As the night retreated, the stars died out their luminous lights. Princess Celestia's sun emerged, glowing gold like an enchanted medallion placed perfectly within the centre of the endless, blue sky. Everything about this morning was beautiful, the sun, the sky and the nature that surrounded the small town Ponyville. The residents of Ponyville began to awake from their soothing slumber, getting ready to start the day with their hopes high and spirits wild. Throughout the years, Ponyville has developed many changes such as Twilight's new home becoming the castle of friendship. Twilight's newest student, Starlight Glimmer, had been assigned to the Crystal Empire to bond with her first ever childhood friend, Sunburst. After a late night of studying, Twilight slept in.
Spike, however, got up early to prepare breakfast. The small and inferior dragon dragged himself out of his comfortable bed, scratching his scales and rubbing the sleep from within his emerald eyes as he let out a yawn of tiredness, snapping himself awake. Spike followed the confusing hallways around the castle, but somehow he always managed to find his way without any trouble. He entered the kitchen and grabbed a stool, reaching the ingredients to prepare Twilight's breakfast. As a baby dragon, it was difficult for him to make meals due to his size as well as cleaning the castle due to no magic. However, he always managed to pull through. The smell of cooked waffles with fresh strawberries filled the air with delight, the scent awoken Twilight from her restful sleep. Twilight let out a peaceful yawn, smiling as she got out of bed to go to the kitchen.
Spike poured himself a bowl of cereal and began munching away while being greeted by his best friend.
"Morning Spike!" Twilight greeted while taking a whiff of her breakfast placed on the table before her. "Wow Spike, that smells delicious."
Spike just simply scratched the back of his head and smiled towards her compliment. "Thanks! I hope you like it!"
Twilight took a bite, her face indicating the joy that she could taste. "Like it? I love it!" She stated. "Your cooking never fails to amaze me, Spike."
Spike blushed at her kind words and resumed eating his cereal. A few minutes passed and the two had finished their breakfast and Spike hungered for a conversation. "So Twilight, how did your studying go last night?"
Twilight gulped down the last remains of her breakfast and replied. "It went rather well," Twilight replied. "I managed to find a new and efficient way of transferring materials from one place to another. However, the library's a little messy so I'm gonna need you to clean up."
"Well, are you going to help me?" Spike stupidly asked without thinking.
"I'm sorry, Spike, but I have to go meet the girls. We have a whole day planned out and we're going for a picnic. Which reminds me, could you pack some of your tasty snacks while I get ready?"
Spike put on a false smile and lifted his claw for a thumbs up. "No problem." He said, hopping off his chair, preparing to make sandwiches, nachos and whatever he thought would go well with the picnic he was not a part of.
A few minutes passed and Twilight used her magic to place the picnic basket on her back, carefully balancing it as if she was an acrobat in the circus. She then levitated a list towards Spike. "Here you go Spike, today's chores." She smiled.
"Joy," Spike muttered quietly under his breath so Twilight couldn't hear. He looked at the list, he had a lot to do today.
Twilight headed towards the castle's front doors, ready to set off. She waved goodbye to her fellow assistant. "Bye Spike!" She said her farewell. "Remember to clean up the library." She smiled before heading at the castle's front double doors.
Spike waved his goodbye, his fake smile slowly dying down. The moment the castle was empty he let out a sigh in sadness as well as anger. "Left behind again." He mumbled to himself, dragging his feet towards the section that contained the library. This wasn't the first time Spike was left out. Of course, there was the day he wasn't invited to Twilight's birthday party in Canterlot, in fact, he very rarely got to attend to any of his friend's birthdays. There was also the time he was left out when meeting Pinkie's sister, also, the Cloudsdale competition where Rainbow Dash performed her legendary Sonic Rainboom that he never got to witness. But what really irritated him was when he saved the Crystal Empire and he wasn't invited to see the preparation of the Equestria Games. All the times Spike was left behind, all the times he did nothing but work. Was he really considered a friend towards Twilight and the others?
After Spike reached his way towards the Library, the room was covered in books, it was almost as if it was a battleground, a war with a tonne of books just stationed on the floor.
"Oh, come on Twilight!" He complained in a furious tone.
Spike didn't let any time go to waste, he made his way towards the first book, picking it up with both claws and again, let out a sigh. "It's not fair," Spike cursed. "I'm always left behind whenever Twilight gets given the opportunity to do something fun." His thoughts began to run wild, pondering at the many times he was left out. It was at this moment Spike began to grow some sickening thoughts, wondering if Twilight didn't see him as a friend, but rather as an assistant, nothing more, nothing less. Spike shook his head, snapping himself back to reality.
"Why would I even think that?" Spike resumed picking up the books that were lazily placed on the floor. "Twilight loves me. We've been friends for years." He smiled while his thoughts were beings clouded of the past, remembering the time Twilight and himself used to play hide and seek or read stories together. It's been rather long since they did something together as friends.
The streets of Ponyville were heavily occupied. The moment Twilight came out, ponies began to greet her, respect her as well compliment her too. Twilight got a lot of attention, being a princess and all, but all this fame and recognition isn't what she desired. If anything it was making her late. A few minutes later, Twilight arrived at Sweet Apple Acres where all her friends were gathered around a picnic blanket, setting up the picnic
"Hey, Twilight!" Pinkie Pie bobbed up and down in excitement.
Around the blanket were her friends Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy. Pinkie Pie was still hopping around next to her. The hyperactive pink pony was always in a joyful mood which easily lifted the others emotions to happiness.
"About time, you showed up," Rainbow Dash mocked as she saw Twilight.
"Sorry I'm late everypony," Twilight announced her presence.
"No need to apologise, sugarcube," Applejack said.
"Have I got a treat for you, girls," Twilight pulled out Spike's made sandwiches as well as his nacho wrapped in a plastic bag.
"They look delicious, Twilight," Fluttershy spoke behind her pink mane.
"Today is just gorgeous." Rarity declared. "I'm glad that we can have days like these."
"I'm just glad that after all we've been through we're still friends and peace can be maintained," Fluttershy said.
"Looking back at our past adventures we've really done a lot together. Stopping Nightmare Moon and freeing Princess Luna, defeating and reforming Discord, stopping the Changeling invasion, vanquishing Sombra and putting Tirek behind bars." Twilight recollected her memories with her friends, this gave the alicorn a bright smile.
"It just comes to show that our friendship is getting stronger and stronger every day," Applejack said, lightening the mood further.
"When we're together what's there to be concerned about?" Rainbow Dash asked. "We've managed to reform, vanquish and lock up the biggest bad guys in the whole of Equestria, what's there to be worried about besides a few phoney, frauds that seek attention." She ridiculed.
"Here's to us!" Twilight promulgated. "Friends until the end!" The six began to laugh and cheer, having the time of their lives with nothing to ruin the moment. It seemed that in Equestria everything was in peace, everything was calm and tranquil.
Two hours passed and Spike managed to clean the library as if it was new. However, he noticed one book that was placed on Twilight's desk, one that he forgot to put away. As Spike proceeded towards Twilight's desk he noticed the book was labelled as 'Memories.' Spike carefully grasped the book in both claws and opened it to the first page. The book was filled with pictures, photographs of Twilight and her friends, her family, the princesses. There was only about a good five photos of him in there. Just by scanning through all the pages, Spike immediately grew depressed. 'How much have I been missing out?' He thought to himself. Spike closed the book and went to place it within the only gap left on the bookshelf. "Boy, I really need to clear the dust off these shelves befor-" Spike closed his eyes and produced a devastating sneeze of flames.
"AH-CHOO!" The only thing that could be heard, echoing through the castle's halls.
Spike instantly opened up his eyes and looked at the book in his claw, his heart sinking endlessly. The pages were in shreds and the book itself was still on fire. "Ah!" Spike dropped the remains of the book and began to rapidly stomp out the flames. The book was left in a rotten and deceased state. Spike picked up the remains and flicked through the book's burnt and shredded pages. "Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!" Spike panicked. "What am I gonna do?! What am I gonna do? What am I gonna do?" He repeated to himself in a distressed manner. After a few minutes of constant freaking out Spike couldn't think of a solution, he was in deep trouble.
"Okay..." He said regaining his breath. "I could hide the book and- No that didn't work last time." Spike found himself cornered. 'Well, I could always confess.' He thought. Spike began to realise that this book was no magic spell tutorial, instead, it was every memory of Twilight and her friends, every success, every achievement, every happy moment... gone. The thinking was like a needle sewing through his mind, he really had no idea what to do, he didn't want to disappoint Twilight, but whatever choice he made it would seem that he would disappoint her no matter what. What was he going to do?
The moon was illuminating bright, sharpening its glow around the pale night sky.
Twilight's day planned out to be the best just like always, when she was with her friends she could always feel something pleasant as if she could overcome anything. The castle doors flung open and Twilight came prancing along the halls that could easily be compared to the way Pinkie Pie prances. "Spike?" She called out. "I'm back!" To her surprise, she found Spike next to her within the instant she called him.
"Hi, Twilight!" He said, shaking and nervously sweating.
"I just had the most terrific day!"
"I bet you did." Spike finished, nervously laughing.
"The picnic was fantastic! We laughed and shared joy throughout the town, we paid a visit to the spa for a relaxing treatment and then Pinkie Pie came up with the most brilliant idea ever! She decided to host a party within the town's hall, it was amazing!" Twilight went on. "Everypony was there. The Cutie Mark Crusaders, the Apple Family, Cherilee and even Discord and boy did he make quite the show. Everypony loved his comedy act. I only wish that tonight would have lasted."
Spike just stared at Twilight, a little sad. Again, he had missed out on another opportunity to have fun.
"Anyway, how was your day Spike?" Twilight stupidly asked.
Twilight should of known how his day went with the mess he had to clean up because of her. Spike gave her an angry glare, it seemed okay because she wasn't even looking. "Well-"
"That's great!" Twilight rudely interrupted, not even listening or giving him a chance to talk. She walked upstairs and began to get herself ready for bed. However, she noticed Spike being a little edgy when he walked by.
"Spike? Are you feeling alright?" She asked with concern.
"Never better." Again, he said while looking a little nervous.
"You seem anxious, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm totally fine." He laughed but began to feel defeat. "Well, listen Twilight... I... I'll tell you tomorrow." He quickly shut his mouth to prevent any sort of conflict.
"Okay then. You look pretty tired, why don't you get some sleep, my number one assistant," Twilight suggested.
Spike simply nodded and headed upstairs. 'Assistant...' He miserably thought to himself. His face just gave out, his expression was reduced to a sad frown while finally making his way upstairs and pulling himself into bed. The uneasy and dark thoughts plagued his mind, corrupting the roots of his brain, is that all he is? An assistant? As he laid in bed, he was sad, sickened by the nasty and cruel thoughts of what Twilight could only see him as. Eventually, Spike managed to gently close his eyes, locking them shut as he fell into a deep sleep, still uneasy and anxious about what Twilight saw him as.