Spike watched as Celestia's morning sun washed over the ruins of her former castle.

He did not sleep.

How could he, even with the sexual activity, he was still too pumped. He had defeated some of Daring Do's enemies. Flown, actually he glided, for the first time. And he got LAID! But above all that, he was given the chance to live a life like that everyday. He was given the offer of being the Daring Do's partner!

Yeah, sleep was the last thing on his mind.

He stared at the mare that caused all of this. She had brought an excitement to his life he hadn't felt since he was smaller. When he would, though only rarely, be brought on the Mane six's adventures. They still had them about every week, and only once a week if they were lucky. Yet here she was, fanning a flame he thought had died out long ago.

Now she was sleeping like there was no trouble what's so ever, but Spike felt she was more aware of the situation than perceived.

Daring Do felt pretty good when she awoke. There was a few aches and bruises, but some where pleasant. The feeling of a hard day's work and a well deserved buck.

When she rolled over, she felt the dragon shift, just to make her more comfortable.

"Morning." She mumbled.

"Morning." He returned.

They sat there in a comfortable silence for a few more minutes. After awhile, the comfortableness melted into awkwardness.

"So..." Daring started.

"Did you mean it?" Spike asked.

"Wouldn't have offered if I hadn't." Daring stated. "What do you say? You could live a life of grand and life threatening adventure." Daring offered. "See things you could only read about in those books, some you can't." She hinted. "Plus, hot rutting anywhere and everywhere." She added with a shake of her hips.

"I accept." Spike answered without a second's hesitation. "But Twilight..." He trailed off. "I have responsibilities to her."

"Well then, lets go convince her." Daring stated.

As the two left the comfort of each other's warmth, they never noticed a figure emerge from the castle entrance.

Ahuizotl. Injured and enraged from his battle with Spike, he raised his head to the sky.

"CURSE YOU DARING DO AND SPIKE!" He shouted. "I SHALL HAVE MY REVENGE!"

"Will you now, Spike was the dragon, was he not?"

Ahuizotl turned towards the one that spoke. In his shock, he struck out, intending to injure whoever was able to sneak up on him.

To further his surprise, his large fist simply passed through the stranger.

It was the pony of Shadows, but something about it seemed different.

He watched as the pony began to change, it became solid. It was a Pegasus pony, covered in a cloak.

Only a Thu'um would allow a Pegasus that kind of magic. Ahuizotl though.

"Who are you, speak before I kill you!" He ordered the pony. "What was that Thu'um?"

"I'll answer your question if you answer mine." The pony offered.

He's trying to bargain with me?! Ahuizotl thought in shock.

"I don't make deals with mere ponies!" He shouted as he struck at the pony with his third hand.

FEIM.

Fade.

Once again, the pony became a shadow. This allowed the harm to just pass him.

Once he returned to flesh and blood, he glared at the creature.

VEN. GAR. NOS

Wind. Unleash. Strike.

Ahuizotl found himself lifted from his feet in a powerful gust of wind. The wind began to spin him rapidly before slamming him into the castle walls.

He was in too much pain to stand.

The pony made his way towards the fallen creature, glare still in his eyes.

"I tried to be friendly about this, but the thought mentality you displayed is too much like a dragon." He stated coldly as his hood fell away revealing a half burned face. "I hate dragons!" He hissed. "Now tell me all about the one that just left."

As he spoke, Ahuizotl's eyes fell onto the pony's Cutie mark.

It was that of an Iron helmet, with two curved horns pointing down.

The two had decided to take the safer route this time, passing Zecora's hut.

When they came into Ponyville, it was a...sight.

Twilight was having another one of her...episodes. The mane six were trying to convince her that she was just over reacting.

They were just supposed to look at a few books and tunnels. Twilight thought frantically. "They were supposed to be back yesterday!"

"Twilight, I'm sure their okay." Rainbow spoke. "Spike is with Daring Do after all."

"Yes, and Daring Do always get into life threatening adventures!" Twilight countered.

"So do we sugar cube?" Applejack. re-countered.

"And we always comeback looking fabulous." Rarity added.

It was at that moment that Spike walked in with Daring Do on his back.

"Uh, hi?"

"SPIKE!" Twilight shouted, voice nearly at the Royal Canterlot level. "WHERE IN EQUESTRIA HAVE YOU BEEN?!"

"At the Castle." Spike answered.

"Did you two run into any trouble?" Pinkie asked. "You look like the high-chair Pound-cake sits in after he's finished pounding."

"Uh..."

"We ran into Ahuizotl at the Castle." Daring answered.

"What?" Twilight asked. "Are you two hurt?"

"Just a few bruises." Spike answered. "But Daring could use a little R&R."

"Tell me everything!" Twilight and Rainbow ordered for different reasons.

So Spike and Daring Do began telling the story of their adventure. From her arrival to the town, for R.D, to finding the castle off the used path. They mentioned their encountered with the pony of Shadow to being ambushed. Spike's clever distraction, they's never look at their Princess the same again. All the way to Spike using the Shout and facing against the Ahuizotl.

Spike was proudest of his gliding achievement.

"You're holding out on us!" Pinkie declared as she pulled out an over-sized magnifying glass. "What are you hiding?!"

"W-what makes you think that?" Spike asked, thankful his scales hid his blush.

"When you walked in you had a pep in your step and a glow that just resurfaced." Pinkie answered.

"Uhhh..."

"He broke the castle." Daring stated, catching the dragon's eye and shrugged. It was either that, or tell a Princess I had sex with her dragon. Banishment was not on her list.

"WHAT!"

"I may have used dragon magic to break the castle." Spike stated as he avoided every-pony's gaze.

"Cool." Rainbow spoke.

"Not cool." Twilight stated. "Spike, that place was full of ancient knowledge." She sighed. "Spike, take a letter."

"That won't be necessary Spike." A new voice spoke.

The mares and Spike turned to see the two Alicorn sisters. The mares and dragon bowed in their presence.

"Not to be rude, but what are you two doing here?" Twilight asked.

"Well, we-I felt the spell placed on the door in our old cast break." Luna answered. "We would have been here sooner, but stopped to see the cast."

"Daring Do." Celestia greeted. "I take it you broke the riddle."

"No your highness." She admitted. "You can think Spike for that."

"That riddle was one I read in an old book." Spike answered. "When we got inside, we saw a wall with-"

"Dragon writing." The Princesses spoke simultaneously. "Do you know what was written?"

"Magic." Spike answered. "Dragon magic."

"Dragon magic is a tricky thing." Princess Celestia stated. "Dragons don't learn it like a Unicorn learns a spell, they use it on instinct." She continued. "Instead of a horn, they release it in the form of a shout called a Thu'um."

"Other creatures can use this magic." Princess Luna stated. "But it would takes years of studying to do just a fraction of the true power."

"Sounds like paradise for our egghead." R.D. whispered to Pinkie.

"The last known pony user was a known as a Dovakiin." Celestia stated.

As soon as Spike heard that word, that name, he growled. It was a primal growl, filled with anger. As if the name itself was an offense to him.

"Spike..."

"I'm...fine." He stated as he rubbed his head. What was that about?

"How come I've never heard of this?" Twilight asked.

"We know very little on it ourselves." Luna stated. "This power is older than we are, it has been around since the dragons first surfaced an eternity ago."

"Maybe we can find something about it in the dragon kingdom." Spike stated, turning to A.K Yearling. "Can we go there?"

"Sure thing partner." She answered

"Partner?" Twilight asked with a raised eyebrow.

The adventurous Pegasus and the tame dragon shared a look, both urging the other to speak.

"Well, I think I'll be heading to the hospital to get this wing looked at." Daring spoke. "Later Spike." For added affect, she gave the dragon a deep kiss. "I'll be seeing you real soon." She spoke sultrily.

Spike watched the mare leave, eyes on her shaking rump.

"Spike!" Twilight shouted. "Something you want to tell us?"

All eyes were on the dragon now. Some were raised in shock, others were narrowed in suspicion.

"Daring Do offered me a chance to be her partner." Spike stated. "I accepted."

"You...what?" Twilight asked.

Unlike the previous times she had an outburst, this one wasn't in angry. It wasn't filled with shock, or even confusion. It was just sad, like she had been betrayed.

"I think we should give them some privacy." Rarity spoke.

The ponies quickly made themselves scarce for the purple duo.

"Why...would you accept that?" Twilight asked.

"Daring Do offered and I wanted to go." He answered.

"Well...you can't go." Twilight stated before turning around.

"Wha-why?!" Spike asked outraged.

"You're still my assistant!" She shouted. "You have a lot of responsibilities, too many to just be running around and getting into dangerous situations!"

"But..."

"What if there's an emergency and I need to get in contact with the Princess!" She ranted. "What would I do, sit here with no hope!?"

"Use one of your spells!" Spike shouted back. "Or the Elements of Harmony!"

"Spike, I'm forbidding you from going!" Twilight snapped. "That's an order!"

Spike looked at the mare before him. She had just turned down his chance without so much as a second thought! He wanted to rant and rave about her unfairness.

"Why can't I go?" He asked. "Give me one good reason."

Spike saw the mare freeze up at the question. She turned to him.

"Give me one good reason I should let you go." She ordered. "What's

"Twilight I can give you several, but mainly, I lived." Spike stated. "Yesterday, I had the greatest day of my life."

"Your life was in danger!" She shouted.

"I pushed myself to the limit with my mind, thinking of ways to win, and I did." He stated. "I thought you would be proud."

"...I am." She mumbled.

"I felt myself go off the chart with...excitement!" He continued. "Not knowing what would happen...I went over the cliff!" He declared to her confusion. "Twilight, I even bucked a mare for the first time."

"...Spike, those things you could do here." She stated. "We go on adventure every week and I'm sure you'll meet a mare or female dragon."

"Those are your adventures, and what female would want a dragon that suppresses his nature to live with ponies?" Spike asked. "Let alone a normal mare that would want to love a dragon like that."

"And Daring would?" Twi countered.

"...Maybe." He answered. "I gave my side, now it's your turn, why can't I go?"

She turned around before she gave her answer.

"I need you." She whispered.

.

.

.

"Yes Princess." He mumbled.

He heard her sharp in take of breath and saw her tense. Spike took some guilty pleasure in her reaction. He knew that her friends treating her by her title hurt.

"Don't be like that Spike." She said as if it were just a child throwing a tantrum. "This'll all blow over and things will go back to normal."

A mere five minutes after their...conversation, Spike was doing house chores that Twilight 'needed' done.

"Spike, may I have a moment alone with Twilight?"

"Sure."

The dragon made his way out of the library. He needed to find A.K. and tell her the bad knews.

Once he was gone, Celestia spoke.

"I think you should reconsider your order with Spike." Celestia spoke. "For both your sakes."

"You heard that?" Twilight asked.

"We all did." Celestia admitted. "We were to curious."

"Spike doesn't need to leave." Twilight stated. "He has all he needs here with me."

"This reminds me of a certain Unicorn that thought she had all she needed with studying." The white Alicorn stated kindly. "I wonder where she is now."

Twilight lowered her head as she answered. "She's the Element of Magic and now a Princess as well."

"Exactly." Celestia stated. "Now, where do you think you would be if I hadn't had you leave to Ponyville?"

"Enslaved by either Nightmare Moon or Discord." Twilight mumbled.

"In both cases you trusted my judgement." Celestia spoke. "Trust me again."

"But Princess..."

"They all have to grow up at some point in time Twilight." Celestia stated. "But dragon's live long and he'll come home eventually."

Spike shuffled through Ponyville with a heavy heart.

"Spike!"

He jumped at the shout of his name.

He turned to see Daring Do, back in her disguise as A.K. Yearling. She had a cast on her wing and a few bandages here and there, but looked fine.

"How'd things go over with the Princess?" She asked. "Are we set?"

"I can't..." He mumbled.

"What?"

"I can't go." He stated. "Twilight...has forbidden me from going."

Daring Do looked at the dragon before him in confusion. "So?"

"What?"

"You think my family was okay with me leaving, or any adventurer?" She asked. "Spike, part of being an adventurer is being free!" She stated. "I offered you to be my partner for a chance to cast all of this away."

Spike looked at the mare. He wanted to follow her, he wanted to go so badly it hurt.

"I can't." He mumbled.

She sighed. "Then I'm sorry for you."

"We can still keep in touch though." Spike stated with hope. "We can

"We can't." A.K. stated. "Spike, I'm usually in the middle in something far from modern civilization." "Trying to make a long distance relationship work would be near impossible." She sighed. "Plus, I just can't make you wait when I might be dead."

"It'd be worth it!" Spike quickly stated. "I can wait for you!"

"But I can't."

Spike lowered his head, she was right. It was a big world out there, very big. She could meet a stallion, griffon or something, anything.

It'd be selfish trying to hold her back. He thought

"When are you leaving?" He asked.

"It's best I don't tell you." She stated, not meeting his gaze. "Don't want to build a fuss."

Spike wanted to call the mare back, but he couldn't. He watched her trot off, never turning back.

"So you and Daring Do huh?" Rainbow asked.

To give Spike some credit, he hadn't so much as flinched at the mares surprise appearance. Be it from the sadness weighing on his heart, or from the experience of last night, he knew not. That didn't mean he hadn't been scared senseless.

"You pulling a Pinkie Pie now?" He asked.

"Don't change the subject." R.D spoke.

"I think we were." Spike admitted. "At least after last night..."

"Not anymore?"

"Nope." He answered. "No long distance relationship."

"Why not go after her?"

"Twil-"

"Forget Twilight!" R.D. ordered. "Spike, you only live once!" R.D exclaimed. "A day with her, us, or anypony should have taught you that." It sure did. "When the rest of us are long dead and our bones are dust, it'll be just you and Twilight." She stated. "But do you think you'll get another chance like this?" He shook his head.

"So you think I should take the chance?" He asked. "Why?"

"The rest of us are living our dream, or on our way there." R.D spoke. "What about you?"

"No, why are you telling me this?" He asked, put off by her words. "Aren't you supposed to side with Twilight."

"I'm the Element of Loyalty." R.D. stated. "So I'm being loyal to my friend."

"...Thanks Dash." Spike smiled. "I owe you one."

"You can actually pay me back now." She stated a little too quickly for his liking.

"What do you want?" He asked hesitantly.

"Tell me what it was like inside of her!" She practically begged. "Describe it to me."

Spike backed away in shock. "Wha-"

"You haven't bathed yet, right?" She asked, eyeing his lower part. "Let me taste her."

He had seen enough, maybe too much.

"A dragon that lives among ponies!" He stated in shock. "Now I've seen everything."

From what the local ponies told him, not only did Spike live among them, he was raised by ponies. It seemed they even lived in relative harmony with each other.

I would never have thought such a thing was possible. He thought. Well Spike, I won't slay you...yet.

Spike ran as fast as he could. He pumped everything he could into his legs, he felt it wasn't enough.

Have to find her! He thought. Have to catch her!

After his conversation with Rainbow Dash, he came to the conclusion that he agreed.

He needed her, she was his only chance out!

Spike pushed himself harder than he ever had before. He felt completely weightless at the speed he was going.

Why can't I feel the ground?

Just my luck. A.K thought bitterly. I find a dragon who knows nothing about himself and the mysteries surrounding him. She let out a disappointed sigh. The one good mystery in town and I can't solve it.

As the mare trotted, she never noticed a large shadow pass over her.

"Well Daring, you gotta do what you always do." She spoke to herself.

"What would that be?" A familiar voice asked.

She felt a smile creep to her lips. "Keep moving forward and never looking back." She answered.

"Oh, I don't know." The voice spoke. "I think the view from behind is pretty nice."

She looked up and saw that Spike was flying, a little shaky, but up there. He landed with just a little difficulty, she was impressed.

"So you can fly now?" A.K stated more than asked.

"Yep, don't know how either." He admitted. "I just really wanted to...catch you."

"So you found a reason to want to fly, a reason to leave." She concurred.

I see. He thought. I never planned, or even wanted to go anywhere, now I want to go everywhere.

"I was wondering if the offer was still on the table." Spike spoke. "To be your partner."

"It is." She spoke. "Shall we seal it with a kiss?"

Spike leaned in to do just that when a flash of purple caught their attention.

"So, you were going anyway?" Twilight asked.

Spike looked at the mare and gave her a small nod.

"Well good for you." A new voice spoke.

Spike and Daring turned to see the arrival of the Princesses of the Sun and Moon.

"If you are all here to talk me out of it, th..." He began only to be silenced.

"Perish the thought." Princess Celestia spoke. "We just wanted to see you off." Celestia stated. "It's not everyday that we see pon-dragons off for a life changing adventure." She cast a glance to Twilight. "Well, almost everyday."

Spike turned to Twilight, tears forming in her eyes.

"It was selfish of me to try and make you stay here." She admitted. "I'm sorry."

"Well since we're saying our goodbyes." Celestia spoke. "We wanted to give you a few gifts."

Twilight gave Spike a large purple book, it was blank.

"I want you to write down all your adventures." She stated. "Every discovery, no matter how little."

"I'll make sure it's full when he comes back." Daring promised.

This time Princess Luna stepped forward. "Spike, we are aware that you are capable of using the Thu'um, well so can we." She stated proudly. "Though it is the only one we know and is incomplete, we feel it would be suitable for you."

She spoke the words, Spike felt a shiver go through his spines. The word, like the others, held so much power.

Once Spike registered it, he backed away from the ponies. With a nod of conformation, he spoke the word.

YOL

Fire.

Spike released a single ball of fire into the sky. Not his usual green spark to ignite paper, but a single mass of emerald flame.

"We believed that a dragon shouldn't be without his flame." Luna spoke.

Next was Princess Celestia. "My Thu'um is not Shout." She spoke. "But a whisper, revealing any and all life." She gave him the word.

LAAS

Life

He could see them, They were glowing with a red aura surround them.

"That will come in handy. Daring stated factually.

Before the spell ended, something caught Spike's attention. When he turned his head, but saw only a flicker. Must be my imagination.

"Well my little pony, my little dragon." Princess Celestia spoke. "I wish you we.."

"WAIT!"

All eyes turned to the sound of the voice.

They saw a purple hot air balloon making it's ways towards them. On it was Pinkie Pie.

Twilight's horn glowed with magic as she used her teleportation spell to bring the balloon closer.

"Pinkie, what are you doing?" Twilight asked.

"Well after Rainbow Dash told every-pony that you." She pointed to Spike in an accusing manner. "Were leaving without saying goodbye, we realized we couldn't let that happen." She stated. "So I grabbed my hot air balloon and came after you."

"And the others?" Twilight asked.

They stood back as Pinkie reached into her hair and began pulling the ponies out, one at a time. As soon as they were all out, they began convulsing and speaking.

"It went on forever!" They shouted. "I saw eternity!"

"Well..." Pinkie began as if were all natural. "Applejack got you a basket of the best apples treats she's made." Pinkie opened the balloon to show. "Fluttershy made a guide on communicating with animals. Rarity made you all some scarfs that she enchanted to keep you warm and cool, depending on the environment. "And finally, I'm giving you my balloon, even had Rarity do the design."

"What about Rainbow?" Twilight asked.

"Oh right!" Pinkie reached back into her hair and pulled out a pair of rainbow goggles. "Rainbow said these help with flying through storms."

Now that they had a good look at it, the purple was in the design similar to scales! Specifically, they looked like Spike's scales.

"Thank you all." Spike spoke, eyes near tears. "I'm going to miss you."

"It's only till you get back with stories of your adventures." Twilight stated. "We'll be waiting."

They had started the hot air balloon and where on their way to a grand adventure. Spike couldn't help but keep his eyes on the town he now considered home.

"It's not too late you know." Daring spoke as if she read his mind. "We can always turn back."

Spike kept his eyes on his home for another moment before turning towards the mare. "No, I want to go."

"So where to?" She asked. "There's a whole world out there."

Spike considered the question before a sly smile came onto his face.

"How about we jam the steering mechanism and let the balloon surprise us." Spike offered. Knowing Pinkie, it'll lead us somewhere we'd least suspect.

Daring was actually a little shocked at the idea. It was something that she would come up with. "I must be rubbing of on you."

"For adventure." Spike spoke.

"For adventure." Daring agreed.

Author's Note

I know it's short, I'll try to make it up to you next chapter. I just needed to get this one out of the way. I hope you all like the changes.