Originally these drawings (or most of them) were meant to be seperate images, but in the end I decided to put them together, so I could have all the blurps and info dump in one place. Probs not gonna do this again or only if I make the drawings smaller and simpler (this image is so huge, my art program bearly survived).
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Anyways, let me introduce Spike's adoptive son, Ash.
1. Spike was visiting the Dragon Lands during hatching season, when Ember told him about a problem. There was an egg that refuse to hatch. Neither the heat of magma or the fire of dragons helped. No dragon came forward as the parent of the egg, Ember's theory that they may discarded it as "rotten" and she thought that sadly may actually be the case. Spike thought differently.
When he got older Princess Celestia told a bit more about his past. He was also an egg that refused to hatch and potentially the only outside force powerful enough to hatch him would be pony magic. Which thanks to Twilight worked.
Side note: Celestia didn't really explain more. Such as why she wasn't one who tried to hatch him. May or may not connected to a promise she made and wanting found a young powerful unicorn. But those are stay her secrets. For now at least.
Spike felt an urge to help the unhatched dragon. If others not given up on him, he shouldn't on this young one either. He hoped that as he has magic flames it may be hot and magical enough to help. While Ember happily let Spike have the egg she did warn him, if his plan works, as he will be the only one hatching the egg it's inevitable the young dragon will imprint on him. Spike was fine with it, but knew he have to ask a certian griffon.
Side note 2: First time showing of the size difference between Spike and Ember. Spike is 20+ years old during this time, while Ember almost 40.
2. Turns out Gabby was enthusiastic of the idea of becoming a mom, tho Spike had to be clear that it will only happen if he manages to hatch the egg.
3. Which turned out really hard and tiring, as Spike had to heat the egg as much as he could, day in and day out. Gabby tried to help him, but only really could do is be by his side.
During all of this, Twilight many time suggested that she may able to help and hatch it with her magic, but every time Spike refused, saying he can do it.
4.5. After days, inn the end his stuberness paid of and baby dragon, later named Ash, hatched, much to Spike tired joy.
Side note: Image 4 was unnecessary, I just wanted a first reveal of how Ash looks like.;)
6. Just a simple drawing of proud mama bird Gabby.
Ash was a happy scally baby boy~
7. Turns out if you hatch a dragon with your magic flames they may also end with magic flames too. That may end up having similar effects.
When they found about this, Twilight was probably on some important Princess of Friendship related meeting.
Later, together with Spike, she helped train Ash to use his flames.
Side note: I'm probably going to talk about this in a seperate drawing, but there's a headcanon connected to this, that I should mention here. Spike is no special magical breed of dragons. He got his magical flames, when young, anxious Twilight overloaded him with magic when she hatched him.
Hence why Ash also has magic.
8. And here we have another proud one. This time proud "grandma" Twilight. Just like when Spike was young, baby Ash also loved riding on Twilight's back.
Also, Twilight definitelly put the drawing on the fridge.
Side note: Sparkle's Seven suggested that Twilight and Spike's relationship is more sibling like. But honestly looking at it, with everything the seires showed, for me it felt more like a parental one.
Twilight hatched him and he as a newborn imprinted on her. The original plan was to be raised by somepony else (appointed by Princess Celestia), but the bond he created with Twilight was so strong it would have been cruel to severe it. So in the end Twilight was tasked to look after the dragon. Of course her parents helped raise him (I mean Twilight WAS just a kid after all).
9. And as a last one showing off kid Ash, here he is around the same age Spike was in the beginning of the show. Also, bodyshot cameo of Twilight's daughter, and older Morning Glory (who we see more of soonish). Just like his dad, Ash also ended up helping the young princess with friendship lessons.
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Aaaaand that's alll I think. For now, at least.
One more thing I have is that I may have plans who is Ash's biological father is, but still not sure if I go that route or leave it as a mystery.
This was long, both lenght and time wise. So there are probably mistakes, but if it's understandable than that's good enough for me.''''
Also super huge image, sorry about it.''''''''