Celestia's sun was setting over the horizon, illuminating the sky in a beautiful, blazing hue of flaming red, orange, and gold, with Luna's beautiful blanket of night skies appearing behind the blazing aura.

Spike had just gotten back to the train station, where both Diamond Tiara and Mina were seeing him off.

"See you back in Ponyville, Diamond Tiara," Spike bid farewell, as he and the former bad filly shared a hug.

"Take care, Spike," Diamond Tiara smiled. "And tell the CMCs I said hi!"

"Will do."

"Keep your flame on, Spike," Mina smiled, before both she and Spike shared a fist bump.

"You as well, Mina!" Having said his good-byes enough, Spike turned around and got onboard the train, closing the door behind him, before finding a seat.

The young dragon looked out the window to see his friends waving him good-bye, which he returned, as the train blew its whistle, and came to life, pulling out of Fillydelphia's train station and on its way towards Ponyville.

Getting comfortable, Spike looked out the window to see his adopted mother's sun vanishing completely over the horizon, to make way for his aunt's beautiful night sky.

"Wow, Luna's stars are so beautiful tonight," He smiled, while recalling a memory he's once had of Twilight. "I remember how Twilight would be so into the night, she would just stay up all night, looking through her telescope, trying to find all the constellations and memorize their name," He chuckled as he recalled, "And I would just end up getting bored and fall asleep, while trying to write them all down for her."

Looking back up at the night sky, Spike searched the constellations, "Though, I remember she once said there was a constellation called Draco," He said. "And it's Latin for dragon. Now where would it be?" Spike searched the sky, trying to find the said constellation. Of course, he was having trouble locating it, since he didn't know which star to look for, "Maybe I should've paid more attention to Twilight's astronomy lessons," Spike frowned, as his eyes slowly drooped, until at last, he fall asleep to the gentle rocking rhythm of the train.

The Crystal Empire

Later that same evening, Mistmane took a dainty sip of her tea, while looking across her crystal garden, and smiled to herself at a job well done.

"Wow, Mistmane!" Shining Armor sounded as he walked into the crystal garden. "You've really outdid yourself!"

"Thank you, Prince Shining Armor," Mistmane smiled. "But thank you for helping me find the purpose of my powers again."

"No problem. So, I heard from Spike today that you and the little guy were just talking about something that was important," The stallion began as he took a seat at the sorceress's table, where she poured both him and herself a cup of tea. "Is something the matter?"

"Oh, no need to worry yourself, my prince," Mistmane reassured with a smile. "Young Spike was having some doubts about himself, and the life he leads."

"Oh, right. I see," He nodded in acknowledgement. "Yeah, he did told me he wasn't so sure if he was a good friend to Twily and every pony. But I told him that he's been a good friend to Twilight since the day she hatched him."

"Of course he is," The sorceress nodded in agreement. "For a dragon his age, and with such a unique background, he's beautiful in his own way," She sighed in nostalgia as she added, "He's very much like Long Mu's children in every way."

"Long Mu? Who's that? Another one of your old friends from the past?"

"You could say that. She did taught me to look for beauty within the beasts, and the beauty of love. The love that is the rarest and most beautiful of all. The love that can be found among families, that defies blood relations. If not for her, then I wouldn't be the mare I am today."

"Fascinating," Shining Armor nodded in acknowledgement, as he took a dainty sip of his tea cup. "Hey Mistmane," He began. "Just wondering. Do you ever miss your friends and loved ones?"

"Of course," Mistmane frowned, looking at a crystal statue of a unicorn; her best friend, Sable Spirit. "Everyday, since your sister has freed me and my fellow pillars from limbo, I think of my dear friend, Sable Spirit, and our families. And the days that once were. They felt as if they were yesterday, though it was countless of moons ago. I still find it hard to believe it's been centuries."

"Oh," The unicorn prince frowned, mentally berating himself for asking such a tragic topic. "I guess I'd miss my family too if I were in your position...I mean, I'm sorry...I-"

"Don't be sorry, my prince," Mistmane smiled, while shedding a heartfelt tear. "They may be gone. But I know, that deep down, they will forever be with me. Because they live on in my memories. They live in me. And sometimes, they would even live on in you, and others."

Moments before falling asleep, Spike recalled a memory involving an earlier talk between him and Smolder.

".....Because she's teaching you to fly like a pony instead of a dragon," Smolder grumbled.

"What's the difference?" Spike asked.

"We don't have feathers for a start," Smolder pointed, to which Twilight instantly took notice of her alicorn wings and Spike's.

'What a shame,' Spike mentally chuckled. 'Because no mother dragons would ever have soft wings like my mom does.'

But then, another memory echoed in his mind.

"......I can't believe I forgot such a simple detail as feathers!" Twilight ranted, after a failure in their early attempts to further strengthen Spike's flying abilities. "No wonder it didn't go so well."

Spike didn't reply. But he did listened to every words Twilight had said. He couldn't find himself to interrupt her as he continues to let her speak her mind.

"I wish there were more dragon knowledge I could've given you," Twilight continued, before she asked, "Do you think it affects you in many ways that you were raised by ponies?" Spike didn't answer, which prompted Twilight to ask, "Spike?"

'Or maybe we're both trying too hard for myself,' Spike thought mentally.

"Don't be afraid. It matters not whether you are raised by ponies or not. What truly matters is who you choose to be, and who you choose to believe."

It wasn't long before Spike suddenly find himself in a dream. Only this isn't another one of his typical dreams, where he and Rarity are in a land of ice cream, or when he dreams himself as a mighty dragon hero. Instead, this one was much more different, compared to any dreams he's ever had.

The Year Of The Dragon - Trish Thuy Trang

The young dragon finds himself, sitting on a small tuft of cloud that was carrying him across the skies of Equestria.

"Whoa!" Spike exclaimed, feeling the rush of winds blowing across his face as he looked down to see he was being carried across the oceans, into a seemingly endless sea of clouds, until at last he arrived in a vast land of green mountains, long bodies of rivers and streams that gracefully cuts their way through the lands.

"Wow!" Spike gasped, as he took the chance to marvel at all the tall beautiful mountains that passed him, the tranquility of the trees' vibrant greens, and the gentle sounds of the running waters.

Spike smiled as he felt himself at peace. The young dragon was about to kick back and relax on his cloud, when it started to slow down before coming to a stop, in front of a large statue of a unicorn mare, don up in a kimono, surrounded by six large serpents.

Spike looked at the serpents with curiosity. Somehow, they reminded him of Discord. However, they're not exactly as jumbled up as he is. In appearance, the serpents looked like they each have four legs that have the paws of tigers, but the talons of eagles. They each have antlers that resembled those of a stag. Some of them appeared to have long mustaches that protruded from their faces.

"Nĭ hăo, Spike," A soft gentle voice greeted, startling the young dragon.

"Ah!!" Spike screamed, as he turns around, and was met with a blinding golden light.

Spike shielded his face from the blinding light, until it dies down to reveal a tall alicorn mare, with flowing mane and tail, and a long kimono. However, unlike any other alicorn mares he's ever seen, this one appears to be covered in plates of fish-like scales on the bridge of her nose, the cheeks of her face, and has cloven hooves.

"W-W-Who are you?" Spike asked, slightly afraid at the mare's sudden appearance.

"Do not be afraid of me, little one," The mare smiled sweetly. "I mean you no harm. I am Longmu. The mother of dragons." The mare said, dipping her head before him.

Spike gasped, "Longmu?!" He could hardly believe his ears. "Ohmygosh! Ohmygosh! Ohmygosh! It's such an honor to meet you!!" Out of impulse, Spike tackled the mare's feet and kissed them repeatedly, "Please, forgive me! I didn't mean to be so rude! I was just-"

Longmu simply laughed, "Oh no need to be like that little one," The mare laughed. "Please, stand up. You are but a child. Just as my precious children were before they grew up into the wonderful dragons they are. You will grow up to be just like them, little one."

"You really think so?" Spike asked excitedly, to which the mare nodded. "Wow, that's...that's a lot, coming from you, Longmu," Spike blushed, before looking away in shame. "I mean, no I can't...I've made many mistakes already, and I doubt I can ever be as great as your children."

Long Mu's motherly smile slowly disappeared as she walked over to the dragon and puts a gentle hoof on his shoulder, "Do not deceive yourself, my dear," Longmu said solemnly. “You must look inside yourself. Remember the lessons you have learned along the way. You are more than what many perceived you to be. You are more than what you have become. You must take your place alongside the Elements of Harmony.”

“But how can I?” The young dragon asked. “I want to grow up, like your children before me. But I-”

Longmu chuckled, “Dear Spike. You already know the answer to that. You just need to be yourself.”

“It’s hard for me to be myself again. Because last time I did, I was so naive that I just blindly followed a dragon named Sludge who passed himself off as my dad. And I nearly drove my friends away!”

“Spike. Don’t be hard on yourself. You are still a child, and you are still learning. Do not let Sludge’s deceptions poison you, my child. Never let the negativity of the past stray you from the path to your destiny. Sludge, and so many dragons like him only cared about themselves. Sadly, this is the problem the world continues to suffer. And so many innocent lives were lost, including dragons like Sludge. But you, Spike, there is still hope for you and dragons everywhere.”

“What do you mean?”

“Like my children, I raised them, because they needed me, just as you were raised by the ponies, because you needed them. And just as my children have before, you returned that devotion to your loved ones, because you know that later in life, you are needed for the future of dragons and ponies alike. A future where creatures can share mutual love amongst themselves, regardless of their species and origins. A future where the filial devotions of children is as strong as the parental love of all mothers and fathers. The future where friendship is magic.”

Spike felt himself flooded by an overwhelming wave of wisdom and inspirational feelings, coursing through his whole body. Then, as strong as a tsunami, he was assaulted by a series of rushing flashbacks, reminding him of the loves between him and his friends. From the day he hatched, when he first laid eyes on Twilight, her family, Princess Celestia, to all the adventures, fun, and troubles he shared with the Ponyville girls, Thorax, the Crystal Ponies, Big Mac, Discord, and sometimes, his fellow dragons, Dragon Lord Ember and Smolder.

A newfound smile appeared on his face with the look of understanding, "Okay, I think I understand now," Spike replied. "No, I mean, I understand now. I know what I need to do now. And thank you, Longmu," The little dragon bowed his head respectfully towards the alicorn. "I will not fail you!"

Longmu dipped her head in return, as she smiled, "I know, my child. I know. Now go. Be the dragon you are. It's your turn now to spread the love and the magic of friendship. Make me proud."

Spike nodded, and was about to leave. But then he hesitated, and turned to ask, “By chance, will I ever see my real father one day, as well as my biological family?”

"I'm afraid that's a question I can't answer," Longmu frowned sadly. "I'm sorry dear Spike. But I'm afraid that's something you will have to discover on your own."

"I was afraid you would say that." With that, the world around Spike was swallowed up in a flash of light, before he woke up.

End of Song

That night when the train pulled itself into the Ponyville station, slowing itself down to a complete stop, allowing the passengers to disembark.

When Spike steps out on the platform, he took the moment to breathe the familiar and welcoming air of Ponyville. With a spread and a flap of his wings, he was on his way towards Friendship Castle.

"Home sweet home," Spike sighed, relieved to be back at his and Twilight's abode, after a long day of traveling half of Equestria for enlightenment. The young dragon placed his claws on the doorknobs of the castle doors, but hesitated on opening them.

The pang of doubts returned to grip itself on the young dragon as he though, 'I wonder if Twilight would ever welcome me back again. I doubt she'd even welcome me back with open hooves or anything,' Eyes widened in realization, Spike shook his head as he focused once again. 'No! I can't back away now! Not after all the things I've learned today! Everyone needs me!' With newfound confident, Spike parted the doors away as he walks into the castle.

"SURPRISE!!!"

"AAAAHHH!!" The young dragon shouted, falling down on his feet, when a blast of confetti blew up, followed by a rain of streamers and loud horns were blowed.

"Welcome home, Spike!" Twilight and the girls, plus Smolder, all cheered, as they gathered around the dragon.

After shaking the shock away, Spike managed to find his voice and asked, "Wh-What's going on? What is all this?"

"It's a 'Welcome Home / We Are Your Family Party!'" Pinkie cheered. "For you! Duh."

"But why?"

"Because we're your family, you silly dragon!" The pink pony chirped as she playfully pinched his cheeks.

"And we just wanted to make sure you don't forget that," Rainbow Dash added. "Because next time some stranger shows up and pass himself as your dad, then don't, I repeat, don't forget who your real families are! Got it?"

Spike chuckled sheepishly as he replied, "After that, how can I forget?"

"Well, forget about Sludge, sugarcube," Applejack spoke up. "How've you been little fella? Are you doing alright?"

"And if you're still upset about that jerk, then I already talked about him to Dragon Lord Ember," Smolder added. "She's already put him in his place, working in the obsidian mines for many moons to come."

"Yikes, I'd hate to be that guy," Spike chuckled, before he turned to Applejack. "Anyway, I've been doing well, actually. Y'know, went to see mo-Princess Celestia, had a talk with her, Mistmane, Shining Armor, and some friends here and there, and I've learned some life lessons along the way."

"And what might they be, Spike?" Twilight asked, with piqued interest.

"Well, for starters, I learned that it doesn't matter the blood relations, or heck, even the species," The young dragon began. "Families come in different shapes and sizes, as long as the friendship is there."

Everyone present all nodded their head in agreement, "Very good, Sugarcube," Applejack smiled in agreement.

"Then I learned that beauty can still be found, even within the beast. And it's not based on how we looked, but only on how we act."

"Should I take that as an insult, or a compliment for us dragons?" Smolder asked.

"Don't worry, it's neither of them," Spike replied. "It's just a piece of wisdom Mistmane told me. It's saying that, although I'm not a pony, I still want to do some good for all of Equestria, and for ponies everywhere. Just as you've all done for me. And that's the beauty I wanted to spread for all of us around the world to share."

"Oh, Spike," Rarity cooed as she walked up to the dragon. "You're anything, but a beast. Never forget that. And don't ever let any creature, like that Sludge dragon to tell you otherwise!"

"I know," Spike nodded in agreement. "But more importantly. I just wanted to say, that even though I don't represent an Element of Harmony, or have any powerful magics like Starlight Glimmer does, I still want to be by your sides, because you would do the same for me, whenever I needed you the most. And whatever happens, I want to be ready whenever you needed me."

"Oh, Spike," Twilight tackled Spike in a loving embrace. "We would never think less of you. We've always been there for you!"

"I know," Spike returned the embrace. "That's why I'm sorry with the way I've wronged you, Twilight."

"It's okay, Spike. It's over. Sludge is gone. We can forget-"

"No, that's not what I meant," The little dragon said, before he began to clarify, "I'm sorry I took you and every pony for granted. I'm sorry I didn't took all of you too seriously, when all you've ever done was supporting me. The real me. The dragon I'm meant to be."

"Oh," Twilight nodded in acknowledgement, before she pulled Spike in another loving hug. "Well, all is forgiven Spike. Because now, I'm just so happy to have you back!"

"Happy to be home," He added, as both he and Twilight tightened their embrace, followed by the rest of the girls, who joined in the group hug. At last, they all parted, "Let's get this party started!" Spike cheered, along with the girls, as they all celebrated the night away.

Believe In Yourself - Jackie Chan

Author's Note

I'm sorry it's been this long for an update. I wanted this to be a final chapter, so I wanted to end the story strong.

Thank you all for taking the time and giving this story a read. I hope you've enjoyed it, just as much as you've enjoyed the predecessor.

And thank you alphasteel and DGJabberwocky for lending your assistance.