Credit for Artcover: http://www.fimfiction.net/user/Marik_Azemus

When the burdern of rejection becomes too much to bear, Spike casts his life in Ponyville aside for a clean slate. A re-imagination of his own character at the expense of the feelings of his friends. Days, weeks, months, and even years go by as Rarity lives in the regret of her mistake when she realizes the worst thing possible— she loves him, yet she pushed him away because of her shallowness. What happens when the wayward dragon returns home?

Celestia wants Twilight and her friends to loosen up a little bit around her. Luna just wants to try the hard cider. During a surprise visit to Sweet Apple Acres at the tail end of cider season, Princess Luna has just a bit too much to drink, and when she makes a rather inappropriate joke, Twilight comes to the very uncomfortable realization that she has never seen Celestia excuse herself to use the restroom.