “beautiful ladies and little foals first, in that order.”

“Oh, stop it, you,” she tittered, waving her hoof at him before dipping her head in thanks and stepping through the passage. She waited for him on the other side, and once he strolled through and shut the door behind him, the two proceeded down the hall to the grand entrance to meet with the dragons. “Now, our gracious host Thiuvinal told me that this meeting would be occurring outside, before the hill of the grand hall.”

Rarity pushed the massive double doors open with her aura and stood with Spike at the top of the hill, looking out at the dragons flying above the elders. It appeared as though they were waiting for them as they lied in a semi-circle, causing him to cringe. Oh no, I hope that they haven’t been there long. The couple shared a glance with one another prior to breaking into a light trot to approach. “Sorry to keep you waiting,” Spike called as Thiuvinal turned from the rest to see the two of them trotting forward. He stopped before her and bowed his head. “It is my fault, Thiuvinal.”

The olive green dragoness smiled toward the two and shook her head gracefully, her long thin spines following the motion. “Nonsense, little one; I could tell that both of you were exhausted the second I stepped into view of you. We have merely been discussing what your appearance here means.”

“And…what would that be?” Rarity quizzed, tilting her head to the side from beside the dragon.

“The reason that we were speaking of this is merely due to our disbelief that a dragon grew up outside of a nest, worse still without a family. It causes us to wonder if there are others like you, who do not know who they are or where they come from. For the elders and I present here, it is something that we do not take lightly. It is truly a shame that we have not known until now.” The proper lady rested a gentle hoof on Spike’s shoulder, causing him to look to her in concern. “However,” the patient elder continued, holding both Spike and Rarity’s gazes once again, “we are also glad that you have appeared, and that a pony was the one who helped you arrive here.”

“That is true. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Rarity,” Spike responded, turning to her again. She beamed with a few tears at the corners of her eyes, as she touched a hoof to the dragon again.

One of the other elders huffed, which Spike heard and turned his head to face him. “And you claimed to have been raised by ponies as well?” He was a dull grey coloration who appeared bulkier than most of the figures in the congregation. His long ear frills fell downward over his cheeks and his surprisingly short horns curved out from his head horizontally, pointing backward.

“Yes, sir. Twilight Sparkle hatched me, raised me and taught me everything that I know. And Rarity has been my friend for six years, along with so many others.”

“Please, both of you, be seated,” the dragoness asked, gesturing to the spaces to her left. The two took their seats, the other dragons already seeming to have questions for Spike. “First of all, we would like to know how this Twilight managed to hatch you. In all of our long millennia of existing, none of us have heard of a dragon egg being hatched by anything except for a dragon’s mother or father.”

The dragon nodded his head in understanding, before turning toward the circle in order to be heard by all present. Millennia; just how long have these dragons been around for? “As far as I know, Twilight hatched me with magic during her entrance exam for the School for Gifted Unicorns. And if you want to know, she was four when it happened.”

Conversations erupted from that reveal; the whole gathering of creatures began to discuss with themselves, Spike picking up several talks about how a four year-old pony hatched him with magic, and he thought he heard the amaranth dragon on his right whispering to himself about the ice on his chest. It did not last long, Thiuvinal calling for silence within moments of the commotion. The crater grew quiet; only the gentle wing beats of the curious younger dragons above them and the warm breeze in the air to break the peace.

“Whether we have heard of such a thing before in our history or not is no reason to suspect that such a thing could never occur,” she spoke, quirking her head in each direction to address her kind. “Pony magic is meant to be quite powerful, if you recall what Princess Celestia has managed to fashion in two thousand years of guidance; though fewer still believe that a unicorn foal could make such a thing happen, I believe that Spike and Rarity have no desire to lie to us here today. They both came to learn about our culture, our history, and I am of a mind to share our knowledge with these two friends.”

“What if this pony should decide to apply this knowledge against us?” the grey dragon from earlier demanded to know.

Spike frowned and heard the elegant mare huff indignantly in reply. Her chin was raised haughtily when he turned to her, her sapphire eyes shut and eyebrows furrowed. “I would never. Ponies have no reason to go to war with dragons…or any other race, for that matter.”

“I would believe that! No pony could take a dragon in a fight anyway,” mocked a dragon flying around in the air, loud laughter from his friends echoing about in the breeze. However, the noise once again ceased when Thiuvinal lifted her head to the troublemakers. They stopped in their places, cowering away slightly from the still calm eyes of the olive green dragoness.

She must be pretty powerful herself to command this much respect with the other dragons, Spike considered shrewdly, she didn’t even need to say anything that time. “Excuse me, Thiuvinal? May I ask something of you, or…any here who might know?”

The large female dragon turned her great neck to him again, ever the peaceful looking soul. “Of course, little one; I believe that we will have no more complaints from any dragon here about talking with you. And Garble,” she announced, slightly louder to be heard by the red dragon behind her.

“Uh, yes, ma’am?” he murmured, shooting up straight in mid-air.

“I believe that you and your friends are still to watch the borders of this land for threats, which these two are not. We will however be preparing meals soon, so be certain to listen for my call.”

Spike watched in mild amusement as the bully dragon and his comrades nodded their understanding. “Of course. Come on, guys, let’s go!” He waited for them to leave, before noticing that the dragoness was now regarding him silently.

“O-oh! Right, sorry. Heh, what I meant to ask.” He rubbed the back of his spines in embarrassment, until Rarity’s hoof found its way onto his free left claw, garnering his attention. The purple dragon knew instantly what she was trying to tell him. Relax, be yourself and do not be afraid to learn from your own kind. He dipped his head in answer, placing his right clawed hand over her hoof to show that he understood. “I wanted to ask…do you have magic to speak of, to hatch your young?”

Thiuvinal chuckled softly, making the ground around her tremble a little. “No, little one. We use our fire breath at the correct time in order to bring new fire to life. Not only that, but depending on if it is hot or cold within the egg, the offspring will be female or male respectively. That would explain why you turned out to be a male dragon, Spike, because there was no creature in Equestria who knew how to regulate your temperature.”

“I see. Um…well…” Then how did I heal Rarity, or send letters to the princess if dragons don’t have magic? He shrank back in his seat, seeing the faces of the elders looking back at him and suddenly feeling quite insignificant, even with Rarity there holding his claws.

“Another question, perhaps?” asked the mighty dragon. “Do not be afraid to ask of us what you will. We have, after all, asked quite a few questions of you already.”

“Right. Thank you. Well, this might be a long shot, but…I have to know. I wanted to know since I went on my first dragon migration four years ago, with some help from my friends that is.” He paused to lock gazes with the alabaster unicorn again, finding her staring at him with gladness in her eyes. “Do you know any dragon here…who lost a dragon egg twenty years ago?”

At that, Thiuvinal quirked her head, smile no longer present on her face. The other dragons once again discussed amongst themselves quietly, all except for the amaranth elder, who merely stared at him and Rarity with his narrow golden eyes. He had a long and slender face, which was unlike the broader faces of the rest around him. It fell silent once the great elder shook her head. “Unfortunately, none of the families here have lost an egg in that time. My apologies Spike for disappointing you. You must be asking to learn who your birth mother is, yes?”

All he did was nod, looking downtrodden suddenly. He deflated into Rarity a little, hunched over in his seat, yet she did what she could to support his weight and keep his spirits up. Where is my mom…my dad? Do I have any siblings or anything?

“He was hatched by Twilight back then,” Rarity filled in for him for a while, gaining the attention of the assembly. “And so she took on the role of being Spike’s mother, once Princess Celestia thought that she was old enough to do so I would wager. I know it might sound odd to you, but she has taken very good care of him. I have seen how kind hearted Spike truly is. He would do anything for his friends and family, even help out a complete stranger. He is most generous to every creature that he meets, even if they don’t give him a chance at first.” She paused to glance at Spike, him knowing that she was likely referring to Garble and the rest. “This is all thanks to her, and…I suppose, to a lesser extent to his friends as well. He helped me to grow too, in fact, even though I am four years older than he is.”

“Everypony has had a huge impact on my life, Rarity, especially you. Don’t ever think that you haven’t.”

“Hmm,” Thiuvinal replied, looking between the two delicately, before gazing to the dragon again. “Tell me, Spike, do you know what color your egg was?”

What color? he repeated. He quirked his head to Rarity, who with a hopeful expression covering her face simply urged him on to answer her. “It was purple with green dots.”

“It was purple and green, hmm?” She hummed to herself quietly for a brief while, giving Spike time to view the other dragons around them. Most were giving thoughtful or puzzled looks, or simply staring at him from their seats, though not in a menacing way anymore. “That is an interesting color combination, although not surprising seeing as that is your pattern even now. We may be able to find out who your family is, my dear Spike.”

Hope washed back into his face, hearing those words leave Thiuvinal’s lips. He turned to the unicorn, finding her grinning from ear to ear at this news. The dragon turned to face the elder, trying to remain calm despite the great news. “Well? I’ll do anything to find out.”

She laughed lightly and pushed herself up into a seated position. “There is nothing that you need do, little one. You have done your part, simply traveling here. There is no dragon in my group who has lost an egg of that sort; however, there may be a dragon in another group.”

“Oh, that is wonderful,” Rarity commented happily, prior to a confused and apprehensive visage overtaking her relief. “But then, how will you be sending any kind of message? You said that you do not have magic to speak of.”

“It will be I who will travel to the other areas,” the dragoness responded eloquently, her tail waving back and forth along the ground. “I am most curious to see and hear more of this event. When I first saw you, I felt as though your colors were familiar. That gives me hope that our closest neighbor nest may be our best option.”

“Really?” Spike asked excitedly.

The great dragon nodded her head, her spines being caught in a little breeze wafting through the crater. “Indeed. It has been long since I saw the matriarch of that group; however, we have been friends since we were initially hatched. She is where I shall begin. Before I leave though, I would like to introduce you properly to the other elders present here.”

The two nodded their heads in comprehension, watching in silence as the council pushed themselves up into seated positions, some of the smaller dragons rising on all fours to be at a height similar to the rest.

“To begin, the burgundy dragoness to your left is named Uralia; the eldest after me. She will be looking out for you two in my stead, while I am away. Next is Hiralean, Uralia’s younger brother, the grey dragon on her left side. Lukovius is the pale blue dragon at the middle, and although he is a tad smaller than the rest of us, he is of an age with myself and the two siblings.”

“Thiuvinal?” Spike queried after a moment. The dragoness turned her gaze to him to hear his words. “Sorry to interrupt, but are you saying that…that dragons can be different sizes when fully grown?”

“Yes, Spike. Rather, those like us who have the knowledge of that ability passed to us from our mothers and fathers. As we dragons aged, it became apparent that we could grow or shrink if a larger size was needed or if we could not fit somewhere for being too bulky. Our ancestors would pass their understanding of that ability to their offspring. If a dragoness or dragon simply wishes to be smaller, they have that power. It is simply a matter of utilizing it.”

The purple dragon gasped and grinned at the elegant mare beside him, finding that she was about as happy as he was to learn that they did not need to worry over leaving Ponyville once he grew too large.

“However,” the dragon leader went on, garnering their focus again, “the majority of dragons of this age are only concerned with the hoarding of treasures, and so innately they grow in order to protect their treasures and lead solitary lives for most of the year. Unlike those that you two likely witnessed during the migration, dragons of eld would fashion and gift items that they valued to those that they had a fondness for; be that fondness as a friend or that of a mate, there were no hoards to speak of.”

They gave treasures to others…like what I did with Rarity? Spike pondered at the end of her speech. His eyes wandered over to the proper lady, who was still watching him quietly, and to her fire-ruby around her neck.

Rarity giggled and looked to Thiuvinal. “My dear, we must both thank you and the other elders for what you have told us even thus far. Spike was quite worried that he would eventually be unable to fit into Ponyville when he grew to the size of a typical adult dragon. What you have told us just now has me believing that that issue will never come to be.”

Thiuvinal let out a breath in response. “I am glad to relieve the both of you of that burdening thought. Unfortunately, there are few truly elder dragons left in this world. And even so, many have adapted to that way of life in the mountains also, with their offspring learning to be as greedy as they are by example. My grandchild, Garble, is one of those offspring.”

“What?” Spike and Rarity both gaped in answer.

She smiled softly at the looks that they were giving her. “It would appear to me that you two have a history with him.”

Spike nodded. “At the first migration I participated in, Garble let me hang out with him and his friends. I was much smaller back then, a little shorter than Rarity. They teased me and dared me to do things that they said real dragons do. Well, at the end we went to steal and break open some phoenix eggs, but when I had one in my claws, I wouldn’t do it. I wouldn’t cause harm to a defenceless egg to merely feel more like a dragon. If that is what it took, then I decided that I would rather be a pony. That was about when Rarity, Twilight and another one of my friends, Rainbow Dash revealed themselves to help me escape from Garble.”

“I see. I will have to speak with him about that. Tell me, Spike, how old did you say you were?” she questioned, tilting her head to the side.

“I’m twenty years old.” Another bout of silent looks passed along the dragons, confusing Spike and Rarity deeply.

The proper lady cleared her throat daintily, gaining their attention once more. “Pardon me, but is that odd for Spike?”

“It is unusual in a way, but I believe that that should wait until I return with the dragoness that I spoke of. However, to continue with what I had begun to explain prior, my offspring grew to be too greedy to bother with Garble, and so I now look after him. Because of my descendant not being with us when I pass on, it shall be Garble who takes my place.”

That was not something that Spike wanted to hear, and upon glancing in his marefriend’s direction, he found that she was of the same mind as he was. Garble will be in charge of all of these dragons; even the eldest ones? That won’t be good for Equestria…or anywhere.

“We dragons have lived in this world for a terrible long count of years, little ones,” the olive dragoness explained, glancing toward the other dragons. “If I should ever leave this place, I fear that the cause of that departure will also take the remaining elder dragons of this world. We merely wish to give as much chance to the next generation to survive as we are able, for being greedy and alone will not be the answer to the dragon race living longer. I am of a mind that I can still change my grandchild from his hateful, distrusting attitude before I leave.”

He couldn’t help but have sympathy for the dragoness, seeing in her calm eyes the determination to do all that she can for her group’s continued existence. Unfortunately, Spike also knew that helping a dragon like Garble turn from being a bully will not be an easy task, even for an elder. “If anyone can make him nicer, it would be you, Thiuvinal.”

In reply, she beamed at him and bowed her head. “You are most gracious for saying so, Spike; although, I do have three more dragons to introduce before I leave you with Uralia. Ipacimeen, Kirana and Ciciquev are their names,” Thiuvinal said, gesturing to a green dragoness with black stripes and splotches along her body and thin, almost hair-like spines resting along her back to her twin-spiked tail. Beside her was a white dragoness with four horns coming out of the back of her head in waves, like a magnificent headdress that Rarity would fashion for the Grand Galloping Gala, and finally, the golden-eyed dragon, who possessed two smooth and broad horns at the back of his head that curled up and around to be pointing forward. The left one appeared to have an emerald ring near the tip.

“It is a pleasure to meet all of you,” Rarity spoke, pushing herself to her hooves and bowing before the gathering. Spike followed easily, dipping his head in respect to the elders. “You have been most gracious to allow not only Spike, who regrettably has never known much about his kind, but also to me, not even being a dragon myself. I simply hope that this will improve relations between ponies and dragons in the long run of things.”

“And thank you, Thiuvinal, for being kind enough to let us stay for as long as we have,” the dragon added cheerfully, having raised his head to view her.

She shook her head. “There is too much anger and hate in this world already. We have all learned over our lifespans that being suspicious of other races will not aid in returning this world to peace. Am I not correct, Hiralean?” asked the elder, quirking her head slightly to stare at the grey dragon. He grumpily locked gazes with her for a moment, before exhaling and turning his pale blue eyes to Rarity and Spike.

“Hmm. I suppose you are. Please, forgive my prior outburst of suspicion,” he apologized, lowering his head in their direction. “You two seem to be close to one another, and if a dragon like you can learn to trust a unicorn, then that makes you an honorary dragon in my old eyes.”

Spike and Rarity dipped their heads in appreciation, yet what he said was baffling to the dragon. What does he mean by a dragon like me?

“Well spoken, brother,” Uralia said joyfully, while she reached behind her and grabbed her scythe-like tail. The large dragoness pulled it in front of her and began to shrink before Spike’s emerald eyes, seeing a focused look overcoming her excitement momentarily. “And seeing as we have all had our introductions, am I to believe that our council is over for now?” she asked, looking to Thiuvinal right as she was a mere head taller than Rarity.

Answering the now smaller dragoness, the olive elder lowered her head in a nod. “I believe so. I can trust that you and the others will watch over these two, yes Uralia?”

“Of course, Thiuvinal. I think I will find it quite entrancing to find out more about the…special relationship that these two seem to possess.” The burgundy dragon looked to the two with a smirk along her face, causing Spike’s cheeks to burn a little, and Rarity to chuckle at the look he gave. She brushed her soft alabaster hoof along his left foreleg, after which he calmed down a touch.

He smiled at her and silently told her that he was fine again. No matter what happens, Spike figured, now with a goofy grin plastered across his cheeks, I don’t think you have a limit to how happy you make me, Rarity.

Kirana stepped forward, growing slightly smaller as well to be on level with the three speaking. “And perhaps I should be watching over you, Uralia, so that you don’t cause these two any unnecessary discomfort.”

“Oh, nonsense. It shall be a great few hours while Thiuvinal is gone,” the ecstatic dragoness cried, wandering over to sit next to Rarity before giving the white elder her focus again. “But if you are interested in finding out about them too, I don’t believe it will be a problem.”

“That is acceptable to me, Kirana,” the patient dragoness spoke, rising to her full height and extending her wings. “Spike, Rarity, residents of Equestria, I leave you in the capable claws of these two dragons. If you have need of anything, please do not hesitate to ask them. The others will be looking after what younglings that we have here, and the troublesome grown dragons.” Both of them thanked her and watched in awe as she gave a few beats of her wings, prior to taking into the sky and flying off farther west.

Spike waited while Hiralean, Lukovius, Ipacimeen and Ciciquev sauntered off to his right, all of them settling into a height similar to his with a longer body. Very soon, Lukovius spread his massive wings and took to the skies as well, though the purple dragon quickly turned his attention to the two dragonesses remaining. Well, that was really something. At least I won’t have to make Rarity choose whether to stay or leave Ponyville just because I couldn’t fit later in life. “So, what did you want to know?” he asked, still staying close to the proper lady.

“Well, how did the two of you meet? You said you were born in Canterlot, during that magic school test, so did you meet there too?” questioned the burgundy dragon. Now that she was nearer to him, Spike could also notice some triangular patterns on her cheeks and along her chin, reminding him of little freckles in ponies. The same design appeared on her shoulders and down her slim sides.

He was about to reply, before that day that he first met Rarity in the Town Hall in Ponyville crossed his mind, how he had instantly felt that she was the most beautiful creature that he had ever seen. I…I can’t tell them about that. What would they say about love between a pony and a dragon? Spike scratched at the spines on his back nervously, which Rarity seemed to pick up on.

“Oh, no, dear,” she spoke up, rescuing him from having to endure an awkward situation. “He was born with Twilight and lived in Canterlot for fourteen years. I, on the other hoof, or claw as the case may be,” she giggled a little at her inclusion, prior to continuing, “was born in Ponyville. I was eighteen at the time that Spike and his mother arrived and I was decorating the Town Hall for a festival when we first saw one another, although he never really said anything to me on our initial meeting.” The elegant mare shifted her sapphire eyes to his, a teasing and nefarious look in them that caused him to promptly regret allowing her to speak for him. “No, I believe that he was too taken by my fashion sense to say hello…or due to how pretty he thought I was; either one.”

“Rarity!” he shouted in embarrassment, cheeks positively glowing now. She…she knew that long ago?!

Upon hearing that, Uralia chuckled lightly and even Kirana shared in the amusement a little bit. “I knew it. You two have a thing for each other, don’t you? A mother of five little ones always knows these things.”

“You…you don’t…mind?” Spike quizzed, raising an unbelieving eyebrow.

“We have never heard of such a coupling happening before, but at this stage in our lives it is merely of interest to us to see something surprising or unexpected occur,” the white dragon assured, adjusting her wings at her sides and swishing her tail back and forth as she stood before the two. She had some curious designs also, in the shape of circles running down the entire length of her tail in a single line on both sides. “Most of what we witness is predictable, so finding a unique event is…uplifting in a way. It is also not our business who two creatures choose to give their hearts to.”

Uralia dipped her head in acknowledgement. “Indeed, and besides, you two appeared far too adorable with one another to be upset with you, even if I wanted to be. That is an excellently crafted fire-ruby by the way. No wonder you like him, Rarity.”

This time it was the purple-maned mare who flushed in embarrassment, cradling the jewel in her hoof. She looked down at it and then to Spike, who beamed at her with affection. Rarity matched his visage, yet he was also pondering about another issue. That is the second time that one of these dragons has mentioned the fire-ruby I gave to Rarity. Do they think I gave it to her as a…betrothal necklace? He swallowed softly and attempted to put that thought aside for the moment, at least until he and Rarity had some quiet. “Excuse me, Uralia, Kirana, would there happen to be a place that Rarity and I could speak alone for a little while? I’m still not certain whether either of us has fully recovered from our trip here, so would that be alright for at least a little while?”

“All you need do is ask, little dragon,” the white dragoness spoke, bowing her head and displaying her vibrant and elegantly curled horns. Kirana rose and matched her silver eyes with the couple. “I know the perfect place here in the Scorched Lands for some privacy. Would it be acceptable if we could stay within the area to warn you of any dangers, should they arise?”

“But of course, Kirana,” the pony replied with her usual splendor, “and might I say that you have absolutely magnificent horns, darling? Why, they are giving me such inspiration for a new line of headdresses for my fashion lines.”

Spike rolled his emerald eyes at Rarity’s budding conversation. I thought that you would notice them. He laughed a little, garnering the lady’s curious scrutiny.

“And what, pray tell, is so amusing to you, my dear Spikey-Wikey?” she inquired, giving him a warning, level expression, with only a hint of amusement at the edges of her lips.

The purple dragon laughed some more and raised a clawed hand to try and assure her that he meant nothing mean by his cheer. “Nothing, Rarity, really; it’s just…I knew that you would be saying something like that sooner or later. You always have an eye for fashion and glamor, after all.”

“Oh, cease you smooth talker, you,” she laughed, lightly shoving Spike with a gentle hoof. “Always the flatterer, aren’t you?”

“You two truly are a pair,” Uralia shouted with glee, grinning brightly at the couple’s antics.

“Yes, they are. And thank you as well, Rarity, for your compliment,” the white dragoness added with a caring grin. “As Thiuvinal explained, you have quite the delicate and sophisticated way of speaking, like I would imagine is the way in which your princess speaks.”

It was the elegant mare’s turn to bow in appreciation, the corners of her cheeks curling upward. “Why, thank you. I do try to be as warm and generous in my voice and words as I am able. It has served me well in terms of earning respect in my sewing business and in my friendships also.”

“Well, shall we go and see this place that you spoke of, Kirana?” queried the excitable dragoness. She shuffled her wings across her back, stretching them out to their fullest extent while she stood. The other elder merely dipped her head and took the lead, though Spike, Rarity and Uralia quickly made up the distance. Spike sauntered along next to Rarity, while she meandered forward beside the two dragons. “So, you make clothing then, Rarity; dresses and hats and such?”

Rarity tittered as she kept pace. “Yes. It has been quite the passion of mine, since I was a filly, in fact. I also use gemstones in my clothing lines though, which is what Spike would constantly help me with finding and collecting. He critiqued my designs occasionally when I asked what he thought, yet perhaps he was a little bit biased toward me. Regardless, he was such a helpful gentledrake back then.”

“Hey,” he interrupted with a cheeky grin already developed on his face. “What do you mean back then? I’m still a gentledragon.”

She merely giggled again and looked to him. “Yes, I believe you still are. Anyway, in recent years I have expanded my business quite considerably; also having boutiques in Manehattan and Fillydelphia.”

“Really?” the purple dragon asked, not having heard about this yet.

“Oh, y-yes, dear,” she admitted, appearing a bit abashed to have spoken of this. “Over the four years that you were in Canterlot, I had two opportunities to expand my business into other cities, so that ponies did not need to travel to Ponyville to purchase my clothing lines. I…I would have gone to Canterlot first; however, I did not want to upset you further over that time by appearing there and possibly bumping into you before you were ready.”

“Oh,” Spike mutely responded, glancing down at the ground as the four began ascending another hill within the crater. The two dragonesses were noticeably silent now, obviously understanding that this was a tense situation between the two. Even I leaving so that she could have peace in her business made it difficult for her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make it more challenging to run your shop, Rarity.”

She gave him a worried expression in answer and stopped him in his stride with a fore hoof. “No, Spike, there is no reason to be sorry at all. I understood at the time why you needed your space. It did not harm my boutique at all. Besides, your happiness was and still is more important to me than my shop, by a wide margin.” She emphasized her point by pulling the dragon into a deep hug as she rested her chin on his left shoulder. He stood frozen for a second, before grinning madly and returning the loving gesture.

“Thank you, Rarity.” The two separated and gave each other reassuring expressions before proceeding to the top of the hill as Kirana and Uralia flew into the air. Both of them waited while Spike lowered himself to the red soil of the hill for the alabaster unicorn to climb on. Once she was secure, he followed the elders into the air and landed at the north side crest of the crater.

“Here it is,” Kirana stated, looking to the two of them and stretching her pale white wings as Rarity carefully slid off of the dragon. “This viewpoint allows you to look out at the entirety of the Scorched Lands, beyond to the west and to the frozen north as well, although to the south is a little obstructed due to the meteor that crashed here eons ago creating a higher peak across the southern ring.”

The fashionista sat atop the downward sloping cliff and glanced at the dragoness. “It is lovely, Kirana. Thank you. Thank you both, for looking after us.”

“It is no trouble, Rarity,” Uralia cleared up, shaking her head with her eyes shining. “You two have been the most excitement and fun that I have had in millennia. I don’t want to say that my own kind are a tad boring, but it is enjoyable to have something new come along. Now, go and sit and relax as much as you like. Kirana and I will be within ear shot if you need anything.”

Rarity and Spike smiled kindly at the both of them, and the dragon watched on in slight amusement as the white dragoness gave Uralia a bit of a teasing talk about which boring dragons she was referring to as they wandered away. Soon enough, he spun around to find his marefriend gazing at him in silence; probably waiting for him to begin talking about what he needed the privacy for.

He decided to have a little fun with the pretty mare before that though, feeling a bit of his own teasing coming on as he sat near her. “So, you were holding out on me with these new businesses in Manehattan and Fillydelphia, hm?” he questioned, raising an eyebrow.

She gave an adorable chuckle and covered her mouth with a hoof. “I am afraid so. I apologize, darling, but when I heard that you were returning, I must admit that I largely forgot about my businesses. I have well equipped ponies running those shops, thankfully, and they have more than enough outfits and other items even now from my sewing endeavors to not particularly require my attention, except for the little stop overs that I make every once in a while.” Rarity hesitated, fidgeting in her spot a little. “I am so sorry if it might seem like I was hiding something else from you out of guilt, but it really wasn’t that. I was simply so happy to see you return; so happy that I hadn’t driven you away for good.”

His expression fell upon hearing her confession and the glistening tears in her beautiful eyes when she dipped her head in his direction. Oh, no, he thought instantly, feeling a pain in his heart. Spike threw himself at Rarity, embracing her delicately but with enough force to cause her to yelp in a cute way. “I could never have left forever, Rarity. I knew that it would break all of your hearts if I never saw any of you again. It would hurt me too…and even if you never loved me back, I would still have come back because you are also my friend, Rarity.”

She sniffled gently and wrapped her hooves across his back after a small pause, pulling him close to her. He allowed her to hold him like that for a while, as she sniffed a bit, knowing that she needed to hear that he would never not want to spend time with her. After a few moments, the fashionista’s hold on him lessened and she drew herself away from him calmly.

He saw a bright, cheerful visage on her face when she looked on him again, though a few tears still glittered at the corners of her eyes and down her cheeks. Spike wiped them for her and grinned. “I am glad for that, Spike. But you do not need to worry about that now, darling, because I really do love you.” She touched a soft alabaster hoof to his left cheek.

“I know,” he said, cupping his left clawed hand around her hoof carefully.

Rarity breathed a serene sigh and returned her hoof to the ground in front of her. “Well then, Spike, what did you wish to see me so privately about? Hopefully not something that could end up with us in some kind of compromising positions, I hope.”

“Uh- Uhhh,” Spike began, cheeks reddening deeply over what she had implied. She batted her eyelashes seductively and her cheeks flushed a little as well; yet he could tell that she was playing her embarrassment up a bit, ever the dramatic side in her shining through. He quickly cleared his throat once he realized this and shook his head. “No, of course not.” The two shared a laugh, and once their amusement died down, the unicorn urged him to tell her what he wished to say.

The purple dragon inclined his head and readjusted himself in front of her, swinging his tail around himself and shuffling his wings a touch. “Sorry, Rarity. It wasn’t anything bad that I wanted to talk to you in private about, but I just wanted to say how happy I am to know that I won’t have to leave Ponyville when I am even older…at least, not when I learn how to control how tall I am.” The pony merely dipped her head in acknowledgement, a steady smile on her face. “And…I won’t have to leave you again, or make you leave Ponyville just to be with me like you said you would.”

She tipped her head in response, her curled mane following the motion. “Nonsense, dear. Regardless, we would have figured something out; not only because I would have had multiple options, but do you really think that Twilight would give up on you so easily? No, sir, not that mare either. Pinkie, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, we all would have been with you all of the way if it truly came to that; don’t you doubt it. Princess Celestia herself would likely offer her assistance with that problem.”

He simply chuckled. “Yes, you are right, Rarity. Thank you, I just needed to say it is all. So, do you just want to sit here for a while? We could call it our first official date as a couple if you like.” The dragon ended his offer with a little cheesy smirk, which appeared to amuse the lady. And if giving your cherished items to those that you love is something that dragons like Thiuvinal and Uralia do, then I will create a really extravagant ring for her horn as a betrothal gift. I am sure that Rarity would love that. It is probably a little early, but I can wait.

“You took the words right out of my mouth, my little Spikey-Wikey,” she soothed, wiggling over to rest her left side against his pristine purple scales. Immediate and pleasant warmth, different from his usual body heat enveloped him on the side that she rested, and the two merely sat there in silence, sharing in their happiness. “My knight in shining scales,” she hummed lightly.

I could become accustomed to this, he thought, before blinking rapidly in excitement and joy when Rarity simply turned to him with lidded blissful eyes and a tender smile. He extended a wing and rested it across her back and around to her right side, returning the visage.

A few hours later, the two were still gazing out at the sky. The sun had sunk low above the horizon to Spike’s left, but the temperatures barely faltered from the steady heat of the land. The couple had long since settled in completely, sharing little stories and laughing at jokes occasionally, and simply resting their heads together; however, that relaxation was interrupted by a cacophony of sounds from behind them, at the southern peak of the crater.

The two of them turned in time to see Uralia and Kirana landing before them, folding their wings at their sides afterward. They appeared on edge, returning to guard Spike and Rarity like Thiuvinal had asked.

“What is the matter, darlings?” Rarity questioned them, turning in her seat inquisitively.

“We are unsure of the reason, but a fight has begun involving the dragons guarding the border of our territory,” the white dragoness answered her. “Hiralean and Ciciquez are already there to see what is occurring.”

“Yet do not worry. We are here to protect you,” Uralia put in, quickly turning around and crouching down aggressively, spreading her burgundy wings to make herself appear larger.

Spike drew closer to his marefriend and continued to watch the opposite side of the crater. Very soon, he could see lights of purple appearing upon the top of the cliff of the Scorched Lands. He leaned forward, seeing out of the periphery of his vision that Rarity was doing the same, curious over who could be attacking these lands. He could see Garble and his friends flying against the purple orb occasionally, bouncing off and sometimes crashing to the dirt. Hiralean and Ciciquez stood behind them, wings raised in defence, but his eyes widened when it was clear who was casting that sphere.

“Twilight?!” the both of them shouted in unison, before pushing themselves up and stepping around the two dragonesses.

“Wait, where are you two going?” Kirana asked.

“We know her, Kirana. Please, tell those dragons to stop fighting,” Rarity explained, prior to clambering onto Spike’s back as he lied along the dry red soil. “Quickly, Spike.” He stood rapidly when the mare looped her hooves around his neck and burst into the air, toward the cliff.

“Stop! We are not here to fight you!” Spike heard the alicorn shouting from inside the protective magic shell, when he slowed and landed behind the two elders. The proper lady hopped off of his back and trotted in between them, followed swiftly by the purple dragon.

“That’s enough, Garble!” Spike yelled as loud as he could, catching sight of his friends and unexpectedly, several other ponies behind them dressed in sailor’s uniforms. “You know that those are our friends!”

Twilight’s gaze immediately shot to him, positively glowing with cheer. “Spike! Rarity!”

Before Garble and his crew could perform another obviously useless assault, Uralia and Kirana flew in front of them, before the purple barrier. “Indeed, that is enough, young Garble,” Kirana affirmed, crossing her forelegs as she stayed aloft with the other elder dragon.

The fighting ceased quietly and the bullies halted in their dive, the dragons nodded mutely and flew away when the burgundy dragoness pointed toward the grand hall. All was silent, and Spike saw the aura vanish with the studious mare appearing before him shortly after in a flash of light.

“Spike! I’m so glad that you’re okay!” she cried, embracing him with a warm hug. He sat back on his hind legs and held her as well. He watched as Rarity sat behind her, a sad beam upon her face, while the rest of the ponies cantered over to greet them. Twilight buried her face in his neck, sniffling slightly. “I was so worried.”

“I am sorry, Twilight. I-I am okay. Rarity is okay, please don’t cry.”

“Rarity, Spike!” Pinkie shouted with glee as she bounded into the back of the alabaster mare. The lady fell forward a little from the unexpected weight, though she rose up again in her seat with a sly smile on her face and a raise of her eyebrows in response to seeing the pink pony again. “We’re here to rescue you! Oh, and also to see some cool dragons. Ooh, look, dragons!” she laughed, pointing a hoof to Hiralean and Ciciquez as they wandered toward them.

“Rarity!” a high pitched squeak broke past the other noises, a voice that Spike knew well, yet certainly did not expect to hear in the dragon lands.

Sweetie Belle stopped right in front of her older sister, bright green eyes large and glistening. He could already tell that her tears would begin falling in short order, seeing that Rarity was well. “Sweetie Belle; what are you doing here?!” the designer questioned in disbelief.

The young mare bit her lower lip and embraced Rarity, burying her muzzle into the nape of her neck. “I came to find you and Spike. I am so happy that you are alright!” She descended into elated sobs then, and when Twilight released the dragon, he could view in his marefriend’s sapphire eyes that she could not bring herself to be upset with her, not when she knew how she would act if Sweetie Belle had been in her place. Instead, she wrapped her up in a tender embrace and gently brushed her pink and purple mane, whispering soothing words of comfort to her younger sister.

“Yes, Sweetie Belle, I am alright,” she sung quietly, before glancing at the dragon with a lovely little smile that he always loved receiving from her, “thanks to Spike.”

He scratched at his neck spines with a red tint appearing across his cheeks, viewing and hearing that public display of affection from Rarity.

Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Applebloom caught up shortly after, although slowly, and the speedster and Applebloom appeared to be supporting some of Applejack’s weight as they walked. That isn’t too surprising. Where one goes, the other two are with her. Spike grinned smartly and from their glad countenances upon seeing Rarity and himself.

They hugged the proper lady as well, before turning their attention to Twilight and Spike. “Boy, are we glad ta see the two of ya’ll. You both gave us quite the scare when we learned of this here trip of yours.”

“Yeah, what the hay were you two thinking, going off on your own without telling us?”

“Oh, thank goodness that you two are okay,” Fluttershy interrupted, trotting up on the orange mare’s left, along with Scootaloo to see both Rarity and Spike. Twilight had since released her grip on him and stepped back, standing beside the pegasi.

Sweetie let go of the elegant unicorn once Twilight glanced her way and went to embrace Spike, the rest fell silent. Rarity flinched back from her eyes, before inclining her head in shame.

“Twilight? Please, don’t be mad at her,” Spike begged, shuffling closer to his marefriend when the young singer released him, while keeping his eyes focused on his mother. “She was only trying to keep me safe. It was I who asked her not to tell you in exchange for her accompanying me instead. It’s my fault.”

The strangers that Spike didn’t know had also caught up by now, standing back in silence as Uralia and Kirana landed to his right. It was so quiet, only the continuous, gentle breeze wafting in through the area disturbing the uncomfortable moment. The lavender pony stepped forward and sat before Rarity, pulling her into a firm embrace.

Rarity’s shock was clear across her face for a few seconds, yet a shaky grin quickly broke out and she threw her hooves around the mare. “I missed you so much, Rarity. I am glad that you are safe too.”

“Oh, Twilight,” the unicorn whimpered, tightening her grip on her friend’s back, “please forgive me. It was my fault too, but I couldn’t let him go on his own, not after that terrible migration that he had to endure.”

“It’s okay, Rarity,” Twilight soothed, brushing her hoof along her curled purple mane. “I understand why you did it and I forgive you. Thank you for keeping Spike safe; for keeping each other from harm.”

The dragon smiled sadly and stood up. He made up the distance between them and joined the hug as he sat down once again. It broke up shortly and Kirana strolled in beside Spike with a soft smile on her face.

“So, am I to assume that these little ponies are your friends and family, Spike?”

Turning to Rarity, Sweetie and Twilight, and then to Fluttershy, Applejack, Applebloom, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo, he cleared his throat and laughed, looking to the elder dragoness. “Yes, they are. Sorry if this caused any unneeded commotion.”

“Do not feel the need to apologize, Spike,” Hiralean grumbled from behind him. The grey dragon stopped on his left side as Spike glanced that way, seeing Ciciquez standing on the elder’s right. “It was those little ones who engaged them without provocation. This pony was merely protecting her group. It is we who should apologize to you for not properly dealing with their attitudes.”

“Have you any injured amongst your group?” the amaranth dragon questioned quietly, bright golden eyes drifting along the new faces and across at the larger pony group accompanying them.

Twilight nodded and pushed herself to her hooves. “My friend Applejack; she was injured falling into the coastal waters, and there are a few sailor ponies that need medical attention as well.”

The grey dragon inclined his head and turned to the side. “Bring your injured and follow me. I will do what I am able to heal those wounds.” Without further words, the bulky dragon wandered off toward the tents near the grand hall. Spike watched briefly as some of the sailor ponies aided their friends in following after him, Applejack, Applebloom, Rainbow and Scootaloo also meandering along.

“What happened, Twilight?” he asked in confusion and fright, with Rarity at his side giving a concerned look of her own. “Why are Applejack and all of those ponies hurt?”

“We were attacked near the shores of the Ibexian Tundra,” answered a stallion wearing a tricorn hat, with a captain’s coat around his form gently blowing in the wind. “They are all that is left of my crew.”

“Rarity, Spike, dragons of the Scorched Lands,” the alicorn announced, standing with the male who had spoken, “this is Captain Vem Seafarer of the Sea Princess. He helped us on our journey here and…unfortunately…he has endured much strife in aiding our travels.”

Vem placed a calming hoof on her shoulder, shaking his head once she looked to him. “Do not blame yourself, princess. You had no way of knowing what terrors would lie beneath the waves; nor did I, in fact. Never once have I seen such cruel ice creatures come aboard my vessel prior to these last few days.”

“What did you say?!” Uralia demanded, suddenly standing at attention. Spike focused on her and also noticed how shaken the normally stoic Kirana appeared, turning again to see a grim look overtaking Ciciquez’s visage.

“Ice creatures,” the captain repeated. “Why, do you know of these things?”

The amaranth elder exhaled and turned to the side. “All of you must come with me. For now, we await the matriarch’s return. Once that time comes, you must tell us what has happened.” Saying nothing more, the quiet dragon turned and began strolling toward the grand hall, his jagged spiked tail swishing back and forth.

“Whoa, that’s a cool looking dragon,” Pinkie commented, bouncing a few times before walking forward with Fluttershy beside her. “Did you see that really nifty green ring around his horn? No, scratch that. Did you see his super-duper horns being all curly? Wait, scratch that too, did you see…just…all of him?! Ugh, why am I so itchy now?!”

“I hope Applejack and those sailors will be alright,” the yellow pegasus whispered. “I did what I could with what little supplies I had, but hopefully these dragons will have some medicine.”

“Don’t worry, Fluttershy. That guy really looked like he knew what he was doing, being all grumpy and what not. That’s the kind of dragon that I would want helping me feel better.”

As Pinkie’s voice faded, Spike placed his attention on Twilight and these two new ponies standing side by side. So, if they’re here, then that means that the princess must have contacted Twilight shortly after we left. I suppose it isn’t the right time to make sure of that though. Nodding gently from his thoughts, the dragon turned to Rarity and helped her to her hooves. “I suppose that we had best follow him. The matriarch, Thiuvinal, has been gone for a few hours now, looking for the matriarch of another dragon nest.”

Silently, the six walked along the ground, yet he couldn’t help but feel responsible for those sailors. If they were helping our friends, then…that means that their death is also partially my fault, he concluded, feeling horrible for causing so much suffering.

“Whatever it is that you are feeling, Spike, cease at once,” Rarity reprimanded him sternly, wandering along close to the dragon. “You are not at fault for what happened to Applejack or those sailors either.”

“So at last we have found the two that we were searching for,” Vem spoke up, gaining their attention from Spike’s left. “Lady Rarity is correct, Spike. My company has always known the risks of sailing on the open ocean, and it would be a far greater shame if we were to blame ourselves for the sacrifices that they made in protection of all of Equestria and beyond.”

“Instead, be glad to know that what they did to help us find you was noble and deserving of honor in the afterlife,” said the yellow mare beside the captain to finish his speech.

Twilight cleared her throat beside Rarity and Sweetie Belle, and Rarity and Spike locked their gazes with her. “I would also like to introduce Tabatha, the Vice-Captain of the Sea Princess. She is also quite the powerful unicorn, if I might add.”

“Oh, stop, Princess Twilight,” the mare replied with rosiness in her cheeks. “I simply did what I had to in order to protect the crew.”

Rarity’s eyes lidded, seeming to recognize something. “Oooh, what do we have here, Twilight; a fan, perhaps?” She winked at Spike and he smiled brightly at the teasing tone in her voice.

“It isn’t like that, Rarity,” the inquisitive alicorn shook her head. “I just…discovered during our journey through the tundra that Tabatha grew up with me as a role model, even before I became an alicorn.” Her own face had a reddish hue to it as well by now. “So, saying stuff like that about her is rather flattering, I guess.”

“I see,” the fashionista said, still with an astute smirk upon her cheeks. “Well, Spike and I have quite the thing to confess to you, my dear.”

“Rarity!” Spike interrupted rapidly, his wings shifting against his sides in a frazzled mess.

The elegant mare merely giggled and waved a hoof at him, while Spike picked up a curious look in Sweetie Belle’s green eyes as she kept pace. “Oh, I am only teasing, darling. All in good time, I assure you. Besides, I would rather all of our friends be present for it regardless, and we are out of earshot of most of them at the current time. A lady can wait.”

Hearing that relieving speech, the purple dragon sighed, showing a nervous grin to Twilight when her raised eyebrow asked what she was speaking of.

Once the ponies descended into the crater, either using magic or flight, Pinkie electing to roll down against all of their wishes, they caught up with Ciciquez as he stood at the foot of the hill leading to the hall. It took little time waiting outside before Spike caught sight of the returning form of Thiuvinal upon the darkening horizon; although this time she was accompanied by another dragon of similar, if not larger size than her. Spike’s spirits lifted upon witnessing that, turning to the proper lady in anticipation. She simply let out a small chuckle of amusement and shuffled closer to him, to be brushing her soft alabaster fur against his scales.

The olive green dragoness landed in front of the assembled group, followed by the new arrival, and before anything was uttered, Ciciquez, Uralia and Kirana moved from their positions to stand with them.

“Spike and Rarity, please step forward,” Thiuvinal requested, gently. The two glanced at one another; prior to helping each other stand and step ahead of the assemblage of ponies. The eldest dragon turned to her companion, a brilliant and slim sapphire dragoness with gorgeous spiral-shaped spines cascading down her back and two simple horns extending out from the back of her head in little waves, and inclined her head.

The dragon stepped closer, shrinking only slightly to be on a level with Spike as she lied down before him and Rarity. She took in what sounded like a heavy or strained breath, before beaming brightly at them. “I cannot believe it…after all of these long years. I thought you lost to time, my young one.”

“Your young one?” Spike quizzed, turning to Rarity afterward. She lightly tapped on his shoulder and shifted her gaze to the dragoness. “What do you mean?”

“You are my son…my little Silurian.”

“Mom?”

Author's Notes:

Ooooh, so much is happening.

This is a much anticipated chapter on my part. I have been wondering about how I would write it since basically the first chapter. I had it all written down in some form, but it was difficult how to bring Twilight's party into this land without having yet another journey through the tundra. We all know how that turned out the first time, and I felt that enough time had passed with Rarity and Spike that it could be glossed over a little. There will still be story telling on Twilight's part, but I thought it better to write it in this way.

Plus, all of these new dragons. I am very excited for this story now. All of the new characters are so interesting to me, especially Ciciquez. He is my favorite of the elders, with the emerald ring on his horn. He is quite quiet, though he seems to know what is going on with those creatures and with Spike's ice; they all seem to recognize it. Each dragon has their own story as well, which I will delve into in later chapters. Finally, Spike's mother is introduced. Well, his mother prior to Twilight. It seems that she even has a different name for him, one that I have also been saving since the beginning.

I was going to write more, specifically on more dragon history and such in this one, but the chapter is already quite long. I thought better of it at the end. Yet it is another really long one still, right after chapter twenty-five.