//------------------------------// // One of the Family // Story: A Dragon and his Robot Friend // by Wildcard25 //------------------------------// Twilight, Spike, and Dragotron were currently in Canterlot walking down the streets as several ponies looked oddly at the robot dragon. Dragotron took notice several ponies passing by appeared to be dressed fancy and posh, “Canterlot certainly has an abundant of upper class elite type ponies.” “That's Canterlot for you.” Twilight replied. “But don't feel intimidated, Dragotron,” Spike patted his metal claw, “Not every pony here is an elitist snob.” “I'm not worried, as long as I'm with you and Twilight.” the robot answered. “And you won't be with just us for long,” Twilight said, “Since you're like family to me and Spike it's only right you get to meet my parents.” “Twilight Velvet and Night Light.” Dragotron recalled from looking through various pictures of Twilight's family trip aboard the zeppelin. “That's right.” Twilight confirmed. “I haven't seen them since Flurry Heart's Crystalling, so it would be nice to see them again.” Spike admitted. “Twilight did say you were welcomed to join her and the rest of her family on their zeppelin trip.” Dragotron recalled. “Yeah, but the only way she'd go is if she had some pony to cover the work at her castle for her. So I volunteered.” Spike answered. “Your dedication and loyalty truly knows no bound, Spike.” Dragotron said in admiration. Spike smiled, as Twilight held Spike close reminding him how glad she was to have him in her life. Soon they stopped in front of Twilight and Spike's childhood home, “Well, home sweet home.” Twilight said, as she knocked on the door. The three waited, until the door opened and answering it was Twilight's parents, “Twilight?” Night Light asked. “Spike?” Velvet asked. “Hi, mom. Hi, dad.” Twilight greeted. “It's good to see you two.” Spike greeted as well. The adults eyes lit up as they hugged the two, “Oh, why didn't you tell us you two were coming?” Night Light asked while hugging Twilight. “We wanted it to be a surprise.” Twilight smiled while hugging her dad. “Surprise.” Spike said dramatically, while Velvet hugged him. “Oh, Spike, we were so concerned you didn't come on our family trip.” Velvet told him. “Some pony had to stay behind and take care of Twilight's work.” Spike answered her. “Well, next time we're all having a family vacation, I expect you to join us,” Velvet said, “That's my final word and I won't take no for an answer.” “Trust me, she won't.” Night Light assured him. “Ok.” Spike chuckled, as Velvet continued to hug him. “So what brings you two by today?” Night Light asked. “Well, we wanted to introduce you to a new member of the family.” Twilight explained. “A new member?” Velvet asked in confusion before looking shocked, as only one thing came to mind when that topic came up, “Twilight, did you-” Twilight catching on blushed furiously and answered, “No! Mom, that's not it!” “This is the newest member.” Spike said, as he and Twilight introduced the parents to the robot. “Mom, dad, meet Dragotron.” Twilight introduced them. “Greetings, Mr. and Mrs. Sparkle.” Dragotron bowed his head. Needless to say both Night Light and Twilight Velvet were astounded, “Oh, my.” Velvet gasped. “You two are gonna need to walk us through this.” Night Light said equally surprised. “Where did he come from?” Velvet asked the two. Dragotron answered for them, “I was created by Spike here.” The two parents looked down at the little dragon, “You created him, Spike?” “Yeah. Well, not without help of course.” Spike confessed. The two looked at Twilight who answered, “I had no part in this. In fact I had no idea Spike was even working on this project until Dragotron came to be.” “Well, Spike, this is some incredible work.” Night Light commended him on. “We always knew you were smart like Twily.” Velvet said, while rubbing his head. “Thanks.” Spike smiled enjoying the praise. “Though what led you to building this?” Night Light wondered. Spike not wanting to tell them he built Dragotron as a replacement friend because of being neglected by Twilight and the girls came up with a different answer, “I was inspired by one of my comics.” Twilight mentally sighed in relief grateful Spike didn't tell her parents about how she's been neglecting Spike of any fun activities with her and the girls, and knew he did tell part of the truth about Dragotron's creation. “Well, we're so proud of you, Spike.” Velvet said, giving him a hug. “Please, come on inside.” Night Light welcomed Dragotron. “Thank you.” Dragotron followed Spike, Twilight, and the parents into the house. Soon, the ponies, Spike, and Dragotron were seated in the living room, with Spike, Twilight, and her parents enjoying tea and cookies. Velvet and Night Light were currently showing Dragotron pictures in their family album. “This was the day out daughter got her cutie mark,” Velvet showed the robot dragon, “And became Princess Celestia's personal student.” Dragotron looked at the picture and noticing a little purple baby dragon in the picture next to pieces of a hatched egg. “And the day Spike was hatched, correct?” he asked. “That's right.” Night Light confirmed. “We were surprised Twilight brought him to live with us after Celestia left him under her care,” Velvet confessed, “But he was such a sweet little baby we just couldn't say no.” “And he's grown so much since that day.” Night Light added giving Spike a smile which made him feel good. As Twilight and her parents stepped away into the kitchen, Dragotron and Spike relaxed on the sofa. Dragotron scanned around the living room, before his scanner picked up something that looked like a small doodle on the bottom of one of the walls. As the robot got up and walked over, Spike got up and followed him wondering what was up, “Dragotron?” he asked. “Sorry, I was preoccupied by this doodle right here.” Dragotron pointed to said doodle that looked like a cute drawing of Spike's head with little yellow stars drawn across from it. “That? Wow, I'm surprised they didn't wash that off.” Spike said in surprise. “Did you draw this?” the robot asked. “Yeah, but I was just a infant when I did.” “What exactly do these stars represent?” Dragotron inquired. Spike sighed, before answering, “Well, back when Twilight and I were still living in Canterlot and when she started attending Celestia's school for gifted unicorns, she and Shining Armor competed in a lot of things. To keep it friendly, their parents gave them gold stars every time they did something special. Sharing... getting good grades... even telling a really funny joke. And at the end of each week, They'd add up the stars. The sibling with the most would win the Crown of the Sibling Supreme—and bragging rights — 'til next time.” “Did you ever win?” Spike shook his head, “No. I wasn't part of this. I was an infant. I couldn't have done anything. And by the time I was old enough Twilight and Shining Armor sort of outgrew it and Shining Armor still holds the title and the crown. I just doodled those stars to feel like I was part of it.” “Aren't you part of this family?” Dragotron asked. Spike looked down, “I don't even know what I really was to this family. Twilight and Shining got more attention because one was a star student and one became captain of the Royal Guards. Then one became ruler of the Crystal Empire and the other became the Princess of Friendship.” “Aren't you the hero of the Crystal Empire?” Dragotron recalled. “That may be, but I still feel like it's nothing compared to their titles. Basically I'm the disappointment in this family.” Spike answered. Dragotron sensing something else spun his whole head around before gripping Spike's head and turned him around as well. What they both saw was Velvet and Night Light standing in the door frame looking shocked with Twilight behind them looking just as bad. “Uh, hey, guys. How long have you been there?” Spike asked sheepishly. “Long enough to know we've failed you as parents.” Night Light said in regret. “What? You didn't-” Spike was cut off as Night Light and Velvet raced over and hugged Spike with Twilight standing close by. “You don't have to cover it up, Spike.” Night Light told him. “It's true we paid more attention towards Twilight and Shining and that was unfair to you,” Velvet added, “But you have to know we always thought of you as our son no matter how different you were.” “And even though Twilight and Shining Armor are royalty now that doesn't make you a disappointment,” Night Light assured him, “We've always been proud of you.” “You were there for Twilight when we couldn't be,” Velvet continued, “You saved the Crystal Empire twice. Twilight even told us you made the current Dragon Lord and your friend Thorax into friends uniting them and our kind.” “Yeah, I guess.” Spike admitted though still felt it wasn't much. “Spike, I'm sorry you were always left out of something Shining Armor and I shared when we were younger. But believe me we never thought less of you.” Twilight told him. “You are a member of this family no matter what,” Velvet assured him, “And we love you, son.” she kissed Spike's forehead making him smile and tear up before hugging both parents who hugged him back. Twilight and Dragotron joined in on the hug making sure the smaller dragon knew he was appreciated not just by Twilight, but her no 'their' parents as well. Later Night Light was setting a camera up as Velvet, Spike, Twilight and Dragotron took positions, “Ok, everyone closer together.” Night Light instructed. “Is this really alright with you?” Dragotron asked Velvet. “Of course. You're part of this family now too, Dragotron.” she answered. Dragotron smiled, “Thank you, mother.” Velvet smiled sweetly, as Spike and Twilight scooted closer together. “Smile now!” Night Light said, as he started the camera and raced over to join them. They all smiled together as the picture was taken. When it came out, Velvet and Night Light placed it in the album titling it 'Our new Family Member Dragotron'.