For centuries, ponykind thought Princess Platinum's splendorous silver crown lost for all time, but it has been found. Twilight Sparkle, the self-proclaimed Princess of Thieves, has tracked it down to the long-fallen Diamond Dog kingdom of Erebark, and means to enter the mountain to retrieve her kin's lost heirloom and settle scores with Princess Celestia.

Unfortunately, there are one or two details she didn't realize going into this mess. Namely, that she'll need to steal from the gilded gallery of one of the mightiest dragons ever to walk the land.

Oops.

Preread by RossbyWaves, Cynewulf, Timaeus, Undome Tinwe, Brasta Septim, and Beltorn.
Special thanks to the aforementioned six for enabling and encouraging this story, along with a few other friends in the most exalted and dedicated purple girlfriends chat server.
Artwork brilliantly done by Lilfunkman.

On her vacation in the town of Gold Springs, Rarity finds a dragon. He won't let go of her coin, and now she has no idea what to do with him.

Spanish Translation is Available! Thank you so much to SPANIARD KIWI for the work!

Ember wants to see the rise of a smarter, friendlier dragon society in the future. For her dragon subjects, this presents quite a steep learning curve.

Spike was the strangest of dragons, living his charmed life so far removed from his heritage. Knowing so much. How to be a good friend. How to be a hero.

How to have fun.

But actually being a dragon? Not so much. Barely at all, really.

Ember didn't know what to make of her friendship with the little drake, but she did know two things. Spike needed a teacher, a proper dragon teacher, to show him the way.

And second, that this was going to be fun.

Since trading a library tree for a much larger crystal castle, Twilight Sparkle and Spike don't see each other quite as much as they used. One quiet day in a string of quiet days, the young alicorn decides to visit her even younger companion.

Dragons are feared creatures, portrayed as horrific monsters in every bedtime story that ponies have known from birth.

Spike is a dragon. And as time goes on, he grows more acutely aware of his monstrous side and wonders if the fabled beast is all he is meant to be.

His fears come to light one day while he his helping Rarity collect some gems. The two are attacked by a rogue Diamond Dog and Spike, acting in fear and anger, kills their attacker. Horrified at his actions, he flees into the Everfree Forest with the rest of the monsters. Now, it is up to Twilight and Rarity to find him and bring him back home, if they can prove to him that he is not the monster he believes himself to be.

Twilight has been messaging Dragon Lord Ember for two weeks now, and the other ponies are wondering whom the new Princess’s pen pal is. Twilight gets a brilliant and terrible idea. Cover art by the sensational PixelKitties.

Have you ever wondered where Celestia got a baby dragon?
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"Citizenship for all dragons living within the boarders of Equestria."

The young mother looked at the princess, flabbergasted. "You're kidding, right?"

The princess looked on stoically.

"You expect me to sell my baby for citizenship?" The mother enunciates, getting more confused and enraged by the second.

Spike's unfaltering desire to be "Helpful", especially to Rarity causes him to incur major injuries that will take time to heal. It is throughout his recovery that he learns the true meaning of friendship as his pals come to his aid by proving he is appreciated as more than just an assistant. He further comes to learn how having limitations doesn't mean he is any less useful and/or appreciated.

Spike's got three whole days to himself while Twilight is away at the Crystal Empire. Three whole days to be independent and free to do whatever he wants.

Or he would have, if a female dragon hadn't mistaken him for an abandoned hatchling. Now he's been snatched up and taken to her home to be "properly cared for."

Stuck in a cave with an overly-protective dragon intent on mothering him...maybe he should have just gone with Twilight.

Thanks to QueenCold for letting me use this picture of theirs as cover art!