It had been about a week since the incident with the Sahagin, and Spike had fully recovered from his injuries. Not only that, but Morgan and Penelope had gathered some red and black Orichalcum Stones. It was about time for them to return to Equestria, not only to research the stones, but to tend to Lucy, who was pregnant with Spike's second child.

As Spike exited his room in the Seaquestrian castle, Skystar swam up to him, "So, I guess we're leaving for the surface?"

Spike nodded, "Yeah, I do need to return to the surface. I've got a daughter to take care of and another child coming on the way."

Skystar smiled, "It'll be interesting for me to return to the surface, it's been years since I've been there."

Spike smiled back, "Then it should be fun to see new world."

As they surfaced, Skystar transformed into a hippogriff as she stepped onto dry land. Looking around at the beach around her, stricken by the sights she saw, "Wow, it's nothing like back home."

"Yeah, the surface is different. It took me some time to get used to it." Penelope explained, since she too was born under the sea.

As they talked, they walked back to the train and headed back to Equestria. As the train went down the tracks, Spike thought to himself. He knew Aurora wanted to take after him, but he also knew she deserved grow up with a normal childhood. Growing up was nothing to miss, something he was well aware of.

As he fell asleep, he whispered to himself, "Forgive me Aurora, but you deserve a true childhood." before dozing off and dreaming of Aurora as a baby again, with his Orichalcum Eye glowing once more. When they reached the station in Canterlot, Ember was waiting for them.

Ember was carrying their baby girl in her arms, once again turned into her natural age, "So, you made up your mind? I support you with any choice you make Spike."

Spike smiled, "Thank you Ember, I know Aurora wanted to follow in my footsteps, but she deserves an actual childhood."

"I completely agree Spike, it wouldn't be the same without true childhood memories."

As they returned to the castle, Celestia came up to them and said, "Spike, Ember informed me about Aurora, and I think you made the right choice. But I have one major concern. You ran away from home because of the boring life of royalty. Are you truly ready to come back, even if it is as a father and not a prince?"

Spike spoke, "To be honest, I'm not sure. I know my heart is happiest in the skies, but I can't risk Aurora's safety by taking her with me, and I don't want her to resent me for not being around while she grows up."

Celestia kissed her son's forehead and said, "Exactly what I thought you would say. Which is why I've ordered an upgrade to your new ship. I've outfitted it with a Chrono-Emerald. They're very rare, and it cost nearly a million bits to have it outfitted to your new ship, but when it comes to family, price is no object."

Spike's eyes widened when his mother told him she not only got him a new ship, but that it was outfitted with a Chrono-Emerald. The Chrono-Emerald would allow his ship to literally teleport from place to place, which meant he could still be a pirate while being heavily involved in Aurora's childhood, "Thank you so much, mother, that means more to me than anything."

Ember giggled, "Well then, why don't we get our little girl, and ourselves, something to eat? Lucy is waiting for you too. I assume she already told you she's pregnant."

Spike nodded, "Yes, she did. I should have known she was when she snapped out of her heat cycle after that single night."

They returned to the castle, with Ember giving Aurora her bottle to drink from and the others sat down to eat their meals.

As the day went on, Spike played with Aurora, introducing her to other children to help her make friends.

Later that night...

Spike stood on the balcony of the castle's highest tower, wondering about his next move. He knew he could visit Aurora any time he wished, but still wasn't sure about leaving Ember and Lucy behind at the castle without him. "My heart belongs to many women, but I've never felt freer than I do when I'm at the skies..."

Suddenly, Luna spoke from behind him and said, "Perhaps that is where you truly belong. We all have a place in the world, and perhaps your place is out in the open skies."

Spike smiled, "Thank you auntie Luna. I do have a question. Have you ever considered coming out of retirement?"

Luna chuckled, "There are days where I wonder what my life would be like if I didn't retire. Perhaps I could have pursued a relationship with Astral Shadow, or maybe I could have found an ancient relic of importance to history. There were so many things I wondered about. But when I learned your father died, I felt like I betrayed my family. I wasn't there for my sister in her time of grief, and I never forgave myself for that. But these days, I think retirement is where I belong."

Spike smiled with his eyes closed, "Thank you auntie. I think you've helped me make up my mind. I'm not retiring, not yet. I've discovered a lot about myself, my strengths and weaknesses, my fears and hopes, but there's so much more to discover. I don't think I've discovered who I truly am, not yet. When I retire, I want to know for sure who I really am."

Luna ruffled her nephew's hair and said, "Spoken like a wise man, you've made your mother so proud, and I know your father would be even more proud than the day you were born. I'm going to sleep. I would suggest you get some rest. Being tired when you head back to the skies won't be healthy. Good night, Spike." before heading back towards her room."

Spike smiled at his aunt before making his way back to his own room to get some sleep, thinking to himself, "I may not have discovered everything about myself, but I do know this, I'm my father's son, a prince of Equestria, a famed pirate, and a proud man. I am Spike, the Black Rose Dragon Prince."

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