“Spike, Starlight aren't you two excited?! Princess Cadence herself invited us to a book festival in the Crystal Empire!” Twilight shouted to her friends as she hopped around the train car, reminding Spike of Pinkie.

“I like books as much as the next mare Twilight, but a book festival? That seems like a pretty… niche kind of thing. Glad to see you are so happy and I bet Sunburst is pretty much in the same boat.”

“Niche? More like an egghead kind of thing.” Twilight gave a soft glare to the dragon but he smiled back at her. As he was playing up his cool image, inner Spike was a bundle of nerves. This plan of Cadence’s to trick all of the Empire and Equestria into believing he was this Emerald Flare was something he thought he could do, but the problem was the two traveling with him.

Twilight has always been with him and may as well know him better than he knows himself. She’s a genius and knows magic to a science. He’ll have to hope that she is just distracted by the books and the fact that he’s an author to question him too much. She will know him right away if he underestimates her though even for a moment. Then there is Starlight to consider. She’s just as smart as Twilight and has a bit of a devious streak. She also has spent enough time with Spike to know him well but she is still awkward around crowds and ponies she doesn’t know. Hopefully, he’ll be able to use their weaknesses to keep them from finding him out.

The three went to the windows as the conductor stated that they were entering the Empire’s shield early. Even if they had seen it dozens of times, the view of the Empire was still breathtaking. Spike grabbed the bags as they arrived and Twilight went to hug Shining and do her sunshine dance with Cadence. Sunburst hugged Starlight as Flurry was toothing on his horn. Some guards took the bags from Spike and he thanked them before joining the group.

“We’re so glad to see you all are doing well, I heard you three have been very busy. Spike, nice to see your size is finally catching up to your ego~” Cadence joked but she wasn't wrong. Spike had started working at Sweet Apple Acres ever since he questioned Ember on his size and why he wouldn’t grow despite being in the age range of her and the other teenage dragons. She asked him to hoard but he refused, having told her of what he had done the last time he did. After some thought and talking it through with Twilight, the two came to the idea of Spike hoarding memories instead of objects. He started to collect photos of his friends, family, and best moments. Those photos offered a weak hoard but it still helped push him to the size of the average pony.

“I’m so glad that you all could come to the festival! Lots of authors are supposed to be here with AK Yearling and another as our special guests.” Twilight geeked out a bit and asked who the other special guest was but Cadence said it was a surprise. Spike went to follow them as they were heading back to the castle but Shining put a hoof on his shoulder and told them all to go ahead and they would catch up. Spike felt his heart speed up a bit in fear, did Cadence tell him? Did he figure it out and was mad? Spike swallowed as he watched the others leave and he turned to Shining.

“I-is something wrong Shining?”

“Is something wrong?! Look at me, Spike! I’m wasting away here!” The dragon frowned and tilted his head in confusion until he really looked at the stallion. His mane was wild and unkempt, his white coat looked wet, and he seemed to have a limp.

“Whoa, dude, what happened to you? Usually, you have the whole perfect soldier look locked down.”

“I know! I’m so tired of taking showers! Do you know how many bits I’ve spent on shampoo?! You don’t wanna know!”

“I’ll take your word on that… so what happened?”

“Cadence happened.”

“Excuse me?”

“Cadence! Look, you know about the book that every pony is reading right?” Spike blushed and looked away with a whistle.

“Nooo, what are you talking about? Twilight doesn’t let me read things like that.” Shining gave him a deadpan expression.

“I taught you how to hide magazines and I know for a fact you still have some of the exotic ones. No playing innocent with me.” Spike shushed him loudly and pulled them even farther away from any other pony.

“Sheesh don’t be too loud with stuff like that. I actually have an image in the empire to hold on to!”

“Oh please Spike, these ponies would follow you to the end of Equestria if you asked. They actually are making a play about you fighting Sombra, I think it’s called Of Shadows and Flames. I doubt them hearing you like to look at dirty magazines would change that. Heck, that may even push some into getting into that business.”

“Baaack to the point, yes I know about the book you are talking about. The Neverending Flame Right? So what does the book have to do with you being… like this?”

“Everything! That book is a best seller across Equestria! Every mare is reading it and most stallions. I swear I read it and felt my testosterone levels dipping at some parts.”
‘Ow. Come on bro! it wasn’t that bad! I added action just for ponies like you!’
“But the book is good and that’s the problem! You know that the Crystal Heart absorbs all the love of Equestria right?”

“Right?”

“Well, turns out there are different kinds of love. Cadence told me that love split into many forms with three main kinds. True Love, Familial Love, and… Passionate Love.”

“So the heart is absorbing love because of the book?”

“Exactly, but the problem is the kind of love it’s taking in.”

“I don’t see how this is a problem. If the heart is taking in love, doesn’t that make Cadence and the Empire stronger?”

“Yes, but think hard now Spike, what kind of love is the heart absorbing and who does that effect?” Spike gave it some thought. His story was a bit of a love story with the main character having a strong female colthood friend who cares about him but doesn’t talk about her feelings and is just happy to be by his side while the other love interest is a kind stranger he meets and must protect. He was about to say true love when his mind wandered to the two separate passionate nights the main character shares with the girls and how popular that scene seemed to be.

“Passionate love?”

“Yes now, who is connected to the heart?”

“Cadence.”

“Soooo?”

“Cadence would be full of…” Spike smirked as he noticed Shining's appearance again and burst into laughter. “O-OH MY CELESTIA! S-she’s bucking you into submission!”

“SHUSH! Keep it down you bonehead!” It took five minutes for Spike to stop laughing and after nearly choking from the lack of air he was calm and back up. “She’s been relentless! She even closed down her day court and took me from my training of the new recruits because of how needy she was. The first few days were nice with us spending more time together but then it was ten times a day, then fifteen, and now twenty-five! She wants me once or twice an hour and my body can’t take it! I swear she is trying to get pregnant again!”

“I don’t really know how I’m supposed to help you and I don’t want to hear about you bucking my cousin every hour of every day.”

“Now this is supposed to be top-secret but I overheard that the author of the book is supposed to be the second special guest at the festival. It’s meant to be his first appearance and I have a guess he’s a Crystal Pony so he’ll listen to you. I want you to find him and convince him to try and tone down the sex in his next book or I may not make it!” Spike bit his lip as he wondered what to do. He could see how his book was affecting Shining and even Cadence but on the other hand, the Empire was more powerful and the ponies seem to enjoy those scenes…

“I’ll see what I can do.” Shining smiled tiredly and hugged Spike before they started walking to the castle.

“Thanks, Spike, I knew I could count on you. Couldn’t really tell Twily about this and Sunburst is a big fan of those scenes so I couldn’t be sure he’d be a huge help.” The two joked and caught up, stopping several times to take a picture, sign an autograph, or just say hi to the ponies. Spike marveled at the sight of several changelings walking among the Crystal Ponies. Seems that after Spike befriended them and Thorax became king, the Empire was one of the first to open its doors to the race. It looked like Spike was as big a star to the Changelings as he was to the Crystal Ponies since they wanted autographs and pictures too.

“It’s tough being so popular.”

“Heh, nice to see you enjoy soaking it up so much seeing that I hear you’re not as popular back in Ponyville, at least not with the mares~”

“I’ll have you know I could date anypony I wanted! I’m just keeping my options open unlike you.”

“I’m happily married to the Princess of Love, have a filly, and I rule an Empire. I won the game of life.”

“...No need to brag.”

“Sore loser.” The two entered the castle and found Cadence and Twilight flying with Flurry. Spike did notice just how Cadence seemed to glow and could feel the love radiating off her like magic. The three caught sight of the guys and Flurry rushed over, hugging Spike’s head.

“Sp-ike! Sp-ike!” The dragon smiled hugging the alicorn filly. His name turned out to have been the third word she could say, after mama and dada.

“There’s my favorite Alicorn! I missed you too Flurry, can you let go of my cheeks pleaseee?” Flurry only giggled as she rubbed and played with his face. Twilight playfully pouted landing next to them.

“I thought I was your favorite Alicorn!”

“You don’t count Twi, you have an unfair advantage!”

“What about the princesses?”

“Celestia is best mom, Luna is coolest aunt, and Cadence is favorite cousin.” Twilight rolled her eyes and smiled, missing the look Cadence was giving her brother as she landed.

“Thank you, Spike. Oh, I was hoping you two could watch Flurry for a few minutes while Shining and I checked something for the festival.” Spike heard Shining gulp behind him and he quickly thought of something to help out the poor stallion.

“Umm, actually Cadence I have a few questions about the festival if you don’t mind…” Cadence did look a bit disappointed but nodded and Spike gave Flurry to Shining, who mouthed a thank you. The two walked in silence until they reached Flurry’s room which was soundproofed. “Sorry for interrupting you two back there.”

“It’s okay Spike, to be honest, I think I have been asking a lot from Shining lately so a very short break may do him some good. So what are your questions?”

“We have to figure out how we’re doing this Emerald Flare thing and what I should say during the interview. You know I have bad luck in front of huge crowds…”

“I have everything thought out! I am going to turn you into a Crystal Pegasus for two hours that should give you more than enough time.” Spike bit his lip as he knew that if he appeared as a Crystal Pony, Shining may become suspicious.

“Do I have to be a Crystal Pony?”

“Well, I’m not that skilled with transformation magic yet but I could try a regular pegasus. The problem is Aunt Celestia knows most of her ponies and if she sees one that she doesn’t recognize it may push her to find you out. I hear she is already a bit curious.” Spike shivered, Shining finding out would be bad but his mother? That would be a nightmare.

“Crystal Pony then.” Cadence nodded and began to charge up her horn as Spike’s eyes widened. “W-wait we’re doing this now?!”

“Best to get it out of the way as soon as we can and this talk is a good reason for why you aren’t around. I’ll tell Twilight that I had to give you a job.” Spike nodded, a bit nervous, having magic done on him was always a strange feeling with transformation magic especially. Cadence’s horn glowed so brightly that Spike had to cover his eyes and a beam of magic struck Spike, his dragon body absorbed it and Spike gasped as he felt his body change and heat up. The feeling in his fingers vanished and his hard scales were replaced with soft flesh and fur. His spines suddenly went soft and became hair.

After what felt like hours, the light faded and Cadence was left huffing. She looked up and smiled. “Spike? You feeling okay?” In place of the dragon was a dark purple Crystal Pegasus with a wild unkempt green mane and vibrant emerald eyes. Steam came off of Spike as he groggily climbed onto his hooves, failing when he tried to stand on his hind legs.

“T-this is gonna take some getting used to…” He covered his mouth as his voice was deeper. He shakingly got to his hooves and Cadence helped steady him. It took ten minutes but Spike started to slowly get the hang of his hooves, it was just like walking on all fours and he’d just have to focus on walking one hoof at a time. “I think I can walk…”

“If you’re sure. Now, I have some urgent business and we need to get you out of here or ponies may get suspicious.” She teleported the two into the gardens outside the castle. Spike held his stomach and asked for more warning next time. Cadence giggled and messed up his mane before summoning some bits and tying them to a saddle so he could buy things. She told him to go and enjoy his new body and take a walk around the festival mentioning several comic writers being around. He waved as she vanished and left him alone. He wiggled a bit trying to get used to the saddle before he trotted along.

It was weird being in the empire and there being no crowds of ponies following him. He was a bit embarrassed to find that he was actually excited about the book festival, chalking it up to being a writer and spending way too much time with Twilight and the girls.

“Note to self, make two guys' nights a week in the future to raise your testosterone levels.” He ended up buying several new comics, even getting them signed by their artists. Spike smiled and wondered how Cadence managed to even make such a festival in such a short time. “I guess mom did train her well.”

The pegasus suddenly stopped as he smelled something good and quickly chased the smell to an ice cream stand. He was nearly drooling at the sight of a large vanilla cone with melted chocolate being poured on it. He sped over and ordered two cones. The pony gave him the cones on a tray that allowed him to trot and eat. Spike checked the time and saw he had only managed to waste thirty minutes.

“Great, now what am I supposed to… Starlight?” He had nearly walked right into the unicorn as she was alone and seemed to be distracted while sitting on a bench.

“Huh? Who are you?” Spike blinked as he looked around hoping to come up with something before he realized who he was supposed to be.

“I’m uhh Em… I heard about you from Princess Cadence! You’re Starlight Glimmer, right? Princess Twilight’s student?”

“Oh yeah that’s me… it was all good things she told you right?” Spike chuckled and nodded while Starlight let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good.”

“So is something wrong? You don’t look like the type that should be all alone.” He sat next to her and offered his second cone which she glanced at and refused but her stomach growled and she took it with a small blush.

“Well...I wasn’t supposed to be alone. My stallionfriend left me today…” Spike choked on his treat as his mind couldn’t accept that. The very notion that Sunburst would dump Starlight was like Spike suddenly abandoning Twilight for Trixie; it was impossible.

“Y-your stallion friend wouldn’t be the court wizard Sunburst, would it? We met a few times and I don’t believe he’d ever leave you!”

“You’re kind but it wasn’t really his choice. Sunburst is quite the wizard, strong and brave not to mention smart but I wasn’t the only one that noticed his potential. The great Starswirl was told of Sunburst’s magic and after coming to see him in action found somepony just like himself. He wants to train Sunburst and take him to several lands outside Equestria.”

“And he thought that you two couldn’t work?”

“I offered to come with him or said I would wait but he didn’t want me in danger or even worst waiting for him. He said that I am a perfect mare and I shouldn’t have to wait for a stallion. He wanted me to find somepony and be happy. We were both crying and I left for a walk… ending up here…” Spike gritted his teeth a bit, accidently crushing his ice cream not being used to his hooves yet. The worst part? He didn’t know who to be angry at. Sunburst? No… he showed he cared for her and wants her to be happy plus he can’t give away this chance. Starlight? Course not, she had no choice in this happening and she was willing to go with him. Starswirl? No, the old stallion can’t have too much more time and wants to make sure he leaves behind his wisdom in a pony in case they ever need it. “Anyway, I should get out of your mane…”

“Wait!” Spike held out a hoof as Starlight turned surprised. He choked on his words as he didn’t know what to say. “Umm… you live in Ponyville right? Would you… wanna be friends? Maybe pen pals?” Starlight blinked and giggled at the silly request.

“Mail may take a bit of time to get to each other.”

“I actually have a connection in Ponyville… what you say?” Starlight thought over the suggestion. She couldn’t say why but she found she liked talking to this stallion. He reminded her of someone.

“Okay.” Spike cheered, jumping into the sky as his wings opened and flapped, taking him into the air. His wings were purple but at the ends the feathers were green. Starlight giggled again at how excited he got. Spike blushed fluttering back to the ground. They shared their addresses with Spike listing the castle as his with the excuse that he was staying there. Starlight waved with a small smile as she walked away and Spike smiled back, glad that he was able to help her. A nearby clocktower signaled the passing of an hour and Spike rushed to the stage where the interviews were happening. He was stopped by a guard who asked him to show his pass but Spike panicked not knowing what he was talking about.

“No pass, no entry.”

“Please! I’m Emerald Flare I can’t miss this!”

“Oh come on dear, it’s fine. I’ll keep an eye on the young stallion.” The two’s argument was interrupted as AK Yearling approached and the guard began to explain his position but Yearling cut him off saying that she was sure that Cadence wouldn’t mind and that she believed this stallion was Emerald Flare. The guard reluctantly let Spike pass and the two walked behind the stage with Spike taking a seat.

“Thank you, Miss Yearling! I couldn’t miss this! It’s my first big interview and public appearance…” She giggled and sat next to him.

“I can tell, you have the look of a messy beginner. Bet you’re just a bag of nerves.”

“That obvious?”

“Only if you’re looking.” She lowered her glasses a bit, winking one of her purplish-rose eyes at him and Spike could swear he saw a bit of her character Daring Do in them. “Just breathe, relax, and be yourself and I know you’ll do perfectly. I enjoyed your book and I hope your sequel is coming along. I know a bit about writing blocks. Sometimes you just have to… put yourself in the hooves of your character.” Spike nearly geeked out right there, the AK Yearling read his book and liked it! She heard her name being called and she walked to the stage.

“T-THANK YOU! I-I’ll do my best! I love your Daring Do stories!” Yearling stopped before she entered the stage and smirked back at Spike.

“Heh course you do, who doesn’t love a good adventure with yours truly?” He was struck silent as she left and he was alone. His mind turned to the interview and what he should say. What should try to be? Cool? Posh?

‘No, that’s not you. This is a new chance to be who I want to be. A chance to show Equestria that Spike the dragon is a dragon err pony that they could love.’ Soon Spike heard the interviewer call out their special guest Emerald Flare and he took a deep breath before trotting out with a nervous smile. The crowd was wild with many screaming, stomping, and cheering him on. He blushed at the attention and waved at the crowd before he took a seat.

“I must say that it's fantastic to finally meet you Mister Flare, you are a hard pony to get in contact with. I’m Soft Press.”

“Oh, I’m sorry about that! You see I’m a bit of a recluse, always traveling around Equestria to find new inspiration for my stories and that kind of thing.”

“You aren’t the only one, Miss Yearling is rumored to be the same way. It must be hard being famous huh?”

“Well, no one really knew who I was so it wasn’t really that hard but I guess I was just never the type to settle in one place for long. Guess that will change after this though.”

“I would think so. Now, I see you’re a Crystal Pony so were you born in the Empire?”

“Actually no… I was born in a small village far from here and the eyes I have are from my mother whose family escaped the empire before the mess with Sombra. I guess the gene was passed down all through the years but I wanted to take a moment to thank the Empire and their princess for being so kind and accepting me as one of their own!” The crowd cheered for him and he smiled.

“Now let’s talk about your book, The Neverending Flame. What do you think of the success of the book and why did it become so successful?”

“Hmm, I suppose most ponies do love a daring adventure story. I mean look at Daring Do, but while Daring is fantastic and I couldn’t hope to challenge her in action I added something else. Romance. My main character, Dark Cloud, was a pegasus much like myself but more… determined. He was everything I wished I could be and went on an adventure that I wanted to go on. He had his friends and met new ones which would become the shipping war I’ve seen happen. I think mares and stallions all find characters that they can relate to and want to see win their happy ending. As for what I think of the success, well I want to say thank you to all the readers out there and I honestly couldn’t be more shocked you all enjoyed what I had to give!”

“What are you planning to do with the proceeds? I bet that many bits must really open up plenty of doors.”

“Honestly, I’m planning on sixty percent to be donated to charity while the rest will come to Princess Cadence for safe keeping as I’m traveling.”

“Kind and generous, you must really turn heads mister Flare.” Spike blushed and laughed.

“Only when they are laughing at me.”

“Well, now I think it’s time to open my next question to the audience, so choose some lucky pony out there to ask you something.” Spike looked out at the cheering crowd which was full of ponies shouting for their hoof to be chosen. He noticed a familiar mane style and smiled pointing at the alicorn who was raising a hoof while dancing a bit to make other ponies give her some room.

“You, the alicorn with the cute dance moves.” Twilight was in the middle of busting a move when she heard his voice and found all the mares nearby staring at her with envy, except for Starlight who was giggling.

“O-oh me! Umm…” Twilight quickly composed herself and flew close to Spike. “I’m Twilight Sparkle, well Princess Twilight Sparkle but you don’t have to call me by my title! I prefer Twilight or Twi or Twily or-” Spike trotted over and smiled at her, putting a hoof on her head and chuckling.

“Breathe Twilight.” The mare blushed but obeyed and was soon relaxed.

“Thank you Mister Flare…”

“Emerald or Em if you will. Your student and I are friends so what kind of stallion would I be if I didn’t extend that position to you?” Twilight glanced back at Starlight who was sporting a tiny blush and she turned back to Spike clearing her throat.

“Thank you, Emerald. I wanted to ask you what your plans are for the sequel as the story was left off at a cliffhanger and what we could look forward to?”

“Excellent question. The next book will be called The Setting of the Sun and it will have Cloud facing his past and learning more about his friends as the group becomes closer. Each of the girls will have moments with him and each other to really flush them out. Ivo will also return to give more of the great action everyone loves including a new hero but can’t say too much here, other than this book will have non-ponies entering the mold.” The crowd oohed at that and Twilight thanked him for the answer before flying back to Starlight. Spike glanced at the time, seeing it was getting close to his spell’s end. He motioned that he had to leave and Soft Press understood.

They ended the interview with a few more words and Spike galloped to the castle, making sure he wasn’t followed as he felt his body beginning to heat up. Spike hid in the gardens and yelled as his body gave off steam and his skeleton and body twisted and reconfigured back into a dragon. Spike was a sweaty mess when he found he was back as a dragon. He heard his name being called before he fainted.

. . .

Spike woke on a soft bed and groaned as he leaned up. “Careful, that kind of magic takes its toll.” He turned to the voice finding Cadence there with a smile.

“Well, I won’t have to be Emerald again so I guess it doesn’t really matter.”

“I don’t know about that Spike. We have to see just how far this goes and seeing the answers you gave we have to see how Auntie takes what is coming up. I have a solution though just in case you need to be Emerald and I’m not around.” She summoned a necklace that had the medallion of a green flame. “Wear this and it should turn you into Emerald for two hours before the magic is drained and you need to send it back to me for a refill.” Spike examined the necklace and rubbed his chin.

“So with this, I can be Emerald anytime I want. Maybe I should do a book signing in Ponyville. Celestia knows I owe the town after all the stuff I’ve done.”

“Just be careful to not give yourself away, that stunt choosing Twilight was pretty risky.”

“Yeah… but it seemed to make her happy so I couldn’t resist.”

“I suppose you’re right, she did seem to enjoy you. A bit longer and some stallion may have just earned himself a marefriend~” Spike laughed at the idea.

“Yeah right, if she doesn’t like me after all these years what would me looking different do?” The two made small talk as they went back into the castle. Twilight and Starlight were talking about Emerald and how kind and charming he seemed to be. Spike looked a bit proud and whispered to Shining that he talked about the problem to Emerald and that he would lower the smut scenes to a single scene. Shining released a sigh of relief and the two spent the night playing O&O and teaching a bit to Flurry who enjoyed seeing them acting out their parts and biting on the figurines.

They spent the night and the next morning playing before they were ready to go back to Ponyville. The girls were still talking about Emerald and Spike caught the girls whispering about his flank which made him blush and he glanced at his tail. He figured that this would pass and things would go back to normal soon enough. As he left, Spike glanced out a window and his claws gripped the necklace he now owned.

. . .

Celestia frowned at the newspaper and what Emerald Flare had revealed about himself. “A small village huh? Just who are you? I think it’s time to extend an invite to this Emerald Flare.”

Author's Note

Hiya everypony! I'm sorry about this note being short but I have to go to work! I hope you all enjoy the chapter, I know it seems to be slow except for the thing with Celestia but it will be a bit like this for the first chapters with the story focusing on one of two of the mares at a time. I hope you all enjoy the story! I want to thank you all for the support and the views!!