After Spike and Crystal left the others to prepare to leave for a possibly long trip, Spike and his mother went to his room to start packing things up for the trip he's going to be taking with her, it's going to be quite a while before he comes back with her, but as long as it gives them time to reconnect, Spike will be okay with it.

He still can't believe he's finally learned the truth about his parents, with how long it's been since he hatched, he never thought he'd really find out who his parents were, it was one of the biggest mysteries in his life, and now that he finally knows, it just feels so strange, he wished his father was still alive to be with them for this reunion, with how great of a person he sounded like, they all could've been a great family together, but it was torn apart just due to unfortunate events.

But now, they have the chance to reconnect and grow as mother and son again, while Spike's been through a lot with Twilight and everyone else over the years, some time to relax with his mother and seeing where he came from is like sounded nice, while he still has to figure out how to break this news to both Thorax and Ember, as long as they understand what happened, it'll all turn out well.

Spike and his mother were in his room, packing whatever supplies he wanted to bring for this journey their going on, Crystal was a bit slow at the moment due to needing to rest before the trip, she can fly for weeks on end as long as she has proper supplies, and now that she's taking her son with her, she has to prepare for whatever will happen during it.
"Are you sure you want to bring these.. comic books with you on this? The Seasonal Islands can often be unpredictable, and they could be ruined if we end up dropping them?" Crystal asked with some concern as she saw some comics called the Power Ponies being put into a large bag Spike was bringing along with them.

"Don't worry, I can keep track of things, I often had to manage stuff like this all the time when Twilight couldn't, even before we lived in this castle, I often had to do more of the work around our home while she had to do her studying." Spike replied with a confident look while Crystal was curious to learn more about this.

"What do you mean by that?" Crystal asked just wanting a bit more info on that.

"I mainly just did a ton of chores and stuff around the place while Twilight was too busy to do it herself, willingly just to let you know. I actually liked being able to manage all of that when I had to, even for someone as young as me, I've become far more organized then most Dragons out there, just look at my room!" Spike pointed out as Crystal looked at his room and could see where he was coming from.

It was extremely well organized with proper clothing put where they need to, books and comics placed nicely on some shelves he had in it, as well as the blankets of his little bed being nicely laid out, if just this room can look so nicely done, she can only imagine how he handles the rest of the castle when he needs to do it.
"You've never felt overwhelmed by all that work, have you? A lot of work like that can be extremely tough for someone so young?" Crystal asked with worry after understanding it, but Spike gave her an assuring smile that it's nothing to worry about.

"Don't worry, I've managed this for years, I rarely ever feel overworked, but even when I do need a break, Twilight lets me rest for as long as I need it, I'm not just a servant to her mom, even though I am known as her #1 assistant." Spike said proudly while he took a few books and threw them into the bag while she watched on with concern.

Hearing all of this worried her in ways, while she's glad to know he can handle himself during situations like this, the fact he's had to do this from such a young age concerned her. It's likely just her protective instincts telling her this, but she is a bit worried on how he'll handle their own home, it's very different from Canterlot, the dragons there are far different and unique compared to the ones in the mainland's, and even if he can fly, he still barely looks like he's able to properly hold out in a fight, and it only worried her even more the more she thought about it.
"But.. mom, I was hoping to ask you something..." Spike suddenly said which shook her out of her thoughts to keep her focus on Spike.

"What is it child?" Crystal asked with worry while she took some of his blankets and put them in the bag for the trip, and Spike only sighed before he turned to her and looked very concerned about some things.

"Are you sure you want to go there so soon? I know you want to spend time with me and all, but we can do that here. There's plenty of places and fun areas in Canterlot and the castle that I think you'll enjoy, I haven't even introduced you to Thorax and Ember yet, I'm sure they'd be very happy to know that I've finally met my birth mother after all these years. We don't have to go so soon, you know that right?" Spike asked as he hoped she could at least try to rest before they leave the place.

"I've handled long journeys like this before son, some dragons can't even leave the Seasonal Islands because of how far they are off the map, it would take years for one to simply prepare themselves for a long journey like this, but that doesn't mean we won't stop to rest at certain points before we depart, there are smaller islands and places in the Dragon Lands that I know of that will allow us time to rest. Trust me, I know when I need to rest or not." Crystal assured too while Spike hoped that was true knowing how tired she looked when he and Smolder met her.

"As long as your sure of it, I just don't want anything happening to you again, those Timberwolves you fought really wore you down, if we encounter something like that while we're out there.. I don't want to imagine what that could do to you.." Spike said with fear at the thought of what could possibly harm her again after what he's learned about her.

Crystal soon walked up to him and leaned down before placing a claw on his shoulder, she could feel he was stressed and worried about this, and it made sense. She didn't want anything happening to him either, but now that she's finally met him, she won't let anything harm either of them once they leave.
"I know this is hard for you child.. to.. suddenly have me come back into your life, after you were raised by.. Twilight and her family for years, I can understand why you thought that you were.. abandoned. It breaks my heart knowing that you had to go all these years, without ever even knowing if I loved you or not.. but please try to understand, no matter how long it's been since I lost you, I always loved and cared for you, even if I.. thought you were gone too.." Crystal said sadly as she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a hug to try to help him.

Feeling this hug from her made Spike thing over things again, because despite this being the most shocking revelation in his life up to this point, knowing that she did care for him, even after all this time, he felt extremely grateful knowing that she was willing to go so far to find him.

He doesn't want anything to happen to her, and neither does she, but with the two of them back together again, he only hoped for the best now that they all finally know the truth.
"Thank you.. mom.. I just still can't believe that after all this time, I've finally gotten to meet you.." Spike said with tears as he turned around and hugged her back to help her too.

"Me too child.... just know that no matter what happens, mommy will always love you.." Crystal assured with a soft while while they looked at eachother again, and after remembering some things she had said before, he was curious to know just a bit more about her.

"Mom.. do you think we could meet your family once we get there? You said they'd be very happy to know that I'm alive, and that you found me again. But.. how will they react knowing that I was raised by ponies after all this time? Equestria has often been in danger more times then I can count, and if they knew about the dangers I was in, like Sombra, Chrysalis, Tirek, and even Discord, would they even be alright with me living here knowing just how dangerous things can get here?" Spike asked with worry as they looked at eachother, and she herself didn't know how to answer it either.

"I.. don't know child, they are very protective and supportive of me, but even after I got my wings, it took a few years before I could convince them that I could go out on my own. My mother and father did everything they could to prepare me for any dangers I could possibly face, and.. I have a feeling that when we meet them.. they might want to teach you similar things too." Crystal answered which worried Spike once he heard that.

"Do you think they may want to us to stay with them for a few years if we meet them? I know it's just for protection and everything, but if that means I may not see Twilight or my friends for that long..." Spike said with concern while Crystal looked down with worry as she can't answer it directly either.

" I really don't want that to be the case, but I do have a feeling that they'll let you visit your friends when you'd like, but with how long it takes to get to my home, that may only be a possibility.." Crystal answered which just made this more worrying to both of them.

"Let's just hope that doesn't happen, I'm still very excited I'll get to meet your family and see more of what our kind is like, I've only just begun to learn a bit more from Ember since she's been trying to make them change their ways, but the fact she has to force them to do it, it's just sad to know that's what it takes to actually try to do it." Spike said with some disappointment for what he's seen of most dragons outside of Ember.

"That's just how most dragons prefer to live their life Emerald, but once we get to the Seasonal Islands, you will see dragons far more civilized and developed then any of the dragons you've seen, it will be a different experience, but one that will help you see just how much larger the world really is." Crystal said with a more hopeful tone while Spike was interested to learn more about it.

"Is there really that much to see out there? Just how big are the Seasonal Islands anyway?" Spike asked curiously while she only chuckled upon hearing that from him.

"You will find out very soon my Emerald, once we leave tomorrow, we will have plenty of time to see all of what it has to offer. I promise." Crystal said as she looked out the window, and they could both see the sun was starting to set.

"I think it's best we rest for tonight, we have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow, and it's best we be prepared for anything." Crystal suggested as they finished packing what Spike's bringing with them for the trip, and after a little yawn, Spike himself felt ready to get some sleep too after such an eventful day.

"Yeah, I like the sound of that." Spike replied with a smile before she suddenly picked him up, and began taking him to her own room for a little rest while carrying his stuff with her tail like it was nothing.

"W.. what are you doing mom?" Spike asked with surprise while she only chuckled seeing his reaction, and soon went to her guest room to rest.

"I want to spend the night with you child, while we'll have plenty of time together late on, I just want to cuddle with my little baby tonight, any mother would do it with their hatchling once they were born, and I just want to experience that feeling.." Crystal said with a smile while she put Spike's stuff on the side, and even if it seemed strange to Spike, he felt it would be best to spend the night with her, just to make sure it doesn't feel like a dream when they wake up tomorrow.

"Okay mom.. as long as it helps make you happy.." Spike replied as she got into her bed and hugged him to her chest, and smiled while having a few tears in her eyes, finally being able to do this with her child.

"Thank you son, good night.. I love you..." Crystal said one last time as she started to fall asleep with him still left thinking over this, but after a while, he just decided it was best to sleep himself.

"I love you too.. mom.." Spike said with joy before he fell asleep with her for the night, and just hoped that going forward, they can all make up for the lost time together.

And as they slept the night away together, Twilight was currently on the balcony of the castle overlooking things, she was extremely worried on what this will mean for all of them going forward now that Spike's mother has come back into his life, while she's glad that Spike finally has met his real mother, what happens next is just what worries her most.

And while she kept looking over the view, she heard footsteps approach her, and as she turned around, she saw Celestia and Luna come out to her, likely to help her.
"Hey Celestia, Luna, it's a.. beautiful night isn't it?" Twilight asked with a small smile while the two walked up to her, and only smiled back as she just tried finding a way around this for now.

"It is Twilight, every night within Equestria, we always get to see a beautiful view like this, and every morning, and amazing sunrise." Luna replied while looking at her sister who was happy to hear that from her.

"That's our duty's after all, but what brings you out here Twilight? The others are already asleep by now, so what's keeping you out here?" Celestia asked with worry while Twilight looked down slightly and sighed knowing what their wanting to talk about.

"I think you both already know.." Twilight replied sadly before she turned back around to look at the view, and the two princesses did look a bit guilty for having to bring this up.

"We know your worried for him Twilight, believe me, we all are too. Having his mother suddenly come back like this, after years of never even hearing about what his parents were like, it's a lot to take in. Even if they've gone to sleep by now, the other Main 6 have had a lot to think about with this too." Luna said calmly while she put a hoof on her shoulder while Twilight was still lost thinking over this.

"I just don't know what to do right now.. Spike's been a little brother to me for so many years, and I'm just really worried on what'll happen to him now that he's going back to his home with his mother." Twilight said with concern while Celestia and Luna also had their own concerns for this.

"I can understand it's very hard Twilight, I.. honestly didn't think she'd come back after so long, I never heard anything about her when I found his egg when it was abandoned, but I always held out hope that we could all meet her one day." Celestia replied while Twilight held her hoofs on her face and groaned as there was so much to think about at this point.

"What if something happens to him out there while he and Crystal go to those.. Seasonal Islands? We've never even heard of them before, if their not even on any maps of Equestria, then how do we know their really what their said to be? They could be someplace completely different for all we know! Even if Ember and Smolder could go out to help him when possible, we don't know anything about that place, and what the dragons there are like! If their anything like Garble or his punk friends, or any of the other dragons we've had to deal with before we met Ember, I don't know what to do if something ends up hurting him while their gone!" Twilight said with huge worry while she was pacing around while the other two kept watching her.

"Twilight, what Crystal said is true, while I have not heard of the Seasonal Islands at all, if Smolder and Ember do know about them, then she is telling the truth of what their like. We can understand your worries over this, but you should try thinking positively about this, even if it's going to be a while once they leave together, when they get back, there's so much more that we can all do now that she's come back." Luna encouraged while Twilight just couldn't understand it right now.

"I'm sorry you two, but I'm still just finding it hard to accept.. he's been with us for so long, and seeing him go like that, it's something I don't know if I'm ready for.." Twilight replied while looking back at them again.

"It won't be forever Twilight, they will return when they feel like it. But please try to understand, even if it it'll be a few years before they come back, what Spike will be learning over there will be extremely important. Not only will he be learning more about the different types of Dragons there are out there, but he'll also be reconnecting with his mother and her family, and what they'll teach him could help him greatly once he's ready to come back." Celestia encouraged too while Luna came in to support this.

"Spike may be extremely smart for his age, but he's also still very young, and is in need of support to learn how to handle things on his own, if his mother is capable of fighting off that many Timberwolves like how Smolder described, she could help him for the better, and that could be better for all of us too. We care for him just as much as you care for him Twilight, but we want what's best for him too, if he wants to go with his mother, even for a few years to make up lost time with her, he's completely allowed to do it." Luna added in while they both looked down at Twilight who was starting to see where their coming from.

"And don't forget Twilight, he'll still be able to send you letters and let you know what it's like out there, if he needs help, he'll just be able to ask, even if it's for something as small as some advise or help on how to give his mother support. She needs just as much as support as he does. We'll all be able to see him again soon Twilight, it won't be for the rest of his life." Celestia said once again as they kept looking at her.

And hearing all those words from the two made Twilight start to calm down, even if she's worried about what'll happen to him out there, he's been through just as much as they have with the threats they've faced. He knows what he'll need to do if he's in trouble, and if he needs help, they'll all be able to help him if he needs it, no matter how far away he is.

After thinking over all of that, Twilight only sighed again, and looked back up at them with a grateful look after hearing those words from them.
"Thank you.. I'm sorry for freaking out like that, he'll be able to look out for himself while he's out there, and if anything happens, we'll all be there instantly to help him, right?" Twilight asked hopefully as they all looked at the view again, and hoped for the best when he leaves tomorrow.

"Of course Twilight, let's just hold onto hope he'll be okay out there." Celestia replied one more time as they took this view in for a bit before finally deciding to get some sleep themselves.

After they had all went to sleep for that night, it had passed within what felt like only a few hours, and after the night passed, the sun had soon started to rise once again, and as the morning had come upon Equestria once again, everyone who got up got ready for Spike's departure with his mother, while they all wished Crystal could stay for just a bit to recover, if they're really wanting to go by today, they should at least be there for when they leave together.

Once the sun was high within the sky once again, Spike and Crystal had finished packing up whatever else Spike was wanting to bring with him, he made sure to bring as many books and essential items he wanted for the trip, and while he is worried about how it'll go with Crystal's own family, he's also very eager to see what else is out there, and what more there is to his own kind.

And after a few hours had passed, everyone had soon gathered at the front entrance of Twilight's castle again, all the Main 6, Celestia and Luna, as well as Smolder were all facing Spike and Crystal who had multiple bags on them, and were ready to get going for now.
"Well.. I.. guess this is it for now girls, me and my mom are.. really heading out, will you all be okay while I'm gone?" Spike asked with worry while everyone had their hopes he'll be okay.

"We'll be fine Spike, if anything happens, we'll be sure to send a letter to you, but don't let that distract you, just make sure to have a fun time out there with your mother." Smolder replied with a smile while crossing her arms again.

"She's right Spike, we'll all be here for you if you need it, but you should just try to go out there and have fun!" Pinkie assured too while everyone else nodded in agreement hearing this.

"Just be sure to have fun out there with your mother, and don't let anything try to stop that okay?" Fluttershy asked hopefully which Spike smiled at.

"This is gonna be a big change for you Spike, but while we're all happy that you'll be spending time with her, is there anything you need to do before you leave? Anything at all?" Rarity asked again, hoping they could spend just a bit more time with him before he leaves.

"I've packed all I need Rarity, I'll be fine. I promise." Spike assured while he went up to them, and gave all of them a hug as this will be the last time he sees them for a while.

"Take care of yourself out there Spike, don't let anything bring you down, your a brave little dragon, and don't be afraid to show that out there." Applejack encouraged while they all kept hugging him.

"Just make sure to let us know what exciting things will be happening while your out there, your not the only one who's really interested in hearing about what these Seasonal Islands are like!" Rainbow Dash said positively while they all looked at eachother, and smiled at eachother once again.

"I'll make sure of that girls, no matter how far away I'll be, I'll always have you with me no matter what." Spike said with a smile while Crystal smiled proudly hearing that from him.

"I'm gonna miss you Spike.. we all will.. but if you ever need to come back, don't hesitate to ask okay? You'll always have a place here with us." Twilight said calmly while she kept looking down at Spike who nodded hearing that.

"I will if I need to Twilight, you all just stay safe while I'm gone okay? I don't know how long we'll be gone, but we'll make sure to come back when the time is right, right mom?" Spike asked while looking at Crystal who nodded in agreement again hearing it.

"Of course, if anything happens to this place, I'll do my best to make it back here to help you all, it's the least I can do for you all helping take care of my child, I promise we'll come back once this has all been settled." Crystal assured too which they were all glad to hear.

"Thank you Crystal, you just be careful out there with him, none of us would want any harm to come to him." Luna advised again while Spike began heading back to his mother for them to leave.

"And please feel free to contact us if needed, we'll always be available if you need help too." Celestia repeated while Crystal smiled hearing that as she picked up Spike and placed him on her back.

"We will your highness, me and my child have a long journey ahead, but I promise you, I won't let anything harm him, but I'll also teach him what I know about our kind, and what I've learned over the years, and if your friend there wants to visit, just make sure she's ready for the journey." Crystal said as she looked at Smolder who only brushed that off.

"I'm not wanting to get in the way of your time together, but if I'm interested in seeing what those islands are like, I'll make sure I'm prepared." Smolder replied casually while they all just tried taking in these last moments together.

Even if it was hard to leave everyone so suddenly, he'll be able to see them again when he wants, but he also wishes to learn more about her, her family, and his kind, so whatever happens next, he's hopeful it'll all turn out well in the end.
"Well.. I guess it's time we get going then, I promise I'll be safe. You ready to go mom?" Spike asked as she started to raise her wings to take off.

"Of course, please make sure to hold on tight son." Crystal replied with a smile while they looked at everyone last time, and they all were waving goodbye for them.

"Please be careful Spike." Twilight said one last time while Spike only gave her an assuring smile again.

"You too Twilight. I'll see you all later, see ya." Spike concluded just as Crystal finally took off into the air at fast speeds, and everyone watched as she began making her journey with him to the Seasonal Islands, and everyone just hoped he'll be alright.

"See ya soon Spike." Smolder said proudly as they saw them fly off together, even if they all had their worries on what'll happen to him, as long as he'll finally get to learn more about himself and his family, they'll be alright with it. And they just hoped that they'll come back soon.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading this everyone! I am very, very sorry for the long wait on this chapter, I was just busy working on some other stories at the time, I couldn't find the time to update this one again, and seeing I didn't update it for the rest of 2024 really made me realize I had to update this story again soon. I am just extremely sorry it took this long to update again, I promise I'll finish this story at some point soon, and it won't take this long to update again, as well as making sure to update some stories I didn't update for the rest of 2024 too.

But I do hope that this chapter was good to you all aside from all that, even if I do felt like there was a bit more that could be done, this is still the start of the story, and there's a lot more I can do later on. It will draw similarities from a couple of my other stories, but I'll try to make the story the best it can be going forward.

While this story may not be much in terms of scope or stakes, I'm wanting it to be just a nice and heartwarming story about Spike reconnecting with his mother, it's a bit different then what else I've written at this point, and I hope your all interested in seeing where this goes in the future. Again, I am very sorry for not updating the story for the rest of 2024, but I'll try updating this whenever I can, I just hope that this chapter was good to you all, and you look forward to more of it! Thanks for reading this, and see you next time!