Glory Days

Chapters

Moving Day
Now who's the student?
Happy Birthday

Moving Day

Spike groaned as he set the last of the boxes on the floor, straightening his back with a barely-audible pop. He looked around at the multitude of cardboard containers holding pretty much everything he'd ever known in his life. A melancholy sigh escaped him, despite his best efforts to keep it reigned in.

"Something wrong?" Twilight's voice shook him from his brief reverie, and he started a bit. Turning to face her, a slight blush crept up on his cheeks.

"I... I honestly don't know, Twilight." He muttered. "Do I really have to leave Ponyville?"

"You know, Spike..." Twilight shuffled her wings as she padded across the room towards him, casting a melancholy look around at the assorted paraphernalia. The trappings of a teenage life. "I had a feeling this day would come."

"Huh?"

"Think about it, buddy." She looked up at him with a sad face. "You're a dragon. Do you really think the other princesses would abide having one of their historic enemies roaming free in Ponyville his whole life?" Spike could see the tears welling in her eyes. "Do you really think we'd go on living so idealistically?" She shook her head, one of the tears spilling down her cheek. "I knew there would be a day when they wanted to keep a closer eye on you. I mean, it's not like they can trust dragon supervision to a glorified librarian, right?"

"That, dear Twilight... Is where you'd be wrong." Both Twilight and Spike gasped as their heads snapped up. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna entered the old library that was Spike's new home, looking as regal and beautiful as ever. Spike felt himself stiffen up a little, particularly in light of the last conversation he had had with the solar princess. "How are you settling in, Spike?"

"Fine." Spike managed, shrinking away from Celestia a little. The princess paused before him, looking around the old library wistfully.

"I remember when Twilight used to live here... Did you take your stash of cookies with you when you left?"

"I did," Twilight wiped a hoof across her eyes quickly. She smiled up at Celestia and Luna. To her, they were as good as sisters. To Spike...

Well, they may have been something different altogether. Spike fought the urge to run, despite the fact he would hardly stand a chance against the two of them. Three, if Twilight was as loyal to them as he had reason to believe she was.

Celestia's timeless gaze swept around the room before settling on him once again, and the last conversation he had had with the princess of the day came back in a rush...

"So, you mean to tell me Spike has some sort of hidden potential?"

"I wouldn't call it that," Twilight inhaled a soft breath, closing her eyes as she sought the words to clarify. "It's... different than that. Spike is just so far outside of what we would consider 'normal' for a dragon. Then again, we hardly know what 'normal for a dragon' means in the first place, but I can say this with certainty: He's not what we think he is."

"I'm right here, you know." Spike growled. The other four creatures in attendance to this meeting - all of them princesses - looked at him warily. Spike glowered back, but fell silent. They were inside Celestia's private study in Canterlot, where Luna and Twilight had brought him shortly after his wonderful night of lovemaking with the lunar princess. Luna's demeanor had changed significantly since then. She'd evolved from the sultry and flirtatious ravishing creature of the night into a borderline cold and aloof pony. Spike guessed her heat had passed in the two days since they'd come out here and arranged this meeting, but the change was still rather obvious to him.

Even Twilight seemed different, in a way. She was much more calculating and factual than usual. He'd always been able to elicit a patronizing eye-roll or even a laugh from his pseudo-sister in the past, but the entire train ride to Canterlot, she'd been stoically cold, reading several age-old tomes during the long ride.

Now, sitting in Celestia's study with Cadance, Luna, Twilight, and the solar princess herself in attendance, Spike felt less like Twilight's good friend and more like a subject being studied under a very high-power microscope.

The attention was highly unwanted.

"Sorry, Spike." Twilight closed her eyes. "You have to understand, this is so far outside of the realm of ordinary that I honestly don't know what to do."

"I seriously fail to see how big a deal this is." Spike grumbled once more. "Did we really have to come all the way to Canterlot for this? Do all four of you need to be here? What's the problem?"

"There's not a problem, Spike." Celestia looked down her nose at him. An easy feat, considering how tall she was, even when seated. Celestia still struck an imposing figure, more so than Luna. Where the lunar princess was curvaceous and beautiful in a mysterious, almost sultry way, Celestia seemed hard as a rock and twice as strong. Spike was truly intimidated by her. She radiated an aura of power and presence that Spike had never felt from another creature in his entire life, save some of his kin. In fact, the way she dominated a room was not unlike some of the other dragons Spike had the displeasure of meeting face-to-face in his adolescence.

In some ways, Celestia was more of a dragon than he was.

"What I mean to say is that we've never faced a situation like this before, Spike." She continued, her voice soft and quiet, but it still seemed deafening to him. "You've no idea how many unicorns I've had take the same test as Twilight. To the best of our understanding, your egg was as good as a chunk of rock. No other candidate had succeeded at doing what Twilight did in her youth. Since that day, we've been watching your progression very carefully. Now that Twilight has expressed her concerns for your development, I believe it's time we acted on them."

"What?" Spike perked up. "What suspicions? What are you talking about?" Spike's gaze drifted back-and-forth between Celestia, Luna, and Twilight.

"I'm saying, I don't think Ponyville is the best place for you to be anymore, Spike." Twilight spoke softly. Spike could hear the hurt in her voice, and it echoed in his own heart.

"The four of us believe that you would do better to move here, to Canterlot, Spike. We want you nearby so we can help you."

"So you can monitor me." Spike surmised, his lips curling downward.

"I... Well..." Cadance opened her mouth to speak, but fell silent. All eyes were on her as she took a steadying breath, collecting herself to speak again. "I understand where you're coming from, Spike... I do. When I first earned my horn and became an Alicorn, it felt a lot like I was being imprisoned here. Luna and Celestia had never seen another alicorn before me, so they asked me to stay nearby so they could monitor me. For a long time, I held it against them, but I'm telling you." She reached a hoof across the table towards him. "They have the best of intentions."

"She speaks the truth, Spike." Celestia added. "I understand it feels like we're asking you to move closer so we can keep an eye on you. And yes, that very well may be true. But more than that, we want to be close by to help you, should you require it. After all," She cast a glance towards her desk, where a framed picture of the elements of harmony, with Spike in the middle, sat facing them. "You're every bit as much a friend to Equestria as Twilight and the others are." When she looked back at him, Spike saw a confusing look in her eyes. It was a mix of compassion and hard stoicism that made Spike cringe. He sighed and closed his eyes, thinking hard.

"You're asking me to leave Ponyville. You realize that's been my home for close to my entire life, right?"

"We understand." Celestia nodded. "And we wouldn't ask you to leave if we didn't know what it meant to you. Ponyville is only a short journey by train, and your friends will visit often. I assure you, Spike, this is in your best interest. And ours as well."

There was a long silence as Spike weighed his options. His life back in Ponyville was comfortable to him. He had a lot of friends in the community, and more recently had begun branching out his sexuality. With Applebloom, Applejack, Twilight, Zecora, and many more possibilities before him, Spike was looking forward to spending more time in the sleepy little farm town. He was about to open his mouth to speak when Luna butted in.

"Besides, I need someone to help me beat my video games."

Thus, Spike had moved. Twilight's old library - her home from when she had lived in Canterlot - was still open. Considering his most recent use of it with Applebloom, the princesses saw fit to let him stay there permanently. Spike was tentatively excited to be back in his very first home, though the memories of his early life here were blurred with time. He remembered back to the most recent memory with Applebloom, and had held onto the idea of expanding on that abysmally small collection of erotic memories over the course of the two-month preparatory period.

His exodus from Ponyville was a tearful affair. Applejack and Applebloom had clung to him like foals, bawling their eyes out in a rather uncharacteristic manner. It had taken Twilight and Big Mac to pry them off, with plenty of promises they'd be able to come visit him in Canterlot. Applebloom in particular, who was earning an increasing interest in the Royal Apothecary. Fluttershy was upset to see him go, since he was a good friend to her reptilian animals. Indeed, he was one of the few who could calm them down, and Fluttershy herself was a little creeped out by them. Rainbow Dash could be in Canterlot in a flash, so for her it was as if nothing was changing at all. Still, she read the mood and was a little somber as she bid him farewell.

Pinkie Pie could care less. She threw streamers into the air and had erected a massive banner over the train platform reading 'GOOD-BYE, SPIKEY-WIKEY!' He was still picking sprinkles out of his teeth from the goodbye confectionaries.

Rarity was surprisingly quiet during the farewell. But upon seeing the banner Pinkie had erected, she cracked a hysterical smile and gave him a warm hug. she didn't say anything, but with the embrace, she didn't have to. Spike knew that she knew his feelings towards her. And while they may have originally been an adolescent flight of fancy, Rarity was one of the ponies Spike was looking forward to getting to know the most. She was still as ravishing and beautiful as the first time he had seen her, even as she shed tears onto his scales.

Which led to where Spike found himself now. Celestia stood opposite him, looking as regal and mysterious as she had two short months ago. They held gazes after the cookie stash joke, one's eyes never wavering from the other. Much to his surprise, though, Celestia broke contact first. She gave a soft sigh and looked down at the floor at her hooves.

"I know this is hard for you, Spike. It pains me to ask you to leave your friends in such a fashion..." She looked up then, meeting his eyes once more. Gone was the confusion in her eyes. Instead, Spike saw something that frightened him even more.

Pure turmoil.

"But I want to be here for you. Not just as a princess, but as a friend too. You've been a great help to Equestria thus far, be it helping Twilight and the other elements, or your contributions to the Crystal Empire... You're as steadfast a citizen as any princess could ask for, and that's why it breaks my heart to ask you to stay here with me - away from your friends and family. Please, Spike." She reached a hoof out to him. "I don't want you to think of me as your jailer. I want to help you, should you require it. And I want to get to know you more. On a personal level, as it were."

"I... What?" Spike curled away from the hoof. "Princess, are you offering to-"

"She most certainly is not." Luna sniffed the response. "She's offering to be your friend, Spike. Nothing more. Besides," She flashed him a quick smile. "That's what I'm here for."

"I don't understand..." Celestia gave Luna a perplexed look. "Was I offering something?"

Luna, Twilight, and Spike shared a look before answering in unison.

"No you were not."

The first night was the worst. Spike spent much of the rest of that day unpacking. Twilight offered to stay and help, but Spike respectfully sent her away. He had many things on his mind, and having Twilight there as a distraction wasn't going to help his mood. Instead, Spike began unpacking his things, which he noted hardly took up any of the space in the library, before doing some cursory cleaning. After that, he stretched out on the threadbare mattress for a good night's rest...

That never seemed to come. Spike tossed and turned on the threadbare mattress, and even one of the couches in the library, but sleep in his strange new surroundings was not forthcoming. He tried every trick in the book, even resorting to a late-night walk to a nearby convenience store for some milk (much to the surprise of the mousy mare working the cash register.) Even that tried-and-tested method of putting him to sleep wasn't yielding results. With a heavy heart and heavy eyes, Spike greeted the next day sluggishly.

First order of business: Decor. Much to Spike's reluctance, the princesses had seen fit to give him a sizable fund for re-furnishing the library. Being a bit of a penny-pincher (and having learned from one of the most frugal mares in Equestria,) Spike spent little and saved the rest. He carried all of his purchases back to the library in short order, and had soon integrated them into the rest of the sparse furnishings. With any luck, the heavy quilt would help him sleep that night.

After that was grocery shopping. A growing dragon of his size could eat three pony-sized meals and have room enough to munch down a whole pizza. Spike was concerned with the issue of feeding him - an issue he'd resolved back in Ponyville by helping Pinkie Pie and Applejack out as much as possible. Here, there weren't any farms for him to put in a good, hard day's work at in return for a good amount of food. But just as Spike was about to begin panicking, he checked the funds he had been given for food. What he saw very nearly made his jaw drop. Spike shuffled through the massive pile of bits, surprised to find more than enough for him to purchase all the food he'd want.

In a penny-pinching mood, Spike went to the nearest supermarket. A dragon's diet consisted chiefly of gems, but Spike had never felt the need to hoard (save that one time, but he didn't like to think about how greedy he'd become.) His appetite for jewels had been whetted with a relatively regular pony diet. He just required more of it. The ponies at the supermarket were a little squeamish about having a dragon in their midst, but with one guard's intervention, they were assured he wouldn't be burning them to cinders any time soon.

Shopping complete, Spike returned home and began cooking a truly massive meal. He'd hardly eaten anything since the move to Canterlot, and save the late-night milk, he was starving. About an hour of slaving over the stove later, Spike had a full three-course meal planned with plenty to spare for later on in the week. With the way his appetite was growing, Spike would probably have to ask the princesses for more money soon, but what he had would last him. And, just maybe, he'd be able to find a way to procure more edibles in exchange for work. Heavens knew sitting around reading comic books all day would hardly be enough to keep him occupied.

Appetite sated and library furnished, Spike discovered he was actually exhausted. He collapsed onto the minimal bed and let his reptilian eyes slide shut. Today had been busy and he was exhausted, falling asleep immediately. But he had enough time for one final thought before falling asleep.

'Tomorrow... I get some answers from the Princesses.'

Now who's the student?

The day dawned bleak and dreary, at least for Canterlot in the transition between autumn and summer. Spike grumbled as he looked out of the window at the pearly-grey sky and flat sunlight.

"Hmm..." He mused, gnawing on his lower lip. "Doesn't seem like Celestia's in a good mood today. Still. I need answers." He turned from the window and went to relieve himself. The pony-sized bathroom was just about right for him, but if the princesses could be believed, he'd continue growing. Before long, this bathroom might not fit him. Still, he enjoyed a scalding shower (that felt like a cool breeze to him) before stepping out of his home. Just as he thought, the day was dreary and overcast. He saw plenty of open-air diners that typically would have several ponies enjoying their breakfast in the mid-morning sun instead huddled with closed umbrellas; their patrons perched inside on warm benches and chairs.

Spike would have loved to stop and have a morning coffee or maybe a beagel, but he was already drawing worried looks from everypony. Yesterday's trip to the supermarket with his over-stuffed cart had sent plenty of whispers shuddering through the hyperactive social structure of Canterlot. Spike would have liked nothing more than to let those whispers remain just that. Instead of indulge, he made his way to the castle, picking up to a brisk trot at places to avoid the seemingly imminent rain. Several drops chased him inside, and the cobblestone walkway was growing dark with them by the time he made the stairs. The guards didn't look at him, but he could sense some tension in the air as he passed.

Any other era, a dragon trotting into the Canterlot Castle would have been cause for panic and armed response. "Funny how the times change." Spike mumbled as he made for Celestia's private office.

Much to his surprise, the solar princess greeted his timid knock with a cheery voice. He snaked his head inside tenuously. "Hello, Spike!" Celestia beamed at him from over the top of a book she was reading. "Give me just a moment."

"No rush." Spike mumbled, shocked to find Celestia doing something so natural as reading a book. From the title, he guessed it was actually some sort of fiction. Perhaps a romance or some other tale. Whatever it was, Spike was surprised to see it wasn't some ancient and mysterious tome of magic or maybe a report of the goings-on in Equestria. In short order, Celestia dog-eared the page and set the paperback volume aside. She smiled genuinely at Spike, her look expectant and warm. Compared to what he had seen of the princess just yesterday, Spike was apprehensive.

"Celestia, I have some concerns." He found his courage as soon as the first words crossed his lips. Celestia's look morphed from a warm greeting into genuine compassion. He steeled himself once more and continued. "You say me moving to Canterlot is a good move for the both of us. I can't help but feel as if I'm being entraped. Why was I forced to leave my old life behind? Why did I have to move here? Are you concerned that I'd eventually-"

"Allow me to stop you there, Spike." Celestia stood from her desk, the serene smile back in-place. "I have no fear in my heart that you would ever do harm to Equestria or her citizens. Twilight tells me time and again how devoted you are to your community, and how happy she is to have you - not as a servant - but as a friend." She swept around the desk gracefully. To Spike, it seemed almost like she flowed, moving so quickly yet so smoothly that he could hardly register it until her cuff-clad hoof rested on his shoulder. "I want you to come to feel the same way about the ponies here in Canterlot. They may be less forthcoming and initially aloof when compared to Ponyville's rural community, but there is warmth and friendship in this city as well. Furthermore, you are new and strange to these ponies. many of them have gone their whole lives without ever hearing about or seeing a dragon." She withdrew, taking with her hoof a fair bit of tension. Spike hadn't realized it, but his claws had dug into the carpet with her so close. He released the upholstery as Celestia continued.

"I'm afraid I may have inconvenienced you for quite a time, Spike. The ponies here are so unused to you, I honestly fear you'll struggle to make friends. Thus, I've taken it upon myself to assist you." She smiled again, the sadness gone from her eyes. "By becoming your friend."

"I... wait, what?" Spike blinked at her. "I... I thought we already were...?"

"Only in the basest of terms. Previously, we were more like... Hmm, acquaintances." She beamed at him again, a warm gesture that made even more tension evaporate from Spike's muscles. "It's not every day a princess says she's friends with a dragon. Would you do me the honor?"

"I... Of course, I mean, even if you weren't a princess I'd say yes, but..." He stood to his full height - his eyes were almost even with Celestia's just then. "My concerns still stand. I do not feel comfortable living in Canterlot. I feel..."

"Homesick?" Celestia offered. Spike wilted a little.

"Sure. Let's go with that." Spike managed. "I just don't feel like I'm going to be welcome here. Ever."

"Well, let's see what we can do to fix that, shall we?" Celestia gave a devious grin; the kind that would make a lesser being faint but instead just made Spike frown. "Follow me, please."

"Woah, is that Princess Celestia and... And a dragon?"

"Who is that? Why is he with the princess?"

"Is she drinking tea with a dragon?"

"Isn't that the one dragon who lived in Ponyville with Celestia's student? What's his name; Spike?"

"Celestia..." Spike groaned into his cup, casting a furtive glance around them. "They're talking about us."

"Good. Mission accomplished." Celestia sipped at her own steaming cup of tea. She had taken Spike out of the castle and into the Canterlot streets, where the cloud cover was beginning to give way to sporadic rays of sunshine. It seemed the weather team had only scheduled a light shower that morning, and having concluded their business, were busy shuttling the clouds away in chunks. Spike and Celestia now sat on the patio of a nearby cafe, both nursing their own beverages as ponies went about their day hardly four feet away from their table. Not before stopping and staring at the wondrous specatcle first, of course.

"You see, Spike." Celestia set her cup down. "You and I are setting an example. By seeing the two of us together in such an informal setting, they will see you as less of a threat and more of what you really are." She laid a hoof on her breast. "A friend to the common pony."

"You are anything but common, Princess." Spike muttered into his cup. He was sure she heard him, but she gave no indication. For that, Spike was grateful. "So, since we're... Friends... What do you want to talk about?"

"I'm sure you have a million questions for or about me, Spike. Considering I'm trying to do everything I can to learn about you, I think it's only fair you learn a little about me." She tilted her head to the side, giving him a faint smile. "Ask me anything you want."

"Alright then." Spike thought to start this particular rockslide off with a nonchalant question. "What were you reading this morning, when I first came into your office."

"Aah, you've got me there." She blushed and covered her coy smile with a hoof. "I've a certain penchant for historical fiction."

"I've heard of fiction before, but historical fiction?" Spike lifted an eyebrow.

"Taking events from the past and putting the author's own twist on them. Reading about the Pony/Griffon war from the viewpoint of a half-griffon, half-pegasus bastard who changed the course of both nation's history is truly magnificent. Partially because I was there, and I know the actual outcome. Still. it's a fun reminder of the past and the things I've been through. Almost like re-writing certain parts of my own history."

"I see." Spike pursed his lips in thought. "That's certainly interesting. I never thought you for the type who'd read fiction at all."

"Hmm? Why not?" Celestia tilted her head again. "It's nice to escape for a little while. Believe it or not, Spike, the life of a Princess is much more stressful than ponies might think. I spend a great deal of time trying to relax and unwind. Sometimes with a book, other times with a cup of tea on a nice day." She gestured around them, and the steadily-thinning yet still curious passersby. Some of them cast wary looks their way, as if fearing Celestia was off her rocker, but others smiled at the sight. Spike tried to take note of their faces; they were likely going to be some of his first friends.

"Now," Celestia clapped her hooves together. "I've answered one of your questions, it's only fair that you answer one of mine."

"Oh. Okay." Spike shifted in his seat. He wondered what she might ask of him, and whether or not he'd have a proper answer. She looked at him for a few long, intense moments before posing her question.

"Do you have any sort of magical capability outside of sending me messages?"

While not quite out of left field, the question did make Spike pause with thought. He thought about a way to tell Celestia the incumbent properties of his donations to Applebloom's talent without telling her those donations were actually sperm to be used in brewing aphrodisiacs. He advanced cautiously.

"I have it on good faith from Zecora and the Royal Apothecary that I have some unforseen magical powers, yeah..." Spike muttered. "And Luna tells me that she's... Ahem, she's seen some power in the form of my dreams."

"I see." Celestia gestured for him to continue after a short pause.

"What I can do or what any of it means is beyond me, but I know that I have some power. I mean, I can't like levitate objects like a unicorn can." He gestured to a nearby waiter pouring a cup of tea with his magic. "And I'm not any good at growing things like Applejack... And, I mean..." He ran a hand over the scales on his shoulder. "I can't fly either."

"Those aren't things to be ashamed of, mind you."

"No, not at all!" Spike flustered a bit. "I'm very happy with the way I am. Eer, the way I... Was..."

"The way you were?" Celestia leaned in. "What way is that? What's changed?"

"Well..." Spike rubbed the back of his neck. He wanted to tell Celestia the main reason he was missing Ponyville just then was the mares he was getting involved with. It felt like ages since he'd last had some fun, though in reality it was just the night before his departure - three short days ago. Still, that could feel like an age when you had the libido of a growing draogn. "Nothing," he resigned quietly. "Don't worry about it."

"Hmm. I'll not pressure you, Spike." Celestia finished her cup of tea. "But you know I'm here to talk if you want."

'Not about this, Princess... Never about this.'

"Yeah, sure." Spike nodded. "Say, uuh... What's Luna up to?"

"She typically sleeps during the daytime, though one can sometimes see her out and about running errands, or if I have need of her input on something. We said our farewells just before you arrived, actually. She may still be awake, if you have need of her."

"I... Maybe later." Spike resigned himself with a soft sigh. He felt in need of some release just then. Celestia either didn't pick up on his discomfort or she didn't care, but she slid off of her seat and nodded with her head.

"I have another proposition for you, Spike. But it'd be best shared in private. Away from... Prying eyes." She cast a quick glance at one little filly who was openly gawking at them.

"S-sure..." Spike followed Celestia away from the cafe and back towards the castle. Walking down the street, he noticed some ponies would back away fearfully from the duo, while others called out to Celestia or smiled at her as they past. He found their smiles tended to stay in place when they saw him with her.

He found he rather liked that.

"So, what's this 'proposition?'" Spike followed Celestia back into her office, stopping short as she whirled on him. Her eyes danced with a bright light, enough to cast a bit of illumination into the sunlit room. Spike blinked in shock, his back almost against the door.

"It's been some time since I've had a student."

"I- oh." Spike almost reminded her of Twilight until he remembered his pseudo-sister had wings of her own now. She was probably every bit Celestia's student as Applebloom was. "Are you saying..."

"If you'd like, Spike." She nodded warmly. "I'll teach you what I can about your own magic." She paused for a moment before lifting a hoof and rolling it patronizingly. "I mean, I don't know much about it, so I suppose we'll both be learning, but having me around couldn't hurt, right?"

'Or it very well could.' Spike squirmed as his discomfort was beginning to grow. He spared a moment to look over Celestia's body. It was nothing more than quick glance, easily dismissed as a shy gesture or even an initial reading on a pony, but to Spike it meant so much more. She was larger than Luna, but not by very much. Where Luna was curvaceous and very mare-like, Celestia was slender, almost delicate. But underneath that radiant white coat of hers, Spike saw something else. It was in the way she carried herself, and the way she spoke and held her head.

This was not a pony to be having fantasies about. Celestia was powerful, resolute, and strong. Where Luna might be approachable and even a little bit sultry, Celestia was staunch. Her form was not one to be lusted after or appreciated. It was one to be subject to, and to respect. Maybe to admire, but never to consider making his own. In light of that fact, Spike's desire wilted away, giving him room to breathe.

"Alright." Spike conceded. "If you'd like, I'll... I dunno, would you call it 'taking lessons' from you?"

"Hardly." Celestia gave him another smile, though something about this one seemed markedly more... Genuine. "I'd say it's more like... Taking the first step together." Her eyes flashed again, and Spike couldn't help but see something he was familiar with. It was the same look Twilight got when she was confronted with a new and interesting problem. The same look she had when looking at something she didn't know.

Celestia was excited.

"We start next week."

"Well hello, Spike." Luna's sultry voice preceded the princess stepping into his kitchen. Spike started a bit, but his shock quickly faded into something else as he caught the scent of Luna wafting past his nose.

"Hello, Luna." He gulped, focusing on the saucepan before him. "You caught me at a bad time, I was just making dinner."

"Oh, good. I'm famished." Luna slid up to his side, making sure she brushed against his scales very pointedly. Spike gave a thin whimper, the wooden spoon pausing in its stirring.

"I, uuh... I hope you like Neightallian."

"It's one of my favorites." She winked up at him. "I'll bet you're wondering why I came."

"Lemme guess," Spike sighed. "Celestia told you I asked for you."

"Intuitive as always. What, pray tell, would give you reason to ask for me this morning?" She mused, walking a half-circle behind him. Spike swallowed hard and doubled his focus on the saucepan.

"I, uuh... Well..."

"Oh come on, Spike... You can't expect me to buy the 'shy, stuttering gentle giant' act, now, can you?" Spike gasped as he felt her hooves rest on his back. She lifted herself up so her lips were right next to his ear. "You've said some truly devious things to me in the past... No need to be shy."

"Aah... Well, I..." Spike was finding it more and more difficult to focus on the sauce with Luna's chest pressed against his back, just on the right side of his spines. Her hooves began kneading in circles, further distracting him.

"Hmm, Spike, you're all tense... I wonder why..." She was such an incorrigible tease. Spike knew better than to pressure or dismiss her, though. Firstly, that would be counteractive to his needs. Secondly...

He rather liked her when she was teasing him.

"I... need to get laid." Spike finally managed. The sauce was just about done, so he flicked the burner off and let it simmer down to cook. That done, he could focus on keeping his penis from erupting out of its sheath. It was a monumental task, but he knew if he played his cards right, Luna would oblige.

"Oh Spike you naughty dragon! Whatever in the world would make you think I'd be the pony to see for such a thing?" Her breath was hot against him, her hooves digging deeper into the muscles beneath his scales. part of him was getting wound-up at her teasing, and the other part was being forcibly relaxed thanks to the expert touch on his back. It was a strange contrast, and making the task of keeping himself restrained all the more difficult.

"Luna, please..." Spike groaned, his eyes fluttering closed. "I've been wound up all friggin' day... I need this."

"Oh you need it, huh?" She cooed. "You don't sound very desperate. I wonder just how badly you actually need this."

"Please," Spike grit his teeth. "I... I'm desparate here."

"I'm sure you are, Spike." Luna purred, slowly sliding her hooves around his torso. Her chest pressed tightly to his back. She was warm against him, and that was saying a lot for a dragon. He was pleased to see that even when she wasn't in heat, she could still be as sultry and provocative as anything. "Come on now," She kissed the thinner scales on the edge of his jaw. "You know what I need..."

"I... Please," Spike panted. "I... I want you so badly..."

"That's a start." Luna pushed herself away suddenly, leaving Spike feeling cold of all things. "Let's eat first. No sense going about this sort of business on an empty stomach. Besides." She nodded at the stove. "The sauce is surely done by now."

"Wha- Oh, shit!"

And thus Spike learned just how hot Luna could make him. Hot enough to cook marinara sauce.

They ate in silence, though Luna had a ravenough appetite, on-par with his own. Spike was thankful he had prepared extra helpings to be used as leftovers. Instead, he and Luna cleaned their plates, both of them sitting back with a hearty sigh.

"I tell you," Spike moaned, patting his scaly stomach. "I could go for some cider after that."

"While I don't think I can get us any cider," Luna's horn glowed as a bottle materialized before them. "I can do wine."

"Ooh..." Spike licked his lips. "Never tried it before."

"Careful," Luna summoned two clear glasses as well. "It's an... acquired taste. Newcomers might find its effect a little... Intense."

"I see." Spike frowned at the crimson liquid as Luna poured them two glasses, though she kept the fuller one for herself.

"Cheers," She clinked their glasses together before taking a light sip. Spike followed suit, grimacing at the uncharacteristic bite.

"Ouf," He grimaced. "Do... Do ponies actually like this stuff?" He licked his lips, finding that the unpleasant bite dulled into a slightly musky aftertaste, but still unpleasant.

"We do indeed." Luna chuckled. "As I said, it's an acquired taste... I'll not blame you if you won't finish yours." She took another sip, swirling her glass a little.

"I think I can suffer through a glass or two." Spike jested, taking another, more bold sip. He was better-prepared for the bite this time, and he swirled it around his tongue before swallowing. It left a pleasant burn in his throat, one that made him fear to test his voice against it. "So..."

"So." Luna grinned at him. "How was your visit with Celestia?"

"It was pretty good, actually." Spike shrugged, leaning back once more. "I didn't really get any answers, but she and I shared some tea in public, so I know those ponies think I'm not so much of a threat anymore."

"You think they view you as a threat?"

"It kinda felt that way the other day." Spike grumbled, swirling his own glass. Luna had already almost caught up to where he was, so he took another sip. "Some of the looks I was getting were just... Rude."

"Canterlites are like that." Luna shrugged. "They fear change and new things. Some of them have reacted much more openly in the past. The fact that none of them outright attacked you means they don't fear you as much as the yare just shocked by you. It will pass in time, I assure you."

"I sure hope so." Spike took another sip, finding he was coming to like the bite of the wine. He knew this would soon take hold of him, and he'd be pleasantly loopy before long. Already, the room was cast in a sultry glaze, and he met Luna's eye across the table. She held his gaze for a long while before taking another bold sip, putting her glass under the halfway mark. Spike knew that once those glasses were empty, he'd get what he was looking for. But that was in a little while. They had to finish them first. Luna spoke again.

"Anything else you wanted to tell me about your visit with my sister?"

"Oh, she's going to teach me. Well, I say 'teach' loosely... She plans on helping me discover my magic, and how to control it."

"Ah huh." Luna grinned at him. "So you're taking lessons from both of us now."

"Huh?" Spike perked up at her just as she lifted her glass and downed the rest of the wine. "What do you mean from both of you?"

"Spike," She set her glass down with a clink, her horn glowing. Spike felt his own glass slip out of his claw to rest beside hers. "Don't be naive. I know why you wanted to see me today."

"To get laid, I thought we already-"

"No, Spike." She grinned at him. "You wanted to see me so you could practice."

"I... I..." Realization dawned on him. "You're offering to-"

"To teach you how to please a mare." Luna affirmed, slowly slipping around the table. Spike tensed up as her horn glimmered again, sliding his chair back and around to face her. She advanced on him, planting her hooves on his thighs. Her face was an inch from his, her chest pressed tight to his own. "The right way."

His erection slid forth slowly, coming to a pulsating rest on his stomach. Spike swallowed hard, feeling that same sense of sexual intimidation he did around Luna. She was so much older and experienced than him; he knew he didn't have a chance in the heavens of ever pleasing her properly.

But if she showed him how, and Spike could learn how to please her 'the right way...'

There wasn't a mare in the world who could handle him.

"I'll be on your bed." Luna glanced down at the throbbing pink shaft of flesh, a devious grin on her lips. "Keep him out. I dare say you're going to need it."

She was gone in a puff of shadow, leaving Spike in his chair with hardly an ounce of strength left. He felt cold in her absence, and that wasn't a good thing for a dragon to feel. But the heat came back readily, in the form of his raging desire. Nothing was going to stop him from following up with Luna now... He gave himself thirty seconds before standing up, carefully replacing his chair, and walking with measured steps towards his bedroom.

True to her word, Luna was waiting for him. She sat on the edge of the mattress, her legs dangling over side. She was utterly exposed to him, both her forehooves indenting the sheets as she lay back. Upon seeing him walk in, Luna grinned. "Good," She cooed. "You kept him up... Now, Spike, lesson one in pleasing a mare:" She lifted a hoof to make her point. "Make sure she's good and ready. I won't go into specifics about how to lure a mare to your bed, unless you really need it. So, once we're at this point..." She spread her legs even wider, giving Spike an unblemished view of her petite sex. "You need to make sure you're ready to advance..."

"Aah..." Spike inhaled the scent of Luna's arousal. There was no doubt she was prepared. A bead of secretion dribbled down her glistening labia, following the curve of her thigh into the sheets. As Spike advanced, his eyes flickered between Luna's gorgeous face and her pulsating vagina. "You... Look about ready to me..."

"Oh sure, I am..." Luna flicked his nose. "But I'm not your average mare. How do you tell a mare is ready, Spike?"

"I... I guess you check and see if they're wet...?"

"So check." Luna's horn leapt to life and she grasped his claw, forcing it against her crotch. Spike gasped as he felt the molten warmth of her dripping cunt slide over his exposed talon. She was positively dripping, more than ready. Just seeing her in this state made Spike ache with the need to fill her up. Instead, he worked his claw against her, listening to the thin moans his tender motions elicited.

"There you go," She whispered breathlessly. Her hoof fell back into the sheets, her head rolling back in bliss. "Just like that... If a mare isn't wet, Spike, you need to make her wet. I know from our past endeavors you're skilled in cunnilingus. So if your claws don't do it..."

"AAH-Hmmph!" Spike's gasp was quickly muffled as Luna's magic took hold of his face, shoving it between her thighs roughly.

"Your tongue will. Get to it, Spike."

"Haah-oohmp." Spike set to his task gladly. Second only to intercourse, eating a mare out was indeed his favorite thing. Twilight, Applebloom, and the others had told him his tongue was unlike any other's. Sure enough, the thin, muscular cord was not a normal tongue by any means. Spike had learned to use every inch of that particular appendage, and had managed to tongue Applebloom into submission several times over their intimate history. Licking an Earth Pony to orgasm was a feat not a lot could say they had accomplished. Spike had done so more times than he cared to count.

Thus, when he began licking Luna, his desire erupted into fruition. He doubled his tongue back and pushed the rounded edge against Luna's pulsating slit, sliding into her with ease. A normal mare would take more preparation than that, but Luna was wet enough to douse an acre of farmland. He slid in with ease, and the princess had no complaints. Once inside, Spike undulated his tongue, sliding the underside of his slobbery appendage along the roof of Luna's love canal until he had fully extended it. He reached all the way inside of her, to the back portion of her canal where it turned up to meet the princess' cervix. He still had room to work with, but most mares had never been touched that deeply in their lives.

Instead, Spike curled up the last half of his tongue, grinding it up and down Luna's pubis. The effect was clitoral manipulation and a miniature waterfall of feminine ejaculate.

"SPIKE!" Luna gasped, suddering atop the sheets. He grinned up at her, pulling his tongue out nice and slowly.

"One already?"

"You devious little reptile," She panted, looking down at him with a giddy expression. "Who taught you that?"

"Practice, I suppose..." Spike licked his lips, savoring the taste of Luna on his tongue. His cock was oozing pre by now, begging to be paid attention. It took everything he had to avoid stroking himself then and there, helped by the fact that he knew Luna would be displeased if he did.

"Hmm. Good. Well, that's step one nice and covered." Luna pushed herself forward, shoving Spike backwards easily. They landed on the thin carpet with Luna astride him, his erection pressed between her slick hips and the scales on his stomach. "Let's go ahead and skip to the final lesson."

"What's the final-aah!" Spike gasped as Luna ground her hips down against him, flattening his rod between them. She continued grinding upwards, dragging her oozing cunt all along the underside of his shaft. She didn't stop until her hole had passed his tip, pressing tantalizingly against her tailhole. She arched an eyebrow down at him, her hips dropping back just a bit to tease him with entry.

"The final lesson, my faithful student..." Luna cooed, backing up another step. "Is anal."

"Oh... Oooooohh..." Spike's realization turned into a groan as Luna began backing herself up onto his cock, slowly gliding her tailhole down his entire length. She lifted her forehooves off of the ground, instead resting them on his chest. Spike was treated with the whole view of Luna's luscious form, from the tip of her horn down to the joint of their bodies, where his cock disappeared into her anus. Her vagina poised just over the scales on his stomach, still oozing fluid onto the pale-colored reptilian plates below. Spike could feel each drop as it impacted him.

"That's more like it." Luna moaned. "Feels like it's been ages..."

"When... Aah... Was your last?" Spike whimpered, his claws fighting to rise up to her hips. He kept them on the ground, though he had to curl them into fists.

"You." She answered simply. "The potions and Ponyville..."

"That was almost three months ago..." Spike looked up at her. Luna's eyes slid down to him, and another devious grin crossed her lips.

"I know."

With that, Luna's hips bottomed out on his stomach. Spike gasped and flexed inside of her, feeling each ridge of her anus hugging him tightly. Luna's ass was molten inside, hot enough to probably scorch a lesser being. Spike grunted as she repeated the motion, gyrating her hips in addition to slamming them down against him. The impact wasn't felt in favor of the pleasure gripping every last inch of his dragonhood, though. Luna settled into a rhythm, picking up the pace and intensity as she slammed herself down onto him time and again.

Nopony could have withstood that onslaught of pleasure. Spike grunted as his seed erupted inside of her, spurting forth with several intense blasts of steamy cum. His tongue lolled out of his mouth and he went limp underneath her, his muscles robbed of any sense of coordination. Luna herself appeared to reach a climax as well, if her ear-wrenching scream was any indication. She shuddered atop him, dribbling a thin stream of cum onto his stomach. His scales were slick with it, and he felt her anus clench his cock so tight he feared he wouldn't be able to emit any more release.

When the orgasmic high receded to leave the two of them panting and grinning like schoolfillies, Spike finally rested his claws on Luna's waist.

"That was incredible..."

"For skipping to the last step you performed well." Luna teased, slowly bringing herself up and off of Spike's softening pillar of flesh. "But I think you need to brush up on the ones between."

"Eep."

Spike limped towards the door as the persistent knocking came once more, pounding into his overly-sensitive head. He pulled the door open, only to be greeted by a very obtrusive spear and the angry-looking guard pony holding it.

"You there! Dragon! We've had reports of screaming coming here!" Spike backed up, immediately raising his claws into the air. The guard followed, keeping the spear pointed straight at his throat. "Students passing by reported screams coming from this library! Explain yourself!"

Several more guards filed in behind him, each of them fanning out into the library to sweep the interior. Spike was pushed backwards until he hit the book case, the spear tickling the scales on his neck.

"Look, I know we were being noisy..."

"NOISY?!" The guard held the blade against his neck. "There were screams! Loud ones!"

"Excuse me."

Everypony froze.

Luna strode into the room, still wiping the remains of their last session from her face, and smelling like a cheap whorehouse on a busy night.

"Everything's fine here. I suggest you leave. I'm not finished with Spike just yet."

Happy Birthday

Spike shuffled through the knee-high puddle of streamers, confetti, confectioneries, and various party paraphernalia. He met with success, but only because his claws managed to squish into some cupcakes, and that made for a quick - if slippery transition from party floor to hallway. Trailing obnoxious pink streamers and a few wisps of smoke from his nostrils, Spike stomped towards the castle's entrance. He drew curious looks from several guards and more than a few glares from some cleaning staff, but he had more pressing matters on his mind than angering a pony with a mop.

Tromping out of the front doors and down the drive, Spike spotted his quarry bouncing happily his way. The exuberant bouncing came to a slow halt as she saw an angry amethyst dragon approaching her, and soon turned into abject horror as Spike broke into a slow trot.

"H-hey, Spike... Everything okay?" She asked warily. Spike's nostrils flared as he picked up into a run.

Say what you will, but a teenage dragon is a thing to be feared on a good day. Spike was not having one of those, and he was picking up speed.

"Too..."

"Spike?"

"Many..."

"Uuh, hey buddy mind slowing do-"

"STREAMERS!"

With a squeal, Pinkie Pie turned and ran as fast as she could away from the roaring dragon, still trailing fluttering pieces of confetti and a stray bit of icing.

After Spike caught up with the obnoxious pink party pony and chided her for her over-exuberance (with a few spanks and a good tonguing,) things ran rather smoothly. Spike wasn't terribly upset with her, but he knew how much Pinkie loved theatrics and she played the 'submissive prey' role readily. After cleaning up their second mess, it was back to work.

Planning a party for a princess was perturbingly perplexing and could possibly punctuate the period of planning with a few panic-fueled problems. Twilight Sparkle was celebrating her birthday, and Spike was determined to make it one for the ages. He had enlisted Pinkie Pie's assistance on promise of a good party (and a good fucking) once everything had gone off. Pinkie was one of those ponies that was unabashed in her advances towards Spike (and just about anypony else) over the course of their development. It was kind of just her way of showing affection. She loved to make her friends smile, be it in the form of a few tactfully-placed party poppers or a blowjob.

To Spike, the transition from 'friend' into 'friend with benefits' was a rather natural and easy-going one. Spike had been intent on fully sealing the deal with Pinkie sometime after he had begun sleeping with Twilight and Applebloom, but had never found the time in either his or the fluffy ball of fury's schedule. Over the course of this party, Spike was intent on sealing that deal. The tonguing and foreplay after the streamer incident was fun and all, but Spike was looking forward to making it an official erotic partnership.

First thing's first, he had to make it through the party. At the time, it was maybe nine in the morning, and Spike was wrapping up the last bits of preparation for Twilight's arrival. Much like the one party several years ago, Pinkie Pie had managed to book the castle's main ballroom for the party, just outside of the castle grounds. Spike had been told there weren't any high-brow functions just outside the large glass doors this time around, and Rarity had had plenty of time to prepare Twilight's dress before the day.

The ballroom was cleared of the knee-deep streamers in a way only Pinkie Pie could manage, and it involved some sort of temporal anomaly in Pinkie's gastric system, or at least a fair bit of magic she ought not to have access to. After the decorations had been redone and the confetti reigned in to what could be called 'respectable' levels, Spike and Pinkie Pie went to the train station to greet their friends.

"Spike! Over here!" Applejack's orange hoof shot up over the small crowd at the train station, and upon making the connection between the farm pony and the dragon, the way between them promptly parted. Spike chuckled as he and Pinkie waded down an aisle of wary onlookers towards the small entourage.

"Is this everybody?"

"Not quite," Applejack grinned up at him. "Twilight, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash are flyin' in around noon. Meanwhile, yer stuck with us. Ah swear, you grow more n' more each time ah see ya. They feedin' you alright here in Canterlot? None of that frou-frou city-slicker baloney?"

"You could say that." Spike spared a quick glance at Pinkie, who blushed and coughed into her hoof to cover up the scent of one of her confectioneries. She had a penchant for cleaning out the 'after-cunnilingus' taste with a cupcake or four. "I'm doing good, AJ. how about you? Missing me in Ponyville?"

"Oh, you know how it is..." Applejack waved a hoof. "Some days we need yer help around th' farm, other days we just need yer help." She glanced up as a glimmer of magic crossed their ears, followed promptly by a stack of luggage that would have towered over even Celestia.

"Then again, some things never change."

"A little- NGH! Help would be nice, darling." Rarity grunted as she struggled with the massive load her magic was hovering, trying to maneuver one very unhelpful duffel bag around a bit of the railing on the train platform. Spike untangled the mess and hauled a few of the larger cases up onto his shoulders. "Thank you, Spike. My, you look lovely! I see Canterlot living has treated you well thus far."

"Uuh, sure." Spike shrugged. "Just getting by, you know... Day to day."

"Ah huh." Rarity beamed up at him as she hoisted her lighter load a little higher. "Well, shall we deposit these? I dare say we have at least a little while to unwind and catch up before everything starts."

"Follow me." Spike led the small party back towards the castle, though he couldn't help but feel there were more than a few eyes on him. Subconsciously, he flexed his muscles and swayed his hips a little more as he walked.

Behind, he heard Applejack trip over her own hooves and fall to the pavement with a curse.

After unloading, the old friends took a quick break for tea. Rarity had brought a set of her own, unsurprisingly. Steaming cups in claw and hoof, they sat back to relax and prepare themselves for the day ahead. Even Pinkie seemed relatively sober. Spike wondered how long that would last, considering her 'tea' could be described as a small mountain of sugar with a drop of the brew spattered on it for good measure.

"So, how are you settling in here, Spike?" Rarity asked after a brief silence. Spike smiled down at his cup as he turned it around in his claws.

"It's okay. Nothing special, really. You remember when I told you why I was leaving, right? What the reason was?"

"It was about y'all havin' some kinda magic, right?" Applejack arched an eyebrow. "You've been sendin' messages to Princess Celestia fer as long as ah've known yeh. Ah figgered it'd be somethin' like that."

"Well, you're not wrong." Spike sighed. His doubt about Celestia's motives returned for half a moment, but was soon replaced by a gentle hoof on the back of his claw.

"I'm sure there's more than one good reason you're in Canterlot, Spike. To be frank, I'm rather happy for you. You've grown up so much." At Rarity's kind words, Spike blushed. In truth, he did miss his friends and the familiarity of the farm town, but Canterlot was full of wonders that he had only just last week begun to explore. He had had a full two weeks to acclimate to living in the arcane city between Celestia's offer for lessons and Twilight's birthday. Celestia knowingly held off on beginning his lessons in light of that fact, so Spike got some time to himself to reconcile all that had happened.

He moped for a week, seeking solace in Luna once during one particuarly nasty night. But after that depressive week, Spike began to do some exploring. He figured it was time to reacquaint himself with the archaic city, and the few days he had spent wandering about, inciting mild panics, but mostly introducing himself to and talking with other ponies were well-spent. He didn't make any friends, per se, but he did explain to quite a few curious ponies what he was doing in Canterlot and why.

Granted, he hardly had the answers to those questions himself, but that didn't stop him from putting some fears to rest. After confirming that he was not there to eat their foals or burn their homes to the ground, Spike began to get different questions. 'How are you enjoying your stay,' 'where do you live,' and 'how long do you think you'll be with us?' took the place of shrieks and demands to know why he wasn't with the other dragons at spearpoint. All-in-all, it was actually a rather nice experience. Spike had emerged into the following week and planning for Twilight's party readily, and with a fair grin on his face. Ponies in Canterlot, it seemed, were indeed more uptight than their Ponyville cousins; but once they caught on, they warmed up readily. Spike could see himself growing comfortable in the city.

He sat and chatted with the three mares for a long while, filling them in about his time spent in Canterlot. Mostly, he was just adjusting the library to his tastes. He had re-arranged the couches to face the windows of the library so he could snooze under the starry sky whenever the fancy struck him. They moved on to his diet, where he got three different opinions. "Y'all need protien! Getchya some beans in yer diet, mister!"

"Puh-lease, darling! Spike needs amino acids and vitamins. You know, I heard there are fish markets for visiting gryphons, and you can get some fresh-caught trout to supplement your diet."

"Eew." Spike scrunched his nose. "That sounds nasty."

"Well, I woulnd't know." Rarity gave him a toothy grin. "I'm no predator, after all."

"Har har." Spike gave her a flat laugh, downing the rest of his tea. "Some of us didn't get to choose what species we were born as. So sorry my teeth intimidate you."

"What do you mean 'intimidate?' Your teeth aren't-"

Spike's neck snapped forward, his jaws opening and closing with an audible clacking sound. He had bit the air a scant inch in front of Rarity's nose, and the acrid scent he'd come to realize as an herbivore's natural instinct kicking their sweat glands into overdrive filled the air. Applejack fell off her seat with laughter, and Pinkie Pie was giggling so hard she snorted. Rarity, meanwhile, had paled a few shades (which was an admirable feat for a white pony.) When Spike pulled away, he took the tension with him, and Rarity devolved into a nervous fit of giggles.

"W-well, I take it back. Your teeth certainly are intimidating."

"And don't you forget it." Spike chuckled, watching as Pinkie Pie righted herself.

"Are you getting enough sugar in your diet, Spike?" She asked in a truly concerned tone, laying her hoof on the back of his claw. She sounded not unlike Granny Smith just then, as if she were truly concerned for his sugar intake. Spike just smiled and patted her hoof gently.

"Plenty, Pinkie, I assure you. They have a really neat store that sells rock candy here, from the crystals beneath the city. I stop by about once a week."

"Once a week?! If I were you, then I'd go once an hour! Oh but if I were you, I'd have that awesome tongue and I could do all SORTS of things with it!"

"Ahem." Rarity cleared her throat, the color returning to her cheeks now. "I hardly think that's an appropriate topic of convers-"

"Come off it, Rarity. Yer more into tongues than dicks anywho." Applejack quipped, sipping nonchalantly at her tea. Rarity darkened significantly, her mouth hanging open at Applejack's unabashed shot at her sexual life.

"Why, I never-"

"Except that one time after Hearths Warming Eve."

"Ooh, and that one time I let the one potion spill into my cupcakes!"

"Or the cider harvest before last."

"Or Gummy's seventh birthday party!"

"Or Twilight's third annual book-and-beer appreciation night."

"Alright, alright." Rarity flustered. "You don't have to tell Spike..."

"Hey, to each their own." Spike shrugged. He still admired Rarity something fierce, but learning she cared for mares more than stallions was kind of a put-off. There were a few mares around town like that, and they were rather up-front about their disinclination to phalli. Spike had been shot down several times in a fashion not so conducive to healthy bone growth. At least now he knew why Rarity had never responded to his advances before then. Looking back, he honestly couldn't blame her. Applejack drew their attention with another brazen question.

"How many o' us have you done it with, Spike?"

"Uum, everypony but Rarity and Fluttershy... And, I guess... Rainbow Dash?"

"That sounded more like a question than an answer, Spike."

"Well, I'm not so sure it counts."

"How so?"

"She's the fastest pony in Equestria." Spike let those words sink in, and the other three all gave soft 'oh's of understanding.

The party started like any of Pinkie's affairs could have. Fast and hard. Not unlike his nights with Luna, as it were. There was music, dancing, party games (of a markedly more 'adult' variety) and plenty of booze. Spike laughed, talked, kissed, and drank the night away. Things became a blur after Applejack broke out her 'special reserve' for their benefit.

All he knew was his head was splitting. Spike woke up in his bed (how he managed to make it from the castle to the library was a wonder in and of itself) and he was not alone. Curled up neatly on his chest was Pinkie Pie, snoring softly with bits of confetti and what he would guess was semen still in her hair. A few others were sharing his bed as well, though. Spike knew Twilight was stretched out on his left, and much to his surprise...

"Ugh... Remind me to never drink Applejack's reserve again..." Rarity moaned, wiping her eyes as she sat up. Spike froze for a moment, halfway considering running for it. Then again, Rarity knew where she was and whose house she was in. Even if he weren't there, she'd know where she slept.

She'd know what happened.

Then again, not even Spike was sure what went on last night. There was evidence of it in the air, sure, but he couldn't recall specifics.

"Uuh, good morning, Rarity..." Spike offered meekly. Rarity, rather than freeze as he thought she would, turned to him with a frumpy smile.

"Good morning, Spike. Sleep well?"

"A little too well, I think..." Spike groaned as he gingerly slid Pinkie off of his chest to rest on the bed beside Twilight. Almost instincively, she wrapped her hooves around the princess and clutched her tight. Spike chuckled at the sight, urging Rarity off of the bed so he could slide off. Rarity made for the bathroom, and Spike joined her cautiously.

"Hoping for a repeat of last night?" Rarity offered over her withers, the grin on her lips positively smouldering. Spike swallowed, rubbing the back of his spines carefully.

"What, uuh... what happened last night?"

"Oh thank the stars." Rarity laid a hoof on her breast. "You don't remember."

"I kinda want to, considering..." He sniffed the air tentatively. "Considering the scent."

"Well, I'll not go into specifics..." Rarity sniffed as she turned the water in his shower on hot. She stepped under the stream, the water automatically matting her hair down against her neck. "But it involved quite a few condoms."

"Ah huh." Spike surmised most of what happened last night, and given Rarity's slightly flirtatious behavior, he decided joining her wouldn't be the worst thing. In fact, as he slid into the shower beside her, she leaned against his side readily.

"But it was wonderful. I'll tell you that much." She looked up at him and pursed her lips. Spike took that for an invitation, pressing his own into hers carefully. She leaned into the insistent kiss, groaning from her throat as her tongue joined the fray. Spike returned the affection readily, wrestling her slippery appendage into submission with ease. She was panting within moments, and the way she writhed against him was nothing short of sensuous. But Spike couldn't help but feel a little... sluggish. His mind was certainly foggy, and he could hardly keep his legs from twitching now and then. He had a cramp somewhere in his thighs, and his tongue seemed listless at times. Almost as if he'd been using it too much...

Sure enough, just a few more moments into making out with Rarity, and Spike felt the long thing cramp up. Hissing through his teeth, Spike pulled his tongue back into his mouth, working his jaw to relieve the tension.

"Too much?" Rarity asked, her breath steaming even in the hot air of the shower.

"I feel wiped out." Spike affirmed, slowly lowering himself to the shower's floor. "You three must have done a number on me last night..."

"Shame I can hardly remember any of it." Rarity sighed, laying down beside him. She rested her chin on top of his leg, smiling wistfully. "But what I do remember was wonderful... Perhaps we could do it again some time?"

"That'd be nice." Spike mused, nuzzling her luxurious mane tenderly. "Though... Maybe... We don't have to have the others?"

"Hmm..." Rarity grew silent, probably contemplating his offer. After a short while, she cracked a soft smile. "That sounds divine, darling. I'll be sure to visit again soon... Now, are you going to help me shampoo my mane or no?"

"Yes, ma'am." Spike grinned like a child as he set to the task with gusto. Rarity laid on the floor of the shower, lavishing in the attention of Spike's tender ministrations. Despite his soreness, Spike couldn't help but feel rather excited that he even had this opportunity.

And hopefully, plenty of other opportunities after it.

"Uuh, hello?" Spike poked his head in the room he had been directed to cautiously. Celestia had sent a message just a few minutes after he had finished his shower that morning asking that he come to the palace right away. A guard at the front entrance had further directions, pointing him down and into the castle's interior. "Princess?"

"Come in, Spike." Celestia's voice came to him from seemingly all directions, reverberating off of the walls and back on him hauntingly. Spike stepped inside the room, scanning the dark corners with squinted eyes. It was a massive chamber, lit only by sparse torches on the walls. Their light didn't reach the cieling, which soared up and into blackness mysteriously. All through the chamber were columns, reaching up into that blackness like teeth pointed to the midnight sky, bereft of stars.

"Hello? Princess?"

"I'm here, Spike..." Celestia's voice rang against the walls and back to him, making Spike shudder slightly. It felt less like a summons and more like a scene from a horror movie. Nevertheless, Spike advanced towards the center of the room, step by slow step.

"Uuh, any reason you called me?" He asked to nobody in particular. He coulnd't see Celestia, and the echoes were beginning to make him think she wasn't even in the room at all.

"We agreed to help you with your magic, Spike. For us to help, we need to know more about your magic. And they say..." A soft giggle rippled through the room, making Spike shudder. He swallowed hard, his muscles tensing out of reflex.

"The best way to learn is by force"

Spike's eyes went wide as the first bolt of energy ripped through the room, moving straight for his heart.