//------------------------------// // Spike's Eternal Service Really is Eternal // Story: Letters from an Irritated Princess // by Tired Old Man //------------------------------// My faithful student, I know you've been bugging me for the past week or so about the lack of dedicated academic assignments you've received since your move to Ponyville. That said, assuming the mailmare didn't get lost or dropped off my package at one of your neighbor's homes by accident again, you should have received a dozen books by now. What I want you do with them is simple: Read them. They're important texts that the Canterlot Library has just received new copies of, and I'm fairly certain you would benefit from the updated information. I know you can probably read them all over the weekend, but I'm not asking for that. Take your time with them, especially for one textbook in particular. The new set of field researchers at the Dragon Grounds submitted their complete findings on the Dragon Code of Conduct, which I've sent a copy of in this delivery. Given your present situation with Spike, I think you'll find that knowledge quite vital in terms of making sure he doesn't do anything drastic. The previous version covered just a few bits about their diet, indentured servitude, and a few other essentials about their manners around their kin. Pretty bare bones, but that's all I could get from the last set before they got boned. This time, the new information details that while all dragons adhere to a general code, personal addendums may be added by the dragons as long as it does not conflict with the general code. Given Spike is still young, he's no doubt added some bits and pieces to the general code that may be a bit much for him to handle without fully realizing the implications. Things like life debts, for example, carry consequences far beyond mere service for debt repayment, and as such aren't entered lightly for such reasons. Things like being their consort, tending to every need and desire they request, and even holding silent vigil and guardianship of their grave until their death if the debt has not been formally declared repaid. If this letter didn't get your attention before, it should now. Keep an eye on Spike as he develops, read the textbook, and make sure he doesn't make any rash decisions he will regret. Don't ask me how or why, but today, I just have a bad feeling about him. Love, Princess Celestia Hello, Luna. Did you need someth-- NO! Get that little firestarter out of here! I don't care if I fireproofed my room five times over, get that baby dragon out of he--wait. Luna, please tell me that dragon in front of you doesn't owe a life debt. Oh great, he does. Good, then do me a favor and dissolve it before he burns half my castle down and--GODS, that fireball was close! "Doesn't have control over his fire?" Oh really?!