//------------------------------// // The Fruits of Labor // Story: 30 Minute Sparity // by Path_of_cloud //------------------------------// Two dark shadows moved quickly over the snow covered hills held within an endless blizzard. One giant one with two large wings, a tail, and a long neck attached to a fierce looking skull. This shadow belonged to a gigantic white dragon with teal spikes. The other shadow was the same in many ways but two. It was many times smaller than the first, and it appeared to have a second head. Its owners were a purple drake with green spikes, and a white Unicorn mare with a purple mane and saddle bag. The white dragon spoke up, “Your training appears to be paying off nicely Spike. You couldn’t fly in the blizzard at all originally, and now, you’re a natural.” “Thanks to you, Niveus. I’m just glad Rarity can protect herself with her magic.” The Unicorn perked up with the mention of her name. “It is quite useful. He’s right though Spike, you really are doing fabulous. Just as Niveus predicated, we'll be in Canterlot in a few hours.” Niveus smiled wickedly. “Wait till we get out of the snow.” Spike and Rarity both gave him a quizzical look, but decided against asking him what he meant. Enough time with him had taught them both that he enjoyed surprises. They flew out of the blizzard into the clear skies two hours later. Almost instantly they shot off at incredible speed. “You see young ones, if flying in snow storm is easy, than flying in a blue sky is effortless. It all carries over.” Spike was amazed by his new found speed and wing strength. He decided to try and push it as far as he could, Niveus joining in with a toothy smile. Rarity on the other hand, was holding on for dear life as the trio rocketed through the sky. Before long a giant, white, stone castle with a city under it that built entirely into the side of a mountain came into view. Niveus sighed at the site of the grand and beautiful city. “Canterlot, it’s been too long.” They slowed down their approach as they reached the city, gliding on the air for the last step of their trek. The ponies below gawked at the site of the grand beasts and the beautiful Unicorn. Niveus slowly seemed to shrink till he was Spike’s size much to Spike and Rarity’s surprise. He shouted to them both playfully, “Something you learn as you get older and too big to fit into most places.” They landed gently on the steps of the palace. Four mares cheered loudly at their arrival while the two Princesses smiled warmly. Suddenly, a pink Earth Pony appeared on top of Spike and behind Rarity. “I missed you two so much. You know what this calls for?” Rarity was busy trying to breath so Spike answered happily, “Let me guess Pinkie, a party.” Pinkie jumped down. “No silly, A PARTYYYYYYY!” An orange Earth mare in a Stetson hat trotted over, “Pinkie you scared poor Rarity half to death.” Rarity having found her composure answered, “Its fine Applejack. Honestly, you’d think I ‘d be used to it by now.” She stepped off of Spike as he lowered himself down and took her place next to him. A lilac Unicorn trotted over and hugged them both around the neck. “Miss us Twilight?” Spike chuckled. “The letters helped, but yes, I did. You two are being grounded to Ponyville until I say so.” Spike laughed. “I’m a little old for you to being grounding me Twilight.” “As am I, darling,” Rarity added. “I don’t care. You’re both grounded and that’s that.” Rarity and Spike hugged her back. His older sister and her best friend would always be their adorkable, overbearing pain in the flank, and they wouldn’t have it any other way. “Fluttershy stop hiding behind me. He’s a guest of the Princesses and a friend of Spike and Rarity for Celestia’s sake,” declared the blue Pegasus with a rainbow colored mane to the yellow Pegasus with a long pink mane hiding behind her. “But Rainbow Dash, he’s a dragon,” Fluttershy whimpered. “I’ve see you face down dragons before. Now, get over there and say hi already.” In a flash Rainbow Dash had gotten behind Fluttershy and pushed her in front of Niveus. Fluttershy seemed to lose all her color. “Um… hi- i?” she squeaked “Hello, little one. Hello, everypony, in fact. Celestia, Luna get down here and take part.” The dark blue Alicorn walked down first. “It is nice to see you Niveus. It has been too long.” “Too long indeed my old friend.” “I hope my son and his mate didn’t give you any problem during their stay Niveus,” the white Alicorn announced. “None at all. Have you been in the cake again Celestia? I don’t remember your flank being so shapely.” Niveus wore a shit-eating grin. Celestia blushed, finding the floor suddenly very interesting. “Must be your imagination.” “Speaking of imagination, students are you ready to show your friends and family the fruits of your labor?” Spike and Rarity suddenly stood before Niveus and spoke together, “Yes sir.” “I suggest we all adjourn to the stairs.” Spike and Rarity stood before the entrance to the castle facing the town. Spike took a deep breath, but instead of blowing a wall of flame, he released beam of blue and white with a huff. The beam hit the ground forming into ice. The ice quickly ascended, rounded at the top, and then descended back to the ground creating a giant arch of ice. Everyone but Niveus looked on in shock at the drake’s new ability. Before they could say anything, thirty diamond tipped chisels held in a light blue aura levitated out of the saddle bag Rarity carried. “Ready, Spike?” “Always.” Suddenly, the chisels all started chipping away at the ice as Spike took off into the air. He quickly flew around the structure and used his claws to carve into the ice. His fire breath melted away any unnecessary ice as he worked. The quick work created a small snow fall on the ground below as they worked effortlessly together. The watchers stood with their mouths agape, sans Niveus, as they watched the arch of ice take form. The two finished as Spike used his wings to blow off any ice shaving and landed next to Rarity. Rarity and Spike shared a small kiss and a nuzzle as they admired their work. Before them stood a perfect, larger-than-life replica of the Sun and Moon Princesses rearing on two legs, their front hooves meeting in the middle where a crescent moon eclipsed the sun directly above and between. “So Celestia, how do you like your new archway?” Niveus asked smugly. Spike and Rarity joined the group who stood in silent amazement at the beautiful piece of art before them. “Not bad, huh?” Spike asked with the same smug look the older dragon was wearing. “Not bad, psh. We were amazing my love,” Rarity answered for everyone. Niveus looked proudly at his disciples. “Celesta, Luna don’t you think you should work a little magic to keep it from melting?” Luna snapped back to reality. “Of course. Come on Sister, if these two can work together to create this, surely we can do the same to preserve it.” Celestia nodded her head in agreement. “Together.” Their horns lit up in a white and blue aura as a mixture of the two surrounded the sculpture sealing it forever in its glory. “Now, I think we have a treaty to sign,” Niveus announced, heading into the castle with the Princesses in tow. Rainbow Dash flew up to Spike, “You, me, race, now!”