Chapter 3: Train of Emotions
Spike thought hard about the Princess's words, wanting desperately to find the answer. Unfortunately, he couldn't, and Luna did have a point.
"I don't think living with Daring Do would be good. I could end up being a distraction, and then I'd end up back here. Besides, she likes to work alone. Zecora would be good, but she's way too close to Ponyville. I would be spotted for sure! Starlight's old village seens good, but if the map gets fixed - I'm doomed!" Spike explained, thinking about his options.
"Those are all good thoughts. But what was your original plan? If you had one?" Princess Luna asked politely.
"I was going to run away to the Crystal Empire. I wouldn't actually stay there since Twilight's brother and Princess Cadance live there. They probably would send a letter to Twilight about the whole thing, and well, I don't want to cause any more trouble! I was thinking of living in the ice cave where I met Thorax," Spike said, worrying about his options.
"A good idea, but problematic as well like you said," Luna agreed with him. Suddenly, the baby dragon thought of a question.
"Princess Luna, I appreciate your help, but why are you helping me run away?" Spike asked curiously. Luna sighed.
"When I turned into Nightmare Moon, I was upset because my sister paid little attention to me, and didn't care much for my needs. Plus, the darkness known as the Tantabus didn't help either. All that time I spent on the moon, I waited for my revenge against my sister and the ponies who never appreciated my work. I wanted others to accept me, but doing so out of fear and anger was the wrong call," Princess Luna calmly explained.
"But they do now! Look at all the new friends you have!" Spike replied back positively. Luna nodded.
"Yes. That did happen, thanks to Twilight and the others using The Elements of Harmony to defeat me. My point is, I believe you and Twilight are going through a similar misunderstanding. I want to help because I know what it is like to be unappreciated, and hurt. I think some time alone, and personal experience will help resolve this conflict. Friendship will help too, but this is a more personal issue that you and Twilight will have to resolve on your own. But until then, I am going to help as much as I can," Princess Luna responded, finishing her thoughts.
"Thank you Princess Luna. I know what I need to do now," Spike said, getting a better plan in his head. Princess Luna then looked up.
"I'm sorry, but I must leave. I will see you tomorrow, Spike. And you have a train to catch!" Luna happily replied before flying off. Spike smiled, then got out some items from his bag; a hat, coat, and glasses. He would need the disguise when traveling, but would only use it when necessary. Within a few hours, a conductor pony came by.
"Trains will be starting soon, where are you headed off to?" the pony asked.
"To Baltimare sir. I need to get to the Dragon Lands," Spike answered casually. He then got on board, before it started to roll.
*The next day*
Twilight and her friends woke up to another morning of sunshine as they all walked on all fours to go have Breakfast. As they sat and waited though, the ponies noticed someone was missing.
"Say, where's Spike? It isn't like him to keep us waiting like this!" Applejavk pointed out. The other ponies nodded in agreement.
"It's my fault. I had an arguement with Spike yesterday after he burned all my papers and letters I was working on. I know Spike is still mad at me, but he never gets mad to the point where he doesn't still do his chores. Now I feel bad! If he's reacting this way, then I really overdid it!" Twilight confessed, hanging her head in shame.
"Spike will come around, he just needs time to let go of his steam. Besides darling, we can help get you those papers!" Rarity reassured her friend, giving her a side hug.
"Yeah, how about I get us some home made Breakfast, and we can all help Twilight out with the papers!" Applejack offered.
"Agreed!" everypony said happily. It was then that Applejack went to get the group some breakfast while the rest of her friends organized how to get the papers done.
"So, what papers did you need to do Twilight?" Fluttershy asked kindly. Twilight went over her list that she made from scratch, making sure she had every detail accounted for.
"Well, based on memory, I needed to send some official Princess paperwork sent, forms for Celestia and other papers for the mayor, and other ponies signed. Letters sent that I had questions about, and other letters in regards to forms the princesses needed me to sign. It was quite a lot!" Twilight noted, also letting her friends see the list.
"No problem! We'll go see if we can get new papers or copies - either from Celestia or other ponies- and then help you fill them out. And I'll stay to see if you have any copies of those letters!" Pinkie Pie stated. Twilight smiled at the pink pony's plan.
In no time at all, every pony was busy! Pinkie and Twilight were going through files to find copies of the letters, Fluttrshy and Rainbow Dash were going to every mail office to see if they had copies of the papers, Applejack was getting the breakfast and checking down town to see if there were any copies at City Hall, and Rarity went to see if Princess Celestia had any copies.
By the end of the day, all of Twilight's papers were collected, sorted, filled out, done. They just needed to be sent.
"Thank you so much girls! I don't know what I would've done without your help. I better go apologize to Spike now," Twilight said before going to look for her scaled friend.
Calls of "Spike? Spike?! Spike!" were heard throughout the castle as every pony looked for him. Suddenly, the alicorn got to the burnt Friendship map. She gasp.
"Spike did this?! Grrrrr! He is so lucky this can be repaired! But why would he burn the map? Wait, what's - " Twilight said before finding the note. She read it carefully, each new sentence making her concerned and watery eyes. Once she finished, she was speechless, and heartbroken.
"NO! NO, NO, NNNOOOOOOOOO SSSSSPPPPIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIKKKKKEEE!!!" Twilight wailed before crying onto her hooves. Her friends rushed over and embraced her.
"Twilight? Why are you -" Rainbow Dash asked before seeing the letter Twilight had dropped. She read it, and her jaw hung open.
"He - He ran away?!" Rainbow exclaimed out of shock, and slight sadness. Everypony gasped, before turning back to Twilight and giving her a tight hug.
"I'M SORRY SPIKE! I'M SO SO SSSSOOOORRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYY!!!!" was all Twilight could say, balling her eyes out as she couldn't believe she had caused her assistant, her best friend, her baby brother, to run away because of her! Twilight was devastated.