Chapters A Rulers Teaching: Part 1
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."
Crystal Empire: Same Day as Chapter 1
Spike, for lack of better words, had just been put on his ass. Sitting on the all white almost void of a floor that was the Hidden Staircase. Since his and Twilights adventure in trying to find the Crystal Heart, they had made quite the discovery. This Hidden Staircase was almost stopped in time. By Twilight, and The Royal Sisters combined assessment. A year in this room is almost 1 week and 3 days in the outside world. Spike chose this as his main area to train in as long as he would stay in the Crystal Empire for that fact. For his time here, and over the last 2 years, he was probably 6 years older. He wanted to do it continuously but the strain on someponies or somedragons body and mind is tremendous. Even he would do it, in natural world, 3 day intervals to not feel like death for 3 weeks and then have to recover for another 2. He learned that lesson the hard way.
The sudden knocking on the crystalline blue door separating him from the rest of the palace caught his attention, "B..be right there!" He called out. So with almost trembling purple claws Spike would get to his feet and headed for the door.
As he open it, there stood an almost worried Princess Cadence. Spike was now taller than she was even before using the room. He stood 6'2" and with his almost emerald green spines he would be 6'7". His body a tad on the lanky side, but with enough muscle to be a bit frightening. He affectively calls it a Runners Build. In his training he focused on Stamina, Fire Control, and Fighting. He luckily knew two Dragon Lords who were willing enough to share some knowledge and put it on paper. Brutality was the name of the game in many dragon styles, but, due to his pony upbringing, he made it a bit more soft and free flowing. When Ember, or a dragon emissary would come and mentor him that angered them a bit to see it used in a gentle state. Though he has never beaten Ember in a spar, he has beaten every emissary sent.
"Get out of there!" His hand suddenly enveloped in Cadence warm magical aura and he was pulled into the natural world, "Twilight and her friends come all this way to visit you, and you lock yourself in this Faust forsaken room for 3 hours? Really?" she spoke in an almost motherly voice. Cadence as absolutely stunning, her beauty had become well adored in her time ruling the Crystal Empire. Her overall demeanor and regality grown to nearly match that of Celestia and Luna, though she hasn't figured out the continuously flowing mane effect yet. "They can all come see you at once and you run off to a void? I swear Spike, the fact that you did that sorta ticks me off!"
"I'm sorry. I kind of forgot to be honest." he admitted a bit bashfully as he was practically dragged behind Cadence as she trotted along, he tried to stop her somewhat. "Whoa, whoa. What do you mean all at once?"
"All six of them are here, they even brought some friends. Rainbow brought along this griffin girl, plus Applejack and Rarity brought their little sisters." She turned to him and gave a small sniff. "And you need a shower. To your room and hurry! I don't know how long Shining Armor can hold them off with tales of his academy days." With a flash he was teleported to his personal room.
"So there I was, a baby hydra had just knocked out a couple of my squad mates, my lance half cracked, and this one unicorn Lieutenant guard had just gotten back from the bathroom and was extremely confused." Shining Armor was holding the attention of Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Apple Bloom. An over exaggerated story of something that may or may not have happened. "Then..."
"He woke up cause it was a dream that he had last week. He told me about it twice already and a few of the council members." Making the attentive ponies groan as they wanted to hear the ending to the ear catching story. Cadence gave a kiss to Shining Armors cheek as she rolled her eyes. "Telling stories that didn't even happen again darling? Starting to sound like an old war vet."
"To be fair, I have fought many hydras before. You should know seeing as one of those is where you fell for me." His mostly deep blue mane shook as he gave her cheek a nuzzle.
"Bleh! I didn't come here for a romance, I came here to see an old buddy. If I wanted this I would hang around Cranky back home. " Rainbow Dash, fastest pegasus pony in all Equestria spoke. Getting to her hooves she trotted away into the next room where Most of the other girls where. Almost bypassing the other girls as the spoke to each other or a staff member of The Crystal Palace, her eyes locked onto a griffin almost stuck in the corner silently watching. "Hey, Gilda! Let's go! Me and you, Crystal Palace, adventure. Besides, we gotta talk."
Gilda, the griffin in question, stood near the corner of the room. Her more muscular build having her stand out a bit, if the fact she was a griffin didn't. She looked over to the cyan pegasus and then to the other ponies enjoying their time here in the lounge area waiting on this Spike person. "I don't mind an adventure Dash but I don't know my way around this place. I mean hell, this is only my second time in a castle." she spoke.
Rainbow just waved a hoof and the words and gestured to herself in an almost proud bravado. "I know my way around this place just fine. Besides, I am tired of waiting and I know where his room is. Now let's go."
She gave a sigh and got up to her paw and talons before saying. "Sure. I'm tired of just sitting around anyways." She then went about sneaking out following behind the cyan mare. They weren't exactly covert about their departure but everyone was so distracted with their conversations or food to notice them leave.
It didn't take long for Rainbow to break the silence between them. "Why were you off in a corner by yourself? I know I kinda just threw this trip at you, but I want you to be included you know? I think of you as a friend and stuff." She was a tad awkward about it but that's how she felt.
"I get you Dash, I really do, but I just got to Ponyville and with you guys. Of course I am gonna still be a bit awkward about it." The hallways and turns had become an almost blur as she talked. Rainbow almost at a quick trot as she walked with her friend. The fact that they were currently climbing one of the spiraling staircases in the southeast tower. "I am still new and getting used to all the pony-isms, ya know? Pinkie is a very hard learning curve to get used to. That or why Twilight and that Pink one have both horns and wings. Or how Fluttershy basically commands the respect of wild animals but get scared when someone cuts her in a line. I just need a bit of time to get used to everyone, another surprise would probably rock me. I mean, here I am in a whole different kingdom to meet another pony.
Rainbow Dash gave a nod in agreement and understanding through the conversation. That was, until she heard the last part. Her ears went down and as they stopped in front of a large purple set of double doors and Gida turned to Rainbow Dash a bit confused, she said. "Oh, that's right, I never told you about what Spike is, just who he was."
Just as she finished that sentence, one of the purple doors opened and out came Spike. Gilda turned back to the now opened purple door to see a tall, and lean purple dragon looking down to her. A pair of emerald green eyes came into the sight of a pair of sunrise golden ones. In unison they said, "Who are you?"
Author's Note
Hey. 2nd chapter is out now. Still a bit of a novice writer so tell me what you think and how I am doing cause I know I have a habit of rushing things.
R&R
Chapter 3 is soon.
"Spike, meet Gilda, and Gilda meet Spike." Rainbow Dash spoke as she would gesture them to each other. "You guys didn't really get to meet when you visited Ponyville a few years ago. I think Spike was in Canterlot for something at the time, but, look at him. He wasn't this big when you were visiting though. He was barely pass my forelegs then, not he could probably have to look down to Luna in the eye."
Rainbow had been talking but the two hadn't exactly listened. For both of them, this had been the first time either had seen each others species this up close. For Spike, the only Griffins he saw were emissaries or visitors when hanging around his mother. He had never actually met one of them to his credit, but having the chance to meet one now made him a bit flustered. Due to his life and time with Twilight, he was always a bit more curious than he should be, and his eyes were just as bad. What should he say? Did he bring up feathers? What does having a beak feel like? Though, what he didn't know was that while his eyes were unconsciously studying, it looked like he was checking her out.
To Gildas' credit, she didn't initially notice, as her own eyes were doing a bit of exploring themselves. She had met dragons before, well to be more specific, one. Dragons were extremely rare in Griffstone but not uncommon due to the extensive and large cave systems. When Gilda had been a teenager, she had seen one settle in a cave not too far from her own. She was green and white, her name was Starshot and she was kind enough to let her come close. She was fairly large which confused Gilda. Compared to Spike, he was the size of one of Starshots hands.
Though from what she could see from first glace, he looked good, really good. Though as her eyes soon, sort of, met his, she turned red. This dragon, was checking her out, almost extensively. The blush deepened as she almost took a step back. "Uh, Rainbow. Your dragon friend is checking me out."
Hearing that made the dragon snap out of his gaze, as well as make Rainbow Dash fall to the floor with laughter. Spike sputtered and began to blush a bit himself. "H..hey, I wasn't checking you out!" he would speak, but to him it sounded bad so he continued with. "I mean not that I wouldn't, you look lovely." he just met this person so. "But this is just the first time we met so..." that sounded bad again! "But, I can tell, you look amazing everyday." 'Wait that...'screw it.' he thought.
Rainbow Dash was laying on her back, eyes to the ceiling and red while giving off breathless gasps. Her lungs were straining and begging for air but she just couldn't take a breath in. She had enough in her to sit up within some capacity and manage a few gasps of much needed air. When she did, she saw how they were either trying not to look at each other but would take small peeks at one another. That only sent her into another fit of hysterics that burned the already thin amount of air she had in her lungs.
"I uhh, thank you. I got a nice shampoo suggestion from Rarity." she didn't want to make it more awkward than it was, and that was all she had. Though from what she could see, it calmed Spike down a bit. Well at least he got a bit of courage to face her again.
"She always has known the best cosmetics." Though drowned out by Rainbow Dash coming down, they shared a small laugh. "S..so, I take it you came up with Rainbow?"
That made Gilda roll her eyes before turning to the still practically convulsing cyan mare. "Yeah, seems like she might need a minute though. I would ditch her but I wouldn't know where to go if I tried."
"I'll show you the way down then. Where is everyone? I have some things I wanna show off." he began to walk down the crystal hallway with a small smile.
Gilda turned and took note of the still laughing mare and shrugged before following after Spike. He took a bit of a different route than Rainbow Dash did. It was almost scenic really. They passed by a grand window that show off the rest of the empire. It had such a clear sight over the western side you could even see people talking and going about their day. A pegasus guard sleeping on the job just outside the Crystal Palace. He had found the perfect position to make it seem like he was standing straight up to the point you couldn't see it unless you looked him in the face. It was a home for many, and something Gilda never thought she had.
Even though she had never stopped following Spike, her eyes never left the grand sight. Though she did give a jump as Spike spoke, "Beautiful, isn't it?" That made her face the purple dragon as he continued, "Almost addicting to look at. Now don't get me wrong. I have seen the sights from the tallest tower in Canterlot, but, nothing beats that."
"Yeah, I could look out there all day." she responded as she stopped and let herself take it in with more depth. She was almost addicted to it until Spike tapped a claw on the window. "Sorry, we should get going, uh?
"Nah, take your time." He leaned against the window as Gilda continue to look out the window in awe. "I don't mind."
He let her stay there a moment, he thought she may have needed it by how observantly she was looking. It was the look of someone who didn't know themselves. He wanted to say something, maybe some words of encouragement. but, he had just met her and it wasn't his place. A bittersweet but nice silence that he let go on.
The small and rare quiet was just for a moment though. Just as he looked away from both Gilda and the window, and before he could react, a pink blur turned the corner and rocketed for his side. The impact knocked him to the floor, how she cleared Gilda and shot against him was anyponies guess. The pink pony and Element of Laughter known as Pinkie Pie lay hugging the arm of Spike. A warm smile on her face and her eyes closed as she held him tight. Then, came the others minus Rainbow Dash who was probably being attended to by some of the maids.
Author's Note
I tried to keep a schedule and I screwed it over. I will use this as a bit of filler for now. Happy Late Thanksgiving.
The ponies known as The Mane 6 would talk and swarm the dragon for nearly 3 hours. Twilight stuck around him the most talking about her recent discoveries and adventures that they had gone on. Pinkie Pie had even pulled a party out of her suitcase to the surprise of everyone besides Spike and the Mane 6. Princess Cadence had even tried to take a peek into her suitcase to try and figure it out. Gilda had come a bit out of her shell as well, but, mostly gravitating close to Rainbow and Spike. Royalty was still new to her and honestly wasn't going to be normal anytime soon.
Shining Armor soon stood and walked to Spike and pat him on the side. He had a serious visage on his face and Spike gave a nod and followed him as he was led into the hall. They, of course, got some looks and everyone soon followed behind them as they left.
Twilight, being the natural thinker she is, walked beside Shining Armor to ask, "Shining, what are you doing?" Her eyes shifting from one brother to the next.
Shining spoke loud enough for everyone one to hear, just as they reached an empty courtyard saying, "It is an open challenge. Spike would like to prove himself, to those that which to try. Though, I must say, he has quite the tricks up his sleeve. Also, he requested that we keep things friendly, so, only till one of you should yield."
Spike moved towards the other end of the courtyard and gave a stretch or two as Shining rose a shield over the courtyard. Should things become hectic, the rest of the palace could still be standing. Before anyone of the Mane Six or their guests could protest, a rainbow streak flew into the protected courtyard and gave a point to the warmed up dragon before speaking in a brash tone, "Oh yea! If a fight is what you want, then come and get some!"
Hearing that, Spike immediately got into a bit more of a serious mode as he heard her. As he stood at the ready and he waited, he remembered a couple things about Rainbow Dash. 'Of course, one, was her amazing speed and aggression through lack of patience she had. The other,.' Spike thought to himself as he blinked and moved his left hand to the right side of his face just as a blue hoof threated to level him. 'Was her speed.'
He didn't have much time to think as the hoof quickly pulled away and the rainbow trail and just as fast as she came, she moved back to her original spot. He couldn't think much, as he had to move back again and again as Rainbow gave a lightning fast flurry of blows almost too fast to see. Though on the back foot of this friendly fight, Spike saw his chance as Rainbow try to move back. He moved his clawed hand and grabbed one of the coming punches and used the momentum to flip Rainbow over him and slam her to the ground with a thud and gasp of pain from the cyan mare. He almost got a smile on his face, before he was rocked and made to stagger back from a sudden and fast kick from Rainbows back hoof.
As Spike took a moment to reel back from the sudden kick, Rainbow Dash got up to wipe a bit of grass that had come to land on her face from he Judo throw. "You gotta remember Spike. I have taken on more than my fair share of blows from people of better stature and ability. You think a Judo throw is gonna put me......"
She was almost thrown to the edge of Shining Armors protective shield from a punch that had smacked her in the cheek. Though as she crashed against the shield and fell stumbling a bit, she looked to Spike who was still almost half way across the courtyard. She then saw that half of his arm was gone and replaced by his distinctive green flame. Her eyes traced back to the spot where she was hit, and there it was, his remaining arm and fist which quickly disappeared and reappeared on Spikes body.
"HOLY CRAP! THAT WAS AMAZING!" was yelled from Pinkie Pie as she had essentially been pressed up against the protective dome with her eyes wide and taking in everything she was seeing. Twilight and the others had been in a bit of a state of shock, but, with Pinkies outburst, had been pulled from it.
Twilight was the most in awe, her ever smart brain working to figure out what had just happened. She was interrupted as Spike began to speak. "I am going to go ahead and explain that before Twilight starts a fire with how hard she is thinking. You know how I can send letters with my fire? Well, in my training, I tested how well I could use it. So, I took some items and learned I could move those too, except, they wouldn't go too far seeing as I had nothing to really send them to." He walked and offered a claw to Rainbow, who didn't take it, and as she got up to her hooves he continued. "With no magical point to home in on, they would only go as far as my flame can reach. Weight is a factor as well because I can only send stuff so far depending on it. I can move a piano, but only like 5 meters and I am working on my own for of teleportation. I affectionately call it a Flame Flicker."
"Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. Listen, while I am happy for you as a friend, shut up and fight me. All that means is that I don't need to hold back." It was literally like a flash how fast she moved. If Spike had been any slower to react, he would have been knocked on his ass tenfold. Though he protected himself and blocked the best he could, that didn't stop a few blows to smack against his stomach and sides. With his scales he wasn't hurt but they definitely would feel them later. In response, he used his tail and smacked Rainbow away a bit letting him get some space. Not much seeing as Rainbow Dash rocketed for Spike only to be stopped as Spike flickered his arm again and grabbed one of her wings stopping her in her tracks. Well, that would have happened if he had managed to grab her in time.
Instead, she flew directly at him and aimed for his gut. That was, until his torso disappeared too and she slammed into the ground, grass and dirt flying out and making a small trench as she came to a stop. Looking back, there was just Spikes legs before his torso magicked back onto them and he fell back and breathed raggedly and saying. "Oh, there it is. That took a crap ton of mana from me. Not" Deep breath in and out," doing that again."
As he got to his feet, he looked back to Rainbow Dash to see her looking at him almost amazed. "Holy shit!"
A shocked Rarity spoke from outside the dome, "Language! We have children in our presence!"
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes before going over to Spike as he dropped to one knee and gave a wave to Shining Armor, "We are done here! He needs a minute. He did an amazing job though."
The shield came down and Twilight was the first one by Spike's side to help him stay up, "Easy there, big shot. You did amazing. Lets get you some gems of something."
"Oh, that sounds amazing." Spike said as he walked with Twilight back into the castle. As everyone followed, he spoke out. "I probably shouldn't have done this just after training."
Meanwhile, across Equestria, in a small tavern. The door to it opened, there stood a tall figure wearing a cloak, its' head nearly touching the doorframe before it moved and took a seat at the bar. It was silent as it sat there and called over the Bartender with the wave of their hidden hand. As the red furred and white maned unicorn mare came over and offered a smile, she asked. "Welcome stranger, names Double Shot. What can I get you?"
In a deep, almost demanding but soft voice, it said, "Just some water for the moment, thank you. Also, I have a question." The creature took off its' hood to show a green eyed dragon with purple scales not unlike Spike. The only thing separating them being he was taller and instead of a green underbelly, his was pure black that matched his spines.
"Ask away." she said. Her back turned and she filled a glass full of water with her white magical aura and sat it in front of him. She didn't seem to flinch seeing a dragon, seeing as since the peace relations between dragons and ponies, they enjoyed coming into the southern parts of Equestria quite a lot. Heck, one of her neighbors was a male dragon with white scales and pink spines.
"You wouldn't happen to know where a Ponyville is by chance?" Taking a sip of his water, he took a look around the bar. Most taverns and such weren't so busy during the day, so only seeing one or two ponies around would be commonplace.
"Yeah, there is a train that rides by it each morning. Leaves from the station at 10 am tomorrow. I know cause I am going to be on it." She leaned on the bar and inquired, "What takes you to Ponyville, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Oh, I need to go see my son. I was told he lives there." After saying that he looked down to his glass of water and thought for a bit.
"Wait, whoa, hold on. You are Spikes dad?! Bullshit." She was taken a back as he said that. There was a clear resemblance but this was some hot news.
"You know my son? How is he?" Storm stood up suddenly and looked down to her. She pulled a newspaper from under the bar and tossed it onto the bar in front of her with her magical aura. The date being a year or so ago, the headline, 'CRYSAL EMPIRE SAVED BY DRAGON'. He stared down at the newspaper and he began to smile, "Look at that. My son, a hero."
Author's Note
Wanted to try and write some form of a fight scene. Tell me what you think?
Unknown P.O.V.
There was a sudden explosion that rocked the area where they were. They unconscious and ripped from their mortal shell besides their horn, had somehow survived in the form of a shadow. This form a failsafe as Tartarus was not a destination they wished to return to. They had flown for quite a while tethered to the horns form until they landed and wedged themselves into the almost frozen ground. Shadowed eyes full of absolute hate, they had no other choice than to be patient and wait. As the years passed and the time went by, they seethed, waiting. Then, one fateful day, they heard a voice and a thudding of a shovel digging through the earth.
Present Day, No P.O.V.
'I have no idea why I volunteered for this.' Gilda thought as she dug up another clump of dirt. She had been brought out here by Rainbow Dash and a couple of her friends tailing that dragon. He had wanted to come out here alone but they insisted that they followed after. Now here she was in a magic made bubble in a frozen tundra digging for gems. As she pulled up the shovel to show what looked like a ruby for all she knew, she dropped it in one of the buckets they had brought for collection.
It had maybe been an hour or two, she looked over and saw Twilight waving for her as everyone was waiting in the middle with all the buckets. Grabbing her own, she walked to meet them as she heard Spike say, "Thanks guy, I appreciate it. You didn't have to follow me out here though."
"Nonsense. I miss our gem hunting activities Spike." Rarity smiled as she dropped 2 full buckets of gems. "It will always be a pleasure to join you."
Twilight, who had been holding the barrier to protect them from the harsh tundra, spoke up as well. "Yea, this is the least we could do." As she watched each gem fall into the cart, she saw the irregular one as Gilda poured hers in. her magic grabbing it and lifting it, she tilted her head. "Hey, Spike, does this one seem okay to you?"
Hearing his name, he looked over and took the "gem" from her magical aura. "I mean, it probably just cracked under the pressure." He gave it another once over, it felt weird to him, almost like he shouldn't be holding it. "Still though, kinda weird." He gave it a sniff, it smelled almost like iron but the musk of dirt and cold lingered on it. "Gonna have to reject this one. Who dug it up?"
"I believe Gilda did, I saw it come from her bucket. " Twilight answered. Looking over to Gilda who only shrugged and stayed quiet as Spike moved over to her.
"Well, in any case." He started before presenting the supposed ruined gem to the griffin. "I know it's not anywhere near worth it since you were dragged out here, you keep it."
Gilda only huffed out and took the gem, she was a bit miffed it wasn't worth. "Screw it, if no one wants to eat the thing, I'll eat it." She even made a bit of a show of putting it into her mouth.
Spike, reasonably alarmed, spoke up, "I wouldn't do that, Twilight tried when she was a filly and had to get a tooth replaced.". Hearing that, Twilight looked away from the group and blushed hoping to never relive that memory. Though, what really happened as Gilda clamped her beak shut, there was not the crunch of her teeth, but of the gem being eaten. Spike almost stared wildly at the Griffon as she soon swallowed. Spike, still surprised, spoke, "Well, OK then."
"Guess I'm built of better stuff than you thought." The smug smile on her face was taken from her space as Rainbow and Twilight soon crowded her curious of how she did that.
Twilight starting first asking, "What are you thinking!? There is no way that you should be able to eat that!" She opened her mouth to ask something else but she was moved out of the way by Rainbow who only asked, "What did that taste like? Any good?"
Gilda, backing up from the ponies a bit, spoke saying, "It tasted kinda like saltwater and iron. Never doing that again though." she gave a small giggle as Spike pulled Twilight back before she could try to question her again. "Enough of this though, we got some pretty full inventory so lets head back. I feel like I need a nap after all of this digging, plus, we couldn't have done this after lunch?"
Spike, who was currently being glared at by Twilight after she had been pulled back. "She is right though. This is enough for me to last a coupe weeks. Besides, I'm coming back with you guys anyways."
Any glaring from Twilight suddenly turned to elation as she heard that. "I can't wait for you to come back! Ponyville has changed a ton since you left!" She almost fell as she moved to hug him. "And tons of ponies have wanted to see you"
Rainbow cut in saying, "Plus it's just in time for the start of Cider Season! Especially you are now old enough to drink! Oooooo, a drunk Spike? I have to see that! Also, though she may not be out here with us right now, Rarity missed you lots." She gave her eyebrows a suggestive wiggle earning a roll of the eyes from the dragon.
"I can't wait to come home. Also, Rainbow, I don't think of Rarity like that anymore." As he finished that sentence, it left everyone quiet. He gave a sigh and covered Twilight's mouth as she opened her mouth to speak, "It's been what? Two years? I can't lie, I held out for a bit but I did date a couple of ponies while here. I even lost my..." He chose not to speak anymore because a certain pink pony, who had somehow stayed quite till this point creeped over.
"Spikey, did you lose your virginity?" If it was quiet when he said he didn't like Rarity anymore, it was somehow even quieter now. She scooted even closer, her almost too wide smile making Spike look away but no matter how much he turned she was there, "To who? Is it someone we may know? A pony or a dragon?"
The quiet drake sensing a mixture of anger, humiliation, and even more questions to come just began walking the broke into a run. 'This was the only answer.', he thought to himself as he sped off soon pursued by the group of friends.
He ducked and dodged a few of the bots of magic Twilight fired at him before suddenly feeling his tail pulled by her lavender magical aura making him fall to the ground. He looked back to see that same magical aura engulfing his body , he was out of options. He tried to think of some way out of this as his body was lifted and brought to the group of friends. The look Twilight had in her eyes almost terrifying as he was brought close. Only his head was left unaffected by the paralysis, he was caught. He opened his mouth and allowed his green flames to engulf his head, and much like he showed in the exhibition with Rainbow, his head disappeared making Twilight scream out his name in frustration.
When spike opened his eyes, he was a floating head next to a more that reasonably surprised Shining Armor as he was finishing paperwork. The moment already awkward enough, Spike spoke saying, "Hey, so uhhhh, Twilight figured out I'm not a virgin anymore and my body is currently being held hostage. Might wanna say an excuse please because I am draining mana fast and they are tickling me."
Shining, who was more than glad he was sitting down as the talking and disembodied head of his brother was speaking to him. He gives a sigh and pat the floating head, "I got nothing either Spike, you are on your own with this one."
"Please? You have to have something! I'm losing control! The know just were to tickle!" Even if Shining Armor could come up with something, it was too late. The head disappeared and Spike's head was back on his body. Twilight, with a hand against his feet tickling them as Rainbow and the others were laughing at the situation.
Twilight, who had now notice his head was back where it belonged smiled. "We were talking Spike, it is rude toleave conversations in the middle. Now spill!"
Spike still trying to think of some way out of this only sighed and looked to the ever determined Alicorn mare and admitted, "It was with this really cool crystal pony mare I had met named Writers Block. We dated for 4 months before we decided to call it quits due to the fact I'm kind of royalty, and being the Empires savior, we could never really have a moment alone on dates. She ummm, may or may not have wrote a book of our little tryst in some excruciating detail that particular night. The only way it didn't get out of the Chrystal Empires region being because Cadence had to pull some strings and cut the circulation."
"How many copies did it sell Spike?" She questioned further. her head down as she rubbed her forehead almost tired of the situation.
"200,000 in 2 days before Cadence could stop it. That's 10% of the population here and that is only because we stopped it." He was in trouble, he looked away embarrassed even as Twilight put him down. "Celestia does not know so we should probably keep it that way. Also, I did not get her pregnant." 'Just keep digging the hole Spike.' he thought to himself. Another sigh left the drakes mouth as he spoke again, "Just ask Cadence, she bought it thinking it was something else and that's how we found out." Spike noticing the collective . "I shouldn't have said anything. L..l..let's just head back, alright?" With that, Spike turned away embarrassed and began to walk.
"We will be speaking of punishments later Spike." Twilight said as she walked next to him. "I respect your right as an adult and as an independent being, but, what you did was stupid." She saw the look on his face, she knew it was the face he made when he was down about something. She bumped his side making him look at her, a small smile on her face she gave him a small nuzzle. "Glad to have you back though Spike. You and all the problems you bring too." She gave a small giggle as they crossed back into the Chrystal Empire.