There were very few things in the world that could cause the dragon known as Spike to worry. An invading army, no problem. A pack of Timberwolves attacking a village, child's play. However, when Twilight Sparkle, his partner under Princess Celestia's tutelage, locked herself in her room for days at a time he would admit to being concerned. It was for this very reason that the teenage dragon who stood a head above most stallions knocked on the door.
"Twilight. Is everything alright in there? You've been in there for 3 days straight from my count and Celestia is considering deducting points from your last test because of your poor hygiene." Spike stepped from the door and lifted 3 claws. She'll be out in 2 . . . 1. The door slammed into the wall leaving a clean impression with a hyperventilating Twilight standing in the doorway.
"Have to take shower. Must make sure I don't fail test." She nearly ran off but Spike had gripped her tail and got her attention. "Spike I nee-" He pressed a claw to her muzzle and chuckled a bit.
"That part about Celestia was a lie. Seriously, when will you stop falling for that." she blushed and looked away in embarrassment, "However, my dear self-proclaimed intellectual equal. You are in need of a very long shower and an explanation of what you have been doing." Twilight went to explain but he held up his claw, "Shower first."
(AFTER A MUCH NEEDED SHOWER)
The two of them sat in their kitchen and sipped some tea. "Spike do you remember the stories of Nightmare Moon?" he nodded "She was once Princess Celestia's sister but fell into darkness and tried to drown the world in eternal night. Celestia had to banish Nightmare Moon to the moon in order to stop her. It was said that she would come back a thousand years after her banishment and that day falls on the Rising of the Sun celebration. I've been checking and double checking all of my research but it looks like I'm right. Nightmare Moon will come back."
Spike just nodded his head and maintained eye contact. He sighed and rested his chin in his claw. "Even if you are right it's not like Celestia would lose to her. If she won before she'll win again."
"But Spike, Celestia had to use the elements of harmony to defeat her but I can't find anything on their location." Spike looked at one of the few ponies he truly cared for and saw absolute misery. He stood up and patted her head.
"If it makes you feel any better I will talk to Celestia about it tomorrow." She was about to protest but he silenced her, "You and I both agreed to go to the party that Moondancer decided to throw and no equal of mine would go back on their word. Now grab the gift and we'll go to the party. Afterwards I'll stop by the castle and tell her what you found." Spike got up and walked out of their house/library. The first time he had seen it he had laughed at the prospect of a dragon living in a building filled to the brim with flammable books. Now however, he only looked at it with a smile. It may not be home to him but it was the closest thing he had.
Thankfully Twilight was not a girly girl mare like the rest of Canterlot's residents so she was out in a couple of minutes. Spike bowed to her and offered her his claw which she accepted with a worried sigh. "Spike I really don't think we should waste our time on something like this considering what might be at risk. If I'm right than we can't afford to waste any time. Celestia needs to know about this now." He shook his head at her complete and utter idiocy.
"Twilight, do you think that you know more than Celestia?" It was a simple question which she didn't think about answering.
"Of course not, she is our teacher after all."
"Then did it occur to you that Celestia would already know about the warning signs." Once again Twilight was left blushing because Spike had once again pointed out something dreadfully obvious. "I'm not saying that Celestia is perfect Twilight; however, I do have a good deal of faith in her abilities otherwise I wouldn't be her student. You shouldn't assume that she is helpless Twilight. Celestia has defended the kingdom since long before we were both born."
"How is it that you always find a way to outthink me? It does get a little annoying at times."
"We dragons are very wise and powerful creatures that have terrorized other species for generations. It is no surprise that MY brilliance is greater than some mere pony." Spike finished off with an over the top noble accent. Twilight giggled a bit to which he smirked. "A blush and a giggle within the same hour. May I dare say that Twilight Sparkle is graduating from shut-in nerd to social nerd."
"Will you please stop, we're almost there."
"Just forget about the whole Nightmare Moon stuff for now and enjoy yourself. I promise that if there is a threat then I will personally deal with it." Twilight smiled and stared at her first true friend.
Thank you Spike. You really are amazing aren't you.
(LATER THAT NIGHT AFTER THE PARTY)
Spike made his way into Celestia's castle all the while receiving disgusted glances from the guards that he passed. He shook his head at the ignorance of the ponies that couldn't seem to remember that he had grown within the walls of canterlot. After passing a few more unpleasant individuals he had made it to Celestia's personal quarters. He knocked on the door and waited a few moments before a tired mare opened the door. "Spike please come in. To what do I owe this surprise visit?" He stepped past the door and crossed his arms while leaning against the wall.
"Simply put . . . Twilight is smarter than you give her credit for. She's already trying to track down the elements. I've managed to stop her from continuing but you of all ponies know how I feel about lying." Spike stared into her eyes and saw what others could never seem to acknowledge. She was tired and hurt. She had been for a thousand years and no one had been there for her. He placed his claw against her cheek and allowed it to warm her. "I hate doing this to her and I know you do to."
"She is the best hope for summoning the elements of harmony. If we were to tell her how much lies on her shoulders I fear how it would affect her mind. Spike, You are my most trusted friend and I would not ask this of you if I did not believe that it were absolutely necessary." Her voice was almost as silent as the wind but his dragon ears heard her words loud and clear. Spike hugged her head to his chest and felt her tears fall. It broke his heart to see such a strong mare cry but what else could she do? She was going to see her sister after a thousand years and they will have to fight again but this time there is the smallest chance that they could save Luna from her fate. But the only way to do that was to lie to her student that wanted to do nothing more than help.
"Celestia I want you to do me one favor." She pulled away to look him in the eyes,
"What is your favor Spike?"
"Believe that I'll do whatever it takes to reunite you with Luna. I swear on my honor as a dragon that I will not fail. You deserve this hope so just do that for me this once." It was brief but he thought he saw a light in her eyes.
"Spike I don't say this enough but thank you."
"Whatever, just make sure that the next time you cry it's because you're happy. I might be a powerful dragon but it kills my heart to see you in this much pain. Goodnight Celestia." He left her room and looked down at his claw wondering how he cold use his power to help save princess Luna. "This week is going to hurt so much."