Spike's Tale: The First Journey

Storm boarded the train behind Spike. He was amazed at the gathering of all these important Ponies to see Spike off. In all his years he only rarely saw gatherings like this and most of those were at things like the Grand Galloping Gala and Summer Sun Celebration, but this was just for Spike. A young dragon venturing out on his own for the first time. When they boarded the train a gentleman dressed as the steward of the train bowed and led them to the compartment they would share for this leg of the journey. When he entered the cabin he noticed a sitting area off to one side with a small kitchen on the other, and at the back were the beds where they were to sleep. In all the time he had spent traveling he had never once been in a train cabin as luxurious as this one. After scanning the room and it amenities he took a seat in the sitting area and placed a small bag down on the end table beside him.

As the train pulled out of the station he cast one last longing look towards Luna’s tower. It was about this time the steward made an appearance once again in their cabin.

“Sir.” He said Getting storms attention. “This was left with me by Princess Luna, she said to give it to you after the train set out.” With that the steward laid a piece of rolled parchment down tied with a deep blue ribbon and sealed with a wax seal like that of Princess Luna’s cutie mark. He gingerly untied the roll of parchment and broke the seal.

Dear Storm,

I know you are taking this hard, being sent away from me after everything that has happened, but this is not a punishment. I wanted you to go on this journey with Spike so that you might have the chance to make some real friends. I did my best over the years to guide you but, I fear I did you a great disservice, after all before meeting you I knew nothing of how to raise children and I fear I did not give you all opportunities I should have. Take care of yourself and know you will always be my special colt.

Return Safely,

Princess Luna

As he read and reread these words tears began to trickle down his muzzle and he began to cry. She had sent this to reassure him that she was not mad at him and he just could not believe it. He was sure she must have been mad at him for something.  Why else would she have sent him away? But it turns out she had been thinking of him all along.

It was at this moment that Spike came over from where he was sitting on his bed.

“Hey, are you okay? Is there anything I can get you? I know we only just met earlier today but…I don’t think anyone should cry while all alone.” Spike said this to him meaning to cheer him up but in the end this just made him cry even harder. Storm was not used to anyone outside of Princess Luna showing open concern for him and that left him completely unprepared for this current situation.

He took a moment to gather himself back together, got up and fetched himself drink of water before turning to Spike and saying, “Th...Thank you for the offer but no, I am fine. I just was not prepared for what was written in the letter.” He walked back to his seat and sat down doing his best to keep his composure.

Spike came over sat in the chair across from him and asked, “If you don’t mind me asking what is your and Princess Luna’s relationship? You seem very close to her.” Storm looked over at the young dragon sitting across from him and shook his head.

“She is sort of like family to me. She raised me from the time I was a young colt. I was nine years old when she found me wandering through a mountain pass barely holding myself up. She took me in and brought me to the palace in Canterlot and pretty much raised me. Princess Celestia was not originally too fond of this but in the end she gave in seeing how happy her sister was. She made me promise to always protect Luna and make her happy to which I readily agreed to, and the rest, as they say, is history.” Storm told Spike this all the while trying to keep his emotions in check so that he did not break down again and start crying.

It was as the two of them sat there sharing one another’s company that their stomachs growled at almost the same time breaking the tension and causing both of them to laugh. Storm stood up and looked to Spike and asked tentatively, “Would you like to join me for a meal? I mean I will understand if you don’t. I just…I mean…”

Spike smiled while looking at storm and said, “Sure it would give me a break from worrying about what all is waiting for me in the Crystal Empire at the capitol.” With that said they left their room and headed for the dining cart. When they arrived at the dining cart they saw something that neither of them could believe. Sitting at a table at the far end of the room was Rarity with her two children her son Cobalt and his twin sister Aquamarine. Seeing this, Spikes jaw nearly hit the ground he had not seen Rarity since Cobalt and Aquamarine’s third birthday almost a year ago. They walked over and she gestured for them to sit down across from her and her little ones who at that moment were arguing over who got the blue crayon.

“It has been a while Spike, I hope you have been well.” Rarity said while bringing out a second blue crayon and giving it to Cobalt who appeared to have lost the Great Blue Crayon Decision.

“Who is your friend?” Rarity asked, nodding her head in Storm’s direction. “I do not recall having met him before.”

Spike chuckled and said, “He is accompanying me on my first international assignment as Equestria’s Envoy. His name is Storm Blade.” When Rarity heard his name the look that crossed her face was like if Rainbow Dash had done a Sonic Rainboom in front of her face with no time to protect her mane.

“You mean to tell me that they assigned Princess Luna’s…..Oh dear is it really alright to do that…you know with his background and ties to Princess Luna.” Spike looked aghast at rarity, not having expected at reaction like this.

“Rarity, regardless of what you may or may not know it is rude to treat someone like you just did to Storm. Honestly, I am surprised that you of all people would have a reaction like that.” Said Spike, hardly believing he was having to scold one of his closest friends and defend someone he had only just met earlier that day, but her behavior was completely out of line.

Rarity, looking taken aback at Spike’s vehement defense of Storm Blade, did not know what to make of it. She had only thought that they would have sent someone with a better track record to guard Spike. While all this was going on, Storm had retrieved his food and started to head back to their cabin feeling as if he was unwanted by Spike’s friends. That is when something unexpected happened.

“I am sorry darling, please come back. I should know better than to judge people by now and if Spike vouches for you then you are fine in my book.”

Storm looked back at Rarity and Spike who were both motioning for him to come back and sit down. The next couple of hours passed with amiable conversation. Everyone at the table shared stories back and forth including how Spike used to have a huge crush on her, and how she met her husband due to an inadvertent action of Spike’s. She told of how one day when Twilight and Spike had come to her shop to check on her latest works Spike accidentally knocked Opal out the second floor window, where she clung for dear life to treacle on the outer wall. Rarity was beside herself with worry and could not use her magic to get to Opal. When this happened, a unicorn from out of town, who happened to be passing through on business rushed over and climbed the side of the building and used some of his own magic to bring opal to him. From there the two started seeing one another and eventually she and Silver Forge were married. After that, she talked about how she had a big order to fill for the annual Crystal Fair and was on her way to confirm some of the details with the local ponies. Conversation continued in that fashion for the next few of hours.

As the time wore on, Rarity’s children started to fall asleep and all conversations were ended, and everyone said their good nights to one another. Rarity took Cobalt and Aquamarine off to her room, while Spike and Storm headed back to their own. When they returned to their rooms the time on the clock by the door read nine fifty, not having realized that so much time had passed and feeling more tired than either of them had realized from the events of the day they both decided to call it a night and went straight to bed. It was not until the next morning when the train arrived in the station at the capitol of the Crystal Empire that either of them woke. They gathered their belongings together and headed off to meet with Princess Cadence. When they arrived at the palace Shining Armor was there to greet them.

“Hope you two had a pleasant journey. Unfortunately, Cadence is not up yet and I am not sure when she was planning to meet with you. With the Crystal Fair approaching everything around here has gotten really busy. So, for now you are to make yourselves comfortable and enjoy the city.” With that Shining Armor led them to their rooms and left.

Not sure of what to do Spike looked at Storm and asked, “Have you ever been to the Crystal Empire’s capitol.” Storm shook his head in response and followed up by asking,

“If it would not be too much trouble could we go and walk around the city so I can get a better idea of what all is around here in case we have to stay here for any extended period of time either now or on our way back.”

“That is no problem at all I would love to revisit some of the places around here. Who knows we might even be here for the Crystal fair.”  Putting his stuff away, Spike came out of the room where he would sleep and took stock of the suite of rooms given to them for their stay. It was a similar set up to what he and Twilight shared back in Canterlot, but not nearly as homey feeling as the library where he and Twilight had lived in Ponyville. The suite of rooms contained a mutual living space an office and two bedrooms. The living space contained a sofa, a recliner and a large wall of books with a radio a table off to the side.

Storm approached from the direction of his room and motioned to the door letting Spike know he was ready. He was eager for Spike to show him what there was to see what in the Crystal Empire. So walking toward the door they headed out to see the town.