Feared Love Divided: Chapter 21/The Dragon's Paramount
The tower shook as something heavy and powerful landed on the roof. The paladins rushed to the roof, only to nearly stumble as something else landed. They rushed up to the pinnacle of the Crystal Tower, and bowed as soon as they were through the door.
"Spike the Brave and Glorious!" one of them shouted.
"Rise." Spike replied, and the Paladins quickly did.
"We... were not expecting you..." the same Paladin added.
"I'm sorry." Spike replied, "I lost track of time. I meant to send a notice..."
"It is quite alright..." the Paladin stated, "I'm just afraid we are not ready to receive you."
"We will be at the café." Spike added, "Will that give you enough time?"
"We will make haste!" the Paladin stated, bowed, and turned to leave, the other Paladins doing the same.
"The café?" Ember asked.
"My favourite in all of Equestria." Spike gleamed, and took wing. Ember followed him soon after, Solace following behind them. Within a minute Spike landed on the street outside the café, Ember landing as gently as she could beside him. Spike then climbed atop the café, holding out his hand to help Ember up., while Solace flittered up on her own. They stood around for a moment before a Crystal Pony burst from the stairway onto the rooftop.
"Spike!" he exclaimed and breathed, "the Brave and Glorious!" he said, and gasped once again. "For?!" he asked, and gasped, "three?!"
"Thank you, Fillian." Spike replied.
Fillian bowed and ran back down the stairs. A moment later a number of Crystal Ponies appeared, bearing a table and a chair. Once the table was placed, next came a tablecloth, and next a complete set of mugs and saucers and accoutrement for three. Spike moved by the chair. Solace moved over and sat down, only to have Spike push the chair in. He then moved about a third away and sat on the ground. Ember moved to the final third and sat herself. The other Crystal Ponies disappeared and Fillian reappeared.
"What can I get you, M'Lord?" Fillian asked.
"Tea for three." Spike stated, "And please treat Dragonlord Ember as you would Rarity."
"Of course." Fillian said and bowed before leaving.
"Like Rarity?" Ember asked.
"Only the best," Solace stated, "is allowed to be served to the Lady Rarity. Whatever turned out the best today will be provided."
"Only the best?" Ember asked, "And don't Ponies normally require payment?"
"I keep a portion of my hoard..." Spike stated, "safe... here... All of my expenses are paid from there. I've earned enough respect across Equestria that I don't have to keep my hoard in one place."
"You trust others with your hoard?!" Ember exclaimed.
"I do." Spike said warmly. "Ponies don't have arcane laws that govern them."
"Respect is essential in Pony society." Solace quiped.
"And you seem to have earned it..." Ember said to Spike.
"And the Dragon's crown seems to suit you." Spike replied.
"I'm merely a placeholder..." Ember stated.
"For your father?" Spike asked, but Ember shook her head.
"All Dragonlords are simply placeholders." Ember stated, "The power that binds us runs deep... the only thing the Dragonlord does is oversee it. I honestly don't know why I ever wanted it..."
"As I said," Spike said warmly, "it seems to suit you."
"It does?" Ember excitedly asked.
"Relations with the Dragonlands have never been better." Spike stated, "And you seem to be far happier."
"Far more easy going." Solace added.
"I can blame you for that..." Ember voiced, and Spike's eyes grew wide.
"What have I done?" Spike asked her.
"What indeed?" a smiling Solace asked.
"You are unlike any Dragon I have ever met." Ember said with glee, and there was a knock on the door from the stairs. The Dragons simply stared at each other as everything was added to the table. Fillian looked at Solace who simply smiled, and nodded her head towards the stairs. Fillian bowed and left, closing the door behind him. The Dragon's simply stared at each other, and so Solace began to fix their drinks and divy up the cake. The Dragons continued to do nothing but smile and stare into each other's eyes. Solace hated to intervene, but felt she had to.
"You simply have to try this." Solace said, as she placed a plate with a piece of cake in front of Ember. Ember picked up the Pony-size piece of cake, so small she could barely hold it, and brought it up to her mouth. She had never tasted anything this wonderful that it took her a full minute to recover. When her eyes refocused she saw Spike still staring at her, smiling. She found herself blushing but could not look away. She wasn't sure how long it took for their gaze to break, but it eventually did, and Spike took a drink of his tea. Ember mimicked him and drank her own.
"There's a reason I love coming here." Spike stated.
"Thank you for showing me..." Ember replied. Spike looked to the horizon, and Ember did as well, and at the moment she realized her little bubble of wonder was exactly as she thought it was. She had somehow missed that the Crystal Empire was a temperate world surrounded entirely by snow. A side effect of being nearly immune to the elements... she had been distracted by, and found herself looking back at him. He was so powerful, and yet, somehow, gentile, that she lost herself in his form. When she regained control she found Spike staring... smiling...
"Let's not neglect the spread." Solace stated, and she had a point.
The Dragons with Solace behind them flew to the edge of the Crystal Empire, and simply sat down, leaning into each other. Soon enough their wings wrapped around each other. "I've cared for you from the moment I saw you..." Spike eventually stated.
"Cared?" Ember asked, and as she thought about it, "I... felt the same... You were so tiny... smelt and acted like Ponies... but... you were so driven... I have to admit I was a bit ashamed that I was not as driven as you were."
"I... had Ponies to protect..." Spike quietly stated.
"Is that what gives you so much power?" Ember asked, "Even now you are small for a Dragon, and yet..." she said, and looked first at Solace, and then at the city in the distance. She then looked back at him, "Without my scepter... I don't know what I would be..."
"You would be you." Spike said, and fell backwards onto the ground. Ember quickly copied him and the two stared at the sky. "Dragons don't need others to define yourself..."
"But what if we want them?.." Ember asked."
"Then that's friendship." Spike stated.
"Or more." Solace added, as she snuggled in beside her master.
"Pony pairbonding is such a bizarre concept..." Ember uttered.
A pregnant pause happened, as the two simply looked at the sky.
"Do you want this to stop?" Solace voiced, and Ember did not know how to reply. For the time she was content to just lay there, next to him... She reached out her arm, and found his, and the two wrapped around each other. Their tails doing the same a moment later. Their wings did the same a moment later. The three sat, clutched together, watching the clouds form in the sky.
"Of all the things I've done with my Dragon freedom..." Ember voiced, "I have seen everything... done everything... but I've never done this..." She paused for a moment to think it over. "I don't want it to end..."
Another pregnant moment passed, "Ponies mate for life..." Solace stated.
"A Dragon's life is much longer than a Ponies..." Ember voiced. "Some Dragons sleep longer than a single Pony life..." Followed by another pause.
"You'll always have somepony there when you wake up." Solace quiped, and with this Ember's eyes opened wide.
Spike started to pull away. Ember didn't want to let him go, but eventually did. "If you two will stay right here..." Spike voiced, and a moment later he had flown away.
Spike landed on the Paramount of the Crystal Palace, now fitted properly for his visit. He was honoured by how much they wished to help him. "Page?!" he shouted. He heard shuffling from the stairwell when a Paladin appeared.
"M'Lord?" he asked.
"Hairy Hooves?" Spike asked, "How are you?"
"I... am fine... M'Lord." he replied.
And this was the downside of being so beloved... the distance all Ponies gave him. "If you could pass a message for me?" Spike asked. "I request the presence of the Crystal Empire's orchestra." Spike stated.
"M... M'Lord?" Hairy Hooves asked.
"It is a request... not a demand." Spike said, and turned to fly away. Hairy Hooves stood stunned for a moment before running down the stairs.
Solace's head popped out from under Spike's wing and saw an approaching caravan. Upon closer inspection they were being towed by Paladins. The caravan stopped, with musicians rushing out. A Pony who looked like a conductor trotted towards them and bowed. "I apologize for our delay."
"I was an unreasonable request..." Spike grumbled as she stood, towering over him. He then inhaled to bellow properly, "Thank you all for coming!" It seemed as if his voice were echoing off the very empire itself. The orchestra paused for a moment before taking it was it was worded, as a thank you. The orchestra moved to a nearby field where they collected themselves. Stands were erected with music as they prepared their instruments.
"Pray, tell?.." The conductor asked, "what we will be playing?"
"Something suitable for an eloquent dance." Spike stated. "Please take whatever time you need to prepare."
"M'Lord." the conductor stated, and turned to the orchestra. Spike laid back on the ground, embracing the females around him.
"M..." he heard a male voice say, "M'Lord?.."
Spike stood in front him, helping Ember to her feet.
"We... we are ready..." the conductor stated.
"Thank you, Silk Sonnet." Spike stated. "Please begin when you are ready."
"M'Lord." Silk Sonnet said, and bowed, turning towards the orchestra. He raised his baton, and they started playing. Spike grabbed Ember by the claw and pulled her out into the open field.
"Let me lead." Spike said to her, and Ember found herself responding to his movements. It was unlike anything she had ever done before. It was like how they flew, but with feet on the ground, her movement second to his. Rather than concerted movement, it was... echoing?, supporting?.. as if her movements were built upon his. She found herself breathing more deeply than she ever had before, but despite the massive breaths, she found herself growing dizzy... No, not dizzy, delirious, enthralled, as if nothing mattered but the dance. Suddenly it stopped. No, not suddenly, as if the emotions had built up to a climax, and she was left without breath. When her wherewithal returned, she noticed that Spike was still moving. This time, it seemed he was dancing with Solace. She seemed almost as enthralled as Ember had, at least until Spike spun her off to the side and Ember found herself dancing with him once again.
Ember found Solace leaning into her and instinctively reached out to support her. She looked over to find Spike speaking to the conductor. "I apologize for asking you come out here." and she could swear she saw the conductor looking surprised, and paused a moment before replying.
"Two Dragons just held their own impromptu ball." The conductor gasped. "We have seen something that might never happen again! We should be thanking you! You proved to us just what we can accomplish!"
"You will of course be properly compensated..." Spike voiced.
"The Crystal Palace pays us handsomely." Silk Sonet dismissed. "It has been an honour to play for you. Everything you do honours the Crystal Empire, not the least of which is that is you are not from here, like the Princess and Prince-Consort. Of all the places in Equestria to go when entertaining the Dragonlord, you brought her here, and asked for our help. You are Spike the Brave and Glorious, and we are happy to even glimpse you."
"You are going to make me blush..." Spike grumbled.
"I apologize." Silk Sonnet said, and then bowed. "M'Lord." he said and turned away.
Spike turned around and walked up to Ember, holding out his claw. She took his claw and he pulled her to her feet, and as soon as she was afoot, he pulled her in for a deep and passionate kiss that destroyed any sense she had left.
"Good morning, big guy." Spike heard a stallion say, and grumbled as he lifted his head and looked over. His eyes focused and he saw Shining Armor standing there. He yawned so loudly that he saw the wind from it flowing Shining Armor's mane and tail.
"How long have we been asleep?" he sleepily asked.
"For a few days now." Shining Armor replied. "We know Dragons often sleep for... who knows how long, but we were still worried about you..."
"Thank you..." Spike grumbled. "Ember has taught me to tap into some of my draconic nature."
"Do you want to tell me what this is about?" Shining Armor asked.
"In private." Spike said, as he looked over at the Paladin hovering nearby.
"Of course, M'Lord." the Paladin stated, and then turned to Shining Armor, "Your Highness."
"Dismissed." Shining Armor said to him, and the Paladin turned to walk away. Spike began to stretch so loudly that it seemed to echo about.
"Rarity wants to know..." Spike uttered, "whether she will be there for me."
"Ah..." Shining Armor stated. "That honestly explains everything."
Spike then turned to Ember who laid beside him. "You don't need to pretend to be asleep..."
Ember opened her eyes and blinked a bit before raising her head. "Shining." she stated.
"Dragonlord." Shining Armor replied, and bowed.
"As Ponies say, we had a date." Ember added. "Almost enough to convince me to sacrifice my freedoms for him... Thank you for your hospitality."
"We certainly do the best we can with unexpected visitors." Shining Armor stated.
"That is my fault." Spike replied, "One consequence of true freedom is how easy it is to lose track fo time."
"I suppose if you sleep for days..." Shining Armor stated, "it would be easy to lose track..."
"You don't know the half of it." Ember stated, "Some Dragons sleep for a century or two."
"I don't suppose there is anything we can do for you?" Shining Armor asked.
"Thank you," Ember said to him, "but Spike has been most hospitable."
"So we heard." Shining stated, and then turned to Spike, "Did you convince the orchestra to play for you two?"
"Yes?" Spike asked. "Curiously he even thanked me for it."
Shining Armor just shook his head in disbelief. "Make sure you stop by the palace and visit before you take off."
"Of course." Spike smiled.
Spike landed on the Paramount, Ember landing a moment later, Solace content to simply circle around a bit more.
Spike and Ember sat leaning leaning together as Cadance and Shining Armor came out of the stairway.
"Spike!" Cadance warmly greeted.
"How have you two been?" Spike asked.
"Oh, you know, peace an prosperity." Shining Armor smiled.
"He makes it sound so easy..." Candance added.
"Oh, no!" Shining Armor replied, "I know how hard you work. I'm just glad it's you and not me."
Solace flittered towards them and paused, landing to bow. "Pardon the intrusion..." Solace voiced.
"What can we do for you?" Cadance asked her.
"Is... Chrysalis around?" Solace asked.
"She's waiting for you inside." Shining Armor said to her, gesturing to the stair well.
"Th... Thank you." Solace stated, and flew to the stair well.
"Are all Changelings that nervous?" Shining Armor asked.
"I wouldn't know." Spike grumbled. "I only know a couple on an intimate level."
"Can we offer you anything?" Cadance asked, but Spike shook his head.
"I've learned the true source of draconic power." Spike said in reply.
"We... can draw power from the world itself..." Ember uttered.
"I have always wondered about that." Shining Armor stated.
"Is that why Dragons sleep for so long?" Cadance asked.
"Yes!" Ember exclaimed.
"I was dispatched on a mission of friendship," Spike added, "but it turned out I was the disaster I had to prevent."
"And now you're on a date?" Cadance asked.
"It was Rarity's suggestion..." Spike replied, and paused as he saw a form in the stair well. "And apparently someone's old enough to be too cool for this old Dragon."
"You're not THAT old." Flurry Heart said as she walked onto the Paramount. "At least not, you know, for a DRAGON."
"This is our daughter, Flurry Heart." Shining Armor said to Ember.
"Say hi to the Dragonlord." Cadance added.
"Hi miss Dragonlord." Flurry Heart replied.
"Are you too cool for a hug?" Spike asked her. Flurry Heart rolled her eyes but ran up to him for a hug.
"Just don't tell anyone, you know." she stated.
"My lips are sealed." Spike replied, "As are Embers."
"Thanks." Flurry Heart replied, and stepped back, "And she really is the Dragonlord, isn't she?"
"The one and only, for what it's worth..." Ember uttered.
"Being a Dragonlord has to be pretty important." Flurry Heart said to her.
"I just keep the Dragons in check." Ember replied, "Nothing compared with what your Alicorns do... at least from what I hear..."
"Thank you." Cadance said, and breathed deeply, "As much as I love the Ponies here..."
"Why not ask Twilight for help?" Spike asked.
"Isn't she on a mission?" Shining Armor asked.
"I was going to check up on her..." Spike grumbled, "but it's good to get Twilight out of her library once in a while."
"Only if I get to be the one to tell her." Shining Armor said with a wide smile. "What?" he asked when Cadance eyed him, "a brother has to harass his little sister every once in a while."
Solace stepped into the stair well and down the stairs. At the first landing she saw Chrysalis standing there.
"Chr... Chrysalis." she stated.
"That's... how you address me, now?" Chrysalis asked.
"I have sworn myself to another..." Solace uttered.
"I can feel the love he has for you..." Chrysalis stated.
"I can feel their love for you, as well..." Solace uttered.
"It seems we are both happier than we have ever been..." Chrysalis stated. "I don't know how Pony families work, but they do expect their children to... leave the nest... I feel like I am no longer a queen, but simply a mother... why does it feel so good?.."
"It seems like we were meant to serve them." Solace said with certainty, and Chrysalis could not disagree, as much as she wanted to. Ponies gave away love as if it were a commodity, but still somehow treasured it.