//------------------------------//
// Part 1 For Those We Love 
// Story: The Measure of a Dragon 
// by Zephyr Spark 
//------------------------------//

	The hot air balloon touched down to the Canterlot ground, and two purple forms, the princess Twilight Sparkle, accompanied by her faithful assistant Spike, emerged from it. They walked from the balloon to Twilight’s old home, where they once lived with Shining Armor and her parents. Twilight planned to visit her parents as she seldom had in recent years and Spike, being her loyal assistant, came along. He was an undeniable part of the family after all. 
And she was grateful he was a part of the family; he always did so many little things for her and rarely asked for anything in return. More than services, he was her friend, her first one that she truly cherished. Together they walked towards Twilight’s and his old home. She reached the doorway of that familiar home but heard voices inside, prompting her to stop. Noticing his friend’s hesitation, Spike also paused. Two of the voices she recognized as her parents but the other, she had never heard before. They seemed to be engrossed in some deep argument.
Cautiously, she opened the door, her magic carefully turning the handle. She and Spike peeked inside, “Mom, Dad?” Twilight called.
The voices stopped talking. Twilight and Spike proceeded into the house until they came to the foyer where they saw Twilight’s parents, Twilight Velvet and Night Light sitting together on a couch. They smiled at their daughter and surrogate grandson. Twilight’s gaze turned to the adjacent couch where she saw a cream colored unicorn, about her age, with a short dull red mane, and small glasses that covered her blue eyes. On her flank, Twilight noticed a cutie mark shaped like a red gem stone, surrounded by a yellow halo. She could make the faint outline of a DNA structure decorating the gem's interior.
“Hello, dear,” Twilight Velvet pleasantly spoke, although her smile looked a bit strained, “this is Dr. Saffron from the Canterlot Science Department.” She gestured to the cream unicorn who stood up and turned to glance at Twilight, “We were just talking about—“
Her mother was interrupted as the doctor let out a large, excited exhale and her eyes grew massive the moment she saw Spike. She instantly rushed over to the little dragon, knocking Twilight aside and examined him with the anxious intrigue of an excited child.
“My stars, the professors really were telling the truth,” the doctor opened Spike’s mouth with her hooves and examined all of his fangs, “perfectly operating fangs hard enough to crush gems,” she then turned him around and inspected the ridges on his back, “distinct scaly protrusions aligned around the spinal chord,” finally she took his one of his clawed hands into her hooves and inspected his talons, “ and thumbs! There really is a healthy baby dragon we can use!”
Her inspection was cut short as a purple magical aura formed around Spike and levitated him next to Twilight. Her horn glowed as she stepped in between Doctor Saffron and the little dragon refusing to be barreled over again. 
“Now hold on just a minute,” the purple alicorn scowled slightly at the unicorn, “what are you talking about? What do you want to use Spike for?”
The unicorn looked slightly abashed but quickly put on her professional air, straightening her glasses and clearing her throat, “Forgive me,” the unicorn gave a polite and disarming smile, “As your mother said, my name is Doctor Saffron and I am a member of the Canterlot Science Department. I’ve heard so much about you. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Princess Twilight Sparkle.” 
“Hi,” the little drake smiled earnestly, not minding the unicorn’s intrusive inspection too much, “my name is Spike.”
The doctor eyed him with a moment of confusion and winced in mild astonishment. This was not the reaction she expected from this little dragon. It was oddly polite. 
“Yes, well,” she continued as she addressed Twilight, “I joined the science department last year and have been trying to further our studies on dragons. As you probably know, we have very little information regarding these creatures, as they are very dangerous to study and difficult to even find.”
Twilight nodded, but kept a wary eye on Doctor Saffron. She disliked how the doctor was acting like Spike was not present and had no say in the matter. Spike didn’t seem to notice this as he listened to the doctor.
“But the magic department recently informed me that you actually managed to hatch a dragon egg when you were a filly and the dragon has been living with you ever since,” the doctor spoke with her practiced formality but was trembling with excitement. “If you would permit it, I would like to take your dragon and analyze him so we could better understand these creatures.”
“Um excuse me,” Spike waved for the mare’s attention, “what exactly would you be studying about me?”
She blinked in surprise and annoyance. On one hand, she found it perplexing that the dragon seemed to be fully invested in this conversation. On the other hand, she wasn’t talking to the little dragon in the first place. Twilight’s eyes glanced to Spike and turned to the doctor, as though she was asking the same thing.
“Well,” the doctor felt a small headache but maintained her calm as she addressed both the princess and the dragon, “I would sample your scales, your fire breath, your growth, your biological and social behavior, and so on.”
“How exactly?” Spike asked with a curious smile that was really getting on her nerves.
“I can’t disclose my methods to you at the moment,” she spoke more to Twilight than the purple dragon, “but I assure you that he will absolutely further our knowledge of dragons.”
Twilight and Spike exchanged a quick glance. Neither of them liked the idea of participating in something when the doctor would not explain what she would even be doing. Twilight decided to intervene.
“Then perhaps you can disclose your methods to me,” Twilight’s authoritative voice startled the doctor as she realized Twilight was ordering her as a princess.
“The methods are classified by the science department and in their most primary state,” she quickly tried to divert the princess’ attention, “but they would require me to take your dragon for a few decades at least.”
Spike frowned and recoiled at the thought of leaving his friends for that long and her really didn’t like the fact her methods seemed to be untested. 
“Sorry,” he said, “I don’t think I could go without my friends for that long.”
The doctor narrowed her eyes. Of course the dragon would refuse. They were all an inherently guarded species that would do anything to maintain their secrets. Her gaze rose to the princess as she tried to continue.
“Well, there you have it,” Twilight gestured to Spike, “his answer is mine.”
No. She had come too far, suffered too much for her journey to end here.
“Please,” she implored the princess, “if you allow me to study your dragon, it will benefit countless ponies.”
“And I’d love to help,” Spike answered trying to keep himself from getting irritated that the doctor didn’t seem to think he was worth consulting, “but not if it means I have to leave Twilight for decades.”
“And I don’t want Spike to leave,” Twilight quickly and gently spoke to keep the professor from ignoring Spike, “so my answer is no, you can’t take him.”
Dr. Saffron looked particularly unhappy. Not furious, exactly, more like upset. 
“Princess,” Dr. Saffron spoke, “may I please speak with you alone? So I can truly show you everything this would accomplish?”
Twilight narrowed her eyes, “Anything you have to say to me you can say in front of Spike.”
“It’s fine, Twilight.” Spike subtly winked one eye to Twilight to indicate he would eavesdrop, “you two go outside, I can wait.”
Not missing Spike’s cue, she nodded and proceeded with Dr. Saffron out the front doorway she entered minutes ago. When they were alone, the doctor removed her glasses and gave the princess an absolutely sincere expression of conviction.
“Yes, I will admit my methods are untested, but they are guaranteed to benefit ponies to extents you can barely fathom,” Twilight exhaled sharply but listened patiently to the doctor.
“For starters, sampling real dragon scales could provide actual flame resistant armor for the royal guard. Studying an actual dragon’s physical growth could provide the first accurate model comparing pony years to dragon years and gauche their life spans. Merely studying ‘Spike’,” Doctor Saffron was still uncomfortable with the notion of naming a dragon but hid this as best she could, “in general would advance studies on dragons immeasurably as all other dragons have been too difficult to study due to the risks and unlikelihood of finding one. Most importantly,” the doctor was about to reveal her true intentions, “Understanding how dragons behave and think could prevent any dragon and pony conflicts in the future brought about by misunderstandings and resulting in losses.”
She stared at Twilight intently, “Please, I’m not doing this to advance my career or achieve fame. I want to improve and save lives. Don’t you too?”
Twilight believed her. Doctor Saffron truly wanted to improve lives as she claimed; Twilight could sense her honesty and determination. The doctor believed everything she was saying and wanted to do good for every pony. But she still could not agree.
“I’m sorry,” the doctor’s face twisted into visible disappointment with a trace of despair, “but I can’t let you treat Spike like some lab rat. And I can’t approve of methods you haven’t even tested.”
“The methods are untested because we’ve never had a dragon before,” Dr. Saffron interjected, “I swear they will leave your dragon unharmed.”
“The fact remains he doesn’t want to be separated from his friends for any extended period of time, he clearly was uncomfortable with your goals and methods, and he directly told you no.” Twilight firmly responded, “If he doesn’t want to go, then he doesn’t have to.”
Dr. Saffron bowed her head in sadness, which soon gave way to bitterness. It just wasn’t fair. How could she withhold a dragon that could save lives? It was so selfish. Doctor Saffron would not lie down and accept it. She couldn’t. She raised her eyes to meet the princess’ gaze with firm resolution and put her glasses back on.
“Tell me, Miss Sparkle,” the doctor spoke coldly, “are you aware that your ‘Spike’ is, in fact, a dragon?”
Twilight blinked at the question, not understanding what the doctor was trying to say, and frowned at the doctor’s sudden harshness.
“Those creatures have never lived under Princess Celestia’s laws,” the doctor advanced towards her but Twilight gave no ground. “They live outside of any law, save for their own: survival of the fittest. Your dragon is not protected by any of Celestia’s laws. He does not have any right to refuse.”
Twilight met the mare’s piercing gaze, refusing to be intimidated, “Well, I’m refusing on his behalf. Now I do believe you’ve overstayed your welcome.” 
Twilight’s horn glowed with the first traces of a spell, and Doctor Saffron suddenly felt less confident. She was far out of her league. Slowly, she backed off. Then she trotted out of sight. When she was sure the doctor was gone, Twilight relaxed and walked back to the door. Suddenly, it was pushed open by a familiar little dragon. 
“You know,” Spike said as Twilight stepped back inside, “that wasn’t exactly the best way to tell her ‘no’.”
“I didn’t want to see where that conversation would go,” Twilight explained as they walked back to the foyer. 
Twilight’s parents seemed relieved that the doctor was finally gone, and welcomed the two home at last like any family would. Twilight Velvet explained the doctor had been there nearly an hour, trying to convince them to let her study Spike, but she refused to give such permission, saying Spike had the right to decide. Dr. Saffron tried to tell them all the good this research would do, but they kept insisting Spike should be the one to giver an answer. The doctor seemed unaware that Spike wasn’t some family pet, but a full-fledged being capable of thought, or that’s how they felt when she gave little regard to the little purple dragon.
“In any event,” Night Light finally spoke and beamed at his daughter, “we’re both glad you’re home.”
Night Light and Twilight Velvet embraced their daughter and her number one assistant. Twilight Velvet excused herself to make some dinner for all of them, saying Night Light and Twilight could catch up on everything, while they waited. Spike offered to help cook dinner, but Twilight Velvet shook her head.
“You're our guest, Spike,” she explained, “don’t you lift a finger.”
With that, she turned around and walked to the kitchen, smiling at what a truly wonderful friend Twilight found in Spike.

***

Dr. Saffron sat at her desk with her hooves on her aching head. Frustrated wouldn’t begin to describe how she was feeling right now. As the moon rose over Canterlot, she could only stare out her window and wonder what she would do now.
Then a motion in the corner of her eye made her turn. A gray unicorn filly with a white mane, cerulean blue eyes, levitated a dinner plate with five specially prepared daisy sandwiches onto the doctor’s table. Doctor Saffron smiled and affectionately rustled the filly’s head. After all this disappointment, it was nice to come home with her number one assistant waiting for her. 
“Thanks, Silver Stone,” she removed her hoof from the filly, who grinned all the while, “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Well, for starters, you’d probably forget to eat,” Silver Stone teased her mentor with a playful smirk. “And sleep, and groom yourself, and go to the bathroom.”
“Oh come on,” Dr. Saffron gave an exaggerated look of exasperation, “I’m not that useless. Without me, you’d forget to take a bath.”
“I don’t forget,” she retorted with her usual boundless energy, “I just choose not to.”
The doctor made another exaggerated look of disgust as she pinched her nose, “And it shows! Maybe I should start calling you Stinky Stone.”
“Hey!” the filly looked at her with mock indignity.
“I’m kidding,” Doctor Saffron quickly assured her, “I’d never do that to you.”
She stared at the filly a moment, feeling Silver Stone’s smile radiate her very heart. Doctor Saffron then looked at her assistant's cutie mark, a light brown infinity-like structure that turned into wings towards the ends of its curves, positioned both above and below the mark. She recalled the day Silver Stone achieved her cutie mark with fondness, feeling immense pride for her student. But then remembering her dilemma, she turned her gaze back to the window and sighed. Suddenly, a daisy sandwich appeared in front of her face levitated by magic. The doctor nearly fell out of her chair in surprise.
“You have to eat,” Silver Stone’s horn glowed as she placed the sandwich under the doctor’s nose trying to tantalize her with the scent, “Doesn’t the sandwich smell good? Remind you how hungry you are?”
She was right. Dr. Saffron was hungry, starving in fact. She took a bite out of the sandwich and relished the taste. Silver Stone always prepared excellent meals and knew exactly what Dr. Saffron wanted, and she was easily the one of best friends the doctor could ever ask for, loyal and supportive at all times. Her eyes moistened as she stared at the little unicorn. It just wasn’t fair. Silver Stone did so much for her without asking for anything and Dr. Saffron couldn’t even get that dragon for research. Without him, she would never prove to Silver Stone that no other pony would suffer like she had; like her parents had. Without that dragon, she couldn’t prevent another tragedy that would cost more friends.
The filly noticed her mentor’s sadness and her smile faded. Had she prepared the sandwiches incorrectly? Had she done something wrong? She was too nervous to ask, and was ready to do anything the doctor asked to make up for any mistake
The doctor swallowed her food and gave a wistful smile, trying to ease whatever plagued her ward’s mind. She placed the sandwich down on the plate and spoke, “It’s delicious, Silver Stone. You’ve really outdone yourself this time.”
Silver Stone sensed something was amiss and began to worry. She found herself unable to return the smile as she spoke, “Saffy? Is something wrong?”
The doctor’s smile faded and she blinked in surprise. The little filly was remarkably perceptive. She should expect no less from her surrogate daughter. She deserved to know the truth.
“Well, you know about that baby dragon I wanted to study?” Silver Stone nodded and the doctor continued with misty eyes, “It seems the princess is unwilling to part with him. So I’m afraid I won’t be able to find a way for ponies and dragons to understand each other.”
Silver Stone rested a hoof on the doctor’s shoulder and gave a weak smile, “You tried. That’s more than any other pony would do. Thanks.”
They shared a fairly unhappy embrace; neither felt joy at their usual contact, knowing the other was so upset. Dr. Saffron felt upset at the prospect of failing her assistant, but Silver Stone felt upset at merely seeing her mentor upset. When they broke from the hug, the doctor glanced at a clock hanging on the wall behind her assistant and realized it was 10:00 pm.
“Come on. It’s past your bedtime, young lady,” Dr. Saffron scooped up the filly, who tried to object but quickly stifled a yawn. Placing the weary unicorn on her back, Dr. Saffron trotted up the stairs into the filly’s disheveled room, carefully avoiding the toys, comic books, and various articles strewn about the floor. She didn’t mind the filly’s mess too much. It was her room, after all. Besides, it was organized chaos.
Tucking the unicorn under the bed covers, she gently kissed the gray unicorn’s forehead and whispered goodnight. As the filly drifted off into sleep, Dr. Saffron stared at her assistant and could not stop tears from rolling down her face, feeling she had failed her precious friend. She had to have that dragon. For the sake of the pony most important to her and her deceased parents.