The Pirate Prince

Spike returned to the tavern and ordered himself a drink before sitting down with his crew. "So, I've got good news, bad news, and worse news, what would you like to hear first?"

Rainbow Dash told him, "Just a sec" before chugging down the rest of her drink, "Ok, I say bad news first."

Spike rolled his eyes, "We have to put a halt on our treasure hunt for some time."

Twilight raised an eyebrow, "I have a feeling the good news isn't that you've decided to go back to Equestria, so what could the good news be?"

Spike took some of his drink and said, "Actually, the good news is we'll be taking a little trip back to Equestria. The worse news... we're getting involved with angry Valencians who want to finish what the Armada started."

Adagio nearly choked on her drink and said, "What!? Are you talking about the Pirate/Valencia War? They're seriously still sore about that?"

Time Turner sighed, "It makes sense, the Valencian Royals had no idea what the Armada was really doing, they think they lost the war that was being waged for the good of Valencia, the stupid bastards. No offense Captain."

Spike nodded, "None taken. I made a bit of a bargain with Avery. I told him I'd try to get my mother to involve the Equestrian Navy.

Twilight, who was sitting next to Spike, put a hand on his shoulder and said, "You don't need to head back to Equestria just to ask your mother to do the right thing."

Spike sighed, "I know I don't have to... I guess... I guess I'm just a bit homesick. I'd like to see my mother and Aunt Luna. It would mean a lot to my mom if I at least visited her every once in a while. Even if I don't take the throne, she's my mother. She deserves to see her only son once in a while."

Rarity nodded, "He's right Twilight. The six of us are the best Naval Officers in Equestria, but we always make time for our families."

Applejack voiced agreement, "Rarity's right, if we needed help from our family, we'd go and ask in person, especially if it's been a long time since we saw them."

Twilight sighed, "You're right. If you want us to head back to Equestria, so be it. You're my captain, and I'll stay loyal to you as much as I am loyal to your mother."

As Spike and his crew returned to their ship, Spike gulped and embarrassedly told Twilight, "Um... I honestly don't know the way back to Equestria, I came to Skull Island in a dingy, not a proper ship. You'll have to pilot us home."

Twilight giggled and said, "Don't worry, I will. Get some rest, it's getting dark, I don't mind staying up."

Spike kissed her cheek and said, "Thanks Twilight." before heading into his quarters to head to bed.

The next morning...

Spike woke up to head out of his room and up to the deck, seeing Canterlot on the horizon. "It feels weird to be back after only two months.

As Twilight docked Spike's ship in the castle's private docks, a few guards came out with their guns drawn, and one of them said, "Hey, this dock is private to the Royal Family of Equestria, state your name, rank, and intention!"

Spike jumped onto the dock and took off his helmet, "Spike Drake, Prince of Equestria, visiting my mother."

The guards lowered their guns and saluted Spike as he came to the dock, the commander saying, "Apologies your majesty! We were not informed that you would be gracing us with your return!"

Spike chuckled, "At ease. Just get me and the members of the HMS Pinafore in to see my mother. As for the rest of my crew, I'd appreciate it if you can get them something to eat and drink."

The guard captain lowered his salute and said, "Yes your majesty. I will alert the queen to your arrival, and your crew is welcome here. If they have your trust, they have the trust of the Royal Guard." before taking Spike and the girls to see Celestia.

When Celestia saw Spike in the throne room, she ran over to him and hugged him, crying from joy, "Oh Spike, I'm so happy you're home!"

Spike hugged his mother back, "I'm sorry to say this is a temporary visit. But I promise, I'll visit more often."

Luna walked down the stairs and smiled, "Well, this certainly is a surprise."

Celestia released Spike from her hug and said, "Well, what's the reason for this visit?"

Spike explained the problem with Valencia, and Luna nodded, "They've been getting ambitious lately. They think they're entitled to compensation from that kid who destroyed the Armada. The royals worshiped the clockworks as saviors, they had no idea what they were really doing. Now they think everyone else betrayed the ally that helped win the Polarian War. All in all, I'm not surprised they're doing this."

Celestia nodded, "We weren't involved in the Polarian War, but I never liked those mechanical monsters." before looking to her son and saying, "You can tell Avery that he has the support of the Equestrian Navy. I wouldn't be surprised if some genius would be stupid enough to try remaking the Armada, and that's something nobody wants. But while you're here, would you like to stay a bit?"

Spike smiled, hugging his mother, "Yes, I'd like that. I'll admit, I'm a bit homesick, so I promise I'll visit every once in a while."

Celestia hugged her son back and kissed his forehead, "Just this visit touches my heart darling." before looking up to the crew of the HMS Pinafore, confused by their clothing, "Is that the normal attire for female pirates?"

Spike gulped, if his mother knew that the girls and him had sex together, she'd be furious, so he said, "N-No! Women wear much less revealing clothing, but we got in a scuffle, and we haven't been able to get our cloths fixed yet."

Celestia nodded, "Ah, that makes sense. I'll have the tailors get to work on that, let's go join your crew for dinner."

Spike sighed in relief, he didn't mind if the girls had less revealing clothing, and he knew they would understand why he lied. He headed out with his mother and the girls to see that Starlight Glimmer and Sunset Shimmer were there to meet him. Starlight and Sunset were more than just Spike's fencing instructors, they were his personal guards from before he ran away.

As the others enter the room, Starlight asked, "Your majesty, a word if we could?"

Spike sighed, "Let me guess, my mom chewed you out for not noticing me when I escaped?"

Sunset nodded, "That's part of it, but you're more than just a student or a prince we're honor-bound to protect. You're our friend. We would have gone with you if you explained the situation to us."

Starlight nodded, "She's right, we would have. Friends stick together, and when we make mistakes, we help each other."

Spike sighed, "You're right, I'm sorry if I worried you. If you'd like, I'll let you on my crew."

Starlight and Sunset smiled and each kissed one of Spike's cheek, saying in union, "Deal."

Spike blushed heavily, but shook it off, and headed into the dining hall with his crew and family.

And so, Spike has returned to Equestria to visit his mother, and ask her for the Equestrian Royal Navy's help with Avery's situation. His mother is overjoyed and has agreed to lend the help of her navy to prevent a war with the Valencians.