"But I don´t want to go!"

"Come on now Spike, don´t be a spoiled baby..."

"I´m not a baby anymore!"

"You sure sound like one."

"Hihi Spikey-baby!"

"Girls!" an unicorn yells at the pranksters while the dragon cheeks blush in embarrassment.

"Spike, you need to take your nap."

"I don´t need to. I can stay aw-" he doesn't finish the sentence, he yawns and a puff of green smoke comes out of his mouth.

"Yes, you do. You have been delaying your rest for far too long, your body needs to rest."

"But if I go to sleep, who knows when I´ll wa-" his eyes close against his will. He feels a soft yellow hoof caressing his face.

"Look, this here a Golden Apple seeds, brought all the way from tah Griffon Kingdom. It is said they take a full two centuries to grow. Ah won´t be here to taste them so ah need yah to be there fer me."

The dragon opens a claws, taking the seeds. An orange hoof digs on the earth and the seeds are planted, still glowing even the dirt covers them.

"Now you need to sleep..."

"But I promised your mother I will always look out after you."

"You don´t need to worry, Spike. We have each other."

The dragon looks at the smiling mares. Their faces, so similar to another six faces.

"...okay."

He closes his eyes.

"Good night Uncle Spikey!"

"Good night Spike."

He sleeps.

******

The dragon wakes up and slowly leaves the cavern.

The pegasi guard was kind enough to move the clouds so the bright sun won´t hurt his eyes. He wasn´t expecting the parade thought. The entire of PonyCity was waiting for him, holding flags and balloons. The new mayor looks nervous, unsure how to act around him. He notices the traditional Apple freckles on his face and smiles.

He moves around the crowd that splits in half to let him walk. All the fillies and colts jump around him, excited to see their first dragon, their crusaders capes flowing with each movement. So many new faces, all too similar and yet different. A stallion with an hourglass Cutie Mark winks at him. He wonders if he knows him but before he can ask the stallion is gone.

The crowd leads him into Sweet Apple Acres. The royal guard is waiting for him, saluting him. The Library staff also awaits him. He chuckles, he remembers the old days when they were just him and the shy librarian; now there are over a dozen.

He reaches the tree, standing tall and bright, all its golden apples shining like the sun. The Princess awaits for him unders its shadow. Still young, still regal, still looking at him with those motherly eyes. He smiles at her and grabs an apple. It is said that the shiny surface of a Golden Apple reflects nothing but the truth. What looks back at him is a small baby dragon with bright green eyes.

He cries and the Princess leans on him, giving him the warm he needs.

He is happy.