//------------------------------// // Getting Settled // Story: Spikes new life // by The Soviet Turtle //------------------------------// As the four made their way through. Creative and her foals looked around at the fine crafted Marble. Spike also looked but wasn’t as interested. Having already walked these halls before. They finally entered the throne room were Celestia and Luna both sat on different thrones. Creative and her foals quickly bowed to them, Spike soon followed. “Please rise,” Celestia said. The group getting back on their knees. “Spike, it has been much too long since we talked,” Celestia said as she walked down and hugged the Drake, he returning it back. “I missed you too.” He said as the two broke the hug. “I did not know you were bringing guests with you.” “Well, I was making my way here through the alleyways, to avoid all the traffic. I ran across these three, I found them with nothing and decided to help those, at least providing shelter. So…If it’s okay with you, can they stay in the castle for a while?” He said sheepishly. “Oh, and you decided to do this without asking me first?” she said, causing Spike and the others to worry. But soon broke out laughing. “Do not worry. I know your heart was in the right place. I will allow them to stay.” She said. Causing the two foals to jump high in excitement and Creative to smile on the verge of tears. “Oh thank you! Thank you!” She said. Luna then came down. “Sister let me show these two to the rooms, to get them off of your hooves.” “If you please,” Celestia said. “Come on, let us go,” Luna said, the two foals following behind her. Looking at each other as the doors close. “Alright, now we have some privacy. You must realize we will need you to do some work for us. We don’t want to show the image that we are renting out rooms for free. I am letting Spike stay here as a guest and a friend.” Celestia said. Creative nodded. “I understand.” “Please tell me, what is your name?” “Creative Paint, my foals are called Electric Buzzer and Singing Melody.” She said. “Mrs. Paint, I assume by your name that you are talented with a brush?” Celestia said. “It's actually misses now.” “Oh, my apologies.” “It is alright, not your fault. But, yes. I am very good with painting.” “Well, Miss Paint. I believe we have a solution. I hereby pronounce that Creative Paint and her foals shall stay in the castle and Miss Paint herself will paint a portrait when requested. But the request has to go through me and Luna first.” Celestia said. Creative Paint once again bowed. “Thank you, Princess. I swear I will not let you down.” She said. “It is alright. Now I would like to have a private talk with Spike here. I’m sure Luna will be able to help you. My guards will be able to assist you in the right direction.” “Of Course, and once again. Thank you.” Creative said as she left the room leaving the Drake and the princess alone. “So Spike. What is troubling you so much that you decide to move far away from your friends?” Celestia asked. Spike tried his best to lie through his teeth. “Um. I just felt like I needed to start somewhere new, I am getting older.” Spike said, Celestia just chuckled and gave a grin. “I have lived for more than a thousand years and have known you all your life. I know when you’re lying or not. So what’s really troubling you?” Spike sighed, he knew there was no other option. He just hoped he wouldn’t be turned into stone or sent to the moon for saying what he was about to say about her personal student. “Basically, I’ve had enough of Twilight and the crap I’ve had to put up with. Every time she and her friends go off on adventures, I’m left behind cleaning up her messes and completing her way to fucking high standards and long pointless chore lists. So I asked her if she could at least start paying me at least, she and I had an argument. In the end, I decided that if she wouldn’t change, I wasn’t going to stay there. And the only place I knew that I could stay at was here in Canterlot. And that’s how I stand before you today.” He finished, expecting the worse to come. Ike maybe at least a few strong words in the royal Canterlot voice. “Well. It seems that if what you said is true, then I will gladly let you stay here. You do deserve a rest for years of service to my student. And you are growing so you may make a life for yourself.” She spoke, this caught Spike off guard. “Really, is that it? No stone prisons or even some shouting in the Royal Canterlot?” “Oh, I see how you confused. Yes, I am mad that you have said such things about my student. But your service under her as her assistant has been long, so I see to it that you get some rest and once you feel you’re ready. You can make the choices of what to do with your life.” She finishes. Spike smiles before hugging Celestia tight. “Thank you. But how will you message Twilight?” “That is something me and her will have to figure out later. But for now, there is no need for you to worry.” “Alright then.” “Well, I think it’s time you get settled. I will take you there myself.” Celestia said. The Drake and the princess made their way down the halls until Celestia showed Spike his new bedroom. King sized bed with some drawers, balcony, mirror and desk. “I will let you get settled. And you may add anything you’d like to your room. Like Posters and such.” “Great. And again, thank you so much for all of this you are doing. Not only for me but for Creative and her foals.” Spike told her. Celestia smiled and nodded. “Of course. Anything for my baby dragon.” Celestia said grabbing Spike and pulling him down into another hug, nuzzling Spike's cheek, making Spike blush. "Mum, I'm not a baby anymore," Spike said, Celestia just giggled before she let him go and began to trot out of the room. "Okay, Mister Grown up Dragon. I have to finish court, i'll see you at dinner." Celestia soon left Spike to himself as he walked out to the balcony. He breathed in the air and watched the Canterlot streets below him. He smirked as he saw his old home in the distance before walking back into his room. “Well, my new life starts now. Bring it on.”