//------------------------------// // More than silver and gold. // Story: A Gleaming Treasure // by Lium //------------------------------// The boy stood at the entrance to the cave, uncertainly staring into the gloom. He shifted nervously, turning the short sword in his hands before straightening up and edging forward. A few tentative steps closer, and he was just gingerly crossing the threshold, holding his blade aloft in preparation for sudden attacks. Fortunately, he was now within the cave, and it appeared to be lacking in unexpected death. Breathing a sigh of relief that nothing had happened to him, the boy observed his surroundings. The cave was roomy, and the first thing he noticed was how clean the area seemed to be. There was no dirt strewn about, and the floor and ceiling were smooth, completely devoid of the typical spikes hanging above or protruding from the ground below that adorned any other cave he had ever heard of. The walls were smooth and polished, possibly by dragonfire. Occasionally, the pure surface was marred by a gemstone embedded into the wall, glowing with a soft blue light. He pondered on the almost unnatural immaculateness, for the dragon had clearly gone to some considerable time and effort making the cave look nice, but eventually moved on, striding into the dim tunnels beyond. As he walked, he reflected on what drove him to seek out the most terrible predator to roam the land. It had been his ambition, ever since he was a toddler, to become a famed knight; one of Princess Celestia's protectors. But he'd always been stuck helping his sister and tending to her books. But recently he'd been hearing stories of a truly monstrous beast, a terrible wyrm who had stolen many valuable gems and precious metals. Slaying such a creature would surely earn him the position he desired, and a place in the annals of history. He'd be a sir, or possibly even a lord! But only if he survived, and managed to defeat the dragon. He pulled his sword out of the scabbard on his hip, and looked it over. It was cast iron, older than its bearer, with cracked edges; it resembled more saw than sword. He hadn't been able to afford better, and had not much in the way of armour either; merely some rusted shoulderpads and a slightly sliced pair of gauntlets. None of which would be particularly effective against claws or fire. The odds weren't in his favour it seemed, but there was no reward without risk. And despite the huge chance of disembowelment or incineration, success over the beast would result in a reward worthy of any dragonslayer. His musings had brought him into a larger chamber, one that split into three separate tunnels, one heading to the left, one to the right and one going straight ahead. Set above the left tunnel was an amethyst, glistening softly with a vibrant violet light, sending coloured beams into its shaft. The furthest right tunnel contained a sapphire bluer than the sea and sky, it’s roiling gleam piercing the soul. And the final, middle tunnel held a flawless white diamond, larger and brighter than its peers, shining like the heavens themselves. He headed to the left tunnel and peered in, but it contained no lightstones and beyond the purple shimmer was pitch black. Unsure, he went toward the right entrance, and found a similar state. As he walked toward the middle hole, a terrible cry rang through the caverns, freezing him in place and chilling his blood. As the shriek died down, he snatched his blade from where it had slipped his grasp onto the stone floor, clattering loudly. Wielding it somewhat unsteadily now, he staggered forward, certain the foul creature lay just before him. He blundered into the cavern walls a few times, the narrow, twisting path and lack of a light source proving to be his bane, but ahead of him there was a whisper of a glimmer, beckoning him forward. He could swear he heard a woman's voice. Maybe the dragon had stolen a maiden! If he were to rescue her, that would go some way to his knighthood, he was sure. Stumbling slightly, he continued toward the ever-alluring glint, until at last it bathed him in it's brilliant glare. He blinked to clear the spot that floated in front of his eyes, and stared into the dragon's hoard. It was not, as dragons are wont to do, piled up haphazardly into a heap with little regard for its components. Each piece of treasure was stored in a neat little area, away from the other items. There were racks of jewels, each stone gleaming with vivid colour, arrayed like a rainbow. Small piles of coins were piled by value, origin and date. There were ores and bars of various manner of metals and a few pieces of armour lay upon wooden mannequins. Curiously, there was also a rather large pile of fabrics, and clothing that made the robes worn by the greatest of monarchs appear to be rags . A rather ornate mirror also stood nearby, studded with gems like a glittering rainbow. There did not seem to be a girl anywhere he could see. He hoped, if it was indeed a woman he heard, she had not been eaten by the savage beast. That wouldn't reflect well on him, he knew. And finally, in the midst of this wealth stood a small drake, a mere head or so larger than the boy himself, facing away from the tunnels the aspiring knight had appeared from. It's scales were of ivory, with a pearlescent shine. A large pair of wings lay curled on it’s back, a ridge of violet spines lying between them, running from the tip of his diamond shaped tail to the top of his skull, which was also adorned with several curved horns and a rounded pair of fins. The boy gripped his sword harder and steeled himself. Though the dragon was considerably smaller than he had been anticipating, he thought this to work in his favour. It would certainly be a fairer fight. He took a deep breath, before calling out to the creature. "Dragon, your reign of terror is ended! Face me, and know your doom!" That sounded suitably knighty, he thought. The drake let out a small noise of confusion, and curled around towards him. He observed the pale, sky blue underscales and it's deep sapphire eyes, which were emphasized by a light blue on and above its eyelids, boring into him. He could now see it was in fact a dragoness, which explained a fair bit. She regarded him coolly, but with a hint of uncertainty. "Don't you know it's rude to break into a lady's home?" she asked icily. He stared at her, enchanted by her voice as though an angel had flown from Heaven and sang to him. "I... Um." The entranced would-be soldier stuttered, caught out of his depth now. "I didn't know you were a lady..." He trailed off under her arched eyebrow as the snowy dragon rebuked him. "Oh alright then, that's perfectly fine now, isn't it? Makes all the difference." She puffed out a small cloud of smoke from her nostrils as the boy cringed. He felt strange, her disapproval almost hurt him. "Well, I can see you wish to fight me," she pointed a claw at the ancient blade, "so get on with it. I haven't got all day you know, it takes time to look this good." However, all thoughts of harming the dragoness were far from his mind now. He wobbled in place, and sheathed his sword. "I'm sorry. I had heard there was a gigantic, murderous leviathan here, but I can see I've made a mistake. There's no way a creature as beautiful as you would kill and steal." His words placated the dragon somewhat. "Quite so. A lady doesn't partake in such barbarian actions like some common bandit. But you've still invaded my boudoir, threatened me with weapons and taken up my rather valuable time." He winced a little, but had an idea. "I'll make it up to you. Dragons like gems, right?" The dragon looked at him, then at the rows of gems on her shelves. "Well, yes, of course. We eat them, you know. When we don't eat meat, that is." He shivered slightly, imagining horrors and sharp, shredding teeth. He reached into his pocket and felt the cool, smooth surface of one of his prized possessions. He'd owned it since he was a child, having discovered it one day while exploring a wood. He'd always loved it's brilliant crimson hue and strange near heart shape, often taking it out to gaze upon it. He deliberated for a moment, before making up his mind. "Well, I have a gem I can give you, to make up for trespassing." He pulled the jewel out, and held it before the dragoness. As he did so, a pang of loss beat in his heart, but he was resolute. The drake appraised the stone, disbelieving. "Is- is that a fire ruby?" She exclaimed, all traces of annoyance replaced by surprised elation. The lad didn't know. "Not a clue, sorry. Found it when I was just an infant. I always liked it 'cause it was shiny, but you have it now." She pulled back. "No, I couldn't possibly. It's yours, and I have many gems besides." But her face said otherwise as she hungrily surveyed the fire ruby, claws contracting and uncontracting. The young man chuckled. "It's fine. It's just going to waste on me; you'll enjoy it more than I ever could, I'm sure. I bet it'll taste good." The dragon gasped. "Taste? I could never eat such a beautiful gem, especially not a present from you, my dear...?" She trailed off uncertainly. "Oh! I'm Spike, Spike Sparkle." He grinned at her. "And I am Rarity." Spike's grin took on a dreamy tint. "Rarity... A beautiful name for a beautiful dragon." A light pink appeared on the dragoness's cheeks and she smiled, showing a row of dainty, yet sharp fangs. "Thank you, dear Spikey-Wikey. I'll wear this ruby in a necklace. Such a magnificent present deserves nothing less." She reached towards her metal pile, grabbing a large golden bar so pure her talons bit into it slightly. She breathed a blue fire onto the ingot, melting it, and then twisted it into shape. Spike watched the skilled hands shift and turn in amazement, and in almost no time at all she had a necklace. She pushed the ruby into the still-hot gold, and it melded around it, setting it into place. She waited for the completed amulet to cool down a bit, and then placed it around her neck, minding her ridges. "Spikey-Wikey? Be a dear and push it shut, please." The teen walked around her, minding her tail, and clasped the two ends together, his gauntlets thankfully stopping his fingers from burning. Rarity made her way over to the mirror, turning side to side and admiring herself. She faced the human. "Well, Spikey-Wikey? What do you think?" She looked up at him with her big blue eyes fluttering. He was enthralled. The burning scarlet of the ruby contrasted perfectly with her pale scales, giving her an almost ethereal appearance. "You look absolutely amazing, Rarity. I'm glad I gave the ruby to you." "You're such a charmer, Spike." The flattered dragoness replied. "I think you deserve a reward for such a thoughtful gift." The young man rubbed his foot along the ground shyly. "I don't need a reward, Rarity." But the drake simply smiled at him, before leaning forward and planting a deep kiss on his lips. He stood frozen for a moment, before breaking out into a smile of his own. "Now that's what I call a reward."