Author's Note

This is a reimagining of my story Playing Pretend.

I feel I’ve grown a lot as a writer since I released the original story, and it was one of my favorite concepts. Now, it’s getting an overhaul, and I hope y’all enjoy!

Part 1: The Players

***A Patriot Pony Production***

Spike stood beside Twilight Sparkle on the steps leading up to the main doors of the Canterlot Palace. On either side of them, tall guards clad in shiny plate armor stood sentry with unwavering, expressionless faces. They’d been waiting for nearly three minutes now, and the dragon was beginning to sweat. Earlier that morning, Celestia had demanded they come to Canterlot as soon as possible. There was a real sense of urgency in her letter, so naturally, they rushed right over.

“My dear Twilight Sparkle and Spike, I require your presence in Canterlot immediately. I cannot tell you everything in this letter alone, but preparations must be made for the arrival of my parents, and your attendance is mandatory.

Yours truly, Princess Celestia”

Spike shifted his weight from one leg to the other, utterly unable to stand still. He glanced over at Twilight. She looked far more calm and collected, but he knew she was just as nervous. She had to be. Neither of them had met the parents of Celestia and Luna, let alone heard of them. There hasn’t been nearly as much time to prepare as he would have liked. He hadn’t even packed formal clothes in the rush to get to Canterlot.

Twilight must have caught him looking, because she looked back with a seemingly forced smile. “It’ll be alright, Spike... It’s just a short meeting, I think...”

Spike shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not so sure, Twilight. The princess didn’t exactly say much in the letter. There’s no telling how long this could take.” In truth, he hoped Twilight was right. He didn’t like being thrust out of the palace with hardly a word of warning.

There was a loud ‘thud’ as the great doors unlatched, and at last, they opened to receive them. Just inside, Princess Celestia was waiting for them with a wide smile on her face and her hands clasped together in front of her. “Twilight... Spike... I’m so pleased to see you here.”

Twilight bowed quickly before her former mentor. “Oh course! We wouldn’t dare miss the opportunity to meet your parents. Are they here yet? Is there anything we can do to help?”

Celestia chuckled and held up a hand to silence her eager protege. “One step at a time, Twilight. They’re not here, but they'll be arriving this evening for dinner. The two of you will be guests of honor. As for your help, you might be useful in the solarium. My father is quite the astronomer, so making the space extra special for him would be doing me a great service.”

Twilight’s eyes lit up at the word ‘solarium’. “You won’t have to worry about a thing, Celestia. We’ll have everything perfect for when he arrives. Won’t we, Spike?”

The dragon struggled not to roll his eyes. As much as he wanted things to go well between the elder princess and her parents, he didn’t like the idea of his time and energy being volunteered for something he didn’t want to do in the first place. He wasn’t sure he even knew what a solarium was, but he followed Twilight inside the palace anyway, certain that he’d find out soon enough.

They didn’t get far, however, because Celestia stopped him by placing a firm hand on his shoulder. “Not so fast... There’s something else we need to discuss in private. Come with me.”

She spoke in a hushed tone that caused chills to run down Spike’s back, and he began to sweat again. “Wha-What? What do you mean?”

Twilight looked uneasy too, but knowing they wouldn’t be able to get anything else out of the princess and her cryptic hints, they shuffled after her. Together, they turned from one corridor to another and climbed an innumerable amount of stairs until they ultimately reached the bed chambers of Princess Celestia. Once inside, she closed the door behind them, clicking the lock.

Twilight was the first to break the silence. “Princess, what’s this about?”

Celestia exhausted a long sigh as she turned to face them, leaning back against the foot of her bed. “Forgive me for the secrecy, but I had to have us alone where we could speak freely. I must confess that there is another reason for my calling you here so suddenly.” Then, her gaze landed on Spike. “I require you most of all, Spike.”

Now that he was invested in whatever problem was causing Celestia so much trouble, Spike was more than willing to help. “What is it? What can I do?”

The elder princess looked as though she was struggling to look directly at him. “This is a bit embarrassing for me to admit, but during my mother’s last visit, we drank perhaps a little too much... I don’t remember every detail, but I do remember boasting about dating a dragon, and she believed me...”

Twilight’s jaw fell noticeably. “Celestia, you aren’t seriously considering-“

She nodded her head. “Yes, Twilight. I’m afraid it’s my only option to save face in front of my mother. She’s already told father, and now they’re both on their way here to meet my...” The princess gritted her teeth as she struggled to get the words out. “... my dragon boyfriend... That’s why I need you, Spike.”

Spike felt uncomfortably hot all of a sudden, but he could see the desperation in her eyes. “So... I’m, like, your pretend date for this evening?”

Celestia shrugged her shoulders as her gaze fell to the floor. “Longer than that, I suspect... My parents might wish to stay a few days, so you’ll have to remain here for the duration of their visit. You know, so they really believe we are a couple.” She looked up, and her eyes met his again. “It is only for a few days, Spike. Then, they’ll never bother me about this again, I swear it. Will you do this for me? Please?”

Spike was speechless. He didn’t know what to expect from Celestia, but it certainly wasn’t that. His eyes darted back and forth between the pleading princess and Twilight until after a moment of mental deliberation, he nodded his head. “Sure, Celestia. I’d be happy to help. You can count me in.”

She looked overjoyed by his response, her grin stretching from ear to ear. “Oh, Spike, that’s wonderful! There are other details I must tend to, but I will send for you here.” Then, she glanced towards Twilight. “Will you accompany me to the solarium?”

Twilight nodded her head. “In a minute, princess. I need a quick word with Spike.”

Celestia approved and excused herself from the room. Twilight waited until the sounds of her footsteps faded down the corridor into silence. Now that he was alone with Twilight, Spike felt very small. “I know what you’re going to say, so don’t. You heard Celestia, Twilight. I have to do this for her. If I don’t, who knows what her parents would think of her?”

The younger princess placed her hands on her hips and looked at him razor sharp eyes. “I get that, Spike. I just don’t want you to get carried away.” Then, a warm smile crossed her lips. “It’s only a pretend date. You’re a nice kid, so I don’t have any doubts you’ll be able to put on a convincing show. Just... remember what I said, okay? Celestia is still the princess, after all.”

Spike nodded his head hurriedly. He understood that all too well, so the last thing he wanted was to do anything that might cause her any offense. Despite that, however he felt a bit excited where before he felt little but malcontent. He’d never really gone on many dates, let alone had a date so important as this one. “Of course, Twi. What’s the worst that can happen?”

***Up Next: The Stage***