While everyone was eager to celebrate their victory against Garble and his banishment. But firstly, there was the matter of the ceremony. And so, the Fairy Tail wizards, Spike, the Mane Six and, for the first time, Discord, were gathered in Twilight's castle to receive their well earned thanks. As Celestia took the stand and smiled at the band of heroes with great pride, she raised her hoof to silence the cheering crowds before she spoke.
"Words cannot even begin to express the level of gratitude I hold for you, Fairy Tail Wizards, Princess Twilight and your dear friends, the valiant dragons who stood against Garble's tyranny including Melinda, Discord and of course, our very own Great and Honorable Spike the Brave and Glorious." the gathering of ponies erupted into a second round of cheering before Luna spoke out.
"But that is not all. We also have you, citizens of Ponyville, to thank for your actions against the invading dragons. You all showed great courage, tenacity and determination to defend your kingdom. You must all take great pride in your victory and always hold it dear."
After Luna concluded, Celestia turned to the Fairy Tail wizards, a proud smile on her face before she addressed them
"And now, to award our dear friends from the world beyond for their service to our nation."
"Show us the moolah~!!" Happy exclaimed rubbing his little paws together a bit greedily. "the 100 million jewel reward right!?"
Celestia chuckled humored by the exceed's excitement. "Yes, but first I have a more meaningful reward for you all."
She, as well as the rest of the alicorn rulers of the Equestria stepped up to the guild members. "If you would kindly kneel please?" Luna asked.
"I think I know what's going on~" Erza smiled as she knelt to one knee, bowing her head. The other members of the guild copied her actions, some absent of the same knowing expression, before the alicorns tapped their horns upon each of their shoulders.
"Uh, what just happened?" Natsu asked blankly earning several frustrated sighs from his guild mates.
"We've been knighted dumbass" Gajeel said as he gets back on his feet.
"Not only that, we now see fit to grant you full citizenship of our fair nation~" Cadence smiled.
"For this moment on, you are now official Equestrians~" Celestia boldly stated as the hall of ponies and dragons cheered for Celestia's proclamation.
"Well it's good to know I'll have a back up home if I can't pay rent back in Magnolia." Lucy joked.
"If you don't mind eating oats for the rest of your life." Happy snickered back
"If I retire I'm definitely going to live out here~" Makarov exclaimed with a big grin on his face.
"Wow. I never thought I'd be made a knight." Wendy flushed a little with pride.
"I have to admit it does feel pretty good having an official title." Gray smirked.
"You've always been my knight is frozen armor, darling~!" Juvia praised him without any response other than a groan.
"And now, the matter of your payment." Celestia continued before two royal guards stepped up to the podium carrying a large chest."Wow. I never thought I'd be made a knight." Wendy flushed a little with pride.
"I have to admit it does feel pretty good having an official title." Gray smirked.
"You've always been my knight is frozen armor, darling~!" Juvia praised him without any response other than a groan.
"And now, the matter of your payment." Celestia continued before two royal guards stepped up to the podium carrying a large chest.
"Cha-ching cha-ching~!" Bickslow exclaimed.
"Money money money~!" his totems joined in earning a slight glare from Grey and Erza.
"You sound like that blockfaced Hoteye from Oracion Seis..." he said coldly. "Back when he was obsessed with money anyways.."
Upon opening the chest the gang looked to see it was filled to the brim with gems of all shapes, sizes and colors.
"Since we cannot provide you with your home world's currency, we believe these jewels will suffice in place." Luna explained.
"WHOOOOOA HOHOHOHOHO~!!!!" Makarov hollored as Fiore currency symbols replaced his eyes twinkling.
"Forget rent! I can buy a lifetime with this!" Lucy beamed.
"I'm gonna buy a whole fish shop!" Happy dreamed blissfully.
"Honestly, you people are getting too caught up with the reward" Carla scoffed.
"Give us a break. This is the biggest reward we've ever received and we just got through battling an army to dragons." Gajeel retorted.
"Let's hear it one more time for them everypony!" Rainbow cheered as the crowd joined her in one final applause.
"NOW WE CAN PAAAAAARTY!!!!!" Natsu exclaimed with embers spewing from his mouth with excitement.
"THIS GUY GETS IT!" Pinkie agreed, her party already primed and ready.
"May I say one last thing?" Mayor Mare trotted up to Spike and Melinda.
"What is it Mayor?" Spike asked.
"On behalf on all of Ponyville, myself included. We deeply and humbly apologize for our actions during that town meeting all those weeks ago." Mayor Mare bowed as well as the rest of the citizens of Ponyville.
"You guys..." Spike murmured, amazed by their humbleness. "It's ok. Now that I've had time to look back on it all, I can't fault you entirely for how you acted. The town was being targeted by an enemy even Celestia couldn't stand against alone, and having one of their species among you must have been scary. I'd probably have been scared too. It's true I was hurt by what you did." The ponies looked at the ground ashamed of their actions. "But I learned it's better to forgive than hold grudges. So I forgive you."
"Thank you Spike~!!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed from within the crowd.
"You're welcome. Man I'm really going to miss this place once I leave Equestria." This gained a shock from the town.
"W-wait you're leaving Equestria!?" Applebloom shockingly asked.
"Yep, he's part of our guild now so Spike is going to train with us for while in Magnolia" Erza said.
"Y-you're really leaving?" Sweetie sadly asked.
The young drake nodded, a little more solemn about than he'd been before. "Yes. This is something I have to do. I want to be all I can be as a dragon and Fairy Tail are the ones who can teach me how. Every bird has to leave the nest eventually, and Equestria has been my nest."
"B-But you'll come back! Won't you?" Scootaloo pleaded.
"Of course I will. I may be gone for a while, but Equestria will always be my home."
"It was a very hard thing to agree upon....but I know Spike will be in good hands" Twilight smiled.
"And I'm coming with him!" Melinda exclaimed blushing as she spreads her wings.
"Then in that case, this will not only be a celebration of our victory but also a going away party for our one and only Spike." Cadence suggested.
"Here here!!" Applejack exclaimed.
XXXX
The massive crowd then moved to the outside, mainly the center of Ponyville where the team first arrived in Equestria. From there the celebration took off as ponies, dragons and humans alike all celebrated their victory. Natsu was happily feasting on flames, courtesy of the dragons which he found to be quite varied in flavor. Erza, of course, was gorging on the many cakes she'd purchased from Sugar Cube Corner and frankly the townsponies were amazed by her appetite to sweets, some even considering she had Pinkie beaten. That is of course, Celestia joined Erza in the small cake binge making Twilight see her former mentor in a new light while Luna is snickering at her elder sister's gluttony. While over to the exceed's they were happily eating their sweets and foods until Angel Bunny, accompanied by Fluttershy, approached Carla with a blush.
"Um excuse me Miss Carla, Angel Bunny wants to give you something~" the yellow pegasus spoke softly.
"Me?" the white exceed asked.
The white rabbit nodded eagerly as he revealed a couple of small flowers he was hiding behind his back.
"I think Angel Bunny really likes you~" Fluttershy giggled a little, Happy was having none of that as he shot Angel a death glare very similar to the water mage Juvia.
"LOVE RIVAL" He growled.
Carla chuckled at his expression, rolling her eyes, before she accepted Angel's gift and patted his head gratefully.
"Thank you, Angel. That was very nice of you. I'm sure some lucky doe is going to be very happy when she meets you."
Angel could only tilt his head in slight confusion at Carla's comment
"Sorry but, you're simply not my type" she said crossing her arms as Angel's eyes widen feeling the comment pierce his heart. "And besides, I'll be going back to Magnolia soon and I wouldn't want to leave you hanging. There are plenty more bunnies in the warren."
The rabbit thinks about and smiles sadly before nodding. He quickly gives her a little hug before hopping back to Fluttershy's side.
"That was very mature of you, Carla." Wendy praised her friend to which she smiled.
"Best to put it out there now rather than have him be in pain later" Carla said as she goes back to eating her food.
"That's why I love that girl." Happy sighed dreamily. Elsewhere the Apple Family had brought out the cider and as you'd imagine many of the Fairy Tail members were enjoying the beverage (Cana drinking a whole barrel to herself).
"Jeez and I thought I was crazy for the cider" Rainbow Dash muttered as she drank from her mug.
"And I'm just getting started." the card mage said back with a grin.
"You're drinking right from the barrel!!" Applebloom exclaimed
"That's Cana for ya." Lily muttered.
"Hoo wee....if we could market this to your world we would be set for life on the farm~!" Applejack exclaimed.
"Eeyup" Big Mac agreed.
With the celebration in full swing, the new Dragon Lord Ember sits by the royals. She would love to join in the celebration but her mind is on a completely different thing. More specifically Spike the dragon, she sighs as she twittled her claws looking longingly at the young drake as he celebrates with his friends and new girlfriend Melinda. Not too far from her, Rarity was sitting close by, chatting with Mirajane before she noticed the dragoness's flustered state. Recognizing it all too well, she trotted over to her before taking a seat. Ember sighs as she leans forward, her tails was swishing back and forth as if it was wagging like a dog. She didn't even see Rarity come and sit next to her.
"Ahem" Rarity let her presence be known catching the dragon lord by surprise.
"O-oh! Rarity, what's up?" She asked.
"I would like to talk to you about something" Rarity said.
"Which is?"
"The feelings you appear to have developed for Spike." the recently crowned Dragon Lord blushed profusely. "Believe me, I can tell."
The blue dragon couldn't help but blush "Is it that obvious?" She asked the fashionista.
"I've had my share of crushes before. I know one when I see one."
"It's just...I've never felt something like this before" She said. "After what Spike did for our people how can I not have feelings for him?"
"I don't blame you. He's great hero for both the Dragon Lands and the Crystal Empire now. But you know his heart already belongs to another." Rarity sighed looking to the dragon couple.
Ember sighs sadly "I know but....I don't want to let this go. Now with this new peace...I want to explore so much of pony culture and the love the comes with it."
Rarity smiled. "Then do that. Build and strengthen the relationship between the ponies and dragons. Help build a greater Equestria. That way when Spike and Melinda return they'll see what a proud and loved ruler you'll have become."
"And do you think he'll like me back~?" She said blushing as she gripped her scepter.
"Wanna know a little secret about us ponies~?" Rarity said blushing herself.
"Sure" Ember leaned in close to Rarity.
"It's no surprise that there are a lot more of us mares than stallions, and on occasion we may settle for a herd~" Rarity said giggling.
"Meaning...?"
"One stallion for many mares darling. but only if they are in agreement and all love the same stallion" She smiled as Ember blushed red.
"Up until recently I haven't really thought of it till now, what with Spike growing up and leaving" Rarity sighed sipping her glass of cider.
"I...I see, well I guess I could wait and do what I can to make the dragons as great as Spike" She smiled as she eyes flashed with determination.
"I'm glad to hear that Ember. I think we'll be really good friends~"
"Likewise Rarity" Ember smiled shaking her hoof. As the duo bonds everyone's attention was brought to the sudden appearance of a stage sparking curiosity.
"Where'd this stage come from?" Laxus asked. A spotlight illuminated the curtain before, with a burst of confetti, Discord appeared on stage.
"Good evening everypony! Who's ready to laugh?!"
"Oh no not again." Twilight groaned.
"Oooh comedy! I like comedies~!" Mirajane said.
"Not when it's from Discord." Rainbow muttered.
"C'mon it's probably not that bad" Happy said as Discord tests the mic.
"Well you're all in high spirits tonight, though who wouldn't be after surviving a threat that could have easily brought about the apocalypse? Then again, that's a typical year for this nation am I right?!"
"That's...kinda true" Applejack.
"uhhh....that's supposed to be a joke?" Gray said.
"I'll tell you this." Discord continued. "This act's gonna knock your socks off." his gaze turned to Gray. "Oh I see it's already knocked Gray's off! And his shorts...and his shirt...and his undies-WHOA keep your pants on man! Seriously!"
"ACK! Not again!!!" He stammered as Juvia blushed nearly seeing her crush nearly go butt naked.
"Heh! He got you there Grey~!" Cana snickered. he crowd actually laughed at the draconequus's joke before he continued with another
"And how about that bloodstone~? that must NOT have gone down well with Gargle~! That's-a spicy meat-a-ball~!" He poofs into an Italian chef outfit. Naturally the majority remained stonefaced though Natsu, being the easily humored goof that he was, laughed at his joke.
"It's not exactly hard to make Natsu laugh." Lucy smirked.
"Just about as easy as making him angry." Happy agreed. Discord sensing that he's quickly loosing the crowd tries a different and slightly desperate joke.
"Say. Ever wondered why Gajeel has such healthy blood? He never forgets his iron!"
That's was the final straw as Gajeel's hand morphed into the steel beam and sucker punched Discord right off the stage. "GET THE HELL OFF THE STAGE!!" He roared.
"I think these ponies deserve some real entertainment!" he declared before spinning on the spot and when he stopped he'd somehow changed into his white suit, fedora and shades, his blue guitar in hand. "SHOOBY-DOO-BA!!"
Natsu froze midbite in his flame meal, ".....what?"
"Ohhh! Gajeel can sing and play a guitar?" Scootaloo asked as her wings flap excitedly earning a light giggle from Levy.
"Yep~," she giggles "one of the reason he joined in this job was that he could buy a new electric guitar"
"Wow!! Rock on Gajeel~!!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed.
"Oh wait I gotta grab something!" Rainbow said before dashing off and soon returned with her own guitar. "You up for a duet, rivet face?"
"More like you playing back up to me, Skittles." Gajeel grinned.
"I don't play back up to nobody!" Rainbow retorted.
"Alright. Play off, you and me!"
"Oh you might be stronger than me but nobody out plays Rainbow Dash!"
"My bits are on Rainbow!" Applejack bet.
"Mine are on Gajeel" Levy said as Gajeel strummed a few chords.
At first it started as a few basic chords but soon escalated into an explosive battle of back and forth solos, each player trying to outdo the other. Mostly everyone cheered for the competing musical duo, save for one certain pink-haired dragonslayer.
"Hey put Discord back on! I want more jokes, not that racket you call music!"
That earned him a smack to the face as Gajeel threw his guitar at him. "ACK!!!"
"Well then you have a crap sense of comedy Salamander!!"
"You want a piece of me!?" Natsu yelled with face slightly bruised.
"SHOOBY-DOO-BA!!" Gajeel echoed as flew at Natsu who intercepted the kick he aimed at him.
"I'LL SHOW YOU SHOOBY-DOO-WHATEVER!!" Natsu yelled as a fight cloud develops as Gajeel and Natsu duked it out.
"IT'S SHOOBY-DOO-BA, SALAMANDER, GET IT RIGHT!!"
"Boys please stop!!" Makarov pleaded as he feels dread over coming him as if knowing what's about to happen.
"It's no use, Gramps. It has begun." Laxus muttered. "Word of advice for you ponies: take cover until it's over."
"Wait what? Why?" Applejack asked. And just then someone threw their mug smacking Natsu in the face in his bout with Gajeel.
"All right who the hell threw that!!?" Natsu yelled.
"Will you knock it off, Natsu you're gonna crash the party!" Gray shouted.
But as he gets up he knocks over Erza's slice of the marzipan mascarpone meringue madness (AKA the MMMM) making her gasp in shock.
"My...my slice of cake..." She whimpered and shrieks as Elfman crushes it with a misplaced stomp.
"NOW LISTEN UP! IF YOU TWO WERE REAL MEN YOU'D TAKE THIS SOMEWHERE ELSE!!" he boomed.
"YOU RECKLESS NEANDERTHAL!!!" the red head roared as she slugged Elfman in the face.
The force of punch sent him flying & crashing into a building with great destruction and all hell broke loose as the guild mates got tied into a massive bar-brawl. Destroying the stage, picnic tables and adjacent buildings.
"W-wait wait!! Can't we all talk this out peacefu-"
POW!!!
Twilight was then sucker punched by the steel beam that was Gajeel's iron dragon slayer magic. Natsu and Gray were locked in one of their regular fits until the latter was sent crashing into Applejack causing the cider she was sipping to spill all over her.
"HEY! Keep yer roughhousing to yourselves!!" the earth pony hollered before bucking Gray in the rear sending him back towards Natsu who caught him in midair with an uppercut.
"HAha!!! How'd that taste ice butt!!?" Natsu yelled as Gray glared at AJ.
"N-no wait it was an accide-" she found herself frozen in a block of ice.
"SIS! You change her back you shaved monkey!" Applebloom cried before she began gnawing on Gray's head sending him running around in pain like a headless chicken.
"Agh!!! Get off get off!!!!" Grey squirmed trying to get her off of his head.
"YOU GET YOUR HOOVES OFF MY GRAY!!" Juvia cried sending a heated torrent of water towards their direction, they dodged out of the way but in doing so destroyed the rest of the MMMM cake where Celestia was about to eat.
"My......my cake." Celestia's eyes widen as the giant mace appeared beside her.
"Oh now you've done it." Lucy whimpered in fear.
"Bring it on then!!!" Erza yelled drawing out her blade still in her rage.
And with that the whole town erupted into an explosive freeforall bar brawl all the while Makarov comically sobs as he knows full well what will the consequences be.
"Finally! I have a good enough excuse to use my magic!" Discord thought jumping into the fray with chaotic intentions at hand.
"Now it's a real party!" Natsu grinned before being blasted by Pinkie's party cannon.
"You know what you're right, this is fun!" She laughed.
"Great now there's two pink monsters." Lucy groaned having taken refuge behind an overturned table along with Wendy, the Exceeds and Fluttershy.
"No she's always been like this." Twilight muttered deciding to join them.
"ALL OF YOU WILL FALL BY MY HAND!!" Erza roared standing atop a pile of unconscious ponies and mages, some even crying in fear trying to crawl away as Erza was twirling Rainbow Dash by her tail like a slingshot.
"I....THINK...I'M GONNA...HURL!!" Rainbow cried.
But before she could Erza released her putting Rainbow into a spin, but when she recovered her balance she saw the reason why. Discord was laughing his head off and pointing at Erza...who he'd now turned into a giant strawberry with her face.
"DISCORD!!!!" She rages in her strawberry form.
"Pffft HAHAHA!!! You look ridiculous!!" Natsu cackled only to get a face full of ice from Grey.
"Focus on the fight dumbass!" Grey smirked from getting a good hit on him.
The brawl raged on for what felt like hours until eventually when the sun rose all were lying asleep amongst the now ransacked Ponyville. Many had bruises, some had smokey manes, but regardless of everything that happened. The town was at peace. Those who chose to stay out of the line of fire came out from their hiding spots to view the damage in horror.
"Does...this sort of fiasco happen often?" Twilight asked Lucy who sighed miserably.
"It's one of the main flaws of Fairy Tail; the majority are naturally destructive."
"Everything is practically flattened.....and everypony worked so hard to protect the town..." Fluttershy whimpered surveying the damages.
"This must be at least millions in damages...not to mention replacing everyone's property like furniture... pictures,,," the mayor's political mind went to work. "I don't think the guild is going to like what they hear when they wake up"
XXXX
She was not wrong. After a weeping Makarov handed over the majority of the reward jewels and Erza severely flogged Natsu and Gajeel, the mages set work repairing the town which took a few days or so. By the end of it all, their original payment of one hundred million jewel...had been reduced to merely a thousand.
But soon the time has come for the mages to bid farewell to Equestria, with Spike and Melinda in tow. In preparation Spike was backing all his stuff that he wanted to bring in a sack which includes his photo album, some of his comics, and especially a framed picture of all his friends after their victory over the dragons. As he carried his bags he took one last look a round the castle. After all, it would be a good while until he saw it again. He was just thankful that Celestia had modified his fire to send letters home from Magnolia. He couldn't be completely cut off form his family could he?
So this is it huh?" Spike jumped at little at the sudden voice behind him. He turned and breathed in relief seeing that it was only Twilight.
"Jeez you scared me..so yeah. It is." Spike sadly smiled as Twilight placed her hoof on his shoulder.
"You've grown so much" she was starting to get teary eyed. "Heck...you're practically eye level with me now~"
"Yeah, I know. Came as shock to me too. Well, can't keep everypony waiting."
"Mhmm..." She trots out with Spike to the town square where all the mages plus Melinda have all gathered to be sent back to Magnolia.
"Once again, we thnk you all for everything you've done." Celestia bowed gratefully. "Though we could have done without the brawl." she added in thought.
"Ahh it's no problem your highness, it's all in a days work~" Wendy happily said.
"I pray we'll meet again soon." Luna bowed also.
"As will I Princess Luna~" Mirajane said smiling.
"Hey guys wait up!" Spike exclaimed as he lightly jogs from the castle to the square.
"There's our newest member~" Natsu grinned.
"All buckled up for the trip." Lucy winked.
"Yep! I'm all set for Magnolia~!" He excitedly said.
"Likewise Spike~" Melinda smiled.
The citizens also bowed thankfully to the group of mages but as Spike looked at them he saw hints of sadness behind their smiles.
"Hey come on guys, I probably be back before you even know it~" He smiled. The citizens nodded as they fought back their tears before the Mane Six approached Spike. First was Fluttershy. The pegasus trotted over to him, her eyes glossy and lip trembling. Knowing the sensitive mare she was Spike opened his arm to her and the second he did so Fluttershy scooped him up and embraced him sobbing loudly as she hugged him.
"I know, I'll miss you too, Fluttershy." Spike smiled returning the hug as he stroked her pink mane gently.
"I love you so much." she cried. "Even with how far you've grown, you'll always be the cute baby dragon I met all those years ago. Please look out for his health for me, Wendy." she said to the sky dragon slayer who nodded as Fluttershy gave Spike a soft kiss goodbye on the forehead before going back to the crowd still sobbing as Pinkie comforted her. Next, Applejack stepped forward. She smiled proudly at Spike through her brimming eyes as she set her hoof on his head to pet him.
"Words aren't near enough to tell you how proud I am of you, Spike...and how sad I am to see you go. You're like the little brother I never had and seeing you leave the nest shows how big and strong you've grown up. The town just won't be the same without ya."
"You know I won't be gone forever, right AJ?"
"Course not. Home is where the heart is after all." Applejack said before she took off her hat and set it on Spike's surprising him. "Somethin' to remember me by."
"Applejack...I couldn't..."
"Hey, it'll be worth far more in spirit if I pass it on to one of my family. And then you'll pass it on to the next member whether they're your next of kin or a friend as close and loved as you are to me." Spike felt his eyes sting before he wrapped his arms around the earth pony's neck who hugged him back without a second though. "We'll all be waiting for ya, Spike. I love you, sugarcube."
"I love you too, AJ." Spike sniffed before letting go as Applejack wiped her tears and stepped back giving room for Pinkie who'd finished comforting Fluttershy. Spike barely had time to speak before the party pony pulled him into a hug of her own. He'd expected it to be a big hug but this was quite a stretch as Pinkie squeezed him tight.
"I'll never forget you~!!" she wailed as Spike gasped for air.
"And-I'll never-forget-you-Pinkie~!" he choked before she loosened her grip.
"And you better write to us every single day! Well, maybe every week? No, every year-No that's too long to wait-"
"Pinkie! I promise I'll keep in touch as often as I can. Just don't constantly hang around the mailbox waiting ok?"
"Mmhm." Pinkie whimpered. "Just you wait til you get back I'll throw the biggest welcome home party of your life when you do."
"I bet you will." Spike grinned before Pinkie kissed him on the nose like she would to Gummy and made room for Rainbow Dash to say her goodbye. The cyan pegasus grinned proudly at the drake as she offered her hoof which he stared at a little until bumping his fist against before Rainbow pulled him into a friendly headlock as she ruffled his spines.
"Hey no fair! Lemme go!" Spike laughed with her as she released him.
"Man, look at you. You've grown quicker than a parasprite and just as ravenous. It's only a matter of time til your wings come in too" she chuckled before her smile began to waver. "I know Fairy Tail's gonna teach you all they know, how to be a dragon and all...but, when you come back...will you let me teach you how to fly?" Spike felt his heart swell at the offer.
"Wouldn't have it any other way. Happy, Carla and Lily may teach me how to get off the ground, but who else am I gonna learn a sonic rainboom from other than you?" Rainbow snickered and blinked back a few tears.
"Don't get too cocky." she answered before Spike hugged her causing her to bite her lip as tears of her own began to spill. "It's a promise then. I'll miss you little buddy." Spike responded with a light nuzzle knowing she wasn't a fan of being mushy in public until Rarity finally approached him.
"Rarity.." Spike muttered as the white unicorn approached him with a blush.
"Spike.." Rarity took out her handkerchief blowing her nose as she tears up. "Look at you....you've grown into such a marvelous stallion... er...so to speak" She smiled sadly.
"Hehe, yeah I get it." he chuckled back.
"I'm going to miss you Spike~" She sniffled, "but I have to tell you this...watching you grow up so fast, seeing your kindness to others and your phenomenal strength has brought forth some new...feelings" she blushed
Spike's eyes widened a little hearing her tone but his posture softened. "I have to be honest too...even though I love Melinda...that doesn't mean I still have feelings for you too." He blushed, "Heck I did admire you since day 1 of when Twilight and I first moved here"
"I know." Rarity smiled. "At first I thought it was an innocent crush. But when I saw you were genuinelly in love with me, I couldn't bare the thought of breaking your heart."
Spike sighed "I know...."
"But that being said, you do know that you mean so much to me and that you have a special place in my heart."
Spike smiled as he pulled Rarity in for a hug making her blush "Thanks Rarity....I feel the same way about you~" The unicorn choked as she grew close to tears.
"Oh my little Spikey Wi-" she stopped herself recalling when Spike had refused his nickname during his talk from before but the drake momentarily pulled away so she could see his caring smile.
"It's ok, Rarity. I'll always be your Spikey-Wikey." She held her breath when he said that before she wrapped her arms around him and peppered his face with sad but loving kisses.
"I love you." She whispered through her tears.
"Awwww" The girls, including Erza, couldn't help but gush over the emotional scene.
"You're not jealous are you?" Lucy asked Melinda.
"Well...a little, but after all Rarity was the object of Spike's affections first" Melinda said as she fidgets her claws.
"And you're just as special to him if not more so."
Melinda smiled as her dragon wings flap a bit "Thank you Lucy~" After the emotional hug, and cleaning off the lipstick kiss marks Rarity had left on Spike's face it was finally Twilight Sparkles turn to say goodbye to her son. The alicorn stared at her precious little dragon.
"I don't even know here to begin." She started.
"Well...just let it all out Twilight" He smiled as Twilight's eyelids swelled with tears.
"I'm sorry." She spoke with an audible shiver in her voice. "I'm sorry for everything. How I didn't realise you were drifting out of my social life after we moved here. I'm sorry for making you do so much work when you could've been making friends. I'm sorry we left you so alone a-and -"she starts tearing up again ready to break down to a sobbing mess similar to that from their argument a month ago
Spike quickly took action pulling Twilight in for a tight loving hug, stroking her back to calm her down. "It's okay Twilight....I've forgiven you already" But even with that heartfelt apology, Twilight easily breaks down crying into his shoulder.
"I'm going to miss you so much Spike!!" She wailed. The drake felt his own heart give out as he too burst into tears and hugged her back to hide his tears in her mane.
"I'll miss you too!" With both the purple alicorn and the drake crying streams of tears, the rest of the mane 6 as well as the other princesses join them in a large group hug as they bid Spike farewell.
"I love you guys." Spike beamed.
"We love you too Spike~" Celestia smiled wrapping them in her hug with her forelegs and wings. Of course all the onlookers were touched by the scene that both warmed and broke their hearts. But alas, the time had come to for Spike to break up the hug and depart for Magnolia for who knows how long.
"It has been a honor to have fought for your kingdom." Makarov bowed along with the other mages. "Until we meet again."
"Until we meet again indeed Makarov~" Luna nodded as the scroll containing the cross-dimensional transport spell in levitated to Levy.
"We're all ready Master" Erza stated readying herself for the spell.
"Then it's time to go. Farewell Equestria."
"Don't forget to write!!" Pinkie cried.
"See you later Spike!" Rainbow exclaimed.
"Y'all come back now, ya hear?!" Applejack hollered.
"Be careful~!" Fluttershy called.
As Levy casted the spell a veil of faint light surrounded the group of mages as the wind picked up.
"Goodbye my son..." Twilight waved bye with tears in her eyes. Rarity put a comforting hoof on her shoulder as the light began to fade away.
"He'll be back. And when he comes home well all be here waiting for him." She smiled. Twilight tearfully nods as the light fully fades away leaving behind the open space of where the mages once stood.
XXXX
It wasn't before long that the mages successfully were teleported back into Magnolia but instead of returning in the guild hall, there were landed right in front of the guild.
'HAHA WE'RE BACK IN MAGNOLIA BABY~!!" Natsu exclaimed with fire escaping his jaw.
"Aye sir~!" Happy flew, but some eyes were to Spike and Melinda who were standing in awe at the proud guild hall.
"Whoa!!! That's the guild!!?" Spike exclaimed looking up at the towering structure.
"That's right. And until you return to Equestria, it shall be your home as well, my boy." Makarov smiled.
"Welcome to the family, Spike." Lucy grinned.
They head inside the guild as Natsu bursts through the doors.
"HEY WE'RE BACK~!!" he roared.
"Yep we're still alive~!" Happy exclaimed to the cheers and welcomes of the guild.
"Whoa that took a while, how many dragons were there?" Macao smirked. "You've only been gone for like 3 months or so."
"3 months!?" Lucy gasped.
"Bulls**t! We've only been gone a whole month!" Gajeel growled.
"We've been away for that long?!" Lucy yelled. "Oh no my rent!!!!"
"I see....it'll be difficult to keep in touch with the princesses" Makarov muttered. "But in any case i would like to introduce two new members~!" He grinned.
The mages stepped aside revealing the two dragons as the rest of the guild spat out their drinks or slack jawed.
"Um...hi. I'm Spike the Dragon" He smiled nervously at the bulging eyes.
"And I'm Melinda the dragon." She also smiled as her wings flap nervously as the guild members all stared at the new arrivals in disbelief.
"Yep these 2 are going to be staying and training with us for a good long while~" Natsu exclaimed.
"Oh that reminds me!" Mirajane goes to the office and gets the official stamp as she approaches Spike and Melinda. "ready to be official members Spike? Melinda?" she gives them a motherly smile. A huge grin broke across Spike's face as Mira stamped the crest of the guild onto him closely followed by Melinda. They were now bonafide members of Fairy Tail.
"Wow~!" Melinda exclaimed as she stares at her new crest that has been stamped onto her claw.
"Beautiful isn't it?" Lucy complimented while showing off her own mark to the dragoness.
"Boy I'll say~!" Spike exclaimed as he is in awe at the symbol stamped on his shoulder.
"And with that you're officially Fairy Tail Wizards." Mira beamed. Both Spike and Melinda looked at each other smiling before giving each other a loving hug, for today begins a brand new journey for the dragons.
To be concluded...