//------------------------------// // Duties and Judgement // Story: Celestial Bodies // by Davesknd //------------------------------// Court was almost over and Celestia allowed herself a yawn. She had spent the day listening to the troubles of her subjects and discerning the real problems from the petty bickering. But now, there was only one party left and this would be an important one. The sun princess stomped her hoof once and nodded. The guards understood and started leaving one by one. The last remained long enough to close the door as the last visitor of the day entered the court hall. The princess took a moment to look towards one of the tapestries for a split second, but quickly focused back on the creature that slowly closed in on her throne. A purple and green dragon was approaching slowly, looking around carefully to see if the sovereign and he were truly alone. He arrived in front of the goddess and stood there for a moment, not kneeling, nor tilting his head. A few seconds passed until Celestia nodded just a little, giving the longed for signal. As if he had just jumped on a trampoline, the dragon launched himself at the princess, claws wide and teeth showing. “I MISSED YOU, MOMMY!” he yelled as his arms wrapped around the alicorn’s neck, a big smile on his face. Celestia let out a laugh, her usual, gentle demeanour broken and replaced with honest joy. “And I missed you, Spike.” She squeezed the little dragon against her chest and let out a giggle as he swung onto her back. “Gosh, we have so much to talk about! Applejack went missing and while the others were looking for her, Big Mac, Granny Smith and I went on an epic quest to get a treasure to save the farm. And on Hearts and Hoofs day, a rainbow lost its colour, so Fluttershy, Rarity and me had to improvise a new one out of fabric and spray paint! Oh, and Rarity KISSED me! Twice!” the dragon started to ramble happily. Celestia gave him a nudge. “I’ll be happy to hear it all, Spike, but there is one thing we have to do first.” “Oh?” the dragon asked in surprise. A sigh escaped him. “Royal duty?” “In a way.” The sun princess agreed. “There’s always something more important...” Spike moaned and was about to get off. A wing held him in place. “Spike, there is nothing more important than family!” Celestia scolded “And may I remind you that our family has grown.” Spike’ eyes went wide. “You had a foal?” he screamed. “What? NO!” “Philomina laid an egg?” “No, Spike... nobody was born.” “Then, what do you mean, the family got bigger?” Spike asked in confusion. A third voice cleared it’s throat behind them, making the small dragon spin on his sitting place and freeze in surprise and fear. A indigo from had emerged from behind a tapestry and slowly approached the two: “Erm... hello Spike. I am your aunt. Luna.” He tilted his head a little, trying to fathom the words Nightmare Moon had just spoken. “I understand that you are afraid of me, Spike.” The moon princess continued “If you want me to leave, I would understand. But Celestia insisted that...” She stopped as Spike lifted a single claw. “So, you used to be this taller, evil monster that terrorized others, spoke in a deep voice and tried to take much more than you deserve...” the young dragon spoke calmly. “Basically... yes.” Luna admitted in defeat, her head lowering sadly. How could anyone forgive her? “Been there, done that...” Spike shrugged and jumped to wrap his arms around his new aunt.