Post War Assembly

The next morning, everyone was getting ready to go out again for the meeting. Rachel was in the process of feeding her boy on the bed.

Iggy however, decided he wants to play, giggling as reaches up to her.

“What are you doing playing, we have to go soon. My goodness, what a cutie you are!” Rachel couldn't help but tickle him, hearing him cackle. “Why play with food?”

Spike comes in, not missing a beat. “Iggy, are you playing with my boo- I mean with your food?” He grinned, coming to them. “No sir, nuh uh.” He starts tickling the infant as well.

Iggy squealed and squirmed from his parents. His chunky legs kicked in joy.

Rachel giggled. “Spike, you gotta learn how to share. What are you going to do when we have more kids?”

Spike’s grin unfaultering, heart fluttering. “I can share, you got pair, enough to go around, one for each of us.” He gestures to him and the baby.

The parents burst out laughing, he getting a playful swat to the side with her tail as a response.

Iggy, watching the tail flail in front of him, he cooed curiously, reaching up to pull on the brush tip. Feeling just how soft it was, he brought it closer and snuggled it to his face.

“Okay, cutie pie, let's get going, we have a long day.” Rachel said.

Or at least she does. Knowing what she'll have to do after the meeting.

They all traveled per usual, bypassed the paparazzi, ignoring the cameras to their best attempts, getting in the right mindset to tackle this head on…

That was until they came in and saw a rather decorated Assembly hall. It had many different flowers that looked like it came from Equis.

One set of flowers immediately stood out from the rest. Certain red spider-like lillies with yellow edges.

“Oh no.” Spike whimpered, already feeling his eyes and nose itchy and running.

Iggy began to fuss, rubbing his face with his claws. The dragon guards were starting to not feel so good as well.

“Why…?” Rachel was feeling the effects as well.

There was a bunch of Dragon Sneeze Flowers all over the place!

Almost in unison, all the dragons began sneezing flames uncontrollably.

Instantly there was panicking as the Assembly was consumed in colorful burning flames. Humans were freaking out and scrambling as the dragons kept sneezing. The sprinklers on the ceiling went off but did little to no good combating the fires.

The Alicorns and Shining quickly got to work. Celestia, Luna, and Cadence worked on calming the frightened humans and extinguishing the growing fires and removing the flowers. Getting them far, far away from the sneezing lot. Shining Armor and Twilight tackled the dragons.

Since both Spike and Rachel were unable to use their magic, being too distracted sneezing their ever loving minds out, Shining and Twilight worked on getting every dragon back to the Temple.

While still having a sneezing fit.

By the time the fire fighters finally made it into the Assembly hall, it had already been extinguished. Fifty percent of the meeting hall was charred, blackened and mostly reduced to ashes.

Other than bumps and bruises from the humans scrambling, trying to get out of the burning hall, no one was seriously hurt. They were scared and confused but all were alive.

Everyone was outside, the news caravans were having a field day reporting the fire break out.

The President was checking out one of his colleagues who was in one of the ambulances when Twilight approached him. “Mr. President?”

The president looks at her before giving his colleagues a pat on the shoulder before facing his attention to her.

“What was that? Why did the dragons attack us?” He asked her.

“Oh nononono, they didn't attack you at all.” Twilight quickly said.

“Tell that to our burnt down hall.” President Baxter grunted. “We decided to decorate our hall for you as a good gesture and they burnt it up, many of us could have seriously been hurt.”

“Sir, that isn't what happened. They were sneezing.” Twilight explained.

“Sneezing??”

“Yes! As beautiful as your gesture was to us, one of the flowers you used there, every dragon is allergic to.” She then holds up the flower in question to show them.

Mr. President takes his magnifying glasses out of his breast pocket, puts them on and looks at them. “These?” He points to it.

“Yes sir. These are called Dragon Sneeze Flowers, they come from certain trees. These grow in Canterlot all the time. However, as pretty as it is, all dragons are allergic to it. And as you and everyone saw, when dragons sneeze…”

“They burn…” The president relaxed, now seeing that this was just an accident. A dangerous mistake but nonetheless an accident. He rubbed his temples.

“Once they stop sneezing, they'll apologize. Once a dragon is around these, it's near impossible to get them to stop sneezing unless they are far away from this.”

“No, it was our mistake. Dragon Sneeze Flower, it's right in the name. I take full responsibility for this, I should have known.”

“It was an accident. Thank you.” Twilight said before she used her magic to destroy the flower. “I do hope this doesn't ruin what progress we made so far.”

“It doesn't.” He responded as he took the glasses off, folded them up and tucked them back in his breast pocket. He looks up to see the many reporters calling out to the president. “Now if you excuse me, I have to do damage control, I'll have my advisers contact you all when we can resume talks. It's safe to say we'll be taking a few days break to shake this off.”

“Looking forward to hearing that call, sir.” Twilight smiled, holding a hand out for him.

The president shook it firmly. “Hope everyone gets to feeling better.”

And with that, The president fixed his suit before going towards the vultures that were the media and gave his statement.

Before Twilight could head back, the sisters came up to her, her brother and sister in law already headed back.

“You did good, handling this before it turned into another conflict.” Celestia congratulated her.

“I'm just glad he saw our side of things,” Twilight sighed, her mixed wings flexed. “This could have ended up a disaster and all of our processes would be lost.”

“You've done well delegating. A good sign, it shows you can handle yourself politically.” Luna said, her hands behind her back. “Equestria will be in good hands after we leave.”

“Thank you.” Twilight smiled at them before they headed back.

When they teleported back, there were scorch marks of where the dragons continued to sneeze on the walls of the Temple.

Back in the common room, both Spike and Rachel were mentally exhausted, lounging on the couches while their baby was playing with Flurry by the toys. The other dragons are also not in the best state after sneezing so much. Shining and Cadence were in there with Thorax and Pharynx to keep them company.

Spike rubbed his eyes, still slightly red from allergies when they came in. “Oh…hey guys.” He greeted them while sniffling.

“How fucked are we?” Rachel asked.

“Crisis averted. We're all good.” Twilight assured them with a smile.

“Seriously??” Rachel's eyes widened. “After we torched the place??”

Twilight nodded.

Both Spike and Rachel let out sighs of relief, both of them relaxed.

“Oh, that's so good!” Thorax sighed, tension fading from his shoulders.

“However, there won't be talks for a few days. We'll be in contact with the President.” Twilight explained.

“Good work.” Shining told her.

“Yes, she did a good job.” Celestia said, smiling down at her pupil. However, Twilight couldn't really reciprocate it to her.

“Lucky no one got hurt. This could have easily been a shitfest.” Pharynx said, drinking his bottle of Iron Will.

“No kidding.” Rachel nervously chuckled.

“And who knew you'd also be allergic to those flowers as well, Aunty.” Flurry said, glancing over to look at her before going back to playing with her cousin.

“Oh I'm allergic to those, hon. Just part of a small list of things I'm allergic to.” Rachel said, giving the thirteen year old a smile.

However she wished she didn't really find out until today! Been avoiding the flowers all together as a courtesy of Spike when they were dating so she'd never really checked to see if she was allergic to them or not.

Suffice to say, she was.

“So we're all good?” Shining asked,double checking.

“We're good. Say, where's Rainbow, Flutters and AJ?” Twilight asked, seeing the other girls weren't in there.

“Trying to calm down Fluttershy in her room. She… had a panic attack from the flames.” Spike explained, feeling sorry for her.

“Oh no.” Twilight frowned. “Excuse me, everyone.” With that, she takes off.

Rachel ran her hands through her hair. “Holy shit.”

“Right?” Spike huffed, relaxed that they weren't in the literal hotseat. “That could have been a disaster, what were they thinking having those flowers in there?”

“It was a mistake on their part. They didn't mean anything bad.” Celestia explained.

“They didn't think the name Dragon Sneeze meant literally.” Luna sighed.

“Or maybe they did it intentionally?” One of the dragon guards suggested.

“Seriously doubt it. None of them I believe ever crossed over, they don't really know the floriculture.” Rachel tells them. “No one wants to risk this relationship between realms. They have to be really stupid to fuck us over with flowers and have us take the heat.”

“As long as they don't pin this to you guys, we should be good.” Shining said.

“Want me to send some of my guys over to make sure?” Pharynx asked.

Thorax looked at him. “Why suggest that? They just said that Spike and others are in the clear.”

“They still don't have a full grasp of Changelings, perfect spies. Gather enough intel, do some reconnaissance to really see if they were telling the truth.”

Rachel looked to Spike for that.

Spike thought about it. “No,” he then said. “We'll give them the benefit of the doubt. If it happens again, go ahead, thank you though.”

Rachel rubs his upper thigh, liking that plan.

She then felt something tugging her tail tip. She looks down and lets out a chuckle.

Igneous crawled up to them, only to begin playing with her tail. He even began putting it in his mouth.

Rachel moves her tail out of his grasp. Picks him up when he starts to get annoyed. “My tail is not for eating, mister.”

Iggy sticks his tongue out to her.

Spike hummed before digging into his pants pocket. Quickly pulling out a gem shard. “Here, these on the other hand are.” He hands the shard to Iggy.

Iggy cooed, looking at the gem, it was big enough so he couldn't swallow it whole. He waves the gem before putting the tip in his mouth. Gumming and licking the yummy treat. Quickly covering it in slobber.

Spike smiled before turning to Rachel. “If you still need to go do your thing, I'll watch him.” Spike offered.

“After setting the hall on fire, I don't have the mental fortitude to look at it.” Rachel said, petting her child's head.

“I know, but it'll keep your mind off.”

“What's going on?” Flurry asked, coming up to her parents.

Everyone else looked at Rachel.

Rachel sighed. “First day of the meeting, we were approached by a lawyer… my mother's lawyer.” She explained. “Apparently, she left me a few items. Some documents, a jewelry box - which I haven't opened, and three video tapes. All of them are marked when I can look at them. I already watched one, I'm supposed to watch another today.”

“Marked ahead of time?” Celestia asked.

Rachel nodded. “Yeah. It seems my mother became a Mordi. She developed the gift of Sight… she knew Iggy was going to grow the other day.”

One of the Mordi hummed at that. “There were those among us who have Sight. Back then they were considered seerers, soothsayers, priests. Their visions are something extraordinary. My cousin actually is one. Kinda creepy honestly.”

“Kinda creepy is the right word.” Rachel said. “I don't really know if I want to look at the tapes. My mom never told me any of this, thought I knew everything there was about her. These tapes… I'm seeing a side of her I never knew.”

“What's your mother like?” Shining asked.

Rachel thought, thinking what she knew of her mother beforehand. “She was kind, generous. Had the brightest smile anyone had ever seen. A dance instructor…she was very graceful and poised. Liked having tea everyday around two thirty in the afternoon.” She smiles softly, recalling her. “Did what she could to protect me from my father.”

“Maybe you should look at the tapes.” Cadence said. “From my understanding, she died when you were a kid?”

Rachel nodded.

“She knew you'd be at this pivot point of your life. That's why these tapes, her will, have been brought to you right now. You need to have closure, this is it.”

Rachel looks at Spike.

He shrugged. “I already say what I need to say.”

Rachel sighed, handing Iggy over to his father. Iggy was too focused on the gem to care who had him. “Be back in a few.” She then stands from the couch.

She takes a step, stops and then turns to her boys. “You two better remain this size when I get back.” She gestures to the two.

Spike giggled. “Yes mama.”

Rachel smirked before walking up to her mate, giving him a sweet kiss, gave her baby a kiss on his cheek - still unbothered with the gem - waved to the others before leaving.

Once out of the room, Shining looked at Spike. “What did you say to her?” He asked curiously.

Spike held his son. “Nothing really, I told her that if I had the chance to get to know my actual birth mother, the way her mother left her with the items, I'd do it.”

Back outside of the Temple, back in the trailers she had used before, Rachel gets ready to watch the second tape.

“Well, here goes nothing.” She inserts the tape in the player and presses play. She sat back and watched the show.

Like before, there was white static. Then the video began.

First thing that came up, instantly she recognized the background. Her mother's dance studio back in her childhood home. Her mother, having her blonde hair up in an elegant bun, black leotard and sparkling tights, could be seen adjusting the camera. “Okay, just about got it…Ah there!”

She turns, Rachel sees that parts of her back were exposed, her tattooed wings were shown - the inspiration of Rachel's tattered tats when she had them. She walked back a little just as a little girl came on screen, wearing a little tutu and matching leotard and hairdo.

The little girl was Rachel. She actually remembers this. Couldn't be around four, but she was already growing taller than kids her age.

“Ready, mommy.” her four year old self beamed up to her mother.

“Okay, let's see what you learn.” her mother soon picked a remote out from her top, pressed it and classical music began to play. She tucks it back in her top. “And a-one, and a-two and…”

Rachel watched her and her mother go through a set of ballet steps. Seeing the two going sets of arabesques, pliés, pirouettes and sautés. Her younger self trying to get comfortable on being on her tippy toes, trying to keep up with her very skilled mother.

Her mother showed a lot of grace. Looking majestic as she moved across the dance floor, enjoying herself as she danced with her daughter. A living piece of art.

When the dance was over, Darline clapped and cheered. “Whoo! That was amazing, Rachel! Good job, you did phenomenal.”

Four year old self jumped and clapped as well.

Rachel giggled, seeing them looked so happy back then.

“Okay, baby girl, go ahead upstairs, I'll be there in a minute and start dinner.” Darline smiled.

“I'm gonna go draw now.” the girl said before skipping away.

Darline chuckled before sighing. She walked towards the camera and took a seat in front of it. “Whew, sorry about that.” her mother said directly to the camera, getting herself adjusted. “Hi my love, this is the second video. For you it's been a few days, as you just saw, it's been a few years for me. Now… if I am not mistaken, you just had a….sneezing experience.” She lets out a giggle, covering her mouth with her hands.

“Not funny, people could've been hurt.” Rachel muttered, cheeks blushing.

“Sorry, dear.”

Rachel gave the video recording a look. “Already the creep factor begins.”

Darline nodded her head. “Okay, this video isn't going to be a long one, I only got a few moments before your father arrives home, you know how he gets when dinner isn't ready by the time he's off work.”

“What I wanna know is why didn't you use your Mordi strength to kill him beforehand?” Rachel muttered.

“I have.” The video responded. “I attempted to kill him numerous times…but I couldn’t. I never truly possessed what it took to take someone's life. No matter how much they deserved it. When I fought with your father, it…attracted him to me more. Hence his obsession of always finding us when we leave. Even though the Mordi are more enhanced, we are still human.

“I did have a choice to not be with your father, but my death was sealed either way. The night we met, I was with my ballet school. We were dancing for the Army. It was a big ordeal for all of us. I was lead. Your father was in those stands before he was discharged. He came up to me afterwards, I had a choice to decline him. But if I had done that, you would not even be born. Living the life you have right now, with your mate and son.”

Rachel hugged herself, glancing at the door.

“Things do happen for a reason, as cliché as it sounds. Walking into my doom, Rachel dear, you were my light. I know you do blame yourself still for my death, listen to me carefully.

“You are not at fault. I do not, will not, ever blame you for what you were about to do.”

Then there was the formidable sound of a truck pulling in. Darline paled. “Shoot. He's home early, I gotta go.” Her mother reaches forward and turns the camera off and the tape ends there.

Rachel blinked at that. She quickly rewinds the footage to double check if there was anything in the background or something she missed. But that was it.

Understanding this video however, to Rachel, it made sense on several occasions. Recalling the nights her father would beat her mother, she had fought back. Remembering several cuts…claw marks on his arms and chest area. Those were her mothers. The cops called on her…

She fought for years against her husband. Trapped in a literal web.

Rachel injects the tape and takes it out, setting it on the mattress. She eyes at the box and the last tape. She wanted to go ahead and look through them both. To go ahead and get it over with so she could finally close this chapter of her life and finally for once move on. However, she felt the need to hold off until the marked day on the last tape.

The moon had just reached high in the sky by the time Rachel made her way into the bedroom. Seeing that Spike had waited up for her, sitting on their bed, rocking their son, passed out from the day. His tiny claws still gripping onto the slobbered up gem, curling in his father's arms.

“Hey there,” Spike greeted softly. “You've been gone for a while, everything okay?”

Rachel nodded. “Yeah, I went for a walk and target practice. You didn't have to wait for me.”

She crawls on the bed to join him. Spike passed their baby to her, which she took graciously. Holding her bundle of joy, cradling the baby.

“Hi baby,” Rachel whispered, looking at Iggy. Kissing his head, taking in his scent.

Spike watched her for a moment. “Wanna talk about what you saw?” He asked her.

Rachel sighed. “Just learning a few more things about mom. Stirring up some memories.”

“Bad ones?”

She shook her head. “No, they were good. She did everything she possibly could with her husband. Seeing her dance again… I loved watching her dance, I now have a tape of her dancing again.”

“That's great. Are you going to be okay?”

“I'm okay, love.” She said. Iggy cooed in his sleep, making her smile. “I… I think I'm gonna call that reporter. After our fiery show earlier, damage control is needed.”

Spike nodded, leaning close to her. “I think that's wise. Think you'll do great.”

“If I don't look like an idiot on camera.”

“You won't. Then after that, we can go visit your other family. We still need to invite them…unless you don't want to.”

Rachel sighed. “I don't know. They barely know me, and where they are, a lot of catholics are around. Really don't want to freak them out if they see us.”

“People will freak out regardless.”

Rachel chuckled. “That they will. I'll call the reporter in the morning, right now, I need you, and our baby.”

Spike smiled. “And you have us, mama.” He kisses her shoulder. Hearing her giggling, she called that.

“That I do, daddy.” Rachel grinned when she heard Spike chuckled.