The Cost of a Stone is its Rarity

"It pleases Us that thou hast responded so quickly to Our invitation." Jade announced, trying to sound regal and ostentatious as possible. This effect was marred considerably by the goofy ear-to-ear grin she had plastered across her face as she beamed at them. Spike could tell from how she moved her long serpentine tail that she was particularly pleased with whatever her upcoming announcement was to be, but he had no idea what would warrant that reaction from her.

He lowered his eyes back to the floor and remained on one knee as demanded by protocol. Twilight stood straight as was proper for her comparable status to Jade. He did his best not to sigh, both from how the caste difference chaffed, and also from the discomfort of kneeling; he had gotten used to using all fours to walk to better fit in with his pony friends, but the Dragon Court frowned at him doing this, even though he KNEW there were plenty of other noble dragons who preferred the same form of locomotion.

"We are glad thou art pleased," Twilight spoke pleasantly, "We came as soon as Rarity brought word back with her from her visit, and we both eagerly anticipate whatever thou mayst require of us."

Spike was glad at that moment that he was staring at the floor, or else the disgust on his face would have been blatantly visible. After what he had found out during his last visit, Twilight had needed to drag him here by his tail. Still it's not like he could have just told her that he might be risking execution by coming back here. It just wasn't fair! Here family and heritage was almost a tangible commodity in terms of what it could allow a dragon to do. He had none, but that might all have changed, and not for the better. Still Skroll had promised not to tell anyone if it turned out that bad-

"... generations we thought it lost to our people forever, and with it all hope of ever seeing that great and noble clan return to their rightful glory."

Oh great. That sounded like something important he just missed. Royal announcements were probably something that should be listened to no matter what else you might have to worry about.

"But this court is pleased to announce," Jade continued, her vestigial wings flapping excitedly behind her shoulders, "that not only hath it been found, but has hatcheth into a fine example of his race; whose deeds and service to the standing regency hath placed him as the prime and sole suitor for marriage, a marriage that shall surely cement relations between Our Noble Dragon Clan and thy Pony Nation for centuries to come."

Spike glanced at Twilight out of the corner of his eye. She beamed at this news; she had been trying to establish a stable alliance with the Noble dragons ever since Spike had first discovered them.

"That's wonderful news!" Twilight answered, "but might we inquire to the identity of this mysterious marriage candidate that such an alliance would be formed?"

The mention of marriage made Spike's thoughts wander to Rarity. How long had he been pursuing her favor? There was always a small niggle in the back of his head clamoring that he obviously didn't stand a chance, that she was undeniably out of his league, and that he should move on to greener pastures, but all it took from her was one of her dazzling smiles, or even just a passing glance of her beautiful azure eyes and he knew he'd never be satisfied with anyone else. She was a complete class act, admittedly prissy, but not an intentionally snobbish or snooty bone in her body. Sure, she was high-maintenance; she expected the best, but she expected no less of herself. She never gave you any reason to doubt how she wanted to be treated; like a princess, but when you gave her that treatment, she'd make you feel like her most favored knight, or even a-

"...recognize thee as Prince Spike. Thou mayst rise now, oh Sleeping Prince."

Spike looked up, confused. Sleeping who now? He scanned the room for any guys that looked like they might be a prince, but no one was stepping forward. Twilight caught his eye and, with a slight look of alarm, gave short jerky nods with her head that seemed to indicate he stand.

"Jad- I mean, your highness," Spike said as he complied. He paused a moment to do a quick mental review of the flash cards of diplomatic responses Twilight had long ago drilled into him, "I'm afraid the meaning of your words escapes me."

Jade wriggled in her excitement and slid down from her throne to take his hands in hers.

"There are no need for formalities any longer, Prince Spike," She put a firm emphasis on the the word to ensure its meaning sank in.

Spike boggled, "I'm... I'm a prince?"

"Isn't it wonderful?" she cried out, throwing her arms around him. "Now we can be wed!"

Spike's brain ground to a halt, and he looked to Twilight for guidance. He found only his own stunned confusion reflected in her face.

"Spike, I don't understand," she whispered, "What's going on?"

"I don't understand what's going on!"

The ancient dragon tore through a shelf of ancient books, spilling them into his other arm so he could dump them all neatly into a row on his desk for perusal. One by one, he quickly scanned through them, holding each in the pronged tip of his tail while he thumbed through the pages with his free hand. His other hand kept a delicate but firm grip on the largest of the shards from Spike's eggshell, which he examined through a jewler's loupe clutched between his cheek and brow ridges. He sent gouts of flame through his nose as his temper progressively rose with each book he dumped in the sprawling heap piled around his desk, threatening to burn the pages if he hadn't been wearing a cover that redirected the flames through pipes that ran out over his back along his horns.

Spike shifted uncomfortably, watching from the opposite end of the desk. He wanted to pick up some of the books and scrolls that spilled all over and try to get them organized so they could be put away more conveniently, or at least get them stacked so they weren't spilling all around, but he was fairly certain Skroll would have bitten his head off, maybe literally. Despite his age, the royal archivist wasn't much larger than the wild dragons Spike had encountered back when he was still a baby, but that was about standard sizing for an adult noble dragon. He would still rather not cross the crotchety old lizard; what he lacked in the size of the wild dragons he made up for with temperament.

"Is something wrong, sir?" Spike finally asked.

"Of course something is wrong, blast it!" the Royal Archivist barked. "I can't find the wretched diagram that matches these markings!"

Spike's heart sank. This section of the archives was supposed to keep a record of every eggshell pattern of every noble dragon clan to ever exist. If nothing matched his egg, then it would be the second time he failed to be accepted by his own species, and this time he really wanted to be accepted. Noble dragons weren't like Wild dragons; these respected chivalry and honor, and prided themselves on acting with dignity. It was everything he had aspired to since he was hatched, even if he wasn't always successful. His shoulders slumped along with his fallen hopes and expectations.

"I guess you were just mistaken," he sighed, "I must not a noble dragon either."

Spike sniffed and rubbed at his eyes with the back of his arm, "I'm not anything."

"Enough with the waterworks!" Skroll ordered, closing the book he just finished with a startling clap. He took the loupe from his eye and glared at Spike.

"I have worked as the Royal Archivist since before the time of Nightmare Moon, and these records extend to before the founding of your prissy little Crystal Empire, boy! I can accurately draw over half the patterns in all of these records by hand and can recite the names of every single dragon in each of these books from memory. If I say I've seen your eggshell pattern in these records, THEN IT'S IN ONE OF THESE BLASTED BOOKS!"

Spike was blown off of his feet by the dragon's vehement assertion and lay stunned for a few moments.

"Its that green pattern on the inside of the shell. It's unique. I haven't seen it in ages, but I'm certain its here."

"Maybe somebody checked it out?"

"This isn't a library, you ninny! Nobody checks books out here, except for your Miss Twinklepants, and she's the exception! If I let another dragon do that, I'd have half my library in ashes by the end of the year. No; anyone wants information in here, they go through me!"

Maybe there was hope after all.

"Oh wipe that sappy grin off your face too!" Skroll snapped. "That's the extent of the good news I have for you."

He waved at the now-barren bookshelves that filed the room.

"I've just exhausted all the lists of any dragon of good standing, or even no particular standing at all. The only ones left now are..." Skroll trailed off and gestured towards a gloomy set of shelves that were off in the far corner of the room.

Spike squinted, the books were ominously marked. He looked to Skroll in askance, and was surprised to see the old dragon's face soften in sympathy.

"Look boy, not all dragons were recorded for great deeds. Some were recorded for... events the current council still holds grudges over, grudges against more than just the dragon who started it."

Skroll lifted Spike to his feet with a unexpectedly powerful grip and pushed him towards the exit.

"I know you aren't responsible for something some other dragon has done, but if your egg is in there..." He shook his head, "No, it's probably best that you don't know the details. Go."

Spike's feet skidded over the stones of the floor as he futilely resisted the larger dragon, "but-"

"No buts. If you absolutely can't bear not knowing, even knowing how bad the alternative is, then I'll tell you when you come back the next visit with Princess Twinklepants. Don't worry, no other dragons will know of any troubled history you might have."

Spike glanced back over his shoulder at the empty bookshelves, and caught a glimmer of hope out of the corner of his eye.

"Wait!" he struggled, turning to point at the shelves on the opposite side of the room from the dark corner. the topmost shelf of the farthest bookcase still had a few ancient and tattered scrolls that were covered with a thick layer of dust. "What about those?"

Skroll craned his neck, and gave a harsh laugh when he found where Spike pointed.

"Those are broken lines you fool," he shook his head. "You're grasping at straws now. Out."

With that final word, he pushed Spike out and shut the door firmly against his back. Spike slumped against the door and slid to sit on the floor.

"I mean really," he heard Skroll mutter, "who does this kid think he is?"

"Who does this kid think he is?" Garble asked rhetorically, staring in disbelief at Spike, who clung to the plume of smoke that rose from the volcano.

Spike scrabbled for better purchase, but the smoke was constantly in motion, so even with the adapted cloud-walking spell Twilight had used on him, it was a struggle just to keep from falling down the thousands of feet of empty air below him.

Spike tries to convince Jade to come back to her kingdom. She doesn't want to, being selfish has allowed her wings, she feels free. Wants to stay with garble, thinks garble cares about her. everyone up above volcano that is lined with numerous sharp diamonds. Garble finally sees ponies and recognizes spike, decides to attack rarity. Spike leaps at garble and toasts his brain through his ears, leaving spike in freefall. Jade dives to save Spike, but loses her wings at this decidedly unselfish act. Both falling towards diamond spikes. Garble comes back, Jade thinks he's coming to save her, but he keeps attacking spike instead. Spike finally uses Garble to leap back to Jade, and pushes her so she falls towards volcano to land safely in lava. Unfortunately this pushes him right towards the sharp diamond spikes.

[Check to see if Rarity has used levitation directly on Spike, otherwise she may need to sacrifice her hair to make smoke for spike to grab onto]