> Celestia's Chosen
>  by Yosh-E-O
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chaper 1:  Spike Meets Yosh
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It was a warm, Spring day in Canterlot as faithful student to Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle, and aspiring gadventurer, Dawnbreak Horizon, made their way into the castle gardens.
“So, Twilight?” asked Dawnbreak Horizon as he used his unicorn magic to pulla baby carriage close behind him.  “What’s your take on having an infant assistant?”
Twilight was using her magic to towa baby buggy of her own as she replied, “I’m not sure.”  She then looked back at the purple, baby dragon who was fast asleep before adding, “I’m just glad Princess Celestia is taking care of mine as there are far too many projects and papers to be done for me to add babysitter to my ‘Things to Do’ list’.”
Dawnbreak laughed as he stated, “You and your ‘To Do’ lists!”
“This coming from the guy who carries his diary with him everywhere he goes,” chuckled Twilight.

“It’s not a diary,” stated Dawnbreak firmly.  “It’s a journal.”
“Call it what you want,” teased Twilight as she used her magic to open her colleague’s saddlebag and remove the leather bound book from within it.
Dawnbreak quickly used his magic to begin a tug-of-war with Twilight to get back his journal.
“Give that back!” he cried.
“Ooh!” awed Twilight as she put more effort into getting Dawnbreak’s journal.  “Do you write about your girlfriend in here?”

As the two battled over the journal, a little green and white face with red head spikes and a duckbill emerged from the now, non-moving baby buggy of Dawnbreak Horizon.
“Psst,” called out the duck-dragon hybrid.  “You awake over there?”
“Erm,” moaned the purple dragon in Twilight’s baby carriage.
The duck-dragon opened his big, blue eyes in delight as he raised his voice and called out, “Hey, you!”
The purple dragon’s arms shot up as the sound of stretching groans could be heard from within his buggy.
“Wakey-wakey!” cried the duck-dino as he tossed off his blanket and leapt over to the purple dragon’s buggy.  He grunted as he fluttered his feet to maintain enough air time to reach his destination.

“Hey!” greeted the duck-dragon as he wiggled his short, stubby tail.  “You awake over here?”
“I am now,” moaned the purple dragon as his green eyes began to open.
“Great!” cried the duck-dragon as he moved in closer to the purple dragon.  “My name’s Yosh!  What’s yours?”
“Spike,” yawned the baby dragon as he yawned and stretched.

Yosh giggled as he watched Spike wake up.
“You a sleepy guy,” stated Yosh.
“I was,” said Spike as he took in the world before him.  “What’s going on?”
Yosh peered out to see Twilight and Dawnbreak still fighting over the journal.  Twilight seemed to have it open and was trying to sneak a peek, but Dawnbreak seemed determined to keep her from looking.
“Our masters are playing with a book,” stated Yosh.
“Masters?” asked Spike as he spotted Dawnbreak Horizon for the first time.  “I never saw the yellow one before.
Yosh looked at Spike as he stated, “That’s Dawnbreak Horizon!”  He then let out a happy chirp as he proudly exclaimed, “I’m going to be his special assistant when he graduates from the School for Gifted Unicorns!”
“Really?” asked Spike as he watched the two unicorns now get playful as they fought for Dawnbreak’s journal.  “I’m supposed to assist the purple one when she graduates.”  His eyes grew wide as he gleefully stated, “Her name is Twilight Sparkle and she is Princess Celestia’s personal prodigy!”

“Wow!” awed Yosh as he watched Twilight lead Dawnbreak on a chase into the gardens for his book.  “She must be really special as I have heard mommy mention her lots during our time together.”
“Mommy?” asked Spike curiously.  “You have a mommy?”
“Yeah!” giggled Yosh as he poked Spike in the tummy.  “The same one you do, Princess Celestia!”
Spike looked confused, and a tad relieved, as he stated, “Really?”
“For really!” exclaimed Yosh as he held onto the top of Spike’s buggy and began to bounce up-and-down all excited.  He then stopped his hopping and stared straight at Spike as he asked, “Do you know what that means?”
“No,” replied an overwhelmed Spike as he tried to pull his blanket up over his cold tummy.
Yosh pulled the blanket away, sat right in front of Spike, and proclaimed, “We’re brothers!”

“How can we be brothers?” asked Spike as he felt at his face.  “You have a bird beak and I don’t.”
“That’s not important!” chimed Yosh as he gave Spike a really tight hug that took the baby dragon’s breath away.  “We’re still brothers!”
Spike worked to get his breath as he replied, “If you say so.”

“Uh-Oh!” gasped Yosh as his bare foot came upon a little puddle.  “Did you have an accident?”
Spike blushed as he noticed his diaper had gotten soaked and was leaking onto his buggy’s bedding.
“Oh, man!” he gasped.  “Twilight’s not going to like this?”
“What do you mean?” asked Yosh as he laid back into Spike’s carriage, pulled up his feet, caught them with his arms, and began to rock about playfully.  “You just need a change is all.  No biggie.”
“But,” panicked Spike.  “Twilight doesn’t like it when I make a mess.”
“But you’re a baby,” giggled Yosh as he continued to wiggle his padded rump about while playfully rocking himself.  “It’s what we do.”

“Oh, no!” proclaimed Spike.  “I am nearly ready to begin working with Princess Celestia on what is called ‘Potty Training’ so that I don’t do what I just did.Yosh stopped his goofing around and gave Spike a big hug.
“Potty training?” he asked.
“Yeah,” replied Spike.  “This way I can begin to actively work with Twilight Sparkle as her assistant as I can’t do what I am supposed to do until I don’t make a mess of myself.”
Yosh appeared confused as he began to feel warmth in his midsection.
“Whoopsie,” giggled Yosh.  “Looks like brothers who wet together stay together.”

Spike looked to see that their combined accidents had made the entire midsection of his buggy bedding wet.
“You say we’re brothers?” asked Spike.
“You bet!” cried Yosh as he gave the purple dragon a kiss on the cheek.  “Forever-and-evers!  After all, have you seen anyone around here that looks anything like we do?”

Spike noticed that Twilight and Dawnbreak had apparently stopped playing with the book.  He also noticed nothing but ponies around them with the animals in the garden being the only exception.  There wasn’t a sign of a dragon anywhere.
“I suppose so,” said Spike sadly.
“Why so glum?” asked Yosh.
Spike had watery eyes as he faced Yosh and said, “Haven’t you ever felt out of place?  Like you don’t belong?”
“Yeah,” replied Yosh.  “Though, Princess Celestia assures me my special mission with Dawnbreak Horizon will give me a chance to find out where I do belong.”

Spike thought for a moment.  Perhaps, if Yosh was going to have a special mission with his master that could help him find his place, Twilight’s mission would allow him the same opportunity.
“Okay, brother,” said Spike with a smile as he took Yosh’s hand.  “I was told that I’d be getting a new friend in the nursery and you must be that friend.”
“Mommy told you that, too?” awed Yosh.
“I think she wants us to refer to her as Princess Celestia from now on,” stated Spike.  “It was what she told me this morning.”
“Yeah,” sighed Yosh.  “She told me the same thing.”

Spike looked confused as he saw Yosh now tear up.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
Tears dripped from Yosh’s eye as he stated, “She said I wasn’t her real mommy and that Dawnbreak wasn’t my real daddy.”
“Yeah,” said Spike with a sigh as he wrapped a reassuring arm around Yosh.  “She told me that too about Twilight Sparkle.”

“But wasn’t your master the first one you saw aside from mommy?” asked Yosh.
Spike nodded, “Yeah, but I guess it makes sense that they aren’t our mommies or daddies as they are ponies and we are not.”
“Yeah,” sobbed Yosh.  “That explains why we barely see our masters, or even mommy.”
“Princess Celestia,” stated Spike.
“I want mommy!” cried Yosh.

Yosh’s crying caught the attention of Twilight and Dawnbreak.
“Hey, hey!” called out Dawnbreak.  “What’s wrong?”
To them, what Yosh and Spike said sounded more like jibberish than actual words.  So, they looked about the carriage, saw the wet puddle, and assumed their assistants just were upset about being in wet diapers.
“Ugh,” said Twilight.  “I so don’t want to be a mother as all this crying just makes my head hurt.”
Dawnbreak used his magic to move Yosh and Spike over to Yosh’s carriage.  He also removed their diapers and put them in Twilight’s buggy so that the two could be dry until they got them back to Celestia.

“Hey!” yelled Twilight as she used her magic to cover the pair up.  “Can’t let them get cold.”
“Good point,” stated Dawnbreak.
Twilight then moved ahead and began to tow what was Dawnbreak’s buggy.
“Hey!” cried Dawnbreak.
“It’s all yours!” giggled Twilight as she continued on her way back to the castle.
Dawnbreak groaned and then began to tow the moistened carriage behind him as he followed Twilight.
“I’ll get you for this!” he teased.
“We’ll see about that!” replied Twilight as she took in how how cute Spike and Yosh looked all snuggled together.  The fact that Yosh was no longer crying was a real plus, too.

Upon returning to the nursery, Princess Celestia greeted her students and told them that she’d handle everything from there.  Twilight and Dawnbreak thenn said goodbye and headed back to their studies.
“Okay, you two,” said Princess Celestia as she used her magic to powder, diaper, and help the two hatchlings to their feet before her.  “The time has come for you two to begin the most important part of your training.”
“You mean ‘Potty Training’?” asked Spike.
Princess Celestia giggled as she replied, “That’s a part of it, Spike.  However, there is more.”

“More?” wondered Spike.
Princess Celestia’s horn began to glow before a beam of rainbow light shot out and covered both Yosh and Spike.
“Ooh!” awed Yosh as he began to feel all tingly.
Spike was confused as his eyes focused on the princess until the beam she had shot at them ceased doing so.
“Now,” said Princess Celestia.  “Speak.”

Yosh and Spike looked at each other and srugged with confused looks on their faces.
“What should I say?” asked Spike.
“Good,” replied Princess Celestia.
“What’s good?” asked Yosh.
Princess Celestia smiled as she stated, “You now both can speak the language of Equestria.”


Spike and Yosh exchanged glances before facing the one they had called mommy until today.
“Mom…” said Spike.  “Uh, I mean, Princess Celestia.  Does this mean Twilight Sparkle can understand me like you do now?”
“Yes,” replied the princess.  “I have also infused you both with a special magic that will allow you to each respectively fulfill your roles as assistants.”

“Hey!” cheered Yosh.  “You hear that, brother!  We have magic!”
Spike accepted an incoming hug from Yosh as he replied, “Yeah!”
Princess Celestia then looked to one of her guards as they brought a basket full of gems over and left it in front of the hatchlings.

“In order to keep your magic, you will now both need to eat gemstones,” stated Princess Celestia.
Spike reached into the basket and pulled out a ruby.
“I am supposed to eat this?” he asked.
“Try it,” insisted the princess.

“Mmm,” said Spike as he crunched into the ruby.  “This is delicious!”
Yosh grabbed a sapphire and began to munch on it.
“Mmmm!” he replied with a full mouth.  “Good!”
“Perfect,” said the princess.  “After you two finish off that basket, I will escort you to your new room and, there, your real training will begin..."
> Chapter 2:  Writing Practice
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Under Princess Celestia's tutelage, one of the first things the pair had to know was how to read and write.
"Each day we're going to add a new letter of the alphabet for you two memorize," she'd say at the beginning of each class. "Each letter you learn will allow you to make more and more words that will allow you to be perfect companions for Twilight Sparkle and Dawnbreak Horizon."
A, B, and C went by pretty easy. Especially since it wasn't until they reached "C" that Celestia began to work on words with the boys.
"C, A, B," she said as Spike and Yosh took their notes. "That spells 'cab'."

Spike and Yosh really liked learning how to write letters and make words. So, it came as no surprise that D, E, and F day were very exciting for them.
"F, A, C, E," stated Celestia at the end of the F lesson, "That spells 'face'. Face is a four, letter word. Do either of you remember the four letter word we did yesterday?"
Spike quickly rose his hand to the air.
"Bead!" he cried.

Yosh's mind quickly recalled another word and he shouted, "Deed!"
"Great work," stated Celestia. "We'll soon be getting into the 5 letter words as we start into G, H, and I in the coming days."
With that, Celestia told the boys they were free to play for the remainder of the day until it was supper time as she headed off to court.

The two dragons looked at each other upon hearing there were words with more than four letters.
"I'm so on it!" cried Spike towards Yosh. "This writing stuff is easy as slurping a sapphire shake!"
Yosh, who was having a bit trouble with the four letter words, couldn't help but offer a challenge to his cocky companion.
"Oh, yeah!" he quacked. "If it's 'so easy', why don't you come into class tomorrow and write a five letter word for Princess Celestia at the start of class!"

Spike didn't hesitate as he replied, "You're on! And, when I win, I get your blanket for a week!"
Yosh's beak quivered, "My, soft, lovey, blue blankie?"
"That's right!" exclaimed Spike. "Put your blankie where your beak is!"
Yosh gulped as he whimpered, "You're on."


Spike spent the rest of the day trying to come up with a five letter word using the knowledge he had of the letters A through F. As Yosh added a "No looking at books" rule to the challenge, Spike really knew he had a challenge on his hands. However, if he was to be Twilight Sparkle's assistant, he knew he had to prove he was worthy and worthy he certainly would be!


After supper, Spike wanted to make a break for the classroom. However, Princess Celestia insisted that it was time for the boys to have their baths and be tidied up for bed.
"But, but!" sputtered Spike.
"You're thirst for knowledge is admirable, Spike," stated Princess Celestia as she nuzzled his cheek. "However, you and Yosh are both baby dragons and need your rest."


After the two were bathed and changed, Princess Celestia came by the room and wished them both a good night. Spike tried to ask he could go to the classroom, but Celestia told him "No" and that "He needed his rest." She then headed up to prepare for the bringing of the night.
"Good night, Spike," giggled Yosh as he cuddled tightly into his special blankie.
"Oh, no!" exclaimed Spike as he ran towards the pillow pile on the other side of the room, reached in, and pulled out a quill and ink.
"What are you doing?" asked Yosh as he watched Spike sit on the floor and spread his legs.

"If I can't get paper," began Spike as he eyed up the bare front of his diaper. "I'll use my diaper to figure out the five letter word!"
"Spike," said Yosh as he slipped out of bed and joined his friend. "You heard the princess, we need our sleep."
"NO!" cried Spike as his hand accidentally knocked over the bottle of ink he had managed to sneak out of the classroom. "I need to WIN!"

Yosh was a bit scared as Spike's eyes flashed a really deep shade of green.
Worried for his friend, Yosh stated, "I'm sorry I made that bet with you. I take it back. I know you are smart. Really, REALLY smart. Just please, come to bed."

Spike's eyes flashed that frightening green color again as his tongue began to stick out a bit.
"NO!" he shouted as he tried to write a letter on the front of his diaper. "I'M GOING TO WIN! I'M GOING TO HAVE YOUR BLANKET!"
Yosh was getting scared. So, in hopes of making Spike less scary, he grabbed his blanket and brought it over.

"Here!" Yosh cried. "You can borrow it tonight. You can even borrow it anytime you'd like. Just, please come to bed. Please?"
Spike's hand was shaking as what once was a letter was now a series of black smudges and lines across his diaper's front.
Yosh draped the blanket over Spike and hurried over to grab a pillow.
"Here, here," Yosh said soothingly as he helped Spike to lie down. He then removed the quill from his friend's hand, stuck it into what was left of the ink bottle, and returned to where Spike was now shaking.
"Wh-what's, ga-going, ah-on," worried Spike as he felt a strong desire to want to run all about and hoard everything in sight all for himself.

"I don't know," worried Yosh as he grabbed a pillow and quickly laid beside his friend. "But I'm here for you, buddy."
Spike felt his right hand wanting to reach for all that was before his eyes on his right side. However, Yosh was now latched onto him and he couldn't move. So, as he wanted to have all he could have, he latched back onto Yosh and cried, "MINE!"
"Yep!" assured Yosh as Spike clung to him. "I'm always your friend and always here for hugs,"


It took awhile, but Spike managed to calm himself and, eventually, fall asleep. The mysterious feeling that had come over him had gone. However, both Yosh and Spike agreed it should be brought up to the princess as soon as possible.
"Hmm," she thought as, honestly, her understanding of dragons was really what she was getting from raising Spike and Yosh to assistants to Twilight Sparkle and Dawnbreak Horizon. Though, as it was five letter word day, and the letter of the day was "G", she quickly made a connection that she had noted about dragons in her encounters over the many centuries. This being "Greed".

Princess Celestia didn't want to scare Spike about his natural, dragon tendencies. However, she did want to try and avoid such actions from happening again. To do this, she instructed both Yosh and Spike that making wagers was bad and would be met with punishment from that day onward. She also insisted that Yosh and Spike not ever see anything truly as "Just theirs" but rather something to be shared. If something couldn't be shared and/or made the other upset, the item would be taken away with haste.

The two boys apologized for what had happened yesterday and promised to never make bets and to share what they enjoyed about being a part of Princess Celestia's Selected. As they did, Celestia could only wonder what dormant traits lurked within Yosh and how she would need to prepare for a day when Spike's, or even Yosh's, greed overcame her taming magics. 
> Chapter 3:  Spike and Yosh Meet Tacki
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Spike yawned as he felt himself waking from his nap.
“SPIKE!” exclaimed Yosh as he turned about to face his dragon pal.
“AAH!” screamed Spike as he quickly rose to his feet and ran for the pillow pile on the other side of the room.

Yosh giggled as he toddled towards his friend.
“Are you okay?” he asked with a giggle.
Spike poked his head out from the pillows and replied, “I told you to stop doing that!”
“Well,” Yosh said with a smile. “I woke up and you weren’t awake and I didn’t want to get up without you so I decided to sit and patiently wait for you to get up and-“

Seeing a loose pacifier nearby, Spike quickly picked it up and stuck it in Yosh’s mouth before he continued to talk for what would’ve certainly been the next five minutes.
“Did you at least go and use the potty” asked Spike. “Please tell me you didn’t have ANOTHER accident just because you wanted to watch me sleep?”

Yosh removed the pacifier and patted at his diaper as he replied, “I didn’t have to go.”
“Didn’t have to go?” asked Spike. “You always have to go after taking a nap.”
“Well,” Yosh said with pride. “This time I didn’t.”

“Well,” remarked Spike. “I do and I am most certainly not going to have an accident!”
“Ooh!” awed Yosh. “I’ll come with you.”
Spike stopped and put his hand in front of Yosh’s face.
“I thought you said you didn’t have to go?” he asked.
“Well…” Yosh muttered as he fidgeted his fingers. “Maybe a little.”
“Well,” said Spike. “Do you remember what Princess Celestia told us about using the potty?”

“Yeah….” Shrugged Yosh as he began to dance in place and wobble. “Privacy is the policy when using the potty.”
“Good,” replied Spike as he dashed for the little dragon’s room, shut the door, and locked it.

Yosh hopped and skipped about as he chanted, “I can do this. I can do this.” Until he felt a surge of warmth flood into the front of his diaper. The fact he felt the garment growing heavier around his waist was a certain sign that he had indeed had another accident and there was no way around it.
The little, dragon-duck blushed as he realized how he truly wasn’t as much in control of his bladder as he thought. However, another familiar sensation began to push at his stomach and he shrugged and sighed.
“Might as well,” he said as he went to hide behind the pile of pillows to finish the business his body had already started. He then grew red in the face and started to grunt and push.

“Yosh! Spike!” cried a familiar voice as Yosh began to go about unloading himself..
“Uh-oh…” Yosh gulped as he poked his head out enough to see Princess Celestia entering into the room he shared with Spike.
SHING!
“Eep!” cried Yosh as he was magically pulled from behind the pillow pile and brought face-to-face before the princess.

“Oh, Yosh,” sighed Princess Celestia as she realized what Yosh had done and was in the process of doing. “I thought we talked about this.”
The sound of a flushing toilet was then heard, followed by water running, a towel being used, and Spike leaving the little dragon’s room.

Yosh looked very sad as Spike came out in a very clean diaper and bowed before the princess.
“Nice work, Spike,” commented Princess Celestia as she undiapered the purple and green dragon with her magic and deposited the unused diaper into the diaper pale. “You’ve proven yourself and, from this day forth, you will no longer be required to wear diapers.”

“Woo-hoo!” cheered Spike as he hopped and skipped about the room. “Twilight is going to be so excited to see how far I’ve come along since her last visit!”
Yosh looked towards Spike with a frown as he mustered his best, “Congratulations, Spike.”

Spike noticed that Yosh had indeed had an accident and was in progress of another.
“Oh, Yosh!” he cried as he slapped his hand against his face. “Not again.”
Princess Celestia sighed as she put Yosh down and said, “Finish up and I’ll change you, Yosh. However, I can’t say that I am very pleased with you right now.”

“I’m sorry,” pouted Yosh as he hid back behind the pillow pile and finished filling his diaper. He then emerged with tear filled eyes from knowing how disappointed Princess Celestia was with him.

Princess Celestia used her magic to lift Yosh up onto the changing table in preparation to clean the dragon duck.
“Spike,” she said. “While I take care of Yosh, could you please head for the royal gardens? Twilight Sparkle is waiting for you.”
“You got it!” he proudly exclaimed before dashing out of the room.

After being clean, changed, and powdered, Yosh followed Princess Celestia out to the royal gardens where he saw Spike bragging up a storm to Twilight Sparkle as his companion, Dawnbreak Horizon, looked slightly concerned. However, there was a third pony and a third dragon standing in preparation for the big, talent show that was to ensue.
“Greetings!” cried the grey-haired, red dragon as he dashed towards Yosh and saluted, “Private Tacki of the Royal Canterlot Guard at your service!”

Yosh couldn’t help but hear the sound of a crinkly diaper rustling beneath all the fancy clothes this new and very energetic, baby dragon was wearing.
“I’m Yosh,” he greeted while attempting to salute like Tacki. “I’m of, uh, the Dawnbreak Horizon.”
Spike ran over to join Tacki and Yosh.
“I see you’ve met our latest brother!” he cried merrily.
“Brother in arms!” added Tacki as he pulled a wooden sword from his left sside , gave it a twirl, and put it back into its sheath.
The three ponies gathered around their respective dragons as Princess Celestia began to explain the purpose of today’s meeting.

“I’d first like to announce our newest member to the Dragon Scouts,” she began as she faced the orange-colored, Earth Pony. “His name is Lucky Find and, well, I’ll let him say the rest.”
Lucky Find trotted before the group as he announced, “My name is Lucky Find and I come from the town of Pot Luck, which lies just beyond the Northwestern border of the Everfree Forest.”
“Did he say ‘beyond’ the Everfree Forest?” Twilight quietly asked Dawnbreak.
“Yeah,” replied Dawnbreak softly. “I didn’t even know there was any pony who lived beyond there until he just showed up.”

The well-dressed dragon who was accompanying Lucky Find stepped forward and saluted.
“And my name is Tacki!” he announced proudly. “I am Lucky Find’s guardian and companion who intends to prove to all Equestria that dragons are nothing to fear and can ally themselves with ponies to create an unbreakable alliance in which mutually benefits both dragon and pony alike!”

“No disrespect,” said Twilight as she faced Lucky Find with a confused look on her face. “But you are not a unicorn and only unicorns are ever given magical familiars as assistants.”
Tacki dashed forward and faced Twilight with a firm look on his face.
“I am no ‘assistant’ nor am I a ‘familiar’!” he boomed. “I am a part of the Royal Guard who will soon accompany Lucky Find on a diplomatic mission to the Realm of the Dragons to negotiate peace talks!”

Twilight backed away with a gulp as she was faced down by the energetic, red dragon.
“Oh, Tacki,” sighed Lucky Find.
Tacki faced his colleague, saluted him, and replied, “No disrespect, Lucky Find. However, it was necessary to defend our honor in the name of our mission to unite pony and dragon.”
“Understood,” replied Lucky Find as he looked at his hoof and noticed a bit stuck to it. “Oh, lookie! I found a bit!”

“Okay,” said Princess Celestia. “How’s about we show every pony what you dragons are capable of?”
“Sounds good!” exclaimed Tacki as he moved forward. “May Lucky Find and I respectfully have our turn first?”
Princess Celestia chuckled lightly before replying, “You may.”

The other ponies and dragons watched as Lucky Find and Tacki exchanged looks and then went about completing a very elaborate series of moves. The first being Lucky Find bucking Tacki into the air so he could land atop a branch. This was followed by Lucky Find dashing forward while Tacki leapt from the branch and used his wings to flutter and glide down as he landed back on top of Lucky Find. Tacki then drew his wooden sword and demonstrated how he could slash at both sides of his companion to guard his flank until Lucky Find bucked him forward where, while in mid-air, Tacki breathed a torrent of fire down at a rock in which eventually melted from the intense heat his fire-breath put upon it. This was then all finished with Tacki saluting towards Lucky Find before both kneeled before the princess.

Everyone was impressed by the elaborate demonstration in which Lucky Find and Tacki put on. However, no two were more impressed then Yosh and Spike who couldn’t get over how Tacki, unlike them, had wings.
“You have wings?” asked Spike as he moved to congratulate Tacki on his demonstration.
“Affirmative!” replied Tacki as he wiggled his tiny, white wings. “However, I can only flutter and glide with them. No flying.”
“I wish I could flutter,” pouted Spike.
“You mean like this?” asked Yosh as he leapt into the air and quickly scampered his feet.

Spike sighed as he watched Yosh hover in mid-air. His flapping hands and feet kept him in the air for a good ten seconds before he fell to the ground with a crinkle.
“Well,” suggested Princess Celestia. “Why don’t you go next, Yosh?”

Yosh nodded and smiled before dashing towards the nearby pond. Here, he got his feet going really fast and was, surprisingly,running atop the water without falling in from shore to shore. Yosh then dove into the water and, despite a swelling diaper, leapt in-and-out of the pond like a dolphin. He finished by diving to the bottom of the pond and stayed underwater for a approximately five minutes before resurfacing with a bursting splash that launched him right to where Dawnbreak Horizon was standing and waiting for him.

“TA-DA!” cheered Yosh just as his diaper tapes snapped and his diaper flopped to the ground.
Everyone laughed at Yosh who blushed over how he had lost his protective garment.
“Whoops,” Yosh Yosh said as his face grew red with embarrassment.
“Welll,” laughed Princess Celestia. “At least your performance was far from a flop.”

“My turn!” cried Spike as he stepped forward and, from seemingly thin air, he pulled out a scroll of paper.
“Ooh!” awed everyone as Spike followed this trick up with making a quill pen appear from behind his back.
“You haven’t seen anything yet!” announced Spike as he stuck out his tongue and went about quickly scribing some words onto the piece of parchment. He then held it before his face and blew out a gentle blast of green fire that appeared to incinerate what he had written.

“I can burn things,” stated Tacki.
“Wait for it,” said Spike with a smile as a rush of green flame flew from thin air towards the princess. This mystical flame then turned into a glowing orb that ended up turning into the very piece of paper he had just written on.
“Wow!” awed everyone at Spike’s ability to teleport paper through the magic of his firebreath.
Spike smiled proudly, “I’m not done yet!”

Princess Celestia used her magic to write some words below what Spike had written on the scroll and then cast a spell that made the paper disappear.
“Now what?” wondered Twilight Sparkle as she faced her assistant.
Spike’s face grew all goofy before he opened his mouth and spit out a burst of green fire.
BURP!
“Eww!” cried Twilight as the fire lapped against her before magically turning into the scroll Princess Celestia had just teleported.

Everyone was impressed at how magically endowed Spike was. Where Yosh and Tacki seemed to have physical talents, Spike had magical abilities and, well, those were pretty darn cool!
Noticing he had everyone’s attention, Spike announced, “Watch this!” He then burped out a purple fire that made a small card with a picture he drew of himself appear in his hand. “I can also store important messages and items using my ever so epic, magical firebreath!!”

From here, the ponies took the time to discuss with Princess Celestia what their forthcoming missions with their dragon companions would be. Twilight Sparkle would continue to study magic as Princess Celestia’s number one student with Spike at her side aiding in her research, Dawnbreak Horizon would venture out to lands unknown with Yosh and work towards discovering new lands and civilizations while acting as representatives for the Princess and Equestria, and Lucky find and Tacki would journey to the Realm of Dragons to work towards gaining a better understanding of them while building a diplomatic relationship.

By the time all had been discussed, everyone was excited about getting on with their special missions. How they would turn out was anyone’s guess. However, Princess Celestia had faith in her chosen ponies and their dragons that something great would most certainly come of each one of them in time. Particularly her number one student, Twilight Sparkle.
> Chapter 4:  Yosh and Dawnbreak Horizon (Advent to Adventure)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	As Tacki and Lucky Find set off on their quest to unite ponies and dragons, Yosh and Dawnbreak Horizon headed for lands unknown. Their mission was to see if further friendships, alliances, and/or trade agreements could be made with those countries whose borders were far beyond those of Equestria.
"Seek out Zecora within the Everfree Forest," guided Princess Celestia. "Little is known of where she is from and it is time we found out."

Dawnbreak was eager to prove himself to the princess and took the first train straight to Ponyville. Twilight Sparkle had yet to move here by this point, so there was little ado about his arrival beyond a crazed, pink pony with a "Party Cannon" insisting he let her give him a proper, Ponyville welcome.

After miraculously giving Pinkie Pie the slip, Yosh and Dawnbreak Horizon happened upon Fluttershy. She was very excited about the strange "duck" who accompanied Dawnbreak. However, she suddenly lost interest as the two two headed straight into the Everfree Forest.

As expected, various creatures and traps attempted to hinder the forward progress of Yosh and Dawnbreak Horizon. However, the pair was ready with a variety of magical tools coupled with Dawnbreak's advanced knowledge of magic and monsters.

It wasn't long until they came upon the home of a zebra named Zecora. She spoke in rhymes and riddles, but it was pretty easy to make out how she felt about ponies. Those within nearby Ponyville never seemed to be around when she would venture into town to buy supplies. At first she thought the town had been abandoned, but further investigation revealed it was a thriving city in which, for whatever reason, feared her.

This was Dawnbreak's big chance. He explained to Zecora that he and Yosh would journey to her homeland and make relations with the zebra who lived there. Zecora seemed pleased, but she didn't really explain why she never bothered to return to her homeland despite her poor treatment by the Equestrian ponies.

As Dawnbreak prepared to disembark for Zecora's homeland, Yosh felt a connection between himself and Zecora. After all, like her, they both were seemingly misunderstood for who they were and how looked.
"A dragon in diapers others may see, she told Yosh. "But those who care will come to know you for more. Indeed."

Yosh felt comforted by her rhymes and kind demeanor. He wished they could've stayed just one more day to get to know her better. However, Dawnbreak was ready to go and when Dawnbreak was ready, he was READY.
Yosh waved farewell to Zecora as Dawnbreak used his magic to take the simple form and appearance of an Earth Pony. He knew the best offense was a good defense, or disguise in this case.

What would Dawnbreak Horizon and Yosh find beyond the Everfree Forest? Would Dawnbreak ever be able to understand that Yosh didn't purposely wet and/or mess himself? Would Yosh ever get to do more than be a scribe who hid in the bushes? Would the duo safely reach Zecora's homeland? These answers, and more, are up to you as the story of Celestia's Chosen continues...
> Chapter 5:  Beyond Equestria (Tacki Meets Toroth)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“Ready, sir?” asked Tacki as he finished buttoning his uniform.
“You bet!” exclaimed Lucky Find as he stared towards the horizon.

Lucky Find and Tacki had just reached the Equestrian outpost of Caldera, which was a small town mainly populated by members of Celestia’s royal guard. Beyond its walls was a vast, scorched landscape in which had long been noted as dragon territory. It was for this reason that Princess Celestia sent special orders along with Lucky Find and Tacki instructing General Gallop to allow them access beyond the outpost so they could go about their special mission of better understanding dragons and, with any luck, befriending them.

“General Gallop seems uncertain of our success,” stated Tacki as he hopped upon the orange-colored, earth pony’s back.
Lucky Find nodded as he replied, “I guess we’ll just have to show him what a little bit of luck can do.”
The red, baby dragon smiled as he proudly proclaimed, “That’s right, sir!”

The pair continued along while taking notice of all the sulfurous springs, lava flows, and scarce amount of edible greenery along with drinkable water.
“This is quite different than what I’m used to,” stated Lucky Find as he waved his hoof in front of his nose.
Tacki breathed in the strong scent of sulfur and brimstone before letting out a gentle sigh.
“No disrespect, sir,” he said. “But, I must say I feel right at home in these surroundings.”
Lucky Find smiled as he replied, “Well, little buddy. If you like it that must mean we are on the right track to finding your brothers and sisters!”


Tacki cooed at the thought of soon seeing some of his own kind. It just seemed too good to be true that, perhaps around the next turn, he could come face-to-face with a dragon who had not been Equestrian born. Perhaps, if he was really lucky, he might even find his real parents and show them how ponies can be befriended and make his success with Lucky Find a real family affair.

As the two traveled along, Tacki opted to remove his uniform in lieu of how “It just felt right.” Lucky Find was most certainly okay with this as, for him, it meant they must be getting close to where all the dragons were.

The sun was about to set when the pair came to a fork in the road.
“Sir!” cried Tacki as he pointed towards the sky. “Twilight comes and I feel it best we make camp soon.”
“Good thinking,” stated Lucky Find. “How’s about we take one more path before calling it a night?”
Tacki shook his head as he stated, “No disrespect, sir. However, the sun will soon set and we may not be able to locate a suitable spot in which to take cover for the night.”
“I hear you, buddy,” said Lucky Find. “However, something is just telling me we need to go…”
Lucky Find raised his hoof and pointed between the left and right routes before angling himself towards the right and trotting ahead.
“This way!” he finally proclaimed.
“But, sir,” stated Tacki. “This route appears quite narrow and would offer us little to no maneuverability if we come across any hostiles.”
“Hostiles?” wondered Lucky Find. “You really think your brothers and sisters would be hostile?”
Tacki blinked his eyes as he thought for a moment and began to smile.
“No, sir!” he proclaimed proudly. “Let us carry on!”

The pair traveled for about five minutes down the narrow path until Lucky Find suddenly tripped over a rock.
“Oof!” gasped Lucky Find as he stumbled forward.
“Sir!” cried Tacki as he ran in front of his friend to help him keep on his hooves. “Are you alright?”
“Aah!” a voice cried from above.
“SIR!” shouted Tacki as he pulled his wooden sword.

“Whoa!” cried Lucky Find as he suddenly felt a heavy object land on his back followed by another. Both seemed to make sounds as they plopped on him and rolled to the side.
Tacki couldn’t guard against both of the assailants, but he did promptly get the drop on the tallest one.
“Friend or foe!” he cried as he pointed his weapon towards whatever the blue, green, and white creature was before him.

“Please!” cried the creature as it rolled over. “Please don’t eat her!”
“Eat her?” wondered Tacki as he turned and noticed a small Pegasus pulling herself to her feet.
“A pony?” he wondered. “Here?”

“Hey!” greeted Lucky Find as he pulled himself up and spotted the black coated and orange maned Pegasus.
The Pegasus seemed to quiver as she was addressed by Lucky Find.
“You… You?” she asked with disbelief as she looked at her hoof. “You’re just like me…”
“Minus the wings,” added Lucky Find with a laugh.

FWOOM!
Tacki had been distracted by the mysterious Pegasus to the point he didn’t realize the creature he had his sword to had unfurled its wings and was about to pounce on him.
“Don’t hurt her!” it cried as it tackled Tacki to the ground.

CRINKLE-CRINKLE
The familiar sound of a diaper made both Tacki and the creature stop and face each other.
“You’re…?” asked Tacki in a hopeful tone.
“A hatchling…?” the young, blue dragon wondered as he gazed down upon Tacki.

There was a moment of awkwardness as the Pegasus didn’t know what to say to Lucky Find and Tacki didn’t know what to say to the blue, baby dragon before him.

ROAR!
“They’re coming!” the green eyed dragon cried as he quickly picked up his lute and put his green cap back on his head. “Run, Nana! Run!”

“Wait!” cried Tacki as Lucky Find reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a small, yellow gem.
“Get on my back!” cried Lucky Find as he tossed the gem out towards where a number of large shadows were beginning to come into view.

SHING-POOM!
Lucky Find and Tacki were galloping off as the gem exploded with a light as bright as that of a phoenix’s flare. Lots of roaring could be heard as the light enveloped the entire canyon and covered the pair’s escape.

The pair dashed away from the impending danger until they suddenly caught up with the blue hatchling and young Pegasus.
“Wait!” cried Lucky Find.
“We’re friends!” proclaimed Tacki.


“Friends?” the diaper-clad, blue dragon thought aloud as he began to slow down.
“Toroth?” asked Nana as she wondered why her green-shirted colleague was falling behind her.

Seconds later, the four were gathered together under the cover of one of the few shade trees that made up the region.
“Why are you running?” asked Lucky Find.
Toroth sighed as his diaper grew heavier before replying, “They want to eat my Nana.”
“And I don’t want to be eaten!” added Nana with fear in her eyes.

Tacki inspected the two. Nana seemed quite afraid and was quivering while Toroth was obviously putting on a strong face for his companion despite the fear that could be read all over his face. His diaper also suggested they had been on the run for quite awhile and that he could benefit from a change.

“You look in need of a fresh diaper,” stated Tacki. “Might Lucky Find and I offer an assist?”
Toroth sighed as he fell with a squish onto the ground.
“That would be nice,” he replied with a blush.

As Lucky Find and Tacki worked together to change Toroth, they got the blue dragon to share his story with them. Apparently, Toroth had taken quite a liking to the lute upon realizing how soothing and fun it could be as his mother played one to him to help him sleep. Since his mom didn’t want him to use her obviously oversized lute, she and Toroth’s father fashioned one that would be just his size so he could practice what he had come to enjoy so much.

Toroth didn’t like how the other yearlings made fun of him for how he liked to play an instrument over participating in dragon battles. So, he found a secluded place near the forest to practice playing his beloved instrument while his mom and dad were out hunting. It was here that he was greeted by a young Pegasus pony. The music seemed to call to her and Toroth liked the attention. So, the two eventually developed a plan to meet every day as the sun was about to set to share in music and friendly adventures.

Nana continued telling the story as she explained how she didn’t know how she ended up in such a dangerous place. All she remembers is being up in the air until suddenly crashing to the ground. Fortunately, she felt the fall was slowed by something, presumably her wings, before landing in the very forest she and Toroth had met in. It was here she got her first lesson in survival as she was attacked by a monster. She ran and ran until she found cover in an unused burrow that she soon made into her home.

Toroth seemed most delighted in the Equestrian diaper he had been changed into. It was far more comfortable than the diapers he and other yearlings he had met often wore. Moreover, the scent was very soothing and reminded him of his mom. This made him cry a bit as he finished the story by sharing how, on this very day, he and Nana had met up for their daily fun until they were suddenly surrounded by a group of older dragons. They were apparently heading into the forest to do a raid when they spotted Toroth. The initial intention was to pick on the still diapered yearling. However, one of the dragons spotted the dark colored Pegasus hiding behind a tree and the new plan became to have a little snack before doing what they were going to doo on their raid. It was at this point Toroth used his fire breath, which was more of a smoke, to distract the raiders as he and Nana ran for their lives.

“Nana?” wondered Lucky Find. “That’s an interesting name.”
“Toroth named me,” she replied. “He said I was his Nana and I liked it as it reminded me of what I so badly want to do.”
“What’s that?” asked Tacki.
The Pegasus seemed more relaxed and more determined as she replied, “Find my parents!”

ROAR
Although the sound of an adult dragon seemed far off, Tacki felt it was best that they all make their way back to Caldera so they could better get to know each other under safer circumstances. So, after a quick diaper change on Tacki’s part, the group headed back to the Equestrian outpost.

It was nearly dawn by the time the group reached the gates of Caldara. At first, the guards were reluctant to let Lucky Find and Tacki back in. However, the sight of a young Pegasus with a sleeping, baby dragon on her back made them quickly reconsider.

Nana was amazed to discover how there were other ponies just like her living in the area. For years, she was the only one of her kind she had ever seen in the forest she inhabited and seeing such an abundance of ponies living under such comfortable conditions amazed her.

Lucky Find and Nana took Tacki and Toroth up to the local inn so they could get the sleep they needed as they met with General Gallop. Although the General wasn’t overly pleased about another dragon in his outpost, he was quite excited over learning of a Pegasus pony who had survived under such harsh circumstances. Since Lucky Find and Nana both were in desperate need of some sleep themselves, they decided to meet in the inn’s diner that night to catch up on all that had happened since Lucky Find and Tacki crossed over the border.

That evening, Tacki and Toroth spent lots of time talking about their respective lives and experiences as Lucky Find and the General brought Nana up to speed on what it was to be a pony and how they would work to acclimate her back to Equestrian life.

It was apparent now that a number of new adventures were ahead for Lucky Find and Tacki. Could befriending Toroth be the key to making relations with the dragons? Would Nana ever find her parents? Was it possible that Tacki and Toroth were actually brothers? Do boots really look good on a dragon? All these questions, and more, can only be answered through further adventuring in, and around, Caldara and that is just what the four intended to do in both the name of Celestia and brotherhood.
> Chapter 6:  The Best Day Ever (Reprise)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“…Or not,” pouted Spike as all his friends dashed off in different directions.
The entire day, Spike had looked forward to giving the girls a grand tour through the palace while sharing good times with each one of them as a group.  He had even been openly discussing all the wonderful highlights they could all enjoy while leading the carriage that was taking them all the way from Ponyville to Canterlot.  Apparently, though, none of them were interested in sharing times with him and didn’t think twice about leaving him all dressed up and alone sitting upon the floor at the palace’s entrance.

Spike sighed as he stood himself up and watched as other ponies, mostly in pairs or groups, continued to enter Princess Celestia’s castle for The Grand Galloping Galla.
“Why do I even bother,” pouted Spike as he watched everyone come in with smiles on their faces while chatting amongst each other.  “I was a fool for ever thinking the girls would want to spend an evening with me when they all have their own things to do.”
The sad, purple dragon watched as more and more ponies entered into the castle.  There were a few griffons amongst the attendees, but not a single dragon.

Spike couldn’t help but tear up as he watched so many ponies and griffons happily march past him as if he didn’t even exist.  He was Twilight Sparkle’s number one assistant, but was that all he truly was to her?  If they were truly friends she’d at least have asked him to join her instead of running off just like the others without a single word to him.

“Who am I?” Spike asked himself aloud as he moved himself away from the incoming guests.  “Am I truly just a misfit assistant whose purpose is to serve Twilight and Princess Celestia?”

“Spike!” cried a familiar voice from the palace entryway.  “Spike, is that really you?”
Spike turned about thinking that Twilight, or one of his other, pony pals had come back for him.  However, he was shocked to see his old friend, Yosh, dashing his way.

“Spike!” cheered Yosh as he embraced his friend.  “I can’t believe it is really you!”
Spike struggled to stay afoot after his friend’s tackle-like hug as he replied, “Yosh?”
“That’s me!” the dragon and duck hybrid stated proudly.  “It’s so nice to see a face that isn’t a pony or griffon around here.”
“Shouldn’t you be off with Dawnbreak Horizon?” asked Spike curiously.
Yosh giggled as he replied, “Nope, nope!  He’s been making his way back into Equestria just to attend this event and report our findings to Princess Celestia.”
“Don’t you just magically send them to her from the frontier?” asked Spike.
Yosh giggled again as he patted at his friend’s tummy.
“Silly, Spike,” he said.  “I’m only half dragon and, unlike you, do not have the gift of fire breath.”

The two talked for a bit about their times together as newborns in the care of Princess Celestia as their respective, unicorn masters finished their schooling.  Dawnbreak Horizon, like Twilight Sparkle, was a tremendously gifted unicorn whose special mission was to report of what cultures, magic, and other such things existed  beyond the boundaries of Equestria.  Of course, he did this through Yosh who transcribed all he had to report within a journal that would be eventually brought back for Princess Celestia’s review to decide whether-or-not a particular region needed further exploration or not before being sent out to discover more of the lands beyond those ruled by Princess Celestia and her sister, Princess Luna.

“So how has your special mission been going with Twilight Sparkle Spikey-Wikey?” asked Yosh with a smile.
Spike paused as he thought of how to answer.  His friend was off seeing the world while he was pretty much locked down in a library in the small town of Ponyville.
“Well,” he began to answer nervously.  “Twilight and I are working on discovering the magic of friendship.”

Yosh blinked his eyes and gave a confused look before asking, “And how is that going?”
Spike normally would’ve answered positively, but that wouldn’t have been the truth.  Well, at least for him and especially after being so thoughtlessly abandoned mere moments ago.
“Actually,” he began with a sigh.  “Not so good.”

Yosh gave a look of concern as he asked, “What do you mean?”
“Well,” said Spike with a shrug.  “Most of the time, I feel like a third wheel whose purpose is to simply serve as Twilight’s assistant.”
“A third wheel?” asked Yosh with curious concern.
Spike sighed as he tugged at his suit coat and stated, “All I seem to do is work and, especially after the whole Nightmare Moon thing, the only time I am really wanted around is when Twilight, or one of her friends, needs or wants something.”

Yosh gave his friend a quick hug and pat on the back as he said, “I’m sorry you feel that way, Spike.”  He then put his finger to his bill and asked, “Is there anything I can do?”
“Not really,” said Spike.  “Not unless you can tell me why I try so hard to please Twilight and her friends, but yet get left out and feel miserable and alone in a world full of ponies without a single dragon, or even other guys, to hang out with who might appreciate me more.”

“Well,” said Yosh.  “Have you ever talked to Twilight about how you feel?”
Spike paused for a moment before replying, “There was that one time when I got all jealous of Owloicious and basically made a huge mess of things before running away, getting attacked by a big, mean dragon for eating his gems, and then got saved by Twilight and Owloicious.”
Yosh leapt into the air and fluttered his feet as he said, “Wow!  Sounds like quite an adventure!”  He then gave a curious expression as he asked,  “Might I ask whose Owlowiscious and what came of your adventure?”
“Well,” said Spike.  “Twilight and I talked and she and I came to the conclusion I was jealous of Owloicious taking my job as her number one assistant and that she could’ve been a lot more sensitive of my feelings and that I shouldn’t try to make a big mess in order to get attention or make others look bad and that if I accidentally burn another of her books I should be straight up and honest with her about it.”

“Did this Owlowiscious take your job?” asked Yosh.
“No,” replied Spike.  “He is actually now Twilight’s pet and I guess he helps out when I go to sleep at night.”
“Sounds like quite a guy,” stated Yosh.
“Actually,” stated Spike.  “He’s an owl.”
“Oh,” giggled Yosh.  “I s’pose that explains the whole pet part and why he is called ‘Owl’oicious.”

The two talked more about Spike’s feelings and the times he most felt left out on what was supposed to be his special mission to discover the magic of friendship within the boundaries of Ponyville and those occasional times when Twilight and/or her friends journeyed outside the town’s limits.

“So what I’m getting is that you feel left out on your special mission?” asked Yosh.
Spike lowered his head as he replied, “I s’pose you could put it that way.”  He then threw his arms out to his sides as he cried out, “If friendship is magic, why do I feel like I don’t have any friends as Twilight and her other pals are all close, invite each other to do fun things, and typically leave me behind to do chores or write of their amazing discoveries in what it is to be friends?”
“Where is Twilight now?” asked Yosh.
Spike looked up at the large stairway that lead to where Twilight and Princess Celestia were greeting the guests to the Galla.
“Up there,” he said while pointing up towards the Princess and his master who were positioned at the second floor landing.

Yosh gave his friend a big hug before stating, “I think you need to go up there and tell her how you feel.”
“What good would that do?” asked Spike in an agitated tone.  “She’d probably just ignore me and tell me to write something or do my own thing while she and the princess continued to share in fun times together.”
“But you don’t know that for sure,” stated Yosh.  “Perhaps it is time Spikey-Wikey stood up for himself and showed he is more than just a lowly assistant and that you are worthy of being respected as far more than a convenient chore doer and scribe.”

Spike looked up at Princess Celestia and Twilight greeting the guests before returning his attention to Yosh.
“You really think that will work?” he asked with hope in his eyes.
“I not only think it will work,” grinned Yosh before giving his friend another hug.  “I KNOW it will work!”

“How can you be so sure?” asked Spike.
“Well,” began Yosh with a smile.  “Dawnbreak Horizon and I had a little talk about this ourselves”
“Really?” asked Spike curiously.
Yosh blushed as he stated, “You know how, well, I had that little potty problem?”
“Yeah,” Spike stated.  “You were still in diapers when we were separated to be with our respective masters.”
“Well…” said Yosh as he pulled his shorts down a bit.  The white of a diaper now clearly showing.
“Oh,” said Spike.  

Yosh blushed deeper as he covered up his diaper and nervously tugged at his vest.
“Princess Celestia and I discovered that my being half dragon and half duck caused me a few, well, setbacks.”
Spike went to hug his friend as he stated empathatically “I’m sorry to hear that, Yosh.”
“Don’t be,” stated Yosh.  “I sometimes can make it, but sometimes not.  Though, the point is that Dawnbreak Horizon really made me feel bad about my little accidents and often would have me wait while he went and met with the other cultures we came across for fear I may embarrass him.  That was until we found a land ruled by foxes and the one, who was blind, told me my condition is no reason to step out of the spotlight.  She was so kind and I watched as she showed me around town and how everyone loved her despite her condition.  When it came time to go, she told me I should have a talk with Dawnbreak about how much being a part of the team meant to me and let him know that, despite my condition, I am still an equal and worth not being hidden away.”

Spike appeared quite interested as he asked, “And how did it go?”
“Better than I expected,” replied Yosh.  “Sure he was a bit reluctant at first, but he did start allowing me to accompany him and it turned out a winning situation for both of us asI was better able to take field notes and help in gathering data in which he will soon be showing to Princess Celestia herself.”
Spike thought for a moment before asking, “So wy aren’t you with him now?”
“That’s easy!” cried Yosh as he snuggled his old pal.  “I told him I saw you and he said he and I could meet up later so I could have time to visit with my bestest buddy ever!”

Spike blushed as his friend hugged him yet again.  Yosh was always very huggy, but he was a special guy and this made Spike remember he was a special guy, too, despite his being hatched by ponies and not exactly fitting in the way he might’ve liked to.
“Thanks, Yosh,” remarked Spike as he patted his pal on the back.
“No problem,” replied Yosh as he pulled a pocket watch from his vest and looked at the time.  “Though, I regret I must go and meet with Dawnbreak to discuss how we will present our findings on the Eastern Territories.”

Spike and Yosh shared some final words and agreed to meet at the donut shop later to hear how things went for both of them.
“Okay,” said Spike as he fixed up his suit and tie.  “It’s time to let Twilight know how I feel and not let myself be, or feel, left out on our special mission!”

Twilight Sparkle was looking rather miserable when Spike made his way up to face her regarding how he felt.
“Spike,” said Twilight as he approached and she forced a smile.  “Having fun?”
Spike looked her straight in the eyes as he asked, “Can I talk to you in private for a moment?”
Twilight appeared caught off guard by Spike’s assertiveness.  However, Princess Celestia quickly told her that it’d be okay if she didn’t help her greet the guests for a moment so they could talk.  She even offered her private chamber as it was really one of the only places that was not being used for the galla.

“What’s this all about, Spike?” asked Twilight upon reaching their destination.
Spike closed the chamber doors before stating, “I need to talk to you about friendship.”
“Friendship?” wondered Twilight.  “Spike, isn’t that what we’ve been working on for the past few months now?”
“I’m not talking about our special mission.” Spike stated firmly “ I’m talking about you and me.”
Twilight looked confused as she asked, “I don’t know what you mean, Spike.”
“What I mean,” began Spike firmly.  “Is how you and all the girls seem to go and do all the friendship stuff while I get left behind to do chores until you all come back and tell me about what you have learned.”

Twilight was again without words as she looked towards her apparently frustrated assistant.
“Look,” said Spike.  “I know you hatched me and that I was raised to be your assistant, but am I not more than just a dragon trapped in a world of ponies for which I am to serve?”
Twilight’s mouth dropped upon hearing Spike’s statement.
“Is that how you feel?” she asked with concern.
“It is,” he replied.  “Especially after you all abandoned me without a word after trying my best to be a part of the group tonight at this event.”

“Spike,” sighed Twilight as she nuzzled against his cheek.  “I’m so sorry I have even for a moment made you feel this way.”  She then stepped back and said genuinely, “You are my friend and always will be.  I guess I just get so involved in my studies that I forget to see beyond the work and fail to be the parent and friend you need me to be.”
Spike, like Yosh, was still considered a baby and certainly appreciated Twilight acknowledging on her own that he needed her to be both a parent and a friend rather than an owner who could boss him around as she so pleased.

Tears filled both their eyes as they embraced.
“I love you, Twilight,” said an emotional Spike.
Twilight nuzzled  against Spike’s moist cheek as she emotionally replied, “I love you, too, Spike.”

Spike and Twilight left the room and talked about Spike’s friend, Yosh, and also about how Twilight was not having a very good time at the galla just greeting guests with Princess Celestia when what she really wanted was to spend time with her mentor.  This prompted the two to go looking for Rarity, Apple Jack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie.  Interestingly enough, none of them were having a very good time either and were happy to rejoin Spike and Twilight Sparkle as they ventured about the galla in search of everyone.

Once everyone had reassembled, the question came as to what to do next.  As Spike had already been a part of showing everyone around as they hunted for one another, the suggestion was made to go to Joe’s donut shop and enjoy some quality time together over some hay coffee and donuts while Apple Jack brought her apple cart along to see if she may just have better luck selling to non-galla attendants.

As it turned out, the seven had a wonderful time telling stories about how their nights had each turned out far from what they had expected and were glad Spike and Twilight decided to get out before things got worse.  Apple Jack was even impressed on how many of her Apple Family products she was able to sell along the way and how Joe, for a 50 / 50 split in profit, offered to serve up the rest of what she had left upon reaching his establishment.

Everyone was having a great time until Yosh and Dawnbreak Horizon arrived with Princess Celestia herself.
“I take things went well,” remarked Yosh to Spike.
Twilight and Spike shared an embrace as Spike replied, “Sure did!”
“Princess Celestia?” asked Twilight with a puzzled look on her face.  “What brings you here?”

“Actually,” said the princess as she looked towards Yosh and Dawnbreak Horizon.  “I thought it’d be a great idea to have Spike and Twilight’s friends here share their report of the Eastern Territories with all of you and then hear of what lesson in friendship you all learned from this evening.”
“Hey Twilight,” greeted Dawnbreak Horizon.  “It’s been a long time.”
All of Twilight’s pony pals looked with interest as Twilight replied  happily, “It sure has.”

The remainder of the evening was spent sharing introductions, stories, and adventures in both friendship and exploration.  Apple Jack even got to enjoy seeing her Apple Family products selling and made a deal with Joe to provide him a steady supply so that both could profit.
By evening’s end, many lessons had been learned and everyone was glad to be spending time together at Joe’s rather than at the galla.  Dawnbreak Horizon and Twilight Sparkle even agreed to try and keep in touch and made plans to meet up when next he and Yosh were in Equestria.  It truly was the best night ever.