Friends and Family

by Zephyr Spark

Chapter 5 Family

They boarded the train once more, homeward bound. As they entered their compartment, the group all collapsed emotionally and physically exhausted.

“Well, I don’t know about any of you,” Rainbow grinned, “but I’m looking forward to never entering caves again.”

The group gave a resounding agreement.

“Personally, I’m looking forward to a nice bath,” Rarity said wiping dirt from her mane.

This received an even louder resounding agreement.

“Still, it’s too bad,” Fluttershy sighed, “we didn’t really learn anything about dragons.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” Pinkie smiled.

She shook her mane like a dog shaking off water from its coat. She didn’t release water droplets, however. From her mane, dozens of books and scrolls flew free and covered the ground. All were works from that archive. For what would probably not be close to the last time, they all stared at Pinkie in amazement.

“Pinkie, how did you—?” Twilight stammered, “WHEN did you?”

“They were too busy looking at my left hoof,” she said pulling out a lantern with her left hoof, “to notice my right hoof!” She produced a book in her right hoof from mid-air, the one detailing proper fire breathing techniques.

“This is wonderful!” Twilight enthusiastically collected the works, “you rescued some of their culture!”

“Now we don’t have to start all over from scratch,” Applejack smiled helping Twilight collect the books, “why I’ll bet you learn to breathe amazing flames, eh, Spike? Spike?”

They turned to see Spike intent on a letter he was writing. Finally, he put down his pen and gave a content smile.

“I think it’s done,” he said holding up the paper.

“What’s done?” Twilight asked.

“My letter to Celestia of course!”

"Well," Applejack grinned, "let's hear it."

Spike cleared his throat to recite it.

Dear Princess Celestia,

Recently, I’ve been thinking about family. Maybe family isn’t something we’re all born with. Some of us grow up never knowing a father or mother’s love. But I think family goes beyond blood. I mean I was taken in by Twilight, who was a unicorn at the time, so it’s not like love can only come from one place and it doesn’t come just from your parents.

If we aren’t born with a family, then I think we eventually have to discover a new one. We meet other ponies who fill the holes in our heart and give us friendship, community, love. I know I’ve found six such ponies: Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie. Whenever I wanted to cry for the family I thought I had lost, they reminded me that I will always have their unconditional friendship. Maybe I don’t have the answers to where my dragon family is, but I know where I will always be loved and I intend to stay there with my friends and family.

In some ways, friendship is at the heart of family; supporting each other through thick and thin, sharing laughter, and adventures. In some ways family is at the heart of friendship; sharing lives together and bringing each other joy. I know that because I have true, true friends, I have the truest family in all of Equestria.
Sincerely,
Spike

Spike looked up at his smiling friends, each and every one of them.

Twilight smiled proudly at his letter, “it’s perfect, Spike.”

“Yeah,” he looked over his friends and family and gave his own teary smile, “they really are.”

He embraced his surrogate mother, and soon all their friends joined in the big, dirty, stinky, family hug. The train departed back to Ponyville, carrying them all home together as friends and as family.

Author's Note:

For all those who came to family on their own, this chapter is for you.

Comments

[Zephyr Spark]

6885539 I said we prefer not to talk about her

But seriously, glad someone got the joke.

[Zephyr Spark]

6821219 Thanks for the feedback. It gives me good ideas for how I can improve and pitfalls I need to avoid in the future. I'm glad you could enjoy it while pointing out issues.

[OmniFox]

This, this right here, is a Spike Appreciation story: Family and Friendship.

[Zephyr Spark]

6978629 Thank you so much. This was the first fanfic I wrote and I am extremely fond of it. Glad you enjoyed it.

[Joeyjambo122]

Are you planning a sequel?

[Zephyr Spark]

7250704 Not at the moment, no. Sorry. Sequels will only happen if I can add something new to expand on the original, have thought out and charted the events of said sequel, and think there is more to explore. Before writing a sequel, I'd need to consider what new ideas I could explore.

[Hellpony]

7251659 I have an idea that could work for a sequal. The destruction of an Archive resonated throughout the Dragon Lands. The Keepers of the Archieves, dragons who are tasked in the expansion and preservation of the Archieves, rush to the scene. There they find six sets of pony tracks and one set of dragon tracks. Knowing that the ponies were behind the destruction of the Archieves, they head to Canterlot to speak to Celestia. Celestia, connecting the dots after reading Spikes letter, then summons the Main Six plus Spike to her. They meet with Celestia and the Keepers, two of the Keepers recognize the hatchling of the egg that was forced from them all those years ago...

[Zephyr Spark]

7508812 Dude. That's awesome. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll certainly keep it in mind.

[Hellpony]

7510768 Your welcome.

[JazzTheFox53rd]

7510768 This was your first fanfic. This is really good to be your first. Anyways another fave for you and a follower.

[Zephyr Spark]

7571113 Wow, thanks for all your kind comments, your favorite, and the follow! It's kind words like this that make me want to keep writing and brighten my day.

[HorrorYen]

10 out of godlike

[Zephyr Spark]

7851299 Thanks!

[Night Of The Roses]

Liked it, but kinda wish there was an alternate path to this, where Spike goes to find his real family cause I want to know! Aha

[Zephyr Spark]

7961767 Thanks anyways.

[Zephyr Spark]

7971611 Wow, thanks! I'm really glad you're enjoying it!