//------------------------------// // Denial // Story: A Dragon Grieving // by Cinnamon Aurora //------------------------------// A few moons have passed since Twilight ordered Spike to stay at Luster Dawn’s side, as curious as he was to know what has become of her; he remained at the Castle in Canterlot. The more the days went by the more Spike worried, so he sent a letter to Celestia. It didn’t take too long for a response. He was filled with even more worry when Celestia’s letter said that neither she nor Luna has seen Twilight since she visited with them. He sent a letter to Cadence and to the others in Ponyville too, who replied in the same manner. After Twilight lost the last of her five closest friends, no one has heard from her. But since he promised to stay with Luster Dawn in Canterlot, all he could do was wait for news from anypony.  The news came about a week later in the form of Celestia sadly walking up the walk of the throne room. “Spike, we know what happened to Twilight.” “Is she out on a long trip to solve a friendship lesson? She’ll be back soon, right?” Spike jumped up to meet Celestia.  “Spike… it truly pains me to say this but, Twilight isn’t coming back.”  “You mean she’s on an extended stay… right? Where did she go? Manehattan?”  “Spike.” A single tear slides down Celestia’s cheek. “Twilight poisoned herself. She’s not coming back. She can’t come back.” Spike stood there in shock as he felt Luster Dawn pat him on the back. “No. No, that can’t be right. Twilight wouldn't do that, Celestia. You go on back to Silver Shoals. Luster Dawn and I have everything under control here.” “Spike…” Celestia starts before she is cut off by Spike. “I insist. Everything will be okay here.”  Celestia starts to head off, but not before waving Luster Dawn over to her with a wing. She bends down to whisper in the ear of the unicorn. “You’ll keep an eye on him, won’t you?” Luster Dawn nods sadly. “You can count on me.” “Thank you, Luster Dawn. He’ll really need a friend once this sets in.” “You can count on me. But… What does this mean for Equestria?” Luster Dawn asks. “It means my sister and I will have to come out of retirement. But for now, I really must go. Goodbye, Luster Dawn."  "Goodbye Celestia." Luster Dawn waved goodbye as Celestia walked off. When she turned around, she noticed that Spike had suddenly started cleaning. "Spike? What are you doing?" "This castle is absolutely filthy."  Luster Dawn looked around at the surroundings which practically sparkled. "Really? We just cleaned yesterday." "Yeah but…" Spike stalled. "But look!" He lets out a puff of fire, lightly burning part of a tapestry behind the throne. "Oops! I'm so clumsy. I should go get this fixed!"  Before Luster Dawn could say anything, Spike carefully took down the tapestry and ran off. She sighed. "This is going to be harder than I thought." She thinks to herself before leaving to follow him, maintaining a careful distance to not get caught.  She followed Spike to Canterlot Boutique and was surprised to see that Amethyst stood in front of a mannequin hovering pins in her pale blue magic aura and focused on a beautiful golden dress that shimmered in the sunlight that was coming through the windows. As Spike opened the door, a little bell rang. "If you would give me just one moment?" Amethyst said as she sticks a pin in place carefully.  "Sure, take your time." Spike responded. "Spike! I'd know that voice anywhere. What brings you?" Amethyst set down her supplies and walked towards Spike. From the window, Luster Dawn watches.  “I had a bit of a sneezing fit from dust, and burnt this tapestry. I knew if anypony could fix it, it would be you.” Spike chuckled. ”I don’t know what’s gotten over me, I’ve been so clumsy lately.” He handed over the tapestry that he held in his claw. “It’s not a lot of damage, but I thought I could get it to you while I was out enjoying the fresh air. I needed to get away from all of that dust, you know?” Amethyst nodded. “I understand, Spike, there are some days I just want to get out of the shop too. Nothing is wrong with that.” She hovered the tapestry out from Spike’s claw and set it on a table. “Well it looks like the design on it was spared. Luckily I have some of the same materials the burnt tassels are made from. I can get this fixed in no time. Feel free to look around.” As she went to work, Spike took his time both admiring Amethyst’s work, and looking over some of the remaining few dresses that Rarity made in her last moments.   “Amethyst?” Spike speaks up into the silence. “How are you?” Spike carefully holds part of a particularly beautiful dress with roses stitched into the hem. The dress is small, sewn with care for a young filly.. “What do you mean Spike?” She glances over at the dragon and notices the dress he’s looking at. “Oh-” She sets the repair materials down and walks over to Spike’s side. “Honestly, Spike. I still miss her every day. That is the one dress I am always going to keep. I take it with me anytime I have to visit a shop outside of Ponyville. She made it for my Cute-ceañera after I designed it myself. She wanted to surprise me.” She looks up at the dragon to see a sad frown on his face. “Spike? What’s wrong?” Spike noticed the unicorn looking up at him in concern and quickly cleared his throat and put on a smile. “Nothing is wrong! Everything is fine here. Just fine and dandy. How is the tapestry coming along?” Amethyst rolled her eyes in disbelief but went along with it anyway, not wanting to force Spike to talk about anything he didn’t want to. She walks back over to the table. “I just have to remove and replace this fringe since I recreated it.” Her horn began to glow, as she replaced the burnt fringe with the new one. “Really, Spike, You should be more careful where you aim your sneezes.” She quickly makes a few touches on the tapestry before hovering it back over to him. “I don’t have any fabrics that are resistant to dragon fire.”  “I know.” Spike blushed sheepishly. “I’ll be more careful next time. I promise.” As Spike started to head for the door, Luster Dawn dove into a bush just in time to avoid being spotted.  As she sighed with relief she looked to her right to see that she had startled a skunk and it was starting to raise its tail at her. “AHH!” She screamed and teleported away just in time to avoid being caught, but unfortunately she teleported right on top of Spike who fell over in surprise. “Oof! Oh pony feathers…”  “Holy guacamole! Luster Dawn? What are you doing?” Spoke got to his feet first then quickly helped Luster Dawn to her hooves. “You weren’t following me were you?” “Following? Me? Follow you?” She scoffs. “I would never. Why would I do something like that? It’s just such a beautiful day, I thought I would go outside.” Spike just stares at her, crossing his arms. She sighs. “Okay, I was following you. I told Celestia that I would keep an eye on you.” “Why would she want that? I’m fine. Everything is fine.” Spike helps brush the dirt off of Luster Dawn’s coat and walks towards the castle.  “Spike, wait!” Luster Dawn quickened her pace to catch up to Spike’s long strides. “You need to talk to somepony.”  “No, I don’t. Everything is fine. I just have to clean the castle and go to Ponyville and see if anypony there needs help. Maybe you can come with me.” Spike walks faster, leaving Luster Dawn on the road. “Yeah, maybe.” She sighed and started to follow Spike at a slow pace. Maybe Spike will open up sometime. But it’s probably better she didn’t push it.