I listened to the little heart beats go. They sounded so fragile and weak. Jasmine was smiling so big. I smiled too. I was enjoying seeing her happy.
"Sweet Celestia, they sound so tiny."
"I'm only five months pregnant, silly."
"I know but.." I bit my bottom lip. "What if they... you know... turn out weird... all because I'm a dragon...?" Dr. Squirrel grunted.
"Nonsense. I check babies regularly. I see if babies are problem." That was the most the doctor had spoken to me the whole visit.
"Inter species children are uncommon but most come out healthy." Jasmine added.
"Most?"
"About seventy-six percent healthy. Rest of babies die or very sick." The doctor said matter-of-factly. I tried not to panic. "Is natural for father to worry. Means father care. Especially normal with first baby... or babies... in father case..." Dr. Squirrel smiled unpleasantly and walked out.
"So..."
"Out! Must check wife in area."
"What?"
The doctor gestured wildly. "Explain to husband!"
"We're not married."
"Really? Must propose properly. I help later. But now, you leave."
"For Celestia's sake, Spike, get out so the doctor can check me."
"O-oh!" I hurried out. I still wasn't used to the heavy accent of Dr. Squirrel or her slightly erratic behavior. I was surprised she even spoke to me since the day I giggled at her name. I waited for Jasmine outside the checkup room.
Jasmine said she would go see Princess Luna and flew off. I went on my way. I saw Zecora and Big Mac cuddling on a bench in a really flowery area. I waved to them. Zecora blushed and waved while Big Mac gave me an impish grin. He seemed really sure of himself. Good for him. I always liked to see love in the air. I decided to hang out with the CMC that day. I hadn't seen them in a while. I looked around and found them in a clearing. Sweety Belle was holding Applebloom on her back while Scootaloo did back flips over them. I ran up to them.
"Hey guys!" I greeted. They waved and stopped what they were doing.
"Hiya Spike. What brings ya 'round here?" Applebloom asked.
"Oh, I just wanted to say hey."
"Hey." Scootaloo said. I face clawed. Sweetie Belle giggled.
"What're you really here for?"
"Ah..." I ran a claw through my spines. "I really missed you girls."
"Did you now?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Yup. I can't go long without you guys. Especially without those yummy apples." Applebloom turned as red as her mane. Scootaloo gave her a teasing smirk. Was I missing something? Sweetie Belle cleared her throat.
"Wanna hang out at this place called 'Inter-dimensional Tendency'? I hear it's really cool." she asked.
I grinned. "Yea. That sounds cool."
Turns out, the joint was sort of like a club/hangout for teens like us. (yes, teens, I'm only eighteen. The CMC just turned sixteen.) Applebloom was right next to me, moving her hooves to a catchy beat. The music was loud and kinda wild. It was perfect. I had to take Jazz sometime. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were talking to a stallion and a mare. I walked over. I was cautious because I knew Applejack and Big Mac and Rarity would disapprove of their sisters here in the first place.
"Hey, girls, whatcha up to?" The mare gave me quite the look. She was white with a white mane and tail. Her eyes were light brown and her cutie mark was that of a pearl. She looked like she had an attitude. The stallion was brown with dark brown, spiky hair. Doctor Whooves!? What was he doing here?
"We were just talking to Mr. Whooves and his girlfriend." Sweety Belle said. Doctor, which was what he usually called himself, blushed and shook his head.
"She's not my girlfriend!"
"What's your name, anyways?" I asked the mare. She sighed.
"Princess Maxii."
"Princess Maxii!?" we all near-shouted. She winced. Doctor chuckled nervously.
"Er... what she means is... her name is Maxii. She likes to throw people off."
"People?" Scootaloo repeated.
"Ah... ponies. She throws ponies off." Maxii smiled then. We all watched her curiously.
"I wonder if you see where I'm going here." she was staring right past me and into a wall.
"Where?"
"Not you. YOU. Hey, all you readers out there!"
"What?"
"Guess I surprised you, huh? Thought only Discord and Pinkie could break the forth wall?"
"HUH!?" We were all so confused. Except the Doctor of course. He grabbed Maxii by her shoulders and dragged her away.
"Sorry! That's enough chit-chat for today." I turned to Scootaloo and Sweety Belle.
"Well, that was odd." I commented. Applebloom walked up to us, then.
"What did ah miss?"
I was back at the Inn with Jasmine and she seemed pretty out of it. I told her about the mare's odd behavior and what she said but she only replied with, "But honey, don't you know Princess Maxii?"
"No. Should I? Wait... how'd you know her name?"
"How could I not know her name? She's not even a mare, really."
"What!?"
"She's the whole reason we exist. Or at least, why I exist. She didn't make you."
"What? Didn't your mom and dad make you like normal creatures?"
"I don't even know my parents. Or if I have parents. Princess Maxii hasn't mentioned them in this tale or the first."
"Everyppony has parents..."
"I'll probably have a flashback in the next one to satisfy the now-curious readers."
"But-"
"They're probably reading this and thinking, 'Hmm. Now that you mention it, who are Jasmine's parents?', and I'm wondering the same thing."
"I need some sleep. I think you do too."
"What, don't believe me?"
"Arge, not now, Jazz."
"Answer me. You think I'm lying?"
"I'm not listening!" I covered my ears and jumped onto the bed. Jasmine jumped on top of me and started tickling me. I laughed until I had tears in my eyes. "S-stop!" I giggled.
"Reveeeeeeeeeeenge!!!"