Spike was asleep in his guest room. But unbeknownst to him, the door to his room was opened and a small creature entered. The creature closed the door as quietly as it could, in hopes of not waking the dragon before its plan was complete. The creature walked to the bed, used its wings to fly up to the top, and landed right by the slumbering dragon. The creature smiled; it was time to execute its plan. It jumped into the air and screamed. "UNCLE SPIKE!" But before the little alicorn landed on the dragon, Spike used his tail to catch the falling alicorn filly. Flurry pouted a little annoyed as she hung upside down. "No fair, how did you know I was here?"

With his eyes still closed, Spike started to chuckle. "First off, you forgot to account for the door latching, that woke me up. Then the sound of your wings flapping told me that it was someone with feathery wings, that left only 7 ponies in this castle. Auntie Twilight doesn't try to surprise me in the morning, after I accidentally burned her mane when I was 8. Celestia and Luna are cool with me sleeping in. Cadence knows what I did to Twilight and she learned from Twilights mistakes. That leaves you, Rainbow, and Fluttershy, but Rainbow is lazy and won't be up for at least a few hours, and Fluttershy is too kind to wake me up in this manner. That only leaves the little filly in my tail." Said Spike leaving out that aside from Cadence, Discord and himself, everyone else was going to be hungover.

Flurry pouted even more. "No fair, I planned this out last night."

Spike opened his eyes, moved his tail, rolled over to his back and sat up on the bed, as he dropped Flurry into his lap. "Well, life's not fair, mainly because only happy fillies can spend time with their Uncle Spike." Said Spike as he tickled Flurry to make the filly smile.

Flurry laughed uncontrollably as Spike continued to tickle her. "Uncle... Uncle." Said Flurry to stop the tickle assault.

"Yes?" Said Spike as he continued. "I'll only stop if I see you smile." Said Spike as he slowed his assault.

Flurry smiled at Spike. He giggled as he pulled the filly into a little hug. "There's the little filly I know and love, you look weird when you pout."

Flurry giggled at her uncle and blew a raspberry at him, but she tried her best to hug Spike. "I missed you Uncle Spike."

"Yeah, I missed you to Sweetie." Said Spike as he let the filly go. "So, what do you want to do today?" Asked Spike, even though he already knew what she wanted to do today.

Flurry stuck out her tongue, cocked her head, rubbed her chin, and hummed in thought. "How about.... You spend the whole day with me at the fair?" Asked Flurry.

Spike smiled. "Ok." Said Spike, Flurry smiled at hearing this. "But, only on one condition."

Flurry pouted at hearing this as she looked away from Spike. "What?"

Spike chuckled. "You have to have a great day with me, that means no more pouting."

Flurry looked at Spike and smiled widely as she nodded her head rapidly. "YAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Cheered Flurry loudly, but then she covered her mouth with her hands. "I forgot; Mommy told me I need to be quiet this morning to let everyone sleep off adult time." She then looked at Spike confused. "Uncle Spike, what's adult time and why aren't you like Grandma Celestia or Daddy?"

Spike went pale for a moment; he was worried for both Flurry's innocence and his life if Cadence finds out. "Uh...Well...Oh, Flurry, what's your favorite drink?"

"Apple juice."

"Well have you ever drunk too much and had a tummy ache?"

Flurry nodded.

"Well Shining and Celestia drank too much last night, and unlike you who only got a tummy ache, all the grownups got more than a tummy ache they also got a headache, and when your loud it hurts their head, so it's best to stay quiet."

Flurry nodded. "Ok, but why aren't you like them then?"

"Well do you know how long dragons live?"

Flurry nodded. "A long time."

"Exactly, so I only drank a little, that means I'm not like the others."

"But what about Ms. Ember and the big red dragon? They are like Daddy."

"Um, they drank grape juice last night and it didn't agree with them."

"Oh, ok." Said Flurry as she hopped off the bed. "Come on Uncle Spike Serving Platter has breakfast ready." Said Flurry.

Spike nodded and got out of bed. He walked to the door and picked up Flurry. Spike looked Flurry in the eyes and smirked. "Hey Flurry, you want the best seat in the world?" Asked Spike.

Flurry nodded. Spike smiled and tossed her in the air, changed his tail into the shape of a small chair, caught her with his tail, and looked at the smile on her face. "Hold on tight sweetie, Uncle Spike is hungry." Said Spike as he started to run down the halls and once he reached his top speed, Spike dropped to all fours and sped up.

While Spike was running. Flurry was screaming at the top of her lungs. "WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

Spike and Flurry reached the dining hall moments later, Cadence was the only one in the room as she sipped her coffee and looked at the newspaper. "Mommy!" Yelled Flurry. Cadence looked away from her paper and smiled at her daughter and her cousin.

"Hi, Sweetie." Said Cadence. She used her magic to levitate the running filly into her arms. Cadence kissed Flurry's forehead. "Did you surprise Uncle Spike?" Asked Cadence.

Flurry shook her head. "No, Uncle Spike heard me walk into his room, but he said he would like to spend time with me today at the fair. Then he told me that Daddy, Grandma and the others are not feeling good because they drank too much apple juice and now they all have tummy and headaches. Then he tossed me in the air and caught me with his tail. Then we ran super-fast to the table." Said Flurry.

Cadence shot Spike a quick glare but smiled at Flurry. "He did, that's so cool." Said Cadence as she placed Flurry in her booster seat and gave her a plate of pancakes with syrup. "Sweetie, Mommy needs to talk to Uncle Spike for a moment, now be a good girl and eat your breakfast, and then you and him can go to the fair and have fun." Said Cadence as she smiled at Flurry.

"Ok Mommy." Said Flurry through a mouth full of pancakes, only half paying attention to what her mother said.

Cadence smiled at Flurry as she teleported Spike and herself to outside of the dining hall doors. Cadence then glared at Spike. "What did you tell her?"

Spike looked scared at Cadences tone. "Um... that Shining and Celestia just drank too much apple juice and I told her a kid version of what a hangover is, while not calling it a hangover. Then she asked why I wasn't like the others and I told her that I was the responsible one and only drank a little. That's it I swear." Said Spike flinching in fear of what Cadence will do to him.

Cadence sighed. "That's like the second hardest thing that a child ever asks an adult. I'm waiting for the moment she asks where foals come from."

Spike winced. "Yeah that's going to be a hard one, pun not intended." Said Spike as he chuckled. "So, how was Shining this morning?"

"On the verge of death, with a trashcan in his arms. Same goes for everyone else, it was so bad that I was the one who had to raise the sun this morning."

"Wait, you can do that?"

Cadence nodded. "Yeah, Celestia taught me how not long after she took Twilight under her wing, saying to only use it only in case of emergencies. The fact the Celestia is still passed out right now, I say that counts, what the hell did she drink?"

"She downed 3 TKO's and as you can see the drink is aptly named."

Cadence sighed. "Fine, I'll deal with the drunks, you deal with Flurry."

"Not a problem, what about the CMC, Yona, Smolder, and Ocellus?"

"What about them, one of them literally knows how to make cider, it's not like they haven't seen a hangover before. But I'll just tell them to go around the empire to explore a little more, until their families are at least able to talk in complete sentences without throwing up."

Spike nodded. Cadence smiled and teleported both her and Spike back to the dining table to resume breakfast. She levitated a plate of pancakes to Spike with a cup of coffee. Spikes mouth watered at the smell of the pancakes. "Thanks, Cus." Said Spike as he started to rip into the pancakes.

It only took a few moments until Spike was finished eating. He licked his muzzle clean of syrup and small bits of pancakes. Spike looked over at Cadence, she was reading the paper, he noticed a picture of him on the other side of the page she was reading. "Cadence, can I see that for a moment?" Asked Spike.

"In a second, I'm trying to think of a 10-letter word for unusual."

"Aberration." Said Spike.

Cadence huffed in annoyance. "I would have gotten it sooner or later." Said Cadence as she handed Spike the paper.

"Sure, but when you live with a literal walking dictionary for most of your life, crosswords are just easy." Said Spike as he turned to the front page. He looked at Cadence. "Cadence did you look at the front page?"

Cadence shook her head. "Nope, I always go straight for the crossword puzzles first and then the rest of the paper. Why?"

Spike handed the paper back to Cadence as she read the headline. "Prince Spike, long thought to be dead, is in fact alive and in the Crystal Empire, where he stopped the invasion attempt by Queen Chrysalis single handed." read Cadence as she looked at the large picture of Spike when his scales turned gold with his wings flared out. Cadence continued to read. "Nearly 2 years ago the assistant of Princess Twilight Sparkle, Spike Drake as he was at the time, went missing due to unknown magical effects. After 3 months of searching it was declared that the at the time Spike Drake was considered dead, with the funeral to be held in the Crystal Empire, where Spike was considered a hero. All in attendance were either close friends or family. There it was revealed during the eulogy, given by Princess Celestia, that Spike Drake was in fact the crown prince, Prince Spike Solaris. Now 2 years later, rumors of an emergency gathering of all the princesses, Dragon Lord Ember, and King Thorax, all of which who were connected to Prince Spike in some way, gathered at Princess Twilight's castle in Ponyville, for unknown reasons. The next day after the gathering, the capital city of Canterlot was sent into a scare when an ear-piercing high-pitched sound echoed through the city and the same with Ponyville. This reporter was unable to gather any leads from the citizens of Ponyville about the cause of the sound, but I was interrupted by the sound of a monstrous roar emanating from the notorious Everfree Forest. 5 days later, during coverage of the annual Crystal Fair, it was revealed that Prince Spike was in fact alive. Later that day it was revealed that amongst the crowds, were non reformed changelings in disguise. But Prince Spike was not fooled by a single drones poor acting and uncovered the plan to kidnap the young Princess Flurry Heart, in an attempt to use her connection to the Crystal Heart. The magical object that houses all the love generated by the citizens of the Empire. Using Princess Flurry Hearts connection, the changelings planned to drain the heart and store all the love into Queen Chrysalis. But Thanks to Prince Spike the plot was foiled, that was until the main invasion force, led by Queen Chrysalis approached. Prince Spike then somehow changed his natural scale color of green and purple to all gold, and flew off to face the invasion single handedly, as all the princesses and foreign emissaries were tasked with protecting the citizens. After a long-fought battle, both Prince Spike and Queen Chrysalis were badly hurt, but at the last second Prince Spike was victorious, unfortunately he was unable to ensure the capture of the changeling queen, as due to his injuries he passed out. During this time Chrysalis was able to escape thanks to a few remaining changelings fleeing with her. Prince Spike was found in the middle of the battle grounds with a broken leg and multiple broken ribs. It was important that the prince be sent to the closest medical professional and thus he was sent to the medical ward of the palace. Finally, Prince Spike was seen walking down the streets of the Crystal Empire later that day, stating that he was 'Spending time with friends and family.' and that this Wednesday he and Princess Twilight will be holding a Q&A event about where prince Spike was the last 2 years. See complete article Thursday morning for the inside scoop." Finished Cadence. She looked at Spike. "Well that's very detailed."

Spike sighed. "Well, great." Said Spike as he looked saddened.

Flurry noticed the change in her uncle's mood. She hopped out of her booster seat and walked over to Spike. She raised her arms towards Spike wanting to be picked up by him. Spike picked her up and she gave him a hug around his neck as she pouted. "Hey, you said today will be a great day, and you’re already breaking your promise, so I'm going to pout until you are happy." Said Flurry pouting.

Spike sighed as he gently hugged Flurry as his mood brightened. Spike looked at the pouting filly. "Can you forgive me for breaking our deal?" Said Spike as he smiled at the little filly around his neck.

Flurry nodded as she looked at the smiling face of her uncle. "Promise me you won't be sad anymore Uncle Spike." Said Flurry.

Spike nodded. "I promise." Said Spike. Flurry nodded and let go of his neck. The two looked at each other and they both nodded.

Spike looked at Cadence and nodded. "Ok we're going to head out now." Said Spike.

Cadence nodded and smiled at her cousin and her daughter as the two walked out of the dining hall. Once they were alone Spike placed Flurry into his tail chair and the two made their way out to the fairgrounds.

Spike was just walking out of the palace with Flurry sitting in his tail. He looked back at the filly in his tail. "So, what would you like to see first?"

"Jousting." Said Flurry excitedly.

"Then the jousting area is our destination." Said Spike as he and Flurry made their way to the attraction.

As Spike was walking with Flurry, Spike noticed that some of the crystal ponies were following them. Spike sighed but remembered that he was supposed to make today great for Flurry, so he ignored them.

Once the dragon and alicorn arrived at the arena, Spike placed Flurry on his shoulders so she could have a better view of the bout that was about to start. Just then an announcer introduced the combatants. "Mares, gentle colts, and visiting creatures. Welcome to the Crystal Fair Jousting Competition, an annual event that determines the strongest pony in the empire. On the left we have last year's champion, A wild young mare named Shimmering Steel, and on my right, we have a newcomer to the competition..." The announcer then looked across the crowd and noticed the dragon and alicorn filly. "PRINCE SPIKE!" Yelled the announcer in surprise, completely ignoring the other jouster. Everyone turned to the pair as Flurry looked down at Spike.

"You’re going to Joust! That's so awesome!" Smiled Flurry.

Spike sighed, as he thought. `Why is my life complicated?'

Mal responded. "You live in a world with magical talking horses, dragons, griffins, and you’re having a conversation with the other half of yourself in your mind."

'rhetorical Mal, rhetorical.' Thought Spike. He then looked at the filly and gave her a smile. "I guess so." Said Spike. Flurry cheered.

"People of the empire, I hereby challenge the jousting champion Shimmering Steel, on behalf of princess Flurry Heart. But before that is to happen would someone please bring the nearest guard to me at once." Said Spike.

Not 3 seconds later a crystal guard was standing at attention in front of Spike. "Sargent Spot Light reporting, and awaiting your orders." Said the white crystal stallion guard.

"So, your Spot Light?"

Spot Light gasped in shock. "You know me?"

"More or less, if what Discord said was true. tell me do you know the name Sentinel Flame?"

Spot light nodded. "I do, but how do you know that name, I thought it was only a dream."

Spike smirked. "Sargent, I need you to execute the final step in phase 3." Said Spike.

Spot light dropped his jaw as he pointed to the dragon. "So, your?"

Spike nodded. "You did good work by the way."

Spot light saluted. "Thank you, sir. What do you need me to do for you?"

"I need you to protect the princess in my stead for a few moments."

"Yes sir!" Said Spot Light.

Spike looked at Flurry. "Flurry, Uncle Spike needs you to behave for Sargent Spot Light, and don't worry he's an old friend that actually saved Grandma Celestia not too long ago." Said Spike as he lifted Flurry off his shoulders and placed her in the arms of Spot Light.

Flurry nodded. "Good luck, I know you'll win." Cheered Flurry as Spike made is way to the arena.

Spike waved at the cheering masses. "You heard it right here folks, Prince Spike Solaris, hero of the Crystal Empire 3 times over has just challenged the jousting champion Shimmering Steel. This is going to be interesting." Said the announcer.

Once Spike made it to the arenas field, he jumped off the stands and made his way to where the jouster who was supposed to joust was waiting to hand over his gear to Spike. "Prince Spike, it's an honor to be able to give up my opportunity to joust to you." Said a young red stallion, with a blue mane. "My name is Strong Shield."

Spike chuckled. "Thank you Shield, and I'm sorry for taking your spotlight, but you try saying no to Flurry, it's impossible." Said Spike as he looked at the chariot behind the stallion. "So, how does this work, I'm guessing by magic?"

Shield nodded. "Yes, each jouster has an unbiased unicorn that will propel the chariots forward using their magic. The rider wields a lance and shield in their hands and tries to knock their opponent off their chariot or make them submit. That's pretty much the basics." Said Shield, as he handed Spike a lance and shield.

Spike nodded as he took Shields equipment and took his place on the chariot. Spike nodded to the announcer. "Get ready every creature, the match is about to begin. Jousters are you ready?" Both nodded again. "Then on my signal, 3...2...1...0!" counted the announcer.

Both chariots started to move at high speed, towards each other. Spike placed his shield over his chest as he held his lance with his right arm and pointed it at Steels shield. Once the two jousters were in range of each other, Spike thrust his lance straight for Steels shield, as Steel did the same with her lance. For a moment, all was silent. But then the sound of the wooden lances shattering into splinters was heard, as the two passed each other.

Spike returned to his side and talked to Shield. "So now what?"

"You get another lance and you go again." Said Shield as he handed Spike another lance.

Spike and Steel approached each other again but Spike had a strategy this time, Spike readied his shield and lance like before, but when they made contact, he waited for a moment after Steels lance met his shield. Spike then blocked the lance upwards, at the same time while Steel was trying to readjust her stance Spike took the opportunity to land a blow on the unsteady mare, knocking her off her chariot.

The crowd cheered at the dragon’s victory. "We have a victor, Prince Spike has defeated Shimmering Steel." Screamed the announcer.

Spike smiled at his victory as his chariot made its way back to its side. Spike handed Shield's lance and shield back to the stallion and smiled. "Thanks for letting me borrow your stuff." Said Spike.

Shield Smiled at Spike. "Not a problem. You did great by the way." Said Shield as he walked away to store the equipment.

Spike nodded. He opened his wings and flew back to Spot Light and Flurry. The guard was using all his strength to hold back the little alicorn filly from barreling straight into her uncle. Spike laughed at the struggling stallion as he nodded. Spot Light released the filly and as predicted she flew straight towards Spike, and she embedded herself right into his chest, as she smiled in excitement. "THAT WAS SO COOL!" Cheered Flurry.

Spike laughed at the filly’s excitement. "Well what did you expect from your cool Uncle Spike?" Asked Spike. "So, what do you want to do now?"

"Let’s go to the petting zoo!" Said Flurry.

Spike nodded as he placed Flurry back on his shoulders and the two walked out of the arena. As they walked some of the crystal ponies from the jousting match followed behind the two, and again Spike just ignored them. Thankfully the petting zoo was not too far from the jousting arena, so it didn't take them long to get there.

Once they arrived at the petting zoo, Flurry flew off Spikes shoulders and headed straight for a pen with one large pig and a lot of piglets around their mother. She grabbed onto the fence as she watched the piglets playing with each other. Flurry looked at the dragon behind her as she jumped up and down in excitement. "Come on Uncle Spike, you gotta see this." Said Flurry.

Spike laughed at the excitement of the little filly as he remembered when his mother took him to the royal gardens. he was so excited to see all the cool animals, and this was no different, aside from the fact that there were no exotic animals like Bruce the Toucan, or Deeann the Buzzing Buzzard. Spike made his way to the little filly as she waited for Spike to take her into the pen. Spike noticed the sign on the fence.

"No child is allowed to enter this pen without being accompanied by an adult. "

Spike nodded. He picked up Flurry and took her to the pens gate. They waited for the pigs owner to open the pen, and once he did, the two entered the pen. Spike placed Flurry down on the ground, Spike crossed his legs on the straw and watched as instantly most of the piglets flocked to Flurry thinking that she was a new playmate. Flurry giggled as she was almost tackled by a mass of very undercooked bacon. But a few trotted to Spike and started to nudge his leg to get some attention. Spike looked at the little piglets near him and started to lightly scratch them. Soon the large mother pig made her way to Spike and gave the side of his head a lick. Spike tried to push her away. "Hey Stop that." But the large pig didn't listen.

The pig continued to lick Spike. "Seriously, what's your deal?" Asked Spike, but then he remembered meeting a small little piglet during the first fair, she was a small little thing back then, and she was very affectionate with Spike once he gave the piglet a name.

Spike looked at the mother pig still trying to lick him. "Donna?" Asked Spike. The pig squealed and nodded, as she licked Spikes face again. Spike smiled at Donna. "Hey girl, long time no see. So, I'm guessing that those are your piglets playing with my niece?" Donna nodded again as she lay down next to Spike, as he lovingly rubbed her stomach. "Sorry I couldn't visit more, but disappearing for 2 years kinda makes that hard." Joked Spike. Donna snorted and nudged Spikes leg with her head. Spike continued to rub Donnas stomach for a while as Flurry kept playing with the piglets.

About 20 minutes later Flurry ran up to Spike, holding a piglet in her arms. "Uncle Spike, this little guy hasn't left my side, can I keep him?" Asked Flurry.

Spike frowned and shook his head. "I'm sorry Sweetie, but you can't, he's too young to be separated from his mother, and where did you plan to keep him?" Asked Spike.

"Well, I was planning on keeping him in my room, until I had him moved to the royal garden behind the house." Said Flurry as she put the piglet down. "But I understand, a baby needs to stay by his mother, like mommy does with me, right?"

Spike smiled and nodded. "Exactly, but that doesn't mean that you can't still play with him." Said Spike as he scratched Donna's ear.

Flurry looked at the large pig next to Spike. "Who's this?" Asked Flurry.

"This is Donna, she is that piglet’s mother, and actually an old friend of mine. I met her during the first fair four years ago, she was only a piglet back then, and she was very affectionate towards me. I asked Twilight is we could take her home, and she gave me the exact same talk as I gave you. But look at us now, I have been gone for 2 years and she is still the same little pig as when I met her, albeit with a few extra pounds added." Said Spike as he scratched Donnas side. He looked at the piglet still by Flurry. "So instead of taking him home, how about you give him a name and become friends?"

Flurry gasped as she picked up the piggy and looked it in the eyes. "Wallis." Said Flurry. Wallis squealed happily and started licking Flurry's face, this made Flurry laugh. "Wallis stop, that tickles." Said Flurry as she placed Wallis on the ground. Wallis then ran to his mother and began to eat lunch.

Spike and Donna smiled at the newfound friendship that was forged today. Spike then gave Donna one last rub as he got up. "Donna, it's time for me and Flurry to go, it was great to see you again." Said Spike as he picked up Flurry Heart, and the two made their way out of the pen. Spike looked at Flurry. "So are there anymore animals you want to see?" Asked Spike.

They spent the next 2 hours in the petting zoo. Aside from the pigs, Flurry played with the sheep's ewes, and baby calf with the permission from the mother first of course. But it was not all giggles, Spike decided to buy a small little bit of feed for Flurry to feed the emus. At first it went well, but then the overgrown chicken stole the feed cup from Flurry and then it bit her when she tried to get it back. Spike got mad at the bird, as some of his dragon side showed, scaring all the animals in the zoo. Spike grabbed the bird’s neck and brought its face to his. "I will give you one chance, and only one chance to return her cup, and say you’re sorry for hurting my niece, if you don't, let’s just say I have never had over grown chicken before." Said Spike. Flurry got her cup back and the emu bowed its head at her. Spike smiled at the bird as Flurry gave the large bird a loving pat on the head.

"It’s ok, it only hurt a little." Said Flurry as she was picked up by Spike and the two walked out of the petting zoo.

Spike looked at the filly in his arms, he was about to ask her what she wanted to do next, but he was interrupted by the small growl of her stomach. "Well I think that answers my question, how about we get some lunch, I never got my crystal berry pie from yesterday." Said Spike as his own stomach growled in emptiness. Flurry nodded.

The two found a nearby food stall, and after a long winded argument that may or may not of ended with a broken table over a 12-bit lunch, that a very annoying cook refused to let the dragon pay for, they got their food and started to scarf it down like starving wolves.

Once the food was mauled into nothing, Spike looked at the mess of food on Flurry's face, and chuckled. "You are definitely a Sparkle." Said Spike as he grabbed a napkin and wiped all the left-over ketchup, and bits of fry batter off the little girl’s face. "But, then again a pack of Timberwolves have better manners than Twilight."

Once Flurry was cleaned Spike picked her up and looked at the sun. "Ok kiddo, I have something planned for the end of the fair tonight and it will take me a few hours to get it ready, so we only have enough time to do one more thing. Whatever it is, we'll do it, all you need to do is ask?"

Flurry thought for a moment and then her eyes went wide. "Let's go see the Spike memorial." Said Flurry.

Spike nodded. "On it." Said Spike, but he began to think. 'Well, never thought I would be visiting my own grave.'

Spike placed Flurry in his tail, he looked at her. "Flurry, where is the memorial, it's not like I was actually here when they built it." Said Spike.

Flurry pointed in the direction she thought the memorial was, but then she pointed in another direction, then another, until she sighed "I don't know, normally Mommy or Daddy would take me there, and I always fell asleep when we started to walk home." Said Flurry.

Spike sighed. "Well that's a slight problem." Said Spike. Just then a group of crystal fillies and colts saw Spike. They gasped loudly, and ran up to Spike and Flurry. A light blue crystal filly walked up to the dragon and tapped his arm. Spike looked down at the filly. "Yes, how can I help you?" Asked Spike smiling as he bent his knees to look the filly in her green eyes.

"Ar....are...you.... Pr....Prince...Spike?" Asked the filly shaking.

Spike smiled. "Yep that's me, what's your name?"

"I'm... Crystal...Lake." responded the filly.

Spike smiled, but inwardly sighed. 'Poor kid, thank god that movie doesn't exist here.' "What a lovely name." Said Spike.

The filly blushed making her face look more purple than blue. "So, was there something you needed?" Asked Spike.

"Um... You see... my teacher, Miss. Golden Heart, was going to take us on a field trip today to the Spike museum and the memorial, but then they both got closed by Princess Cadence, and now we can't go." Said Crystal Lake.

"Hmmm." hummed Spike as he thought of a way to kill two birds with one stone. "Do any of you know where your teacher is?" Asked Spike to all the colts and fillies in the group. One colt raised his hand.

Spike looked at the silver colored colt and nodded showing he was paying attention.

"She's my mom, and she's right over there." Said the colt pointing towards a golden color crystal mare with a silver heart cutie mark.

"And what's your name?" Asked Spike.

"Silver Heart." Said the colt.

"Thanks." Spike then motioned for all the fillies and colts to gather around him. Once they were all together Spike divulged his plan. "So, I have a feeling they the guards will let me in, and maybe I'll just have to bring an eager group of fillies and colts with their teacher. If that works then maybe I can give them special information about stuff in the museum. How does that sound?" Asked Spike.

Suddenly Spikes eardrums were destroyed by a massive 'YAY!' That caught the attention of all the surrounding ponies. Spike laughed as he tried to dig out his ears, just then Miss Golden Heart ran at super speed up to the dragon looking very sorry. When she reached the dragon she was panting heavily, as she bowed to Spike. "Please Prince Spike, I'm sorry for whatever my students said. Whatever they said please ignore it." She then looked at the group of kids. "All of you say you’re sorry for disturbing his highness right this instant."

All the children looked sad but listened to their teacher. "Yes ma'am." They all looked at Spike and bowed to Spike. "Please forgive us for interrupting your day, your highness." Said all the kids.

"No." Said Spike simply. All the kids and Golden Heart looked at Spike confused. He and Flurry started to giggle. "You all did nothing wrong." Spike then looked at Golden Heart. "In fact it was my idea that they join me and my niece on our trip to the memorial, and they told me that you had planned a field trip to the museum as well today. It was my fault that the museum and memorial was closed, so to make it up to you all, how about I give you all a private tour of both?" Suggested Spike.

Golden Heart was shocked at the kindness of the prince. Spike laughed. "I'll take your silence as a yes." Said Spike. Golden nodded slowly. Spike quickly covered his ears before the inevitable-'YAY!'. This snapped Golden out of her shock.

Golden bowed to Spike. "Thank you, Prince Spike, how can I ever repay you?" Asked Golden.

Spike thought for a moment then decided to play a little joke. "Well, create a holiday in honor of me." Said Spike clearly making sure the request sounded like a joke.

"Can't do that, Spike Day is coming up next month and it would just be weird to have to Spike centric holidays in a month." Said Golden responding honestly but playing along.

"Wait, there's actually a holiday named Spike Day?" asked Spike surprised.

"Yep, there is a parade with floats, all the little kids dress up as you for the day, as the adults dress up as Sombra and his army as everyone reenacts the final battle right by the crystal heart. Then once the battle is over, Princess Cadence gathers all the little colts and fillies and tells them the story of Spike, Hero of the Crystal Empire." Said Golden.

"Wow, when's the movie coming out?" Joked Spike.

"It was released to critical acclaim two months ago, and is currently on Broadway in Manehattan, too much singing if you ask me, but they get the point across all the same."

"Wait. Seriously?"

"No." Said Golden as she giggled. "But the stuff about the holiday is true."

Spike just got played, he pointed at the mare. "Your good." Said Spike impressed.

Golden smirked. "I know." The two adults laughed as all the little ones looked confused at the adults.

"What's so funny?" Asked all the kids and Flurry.

The adults looked at each other than at the kids. "We'll tell you when you’re older." Said the two.

Spike smiled at the teacher. "So, shall we?" asked Spike holding out his arm for the mare.

Golden giggled. "Why prince Spike if I didn't know any better, I would think that...ummah, sorry got lost in my own thoughts for a second." Golden wrapped her arm around his, then looked at the kids. "Everyone in front of us, and no running off." Said Golden. All the kids nodded as they started on their way to the museum.

But Spike was stopped when he felt a tap on his tail. He looked behind him and saw Flurry Heart. "What's up kiddo?"

"Uncle Spike would you mind if I walk and talk with the others for a while?" Asked Flurry.

Spike smiled. "Of course not, just be on your best behavior." Said Spike as he lowered his tail and let the little filly catch up to the group.

As Flurry was running towards the other kids she smiled back at Spike. "Thanks uncle Spike, and I promise I'll be good."

Golden looked at Spike in amazement. "Where have you been all my life, it takes me an hour to get my kid under control and you did it in ten seconds." Asked Golden.

Spike laughed. "You want the truth, the fact, or the unbelievable?" joked Spike.

Golden thought for a moment. "Start with the unbelievable, then the truth, and end it all with the fact."

Spike shrugged. "Well, I'm actually from what my parents say, 9476 and three months old."

Golden looked at Spike not buying it. "Really?"

"Really, I'm older then both princesses and this empire." Said Spike trying to prove it. "I am the son of the first Dragon Lord Bahamut and his mate Tiamat. Long ago there was an evil necromancer named Grogar that wanted to take over the world, but both my parents along with Queen Lilith created items of power that would keep Grogar imprisoned. Queen Lilith had the tree of harmony and the elements. My father, Bahamut used his blood and the force of all the volcanoes in the world to create the Bloodstone Scepter. And my mother decided that my egg would be her item, so she imbued it with her power. But before the final battle Grogar stole my egg and hid it somewhere in the world, thinking that without it he would have the advantage. My mother lost her life during the battle, and my father activated his Valiant Mode in anger. With the help of Lilith they were able to seal Grogar in a limbo dimension. So long as all three items are still working, he is unable to escape."

Golden hummed. "Eh, sounds made up, you got any hard proof?"

Spike shrugged. "You willing to die and talk to my parents; god knows mom would like to talk about me bringing someone home." Said Spike, Golden looked at him like he was crazy. Spike sighed. "See this big scar on my chest?" Golden nodded. "I was shot with a thing called a bullet. A solid piece of metal that can reach over mach 3. It hit me, and it damaged my lung and my ribs. I bled out on an alien world because of it, that day I died from it and I met my parents, and the first thing my mother did was complain that I didn't find a mate." Said Spike.

Golden giggled. "Ok, whatever you say, now tell me the truth."

"I was hatched by my sister Twilight 14 years ago."

"And the fact?"

"I'm actually 22, and about to be 23 in two months. If you read today's paper, it said I disappeared due to magical effects, well that's true, I was sent to another world, where I spent 10 years there, even though it was only 2 years for everyone here."

"I find that very hard to believe." Said Golden.

"Trust me you're probably not the only one who feels that way, but I assure you it's all true. But we can argue over the validity of my past another time, I feel like I'm monopolizing the conversation, tell me about yourself." Said Spike.

"Well, I'm 35, a schoolteacher, with a wonderful kid."

"Don't believe it." Said Spike.

Golden turned her head. "What don't you believe?"

"You’re too beautiful for somepony in her thirties. Everything else sounds legit." Said Spike, this earned him a light slap to his arm.

"You charmer you, but I would stop before my husband hears you."

"So, your married?"

"I am, he's a wonderful stallion, a great father, and a great royal guard."

"So, he's in the guard, any chance I met him?"

"Probably not, he's only a Sargent, you probably only ever meet officers."

"I wouldn't say that, I know a few enlisted, Flash sentry is a cool guy, private Dawn Stone helped me navigate the palace when I first visited, and just recently I met a guy for the second time, a Sargent named Spot Light."

Golden started to laugh. Spike face palmed. "I'm guessing that's the hubby?"

"Yep, he was stationed near the jousting arena today as added security. How do you know him?"

"Would you believe me if I told you that I met him during a game my friend Discord created, that used random ponies and gave them fake life's, where he helped save Princess Celestia as part of a revolution led by yours truly?"

Golden facepalmed. "I guess he didn't eat that piece of cake before bed a few nights ago. So, I take it your Sentinel Flame?"

Spike nodded. “Yep, but not really, the real Sentinel Flame is still on his world. But Discord just let me take control of him for a while, that's where I met Spot Light.”

Golden sighed. "Hold on one moment." Said Golden as she let go of Spike and walked a head to talk to her son.

A few minutes later. Golden returned to Spikes side. "Sorry you had to see that, turns out my son took the last piece of cake and ate it right before bedtime. So now he's grounded starting tomorrow, and what makes it worse, I'm his teacher so there's no escaping me."

"Poor kid, I was home schooled by my mother and Twilight."

Both laughed but were brought out of it by a stallion shouting an order. "Halt! By order of Princess Cadence no one is allowed inside of the museum until it has been approved by a member of the royal family." Said the guard, as he blocked the main entrance of the museum to the group of kids.

Flurry then walked up to the guard. "All right then, I approve of it, can we go in?" Asked Flurry as she gave the guard puppy dog eyes.

The guard Saluted. "I'm sorry, your highness, but until you are 18 your title is only that, a title."

Spike was impressed, as he leaned to Golden. "That guard deserves a raise; I would have fallen to pieces if she gave me that look." Said Spike.

"So, Spike the Gold Scaled hero of Equestria has a weakness, does he?" Smirked Golden.

"Yes, I'm powerless against cute little fillies that have mastered the power of the puppy dog eyes, sue me. It’s at least better then, Celestia's, Twilights, and Luna's."

"I'll be the judge of that."

"Cake, books, games." Said Spike.

"...Again, I'm sorry to ruin your day, your highness, but unless you are accompanied by a member of the royal family that is at least 18, I cannot let you or your friends enter, I have my orders." Said the guard.

Spike sighed, as he looked at Golden. "Let me handle this before Flurry blows up a building because of a temper tantrum." Said Spike, Golden nodded as he made his way through the crowd of foals to talk to the guard. "What seems to be the problem?" Asked Spike.

The guard went straight back to attention. "Nothing Prince Spike, it's just that your niece is requesting entry to the museum without the permission of- I grant her entry along with all of the foals with her and their teacher." Said Spike.

"Yes sir, is there anything else?"

Spike nodded, "We are planning on going to the memorial next so informed the guards stationed there."

The guard nodded and quickly informed the guards around the museum and the memorial, using a communication spell. "Anything else?"

"One more, what's your name and rank?"

"CPL Dawn Stone, sir."

"Dawn, is that really you?"

"Yes sir."

"Glad to see you made Corporal, it's been a while, sorry for not recognizing you sooner."

"It's fine Spike, I’m glad to see your alive. But I can't stop and chat, I'm on duty."

"I get it, but before we go in, for acts against the power of unrelenting cuteness and as Prince of Equestria I hereby promote you to the rank of Sargent. Good work soldier, keep it up." Said Spike as he gave Dawn Stone a salute.

"Thank you, sir." Saluted Dawn Stone as he opened the door to the museum. All the foals rushed past Dawn and Spike the moment the door was open enough. Golden sighed and followed the group of students leaving Spike and Dawn outside.

Spike sighed. "Thanks Dawn." Said Spike as he placed his hand on the guard’s shoulder and walked in.

Four hours later. Spike was carrying a passed-out Flurry heart in his arms, as Golden and her class were walking back to the palace. "Sorry we didn't make it to the memorial Golden, but at least the kids had fun." Said Spike as he watched some of the kids playing with Spike merch from the gift shop.

Golden smiled at Spike. "Its fine, I didn't expect the tour to take 4 hours. I have a feeling I'm going to get a lot of 'Why wasn't my kid home sooner?' from a lot of parents, but I can't wait until I tell them that we got a personal tour from Prince Spike himself."

Spike laughed. "That'll shut them up, but I'm going to upset them even more. I have something special planned for the closing ceremony tonight that I think will be amazing, you and your class are welcome to stay until then. I'll even pull some strings and get Spot off duty a little early. And before you say 'No' I have a feeling that you won't have a say in the matter."

"What do you-Spike, there you are!" Started Golden but was interrupted by an approaching Celestia.

Spike laughed as all the others bowed at the princess of the sun. "Hi Mom, I see you got over your tummy ache." Said Spike trying to spare the kids from the truth.

Celestia nodded. "Yes, it took a while and I still have some trouble, but I'm at least doing better than the others, did you have a good day with Flurry?"

Spike nodded. "I did. We went to the jousting arena, met Spot Light the guard that teleported you out of the castle during game night, and became the new champion jouster. Then we went to the petting zoo where I met my old pig friend Donna and her piglets, while Flurry found a little pig that she named Wallis. After we said our goodbyes, Flurry got to pat some sheep and played with a calf. But then I bought her a small cup of feed so she could feed an emu, it stole her cup and then bit her, so I got angry and threatened to make it dinner, and it said it was sorry. Then we had lunch where I might or might not have thrown a table over a 12-bit bill all because the stall owner refused to let me pay. That's when this group of foals found me and Flurry, and informed me of the canceled planned field trip to the museum, so I had to use my authority as prince to get everyone in side, but we weren't able to make it to the memorial because Flurry fell asleep." Said Spike. "So, who else is up?"

"Well me, Luna, Twilight, and Discord are up and around, AJ is still having headaches, Pinkie is somehow bouncing off the walls, Ember and Garble are grounded for the day but still moving, and everyone else is still in bed."

Flurry yawed and opened her eyes. "Grandma?" Asked Flurry while rubbing her eyes.

Celestia smiled and levitated the still sleepy filly over to her. "Good morning sleepy head, did you and Uncle Spike have a great day?"

Flurry pouted. "No."

"No? What happened?"

"I fell asleep before we could go to the memorial, all my new friends must hate me."

"Hey, that's not true!" Yelled Silver heart. "We had fun with you, and sure it stunk that we couldn't go to the memorial with you, we still got to get a personal tour from Prince Spike. Your funny, cool, and we could never hate you." Everyone nodded at the colt’s words.

"Really?"

"Really!" Said the class.

Flurry giggled. "Do you guys want to go play in the royal garden with me?" Asked Flurry.

"Yeah!" responded the class.

Flurry looked at Celestia. "Can they Grandma?"

"I don't see why not, just make sure to behave or no more play time."

Spike cover his ears. "YAY!" cheered Flurry as she flew out of Celestia’s grasp and smiled at all her new friends. "Come on everyone follow me." Said Flurry as she landed, and started running to the royal garden, with everyone following her. Golden laughed, while Spike and Celestia smiled.

Celestia looked at the mare next to Spike. "So, who is this beautiful mare?" asked Celestia smirking.

Spike looked at his mother. "First off lose the smirk, she's married."

"Oh."

"Secondly, she is that group of foals teacher and the mother of the one who spoke to Flurry."

"Oh."

"And thirdly, her husband is Spot Light, so I'm not going to go there."

"Oh." Said Celestia, she then looked at Golden. "Sorry for making this whole talk awkward."

Golden laughed. "It's no trouble your highness, but would you mind doing me a favor?"

"Not a problem."

"Could you have a few notes for the parents of my students saying that they were out longer then I said they would be because of royal intervention? I rather not get my ear chewed out by all those parents’ tomorrow."

Celestia laughed. "Sure."

Golden smiled. She then looked to Spike. "So, what are you planning on doing tonight for the closing ceremony?"

Spike smirked. "I'm planning on putting on a little show."

"A show, what kind of show?"

"Awe, that would ruin the surprise. So, until then why don't you and my mother get acquainted, I need to get ready." Said Spike as he took a few steps back.

Golden looked at Spike confused, but Spike smiled. "Hey mom, is anyone in the main throne room right now?"

"Cadence is in there right now."

"Cool." Said Spike as he set himself on fire, turned to smoke, and was sent to Cadence.

Golden looked at Celestia. "So how old is he really, I think he lied to me saying that he was almost 10000 years old, but that can't be true." Said Golden.

Celestia sighed. "Follow me, and I'll explain everything."

Cadence was sitting in the main throne room, listening to her other cousin Blueblood complain about Spike. "Why don't you see it? That monstrosity is a menace to society." Said Blueblood.

Cadence sighed. "This is just sad Blue, not only did he single handedly save my daughter, but he also saved this empire from Chrysalis. What is your deal with him?"

"My deal, is that he is an inferior being that doesn't deserve to be anything more than...-Than what Blue?" Said Blueblood before getting interrupted by the smoke that is Spike.

Spike then popped into his real form right in front of Cadence, and he was not very happy as he glared at the white unicorn. "I'll ask again. Then what Blue?"

Blueblood was terrified. "Anything more than a prince and hero of the kingdom." Said Blue out of fear.

Spike smirked as he walked to the unicorn. " Well thanks for the kind words Blue, but we both know that you are lying to both of us just so you don't get punished. So I'm going to send you on a little trip, I promise it won't hurt, but it will show you where you belong, also if you hurt Donna or any of her kids, not even my mother will be able to stop me." Said Spike as he blew a jet of fire at Blueblood.

Blue screamed in fear of dying but was quickly turned into smoke and sent off to the pig pen. Cadence thought for a moment. "Wait isn't Donna the name of that pig that you wanted to bring home with you?"

"It is, I thought, if he likes to throw mud at other races, then he must like to play in the mud as well, so I tossed him straight at the source." Said Spike.

Cadence laughed as she nearly fell out of her throne. "What happened to Flurry?"

"She is playing with some new friends in the royal gardens right now."

Cadence smiled. " Well that's great to know that she made some new friends. I can't wait to hear all about it later, but I doubt that you just randomly decided to interrupt Blueblood for the hell of it, so what did you want to talk about?" asked Cadence.

Twenty minutes later.

"...And I think that would be a great way to close the fair, give the ponies a show they will never forget." Finished Spike.

Cadence looked so excited. "YES! YES! A MILLION TIMES YES! DO IT." Said Cadence.

Spike smiled. "All I need is permission to stand at the top of the palace so I can direct them, the rest is up to you." Said Spike.

"Oh, it's not hard to gather all of the citizens together, just leave it to me, everything will be ready by 7."

Spike smiled. "Great, also could you get a sergeant named Spot Light off duty so he can spend some time with his wife and kid, I kinda owe him one?"

Cadence nodded. "Sure, I'll send out an order to the guard and he should be relieved in 20."

"Great. I'll get ready for the show, but I'm going to go see everyone and make sure they’re not dead." Said Spike as he set himself on fire again and sent himself to his first stop, Twilight.

Spike arrived in the royal library, as he popped out right in front of twilight, startling her. "Aww! oh it's just you Spike, how are you doing?"

"Good enough, just thought I check on my sister, and make sure she wasn't dead." Said Spike as he started to laugh. "From only having two drinks."

Twilight blushed in embarrassment. "Shut up."

"No. Also head to cadence to hear the plan for tonight, I still got a lot of stops to make." Said Spike as he sent himself to Luna.

Spike continuously sent himself to all his friends to make sure they knew about the show tonight, and to make sure they were getting over their hangovers.

Everyone was informed on the show tonight by Cadence.

A few hours later Cadence had gathered everyone as they retook their positions on the balcony. Cadence started the announcement. "Everycreature, please gather near the palace, I am about to start the closing ceremony!" said Cadence.

It took a few minutes for most of the citizens to gather. "Citizens of the Crystal Empire, this year's fair has been an interesting one to say the least, but it is one we will never forget. The return of Prince Spike, the failed invasion attempt from Chrysalis, and I have been informed by my daughter, that we have a new jousting champion, and it's none other than Prince Spike himself." Said Cadence, this led to a round of cheering for Spike. "But the final event of the fair has yet to be started, and this year it's going to be something special, but we are missing a critical part, so please everyone send the heart your love."

All the creatures followed the princess’s order. Everyone sent their love to the heart and this boost in power resulted in everyone changing into crystal creatures. "Thank you all, now Princess Celestia will lower the sun, creating a perfect backdrop." Said Cadence.

Celestia smiled and used her magic to lower the sun, turning the sky almost pitch black. "Thank you." Said Cadence. She then looked back over the crowd. "Tonight, we have instore something never before seen, and gracefully brought to us by the hero of our empire." Cadence then turned her head and pointed to the top of the palace. "Prince Spike Solaris."

Spike smiled. "You ready Mal?"

Mal sighed. " Not really, but I agree that this was a great idea." Said Mal.

Spikes scales changed to a gold color which was illuminating him thanks to the crystal mode. All the crowd cheered at the sight of the gold dragon as he jumped down from the tower and dive bombed towards the ground. But he pulled up right above the crowd and flew to the edge of the empire so everyone could have a great view of the show.

It didn't take Spike long to reach the edge of the empire. He landed, and pulled out the Zappfly tube. Spike released them all, as Sparks took his spot on Spikes shoulder. Spike looked at Sparks. "Ok little buddy, its show time." Said Spike as he could hear music. Sparkes nodded and flashed the signal as all the Zappflys went dark and got into position for the show.

(Best I could find.)

Once the light show was over Spike gave the signal to return for phase two. All the flies blinked a single light. They flew back to Spike and returned to their tube. Spike sighed as he pulled a small pouch of gems from his tail and started to pop them into his mouth one my one, crushing them with his teeth into a fine powder. Just then a massive amount of smoke turned into red fire and in front of Spike deposited a set of large crates. Spike smiled and used his claws to open the crate. inside of the crates were hundreds of fireworks. "Thanks Pinkie, this is exactly what I needed." Said Spike as he popped open the Bolamite tube. Char took her position. "Char, phase 2 is a go, start stringing them together." Char nodded as all the Bolamite's started to produce very thin but very flammable thread.

A few minutes later, all the Bolamites returned to their tube. Spike smirked as he lit the long fuse and waited for the show to start.

(Don't own any of the music.)

As the fireworks show was wrapping up, Spike knew it was time to head back so he popped the last of his gems and added them to the large amount of powder in his mouth. He took flight and once he entered the city he started to use his fire and the finely crushed gems to create a glowing trail of aqua colored embers over the crowd. Spike flew so the ember trail would be in the shape of a heart.

Once his mouth was empty, Spike made his way to the balcony. He made it right as the show ended and the last of the embers died out, he then walked to the front of the balcony as the crowd erupted in a massive cheer at the display. "Ponies of the Empire, Creatures of Equestria and beyond, this was made possible thanks to the friendship shared between all of our races, and the power that comes from it. We stand before you all, not as creatures of different races, but as friends." Said Spike. The crowd cheered even louder as Spike took a bow as his scales changed back to normal and the balcony went dark.

The crowd cheered for a few minutes longer, but it was clear that the show was over, so they started to make their way to their homes. Spike looked at everyone on the balcony and sighed in relief. " So?"

"IT WAS AWESOME!" cheered Rainbow. Everyone nodded and murmured in agreement.

"Good, now don't wake me up till next week, I just figured out that it takes a lot of practice to run Valiant Mode for so long, and I just stayed in it for like 20 minutes." Said Spike as he smiled and tried to walk to his room. But he stumbled and was about to faceplant on the balcony, but Spike was saved by Ember.

"Have you always been an idiot?" Asked Ember.

"Probably, but I'm a lovable one." Said Spike.

"Shut up and rest." Said Ember as she used the bloodstone to make Spike fall asleep.

"As the son of your...." Said Spike but it was replaced with snoring.

Ember Smirked and looked at Celestia. "You want to take this pile of scales to his bed or do you want me to?" Asked Ember, trying to steady the dragon in her grasp.

"How about this." Said Celestia as she got on the other side of Spike and propped him up more. The two nodded and carried the sleeping dragon to his room.

Spike woke up the next morning but instead of finding himself in a bed, he was on a train seat. Spike groaned and tried to block the sunlight from entering his eyes. "Ugh, what happened, and where's my bed?" Asked Spike not really expecting an answer.

"Well, seeing as it's almost 2 in the afternoon, and nothing we did woke you up, we decided to just carry you onto the train so we could go home sometime today." Said Twilight, who was reading a book.

"Cool, bet the crystal ponies weren't happy though. But seeing as were actually moving means they let us go."

"Yeah it was a struggle, but when we told them that you had other plans today, they let us go."

"Ok. So where are mom and Luna?"

"They both teleported back to Canterlot to get back to work."

"And the others?"

"All the girls are in the other cabins, Ember, Garble and Smolder are flying back to the dragon lands. Rutherford and Yona are walking back home because 'Yak's best at walking', and Thorax and Ocellus are flying back to their hive." Said Twilight.

Spike sat up and stretched his body. "How much longer till we get home?"

"About an hour."

"Cool. So, to the human world tomorrow then?"

"Yep."

"Got it." Said Spike as he closed his eyes.

Author's Note

Thats all. Don’t bother me about a sequal for a while, its already in the planning stage.
Thanks for all the love and suport for this story.