Spike had just finished his fencing lesson with his teacher Starlight Glimmer. When he got his last point, he took off his helmet, bowed and said, "Another good lesson Starlight."

Starlight removed her helmet as well, "You're always getting better Prince Spike. Soon enough, you won't need me to teach you anymore. Your mother has really raised you as a fine young man."

Spike mumbled under his breath, "Perhaps too fine." but then said aloud, "Yes, she has. Thank you for the lesson. I suppose I'll see you next week." Spike went to meet his mother and aunt for lunch and sat down at the table, "Good afternoon mother. Good afternoon Aunt Luna."

Celestia smiled at her son, "Good afternoon my darling prince."

Spike sighed and started cutting his meat and eating. After a few bites, he said, "On second thought, I'm not that hungry. I'm going back to my tower."

Before Celestia could respond to him, he was out the door and headed to his room. She sighed, "Why can't I get through to him? He's royalty, and one day he won't be a prince anymore, he'll be the King of Equestria. Why can't I get him to see that I want him to be a good king?"

Luna held the bridge of her nose between her fingers and said, "I'll talk to him." and headed up to Spike's tower bedroom. "Spike, are you alright?"

Spike had his face down in a pillow and mumbled, "No. Aunt Luna, sometimes I wish I wasn't born into royalty. My mother never lets me have any sort of fun. I just want to be a normal kid, not King of Equestria."

Luna sat down by Spike on his bed, "You know Spike, I was the same way when I was a child. Even though your mother was in line to the throne, I was a tomboy, and our father didn't approve. You want to know how I made him see that being who you are is the right thing to do?" She whispered into Spike's ear, "I ran away. Back during my youth, before I returned home, I was a pirate. Those were my glory days."

Spike looked up from his pillow and said, "You, a pirate? I never would have guessed that."

Luna put a hand on her nephew's shoulder, "I'll help you escape. You should be allowed to be who you want to be. I'll have everything planned. My guards have the night shift, and I'll relieve them of their duties or pay them off so you can go where I went when I ran away, Skull Island."

Spike's eyes widened, and they were filling with tears as he hugged his aunt, "Thank you Aunt Luna!"

Luna kissed her nephew's forehead and said, "For now, just act normal, so your mother doesn't get suspicious. I'll come get you when I'm ready."

As Spike's daily routine continued, Luna plotted. She packed a trunk for Spike, things he would need as a pirate, her old daggers from when she was a pirate, her map of the skyways, and much more. When night fell and Celestia had gone to sleep, she went into Spike's room, "It's time. Your mother's fast asleep. Hurry."

Luna and Spike hurried to the lower docks by the side of the castle. These docks were for escape purposes, in case the royal family had to flee the castle for their safety. As Spike got in one of the skiffs, he waved goodbye to his aunt. "Thank you, Aunt Luna! You'll be in my heart!"

Luna waved goodbye as well, "Take care Spike! When you get to Skull Island, find Captain Avery and tell him that The Moon Lily sent you! Good luck!"

Spike traversed the skies all the way to Skull Island. When he made landfall, he got off his ship and looked around, taking a deep breath. He smiled, "I'm free! I'm finally free!"

As Spike celebrated his freedom in Skull Island, back in Equestria, Queen Celestia was having a meltdown. "Where could he possibly be!? He's not anywhere in the castle! Oh, my darling prince is gone!"

The guards tried to console the sobbing queen, "Your majesty, I'm sure he's fine! The prince has bested many of the knights in fencing class! He can take care of himself!"

Luna walked over to her sobbing sister and hugged her lightly. "Sister, I found this note under Spike's pillow. He says he's gone to Skull Island, to find out who he truly is."

Celestia's eyes widened, "Skull Island!? The most dangerous pirates frequent that area! My sweet boy can't survive there on his own! Guards, summon the crew of the HMS Pinafore! I want them to bring my son home safely!"

Luna's eyes widened when Celestia wanted the crew of the HMS Pinafore. That crew was made of the greatest naval officers in Equestria. Spike might have trouble if he faced them in battle. She tried to convince her sister, "Dear sister, Spike will be fine. He needs to clear his head. I'm sure he'll come back home safe and sound."

Celestia shook her head, "My mind is made up. I'm not letting those pirates rob my son blind and leave him for dead on some uncharted island in the skies."

"Your majesty! The crew of the HMS Pinafore is at your service!" a young woman called out as six young women made their way up to Queen Celestia. "The guard filled us in. My crew and I shall find Prince Spike and return him here safely your highness."

Celestia sighed in relief, "Thank you Twilight Sparkle. I will be able to sleep soundly at night knowing you will bring the prince back safe and sound."

Luna tried to think of a way to stop Twilight and her crew from going on Spike's trail. "Well, I suppose if the HMS Pinafore is going, there'll be no trouble."

Twilight nodded, "Of course Princess Luna. I thank you for your confidence."

As the crew left, Luna hurried to her room and took a necklace with a green gem from her jewelry box. She had given Spike an identical one when he left. She rubbed the green gem and said to it, "Spike, can you hear me?"

Spike looked at the necklace he was given by his aunt, "Aunt Luna!? What's wrong? I didn't think I'd hear from you so soon."

Luna told Spike the situation, "Your mother has sent the HMS Pinafore's crew to return you safely to Equestria. You must disguise yourself; you will stick out like a sore thumb as a prince in a pirate's den. Good luck dear nephew."

Spike gulped, "The HMS Pinafore is coming for me? I must hurry to Captain Avery."

Next Chapter: Birth of the Black Rose Dragon Estimated time remaining: 5 Hours, 13 Minutes