They strolled along exiting the caverns.

Coaline, Rarity and the usual no named guard in shining armor took a slow pace.

Raritys mind raced as her visit was too short and she wished Twilight was with her .

Of all the mares that she knew of she too needed to learn of Spike and his kind. Rarity wanted more.

Rarity asked "Coaline? If I might ask, How old was your father when you were born?".

Rarity took a small breath." I don't mean to be so bold" She held on to the air in her lungs.

...

"I was a yearling when my mom died" Coaline paused in thinking. "Sixteen years solar" She replied.

Rarity stopped and shook her head thinking. 'Losing her mother at such a young age, How tragic'

Coaline mused "Not all dragons are bad and we have no choice to what clan we're born into,
But we can still make a difference in who we are and who are friends are" .

Rarity glanced up to see Coalines fangs and toothy smile shimmering in the sun light.

Raritys eyes stung in the mid day sun and then it hit her like Toms exit from the Golden Oaks Library.
She vapor locked and gasped "SIXTEEN SOLAR YEARS!" Her jaw hit the ground .

As her eyes popped out and back into her sockets and a voice that resembled a screaming butterfly.
"Sixteen solar years!" She thought a bit Spike's much older than Coaline Almost as old as Twilight, Oh my...

" Oh Spikey, Here's some more divine pleasure for my brave noble dragon" He could only answer "Hummmm"
Raritys horns glowing increased and Spikes rapture brought shivers up his spine , Rarity spoke in his ear
"I don't want to go any faster my Spikey wikey , It could get painful " Spike said "Bring it on"
Her horn glowed even brighter as another scoop of vanilla oat swirl ice cream filled his mouth .

"Hay Dork, wake up" Gravely called.

Spike was asleep in the pit. Heck, Why not? He had nothing else to do.

A small rock bounced off Spikes noodle. 'DOINK' "Ouch!" Spike awoke and rubbed his head.
"What was that for?" He sputtered.

He fumbled around and grabbed the rock and in a fit threw it up aiming at his captors.
It sailed up , Bounced on the walls and ricochet from its intended mark. Gravity sucks.

The drake covered his green spines and scampered around avoiding the falling stone.

"Should of paid attention to Twilights physics classes " 'THUD' Spike squinted at the light above.

A voice called down "You awake there stinky?"

Spike grumbled "Yeah and I'm still hungry"

A black sack landed at his feet. A rope uncoiled next to him from above.
"Put the bag on your head and grab the rope Pony boy ,vacations over" .

A gravely voice huffed "I don't like your kind and don't come back".

...

Spike did as he was told and under breath said "Glad to see you jerks never".

The guards grabbed him and as he was lead away the purple drake had one last thing to say
"I'm so outa here".

Raritys shock wore off as she walked along the path , Coalines scales shimmered .
Her coat held the fire of the sun. Her orange eyes shined like flaming embers.

She looked at the clawed hooves and the graceful sway of her tail, Swishing , Half dragon half pony.

The mare continued to quizz her toothy friend " What is it you normally eat?"

Coaline beamed "Anything ! But I love Oat burgers, Hay Fries, Maretalian food and Ice cream,

Gems are fine But I find them a little hard to pass".

...

Rarity and Coaline continued to chat and walk till the nothing special no named guard in shining armor interrupted them.
" This is far as we go" He informed them.

The no named as usual guard in shining armor pointed down the path. "Your friend is that away" .

Coaline and Rarity said their good byes .

"I'll have father contact your Embassy ponies in Canterlot".

She nuzzled Raritys cheek and returned from where she came. A Strawberry scent following the winds.

...

Raritys walk continued and she saw an odd but familiar sight,
Up ahead on the path sat Spike on a flat rock with a black sack covering his head.

"Hero of the Crystal Empire, Messenger to Princess sun butt and Princess Twilight friggin Sparkle,
Savior of the Equestria games" Spike grumbled " Don't take it off or else" .

"What a bunch of jerks, I must be related to the Flutters family" Spike continued to rant.
" Now I sit here for what ever with a stupid bag over my head. Gosh I'm such a dor..".

His ear flukes perked up as he heard a muffled snicker.
" Oh ..No ,Lets make fun of the idiot with a bag over his head".

"Oh My, Spikey Wikey" She pouted. Placing a hoof over her mouth to stop a laugh or two.

Spike whipped the bag off his head and saw her eyes locked with his. He hopped off the rock running
and reaching out to hug his marsh mellow mare. Tripping together they collide with a muffled thump

Rarity could smell the strawberries as she rubbed her cheek with his.
At the same instant they sighed "Glad your OK" They locked hooves and claws in a binding embrace.

...

Rarity looked across at Spike with his big dopy smile. "Spikey?" She quizzed.

She was looking for that unanswered question of the scent of strawberries.
His eyes looked at her unchanged . "What?" He answered . Tilting his head and raising a single brow.

She just gave him a little kiss and said lightly "I'm so glad my Spikey Wikey is back"
She could smell his mark. "I'm happy to see you too Rars" He swooned and fell limp in her hooves.

She sniffed and thought with a little giggle. 'He doesn't know, How sweet it is ! '

"We have got to get back and tell Twilight about the dragons "
She sure had a tale to tell.

They started back to the fields and she watched their shadows wrap around and glide beside them.
Two forms moved as one. Swaying and prancing with a waddle put in for good measure.

Spike thinking of her last words about the dragons asked " Do we have to tell her about the sack?"

Rarity lightly put a hoof to his head spines and gave them a rub.

"That will be our little secret Spikey Poo, Twilight doesn't need to hear everything"

...

They stopped at the spot where their little dragon trek started. They took in the view of the river,
The warm sun gave warmth from above and their hearts warmed them from within .

Spike and Rarity looked at each other, In general at first. Scales of purple fur of white.
Then up to each others muzzles and now the eyes of Deep blue, Emerald Green.

He stuttered as she cleared her throat. Rarity looked in his eyes and she knew what was to come.

"Rarity, " Spike paused as usual " I , I- you know I've had a crus..."
"Wow! look at Those gems you two found !" Pinkie bounded into and around the hole

"Hey , Lookie what I found , It's handy dandy like cotton candy!"
The pink whirl wind produced a black sack and she loaded it to the hilt with the dug up booty.

Spike could only think ' Wham ! To the moon Pinkie, To the moon !

What wasn't in the bag was quickly tossed into her mane. Spike could only look and face claw .
Pinkie was after all , Pinkie.

...

The three bounced, trotted and waddled back to the camp.
Pinkie was all abuzz like a nightmare night filly on a major sugar high with ten cups of

AJs mud black coffee.

'Bouncie bouncie Wheeeee Weeeeee'

" So Pinkie , how was your day, My dear?" Rarity asked in a bit of small talk.

Pinkie rolled her eyes and replied in a nonstop monolog -

" Digging is Boring ,boaring ,Sleepy snoring ,boring !,

Not like you two getting trapped by a secret clan of dragons and

Spikey getting teased and called a stinky pony boy
by a bunch of meanie no pants poopies, And how Rarity saw a cool , nicey nice little purple dragon
who was telling you about how dragons are just bad nasty. But a few are sweet like your Spikey Wikey.

And his love child was a super pretty Pongon ,Dracony, Aww whatever , And the guards name was Curly.

You and Spikey make the cutest little couple . Your secrets safe with me and I won't never ever
say anything about that nasty black bag you had on your head . But it sure was handy dandy.

You two will have sweet dreams tonight and see Luna too !

And I saw a butterfly that looked like a giant chocolate cookie . Just like a giant flying moon pie !
Yep Just another boring day in Ponyville, Strawberries? yummy!" - End of monolog or is it?

...

Spike looked at the Pink cyclone. Put his claws on his hips and rolled his eyes "Did you forget anything?"

Pinkie with out losing a bounce "Well Duh, You don't want me to be a spoiler, Do you?" .'

With a Boing and a zip , She was off in a streak of pink.

AJ was prepping the cook fire and saw the two stragglers out in the field. " Come on ya two love birds"
The Orange mare teased " Gota quit takin them long walks. Ya done burned through the day!"

Twilight called out to the pair "We've got more spots to dig for tomorrow".

Rarity happily called back "X marks the spot darling".

Her heart swelled with the treasure she had. She thought to herself ' X marks the spot Spikey'
"Wait till I have a chat with Twilight"

...

Rainbow rolled to a dive and flared to a stop. Hovering she looked at the setting sun in a cloudless sky.

Yellow faded to orange melted to violet and ended in a twinkling of stars in the velvet of Lunas mane.

Everypony and dragon were around the camp fire winding down from the days events.
Rarity and Twilight were talking about the discovery of Ambassador Kull and Coaline.
The days load of sparkling gems were piled high ready for the morning wagons arrival.

Dashie landed with the touch of a feather unloaded her saddle bags and strutted up to Twilight.

"I dropped off the supplies and we have extra hooves coming in at first daylight, Looks like I'll be
sleeping here tonight"

Twilight looked up at Rainbow and glanced at Rarity "Would you mind if Dash
shared a space with you?"

The fashionesta looked up from the hoofacure she was receiving from Spike.

"Of course she's welcome darling Twilight, I'll have Spike unpack the extra cushions and comforters "

...

AJ dished out the left over grub "Here Rainy this will put some meat on yer bones"

Rainbow dug in , She eyed the crowd around the fire, Pinkie was playing chess with gummy.
AJ was field stripping the cook ware. Rarity and Twilight were gabbing and taking notes.
Dashie was wondering how Spike had become such an expert at hoofacures. Not that she wanted one herself.
But with his skills and soft touch the drake could give Aloe and Lotus a run for there money.

"Yo Spike? plan on opening your own hoofacure shop? You sure could rake in the bits".

Spike continued to work on the white mares hoof not even a glance up "You want one too?"

Dashie recoiled "You know I don't go for all that fru fru stuff".

AJ popped a shot at the Blue one " You should try one of his famous back rubs fly gal !"

Rarity looked up with a glow and batted her lashes "He's such a handy gentle drake, You have my word"

Pinkie gasped "Gummy's done it again! I don't believe it, Check mate in ten moves!" All eyes turned to the pink one.

...
The bed rolls were rolled out by fire ring the flames slowly dying . Twilight, AJ and Spike started to snooze.

Pinkie squiggled up in her wagon singing Gummy to sleep with an old Pie family lullaby.

Dashie was snoring up a storm driving Rarity to the far side of her palace of outdoor fabulous De La Rue.

The night was deadly clear and cold. A chilled wind snapped across the field. Putting a shimmering
layer of frost on everything under the stars. 'Spiff ' the fire was now dead and snuffed out cold.

Ice and cold covered everything. Grass, Dirt ,Bushes, Bed rolls, Wagons, Fur, Scales, Eye balls and Ears.

.,.

AJ awoke with her teeth chattering "Guys and Gals ,I think it's getting a little nippy out here"

They had to get out of the deep freeze and into proper of not a more fashionable shelter.

A call was heard above the wind. "Hay Rarity, The wind and cold are getting a might testy out here
mind if we come in?"

Rarity popped open the door, And she ushered the ponycicles in out of the weather.

They all huddled together as hot tea was passed around. Rarity saw Spikes lethargic form in

Twilights now sputtering magic.

"Oh dear" The white mare said seeing the frozen bunch come in.

A shivering Twilight laid Spike on Raritys cushion in a bid to keep him warm. She saw her friends
a purple alicorn and dragon in shivering fits. Rarity cuddled them both. Their eyes frosted over.

.,.

Pinkie shook as she sat on the floor. AJ and Dashie helped her lay down "SNAP !" a piece of Pinkies
mane snapped off , Streamers and confetti bursting out of the wound in her cotton candy mane.

AJs eyes just glossed over "How is this possible?"

Pinkie smiled and said "Easy just do this" Miss Bubble gum mare reached up and "SNAP"
Pinkie snapped off a piece of the brim of AJs frozen solid as a rock hat.

"Hay ! What in tarnation ! Pinkie what do you think you're doing? That was ma favorite hat!"

The farmer rolled over in a fit. Her eyes going twicha twich as her nose scrunched up.
The pink one bounded on the orange ice cube on the floor and held her in a warm embrace .

The Fashionesta hotel was at full capacity . A Purple book worm and a marsh mellow drake sandwich.

An orange rancher and a frozen pie on the far side topped with a snoring rainbow noisemaker.

The sun broke the horizon over the cratered and frosted landscape it's lone palace soaking in the rays.
The morning's warmth thawing out the previous night of reefer madness.

.i.

AJ was the first to stir that morning . She crawled over to Twilight and wondered at the sight below.

Spike was cuddled tightly with Rarity her hooves and his claws intertwined like wild ivy, Her tail and his
wrapped up like a maypole on hearths warming day.

His head was tucked under her chin ."purrrr purrrr." With each breath he was purring softly like a giant cat.
With a hushed voice AJ woke Twilight and the others.

Spike and Rarity fidgeted and spoke in their sleep as one.

Pinkie crossed her hooves "That's just creepy pasta cute without the spaghetti sauce."

Spike watched the dream play out. He witnessed Raritys life as he knew it flashed before him.

Date after date fumble and failed, Her dreams of Royal life dashed to pieces like a smashed slipper.

Spike in anguish yelled at the ghosts of her past "How could you hurt her like that!"

He hated the stallions who wanted only to bed her or use her like a

stepping stone for their own fallacious desires.

Spike watched the white mare crying in her pillows and concealing the pain in her fabulous creations.

He saw countless nights when he and Rarity worked through the wee hours of the morning.
And then another dream passed, The one he feared most of all.

Rarity was dressed in her wedding gown and bouquets of flowers filled his eyes.

Spike turned away and saw Luna watching with him. "Spike ,Why do you turn away on her wedding day?"

Spike looked at her majestic form and pouted. "It's the greedy dragon in me, I want her to be happy,
But I want her to be happy with me!"

Luna watched the scene unfold and covered Spikes eyes.

He balled his claws into fists and sighed "Tell me when it's over, I can't watch it."

.*.

Luna motioned to Spike as the dreams flowed to better times. Rarity was a little older her hair up in a tasteful bun.

She was calling her children to breakfast " Ruby, Jade ,Garnett get your pancakes"

Spike saw the happy vision of what could be a so called normal meal take a nasty twist.
Rarity turned around as the little monsters destroyed the kitchen ,Hay browns ,Eggs , juice and
pancakes sailed to the four winds sticking to any surface that was horizontal , vertical and inverted.

The future Rariry yelled "Stop it right now! Don't let me get father after you!"

Spike watched the comic horror continue till the future Rarity screamed.
"SPIKE ! Come in here and stop your childrens insurrection, NOW !"

A stunned Spike looked at Luna "Whoa, How is that future Spikes problem?"
He shook his head." How did I dream that up?" Luna looked at him and asked "Your dream?"

Rarity awoke with an uncouth "SNORKLE" and after a drowsy launch into the day she looked
up to see all her friends smiling at her like she was the main attraction in a circus.

She looked down and saw her purple precious scales asleep. Embarrassment flooded her thoughts.
"Excuse me , I must be a dreadful sight, How did Spikey sleep? Is he all right?" She fumbled and paused.

AJ and Twilight helped her untangle from Spikes embrace and Rarity gently stood up on her own power,
AJ whispered " Real good from what we saw, The strangest thing, It's like you two had the same dream"

Spike continued to slumber and mumble. AJ turned away winking at Rarity and nodding at the sleeping drake.
"You and lover boy were talking like you was in one of your fancy romancing novels and everything"

Twilight rebuffed the farmer mare "Apple Jack !"

.?.

Author's Note

//////// WATCH OUT FOR HEAVY EQUIPMENT-----UNDER CONSTRUCTION \\\\