//------------------------------// // Arc 1: Reflections - Chapter 2: Off The Record // Story: The Adventure // by Closer-To-The-Sun //------------------------------// Arc 1: Reflections - Chapter 2: Off The Record The next morning, Twilight and Spike boarded a train at the Ponyville station. The two sat on a seat in the passenger car and waited for the train to head off to Canterlot in the east. As the train engine came to live and moved all of the cars, Spike looked out the window and watched the outside world move by at a slow, but increase pace. Twilight took noticed of the dragon's stare, "You alright, Spike?" A bit startled by the unicorn's words, Spike nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine." The mare raised an eyebrow, "It doesn't seem like it. Are you nervous?" "Nervous? About what?" Spike asked, "We're just going to see the princess about something. No big deal or anything." "I don't know about it not being a big deal, Spike," Twilight insisted, "If I were in your place, I would be quite anxious and eager to know about myself." "But you aren't in my place, and I'm okay with all of this, really," a confident smirk appeared on Spike's face as he reassured the unicorn. "I guess, but it is about something that is a bit personal to you. I can understand if you are a bit hesitant," Twilight gave a hopeful look to her assistant. Spike became slightly defensive, "I'm not, Twilight. I'll be fine." He turned back to the window and watched the landscape rush by. Twilight was still worried about the dragon, but decided to keep silent. --------------- The train arrived in Canterlot about a few hours later. Wasting no time, Twilight quickly found a royal guard and informed him about their desire to have an audience with Princess Celestia. The guard then led them to the castle, where they led into the grand foyer. Spike was in awe. He looked in wonderment at the many colorful tapestries that decorated the halls. It had been years since he had been in any part of the royal castle and he could never fully get over of how big it was compared to him. Interrupting Spike's thinking, a royal guard entered the foyer and announced, "Princess Celestia will see you now." From the same door, the white alicorn princess entered the foyer. "Oh, Twilight Sparkle, Spike. What a pleasure to have you visit. What brings you to Canterlot, my student?" Princess Celestia asked with a warm, welcoming smile. "Good day, princess. We have come to request an audience with you regarding a bit of a personal matter," Twilight stated, before slightly nudging Spike with her hoof. The baby dragon was awoken to life after the bump from the mare, "Oh, uh....right. Um....princess? I know this sounds odd, but where did my egg come from? And for that matter, if I may, where do all of the dragon eggs come from?" Taken back from Spike's question, Celestia hesitated in her reply. With an expression of worry, she looked around her to see if any others were nearby that could overhear. With a sigh, she began, "I do have an answer for you, Spike. However, I would like this to be off the record. This is only for you to hear." Both Twilight and Spike nodded, patiently waiting for the princess to continue. "I personally have no idea exactly where dragon eggs are gathered. In fact, we are given them from a third party," Celestia explained. "I beg your pardon, princess, but how do you not know about the topic? I mean, you are ruler of Equestria," Twilight was puzzled. With a sigh, Celestia continued, "It's....complicated. Dragons, while residents in the land, are not completely under Equestrian rule in the wilderness. It's a complex and traditional order we have. The traditional system we have with dragons is that they may occupy the land and are free to do what they wish as long as no pony is harmed in anyway whatsoever. This decree is centuries old and mustn't be changed." "So, I will never know, will I?" Spike's voice was not one of optimism or hope. "Now, I never said that, Spike. There is always some hope," the princess reassured the dragon, "There is one place I know that might have some information that you might help you." "Really?" Spike eagerly awaited a response. The princess nodded, "There is a special type of library in the town of Manehatten. If you wish to venture there and inquire, I believe you can find an answer there. The librarian should be able to help, he is quite the scholar on non-pony species." "A library in Manehatten, huh?" an idea hatched in the dragon's head, "Sounds like a quest." "Manehatten? That's quite a trip, and I don't know if going there would be a good idea, Spike. It's halfway across the land," Twilight expressed her concern. Before Spike could rebuttal, Princess Celestia spoke, "I will leave you two to decided on your choice. I do hope you find the answer you are looking for Spike, and I wish you a safe journey home." She turned to leave the foyer. "Wait, Princess Celestia, I have one more question," Spike raised his claw up. "Yes, what is it?" the princess stopped and turned back to Spike. He paused before he spoke again, "Is it true that you said I going to do some great things in my time....or something like that?" A smile appeared on Celestia's face, "Yes, I did. I could tell from the moment you were hatched that you were going to be a very impressive dragon." "But....I don't understand, what could I do that would be considered something like that?" the little dragon was just confused at the thought. "That, my dear Spike, is something that you must find out on your own. Farewell, my faithful students," Celestia left the foyer as she smiled toward her subjects. As the princess left, Spike and Twilight exited the castle. With Princess Celestia's words still ringing in Spike's ears, the two slowly made their way to the train station to return home.