The session ended, just going through more details of the War, talking about how everyone banding together soon after the portal closed. Nothing wild went on and was rather speedy.

Rachel had to excuse herself to go to the restroom, planning not to take that long.

When she came in, there was a woman in her mid twenties in the restroom. Dressed with a light blue blouse and a business-like black skirt with a decorative white belt and Mary Jane's holding a cigarette and a lighter near the vent.

The woman jumped when she saw Rachel there. “Jesus Christ!”

Rachel jumped by the exclamation. “Oh, sorry, didn't mean to scare you.” She said, having her hands up to show she meant no harm.

“No you're good. I'm still not used to seeing anyone from Equis.” She said. “Ten years and still really haven't gotten over the shock.”

“I can see that. I lived in Equis for those ten years and I'm still finding out things that leaves me speechless.” Rachel responded, gave her a nod before going into one of the stalls, tucking in her wings tightly closing and locking the door. Was a tight squeeze but she'll go through it.

Realizing she had her head clear view to the top of the stall, Rachel hunched down so she could go, making it a much tighter space.

As she was going, Rachel could hear the woman mumbling about her size and annoyingly trying to light her cigarette.

Ninth grade all over again. Rachel thought.

After taking care of herself, she squeezed herself out of the stall, the woman still having problems with the lighter.

“Stupid cheap piece of crap.” The woman said as the Queen went to the sink to wash her hands.

“Need a hand?” Rachel offered after cleaning up.

The woman looked at the dragoness. “Oh, uh, sure.”

Rachel wiped her hands off with a paper towel, her eyes glowed a little. The tip of the cigarette lit up.

The woman took a drag before blowing smoke into the vent. “Thank you, nice trick.”

Rachel shrugged. “Thanks, not much though.” She observed the human. “You know they do have designated smoking spots outside.”

“I like air conditioning. I'll take the ticket if that's alright, your highness.” The woman chuckled.

“Eeh, not my business. Have a good day.” Rachel smooths out the fur on her cheeks before turning to walk out.

“Hold up, just one second, Queen Rachel.” the woman said, stopping her.

Rachel's ears pinned back. Internal alarms going off.

If there's one thing she learned growing up, especially in the War, don't ever underestimate any threat.

“What can I do to help you?” Rachel asks her.

The woman holds the cigarette between her lips, digs her hands in her skirt pockets before ending up pulling out a business card. Took a quick drag and blow before walking up to her. “Scylla Faun, reporter for Across Realms News. We specialize in sharing and spreading stories on both sides. I got selected to cover the Assembly.”

Rachel stared at Scylla before grabbing her card. It was a legit business card, had her list of contacts and the acronym of the news station. She recognized the station name but over on Equis.

“We got some BS videos sent by an anonymous group, showing off what the ponies were doing to the humans. Noticed they were wearing white suits with a red symbol.”

“The White Mantle.” Rachel said with a hateful hiss.

“Seems we both know who they were.” Scylla said. “After discussing with our sister station over on your side when we were allowed to cross, we learned about them. Higher ups decided to not play into the groups hands but the same group sent more videos out to the other stations. Thus fueling Earth's leaders with fear.”

“What is it you want with me, Ms. Faun?”

Scylla taps the cigarette so ashes fall in the sink drain next to her. “Please, Scylla. And what I want is your story.”

“My story??”

Scylla nodded, smoking a bit more before blowing it off to the side. “An interview, a special segment with you. You are the Speaker of Equis so a lot of eyes were on you. And if I'm being honest, your name specifically has been spread around for quite awhile. Popped up once a few years back, a domestic assault charge made by your old man.”

The Queen gritted her teeth. “Not even remotely surprised the bastard would do that.”

“Didn't really believe it because of how huge and completely frightening he was. Anyway, you caught the eyes of many during the War. Even though a lot of sources are of your Dragonlord and what he courageously did, other eyes see him as him coming in the last second of the game and taking the prize and reporters wanted his intake. Me? Nah, as much as there is on talking to him, his Queen is where the real story is at. The backbones of the whole operation.”

“Spike came in where we needed him. He saved our son and the world.” Rachel quickly defended her mate.

Scylla waved her hand before reaching over to the sink, turned the faucet on and ran her lit cigarette underneath the running water, extinguishing the cancer stick before tossing the butt in the garbage.

“Not downplaying his actions. Please, think about it, your highness. Earth needs your story. How a human became one of the greatest heroes in this day and age, how you became what you are now. Numbers on the card, lemme know if you change your mind. Good day.” Scylla said before leaving the restroom.

Rachel watched her leave before looking at the small card in her claws.

Sensing there was some kind of recurring theme going on on this trip.

She tucks the card in her bra, smoothes her clothes out and finally steps out.

Meeting up with her mate and son, she saw another reporter stepping away and going about their day.

“Looks like you got an interview request as well?” Rachel asks Spike as he passed Iggy to his mom. Iggy cooed, snuggling against her chest.

“Yeah the buzzards are buzzing today.” Spike responded with a chuckle before sighing. “You too?”

Rachel takes the card out. “Don't know how to feel about it.”

“It's ultimately your choice to do it or not.” Spike said.

When he saw Iggy making another attempt to grab the necklace, Spike put his finger in his son's hands and let him tug and move around so he couldn't mess with it.

“I'll back you whatever you decide to do.” Spike smiled at her.

Rachel smiles back. “So will we be seeing you on the TV soon?”

Spike responded by shaking his head. “Maybe later, but right now I'm not ready to do any of it…still not mentally ready after what happened.”

Rachel reaches to him and kisses his lips. “Let's head back before the paparazzi swarm us.” She said.

Spike grinned then, wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her close and nipped her pony ears. Causing her to giggle. “Let them take their photos.” He spoke low, still holding his grin before nibbling on her neck.

Rachel blushes brightly as she was hearing camera flashing going off and her knees began to buckle when he was grazing on her spot.

“You're trouble.” Rachel huffed but couldn't keep the grin off her face. Patting his cheek.

“Look who's talking, my Queen,” Spike chuckled.

Iggy started fuss hungerly, tugging on Rachel's dress top. Wanting to drink from the milk source.

“You entitled little firebug.” Rachel calls him with a laugh. “We'll be going soon.”

“Is there a line?” Spike joked.

“Take us back to the Temple, Dragonlord.” Rachel said. Swatting him with the soft brush tip of her tail playfully.

Spike giggled. “As you wish, my love.” Taking the staff from his tail hold, it glowed when he tapped the end of it, the three were consumed in flames and teleported.

The past several hours went by quietly, most were getting preparations for the up and coming wedding. Picked a spot nearby where to host the ceremony, arranging where the reception area is going to be at. Everyone has their part in this to get it done within six days.

Rachel, appreciating everyone for helping, decided to gift everyone something special. Going back to her roots a little, she was whipping up a batch of her signature pink, Iron Wills's Special drink.

However, she didn't make it a Virgin because after everything all of them had been through, nearly all of them saw that nuke went off, all of them needed the edge off.

In the kitchens after assuring to the chefs that there wasn't going to be a mess, she got to work.

She did have to be told how to work inside of the Temple's kitchen since everything was so old, it didn't have much of the modern appliances. Having some of the human Mordi go out to the modern towns to retrieve the stuff she needed before combining drinks together.

Knowing what to replace, knowing the recipe inside and out, she replaced one of the key components with some of the ancient wine that was stored in the Temple.

She had a couple of glasses of herself and the store wine will be used for the wedding itself and was a little tipsy.

Rachel hummed as she filled up bottles after bottles of her Iron Will, sitting up against the wall, having the large cauldron next to her, cautiously filling each bottle up with a ladle and funnel. So far, she made thirteen bottles and got ten more to fill.

While occasionally sipping on her glass.

“So this is where you went off to.”

Rachel looks up, seeing that it was Twilight.

“Hey Twilight.” The queen greeted her future sister in law.

“Wow, that's a lot of drinks, are you doing okay?” Twilight asks her with concern.

Rachel nodded. “I'm good.” She sets the ladle in the cauldron, reaches to one of the filled bottles and offers it to Twilight. “Making something for everyone to show how much I appreciated everyone. With helping out for this wedding and for the War. We wouldn't be here without everyone's part.”

Twilight takes the pink concoction. “How many drinks did you have?” She asks then, looking at the wine glass.

“My second glass. It's very strong.” Rachel pats a spot next to her. “Please join me.”

Twilight sighed, contemplating before joining Rachel.

After four more glasses per person and all the bottles were filled, both girls were, without a sheer of a doubt, shit faced.

The kitchen ended up becoming a mess as they got hungry. They didn't know what they ate but just knew it was delicious and sweet. And discovered a bunch of gems so its a double win.

“Oh my lord, this stuff is amazing!” Twilight gleefully giggled, she and Rachel had perched themselves on the island counter, both of them laying on top of each other. “How can something so old have so much effect?”

Rachel hiccuped, a bit of blue flames sparking out of her mouth before shrugging. “Have nooo clue, but this is nice. You're nice.” She giggled, munching on a sapphire.

Those who came by and saw the two in their drunken brigade kindly went off somewhere else.

“Is there anymore in the pot?” Twilight asks.

“L-lemme check.” Rachel swallows the gem, goes to get up, but instead of going to her hooves, she ends up rolling off the counter and onto her back, and doesn't feel any pain. Both ladies laughed hysterically, Twilight laughed so hard she ended up rolling off as well, sending the girls more in a laughing high.

Their antics ultimately caught wind of Spike and he finds the two girls all red in the face, rolling on the ground, unable to breathe from laughing.

“Well, this is a sight,” Spike sighed, looking at these two.

Rachel looked up, her vision upside down. Gasping to see him. “Hi honey!” She waved both hands at him.

“Hi Spike!” Twilight giggled.

“You two are wasted.” Spike stated, looking at the two and the twenty three filled bottles of Iron Will and a cauldron with a little bit of the stuff left.

“Just a little bit, how's Iggy?” Rachel asks as she rolls on her belly, tail flickering back and forth.

“Taking a nap.” Spike responded. Still looking at the pot.

“Oh. those bottles are for everyone here,” Twilight waved her hand at the bottles.

“I see… is it good?” Spike asked, curious himself.

“Try it, baby.” Rachel cooed, kicking her legs like a schoolgirl.

Spike could be the responsible one and take these girls to bed and let them sleep this off…

He went up to the pot, scooped some of the leftover liquid up and took a sip. Eyes widened at the non-virgin version of Iron Will's Special. It still had that tangy, pomegranate and cherry flavor but with the mix of the aged wine.

What he went through, Spike ended up discarding the ladle, picking up the pot and drinking everything.

Both girls cheered at that.

Soon all three of them were lounging around the messed up kitchen. A couple of bottles that were meant for some of the allies and people who helped were drinked by Spike, Rachel and Twilight.

Twilight was back on that counter, sprawled out and was asleep, the couple were on the ground, backs up against the wall. Their arms were linked and leaned against one another.

Both Spike and Rachel were on the verge of passing out themselves.

“Don't ever…ever leave me again..” Rachel mumbled, snuggling against him.

“Never again.” Spike responded, feeling his eyes drift. “Never…ever.”

As soon as it seemed his world darkened from him drifting off to sleep, there was a small tremor in the Temple but it didn't disturbed the three zonked out creatures.

About twenty minutes later however, Spike was awakened by a voice and something shaking him.

“Yo Spike! Hey little dude.” It was Ember.

Spike groggily opened his eyes. Seeing the taller blue dragoness, wearing a halter top and hip hugging pants.

“Geez, I knew it wouldn't be long for you guys to hit the hard stuff.” Ember sighed, seeing the three. “I got your message, you and I need a talk about your kid.”

Spike groaned, rubbing his eyes. “Uh…you know why he got big?” He asks with a yawn. Rachel is still sleeping on him.

“Got something, but I need to see the pit itself. Which means you gotta get up.” Ember said. “Gotta be quick, I don't want to hang around this side much longer.”

“Oh. Oh okay um, uh….a little hand?” He asks, holding a hand up since he couldn't feel his legs and didn't think he could stand up.

Ember nodded. Instead of grabbing his hand, the Second grabs the smaller dragonlord from underneath his arm pits. “Okay let's go.” lifts him up with ease.

Spike just submitted and was dangling from being picked up.

When Ember turns, Rachel stirs from not laying on Spike. Her eyes briefly registered Ember, she lunged at her, grabbing her tail.

“Noooo, not my Teddy Bear! Fuck you, Ember.” Rachel childishly whines.

Ember gets her tail out of the drunken Queen's hands, the tip pushing against Rachel's face. “No, no, go fuck yourself, he'll be back.” Ember tells her before carrying Spike out.

Rachel childishly waved her arms and legs before settling.

Ember carried Spike out of the hallway, set him down and made sure he was able to walk.

The walk did help sober Spike up a little by the time they got to the pit.

To all of their surprised, which sobered Spiks completely, was Iggy sitting near the edge of the pit. His head spikes were glowing again, wasn't doing anything but staring into the pit.

“Uh, Iggy, what are you doing, son?” Spike called out as he approached him.

“Oh crap.” Ember muttered as she watched Spike picking up the baby. Iggy was still staring in the pit.

“How did you get here bud? You okay?" Spike gave him a little bounce to see if he'll react.

Ember looked around the room, looked at the murals on the wall above them and gazed into the pit.

“Ember, do you know what this room is?” Spike asked, looking at the murals.

“I…I think so, but I'm not sure.” Ember said, trying to read the murals and translate it. “This draconic language is much older than the ones we've been using.”

“How old?”

“Way older than this place.” Ember then looked at the glowing baby. “It's an old bedtime story my old drake used to tell me when I was Iggy's age.” She points at the four large dragon-like creatures with the elements. “Those are called Titans. Four powerful beings that supposingly were guardians of this planet. Stronger and more powerful than the Dragonlord and Queen.”

Spike looked at his son for a moment before looking at the mural. “Can you translate?”

“Like I said, this is way older for me to translate. I'll have to talk to the Elders about this but what I remember from the story, their powers are literally of the Gods. Each Titan held the power of the elements of the world.”

“Where did they come from?”

Ember shrugged. “They say where all life started, from the cosmos. The stars themselves. When both the Bloodstone and Blue Celestial were as one powerful stone. Those four were a product of those stones as Igneous here is. The first four. They served as protectors of the planet. This must be one of four temples dedicated to this one.” She motioned to the lava and fire being. “Each time the Dragonlord had an offspring, the first four always took on that role. Don't ask how the stones separated because I don't know.”

“Igneous is the first product of the stones in centuries…” Spike looks back to his son.

“Story goes that if the world is in peril, these guardians will return.”

“How powerful were they? Just to give me a scale of things.”

“One of them caused the last ice age, from what I was told.”

Spike's eyes widened at his son.

Iggy looks up from the pit and snickered, patting his father's snout.

“Maybe that's why I heard the Dragonlord back then stopped having an equal…”

“Igneous turned into a creature of lava and light.” Spike admits.

“And judging how his head is glowing, he might be the next Titan when he grows up.” Ember looks back at the mural. “I'm gonna head back home, see if I can't dig up more of this.”

“Please do, thank you.” Spike said with a nod.

“No problem… keep this kid out of here, finish up the meeting and get back when you can.” Ember waves them before quickly leaving that pit.

Spike watches her go before looking at Iggy. “Titan Igneous….are you gonna be a titan?”

Iggy responded by sticking his tongue out at him.

“Let's go get your mother,” Spike began walking out. Never wanting to walk away from a room before in his life. The glow faded away when they left the chambers. Assigning many more guards to secure the pit room on his way back to the kitchen.

Only to find Applejack picking the schnockered out Twilight up over her shoulders and Rachel wasn't in there. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy picking up the filled bottles.

“Oh, hey guys, where's Rach?” Spike asks.

“I think she went to bed, I'm not sure.” Fluttershy said.

“Can't believe these two had a drinking party without us.” Dash grumbled as she picked up one of Iron Will's.

“One of those bottles is for you.” Spike mentioned.

“Oh? Sweet!”

“We got Twi here.” Aj said.

Spike nodded before heading back to their room. Coming inside, Rachel wasn't even on the bed, she had made herself comfortable on the floor. Had a pillow and a blanket and was sleeping.

Spike chuckled softly and smiled, seeing just how peaceful she was.

When Iggy started wiggling, Spike put him down, only for him to crawl over to his mother, laying down next to her, curling up.

Unable to deal with the sheer adorableness, Spike joined them. He walked over to the two, got down on the floor and curled up to the two, arm reaching around his loved ones.

A faint smile spread on Rachel's lips, completely in content.

With that, the three go to sleep for the night.

Author's Note

Scene of Ember, Spike and Rachel, here's where I got the idea from lol