(This is an epilogue for Oh Spike We Hardly Knew Thee. With the exception of some touch ups, this was written in full after the Season 8 finale, and before Season 9 aired, however, I never got around to publishing it until now. The main story took place sometime in Season 7, while this epilogue takes place in the heart of Season 8, after Twilight has opened her school, but before School Raze. This little opening bit is a flashback).
Twilight Sparkle (age 14) was in the observatory of Princess Celestia. Her baby dragon, Spike (age 3) was asleep beside her. Princess Celestia (age ?) sat next to Twilight as she tutored the young filly.
"And this constellation is Canis Minor." Twilight pointed into her book.
"Actually, that is Canis Major, not Minor." Celestia corrected.
"Heh heh, of course. How could I get the two mixed up? I won't make that mistake again." she said. "How's my score going so far?"
"It's... um..."
"Oh, I know I haven't been nailing these answers first try, but I swear, I studied all day yesterday. I've just have my hooves full with so much."
Twilight looked at Spike. Celestia could immediately tell there was a lot on her mind.
"Um... Princess Celestia?"
"Yes, dear Twilight?"
"I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but... why did you trust me to care of Spike? What made you think a filly knee deep in studies could raise a baby dragon?"
Celestia sighed silently, and gave an answer that was only partly true.
"As a smart student, I trusted that you could handle the task of caring for a baby dragon, as well as meet expectations at my school." the princess replied. "However, as you mentioned, your hooves have been a little full I take it?"
"Uh... no. I mean it's nothing totally out of my control." Twilight backpedaled.
"But with grades as disappointing as this, perhaps some changes are necessary."
"Oh please, please don't take Spike away! Please!" Twilight begged. "I *sniff* I don't want to let go of him, but at the same time, I- *sniff* I..."
Twilight hung her head and sobbed.
"I want what's best for him, but I'm afraid that, I'm not what's best for him. That I'm in over my head with this whole parent thing, and that I'm neglecting him in the process. I sometimes think that he deserves somepony more experienced, or better yet, a real dragon.."
"So, if the opportunity came to hand Spike over to a more capable guardian, would you?" Celestia asked.
"What? No, that's- that's not what I said!" Twilight panicked. "I mean, it kind of is... ah!"
Twilight was feeling a lot of conflicting emotions.
"I'm being selfish by hoarding onto him. I'm a student who needs to focus, and Spike deserves someone better than me. The facts say I should let him go, but I just can't..."
"You lack confidence Twilight, yet despite that, you want to hold onto him." Celestia "Is it because you're more afraid of disappointing me or Spike?" Celestia asked.
"I... *sob* I..." Twilight cried.
"I never want to disappoint you, but this is more than just a task. Spike's my... *sniff* If I let him go, I disappoint you, and myself. But Spike, he would be..."
"Twilight, I never would have tasked you with such a responsibility..."
Please don't take him away, please! Twilight thought.
"...if I didn't think you weren't capable. But you are an incredibly gifted unicorn, and I believe you are capable of any task."
"Gifted at magic, but raising a kid? At my age? Plus studies?"
"You have extraordinary abilities. You were the only pony who could hatch him from his egg. Sure, somepony else could watch him, but you're the one he calls mom." Celestia said.
"And that's why I want to do everything I can for him, but I just... *sniff* I missed out on his first three weeks of life, but he recognized me as soon as we reunited. I think my magic did imprint something on him when I hatched him."
Twilight was crying.
"Are you doing this to please me?" Celestia.
"Not at all. This isn't just a task, or assignment, I do it because I... *sniff* I..."
"Mama?" Spike had awoken. "Aww you cwying?"
"Spike? Um..."
"Is mama sad?" he asked.
"No Spike, your mama is just uh... Your mama is doing fine."
"But am I a good mom, Spike?"
"Yes..." Spike wept. "You aw' mama because mama hatched Spike from egg."
"Okay, Spike. You do believe in me. Now all that's left, is for me to believe in myself..." Twilight cried.
"Why mama have teaws?" Spike asked.
"I'm not sad, I'm... I'm happy. How can I be sad when I have the most perfect little boy right in front of me?"
"Spike love mama the most."
"I love you too Spike."
Spike kissed Twilight on the forehead.
"I love you, mama."
"And I love you too, Spike." Twilight said. "You're my best friend, and I wouldn't let you go for the world."
"He loves you dearly. You're the center of his universe, he thinks about you nonstop." Celestia said. "Do you still have any doubts?"
"I... I definitely needed this moment. It helped me realize a lot. I do all this because, I love him more than anything."
"I am your mama Spike, and you, you are my baby. And whole life thing may be incredible overwhelming, but I do it all for you, because I love you more than anything..."
Twilight embraced Spike close.
"Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to help personally." Twilight said. "I really needed this."
"Anything for my star pupil, and her baby dragon." Celestia said.
"Let's head back to our place, you little bug." Twilight said. "Do you want to play with your coloring book while mama studies?"
Spike nodded happily.
"Thank you, Princess." Twilight thanked.
"And remember, we're here to help. You have me, you have Cadance, and you have your mom and dad to aid you." Celestia said.
"Mama... and daddy." Spike said.
"That's right Spike." Twilight assured.
Later that day, back in the tower, Twilight was caring for little Spike.
"Mama is best." Baby Spike said.
"Oh please, you're making me blush." Twilight said.
"Mama has mama and daddy."
"That's right."
"But Spike only have mama..."
"Right..." Twilight said.
"But where is Spike's daddy?" Spike asked.
Twilight wasn't ready for the question.
"..I don't know Spike. Your dad is probably some dragon I've never met. I don't know who your dad is, or where he is..."
"Mama has a mama, and dad. But why Spike only have mama?"
"Spike, it's complicated. Yes I hatched your egg, and I let you call me mama. End of story."
"No, not end of stowy!"
"Come to think of it, how exactly did Spike's egg end up at Canterlot? Did Celesetia find him? Or did somepony else..." Twilight thought to herself.
.
.
.
Diary entry by Princess Celestia.
Twilight Sparkle is getting alone great with Spike. And while she is a very busy unicorn, I have faith that she is destined for great things. I know full well that she is overwhelmed with studies and care, but I believe that having Spike is teaching her an invaluable lesson. She has the smarts to be a truly powerful unicorn, but she was missing one thing, friends. I saw how she was the only pony who could hatch the egg, and from that moment, I knew the two had a special connection. The real reason why I have Twilight look after Spike, is because she needed a friend.
Earlier today, she asked me if there were any pony else willing to take Spike. I told her no, but that isn't the full truth.
She told me she felt blessed have Spike, but I was not the one to bless her with Spike. For that pony, was somepony, who I hope she never meets.
I will make sure that Twilight is a star student, and does not fall down a path of... the path Sunset Shimmer went down. She was a promising student, but she lacked empathy, and craved power. In a similar vain, King Sombra was a powerful leader with no one to love, so he turned to darkness and shrouded the kingdom. Twilight Sparkle has powerful raw magic, unlike I've ever seen. It is of the utmost importance that she does not fall down a path of evil. But I am hopeful. Twilight has something Sunset did not, she has a child. Twilight loves Spike, cares for him, and watches over him. I hope that her experience with raising an innocent baby teaches her the empathy and social skills she needs to be lead down a path of good. I know it's hard for her, but she needs the experience, and Spike needs her too.
I am grateful that he brought me Spike's egg, for I think this is an invaluable learning experience for Twilight. However, it did not come easy. Henry wanted Spike for himself. He only brought me the egg so that I could hatch it for him, but I sensed no good in him. After he attempted to exploit our magic, I sent him away. I do wonder however, if this was a mistake... It's been two years, and there has been no sign of Henry anywhere in Equestria. No sightings by any of my royal guards, nothing. I don't know whether to be relieved, or terrified. Either way, it is of the utmost importance that I keep a watchful eye on Spike and Twilight, and to make sure they don't leave Canterlot until they are older and more experienced.
"I couldn't let Henry have Spike. I sensed no good from him. I could not imagine him having any good intentions after abusing my trust. And yet, he is the only other horse I can think of who would watch Spike... had we not had a fall out, I do wonder what an aide he could have made. He seemed to have known more about dragons than I, so perhaps he could have given invaluable advice to young Twilight. But as it stands, I hope Twilight never meets Henry.
Twilight is still the first pony Spike saw, and the one who hatched him. Could have Spike embraced any pony else?
During a meeting between Princess Celestia and Professor Inkwell (Twilight's professor).
"Professor Inkwell, nice we could meet up again." Celestia greeted.
"Indeed. I wanted to discuss your so called protégé Twilight. She is an excellent student. However, not a day goes by where she isn't worried sick about her dragon." Inkwell said.
"You may not see the value in this, Prof. Inkwell, but Twilight needs Spike." Celestia said.
"The memory of Sunset Shimmer is still haunting you isn't it?" Inkwell asked. "You said Sunset Shimmer was a promising young student, and you know how that ended. What how do you hope Twilight Sparkle will turn out different?"
"Sunset Shimmer was very skilled at magic, but she was missing something very important. Empathy. I hope that Spike helps Twilight stay on the path of good. By having someone to love such as Spike, I hope that he reminds her to stay on a path of good virtue." Celestia said. "That is why she needs Spike."
"That dragon, the one Ms. Sparkle cares for. That wouldn't happen to be the same dragon from the egg brought by Professor Lucky?" the professor asked.
"Yes, Spike is the product of Professor Lucky's egg." Celestia replied, reluctantly.
"Just as I thought. So I must ask, why task Twilight Sparkle with the dragon? Professor Lucky seemed to be very knowledgeable about dragons. He probably would have been a great caregiver for Spike. Twilight is very young to be taking care of a baby dragon."
"I evaluated the situation carefully, and ultimately decided that Twilight needed Spike more than Prof. Lucky does. She needed a friend, she has more life experience to gain from raising a dragon than he does."
"And where has Prof. Lucky gone? I haven't seen him since that little dragon appeared." Inkwell asked.
"Happy is no longer a teacher here." Celestia said. "Let's just say that he didn't agree with my decision." Celestia explained.
"I can't blame him. He presents a dragon egg to you, and then you go a take the hatchling away from him." Inkwell said.
"That's now what happened." Celestia replied, with slight anger.
"I don't see what would have been so bad about giving the dragon to Happy." Inkwell said.
"Happy's magic did not hatch Spike, but Twilight's did. I know that there's a significant reason why, somehow, those two are meant for each other. But when I told him that, he was strongly opposed." Celestia explained.
"I wouldn't put any of my eggs into the faith basket, but you always seem to know best." Inkwell said. "And by the way, don't you suppose Prof. Lucky will return?"
"I pray that he does not. I hope Twilight never meets that pony. If he shows up again, I won't let him lay a hoof on her or Spike." Celestia said.
.
.
.
Present time:
Spike met with Princess Celestia in private.
Celestia was sitting down on a rug in her observatory, seeing eye level with Spike. Spike walked up to the princess, and asked the hard questions.
"I wanna know the truth. And nothing but the truth from now on. Promise?" Spike said.
"No more secrets, Spike." Celestia said. "But unfortunately, my knowledge ends here. I only know what Henry told me. He told me that he found your egg all alone. You know as much about your biological parents as I do. I swear on my own name."
"Well, thanks anyway."
Spike reached his arms out and hugged Celestia. The princess wrapped her hooves around the little dragon.
"I love you, Celestia." Spike said. "Thank you for looking after Twilight an I."
"Of course." she replied. "And remember, you can ask me anything. I promise to be fully transparent from now on." Celestia said.
Spike got up and headed home to Ponyville. But he had one more thing to say.
"Oh, and one more thing." he said.
"Yes Spike?" she asked.
"I just wanna know definitively... How come you never told Twilight or I about Henry? You never so much as explained why my egg was here at Canterlot, when all along you knew why." Spike asked.
Celestia hung her head in shame, closed her eyes, and explained.
"I feared that if I told you, that you would doubt your relationship with Twilight." Celestia answered. "Your connection with Twilight is truly special. I don't want you to ever doubt that. There's a reason only her magic could hatch your egg."
Celestia's explanation filled Spike with deep conflicting emotions.
"Well I *sniff* thanks for telling the truth now, Celestia." Spike said. "I definitely needed this."
"Lastly, I just wanted to say... *cough* I know you've always been very busy, so, thanks for taking the time to make sure that I had Twilight to look after me."
"My pleasure Spike." Celestia said. "Feel free to talk any time."
Spike left her library and headed home to Twilight's castle.
Spike sat outside of Twilight's castle, not doing a lot besides thinking.
"She told me that no other pony would take me in besides Twilight, but she lied." Spike said aloud. "She told me she didn't know where I came from, or if I had parents. But she lied. She knew I was an orphan, and hid that truth from me. What's the big deal? She came clean, so why do you feel... unsatisfied? She paired you with Twilight Sparkle, the nicest pony in Equestria. She gave you such an incredible opportunity."
*sigh* It just feels like, the story's still incomplete...
Spike ran his claws through the dirt. He was outside Twilight's castle, bored, and full of unfinished business.
"Hey, Spike. Our lecture's about to begin. You coming?" Twilight asked.
"Uh, yeah. Be there in a jiffy!" Spike said.
He stood up, and flew to Twilight's schoolhouse.
Twilight had recently opened her School of Friendship, and was proud to teach such wonderful students such as Gallus, Yona, Sand Bar, Ocellus, Smolder, Silver Stream, and Cozy Glow.
Spike met Twilight at the entrance to the schoolhouse.
"You look like you got a lot on your mind." Twilight said.
"Who, me? Heh heh, yeah. I guess you could say that." Spike replied.
Twilight expressed concern, she wanted to know what was bothering Spike.
"Well, did you want to talk about it?" Twilight asked.
"Right now? You said you were in a hurry." Spike replied.
"It can wait, if this is important." Twilight said. "Does my metal wing bother you?"
Spike took a deep breath, ready to bring up the subject.
"No, I mean... Speaking of... do you remember that time last year when that pony Henry kidnapped me?" he asked.
"Mmm hmm. What about it?" Twilight asked in return.
"So uh, no pony ever found him right?" Spike asked.
"As far as I've heard, they never did find him. And you say he fell down the side of Mt. Everhoof? I'd say more than likely he perished. If the fall didn't get him, then the freezing temperature probably did him in." Twilight said, amazingly deadpan.
"But, we don't know for sure." Spike said.
"With nothing found, no we can't be sure." Twilight added.
"But, don't you want to know? It sounds like quite the mystery." Spike said.
"I don't know what happened to him, and I couldn't care less!" Twilight said.
"..."
*ring* the school bell had already rung.
"Now come on. Lecture's about to start." Twilight said, but Spike didn't follow. "You coming Spike? Hey, are you alright?"
"You're mad at me, aren't you...?" Spike crossed his arms and hung his head.
"I'm not mad Spike, I just..." Twilight said.
"I'm sorry I brought it up." he said.
"It's fine. Just, *ugh* I just don't want to think about him." she said.
Spike lead the class, and was taking roll.
"Time for roll call!" Spike announced. "Is Sandbar present?"
"Here!" he exclaimed.
"Gallus?"
"Here!"
...
Spike's vision blurre, and he lost his concentration.
"Spike? Spike! Snap out of it." Twilight said.
"Oh, uh, sorry about that, Twilight." Spike said. "Now, where was I? Uh, screw it. Start over."
After class, Twilight had a private conversation with Spike.
"Well, that was the least productive day since, yesterday, and the day before that." she said.
"Sorry for the poor streak." Spike apologized.
"What's gotten into you?" Twilight asked.
"I guess I can't get him off my mind." Spike replied.
"Well try harder to. Can't have be this distracted." Twilight said, firmly.
"I thought your little private meeting with Princess Celestia was supposed to clear my mind. Did it not?" Twilight asked.
"Well um, let's just say, we had a productive talk... and that's about it." Spike replied.
"Well so far I'm not seeing how it may have helped. You're still as distracted as ever." Twilight said.
"Okay! I'll focus, alright?" Spike asked.
"Alright." Twilight said.
Twilight trotted off, without another word. She seemed really cold whenever they talked about Henry.
"Well, so much for, I don't know, some sort of inspiring speech. Pfft." Spike kicked up the carpet. He was bored, and unsure what to do next.
"I really couldn't care less for him. Okay?! He came, he did his damage, and now he's gone! End of story. I wouldn't mind never seeing him again.
After school was dismissed, Spike had met with Cozy Glow. Spike was clearly in a slump, and Cozy was surprisingly eager to listen to what Spike had to say. After a long evening, Spike had actually recapped the entire story to Cozy Glow in the school courtyard.
"And that's why I miss him..." Spike said, in a slump.
"Golly, this Henry guy actually sounds like a cool dude." Cozy Glow replied.
"I know, right?" Spike replied.
"I liked the part where he used some sort of magic lightning rod to suck the magic from Twilight Sparkle!" Cozy exclaimed.
"Eh... what?" Spike asked.
"Uh, I mean. It sounds neat, but I guess something like that isn't in everypony's best interest these days." Cozy grinned.
Spike was befuddled by Cozy's odd behavior.
"Okay. I'll just take your word for it." Spike said. "Well, I gotta go. I'm gonna be late for guys night."
"You have a special night where all the guys gather together?" Cozy put her hooves together in glee. "
"You sure you don't wanna add a girl to the mix?" Cozy asked, leaning in close, and giving Spike some interesting eyes.
"Uh, I'm good." Spike said. "Besides, I don't think you'd like Ogres and Oubliettes."
"I see... Well, if that Henry guy ever reappears. I'd like to meet him. All that his machines he built sound really cool." Cozy said.
"Yeah, I guess so. There isn't anything quite like his inventions." Spike said.
"My thoughts exactly. Think of the applications! The *ahem*" Cozy put her cute face back on. "I think it would be a gweat opportunity for my young mind to learn." :D
Later that night, the quietest guys night was under way.
"I know what he did was wrong, but, I never got to tell him how I really felt." Spike said under his breath.
"You know, this is the lamest guy's night so far." Discord said. "You haven't even picked up your dice yet."
"Oh, right heh heh heh." Spike chuckled.
"Well, the reformation process was easy. It's hard to hate Discord. Only now, instead of plunging the world into complete chaos, I reserve my powers for more, practical uses."
"And look at you now." Spike said.
"It helps to have somepony like Fluttershy who really believed in me. I may not be where I am if she didn't believe in me when no one else did." Discord said.
"Someone who really believes... that's it!" Spike exclaimed.
"What's it?" Discord asked.
"Uh, nothing." Spike said.
Late that night, after Twilight had already fallen asleep, Spike quietly got out of bed, and wandered outside the castle.
"All I have to do is believe in Henry, and then, everypony else will follow right? Fluttershy reformed Discord, heck, I've already got everpony to forgive a Changeling. This'll be a piece of cake." Spike said to himself. "Uh, but first. I have to find him first."
Spike wandered through the Everfree Forest late at night. If you wanted to meet something strange, the Everfree Forest is a good place to start.
"I know you're out there Henry. You survived a car crash and an exploding building. A little fall is easily survivable." Spike said to himself.
Spike listened around, but heard nothing but ambiance.
"Hmm. Wow, it sure is dark out here? It'd be a shame if I ran into something big and scary!" Spike exclaimed.
"Gee, usually this place is a hive of danger, but tonight, nothing." Spike said. "Well, if I can't find a threat, maybe I'll just make one."
Spike gathered threw together a pile of twigs, hoping they'd form a Timberwolf. He made a pile of timber, but no wolves sprung from it.
"Huh. What exactly brings Timberwolves to life anyway?" he asked himself. "Ugh, I could really use some more twigs."
A stick poked him from behind.
"Huh? Oh. Thanks." Spike continued to pile twigs, but then he realized. Who was helping him build? "Wait a sec..."
Spike turned around, and there was a live Timberwolf.
The pile he was assembling started to glow, and formed another Timberwolf.
"Woo hoo! Danger! Yeah!" Spike exclaimed.
The Timberwolves growled, and slowly inched towards Spike.
"Uh, now would be a good time for somepony to swoop in and rescue me!" he exclaimed. "Any moment now..."
The Timberwolves inched nearer.
"...Oh forget it."
*torch*
Spike blew fire breath on the Timberwolves, and they went away.
"Pfft, so much for Operation: Spike puts himself in danger on purpose so Henry comes and saves me. Whatever made you think he'd be in the Everfree Forest anyway? Stupid plan. Huh?"
Spike's fire breath was a little too intense, it had caught a nearby tree ablaze.
"Oh no! I didn't mean it! I gotta stop it!" he exclaimed.
Spike swallowed some nearby pond water, and spit it at the tree. But the amount he could carry was insignificant next to the blaze.
"It's not enough, but I have to keep trying!" he said.
Spike ran back to the pond, but he noticed something curious.
"Huh? What the? Where'd the water go?!" he thought to himself
The water was actually floating above the burning tree! Almost as if being held up by magic. Then suddenly-*SPLASH* the entire mass fell and extinguished the fire.
"Holy guacamole. What a display of magic!" Spike exclaimed. "Wait..."
Spike looked around. He barely caught sight of a figure in the bushes.
"Hey you! Come over here!" he exclaimed.
The shadowy figure ran off.
"Come back here!" Spike flew after the figure. "I just want to talk!"
Spike found himself in an empty clearing."
"Shoot, I think I lost him." he said to himself.
"Hello! Is anyone-AH!" Something grabbed Spike and pulled him in.
"Would you be quiet! You're gonna give our location away!" yelled a familiar harsh voice.
"Omigosh! It's you! It's really you. I found you Henry!" Spike exclaimed.
"Yes, it's me..." he replied.
"So uh, you're alive. I thought you were dead." Spike said.
"From what? A fall from 29,000 feet? No biggie. I landed on a steep slope, which decelerated my descent." Henry said.
Henry put Spike down, and started to walk away.
"Hey wait! Come back!" Spike exclaimed.
Spike walked along with Henry through the forest.
"What are you doing here?" Spike asked.
"Besides stopping you from setting the forest on fire? Not much. Now beat it." Henry replied.
"No! I'm not going anywhere." Spike said.
*sigh* "What do you want?!" Henry asked.
"I want you to come back. I want you to come say hi to everypony."
Henry was surprised by Spike's response.
"You... actually want me?" he asked.
"Eeeyup." Spike assured.
"But that's impossible. You said you didn't want me"
"But I do! I missed you." Spike said.
"I never got to tell you... how much I missed you. All those years we were apart." Henry explained.
"I think I figured you out." Spike said.
"No you haven't!" Henry growled.
"You're only so grumpy because no pony is grateful for what you've done. But now that I have your attention, I wanna take some time to express my gratitude to you." Spike said.
Henry was fair, and did stay to listen to Spike.
"Henry, you rescued my egg from being alone, and possibly worse You brought me to Canterlot, where I got the chance to meet Twilight Sparkle, the nicest, most sweetest, the most perfect pony in Equestria. None of this would've been possible without you."
"Er... You lost me at the Twilight Sparkle bit." Henry said..
"Okay, rewind. I wouldn't be alive without you. And, uh... forgetting all the missteps we've both made... I just wanted to say, thank you Henry."
Henry couldn't help but be touched emotionally by Spike's sincere words.
"Uh, thanks, Spike." Henry said. "And uh, I apologize for exploiting your powers, and trying to run off with you and destroy anyone that got in my way."
"So... you really want me to come back?" Henry asked.
"Yes. I'd love for you to apologize to my friends, and become friends with the rest of us." Spike said.
Henry was very reluctant on the idea of ever meeting with Twilight Sparkle again. But for Spike's sake...
"If you really want me to come back, then as someone who cares about you, I owe it to myself to try."
"That's the spirit, dad." Spike said.
"*sigh* Look, even if you trust me, how are you going to convince Twilight and the others?" Henry asked.
"Leave that part to me." Spike replied.