The King's Son

The next morning, the sun rose gently over Ponyville, casting a warm glow through the windows of the castle. Spike woke up feeling a bit more at ease, though the weight of his vented feelings still lingered in his heart. He saw that Shooting Star was hugging him in her sleep, so he carefully extricated himself from Shooting Star's embrace, trying not to wake her, and quietly left the room.

As he wandered the halls, he found himself in the castle's library, a place that had always brought him comfort. He picked up a book and settled into a cozy corner, letting the familiar smell of parchment and ink calm his thoughts.

A little while later, Solaris and Shooting Star found him. "Morning, Spike," Solaris said softly. "How are you feeling today?"

Spike looked up from his book and managed a small smile. "Better, I think. Thanks for listening to me yesterday. It really helped."

"And don't hesitate to come to me if you ever need to vent something again." Solaris told him. "I'll listen."

"And I'll listen too." Shooting Star said.

Spike nodded, feeling grateful for his friends' support. "Thanks, both of you. It means a lot to me."

Shooting Star smiled warmly. "We're here for you, Spike. Always."

The warm moment stopped when all of their stomachs started growling. "Well, it looks like everyone in hungry. What would you guys like to have for breakfast?" Solaris asked.

"I honestly don't know." Spike said.

Shooting Star added on, "Me neither."

Solaris thought for a second before asking, "Do you like waffles?"

Spike and Shooting Star answered in unison, "Yes we like waffles."

"Do you like pancakes?" Solaris asked.

"Yes we like pancakes."

"Do you like yakch toast?"

"Yes we like Yakch toast." Spike and Shooting Star said in unison.

"Then what would you like to have?" Solaris asked.

"WAFFLES!!" Spike and Shooting Star shouted together. Solaris smirked as his little plan worked in terms of them deciding what to have for breakfast. So he snapped his claws and he spawned 3 plates of waffles in front of them to chow down on. They chowed down on the 3 plates of waffles before sitting back and patting their bellies, clearly having enjoyed a good breakfast.

After having enjoyed their waffle breakfast, Solaris made the plates disappear into a cloud of smoke and the 3 of them left the library. As they left the library, the three friends walked through the castle halls, heading toward the main hall where Twilight and the others were gathering for the day. The morning light filtered through the windows, casting a warm and inviting glow throughout the castle.

When they arrived at the main hall, they found Twilight, Cadence, and Shining Armor already there, chatting and preparing for the day ahead. Twilight looked up and smiled when she saw them.

"Good morning, Spike, Solaris, Shooting Star," Twilight greeted. "I hope you all slept well."

"Morning, Twilight," Spike replied with a nod. "Yeah, we slept pretty well. Thanks."

"So Twilight, what will we be doing today?" Solaris asked.

"Well, in a few hours, the train to the Crystal Empire will leave, so we'll say goodbye and see them off, and after that... well, I don't really know."

"I think we should set up some defenses in case King Naeus' monsters try to attack Ponyville, I know a good shield spell that can help defend us." Solaris suggested.

Twilight considered Solaris' suggestion, her expression thoughtful. "That's a good idea, Solaris. We need to be prepared for anything. After we see Cadence and Shining Armor off, we can start working on setting up those defenses."

Spike, Shooting Star, and Solaris nodded in agreement.

"Sounds like a plan," Spike said. "We need to make sure Ponyville is safe."

"Actually Spike, I want to ask you something." Spike heard Cadence say.

Spike looked up at Cadence and asked, "What is it Cadence."

Cadence then started to look a little nervous before she asked nervously, "Would you... Would you like to spend about a week or 2 in the Crystal Empire with me and Shining?"

Spike was taken aback by her offer. Was Cadence actually inviting him to spend a week or 2 in the Crystal Empire? Or was it just a hoax?

"Ooh," Twilight said in a curious tone. "You're inviting us back to the Crystal Empire again? We'd love to go."

Cadence looked at Twilight before correcting her. "Sorry Twilight, but I'm inviting just Spike to the Crystal Empire. You should probably stay and help with the Ponyville defenses."

Twilight's eyes widened in surprise. "Just Spike? Are you sure, Cadence?"

Cadence nodded firmly. "Yes, Twilight. I'm sure."

Shining Armor was also surprised, but pleasantly. "It would be nice to spend some time with Spike." he said before turning to Spike. "Would you like to come with us to the Crystal Empire, Spike?"

"Ok this is actually happening." Spike thought. "I'm actually being invited to the Crystal Empire for fun, not for anything else."

"Yes, I- I'd love to go to the Crystal Empire with you guys. I'd be honored." Spike said happily.

Twilight, while still surprised, respected Cadence's desision and smiled at Spike. "I hope you have a great time in the Crystal Empire, Spike."

"I'm sure I will Twilight. I bet the Crystal Empire would love to see me." Spike said. "After all, they do see me as their hero."

"Hey Spike, would you like some help packing your things for your stay at the empire of crystal?" Solaris asked. Spike nodded and Solaris teleported Spike and himself to Spike's room where the bed wasn't made. "Um Spike, would you like me to teach you how to make a bed?"

Spike rolled his eyes playfully before explaining. "Shooting Star slept with me for my comfort last night, and I woke up before her this morning, so I think you should be asking that question to her."

"Alright, I'll ask her that question, but here's another one for you. What will you be bringing to the Crystal Empire?"

Spike thought for a second before saying, "I'm going to bring my element's necklace," he said before picking up the multi colored necklace and putting it in his suitcase, "I'm definitely going to bring my toothbrush so I can keep my pearly white... well, white, some gems in case I get a little peckish on the train, and my journal that I got for Hearths Warming." he said before putting his toothbrush, some gems and his journal into the suitcase."

Solaris eyed the journal and then asked. "Have you been writing in that journal? How many entries are there?"

Spike then realized something. He never even wrote in his journal except for that one time on Hearths Warming the day before Twilight and her friends returned from the Crystal Empire. "Well, I just wrote only one entry in there and that was on Hearths Warming. I kind of forgot to write in it ever since."

Solaris sighed in disappointment, but he knew it wasn't his fault. "Spike, it wasn't your fault for forgetting to write in it. It was the fault of some creature else." he said before looking to his left before glaring.

"Solaris, what are you looking at?" Spike asked.

"I'm looking at, 'The Author'." Solaris answered before looking back at Spike. "Are you going to write any entries in your journal I gave you?"

"Yeah, I think." Spike replied before his eyes widened at the last part. "Wait, you sent me that journal and Shooting Star that necklace?"

"Yeah, you saved me, so I thought I could give you something for Hearths Warming." Solaris said.

"Oh, so that's why there was a note that said 'Thanks for saving my life."

Spike closed his suitcase and buckled it up, before picking it up, "Well, I'm ready for my trip."

Solaris nodded and snapped his claws where they were back in the main hall where everyone still was.

Cadence smiled at him before saying, "I can see that you are already packed. You must be excited."

"I'm more than excited, I'm ecstatic. I get to go to the Crystal Empire and see the sights." Spike replied in excitement.

Cadence continued smiling, but guilt started crawling into her. If he was this excited about going to another place, then it really has been too long since he was back there. Her thoughts were interrupted when Shining said,

"Don't you worry Spike, it will be a great time for you and us."

As the morning continued, everyone finished their preparations. When it was time to leave for the train station, they all walked together, chatting and enjoying each other's company. The train to the Crystal Empire awaited, and Spike felt a sense of excitement mixed with a bit of nervousness.

On the way to the train station, Rainbow, Pinkie, Rarity, Applejack and Fluttershy decided to walk along with them to the train station to also say goodbye to Cadence and Shining Armor.

When they got there, Rarity noticed Spike's suitcase and smiled. "Hey Spike, What's with the suitcase?"

Cadence told her, "I'm inviting him to the Crystal empire for about 2 weeks."

That got everypony's attention. "Oh, Really? If I knew we were invited to the Crystal Empire sooner, then I would have packed all of my stuff." Rarity said.

"Yeah, I'd love to go back to the Crystal Empire. It'll be sooo awesome with me there." Rainbow dash added.

That was when Cadence started to elaborate. "Actually girls, I'm only inviting Spike along. I think you should stay here in Ponyville and help with defenses."

That shocked them and Pinkie decided to speak up, "Well, that doesn't sound fair."

"Yeah," Rainbow added on. "Why does Spike get to go to the Crystal Empire but we don't?"

"Cyan, this is Princess Cadence's decision, so how about you shut up and respect it." Solaris said to Rainbow and Pinkie.

"I agree with Solaris girls, this is Cadence's decision, so we should all respect that decision." Twilight said in support. "I was surprised too, but I respect her decision and so should you."

Spike and Cadence smiled at Solaris and Twilight. Rainbow sighed and replied with, "You're right. I should respect your decision, and now, I do."

It was then that they heard a horn sound filled the air. They looked to their left and saw that the train has arrived. Twilight gave Spike a hug before telling him. "Take care of yourself, Spike. We'll be here when you get back."

"I will, Twilight. Take care of Ponyville," Spike replied.

The train stopped at the station and they saw many ponies get off. Spike looked at the ponies getting off and looked back at Shooting Star and Solaris. He went up to them and hugged them, with them returning it. "Have a great time you two."

"You too Spike." Shooting Star said.

After the ponies got off the train, the intercom called for the ponies going to the Crystal Empire to get on the train. So Spike, Cadence and Shining Armor got on the train and Spike found a comfortable seat next to a window. He sat down with Cadence and Shining Armor following suit to sit down next to him.

"So, Spike, is there anything specific you want to do in the Crystal Empire?" Cadence asked.

Spike already had an answer. "I want to explore the Crystal Empire in general, see if it has any cool places in town. Also, I'd love to spend some time with you and Shining Armor, just hanging out."

Shining Armor smiled. "We can definitely do that, Spike. There's a lot to see and do in the Crystal Empire."

Just then, the whistle blew and they were on their way out of the station. The journey took about a few hours, but it was a pleasent few hours. Soon enough, Spike could see the Crystal Empire in the distance. He felt excited, but he also felt a sense of uneasiness. He didn't know why, but he still felt uneasy about this.

A few minutes later, the train arrived at the Crystal Empire train station. Spike, Cadence and Shining Armor got off on the door not far from them. When they got off, Spike could see the empire in it's full glory. Everything was so shiny, and it looked absolutely amazing.

"Come Spike, let's get to the castle before crowds come up." Cadence told him. Spike did as he was told and walked along with Cadence and Shining Armor back to the castle.

While walking, Spike saw the crystal ponies adorning the sidewalks, trying to get a good look at him. They stared at him and started whispering things into one another's ears. This made Spike confused. Were they talking bad things about him?

His fears were put to rest when a random crystal pony shouted, "OUR HERO HAS FINALLY RETURNED!!" and with that, the crystal ponies on the sidewalks burst into cheer. They cheered all the way to the castle until the guards pushed them back so he, Cadence and Shining could enter. Spike loved that they were cheering for him and calling him their hero. It made him feel important.

When they entered the castle, Spike was lead to a special guest room had been prepared for him. It was cozy and beautifully decorated, with a stunning view of the Crystal Heart from the window.

"Wow, this is amazing," Spike said, looking around the room. "Thank you so much, Cadence."

Cadence smiled warmly. "You're welcome, Spike. We're happy to have you here."

Shining Armor added, "And if there's anything you need or want to do, just let us know."

Spike nodded, feeling a sense of belonging and excitement. "I will. Thanks, Shining."

Cadence and Shining left the room to give Spike some time and space to settle in. While he was unpacking, he still felt an uneasy feeling in his stomach, but he didn't know why. He was finally in the Crystal Empire, finally in a land he wanted to be in for so long, so why was he feeling uneasy about all of it then?

Spike didn't forget to write in his journal, so he took it out and started writing in it.

Entry #2

Hello Journal. I'm so sorry that I haven't written for so long. I guess I must have forgot. There is a lot to write about in here. A few weeks ago, there was a wedding of Cranky Doodle and Matilda, where I was able to take a big part in it. Then a week later, I was on a friendship mission where I discovered Timor, but he's a good guy now and he saved Appleoosa from giant monsters. But that's another thing. Equestria might be under attack soon. King Naeus already used Luna's creation called the Tantabus to create nightmares, and even though Solaris (Used to be Timor) was able to help Luna forgive herself and defeat the Tantabus, my nightmares continue. I don't know how long it will be until they end, but it's starting to make me sleep deprived. Then me, Shooting Star and Solaris were attacked by King Naeus, but Solaris healed us with his magic so we had to form a meeting about how to protect Equestria from him. I also learned that Solaris knew my parents and that his friends were killed by Naeus a long time ago before his last friend betrayed him and banished him. Finally today, Cadence invited me back to the Crystal Empire. I'm so excited, but it's also making me feel uneasy and I don't know why. I'll write soon.

With that Spike closed his journal and began to settle in.