Prologue
“Somepony wants to adopt me?” Cotton Candy flittered in the air, her wings buzzing with excitement.
Mother Matron was torn between joy and trepidation, watching the raspberry-maned filly flit about the room. She smiled weakly.
The little filly was dear to her heart, and it broke the old mare each time the little pale-tangelo pegasus was passed over. Cotton had lost her parents during the Great Fire of Canterlot, and entered the orphanage at the tender age of three. Matron had grown fond of her over the last nine years. Cotton was always polite, and as she grew older, she started helping Mother Matron care for the younger children.
Every year, Cotton would watch the other foals find homes with loving parents. Every year, she would grow older. Every year she would lose a little more hope; Matron watched it leak from her face, her eyes, and her gait. Every year she was ignored, because of her scars.
“Yes, there is some… pony, who wants to adopt you. I’ve met him, and he is very, very nice. But it is important for you to remember…” Matron’s smile faltered. She feared she was setting Cotton up for disappointment. “Ultimately, the decision is up to you.”
Ж
When Matron had received the letter bearing the seal of Her Royal Highness, Princess Twilight Sparkle, she had expected it would be in response to her request for more funding. She hadn’t expected it to be a letter of sponsorship for adoption.
The Princess’s brother was looking to adopt. The request confused Matron; Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor already had a foal of their own—not so much a foal anymore—and insofar as everypony knew, there existed no marital issues between them. But the sponsorship was for a single-parent adoption.
Adoptions would often only be granted to single parents under special circumstances, but Mother Matron had to admit, this was one doozy of a special circumstance.
She had been called to the palace for the initial interview. While definitely unorthodox, she had understood that anypony attached to the Royal Court would require some amount of privacy, so she acquiesced. Not that she would have dared deny a royal request in any event.
The gent wishing to adopt came with glowing recommendations from not just one, but all four princesses. He was the Chief Librarian for the Royal Canterlot Archives, with doctorates in Library Sciences, Equestrian History, and Fine Arts. He had been knighted for services to both Equestria and the Crystal Empire. She could not question his credentials as a fitting role model and likely suitable parent.
What the letter had not mentioned was that he stood twelve feet tall on all fours, and over thirty feet from muzzle to tail, with razor sharp claws, green spines along his back and gleaming purple scales, along with two large, talon-tipped wings. It most certainly did not mention the massive white teeth that greeted her when he smiled.
Matron’s first meeting with the father-to-be was soured by an ear-splitting scream and a bout of fainting.
Ж
“This was a dumb idea, Twilight,” a deep voice resonated throughout the room.
“Hush, Spike,” a softer voice chided. “She’ll be okay. Why don’t you ask one of the staff to fetch us all some tea?”
Matron came to with Princess Twilight Sparkle kneeling over her, waving smelling salts under her nose. She blinked her eyes and tried to pull herself up.
“Oh, Your Majesty!” Mother Matron got to her hooves. She looked warily around the room. Nopony was there aside from the Princess and several guards. “I am so very sorry, it must have been the excitement of coming to the palace. I thought I saw a d—”
Spike reentered the room. “Tasty Twist wants to know if we’d like any pastries with the tea.”
“d-d-d-”
“Oh dear…” Twilight chewed her lip nervously.
“GUARDS! HELP! THERE’S A DRAGON!” Matron backed away from the door.
It was only years of professionalism that stopped the guards from laughing. Professionalism, and the look of hurt across their friend’s face.
“Ma’am, we’d greatly appreciate it if ya didn’t scream at Sir Spike.” A gruff-looking stallion with a scarlet-gray coat stepped forward. “He might look like a dragon, but he’s a damn national hero and pony through and through. He’s been protectin’ Equestria since before Ah was even a foal.”
“Thank you, Sergeant Nova.” Twilight smiled, turning again to the startled mare. “Please, come sit. I hope you will hear us out.”
Matron looked towards the dragon at the opposite side of the room. Aside from the aforementioned scales, spines, and teeth, she could admit he didn’t look too threatening, and had certainly not done anything to make her think him a threat. She studied him closely, and realized he didn’t look that ferocious at all. The way he held himself, if he were a pony, would have shown dejection. In his eyes, no matter how reptilian, she could see his sorrow and pain. Matron cursed at herself under her breath and stood.
“Your Majesty, I must apologize for my outburst. And Sir Spike, I beg you forgive my insult.” Spike winced as she bowed deeply before them. “I have long taught my foals to not judge a pony by their outward appearance. It seems, even at my age, it is a lesson I should take to heart myself. My name is Mother Matron; I run Luna’s Orphanage.”
Twilight beamed, motioning for the mare to rise. “See, Spike? I told you it would be alright. Please, Mother Matron, come this way.” She guided Matron towards a small oak table, where the three of them sat. Or, at least the Princess and the old mare sat. Spike laid on his stomach, propping his long neck up with his foreclaws.
Matron pulled a small photo album out of her saddlebag, placing it on the table in front of the two, as a palace servant left some tea and cakes on the table. Twilight levitated the book in front of them.
“Sir Spike—”
“Please, Miss, just call me Spike. I hate that title.”
“Well, maybe you should have thought about that before you went around saving kingdoms and empires!” Twilight playfully poked his cheek with a hoof, laughing as he pouted.
“Well then, Spike…” Matron smiled, watching the playful banter between the two. “…if you have any questions about any of the foals, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Spike read through the album with Twilight, each page detailing a little about the children in each photo. Twilight had asked a few questions about several of the children, Matron noting that she seemed to linger on the more academically-minded ones.
Matron’s pleasant smile slipped as the two stopped, gasping. Everypony had the same reaction when they got to that particular page. Matron had taken the photo herself, but even with the pale green dress, and the lovely sun hat she wore to complement her mane, they could not hide the scarring across Cotton's muzzle and neck, or the damage to her right eye. Matron forced the pleasant smile back onto her face before the two looked up.
“Cotton has been with you, I am guessing, about nine years?” Spike asked. Matron nodded in response to the dragon’s question.
“Twelve is rather old for—” Twilight stopped speaking as Spike pinched her muzzle shut with his claws. His draconic senses could smell and hear what the alicorn princess could not. Matron’s heart was beating faster, and he could smell her anger.
“Yes, many of our children are adopted younger.” Matron kept her smile. “And yes, it is also true: the older foals get, the harder it is to find homes for them. It is a sad fact of life, it seems.”
They continued through the book, Twilight making a checklist of the different foals, their names, and ages. When they finished the album, Twilight passed it back to Matron, who slipped it back into her saddlebag.
"Thank you for coming here, Mother Matron." Twilight smiled, nodding to the other mare. "Spike and I will discuss which foal he might want to adopt over the next few days. We’ll get back to you soon."
"Thank you." Matron smiled, getting to her hooves. "I look forward to hearing from you."
“I’d like to adopt Cotton, if that’s okay?” Spike interjected, before she could leave.
“Really?” Both Matron and Twilight asked with shock.
Spike turned to his sister. “Twilight, think. She’s twelve years old. She’s been with the orphanage nine years.”
“Oh…” Twilight trailed off, looking away from the dragon, embarrassed.
“A-are you certain, Sir Spike?” Matron was visibly shaking.
“I am,” he answered, nodding. “And I know my wife would approve as well.”
“Your wife?” Matron cast her mind back to the application; it was for a single parent, she was certain. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were married.”
“I was married, to a wonderful mare. She owned a boutique in Lower Canterlot. We always wanted a child, but you can probably guess why that never came to pass.” Spike’s eyes watered at the memory. Twilight nuzzled his cheek, her fur getting matted by his tears.
“She was a wonderful friend,” Twilight said with a smile. “You probably learned about her in school. I’m sure you remember the Element of Generosity.”
Matron gasped. She knew the name well, and not just from her school days. Dame Rarity had donated tens-of-thousands of bits to charities and orphanages across Equestria.
“I loved Rarity more than life itself. W-we lost her, nine years ago.”
It needs to be said that I was not this story's original author. That honor goes to Crystal Moose. I was initially the story's editor, but when he stepped back from the story, I officially adopted it and continued where he left off, and Shahrazad took over the position of Editor. See here for details.
Any Author's Notes that were originally written by Crystal Moose have been put in quote boxes in the A/Ns up to the end of Act 1, which is where he stopped.
This story has an enormous cast of original characters, so I created a "Cast List" so readers could catch up when I go on publishing breaks. Although a new OC isn't introduced or updated every chapter, the list is linked in the A/N in all of the chapters leading up to where the cast list ends. It's recommended, but not required, that you read the list as you go, because there are certain characters where I was not able to write in descriptions, so you will have a vague idea of what they look like. However, for the sake of spoilers, do not read past the chapter you've read. There's a note on the list's first page, so please read that first.
Also, here is the original cover art by the amazing MelonDraws, which was commissioned and gifted to Crystal Moose by the just as awesome iakovl. Big thanks to you both!
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Aw! I'm really looking forward to seeing more of this! Soon, I hope
You got me hooked with this already. Heartbreaking to know that Spike finally married the love of his life, but tragically she is gone.
Maybe with him adopting Cotton Candy, that could fill that empty space in his heart.
quite the good start to the story, nice hook. i wonder though what or who started the great fire of Canterlot 9 years ago. please tell me it wasn't spikke
Interesting, very interesting
I can see those two getting along. People judging them for whats on the outside instead on the inside.
24.media.tumblr.com/a257ad5165644b1f79354634dfdee284/tumblr_mqo61uYbwk1rj6vd5o1_400.png
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...
...
I don't normally read the future set stories involving the Sparity ship, because of how much I like the ship and the 'difference in life spans' bugs me quite a bit...
...but I am watching this one.
Please, another.
I greatly approve of this fic. Please, continue...
The only complaint I have is the cover art...it's so much better than what I can draw.
"...so what's your complaint?"
THAT IS THE COMPLAINT!
dame you for making my eyes leak in the end of the story
i didn't cry, they just leaked...
can't wait for the next chapter
That guard has so much appreciation towards
SirSpike.Now I'm imagining him having a fangasm.
Soo... now please tell me that you have some sort of publishing plan. and this will be updated soon
;A; !!!!!!!! WAAAAAAAAA u made me cry !!!!
So excited about this story!
At first I was like, wait 70 years won't twilight be like, really old,
but then I realized, oh yeah, alicorn, duh 
Well I'm digging the story so far, I love the parent child fluffy type stories
Oh and have a mustache
No have ten
Ugh my heart
SO sad! I'm liking this so far but really sad.
A very nice looking story.
So if Shining Armor is still alive and considered a valid candidate to adopt a child, and Rarity died, and Shining is older than Rarity, did he get some sort of life extension/alicorn ascension deal, or did Rarity just die young?
Ermahcelestier!
I just started this story and I have to say my biggest problem is why have I not heard about this story sooner, like 20 weeks sooner. From the comments I've read this story gets better with each chapter and I will certainly enjoy them. On a side note, you said your taking time off to care for a pregnant wife, three of my friends are currently going through various stages of early parenthood so congratulations and good luck.
Oh shiiiiiit
Rarity died 9years ago in this canon, same for Cotton's parents in this "Great fire"
Please don't tell me she's a victim of some alchohol/grief fueled firestorm due to Rarity's death
7400223 If you're thinking that Rarity died and Spike accidentally caused the fire because of it, that isn't the case. It was a huge fire that had already started, and Rarity and Cotton's family were all victims (Spike was fine due to fire resistance).
Solid writing. I feel like you're talking at the camera a bit in the very beginning with Matron's inner dialog. I think you could have had a stronger opening starting at the page break with Spike talking. But that said, I'm hooked to read the next chapter.
7401459 I see what you're saying, and you're probably right. I just needed a little exposition before we got to that point, hence the 'talking at the camera' that you mention. Thanks for the input, though! It definitely comes in handy for the future.
ya
[y'all is plural.]
_____________
Re-reading this fic from the beginning before getting to the two parter that just came up.
Honestly I'm glad you took up this story, it was a cute fic and I missed having it not update.
7427078 In southern usage Y'all is used as a singular, whereas the plural is all y'all.
7439493
Lived all over the south 90% of my life. My family is down south. And it's plural. Not singular.
That and grammatically it's plural. It's a contraction of you and all. You don't "You all" a single person. That's a you. It in it's proper form, is much like the northerner's youse, or you-uns. Possibly in the region you live you might even have a Yinz.
Simularly, y'all (and the word it originated from ya aw (you all)), is used to addresses a group of individuals.
Ok, not even a chapter in and I'm hooked. I don't even know why, but I spontaneously burst into tears at the mention of scars on a young filly...
This is going to be an interesting experience.
Okay saw this on the front page and decided to take a look at it. Can't say I'm a fan of the Sparity ship (prefer Sweetie x Spike r more recently Ember x Spike) but it's nothing story breaking as the pairing only exists in backstory. What I find interesting is it's been 70 years but Shining is still alive, does this mean all of Twilight's other friends are still going and who did they all end up with if anypony?
Now I do what to mention that I'm glad you gave an actual, believable reason for why Spike would choose Cotton over the other foals, what with them both being victims of the great fire as it were. I'm foreseeing a really sad flashback chapter showing Rarity's death down the line. I assume Spike either wasn't there at the time or tried to save her but just didn't quite make it in time. As for Cotton, it's very likely she has a profound fear of fire so that might cause some issues early on for papa Spike. Though I wonder why Rarity and Spike didn't adopt a lot sooner if they really wanted a foal?
So the thing I'm wondering before I continue on is where Discord is and where he was when the great fire happened? I don't believe he caused it or anything but it seems like he could have stopped it really easily and saved a lot of lives.
Hmm, I do need more d'aww.
OMG FIRST CHAPTER FEELS
Ouch! first chapter in and already kablammed right in the feels. And not even with a small calibre but with a freakin' artillery piece.
Must read more 
*Pushing emotions back into the dark corner of heart*
WHY CAN'T I CRY?! THE FEELS! WHY ARE THEY NOT ALLOWED ACCESS INTO MY HEART?!
so am i right and she is blind in one eye(went back after reading to chapter three but some wording there makes it seem she can still use both tho that could just be me
7902495 You aren't the first to ask, but no, she is not blind in her right eye. There was damage during the fire that caused external discoloration, but no internal damage. She can see just fine.
The picture at the bottom of the chapter really drives the point home. She is a sweet child.
Please keep up the good work
The picture did it for me
Such a sweet little filly in such a situation. I couldn't take it.
NOOOOOO! RARITY, WHY!
The picture at the bottom, as well as the 'Cover Image(?)', made me go D'aaaawww.
Scars or no, Cotton Is ADORABLE!
8104940
Imma beat whomever did that with a cast iron skillet the size of New Mexico. And a hot one too.
This reminds me of Katawa Shoujo. I approve! Here take my like.
Off to a good start. (she is a cutie)
8557436
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Glad you like it! Hope you enjoy the ride!
(Came over from Neko, I see!
+4 for sparity
-5 FOR KILLING RARITY
jk moch lov
where they already known for only attacking, or was that the year where everyone had panick stricken ponies in their story? (I noticed this started in 2013 is that right?)
I started to accept them, but I still prefer the castle without guards mostly, at least without the traditional once I think.
Not sure if I like that theory but I admit it seems interessting.
I like it so much that this is this kind of foal which he wants to adopt.
3rd re-read of this fic, and damn it still brings tears to my eyes when I read this first chapter. Seriously an amazing story, thanks Level Dasher for picking this story up and continuing it.
9322520
Well, writer's block has been killing me lately, so maybe, but I'm hoping not TOO much longer.
I have been working on something else for this story, though, so keep an eye out...