Every Dragon Has His Day

“Oh my Celestia, I can't believe we managed to put this together for our little Spike!” Rarity said as she looked over the festival.

A few ponies were milling about, eating some of the “gem” cookies that Pinkie had made especially for the situation. For a festival about a dragon, it was pretty cheery. Cutouts of ferocious dragons with little foal faces stuck in them made funny faces for photos, chocolate dragon eggs were being enjoyed, and hats with fins were all the rage of the occasion . But there was one thing missing. Well, two things.

“Hey y'all, just got Big Mac and Apple Bloom all set up at the cider stand so I thought I'd come and see what all of y'all been do-”

A streak of purple and lavender dove from the sky and gently landed on the ground, unnoticed by the rest of the festival.

“Oh hello, everypony? Did we miss anything? Spike and I just decided to fly on over- and it looks at right about the right time, too!” Twilight said excitedly, noticing Celestia take the stage in front of a large crowd, Mayor Mare and assistant by her side.

“Come on Spike, ya gotta get up on stage for the speech!” Applejack said, pushing a reluctant Spike towards the stairs of the stage.

“Well, this is it. The moment of truth.” Spike thought to himself. He knew deep down it was more than that. It was whether or not he'd stay in Ponyville that was on the line, especially if Celestia had a “relocation” plan to keep her subject happy. There were thousands of ponies there. Not even just Ponyville ponies. Canterlot ponies. Appleloosa ponies. Crystal ponies. He even saw some Saddle Arabian and griffon delegates.

“Jeez, it's just a pair of wings on a little dragon...” he thought abashedly.

Celestia began to speak with a booming voice and Spike quickly turned his attention to the audience.

“Fillies and gentlecolts, we're gathered here today to celebrate a momentous occasion: the day one of my most loyal assistants begins his journey into adulthood. May this usher in a whole new era of cooperation and understanding between ponies and races of all shapes and sizes-”

The minds of everypony in the audience were racing. Surely the princess could not mean that beastly dragons are safe to interact with, much less negotiate with!

“for we are all Equestrians with the true spirit of friendship and harmony at heart. Let this day be one of celebration and good tidings, all for a young dragon growing up to be a perfect specimen of the ideals of all Equestrians.”

Spike held back a tear as he saw Celestia walk down from the dais. The crowd was thinning out towards the festival activities and Celestia began to walk off stage alone. Spike approached her with trepidation.

“Hi, Princess-”

He corrected himself and bowed before her, saying sternly “Good day, your majesty.”

Celestia giggled.

“Oh, Spike. You've known me all your life. Twilight is a good friend of us all and you've been with her for ages. I think we can abandon some formalities.” Celestia said, leaning down and gently nuzzling Spike. “Besides, this day is all about you and the dragon you are and the one you're going to be.”

“It's just that I didn't expect you to-”

“To what?” Celestia asked with a smile. “To keep one of my loyal student's friends happy on his special day, even if that means dealing with ponies who wouldn't otherwise give him a chance? Spike, princess duty doesn't just mean signing treaties and going to tea parties.”

She lifted up Spike's head with her hoof and said lovingly to him, “A princess must be caring and loving of all creatures, Spike. Even the ones others may not give a chance.”

Celestia got up and began to walk off stage.

“But for now? I think we all could afford to have a little fun today, yes?” she said, with an almost childish and eager grin. “I personally cannot wait to taste some of the Apple Family's fine fritters and drink some of their fantastic cider, myself. Do me a favor and have fun today, Spike? I know how much work you do for Twilight, and you deserve a bit of a break, especially on your special day.” Celestia walked off stage, accompanied by a royal guard and Mayor Mare, dissappearing into the crowd.

He went behind the curtain of the stage. All of a sudden, Spike saw a familiar group of five mares walk up to him.

“Well wasn't that just the most positively-super duper amazing speech EVER?! Normally I can barely stay awake when the princess gets all into politics, but since it was about one of my best friends it was easy to stay awake!” Pinkie said excitedly.

“Y'all did great up there, Spike. Standin' straight up like a statue,” Applejack said, patting him on the back.

He realized that he hadn't moved an inch for the entire duration of the speech. He probably looked terrified to be up there.

“Yeah Spike, ya did great! Let's go hit up the cider stand to celebrate!” Rainbow Dash said, tousling Spike's crest.

“I didn't even say anything. I looked like a complete doofus.” Spike said with a blush.

“I know I wouldn't have even been able to stand up there. Too many ponies staring at me...” Fluttershy squeaked.

“Yeah, ya did great Spike. Come on AJ, Pinkie, Flutts. Let's go get some cider for this guy before it's all out! Maybe some cupcakes too!” They ran off, leaving only Twilight and Rarity with Spike.

“See, Spike, I knew Celestia wouldn't let you go. You worry too much.” Twilight said with a smile.

The sheer irony of that last sentence hit Spike so badly that he had to stop himself from laughing.

“Anyway, I'll just be over doing the whole meet and greet deal with those Canterlot ponies- you know how it is. See ya, Spike!”

“See ya, Twi!”

At last, he was alone. Alone with the mare of his dreams.