Rarity Belle had her new cutie mark from finding that rock that contained such a large number of gems. She was unable to get every single last one, but she did get the majority of them. However, as she headed down the mountain, she heard something crying out.

"Now what in Equestra is that about?" Rarity said. She followed the noise and discovered a dragon egg, recently hatched. And narby was a baby orange dragon; one that was the cause of he noise. "Oh you poor dear..." Rairty said, and hufted the baby dragon onto her back and the remains of the eggs into her saddle bags. "Dragon or not, one such as yourself should not have been abandoned as an egg. So, I will take you to my home and my parents will figure things out from there. I've always wanted a little sister." Rarity said. The orange dragon seemed to calm down from that and Rarity went home.

"Oh, such a poor thing..." Hondo Flanks said. "I always had a feeling you were too generous for your own good. But I suppose we can't very well leave the poor girl alone." He added.

"It seems you'll be getting two little sisters then." Cookie Crumbles said.

"Mom? What do you mean?" Rarity asked.

"Well, it's just that...I'm pregnant again." Cookie Crumbles said. Upon hearing that from her own mother, Rarity fainted onto the nearby couch.

"...How does she always manage to faint onto a nearby couch?" Hondo Flanks asked. The baby orange dragon giggled at Rarity's antics. "...Well as for you, I suppose we can call you Smolder." He added.

A few months later, a new baby unicorn was born into the family, named Sweetie Belle. Smolder was not able to fully talk yet, but very much liked to play with her newborn sister.

And then time passed further, until Rarity was considered adult enough to move out of the house. She moved out of her parents' house and into a boutique in Ponyville. Sweetie Belle was also sent to live with Rarity as was Smolder of course; though Smolder did so to never be separated from her older sister anytime soon. The dragon knew she had been adopted, but this family...it was really good to Smolder so Smolder decided that she would let herself be one of the family.

"I'm hoping here Sweetie Belle can make some new friends her age when she's old enough for school." Rarity said.

"I do too." Smolder said. "Wish there were other dragons around I could hang with." She added.

"I'm sure at some point, the relationship between Ponies and Dragons will be less restrictive. But beggars can't be choosers." Rarity said.

"So, are you going to make friends too?" Smolder asked.

"Of course I am. It'd be nice to get to know some of the locals." Rarity said.

Rarity did, and had four well liked aquantices by the end of the day: Applejack the Farmer, Rainbow Dash the pegasus, Fluttershy the animal caretaker, and Pinkie Pie the baker/party planner; Pinkie Pie in particular, throwing a party for Rarity as soon as the white unicorn returned home to her boutique. Which did happen to have three bedrooms in it.

"Convenient." Smolder said about that that night.

Time passed still, and it was the day of the Summer Sun Celebration. Well...the day before that anyways. Ponyville was chosen to host this year's summer sun celebration for Princess Celestia. Rarity was tasked with Decorating the Town Hall, and of course, Smolder was also helping out.

But then, as they were decorating...

"Beautiful..." A male voice said.

"Yes, the decor is quite nice Spike." A new female voice said.

"No not the decorations." A dragon on top of a purple unicorn said.

Another Dragon? Here? This could be my chance... Smolder thought to herself, not catching the rest of the conversation.

"Excuse me?" The purple unicorn said, going up to Rarity.

"Not now dear, I'm in the zone as it were." Rarity said. The Purple Dragon went up to Smolder who smiled at the new dragon.

"Hey. I'm Smolder." Smolder said.

"I-I'm Spike. The unicorn is my older sister Twilight Sparkle." The purple dragon said.

"Twilight Sparkle; I'll be sure to remember that." Smolder said. "Oh and you too. This is my first time meeting another Dragon." Smolder said. She noticed her sister taking Twilight to the Boutique. "...We'd better follow my sister and your sister." Smolder said.

Sometime later, she was at Ponyville Library with Spike and then her sister and Spike's sister along with the others Rarity knew went off to the Everfree Forest.

"Do you think they'll be okay?" Spike asked.

"Between both our sisters, they'll be fine against anything Nightmare Moon has to throw at them." Smolder said. "So, where did Twilight find you after you hatched from your egg?" Smolder asked.

"Did Rarity find you after you hatched from yours?" Spike asked. Smolder nodded. "I see. Well, Twilight actually hatched me from mine." Spike added.

"But...the amount of magic needed to do so is only possible from an alicorn like Princess Celestia." Smolder noted.

"Sis says that it was because of some rainbow explosion that flared up her magic that caused her to hatch my egg." Spike said.

"Rainbow Explosion...now that you mention it, my sister said something similar happened when she found the rock with gems in it. After she came down the mountain, she discovered me, just recently hatched from an egg. All I remember is some explosion that caused my hatching to get jumpstarted." Smolder said.

"Do you think it's just a coincidence then?" Spike asked.

"Hardly. I don't believe things like that just happen just because. Let's get some rest for now. Our sisters will be back before we know it." Smolder said.

Sometime later, the two were woken up by a party going on. Seems the girls did it and made Nightmare Moon go back into being Princess Luna.

"Is something wrong my dearest student?" Celestia asked Twilight.

"Well it's just that, I just got to start being friends with the others, and I would hate to leave that all behind." Twilight said. "And considering there's another dragon down here in Ponyville, I think it would do Spike some good to be around her." She added. Celestia smiled.

"Spike, start writing." Celestia said. Spike nodded and got ready. "By royal decree, Twilight Sparkle is to reside in ponyville and learn the magic of friendship. She is to report to me with her findings on thsese things." Celestia said.

"Uh Princess..." Smolder spoke up. "How often does that need to be? I highly doubt she'll find something new just once a week." She added.

"It's whenever she finds something new; there is no real deadline." Celestia said.

"Thank you, Princess; thank you so much." Twilight said with a smile. Her new friends group hugged the purple unicorn.

"Looks like we'll be hanging out quite a bit more, huh?" Smolder said to Spike who suddenly collapsed in a collection of hearts.

"...What's up with him?" Celestia asked.

"...I think I'll have to tell you later..." Twilight said.

"The Grand Galloping Gala...that's gotta be something." Smolder said to Spike as the two dragons were elsewhere in Ponyville.

"Yeah. Frankly, I don't wish to go myself. Mostly because I don't think you'd get to go either." Spike said.

"Maybe we could convince Twilight to let us have the tickets then?" Smolder asked, half-joking.

"I think she's swamped as it is. We shouldn't have to worry her further." Spike noted.

"Yeah your right. Us asking if the two dragons could go together would just cause more issues." Smolder said. "Still, if it makes you feel any better, so long as it's with you, I wouldn't mind doing whatever." She added.

"Dare I ask why?" Spike asked.

"We're both dragons. Sure I have my adopted sisters, but I would really like an actual dragon as a friend for a change." Smolder said. "And you're the only one that lives in Ponyville besides me." Smolder added.

"W-well, who knows? Maybe one day, we could more then friends?" Spike asked.

"That depends on how things go between us. Still, us being the only two dragons in Ponyville does skew things a bit." Smolder said. Spike smiled.

"I'll take it." The purple dragon said.

The next day, Spike was looking a bit down.

"Whoa, what's up Spike?" Smolder asked.

"Princess Celestia sent every one of Twilight's friends a ticket; plus me too. But I don't want to go without you." Spike said.

"Can't you write the Princess a note about that?" Smolder asked.

"She's already given out seven tickets as it is." Spike said and took out his ticket. Smolder couldn't help but notice something.

"Hey Spike, what's this little bit of text down here?" Smolder said, pointing to what she was talking about. Spike blinked and looked closer at it.

"...Also includes admittance for a plus one specifically for Spike." Spike read off.

"That Princess sure thinks of everything." Smolder said, giving Spike a hug. The purple dragon fainted into a collection of hearts, causing the orange dragon to giggle. "Your silly~" Smolder teased.

"Hey, is it me, or is Applejack looking a bit tired as of late." Smolder said as she and Spike enjoyed a picnic provided by Rarity of all ponies.

"I'm sure my sister will take care of it at some point. Applejack will do something that'll cause Twilight to take action for the betterment of Ponyville." Spike said. But then he paused as he reached for a sandwich. "...Do you hear something?" The purple dragon asked. Suddenly a whole bunch of bunnies stampeded all over the picnic setup. "OUR PICNIC!" Spike exclaimed.

"LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!" Smolder said and grabbed Spike and fled the scene.

"I am so glad you're not hurt Spike. Thank you so much for helping him Smolder." Twilight said.

"Hey, he's my friend. I couldn't want something to happen. Even if it was just bunnies." Smolder said.

"Our picnic..." Spike said from upstairs.

"...I need to go talk with Applejack. Do you mind keeping him company?" Twilight asked.

"Sure." Smolder said and as Twilgiht left, the orange dragoness headed up stairs and started to hug Spike.

"Smolder?" Spike asked.

"You doing okay there Spike?" Smolder asked.

"Our picnic is ruined." Spike said.

"The important thing is your not hurt." Smolder said.

"But that was a good picnic." Spike said.

"It was only good because we were together if you ask me." Smolder said.

"Wait, does this mean you also think we could be more then friends someday?" Spike asked.

"Again, that depends on you and your actions." Smolder said.

"Smolder...I don't have to be the element of honesty to know THAT'S a lie." Spike said. Smolder blushed.

"H-how is that a lie? It's the truth." Smolder said.

"I don't think you would've just saved me just because." Spike said. Smolder blushed a deeper shade of red.

"Seriously, I have--" Smolder started.

"Smolder, don't make me tell your older sister you're lying this bad." Spike said. Smolder sighed.

"...Do you know how hard it is for me? I act the way I do because I'm scared. I'm scared no one will ever be able to see how gentle I can really be." Smolder said. "I may not know a lot about dragons themselves; growing up in a pony family like you did; but there's certain instincts I can't ignore. Like wanting to act as tough as I can around others. Even someone I really, really like. And by that, I mean have as a crush." She explained.

"So, you too? You really like me. That's good. I really like you too, Smolder." Spike said.

"I still think this is going a bit fast. Mutual crush or not, this is too fast." Smolder said. "So, let's slow down a bit; go at whatever pace we want." She added.

"Yeah. Yeah, I can live with that." Spike said.

"You're a good dragon Spike." Smolder said.

"Same can be said about you." Spike countered.

"Flatterer." Smolder said, and then hugged Spike. The purple dragon fainted into a collection of hearts. "Your still silly~" Smolder teased.

Say hello to the most reoccurring gag of the centry.

Rarity and Smolder were currently sitting at a table across from Twilight in Golden Oaks Library while Spike was off fetching scrolls and quills for the purple unicorn.

"You want Spike to what?!" Twilight exclaimed.

"Spike needs to start a hoard of some kind. The sooner he does the better." Smolder said.

"Why does he need a hoard?" Twilight asked.

"Smolder's sixth birthday, a lot of townsfolk gave her presents and she started going out of control. I got her under control thanks to the remains of her egg." Rarity said.

"After which point, Rarity let me start hanging onto old, worn-out toys. Since then, I've been hording toys of all sorts, but I do share the toys that can still be played with with Sweetie Belle." Smolder started. "It's harder for a Dragon to ignore being greedy if they aren't already hoarding something. But with an existing hoard, it's been admittedly easier for me to not become overbearingly greedy." She explained. "Given how open and friendly Ponyville is, if Spike gets it in his head to start going around on his birthday to random ponies telling them that it's his birthday..." The Orange Dragoness trailed off on purpose.

"...Your worried that if he isn't already hoarding something at that point, it'll trigger a greed rampage." Twilight finished.

"Exactly." Smolder said. "I'm only trying to help a fellow dragon out is all." She added. I think she'll buy that. The orange dragoness thought to herself.

"Well...okay. But I want Spike to have a choice in what he hoards. I will talk with him shortly after he comes back home." Twilight said. Suddenly Pinkie Pie came out of nowhere and grabbed the two unicorns plus dragoness and took them to Sugarcube corner...somehow.

"What the...how does she keep doing that?" Smolder asked.

"I think it's best we stop questioning Pinkie Pie, darling." Rarity said.

"Eh...good point." Smolder said.

"Oh hey Smolder." Spike said from right nearby. "Let me guess, Pinkie Pie dragged you all the way here too?" He asked.

"That's an easy yes. You should at least make your questions harder for me~" Smolder teased.

"I'll keep that in mind~" Spike teased back.

He's learning. Good. Smolder thought to herself. "So, any idea what the party is about?" She asked.

"Pinkie Pie wants to throw Gilda one of her patented 'Welcome to Ponyville' parties." Spike said.

"That griffon that's Rainbow Dash's friend? She better be appreciative of it then when she gets here~" Smolder said, teasing a little.

"Smolder darling, do behave." Rarity said.

Later, after Gilda basically stormed out of the party venue, the rest of Ponyville enjoyed the rest of the party at Sugarcube Corner. Spike joined Smolder after sending Twilight's latest friendship report to Celestia.

"So, Twilight said you suggested I start a hoard." The purple dragon said.

"Trust me, the sooner you start one, the better." Smolder said.

"Well, I have a good idea for what I want to hoard in that case." Spike said.

"Oh? If you tell me what it is, then maybe I can help you out a little. Both as your friend, and as a fellow dragon~" Smolder said teasingly.

"Nope. I refuse to tell you what it'll be. All I'll say about it, is it's something special." Spike said.

He's still learning. Smolder thought to herself. "Your such a tease~" She said, before hugging Spike. The purple dragon then proceeded to pass out in a collection of hearts. "Your as silly as ever~" Smolder teased.

It was the day after Trixie went away. Due to the two dragons being there, Trixie actually tried her best to fight off the Ursa Minor that came to town, but was unable to; making Twilight have to be the one to calm the Ursa Minor down.

"Poor Trixie, getting injured like she did. At least the town pitched in to help her rebuild her wagon after it got destroyed." Spike said. He and Smolder were in the Golden Oaks Library together.

"Yeah. Trixie is going to make it though. And she even said she might come back at some point." Smolder said.

"Well she may be a showpony, but Twilight showed her that she can be a better magic user." Spike said.

"So while we're waiting on Twilight to get back, maybe you can show me where your keeping that hoard of yours?" Smolder asked.

"Smolder, I like you, but I would prefer to keep my hoard private for the time being. I'll show you my hoard when I'm ready to, okay?" Spike asked.

Yep. He's still learning. Smolder thought to herself. "Fair enough. I just hope it's not anything embarrasing." She said.

"It might be a little embarrasing." Spike said. Suddenly a nearby bookcase fell down, revealing a small stack of comic books.

"...You've...been hording comic books?" Smolder asked.

"Go ahead...laugh it up now..." Spike said, a bit dejected.

"Actually, I think comic books are awesome." Smolder said.

"Really? You do? That's good. I got a little worried you wouldn't like them." Spike said.

"Even if I didn't, you certainly like them a lot. Still, I do like a good comic book from time to time. But I do have to ask: Why don't you want me helping you?" Smolder asked.

"I want to add to my hoard on my own terms." Spike said.

"Still, I'm sure I have a few I can give to you. Consider them an early birthday present from me to you, considering we were obviously both born on the same day." Smolder said. "Besides, I'd rather give you something else for your birthday." She added.

"Really? What would that be?" Spike asked.

"I'm not telling you~" Smolder said before hugging the purple dragon who then proceeded to pass out into a collection of hearts. "Your still as silly as ever~" Smolder teased just before Twilight came home.

"Um...did Spike just become love-struck again?" Twilight asked the orange dragoness.

"Yes he did." Smolder said.

"I see...I should've expected this when you volunteered to come over here while I was gone." Twilight said. "This will also mean my latest friendship report to Princess Celestia will have to wait to be sent." She added.

"I'm sure the Princess won't mind waiting just a bit~" Smolder said teasingly.

Realized part way through the beginning parts where I was doing background noise for "Griffon the Brush Off" that Rarity was not saying her signature "darling" catchphrase like at all. So, that's going to be fixed.

Also yeah, I basically round-about prevented "Magic Duel" in this chapter. But honestly, that is another one of my least favorite episodes. It's not as bad as "Best Night Ever" or "Pinkie Pride" but I still don't like it. I did, however, make Spike's hoard be in character as much as possible hence the hoard of comic books.