Perseus

by Smoku

PROLOGUE

Twilight Sparkle had been a Princess of Equestria for many millenia. Far too many to count. She had seen empires rise, fall, and rise again. She had witnessed the death of Discord, and that of she who slayed him. She watched as every one of her friends, the Elements as they were known in their own time, perished and helped return to them to the ground from whence they came. She had seen some of the longest-lasting and most important families in Canterlot be born and wither away into dust, or irrelevance.

With a life as long and full as hers, it was no surprise then that she held much regret in her heart. Despite her best efforts, she could never find a way to understand the true nature of Harmony or its Elements. She had spilled much blood, and been indirectly responsible for many times that amount. She was forced to watch her closest friends die, one by one. There was one regret, though, that she was never truly able to move past. And his name was Spike.

Twilight Sparkle had been a princess for two whole years. Two years of constant paperwork and never-ending conflict with old Canterlot nobles.

Currently, she was engrossed in a letter sent to her by none other than Blueblood himself. He had requested of her to attend the “Grand Opening” of his brand new brothel. She truly hated it when he did this. Often, the “esteemed” prince would do all he could to cause great discomfort in Twilight, knowing she had been particularly squeamish and not used to the more crude nature of some ponies.

“Hey Twilight,” Spike said, interrupting her focus on her correspondence. Secretly, she was sometimes glad for the young Drake’s interruptions. This was undoubtedly one of those times.

“Yes Spike?” She asked, turning around to face him. He’s growing at an exponential rate, she thought when she saw him standing at the doorway of her study. And he truly had. Recently, Spike had finished up his first Draconic Rest, a 6 month type of hibernation that had matured his body considerably. No longer could she or the other Elements call him a baby dragon. He looked more like a teenage one. He still stood on two legs, and was roughly two times her height now. Gone was the baby fat that used to surround his body, instead replaced by what looked like hard muscles. Perhaps the Draconic Rest caused extreme muscle gain? His scales had also changed. They were now a much darker shade of purple, and were shining in the sunlight gracing he and Twilight through the study’s windows. His face had leaned up as well, showing off a strong and defined jawline. Twilight supposed it wouldn’t be long before she had to swat off unwanted interested parties.

“There’s something I’d like to speak to you about,” he said, smiling a little too wide and refusing to meet her eyesight.

“Well, I’m listening,” Twilight said, smiling at him encouragingly.

“You remember how I went to Canterlot by Celestia’ behest last week, right?” He said.

“I do,” she nodded. “I hadn’t seen you that excited in years. You haven’t really been yourself since you got back, though.”

As astute as always, Spike thought. “Yeah, I’ve been a little nervous about something.”

Twilight giggled and smiled at him. “I can tell. Now come on, you know you can tell me anything. What’s up?”

Finally, he found the courage to look her in the eyes. “Princess Luna and Celestia offered me an opportunity.”

“An opportunity?” Twilight asked, tilting her head to the left.

“Yes, an opportunity.” Spike nodded, “a way to further my education.”

As expected, Twilight perked at that. “Your education? Oh Spike, why didn't you tell me wanted you continue it? There’s so much left for me to teach you!”

He sighed and knelt down to face Twilight face-to-face. “No Twi,” he rested a claw on her left shoulder, “not from you. They offered me a place in next year’s Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns Senior Scholar classes.”

“But you’re not a Unicorn.”

“You’re truly a master of perception,” he laughed, “but she’s recently offered seats in the Senior Scholar classes to non-pony residents of Equestria. I would be the first Dragon to attend an Equestrian academic institution in history.”

“But Celestia’s school is in Canterlot. She wants us to move?” Twilight asked. It would make my Princess duties more convenient, she thought.

“Not you,” he said, “only me. She thinks it would do us good, to experience life away from each other.”

“She wants you to leave the nest. I understand. Do you think you’re going to do it?” Twilight responded, staring into Spike’s eyes.

At that, Spike whimpered, and felt his knees begin to give in. “I don’t know, Twi. You’re my mentor, my best friend, my family, my everything. Everything I have, everything I am, it’s all because of you. I don’t want to leave you.”

“Oh Spike,” Twilight said, wrapping him up in her hooves, “you wouldn’t be leaving me. You’d be living your life. If you want to go, you have mine, and the girls’, complete support.”

Twilight felt two teardrops hit her mane before Spike spoke again. “Thank you, Twilight. I think I’m going to do it. I’m going to go off on my own.”

“I’m proud of you,” she said, smiling.

“I have a proposition for you, Spike.” Celestia said.

Spike had been called into Celestia’s personal chambers for what she described as a “personal conversation.” It may have been strange, but Spike welcomed the distraction. He had spent the past three days doing nothing but studying for his finals that were steadily encroaching upon him. A conversation with the Princess would do him good, he knew.

As much as he loved his studies at the University, they had started to take up every aspect of his life. Thankfully, he was able to manage it due to his time as Twilight’s assistant. He knew all those nights spent studying would come in handy someday.

“What kind of proposition, Princess?” Spike asked her.

She gently shook her head and said, “please Spike, just call me Celestia. This isn’t an official meeting about your studies. Its an offer I’m giving to an old friend.”

He nodded. “Right. Sorry.”

She smiled that radiant smile of hers, that smile that had melted as many hearts as it had frightened. “Don’t worry about it, Spike. Anyway about the proposition. I believe it’s time you finally were told of your past.”

“My past, princess?” Spike asked, tilting his head to the left.

“Yes. There is an old dragon named Hercales who resides in the Dragonlands. He holds the secrets to your past, and your future, things it is not my duty to tell you. If you so wish, I would have you seek him out after you graduated.”

“My… past. Are you saying I would finally know where I came from?” Spike could feel his breathing stop.

“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. I warn you, Spike, that you may not like what you find. It is completely your decision, and no one else’s. Will you accept my offer?”

“Yes Princess. I will.”
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It’s been a while, thought Spike, but it’s good to be back. Spike’s train had arrived at the Ponyville train station a few minutes ago, and he had decided to take a quick breather to take in the “Ponyville aura,” as Twilight and Starlight were fond of calling it. He could hear the subtle but still noticeable noise of ponies walking about town, receiving and giving greetings. All around him, ponies were waving and hugging each other in passing, and a few even waved at him as they passed. Unlike the regal Canterlot or exquisite Manehatten, ponies in Ponyville always had the time to stop and speak to each other, never having a rude thought to confess. Celestia, how I’ve missed this, he thought. Living in a big city had certainly shown Spike how well the ponies here had it.

Finishing up, Spike spotted Twilight Sparkle and Starlight Glimmer sitting near the edge of the station, focusing their eyes searching for him. Suddenly, Twilight spotted him.

“Spike!” The Princess yelled, galloping for him.

“Hi Twi-” he was cut off as she jumped at him, and wrapped her hooves around his scaled waist.

“I’ve missed you so much,” she wailed, resting her head on his stomach.

“I’ve missed you too,” he replied, stroking her mane.

“Hey big guy. Good to see you,” Starlight said as she kissed his cheek.

Somehow, his blush was visible through his scales. It always was with Starlight. “Y-yeah. You did just see me last week when you visited, though.”

“Still, I’ve missed you.”

Letting go of Spike, Twilight forced herself between the two. “Alright, you two. Come on, let’s get back to the castle. We’ve got a lot of catching up to do, and I’m sure you’ll want some alone time eventually.”

“Great idea,” Spike said, looking over at Starlight and she at him.

Later that day, Spike sat with Twilight and Starlight around the Castle’s fireplace.

“So,” he began, “I have something I need to discuss with you two.”

“Do continue,” Starlight said as Twilight merely raised her eyebrows.

“Celestia has offered me something I can’t really pass up.” Spike said.

“Again?” Twilight asked.

“Yes,” he affirmed, “again. You guys know how I’ve always had an issue with not knowing where I come from, right?”

“Of course,” Starlight said, “I can’t even imagine what it’s like for you.” She rested her head on her lover’s shoulder.

“Thanks Starlight,” he smiled. “Well, Celestia offered me a way to find out. She has an old contact in the Dragonlands who apparently knows where I come from and who my parents are. I think I’m gonna go speak to him.”

“Spike, that’s great!” Both Starlight and Twilight exclaimed.

“Yeah, but I think I need to go alone.”

“Are you sure?” Starlight asked, tilting her head.

“Yeah. I think this is just something I need to do, ya know?”

“Absolutely,” Twilight said. “Well, Starlight and I both support you on this, if it’s what you want.”

“Yeah,” Starlight said, “but make sure you tell us all about it when you come back, okay?” She kissed him on the cheek as she spoke.

“Thanks guys. I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”

Comments

[Feurisson]

Hey, just a reminder that your image source link might need to be fixed.

Premise of the story sounds great, though. It seems like Spike is going through very relatable stages in life.

[Smoku]

7120983
Thank you for reminding me.

[OmniFox]

Where's the Genre Tags?