Darkness fell upon Ponyville with the setting of the sun, and all around the town, there were ponies closing up their shops or homes, ready for a pleasant evening in before sleep. But, in the Golden Oak Library, things were less than happy. Twilight, sitting by a window, looked out onto the street, seeing it become more and more empty, before turning. She looked upon her number one assistant, Spike, as he quietly read a book on the other side of the room. The young unicorn let out a sigh at seeing him like this. He's still upset, even after everything I've changed in this situation. A look of sadness crossed her eyes as she looked to the ground. I've refrained from giving Owlowiscious the same kind of high praise that I did the first time around. I've let Spike now that he'll only be my assistant during the night. I even avoided giving Spike that job of getting that book, just so he doesn't have to go through that whole accidental burning thing. And yet...he's still unhappy. I know he was jealous, and he thought I was replacing him, but surely, this time, he knows I wouldn't do that...right? Looking up again, Twilight looked upon her young dragon friend, and noticed at this point that he'd been staring at the same page for the last few minutes.

Sighing, Twilight got off her chair and began walking over to him. It didn't take Spike long to notice this, but he soon got back to his book, trying hard to actually look as if he was interested in reading it. But Twilight knew better, and cleared her throat a little, gaining his attention.

"Is something wrong, Twilight?"

Putting on a small smile, Twilight responded.

"Actually, I was about to ask you that question."

Spike looked away from her, clearly uncomfortable with what had just been asked.

"It's...it's nothing."

Twilight frowned at that, taking another step forward.

"Spike...I know when something's bothering you. Please...you can tell me what it is."

But the drake kept his mouth shut, avoiding eye contact with her, lest this situation become more uncomfortable than it already was. Twilight let out a sigh at this.

"Is it Owlowiscious?"

Only now did Spike turn to her, shaking his head as he did so.

"No...no, I know he's not a problem. I can't be awake all the time and you need the help during the night. And I know you're not replacing me. You'd never do that."

Twilight raised an eyebrow, showing surprise at hearing that. To hear Spike say that...I wasn't expecting it. The first time, he was so worried I might abandon him, leave him. He thought the owl would come and take his place, that I had no further need of him. Now though...that doesn't seem to be the case. He's being honest with me about that, I know that much. Could it be that spending time with the fillies has changed him into accepting this? But...if that's the case...then what is he still upset for? Before she had a chance to ask the question, Spike looked right at her, answering it ahead of time.

"It's just...you don't seem to need me like before. You're doing all these things and...it's like I’m becoming less important to you."

Twilight stood there, mouth agape, with her mind frantic over those words. Less important? How could he possibly think that? But, like before, Spike answered her unspoken question.

"I...I know you love me. I know you think of me as family. I know I'll always have a place in your life. You've said it to me before and I believe you. But...sometimes...I feel like I'm just not...necessary. Like...like you would be no worse off if I weren't here."

There was a still silence between the two, with Spike almost looking as if he were about to break into tears. Twilight, by contrast, remained utterly expressionless, almost as if in shock. She looked at him, seeing nothing but honesty in his face, and a deep sadness. How...how could he ever think that? To have my life without Spike in it...that's not something I'd ever want. Steeling herself, Twilight took another step forward.

“Spike...you've been in my life longer than I can remember. You've been a trusted friend. You've always been there for me. I may do more things myself now, but do not ever think that as meaning that I don't need you in my life! You're important to me!"

The drake turned to her, his eyes still welling up.

"Am I? I know you love me...but how important could I possibly be to a pony who can do so much on her own?"

Melancholy filled Twilight's heart with those words. Does my approval really mean that much to him? Is my opinion of him really the only worth he thinks he has? Possibilities and ideas raced through Twilight's mind as this scenario played out before her, but, eventually, she focused on one thing and one thing only, and turned to the side. There, on the other side of the room, was a chest of drawers, safely locked up. Sighing, Twilight began to walk over to them. I wanted to wait until the right moment...but I guess...this will have to be it. Spike watched her, more than a little curious as to what she was doing, and watched as she used her magic to open the draws. Eventually, Twilight levitated a scroll from within, looking at it intently. The document Celestia gave me. I hope...I truly do hope this will make him understand. Turning back, Twilight walked over to her young friend, using her magic to levitate the scroll so that it was now hovering before him. Spike looked from the scroll to Twilight, a look of confusion across his face. Please, Spike. Take it...and understand. Eventually, Spike finally reached out, taking the scroll and carefully opened it up. There was a great deal of legal jargon upon the page he now read, but his eyes widened as he looked upon the title scroll itself.

"From the Canterlot...adoption registry?"

Spike looked up, seeing Twilight look back at him, bearing a look of worry, before getting back to the scroll, reading it aloud.

"After careful consideration, we at the registry have approved of the adoption request by Miss Twilight Sparkle of Ponyville. And so, from this day onwards, Miss Sparkle's charge, the young dragon, Spike, shall henceforth be known as Spike...Sparkle."

The unicorn's expression was a serious one. I've been planning this for a long time, even before the dragon incident. Shining was able to get it to Canterlot for me, and Celestia brought the response. It took longer than I thought, but still...it's done. Silence had fallen between the two once more during this, and Spike's hands dropped down, all while still clutching the scroll within it. He looked up at Twilight, staring at her intently, all while Twilight's mind raced as usual. Even in the years after this, I never took this action. Spike was always my assistant, and though I often professed him as family, I never acted upon it. I never took the action to make it official, to make him...one of mine. At this point, even Twilight was beginning to well up, and she raised a hoof, gently placing it upon Spike's shoulder as she spoke gently to him.

"You...you do matter to me, Spike. You are necessary. You are more than a friend to me. You're one of the most integral parts of my life. You're family. You're...you're my son. And now...everypony knows it."

But still, Twilight saw that the young dragon remained silent, staying in a state of shock and confusion over what had just occurred. Fear gripped Twilight's heart as she considered this. Have...have I done the right thing here? What if he gets angry because I didn't consult him? What if this pushes him further away? I couldn't bear that. Oh, please, Spike! Please know that I love you! But after much silence between the two, the drake finally moved. He looked up to Twilight, wherein the mare saw that the tears had finally begun to flow. Before she could react, he leapt forward, embracing her tightly, like he never wanted to let go. With tears now flowing down her own cheeks, Twilight dropped to her knees and wrapped him in her forehooves, holding him close. Oh, Spike! My son! I never showed you how much you meant to me in the first history. And I was a fool for it! But not this time! This time...I know what I should have done! Through her thoughts, Twilight heard the still-sobbing dragon begin to speak, his voice wobbling.

"I...I...I don't know what to say. I'm...I'm sorry! I shouldn't have...!"

But he was stopped form speaking by Twilight, who frowned slightly as she held him.

"Don't you dare. Don't you dare apologise! I'm the one who should be sorry! I never saw what was bothering you. And I should have done!"

Needless to say, this was something that continued for some time, each taking the blame for who was ultimately at fault for this brief rift that had occurred moments before. But, in the end, they simply stayed together, crying happily in each other's embrace for who knows how long. Eventually, the two parted, their eyes red and puffy from the tears that had emerged from them, and smiled warmly at each other. Raising a hoof, Twilight carefully patted the top of her newly-adopted son's head.

"You matter to me, Spike. Now and always. I hope...you understand that."

In stark contrast to how he had been acting before, Spike merely smiled back at that.

"I do, more than ever...Mom."

Another tear flowed down Twilight's cheek after hearing that. Mom. I never knew the word could sound so sweet. And with that, she broke out into yet another massive smile, reaching forward and planting a gentle kiss upon Spike’s forehead, before letting out a single sigh.

"I guess that, now...I just need to worry about what my parents are going to say about this."