Live&Learn

"Your majesty..." Steel Head said landing in front of the two Princesses and bowed.

I slid down his back and did the same. Both were waiting for us there and I was wondering if something bad had happen despite their smiles.

"Hello Steel Head... Eravel.." Celestia said and approached me. "So... how are you adapting to your new body?" She asked to me.
"Good I think... I'm able to walk now, but still need to learn how to fly and control my fire..." I answered standing up, looking at the sun goddess. "Is it going to take long for me to grow up again? Being so small is really annoying sometimes..."

"Actually" Luna started. "We were just waiting for you to have a full control over your body to make you grow to something more appropriate for your actual age."

"Really? You can really do this?" The idea of get bigger body, even if not as big as I was before, was enough to cheer me up… Not that I forgot the bad things from the morning, but hey, didn't seems to be so bad now.

"But Of course we can..." Luna started again. "We didn't make you grow before because if you are small, the damages of your lack of self control could be minimal." She explained to me.

"So, you decided that I'm ready to be a grown dragon then?" I smiled at them, full of hopes.

"Well yes..." Celestia started. "But we will make you only a bit taller than the average ponies… And it will take some time too, we don't want anything going wrong, so, I'm going to do it slowly... diminishing the impact on your mind."

I had to contain myself to not jump from joy at her words.
"And when are you going to do it?" I asked feeling really excited.

"I would say in a few days... but I think you are ready now. Tomorrow a carriage will come to pick you up" Celestia said.

"What about me your highness?" Steel Head said.

"You can stay in Ponyvile. It came to my ears that you are doing a fine job around here" Celestia said to the royal guard. Steel didn't look very happy with that but simply nodded in agreement.

The Princesses opened their wings and flew back to Canterlot, leaving me and the royal guard behind. I looked at the royal guard and saw him sighing, lowering his ears.

"Ok... they are gone now, you can tell me." I said looking at him.

"Tell you what?" He asked arching an eyebrow.
"The reason why you got so upset now... for not going to Canterlot with me." I said and walked inside the house.

"I'm not upset... you are imagining things..." He said walking behind me.
"No I'm not. I may have sleep for a month inside that egg, but I know you well enough to know when you are upset about something." I turned to look at him. "And don't come saying that it's not important... If it wasn't you wouldn't be so sad right now."
He sighed again and looked away... He was probably waiting for me to give up but I would not.
"OK... Look... This is kind of embarrassing for me to say but… well… you see…" I simply crossed my arms, waiting for an answer. "I'm in love." He finally said.
I arched an eyebrow. That notice caught me by surprise.

"Since when?" I said a little shocked.

"Almost two months... Every time I slept with a mare my mind goes where this specific one is... So I gave up on chasing random females and tried to chase the one that have my heart… but… She's in Canterlot right now and I don't know when she's coming back or if she is even coming back..." He explained. "And I'm not allowed to leave Ponyvile because my job is to look after you and the other girls."

"Why didn't you say so? I bet Celestia would understand that." I said stepping closer to him.

"I know but, put yourself in my hooves for a moment. A royal guard that was assigns to protect two baby dragons and the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, asking for his queen to leave his post so he can chase after a mare." He said sitting on his haunches. "This is at LEAST humiliating for me."

He had a point there. I was a warrior too and could understand that his job would be considered a great honor. It was something with vital importance and nothing would justify him leaving.
"Yeah... you are right... but not everything is lost! If she's in Canterlot, I can track her and send your message." I said smiling at him.
"Really? Would you do it for me?" He lift his ears looking at me, smiling softly.
"Of course, we are friends Steel. There is... well... ALMOST nothing I wouldn't do for you." I said chuckling and he laughed softly with me.

Next day came and when the sun was out of the horizon a carriage had arrived at my door. I took a letter that Steel Head had wrote and sealed, addressed to some mare called Octavia. I didn't know where she lived but I was going to find her for sure. The trip was really calm and after an hour I was already able to see the palace.

The carriage landed inside the castle, in a special balcony that was design for that. Celestia was waiting for me there already with a soft smile on her face.

"I hope you had a safe trip here" She said getting closer.
"Yes Princess, thank you for sending a ride for me" I said bowing my head in respect.

"Come, everything is ready, just waiting for you..." She said turning around and walking.

I followed her through the corridors passing in front of many doors and tapestries. Also the castle had several murals and windows that depicted important moments of pony history. We climbed down some stairs behind a locked and very simple door... Down there we went through a long corridor that had no windows. Different from the rest of the castle this corridor didn't have any kind of decoration and the illumination came from several magic orbs floating near the ceiling.

We ended in front of a big double wooden door. It had several runic emblems adorning it and a big lock with a round hole that should be used to fit some kind of key. Celestia insert her horn inside the hole and used her magic... The runes adorning the door shone for a moment and then the door opened revealing a circular room full of shelves with tomes and books. The ceiling was bright like the day, illuminating the entire place. What caught my attention was a table in the opposite side of the door. It was a medium size table with five hay nests. In each nest was a different egg with different patterns of colors.

"You used one of those eggs?" I asked entering the room. The floor had several circles with runes and other strange symbols.

"No, they are alive and the dragons inside are ready to hatch. The only thing missing is a spark of magic to wake them up." She said.

"And why don't you do it?"

"Because its not for me to do it." She said following me inside. "I use them as a test for those that want to enter the special class of magic... to see if a specific unicorn has the talent to be my personal pupil."

"Like Twilight?" I asked looking the eggs more closely.
"Yes... Like Twilight Sparkle. She was able to hatch one of those eggs... Spike was born that day." She smiled at me. "These are very special dragons... They are not fit to live among others while they are still young."
"Why is that?" I looked at her.
"First of all, they have no wings. Second, their diet is very unique... Aside from gems, that every dragon can eat, they can feed on flowers, hay and other things that ponies eat. Also, they don't have that latent predator instinct that all the other dragons have..." She said sitting on her haunches.

"They don't eat meat, is that it?" I said.
"Precisely. And the land of dragons doesn't have the plants that those dragons eat. Also, they have a more docile nature, and don't have the potential to compete with others until they are at least eighty years old." She kept explaining. "That's when their true power reveals itself... Magic. Something that is unique for these special dragons. When they are old enough, they develop a great magic power that can overpower any other dragon."

"I see... Does Spike know any of it?" I asked.
"Not yet... but he will one day." She smiled at me. "Now come... is time to begin the growing process..." She walked near the wall in a different part of the room, where was a small magical circle painted in the floor.

"How long will it take?" I asked getting inside the circle.

"A week... maybe a week and some days... it will depend on how your body adapts itself to the changes... After the growing process is finished you will be able to learn how to fly and your fire breath will be a lot more powerful. But I trust you will be careful with that." She said and stepped back.

"Don't worry princess... You know you can trust me" I said smiling confident, really excited to leave this small body behind.

"See you in a few days..." She said smiling and the circle started to glow. A white bubble appeared around me... It felt so warm in there and suddenly I felt extremely tired. I looked at Celestia one last time through the bubble, and then fell asleep.

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"It's a shame that the Princess already took him away... If he kept small he could still go to school" Twilight said and sighed.

She and the girls were in the Spa for a girl's afternoon. Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack and even Pinkie Pie were inside a hot tub of water full of herbs.

"Does Rainbow know already why he was taken to the castle?" Rarity asked.
"I doubt... She's been a little weird these days actually." Twilight looked at her white friend.

"That's no surprise if yer ask me." Applejack said. "We all know how she feel 'bout Eravel, and still he ran from her like she's sum kind of monster!"

"Don't be so harsh on him dear..." Rarity said. "You know he's passing through a difficult time. You were there when Steel Head said that he spends a whole day trying to walk and how he refused to be carried around, even when he was too tired to stand up."

"Tha's because he's too damn proud!" Applejack snorted. "He knows tha' we wouldn't judge him if he asked fer help... Everypony need help from time to time."

"Says the one who almost killed herself trying to buck all the apple acres alone..." Twilight giggled

"Ah learned mah lesson, ok? He should learn his too!" Applejack crossed her forehoofs.

"Well, I think that now that he's going to get bigger it will be SOOOO much more fun!" Pinkie Pie said with a wide smile. "Now he will be able to stay up till late to enjoy the parties and his stomach will be bigger to eat more cake, and cup cakes, and muffins, and drink punch. I think we should make a HUUUUUGE party for him when he comes back from Canterlot since he didn't get any when he came out of the egg!"

"I don't think that is a good idea..." Twilight said chuckling at how excited her pink friend was. "You know he don't really like parties..."
"Yeah, but remember that party he organized those games?" Pinkie tried to make a point.
"The one he got completely drunk?" Twilight remembered "Yes, I do. And honestly, the LAST thing we want is a breathing fire dragon to get drunk... so, no parties for him."
Pinkie Pie lowered her ears and pouted at twilight with a puppy begging expression. Twilight looked annoyed at that, trying hr best to resist… but eventually she resign.

"OK, OK... But a SMALL party, just for his closes friends" Twilight said in a sight.
Pinkie Pie yelped in joy and jumped off the bath tub.
"YESSS! I'll start the preparations right away!" She said while dashing out of the SPA.

"But Pinkie!" Twilight tried to call her friend back. "He will only... come back next week..." Her last words died in a sight since the party pony was already too far to hear anything.

Rarity and Applejack just laughed softly at the scene... Strangely, Fluttershy looked a bit worried with something and remained silent for the whole conversation.

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"Hey... look... That dragon forgot this in the carriage." A white royal guard said to his companion, showing him a letter still sealed.

"Does it have an address?" The companion said.
"Hmm not on the outside... let's see..." The first guard said opening the scroll and reading. "Yes... is to that musician, Octavia... weird... he didn't put his name on It." reading the letter again. "Well, whatever, I'll deliver it."
"Don't forget to say the origin" The second guard said chuckling.
"Who do you think I am to try stealing a mare from somepony? Steel Head?" both laughed and the first guard flew away.

Octavia was in her apartment making the daily maintenance on her Cello. Cleaning the outside of it and checking the strings to see if any of them needed to be changed. A sight escape her and she put her instrument in the case after she was finished. More than a month had passed since she moved to Canterlot. Not that she didn't liked Ponyvile... But the small city was always remembering her of that royal guard that simply tossed her away after she gave her heart to him. She was really in love with that Steel Head and when he turned her down... it was like a hole appeared in her chest that even her music couldn't fill completely.

A knock on her door took her from that meditative state. She trotted to the door and opened it. Her heart sank when she saw a white pegasus with a golden armor standing there. She widened her eyes and stared at the royal guard for a few minutes.

"Good morning miss Octavia." The royal guard said after concluding that the mare was not going to speak first. "I brought this letter from the palace to you." He said giving her the scroll

She blinked a few times, realizing that this colt was not Steel Head... the voice was different and only now she could see that the tail had a different color.

"Ah... ahm, thank you sir..." She said taking the scroll and noticing that it didn't said from whom it was. "Who asked to delivery this for me?" She asked a bit curious.

"It was a guest from princess Celestia. He couldn't bring it here personally, so I took the liberty to make the delivery." He said serious, almost without emotion.

"And may I know who this guest is?" Octavia asked again.

"His name seems to be Erin, and he's a dragon." The royal guard explained. "He can't receive visits at the moment. Come to the castle in a few days and ask for him. I'll make sure that you too meet each other" The royal guard blinked at her and smiled before trotting away.

Octavia didn't understand what he meant with that and got inside the apartment again. She looked at the scroll and didn't notice that the seal had been broken... she simply opened it and scrolled her eyes through the paper.

"Dear Octavia.

After so much time is clear that you probably don't remember me or is still angry... I don't blame you. I know that I deserve your hatred but even if I don't deserve, I ask for forgiveness. I remember you and I remember every single detail of you and the moments we spent together. Those moments were very special to me and they will always be in my memory.

You are the most gentle and caring pony I ever meet. Everypony around you don't have any idea of who you truly is, but I do. You are more than a musician, you are more than a mere performer. You are the most kind mare I ever meet and your music is the way you found to express it. I was able to see past the notes and melodies and reach your core, your soul.

I know I have done horrible things to you, but again, I ask for your forgiveness. I don't deserve it, Celestia knows that I don't, but still I beg you for another chance because you made a hole in my chest when you left and I can't fill this hole without you."

Octavia read the letter and a pair of tears rolled her face. She didn't know who this dragon was… Maybe an anonymous fan? He spoke about the time they spend together... probably he was talking about the times he went to see her play. He also asked for forgiveness... this one was a little confusing but she was going to find out what he meant sooner or later because the gray mare was decided to go see this dragon.

The way he spoke of her and how he knew who she really was... Only one pony did that and was the royal guard back in Ponyvile. She knew what was this hole in the chest he spoke about too... she was feeling the same... Octavia didn't knew this fan, but she was not going to let him down. Not after she knew what was being thrown away by the pony she loved. In a few days she would go to the palace looking for this dragon... give him a chance to fill her own hole that Steel Head left opened.

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"What do you mean with special lessons?" Spike asked to Twilight. He was on the library, caring a few books to put them on the right shelves.

"The Princess took Eravel to the castle to make his body grow... to better fit his mental age." She explained, using her magic to grasp a few books and arranging them in a very organized pile. She had just arrived after a whole afternoon with her friends.

"WHAT!" Spike shouted. "You mean, he will be bigger than me?" The purple dragon was visible disappointed with that.

"Yes... why?" Twilight said looking at her assistant with curiosity.

"... Nothing..." Spike said turning his attention to the shelves and books, but he was clearly disappointed.

"Spike..." Twilight said and used her magic to levitate the purple dragon closer to her. "What's wrong? You know you can tell me... I'm your friend" She put him in front of her and lowered her whole body to be at his high.

Spike let out a long sight and then grabbed his own shoulder, looking away from the purple unicorn.

"Is just... I thought I finally found something like a brother to me... you know? A little brother." Spike said still not looking to her. "I know I shouldn't, but sometimes I feel a bit lonely being the only dragon around... and when Eravel turned into one I thought I would finally have some company... Especially with him being so small. But if he is going to grow that means that he will no longer need me... He will probably be with Steel Head and you girls from now on." he said and stared at the floor, feeling really frustrated.

"Spike..." Twilight said an put a hoof under his chin, pulling his face up so he could look at her smiling face. "He WILL need you... especially now that he will get a grown body. He only learned how to walk, but he doesn't have any kind of control over the rest of his body... I even fear that he will get dangerous for his lack of control. That's why you will have special lessons with me from now on." She explained and Spike felt a little better now. "These lessons will involve fire control and other aspects of a dragon that I honestly don't know... I'm gathering all the knowledge about dragons and after I read it all I'll start learning a few more things with you and by he time he returns WE will be ready to teach him. So, don't feel like that. It hurts me when I see you depressed." Twilight said and kissed his forehead.

Spike smiled at her, feeling more energetic now.

"Yeah, you are right. He will need US" He said putting emphasis on the word 'us'.

"Good. Now, let's go... We have a lot to do and a very short time" She said standing up again and focusing her attention on the books, making the pile of books grows.

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A/N: Sorry for the delay in posting this chapter. I'm having some problems (for a change ¬¬'') and won't be able to post as fast as I wanted... What kind of problem? Well, the 'mental one... I'm lacking of inspiration to write (I do have the ideas in me but when I try to put it to words it turns to be a problem.)
So, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and know that I'm already working on the next one. I'll post it as soon as I finish ^^