Time Goes On

It was just an average day in Canterlot Castle. Twilight and Discord bickered over who got to write in the journal next, Luna sat on the couch, focused on her video games, and Celestia was trying to read a book. If only there was the peace to do so. Then, it became a not-so-average day at Canterlot Castle. And all it took was a knock at the door. Not the door to the room, but a knock at the drawbridge. The guards ran to the gates with their weapons ready for whatever was so large that it could knock on the closed drawbridge across the moat. And every single one of them quivered in fear, though they dared not to let down their weapons, when they saw the giant dragon before them. Surprising to them, however, it did not attack. It simply stood there, waiting for them to do something. "What business do you have here dragon?" One guard, named Steel Shield, asked, "Do you mean to attack our city and plunder its riches, or do you come peacefully?"

"I mean you know harm," the dragon answered, "I only wish one thing."

"Which would be?" The Steel Shield asked, suspicion still in his voice.

"I wish to speak with the princesses three."

"Tell me your reason."

"Do I need a reason?

"Of course, I will not let a beast such as yourself pass without reason."

"And who are you?"

"My name is Steel Shield, son of Iron Helmet, descendant of Prince Shining Armor."

"Oh, Shining Armor, I remember him well."

"How would you know him?"

"He was my friend, and my brother-in-law."

"Brother-In-Law? You couldn't be Spike? Dragon assistant and adoptive brother to Princess Twilight Sparkle?"

"Well, friend, you'll be delighted to know that I am the dragon you speak of."

"My apologies, Prince Spike." Steel Shield bowed before the adoptive Prince.

"No need to apologize, no need to bow. You are valiant, young soldier. To give an unknown dragon one's name is foolish, yet courageous all the same," Spike paused as Steel Shield got up, "May I speak with the princesses now?"

"Of course, sir."

Twilight could hardly hold back her tears of joy. Celestia and Luna were astonished that Spike remembered their names, let alone Canterlot's location. Discord was hardly surprised. Spike was the first to speak, "Long time, no see. What did I miss? I'm sorry I left so shortly after Fluttershy's funeral. It's just that with nopony but Twilight... I couldn't stay... but then I realized something."

Twilight stopped sobbing long enough to ask him, "What'd you realize?"

"That I don't need anypony but Twilight, because friendship is magic, no matter how many friends you have."

At this point not even Celestia or Luna could hold back tears. Celestia let a steady, but small stream of tears flow. Luna cried like a baby, and softly stated, "That was beautiful..."

Celestia managed to ask, "How'd you remember us after such a long time? Let alone where Canterlot is."

"Are you kidding?" Spike laughed, "How could I forget? Twilight is my adoptive big sister, for starters. And Discord writes me at least once a week."

"Discord?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, yes," Discord answered, "I wrote him constantly, asking him to 'come back home' and such nonsense."

"But why?" Twilight, Celestia, and Luna asked all in unison.

"To see all this happiness return!" Discord answered, "Ever since dear, sweet Fluttershy's passing, you've all been so far down the bottomless pit known as despair, even my shenanigans couldn't bring you back. So I though and I thought, and then I remembered something! That something was you, Spike!"

"Me?" the dragon in question asked.

"Yes, you! You're a dragon, a species with absolutely no upper age limit. The oldest dragons know about time before days, and some are still lurking about in their caves somewhere. You see Spike, dragons live as long as their magical flame does. If you keep it kindled, it will never go out, and neither will you. Most dragons keep it kindled with lust, a dark magic that turns them stern and mean. You, on the other claw, have kept it kindled with the most powerful and elusive magic: friendship, a light magic."

"And how do you know so much about magic, Discord?" Twilight asked.

"That's another story for another time, my dear Twilight. Perhaps someday you I'll tell you the truth, or maybe they will," Discord pointed to the princesses, "They know the answer, too. But for now, how about we fix Spike up."

With that, Discord snapped his talons, causing Spike to appear younger, until he looked like a teenage dragon, but with the voice he had from when he first moved to Ponyville. A badge had appeared on his chest that read 'I'm an Immortal!'. In his claws he held a certificate that read 'Welcome to the club' in Discord's claw-writing.