Long ago in a distant land, there lived a terrible tyrant. He ordered the ponies of his country into slave labor, commanding them with an iron fist. His cruelty knew no limit, as often once the hard working ponies finished some massive project, he would destroy it and order it to be remade. But none dared oppose him, as the only thing that outshone his malevolent nature was his immense strength and powerful magic.

Perhaps it was also fear for his physical form as well. He, unlike the servants he surrounded himself with, walked upon two legs, and could use hands to manipulate his surroundings in ways even unicorn magic found difficult. He could hold weapons, such as his mighty blade, which was said to be able to cleave one's very soul. Not that he needed to, with his razor sharp claws and teeth, a jaw strong enough to grind even diamond to dust.

Thick scales covered his entire body, and rendered him impervious to nearly any sort of attack, especially fire. For that was his favorite of the elements, and a deep plume of flame would be the end of many an usurper. The tyrant's name has been passed down into legend, and even today sparks fear: The DracoLord.

And so, his rule went unchallenged, until one brave slave rose up, Sakura! She broke off her shackles, picked up a heavy tome and waited for the DracoLord to some inspect her progress on sorting his massive library. He entered the room, looking around in confusion. He looked to her two friends and fellow servants.

"Where is she?" He commanded, and that was when she pounced!

"Take that, ya varmint!"

Spike was thrown to the ground under the weight of Apple Bloom's surprise attack. The other Crusaders jumped in as well, dog piling the baby dragon. He gasped under the weight of three young ponies.

"Guys, come on, I thought you wanted to try to be Cutie Mark Crusaders Librarians! That means treating the books nicely. Twilight will kill me if another one gets damaged."

They gave a unified sigh of boredom. He'd been trying to keep them on task and help put the books away, but it was like trying to get Pinkie to resist sweets. The CMC had read comic books, made a book fort, tried to give several wordy tomes a few pictures "To make it easier to understand", and even when he did get them to just put the books away, they often put books up based on the title's alphabetical order, rather than the author. And now this had happened.

"Spike, darling, is everything alright in there?"

Rarity stepped in to see the chaos in the library. She had been smiling, but now it turned into a hard stare at the young ones. It wasn't quite THE stare, but it was just as chilling.

"Now girls, not only is this Twilight's home, but Mister O'Wisdom was trusted to keep it safe while she was away. How would you feel if Twilight were to blame him for this mess?"

Scootaloo scratched her head.

"Wait, if it was his job, where is he anyway? He's being a slacker!"

Rarity smiled softly at the little ones, using her magic to sort through the books.

"Oh, don't be mad with him. I offered to watch it for the weekend, but he does have the responsibility for it until Twilight gets back. Besides, Cheerilee needed a little get away with him."

"Oh yeah, he's her um... what did you call him again sis?"

"Her beau, Sweetie. Her coltfriend. Lucky mare..."

Rarity put a book away with a bit more force than necessary. Oh yes, everypony getting together these days. Twilight and Trixie, Fluttershy and Big Macintosh, Gilda and Rainbow Dash, Words and Cheerilee. Why, I'd have sworn I saw Applejack act FLIRTY around Caramel. But with the orders coming in so much thanks to all the popularity, I haven't had time to try the dating scene myself. Oh, poor Rarity, doomed to be an old grey spinster.

Spike coughed and tapped her shoulder. The unicorn looked down at him, torn from the depressing train of thought.

"Um, Rarity, I was wondering if you'd like to go out to dinner tonight. I got some bits saved up from the allowance the Princess gives us. We could eat at that fancy Istallion restaurant that just opened up in town."

The girls jumped around excitedly, over hearing the idea. Spike seemed miffed the girls had shoehorned into his suggestion for a date, but Rarity smiled softly at the redirected energy.

"It seems everyone wants to eat out tonight, we might as well. Don't worry about paying Spike. I have more than enough funds to handle the cost of us all. I've been wanting to try their potato gnocchi. The Aloe sisters told me and Fluttershy it was absolutely delightful when they went. I just hope we can get a reservation for this evening.. and I will have to brush you all up on fine dining etiquette."

The girl's good mood suddenly vanished as the unicorn shepherded them into the kitchen. They were forced to stand still as Rarity set out forks, spoons, knives, napkins, and even set up a candelabra. She stood next to her chair and looked sweetly at Spike.

"Now, a gentleco... dragon, would be so kind as to pull out the chairs for the young mares present?"

If only because he wanted to impress her, the young dragon politely pulled out the chairs for them all, pushing them in. Apple Bloom have a small snicker as he sat down next to Rarity.

"Got you so wrapped around her hoof you could uncork bottles Spike."

"She does not!"

"Spike, would you light the candles? Thank you darling."

The baby dragon blushed furiously as the Crusaders giggled at him. The lesson dragged on for a while, as Rarity wouldn't accept less than perfection. When the girls finally had the manners down, the make over began. This was even worse as far as Scootaloo was concerned. Spike fortunately managed to get away with just a quick bath, his scales scrubbed to a blinding shine.

"Now then, Spike, run down and see about a table for five. We'll be along as soon as I get the girls finished and do my hair."

Walking to the restaurant, Spike grumbled to himself. Darn it, all she sees me as is a little kid. Maybe, if I can impress her with my manners and style during dinner, she might start noticing me!

Spike got the table, and spent the next hour waiting on them to show up. He was just about ready to give up when the four walked in. The fillies looked uncomfortable in the frilly skirts Rarity had forced upon them, but at least nopony would pay attention to them. Rarity had arrived in a form fitting black dress, a high slit just barely revealing her cutie mark on her right side.

Poor Spike was so stunned he could only mumble his order and stare the whole evening, enraptured by the beauty before him. Though he did remember the pulling of chairs and other minor manners. Rarity chided the girls once for forgetting their lessons, when they got tomato sauce all over their faces. But otherwise, it was a pleasant affair, though more than one waiter overfilled or outright broke a glass, distracted by the sight of the dazzling unicorn.

After dinner, he followed in a dazed as they walked all the girls back to the library and put them down for the night. He yawned loudly, as he was just as young as they were and the day had turned quite long for him. Rarity tucked him into bed, smiling softly.

"Thank you so very much for being on top of things and being an absolute gentlecolt. I really do appreciate it darling."

She gave the young dragon a little kiss on the forehead, which knocked him right out. Poor dear, he's such a sweetheart about everything. I just hope he gets over this little crush of his. I could never see this adorable little baby dragon as anything but that, even when the day comes he could lift us all up in one claw.

The dragon mumbled in his sleep. "Mmm... I'll protect you Rarity... hands off him mongrels..."

The unicorn smiled once more, trying not to giggle at his sleep talk. Well, at least his heart's in the right place. Giving another kiss to the forehead, Rarity stripped out of the dress and turned in herself. Better get my beauty sleep, I have to be well rested to get ready for the filming tomorrow...

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Just a little rambling today. I wanted to give a little more Spike and Rarity, as I do enjoy the characters but never seem to do anything with them.

Kyle