The Story of Spike

The time was 2:15 P.M. and to say that Princess Celestia was a bit stressed was an understatement. Tirek running rampant through the country, villages in ruins, and a bit of doubt rumoring through the people of Canterlot of her abilities were just the big parts of it. Though, for now, the biggest reason of concern would have to be why The Dragon Lord Ember was sitting across from her currently abhorring the taste of tea. Celestia thought it admirable how she was such a novice at political negotiations but could hold her own in the same capacity. it reminded her of Twilight when she was just getting started in a way.

Just across from her however, Ember was a bit nervous at this engagement. While she had seen pictures and depictions of Celestia she never thought that ponies could get so large. In no offense in any way of course but she had to admit it was a bit surprising. Though that wasn't why she was here, or this leaf water they call tea that she visually showed no love for. She sat down her cup and cleared her throat before speaking.

"So, Princess Celestia, as much as I enjoy this tenseness that this situation is providing. I have a few questions and I am sure you have a few of your own so lets cut to the chase please?" She was blunt, as most dragons naturally are, but she was just trying to make this go a lot quicker that it was naturally progressing.

Not taken a back at all Celestia sat her own teacup down in her warm yellow aura. "This is true, so, as it seems you are a guest in my palace I will let you ask yours first. Also, I do have to say. If you don't like the tea you could have gotten something else. I know you enjoy fruit punch more than anything."

"Oh yes, please. Pinkie Pie had me taste the stuff and I have been hooked since." She giggled out and continued, "I took the recipe back to the dragon lands and its been selling like hot cakes."

Celestia had given her own giggles in return. The image of dragons crowding a shop till there was a line out the door for Fruit Punch was a bit amusing. Though, for now, she had to compose herself and continue. "Glad to see we are helping stimulate your economy and promote business practices."

"Oh, no doubt. Don't even get me started about the great baking craze when Smolder brought back Spikes' gem cake recipe." Though she could go on and on about it, she came here today for information. As their giggles and laughter came down Ember believed this was the best time to speak. "Princess Celestia, if I may ask. The dragon-Pony wars 300 years ago. who was The Conquering Storm?"

With the clatter of the teacup in the alicorns yellow hued magic on a porcelain platter. "Where did you hear that name Ember?". The tall alicorn looked down to the azure dragon with a harsh gaze. For as nice as Celestia was reputed to be she, like any ruler, had a bit of a terrifying side to them. Though no magic came from the Princesses horn, Ember was almost forced out of her seat seemingly from a glare. "Was it Torch? I know we had never gotten along but this is..."

Before she could continue, Ember would blurt out in a stuttered. "Y..Yes." Taking a small moment to clear her throat and try to pick some of her pride off the floor and continue, "He ..he told me that while he didn't like the guy, he had to give him his good merits. Being a brilliant strategist in the Dragon/Pony Wars 300 years ago, successfully driving both Pony and Dragon soldiers out of what is now Mexicolt with as few as 100 or so casualties, the medals and battles he ended peacefully just to name a few."

Celestia, having moved from her seated position to look out of one of the palace windows, listened. Though as Ember began to quiet she spoke, "Did he tell you of how he was painted as a monster by propaganda? Or how he had SUPPOSEDLY raped the great sun princess and that's why he was jailed?" She turned to the stunned dragoness and began her walk back only to stop near her seat again.

That part had taken the dragoness by surprise. Her father told her none of this. She had looked to say something though as she opened her mouth Celestia held up a hoof to quiet her and continue. "He didn't do such a thing, believe me, because it was a completely consensual between us. The Dragon/Pony Wars almost ended with our union even. Though, Torch knows all of this why bring it up now? What leverage does he believe he will get from this?"

"My father has given an official full pardon to The Conquering Storm as of this morning. I asked him why now after so long and he gave me no real answer. He said, Storm didn't want to come out because history would look down on him. Also, something about how he was gonna be a failure of a father. Which I don't really get. There is no record of him being mated to or marrying a....." Ember seemed to freeze as she connected the dots. The look she gave the Alicorn Princess was incredulous, amazed even. She wanted to speak but nothing came out.

"Before you can ask Dragon Lord Ember let me continue and answer the easy questions. Yes, he does know. I told him on his 18th birthday like I always planned to and that was 4 years ago. He has asked me to do the same for the public when he had proven himself." With a small break to chuckle before continuing. "I swear. For as much as he has already proven himself he seems to think he still hasn't done enough. After helping set up diplomatic relations with both the Dragon Lands and Changeling Hives. As well as risking both life and limb for the Crystal Empire twice, and to add, galivanting with Twilight and her friends in their excursions. Then, as there is no need to remind you, winning the right to rule over the dragons but through his own humility and niceties: He handed it away."

Ember, was a tad angry, why all this secrecy? As she had been dealing with all manner of rulers these past few years turning, or at least trying to, the Dragon Lands into a legitimate country you would think she had grown a bit used to this. "What is the point in telling me this? These are all things about Spike I know. These are things anyone knows about the guy. Well besides his parentage, which in all honesty is still very much a shock to me. What exactly are you playing at Princess Celestia? How much have you......" As she stood there was a knock on the door breaking her out of her small outburst.

Celestia stood and gave a small smile, the almost sly look in her eyes as she called out to the knocking figure. "Please, come in. We were just finishing up."

Ember sat their with an almost incredulous look on her face. Everything she had just learned had shifted what she thought she knew of her good friend Spike. Even as an Earth Pony maid had come to collect her dirty dishes and replace them with clean and new ones. "Excuse me, Miss?" The dragoness spoke to the maid, a determined voice coing from her as She kept her eyes o the Solar Princess. "May I get a fruit punch please? It would seem we aren't done just yet."