//------------------------------//
// Chapter 25: A Canterlot Wedding-Dragon Style. 
// Story: Spike's Teacher 
// by Richer19 
//------------------------------//


A Canterlot Wedding...Dragon Style


It has been two months since the whole Nightmare Moon event and things in Ponyville were more or less back to normal. Sure there were a few instances here and there, some trouble that cropped up that either needed to be solved by words or by action. These days that action came from the dragons residing in the town.

Speaking of which, the dragons were currently resting with the ponies who were about to have a picnic and enjoy the warm day that Celestia had given them. While the ponies were setting things up, Spyro was currently off to the side with Spike doing another lesson.

"So as you are becoming aware, dragons are able to perceive the world in quite a number of lenses. No doubt you notice this during that fight with Nightmare Moon." Spyro commented as he rested on the ground.

Spike who was currently writing on a scroll, looked up for a moment and added "Yeah it was strange but I was able to see the flow of magic between the shadows and the crystal."

"What you were seeing is the flow of magic that happens whenever spells or other magical events happen. They allow a dragon to be able to identify what or who is around them. The more knowledgeable of dragons could tell you what spell is being cast just on the flow of the magic itself."

"How would they know something like that?"

"It's a matter of how one perceives the flow. Some see it as a simple color scheme but the more one looks at and studies it, the more one is able to pick out the little variations that exist. A very useful tool for trying to figure out if someone is not who they seem to be. Though I would advise caution as there are a few who know about our sights and have found ways to masking even under our vision."

"And how will I know when someone is not who they seem to be even if my vision fails?"

"That is something that comes with time and experiences. The best I can offer is to trust in your instincts. As long as you do that then you will go through life without regrets."

Spike was going to agree but he felt his cheeks bulge out. Feeling that familiar magic, he opens his mouth as two swirls of green fire escaped. The fires twisted and swirl until reforming into two scrolls. Catching them both, Spike looks them over before saying "Looks like we have a wedding to go to."

After one exposition about a brother that Twilight just now mentions followed by what Spyro, Cynder and Sparx could only describe as a form of ambient music that causes sounds to start playing and ponies to sing in beautiful tones; the whole gang was now on a train heading for the city. While the rest of the girls were chatting on about how much fun a wedding, especially a royal one, was going to be Sparx notice the dejected look on Twilight's face. Hovering over, he lands on top of her head before saying "Hay purple butt. What's got your horn in a twist."

Managing to ignore the rather rude comment by the dragonfly, Twilight replies "It's just I would have thought my brother would have told me he was marrying somepony who I don't even know."

Sparx could only nod his head before saying "I understand what you mean. Heck I sometimes worry about my brother not realizing the good thing that is right in front of him." Twilight looks over and sees Spyro was currently chatting with Spike. Next to him, Cynder laid against him almost snuggling up but not quite. She watches them as Sparx continued "Girls like Cynder...well they only come around once in a life time and I would hate for him to miss that."

Twilight looks back and asks "But I was under the impression that you didn't like her?"

Sparx paused for a few moments before saying "She brought him back to me safe and sound...I guess that is enough for me." Before Twilight had a chance to inquire what he meant, the train passed through the shield wall and stopped at the station. As everyone got off; they notice the increase in guards all of them dressed for war though to Spyro and Cynder they once again didn't look all that threatening.

Spyro looks up at the sky and asks "So who is providing the shield?"

"That would most likely be my brother." Twilight responded "He was always an adept at shield spells."

Cynder looked at the purple unicorn and inquired "So basically you are saying that the primary defense of the capital is resting on one pony?" Twilight nodded her head in agreement and that caused Cynder to look back at Spyro and say in a low tone so that mares or other guards wouldn't be able to hear them."You thinking what I'm thinking?"

"That Shining Armor has just got a giant target on his back." Spyro responded, a knowing look on his face while also making sure to keep his voice quiet.

"Pretty much. If I was attempting to take over Canterlot, I would have no doubt sent in my best agent way before the shield was put up to track Shining and eliminate him the moment my attack was about to start. The wedding only serves to better hid the movements of the assassin."

"Too many ponies walking around, it would be easy to slip among the crowd. Might have already infiltrated one of the guards or the castle staff."

"Right. I'll do my best to hid in the shadows to see if anypony is acting out of place."

"Alright then I'll go poking around the guard ranks and see if there are any who is acting odd." Spyro finished before looking at Spike and saying "Young dragon I need you to head into the kitchen and make sure none of the castle staff try to slip anything that will  be consumed by Shining Armor."

Spike looks at the two dragons before asking in just as quiet of a voice as the other drakes "You really think someone would go after Shining Armor?"

Spyro let out a soft hum but it was Cynder who responded with "Always anticipate the worst. That way if it happens you won't be surprised." Seeing the logic behind this; Spike nods his head before making his way into the kitchen. Meanwhile the two dragons were about to split up before a guard came up to them and informed the dragon and dragoness that Celestia requested an audience with them.