After everyone finished their dinner Spike fell asleep in his chair after getting his belly full. Twilight and the others looked at him adoringly as she levitated him onto her back. The baby dragon curled up into a fetal position while he slept, and Twilight leaned her head in to give him a tender kiss on top of his head.
Rarity’s heart melted at the sight, but she looked at the lavender alicorn with great curiosity “Twilight darling, this is a very sweet moment, but how come all of a sudden would he call you mom and you call him son?” She gave a wiggle of her eyebrows.
Twilight looked back at the sleeping dragon on her back with a warm smile on her muzzle “Well, I’ve been thinking about a whole lot these past few days since Toby’s been gone. I’ve thought about the pain that Fluttershy has to be going through with missing him, her son, and I couldn’t imagine what would happen if Spike was away from me for so long.” She gave a small frown.
The others nodded in agreement “Ah understand that Twi. Ah would feel the same way as ya and Fluttershy if Applebloom was away from me.” Applejack turned toward her sister and nuzzled at her cheek, but she was still disappointed at her “Ah understand ya and your friends want so badly to get your cutie marks Applebloom, but ya also got to understand that as your sister Ah have a responsibility to make sure you stay out of danger, do ya understand?” She reached a hoof up to stroke at Applebloom’s mane.
The little filly nodded “Yes sis, Ah understand.” She then turned to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo “Girls, Ah guess we’ll have to find our cutie marks in a safer environment, what do yall say?” The other two nodded solemnly in agreement.
Rarity saw the downtrodden look on Sweetie’s face “Now c’mon Sweetie Belle darling, I’m sure you three will find your cutie marks in something much safer and much more productive.” She let out a little giggle and gave a big smile.
Sweetie Belle shrugged and shook her head “Yes Rarity.” She spoke as she sighed heavily.
Suddenly Rainbow Dash soared into the dining hall and landed next to Daring Do. She beamed with excitement at her idol “Hey Daring! How did you and the filly’s adventure go, huh, huh?” She waggled her eyebrows, leaning her head close to Daring’s.
Daring gave an awkward smile and nodded “Uh… yea, it was thrilling as all my adventures.” She frantically looked back and forth “Well…. Uh… Rainbow Dash it is good seeing you again, but I’m just going to go and… uh… take a show before I go to bed. So yeah, it was nice seeing you all, good evening.” In a flash she flew out of the dining hall leaving a gust to wind to blow against the others.
Rainbow looked in shock and a bit confused “Did I say something wrong?” She reached a hoof up to scratch at the back of her head She then turned toward Scootaloo “So squirt, did you have a great time with Daring Do?” She ruffled the orange filly’s mane.
“You bet Rainbow Dash, it was so cool!” She shot up in the air and hovered. She explained to Rainbow Dash what happened, leaving the cyan Pegasus with her jaw dropped halfway to the floor.
“That… sounds… so… AWESOME!” she beamed as her and Scootaloo smacked hooves together. “I wish I was there, I would have given that big blue mongrel a hoof stomping he would never forget!” She smirked proudly while Twilight, Rarity, and Applejack simply shook their heads.
Twilight looked back at the baby dragon on her back, and then back at her friends. She cleared her throat “Girls, I’ve also been thinking about how we always go off and do things together, but we always tend to leave Spike behind.” The others frowned at the realization that they have left the little guy on countless occasions. She frowned as she turned back to look at her son “I’m supposed to be his friend, but all those times we had fun without him makes me feel like I let him down.”
Pinkie’s mane and tail were flat “Gosh Twilight, you’re right. That time we all went to National Dessert Competition in Canterlot, I was too distracted in asking for all of you to help load the Cakes’ Marzipan Mascarpone Meringue Madness cake onto the train that I completely forgot to think about asking if he would like to come. I feel so awful for being such a mean meanie pants.” She frowned as a couple tears spilled from the corners of her eyes.
“Yeah, I remember my tryout at the Young Fliers Competition.” Rainbow gave a small smile “I was so hyped up about and wanted you all to be there to cheer me on. However, I didn’t even consider asking the little guy to be a part of it. I feel like a big jerk for not inviting him to come along.” Her smile slowly turned into a frown and her wings drooped at her sides.
“Oh my poor little Spikey-Wikey, how could I be such un-lady like and not consider your feelings?” Rarity felt tears forming in her eyes as she carefully trotted to Twilight and the sleeping dragon on her back. She reached up a hoof to stroke tenderly at his spines “I remember when he gave me his fire ruby on his birthday. I was so enraptured in the beauty of that ruby red gem that I never considered if he would really like to have it for himself.” She allowed a tear to roll down her cheek and leaned to give him a tender kiss on his forehead.
Applejack took her hat off and sighed heavily “Shucks, Ah never thought about the little feller either during those times. Ah feel like such a rotten apple.” She lowered her head.
Applebloom gently placed a hoof on her older sister’s shoulder, and then looked at her friends “Ah know he isn’t a pony girls, but we should let him hang out with us too sometimes. Ah mean he’s our age, but he never had the chance to have fun like the rest of us fillies and colts.” Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo simply frowned and nodded sadly in agreement.
Firebolt finally spoke up after being quiet during the whole discussion “Wow! It sounds like the little guy has been let down a lot.” The ponies shot their head up and looked at him curiously “I don’t mean to pry since I’m new here, but I understand that feeling. It’s no fun at all to always feel alone and feel like no pony wants you around.” He frowned as he looked at the baby dragon.
“He’s right my friends.” Every pony turned to see Cadance trotting inside the dining hall along with her husband. She gave a bow of her head to Firebolt “Well, hello there, and who might you be?” She gave a warm smile.
Firebolt knelt on his forelegs “Oh, greetings my princess and prince, my name is Firebolt. It’s an honor to meet other royals of this beautiful land.” He rose and gave them a warm smile.
“Well, it’s good to see you too Firebolt.” Shining Armor gave a bow of his head as he placed a hoof on his chest “I am Prince Shining Armor, and this is my lovely and beautiful wife, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.” He motioned his hoof to Cadance.
She nodded at Shining, and then looked back at Friebolt “Or you can just call me Cadance for short.” She gave the red stallion a warm smile. She turned to the girls “We were just coming to see what you all were doing when we overheard you talking about my little nephew of a dragon.” She carefully trotted toward Twilight.
Twilight nodded “Yes Cadance. We were just discussing how bad we feel about not involving Spike with us in the past when we spent time together.” A frown formed on her muzzle as she shifted a wing to cover her little dragon like a blanket.
Cadance looked Spike curled up under his mother’s wing and gave a soft smile, which slowly tuned into a frown. She sighed and nodded sadly “Oh, I understand that well. I remember inviting you all here to the Crystal Empire to welcome Ms. Harshwhinny. I didn’t even consider the fact that Spike might’ve wanted to come along you all and spend time in the Empire.” She sniffled “I should’ve invited him, and you young ones as well.” She turned to the five fillies, but the just shook their heads softly to let her know that it’s okay.
Twilight looked at her sister-in-law, brother, and friends “After seeing Fluttershy show so much care and affection to Toby ever since he came into not on hers, but each one of our lives, and she adopted him, I’ve been looking at Spike in a different light.” The others look at her curiously but give a warm smile as they can understand what she means “I’ve been looking at him what I should have considered him ever since I hatched him, my son.” She spoke proudly as she allowed a prideful tear to roll down her cheek.
Every pony looks at her with a warm smile as Rainbow Dash looks around “Hey, speaking of Fluttershy, where is she at?” She looked around with a confused look.
“I don’t know. The dear has been gone for quite a long time that I think one of should go make sure she is okay.” Rarity looked concerned for her missing friend.
“You’re right Rare.” Applejack nodded as she stood up and placed her hat back on her head “Ah will go and check on her. Ah need to stretch my legs anyway, Ah haven’t been out of this castle since we got here.” She chuckled along with the others. She tipped her hat “Ah shall return.” She turned and trotted out of the dining hall.
“I sure do hope Applejack can find Flutters Wutters.” Pinkie Pie frowned
Rarity nodded in agreement “Me too dear. I can only imagine what she is going through being away from her only child for so long.” The others nodded in understanding.
To try and brighten the mood up a little bit Cadance offered a reassuring smile “Well, I have a little bit of good news.” The group looked at her “While every pony were doing their own thing, I decided to go to the library and catch up on some reading.”
“And here I thought my beautiful wife was not much of an avid reader.” Shining spoke, but got hit in the shoulder by a frustrated Cadance “Sorry my love.” He said with a grunt as he rubbed at his shoulder.
Cadance simply shook her head and looked at every pony “Anyways, I was looking through the magic/spells section, and I came across a spell that could help cure every pony in Equestria or those who have been affected by Toby being gone from here.” She smiled proudly.
“Wait Cadance, are you saying that you found a spell that could bring normality back to Equestria?” Twilight asked with widened eyes. Cadance gave a simple nod.
The fillies along with every pony else smiled brightly as the CMC leaped up and clapped their hooves together “YES!” Twilight shushed them calmly so not to wake Spike up.
“Well, I better go get fixed up for the occasion when that happens and also be ready when our dear little Toby returns. It should be in a couple days when the portal opens back, right dear?” Rarity gave a hopeful smile.
Soon the two royal sisters came trotting in as Luna nodded “Yes thou art generous Rarity. At midnight tomorrow night the portal should open and we can be ready to greet our little nephew back home.” She gave a warm smile.
Celestia smiled at all the ponies, noticing Firebolt, but thought to herself Luna and I shall welcome him soon. She bowed her head to her friends “Well my little ponies, for now my sister and I shall retreat to bed for the night. When our kind Fluttershy returns, you may tell her the good news.” The two sisters bowed their heads and turned to trot out of the dining hall.
Twilight let out a soft yawn “I guess that means it’s time for us to go to bed as well. Before I forget girls, after talking about Spike, I think it would be nice to do something special for him one day. You know something that involves all of us spending time with him so he can know that we do love him, and he is a part of our family.” They all nodded in agreement.
Rarity stretched out all four of her legs letting out an exaggerated yawn “Well darlings, may you all have a wonderful and peaceful slumber.” She turned to Sweetie Belle “Come along Sweetie Belle, I’ll read you a good bedtime story to help you to bed.” She nuzzled at her sister’s cheek.
“Okay sis!” She beamed as she turned to the other fillies “Goodnight girls!” She waved a hoof as she followed behind Rarity.
“Goodnight Sweetie Belle!” Applebloom, Scootaloo, Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon said altogether.
Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara nodded to the remainder of the group “Goodnight every pony.” They said in unison and exited next.
Rainbow stood up “Well squirt, are you ready to head to bed? I know I’m bushed after having a good fly today.” She smirked and yawned loudly.
Scootaloo nodded “You bet Rainbow… I’m worn out after out cool adventure today.” She turned to Applebloom “AB, will you like to come to join us in our bedroom since Applejack is out looking for Fluttershy?”
Applebloom nodded “Sure, Ah know my sister won’t want me to stay up late waiting for her.” She joined the filly and cyan mare as they waved by to Twilight and Firebolt before leaving.
Twilight turned to see Spike still sleeping peacefully on her back my little Spike, I love you so much son. She leaned her head forward to give him one last tender kiss on his forehead. She turned to look at Firebolt “There is a spare guest room if you would like to sleep in the castle tonight Firebolt. I’ll show you if you would like.” She gave him a warm smile.
He nodded “That would be mighty nice of you Twilight, thank you.” He returned the smile as they were the last few to exit the dining hall to retreat for bed.
As Luna’s moon filled the night sky, Fluttershy and Big Mac remained on the hill. Fluttershy stood there in shock after he asked her to marry him. She felt beads of sweat start to form and slowly roll down her face He wants me to marry him? Why would he ask me such a life changing question when my son is not here? She bit her lower lip and started to inhale and exhale deeply.
Big Mac looked at her worriedly “Miss Fluttershy, are ya alright?” He asked concerned for the Pegasus. He slowly stood up “If it was too soon to ask, Ah understand… Ah”
“No!” Fluttershy yelled as she eeped at her little outburst.“Un… I mean no Big Mac… it’s not that. Um… it’s just…”
“Oh, there ya are Fluttershy.” The voice of Applejack spoke out as the country mare was walking up the hill. She gave a warm smile to her friend “We were getting worried… What in tarnation, Big Mac?!” she saw her brother standing beside Fluttershy.
She shot a glance back and forth at the two “Big Mac, why are ya doing here? No, better question is who in the land hill is watching Sweet Apple Acres?!” She looked at the red stallion with a look of shock mixed with frustration.
It was Big Mac’s turn to bite his lower lip “Well sis, ya see… Ah came to keep Miss Fluttershy company while our big guy is gone.” Applejack nodded, but looked at him with the ‘alright, continue’ expression. He swallowed deeply “And to answer your second question, Ah left Granny Smith in charge.” He felt his legs shaking as Applejack’s jaw dropped.
“WHAT? Are ya loony or something Big Mac?! Ya know as well as any pony Granny Smith sleeps longer than an Ursa Major.” Applejack huffed “Ah guess Ah will have to go home and make sure nothing is a complete mess!” She shook her head as she looked at Big Mac “Since ya here, ya will have to watch after Applebloom.” Big Mac nodded as AJ turned and galloped off in the Crystal Empire train station.
Big Mac sighed heavily as he turned to look at Fluttershy “Gosh, Ah sure am sorry about that Miss…” When he turned though, Fluttershy was nowhere to be seen “Miss Fluttershy?” He asked out, but she was gone. A look of confusion washed over his face as he lowered his head and shook it.
Horse feathers.