Chapter 1: Scaled Son

“You can be the greatest pain in the flank ever, you know that, don’t you, cousin?” An elegantly dressed young stallion of twenty-years of age said with playful mockery. His mane was curled, stylized, and blonde; brushed, maintained, and kept to sparkling perfection. His alabaster coat, equally pristine as his mane and tail, reflected his status and wealth.

“Just because I’m the best looking of the two doesn’t give you the right to be jealous, Blue,” Spike replied with a smirk, gently nudging at the unicorn. The two laughed a little as they made their way down the hallway leading to Canterlot Inner Affairs room.

Standing half a head taller than Blueblood, Spike maintained a perfect pose, much like Blueblood’s, as he walked; carrying himself with an aura of power and superiority that was evident for all to see and admire. If the fact that he was a dragon didn’t make the cut to stand out wherever he was, his elegant poise and aura sure did the job.

Unlike Blueblood, who preferred to use a simple yet luxurious collar and a tie or bowtie (depending on what he felt like using) for his royal attire, Spike was more traditional and flashy. He wore a loincloth suspended by a belt. From it, a short sword hung from his hip. On his shoulders, two shoulder pads rested, each connected to a small leather vest barely covering Spike’s pectorals and collarbone. Also connected to the upper part of his shoulder pads, two golden rings could be spotted; each holding one end of the cape flowing behind the dragon’s back, reaching a little past his knees.

His shoulder pads were white and pristine, each showcasing Celestia’s cutie mark. The loincloth was of a light green shade, similar to the scales running across Spike’s underbelly. The cape was of the same purple tone as his scales. The spines running from atop his head and all the way to the spade of his tail were of a much greener tone, similar to his emerald eyes, and barring a rounded, blunt edge to them.

Even though he was taller than most other ponies, reaching just well past Celestia’s necklace without counting his spines, his complexion was lean and scrawny without a shred of actual visible muscles on him. Still, despite lacking a strong complexion, he was healthy-looking.

“In your dreams, iguana,” Blueblood smirked. “Tell me, Spike, how did the meeting with the Buffalo tribes go?”

“Better than even mom had expected them to be,” he replied with a proud smile. “They were quite amicable with me, all because I’m a dragon. We were able to draw many mutually favorable dealings. I was even able to lower the tensions they had with the newly founded town of Appleloosa, brokering a compromise.”

“I am sensing a but in there, Spike,” Blueblood pressed on.

Spike snarled, puffing out some smoke as he frowned a little. “Keen as ever, eh? You’re right, Blue. I wasn’t able to forge a complete integration with them. They can be remarkably stubborn creatures, those buffalo. I merely managed to secure the trade agreements, formal alliance, and migration treaties. The ones that that insufferable idiot of Neighsay couldn’t before running off like a cower to run schools.”

Blueblood had to stop for a moment to look at his cousin intently. “And you’re annoyed that you’ve succeeded where others have not?”

Spike shook his head. “No, Blue. I’m annoyed because I failed to convince the Buffalo Tribes to fully embrace Harmony and Friendship. I’ve barely scraped the cover of the book with them. I’ll have to try again in three or four years after they see the benefits they agreed to,” he finished with another snort of smoke.

“I know that was important but, seriously? ‘Scraped the cover of the book’? Twilight Sparkle has been a terrible influence over you, cousin,” Blueblood said, smirking widely as he did.

“Don’t start with that again,” Spike pleaded as he rubbed the bridge of his short snout. “I’ve already told you AND Cadance that Twilight and I are just friends!” He leaned in closer. “Besides, Shining Armor would find a way to de-scale me if I much as look at Twilight like that.”

“You are correct, my dear Spike. Shining Armor may be a nerd and a geek and have a heart of gold,” Blueblood brought a hoof up to massage his chin. “But he’s very protective of his little sister. Plus, he’s much stronger than I ever thought him to be.”

“Seeing you fall to the floor in a single swing was hilarious, Blue,” Spike smirked. “What was it you said to Twilight? ‘Oh, fairest maiden, I come--”

“Finish that sentence and I swear I’ll drag your tail to the next ball I’m invited to,” Blueblood said, staring at his cousin with ice-y blue, piercing eyes.

“Try it, Blueballs,” Spike’s smirk widened. “Come on, I dare you!” They exchange defying stares for the better part of a minute, until they broke it up and laughed, hugging each other for support.

“O-One of these days, Spike!” Blueblood chortled. “So… you’re not interested at all in Lady Sparkle?”

“As more than a friend? No. It’d be super weird, don’t you think? We practically grew up together after mom picked her as her newest student,” he explained. “Besides, I got my eyes on other mares.”

“Alright. Be like that if you want. But don’t you think it’s strange?” Blueblood halted, mere meters away from their destination. Lowering his voice, he stood on his rear legs to be able to pass a foreleg across Spike’s back of the neck and pull him in. “Twilight had been aunt Celestia’s student for nearly fourteen years. She’s nineteen now, and yet auntie Celestia still teaches her? Don’t you think it’s odd?”

“Only a little. Twilight must be a special case for having lasted more than any other of mom’s previous students,” Spike mused. “Speaking of which, I’ve noticed she’s been more into her books lately. Apparently, she’s grown quite interested in some legendary artifacts called The Elements of Harmony.”

“What are you two plotting now?” A sweet as honey voice called from behind them.

Spike and Blueblood pulled away as the pink alicorn walked up to them with a modest smile on her lips.

“Princess Cadance,” Spike bowed his head in respect.

“Sister,” Blueblood smiled.

“My, my. Ever the gentledrake,” she let out a short giggle right before breaking into a run. Spike was prepared and hugged her tightly, just as she was hugging him. It lasted but a moment, then Cadance pulled back to kiss Spike and her little brother in the cheek. “Made you wait a long time for me?”

“Not at all, Cadance,” Spike answered. “We just arrived ourselves.”

“So, any idea who are we going to meet today?” Cadance asked, now standing back on her own legs.

“A few of the Noble Houses representatives and Heads,” Blueblood began. “Sadly, Fancy Pants won’t be joining us to help us mediate the meeting between the Swiftquills and the Raingivers.”

“The Raingivers? Again? What do they want now?” Spike groaned.

“Apparently, the Swiftquills have raised the price of their merchandise only to spite them. The Raingivers feel insulted. They have laid a claim to be granted a recompense of up to five percent of the working land owned by the Swiftquills,” Blueblood replied tiredly.

“C-Can they even do that? Legally?” Cadance asked, appalled. “Do they really have the merit to do so?”

“The Raingivers have been getting away with too many privileges over the years, that is the sad truth,” Blueblood commented. “As one of the oldest and most powerful Pegasi Noble Houses, few can truly oppose them. And the Swiftquills certainly cannot. They are but a minor Earth Pony noble family.”

“Can’t we rely on the Oranges or the Apples to give us a hand? Surely, a letter from Sir Apple Strudel or Madam Smith could be enough to push back against the Raingivers?” Cadance offered.

“We don’t have the time to ask for their help,” Spike stomped his foot angrily. “What about the Thunderstrucks or the Skyshapers? They hold almost as much influence as the Raingivers.”

Blueblood shook his head. “That won’t work. Their interest areas are too dispersed for them to put in a valid claim,” he said, biting his lower lip.

“Can’t we simply strike them down?” Spike mused. “Deny their claims, toss them aside, and treat them like the squabbling foals that they are?”

“We could do that. But they’d surely retaliate in ways that would make it impossible for us to accuse them of. A misjudged weather pattern here, a slightly stronger hail and lightning storm there, an accidental snowstorm instead of a mild rain day,” Blueblood counted, his voice strained and sounding rather annoyed.

“Let’s get this over with,” Spike fumed. “I understand this is part of our training, but why must we deal with this petty squabble when there are far greater objectives to be had? Do they not understand the harm they are causing to Equestria’s Harmony?”

“You should’ve been a preacher rather than a Prince, Spike,” Cadance giggled. “No matter how much nobles like the Raingivers bitter, argue, and quarrel, they will never endanger Equestria or our ideals.”

“You are wise beyond your years, mine sister. Sadly, that aspect goes over the scaly head of a certain sun-seeking iguana I know, I’m afraid,” Blueblood jested.

Spike groaned loudly, hissing and mumbling while his cousins laughed quietly at his expense.

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

Celestia sipped at her cup of tea whilst reading an unfolded scroll. She couldn’t help but smile as she went through its contents, feeling giddy, elated, and proud at the same time. Putting her cup of tea down, she folded the scroll and magically placed it on the place it belonged on the shelf to her right.

“What was it about, sister?”

Celestia turned to her little sister, Luna, sitting across the ample room they used for their joint affairs after finishing their court duties. Her voice was mellow, welcoming, but also cold and indifferent; possessing a croaky, painfully raspy feel to it that she couldn’t help.

“It’s from Chief Thunderhooves. He mentions what an honor it was to have hosted a dragon, and a Prince of Equestria at that, as the leading part of the diplomatic delegation. He also mentions that the treaty has far exceeded his expectations and is glad to call Equestria, and the local town of Appleloosa, as friends,” Celestia finished with an overly satisfied sigh.

“...Congratulations, I suppose,” Luna replied. “My dear nephew has scored his second victory under your banner. You have raised him well, Celestia,” Luna said sternly.

“We have raised him well, Luna. Don’t forget your influence was as important as mine on his development,” Celestia replied before taking another sip of tea.

Luna smiled gently. Memories of the little dragon clinging to her, pulling at her mane, hugging and embracing her without a trace of fears were amongst her most treasured memories. “I cannot rebuke that fact, sister,” his smile vanished, replaced by a deep scowl. “However, the fact remains that our dear nephew serves you over anything and any other else,” she spat. “I am not blind, sister. I know what you do. I know what you have done. I know of the promise you pledged to him.”

“And have you not tried to snatch him from my side before?” Celestia retorted, causing Luna to flinch slightly. “Luna. Please. Do you see in me a monster?”

“I see my deluded sister who thinks it is okay to use her adopted son, my beloved nephew, as another tool for her machinations towards her blind goal of conquering the world,” Luna replied dryly.

Celestia sighed. “I am not trying to conquer the world, Luna. Only tyrants like Tirek, or power-hungry maniacs, like Lavan, wish to conquer the world. I seek to unify it. Is that so bad in your eyes?”

“Unify it under your banner, sister. What’s the difference between your unification and world domination?” Luna questioned.

“That I am not seeking to place myself on top of a pedestal once Equis stands with a single banner to unite all nations, all kingdoms, all empires, and all peoples into a single, glorious nation of prosperity. All under the banner of Equestria. All united through Harmony and Friendship,” Celestia replied, closing her eyes. “It’s what Father and Mother always wanted.”

“YOU SWINE!” Luna shouted, jumping to her hooves, her mane turning into a violent cloud of magic, her eyes shifting from warm cyan to an icy tone, her irises turning into slits. “Mother and Father would’ve never wanted it to happen this way!” Luna remarked before closing her eyes, her anger subsiding and her physical appearance returning to normal. “What you are doing is wrong, Celestia.”

“Oh? Then I suppose I should raise armies and conquer other nations? Should I bully them into submission? Use the Sun to hold them as hostages unless they comply with my terms?” This time it was Celestia’s turn to stand up; an angry scowl adorning her otherwise gentle expression. “Tell me, sister, what am I to do to bring forth unification without bloodshed, without turning into a tyrant, without holding Equis hostage?”

“...” Luna remained silent, looking away; unable to answer.

“You can’t answer? Then, sister, tell me why is my way so revolting to you?” Celestia pressed. “Why am I in the wrong?”

“Because you’re lying, Celestia!” Luna spat. “Harmony and Friendship are our ideals, that is true! But to use them as an excuse to subjugate other nations through false pretense!?” She yelled back. “Tell me, Celestia, how do you plan to use the buffalos, eh? Are you going to use them like you use the Breezies? As a facade of charitable good-will? The Breezies can’t survive without our aid, you know this. It is a noble task. Yet you use it, flaunt it to other nations as some kind of magnanimous act and then you slap that as a bucking achievement of Harmony and Friendship!”

“It IS proof, Luna!” Celestia yelled back. “Tell me, what other nation would do the same we do for the Breezies without recompense? Griffonia? The Dragon Lands? The Minotauria? Zebrica? Abyssinia?” She listed angrily. “Perhaps Saddle Arabia would do it. Hippogriffia, too. But the rest?” She took a step forward. “Without Harmony and Friendship, the Breezies would be extinct already. So yes. It is an achievement of what Harmony and Friendship can do! Or are you saying we should let other species die-off? Have you forgotten the Centaurs? The Gargoyles? The Caribou? The…,” Celestia bit her tongue, looking down. “The Kirins?”

“...I do not want that, Celestia. You know this,” Luna looked up at her sister. “It was thanks to you that I was able to suppress the Nightmare inside me. It was thanks to the Elements of Harmony, too,” Luna sighed. “But tricking other nations into complying. To manipulate them into accepting our own ideals… it is wrong, Celestia,” her expression turned soft, mournful. “And I will try everything in my power to prevent you from using my dear nephew, Spike, as another pawn in your chessboard.”

“If you ever again accuse me of using my beloved son as a mere pawn, I shall not answer for my actions, Luna,” Celestia warned with suppressed anger. “I will not deny you that I, as much as you have, have guided his actions. But he is living proof that Harmony and Friendship can be accepted, even by those that embody what Equestrian ideals are not.”

Tiredly, Celestia walked over to Luna, closing the gap and nuzzled her. Luna returned the gesture in kind.

“Even so, Celestia, I will not allow you to use Spike like that,” stepping back, her horn began to glow. “I shall depart for my chambers. There are matters I must attend on my own.”

With a nod from Celestia, Luna vanished in a bang of magic. Letting out a tired sigh, Celestia looked around the room.

“I suppose I can use a night of rest myself,” Celestia muttered herself before leaving the room.

Stepping out of the protective wards’ influence, the Royal Guards standing guard saluted their Princess, silently following her to her chambers.

“Princess Celestia,” one of the guards stationed outside her chambers bowed at her arrival. “Prince Spike is inside waiting for your arrival. It seems he wishes to speak with you.”

“Thank you kindly, Piercer,” Celestia replied, doing a small nod. Opening the doors, Celestia saw Spike sitting on a chair, out of his royal gear, and relaxing as he read a book. Upon seeing her, he placed the book on the counter and stood up, smiling widely as he did. “Good night, my firestarter!” She greeted her son a moment before he embraced her front, tiptoeing in order to nuzzle her neck. Leaning down, she nuzzled him back. “It is good to see you again. Was your day tiresome?”

“You have no idea, mom,” Spike sighed against her fur; his claws digging into her coat; pressing his head hard against her chest. He heard his mother voice that lovely giggle of hers, nothing short of a choir of angels to his ear-fins. With a *click click clang* her necklace came undone, her crown was discarded, and her shoes were relinquished. With a swift touch of magic, Celestia put them where they belonged while at the same time using a foreleg to hug her son closer. “I missed you so much, mom,” Spike practically drooled as he buried his snout on her chest, inhaling her sunflower and peach scent with utmost gusto.

“I missed you too, precious scales,” she said sweetly. After nuzzling his head, Celestia pulled back to kiss his cheek; smiling when Spike melted at her gesture then shifting to kiss her cheek in return. She kissed him again, and he did the same. She did so three more times, and three times Spike returned the affection.

Upon her sixth kiss, she captured his lips. Spike instantly moaned into the kiss, desperately mashing his lips against hers for the better part of ten seconds before calming down; opting to enjoy their kiss in full instead.

The dragon moaned and shivered during the entire length of the mashing-of-lips he shared with his alicorn mother. Finally, far too soon in Spike’s opinion, they parted. Both of them had their breaths ragged, lips still connected by a thin string of saliva.

“I love you so much, mom,” Spike whispered as he looked directly into her magenta eyes.

“And I love you too, my darling son,” kissing the tip of his short snout one last time, the Princess of the Sun teleported them both to her bed.

Snuggling up, the alabaster alicorn and the purple-scaled dragon soon fell asleep, finding comfort in each other’s embrace.

Chapter 1 End.

Author's Note

Special thanks to anyone that read this!