//------------------------------// // First meeting // Story: Aggressively Small // by ShowShine //------------------------------// Celestia sat alone in the Canterlot garden. It felt so nice to be alone without any guards or paparazzi following her every move. She levitated her teacup up to her muzzle and had a small sip. As Celestia put her cup down, she came to a halt when she heard a small sniffle from a nearby bush. She slowly stood up and made her way over to the bush. Celestia peered inside the bush to see a small purple and green dragon curled up into a ball, shivering, and covered in scratches. "Hello little one." Celestia said softly to the dragon. The dragon snapped his attention to her before getting on all fours and letting out a low growl. He snarled his teeth at her in defense. Celestia levitated the small dragon off of the ground making him growl louder. She put the dragon in her arms and started to cradle him. He lashed around growling while trying to bite Celestia's arm. Her horn glowed a soft yellow as she cradled him. His growling started diminishing quickly as his eyes grew heavy. The dragon let out a soft snore as he fell asleep. "Always works." She thought to herself. Celestia put him on her back and walked into the castle. When the guards spotted her the bowed down in respect."Guards, tell the royal organizer to clear my schedule for the day." Celestia said sternly. The guards nodded their heads before running off. She walked into her room, locking the door behind her. She place the dragon on her bed, watching him snuggle into Luna's plush bat, Starry. Celestia walked in her personal bathroom and turned on warm water in the tub. She filled the tub with apple scented soap. Bubbles floated around the bathroom making the whole room smell like apples. "M-mommy?" The dragon said from the bedroom. Celestia's ears perked up at the sound. She walked in the room to see the dragon sitting up and his eyes wide with fear. He looked around and spotted Celestia. As Celestia approached him he let out a low growl while backing away from her. "It's okay little one, I'm not here to hurt you." She said in a calm tone. "I see that you like Starry." She said softly. The dragon held Starry close to him. He calmed down slightly but was still very far away from Celestia. "My name is Celestia." She said happily. "Celes.. Cele.. Celly?" He struggled to say. "You can call me Tia, what's your name?" Celestia questioned. He he backed up little more “S-spike." He said nervously. "And how old are you?" Celestia asked while kneeling down to his height. "I'm five." Spike said slightly more confident. "Only five? I thought dragons lived with their parents until they were teenagers. Celestia thought to herself. "Where are your parents?" She asked. Spike's scales drooped and his eyes filled with tears. "M-my mommy's gone!" Spike shouted before crying loudly. Celestia got taken aback by the answer. She scooped Spike up and cradled him. "It's okay, I'm here, I'm here." Celestia repeated soothingly until he stopped crying. Celestia carried him into the bathroom before stopping in front of tub. Spike gripped on Celestia when he saw the bubbles. She giggled at his reaction. "It's okay the bubbles won't hurt you." Celestia said while giggling. She slowly lowered Spike into the warm water. When he was fully emerged in the water he let out a small giggle. Celestia smiled in amusement. Celestia grabbed a handful of soap suds and placed them under her chin making a beard. Spike giggled at the silly sight. He grabbed some soap suds and placing them on his head. They both went into full blown laughter before being interrupted by a loud pounding on the door. "Your Majesty, the Saddle Arabian delegates have arrived!" The guard shouted urgently. "I told you to cancel all of my plans today." Celestia replied. "It was last minute, we couldn't cancel it." The guard said. "Dang it.." Celestia muttered. "Give me a second!" She shouted while taking Spike out of the tub throwing a towel over him. He flailed around under the towel while growling loudly. Celestia quickly pulled off the towel while shushing him. "Shh they can't know you're here." She whispered. She quickly dried him off and threw the towel across the bathroom. Celestia picked up Spike and walked into her room. She placed him on the bed and started pacing around the room. "What am I going to do, what am I going to do?" Celestia muttered to herself. She turned around to look at Spike, who was looking back at her confusedly. "Go retrieve Princess Cadence." Celestia said. "Yes right away your majesty." The guard replied. After a few minutes the room door opened with a low creak. "Sorry I took so long, I was watching Twilght." Cadence said as she walked in with a duffle bag slung over her shoulder. Spike's ears perked up when he heard her voice. He spotted Candance and backed away snarling. Cadance's eyes widened. "Princess you have a dragon?!" She said in a shocked and scared tone. "Can you please watch him while I'm in this meeting, I promise he's harmless." Celestia pleaded. Cadence glanced at Spike, who was curled up in a ball, growling. She hesitated for a second before speaking. "Okay Princess, I'm only doing for you." Cadance said with a sigh. Celestia pulled Canadce into a tight hug. "Thank you so much, you won't regret this." She said happily before rushing out of the room. Cadence turned to Spike. He glared at her as he clutched onto Starry. "Hi my name is Cadance, what's your name?" Cadance asked while crouching down to Spike's height. Spike shuffled back until his back hit the wall. Cadance walked over to Spike slowly. He bared his teeth and let out a low snarl. "It's okay I won't hurt you." Cadance said in a soft sweet voice. As Cadance got closer, his growling got louder. She approached him and Spike started to shake in fear. His eyes welled up with tears and his growling slowly stopped. He hid his face into the stuffed bat and let out a soft sniffle. "Aaw, It's okay, I'm not gonna hurt you." Cadance said as she put her hoof on his shoulder. Spike let out a loud yelp at the sudden feeling and let out a loud cry. Cadance moved back at the suddenly loud noise before quickly levitate him in her arms. "Shh it's okay, it's okay." Cadance comforted. His sobbing soon turned into small hiccups. Spike's stomach growled loudly. "Poor thing you must be hungry." Cadance said. She turned to see a small chest of gems on the bedroom shelf. "I heard that dragons liked gems. I'm sure the princess won't mind. She thought to herself as she picked up a few red and green gems. "Here you go." Cadance said as she handed him the gems. Spike's eyes lit up in excitement at the sight of the gems before he quickly skarfed them down. "Wow you where really hungry." Cadance thought out loud. Once Spike finished he let out a satisified burp of fire. Cadance smiled lightly. "Now that you're calm gonna try this again. Hi I'm Cadance, what's your name?" She asked again. Spike hesitated for a second before speaking. "Spike." He said softly. Cadance smiled softly at his cooperation. After a few minutes of silence Cadance said something. “Do you want me to tell you a story?” She asked. Spike smiled and nodded his head. Cadance reached into her duffel bag and pulled out a book. The title read ‘The Adventures of Rockhoof.’ Cadance opened the book and started to read. “Once upon a time there was a small pony named Rockhoof...” as she continued to read, Spike scooted closer to Cadance and laid on her side. Cadance paused smiling slightly. She continued reading when she suddenly heard a soft snoring. She looked down to see Spike sleeping peacefully, sucking his thumb. Cadance put the book down and let out a soft sigh. The bedroom door creaked open, making Cadance’s ears perk up. Celestia walked into the room. “How was he?” Celestia asked in a hushed tone. “He cried a little but other than that he was fine.” She responded. “Princess what are you going to do with him, you’re to busy to take care of him." Cadance asked in a worrisome tone. Celestia looked Spike. “I think I have an idea.”