//------------------------------// // Hot Off The Presses // Story: Hearts, Home, and Dragons // by Dragonzero77 //------------------------------// Moments after both Twilight and Wildfire ran off from sheer embarrassment Spike gave out a rather large flame spewing blech as a letter landed in his hands in which it read. My Dear Fellow Princess and Former Student, Twilight, I was in the middle of court just a little earlier - a rather boring session if you must know - and I had let my mind wander to how you were doing in Ponyville, especially with your new castle. I know how important it is for you to socialize, and I feared the castle might put off some ponies just a bit. What should happen just as I think of you then for Spike’s flames to deliver something totally unexpected to me...a pile of clothing. Three complete outfits, including undergarments. Now, I’m well aware that sometimes your experiments can have...unexpected results, and I fully recognized a complete set of your clothes, and one of Spike’s. However, the third set was of a stallion’s clothes...and one I didn’t recognize. Now, I try not to pry into your personal life, especially now that you’ve fully stepped out on your own as a Princess and are no longer my student...but is there something you’d like to tell me? Your concerned and curious friend, Celestia. Spike laughed uproariously as he read the letter know that Twilight was a bit too frazzled to read it. He quickly obtained clothes to cover himself lest make things awkward later as he began to write. Dear Princess Celestia, I apologize, but Twilight really isn’t in the sort of way to be writing back, as she is probably in her room being rather embarrassed about the whole debacle. As to answer your question about the clothes, I’m afraid I am responsible for that. I have been taking lessons in a rather interesting way of using dragon fire under the instruction of our new tenant. My concentration broke, and then poof! All of our clothes vanished in a green burst of flame. This caused a rather funny scene, if you ask me. Again I apologize for the inconvenience. Twilight’s number one assistant Spike. Once he finished, he sent it away with a puff of green flame. It headed towards the princess with due haste. The clothing had just been cleared away for the sake of royal dignity when the response arrived. Catching it in her hand, Celestia unrolled it and read the contents. She did her best to maintain her equanimity, but a few snickers snuck their way out. Raising a hand, she declared a recess for Day Court, excusing herself to her private chambers. Reading the letter once more, she allowed her laughter to come full force before grabbing her own quill to pen a response. My Dearest Spike, I must say, I can well imagine why Twilight would be so embarrassed about this. As I only recently heard that she was looking for tenants, I imagine this stallion is one she only just met recently. Poor Twilight… Although I feel I must ask for clarification. You stated that this stallion was teaching you a new way to use your dragonfire. How is it he knows this discipline to teach you? Little is known about dragons or the magic of their flame; they are rather secretive about it. Your friend, Celestia. Signing the letter, she held it up to Philomena, who sent it off in her own magic flame, a golden swirl that would erupt green from Spike’s mouth. As Spike relaxed after sending off the letter, a mischievous smirk on his face, he was startled as another letter arrived via his flame. Confused, he opened it up, surprised to discover that Celestia had already replied. Spike laughed as he reached for his quill and a sheet of paper, and began to reply. Dear Princess Celestia, I do agree it is rather surprising that somepony would understand on how dragonfire would work, but this one is a little different. His name is Wildfire and he seems to be a pony dragon hybrid and he was trying to teach me what he called fire shaping. Hence the clothes and the explosion I described earlier to you. He is a bit of an odd pony, but he seems good enough you should of seen Twilight on the day he got here. Asking him so many questions about this and that. Your friend, Spike. With a mischievous grin and a small chuckle on what the princess might say next, Spike sent the letter off with a bit of green flame and some of his own curiosity. Celestia smiled softly as Spike’s prompt response arrived. Reading through it, she snorted in surprise. Grabbing her quill again, she quickly penned her own reply. Dear Spike, A pony-dragon hybrid, you say? I had no idea such a being existed. Please tell me everything you can about him. This is an unprecedented event. I will certainly be looking into my schedule so I can arrange an opportunity to meet him in person. However, I imagine that Twilight will cover any questions I might come up with regarding such a biological novelty, so please inform her that I would like regular reports regarding anything new she learns about him. Signed, Celestia. Quickly tying the scroll shut, she sent the letter off, struggling to keep herself calm. Spike waited, anticipating the next letter with curiosity driving him as he held the quill in his hand. With a green blech, the letter arrived. He quickly opened it, and shortly began hysterically laughing at what he read. He then inked his quill and began to write back. Dear Celestia, Your surprise sounded just like Twilight’s reaction to him when he came looking for a place to stay. Apparently he looks good for his age from what I heard. We’re not too sure how, but he’s originally from the Crystal Empire from a thousand years ago. Twilight didn’t really push him about it, since it seemed like a touchy subject. At first Twilight thought he was a thestral alicorn due to him apparently being a unicorn-dragon hybrid, what with the webbed wings and all. He’s a blacksmith, and apparently he developed his fire shaping to help him with his metalworking and forging, amongst other things. He offered to teach me at Twilights request after his early morning start work me up. He lives in the basement apartment, and Twilight hasn’t sound-proofed it yet to keep his working from disturbing us. As for your request, I’ll make sure to tell Twilight right away once I’m done here. Your pal, Spike. With a smile Spike quickly rolled up the letter and sent to celestia before heading over to check up on Twilight. As the response letter arrived on the wisp of green smoke, Celestia seized it eagerly to see what Spike had to say. Reading through it, she smiled happily. “A blacksmith, hmm? Well, they tend towards the muscular and rugged...a good compliment to Twilight’s bookishness...it will be good for her to have a new friend that so drastically contrasts with her...especially with her own reasons for trying to get to know everything about him.” Her eyes suddenly widened with realization, and she grabbed another scroll. Dear Spike, This particular letter is top secret. Twilight is never to know I even sent it. You’re already aware of the proper protocol regarding this. Now answer me this question. Your earlier letter implied that there was a moment that this ‘Wildfire’ and Twilight saw each other completely nude. Based on your knowledge of ponies...would you say they liked what they saw? Eager for answers, Celestia. With a smile, she sent the scroll off to Spike. As Spike entered the hallway that lead to Twilight’s room he could feel another letter coming up as he belched it out. As he began to read his eyes popped open in realization and with a devilish grin pulled out one last piece of paper and began to write. Dearest Celestia I can see what you’re trying to ask me, so I’ll just give it to you straight. The moment those two saw each other naked, I would have to say that they definitely liked what they both saw. Twilight ran off upstairs, blushing up a storm, and as for Wildfire? He just stood there frozen. As he is already red to begin with, it was hard to notice his embarrassment, and the only way I could tell was his inability to properly speak. And now princess I have a question for you? Should we tell anypony else? Your loyal friend, Spike Grinning ear to ear all the while writing Spike quickly sent the letter away at a feverous pace before knocking on Twilights door. “Twilight! You okay in there? I’ll be down the hall if you need anything!” he said and tried his best to control his eagerness. As the letter arrived, Celestia caught the scroll and quickly unrolled it. Quickly checking to make sure that she was, indeed, alone in her private chambers, she let out a happy squeal, tapping her feet excitedly on the floor. Grabbing another scroll, she penned a rather cryptic response. Dear Spike, Leave everything to me. Signed, Celestia. Sending that letter off, she then reached for another scroll and a different sending wavelength, preparing to write a letter to someone else. My Dearest niece...