> The Dragon and the Pony
>  by ScrimpyMule
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> Chapter 1
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It was a warm summer afternoon in Ponyville and a young couple was strolling just outside of town. They had known each other for five years, but their love had been mutual for less than one. His feelings had taken hold at first sight. She had only begun to reciprocate those feelings in the fall of the previous year.
Spike and Rarity were anything, but an ordinary couple. She was a unicorn, twenty-five years of age. He was a dragon, five years her junior. He had technically been just a baby dragon when they had met due to the fact that dragons aged at less than one-tenth the speed of ponies. Over the past couple of years he had reached the very beginning of his adolescent years, hitting a very minor growth spurt. His body was beginning to match his mental and emotional maturity, which had developed long ago. This opened the way for Rarity to think of him as something more than her “little Spiky-Wiky”. He did not yet match her in height, but he had broadened slightly and the green scales at the top of his head now came up to her eyes rather than her chin.
To her this was nothing more than another one of their casual and rather frequent dates. To him it was so much more, and it was making him nervous He was more apprehensive now than he had ever been in all his life and it was making him sick. So sick in fact that Rarity was beginning to worry. 
“Spike Dear, are you alright?” she asked, “you look positively green…and I’m not talking about your naturally green scales.” 
She was referring to the scales that jutted out of his body, lining his spine and the top of his head. He had a white underbelly and the rest of his body was covered with purple scales. If his purple scales were discolored he was more nervous than he realized. He was beginning to wonder if this was a bad idea.
Spike smiled through his nerves. “No, I’m fine.”
“Are you sure dear? Perhaps we should get you back to the library to rest.”
Before he could answer she put her hoof to his forehead. “Spike!” she exclaimed, “you’re running a fever. Come on, let’s get you home and into bed.”
He grabbed her front leg before she could go any farther. “I’m fine my sweet, it’s not a fever.” He marveled once again at how caring she was. He didn’t know how he could love her more than he already did, but somehow his love grew every time he looked into her eyes. It was thoughts of her that kept him from repeating his sixteenth birthday, when he succumbed to greed (every dragon’s weakness), turned into a full-grown dragon, and nearly destroyed Ponyville.
“Then what is it?”
Spike took a deep breath. “Rarity, I love you. I have since the first time I saw you. Ever since we started going out I feel myself falling deeper in love with you every day. I’m at the point where I can’t imagine life without you.” He got down on one knee and produced a ring made entirely of gemstones, which he had painstakingly created using his own fire-breath and his ability to chew the world’s hardest rocks like candy. “Rarity, will you marry me?”
Tears of joy were falling from Rarity’s eyes and her beautiful face was beaming brighter than the sun. Her lips began to move as her answer came out. “Father Spike.”
Spike was dumbfounded. That wasn’t one of the answers he had prepared himself for. That wasn’t even Rarity’s voice.
“Father Spike.” The voice came from Rarity’s lips again, louder this time. She seemed just as confused as he was, though her confusion was rooted from his behavior rather than the voice.	
“Father Spike!”
The third call pulled Spike from his daydream in the past and into the reality of the present. He was in his cave, sitting on the ground against the wall. He looked down to see his best disciple, Dusk. She was the one responsible for pulling him form his personal paradise.
“Yes Dusk, what is it?” he asked, trying not to sound as irritated as he was. He did not want to snap at anypony who had done nothing to deserve it.  
Dusk just stared up at him for a moment, clearly worried about him. “Princess Celestia is going to come by later today to visit with you. She asked me when the best time was for her to come and I said that late afternoon would be best. Is that okay?”
“That’s fine.” He wanted to show some more enthusiasm about seeing his oldest living friend again and getting the chance to catch up, but he was too weak and his breathing too shallow. 
“What’s wrong Father Spike?” asked Dusk, “the whole clan is worried about you.”
Spike gave a half smile and a slight chuckle, coughing afterwards. “Of course they are. I’m alright” He saw the light coming from the opening of the cave. He couldn’t see the outside world because even sitting down he towered over the cave entrance and he was too weak to maneuver himself to a better viewing position. The way the light was coming in he judged that mid-day was still a way off. “You should get to your morning chores and then to your studies.” 
“Yes Father Spike.” Dusk left, turning back at the entrance to look into his eyes again. She tried to hold back tears, but with little success. She walked outside and left him alone.
Spike hated making the clan worry, Dusk most of all. She was closer to him than anypony had been in a long time. Sighing, he allowed himself to return to his paradise in the past. With no effort at all he was once again face-to-face with his beautiful Rarity. She uttered one word that calmed the butterflies in his stomach and returned the color to his face. One word that seemed to make him utterly weightless.
“Yes.”

> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spike stood on the porch of Ponyville Town Hall. Princess Celestia stood behind him and Twilight Sparkle stood to his left. Sweetie Belle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie stood to his far right. Princess Celestia was the only one among them who wasn’t in fancy attire, being royalty and never needing to go out of her way to look stunning for any occasion because she already was. Spike had to keep reminding himself why they were all there due to an inability to keep a full grasp on the situation. He and Rarity were getting married today. He and Rarity were getting married today. He and Rarity were getting married today. No matter how many times he reminded himself he still found it hard to believe.
It was relatively early in the autumn season. The temperatures were perfect in the day and the Running of the Leaves had not yet taken place to knock down all the discolored leaves. This made the surrounding landscape perfect for the occasion, giving it a serene beauty.
They had been waiting for the bride for quite some time. Rarity was one to take her time preparing for anything. Spike didn’t mind, she was a pony worth waiting on. Eventually, Scootaloo and Applebloom came walking down the isle scattering flowers. As they came along, Fluttershy began directing her songbirds. That was when Rarity appeared in a wedding dress of her own design. Spike couldn’t speak or breathe upon seeing her. She had always had that effect on him, but this time he had to struggle to start breathing again and he nearly made a scene doing it. It wasn’t the dress she was wearing that got to him, but rather the fact that she was the one wearing it. Spike felt as though his face would fall off due to his wide, painful grin.
Rarity approached the steps and made her way up. She took her place next to Spike and they both turned to the Princess.
“Mares and Gentlecolts”, Princess Celestia began, “we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Rarity and Spike. Their unlikely love has overcome many challenges and so long as they do all that is necessary to keep their love alive, they will overcome many more.”
Spike drifted off during the Princess’s speech, lost in the moment. Rarity was about to become his wife. She was the girl of his dreams and so much more. He simply couldn’t believe his fortune.
He came to in time to hear Princess Celestia ask for the rings. Twilight produced one ring made of gemstones and another made of gold (so Spike wouldn’t be tempted to eat the symbol of his marriage). The Princess placed the rings on the bride and groom and brought the ceremony to its conclusion.
“I now pronounce you Husband and Mare”, she continued, “its time for breakfast Father Spike.”
Spike groaned, this time he understood what was happening. He blinked and found himself once again in his cave. A team of handmaidens came in carrying ten large crates of fruit. Spike wasn’t hungry and he just wanted to be left alone, but he knew better than to argue. He would eat even if they had to force him to eat.
With some help, he opened his mouth and tilted his head back. Two crates were dumped into his mouth one after the other. He refused to eat more after that.
“Father Spike, you have to eat more”, said one of the handmaidens. “If you don’t eat you won’t get your strength back.”
“I don’t want any anymore. I’m not hungry”, Spike said sternly, “please just let me be.”
The handmaidens of the clan reluctantly complied with his request. He had eaten something, that was enough for now. They left to distribute the remaining crates of fruit elsewhere. Seconds later, Spike found himself kissing his new bride. The ensuing festivities took too long in his opinion. He decided that wedding parties must be for the guests to have something to celebrate rather than the enjoyment of the bride and groom, who just wanted to begin their new life together. Eventually the party ended and they did just that.
____

Days later, Spike and Rarity stood in a large cave several miles south of Ponyville. As a wedding gift, Princess Celestia had given them the cave and the plot of cliff-side land just outside for when Spike matured into a full-grown dragon. They were making plans to build a home on this land and were discussing the house and whether or not they would furnish the cave right away. It would be a long time before he would need the cave and she would be long dead and buried by then.
They decided that a large house with large rooms would be for the best. This way Spike would not have to worry about outgrowing the house in Rarity’s lifetime. In the meantime they would live in Rarity’s boutique. Rarity would move shop to their new house when they got it built and Spike would serve as a scribe for Princess Celestia in Ponyville. He could easily provide for both of them, but fashion was what she loved to do and he wouldn’t dream of taking it away from her.
They were discussing how many floors the house would need, where it would stand, and how many rooms it would have when suddenly, to Spike’s chagrin, he was once again yanked from his paradise by the cruel clutches of reality.
“Father Spike!”
Spike looked down to see Thunderhead, who was the leader of the clan ever since Spike had become too weak to fill that role.	
Spike sighed, “What is it now?” he asked, greatly annoyed. He just wanted to be left alone to his daydreams. He had surrendered his ability to send and receive letters form Princess Celestia to Dusk. He had given all his responsibilities as leader of the clan over to Thunderhead. There was nothing left for him now, save the past. He was greatly perturbed to have been pulled from his paradise yet again.
Thunderhead sensed Spike’s irritation and got straight to the point. “The handmaids told me you barely ate any breakfast. How do you expect to get better if you don’t eat?”
“Maybe I don’t want to get better”, Spike retorted.		
Thunderhead sighed, “I know you miss her Father Spike, but you need to at least try and get better. Think of the clan.”
“I was thinking of the clan when I selected you to take my place. I distinctly said that you were replacing me, not just filling in for me for a little while. You and the others need to just accept the fact that your generation is the one that will have to let me go.”
“It’s not fair of you to ask us to do that!”
“It’s not fair of you to try and make me stay. This is what I want Thunderhead. Its what I’ve wanted for longer than any of you can imagine. Now please, let me be.”
Thunderhead hung his head in resignation and left. Spike found himself once again at the side of his beautiful Rarity. They were in their new home, having just finished moving in. He put his arm around her, determined to make every moment with her count.

> Chapter 3
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Spike sat at his desk preparing a Ponyville Census report for Princess Celestia. He was home alone because Rarity had left for a visit to the doctor’s office. She had been getting sick very frequently lately, especially in the mornings. They took it as a minor bug that had been running through Equestria in the past weeks. He finished the report and sent it off, massaging his cramped claws afterwards. He then started on other, less consequential reports.
He was still busy at his desk when Rarity came in looking terrified. He immediately took notice of this and stopped what he was doing; though neglecting to put down the quill he had been using. Terror filled him as he gazed into her eyes. His imagination began running wild with horrible scenarios, each one leaving him all alone without her. He didn’t think he could do that, not after only being with her for three years. It was too much. It was too soon. 
Spike barely found words. “What is it my sweet? What’s wrong?” He tried to sound cheerful and confident, but to little avail.
Rarity could barely speak. “Spike I’m…I’m…pregnant.”
Spike jolted back, shocked. “What?!”
“I’m pregnant”, said Rarity as tears of horror fell from her beautiful face.
Spike could feel hot fury growing inside him. She had betrayed him, that was the only possible explanation. A dragon and a pony could never conceive, it was impossible. She had broken the vows she had made by marrying him. The vows she was supposed to remember every time she looked up at the ring on her horn.
Rarity noticed his anger, which was the reason for her fear. “Spike, you must believe me, I haven’t-“, she was cut off by her own gasp as the quill in Spike’s hand burst into flame.
Before she could spout anymore lies, Spike abruptly stood, knocking back his chair in the process. He stomped out in anger, leaving Rarity lying on the floor crying uncontrollably.

___

Spike made his way to the top of the cliff outside their home and sat there, sobbing with his head in his claws. He felt betrayed, furious, and hurt. She was supposed to love him and him alone. Had her love lost its strength? Was he no longer the dragon she loved? Had he driven her away somehow? Their love was supposed to be strong enough to overcome any challenge.
Spike’s head jerked up with sudden realization. Their love WAS strong enough to overcome any challenge. He had seen the same love do the impossible before. He had seen the love between Shining Armor and Princess Cadence repel an entire army of changelings from Equestria. He didn’t know how or why, but the love he shared with Rarity had somehow made it possible for them to conceive. The seed growing inside his wife was his.
Spike stood and made his way down and into the house. He went upstairs to find Rarity in the bedroom with her face buried in the pillows, crying just as hard as when he had left. He walked over, scooped her up, and wrapped her in his arms. He explained that he believed her and begged her for forgiveness for having doubted her, but she had already forgiven him. Spike held onto his wife, whose face was buried in his chest, afraid of the ridicule that lie in wait for her. Other ponies would not be so understanding and he wondered how or if he could protect her from it. His heart ached at the realization that there was little, if anything, he could do.
“Its lunch-time Father Spike”, said one of the handmaids. Several handmaids entered, pulling him back to reality. This time they carried only three crates of fruit. Spike guessed that Thunderhead had told them not to try and force him to eat more than he was willing to. Spike was grateful for this, he had lost his will to live when his age had made him unable to lead the clan. His time was fast approaching and the situation was simply made more complicated and more painful than necessary by those who refused to let go of him. It broke his heart that this generation would have to see him die when all the others that came before had lived and died under his leadership. Thunderhead had accepted what was happening and was doing his best to prepare the clan for it. This was one of the reasons Spike had selected him to lead.
Spike only ate one crate of fruit this time. The handmaids were clearly disappointed by this, but they didn’t argue. They left with tear-filled eyes, trying not to break down and sob in front of him. They were trying to accept the reality of the situation as well and it broke their hearts.
Spike returned to his paradise and found himself behind bars. Rarity was only one month away from the arrival of their baby and her supposed unfaithfulness was the center focus of gossip in Ponyville. Only their closest friends seemed to think she was innocent of betrayal. One stallion had stepped up to them when they had gone into town for groceries and called her a whore. Spike rewarded his boldness with a black eye and a bloody mouth. Spike was punished for protecting his wife by being thrown in jail. Rarity was in the process of bailing him out.
When they got home they began discussing what they would do with Rarity’s shop. Ever since the rumors had started after she had begun to show, her business at the boutique had plummeted. Most of her patrons in Ponyville had stopped coming, which led to decreased business form afar. The business was consuming more bits than it was drawing in. They decided to wait until after the foal was born to do anything. Perhaps they would be able to prove that Spike was the father, restore Rarity’s reputation, and return the shop to its former glory.

___

Rarity’s faithfulness was proved when she gave birth to a new breed of pony, an alicorn with the wings of a dragon. Spike and Rarity were perplexed by this because Spike was of a wingless breed of dragons, but they decided not to question this miracle. Rarity would receive many apologies, including from the stallion Spike had assaulted. Her shop also began to pick back up, but would never again be what it had been before the terrible rumors had been spread.
The foal was a filly. Seven others would follow her over the years, each one would be of the same new breed. In the beginning they would grow up and leave to make their own life, however it was discovered that these dragon-winged alicorns could match with any other pony, regardless of race, and produce the same dragon-winged alicorns. Upon this discovery it was decided that it would be best to keep them all on the plot of land given to them by Princess Celestia. Over the generations foals would grow up and leave in search of a soul mate. They would return upon finding them to begin their new life together.
Eventually, Spike and Rarity would become the patriarchs of what came to be known as the Dragon-Pony Clan, which over time would play a great role in Equestrian society.


> Chapter 4
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	Spike sat at the bedside next to Rarity, marveling at how beautiful she was. Since they had married she had been getting more beautiful by the day. Somehow, every day he found himself loving her more then he did the last. Every time he thought he couldn’t be more in love with her, he surprised himself. Nothing could match her beauty. Even on her deathbed she was the most beautiful thing in the world.
Rarity’s breathing was shallow. She was old and gray. At one hundred and twenty-one years old, she was well beyond the average life span of ponies. Spike simply credited this as another one of the countless miracles that had been shared between them in their beautiful life together. He was being forced to live without her for as short a time as possible. Even though it would be centuries before he found himself in the same position that she was now in, he was grateful to have had her for as long as he did. Still, even with all his gratitude for this miracle, he desperately wanted to die with her so as not to be forced to live without her.
Rarity was about to make her journey to the other side, leaving him behind. The mere thought of how long he might have to carry on without her at his side terrified him and made his heart ache more than he could have ever imagined. He was ever the more grateful to have the clan. He didn’t think he could go on this journey though the rest of his life alone, not with his sanity in tact. Though, even with the clan he had his doubts that he could carry on without her for so long.
Rarity looked up at him and smiled, sending shivers up his spine as her smiles always did. “Spike, my years with you were more than I could have ever imagined, thank you. I’ll be watching you from the other side, waiting for you to come join me, as long as it takes.”
“Don’t worry my sweet”, Spike replied, “I’ll be there shortly. You won’t have to wait long.”
“No my love, I need you to make me a promise. No matter how long it takes, I want you to live until your time. Look after the clan. Watch over them until old age brings you back into my hooves. Never give up on this life. Promise me.”
Spike hesitated, tears falling from his face. He was barely able to speak. “I…I promise. I’ll hold on until my time comes and watch over the clan, no matter how long it takes.” He leaned over her and, despite being a teenage dragon over five times her size, managed to kiss her lips softly and sweetly. “I love you Rarity, thank you for the best years of my life.”
She melted his heart with one more smile, closed her eyes, and gave up the ghost. Spike felt as though his heart had been ripped out and stomped into the ground. It seemed that he had lost the one thing that made this place his place and now his purpose was no longer immediately clear to him. He had known for a long time that this moment would come, but that did little to prepare him for the pain of losing her.
Rarity’s funeral service was immensely crowded with ponies who had cared for her a great deal. She had outlived all their friends from the old days (except Princess Celestia and Princess Luna) and Spike missed them nearly as much as he missed her. It didn’t take long for him to grow weary of all the ponies giving their so-called “condolences”. Near the end he thought he might strike the next pony who said, “she’s in a better place now”.
That night, Spike stood in front of Rarity’s grave wondering how he would live on for centuries without her. Princess Celestia quietly approached and sat beside him. She had been there at his side during the service, not saying anything save a few words to the gathering in Rarity’s honor. She understood that sometimes one’s presence was all that was necessary to provide comfort, rather than tedious phrases. 
“Thank you”, Spike said, not taking his eyes of Rarity’s tombstone.
Princess Celestia looked up at him perplexed. “For what?”
“For not saying anything, for just being there.”
There was silence for a few moments until Spike spoke again. “How did you do it?”
“Do what?”
“When you were forced to banish Luna to the moon, how did you live without her for a thousand years?” Luna may not have been Celestia’s soul mate, but they were immortal sisters. Each was the only constant thing the other had.
Princess Celestia sighed and let out a deep breath. “That’s a good question, one that I still ask myself. I suppose much of it was that I was so busy all time with both of our responsibilities. It certainly wasn’t easy. Every day I had to carry on without her was like living in my own personal Hell.
“I don’t think I can live without Rarity. Not an entire dragon’s life span. She is in my heart, but my heart is shattered.”
“Your heart isn’t the only place where you can find her, you just have to know where to look.” She turned and left before he could ask the question only he could answer: where?

___

In the beginning, living without Rarity was like a stake being driven into Spike’s heart every day. Soon, however, he learned to look to the clan for her. She was a part of them and it helped to ease the pain of losing her. Somehow each generation that passed was able to keep a part of her in them, giving him the strength to endure the long years and making his existence bearable.
Days became weeks, weeks became months, months became years, and years became centuries. Spike outlived his children, and their children, and their children, and so on in a cycle that seemed never-ending.
Spike lived on as leader of the clan, watching them prosper and build a proud history in Equestria. Their population stayed the same for the most part, but their power and influence in Equestria grew more with each generation. They built up a tendency to make up the majority of the Royal Guard. They also became highly involved with the Equestrian Military, which was usually rather inactive because there was no need for military activity with Equestria being the borderline utopia that it was.  
It was not uncommon for a member of the clan to go down in history. Nearly eight generations after Rarity and Spike a dragon-winged alicorn became the third pony to ever accomplish a sonic rainboom, following Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo who had done it over five hundred years earlier. Over time, the Wonderbolts became the Dragonbolts after dragon-winged alicorns made up more and more of the team until the requirements to join the team became so harsh that only members of the clan could manage it. Dusk was incredibly talented in magic much like Twilight Sparkle had been. Twilight over time had surpassed Starswirl the Bearded and now Dusk seemed to have the potential to surpass Twilight. 
Spike watched the countless generations come and go, never truly growing used to being the one who got left behind. It was a peaceful and quiet existence, but it was filled with monotonous routine and heartache. He led the clan for one thousand and twelve years after Rarity passed, unable to prevent the loneliness from ripping his heart to shreds over and over again.
___

Princess Celestia arrived at the village of the Dragon Pony Clan in a carriage pulled by two dragon-winged alicorns. The Princess exited the carriage and nodded to Dusk, who had been waiting for her and was now curtsying. 
“How is he Dusk?” asked Princess Celestia, getting straight to the point.
Dusk shook her head, tears in her eyes. “He’s dying. The physician says he won’t last the night. He’s lost the will to live and keeps insisting that it’s his time.”
Princess Celestia nodded in understanding and entered the cave to find Spike lying on the ground, surrounded by the entire clan. His breathing was shallow and he had little strength left. He was about to make his journey to the other side.
“Hello Spike”, she said, “you look great.”
Spike chuckled and her kind sarcasm, coughed afterwards, and winced from the ensuing pain. “It’s good to see you again Princess”, he said wearily. “I’ve longed for this moment for a millenium and now it’s finally here. I can be with her again soon.”
“It’s good to see you so happy again old friend.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Everything. Everything you’ve ever said. Everything you’ve ever done. For being there for me all these long years. Thank you.”
Princess Celestia approached him and rubbed her cheek against his, being too small to hug him. “I’ll miss you Spike. Thank you for everything you have done in your long life among us. Thank you for giving us the clan.”
Spike smiled at her and she stepped aside so he could speak with others. 
“Thunderhead”, he called weakly.
“Yes Father Spike?” answered Thunderhead sorrowfully.
“You have made a great leader and I know that you will continue to do so. Listen to the ideas and opinions of others and lead by example. I’m proud of you.”
“Yes Father Spike, thank you.”
“Dusk”, Spike called.
“Yes Father Spike?” she answered with a cracked voice and tear-filled eyes.
“Keep up with your studies and practicing your magic. I’m proud of you my dear.”
“Yes Father Spike.” She approached and gave him the same goodbye that he had received form Princess Celestia.
Spike then addressed the entire clan. They had to gather close to hear his weak voice. “I love you all and I’m proud of each and every one of you. Mother Rarity and I will be watching you from the other side.”
There was silence in the cave except for sobbing from the clan. Spike could feel himself drifting away. He could see Rarity; young as she was the day they married and ten times as beautiful as ever. She was beckoning to him, it was his time. “Go to her”, he heard Princess Celestia say. He reached toward his wife with his adolescent claws and grabbed her outstretched hoof.
After over a thousand years, he finally felt at peace again. This was not the end. He was about to begin a new life with his beloved Rarity. And unlike the last, this life would have no end. Spike made a grin that was wider than he had smiled in centuries. He closed his eyes, relaxed his muscles, and released his last breath.

The End