Secrets in Equestria

Spike and Ember were abruptly awoken by Torch and a few other dragons. “Dad, what’s going on, who are these other dragons?” Ember hated being woken up even if today would be her day of freedom.

“You two have a wedding in an hour. Now get up and these dragonesses will get you ready.” Torch said and left.

The two dragonesses rushed over to the two with polishing equipment and began to polish their scales, claws, and Embers horns. “It’s a good thing you two didn’t ruin your clothes last night, that would have been terrible.”

“I’m sorry but who?”

“Sush, we are working.” Spike grumbled but Ember couldn’t help but chuckle which caused a backlash from one of the dragonesses.

“Don’t you laugh at him, you are to be his mate soon and” The dragoness was cut off by Spike.

“Don’t you dare talk to her like that!” Spike snapped. “She is the princess after all, if she wants to laugh, let her. Now do whatever you are going to do and get out of here.” Spike snorted, stream rising from his nostrils. The two dragonesses gulped and hurried up with their job and then handed over two small objects, one blue, the other green. The two objects shone and reflected in the sun. The Dragonesses ran off before Spike could say anything. Spike handed over the green one over to Ember and the two stared at the objects. The green one was shaped like Spike and the blue was shaped like Ember. The Spike and Ember shaped rings were curled up with a claw in the air. Each claw held half a ruby heart and both could be pieced together to make a single object.

“Say what you like but I must admit the jeweler dragons really did a great job.” Ember smiled looking at the rings when Torch interrupted.

“You two look great but you scared off your helpers and why do you two have those.” Torch held out his claw and Ember and Spike handed the ring over. “You were only meant to look at them, not keep them yet. Spike, you come with me. Ember, I will come get you when we are ready for you.” Spike shrugged and left with Torch leaving Ember alone. Once her father and Spike were out of sight, Garble entered the cave.

“What do you want Garble?” Ember asked with a voice full of venom.

Garble just smiled and rushed Ember. He pinned her to the ground. “Spike will regret taking you from me!” Garble ripped Embers dress and then hit Ember.

Spike and Torch were almost at the wedding grounds when Spike heard his name. “SPIIIIKE!!!!” Spike froze and turned around. That was Embers scream, she was in trouble. Spike took off toward the cave followed by Torch who was confused by Spikes action.

“Where are you going?” Torch asked.

“Ember, she is in trouble.” Spike didn’t bother to face Torch when he spoke, he had to get to Ember. Once he arrived, he entered the cave to find Garble holding his claws to Embers throat. Garble had Embers wings, feet, and claws tied up. “Let her go Garble, your deal is with me you idiot.”

“I won’t be baited into that again.” Garble smiled and watched as the cave closed behind Spike. “Can you see you false dragon?”

“Let me guess, you can see in the dark while I can’t very well giving you the advantage.” Spike said listening for any sudden sounds of movement. Spike could see a little but his eyes never adjusted to nighttime living. He always slept at night and so even with a natural ability to see in the dark, it was weakened by never using it.

“How would you know that?” Garble growled. “Doesn’t matter, you can’t see you faker.”

Spike inwardly smiled. His breaths were calm and his heart beat at a normal pace. Unlike Garble, Spike knew to use more than just sight. He heard Garble toss Ember aside and take to the air. He wasn’t very high as they were in a cave. Spike knowing Garble wouldn’t hesitate to attack, counted to three and then moved to the side just nearly avoiding Garbles attack. Garble landed confused and then rushed Spike on foot. This is exactly what Spike wanted as he was lucky to avoid the air strike. Spike listened for the footsteps on the ground and dodged everytime Garbles foot was within a foot of him, give or take a few inches. Spike dodged every attack and this angered Garble. Garble struck faster and faster but continued to miss until he was exhausted. Spike listened and heard Garbles feet stumble to his left. Spike swung his foot and knocked Garble into the cave wall and knocked him unconscious just as Torch broke through the blocked entrance. Spike dusted himself off and then ran to free Ember. “Are you all right?”

Ember was dumbfounded by Spike. “How did, you couldn’t, what just happened?”

“That’s what I would like to know.” Torch said.

Spike explained to Torch what Garble did and then turned to Ember. “It was easy really, I just made use of my hearing. You would be surprised how valuable your other senses are. It wasn’t hard to know what the sound of footsteps make.”

“When he flew up, how did you dodge that?”

“I knew where Garble was by the sound of his feet moving and you being thrown to the ground. Once I heard his feet leave the ground, I knew he would be quick to attack. Almost misjudged the time it would take for him to reach me though.” Spike smiled and walked by Ember side. Once they reached the entrance, they took to the sky. No one said anything until they reached the wedding grounds. Spike and Ember landed in front of the rock arc by the podium at the front. The arc burst into flames and sparks filled the air. Dragons from all over were there to see Princess Ember get married.

Ember’s heart sped up, she wasn’t ready for this. She liked Spike but she didn’t love him and she knew Spike felt the same. They weren’t in love and she didn’t want to marry yet. “Spike.” She whispered in his ear. “This is moving way too fast.”

“I know, I’m not ready for this either. If you don’t want this, we don’t have to but you also realize.” Spike whispered back.

“I know, I hate these laws and everything really. I want a life mate for love, not desperation.”

“It’s all up to you Ember.”

A part of Ember hated Spike for leaving this decision up to her but she also really appreciated it. She was being given the option to do or not do something. Maybe she didn’t love Spike but maybe she would be lucky to learn to love him. Her only worry was if she did and Spike didn’t learn to love her. Everything was so messed up but perhaps, this would be the first step to freeing dragons, female dragons anyway. “I’m ready.” Ember grabbed onto Spikes claw nervously, smiled, and put a claw to her heart. This wasn’t how she wanted things but this would probably be the only chance to make a change. If her and Spike did fall in love along the way, this marriage would be everything she wanted even if she didn’t know it at the that moment.

Torch smiled hoping for the best for both Ember and Spike. “Spike and Ember, you both have made a decision that will affect you for the rest of your lives. This will not be easy for either of you but it will be worth it. You have officially set a record for the youngest dragon marriage in history but only barely.” Torch winked at the two and then continued. Ember just rolled her eyes and Spike wasn’t sure what to think. “Spike do you wish to marry Ember?”

Spike breathed deep and nodded. “Yes.” Spike said and was then handed his ring. Spike slipped it on and Torch smiled.

“Hold out your claw with the ring on it out like this.” Torch held out his claw with his palm facing up. Spike did as he was told not too sure about what was happening. His heart was beating a mile a minute. “Ember.” Torch handed over Embers ring. Ember took the ring and slipped it on before taking a hold of Spikes claw. “Follow me behind the arc without letting go of each other.” Spike blindly followed with Ember right beside him. The guest dragons stood and followed close behind. Not far from where they were was a pool of lava. “Are you two ready for the renewing ceremony?”

Ember nodded but Spike cocked his head in confusion. “The what?”

Torch sighed but explained. “You two while holding hands will travel through the lava and come out on the other side. This is a symbolic ceremony. Lava like fire cleans, for Dragons anyway. Right now you two are dirty but through this ceremony, you will be cleaned. This is a new start and to start new, you must be new.” Torch flew to the other side of the lava pool and then nodded.

Ember and Spike stepped into the pool and went completely under. Spike felt something strange going on with his body but he didn’t know what. His scales felt like they were being scrubbed. There wasn’t much to say about it really. He did have to admit that it felt good though. Before he knew it, he and Ember had reached the other side and were standing in front of Torch. Spikes eyes widened when he looked at Ember and then at himself. His scales shone more than they ever had before. His and Embers scales were shiny and the rings were more so than before.

“Ember, Spike, congratulations, you two are now life mates.” Spike and Ember heard cheers behind them.

“Ember, with the sun setting, let’s leave tomorrow.” Ember nodded even though she really wanted to leave right then. Unfortunately, convincing Spike to leave then wouldn’t be a good idea. Right now, she had to do as Spike wished no matter how excited she was to leave. Things needed to slow down a little. If she were to go against Spikes decisions in any way, it would cause a few problems. Her father would be displeased and who knew what the other dragons would do, the council included.

When Spike saw Ember nod, he mentally slapped himself. “Actually Ember, let’s head to Canterlot tonight. The sooner we get there, the sooner I can take care of the things I need to take care of.” Ember looked shocked but was glad to see Spike change his mind. “Let’s go.” Spike took to the air followed by Ember who had turned to wave goodbye to her father. Her heart raced out of pure excitement. She just had to get out of the dragon lands and she would be free and soon enough, other dragons would be free as well.