Chapter 16 - So Long, Equestria, Hello, Mobius
After a couple of days, both Spike and Drake were out of the hospital. Drake was physically fine but it was obvious he'd still need a long time to come to terms with all the stuff he did as King Sombra; not to mention that some ponies were still resentful of him, so it was for the better that Celestia herself recommended him to stay away from The Crystal Empire.
That detail aside, things weren't just getting back to normal in Ponyville, but getting much better. All the dragons had adapted pretty well to life in the city, even if they still preferred to stay outside of town, due to ponies' homes not being adapted to their size and body shapes. Also, all the new couples were doing pretty well, with Spike and Sally being the most openly affective; also, the relations between Diamond Dogs and Ponies were slowly improving, with some of the canines actually going to Canterlot to discuss business deals with Princess Celestia, plus making their territory an official province or town, recognized by ponies' authorities and with freedom to make their own rules yet also respecting the ponies' government. Celestia had also talked with Fluttershy about the possibility of reforming Discord; without his powers, he now was a multi-species hybrid, and dealing with assorted kinds of animals was Fluttershy's speciality.
Last but not least, the Mobians had returned to actively work on a way to return home; finally, after almost 3 months after their arrival, Tails and Sally, along with Twilight, were ready to give the news to the group.
"We got a way to open a portal back to Mobius." Tails explained. "Basically, I'll recreate the portal that brought us here on first place. Since we don't have all the devices at hand, those that can't be replaced with Equestrian current level of technology will be replaced with some of Twilight's magic."
"We have adjusted my teleporting spells to the portal creating technology; that way, Tails can get all of you Mobians back home. The only problem is providing enough energy to power up the spell-tech." Twilight added. "And that's where Spike enters."
"The Power Stone will give all the energy we need." Sally turned at Spike. "Of course, you have to make the travel with us so the Stone's energy remains constant."
"It's not a big problem. After all the Mobians had returned home, Spike can use the same device to return here in a moment." Twilight smiled. Spike then rubbed the back of his head, he and Sally sharing an uneasy smile.
"Actually, Twi... Sally and I have been talking and... uh... I kinda want to... go with her."
Twilight wide opened her eyes at this, just like most of her friends; Pinkie just scratched her chin in confusion.
"Why's so hard for you to say it? Twily already said you really have to go..."
"Pinkie, Ah think Spike wants to go... uh... forever." Applejack interrupted the pink pony.
"Ah." Pinkie deadpanned; then, she got a glass of water out of nowhere, drank a sip, and spitted it out. "WHAT?"
"And... well..." Now Garble was the one talking while he and the rest of the dragons held their girls' hands. "We want to go too."
Pinkie took another sip of water to spit it out.
"WHAT?"
"Yeah, well... we don't wanna lose our girls." Fumes explained. "And you ponies are nice and all, but your society is... well... you created it for your kind, and creatures similar to you, like donkeys, and zebras, and the occasional gryphon."
"While Mobius is a world where several assorted species have created their own society." Shakes continued. "We dragons will fit there much better than we'd do here in Equestria."
"That's... understandable." Rarity said, washing away a little tear before looking back at Spike. "And you're right; it would be criminal to separate such a lovely group of couples."
Spike smiled back at Rarity before looking back at Twilight, who was now getting tearful eyes. The purple dragon sighed and caressed her cheek.
"Twi... I know I'm gonna miss you, but... this isn't different to... Shining Armor leaving to Canterlot's Military Academy, and later marrying Cadence... or you leaving Canterlot to move here to Ponyville... You're like my sister, Twi... for Celestia's sake, skip the 'like'; you ARE my sister! But now I have to move on and live my life, and start my own family with the girl I love. I know it's not like... moving to another town or something like that but..."
Twilight silenced him with a tight hug.
"I know. And I'm gonna miss you a lot, Little Brother... but you're right. It's your life. And no matter where you go, either another town or another world... if you're happy, I'm happy."
Spike smiled and hugged her back.
"WHAT?" Pinkie did the spit-take again.
"Pinkie!" A very soaked Knuckles growled at her. "Stop doing that... and besides, why you did it right now?"
"The Comedy Rules; every recurring joke comes in 'three'." Pinkie grinned before taking out a little plant pot with a small tree on it, with several little cards in the branches. "Here's the 'tree'."
Knuckles face-palmed at this while Sonic laughed.
"I'm gonna miss this girl's sense of humor." Sonic chuckled before looking at Rainbow. "And I'm gonna miss you too."
"Same here, Blue Guy. Not easy to find someone who can keep up with me." The blue pegasus chuckled before hoof-fist bumping with Sonic. Soon, all the Mobians were exchanging their good-byes with the ponies, and after that, Tails, Sally and Twilight went back to the Library to retrieve all the stuff they'd need, plus the Mobians went to the places they had been staying to retrieve some stuff they wanted to conserve when returning to Mobius; plus, Sonic really wanted to get some of the Apples' cider and pies; without chili-dogs, these had been the best substitute he found.
About one hour later, they were all ready to go. Spike sent a letter to Princesses Celestia and Luna to tell them about their depart, so they both could be there on time. The purple dragon and Celestia hugged each other, and some ponies were truly amazed that Celestia was getting teary eyes at this, not too different to Spike and Twilight's good-bye hug; other ponies, that knew better, weren't that surprised; if Twilight was Spike's sister, Celestia was pretty much his mother figure.
"I'm very proud of you, Spike. Good luck." Celestia whispered on Spike's ear.
"Thanks... Mom." Spike felt a tear running down his cheek when saying the last part. When he broke the hug, he turned to see Shining Armor and Cadence helping Twilight getting the teleporting spell ready; in reality, they were mostly comforting Twilight and reminding her this was the right thing to do.
"Hey, Shining, Cadence..." Spike's voice made them turn back at him. "Keep an eye on our sister for me, can you, please?"
"You know we will." Shining smiled at him. "Take good care of yourself, Little Bro. And I'm glad you're as lucky as myself; you found yourself a fine lady to share your life."
Spike and Sally shared a smile with Shining and Cadence, and then the Mobian princess went back to helping with the portal device.
Adam looked at this in silent approval and happiness. Besides being very glad for Spike's good fortune, he was also happy that he was taking the Infinity Stones and Staff to a very safe place; another world, where nopony would be tempted to steal them and risk losing control of their power. He also knew that Spike would be capable of returning to Equestria for occasional visits, especially considering that, on Mobius, he'd be getting the right technological help.
"Everybody ready?" Tails said to his friends, all the travelers getting together in a tight group.
"Let's do this, Tails." Sonic gave him a thumb up.
The fox boy grinned at the hedgehog, and activated the teleporter, that looked a lot like a body armor combined with assorted attached gizmos. Twilight then used her magic to synchronize the device to the teleporting frequency, and Spike powered it up with the Infinity Staff. After a few moments, a large portal opened in front of them, and, before anypony could even blink, the whole group was absorbed inside it.
"So long, Spike." Twilight smiled, half-sadly and half-proud.
The whole Equestrian group stayed silent, all of them sharing Twilight's general mood.
"Okay, that was fun. Anypony for Chinese?" Pinkie broke the mood with her usual personality.
Everypony looked back at Pinkie... and soon, even Celestia and Luna were laughing loudly.
"You are never letting us stay sad, uh, Pinkie?" Rainbow grinned at the pink mare.
"Well, no reason to stay sad. Our Mobian friends are back at home, our dragon friends are with their girls, and..." A bell rang. "That bell says my pudding is ready."
Minus the pudding part, the Mobians and dragons were feeling pretty much like Pinkie right now. Tails smiled when recognizing his laboratory, and all the dragons looked at the place in amazement.
"Whoa... your world is smaller than I thought..." Garble looked around.
"This is Tails' laboratory, Garble. It's much bigger outside." Nicole grinned at the blushing dragon.
"Alright, guys, we have to move now!" Sonic said in excitement. "We have to show the dragon guys around, tell our old friends that we're back, and I have to eat a chili-dog... or a hundred."
"I'd say you spent too much time with Pinkie Pie... if I didn't know you were already like this." Knuckles grinned at the blue guy while everyone started walking out of the lab, the dragons being particularly eager to know their new place and start their life with their beloved ones.
"Okay, you all heard Sonic. We must tell everyone we're back." Sally smiled and looked at Tails. "You tell them via the communicators. For those who don't have them... we must tell personally. Spike, can you give me a ride?"
"Of course." Spike used his Reality Stone to grow wings. Pee Wee, who had made the travel inside his backpack, flew out and positioned himself on Spike's head.
A couple minutes later, all the dragons were flying out of the lab, ready to know their new home, and each one carrying his respective girl. Life here will be good.