After months and months of contemplation and supplications, Rainbow Dash finally accepted her mate's request and married Light Strike. After even more contemplations and supplications, Rainbow accepted to have her own child with the condition that her husband would be the one to take care of him (or her) so she could still be the leader of the Wonderbolts. It didn’t surprise anyone when Rainbow sent to hell the Wonderbolts to give herself completely and unconditionally to her role of mother as soon as she saw herself for the first time reflected in the eyes of her twins. They were called Sonic Boom: a blue pegasus with a blue mane of warm colors and Sonic Blast: a black pegasus with a mane of cold colors.

Applejack hadn’t gotten married yet. She said she was married with her land and things like that. Many attributed this to the loss of Granny Smith, which had strongly affected the whole family. Though some said the reason she didn’t have a mate, it was because she was a lesbian and she was afraid to get out of the closet. Stupid gossipers. Meanwhile, her brother and sister in law hadn’t decided to expand their family. Their little four year old Appleseed was the light of their lives.

Some time after the arrival of their first child, Fluttershy and Swift Relief decided to expand their family. So they now had their little Neem, who was now 7 years old and their little four year old Araucaria: a pink unicorn with a cyan mane and eyes of the same color.

Pinkie Pie… Was Pinkie Pie. And there hadn’t been a stallion who could keep up with her, which didn’t seem to discourage her at all.

As for Rarity… She was still looking for her true love. She decided to follow the advice of Twilight and Spike, she decided to stop looking for it among high society and considered humbler horizons. Besides, she didn’t start a relationship like she used to. She now took pains to sow more the bonds of a good friendship and if the choice was promising, she risked starting the romance. So in the last three years, she had only had two coltfriends. Relationships that were much more promising and sincere than any other one she had had in the past, but at the end, they didn’t go well… Or that’s what she said.

And finally, Twilight and Spike. At 26 years old, Twilight Sparkle was the most powerful sorceress of her age, proud director of her own and prestigious school of magic and especially, beloved Spike’s wife, who was an exemplary husband, a great chef and the new Ponyville’s mayor.

That night, Spike found himself sleeping while his beloved wife was by his side in silence reading several documents of her school, against her husband’s wishes, for he had told her she should sleep early.

“But I can’t sleep!” She shouted

“I have to prepare the presentation of the progress, the academic achievements and the new study programs of the school for the thirtieth or the Ministry could remove me from my office. Or worse… Close the school!”

Even with the years, Twilight was still somewhat neurotic when it came to deadlines and fulfill the expectations of those she considered important. It was one of the only things of his wife’s behavior Spike wished to stop existing, but there was something about it that made her adorable.

“You’ve been working hard the last few days with the year-end festival. You won’t work anymore until you have at least eight hours of sleep” He said firmly.

She reluctantly went to the bed with her husband, but as soon as he fell asleep, Twilight started to check her papers by using night vision with a spell. Suddenly, she felt the need to take a notebook to take some notes. She left the sheets she had on the bedside table next to the bed and slipped out of it carefully.

As soon as she took a couple of steps, she felt a huge a tug on her tail that made her scream and jump because of the shock.

“Are you going somewhere, honey?” Spike asked.

“M… My love… I’m… I’m sorry. Did I wake you up? I’m going to the bathroom, that’s all” Twilight said nervously with a fake smile.

“Shall I go with you?” He said cynically, with a smile that wasn’t fake at all.

Twilight swallowed and after thinking for a moment, she sighed and looked down.

“I’d better resist the urge”

“Perfect, come here” He said, moving the blanket so she would return to the bed.

As soon as she climbed into the bed, Spike extended his arms, hugging Twilight lovingly and kissing her on her forehead and then he performed his eternal task of stroking her mane. A mane that was much longer than before, for, and though it bothered her a little after bathing or making love, she had let it grow at her husband request, who said it made her look much more beautiful and elegant.

“Everything will be alright, my queen. Your students admire you and the teachers respect you. You carry leadership in your blood. You’ll see everything will be alright”

Twilight sighed, accepting her husband’s words and relaxed her body as she returned the embrace.

“Thank you, Spike. What would I do without you?”

“You’ll never have to find out. Come on, sleep now. Tomorrow is also an important day”

Twilight smiled blissfully when she remembered for the umpteenth time what they both were waiting for the next day. It would be the day she would go get the medical examinations of the gynecologist to know in what quality of mother she was. Based on the results, they finally would begin to have their first child. Many would think waiting three years for the first child was a very long time period for a couple of married. But Twilight had decided to wait for Spike to become a little older and more mature so they both could face a responsibility like paternity. Now with a twenty two year old Spike and the office of Ponyville’s mayor, they both felt they were ready for that new step in their relationship.

“Have you thought about a name for the baby?” She said very happy, raising her vision to see Spike.

He nodded, smiling.

“If it’s a girl, Ariadne. If it’s boy, Sephiroth”

Twilight grinned widely, resting her head again on her husband’s chest.

“Ariadne… Sephiroth…” She muttered, laughing a little after.

“Aren’t they a bit dramatic names?” She joked.

“What names were you thinking about?”

“Many actually. To begin with, if it’s a girl, I’d like Aurora or Lucero. If it’s a boy… I like Sunshine”

Suddenly, their sleep got lighter for them and they began sharing proposals of names.

“What do you think about Abraxas” He said.

“Why would I want to name my daughter like a Gnostic demon?” She asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Does it come from that? I simply thought it sounded pretty” He explained innocently.

“Well… Yes, it does sound beautiful actually. But I like that one you said before”

“Minerva?”

“No, the other one?”

“Nirvana?”

“No, the name you said first”

“Ariadne”

“Yes, that one. Ariadne… Ari… I like it” She said while smiling.

“Well that’s how we’ll name it if it’s a girl” He said, giving her his approval with a kiss on his beloved’s horn.

“How do you think it will be?” He asked.

“I don’t know. Maybe it’ll have scales and a pony mane. Maybe it’ll have fur but claws and horns like a dragon. I’m satisfied if they have eyes like yours”

“I was going to exactly say the same” She said, rubbing her neck against his neck.

“Good night, my love”

“Good night, my queen”

The next morning, Spike was preparing the breakfast while Twilight was still sleeping.

“Twilight, the breakfast is ready!” He shouted at the sorceress when he finished.

“Twilight, did you hear me?” He asked when he heard no answer.

He went to their bedroom, where he found his wife sleeping.

And you wanted to spend the night awake He told himself while smiling.

“Time to wake up, Twilight. The breakfast is ready” He said, getting close to the bed.

“Come on, sleeping beauty”

Twilight only snorted without waking up at all. Spike smiled and removed her blanket to leave Twilight’s body exposed down to her hips. He smiled mischievously and moved to his wife's body, removing the hair that covered her back rubbing his nose against her body. With her shoulder and back exposed, he exhaled his warm breath along her spine, making Twilight’s fur bristle. Spike smiled and planted a tender kiss on her shoulder and then he went to the back of the neck of his beloved until reaching her left ear. At this point, Twilight had begun to sigh, delighted by the dragon’s caresses.

“Come on, my queen. You’ve slept enough”

“Do that for five more minutes and I swear I wake up” She replied playfully.

“You know I’d love to, but the food is getting cold and you have appointment with the doctor at half past eight”

Twilight’s eyes widened and she got out of the bed suddenly.

“It’s true! My medical tests!” She shouted alarmed.

“How could I forget it?! Oh thank you, my love! I’m now going to have breakfast” She said, running to the bath to groom.

The couple had breakfast quietly and then went to attend their respective responsibilities of the day.

The next weekend, Twilight got up very early to go to her visit to the doctor, for it was time for her to receive the medical tests. If everything was fine, she had already planned to have her baby that night. She was so anxious that she had bought a special attire for the occasion and as a present for Spike for their third wedding anniversary. After the breakfast, Twilight said goodbye with a kiss to her husband and went to the hospital, hoping for good news.

Spike got dressed for his work and shortly after, he left the house. On his way, the ponies greeted him amicably, as well as the few dragons who had had settled in the village. Spike smiled when he saw what his home had become: a symbol at the forefront of harmony between ponies and dragons, now that both nations had achieved the brotherhood two years ago. Both ponies and dragons had slowly started moving to the neighboring country, extending the cultural ties of the two nations. Spike finally came to the town hall, now three times bigger than it used to be when he and Twilight moved to the town, but on second thought, it wasn’t a town at all anymore.

“Good morning, mayor!” One of the ponies who was there received him.

“Good morning” He answered happily.

“Have you received the medical tests of your wife yet, sir?” Another stallion asked.

“Maybe she has. I’ll have to wait until the lunchtime or when she tells me. What happens first” He answered, joking.

It was time for Spike to come back home. As Twilight hadn’t visited him at work, he supposed it was because she had decided to prepare a surprise for him when he came back home. So as soon as it was time to go, he flew out the window of his office. Though the mansion where they both lived was a bit outside the town, it took for him very little time to get there. He unlocked the door and opened it quickly.

“Twilight my love, I’ve come back!” He shouted at the entrance, but there was no answer.

“Twilight?” He asked confused by the silence.

He walked to the main lobby. Empty. He checked the kitchen. Empty. He went out to the backyard. Empty. He went to their bedroom, the basement, the library, Twilight’s study room… Without find her anywhere. Not even Peewee was at home, though that was expected because of the season.

“Where is she?” He wondered.

More worried than hungry, he decided to look for her at her school.

“Good morning, Lord Spike. What are you doing here so late?” Said the guardian at the entrance.

“Good morning. I’m looking for my wife. Is she still here?” The dragon asked.

The unicorn at the entrance looked at him confused before answering.

“Lady Twilight… Didn’t go to work yesterday, sir. She said that today she would go for her maternity test or something like that. It was strange for some teachers she didn’t show up, but we thought it was because you would be celebrating the good news”

“I see… But I didn’t find her at home”

“Do you think something bad has happened to her?”

“No. She’s the most powerful sorceress of her age there exists…” He said seriously, but he couldn’t help being worried.

“Thank you. I’ll go find her somewhere else” He said, beginning to fly.

Spike flew to the hospital. After all it was the last place where he knew she had been.

“Good afternoon, Spike” Zecora greeted him, close to the main lobby.

“Good afternoon, Zecora. Sorry, Doctor Zecora” He added.

And he was right. The wise zebra was now the responsible for the alternative medicine department of the hospital.

“There was no need to be so formal. Could tell me why you’ve come to the hospital?” The zebra asked.

“I’m looking for my wife. She had an appointment early to receive the results of some tests. Have you seen her?”

“I’ve seen her come early, but I do not know what time she left” She answered.

“I see. Where’s the gynecology department?”

“Third door on the left. I’m leaving, for my turn is over”

“Very well, thank you. Give my regards to the Apple family”

Spike eventually found his wife’s doctor doctor.

“Come in, Lord Spike. I wasn’t waiting to see you”

“You don’t have to say that Lord, Doctor. Where’s my wife?” He asked, still worried.

“You are the one who should tell me that. She left many hours ago. I’m sorry things haven’t gone like you both expected” The doctor said, making the dragon’s concern triplicate.

“What are you talking about?! What happened? Is there anything wrong with Twilight?” Spike frantically questioned, making the doctor almost fall from his chair.

“Calm down!” The doctor shouted.

“I’m… I’m sorry” He apologized ashamed.

“Are you telling me you haven’t found out the results of your wife’s medical tests yet?”

“I haven’t even seen her all the day. She didn’t come back home and I have no idea where she is. What happened?”

The doctor sighed heavily.

“Sit down, boy. You won’t like this”

After his conversation with the doctor, Spike flew at full speed to his house as fast as his wings allowed him. However, the house was still empty. He instinctively decided to go look for his wife at her friend’s homes. In Sweet Apple Acres no one had seen her. He hadn’t stopped in Sugar Cube Corner. Rarity hadn’t seen her either. Finally he got to Fluttershy’s house and Swift Relief’s. Before he could knock the door, it opened, letting Neem exit, pursued by his little sister. They both were wearing backbags.

“Come on, dad! We’re going to… Uncle Spike, hello!” The little pegasus shouted, hugging him and followed by his sister.

“Hello, children. Where are you going in such a hurry?”

“Dad is going to take us to the slumber party at Deepsea Diver’s home. Hurry, dad!”

“I’m coming, I’m coming… Oh Spike!... I’m sorry for what has happened” He said like he was giving him condolences.

“How did you find out before me?” Spike said frustrated.

“I found out when I got home. I think Twilight came straight here after her visit to the doctor” He explained.

“And… How is she?” Spike asked.

Swift was going to answer, but Araucaria spoke first.

“Aunt Twilight began talking with mommy. She was so sad and after a while she started crying” The girl explained with a tone of sadness.

“Why is aunt Twilight so sad, uncle Spike? Did you have an argument?” Neem asked.

“No, son. She has… Received very bad news”

“About what?”

“It’s enough, children. You have a slumber party, remember? Let’s go”

With some struggle, the children started their march followed by their father.

“Twilight and Fluttershy are in the garden. Be strong, my friend. Your wife needs you” He said patting him on his shoulder.

“Thank you” Spike said, entering the house and going to the back door.

Near the door, Fluttershy came in with a tray on her back with a teapot.

“AH!” The veterinary yelled exalted when she saw the figure of the intruder in her house.

Spike used his telekinesis to prevent the teapot from falling to the floor.

“Spike, it is you. I’m sorry. I was surprised to see you”

“It was my fault for not announce my arrival properly. I didn’t mean to scare you”

Fluttershy winced and hugged the dragon.

“Oh Spike, I’m sorry for what has happened. Why did something like this have to happen to you?”

“Fluttershy, calm down. It’s neither your fault nor Twilight’s… How is she?”

“How do you think? Devastated… She has cried for several hours and… Well, I’ve been trying to comfort her. I wanted to call you or the girls, but she refused to… She blames herself for what has happened and she’s very, very afraid you don’t want to be with her anymore because…”

“I understand… This isn’t going to be funny. Could you leave us alone?”

“Of course, all the time you need”

Spike went to the courtyard, finding his wife back to the house, who was sitting on one of the chairs of the table of the veterinary’s garden. He got closer to her slowly until he was two steps away from her, where he stopped, for he didn’t really know what to tell her or what to do. A situation his wife shared, for she said nothing or made signals of seeing her husband.

Endless moments of silence passed.

“I’m… I’m sorry” Twilight whispered, shrugging.

That confused Spike.

“Why?”

“I have… I have failed you… As your wife… Or at least I will. I’ll fail you, my parents, my dynasty… Myself!” She shouted, covering her face with her hooves, tearing up.

“What kind of mare… What kind of mare am I supposed to be if I can’t bring life to this world?!” She said, full of sorrow.

“Twilight…” He tried to start his rapprochement.

“And the worse thing is… I already knew about this…” She whispered between sobs.

It took a moment for Spike to process the sentence.

“What… What do you mean?”

“I regret it, Spike. I swear I regret it with all my soul. I wanted to tell you this long ago… Since the first time we spoke about having children but… I was afraid that if you knew it, you wouldn’t want to be with me anymore”

“What are you talking about, Twilight?” Spike asked his wife, who was still back to him.

“There’s a track record of lack of fertility in my family. My great great grandmother only had a son. My grandfather had only two girls. My grandmother had only my mother… And she lost her second child. And finally my mother only had me and Shining. In fact, years later, I found out I was very fortunate to be born, for my mother had pregnancy problems” Twilight revealed shamefully, turning where Spike was, but with her eyes looking down.

Spike remained silent.

“I… I looked forward so much to having children. I wanted to make you a father and make you proud of it. I wanted to have the privilege to be a mother, to feel the happiness of bearing another life inside me. I knew that… It wouldn’t be easy because I would have to give birth to a hybrid baby and it would be very difficult for me with my family’s record. The Princesses all said they would help and support me, but now… Now…”

Twilight sat down and covered her face with her forelegs, crying in shame. It didn’t take long for her to be covered by her husband’s arms and wings, who brought her close to his chest.

“Twilight please, don’t cry” Spike whispered.

“And how do you want me not to do it? I’ll no longer be able to be a mother. I’ll no longer be able to make you a father”

“It’s only a seventy percent chance, Twilight. We can still be parents” He corrected, though he knew it wasn’t the best sentence to comfort her at that moment.

“But with a percentage like that, there’s still a big possibility I may lose my baby during pregnancy… In the unlikely event that I get pregnant. It’s no use, Spike. Now I will never be able to fulfill all of my duties as a wife… Or a mare…” She said pessimistic.

“But you’re not going to abandon me for that, right?” She muttered, begging and finally looking at the dragon.

Spike never thought it would be possible for him to see his wife look so miserable and unhappy.

“Twilight…”

“Don’t leave, Spike! Don’t abandon me, please! I’ll be a better wife, I swear!” She started begging, absolutely hysterical.

“Twilight”

“You won’t have to wake up to make the breakfast ever again! I’ll make the breakfast! I’ll make all the foods! I’ll clean the house! I’ll take care of the garden!”

“Twilight!”

“I’ll stop spending so much time stuck in books! We’ll speak as dirt as dirty as you want while we make love!”

“TWILIGHT!” The dragon shouted, derailing his wife’s train of thought.

The unicorn fell silent and stared at her husband’s eyes.

“Twilight… I’ve told you I love you and I always will all the days of my life for the last seven years. And I’ve promised you more times than I can remember that no matter what happens, I’ll never get away from you. Do you really think I’ll break that promise even for this?” He said, smiling warmly, though with a clear sadness in his eyes.

“But Spike, I…”

“We always knew this marriage wouldn’t be easy, Twilight. But I’m not going to let it sink for anything in the world, not even this. Especially when we still have possibilities”

“Po’… Possibilities?” She asked confused.

“Yes, a thirty percent probability that we can still have a child, right?” He said, positively.

With that revelation, twilight’s spirit revived.

“Yeh… Yes… Yes, it’s true. All is not lost” She said, smiling for the first time since she went to the hospital.

“Exactly, my love. Together we’ve overcome obstacles that seemed impossible. There’s no reason to think this time won’t be like that” He said, kissing her on her forehead.

“But… What if we don’t manage to do it? What if turn out to be sterile and I’m incapable of giving you a child?” She asked afflicted again.

“What about that? Will you still want to be with me?”

Spike sighed deeply.

“Twilight, do you want me not to be by your side anymore?”

“NO, OF COURSE NOT! I want to spend each and every one of the days I have left by your side!” She said, her eyes shedding tears, thinking her husband was actually considering to abandon her.

“Then stop thinking about the things you don’t want to happen!” He replied, making her stop her startup of fear.

Spike smiled again and hugged her tenderly.

“I also decided long time ago to live by your side and fight to take forward this marriage. And I’m going to do it, no matter what it costs me”

Twilight broke the hug long enough so she could rise her sight and see her husband’s eyes.

“Will you be able to be happy in a marriage without children?” She asked very seriously.

Spike remained silent for a while.

“I’ll be happy as long as you love me. I’ll be happy as long as we are together. Those two things are what I need to be happy” He answered with total serenity, stroking her face with his right claw.

She smiled and then they kissed.

That night they made love, willing to strengthen their marriage vows and their bonds of love and friendship. But also to try to defy medicine and an unfortunate family record and try to start the process of bringing a baby of their own flesh and blood to the world.

Though unfortunately for Spike, they didn’t make love many times he would have liked. After all, Twilight needed to conserve energy to cast the spell that would allow her to be fertilized by Spike’s sperm.

“Ready” She said, the magical aura that surrounded her belly fading.

“Did it work?” He asked.

“I don’t know yet. Tomorrow I’ll take a pregnancy test. Even with magic this is difficult” She revealed, sounding very insecure.

Spike noticed this and soon hugged his wife. He found a way to change the conversation.

“Your outfit was a wonderful detail” He whispered to her as he guided them both to lay on the bed laterally and facing each other.

“Did you really liked it?”

“Of course. It was sensational. And I never write on my diary a phantasy of having you as a housemaid…” He said, not being able to find a better description.

That night Twilight had surprised Spike with a French black housemaid outfit, mini-skirt, a tight corset and long white nylon stockings attached to a garter belt the same color. And of course, with a bit of ‘role playing’.

“Though honestly the best part was when I had to take off your outfit slowly” He said mischievously, which made Twilight blush.

“It… It was Cadence’s Idea. She told me you would like this. And well… I wanted to give you a gift in advance for our anniversary” She said in a shy tone she only showed when they were both together on the bed that way. It was an attitude Spike always loved.

“It was a wonderful present, Twi. Thank you” He said, kissing her on her forehead.

“It was my pleasure, Spike… Literally”

“But if this has been your gift in advance for our anniversary, what will you give me on the anniversary?” He joked.

However, Twilight took the question very seriously.

“I… I… You… What would you like?” She asked nervously.

“Hahahah! calm down, Twi. It was only a joke. You don’t have to give me anything. Good night”

“Good night”

They went to sleep entwining their bodies and waiting to receive good news the next day. There’s no need to say that first attempt to have a child didn’t work… But the couple wouldn’t give up. And after two months, their efforts were finally rewarded.

Spike was in his office while signing several papers when suddenly there was a purple light burst and the next thing he knew is he was on the floor with his wife on top of him and the papers floating everywhere.

“We did it, my love. We did it!” She shouted full of bliss, kissing him on his lips.

“What do you mean?” He asked confused when Twilight broke the kiss.

“I’M PREGNANT!” She shouted very proud and happy, with happy tears in her eyes.

“I’m pregnant and expecting your child! Our child!”

Spike took some time to register those words.

“Are you pregnant?”

Twilight didn’t answer. She only nodded frenetically. It seemed she was going to lose her head.

“IT’S WONDERFUL!” He shouted, hugging his wife and kissing her passionately on her lips.

“Very well, my love. You did it!” He yelled, leaping around his office with his wife in his arms.

“Oh my goodness… This is the happiest moment in my life…” Spike stood up and stuck his head out the nearest window.

“DID YOU LISTEN, EQUESTRIA? I’M GOING TO BE A FATHER!” He shouted as loud as he could.

Like everything important in the life of the happy couple, the news of their imminent paternity spread like a virus across the two nations. And from everywhere, they received gifts and visits of important personalities from both countries expressing their support for the couple. Spike and Twilight moved temporarily to Canterlot, where Celestia lodged them in the castle and provided them with the best doctors of Equestria. An action that King Ragnarok followed when he sent a medical team to assist the couple in everything necessary. After all, the child Twilight was bearing was neither a pony nor a dragon, but a hybrid and no one really knew what could happen during pregnancy.

Two months of pregnancy

Twilight’s belly had expanded enough to evidence her pregnancy. Spike was in his provisional house in Canterlot, waiting for his wife’s comeback. She soon entered home accompanied by her sister in law: Cadence. Twilight trotted quickly towards her husband with a happy expression. They rubbed their faces lovingly before exchanging words.

“How was it, Twi?”

“Good news… A boy!” She revealed.

Spike’s eyes widened.

“Twilight, it’s wonderful! Did you listen, Cadence?!” He shouted at the princess of love.

“Yes, Spike. I knew it. I accompanied her to the doctor, you know?” She answered amused by the dragon’s reaction.

“Why didn’t you let me go with you?” Spike asked his wife.

“I… I don’t know. I guess I was ashamed” She said, her ears drooping in sadness.

“Well it doesn’t matter. We’ll have a little boy” Spike answered, hugging Twilight.

Cadence smiled, touched by the spectacle in front of her.

“I don’t know how you do it, but it seems every time I look at you, you seem to love each other more and more” Cadence said.

“It’s easy when things like this happen to us” Twilight replied.

“And I’m sure many more wonders await” She nodded.

Three months of pregnancy

Twilight, Spike and Luna were enjoying a night meeting with tea and sweet bread. Spike had had retired temporarily to prepare more drinks, when Twilight felt something inside her belly.

“SPIKE, SPIKE! Come quickly!” The unicorn shouted.

It was heard from the kitchen how the dragon almost was killed when he tried to return to the third floor of the tower where there were his wife and the princess.

“Twilight, what’s happening?” Luna asked worried.

“Twilight, what’s happening? Are you alright?! Is there anything wrong?!” Spike yelled shocked.

“Come here, Spike. Touch my belly” She said happily.

Spike gently put his right claw on the expanded belly of his wife and recognized quickly the cause of her joy.

“He… He’s moving. Our son is moving! Luna, come closer. Touch it you too” Spike said.

The goddess of the Moon accepted the invitation and she rubbed her belly with her right hoof.

“Oh my goodness, someone is going to be a boy with a lot of strength” Luna said.

“Do you think he’s ok, Luna?” Twilight asked.

“Of course. I’m sure he’ll be a very healthy boy. Do you mind if I…?”

“Go on”

Luna got her face closer to Twilight’s belly, putting her left ear on it to be able to listen to the baby.

“Hello, little one. I’m your aunt Luna. Hurry up, we all want to see you be born so you can be with us” She muttered affectionately.

“Have you decided how will call him yet?” She asked the couple.

Spike and Twilight looked at each other full of bliss and rubbed their faces lovingly against each other.

“Yes, we have” Spike answered.

“His name will be Acruz… Our little Acruz” Twilight whispered.

The name is pronounced like this: /ah-crooth (like THink)/

Four months of pregnancy

“Then how is she, sirs?” Spike asked worried the three leaders of the medical team that exclusively attended Twilight.

“She’s resting quietly. It looks like… Everything has returned to normal” Said one of the doctors, who was a dragon.

“Should we worry?”

"For a unique case like your wife, Sir, everything is a matter of concern. Normally this kind of complications, considering how quickly and easily she recovered, are only isolated cases and aren’t taken into account. But with your wife, even for the veterans like us, we’re treading unknown territory. I wish we had a better diagnostic"

“Do you think there’s risk of her losing the baby?” He asked very anguished.

“Considering her family record, regardless of the extraordinary conditions of pregnancy?” The other unicorn said, receiving an elbow strike from his coworker.

“What?”

“Do you always have to be so cynical?” She scolded him.

“It’s fine, don’t fight. May I enter to see her?”

“Yes, of course” The dragon said.

The doctors let him come in and Spike went to the room where Twilight was resting.

“Hello, Spike” She said weakly.

“Hello, Twi. How do you feel?” He asked, trying to sound relaxed.

“Better, I guess. Though all this hustle left me a little tired”

“I see. Then sleep. Everything is fine” He said warmly, taking her right hoof with both his claws.

Twilight smiled for a moment.

“Is our baby alright?” She asked with her eyes closed.

Of course, he couldn’t scold her and make her believe everything was fine. They had been together for so much time to know when the other one was worried about something.

“Yes, he’s very fine. They say it’s all normal now. But, you know… You’re not an ordinary pregnant and the doctors are worried because they don’t know if this represents a danger for the baby or you” Spike explained as serenely as he could.

“I see” Twilight replied with drooping ears.

There was an awkward silence. Twilight covered her belly with both her hooves, her eyes watering.

“The painkillers they gave me caused me very sleepy. But I didn’t want to fall asleep. They said when I woke up I would be better, but I was afraid that if I fell asleep, when waking up I would no longer have the baby with me”

Twilight’s voice broke and Spike quickly embraced her softly.

“I was so scared…” She muttered in his chest.

“There, there. Everything will be fine. I have faith in you. Everything will be just fine”

Five and half months of pregnancy

Dragons take between a month and a month and a half to hatch their eggs depending on the species. The pregnancy period of ponies is eleven months. So no one really knew what to expect from Twilight’s pregnancy and at all times they took the highest precautions. But no one was ready for what happened that day.

From the east tower of the castle of Canterlot, loud cries were heard…

“We cannot sacrifice this miracle of nature just because things look difficult!” A doctor yelled.

“If I have to choose between my daughter and my grandson, though it hurts my soul, I choose my daughter!” Mr. Duck shouted, who was present.

“What kind of doctors are you, you bunch of useless? Did you receive your diplomas at the ‘I was asleep while seeing the embryonic process’ university? How didn’t you realize this?!” Luna shouted full of anger.

“Why are we arguing about this? There isn’t an impossible decision to make. If we don’t take the baby from her, they’re both going to die. It’s that simple” That cynical doctor said.

“You’re not taking my baby from me!” Twilight shouted.

“Twilight, my daughter, you must do it or you’ll die! Tell her something, Spike!” Violet Star begged him.

“Her condition isn’t going to get better. That’s sure” Another doctor said.

“Don’t listen to them, Twilight! I know you can do it! Spike, support her too!” Cadence shouted.

“SHUT UP! SHUT UP YOU ALL!” Spike finally intervened in the discussion.

They all fell silent, looking at the dragon.

“Get out of here. Everyone, leave us alone!” He ordered, pointing to the door.

The doctors retired, almost stumbling against each other. The in-laws and the princesses tried to speak, but Spike gave them a fulminant look that quelled their desire to talk and they turned to the door, everyone but Celestia.

“You too… Mother” The dragon said.

“Just a moment Spike, please” She said, getting closer to her student.

“Princess, please… Don’t let this happen to us. There must be something you can do… Please, I don’t want to lose my baby!” Twilight begged, who remained lying on her bed to lessen her pain.

“Twilight, my dear and beloved student. There is very little I would not do or sacrifice for you. But sadly there are things that not even I can do for you or anyone. And some of that is to interfere with the wishes of the will of universe. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for you both and your son, but this is the reality. It’s your destiny and you must accept it or it will destroy you”

“Are you asking me to accept what the doctors told me? Are you asking me to let my baby die?” Twilight asked devastated.

“I’m afraid I am. Otherwise you are going to die too”

Twilight’s ears drooped, she lowered her head and there was silence. The tension in the air was so dense that the air was stiflingly overwhelming.

“You… You… You’re a hypocrite! You’re useless!” Twilight yelled, full of anger, which surprised the princess and Spike.

“You’re worthless. I can’t count on you for anything. You said that you would help us! That you would look after us every moment and look where we are and where we’ve been! Some thugs almost buried us alive in Ponyville, my own brother was a traitor who conspired for months in front of your face and he almost killed Spike without you even knowing about it at all. And now I’m about to lose my baby and you say I must accept it because you can’t do anything. WHAT A NOVELTY!”

“Twilight, I’m sorry, but I can’t change the laws of life and death” Celestia said in her defense.

“Are you deaf too?! This isn’t only about your inability to save my son. Did you ever do a good work in your role of Spike’s ‘mother’? Where were you when he almost died by that dragon of the Everfree forest?! Where were you when he undertook his dangerous journey of self-discovery?! Where were you when he lost control and became a monster?! At least I don’t have to ask what you were doing while Spike was fighting for his life against Shining and his thugs. You were ignorant of where you were needed”

“Twilight… Please, stop” Celestia said weakly, for each question hurt her like a thorn nailed to her heart.

“Twilight, don’t talk like that” Spike tried to stop her.

“No, Spike, she has to know this! What about your role as the ruler of this kingdom? What a protector of justice you are! You sent a lot of helpless ponies so they would fight the god of chaos, who you keep in a dungeon under the castle as if you were waiting for the bastard to break free again! You were unable to realize your niece had been replaced by an impostor, EVEN when I warned you! And what did you do? You turned your back on me and scolded me, who you always had in the highest degree of esteem and confidence! And when the disaster was manifested, you were again unable to solve the problem and you sent us again to do your work. You forbid the use of black magic or experimentation, but you know it very, very well… You imprisoned your own sister in the moon for a thousand years!” Twilight shouted with all her strength.

Celestia tore up and ran faster than she had ever run in her life. She had to escape, get out of there, for she couldn’t take that torture for another second. As soon as she left, Twilight started hyperventilating and covered her belly with her hooves, for she felt strong spasms that caused her a lot of pain.

“Twilight, calm down. Breathe, breathe deeply” Spike said.

He was very worried about Celestia, but now nothing mattered more than Twilight.

“Spike… Don’t let them take him from me…” Twilight tried to speak between her gasps.

“Don’t let them take my son from me! Our son! Please, you’re the only one I can count on!” She begged, her eyes shedding tears.

“Please, I’ll do whatever you want! I’ll change each and every one of his diapers. I'll take him to school… We… We’ll name him Sephiroth like you wanted. But please, don’t let him die!”

Spike remained silent and took Twilight’s hoof between his claws. In that moment, she knew he wouldn’t support her in that decision.

“Twilight, my love, my queen, my life. We tried… No one can say we didn’t try, but the will of universe has issued its vote. We can’t be against it”

She knew very well what he meant.

“Trying is only a gentle form to name failure. I’ have failed. I have failed you, our baby and myself. Everyone”

“No, Twilight. It’s neither your fault nor Celestia’s nor anyone’s. So many wonders have happened to us that sooner or later, some disgrace would happen. I would give anything to change this situation, but I can’t. I’m not so powerful” He said, hugging her with relative strength, as Twilight cried in his chest.

They were silent for a moment.

“You asked me if I could be happy in a marriage without children. Yes, Twilight, I will be happy in a marriage without children. Because my wife is you. Because my life is you. My queen, my goddess. I can’t imagine the pain you must be suffering right now for going through this. But neither you nor anyone can do anything, Twilight. Acruz is just five and a half months old and taking him until now has physically and emotionally worn you down too much. You won’t survive… You won’t survive and neither will he. If I have to bury my son who I will never know… I will. But don’t ask me to bury you with him. Save yourself!”

There was silence again.

“Promise me this won’t affect your feelings about me. Promise me you will still be by my side. Promise me you will love me forever” Twilight whispered, rubbing her face against the dragon’s chest.

It was over. She had lost and there was nothing else she could do. She knew it and felt stupid for thinking it would end any other different way.

“I will never go anywhere. I’ll always be here for you. I’ll always be by your side to look after you, to read with you, to dance with you, to love you. To love you forever” He said, stroking her mane.

And for the first time in the day, Twilight smiled.

“It’s fine… Help me climb on my wheelchair. We have to go to the hospital”

Spike was walking through the gardens of the palace with a very specific direction. In a corner of the garden, surrounded by red roses, there was a cherry tree full of flowers. Under its branches, there was the figure of the goddess of the sun, who looked miserable and unhappy. No one had seen her so unhappy since that fateful day she sent her sister to the moon.

“Mother” Spike muttered when he got closer to the princess.

She hadn’t noticed his arrival. She turned around ashamed, hiding her uncontrollable tears.

“Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be with your wife?” She said weakly.

“I now can’t do anything for her. I decided to go when it was needed. What Twilight said… It wasn’t something she actually thought. She only said it because she was devastated”

“But it’s true. I’m useless… I’m a terrible ruler”

“If that was true, Equestria wouldn’t be internationally known for its great prosperity, economic and social stability, its history of art and magic and technological development. You're a great monarch, Celestia. But you’re not a warrior and that’s not your fault” He replied.

“What about the times I was absent when you needed me?” She asked, this time turning to see him.

Spike was surprised to see the princess. Never in his right mind would he have thought he would live to see Celestia look so miserable.

“Everyone thinks you’re omnipotent and almighty. But you and I know that’s not true. Those who have only seen your mask think you’re a goddess. But the truth is you’re only half way and that has nothing wrong. You do your best, you give yourself body and soul and you provide security and happiness to everyone to exhaustion. But you can’t alleviate all the pains of the world by yourself. I accepted that. You should too, because there’s nothing wrong with that and it’s part of the wonderful pony you are” He answered warmly.

Celestia wiped her tears.

“Spike, why are you being so nice to me? Why do you still call me your mother after all the times I’ve failed you?”

Spike got closer to the princess and hugged her, enveloping her with his wings too. A gesture that surprised the goddess of the sun, but she didn’t resist at all.

“Because though you’re not really my mother, you are and will always be one of the most important ponies in my life. I love you and I always will. And Twilight will love you too, though she isn’t in her best moment to prove it. You haven’t failed anyone, Celestia” He whispered to her ear.

Celestia giggled in glee and rubbed her face against the dragon’s neck.

“Isn’t it incredible? Twenty two years ago, you were a baby who was crying in my chest in stormy nights. Today you’re the wise who holds me in your arms as I tremble like a filly afraid of the dark” She said, laughing at her own irony.

Without knowing what to answer, Spike only could remain silent.

“Promise me from now you'll never call me your mother or think about me as such. But also… Never forget I have flaws like everyone else, that I can be weak and be wrong. And that you will be there to support me when I need your strength and wisdom. But especially, promise me you’ll never stop loving me for who I really am and not for who many people sees me” She said, separating from him to look at his eyes.

Spike smiled and nodded.

“I swear, but again you're wrong about something. You’re not only my friend. You’re my family. And I’ll always love you as such” He said, kissing her on her forehead, lovingly.

“Thank you, Spike. I love you too. And I thank you for all you've done for me, which is more than you can imagine. But now there’s someone else who needs you. And you had better be by her side when she wakes up”

Spike’s smile faded when he concentrated again on his other problem.

“I know. I’ll go see her. I’ll see you tomorrow”

Spike released the queen from his wings and arms and flew back to the castle. Celestia hugged herself with a warm smile on her lips.

“Thank you, Spike. Thank you so much”

The rays of the rising sun filtered through Twilight’s bedroom weakly, but they wouldn’t be enough to wake up the exhausted sorceress. At ten o’clock, Twilight finally opened her eyes, feeling an unpleasant discomfort on her belly. When she ran that part of her body with her hooves to relieve the pain, she stopped short when she felt the lump of her pregnancy had gone and in its place, she felt the texture of bandage under her hospital gown.

“Twilight?” She heard Spike’s voice, who was coming from the bathroom.

Twilight looked at her husband and a short while after when they only heard the pacemaker of the machine she was connected to, she started crying. Without thinking twice Spike approached the bed and took his wife into his arms, stroking her hair.

After what seemed an eternity, Twilight finally stopped crying and Spike laid her on the bed, though Twilight asked him to let her use his lap as a pillow. They spent another eternity like that while Spike was stroking the sorceress’ mane.

“My love?” Spike asked.

“Yes, my heaven?” She answered, still tired by her operation.

“How does it sound to you a second honeymoon for our third anniversary?” He asked.

Twilight looked at her husband surprised for an instant before answering.

“Where do you want to go?” She finally answered.

“Whenever you want”

Twilight smiled and extended her right arm, asking her husband to get his face closer to kiss him sweetly on his lips.

“Let me think” She muttered, falling asleep again a moment later.

Spike smiled and planted another kiss on his wife’s forehead.

“I’m here for you, Twilight. I’ll always take care of you. I’ll always love you” He whispered to her.

Author's Notes:

Please, people. Post your comments. Poor Twilight :(