As Spike and his crew, including the new Monquistadors who joined his crew headed towards the path to the ruins, Ember was panting and said, "Spike, let's take a rest. I don't feel that well."

Spike nodded, "We're in a jungle, I'm certain we've been bitten by something."

As they sat down to rest, Ember ran over to the nearby river and started puking. "I think I might have caught some sort of stomach bug. Or the plague!" before continuing to throw up.

Spike was incredibly worried about her and said, "That's enough, we're heading back to the ship. Treasure can wait, I'm more concerned with the health and well-being of my crew."

As they made their way back to the ship, they had to stop every once in a while, to let Ember empty her stomach.

When they made their way to the Water Moles, the witchdoctor from earlier gave Ember a once over and asked Spike, "My friend, may I have a word with you in private?"

Spike was concerned when the witchdoctor asked to speak in private, and nodded, following him to a private area, "Give me the truth, is she sick?"

The witchdoctor shook his head, "In a way, yes, but also no. She's pregnant, it's just morning sickness."

Spike's eyes widened when the Water Mole told him Ember was pregnant. He ran over to Ember hugging and kissing her, "We're becoming parents!" he yelled happily, kissing Ember on the lips over and over.

Ember's eyes widened just as much as Spike's did, and squealed in excitement, of course taking a break to puke again. "Oh Spike, I'm so happy! Even though I feel sick to my stomach, I've never been happier!"

Rainbow Dash smiled and hugged Ember, "Congrats you two, you'll be fine parents."

Twilight had been notified by Time Turner and came to check on them and when she heard Ember was pregnant, she spoke, "Spike, I believe it's best if we return to Equestria. The open skyways are no place for a pregnant woman, let alone her child."

Spike nodded, "Of course, I completely agree. The treasure won't be going anywhere without a map. Let's get going." before shaking the Water Mole witchdoctor's hand, "Thank you for letting us know what's happened to Ember. We're very grateful." before returning to the ship with his crew. "Ember, you can stay in my quarters, you'll need some privacy between the morning sickness and cramps."

Ember kissed Spike's cheek, "Thank you my love, it'll be great to be with you and our child."

Spike went to get his idrningite necklace, and immediately contacted his aunt Luna, "Auntie, can you get mother on the line? I have news I want to share with both of you."

Luna nodded, and called her sister into the room. When Celestia saw her son, she smiled, "Hello dearie. To what do I owe this call? You've only been away for a few weeks, I'm surprised to hear from you so soon."

Spike couldn't stop smiling as he said, "Mother, you're going to be a grandmother! Ember and I are expecting a child!"

Celestia's eyes widened before she squealed in excitement, "Oh my darling son, I'm so happy for you! You'll be a great father, I know it, I just know it!"

Luna winced from her sister's loud squeal and said, "Congratulations Spike. I assume you're contacting us to tell us you're returning to Equestria to make Ember's next nine months a bit more comfortable?"

Spike nodded, "Yes, I don't want Ember or our unborn child getting hurt in a life of piracy, so I'm coming home for a good while. I do need to request that you send some ships from the navy to Skull Island to deal with the clockworks. Any Valencian ship that has living beings are really clockworks with disguising technology."

Celestia nodded, "Of course. I hope to see you soon." before disconnecting the call.

Spike told Twilight, "Twilight, you know the drill, get us back to Canterlot. For now, I'm staying with Ember in my quarters. Don't interrupt me until we reach the castle's private docks."

Twilight nodded, "Of course Spike." before going back to the wheel and going towards the Stormgate back to Equestria.

Three weeks later...

Spike's ship had made it to the royal docks, and Rainbow Dash knocked on Spike's door saying, "Spike, we've arrived at the castle's private docks, and the castle matrons have arrived to help Ember get to the infirmary."

Spike got up from his bed while Ember was still sleeping, holding her bridal style and walking onto the docks with her in his arms. He followed the castle matrons to the infirmary and laid her down gently on one of the beds. As he walked back to the docks, his mother came running up to him and hugged him, "Oh my sweet little boy! Your father would be so overjoyed, even more than he would be with you earning your wings! I'm so happy!"

Spike was caught off guard by his mother and said, "Mom, choking, not breathing!" before muttering to himself, "And she wonders why I ran off..." before catching his breath as she released him, "I must admit, I'm happy, but I'm also terrified. I'm not even 30 and I'm becoming a father. How did father react when you told him you were pregnant?"

Celestia giggled, "He suffered three heart attacks that day, but it was the best day of his life."

Spike chuckled at the thought of his late father having three heart attacks when his mother told him she was pregnant and was slightly glad that he hadn't had a single heart attack, yet at least. "Well, I hope I don't keel over, I'm excited to be a father, but in a way, I'm still a kid myself."

Celestia kissed her son's forehead, "I know it's frightening, but having you was the best day of my life since I met your father. I just wish he was here to celebrate with us. He would be so happy to be a grandfather."

Spike smiled, "Yeah, he would. Even though he's not with us, he'll always be here in spirit and love."

Celestia nodded, "Indeed he is. I do miss him, but the memories will never fade away."

And so, Spike has put off his treasure hunt once more, but for an extremely great reason. Ember's apparent stomach bug is actually morning sickness from being pregnant with Spike's child. Returning to Equestria, Spike and Ember are excited yet terrified of becoming parents. Celestia is overjoyed at becoming a grandmother, and she knows her late husband would be just as happy. But with a growing war with the Valencians, will Spike be able to keep his child safe and sound?

To be continued...

Next Chapter: Stress Relief (Part 1) Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 5 Minutes