Spike had grown significantly in the last decade as was to be expected. He was now a couple heads taller than Celestia last he had seen her. Things had settled down after a few years of Twilight becoming the princess of magic, but as the world calmed everypony drifted apart. Spike stuck with Twilight until he was of age to make his own path. Fluttershy surprised everypony by being the first to settle down the who also came as a shock. She & Zecora now lived together just outside the Everfree happily. Dash had become captain of the Wonderbolts to nopony's surprise. Applejack was still married to her work but Big Mac had found a wife in Mrs. Cherry Jubilee, they were expecting twins last Spike had heard. Pinkie had married a pony named Joy Buzzer who was a professional clown. Twilight now stayed in the castle full time, rumor had it she & Luna were an item but none dared ask. Rarity had moved to Manehattan to further her career.
"Rarity." Spike thought to himself not knowing what to say on the subject. He had once held her in the highest regard but as he grew older he lost his affection for her. He hadn't met anypony else that caught his eye since either. He had even turned away a few mares who took interest. He was now an impressive young drake only 21 years of age.
Spike ducked as he exited the library tree that had been his home for the last decade. He gazed outward at Ponyville & sighed. The town he had once never wanted to leave just didn't seem like home to him anymore. He stretched the wings he had grown only a few years back & took to the air. He was leaving, taking only some gems & a photo of all of his closest friends standing alongside him celebrating the growth of his wings. That was the last time they were all together. He didn't know where he was going or what he was looking for but he knew the answers were beyond Equestria's borders. Just like that he was gone, he had left no note & never once did he look back.