Rarity yawns, shifting closer to Spike's chest "I'm going to take a nap... make sure Sweetie behaves..."

Spike nods, making sure to keep the rambunctious filly in sight.

Sweetie looks up from her comic book "Spike, if you and Rarity get married, does that make Princess Celestia my auntie?"

Spike taps his chin in thought "Technically it'd make you a duchess and Rarity a princess... so yes, in a way. Just don't become a female Blueblood."

Sweetie salutes and returns to her book.

Spike chuckles and strokes the filly's mane, earning a purr "Did you just purr?"

Sweetie blushes "... Maybe?"

Rarity snorts and burrows into the fabric of the seat she's on, muttering in her sleep.

Sweetie taps her chin and scoots closer to Spike "... You're warm."

Spike grins "I know. Comes with being a dragon. Twilight would save on buying fire wood and just strap me to her back during winter. It... wasn't as fun as it sounds."

Sweetie rolls her eyes "That's nothing, Rarity used to wrap me in yarn just to keep me warm when we were little, she thought that if I wanted a real sweater, I should learn how to knit."

Spike snorts "No way. Rarity isn't like that."

"Maybe not now, but she used to practice ballroom dancing with me before I wised up that she was dropping me on purpose."

"Mmmph not..." Rarity mutters.

Sweetie giggles "She totally did."

Spike rolls his eyes "Whatever, so what have you and the other Crusaders been doing? Blowing up town hall?"

Sweetie growls and sparks her horn menacingly at Spike "I can't help it!"

Spike picks up Sweetie by the horn, extinguishing the sparks "I know, how about you take a nap? I'm just going to sleep anyways."

Sweetie shrugs and Spike carries her and Rarity to the sleeping car.

Spike stretches, carrying Sweetie and Rarity on his tail and back respectively. "Welcome to Trottingham, home of the limey ponies and my mother's home away from home."

Sweetie cocks her head "'Limey'? What are those?"

"Salutations Sweetie!" a familiar voice says and Sweetie looks down from her perch "Pipsqueak?!"

The tiny colt nods, saluting "Yep! Why are you here though? Dragged by this vile drake to his mountainous hovel?"

Spike rolls his eyes "I can hear you Pip. Why don't you go get stuffed in some haggis? It might make you smell better."

Rarity smacks Spike on the back of the head "Spike! How dare you!"

Pip laughs "Aye, prob'ly right on that regard mate. Anyways, how about I show you the sights lil' miss?"

Sweetie scrunches her face "I'm bigger than you Pip. You're the 'lil' one."

Pip rolls his hoof "Tech'calities, and I'm guessing you don't want to hang with these two ol' ponies, an' help wit' their knitting."

Rarity opens her mouth to say something but Spike stops her "Yeah, hang with ponies your own age Sweetie, who knows, you may get your cutie mark here. Or do you want my mother pinching your cheeks when she meets you?"

Sweetie hops off of Spike "I don't like pinching! Pip! Lead the way!"

Both scamper off and Rarity taps Spike's head "You sent for him, didn't you?"

Spike nods "Yup, figured that being on a train would be boring for her, so I figured I should send for Pip, considering he lives here when school's out. And I was serious, my mother is one of those types of mothers."

Rarity giggles "Are you sure you haven't been a parent before?"

"No, and I probably won't be soon. Considering you've got a career ahead of you, and I can't adopt any foals, being a dragon and all."

Rarity blushes "Are... you proposing we-"

Spike shakes his head "What?! No! I meant- that is-" he bites his lip, trying to hide his blush "Maybe?"

Rarity chuckles "How about we wait until we're married... maybe."

Spike pauses "Does that mean-"

Rarity grins impishly and points Spike's eyes forward "Maybe? Onwards to your parents, my noble mount!" I've always wanted to do that.

Spike rolls his eyes and nickers, galloping towards a very idyllic villa.

(Back in Ponyville)

Twilight closes her book and sighs "Moon Dancer, stop hiding, I know you're there."

The slim palomino mare steps out from the shadows, her coat and mane unkempt "How did you know I was here?"

"A simple five-sense illusion won't work on somepony who's studied illusions, nor would a memory block spell, at least not permanently." Twilight replies, offering a cup of tea to her friend "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be training Rarity?"

"I would like to, but she is under the protection of the princess of love, and such a mare would ruin my plans. So I'll wait here, and teach when she returns."

Twilight sips her tea "Why?"

"Because it is my birthright. Do you know the reason behind my name?"

"I'd suspect something to do with magic?"

Moon Dancer shakes her head "No, it's literal, 'One who dances with the moon.' I am to be led in the grand dance of the moon's desires and that is my fate. My family was one of the ones who attempted to help Princess Luna escape from her sister's own guards. We swore an oath to her, as did another other family that unfortunately lost their way" she sips the offered tea "The clan of Luna's moon, or as they have become known, 'Lulamoon'."

Twilight nearly drops her cup "Trixie's family?"

"Yes, they were originally the magical arm of her majesty's forces. The ponies with the strongest understanding of magic and legendary magi. Much like the Sparkle family that has served Princess Celestia. The Dancer's were the more physical half of the two, but that never mattered to us, we just served and gained favor with the other clans. My mother, Glass Dancer, married Artorius Lulamoon, brother to Artemis Lulamoon. I was given the power of the Lulamoon's arcane history and the Dancer's lethality. But there was a... complication, from the mixed bloodlines."

She sips her tea "It resulted in a number of deadly and debilitating conditions. I was born without a complete heart, infertile, and cataracts to name a few. You see, I wasn't supposed to live beyond a week, but my uncle created a prosthetic heart that extended my life, but even now, it is breaking. Look." Moondancer pulls off her sweater and a clock face sits imbedded in her chest.

"Wh-what is that?"

"A death clock. It counts down the last month of my life, until then, it remains inactive. It's counting down, and there's nothing anypony can do to stop it. I have about a month left until my time is up. That's why I'm telling you everything. Once I finish her last lesson by my estimates, will give me roughly twenty four hours to live."

Twilight's eyes widen "You went out with me to see if you had a heart... you were being literal."

"Yes. You see, I thought that if I could find somepony to love, I might not have to die alone and anonymous. It turns out what I felt for you was nothing more than platonic affection." she shrugs "And before you ask, I'm not upset about my fate. I knew it the moment I was old enough to notice I had this in my chest. I thought that as my closest friend, you had a right to know. It doesn't change the fact that I'm going to die, but it feels right."

Twilight stands, shattering the teacup in her magic "I refuse to believe that! You shouldn't just give up like that!"

Moon Dancer sighs and sets her cup on the table "That's easy for you to say, you aren't the one who has a literal egg timer for your last breath. I'm resigned to my fate, and that's all there is to it. I'm surprised you aren't taking notes on everything I'm telling you."

Twilight shakes her head, banishing her surprise "I figured that you already had everything written down somewhere and citated. Is there any way to make it stop breaking?"

She rolls her eyes "Unless you can get a Lithium/Tellurium cylinder and perform open heart surgery in the next three weeks, no. And before you ask, I've tried to get one, but the alchemy to fuse the two elements together is a Lulamoon family secret that unfortunately, only the last living member of the family knows."

"Trixie? Trixie Lulamoon has the secret to save you?"

"Yes. But there's no way to catch her, she never goes on a predictable path, and after what happened in Ponyville, she might never return. So there's nothing anypony can do. Now, do you have any more tea?"

Rarity bites her lip "I'm not sure how to feel..."

Spike rolls his eyes and cups Rarity's chin "It's just meeting my parents, they'll love you." he pecks her on the nose "Trust me."

Before she can respond, he knocks on the door and the knob is enveloped in a light blue field "Hello? Who is- DRAGON!"

Spike rolls his eyes "C'mon mom, that joke isn't funny."

The door opens and a white mare with a white and lavender mane grins sheepishly "Sorry Spike, I can't- Celestia's plot!! You've grown!"

Spike nods "So I noticed, may I come in? I brought company."

The mare back away, her eyes fixed on Spike's body "My word, what have you been feeding yourself?"

"The usual gourmet meals and a few extra gems here and there. How're you?"

The mare smiles "Well, I've hit a bit of a problem with one of my novels but otherwise I've been perfect. You said something about company?"

Spike nods and scoops Rarity up in his tail "Yes, this is Rarity Belle, Element of generosity and my marefriend."

Rarity nods and levitates her luggage into the large foyer "Hello, you must be Twilight and Spike's mother."

The mare nods and shakes Rarity's hoof "Yes, Twilight Velvet Sparkle Sr. Novelist."

Rarity gasps "Spike! You never told me your mother was a famous writer!"

Spike cocks his head in thought "Really? Coulda sworn I did..."

"Well no wonder you and Twilight are so well read! You were raised among literary royalty!"

Velvet blushes "Oh stop, I'm just lucky to have a great editor and a few books on some lists. I'm nothing compared to a national heroine and fashion designer."

Spike clears his throat "Can we get to the living room? I want to introduce Rarity to Dad."

Rarity grins "Oh that can wait Spike, I've got to ask you Ms.-"

"Just Velvet, I'm still too young for 'Miss'."

Spike sighs and carries both to the living room, setting them down on a large, plush couch "I'm going to go find Dad."

After Spike's out of earshot, Velvet smiles "He's a well-mannered dragon, isn't he?"

Rarity nods "He truly is. He never told me about you, though."

"That sounds like Spike, he never enjoyed my stories, calling them too 'Girly' or 'Mushy.' But enough about how he's a bad son, how did he steal your heart?"

Rarity blushes "It wasn't that he stole my heart, I stole his. I entranced him when we first met, and soon he had become such a monumental help to my work that I couldn't imagine working without him... I realized that after a while, I loved him too. I was so caught up in my work that it took getting my dreams of a prince charming shattered by reality to see that I had the perfect gentlecolt standing right next to me. After the first date we had... I felt like I wasn't good enough for him, and sometimes... I still do. He has such a freely given sense of generosity and always keeps the girls and I in line if he can. I trust him, and that isn't some illusion."

Velvet smiles, dabbing her eyes "That was beautiful."

Rarity smiles "It's true though, he is the one who deserves praise for everything he's done. Why, I cannot fathom what our lives would be if he hadn't been in it."

Velvet smiles wistfully "He is an invaluable member of our family, and I feel as though I have two sons."

Rarity nods "Yes, 'Shiny' I believe he's called. Who might he be?"

"He's-"

"Surrender reptile spawn!!" A somewhat familiar voice yells, followed by the door opening.

"Hah! As if I would surrender to a pathetic whelp of a stallion like you!" Spike roars, his voice getting closer.

Velvet sighs "Boys! No rough housing!"

A bedraggled stallion with a dark cobalt mane walks in, his coat ruffled "Yes Mom..."

Spike follows, his scales dulled rather than their usual polished sheen "Yes Mom..."

I know that stallion from somewhe- oh dear. Rarity reels in shock I sincerely hope he doesn't remember what I look like. Why didn't Spike tell me that his brother was captain of the royal guard?! That's something that should've come up at some point!!

Velvet shakes her head in exasperation "Shining, I can understand his need to rough house, but you, Spike? I thought I had a gentle, non-violent son..."

Spike smiles weakly "I learned how to fight because of all of the adventures the girls have gone on, and I just wanted a sparring partner seeing as how I'm taller now."

Shining puffs out his chest in pride "And being the eldest brother, it was my duty to knock my baby brother down a few notches."

"'Baby'? I'm twice your mass and at least two and a half times your volume! I could crush you if I sat on you!" Spike replies, standing on two legs.

Velvet grabs both of their ears in her magic "You two will stop with this pointless posturing and be quiet."

Both nod feverishly, trying to free their ears.

Velvet drops them and turns back to Rarity "To answer your question, this is Shining Armour, Captain of Celestia's royal guard and my eldest son."

Mothers are not to be crossed, especially one who gave birth to the element of magic and the Captain of the royal guard... Rarity thinks to herself, smiling on the outside "My, Spike never told me that Twilight had such a grand pedigree. The sister to the youngest captain in history, the daughter of the esteemed novelist Twilight Velvet Sparkle... oh my, why didn't I realize you two might be related? I feel like such a blind old mare."

Velvet chuckles "I got that from Twilight's old school friends a bit. It's not her fault that we look so different."

Rarity nods and smiles down at Spike but the drake knew she was miffed about the failure to communicate about his family, so he bit his lip and cowered slightly. "I cannot begin to imagine who Twilight's father might be... a famous scientist perhaps?"

Velvet smirks "Close, but the word you're looking for is 'Infamous'."

"Velvet... I think we need a new spare typewriter..." a dark blue stallion with thick goggles says, his navy mane and tail burnt "Oh, and could somepony help me locate my eyes, they appear to be someplace wooden..."

Velvet sighs "Of course Nighty. Shining, Spike, help your father." Both salute and follow the stumbling stallion "That was my husband, Night Light. He's the one pony who had accidentally discovered the lost wing of Starswirl's library, devised a way to kill an alicorn, and blew up a candle 'To see if wax diminished explosions'. And that was just this month. He's the love of my life, but the bane of my bank account's existence."

Rarity nods, dumbfounded "Well... I suppose that explains Twilight's... quirks."

Velvet sighs "Yes, would you believe that when I had given birth to either one of them, I had wished for an unremarkable child?"

"Not at all." Rarity replies flatly.

"Well, you're right, I had wished for children who would change the world for the better. Lo and behold, I have my wish granted."

Rarity chuckles "So, what are Shining's prospects?"

Velvet slides closer, looking both ways "Well, I have it on good authority he's been seeing a certain princess that he was assigned to... Cadence, Celestia's niece."

Rarity grins Already knew that. Need to get deeper... "Oho? Is that all? No... repeat flings? No... 'initiations' to the 'Privates' in his squad?"

Velvet giggles "Oh no... he's not that type of stallion... though he did have a unique marefriend a little while back. Twilight's old friend Lyra Heartstrings, but I think she was just stringing him along for information on how to infiltrate than anything."

"Infiltrate what?"

"Canterlot castle, she's always been an odd one, always borrowing books on mythology and history. Nice enough, but she was always a bit... out of synch with the rest of the world, almost like she was alien to it. I don't know, she inspired a story of mine though."

"Really? What might it be?"

"'Nomare: the tale of a mare out of space and time.'" Spike says, returning "We found dad's eyes."

Rarity cocks her head "I... don't think I've read that."

Spike nods "That's because it's never been published. Mom can't finish it, and she's able to turn out a story a week. The manuscript is in a locked box somewhere."

Velvet sighs "He's right, for eight years I've tried to finish it but I... I can't bring myself to. No ending ever seems to fit. I've spent hours trying to finish it but... nothing."

Rarity nods in understanding "I can relate, I have a few designs that I've never been able to finish, it drives me mad to see the blank spaces where something should go."

Velvet smiles "Hm, dressmaking and writing are quite similar, one is weaving art with fabric, the other is weaving art with words. Maybe you could help?"

Rarity turns to Spike who shrugs "I'd be honored."

Rarity sighs, halfway through the manuscript "This is..."

"Flat as a day old soda?" Spike asks, brushing Rarity's mane.

"Exactly, no offense to your mother-"

"Trust me, one out of three are decent. The problem is that she has no idea which of the three is decent. She usually sends them to Twilight or me to read and tell her what we thought. I usually end up reading all three because Twilight can't stand to be critical of her mother."

Rarity rubs her forehead "And it's not the subject that's bad it's... the execution."

Spike nods "Sounds about right. Dinner should be soon, what do you want to do?"

"I suppose I'll be blunt with her." Rarity replies, levitating the manuscript "Do you know if Cadence is visiting?"

"Nah, she's supposed to be at a conference in Detrot. I do not envy her." Spike says, lifting Rarity onto his back.

"I feel like we've forgotten something..." Rarity mutters.

"Sweetie Belle."

Rarity gasps "Oh dear! That's right! She could be-"

"I sent a letter to Pip a few minutes ago with the address to bring her back for dinner. Trust me Rarity, I got this. I've been looking after fillies since I was a hatchling. Albeit just one, but Twilight counts as multiple references."

Rarity chuckles, hugging Spike's neck "Where would I be without you?"

"At home with Sweetie Belle and working on an insane amount of orders?" Spike replies, kissing Rarity "But that's just because I dragged you out here."

Rarity rolls her eyes "I'm not holding that against you."

Dinner is a simple affair, and passes with nothing amazing happening.

At least, until Rarity leaves to get some fresh air "Hello Huntress." Princess Luna greets from underneath the balcony Rarity stood on.

"Hello Princess Luna."

"Have you learned anything?"

Rarity sighs "Besides the fact that Spike's family is more impressive than I could've imagined, no."

Luna tutts "There's something you've been pondering, I can tell from your voice."

"... One of Twilight's old friends had been trying to get security information from Shining Armour. Lyra Heartstrings."

Luna pauses "I am familiar with the mare in question. She is a brilliant scientist, but a breed of threat that Equestria hasn't seen for a very long time. She's without fear, like a child, but with intuition and intellect beyond most living ponies. She is obsessed with the past, and so far, she hasn't crossed my path."

"How is she a danger?" Rarity asks, concerned.

"... She is too intelligent for my sister's own good. Personally, I wish for the truth to be free to be known, but my sister has controlled history for a long time, as is evident by your minimal knowledge on foreign history. If Lyra were to succeed in her plans and disseminate the truth, my sister's actions would be called into question. My sister cannot withstand critical scrutiny, and so, Ms. Heartstrings is neither a friend nor foe. I wish I knew more, but her mind is guarded by ancient mental barriers and charms. Her mind is an impenetrable fortress, and whatever is within, is too dangerous to free at this time."

Rarity sighs "Are there any other ponies I should be concerned about?"

"You will know when you find them. On the table behind you is a tome of classic, pre-discordian designs and fabrics, consider it a gift. The contents are of the most powerful cloth enchanting spells and charms in history, but not all of them are... safe. One is of a cloak that renders the wearer intangible, but at the cost of your sight however long you wear it. Another is of a dress that is so beautiful, wars have been fought over it. Be warned, the designs are as dangerous as they are beautiful. Whether you make for yourself or others, it is not my concern. Just know should you use it for Ill, I will not hesitate to burn it and any you've made to ashes. Until we speak again, Rarity." a dim spark of magic flashes and Luna is gone.

Rarity turns and sitting on the table is a book in a burlap sack, the cover obscured by age "Well, I suppose this will help... but does she have to be so dramatic?"

Rarity pores over the book, a quill writing down notations and page numbers "... This seems to be enough, but I think it lacks something... something integral."

Spike looks up from his own book "Something the matter?"

Rarity nods "Suppose that one had to create an outfit to protect somepony from a number of environmental factors and the like, what enchantments would you use to make it?"

Spike taps his chin in thought "I'd make it water, fire, and electricity proof for starters. Regulate body temperature against cold and heat, breathability, and freedom of movement. I think that a rubberized nylon would work, but then again, it'd constrict in colder areas and is prone to being brittle."

Rarity taps her chin and shudders when an idea pops into her head "What... what makes up your scales, dear?"

Spike smiles "30% iron, 25% silicon-oxide, 12% carbon and copper, and 9% calcium. Why?"

She turns "How did you know all of that?"

"Twilight used to use my shed scales for her experiments when I was little. It was either that or she pluck them when she needed them. But that was before she got some grants." he scratches his back and check his claws "Some fell off when I was sparring with Shining earlier. I usually just collect them to use for Nightmare Night or something. Twilight says that they're magic-infused or something because I've lived with her for so long."

Rarity flips back several pages "Spike... another personal question..."

Spike shrugs, pulling a jar full of scales from his bag "Shoot."

"What... species of dragon are you?"

"Cantatis Flamma Draco, sub species; Spinosis."

Rarity scans the pages and stops on one

Spinosis: Cantatis Flamma Draco:

Very rare sub-species of the elusive magic-wielding dragon. Immunity to most physical trauma and never cease scale molts. Highly intelligent and capable of peace with ponies. Their scales have the ability to store magic in the form of carved, enchanted runes while on or off the body. Resistant against: Fire, water, electricity, blunt and a majority of collision/ sharp force. Magical resistances: Elemental. Weaknesses: Concussive magics, gravity.

Rarity sighs How lucky... Spike's the perfect type. I think that Luna knew that all this time...

Spike shrugs and returns to his book, deciding that Rarity looked like she needed time to think.

Author's Note

Woot! Another chapter to this odd little bit of fiction!

Hope you enjoyed it.