//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: It Takes Three To Tango // by TheAlmightySqueeb //------------------------------// Mom Spike couldn't breathe hard enough it seemed. He and the girls had been together for a week and decided to go to Canterlot to break the news to their parents. Twilight's parents weren't surprised about Spike, but Fluttershy caught them off-guard, after a brief discussion on how things worked between them, her parents didn't object, but told her to be careful about what she was getting into. Next was Fluttershy's mom. She seemed almost over-joyed that her daughter managed to go out of her shell long enough to find somepony, but somedragon as well. She hugged both Spike and Twilight and insisted they call her their mother-in-law, causing blushes to erupt on the trio's faces. But now came the big one. Princess Celestia was known even outside Equestria as a just, benevolent ruler, never able to harm her subjects even for the most heinous crimes. How foolish these people were! There was one thing that could bring Celestia into a psychopathic rage, and that was anypony thinking they could take her only son, Spike, away from her. Spike could still remember when a young filly gave him a Hearts and Hooves card to him when he was an infant, when he showed it to Celestia, she went on a rant that all of Canterlot could hear about how she would exile the filly and her entire family if she threatened to steal Spike away from her like that. Now here he is, in the princess's personal chamber with Twilight and Fluttershy on either side, trying to calm him down. "Spike, don't worry, she's known us for years!" Fluttershy stated as she held his hand, which he held on to like a vice. "Exactly, and there's no way she would exile us, we're like family to her." Twilight added as she rubbed his back. However, all this fell on deft ears as Spike looked forward with wide eyes and gritted teeth. Soon, the Princess of the Sun, Celestia, came in as graceful as ever in her royal regalia, looking at the three and giving them hugs and kisses. "I must say, I didn't expect you three to ask to see me, but it's always wonderful to see my protege, son, and element of harmony holder!" she said as she seated herself across from them, smiling a genuine smile st the three. "So, what brings you here?" Spike took one final breath, his condition calming down after he saw his mother was in a good mood. "Mom, I think it's about time we talk about courting..." Spike said carefully, trying to stay calm about the whole situation. Celestia's smile faded to a look of shock. She stood up and went to her curtains to close them, not wanting anyone to look in on them. "What about courting?" she asked sternly, causing Spike to nearly collapse on the floor and assume the fetal position and cry. Luckily for him, Twilight picked up where he left off. "Well, princess, Spike has matured, as you've noticed, and he thinks it's time to... look for suitors. I mean, you would like to be a grandmother one day, right?" Twilight replied, trying to not offend the co-ruler of all of Equestria. Celestia just leaned back in her chair as she looked at Twilight in a way the lilac alicorn found uncomfortable. "Twilight, is there something you're not telling me?" Celestia asked plainly, making Twilight squirm in her cushion. "Well, you see, it's just that, well, Spike is my best friend a-and I just want what's bes-" "You two are dating, aren't you?" Celestia asked, completely making Twilight stop and nod once. Spike could only silently pray to the gods she wouldn't be banished to another realm right there. He looked over at Fluttershy, her postured slouched as she looked in every other direction except Celestia's. Celestia stood silent in thought until she looked at the two. "Very well, I'll allow it." she said happily, causing the three to look at her in awe. "Really?" Spike asked. "Yes, I know you two will always be by me, and I think it only fair that a prince should date a princess." she said calmly, her smile returning to her mouth. The two hugged and kissed each other as Fluttershy joined in for her hugs. "This is going so well!" she said, causing Celestia to raise her eyebrow. "Going?" she asked under a chuckle. "Well, mom, I'm in a polyamorous relationship with Fluttershy and Twilight, that's why Shy is here as well!" Spike said through a grin that died the instant Celestia stopped smiling as well. Her mane went stagnant and flat, as she hid her eyes behind it and raised from her seat once more. "Spike, a word." was all she said as she motioned for Fluttershy and Twilight to exit the room, much to Spike's dismay. It had been hours since the two mares saw him, they were worried, shivering with fear at what was happening to the dragon. It was 7:00 PM and the sun hasn't moved an inch since they all went in at 4:00 PM! No matter how much they tried to listen in, they were obstructed by sound-proof magic and two guards assigned to the door. Eventually, Spike emerged with Celestia, Spike looking as though he got back from speaking for far too long, and Celestia as pristine as ever. "Well girls, I'll have you know that after a verbal discourse, I've decided I'll permit this relationship." Celestia said as Spike held a huge grin and and the girls smiled and cheered wildly. Well, Twilight did. Celestia took them aside and whispered to them "However, hurt my baby boy and I will see you two in nothing but your underwear, on a boat sailing to Gryphious, am I understood?" she said in a low tone, causing the two to nod as fast as they both could. "Great! It was so nice to see you all, take care, my little ponies~!" she said in a cheery tone. "So, wanna go home?" Spike asked in a hoarse voice, causing the two to reply "Yes." and leave for Ponyville. Spike was surprised, his mother's reaction to this was quite tame.