Chapter 3: Princes Are Not Made. They Are Hatched.

“Where’s the mercury!? I need the mercury!”

“Right here, doctor!”

“Gold, silver, and diamond dust, where are they!?”

“We’re out of stock on diamond dust! Prince Blueblood is retrieving some as we speak!”

“Get me the sulfur mask! Ammonia and petroleum mix, now!”

“SHIT! His heart-rate is dropping!”

“Should we use adrenalin, doctor?”

“We don’t have a high enough dose to affect him! Unless… get me Captain Spitfire or Commander Soarin asap! And tell them to bring the most charged stormcloud they can carry.”

“Doctor… y-you’re surely not planning on--”

“We don’t have TIME! His regenerative capabilities stopped him from bleeding to death, but he lost too much blood and his heart rate is dropping despite our best efforts! We need to keep his heart running no matter what!”

“The letter was sent. They’ll be here in five minutes.”

“Good. The mercury will keep him running for another twenty minutes. Is the mask ready yet?”

“Here it is, doctor.”

From the sideline behind a reinforced glass, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna watched helplessly as Spike laid on an operating table as the best and brightest medical professionals in Canterlot worked their hooves, claws, and tails off as they tended to the heavily injured Dragon Prince. The minor injuries, the scales the dragon hunter had peeled off from the back of his hands, and the two scales impaled in his thigh and belly were fairly easy to treat. Thankfully for Spike, the thestral guards of Luna had picked up his removed scales and brought them back. They would manage to heal them back in place after dealing with the most pressing matter at hand.

The dragon hunter’s spear had pierced deeply and had caused major injuries, but nothing lethal due to Spike holding the spear back for long enough to be rescued. Sadly, the dragon hunter wasn’t stupid and proved to be a dreadfully experienced killer. Both the scales and the spear had been poisoned.

Normally speaking, a dragon, even a hatchling, could shrug off any kind of poison and venom. Even the deadly mix of Dodongo, Manticore, and Hydra poisons would, at best, tingle them. But the poison the dragon hunters used was of their own creation. From mashing up hydra venom glands, mandragora roots, mashed up dragon scales, and the core of dragon fangs, the resulting creation was deadly enough to bring any living creature down within minutes, with the sole exception of alicorns.

Celestia knew this better than anycreature.

“Damn dragon hunters,” Luna hissed angrily, her eyes blazing with fury. “I suspected some would be hiding in the Everfree Forest, but I never expected them to be right under our noses, sister.”

Celestia, with tears running down her cheeks, gritted her teeth. “This is my fault.”

“She’s admitting her failure? How delightfully surprising!” Luna’s reflection on the window, that in the form of Nightmare Moon, taunted in a mocking tone.

Luna glared at the Nightmare but didn’t chastise it like she normally would. “Yes. It is your fault, Celestia,” Luna then turned to her sister. “I told you. I begged you. I bucking told you that sheltering and grooming Spike for nothing but diplomacy and social gatherings was a mistake!” She snarled, baring her teeth. “He may be a dragon, but he barely knows how to fight, hold a sword, and defend himself!”

“How do you think I feel right now, Luna!?” Celestia shouted at her sister. “M-My son is there dying! All because I never thought he’d do something so reckless as to go into the Everfree on his own or at all! I never thought he’d ever had to fight anyone, much less one of those murderers!” She sniffed loudly, using a wing to clean away her tears.

Luna’s eyes returned to normal as she watched the despair in her sister’s eyes. Offering a wing, she hugged Celestia. “It is my fault, also. I should’ve pressed further. I should’ve trained him behind your back like I wanted instead of accepting teaching him just the basics.”

“And that alone saved him his life, Luna. Thank you,” Celestia nuzzled the smaller alicorn. “For now, all we can do is wait… and hope for the best.”

“What will you do if Spike dies, huh? I do wonder~” The Nightmare said.

Luna paid it no mind. Instead, the two sisters saw both Spitfire and Soarin rushing into the room with a stormcloud.

“CLEAR!” The doctor shouted as he and his staff stepped back. A moment later, a potent but controlled lighting strike to hit Spike’s chest.

“Doctor, Prince Spike’s heart rate is increasing! It’s working!”

Outside, Celestia and Luna sighed with absolute relief as the immediate danger was out of the way. But the battle was not over yet.

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

“What do you mean by ‘adopted a dragon’, sister?” Luna asked, raising an eyebrow.

“That I found and adopted a small dragon’s egg!” Celestia replied as she rested on her bed. With a smiling face, she moved away the wing covering her stomach to reveal the small purple egg with darker purple spots. “My little egg,” Celestia said as she lovingly caressed the egg with her feathers.

“...Does Torch know about this? How did you find it?” Luna asked, approaching slowly to her sister. “You didn’t steal it, did you now, sister?”

“Do you truly believe me capable of stealing something in such a manner, Luna?”

“You steal cake all the--”

“Besides cake,” Celestia clarified with a blush.

Luna sat down in front of her sister and the egg. “Jokes aside, Celestia. What happened?”

And so, Celestia told her sister how she found the dragon couple, the smashed eggs, the leftovers of some of the dragon hunters responsible and finally, the egg. That egg.

Luna sighed. “Even if it is Dragon Law, Torch needs to know about this, Celestia.”

“I sent him a letter yesterday upon my return. We should know his reply in the coming days,” Celestia smiled down at the egg. “He won’t oppose,” then her gaze shifted to her sister, anger and hate shining through her magenta eyes. “Less so after I find the monsters responsible for that massacre.”

Luna nodded. “On that, we agree, sister. Shall I dispatch some of my guards to aid in the search and investigation?”

“Please,” Celestia leaned down to kiss the egg. “You are going to be a beautiful Princess or a handsome Prince of Equestria, little one.”

“Sister, please tell me you are not planning on using the dragon for your own means,” Luna said, frowning. “A dragon raised in Equestria, more so one under our protection… I know what you are thinking. Please. Do not do it.”

“The chance is far too great to pass up, Luna,” Celestia revealed. “But I am not a monster. I genuinely wish the best for this hatchling,” she smiled warmly. “I must confess I am looking forward to raising a baby of my own!” She said giddily. “A baby to love and care and shower with affection! A playmate for Blueblood! A baby cousin for Cadance!”

“A new nephew or niece,” Luna blushed, smiling at the thought. “Then, tell me, what are your plans for the hatchling?”

“My son or daughter shall be the symbol that Equestria needs. A dragon raised lovingly, naturally, and openly in Equestria. One that shall learn of Peace, and Love, and Generosity, Honesty, Laughter, Magic, Kindness, Loyalty, Friendship and above all, Harmony,” Celestia explained while caressing the egg.

“I will not allow you to indoctrinate my nephew or niece, if that’s what you are planning, sister. If it rejects our ideals and wishes to live among other dragons, what then?” Luna asked, carefully eyeing his sister.

“Then, as much as it would undoubtedly pain me to do, I will let my baby go. It will be its choice to embrace or reject our ideals, sister,” Celestia confessed.

“As long as we are in agreement with that, then I will not oppose you on raising the hatchling,” Luna smirked. “However, how do you plan on hatching it? The egg is smaller than any other dragon’s egg I’ve seen before. It may have some health issues?” Luna pondered. “And what about its diet? Or diseases? Do… Do baby dragons get sick? And his shots? Education? Clothing may be needed! Diapers! What shall it eat? How shall we feed it!? Celestia! What do we feed the baby!?” Luna turned to her sister in a frazzled state of mind, her mane and tail curling up in distress.

Celestia laughed at her sister’s baby meltdown whilst gently tugging her egg. Letting out a drown out sigh, Celestia’s fur began glowing with a gentle yellow light. Suddenly, the temperature in the room escalated.

“We can worry about the future problems another day. For now, let’s focus on hatching you out of that egg, little one.”

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

“The fields and the eco-terraforming process is going better than expected, Celestia. Ohh, excuse me, Princess Celestia,” a wealthy-looking and elegantly dressed Saddle Arabian said.

“It’s quite alright, High Dune. We are all friends here,” Celestia replied with a waving hoof. “There’s no need for titles.”

“Sorry, it’s just… improper, in a sense,” Sultan High Dune explained.

“But it is also a relief, don’t you think so, dear?” Sultaness Shifting Sands said, placing a hoof over her husband’s extended foreleg.

“Indeed it is, my friends,” Luna agreed, sipping at her tea. “Titles can bring authority and command respect, but they can also be shackles of loneliness and pressure by those incapable of withstanding their weight,” another sip. “Being surrounded by equals truly is a blessing.”

“Oh, I agree completely, Luna,” Shifting Sands giggled. “Tell us, have the shipmasters done their work properly? I hope there aren’t any problems with the construction of your ships.”

“Not at all. Equestria and Hippogriffia both have formidable naval prowess. But compared to Saddle Arabian crafting expertise? We may as well be using toys,” Celestia exalted.

“The same can be said for Earth Pony ingenuity and talent! They have done in twenty years what we have failed to do in over a hundred. We are finally pushing back against the desert, bringing life, arable land, forests, water, and new territories in return,” High Dune sighed happily. “I cannot thank you enough for your help, Celestia, Luna.”

“Think nothing of it,” Luna dismissed with a smile. “We are happy to help our friends in need.”

“Now then,” Shifting Sands pressed on. “Shall we discuss the terms for an open-trade lane and open-border rights?”

Celestia nodded. “Of course. I believe that the harvested sand can be utilized for--”

Suddenly, a ball of green fire manifested in front of Celestia, startling the four rulers. A moment later, a small ball of purple and green scales wearing a diaper flopped on the table. The four rulers stared for a second at it until two large emerald-green eyes looked around the room.

“Uuuhhmmaaaa!” The bundle of scales cried happily, smiling and throwing two little arms at Celestia.

“Harmony’s sake, Spike!” Celestia cried out, picking the tiny dragon up and pressing it against her chest. “How in the world did you do that?”

“How is my nephew here!? What just happened!?” Luna asked, surprised.

“Is that your son, Celestia?” Shifting Sands asked as she approached. Her face and heart melted upon seeing the little dragon snuggling up against Celestia’s neck, his tiny dull claws grabbing at her fur. “He is far more adorable than when you presented it to us, Celestia! For shame! You never told us he was this adorable!”

“Heeeeey there, little dragon, what’s your name? Whazz yur name?” High Dune asked, making a face and doing a baby voice.

“Pppffbbrrtttt!” Spike replied, looking with wonder at the Sultan before nuzzling back against his mother’s neck.

High Dune let out a loud ‘D’aawwwww’ as he watched Spike trying to nibble Celestia’s neck.

“Celestia, may I?” Shifting Sands asked with some caution.

“Of course,” Celestia replied before her horn came to life and cast a quick spell. “Now he won’t be able to hurt you. My precious scales can be bitey,” Celestia giggled as she handed her baby to Shifting Sands.

“Come here, little baby,” Shifting Sands looked at the dragon in her forelegs, staring into his big emerald eyes. “Aren’t you the most handsome little dragon I’ve ever seen?” She then cuddled him against her neck. “I didn’t know dragons could do that!”

“Dragons can’t do that,” Luna replied, both amazed at Spike’s magical feat and smiling widely at his adorableness. “Sister?”

“I don’t know what could’ve caused this either, Luna.” Humming, Celestia ignited her horn once again. Soon after, small particles of green, purple, and golden colors could be seen floating in front of her. “Incredible… Magical residue,” she smiled widely, looking at her son. “Your magical residue, precious scales!”

“Uuhhmmaaaaaa!” Spike cried happily.

“My nephew can do magic!” Luna clopped her hooves together, smiling as widely as she could. With her magic, she gently yanked Spike away from Shifting Sands and hugged him close. “Aren’t you just the sweetest ball of scales and cute ever?”

“Uuhhhmmuuuaaaa!” Spike chirped happily, laughing and drooling all over Luna’s neck.

“Should we lock down his magic potential then, sister?” Luna asked as she kissed Spike’s head. “While I wouldn’t mind having my little nephew pop up everywhere in a ball of fire, we don’t know what else he could be capable of doing.”

“Not to mention it would make meetings difficult if he keeps stealing all the attention whenever he fireports to me,” Celestia giggled.

“Fireport? You mean like, teleportation?” Luna looked up to Celestia. “How can you possibly know that’s what he did?”

“The residue,” Celestia replied, pointing at the dispersing residue. “It had some of my magical essence in it. Did you miss mommy, dearest? Yes, you did! Yes, you did!” She played along causing Spike to laugh more.

“Auntie Celestia!” The voice of a frantic filly was heard nearby. A moment later, the doors burst open to reveal a pink alicorn filly breathing heavily and wide-eyed. “Auntie Celestia! Auntie Celestia! I was babysitting Spike just like you asked me to and I turned around for a second and then Spike was gone in a ball of fire andidon’tknowwhereheisandI--- W-What’s so funny?”

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

“Spike, please,” Celestia sighed tiredly as she laid sideways on her bed. Her left hindleg was slightly raised to allow better access to her belly. “Spike, precious scales, mommy is very tired today,” she called at her bundle of scales currently latched to one of her crotchboobs. “Sweetie… you drank it all a few hours ago. I don’t have any more milk to give you just yet,” she said tiredly.

Spike sucked at her teat harder, but as she had said, nothing came out. Grumbling, Spike moved to the upper teat, suckling at it hungrily.

“I didn’t know baby dragons liked milk… or that one could grow so fond of it to run me dry,” Celestia sighed again, feeling Spike’s little fangs nibbling at her teat. “For obvious reasons, I suppose… precious scales, how about some tasty gems instead?” Spike pulled back, looked at her for a second, then shook his head. “How about some mashed potatoes with meat?” Spike shook his head. “Milk from a cow?” Spike shook his head one last time before going back for another try.

“He can be quite the ravenous beast, sister,” Luna said, appearing from the shadows.

“...for how long have you been waiting there, Luna?” Celestia asked, trying to raise her head, but she was far too tired to care that much.

“Do not fret, I just arrived. I feared you were in trouble when I saw light coming out of your balcony, Celestia,” Luna approached the large bed, lying on it as she continued. “It seems my handsome Prince has a bit of a sweet tooth himself.”

“Luna.”

“I wonder what flavor it is? Chocolate? Vanilla? Carrot?”

“Luna, please.”

“Oh! I know! Peach and strawberry!” Luna teased. “With all that cake you eat, I think it might be a milkshake of flavors!”

“I hate you, so, so very much, Luna,” Celestia groaned as Luna laughed.

“Spikey, dearest nephew, come here,” Luna called out sweetly.

The baby dragon pulled away from his mother’s teat, saddened that he couldn’t get any of his precious milk. Turning to the other familiar voice calling him, he saw Luna’s belly, and her slightly swollen crotchboobs, presented for him. Spike looked intently at the dark blue nipples for a few seconds before rushing across the bed.

“Uuuff!” Luna cried softly as Spike hit her stomach and his mouth quickly found one of her teats. “T-That tickles,” she muttered as Spike suckled with gusto at her teat; his short tail wagging from side to side happily.

“Do you think you can handle him for me, Luna?” Celestia yawned. “I’m terribly sorry, but I am exhausted.”

“Of course, sister. I shall feed him until he satiates himself or I run dry,” Luna smiled at her tired sister. “Maybe I can take over this particular duty whenever you are low?”

“That would be,” another yawn. “Really nice of you, Luna. Thank you, sister.”

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

“No fair, Smolder! I was saving that gem!” Spike said as he wrestled with an orange scaled dragoness with a deep purple crest.

“Winners keepers!” Smolder replied whilst stretching out an arm holding a sapphire.

“And you say you find kids amusing?” A blue scaled older dragoness with two small white horns growing at the back of her head said with abject horror while pointing at the two wrestling baby dragons.

“I know they can keep any creature’s hooves full. But there’s nothing quite like seeing kids grow up and making sure they stay safe and learn good morals,” sitting next to the blue scaled dragoness, Cadance replied with all the honesty and love she could muster. “You just have to give them a chance, Princess Ember.”

“Aha…,” Ember replied dryly as she watched the two muddy, grass-covered, rolling around balls of scales fighting over a gem. “Yeaaaahh, I’m going to take your word for it… Princess Cadenza, was it?”

“Cadance is fine, Princess Ember.”

“Then drop the whole ‘Princess’ thing. Just because my dad’s the Dragon Lord doesn’t make me a pretty prancing pink pony Princess… uhhh, no offense?” Ember awkwardly smiled.

Cadance giggled. “None taken, Ember. I mean, I am a pretty pink pony Princess. I don’t do prancing, though.”

“Uffff,” Ember replied before going back to watch the two baby dragons scuffle alongside Cadance.

A good two hundred meters behind them, Celestia, Luna, and a giant dragon were conversing.

“That insolent excuse of a dragon has been executed, Celestia, Luna. I imagine that suffices his transgression?” Dragon Lord Torch asked.

“It will do,” Luna replied. “That monster killed and devoured a caravan on Equestrian soil. Not that it would’ve mattered if it had been done over any other soil, but our non-aggression pact was violated. That the ruffian was delivered to justice salves the wound.”

“We will handle compensation to the living relatives as well as passing notice of the swift judgment delivered by the Dragon Lord himself. Hopefully, that will be enough to bring some peace to their hearts,” Celestia added.

“Speaking of peace,” Torch brought out his tongue from his maw, wrapped it around a small mountain of gems, and brought them into his maw. He then spent a few moments chewing on his treat before speaking. “Thank you for sending me those damn dragon hunters to stand trial last month. However, I believe one escaped.”

“What makes you say that, Torch? I assure you that my guards never wavered nor left their posts as they were transporting the prisoners,” Celestia clarified.

“Nine scumbags were delivered. Nine were thrown into a volcano. But ten were captured,” he narrowed his eyes. “Where’s the tenth dragon hunter?”

“He is imprisoned in the dungeon, waiting for trial,” Luna spat. “His sins against the dragons are many, yes. But his sin against Equestria are far greater,” Luna’s eyes turned to slits as she revealed the truth to Torch. “That… that minotaur has committed crimes I’d rather not say, but many tens of Equestrians, ponies, donkeys, mules, sheep, and cows alike have suffered at the hands of that beast.”

“Will he pay for his crimes? All of them?” Torch asked.

“He will lose his head, Torch. I assure you that,” Celestia replied solemnly.

“Then I ask for nothing more,” Torch then smiled at the two alicorns. “I see the little runt is growing nicely.”

“And your daughter is looking more lovely than before, Torch,” Celestia replied.

“Yeah, let’s go with ‘lovely’ and not ‘a pain in my scales’,” Torch chuckled.

“If I may ask, Torch, who is the little one playing with my nephew? I don’t recall you having another daughter,” Luna asked.

“That pipsqueak? She’s my niece, Smolder. I also have a nephew, his name is Garble. But he’d rather play those stupid bongos of his and do ‘art’,” he let out a disappointed sigh. “Even your little runt is more of a dragon than my nephew.”

Celestia and Luna giggled in response.

“NO! Smolder, that armor isn’t for eating” Ember suddenly shouted as Smolder leaped on a passing guard, biting hard and tearing some of his armor off.

“Spike! Spike! Don’t you dare mis--!” Cadance groaned. “Now I’ll have to wash you again!”

“Smolder, what are you--! You are going to take a lava-bath before we leave, you runt!”

“You can’t make me!” Spike cried.

“Only if you catch us!” Smolder laughed.

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

“Tell me what he will do if he ever encounters a situation in which he must defend himself?” Luna asked.

“He’ll never be in such a situation, Luna. He doesn’t need to fight. Twilight Sparkle, the Element of Magic shall be Equestria’s bulwark against the coming storm,” Celestia replied.

“We still need to find the remaining Bearers, sister,” she groaned weakly. “Have we grown so weak that we must rely on the Elements of harmony yet again, sister?”

“Against the enemies we might face, yes. We have no other option. The Elements of Harmony are our greatest weapon against darkness, a gift from the Pillars with the blessing of our parents and our brother, Luna,” Celestia confessed.

“Surely we cannot be completely helpless, Celestia!” Luna called out.

“What if Discord returns? Or rather, what will happen when he returns and we don’t have the Elements to stop him? What then?” Celestia asked.

“Then that only adds further credence as to why Spike must learn how to fight, at the very least how to defend himself!” Luna cried.

“I disagree, Luna. There’s no need for Spike to be taught violent lessons. Has he asked or showed interest in fighting whatsoever?” Celestia asked.

“You know damn well he hasn’t, Celestia! Why would he? Despite all your lessons and warning, how many times have you told him that he’ll be alright because he is a dragon?” Luna stomped her hoof.

“I’ve warned to never think of himself as invincible, Luna. But against what his role shall be he doesn’t need to worry about ever getting hurt. He’ll always be away from the fights, he’ll never be within harm’s way,” Celestia clarified.

“You cannot be sure about that, Celestia! What if he has to fight another dragon? Or that dreadful relic, the Alicorn Amulet, is found and used against us or him?” Luna stepped forward. “What if a dragon hunter attacks him?”

“No dragon hunter would ever dare harm my son,” her eyes flared with yellow magic. “Or else they’d know what the Sun looks up close.”

“Please, Celestia, I beg you,” Luna bent over, bowing before her sister. “I implore you, see the reason behind mine words. Allow me to teach him how to defend himself, the basics of combat at the very least!” She looked up at Celestia. “Or do you wish to see him die like our brother, Blueblood; alone, crippled, and powerless?”

Celestia closed her eyes. “The Windigoes killed our brother after Grogar crippled him…,” Celestia sighed in defeat. “Very well. You may teach him, but nothing more than the basics and what he asks for, Luna.”

“We have an understanding,” Luna rose. “Speaking of him, where is Spike?”

“He’s with Blueblood and Twilight in their magic theory class,” Celestia replied. “I’d love to teach them myself today, but,” she eyed at the mountain of paperwork resting on her desk.

“I shall leave you to it then,” Luna replied with a nod. Then she stepped back, blending with the shadows and vanishing.

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

“--ncess! Princesses!” A voice called out.

Both the Princesses were brought out of their stupor and looked back to see the owner of the voice.

“Shining Armor,” Celestia greeted. “It’s good to see you here.”

“Spike is like a little brother to me. The moment I heard what happened, I came as fast as I could.”

“What about Cadance?” Luna asked.

“She’s with Blueblood trying to get the diamond dust we need,” Shining smiled, bowing to Celestia and Luna. “If not for this Multispecies hospital... Spike may very well be gone instead of hanging by a thread,” raising his head, Shining asked in a hushed tone. “Does Twily know?”

“No, she doesn’t. And I plan to keep it that way as long as I can,” Celestia replied. “She might blame herself for what happened. It was an accident. Spike was too reckless. And I… I was too stubborn to not see clearly,” Celestia turned to see her son lying on the operating table as the medics did their best to save him.

“Make way! Make way!” A thestral guard rushed into the operating room, not even bothering to stop and salute the Princesses. “From Prince Blueblood and Princess Cadenza! It’s the diamond dust you requested!” The guard gave the bag containing the precious diamond dust to the diamond dog doctor.

“Where’s the solution!? We need to make him ingest it now!” He shouted.

“Here it is, doctor!” A nurse offered him the tray with the solution.

“Stand clear!” The doctor warned. Carefully and diligently, he added the diamond dust to a vial with several dozens of ingredients, all of them turned into dust. He then took the vial and added its contents to a solution container containing some golden liquid. The container hissed and trembled for a few seconds before changing into a white, milky liquid. “Now, open his maw!”

Two unicorn nurses obeyed, opening Spike’s maw and letting the doctor pour down the liquid down his throat. After the container was empty, he and everyone else stepped back.

For almost a minute nothing happened. Then, taking everyone by surprise, Spike’s body began to shake and trash violently for about ten seconds. Then his eyes went wide and he fell to the ground where he puked the liquid the doctor had made him drink moments prior. With the difference that the liquid was now black and smelled like rotten meat and eggs.

Spike then got to his feet and roared with all his might, causing everyone present to cover their ears. Soon after that, he fell backward to the floor, utterly spent and exhausted.

The doctor sighed the biggest sigh of relief in his life. “He made it… the solution worked. The poison is out of his body. Good job everycreature.”

Celestia and Luna rushed into the room, dropping to their knees as they embraced Spike closely, tears running down their eyes freely.

Shining walked in too, crying and smiling for seeing his dear friend and pseudo-little brother alive and kicking.

“M-Mom? A-Aunt… Luna?” Spike whispered, his voice coarse, weak, tired, and forced. “I’m… sorry,” he exhaled.

“Shhh, precious scales. It’s alright, it’s alright. You’re safe,” Celestia said kissing his head alongside Luna.

“You’ll be fine, Spike. You’ll be fine,” Luna said.

“He’ll never be safe as long as he’s under Celestia’s control and you know it,” Nightmare Moon said from the reflection of the operating table.

“Mom…,” Spike began. “Am I… Am I a bad friend? I… I couldn’t say goodbye to Twilight… w-what kind of friend does that?” His eyes watered up. “Mom… Aunt Luna… I want to… learn how… to fight…,” he closed his eyes, tears finally streaming down his eyes. “To be stronger…,” he whispered, darkness creeping in again. “F-For Friendship… and...Har...mo...ny…”

“Princesses,” the doctor moved in after Spike lost consciousness once more. “He’s just exhausted. We can move him to a regular room without issues. He needs to rest and I need to check his vitals to conclude he is really out of danger. After that, you may take him back to the castle.”

“Thank you, doctor,” Luna bowed her head to him while Celestia nuzzled Spike tenderly.

“She almost got him killed. Celestia can’t be trusted with his life. We must do something if you want to save his life, Luna,” the Nightmare pried.

Luna narrowed her eyes.

Chapter 3 End.

Author's Note

Special thanks to anyone that read this!