Parental Spectre

by Applefai


Restless nights

It was lightly raining outside as Twilight and Spike organized books and worked on lesson plans. It had been about a week since the Sludge incident and Twilight could tell Spike was devastated though he said he was fine, Twilight knew he wasn't.

"I'm sorry Spike, I know you must still be devastated." Twilight said in a Somber tone as she dusted off a book.

"It's ok, Twilight. I'm fine really, I'm actually kinda glad he turned out to not be father." Spike said with a slight chuckle.

"Oh? And why is that?" Twilight asked questioningly knowing she might have the answer.

"I don't think I could live without brushing my teeth or taking a bath." Spike said with a small smile causing a bigger smile on Twilight who pulled out a bag with something inside.

"Hehe, yeah, he also probably would have made you give up this obsession." Twilight said as she pulled out the newest edition of the power ponies comic in a protective sleeve.

Spike's eyes widened and watered as he flew down and looked at the comic in administration, "yeah, he probably would have; I can't wait to read this." Spike said, but instead of reading right away he burst into tears and wrapped his arms around Twilight hugging her.

Twilight was surprised as she wrapped her wings around him. "What's wrong Spike?" Twilight asked in a worried tone thinking she may have gotten an issue he already had.

"It's just, I so wanted to believe that Sludge was my father, but in doing so I wound up hurting my real parent the one who always looks out for me, I just can't forgive myself for hurting you Twilight, I'm sorry." Spike said as her cried into her chest as her wings caressed him.

Twilight put the comic back in the bag with a sigh of relief as she placed it on the table for Spike; then she lifted his head with her hoof so his eyes met her's and with her right wing she wiped the tears from his eyes and spoke.

"I forgive you, Spike. Yes I was heartbroken when you said that, but you weren't thinking straight." Twilight said as she continued to wipe away his tears.

"Kinda like you when you go crazy with your own problems?" Spike asked breathing heavily in-between sobs.

Twilight giggled knowing this was the case and said "exactly like me when I go crazy, and do you know what that shows?"

"What?" Spike asked looking up his eyes puffy and red from crying.

"That you're just like me, and like my son." Twilight said as she pulled him in for another hug.

They stood there hugging for a few seconds until Twilight broke the hug. "Hey, tell you what, how about we put off organizing these books for tomorrow, and you and I can play some Ogres and Oubliettes or anything else you want to do.'' Twilight said planning on spending the rest of the day with Spike doing things that he liked with him.

Spike who has finally calmed down from crying rubbed his eyes ''Are you sure Twilight? you don't have to. I'll be fine reall-''

Before Spike could finish his thought Twilight gently covered his mouth with her hoof and spoke, ''I know I don't need to, but I want to. I know I don't say it much Spike, but I really do see you has family, you're like a son to me."

Spike started tearing up again as he hugged Twilight once more, ''Thank you, mamma.'' spike said as Twilight carried him out of the library on her back like she used to do before he got wings.

The rest of the day was spent with Twilight doing things with Spike that he enjoyed, they played Ogres and Oubliettes, read Power Ponies comics and even acted out a few scenes from the comics, and had dinner with Twilight making herself a sandwich and making Spike his favorite dish of deep fried gemstones. After dinner it was clear that Spike along with Twilight was exhausted, and who could blame the, they spent the whole day together and had a blast Spike despite having matured still felt too tired to walk so Twilight carried him to bed on her back and tucked him into his bed, before she left she planted a kiss on his forehead and whispered in his ear "good night, my son, sweet dreams." she the proceeded out of Spike's room turning off the light then entered her room and went to bed where she began to dream.

Twilight tossed and turned in her sleep moaning and mumbling all while kicking her legs as if she was running, running for her life; in her dream she saw a boiler and a shadowy figure, she couldn't make out the shape, but knew one thing for certain, it was no pony. The spectre changed at her screaming as if it was angry at her, it also sounded like it was in pain, when seeing the spectre run after her Twilight ran, but couldn't seem to shake it, and when it caught her she woke up screaming and in a cold sweat.

Upon hearing her screams Spike comes in to check on her. "Twilight, is everything okay?" Spike asked as her slowly got closer and gingerly started to stroke her back to calm her down while she took deep breaths.

Twilight catching her breath and wiping the sweat from her head just looked in the distance, ''I....I think so, Spike, just a bad dream.'' Twilight said as she got out of bed, not wanting to go back to sleep. "Thanks for checking on me, Spike.'' Twilight said with a slight smile as she trotted to the kitchen.

In the kitchen Twilight made her a cup of Chamomile tea then went to the library to read a book, she she couldn't go back to sleep the dream, no, the nightmare she had, had completely woken her up and made sleep elude her. she took a look at the time on a clock hanging on a nearby wall to find it was three in the morning. I could catch up on sleep when the sun comes up. Twilight thought, but remembered she had volunteered to help Applejack on the orchard so maybe the nightmare helped her out a bit.

After hour had passed when the clock read five, Twilight made her way to Sweet Apple Acres and saw Applejack ready for work. "Mornin' Twilight." Applejack said greeting her friend with a smile on her face.

Twilight with bags under her eyes let out a yawn before answering. "Morning Applejack, are you ready to get to work?"

"um, yeah. say Twilight, ya alright? ya look like death." Applejack asked with concern.

''Oh, yeah. I'm okay Applejack. Just a bit of a restless night." Twilight said forcing a smile, but Applejack raised an eyebrow knowing there was some thing she wasn't telling her.

"Twilight, I know there's somethin' yer not tellin' me, please, I can tell when something's wrong, so please tell me what's troublin' ya." Applejack said as she put a hoof on Twilight's shoulder.

Twilight let out a sigh before she told Applejack the whole story. "I...I was in some sort of boiler room and a shadowy figure I couldn't identify was chasing me as if it wanted to hurt me. It wasn't like any dream or nightmare I ever had, it felt..............real" Twilight said occasionally flinching at the memories.

''Twilight, maybe you should ask Celestia and Luna about this, I'll handle the chores. I don't want you working when this is going on." Applejack said with concern for her friend.

''Alright Aj, thank you for your advice." Twilight said as she spread her wings and flew towards Canterlot.