Spike trembled as he looked down at the letter that he had received from Cadence. He had underestimated his mother’s innate curiosity and need to know everything. He should have expected this, this alicorn had been in control of all of Equestria for over a thousand years and had plans for every possibility. Allowing even a speck of that kind of control to escape would be hard for her. Spike took a deep breath and began to count back from ten, a calming technique that Cadence had taught Twilight and he picked up from her. He relaxed and looked back at the letter with a fresh mind.

Dear Spike
It seems like Auntie was more interested in you than I thought she would be, things have been pretty quiet since Starlight joined you all so she must be bored. She had sent a letter to me asking me to tell Emerald Flare that she requested him to meet her at the Canterlot Castle by tomorrow. I have a bad feeling she has a suspicion about who you are and this is her way to try and get some kind of confirmation. You can refuse the offer of course but that may just make her more suspicious.
I can make an excuse and tell Twilight that I need you at the empire for Royal Business so you can go to Canterlot as Emerald but if you decide to go, just be ready for anything.
Love Cadence.

Spike looked at the invitation and over at the necklace that hung nearby. He hadn’t been Emerald since that day in the Empire and now he was expected to face his mother to hold on to that identity. It would be so easy to reveal himself and tell her. He was sure that she would forgive him for writing a story like his, but as he slipped on the necklace a warmth filled him and he looked at the mirror to see a pegasus staring back. He touched the reflection and smiled.

“They all still see me as that kid from so long ago. With Emerald, I can be treated like an adult, like… a real pony… This is my chance to see the world from a whole new view. No, I’m not giving up yet. Celestia wants to meet me, well looks like I have some training to do.” He practiced writing a letter with his mouth and after an hour, he wrote something good enough to read. He took off the necklace and sent it to Cadence, who sent back his excuse letter for the next day. With that done, he slowly got more and more excited and nervous for the coming day, getting his chores finished faster than he usually did and leaving the castle to keep training how to be a pony.

Finding a small clearing near the Everfree, he slipped on the necklace and practiced trotting and then running which ended with him slamming into a tree. He rubbed his head and could have sworn he heard something but there was nothing around him and not a single cloud in the sky. Noticing the open sky, his wings opened and fluttered in place.

“They never did this before…” He wondered briefly if this was some kind of natural reaction for pegasus. Some kind of innate want or need to be in the sky, the place where they were made for. He jumped and fell flat on his face. Again, he heard something and turned sharply, but found nothing. “W-who’s there? I-I’ll let you know that I’m a f-fearless adventurer!” That threat sounded hollow even to himself, his voice cracking didn’t help.

“A fearless adventurer huh? Like Daring Do or something?” A familiar voice called out from the tree and Spike blinked.

“Daring Do?” At the question, a flash of colors burst from the tree and Rainbow Dash flew with a smirk on her face. “R-Rainbow Dash!”

“The one and only! Glad to see you’ve heard of me.” Spike frowned for a moment before realizing who he was.

“R-right, heard of you.” She zoomed over landing a bit in front of him and walked closer while he walked away backward.

“So how do you know me, stranger? Is it my awesome tricks and flying skills which have even impressed the Wonderbolts and made me one of their members? Oh! Maybe it’s the fact that I’m a pretty big name in the hero game as one of the Elements of Harmony, or maybe you’ve heard I’m the biggest Daring Do fan ever!” Spike smiled a bit while he watched Rainbow go on about herself. Her confidence seemed to be a bit contagious but at the same time, she seemed to be eager to impress while not putting anypony else down. He had never really noticed the twinkle in her eye that she had when introducing herself or maybe he had forgotten it? The way her body moved as if to show off all of her and how her mane had the tendency to shake aimlessly and cover her eyes for a moment before being tossed to the side. “Hey buddy you still there? Be careful, stare too hard and you may have an awesome overload~”

Spike snapped out of his trance and blushed a bit while rubbing his head with a hoof. “S-sorry! I was just lost for a moment there.”

“Was I a bit too much there?”

“No! No, I was just thinking about something…”

“Your wings.”

“What?”

“You tried flying and fell, it was because of your wings.” Spike looked at his back and after a moment managed to open his wings.

“What’s wrong with them?”

“Nothing, but you have to push off the ground and allow them to do all the work. If you try too hard or think too much then you’ll find yourself crashing right back to the ground. Trust me.” She rubbed his head at the memories of all the times she crashed and Spike nodded before taking a deep breath and flapping his wings. He felt it, his body was far lighter now and his wings could feel the gentlest wind. He felt the ground leave him as he fluttered in place.

“I-I’m doing it? I’M DOING IT!” He cheered and tried a backflip but ended up falling right down on his back.

“Heh that was more hovering than real flying but let me help ya.” Rainbow helped him up and smirked a bit. “Was that really your first time flying? Where do you live?” Spike bit his lip and tried to think of an excuse but then smiled.

“Well I’m a bit of a traveler, I explore Equestria but to see everything I’ve always traveled by foot. I never really flew since I was a colt.”

“I suppose that makes some sense, well I guess I should give you the Rainbow Dash crash course on flying! You’ll be in the air in no time! Oh, I never asked what your name is.”

“Call me Em.” He shook her hoof and she taught him more, like how to keep balance while in the air, how to feel when he was about to enter a down draft, control when he hovers in place, how to spin on a dime, and lastly how to crash. They both aced that last lesson. Spike collapsed onto his back as he was a sweaty mess. “T-that’s enough… it has to be…” He groaned and sighed as his racing heart just began to relax when a torrent of water drenched him. He shot to his feet while spitting and coughing.

“Sorry guess I used a bit too much there.” He glared at her through his bangs as she broke the emergency rain cloud she had stored somewhere. She met his glare and raised an eyebrow at him. “Don’t give me that look, sweat sticks to your wings and makes you far heavier and harder to get off the ground.”

“A bit of warning would have been nice.” Rainbow rubbed her neck and nodded in agreement.

“Yeah maybe, sorry about that. I forget sometimes not every pony likes surprises as much as me.” With that Spike laid on his back and found himself silently thanking Rainbow as the gentle breeze felt heavenly against his damp coat and he opened his wings wide. He smiled and shifted a bit when he felt movement next to him, cracking open an eye. Rainbow sat against the tree and gazed up at the clear blue sky with a small almost-proud grin. The wind softly moved her mane and Spike found his face heating up a tiny bit. “Do you want to go fly Rainbow? I’m sorry if I’m keeping you grounded…” She blinked as she looked down at him and shook her head.

“No! No… I’m just thinking… about how amazing it is that me and the other pegasi can all make something like that. All doing our part, we are helping and making so many ponies smile. That feeling is something I’ve missed since I became a member of the Wonderbolts.”

“The other pegasi and I. You’re not regretting it are you?”

“Egghead. Never, that was my dream and I wouldn’t give it up for anything. Regretting things just isn’t the Rainbow way but… a part of me loves making someone smile. Maybe that’s why I decided to teach you to fly even when I could have ignored you and gone back to sleep. The same reason I’m here relaxing with you when I could be in the air, the reason I'm still talking… to see you smile.” She smirked a bit and chuckled. “Also, I find it a bit funny when somepony other than me is crashing.” Spike blushed and playfully pushed her hoof before he looked away.

“Jerk… but thank you. I really appreciate this, more than you know.”

“I’ve been surrounded by ponies that don’t like flying, aren’t good at it, and even can’t fly. This world is full of ponies… no, creatures that are so different from me. It’s nice to slow down here and there and take a moment to think about the things that connect me to them despite our differences. Can’t think of much when it comes to you though.”

“Maybe you’re thinking too hard. We are sharing this moment in time, aren’t we? We shared the sky, the sun’s warmth, the nice breeze, and even the shade of this tree. I think that’s enough for me… to call you my friend.” Spike held out a hoof and the tiniest hint of red colored her cheeks before she smiled and took the hoof. “We’re both also wet~” Spike pulled her in for a wet hug which she struggled against and pushed against him. He laughed and stuck his tongue out before jumping into the air.

. . .

Spike eagerly started the shower as he looked over all the dirt and sweat left from his time with Dash. He promised to come back and spend more time with her next time but said he had to leave. He changed back into Spike before traveling back to the castle to take a shower and check on his friends.

He let the hot water run over his scales and groaned a bit at the pleasurable warmth. The warmth reminded him of his younger days with his mother, who would get so worried about a dragon getting cold that she would have him sleep with her and wrap her body around him. Tomorrow, he would meet her as a stranger and he had been so afraid of her finding him out, of disappointing her. After his time with Dash though, he realized that he just wanted to see her smile. To make her like him as Emerald he didn’t need to be someone different and he doesn’t have to be Spike. He can be kind and fun-loving. Eager and confident. A friend.

He finished and wrapped his towel around his waist just as the door to the bathroom opened and Starlight blushed before going to close the door.

“Oh sorry, Spike! I got a bit lost again…” Spike laughed and caught the door before it could shut.

“It’s okay Star. I was about to head to the kitchen to make dinner anyway. I better hurry before Twilight tries to make us something.”

“Hey, she said you liked her cooking.”

“Yep! But I also know how picky you can be~” Starlight blushed and opened her mouth to argue but the rumbling of her stomach interrupted and she just huffed before following a chuckling Spike. “So what were you two doing today?”

“Just working on the theme of friends becoming family. Twilight said that it was more so a lesson Applejack learned.”

“I don’t know about that, I’d say that it’s a lesson we’ve all learned. Rainbow always had Fluttershy’s back even when she could slow her down. Fluttershy gave Rarity somepony who truly cared for the same things she does and a friend who understands her. Rarity offers Applejack a different outlook on life and an opposite who drives her crazy but also someone she can trust. Applejack helps me keep Twilight calm and collected when things get rocky. Twilight does her best to keep Pinkie focused and in return the pink mare brought fun into her life. Twi’s always had me and ever since you came, we’ve brought you into our home, and well… I see you as part of our family.”

“R-really… even after everything I did? Twilight told me what changing that day could have meant for you…” Starlight looked down when a claw pushed her chin up.

“I’ve long forgiven you for that. You are my friend and family Starlight, nothing will change that.” He smiled and she smiled back, giving the dragon a hug.

“Thank you, Spike. Even if I feel I don’t deserve it...”

“You do, forgiveness is how I decide to live. We’ll always be there for each other and I’m happy to help you even a tiny bit. Now let’s go get you some grub.” Starlight hugged Spike again before sticking her tongue out and playfully pushing him.

“Race ya!”

. . .

Emerald stepped off the train and thanked the conductor before racing towards the castle. He ended up waking late and nearly missed the train, barely having the time to make the girls a quick breakfast, and snatched a gem on his way out. He changed forms on the train and relaxed only when he saw Ponyville vanish over the horizon. He had been afraid Pinkie or Applejack would see him heading towards Canterlot instead of the Empire.

The guards stopped him at the front doors and Spike was about to call the guards by name but shook his head to remind himself that he wasn’t Spike.

“Umm I’m sorry but I was invited here for a meeting with the princess. My name is Emerald Flare. I’m the-”

“The writer I know. I’ve heard of you, my wife rather enjoyed your little story. We were told a special guest was coming so you check out, just go straight and you’ll find the throne room.”

“Thank you kind sir and give your wife my regards!” He trots into the castle and heads for the throne room. Lavender hung on the wall and the whole castle seemed to have taken on very subtle changes that only one who had lived there for years would notice. The castle always had plenty of Sun and Star imagery due to Celestia and Starswirl contributions to history and their feats, but now there were more moons etched into the walls and some of the curtains were changed from pink to blue. It was almost like the castle missed Luna and was welcoming her back.

He saw the throne room’s gigantic door ahead and took a deep breath before starting down the hall toward it. He paused to look over the stained glass windows that depicted some of Starswirl’s adventures, The founders of Equestria, Celestia’s and Luna’s battles, his friends’ victory over Nightmare Moon and Discord, and even his own win over Sombra.

“The princess will see you now Mister Flare.” Emerald jumped at the voice and touched his chest as he hovered there for a moment. Raven was basically Celestia’s very own assistant and kept the castle’s staff in line. Spike remembered when he was younger, he would spend hours trying to outsmart her to try and get something he wanted (like gems or cookies) or to spend more time with the princess. He should have known that she was just too smart, especially since she was one of his tutors who trained him to be the assistant he became. He fluttered back to the ground and stared at her, strangely she had always looked the same since he known her.

“Thanks, Rav.”

“What was that Mister Flare?” Emerald blinked and shivered at the emotionless stare that she gave him from behind her glasses. It was like talking to Maud Pie but with a sliver of danger just coating her words. She was a pale unicorn with a long brown mane and tail that she kept in an official-looking bun. She only wore a white collar with a large red pom pom in the middle, her black simple glasses, and a blue pencil tucked behind her ear.

“E-excuse me?”

“You called me Rav.”

“I… I recognized that cutie mark! I met a pony in Ponyville with it who worked for the mayor. She said that her twin worked for the princess.”

“And you just assumed that was me?” Emerald bit his lip before chuckling and taking a few steps towards her, poking her nose and smiling.

“You two have the same beauty, hard to forget some pony with such beautiful golden eyes.” Raven didn’t react much to his words much but Emerald could see a tint of red flood her cheeks.

“I believe the princess is waiting sir…”

“Can’t keep her waiting, can I?” Emerald pulled out a green pencil and slipped it behind her other ear, and gave a wink before heading into the throne room. “Just a small gift.” He smirked to himself, he actually flustered her even a tiny percent. He was better than he thought. His newly-gained confidence was immediately shattered as he stood before the princess of the sun in all of her glory. She stared at him with playful curiosity reflecting in her eyes. He gulped before he realized what she was waiting for. Emerald stumbled and bowed.

“Heh, Welcome to Canterlot Mister Flare.”

“Umm, you can call me Emerald! If you want to of course…”

“Thank you, Emerald. I apologize for the sudden invite.”

“No! No, don’t be! I was excited beyond belief when Princess Cadence managed to find me and gave me your letter. I do have to admit… I’m afraid Princess. I’ve never been much of a ponies pony and I’m even less confident with my noble skills. I’d hate to make a mistake…” Emerald looked back up when he heard laughter. Celestia was giggling and walked down from her throne.

“Every bit the awkward silly pony that Cadenza said you were. She always did have rather funny friends.” Emerald tilted his head, a bit confused if that was a compliment or an insult. He followed her as she led from the throne room towards the dining room. “It’s nice to have a better down-to-earth pony join me for breakfast.”

“Doesn’t your sister eat with you?” Celestia looked down at the question and shook her head.

“She’d like to, I think, but she works all night long and has to sleep through parts of the day. She’s also pushing herself to learn every little thing she can about the world and how much it’s changed in the last thousand years.”

“That sounds… exhausting…”

“Yes, but she feels like it’s something she must do…” Spike felt something in him hurt as he heard his mother sigh. “I’m sorry, I’m not being very princess-like am I? Talking all about myself when you’re the guest in my castle.”

“No… You’re being yourself if I had to guess and I think that’s better than any princess front.”

“You’d be the first in quite a while that thought that… I do my best for everypony I really do and I suppose I miss the way things used to be. I used to have fillies to take care of but time moves on whether we want it to or not. Maybe that is one of the reasons I envy a pony like you.”

“Me? Never having a home or place to call my own? Being a coward who hides from all that loves him… I’m not someone you should envy princess…”

“You’re free aren’t you? You choose where to go and what to do. You have the freedom to make mistakes. Trust me little one, mistakes and regrets are a natural part of life and when your time comes to its end, the good times will outweigh the pain.”

“What about you?”

“Well… when you live as long as I have, your regrets stay much longer.” Spike sat down as they arrived at the table. He realized there what he had unknowingly been doing to his own mother. Never visiting her, never asking her how she’d been doing, Tartarus, he never even spent a proper day with his mother and returned aunt. It seemed like Emerald was teaching Spike more about himself than he ever thought possible.

Emerald snapped back to his senses when a plate of pancakes was put in front of him and he looked at the princess who had several chef ponies at her side, all prepared to serve her and refill her drink at a moment’s notice. A flash of the past came to him and he smiled, taking one of the pancakes into his hoof.

“Hey, Princess! Check this out!” Celestia looked up and her eyes widened. Emerald was standing on his chair, holding a pancake at the ready-to-throw at her. Her sight flashed for a moment as a memory of a younger Spike taking Emerald’s place, having done this exact scenario years ago.

“S-Spike…” Celestia whispered to herself as the breakfast flew at her but one of her chefs jumped in front of her, sacrificing his white uniform for her.

“P-Princess… did I do… well?”

“Of course Buttermilk. You and your uniform will forever be remembered in the Canterlot Kitchens. For now, however, I will avenge you!” Celestia giggled and grabbed a pancake with her magic, hitting the laughing Emerald right out of his chair. Thirty minutes of sticky fighting ended with Celestia and several of her guards finishing off the rebellious pegasus. When Emerald came out from the mountain of flapjacks that buried him, his coat was more brown than purple.

“Well, remind me to never challenge you again princess.”

“I’ll try to remember that. You’re invited to wash up here before you leave, I’m afraid I have royal duties to return to.” Emerald bowed and smiled.

“I’ll take you up on that offer, princess, thank you.” He felt himself be pulled into a one-hoofed hug by the princess who smiled back.

“Anytime young one, I hope you visit again someday and we can talk much more. I do have questions about your home and some other things.” Emerald gulped a bit but played it off and nodded, pulling away even when some of the syrup came off his coat and stayed on the princess’s golden shoes.

“I-I’ll try Princess! Maybe once my second book is done, it’s coming along and I’m almost there!” Celestia stared at the syrup on her hoof before nodding.

“Very good. If you are willing, I’d like to ask a favor of you. As you must have heard, the Changeling and Dragon Kingdoms have become our allies and I wish to give more to them than simple resources. If you so wish, I’d love to send your book to them.” Emerald brightened up at the suggestion.

“Oh, that sounds awesome! I’d love for my book to go to them!” Celestia glanced up from her hoof with a curious expression.

“Good, I’ll get the arrangements done immediately. It is curious however, not many ponies are quite so friendly with the idea of Changelings or Dragons.”

“Maybe they’ve just met the wrong ones.” Emerald bowed before leaving to take his shower. Celestia’s smile turned into a smirk once he was out of sight and she called Raven to her.

“I have some hairs here in this syrup that I hope you could examine, I have a suspicion that we may have found something familiar.”

“It shall be done Princess but may take a week or two to get the results.”

“I can wait.”

Author's Note

Hey Everyone sorry if this isn't up to snuff or you're waiting on another update but I'm a bit sick at the moment so I'm doing my best. I'll keep writing and get out more updates when I can! Luna fans don't worry, she will meet Emerald soon but decided that I would make this short and sweet. We'll see Celestia and Luna next chapter with some family heartwarmingness. I wanted to thank everypony for the enormous amount of support for my silly story and I hope you all are safe! Oh and I'm kind of looking for an editor if anyone has a suggestion!