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// A Dinner for Royalty 
// Story: No Less Than Perfect 
// by Sparx 
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	Spike stood proudly with Rarity next to him. While he never considered himself a braggart, he did enjoy attention, and with Rarity showing off her 'exotic' boyfriend to all these high class ponies, he really did feel quite special. Sapphire Shores in particular seemed to enjoy his tuxedo. Most of these ponies had never seen a full grown dragon, the only exception being Fancy Pants, as he had taken many safari trips before, and even witnessed the migration a few years. As much as they spent time admiring Spike, Rarity made sure nopony even thought of him as some mere trophy. She stayed very close, and very affectionate to her beloved.

When Celestia and her sister entered the room, everypony bowed before them and took their seats. Celestia and Luna sat at the head of the table, Spike sat beside Celestia, and Rarity next to him. While everypony was having some sort of fancy, imported plant Spike couldn't pronounce, the dragon had a plate that was piled high with rare gemstones. It took quite a bit of willpower for him not to just dive right in and swallow the plate whole. Instead though, he proceeded as Rarity had told him to behave.

"It's good to have you Rarity, and of course it's always a pleasure Spike." Celestia addressed her guests of honor. "I do hope we aren't an inconvenience. Twilight told me you were planning a dinner for each other. Is that correct Rarity."

"Oh, don't worry about that Tia, it was simply an older plan I had. I had simply forgotten about your invitation." Rarity replied. With many business trips to Canterlot, she and Celestia had come in contact quite a bit, and actually became very good friends, Rarity had even taken to using Luna's nickname for her older sister. "Spike and I can visit that place anytime but it's not everyday somepony gets invited to dine with royalty."

Celestia smiled. "But I understand that you had originally booked a reservation on the date that Octavia and her ensemble were playing, correct? Truly a lovely group, perhaps the best in Equestria."

"Oh I agree Princess, they sound absolutely lovely. But, we'd be fools to pass up dinner with you and your sister." Rarity insisted, and Spike nodded along in agreement, not willing to stop eating to talk for himself.

"Oh I agree!" A silky voice replied from behind Spike and Rarity. They turned to see the very pony they were discussing, standing there in front of her ensemble. "That's why we leaped at the opportunity to perform here tonight. We explained the situation to the management and they happily agreed to postpone our performance."

Rarity let out a slight gasp. "Octavia!"

The gray earth pony let out a small chuckle. "Yes. The princess told us of how you were planning a dinner with your beloved, and requested we play for you here. Of course, as you can see, we couldn't say no."

"Well it's very lovely to see you! I'm quite a fan of yours." Rarity said. 

Octavia simply gave a light smile and curtsy before turning to her ensemble and nodding. They began playing. Rarity watched for a moment before returning her attention to the meal. "So, Spike was it? I understand that Dragons are usually a much larger size when they are adults. Might I inquire why you are at your current stature?" Fancy Pants started the conversation. Fleur was draped over him like some sort of living cape, and seemed to have no interest in eating at the moment.

Spike's mouth was full at the moment, and before he could swallow, Rarity began to explain for him. "Well, Fancy Pants, normally dragons go through a very dramatic growth spurt once they begin hoarding. Spike has experienced this once before, and he'd much prefer to go through the natural growth cycle. Spike only became an adult today, but that in no way means that he is finished growing. Dragons mature very rapidly you see, and he's still in what us ponies would consider a teenage body, though he is leagues smarter, wiser, and stronger than your typical teenage pony. Spike will be growing more though, and quite quickly as well. Why by this time next year he should be larger than even Celestia."

"Ah! Fascinating." Fancy Pants said before taking a bite.

"And, what of his wings?" Hoity Toity was next to pipe up, yet again catching Spike with a mouthful. 

"This was one of my questions as well. Spike and I have had encounters with dragons younger than he is now, and they had their wings long beforehand. One day though our dear friend Twilight came to us with some information she had found while studying in the Crystal Empire's library. They had been around before our time, and dragons were more plentiful back then, so naturally they knew more about them. Apparently, when a dragon takes longer than usual to produce his wings, it means that he is much more skilled in an area that isn't flight, while dragons who get them from a very young age, are apparently very fast and powerful flyers, in a very loosely similar fashion to ponies and cutie marks. Now that could mean Spike is much stronger than a normal dragon, or more skilled with magic, or has a more powerful breath than most." Rarity nuzzled against Spike, obviously very proud of her dragon. "Though I think it's something better than that." Spike smiled, and returned Rarity's affection with a nuzzle of his own. 

"Well, it seems you're quite the dragon expert nowadays Rarity." Celestia commented.

"But of course, Tia. I am in love with one after all. I've taken it upon myself to learn as much as possible about my darling Spike." The white unicorn brought a hoof to Spike's leg. 

"Well honey, that's absolutely lovely, and really does warm my heart, but tell me what i really want to know. How is it bein' with a dragon in the sheets?" Sapphire burst out.

Spike swallowed so hard he began choking, Rarity turned a bright shade of pink, the ensemble stopped quite suddenly, Fancy Pants, Fleur and Hoity gave out small chuckles, Luna looked completely unfazed and Celestia gave off a loud snort and held a hoof up to stifle a laugh (judging by how large her cheeks had inflate, she was on the edge of busting a gut). It took everypony a quick moment to recover from the very sudden question. Octavia ordered her group to continue.

Rarity rubbed Spike's back as he gasped for breath. "W-well, Sapphire. Spike has only just become an adult you see."

"Ah, so big man's gonna get a big present tonight eh?" Sapphire said in a sort of 'I get it' tone of voice. 

Rarity turned pink once again, Spike following suit. "Um... n-not really, I mean it's not out of the question, b-but Spike and I have agreed that we wouldn't take such a step until he felt he was ready for it you see."

"Ah, one of those old romantic types huh? That's awfully sweet. And when you do, you ain't gotta worry about kids!" Sapphire added.

Rarity was still flushed. Spike cleared his throat. "Actually Sapphire, dragons have the ability to, er, mate, with most any living animal, should we so desire. As Rarity mentioned earlier, dragons are very magical creatures."

"Ah yes, I have heard of this. But I thought that it only translated into long life and fire breath." Fancy Pants piped in, Fleur now lying her head across his neck.

"Oh he has more magic than that!" Rarity jumped in before Spike could speak. "Dragons are one of the most magically powerful creatures on the planet. Why a fully grown wyrm would have more magic in him than even the princesses, Tia and I were just discussing this but a few days ago. In fact, the only creature I can think of that would have more magic power would have to be Discord. It's positively fascinating really. He isn't capable of much magic right now, but as he grows there are a great number of things my little Spikey Wikey will be capable of."

"Indeed." Luna had finished her meal rather quickly and decided to take part in the conversation. "Many of the legends of dragons that thou hast heard of are either quite true indeed, or based upon events that hath taken place. Were we to bring one to attention, we would speak of our favorite: The Tale of Nortune the Black." Spike knew the exact story the princess was talking about, it was one of his favorites as well. "Surely all thee know of the tale; the fearsome dragon Nortune was a rogue dragon with the largest hoard of any dragon who had lived, earning him the title Nortune of fortune among other dragons, though to most creatures, he was simply known as Nortune the Black. The great dragon was so confident with himself, he shouted to the sky that there was no greater treasure than the vast amounts of money and gems he held. 'Twas as if the very planet taunted him in return when a griffon should fly by at that exact moment, wearing the most beautiful necklace Nortune had ever laid eyes upon. The large dragon could easily slaughter the creature and steal the treasure for himself, but he had decided to instead play a more interesting game. Nortune disguised himself as a griffon through the dragon's natural talent to shapeshift. He followed after the creature that flew by, and began his seduction. Nortune spent months with this griffon, attempting to earn her trust so that she would hand over her necklace from her own free will, otherwise the game would be forfeit." Luna stopped to take a sip of her tea, and Spike took over without missing a beat.

"Nortune played the game well, as he was well known for his silver tongue. What he didn't know however, was that the griffon, who he knew as Billow, was playing a game of her own. You see, Billow was perfectly aware that this male griffon she'd been seeing was Nortune the Black, and she was a treasure hunter herself, and she'd set her eyes on her next target. You see, Billow had made a bet with the griffon goddess, that she could win the heart of the cruel dragon. Well eventually, Nortune began to admire Billow, even respect her, learning about her and her life as a treasure hunter. He thought these thoughts were nothing more than respect for a creature with similar interests. The time finally came that Nortune was sure he had successfully gotten her to fall in love with him, so he asked her for a token to prove she loved him." Spike's hands were all over the place, illustrating and punctuating his tale, as he went on with great excitement. 

Luna cleared her throat, a little insulted that she was interrupted. "Anyway, Lady Billow insisted that she did indeed find him a handsome gentleman, but insisted her heart was saved for the one and only Nortune of Fortune. At that point, Nortune revealed himself, calling out 'Lucky Billow, I be he!'" Luna bellowed in her best dragon impression with the royal Canterlot voice. "But Billow did not believe him, 'Thou might be any common dragon' she bluffed. So she asked him to prove himself. To do so, he flew her out to the lake, and using his magic, dried it up completely. Billow said to him 'impressive, but the true Nortune could fill the lake.' The black dragon did so, and let out a mighty groan. 'Too simple. Give us a greater challenge Billow!" Luna took a moment to breath.  She was getting ready to finish the story, before she heard a slight whimper.

Rarity was smiling and tearing up a bit. "Oh I'm so sorry, Luna. It's just... This is a story that Spike told me, and it really does capture my heart. Would you mind terribly if I finish it?"

Luna let out a sigh. "Of course Rarity." She said with a smile.

Rarity smiled and bowed her head graciously. "So Billow removes her necklace and places it in Nortune's claw. She tells him 'If you want to prove you are the real, heartless Nortune, take this necklace and never return.' The black dragon had won his prize, and yet, he felt unfulfilled. He flew off, leaving Billow behind. Billow was confronted by the griffon goddess who had come to tell Billow that she had lost. Billow could only look off to where Nortune had flown off and smile. 'You're wrong' she told the goddess. 'I have his heart, and one day he'll come to take mine.'" Rarity started crying. "And surely enough, a year later, a familiar griffon flew in through her window with a familiar necklace." Spike smiled and put an arm around the pony, and she continued crying into his chest. 





The high class ponies, and even the ensemble had all left, giving their thanks and shaking hooves with the princesses and couple. Rarity and Octavia made arrangements to meet up at a later date, and the Princesses called Spike and Rarity over to the window. "Your night seems especially beautiful tonight, Luna." Celestia noted. Her sister simply gave a nod. The princess of the sun then turned her attention back to Spike and Rarity. "I have a favor to ask you two."

"Anything, Princess."Spike replied.

"As  my sister has said, many dragon legends are in fact true. There was more reason behind her deciding that particular story, beyond being a favored tale of hers and mine." Suddenly, Spike and Rarity noticed a streak fly across the sky and out of their vision. "You see, Luna and I had the privilege to meet Nortune himself during his final year when we were but fillies. I believe he was one million years old when he passed, the oldest dragon in existence. Luna and I were very lucky to meet him." 

There was something odd about that streak through the sky. Spike crept over to the window to see if he could figure out what it was. Narrowing his vision, he looked hard to the night sky. "Thou hath seen her, haven't thee Spike?" Spike turned back to Luna as she addressed him. "'Twas no shooting star of ours. She is a friend."

"She?" Rarity questioned as she walked up next to Spike. 

Celestia gave a light smile and looked to the sky as well. "I believe my sister is referring to Willow, our childhood friend and the half-breed daughter of Billow and Nortune."

"No way!" Spike and Rarity exclaimed simultaneously. They shot their eyes to the sky and saw the same streak across the sky return and make spins in the air. "You mean that is the first half-dragon?" Spike was amazed. 

"But of course." Luna returned. "She is about as old as we are now. Billow met the dragon at an old age, when he was at his most powerful."

As the streak flew by again, Spike focused his vision and was able to see what the other three couldn't. There was a figure, definitely griffon in shape. Willow, as she was called, looked much like a normal griffon, with the exception of black scales on various parts of her body and the reptilian claws that replaced her talons, along with her dragon tail. "She looks pretty much like what you'd expect." Spike said crossing his arms.

"Really?" Rarity asked, unable to see the creature with her weaker unicorn eyes. "She sounds positively lovely. Especially with how gracefully she seems to be flying through the sky."

Now that she mentioned it, she was quite elegant as she flew. Spike could see as she sort of, danced in the sky, flowing from move to move. Celestia continued her earlier thought. "I would ask that you two join Willow, Luna and myself at a conference with the dragon clan that migrates through these parts." Spike returned his attention to the princess. He remembered  the last time he came in contact with that group. "As you both know, we're on peaceful terms with the dragon race, though only within city limits. Within the wild, ponies aren't safe from hungry or angry dragons. I'd like to see if we can change this peaceful agreement, into an alliance and friendship between races."

"Well whatever do you need us for Princess?" Rarity had dropped her formal nickname as this indeed seemed like quite an important matter. 

"I want you to be an example to the chief dragon, that ponies and dragons can be friends, and even fall in love. Willow will be there as another example, and an ambassador for the griffon race as well. Should we be successful, there may be more stories like yours and Nortune's." Celestia explained. My sister and I have lived for a few thousand years, and we've shared a constant dream together, one that I've sent my student to discover for herself. We wish to see the land unified in friendship and love." She stopped for a moment, and looked at her sister. Luna remained looking at her creation of the night sky, watching the half-breed enjoy herself in it. The princess of the night gave a smile, and Celestia did so too. "A land where every creature's efforts are appreciated. For the longest time I thought it was but a dream. But if you two can share such a strong love for one another, I can see it as a reality again."

Spike and Rarity met one another's gaze. They got that familiar feeling in their chests, that warmth of love and joy. They shared a smile, and Rarity placed her hoof in Spike's claw. The dragon held it like a treasure and looked back to Celestia. "When do you need us?"