"So, what did you think of the show Solar?" Asked Spike as he, Tempest, and Celestia all walked out of the theater after a production of Jersey Colts.

"Well, I liked it, but I wish I didn't already see it back in Canterlot about a month ago." She said.

Spike sighed, he had no idea that she already saw the show. "Really, then why didn't you say something?" Asked Spike, he was the ruler of the city, there was truly little that he couldn't get into last minute.

"Awe, don't worry, I really didn't care. I got to spend some time with you, the seats were much better, and I was actually able to look away for a moment without it becoming front page news."

Spike laughed at the idea that Celestia had that much authority, but she really did, and that was the death of many shows, shops, and many other things. Ponies hope that the princess will come to visit their business, but if something takes her attention away for any amount of time, that pretty much kills any chance that it will last more than a month. That's why so many shops, shows, and more over, attitudes change on a bit in Canterlot. Spike looked at Tempest. "Tempest, your thoughts?"

"Eh, not my thing, I like more fighting, but the music was great." She said with a shrug.

"I agree, Walk Like a Stallion was my favorite." Said Celestia.

"Well ladies, our reservation is in 30 minutes, so shall we have a drink at the bar before we enjoy our meal?" Asked Spike as he opened the door to a storm minion carriage.

"That sound's lovely." Said Celestia as she carefully got into the carriage.

"Sure does, but none of that weak stuff, let’s get some top shelf crap." Said Tempest, this was much more her speed, get a good drink and have a great night.

Celestia rolled her eyes at Tempest's lack of tact, but she kept her mouth shut for now. Spike looked at the storm minions that were pulling the carriage. "What about you guys, did you like the show?"

"Well it was slightly formulaic, but it had some interesting moments." Said one of the minions.

"Agreed, but I agree with the commander, the music was wonderful." Said the other.

Spike smiled at hearing that they liked the musical. "Good, and thanks for taking the late shift guys, I know this is probably the last place you guys want to be, but it's still appreciated."

"No problem Sir, now please climb in, it should take us a few minutes to reach La Sirène." Said the first minion.

Spike nodded as he climbed into the carriage, and once the door was closed the minions both moved off to the restaurant. While in the carriage, Spike was looking at Celestia, and he could tell that there was something wrong. "Ok, spill it mom, what's eating you?"

Celestia sighed at how easy Spike was always able to read when she was somewhere else. "Is it really that obvious?" Spike nodded. "Fine, it's you Spike, there is a question I've been wanting to ask you ever since this all started."

Spike nodded. "Why didn't I go back to Canterlot and take my position as prince, right?"

Celestia nodded. "Yes, that single question has been haunting me every day since this all was set into motion. So can you please tell me why I need to become someone else to spend time with my son?"

"Mom, it's more complicated than what you make it sound like, and even I know that. I'm sorry to say that many ponies in Canterlot are not as great as Equestria makes them sound. Your little Ponies are racist, speciescist, and just as long as nothing happens to their perfect society, they couldn't give a flying fuck about what happens to the rest of the world. Now I knew the plan if I came back to Canterlot, we'd talk, and then I would be crowned as heir to the throne. But then many nobles would demand that I, as a dragon, be stripped of any power, honors, or titles that come with that. They would rally many others in defense of 'their' Equestria, and many problems would grow from that single action. And before you ask me why I didn't go to the Crystal Empire and talk to Shining and Cadance, that's because I'd just end up in the same position by the end of all of it, they would of taken me to see you, and more problems, because the Empire would support me, and then they would be at odds with the powerful nobles of Canterlot. Sadly the Crystal Empire needs all the trade it can get to keep afloat, trade that is mostly centralized in Canterlot. So, that shot down Canterlot, and the Crystal Empire, then why not head to Thorax's hive or the Dragon Lands to stay with Ember? Well the first one would have been fine, it was a little far for me to walk the whole way, but meh. But the Dragon Lands, more dragons that saw me less than a youngling, and gave me the only thing a dragon is willing to give, pity. Not much for me there, sure I could have got back with Ember, but I just didn't want to make her feel like I needed to be accepted by a society that was never mine. So that left me with one option, strike out on my own, live my life like I want, and not have to deal with politics. But like everything in my life, it all went to hell the moment a dragon tried to show ponies that we are smart and do not conform to their image of what a dragon is."

Celestia hung her head down with each statement, it was all true, just because of her action’s years ago, it has effected the one she loves the most, by making everything that he did a challenge. "Spike, I'm so sorry, this is all my fault."

Spike sighed as he didn't want his mother to feel bad about all of this. "Mom, don't worry, it was a pretty good life, I never went hungry, I never had to worry about having a roof over my head, I had a loving mother who spent all the time she could with me, a great cousin that kept me company when my mother couldn't, a asshole of another cousin but he was still family, and thanks to all of the work that Twilight made me do, I have become the dragon that you see here."

Tempest sighed at hearing all this, she had learned bits and pieces from Spike and others like Coco, but she never heard the full story. "Spike, if it helps, I find the drake that you became, great, sexy, slightly annoying, and a bit of a goof ball, but with my personality I think we mesh well." She leaned over to Spike and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Spike smiled at Tempest. "Thanks Tempest, and it really does help to know that."

Celestia looked at Tempest and actually grew some respect for the mare. "Spike, what if I told you that this whole trip wasn't all for my benefit?"

Spike shrugged as he looked at Celestia. "I'd say that's about right for you. You never, ever worked so openly, so why would now be any different?"

"Hey, I am not that underhanded." Celestia took a deep breath to calm down. "But I have talked with many other kingdoms and we have decided to hold a royal summit. One to determine what shall happen to the many of the territories that have become lawless since the removal of the Storm King. But, I have been told that your absence would be seen as fear on my part to many of the allies that you have gained in the time you've been active."

Spike looked at Celestia a little surprised at what she was insinuating. "Mom, you do know what you're saying is not going to be looked upon with much favor, right?"

Celestia nodded at the statement. "Spike, this is a formal invitation to the Royal Capital of Canterlot, to participate in a royal summit, as the acting ruler of the island nation, Macro City. Meaning that as of this moment, the kingdom of Equestria formally recognizes Macro City as its own sovereign land."

Spike sighed, there was more to this than what her royal vocabulary was telling. "So, you want me to come to Canterlot? To return to Equestria? To see all the groups that I have either fucked over? Or helped? And you are telling me that you don't have any other motives than this?" Asked Spike, not believing a single word.

"Well that, and to actually see you again." Said Celestia.

"So, I can't refuse, or it will look bad on me, and you can't deny that my attendance would make the nations that I've helped more open to hearing you out. Tell me, did I hit the nail on the head?"

Celestia sighed, she hated that she had to use her political skills on her own son. "That is correct."

"Cool, just wanted to get everything out on the table. I'd be happy to attend." Said Spike with a shrug, he really didn't care, but this would be a great chance to see Thorax, Bonnie, and Yona.

Celestia looked at Spike's face and she had taught him how to do that. "Ok, now what do you really want?"

Spike smirked at Celestia. "Still can't fool you it seems."

"Of course not, I am your mother, I can tell when you lie to me, now what do you want?"

"I want to be able to eat meat, and don't tell me no, you have a few chefs just for that purpose, second I want to bring Coco, she hasn't been on the mainland in a while, plus I need to make up for pissing her off. Third, I do not want to be cornered by Twilight, or any of the girls. I will talk to Aunt Luna and Cadance, but that's it, and lastly for my own protection, I will be accompanied by a few of my best employees. Tempest being one of them, along with Astral and a few others that I need to see if their even alive."

"That is fair, but I want your word that you are not going to do anything." Said Celestia, if Spike did something, then it would be on her head that it happened seeing as she is here to invite him.

"Well, I got a job in Somnambula, so I'll need to take care of that after the summit is over, so allow me safe passage there and I promise to be a good little drake."

"Fine." Said Celestia.

"Perfect, now if I remember right, rulers normally seal a deal with a drink." There was a knock on the door to the carriage. "And I guess that means it's time for that drink." Spike got out of the carriage and helped both mares out of it. "Boys, be back here in a few hours." The storm minions nodded as they removed their harnesses and ran off to do their own thing. Spike smiled at having some really hard workers. "So, I forgot to ask, when will this whole thing be held?"

"Well seeing as it takes time for everyone to come together, many of us have decided that it would be best that after a period of 2 weeks to allow for Queen Bonneble to grieve the loss of her father, is when we will all come together."

Spike smiled at hearing that they weren't going to just toss Bonnie into the big times. "Well, I hope everything goes well for her, now let’s have a nice meal." Spike looped his arms around the mares and escorted them into the restaurant.

Author's Note

The story will pick up right before the summit, and spend a few chapters there, but mostly in the talks between the meetings, then it's off to Somnambula to see if Spike is going to need to kill Discord. (Honestly I want someone to draw a sphinx draconequus kiten hybrid before that happens so please PM if interested or know someone that will do it for free.)

One last thing, I need some real powerhouse OCs, Astral is going to be a part of a group of five that act as Spike's guard, Tempest is also in there, and Redsopine, meaning that I need 2 more OCs. PM me if you're cool with that, but make them real badasses in their own right.