SO spike has been given the option MANY times by many dragons to come stay in the dragonlands and learn about his kind, and while has gone on trips to learn, he isnt really interested in living there. hes a house dragon through and through and is happy to be with his pony family and friends. he reads a lot about dragon history and smolder educates him the best she can, so hes not entirely clueless about his culture. now that spike is grown, he and Gabby live in their own little wing of the friendship castle, and they, alongside the whole sparkle family, also have a vacation home in the crystal empire.
Spike is still friends with Ember and has helped establish a postal service to the dragonlands with Gabby's help, this way he can stay in contact with the dragons that live there. Garble and him have gotten closer over the years because garble can be more genuine and kind when he doesnt have to face the person hes talking to. and smolder lives in ponyville with Ocellus and Gallus, who all feel more at home in equestria and are happy roommates. now that Ember is dragonloird and is well into her adulthood, she is much less available for friendship adventures, but she and spike meet often for political events, since he is a friendship ambassador and she is a ruler of one of the many kingdoms that are now allied with equestria.