//------------------------------//
// A Future for a Lord 
// Story: The Dragon Lord's Consort 
// by Little_Draco 
//------------------------------//

Short chapter, no edit, sorry !!! 



The Dragon Lord's Consort


A Future for the Lord





The day came. It was a beautiful day. The sun was out, the sky was cloudless, the ponies moved about as their day to day business was uninterrupted by outside forces. Bakeries lit up with the smells of fresh goods, shop doors opened and closed with jingles of arrivals, and the voices of the many filled the streets of Ponyville.

A group of ponies and dragons stood outside the Crystal Castle outside of the town where everything was not so bright and pretty. Spike stood in front of Ember and her guards while Twilight, Starlight and the rest stood before them. None of them looked to pleased by the situation nor were any of them objecting.

Twilight seemed the most distraught but she hadn't begged or cried for Spike to stay. She hadn't turned to her friends either to ask for their help. If anything, it seemed as though she had anticipated this day to come for years. When Spike would leave, when he would be amongst his kind once more and how he may or may not return to Equestria. Despite the reassurances from himself and Ember, she felt as though apart of her was being taken from her.
As for the others, they were in a mix of emotions that ran from sadness from one of their own leaving, to confusion as to why no pony was stopping him, to worry for when and if he might ever return. Pinkie was mostly distraught because she didn't even get to give him a 'Good Bye' party. The only explanation was 'Time was of the essence,' from Ember.

Twilight had received a scroll from Celestia, Luna along with Cadance and Shining Armor wishing to say their 'Good Byes but having important businesses to take care of.' Spike was no surprised by this… It was just enough to be intimidated by one royal from each side, to have four on one side seeing one of their own leaving, would leave a lasting impression. Still, the lack of his friends questioning his motives and choices left a sour taste in his mouth.
Had they all anticipated this?  Was it something that they knew might happen or was it something that they could not control? The first time he went on his own was to find out what it meant to be a dragon. They made sure he was safe but that only met with the end results of him hating what his kind was. When the Call for the Gauntlet of Fire was sent, he had no choice but to obey if he wished to stop whatever it was that made him glow and itch. All his friends made sure that his choices were sound and just, just like he did on so many occasions that either helped them in the end or saved the lives of many, they stood by him.
But the question still remained as to why they are letting him easily go without a fight? Perhaps when he was a decade or two that they knew he would leave to become what he was meant to. Perhaps he would have returned regardless. Here however, the assurances seemed vague. Ember and himself said that he would return but… how long would it be until he returned? Weeks? Months? … Years? 
Ember hadn't responded when he asked but that was between them. Still, he wanted to stick by her and made sure that as her future consort, he would help her in any way possible. A potential future between the two could end up as either Platonic or Romantic but none of them knew for sure. He wasn't even sure what he was going to do to prove her father or any other dragon. He may not be sure of how to prove it to them, but it didn't matter because all that really mattered was how he could show to her what kind of Dragon he could be for her. Her greatest ally and friend for life or a lover with a potential mate to secure her future. 

Either way, he would stick by her.



“So… is this what you really want Spike?” asked Twilight in a somber tone. Her eyes looked saddened beyond believe and her words tugged at Spike's heart. The more he saw her and his friends, the more it pained him. Yet, he knew in his heart. His hearts of heart, from what Ember called it, that he would… no should stick by her. He had almost two decades with Twilight and maybe a few years with his new found friends, but to him it felt like a lifetime if not more since he was with them all.
“I-I do, Twi. I really do. I know that I won't be around but I know I will visit the second I can get a chance.” He paused, looking back at Ember and gave her a small smile. “I feel like something inside of me… wants to help her, make sure she is… safe.”

Garble mentally snorted at the cheesy pun. Amethyst mentally sighed with adoration at his words. Ember's scales bristled at his praise but felt an inner turmoil stir.

He turned back towards them.
“I know it is not easy… I feel myself fighting it but at the same time, I want to go and really learn to be a dragon. Not just a greedy, selfish, mean dragon. If anything that Ember has spoken to me, is that not all dragons are bad. Some are good and others can be amazing. Maybe if… if I bring that Magic of Friendship to the Dragon Lands, I can teach what you and the girls taught so many other ponies and races throughout the lands.”
He turned his attention to the others. He walked up to each of them, standing before each one and acknowledging them.  
“I can teach that kindness can come from the most humble of hearts or the simplest of gestures. That anyone can change for the better if you are just kind to them.”
Fluttershy sniffled but gave a strong smile towards him. 
He moved towards Rainbow Dash. “I can show them what its like to be loyal towards the end. That if you can trust one another, you can always have their backs and be there when you need them.” Rainbow grinned and stuck out her hoof, he bumped his clawed fist to her. 
Moving to Applejack, “Maybe when I get there, I can show them how honest a dragon can be by showing him that they can be around another dragon and not have their hoard stolen. Honesty can also be where they learn that you don't have to lie to be a better dragon or pony, just be yourself.” Applejack removed her hat, placing it on her chest, nodding towards him. 
He moved to the bouncing Pinkie Pie. He laughed at her antics.
“You told me that laughter is the best medicine and maybe that is what the dragons need to be better. I can tell every crazy joke Pinkie has ever told me and maybe get a few dragons to laugh and spread around. Who knows? Maybe they may start their own comedy clubs.” 
He then moved to Rarity, whom also had tears in her eyes but held her own smile. “And just like I am doing with Ember, I will teach them the value of Generosity. I will share my adventures to them, show them how much a simple act of giving can change a dragon's view on life and how giving a small piece of your heart can make any dragon your greatest friend.”
Rarity sniffled a bit more before reaching out and bringing him in for a hug. Ember watched the exchange, familiar with the concept but also seeing how it held more meaning to the pony than herself. It was a simple act the first time he did it to her but now as she got held by him before and seeing it done again to another, her hearts of heart flourished with his sense of a gesture most don’t think of. From the corner of her eyes, she could see that Garble wanted to gag and gave a quick harsh glare not to say anything.
He saw it and didn't say a single word. But he did turn away from the immature acts before him. He did however notice that Amethyst seemed to be enjoying all this lovey dovey pony business though. Damn dragoness was actually affectionate towards the displays before them. Her curious nature for the ponies always made him question her sanity. Turning towards Spike whom was speaking to purple one… without wings, he talked to her about what she taught him.

Ember saw Spike's emotions getting the better of him. He was saying 'Goodbye' to his family, his friends… all of them… for her. It pained her heart to no end and the fact that it was her heart and his on the line that made it worse. For when the day comes when the truth is revealed, it might kill her one way or another.
The heartbreak that she will endure and/or if he left when he finds out. Being near him for a little while might extend their lives but not by much.


A flashback of Spike willingly giving her the Scepter… she wondered if it would have been easier if he kept it instead of her. Her father would have told him the responsibilities but what it still somehow impact her? 


Twilight had enough. She broke down and grabbed Spike with her magic. Spike didn't have time to react before he was brought into an unbreakable hug. The others also broke down and tighten the hug by including themselves in it. The tears and cries from the ponies continued to tug at Ember's heart. Amethyst cooed and adored the affection towards the ponies. It took all of Garble's will not to be physically ill.



What will be remembered this day for those around? Spike saying 'Good Bye' to his family for now? Twilight feeling a piece of her will be missing for awhile? The loss of a friend to a group of friends? The feeling of a heart breaking as Ember tore a family apart? A stubborn male suddenly feeling a small pity as he had never been embraced by anyone in his life? The sun was bright, the ponies moved on without a care in the world, and the warm breeze that came as the group separated.

“Its not 'Good Bye' forever,” he said, whipping away his tears with a giant smile. “It's just 'Good Bye' for now.” Pinkie began bawling loudly, literal fountains of tears came from her eyes. Fluttershy comforted her as best as possible.  Each of his friend gave an accepting nod towards him, knowing fully well what it meant. 

Twilight turned to him, her eyes still streaming with tears but she held a steady smile towards him. A final hug was given.
“I love you Spike. I love you, so much...”
Sniffing, he hugged her back tightly. “I love you too, sis. But I promise you, I’ll be be back. Who knows, maybe as her consort, I can send you any new knowledge I learn and if they have any, books.”
She laughed at the that, hugging tighter before letting go and staring at him.
“That would be so great Spike. Just… keep in touch every chance you get.” She paused and then quickly turned to Starlight whom quickly came over. With a flash of her horn, she conjured a pack which looked to be filled with various items. 
“I know that I want you to send me as much as you can on info but these are different types of letters.”
“What do you mean?”
She pulled out a scroll and conjured a second one.
“Starlight and I created this overnight and hoped that it would come in hoofy. We took a 'literal page' out of Sunset Shimmer's book and modified it so that if you want to keep in touch on anything you can do it a lot faster than sending a letter to me.”
She wrote a quick few words on the first page. She then handed it to Spike.
'See you soon,' it said. He then turned to her.
“Go ahead and send a small flame on the letters.”
He looked at the scroll before giving a small burst of flame on the paper. The words disappeared and the second scroll instantly filled with the same words.
“Instant messaging.” quoted Twilight.  
“Cool!” Spike said enthusiastically. “So now, we can keep touch on a day to day bases!” 
Twilight gave a nod and Starlight pulled in closer.
“It does however have limited space so you wont be able to write for very long. Also we did enchant the scrolls to last for awhile but each breath of your fire will eventually weaken the scroll over time. We gave you a book's worth so those will last up to a few years if need be.”
Twilight flinched at the word 'years' and Spike saw her ears wilt a little.
He gave a strong smile to her and brought her in for one last hug.

“Thanks again Twi, for everything. I'll make sure to check in with you when I can.”
With a sniffle she hugged her baby brother once more, bringing him in close before kissing his forehead.
“I love you so much Spike. When you come back we will all be waiting for you.”



A single tear fell from Ember's eyes and she never in life regretted a decision more than now. Tearing a family from one another, despite the volunteering of one said family. What would he say or do when the truth came forth?




Spike slowly pulled away, bringing the bag over his back before making his way to Ember. He missed the tear she wiped away. He didn't see the quick change in her face from solemn and pain to a small sad smile. He did not know the fear that hides within her heart.

“You'll see them again.” She spoke. It was half true… but she knew not when. “And when you do, you'll still be you but… maybe better.” That was a lie.

Spike didn't see through it. He gave a hopeful nod before turning back to his friends. They all had their faces but he gave them the best smile he could muster. 

“Are you ready?” she asked. She brought out her arm.

With a hard nod and a large smile on his face, he spoke, “I am.”




A single flap sent all three dragons into the air with Spike riding on Ember's back. The ponies below him waved their 'Good Byes' each crying their hearts out. Spike waved a tearful 'Good Bye' as well as the town below him grew smaller and smaller. 

“Good Bye, Spike.” Twilight said softly. “Please come back the same way you left. I'll be here, we'll be here.” The tears that ran down her face never stopped but she knew that they will. 






















A short pomf was heard as Discord appeared.

“Oh Spikey! I am here for your going away party and I...” He stopped as he had appeared right behind the ponies that are viewing the the dragons departure. Their backs were towards him and he saw the three outlines of the dragons disappearing over the distance. 
“Did I miss it? Darn, here I was hoping to get my few lines in here instead of a cameo in this story. Now I am just this story's Stan Lee rip off. Oh well, I guess I'll wait till the story focuses back on the ponies at some point.”