The friends we take for granted are often the ones that leave the largest impact on our lives. When Spike falls seriously ill with a mysterious disease and the ponies strive to nurse him back to health, Twilight Sparkle comes to grips with this very realization about her number one assistant--and friend.

EDIT: So this little story made it on Equestria Daily on 10/8/12. Now please excuse me while I pass out on Rarity's fainting couch while murmuring a soft Fluttershy "...yay."

When Spike returns home early from a gathering he sees something that causes him to go running from their little home...the sight of Twilight and Caramel together.

Once Twilight finds him, shivering and cold, she decides to try to address his fears...by giving him The Talk.

But, to Twilight's surprise, it may not be a talk about basic biology that Spike needs...perhaps something far more important is on his mind.

Spike only wants things to stay the same. Time, however, has other ideas. He's going to need a lot of help... An everypony story.

(Cover image by Rannva)

Poor Spike, all he wanted to do is spend time near the pony he adores. Now, because of one little lie, he's in real trouble. A geography bee, a macabre doppelgänger, and an icebox all play their part as Spike and Rarity once again find themselves on pins and needles...

Spike has had it. It's not his fault the library is a shambles. In fact, he tried his very best to save it.

And now he's supposed to take the blame? Not this time! Until Twilight starts to fully appreciate his worth, Spike goes on strike!

He will not falter! He will not give in! He will stand his ground!
...if at the end of it all there is still some ground left to stand on.

After finding her assistant missing again during her court duties, Twilight finds Spike with none other then Fluttershy and learns that the two have been a couple for a while. After overcoming her shock, she is told the story of how the two, unexpectedly, found comfort in each others embrace...

There is an ending to every great story. For Spike, Shining Armor's story will never end. No matter what Twilight, Cadence, or the doctors say.

Spike isn't ready for that story to end. Not yet. There is one more thing he needs to add... if he can find the words to do so.

Commission for Jake The Army Guy

Thanks to Sir Rustbucket, ajvasquezbrony28, Midnight Legend, and Pyrotechnic for editing.

Now Featured on Equestria Daily!

Rated Teen for thematic elements.

Spike gets an exclusive interview for the Crystal Empire's local newspaper and he couldn't be more excited. Everything goes swimmingly until the interviewer asks a surprisingly difficult question.

What does Twilight Sparkle mean to him?

One would think he would know off the top of his head, but, to be honest, he never really thought about it. What exactly does Twilight mean to him?

When Spike asked Twilight to help him create The Noble Dragon Code, he hoped a lot of things would happen.

Getting worshipped as a god by legions of theologically-inclined dragons wasn't really one of them but, hey, whattcha gonna do? Them's the breaks, kiddo.

Twilight is growing older. Shining Armor is rising through the ranks of the guard. Their paths will soon diverge, but Shining Armor cannot bear the idea of her wandering off alone. Thankfully, he has someone just as reliable to take over his job.

Cover Art by the incredibly talented HorusLV

This is part of a friendly contest between myself and Draconian Soul. The challenge being to write a Spike/Shining Armor brofic. He also was a major editing force of nature on my story, and his help was very much appreciated.

His story was A Shining Pair.

Special Thanks: Pretty much the entire 'Twilight's Library' Skype Chat: Flint Sparks, cooopercrisp, Einhander, Figments, Frission, Mook Massacre, JustAnotherTimeLord, YipYapper and anyone else I may have forgotten!

This story has been 100% approved by Twilight's Library!