//------------------------------// // Prelude // Story: The Truth Will Set You Free...at a Cost // by Clean Karma //------------------------------// "Spike!" "I'm fine Twilight." "No! No you're not fine! A bookshelf fell on you!" "Dragon scales are more resilient than you think Twi. Plus I think pretty much everything we've been through over the years trumps 'unsteady bookshelf' any day of the week." "(sigh) I guess so, I just...I don't ever want to lose you." "Twilight...ye...your cho...choking me." "Sorry." "Twilight? Are you okay? You seem more worried about this then normal. Like, I get being upset something fell on me, but you're acting like it's the last time I'll ever see you." "It's nothing Spike." "You honestly expect me to believe that?" "Ugh, you read that book on Psychology didn't you? You've always been a little devil." "Duly noted. Now, tell me what's wrong." "Hmm...it's...well, Spike, you're a dragon. Dragons live for thousands of years. Who's...who's going to be here for you when I'm gone?" "...I...uh..." "You see!? My problem is that knowing that losing you would hurt me, then you losing us could be soul crushing. It's one thing to lose one important pony, or dragon, in your life, but you'll be losing everypony. I know it's kind of depressing but, it's been on my mind a lot lately." "Twilight I...You're like a mother to me. No, scratch that, you are a mother to me. Yes, I will miss you very much but...worrying about it won't help or delay what will happen. You of all ponies should know this." "Heh, I guess so." "Plus, I'll still have the Princesses. They're immortal. Right? I'll also make damn sure you live as long as possible." "Spike! Language!" "I mean it Twi. I'll always..." "...be there for you." Spike said, as his claw rested on a statue in the middle of Ponyville Square. Below the statue a plaque read the words: Twilight Sparkle EQ 4 Princess Celestias greatest student The Element of Magic A mother Final Written Words: "Set a book by my grave, and I'll read it to you, my beautiful little child, for I am always by your side."