A month has passed since Zikel has worked at the spa. He has made quite a reputation for himself. He had been given the nickname, 'Hands Of Divinity' by both his co-workers and customers alike. Each one of his customers have left feeling better than ever before they came in. And they come to him on a weekly basis. Sometimes even twice a week. And with all the money he has saved up. He has more than enough to begin construction on his home. And he had it all planned out. His home was going to be made of pure stone. And it was going to have an underground and a ground floor. He was going to make the underground his living space and the ground floor the more common rooms of a home. Kind of like his old hideout back home. But a bit more spacious.

"Soon Zikel...you will have a place to call your own once again. I am pretty sure Twi is annoyed with my constant snoring at night by now. I won't have to burden her with it."

He thought to himself as he was waiting for his next customer to come in to his room. He leaned against the wall comfortably just deep in thought as he waited, his tails swaying behind him lazily. He looks out the window up at the sky. Judging by the sun's position, it was nearly noon. It was about the time and day when Rarity would come and see him for her massage.

"Hmmm, not like her to be not early. Hope she is alright."

Just then the door opened up, he smiled and thought that was her.

"Ah hello there Rarity go-"

This wasn't rarity at all, in fact it was Lotus and Aloe. Who seemed to be in a state of disbelief and...happiness?

"Oooh Zikel...good news, good news indeed!"

"That's right! The princesses have made an appointment here for tomorrow!"

Zikel's eyes widened a bit.

"Is that right, ladies?"

"Mhmm! And all three of them have requested you by your nickname! This is such a big opportunity for all of us here Zikel, and especially you!"

"Aah, so Princess Celestia, Luna AND Twilight? I will be busy, that's for sure."

The twins looked at each other then shook their heads

"Nono dear, Princess Cadence, not Twilight."

Zikel arched a brow at this. Just how many princesses in this damn world are there? He nodded to them again.

"And I take it they don't know my real name?"

"Oh no, they sent us a letter requesting you by the nickname 'Hands Of Divinity' no other."

Zikel's grin grew wider at this

"Tia and Lulu are gonna be surprised when they learn it's me. I can't wait till tomorrow."

"Well ladies. I will do us proud. I won't let you down."

They both run up to him and hug against him.

"We know you won't fail sweetie. After all, you are the best masseur we have here. Especially if Rarity requests you all the time. You are moving up in the world!"

"And its all thanks to you both for letting me work here. You two are very kind to me."

"We are happy to have you Zikel. All of us here. Especially me and Aloe. You have helped us or greatly with the private sessions you have so generously given to us."

Zikel cant help but blush and chuckle lightly

"It just too adorable to pass up...when I massage you two.You get all giglely and squirm under my hands. I can't tellif you are enjoying more than I am...wait..."

They both let our synced giggles and gave him a sultry teasing look. Zikel looks away from them when they do.

"You hear that Lotus? He likes it when we squirm under his touch. How leeewwd."

""Indeed Aloe, such a naughty boy. Not that we are complaining though..."

"Ladies come on...you know our sessions are nothing like that...stop teasing me..."

He said with a massive blush coming across his muzzle, the twins giggled again and hugged him close.

"We know they aren't Zikel. But you are so adorable when you get all flustered when we do tease you. Anyways, Rairty is on ehr way in now. We will leave you to your work!"

"Alright ladies. Let me know if you need help with anything else after I am done. Sge is my last appointment for awhile."

They nod as the leave the room, Rarity soon entered and disrobed in front of him, jumping onto the table and getting comfy, wriggling her body in front of him.

"Alright you stud...come and give momma a good rub down.."

Zikel rolled his eyes at her sultry tone and gaze, prepping his hands.

"Rarity...you are just as bad as the twins. Teasing me to no end."

"Only because its fun to make you blush each time darling."

Zikel narrowed his eyes and lifted a brow at her, she gives him a coy look and he shakes his head and begins his work.

"I swear....you all get a sick pleasure out of teasing a virgin male don't you? Well fine, I am going to make sure this rub down leaves you the way I feel, Rarity.."

He said with a wicked grin, She knew exactly what was coming. And she was swaying her tail in excitement. What? No get your mind out of the gutter! That's not happening till later in the story!

"Yes Zikel...give it to me please..."

(*crosses his arms* Reader..stop..reader, come back here! No! Stop! Stop it now!)

"One full body massage coming up."

He straddles over her back and goes to work on her shoulders and back while is tail coils around one of her hind legs and switches between each one over time, this was a new technique he came up with experimentation with the twin. They seemed to like it. The day went on as usual. Flow of customers died down as five o'clock rolled in. They got the place cleaned up and ready for the big royal welcome. They all seemed so excited except for Zikel. he had nothing to worry about really. After all, he knew two fo them so well that he had been writing to them every other day...he may have not mentioned he was working at a spa...oops. Ah well, they would find out tomorrow. He was happy that they were coming, he just didn't show it like anyone else would.

"Alright ladies, I am headed home. I will be here bright and early."

He said as he waved to the twins, the waved back.

"Alright Zikel, be safe hun! See you in the morning!"

Zikel makes his way back to Twilight's castle, the ponies that he sees on his way wave to him and smile. he smiles in return and waves his fingers to them all. He remembers when he first came here, they would always ignore him or keep their distance. but out of all the time he had stayed in the town, they have grown to accept him. Everyone, but Rainbow Dash that is. She held something against him, and he didn't know what it was. But he didn't let that bother him. If she hated him so much, then she hated him. Nothing could be done. He finally made it to the castle, opening the door and walking into the main room after he closes it behind him. He then sees Twilight sitting on one of the sofas, looking at him with a sly smile and narrowed eyes, lifting up a scroll and arches a brow.

"Well well, mister 'Hands Of Divinity'. You have gotten the attention of not just the two royal sisters, but my sister in law as well."

Zikel blinks a bit and smiles sheepishly, running a hand through his long white hair.

"Ahaaa. so Cadence is her name huh? But why would she make a trip all the way from the Crystal Empire just for a day at the spa?"

"Actually Zikel, that's not the purpose that she is coming here for. We are going to be spending a few days together. I will be joining the three of them as well."

"Y-you all want me to give you massages?!"

"That's right Zikel. You are gonna be one busy dragon tomorrow. Don't worry though. The spa will only be exclusive for me and the others tomorrow. We don't want to overwork you after all."

Zikel gives a mocking bow and smirks

"Oh your majesty, your kindness knows no bounds..."

He said in a mocking noble kind of tone, he then comes up to see her sticking her tongue out at him. He chuckled lightly and walked up to her, hugging her gently and petting her on the head.

"Its all good Twi. After all you have done for me, I would be happy to give you a massage with my magic hands. Its the least I could do."

"You are so sweet to me Zikel, to all my friends. Even though Rainbow Dash doesn't like you...you still smile to her."

"It's whatever with her Twi. Anyways, I am off to bed. Early morning for me!"

"Alright, sweet dreams Zikel, I look forward to tomorrow."

--The Next Day, 10:30 AM--

Everything was ready and in place, the staff members that were needed were standing by. Suddenly the doors opened up, as guards came in, so to did the princesses. Zikel was hiding in the shadows of both Lotus and Aloe. As they walked up to greet the princess, Celestia was the first to speak.

"I am very happy that you took this time to cater to us ladies. And to top itall off free of charge. We thank you both and your staff very very much. But first. I would like to meet this...'Hands Of Divinity'. I and the other princesses have heard so much about this pony from Ponyville and Canterlot ponies alike."

The twin giggled lightly and stepped sideways, as their shadows parted, a dark figure rose from them,spreading it dark wings and now coming into full materialization. Both Celestia's and Luna's jaws dropped as they saw their most dearest friend appear before them. Cadence on the other hand was a little put off by his...shadowy appearance, but Twilight reassured her that all was well.

"You majesties, I will be the one who will be giving you the massages that are ready for you when you should desire them. Please let me know when-"

"Zikel!!!"

Shouted both of the royal sisters, galloping towards him and pouncing him and a dual hug, wrapping their forearms around him tightly

"We have missed you so very much my dear. We had plans to come and see you after we were done here. But we never knew that you were the so called 'Hands Of Divinity'! Why did you keep this from us in our letters?!"

Zikel fell back and hugged them both as they pounced him, he could only smile and shrug.

"Well,I didn't think it would matter ladies. After all, you two are way to busy to worry about a simple dragon."

"That is just untrue Zikel, you are more than just a simple dragon. You are my and Tia's greatest friend. And we care for you deeply. And I am not going to lie...to find out you are the one we have been hearing about...I am...rather excited about it."

Celestia chuckled lightly and sighed

"More than anything though Zikel, we are happy to see you again.."

"As am I Tia, Lulu, As am I."

Everypony in the room was in a bit of a shock, even Twilight. To see the rulers of Equestria react in such a way to Zikel, it was almost...unreal. They got off of him and gave him some room to stand up, looking over to Cadence who looked up at Zikel with an unsure stare. Celestia spoke again.

Zikel, let me introduce you to Princess Mia Amore Cadenza. Or what she prefers, Princess Cadence, Ruler of the Crystal Empire. Cadence, this is the dragon I told you about. Zikel, he has been great friends with me and my sister. Along with Twilight and her friends as well."

Cadence walks up to Zikel, cautiously. She locks eyes with him and stares deep into his heart and soul. She sees nothing but darkness behind those eyes of his, but feels an extreme warmth from...somewhere inside of him. She frowns as he did not show his heart to her, but nods to him

"My little sister has told me a lot about you Zikel. You are a kind soul and will do anything for his friends. But you seem to not bare your heart to anyone. Why is that? What are you afraid of?"

Zikel flinched a bit and averted his gaze from the group.

"Cadence!"

The other three said in a quick and hushed tone. She quickly lowered her head and closed her eyes.

"I...am sorry I asked you that. As the princess of love. It saddens me when I cannot see another pony's heart."

Zikel shakes his head.

"All I can tell you...is that too much happiness, can break the fragile balance, and the great the happiness, the greater the tragedy when it strikes."

The words that came from his mouth made everypony in the room gasp quietly, even the twins. This dragon that was usually joking around with everypony was suddenly a totally different dragon, and it made them both scared and concerned for him. The room was silent forafew moments..then his mood changed as he smiled.

"Alright everyone,let's get these ladies comfortable and pampered, time is wasting!"

"Right!"

They all shouted and began to head to the work stations, ready to help out any of the princesses with whatever they wanted. Zikel looks over to the four of them and nods.

"Well when you are all four ready for your massages, please come to the back room. Everything is set up. I will be waiting."

Celestia tried calling out to him to stop him. but he was already around the corner and gone. She sensed something in him when he spoke those words. Something that was...uneasy and she was going to find out what it was. She joined her friends in the herbal bath. The twins followed Zikel in the back, concern on their faces as they approached him. Memories of the past were starting to creep upon him again. It would seem that Cadence had triggered something within his heart. While he didn't have the nightmares anymore. Bringing up such close things brought him to his parents and friends of whom he had lost. he fought back tears as he kept hsi back to the twins. Doing his best to hide his sadness from his voice.

"Come on ladies...you should be out there with them. I need to get a few more things ready back here. I am alright...I promise."

They approached closer to him, Zikel moved away. They did it again, so did he.

"Zikel...what's wrong sweetie? Please talk to us..."

"Yeah, we are here for you. We may be your employer, but you are our friend as well.."

Zikel's breathing was shaky, he was doing his best to hide his tears and keeping them from spilling out from his eyes, he suddenly collapses to his knees and places his face in his hands.The twins sees this and instantly gallop towards him, coming in front of him and hugging him close, doing their best to calm him down. he lifts his head up to gaze to them, they have never ever since Zikel like this. thaty usual smirk he had on his face and his playful nature...gone.

"I am scared...Lotus...Aloe...I am scared I may lose everything and everyone again. All this happiness I am receiving. Its throwing everything out of balance...and it will all be taken from me..I don't want to go through that again.."

The twins continued to hug him closely and comfort him, Lotus gently lifts his chin with her hoof.

"Zikel..listen to me...there is only one thing you need to know. It is okay for you to talk about these things. You bottle it up too much and this happens. We know that you have a strong heart and a strong will, but remember this. You are not weak because you shed tears for your fallen loved ones. Even the mightiest warrior sheds tears for those he loved and had lost. Sodon't you think for a second...that you are weak for crying. You are a strong, brave and caring dragon who cares deeply about the others around him. And that, takes a lot of courage and will. And we know, that you will fight anything that threatens what you have here with us...with everypony here in our world...your world."

"Lotus is right Zikel...you aren't ever going to lose us or the others. You are too strong for that!"

Zikel began to shed more tears quietly as he hugged them closer against him. he wasn't sobbing, but the streams were quick and pouring

"Thank you both....you don't know how much I needed to hear those words. Especially from ponies like you. I know now I have one I can fight for and protect. And I will be here to do just that."

He hugged them once more before getting to his feet, wiping his tears away from his face and nodding.

"Alright...its time we got to it. Make sure they get what the need while I finish up back here for when they are ready."

"We are on it Zikel!"

They both said before hugging him once more and trotting off, he makes his way into the room he had prepared for allfour of them. Four tables. he closes his eyes and splits himself into four copies. He waits now.

Next Chapter: Act 9: A Surprise Spa Visit From Royalty Part 2 Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 5 Minutes