And then there were two...

Sweetie Belle woke up and immediately fell off the couch she had been lying on, luckily finding her fall softened by the cushions and pillows that had been arranged below her. The delicious smell of breakfast filled the air, and despite the big dinner the previous night her stomach rumbled. She looked up to notice that her dragon sleeping companion from the previous night had left her alone on the couch and when she tried to get up the filly found that the fall had entangled her in the blanket.

Upstairs the two mares were similarly awoken by the smell of breakfast being cooked, and the pair slowly rose. Twilight let Rarity use the bathroom to freshen up first, despite knowing how long her friend would take to get ready, and instead went of to find the source of the delicious aroma.

She trotted downstairs and the first thing she saw was an epic battle between filly and fabric, and despite all odds the inanimate object was clearly winning. “Blanket, once I get out of here I am so going to get my revenge!” Sweetie Belle squeaked as she continued to struggle against the prison she found herself in.

“Morning Sweetie Belle” Twilight giggled slightly, levitating the filly up in the air allowing the blanket to simply fall to the ground. Twilight hadn’t lived with younger ponies before, only having a big brother, but looking after Spike had prepared her for such randomness.

“Thanks! Morning Twilight” The filly perked up for a moment, although as soon as Twilight let her down she scowled at the blanket on the floor, kicking it with a hoof “Dumb fabric”. Twilight smiled at the fillies antics, when the delicious smell of breakfast wafted through the library again, catching both the ponies attention. The pair trotted over to the kitchen and stuck their heads in to see what was cooking.

Spike saw the two heads appear out of the corner of his eye “Pancakes will be ready in a few minutes, but could you perhaps lay the table?”

“Sure thing Spike” Twilight called out and levitated plates and cutlery out of the kitchen, over the pairs heads and towards the table.

The younger unicorn just watched in amazement as the multiple items were effortlessly moved by magic, the alicorn seemingly not even paying attention. “Can I help?” Sweetie asked a little shyly, feeling rather inadequate around Twilight given her only use of magic had only been due to a mysterious invasion of vines.

Twilight realised why the unicorn sounded so shy and so put all the cutlery and plates down on the table “Sure thing Sweetie, why don’t you arrange the table whilst I check to see if the postmares been?”

“Thanks Twilight” the filly beamed and started to move the objects around by hoof, whilst the alicorn went to check on the post. She returned empty hoofed just as Spike was bringing in a tray with a tall stack of pancakes and a number of sauces, jams and fresh fruit.

Twilight and Sweetie sat down at the table, and started digging into the food, Spike going back to the kitchen and returning with a pitcher of fresh orange juice.

“Wow Spike, I thought you said we were running low on food but we seem to have plenty here!” Twilight exclaimed happily scattering a few blackberries onto her pancake, the pattern reminding Twilight of a science project she did once.

“We were…oh hi Rarity” the dragon called out, the white unicorn having come downstairs. . Spike took a mouthful of food as the mare came over to the table, and swallowing he continued “I’ve already been and got the food shopping out of the way, as well as getting a few extra treats like those blackberries you can’t seem to get in your mouth quick enough!”

Twilight looked down at her plate crammed full of the sweet berries, and shrunk slightly “Guilty as charged…wait, you’ve been to the market already?” Twilight exclaimed in surprise “What time is it?”

“About nine, nine thirty? Don’t worry, I got everything on the checklist and left it in the kitchen for you to double check” Spike rolled his eyes.

“No no no, I wasn’t worried about that, it’s just I surprised you’re, well, up without me pestering you! Wait, how did you pay for it all?” Twilights tone went up slightly to a more serious voice “You know the law says you’re not allowed to touch the Royal treasury without my permission…”

“I know!” Spike blew a small raspberry at Twilight, causing Sweetie to laugh a little and Rarity to ponder exactly how many creatures would get away at being cheeky to a powerful alicorn “And don’t worry, I did paid for it in case you thought I had gone back to my stealing slash hoarding instincts!”

“Good to hear, otherwise I’d have to go and fetch Rarity her Fire Ruby necklace…” Twilight replied nonchalantly. However, this caused both Rarity and Spike to blush and turn away, and Twilight instantly regretted saying it. Stuttering, she tried to move the conversation forwards “So, how did you, erm, pay for, erm everything including these wonderful berries?”

“I…sold some of my gems” Spike replied casually, but knowing there would be follow up questions.

“Wait, you sold gems? To buy food for us?” Twilight replied a little shocked

“Yes my gems, out of my personal stash, not the food stash. Their my gems, I can sell them if I want!” he replied a little defensively.

“But…they were your gems, ones you’ve earned for yourself or been given as gifts!” Rarity now joined Twilight in surprise. As her key supplier, she knew that Twilight purchased a supply of gems for Spike, paid for by Celestia, which he had to regularly eat to charge his magic flames. He wasn’t allowed to keep these to ensure his ‘hoard’ stayed small, to help the dragon resist his urges.

“Yeah, but they're only gems and I thought I’d do something nice for once!”

The pair of older mares looked at each other, knowing this was not the actions of a dragon, not even one as generous as Spike. Sweetie Belle didn’t pick up on what all the fuss was about so early in the morning and took the pause as an opportunity to speak herself.

“Spike, did you arrange for the pillows next to the couch that I fell on this morning?”

Thankful for the diversion in conversation, the dragon latched onto it “Yeah, I remember falling out of unfamiliar beds enough when I was younger that I assumed there was a chance you would do the same. So I thought I would soften the blow a little…hope that’s okay”

“Thanks” the filly blushed slightly, embarrassed at being treated as a younger creature by Spike, who was both her size and her age. With each of creatures feeling embarrassed in one way or another, the only sounds to fill the library was that of the pancakes and sides being devoured by all, until everything was gone.

“So, what’s the plan for today?” Rarity asked, lounging on a cushion letting breakfast go down.

Twilight took a deep breath, but knew honesty was usually the best policy “I need to spend the morning with Mayor Mare to see what needs to be done after yesterday, and get everything in motion…you know, boring government stuff, insurance, that sort of thing. But if you need me I can put her off as my…”

Rarity waved a hoof to silence her friend “Don’t be silly Twilight, I know there’s a lot to be done and you have responsibilities. I don’t suppose you will be around in the afternoon so we can go and sort out…things? I think I’ll need your support for that!”

“Oh course Rarity, I’m around whenever you need me!”

“Talking about responsibilities, I need to write to some of my clients in Canterlot and let them know their orders will be delayed – I’m not really in the creative mood right now.”

“I think there may be the odd quill and parchment around here somewhere…” Spike sniggered, gesturing to the large stationary shelf. “Let me know when you are done, and I can send them to Princess Celestia who’ll get them hoof delivered today.”

“I can’t expect her to be involved in my correspondence…” Rarity started to protest

“Rarity, we’re the embodiment of the elements of Harmony, and I’m a Princess. Whilst it wouldn’t be proper to misuse our position everyday, I really think this would be a circumstance that Princess Celestia wouldn’t mind helping out.”

“Of course, thank you for the offer Spike.”

“What about me?” Sweetie Belle “I know it’s Friday…but I don’t really feel like school it today!”

“I’m not surprised darling, I don’t see the harm in having a couple of days off to help clear your mind. What would you like to do?”

“I don’t know,” the filly replied a little shyly “I wouldn’t mind doing some drawing or painting or something like that?”

“Coming right up” Twilight replied warmly. She left with Spike to the store-room and returned with boxes filled with a bunch of different art supplies - including feathers, glue, glitter and everything a little filly could ever want.

“How come you have all this?” Rarity asked a little surprised; as Sweetie dived into the boxes digging around much like the elder sister did in her inspiration room.

“Rule number one of being a princess – be prepared!”

“Isn’t that a bit like Pinkie’s emergency supplies of, well, everything?”

“Kind of, but more logical!" Twilight laughed back “I stocked up as I was thinking of starting a mother and foal reading group with Cheerilee. The youngsters would do crafts and such with Cheerilee whilst I helped the reading groups.”

With the three ponies set, Rarity went upstairs to Twilights desk and got busy writing her letters. Sweetie Belle stayed downstairs, and after putting down some newspaper on the floor, starting doing some painting. Twilight, happy that the sisters went off to discuss the boring government stuff. Spike said he was popping out for a moment, grabbed another one of his gems and sneakily hid it from sight as he left.

“I think there’s going to be no problem getting payout from central government to fix all of this, Mayor Mare,” Twilight continued to write her report as she toured the town with the earth pony.

“Thank you Princess, given the number of incidents recently regional funds have been depleted so we really could do with some help!”

Knowing the mayor was always going to call her Princess whilst 'on duty', Twilight ignored it “Well, that’s what taxes are there for…” she replied, ticking off another damaged building on the list. “Up next is the Clopton Street…oh, where Daisy lived. Where is Cloudy today, I really must offer my condolences!”

The Mayor explained that she had arranged for Cloudy and his family to be put up in the town's only hotel overnight, as the stallion had wanted to stay in Ponyville and his family obviously wishing to stay by his side. The pair, and the following aides, turned the corner and noticed the gathering of ponies and flowers outside Daisy house – it was a bittersweet sight as it was nice to see the ponies supporting each other, but sadly for all the wrong reasons.

However, what caught the Princess’s eye in particular was a purple dragon standing nearby, watching quietly “Mayor, do you mind giving me a moment?”

Having noticed Twilight’s assistant herself, the mayor bowed. “Of course, your Highness”

Twilight nodded in response and trotted over to her hatchling, who seemed to be lost in thought and whispered “Spike, what are you doing here?”

The dragon practically jumped out of his scales, but managed not to make much sound “Oh, hey Twilight” he whispered

The pegasi however gathered noticed the Princesses arrival and stopped their prayers, instead bowing to her. “Please, don’t let me interrupt you” Twilight replied very concerned at disrupting their religious routine. Raising, the ponies restarted singing their prayers.

“I came over to leave a bouquet for Daisy” Spike replied a little distantly, like he had a lot on his mind.

Twilight saw a card with the calligraphy she recognised as Spikes on a rather large bouquet “I didn’t know you know Daisy or Cloudy?”

“I didn’t…I don’t, but after yesterday...I don’t know…given what Rarity and Sweetie Belle must be going through, it’s got me thinking…about stuff.”

Twilight knew exactly what spike meant but knew this wasn’t the time or the place to get into this with him now. Gesturing to his claws “What are those for?” she asked.

“I’m going to leave these…” the dragon waved the bouquet “…at Rarity’s and Sweetie Belle’s parents’ house. But I got a bit distracted listening to the songs of the pegasi…”

The pair stood leaning against in silence for a few moments, listening to the melodic prayers but whilst she wanted to spend all day with her charge she had her royal duties to perform.

It was the first school break of the day and the colts and fillies spilled out into the playground for a breath of fresh air. However, nopony was playing and the mood was rather subdued after the events of yesterday. Cheerilee had put her usual lesson plans to one side and instead had encouraged the students to explore their feelings by writing or creating something.

Scootaloo and Applebloom sat at their usual stump, the empty third just acting as a reminder of their missing friend. The earth pony let out a huge yawn.

“You look tired Applebloom!” her peagsus friend replied “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, it was a bit of a rough night, I kept having bad dreams. I don’t remember what they were, but it don’t take a genius like Twilight with her fancy mathematics to work it out!”

Scootaloo smiled affectionately to her friend, her usual reckless bravado put to one side “Sorry to hear that…I think I know exactly what you mean.”

“Applejack stayed up with me, and tah be honest, I think she was suffering worse than I were. It just, you know…” and a few tears started running down the earth filly’s face. The two orphaned ponies looked at each, and found a strength in each other that the crusaders always did.

“Come on…lets go for a quick trot before breaks over, it’ll clear our heads” Scootaloo suggested, wanting to distract herself before her own emotions spilled over.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the playground, Diamond Tiara eyed the pair of ponies whilst Silver Spoon droned on about the usual boring things…

Sweetie Belle had almost finished her painting when Spike returned to the Library, having completed his two visits. He greeted the filly as he walked through the door, then went over and looked at the work that the unicorn was putting the finishing touches to.

“Wow” was all the dragon could say as he looked at the picture. Sweetie had created a larger version of the photo of the family visit. It was a little rough and messy in places, being painted the earth pony way, but obviously she had taken a lot of care to get it looking as good as possible.

“You think it’s any good?” the filly asked a little shyly, her face slightly stained with dry tears that she must had shed during the morning.

“Any good? Sweetie Belle it’s just wonderful”

“Shucks, thanks” Sweetie blushed slightly “it’s the best I can do with my mouth – I hope when my magic grows in it’ll be easier but I’m never going to be an artist”

“Well, I like it. And…” The dragon paused for a moment, wondering if it was the right thing to say. It seemed a good response, but he doubted if it was appropriate and his young mind was conflicted “…and I think it’s very fitting.”

The filly’s eyes watered over slightly “It just felt the right thing to do!” and the filly started sniffing. Unsure on the correct words, Spike cupped Sweetie’s face gently with one of his claws just to give her some comfort. Sweetie smiled up at him “Thanks for being such a good friend.”

“Hey, that’s what dragons do, be loyal to those they love…as a friend of course!” he stumbled a little at the end.

“Really?”

“No… dragons are jerks and only look out for themselves -” he replied with a smile “- but I’m no normal dragon, and my friends aren’t usual ponies!”

“Yeah, Princess Twilight, my sister, the other bearers…” Sweetie moaned slightly.

“I meant all my friends, including you!”

“Me? I'm hardly special!”

“Are you kidding? You’re going to be a flag bearer at the Equestria Games, you took part in the Royal wedding…” Spike started listing off and paused for a second “You are a wonderful pony. I mean, just look at the painting -” Spike turned Sweeties face towards the picture she had painted “- rather then wallow in pity, you wanted to remember your parents. That is the actions of a remarkable, grown up, pony!”

“But I miss them” Sweetie Belle wailed all of a sudden, and collapsed into Spikes body, the dragon just about keeping them both upright. He stroked the filly’s back as she sobbed into his chest, and Spike just muttered general comforting phrases.

Rarity came downstairs at hearing her sisters wail and saw Spike slowly leading her crying sister over to a cushion. The elder unicorn went to the kitchen and returned with a juice box, the filly gratefully taking it and sipping her drink. The elder sister then returned upstairs before returning quickly with a rather large pile of completed letters, placing them on one of the tables.

“Spike darling, I don’t suppose you could send these letters for me?”

Spike quickly realised it was a good way for them to ‘naturally’ switch over so Rarity could comfort her sister, so he made space “Of course Rarity” he replied with a wink, before going over to the letters. Rarity snuggled up to her crying sister and comforted her.

Spike sent a letter to Princess Celestia, asking if it was okay to send all the post, receiving a response in a few minutes that she would be more than willing to receive and get the guards delivering the messages right away. The two unicorns watched, slightly amazed, as Spike sent a few letters at time. The display acted as a good sideshow whilst the ponies shared the comfort of their sisterly embrace.

Once the letters were complete, Spike started on lunch and Twilight returned from her royal duties with the mayor just in time to join them. The dragon had gone all out on the meal - there were freshly cooked hay fries, cucumber and dandelion sandwiches, a side salad and an arrangement of freshly prepared fruit. It was much more extravagant than the dragon usually prepared for a weekday lunch, something noticed by both of the elder mares.

He had even treated Owlowiscious and Opalescence to some fresh fish which he went upstairs and put out for them – both Twilight and Rarity couldn’t stomach handing any form of meat even for their pets, so it was a real treat for them. “Hey, after that whole pet sitting incident, it’s the least I could do for you guys!” Spike replied to their wordless thanks.

Once the meal was complete, it was time for Rarity to deal with the undertaker and get things moving with the solicitor. Twilight had already agreed to come along, both for moral support but also because she was rather smart when it came to, well, everything but especially these sort of things.

“Can I come along?” Sweetie Belle asked as the pair prepared to leave.

“Well, it’s up to you Sweetie, but it’s going to be very boring legal stuff,” her sister replied, “However, there will be some decisions we can make together and we can discuss them later.”

“Okay then” the filly’s ears fell back a little and she pawed the ground.

“Don’t worry Sweetie Belle, I’ll stay with you…we can read, do some crafts, whatever you want!” Spike smiled at the filly as he was taking off the frilly apron, having finished the washing up.

With that agreed, the elder mares left living the two younguns alone, and they both started doing some drawings in crayon on the freshly cleared table. The pair worked on their art in silence for a while, the concentration on their craft making both lose track of time. Once completed her own picture of the four Cutie Mark Crusaders doing a sky dive, Sweetie looked over to Spikes picture.

She expected his art to look a bit better given his claws, but it was an amazingly detailed picture of a pair of adult dragons and a nest of eggs. Sweetie just turned to Spike wordlessly, the dragon picking up on the wordless clue.

“This is how I imagine my parents were.” The whelp answered the unasked question “All I know for sure is my mother had purple skin, and my father had green spines. Those are hereditary traits...but I don’t know their size or anything else.” His tone kept lowering as he spoke “Nopony knows, not even Celestia, what they looked like or anything, so the only images are the ones in my heart.”

Sweetie looked over to her friend, feeling emotion for him for once “I can’t imagine how it is to never have met your own parents…”

Spike gestured back to the picture “Well, I like to think my father was a big powerful defender dragon…that’s why I feel so protective towards everypony. Twilight is…well…my mother so I guess I always picture my dragon mother with a similar colour skin and spine colour as Twilights fur and mane.”

Sweetie was young, but knew why Spike had drew this picture – that he wanted to show the filly her own picture from this morning wasn’t so silly. She carefully picked up the drawing and put it up next to her own picture of her family from earlier. “Thanks Spike” she smiled, and felt tears welling up inside her again “I need to get out of the tree for a while, fancy going for a walk?”

“Sure, why don’t we go and get some milkshakes from Sugarcube Corner…”Spike walked over to a box and returned with a gem “…my treat”

Pinkie greeted Sweetie Belle and Spike from behind the counter of the bakery – it was the quiet period after lunch but before either school was out or ponies came for evening snacks. No sooner had she entered the bakery, Sweetie Belle found herself being tackled by the twin Cake foals who were happy to see anypony, a trait they had clearly picked up from Pinkie.They also had no sence of personal space, a trait that Pinkie shared with any foal.

The pink mare came over to the pair “Hiya …Shoot, I meant to come over this morning, but we’ve been really busy today!” the earth mares demeanour fell as she spoke.

“It’s no problem Pinkie” Spike dismissed the pony’s concern, perking her up instantly “Everypony’s been busy as it is, but we thought we’d come over and get some strawberry milkshakes.” Spike noted the time “Actually, better make them to go, best we’re not here when it gets busier” he whispered to the mare so Sweetie didn’t here “I don’t want her overwhelmed by everypony.”

“Sure thing Spike” Pinkie bounced off towards the ice cream counter and then over to the milkshake machine “Shall I put them on the tab?”

“Nope, I’m paying” and Spike produced the gem he had brought with him.

“Oooh, shiny. Hey Mrs Cake, can we take this for a couple of to-go shakes?”

The elder mare came from out back, rescuing Sweetie Belle from her foals as she did “This gem is much too valuable just to pay for a couple of take-away milkshakes!”

“Has Twilight settled this month’s account?” Spike replied

“No, the Princess is a bit behind, not that we expect anything from her highness of course!” the mare added a little shyly.

“Well, put it against the tab”

Mrs Cake seemed reluctant at first, especially as she secretly wanted to treat the filly with the dragon, but eventually conceded to take the gem against the Princesses tab. Pinkie hoofed over the finished milkshakes and the pair bid the bakers farewell. Rather then head towards the library, Sweetie turned and started walking through the town.

The pair walked in silence, Spike just letting the filly lead the way and the few ponies about seemingly leaving the pair to be. Upon reaching the park, Sweetie led the way to a spot under a tree, at the top of the hill overlooking the west of the town and Sweet Apple Acres.

The pair sat in silence as they finished their drinks, Sweetie seemingly lost in thoughts and the dragon happy to let her think. She eventually broke the silence “Spike, I want to ask you something, if you don’t mind…a bit personal”

“Sure Sweetie Belle, as long as Gabby Gums doesn’t reappear!”

The pony laughed a little in response “Why are you spending your own hoard on me and my sister? Even I know that’s not normal dragon behaviour! Is it because you love…”

Spike put a claw over the fillies mouth to silence her, before withdrawing with a slight blush “Please, don’t finish that sentence. But no, it’s not to do with anything like that” Spike sighed, “It just feels right to be there for you guys right now, in any way I can”

“I appreciate it Spike” Sweetie took one of his claws in her hoof “I’m still not sure if I’m thinking clearly, but I do recognise what you, and everypony, are doing for us!”

“I know that both Rarity and you would do the same for me…it just the adult thing to do I guess.”

“You mean we’re growing up? The horror, the horror!” the filly replied a little cheekily.

“I guess so…man that sucks, we’ll have to start paying taxes and drink coffee instead of milkshakes!”

This caused the pair of them to laugh and they sat on the hill in the park together, leaning against each other and watching the sun arc over the sky, the birds flying and generally letting the world go by.

The next morning Spike woke up in his basket downstairs, having left the three females upstairs again and noticed Opalescence had curled up on top of him. He tried to gently remove her from his back but woke the feline up in the process. However, rather then being treated to a swipe of claws, the cat simply snuggled up to the warm spot Spike hadvacated. Opal had seemed to become much more friendly in the past day or so, something the dragon put down to the treats of fresh fish.

As he started preparing breakfast, he reflected on the remainder of the day before. When him and Sweetie Belle had returned the previous afternoon, they had spent some time reading before Rarity and Twilight returned. Then, after another scrumptious dinner that Spike had let the filly help him prepare, it was another quiet evening for everypony. Probably just what the sisters needed right now.

Like the day before, the smell of breakfast cooking (Scrambled Eggs on toast, with freshly baked breakfast muffins on the side) got everypony up and to the breakfast table much quicker than the normal bowl of oats would. As they tucked in, Spike went outside to get the post. He returned a little confused “Erm, girls, you might want to see this”

The three ponies followed the dragon and froze in the doorway of the library. Outside was a massive arrangement of flowers of all kinds. Some were large whilst others were small but tastefully arranged. A gray pegasus with a bubble cutie mark landed on the ground and placed another bouquet in the arrangement.

“Derpy, where have all of these come from?” Twilight asked, as Rarity was left speechless and Sweetie Belle just seemed overwhelmed.

“Princess Sparkle, these have all been special delivered overnight from Canterlot, Manehattan, Las Pegasus…all over Equestria. There’s still a lot more orders for us to pick up…the inter-city courier pegasi are struggling to keep up right now!” and with that she took back off, heading north.

Rarity started scanning through the cards, each bearing either her client’s names, including ones she hadn’t written to, or from other designers. It quickly became evident that all of the fashion industry must have worked together, for once, to help spread the devastating news of the Belle family loss.

Rarity broke down crying again, and before Twilight could offer a shoulder to cry on, Sweetie Belle had her sister in a hug. Twilight knew that the outpour of emotions was actually was a good thing for Rarity. Being so generous in nature, she often forgot to accept help and support when she needed it, and yesterday she had been perhaps a little too strong for her own good.

Twilight asked Spike to make a note to follow up with personal thanks to all the couriers and left the two sisters in peace to browse through the messages of support together.