//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3 
// Story: Spike's Dilemma 
// by Creativa-Artly01 
//------------------------------//

Later that day, Spike goes off to the cliffs on his own and just sits there thinking over what he should do. "Should I go back and return to a life of slavehood or remain here as a dragon lord?" sighs Spike. "I just don't know." 

He continues to sit there and ponder for several hours. After several hours, Spike returns to the throne area and to Ember's side. He then states his decision. "I've thought it over!" says Spike. "I'm staying in the Dragon Lands and that is final. I'm sorry, Twilight, Rarity, this is just how it has to be." Rarity bursts into tears and runs back towards Ponyville, followed by Twilight, who only turns around once to look at Spike.

"Spike, what have you done?" sighs Twilight as she returns to following Rarity back to the Dragon Lands border. 

"You did the right thing," says Ember, patting Spike on the shoulder.

"Then why does something still feel wrong?" replies Spike, eyes beginning to fill with tears. Ember goes over and sits beside him. 

"You can change your mind if you want, but I enjoy having you around," she kisses him on the cheek. Spike blushes. 

Meanwhile, back in Ponyville, Twilight and Rarity are busy explaining to the Mane Six that Spike refused to return with them and instead decided to stay with the dragons. The rest break into tears, including Applejack who almost never cries. Twilight looks at Applejack shocked. She never expected tears out of her at all even at a time like this.