As the world outside the cave grew darker still, five generations of dragons, plus one alicorn, solemnly huddled around the purple-scaled behemoth in the center. He didn't have much time remaining.
The recumbent dragon gazed at the lavender-coated alicorn before him, and, in an disconcertingly hushed voice for such a gargantuan creature, whispered to her and her alone.
"...Guess this is it, huh?"
"I guess so," the alicorn replied.
"...How much do you wanna bet Pinkie's planned a 'dragon-sized' welcome party for me?"
In spite of herself, the alicorn chuckled. "I think that's pretty much a given, Spike."
There was a brief silence.
Then, Spike took on a far more concerned tone. "Twilight, I'm sorry I can't—"
"Spike, don't worry," Twilight reassured her longtime friend. "You can go. I... I'll be alright. I promise."
"...Y-You sure?"
She nodded. "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."