Color the Sky

01: Departure

Two weeks flashed by so quickly for Spike. One minute, he was confronted by his mother, telling him she’s sending him off to a boarding school, the next, it was time to leave for said boarding school.

He tried to make the most of it, going on trips with his family and the staff, visiting his cousins, Blueblood and Cadence in Canterlot. He smirked, contrary to popular belief, Blueblood wasn’t all that bad. The guy was a lot of fun if one got to know him when he wasn’t putting on airs.

He was also a lot of trouble as well, because…he loved putting on airs. Spike was never sure what it was his cousin wanted at times. The lad didn’t seem to mind the rumors that proceeded his pristine rep, whatever that meant, despite how much he complained.

Though it was funny, seeing the poor guy get unglued when told he was not allowed to ride his precious Noble Lady for five months. His mother didn’t pull any punches, making sure Blueblood’s car was without gas to run herself.

“No! Aunt Stella! I won’t touch the car, just don’t ruin the gas tank! No! That’s gonna cause a leak! Auntie, please! That’s gonna cost me 40,000 bits to get fixed!”

“If you don’t close your mouth, I might think about not removing these gaudy headlights! I don’t know much about cars but I bet having multicolor high beams is a hazard.”

“I swear to the First Mother, I won’t break curfew again! I won’t do anything to be in the tabloids just don’t destroy Noble Lady!”

Spike swore he broke after being told to either take the carfare offered or walk around Canterlot like normal people from Luna who couldn’t help the toothy grin plastered on her face.

“We think a luxury brand car is overkill for high school students who should be spending that time preparing for university entrance exams and bringing up their grades. We shouldn’t always count on nepotism to get us into high places without a bit of work…”

It was rather odd how his cousin’s parents couldn’t make him do anything yet one word from aunts Stella and Selene, suddenly Blueblood became a model of good behavior.

Cadence was always a delight, he didn’t get a lot of time to see her much. She had the important role of being Madame Cadenza Amore, House Speaker for the High Court in Canterlot. From what he gathered, Cadence always had to contest or agree with her peers when it came to bills the Common Court wanted to pass through as law.

However, Cadence was one of few members of the High Court that agreed with most of the bills with reasonable cause, most would think she was suited better being on the opposite side of Trottingham Hall’s east chamber.

“Aside from the fact that family part of the Upper Residency can never hold positions in the Common Court or the House of Superiors, because of the balance of power, who else would the representatives of the Common Court have on their side if I couldn’t get down and dirty arguing semantics with the best of them in the High Court…”

It sounded like a bunch of stuffy nobles or those with close ties to nobles got too comfortable with their positions in the Senate, becoming belligerent and too proud to consider fresh ideas that could move Equestria forward rather than remain stagnant.

Making those in the Common Court more often than not, adhere to the whims of the High Court. Sometimes they were lucky to get a bill passed. Spike assumes it was because of a few good people like Cadence and this mister François Pantalon that goes by Fancy Pants who took the time to consider all possibilities.

It was too much for his mind to take but his cousin seemed to love it and knew what she was doing.

He sighed, he felt restless, tomorrow he was leaving. He still was trying to come to grips with it.

Sitting at the far corner of his bed, tossing an old stuff toy, a white unicorn with a curled purple mane was how Luna found Spike. Those obnoxious fake glasses he wore all the time were resting on top of a dresser. His long unruly bangs still shielded most of his face, but she could see the pinched look that rested there.

She knocked once, “You have a big day in front of you.”

Spike sat up, ceasing his stuff toy toss, “Hey auntie.”

“There’s a lot on your mind,” she sat next to him on the bed.

“I can’t sleep, I don’t want to upset mom but I’m still not sure if I can do this…It’s been a long time since I’ve been around others aside from everyone here at home or Blueblood and Cadence.”

He looked to the side, frown becoming pronounced, “To be honest auntie, I’m afraid of what people will say about me. It’s no secret I’m not Equineborn, my eyes show that perfectly clear.”

Luna didn’t think she was the most affectionate person, at least where it counted and she wasn’t one for public displays but she wasn’t blind to Spike’s inner demons. Mind reading notwithstanding, it was clear he was in an endless battle with himself.

Part of that battle could be taken care of by a few choice words if only her sister would allow it, “So what? Do you hate your Draconic heritage that much?”

He shrugged, not answering for a long while. She deduced that was a yes but she didn’t make comment on it, “I dunno…maybe…at times I feel like an outcast like I shouldn’t belong here. I often wonder why I was adopted, I’m sure mom could’ve picked a better child instead of me.”

“Are you done?” she huffed, Spike caught her glare and immediately felt ashamed, unaware that Luna’s glare was not directed at him, regardless of her bitter tone.

“Huh?”

“I said are you done?” he flinched and she breathed in and out to calm herself before she let her mouth get the best of her. She didn’t want to start a War of the Ages III between mother and son.

“Listen, you are free to feel the way you do. However, you should never doubt my sister and her unconditional love for you,” she lifted his chin up, “You may be different but to us, your family, and we would go through hell and back for you!”

Spike did his best to smile, trying to ignore the tears that sprang from his eyes, “You’re right! Sorry if I made you feel like you don’t care for me. I didn’t mean for it to come out that way!”

Luna wiped at his face, he blushed, “I know. Let me tell you a little secret about your mom?”

Spike, never one to want to miss anything that had to do with Celestia, eagerly leaned forward as Luna met him halfway as if to tell a huge secret, “For all her bravado, Celestia is afraid of letting you go. She doubts and worries more than anything over you. You’re her baby, no matter how old you get.”

His laugh was genuine as if he didn’t know that already, “I should try to get some sleep now. Night Auntie.”

She swept some of his hair back before getting up to leave so he could ready himself for bed, “Both the mother and son are hopeless, what in the world am I to do with you two? Goodnight Spike.”

She left the room, closing the door as quietly as she can. She turned to face an anxious Celestia, wringing her hands together and failing to keep curiosity and worry from her voice.

“Did he finally go to sleep?”

Luna didn’t reply reading her sister’s nervous energy. The telltale signs of a worried parent not yet ready to let go but knowing they must. It was obvious Celestia overheard their conversation.

A tired frown of annoyance shaped itself on the younger sister’s face, “It’s going to be one of those days for me tomorrow, isn’t it?”

“What?” Celestia looked perplexed from that statement.

Luna gave one last glance at Spike’s bedroom door then pulled Celestia with her down the end of the hall. She didn’t stop until they were close to the moon room, Luna’s own personal section of the house. Entering the main room, she closed the door and locked it, casting a muffling spell over the room, to keep anyone coming by from eavesdropping.

She crossed her arms, exhaling a sigh, “Tia, I normally agree to go with your plans when it comes to nephew and I’ve been behind you 100% for wanting to keep certain things confidential.”

She knew the second she started this conversation, it was going to lead into a verbal spat. Already her sister was avoiding eye contact, freezing up and giving her a look of guilt and doubt. The secrets, their past, Spike…it was eating away at her sister.

“I’m sure you’ve realized, he’s developed a complex about himself. We should tell him the truth.”

Celestia shook her head, eyes burning holes in the ground, “Not until he’s ready,” she crossed her arms around herself like a barrier of protection, “I’m aware of the backlash and I’m prepared to face the consequences. But you know the risks are too high right now.”

“But Tia, the risks are always going to be too high! It was high five years ago because of‒” Luna stopped herself before finishing that sentence, knowing that incident was still a fresh wound for not just Celestia but for herself and Spike as well. She exhaled, fixing her older sibling with a withering glare, “It’s high now, now that we know he’s-”

“Not until I think he’s ready!” Celestia didn’t want this to become a shouting match. Why must Luna be stubborn about this? She knows it’s too soon yet. “Despite that, Spike must learn to accept himself.”

“And what of you? Are you fine with him learning to accept only half of what he is?”

She knew she had struck a nerve when her sister whipped her body around to pierce her with the sharpest glare. If she were anyone else daring to say the words she did, Celestia would’ve had her head.

“This conversation is over.”

“On the contrary,” and playing the role of the annoying, concerned little sister, Luna pushed. She wasn’t fazed at all by Celestia’s threatening look and tone, “Tia, I know you know this isn’t right, some of the lies were fine…In the past…This isn’t the past anymore!”

“All the reason more not to say anything yet!”

“I’m not saying to tell him everything all at once for obvious reasons! Just…tell him about his real parents!”

“NO!”

“Put your stubborn pride away for a minute sister!”

“I said no Luna, no!”

“If you continue down this route, it’s going to be you who gets hurt in the long run!”

“Ignorance is Bliss!” silence reigned. Celestia gaining some self-restraint, while Luna glare at the wall.

“Ignorance is bliss isn’t a saying that was made up on a whim! The moment that boy knows anything, about his parents, about the past before he’s ready to protect himself, his life is forfeit!”

Luna’s face softened, she could see her sister’s pride preventing her from breaking into tears.

“I never told you because I didn’t want to worry you, but that incident five years ago…I’m not as strong as I once was. I don’t have the confidence that I’ll be able to protect him a second time but more than that, all we have to go on is the scattered remains of a written prophecy of a woman no longer in this world, there cannot be any mistakes.”

Luna’s glared returned tenfold, resentful for a whole other reason, she huffed but refused to say anything more.

“Do I like lying? Do I like pretending that I’m fine with the way things are? Or that I don’t want to be selfish?”

“Tia…”

“I hate myself for swallowing the lies with a smile, I agonize over the day I will have to face the choices I made because of the lies and it breaks my heart knowing what Spike thinks of himself…but you know how I am.”

“Yes, I know.”

“The minute I put my wants first, I risk forfeiting every soul within Equestria, and perhaps the whole world,” if Luna hadn’t been looking, she would have missed the two trickling of tears rolling from Celestia’s eyes. “So, what does it matter that someday I risk a few hours of hurt feelings because I betrayed my son’s trust? It’s enough for now just having Spike near.”

“I pray to the First Mother you know what you’re doing,” warm arms wrapped themselves around Celestia’s body.

“All these secrets Tia,” Luna squeezed, “You’re not alone, you know.”

Celestia returned the hug, “I love you too, goodnight Luna.”

“Goodnight.”

~~~*****~~~

Breakfast that morning was somber, across from Luna sat a brooding nephew, picking at a half-eaten breakfast of eggs, sausage and pancakes. To her right, a sister trying to fool everyone into believing she was quite fine, nursing the same cup of black coffee since their meal started.

Celestia hated cold coffee and hated coffee without the milk, sugar, whip cream, caramel and chocolate shavings sprinkled on top.

And Spike never went without syrup and berries and that smooth whipped butter on his pancakes, never.

She felt a twitch in the lower corner of her lips. When I’m right, I’m right. Moon’s above I hate when I’m right.

Silence, breakfast was never this silent even on their most bad days. Luna took another bite of her omelet, looking back and forth between Celestia and Spike.

Stir, click, sip, chew.

Stir, click, sip, chew.

Stir, click, sip, chew.

Stir, click, sip—

“Alright that’s enough!” she banged her hands on the table, startling the silverware and her family.

The monotonous music of utensils stopped and Luna smiled. She knows she has two pairs of questioning stares thrown her way but her ears felt free from the noise. A smirk still graced her face as she regarded them, “The atmosphere is so melancholic. You two won’t see each other until the fall semester is over, the least you can do is take advantage of the small time you have left.

Mother and son looked at each other then turned to Luna, feeling sheepish. Celestia sat her cup down, “Are we really dampening the mood?”

Spike shrugged but he did reassess the situation and figured Luna had a point, “Auntie thinks so. Is it really bad?”

She scowled at them, “You two are awful and Celestia thought I was bad during my teen years.”

“Newsflash, you still are. You’ve just gotten better at keeping it discreet.”

“At least I don’t acquire smile lines around my eyes from excessive worry.”

Celestia scoffed, “I resent that comment!” She patted her face in search of her sister’s false claims. She turned to Spike with an innocent pout, “Spike, do I get wrinkles?”

A shudder went down his spine. He was fine being ignored as the duo indulged in their usual playful banter. It was nice sitting back seeing his mother smile and being carefree.

It wasn’t so when she did that look and that pout. Ill fortune follows the fool who falls for that façade. He should know, he’s been on the receiving end of that ill-fated stare. She’s going to tease me if I don’t take her side. Mom looks beautiful even if she did have wrinkles but I’m not going to get out this alive if I don’t say something.

Spike noticed that both women were waiting for his answer, he chuckled, scratching the back of his head, however before he uttered a word, Luna caught him off guard.

“Thou can take up for thine mother but we can read thou thoughts.”

He deflated, surprised and horribly outnumbered. How could I forget the mind reader?!

He wasn’t going to win whatever charade he fell into, but he still had to pick a side. He sat up straight and mustered as much calm as he could, “Oh, she’s good.”

A faint sound of shock came from Celestia, “Spike! You’ll leave your poor mother to fend off such a mischievous opponent?”

He sweated, “Mom I love you, I really do but aunt plays a hard bargain.”

Holy First Mother! How does a woman her age manage to pull off the cute childish innocent look?! How?! What sorcery is this?! She’s too cute! Too cute!

“And just what kind of thoughts do you have that you rather my sister not say?”

Fearing that somehow, I’m programmed to be a sucker for pretty faces and crocodile tears! That my future is going to be filled with nothing but older women who know how to play at my heartstrings!

I’m fucked either way and it’s your fault mom, it’s your fault.

Spike saw her lips quirk, he felt another shudder more intense reach down to his very soul. And…there it was, that goddamn, devious million-dollar smirk.

There was no surviving their attacks now.

Deadman walking.

“Yes nephew, what kind of thoughts?”

He flustered, his mouth and mind not able to conform together to give an intelligent rebuttal, his cheeks getting hot by the second, “Ah, that is-err-Morning Dandy Bell!”

A young woman, in her early twenties, smiled brightly as she walked over towards the family of three. She had on the customary maid uniform worn by the staff of the Luminaire family, only in a pastel green with extra frills and gold inlays. The signifier for showing her status as head maid.

Dandy Bell gave a proper bow, her wavy multi-strands of blond-orange hair bouncing as she did so, “Good morning young master, good morning madams, is there anything you need?”

“Um-I, I would like another refill of orange juice! A-and another serving of pancakes, if you don’t mind, your food is always the best!”

Blue eyes winked at Spike, making the blush on his cheeks grow further, “Of not young master, I’m here to serve!” She cooed as a small blush graced her face at the compliment, “You’re always so kind with your words young master! I’m sad this will be the last time I get to make my special recipes just for you!”

“W-well If it’s alright with you, I wouldn’t mind you sending some of those mini cinnamon rolls every now and then.”

“I’ll be honored to young master!” she winked again for good measure, withholding her chuckles at Spike’s expense. She turned to Celestia and Luna, all formal, without a trace of the flirty seductress just moments ago, “Is there anything you need madams?”

A demure smile and a raised eyebrow from Celestia greeted the head maid, “I could go for another cup of coffee, the usual this time.”

A nonplussed look from Luna bored into the young woman, “I’m quite fine, thank you miss Bell.”

If Dandy Bell were anyone else, she would’ve ran out of that room with how the temperature dropped twenty degrees. That or crumbled under Luna’s unnerving stare.

Or cry because one could never tell what Celestia was thinking when she gave you the smile. You know, the kind of polite smile one gives to someone that has overstayed their welcome but you don’t want to be rude in telling them so, lest you embarrass them, so you give the smile for the person to take a hint.

But Dandy Bell wasn’t a new hire or a pushover, having been one of the longest staff members who worked personally for Madams ‘Stella and Selene Luminaire’. She was bound to pick up some of her bosses’ quirks and knew it was all in good fun.

Though, it still didn’t make the smile-stare combo any less unsettling.

The head maid smiled, bowing once more before making her way out the family dining room to the kitchen, “I’ll return soon with your orders.”

Another shiver, Spike looked to his mother and aunt with caution, “What?”

Celestia pouted, remaining silent as she watched him drink the remainder of his juice, her mood souring with every second, in a high-pitched girly voice ever known, she spoke, “Is the orange juice not cold enough for you, young master?”

The choking was instant, he couldn’t breathe.

“For someone who claims girls are a distraction, you like giving them your undivided attention,” she taunted, “And an older woman at that.”

He choked, juice getting logged in his throat and being unceremoniously sprayed out of his nose. The strong smell of citrus acid pervaded his nostrils and it burned something fierce!

“What can we do dear sister? His mind is a raging sea of curiosity and hormones. You’ll be shocked at the things he reads in his spare time.”

More choking and erratic flailing for air and help went completely ignored.

“But older women sister?” Celestia sulked as if she didn’t hear her sister practically rat out Spike’s fondness for reading the more…sensual sides of literature.

“I know the women on our staff are beautiful but the head maid is at least ten years older than him. First Miss Moral and now Miss Bell? You know, I’m starting to dislike the idea of any girls around my sweet innocent son. He’ll be corrupted by the time he visits home for the fall break. Perhaps we should send him to an all-male academy? Certainly, he can’t be distracted there?”

Luna sipped her tea before responding, “Who’s to say his tastes won’t change while there? I’ve heard some stories back in the day-”

“Not on your life!” He shouted, having gained control of his bodily functions.

So relieved to be able to breathe and have the tangy smile of orange juice no longer hitting his nostrils, it took a second for him to realize what he said.

It took less for the chuckles to start and even less for his face to bloom scarlet, “Now I know both of you are pulling my tail!”

He groaned as the ‘Terrible Duet’ continued to laugh at his expense, “And I really need to learn a spell to block you out,” he pointed to Luna.

“Honestly, I do not go out of my way to read other’s thoughts. Depending on how strong the emotion, depends on if I can read it in the first place. Picking up other’s thoughts and feelings is rather exhaustive. Not very fun.”

“So, you haven’t read all my thoughts?”

“Let me put it this way, thoughts are meant to stay private for a reason.”

That, really didn’t answer my question.

“No Spike, I haven’t read all your thoughts,” there was an eerie glow to her smile, however. Spike shuddered, unsure if she read his mind or if she just was that good at knowing what one was thinking.

“Okay Luna, we teased him enough,” Celestia got up from the table, walking over to Spike, she patted his shoulder, “See me in my office after you’re done, tell Miss Bell I’ll be there.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Once Celestia was out of sight, he turned back to Luna, “You sure you–”

A demure smile greeted him, “Don’t seek answers to questions you don’t want answers to. Sometimes it’s best not knowing.”

“Touché.”

Already finished with her meal, Luna got up from the table a short while after Celestia. There was a sadness to her smile, looking at her nephew with a fondness she didn’t show in front of others. She hugged his head to her body, “Stay out of trouble, and visit us as much as you can, that way I don’t have to put up with your mother sulking about while you’re not here.”

He returned the hug, “Like I can stay away from this place.”

Luna smiled, giving his shoulders a squeeze before releasing him and going her own way, You never know, you may end up liking it there.

***** ***** ***** *****

Finishing breakfast, Spike made his way to his mother’s study, his curiosity growing with every step. Reaching the double white doors, he knocked twice and then opened them, entering the room, where he saw Celestia standing by her curved office desk.

“You wanted to see me?”

His mother nodded her head, “Yes,” she walked over to the right side of her study, where a baby blue walk-in armoire with sliding doors stood. He watched her take a few steps in, hearing a precession of clicks and beeping sounds and something like a metal door, opening and shutting.

She came out seconds later, holding an antique jewelry box, “I have something to give to you before you go.”

“Whoa! Look at the craftsmanship on that thing!”

Celestia held a moderate sized lacquered red chest made of jade, lined with precious stones and painted with dragons and peonies. On the top was some old script he recognized written in a bizarre combination of Yong and Cantelic.

“This chest predates the birth of Equestria, perhaps even before the first civilizations. It’s an old Dracone heirloom, a gift that’s been guarded by this family for centuries.”

It took a minute for Spike to process the meaning behind his mother showing him such a rare antique and he with good reason became startled, “Wait…You trust me to take care of a jewelry chest that’s over 100,000-years-old?!”

He could deal with this whole, ‘go to school and try to be social’ kick his mother forced him into. And he wasn’t tooting his own horn but he knew he was quite the responsible young lad, however, he cannot for the life of him think of any reason why his mother would decide to give him a family treasure that’s been around since before Equestria’s conception!

Though his curiosity ran wild. If one were to go by the history books, Dracones and Equines never saw eye to eye in the past. Some part him, aside from his limited experiences in public and being adopted by one of the most beautiful mare-bloods in existence, believes that still holds some truth. So how in the world did the Luminaire family managed to have such a find in their possession for centuries? Spike knows every family has its fair share of secrets and knew his mother, as bright and social as she was, never shared much about herself, only what she wanted others to know.

His musing was cut short by her laughter, “By the praises of the first Mother, No!” His mother’s jovial attitude put him at ease a little, “I wouldn’t in good conscience allow you to travel with this chest.”

He released a breath, “That’s a load off my shoulders, what do you want to give me?”

“What’s inside it,” Celestia sat the beautiful chest down on her desk, opening the latch with an unlocking spell he never seen before. Inside, revealed the most beautiful gemstones he’s ever seen.

Seven gorgeous shimmering crystal orbs sparkled back at him in seven brilliant colors. Each linked to blinding gold and silver metal chains. The onyx silk backdrop of the case’s interior, which he noted was designed with the same patterns of the outside with white stitching, seemed to intensify their vibrancy!

“You can think of these as friendship necklaces for anyone that becomes your closest friends.”

Spike was too enthralled in his admiration of the gifts to listen to Celestia. Jade eyes focused on the ruby orb in the middle. He knew he fell in a trance, fingers moving of their own accord towards the middle crystal.

It was like a pulse vibrated inside his head, a pulse not his own but beating in tandem with his own. Not frightening but beckoning, an urge to be touched and held and claimed. To become one, his fingers brush lightly on the ruby orb and the change was instantaneous.

“Whoa!” Spike watched with intense interest as the orb transformed into a multi-faceted heart. A platinum dragon pendant, with green emeralds for eyes, materialized itself around the shape of the ruby. The pendant floated in the air before him, a flash of swirls like flames engulfed the ruby heart as well as Spike for a split second before disappearing. Before Spike knew it, he was already wearing the pendant around his neck.

“What was that?! It was incredible, like a sudden immense surge of power!”

Unaware to him, his mother’s eyes were calculating but otherwise she was calm about everything. Her calm demeanor put him at ease, he trusts her to know what was happening. He doubted Celestia would ever do something to put him in danger.

Besides, that rush of power felt great! His body still tingled from the after effects.

“It looks like this fire ruby has chosen you as its new owner, it transformed to how it read your soul,” Celestia summoned a smaller, unimpressive wooden case, setting the other six necklaces inside to give to Spike.

“But to answer your question, yes, these are magical stones with great powers stored within. On their own, these are nothing more than pretty baubles but when near one with certain requirements, they come to life, as we just saw with your fire ruby. These stones have a mind of their own and are connected to each other.”

“So, you’re saying whoever gets the rest of these, these crystals will do the same thing?”

“That’s the gist of it, yes, these stones are like protection talismans.”

He fingered the ruby that attached itself to his neck without warning, “There’s something I still don’t get. Why did it sense me? If these are part of the family then why–”

“The recipient of that stone doesn’t matter, it’s like I’ve said, it only chooses who it thinks worthy. If that were not the case, you wouldn’t be able to wear it, let alone touch it. Now that you and the fire ruby are one, it will be a beacon to those, based on your heart’s desires who will wear the other jewels.”

“My heart’s desires?”

“It’s somewhat complicated, these stones are rather fickle, having a mind of their own, however, while they do choose whomever they feel is worthy, it is ultimately based on whomever wears the fire ruby and whatever strong connection that person holds with six people who have the propensity to be chosen by the other stones.”

“It’s a lot to take in.”

She could see the wheels in his head turning, he was mulling over the information and he had lots of questions. She had to admit, she was nervous. Sure, this was just the start of opening up to Spike about the truth but she was nowhere near ready to spill everything.

At least not until she was sure, he could carry the weight of the burden she was thrusting on his shoulders.

His eyes went from the ruby heart necklace to studying his mother’s body language. It was subtle, her nervousness. Outwardly, her face looked serene, giving nothing away, even her body language was relaxed, but his mother had a habit of squeezing one hand over the other to quell her usual hand wringing.

He has a lot of questions, the most dominant being, What aren’t you really telling me about these gemstones? But he knew she wasn’t going to be forthcoming with answers.

Instead, he asked, “Why are you giving these to me?”

She took his hands in her own, smiling down at him, “I want to feel some kind of security that you’ll be protected, I want you to leave here and begin journeying out into the world, I want you to make friends again and to be happy.”

That was better than no answer at all and it was a truthful one. Celestia caressed his face, he smiled and then hugged her tight, “I’m going to miss you so much, mom.”

“You better come visit me during fall break,” she returned the hug.

“It’s a promise!”

“It’s time to go, we shouldn’t keep Miss Zecora waiting,” even as she said this, she didn’t let go of him yet. She embraced him tight to her bosom one last time, moving his messy green hair away to kiss the top of his forehead, “I love you, Spike.”

“I love you, mom,” he kissed her cheek, finally breaking the hug. He smiled at Celestia one last time, taking the wooden box with the magical necklaces. She nodded to him to get going with an encouraging smile.

He turned around and left.

~~~*****~~~

Outside in front of the house, the young master was bombarded with farewells and little send-off gifts from the staff members.

A tall woman with teal eyes and braided black and white striped hair walked by Spike to the car, she smiled, “Last minute goodbyes always make for wet eyes. Tell me when you are ready to leave.”

“No problem Miss Z,” he blushed from embarrassment at all the attention, scratching his head, “Well this is it, I’m finally leaving home for the first time! Still feels surreal.”

“We’re all gonna miss you lots young master!” Flora, one of the maids proclaimed, she handed Spike a small gift bag with pretty wrapping paper, scented with potpourri.

“Things won’t be the same without you here!” Aqua Sweet smirked, handing him a box of candies.

“Have lots of fun and don’t study too hard young master!” Iridescence winked, her gift he could only guess was a collection of books.

“There won’t be anyone around to enjoy my sweet and spicy cinnamon rolls now,” Dandy Belle gave him a pastry box filled with all the treats he loved, “Make sure to eat proper meals, young master!”

A young woman by the name Moral Compass waved his way with a smirk. She adjusted her glasses, combing her hands through her long cyan and black twisted hair before pulling the boy by his hoodie close to her. Spike flustered, feeling her gloss painted lips whisper in his ear, “I’m going to miss our Tuesday study sessions. Don’t go replacing me with any pretty girls, you little nerd.”

Moral, satisfied that Spike was beyond looking like a ripe tomato, poked the boy in the forehead with a sly grin before heading back into the house.

A certain professor was not amused, giving Spike the dirtiest glare, immediately bringing Spike from blazing hot to freezing cold in ten seconds flat, “Do try to be more responsible with learning to hone your magic. Heavens forbid we hear the school caught ablaze from your recklessness.

There was a sinister glee coming from Professor Strict Rules. The type of bemused enjoyment one gets for knowing they can put the fear of the gods in their students, “You are lucky to have a mother that can repair 1,000-year-old burned scrolls. However, you no longer have that luxury so do mind your magic boy.”

“Y-yes sir!” Spike squeaked, he power walked towards the car, putting the gifts inside.

He turned around one last time before getting into the car, “Thanks everyone for sending me off, I’m gonna miss you all!”

Zecora revved up the engine, signaling Spike that it was time to go, “And I promise to try and have fun!”

He got in the car, seeing everyone wave to him as the car sped off, poking his head through the window, he waved back, “I’ll make sure to visit in the fall!”

From her vantage point, Luna saw the car disappear over the horizon. She stood by the upstairs balcony windows a little longer, addressing the other occupant in her personal sitting room, “So, this is what it feels like to let a child you help raise go, this house is going to be full of brooding adults for weeks.”

Celestia sat on one of the royal blue sofas in the room with legs crossed, “If it bothers you that much, just become a mother and lift our weary souls with the joy of a baby’s laughter.”

“I’ll pass thank you.”

Celestia sighed, she smiled but Luna knew her sister was trying to keep it together, “It’s going to be quiet without his accidental spells going haywire. Or listening to him read his favorite comics with the staff, or helping me try to cook…It hasn’t even been an hour yet and I already miss him, Luna.”

Luna chuckled, walking over to her sister. She leaned over the edge of the sofa, wrapping her sibling in a lose hug, “See, I can’t bring another child into this home, I’ll be too busy helping you cope with separation anxiety!”

Tears stream down Celestia’s face even as she laughed at Luna’s horrible jab at humor, “That’s not funny!”

“Who said I was joking?” she kissed Celestia’s forehead, letting her go, “I noticed he was wearing the fire ruby.”

Celestia dabbed daintily at her eyes with a soft cloth, “I gave him the necklaces.”

“Isn’t that considered high risk?” Luna raised a brow, just the other night her sister wanted to chew her alive for daring to suggest telling the truth.

“Yes, but you’re right, Spike deserves to know. I was being foolish but my stance remains the same.”

“However?”

“However, when the fire ruby chose him, there was no more doubt…he’ll learn it all in degrees. That said, you and I have some work to get to.”

Celestia watched with interest how the smug grin spread across Luna’s face, “In that case, I’m glad you see it my way.”

Luna sat across from her sister, organizing folders and paperwork, the grin never left even as she uttered the words, “Let’s get to work.”

TBC…

Author's Note

B-Empress: Hey guys, so here is chapter 1 of Color the Sky. I did what I normally do when it comes to chapters going pass the 11K word mark, I break them up. While the girls don't make a show this chapter, they definitely will in chapter 2! My stories tend to be on the slow burn side, so yeah...

In case anyone's confused about the government set up I have going at the beginning. I based Canterlot/Equestria's government to run like the US. But everything else is made up.

There's three/four branches of government: The High Court and Common Court are the Legislative Branch with the 'High Court' being the 'Senate' the Common Court being the Representatives. 'House of Superiors' is the Supreme Court, and there's the 'Auxiliary Command' which is like the executive branch.

Upper Residency is made of those part of the royal house, however, the Upper Residency has not been in absolute power; most of that power is presided over to Auxiliary Command. Those part of the Upper Residency cannot be appointed to the Common Court, House of Superiors, and Auxiliary (only under special conditions) because a careful balance between the High class and the common people need to be met. The only place they may take is the High Court and only those that are lesser nobles.

The only time the Upper Residency will overrule is in a time of crisis or when none of the other houses can come to agreement. The main job they do have is the power of appointing.

All this plays a role in the story and will make sense as time moves on.
Trust