> Likely > by rooberry > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > A New Friend > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is after season five. *** It was a peaceful and quiet day at the castle. Twilight was reading while spike dusted. Suddenly bang, bang somepony was pounding the door. "I'm coming! Hold on, I'm coming" Twilight said "Yes, wha-" she stopped mid sentence in confusion, opening the door and revealing a dragon, pony hybrid ? " help me" the dragon half said weakly before collapsing. " SPIKE!!! " Twilight yelled in a tone of urgency. " What do you... who is that?" Spike asked confused and out of breath from running to Twilight. " No time to explain, we need to get this dragon... Pony ... What ever she is to a hospital. She is badly hurt!" Twilight said frustrated. <30 minutes later at the hospital> "If you or spike know this pony? We need all you can tell us" said Nurse Redheart. "I'm sorry neither Spike nor I have ever met this half" Twilight said. "What? Where am I ?" Said a voice from in the hospital room. " She's awake " said Nurse Redheart "Hello, I am Nurse Redheart. Do you remember what happened and your name? " " My..my name is Ember and I only remember a few things, I was in a dark forest being chased by these wooden wolves. They were catching up and I saw a castle and I hoped that whoever lived there would heIp. Thank you princess..?"she said. " Twilight Sparkle, princess Twilight Sparkle, call me Twilight and those wooden wolves that chased you are called timber wolves, they can be horrible some times, but you don't remember any thing else, any thing at all?" In her hast Twilight had not fully looked at Ember, she had a pink coat and dragon tail. Her hair was red, so were the spikes that went down her tail. She also had off pink ear frills and magenta slit eyes. "No, not at all. Sorry " Ember said. "When your out of the hospital you will need some where to stay *sigh* you can stay at the castle. We have plenty of room." Twilight said as she started to leave. Once out of the room, Nurse Redheart pulled Twilight aside. "The poor dear, since she is dragon half, she is far away from home. Her parents must be worried sick. Any way, she can leave the hospital within a week. Those wolves got very close, they scratched her back and tail, nothing too serious but, if she had not come to you she would be dog food. Thank you." Nurse Redheart sighed in relief to exaggerate her point. ****ONE WEEK LATER**** "And here is the guest room." Twilight said finishing her tour," don't worry if you get lost, heck I've lived here for a year and still find new rooms I've not yet seen". She said as she started for the door then turned and said,"Good luck," "Thanks, again" Ember said. Ember flopped onto the soft bed. After a small time to adjust to surroundings, took a stroll around the castle. She stopped at the balcony next to the main floor stairs. She noticed a dragon carrying a tall stack of books to the main hall. Who ever it was must be strong. Later that day Ember met Pinkie, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbowdash and Fluttershy. She also met the other dragon, his name was Spike, she thought he was kind of cute. But she was too shy to talk to him much. That is why she connected with Fluttershy so well. She also connected to the others. Pinkie’s sweet tooth, Rarity’s keen fashion eye, the hard effort of Applejack and Rainbow’s love of fun and winning. ****THAT NIGHT**** After a whole day of meets and greets with the people of ponyville with help from Pinkie Pie, who was one of the most energetic and enthusiastic ponies she had ever met. Plus a whole day of touring the castle, Ember was ready to hit the hay in, probably one of the most fancy bedrooms ever but she did not care to try and reflect on the day, she was too tired to think. So she got in bed and, very soon, was sound asleep. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ember was walking through the wastelands where the dragons lived. She noticed a great shadow looming over her. It was a great dragon, a female, pink,... Dragon!? She then heard hove steps that were not her own. They came from behind her. It was a stallion. He had a tan coat and a red tail and main. They were her...her..parents?!?! Suddenly the sky went gray, there was a shadow black figure approaching from the horizon. Approaching fast, it got CLOSE, the darkness covered her vision she could not see. A flash of light. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "NOOOO" Ember screamed as she sat up in a cold sweat "Mom? Dad?" Ember said still in a dream. She softly cried her self to sleep. Twilight walked into Embers room,"Ember are you okay" she said concerned,"You've been up here all day and I heard you crying last night and....oh" Ember was curled up on her bed. "Are you okay?" Twilight said, now very concerned! Ember burst out. "I remember all of it, everything. My parents and that I'm.....I'm.....an orphan. My parent passed, three or four weeks ago and I came here to start a new life. Away from the pain and heartache." She ended softly. "But, Ember, you can not run from the pain." Twilight stated bluntly. "I know that now" Ember let out a sigh of defeat.Ember started to cry and Twilight tried to comfort her, but she was pushed away. "what is going to happen to me?" Twilight thought for a moment from the other side of the room. She tried comforting Ember again, this time in a softer, easier voice. "Neither of us know what the future will bring, but we have each other and our friends, and I know they will help us through this." Ember lightly smiled and said,"I owe you one, thanks, again." > Parents > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- *****FIVE YEARS LATER***** ember and spike are now teens. 17-19 years old ************************************ "So, what brings you here today Ember?" Nurse Redheart asked. "I don't really know. I just feel horrible.?!" Ember asked partly confused. "Well, what feels off. What are your symptoms?" "Well,..um..let's see, fatigue, nausea, weight gain, and I'm always hungry." Ember said like a confession. "I think I know what's wrong, but I need to take some tests.!" ***30 minutes later*** After what felt like forever, Dr.Stable and Nurse Redheart walked in. "Are the results in?" Asked Ember eagerly. "Yes." Dr.Stable said in a tone that left Ember in suspense. Nurse Redheart had the most obvious secret smile ever. "And?" Ember said annoyed "Oh, your pregnant!" Dr.Stable announced proudly. Ember felt her body go to stone. Nurse Redheart surrounded Ember in a hug. "I'm so happy for you!" She squealed. "I think...I'm going to be sick!" Ember urged. "That's normal, but wait, your not excited?" Redheart questioned. Ember sighed,"No, well.. maybe, I just don't know, this was... unexpected." Then it hit her, how would she tell spike?!?! Ember worried all the way to the castle, which had become her home. Her breaths were heavy. She could not relax, not when her relationship was on the line.!! When she got to the castle her first thought was, RUN!!! No, I can't do that to him, what if....if he still loves me, it will break him. She could have turned tail and run or maybe, go in and never tell him, at least not today. But instead she just stood there. One thing on her mind, telling him. "EMBER!!" There, Spike was in front of her, calling her name. Seeing he finally got her attention he repeated his question, "What did the doctor say?" Her only thought was CRAP!!! Ember did not know how to tell him and thought she could wing it, but that could end horrible. So, she just tried to rip it out. "Spike....I'm....I'm pregnant." She said the last two words faster than Spike could comprehend. She could not tell if he loved her of if he was being stupid. So, she explained it to him, slowly. "Spike, we are going to be parents." His face immediately light up like a Christmas tree!? "Oh, sweet Celestia that's...that's great!" Spike grabbed Ember by the hips and spun her around once,"That's great news!!" Spike gave her a kiss. It suddenly hit him, how to tell Twilight?!?!?! After what felt like hours of Spike wearing a groove in the floor pacing, Ember had fallen asleep on her bed. They heard the huge castle door close and hoof steps, meaning Twilight was home. Spike grew more stressed with every step. Twilight was walking to her room for some relaxation, when she heard heavy breaths coming from Embers room. When she got to the door, she saw Spike and he noticed her, took a deep breath and fainted. The loudness of his crash woke Ember. "Oh..*yawn* hi Twilight." It was obvious that Ember was still sleepy. "What's wrong with him??" Twilight said pointing to the dragon on the floor. "Oh..um.. he wanted to tell you himself, but seeing that he can't.. I might as well come out and say it, no hiding. I'm..pregnant and Spike is the father." Ember could not help but feel excited. Twilight's face went blank. There was a flash of light and Twilight was holding a bucket of water in her magical grasp. Of course, she threw it on the purple dragon. "SPIKE!!!!" The fainted Spike did not know what hit him. "Ahhhhh!!! Wha, what was that for??!!" Spike said in a raised, confused voice. "THAT WAS FOR WHAT YOU DID TO EMBER!!!!" He could tell Twilight was mad. Ember took a deep breathe to try and calm herself and Twilight, "Twilight, even though this was not planned, Spike and I are taking the responsibility of raising this child." Ember said calmly and proud. Twilight looked at Spike, who nodded in agreement. "Plus, you could foalsit like Cadence did for you." Ember added slyly Twilights face lit up with excitement. "I have to go and prepare. EEEEE!!" Twilight said as she bounced out the room. "Um, Ember? I love you." Spike murmured. "You too Spike." Ember said nicely. As he left the room Spike was forming a plan, to surprise Ember. He will take her to his favorite place to go. He thought about how one night could change his and Embers life. The next day after Spike had made a secret stop at the Carousel Boutique, the main six had gathered for a secret meeting in the throne room. "So you see girls," Twilight said confessing, "what am I going to do?" After a small moment of silence, AJ was the first to speak. "Well ah recon, if there goin to have this child. They a'ta be traditional an' get hitched." Rarity's face lit up. "Oh, oh, I could make Embers dress!!" "And I could plan a bachelorette party and a baby shower! Yay!" Pinkie Pie said as she bounced around in excitement. Of corse, RD thought the idea was sorta lame. "Uh, do we have to?" Rainbow protested. "Rainbow. I think Apple Jack has a point. They should make it official before the baby is born. But are we sure they want to get married." Twilight said. It was Fluttershy's turn to speak. "Maybe we should let them decide. Ember can't be more than a month along, so that gives them 10 months until the baby is born and us all 10 to prepare." Spike was running around Ponyville, in search for the perfect gems to go on a ring. Finally he found what he was after. Three heart shaped fire rubies, one was larger than the others, they were perfect. He found himself in a small plain shop. It was very bleak. He rang the bell and a purple pony stepped out. Her main was the same color as her coat except for a strip of light purple in her main. "Oh, hello sir. I'm Amethyst. What can I do for you?" Spike did not hear her question. He was busy looking at the little filly that walked in the room, Dinky Doo, and she was busy looking at the tall dragon on the other side of the counter. "Um...oh right. How much are those gems?" Spike said pointing at the fire rubies. "Those?" Amethyst said,"They are 20 bits." Spike was over joyed. He had brought 50 bits. "How much to put them on a ring or necklace?" Spike said enthusiastically. "Oh, we only do necklace and the total would be 60 bits." Spikes smile changed to a saddened frown. "Oh. Well that's 10 bits over budget." Spike sadly, started for the door. "Wait!" Amethyst said, "What did you want to do with it?" Spike turned around glumly. "I was going to give it to my girl. And I only have 50 bits." Amethyst thought for a moment. "You know what give me the 50 and it's yours." Spikes face lit up. "Really? Thanks!! Seriously thanks." Spike handed her the 50 bits and she gave him the necklace. Spike ran to the castle as fast as he could. He could not wait for what he had planned tonight. > Questions > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Hey Ember? You awake?" Spike said softly, so if Ember was sleeping, as not to wake her. "I'm here.!" Ember called out. Ember was lying on the bed, reading a book. "Are you doing anything tonight?" Spike said as he looked at the ground. Ember thought for a moment. "No, nothing planed. Why?" Spike tried to dodge the "why" and said. "Would you like to go out with me tonight?" "Of course Spike." Ember answered. His plan was set in motion. It was all going perfect and smoothly. Spike was getting ready for his date with Ember while she also prepared. Spike had told her to dress up. He was going to be in a tux. Spike stopped in the middle of everything and thought."Oh man, I almost forgot, my tux from Rarity." he ran to the Carousal Boutique. He burst through the doors out of breath. He heard a voice come from the back room. "Just a minute darling." Rarity said as she walked out of the back room. "Oh Spike. Are you here for your tux?" When he finally got a breath, he was able to answer. "Ya, is it ready?" Rarity looked like she was thinking but still not in reality. "Rarity?" She snapped out of her dream. "Oh, sorry Spike. I was thinking about all the memories, of when you were younger, feels like just yesterday. And yes your tux is done." She walked to a clothes rack behind her and handed Spike his tux. He gave a nod thank you. Spike opened his mouth to speak but Rarity answered his question before he could ask. "Don't worry about cost. It's fine. Now go get your girl!" Rarity said partly excited. Spike did not know how Rarity knew, but he did not ask. He just nodded thanks and ran home, but trying to keep the tux clean. ***THAT NIGHT*** Spike nocked on Embers door. "Ember? Are you ready?" He could hear her dress ruffling from in the room. "Just a minute." Ember said as she finished getting ready. "Aaand done." She exclaimed as she walked through the door. Spike stood there in awe. Her fiery hair was brighter than any flame, her coat looked as soft as silk and her eyes, oh her eyes, they sparkled more than any of the finest gems, but she, shined brighter than the moon and every star, she was beautiful. "Spike? Where are we going?" Ember asked softly, as if talking any louder would ruin a wonderful dream. Embers talking snapped Spike out of his trance. "Oh, I can not tell you the exact location, but I know it's a place you have never been. I also need to cover your eyes. If that's okay." Spike said, blushing near the end. Ember stepped forward with her eyes closed. "Lead the way." Though she could not see, she was sure she never got to the first floor, in fact she could have sworn she went up. After a few minutes of walking and after she had guessing, they had stopped walking. Then she heard Spike talking. "Okay, I'm going to take my hands off your eyes and then you can open your eyes." Spike did just that. When Ember opened here eyes, she found herself on one of the castles many balconies, but this one was special, somehow. Then she saw her lover sitting in a chair at a table, there was a picnic basket near the table and some unlit candles near by. Then she thought of asking her previous question. "Where are we?" Spike pulled out the other chair signalling that she should sit while he explained. "Well, about 3 years ago, about the time Twilight and I had a big fallout, I found this place. It was comforting and you will see why in a minute." He said with a smile. After a few minutes of chatter, Spike looked at the sky. "Look Ember." He said pointing. Ember turned her head to see the most beautiful sunset ever. Spike smiled at the joy Ember felt. "That is why! It normally dose not need help, but I asked princess Celestia if she could make it even more beautiful tonight." Spike knew that it was the perfect time, so he got out the necklace, got on one knee and said, just before the sun set. "Ember, will you, marry me? Embers eyes were wet and watery. She was at a loss for words. "I...i..." Her tears were stoping her from speaking a real sentence. She tried to calm down and took a deep breath . "Ye...yes,yes yes yes, I will marry you!!" Spike put the necklace around her neck. Ember then surrounded spike in a thunder storm of hugs and kisses. They spent the next hour hugging. They gave each other a happy smile as they parted ways in the main hall. "Goodnight" They said in unison. ***THE NEXT MORNING*** Twilight was making breakfast when Ember walked in, "Oh, such a pretty necklace Ember. Where did you get it?" Twilight grabbed her attention at the word necklace . "Oh, um Spike did not tell you!?" Ember said. Spike was sitting at the table, focusing on something random. When he heard Ember, he lifted his head, as if to say, what I was not listening. Ember was moving her head as to signal him to talk, he got the message. He started to twiddle his thumbs as he stuttered out a sentence. "Oh, yeah, well, me and Ember, I mean, Ember and I are... engaged." Twilight was now at a loss for words, Ember thought she stopped breathing, Spike thought her mind must have exploded and all that's left was a hollow shell. But all their thoughts changed when Twilight whispered, "Perfect." To her self. Then Ember and Spike saw that Twilight had the biggest grin on her face. Spike and Ember looked at each other, to Twilight then back to each other. Spike stood there thinking about how to react to Twilight but Ember spoke first. "Are you ok Twi, we thought you would take this... differently". Twilight turned her smiling face toward Ember and spike. > Timing > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Oh yes that’s great news. When is the wedding??” Twilight said. Emder and Spike looked at eachother. Spike shrugged, “We did not think that far into it. I asked her last night.” Twilight thought for a moment, “Well, you need to have the wedding before the foal is born. When is the due date?” Twilight looked at Spike, “Um??” Spike looked at Ember confused. She picked up on his hint. “Oh, um… I have not had an ultrasound yet, and the doctor did not say. So… I don’t know.” “Well that just won't do!” Everybody jumped at the unexpected Pinkie Pie. Pinkie bounced into the room followed by a stunned quiet. Spike was the first to break the silence, “Pinkie? I am just going to ask what everybody's thinking. How did you get here and what are you doing here?!?!” Everybody looked at Pinkie and nodded in agreement. She sucked in a big breath, signalling for a long story. “Well, I was at Sugar Cube Corner, helping Pumpkin master her icing skills, when I got a tingle twitch, it was my Pinkie sense. Telling me there was big news here at the castle. So I zoomed as fast as I could. So I would not miss the big news. And I followed the voices till they lead here." She breathed deeply finishing her story while bouncing and smiling. Twilight was still confused, “What did you mean earlier, when you walked into the room??” The pink pony thought for a moment, “Hmn, oh!! We need to get you to the hospital, STAT!!” she said as she shoved Ember out the door. Ember was pushed halfway to the hospital, “Pinkie you know I can walk.” she said a little annoyed. The pink pony stopped pushing the dragon half, “Oh yeah!” Pinkie said. By this time Twilight and Spike had caught up with Ember and Pinkie. They walked the rest of the way. In the waiting room, they had a slightly heated debate if the foal was a filly or colt, and if it was going to be all dragon or part pony. Still Ember had fun with the debate. “ I know it a filly and is part pony.!” she said sure of herself. Spike fired back, “ HE is a colt and will be a dragon all the way.!” Twilight chimed in, “ You're both wrong, SHE is a full dragon filly or what ever a girl dragon is!.” And Pinkie just wanted to be part of the conversation, “ I agree with Twilight and Spike and Ember. All of the above!!” Twilight rolled her eyes, Ember sighed and shook her head, and Spike face hoofed, or pawed, or claw, which ever works. ***AFTER AN ULTRASOUND*** The group walked out of the office, minus one Pinkie Pie, plus one Pinkamena. Twilight noticed the saddened Pinkie, “Pinkie what's wrong???” Twilight asked softly and concerned, while she softly placed a hoof on Pinkamena's back. The not so pink pony sighed, “ It’s just that, dr.Stable did not tell us if it were a filly or a colt.” Ember sighed, then had an idea, “ Pinkie, thats a good thing. You can throw an extra special foal shower, the theme, Filly or Colt!!” Pinkamena turned full on Pinkie at this good news. She started to bounce fast. Then zoomed off, in a pink blur. After only 3 seconds was back, “When do you want the party?!?!” Embers and Twilights mane was now in a mess from gusts of wind caused by the fast pink pony. Ember thought, “Next week. I, I mean we need to start on the wedding.” With her answer, Pinkie zoomed away once again. Ember thought for a moment, “ Hey, the castle is a bit far. How about we fly? It will be faster.” Twilight had a, no look on her face. “Ember, the doctor said, ‘no far flying’” “Uh.” Ember got easily annoyed these days. "Fine!" So they walked the rest of the way. ~~~~~~~~~ Spike walked through the castle doors holding a grey blanket the was wrapped around a small figure. He started to bounce the blanket. He heard the giggle of a baby foal. Suddenly, the giggles turned to crying, the room was getting warmer and the walls were closing in on him. The little blanket unfurled in his arms to reveal nothing. ~~~~~~~~ Spike shot up in his bed. It was...just a dream. Just a dream ******* The next day ********** Ember and Twilight were in the dinning room having breakfast. Ember wanted some unusual foods. "oh pancakes with a big scoop of strawberry ice cream on top with a couple of peppers and pickles on the side." Twilight gave her a confused look, "oh must be the cravings." Ember nodded in agreement. Spike trudged into the room. He had not had a good sleep. Ember noticed her tired fiancé, "Spike? Are you okay? We have a big day are you up for it?" Spike was not ready for questions, he was not ready to great the day. He had a horrible night, but he did not want to upset Ember. "Oh im fine. Ready for the day. What do we have planned?" Ember thought for a moment, "First, Twilight has scheduled for all of our friend to come over so we can tell them we are getting married. Then we need to ask everyone if and how they would like to help. Hopefully every one will agree. Then we need to get started on the wedding plans. I will have lunch with the girls at Fluttershys house while you have lunch with your buddies. Then we have some free time until we need to meet back here to talk to the princesses about, well... everything that has gone on. What do you think?" Spike looked at her, blank faced, "Um...what?" Ember gave him a look, "Are you serious?" she asked plainly. Spike gave an awkward smile, "Can you run that by me one more time?" Twilight rolled her eyes as Spike laughed awkwardly. > A Full Day > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Ok we are all here. Now what was so important that we needed a meeting?” Rarity said in her fashionista voice. Everyone was at the meeting. Spikes friends, Sweetie Belle, Apple bloom, Scootaloo and Big Mac. Along with Embers friends, Nurse Redheart and Zecora. Ember and Zecora had become business partners as well as friends. After learning that Zecora grew up where Ember came from, they got to know each other and Ember became Zecoras apprentice and eventually partners. Along with the maine 6 the room was pretty full. “Okay everypony.” Twilight began, “We are here because Spike and Ember need to make some announcements.” Twilight stepped aside letting Ember and Spike take her place. Spike began stuttering, “Um...ok..well you see, me and Ember…I mean...Ember and I…” Ember sighed and took over, “We are getting married!” Everypony cheered. "I'm so happy for you." Everypony congratulated "And" Ember continued, "I'm pregnant." Everypony was silent. "Wait," Applebloom spoke up, "Did you decide to get married then got pregnant or are you getting married because you pregnant?" "Applebloom!" Applejack scowled. "No it's ok Applejack." Ember said, "I did get pregnant before we got engaged but even if I were not pregnant we would still get married." There was a silent awkwardness. "So who wants to help with the weddings?" Ember said. Everypony raised a hoof. "Great. Oh let me right this down. Let me get some things from upstairs." She said as she walked towards the stairs. Spike jumped in front of her. "Wait,I can get it for you." He said trying to be helpful. "Spike I'm not helpless you know." Ember said while glaring at him. He stepped aside letting her pass. Two minutes later, Ember appeared at the top of the stairs with a couple of quills tucked behind her ear and had a scroll and a jar of ink balanced on her wings. She started her descent down the stairs. Suddenly, Embers hoof slipped causing her to scream as she tumbled down the stairs. The ink jar breaking, the glass and ink going every where. Ember fell to the floor completely still. Ink mixing with her own blood. Everypony was completely still. Spike rushed to Embers side. He didn't realize the glass was cutting deep past his scales causing him to bleed as well. Spike sat there stunned, not knowing what to do. It felt as if he had only been by her side for 3 seconds when the hospital pegasi came and flew her to the hospital. Everypony but Spike followed, he just sat there for a minute. He then got up, ran out the door and flew as fast as he could, at a speed the would leave Rainbowdash impressed. He burst through the the hospital doors. "Where is she??!" He asked the pony at the front urgently. "Sir, can you give me the name of the pony you're looking for?” The mare asked. Spike didn't have time for this, “Where is she!?!” He asked again but louder. “Spike???” Applejack turned the corner. “What??” He snarled. “Woah, hold yer’ horses sugar cube. I just came to get ya.” She said. “Yeah yeah, Just tell me where Ember is.” He said hurried. “Shes in ICU, but…” She said grabbing his attention. “But?? But what??” He concerned and frightened. “But I just wanted to tell ya, I know how ya feel.” She said sympathetically. “Ya right!” he said pushing her aside. Applejack thought for a moment. “Spike, yer’ goin’ the wrong way.” Applejack called, Spike turned to face Applejack. "Follow me." Applejack turned toward the door. Spike after a short moment of thought soon followed, "So where is the ICU??" He said once they were outside. "Well, it's in a different part of the hospital." She started, "So it's a bit of a walk from here." Spike just shrugged. "Hey Spike, I really do know how you feel." She said not looking back. "Really, how?" He asked as he moved toward Applejack to hear her better. "Well, it happened when I was a filly. Applebloom had just been born and my ma' started to get real sick. And then the doctor said she had lung cancer. Soon after my ma died my dad.... Well, he killed himself." She said trying to stay strong. "Wow AJ, I didn't know." He said sympathetically. "It's ok, not a lot of people know, and i dont talk about it much. I just wanted ya to know we're here fer ya." She said putting a hoof around him. "Thanks Applejack." "Well we're here." Applejack said. Spike had not been paying attention to their surroundings. "Wait this is where we started!" He said confused. She just nodded. "But I thought we were... wait this is the ICU isn't it." "I needed to calm ya down." She said. He just smiled. "Now, can I please see my fiancé??" He said slightly irritated. She nodded with a smile. Spike apologized to the mare at the front desk and she told him where to find the rest of the ponies. They waited for hours. It was lay in the day when the doctor finally approached them. "How is she?" Spike asked concerned. The doctor took a deep breath before starting, "Well, the glass just missed her tracial artery. We have succeeded in getting all the glass out of her skin." "Is the foal ok??" Spike said anxiously. "The foal is fine, Ember put her hooves around her stomach when she was falling." Dr.Stable said. "Would you like to see her?" Everypony joined in a chorus of yeses. Once everypony squeezed into the small room Spike went to her bedside and held her hoof. Ember started to mumble. "Can.d.." Spike stroked her mane as she continued to mumble. "candace..." As soon as she had spoken the word clearly Zecora ran out of the room without a word. Twilight thought for a moment. "I that name from somewhere, but where?" Ember continued to mumble, "Candace." > Suprises for All > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spike walked down the hallways of the hospital. It was strangely quiet. He turned the corner to see two teenage dragon guards standing outside Ember's room. He tried to go in, the guards spread their wings and stopped him. Spike stepped back. He ran at the door in an effort to get passed the guards, but to no avail. "Hey what gives?" Spike rubbed his head. "We have been given strict orders to not let anyone Interrupt." One said stepping forward. Spike backing up bumped into Zecora. "Let him pass you see, in there is his bride to be." Zecora obviously had an effect on them. One of the guards knocked on the door. "Um your majesty, I think there is someone out here you need to meet." He said politely. "Well then,send them in." Said an unfamiliar voice from the other side of the door. The guards stepped aside and bowed. Spike opened the door soft and slowly. His mind raced with explanation of who it was, "Not Twilight, celestia or Luna, not Caidence, wait Valatine yeah Valatine. What? No! How could Shining Armor and Caidence's 5 year old filly be here or even know about Embers condition? Then who could it be?" Spike opened the door. Only to find a dragon half?!? Spike stood there in awe as he looked at the tan colored half with fire red hair, she had horns not like A unicorn horn more like animal hornS,and they had golden tips with chain. Spike examined this being before him and when he looked at her tail he noticed that the tip of her tail was the same color as Embers coat.? "Well don't just stand there. Come over here." Said the pony. Spike sat on the other side of the hospital bed. "Who are you?" Spike asked. "I am Lusheeta Laputa." She answered, "And yours and hers?" "Oh I'm Spike and this is Ember." He said. "No her full name!" She commanded. "Her full name is Ember Toelma Laputa..?" Spike started to get upset. "Who are you really? What's your whole name?!" He continued angrily. Lusheeta sighed, "I am Lusheeta Candace Laputa, queen Lusheeta, of the badlands. And embers little sister." Spike stood there, "Little sister? Candace? Wow I have so many questions. Know what just start from the beginning." She bit her lip slightly, "Ok, well, um, here goes nothing. The badlands were not always called the badlands. When my mother was fairly young her mother and father ruled the kingdom of Laputa justly. But things soon took a turn for the worst. The land began to dry. Soon Laputa became the land of drought and poverty, and became the badlands. They tried to reach the princesses but no response. Soon the citizens started an uprise and killed my grandparents but not before they took my mom to a safe place where she would not be noticed as a royal. Eventually my mom met my dad at the equestrian trade center, where they both worked. They fell in love, but a stallion and a dragon. They lost their jobs but they didn't care. And when Ember and I were born, everyone was after us. We tried to leave that's when they caught up with us. They told us to run, run and don't look back. Ember got away but they captured me. Our parents died trying to get me back. But they didn't want to kill me they wanted a ruler. So I became queen and Ember, you know the rest. Anything else you want to know?" Spike though for a moment. "Yeah, why are you here now and not sooner?" "Well," she started, "as you know zebra also live in the badlands. My advisor is a zebra named Pazu. He has a sister and he told me that they don't always keep in touch but a week ago his sister arrived at the castle, demanding to see me. She said she had found my sister and she was ill, but I didn't know it would be this bad. I would have come much sooner. I searched for 3 years to find my sister, I gave up when it was all i could think of and started to abandon my duties. ” Spike thought for a moment, “I have a one more questions, what should I call you?” “Call me Candace.” She said with a smile. Ember started to stir, then groan. She went completely still. The monitors went crazy. Everything became a fast blur to Spike and Candace as nurses were rushing in and out one nurse trying to get them to leave. The next thing they knew, Candace was in the waiting room and Spike woke up in a hospital bed. Candace looked around the room confused. She ran up to a nurse. "Mam, where is Ember Laputa?" The nurse thought for a moment. "Can you wait here for a moment?" Candace nodded. The nurse walked over to another nurse. They talked but sounded more like a mumble. Then the first nurse walked away and the other aproched Candace. "I'm nurse Redheart it will be a while until you can see Ember. Don't you want to know where Spike is?" Candace just nodded silently. £~~~~~~£ "Nurse?! NURSE!!" Spike said as sat up in the hospital bed. A nurse came running in. Spike got out of the bed ran past the nurse, "Where is she?" That's the last thing Spike remembered when he woke up everything was a blur. He looked around the room. "Hey Candace." "Hey Spike," she said, "I think someone else wants to say hi." Spike turned his head to see.....Ember?!? She had bandages all over her body. "Hey sleepy head." Ember said in the most calm voice, as if they were home and nothing had happened. Spikes eyes widened. "Are you ok??!!!!" Ember smiled, "I'm ok the doctor said if things are ok by tonight then we can go home tomorrow morning." Spike reached over and caressed her. He smiled and said, “I love you.” > A Long Story > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spike woke up to the sound of singing birds. Today is going to be great, he thought. What he didn't think of was everything that was going to happen today. So many meetings and places to be. Spike walked down the hall to Embers room.. He entered expecting to see her asleep in bed, but the bedspread was thrown open. He heard noise coming from Embers bathroom. He went over and knocked on the door. Embers voice came from the other side. "Don't," there was a sound of a liquid falling into the toilet bowl. "come in." More of the liquid sound. Spike entered anyway and found ember draped over the toilet vomiting and pale. "No." She said embarrassed. "In sickness and health." He said playfully. "We're not married yet." She answered between being sick. "I know, but I still love you know matter what." He replied. Ember leaned back away from the toilet. "I think," she said gasping for breath. "It's over." Spike got up from kneeling beside Ember and got a cup from the cabinet then filled it with water and gave it to her. Sip by sip she drank the water until it was gone. Her color returned slowly. Spike helped her to her bed. "Remember what the doctor said," spike scolded playfully, "you need as much bed rest as you can get. And we have a full day ahead of us." "I know." Ember said smiling softly. "What?" He asked confused. "My life is perfect." She told him "How so?" " I live here, in a castle. I have all my friends and my sister. I'm getting married. I have the most caring fiancé. And I'm about to be a mom. If that's not a perfect life, then what is?" He just smiled but she knew what he was thinking. And with that silence Spike left his bride to be to sleep. Spike walked into his room and sat on his bed. He covered his face with his hands and hung his head. Twilight walked into the room. "Spike. Rarity's in the hall and," she noticed Spike on the bed, "What's wrong. Are you ok?" "Yes, no, maybe. I don't know." He answered. Twilight walked over and sat beside him. Rarity walked in on the silence. "Is everything alright?" She walked over and sat on his other side. Spike bust out, a flood of emotion. "I can't do it. How does Ember stay so positive? I don't know if I'm ready to be a dad. I don't know how to be a dad. I never had a real dad. I just." He sighed and returned to his previous position. Twilight and Rarity were startled and stunned by his sudden outburst. This rarely happened, for spike to be like this. So when it does happen, it's strange. Twilight broke the silence. "Spike why would you." "Save it." He interrupted. "Spike!" Rarity snapped. "Don't. Just get out." He commanded. They hesitated. "Get out!" He screamed. The girls rushed out of the room. Soon after Ember appeared in the doorway. "Is everything alright. I heard yelling." She said softly. He sighed. "It's just....nothing." Spike patted a spot next to him. Ember walked over to the bed. Laid down next to him and rested her head on his lap. "You're going to be a great dad." She soon fell asleep. Spike stroked her main and left her to rest, shutting the door behind him. Spike carefully made his desent down the stairs and walked down the large, infinitely long halls he tuned into the lounging room and found Twilight reading a dragon romance novel. Even though Twilight had next to no real love life she never could get enough cheesy romantic novels. Twilight sat straight up in alarm when Spike sat down next to her with all his weight throwing Twilight into the air for a split second. They looked at each other without a word. Silence filled the room spreading through the castle reaching every nook and cranny. "Spike? I.... I just want you to know. You are the strongest person I have met, your also the most caring, and thoughtfull. You put others before yourself and so I understand that every once and awhile that life gets ahead and you need your moments. And..." She was interrupted by the slam of the front door. Frantic hoof steps followed by familiar family voices. “TWILIGHT!!” Screamed Shining armor and Cadence in the front of the castle. "Auntie twilight! Come here right NOW!" Said five year old Valatine. Rushing through the halls twilight and spike were in a panic because of the sudden emergency. But of course stopped to take the time to carefully walk down the stairs. Once they had finally gotten to the main hallway they were out of breath. Not noticing the two panting. Shining Armor and Cadence bombarded them with questions. "Auntie Twilight! Where is Ember?” Valatine was the first to get a clear question to them threw the noise. “Everybody just calm down.” Twilight erupted. the room quietened. “Now will somepony please tell me what's going.” Cadence stepped forward, “We received a letter from Celestia that there had been an accident and to come to you as fast as we could. Now can you tell me what's going on and why didn't you inform us sooner?” twilight was about to speak when another voice was heard from another part of the room. at the top of the stairs. “What's everyone yelling about.” Asked ember innocently. Cadences hoof flew to her mouth as she gave a devastated gasp as she saw the bandages covering embers head. "Ember!" Twilight and spike said in surprise. "Stay there." Spike said, "We’ll come up to you." Everyone followed spike up the staircase where Ember lead them to the "mini library" as Twilight calls it but it was originally just a sitting room which Twilight then filled with books. "You may want to take a seat," Ember exclaimed and sighed, "it's a long story." > Royal Pain > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cadence and Shining Armor sat, jaws agape, in the mini library, with Valatine climbing all over her aunt Twilight. "So what you're telling us is," Cadence started and Shining finished with, "you two are getting married and you're pregnant and your long lost little sister is the queen of the badlands and she vanished home this morning??" "Yes." Spike and Ember said in unison. Twilight had come to a sudden realization, "Wait, Spike you're going to get married and are going be a parent before me!" Everypony laughed, even Valatine who had no clue what was going on. Ember thought for a moment, "Will you three be staying for the weekend." Cadence and Shining Armor whispered together and after a moment Cadence had an answer. "Sadly we can't stay but shining and I have to attend a political meeting so, spike, Ember we were wondering if you would like a little training a would watch Valatine for the weekend." With bright smiles on both of there faces Spike and Ember noded their heads yes. So they just sat there answering questions about Valatine's schedule. When she naps, what she eats ect. so when the time came Cadence and Shining Armor said goodbye to their daughter and headed out the door. The first couple of minutes was just Valatine playing on the floor with a small puzzle. Spike and Ember relaxed on the nearby couch. Valatine suddenly ran up to Spike and yelled in his ear. "Spiiiiiiiike I'm huuuuuuuungry get me food." She thought for a split second, “Please?” Spike was startled by Valatines sudden outburst. Ember sat there giggling a moment before getting up and heading to the kitchen Once in the hallway Valatine started to ask ember some questions. "Do you love uncle Spike?” “Of course i do Valatine, we are going to have a wedding you know, and we are going to have a baby.” “Whats a wedding?” “Its a big celebration where everyone dresses up to see two ponies tell eachother how much they love them and they become husband and wife, like your mommy and daddy. And lots of ponys play a part, for example you,” Ember said making Valatine giggle. “You, little lady, get to be the flower filly. You get to throw flowers everywhere!” "Yay" Finally they got to the kitchen. Twilight has very little staff at the castle mostly guards, one guard which she has a crush on but, the castle has little to no kitchen staff because one, Twilight's best friend is a master baker. And two, Ember is a skilled chef in her free time. "So this paper says if you want a snack you usually have toasted oat cookies and milk." Ember said tying an apron around her waist then Spike’s old apron around Valatine. It was big on her but it was still so cute. "Well I guess we will have to make some.” They spent the next hour cutting, mixing, pouring, and rolling. Finally they put them in the oven. Ember realized moments like these are the moments she hoped to share with her future child. Valatine sniffed the air with a warm smile. "I've never MADE my snack before.” “Well then we should do this more often, I can teach you to cook” Ember wiped some cookie batter on Valatine’s nose. They both giggled as she tried to get it off with her tongue. After snacks it was taking forever to put valatine down for a nap even though she needed it . “The more I chase her the more energy she gets” Spike wheezed, out of breath. “You can’t catch me HA HA HA” Valatine continued to giggle as she ran around the large bedroom. “Tell me a story.” Ember stood on the sidelines laughing. “You want a story FINE!” Spike breathed in sharply as he ran. “Once … upon a time … there was a princess … named Valentine … and the princess was very tired … so she went to bed … THE END!” Everyone laughed as the chase continued. After a long period of chasing and laughing Valatine was finally down the hall dreaming away in her queen sized bed. She is a Dutchess after all. Spike and Ember laid back on Embers bed. “I’m glad you were able to put her down for her nap now we finally have some time to ourselves.” Spike said stretching his arm around Ember. “Are you excited For our next ultrasound tomorrow?” She asked giddily “Of course I am.” Spike responded. “Do you want to see something cool?” “Sure.” Ember took ahold of Spike’s hand and placed it on her warm belly. “Do you feel it.” “Is that a kick?” He asked excitedly. “No, she is flapping her wings.” She let out a small laugh. “She? I think it’s a boy.” Spike frantically moved his brow up and down causing the room to explode with laughter. “Ssshhhh,” Ember hit Spike with a pillow. “Hey!” Spike threw two pillows at Ember. “Gah!” Pillows continued to fly across the room. Spike and Ember put there hands in the air “I surrender.” They said in unison. They both flopped on the bed giggling. “It’s going to be a girl I just know it.” Ember giggled. Spike stretched out on the bed and placed his arm behind Ember, she placed her arm on his chest closed her eyes and sighed, “I love you, you know that right?” Spike leaned in close, “Ofcourse I do. I love you too.” Spike leaned in further and there lips met in a fantasy like kiss. Ember wrapped her leg around Spikes. Suddenly Twilight busts through the door. “Is every pony ok i heard screaming and…” Twilight’s face turned bright red, stunned, she just stood there. Spike and ember jumped to there feet. Both bright red, all three speechless. “oh my goodness.” Twilight stared at the ground. “I im sooo sorry you two I didn't mean to interrupt… that but i heard screams and, oh boy.” Twilight tried to leave while she was rambling but hit the wall twice before succeeding in actually escaping the awkward scene. Spike and Ember looked at each other giggled and flopped back onto the bed.