New Year's Beginning:
"Geez Pinkie Pie really out did herself this time." Despite having attended countless parties thrown by the pink pony, Spike couldn't help but gawk at the sight before him. Streamers, confetti, and banner's hung from the walls, a countless number of brightly colored balloons eclipsed the large ceiling, and all across the room party games were being enjoyed.
Not that is came as that big of a surprise mind you, Pinkie had just about woken up the entire population of Ponyville when she received a early morning letter from the highly respected, and loved Celestia herself asking if she would like to throw this year's New Year's party in Canterlot. Twilight, and company were happy to lend a hoof when the excited mare came to them for help, even Spike contributed the best he could though a recent growth spurt had made him slightly clumsy. It took them a good few days of hard work to get everything properly prepared, and after that Pinkie Pie had shooed them all away wishing to add her own personal touch to the affair in private.
But in the end it was all worth it, now that the young dragon stood by the large punch bowl in the main room watching all his friends enjoying themselves amid the rest of the large crowd of ponies that had been invited to Celestia's castle to celebrate the starting of a new year. Deciding to grab a drink Spike noticed the reflection that stared back at him though tinted the same red shade as the special party punch that Pinkie Pie had brewed up for just this occasion.
He now stood just about eye level with most ponies now when walking on all fours, something he started doing now that his arms had gotten longer. When choosing to just stand, or move on his hind legs he was almost as tall as Big Macintosh, thanks to a slightly longer neck, and general increased length with the rest of his body. His round baby face had elongated making his head look more dragon like, and his nubby baby teeth had started to point sometimes giving him a unintentionally intimidating smile. And of course, having sprouted from his back a bit ago, a large pair of wings were now tucked in comfortably though ready at a moments notice to unfurl, and move him into the air.
Lost in the moment Spike allowed himself to revert to one of his favorite ways to past the time. He flexed his arms, struck a few different poses, and flashed his reflection a cheesy smile.
"Looking good Spike" The dragon said to himself oblivious to the party around him. A giggle to his left brought the dragon out of his moment of vanity, and his face started to heat up in embarrassment. His adoptive older sister/mother figure smiled at him in amusement, since his growth spurt she seemed to catch him like this more, and more.
"Yeah Spike looking real good, though you might enjoy the party more if you stopped admiring yourself for a few minutes, and actually joined in." Twilight said with a roll of her eyes, while the dragon took a second to recompose himself the purple unicorn looked across the room. She spied Rainbow Dash not to far away getting in line for a game of Pin the Tail on the Manticore.
"Don't worry about me Twi, I helped set this place up. You can bet your mane I plan on enjoying myself." His tone was brimming with determination, he had decided that for a new year's resolution he was going to be a touch or two more bold. No more hiding away in the library all day when he wasn't assisting Rarity with fetching gems, these days he was starting to crave excitement. He even considered taking a stroll through the outer edge of the Everfree Forest just because.
The two chatted for a few minutes before Twilight excused herself having noticed that Applejack and Rainbow Dash were having a heated debate over whether or not the rainbow-haired pegasus had peeked from under her blindfold during her turn. Assuming the purple unicorn could end the argument without his help, Spike decided to wander about the party room in search or something that would hold his interest.
"Actually could use a little air right now, maybe I'll slip outside for a bit." Liking that thought Spike made his way to the corridor that lead him to an outside balcony overlooking the castle gardens. The sun had set, and now the stars dotted the night while a glowing moon hung peacefully in the middle basking the purple dragon in its light.
"Enjoying the celebration I hope" A familiar voice brought Spike's gaze from the sky to center on the graceful form of the princess of the night herself, Luna. The alicorn's semi transparent mane flowed majestically as she stood right beside him with a friendly smile on her face.
Spike merely nodded suddenly having a hard time speaking, and it seemed to take forever before words finally escaped his mouth. "YES!" Spike's face felt twice as warm as it had been Twilight had caught him admiring himself, and he was pretty certain that his reply came out sounding much to high-pitched for his liking.
Luna didn't seem to mind though, and merely returned to looking towards the night sky. There was a awkward silence before Spike's face cooled down, and he regained his ability to speak. "So... any reason you're all here by yourself instead of partying with the other ponies?"
"....A few." Spike raised an eyebrow, but held his tongue he didn't want to risk saying something that would lead to her not telling him. "Celebrations such as these aren't really my forte, perhaps my long banishment has diminished my pony skills a bit." Spike couldn't help but feel sorry for the lonely princess before him, he could relate to feeling out of place sometimes.
"I also find the new way that the holiday is looked at to be slightly depressing for one such as myself."
"Really? Is it the counting down to the stroke of midnight thing? Or all the new year's resolutions that ponies come up with?" Asked Spike while he pondered on how folks might have viewed New Year's Eve back when Luna's famous traditional 'Canterlot voice' was actually still in style.
"Nay Spike, its none of that....just how ponies seem to put a lot of importance on selecting a special somepony to share the beginning of the new year with." Luna's voice seemed to lose some of it's regal firmness, and change to more of a shy muttering, she also caused her flowing mane to fall back to gravity's whims so that her hair would cover the blush that was starting to form on her face.
"Ooh that thing, yeah I heard it had to do with ponies thinking that whoever you spend New Years with will eventually become your soul mate or something. Don't know why that has you down though princess, a beautiful pony like you could have any stallion in this place if you wanted." It was his faith in his own personal new years resolution that had given Spike the strength to actually say what was on his mind, something he was pleading to himself that he wouldn't regret.
"Such compliments are usually reserved for my elder sister Celestia, and though I am thankful for them, I must insist that may be mistaken. Half of the population still fears me because of the Nightmare Moon mishap, and I think most stallions would find me....intimidating." At this Spike merely laughed, a pleasing sound that soon infected the princess with its good nature to the point that she found herself laughing too. Both were so caught up in their laughter that they failed to hear Pinkie Pie announcing that it was almost time to count down to the new year.
"As funny as it is to imagine you making someone like Big Mac cower in fear while having a date somewhere, I think you're being to hard on yourself princess." Spike began moving closer to the still chuckling alicorn as he continued to speak. "It's been a good few years since that Nightmare Moon fiasco, and you've proven that you're a good pony. And I'm surprised that you're sister get the majority of the compliments, if you ask me I'm pretty sure most guys prefer the dark mysterious thing you have going for you."
Luna couldn't help but start laughing again, she wasn't used to this kind of attention but it was certainly a nice change. It was at this moment that the crowd inside began counting down to the stroke of midnight.
"10!"
"What about you Spike? Isn't there somepony you'd like to be with for new years?" Luna couldn't help but be curious about whether or not the dragon had a special somepony or not.
"9!"
Spike shook his head a little in response, his eyes hardening suddenly and he felt slightly bashful. "I think dating a dragon is just something that most mares wouldn't be up for." It was true Spike had finally come to terms with the fact that his crush, Rarity didn't share the the same feelings that he had for her.
"8!"
"Now I believe you're the one being hard on yourself, any mare that managed to catch your eye should count herself as lucky." Now Luna had moved closer to the dragon, and their sides were now touching, the sudden physical contact caused Spike's body to stiffen.
"7!"
"Thanks princess, it means a lot to hear that." The warmth of Luna's side leaning into his had started to spread to the rest of his body, and Spike suddenly felt a little hot under the collar.
"6!"
The mistress of the night laughed softly, the sound causing Spike to relax, and even lean onto back to her slightly. "Please Spike call me Luna, you don't have to be so formal." Now Spike, and Luna were leaning comfortably into each other, both looking up to the silver moon that lit up the night.
"5!"
"Sorry that you ended up spending New Year's with me instead of anything interesting." whispered Spike, even though he could admit to having a great time he wasn't sure if Luna was herself. A scoff from the princess dragged Spike's gaze from the shining moon to the alicorn beside him.
"4!"
"I'll have you know that this has been one of the best nights I've had in a long long time Spike. If anything I should be thanking you for such a good memory." Luna now turned her head so that she was staring right back into the Spike's bright green eyes.
"3!"
"I don't know if talking to a dragon can really peg as a great memory." Spike's face tinged red from a rapidly increasing blush, and his tail was side winding in anticipation of something he was barely aware of.
"2!"
Luna had moved her face closer, and Spike found the smell of her breath intoxicating. That same small smile that had adorned her face earlier was now back, but her eyes glinted with mischievous intent. "No, but kissing one on New Years surely will."
"1!"
Before the dragon could reply Luna darted forward and her lips met his own. And on that exact moment a loud cheer from within the castle echoed out in joyous celebration.
"Happy New Years!"
High in the sky the moon's glow seemed to double in it's intensity, as Luna continued her lip lock with the stunned dragon. The moonlight that they sat in, and the loud cheers of the happy party-goers inside created the perfect beginning of a new year. Never again would Luna be troubled with the thought of spending New Year's Eve alone. She would always have that fond memory of the night she spent with a young, yet charming, dragon and how he had become her first true love.
The memory created at that moment would echo on in the lives of Luna, and Spike for the rest of their days, as well as the memories they created everyday they spent together from then on. Two oddities in the land of Equestria who were lucky enough to find one another on the night of New Year's Eve.
The End.
