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// Please Forget About Me 
// Story: I Don't Want to Grow Up 
// by Lightning Star 
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Winona was hot on Spike’s trail. She darted straight through Ponyville with no signs of slowing down. Then the two mares found themselves climbing a mountain after the colie. Wherever Spike had gone, it was far from mountain side.
“Hey Applejack,” Twilight called. “Can we take a break?”
“Sure. Heal Winona!” Winona came to a halt on a large, flat ledge. Applejack and Twilight sat down to catch their breath. Applejack looked at Twilight. “Uh hey Twi, can I ask you something?”
“What?”
“Well…did you stop to consider that there might be a reason Spike ran away?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well if I know Spike, he wouldn’t up and leave Ponyville without good reason. Especially when you are Rarity are there.”
“I guess…But whatever the problem is I’ll do what it takes to fix it!”
“But what if it can’t be fixed? What if running away was the right thing to do?”
“Don’t say that!” Twilight shouted with tears in her eyes. “Whatever’s the matter I’m going to take care of it! Spike is my best friend and I can’t...”
“It’s more than friendship isn’t it?”
“What?”
“You like him as more than just a friend don’t you Twi?”
Twilight blushed. “I don’t know… he’s always been there for me. He’s a great assistant and an absolute joy to be with.”
“And I’m sure he feels the same about you.”
“But…I’m a pony and he’s a dragon. I’m not sure if I can love him.”
“It’s alright if you do. There is nothing at all wrong with loving a dragon. There are interspecies relationships allover Equestria. One of my cousins is even married to a gem hound.”
“But he’s grown up thinking of me as a big sister, maybe even a mother. I’m not sure if he would be comfortable knowing how I feel about him.”
“Twi, if he was a true friend he wouldn’t hate you if you told him that. He doesn’t have to like you back, but a true friend like Spike would understand.”
“Really?”
“Yes. That’s what true friendship is all about. Even if you were to tell me right now that you like me I wouldn’t mind in the slightest. But granted I’m straight so I wouldn’t like you back…” Both the mares laughed.
“Thanks Applejack.”  Twilight said as she stood up. “Come on, let’s go find Spike.”
“Winona, fetch!” Applejack shouted. Winona jumped up and started going after Spike again. The three climbed up the mountain side at a fast rate. They finally reached a cave that Winona stopped at the mouth of and started barking. “He’s in here.”
Twilight nodded. “Thanks Applejack.”
“Do you want us to wait out here?”
“Yes please.” 
“Alright just holler if you need any help.”
Twilight nodded and she slowly walked into the cave. It was pretty straight forward and had no twists or turns. When she got to the end of the cave she found Spike sitting and eating gems. 
Spike gasped when he saw Twilight. “Twilight?!”
“SPIKE!” Twilight shouted as she ran and hugged him. “DON’T LEAVE ME AGAIN!” She started to cry.
“What are you doing here?!” Spike said trying to break free. “I told you not to look for me.”
“Like hay I wouldn’t! Oh Celestia I was so worried about you!”
“Twilight, please just leave.”
“No way! Spike you scared me have to death when I read your note! I don’t care what’s wrong Spike, I’ll fix it!”
“You don’t understand Twilight; I’m going to hit a growth spurt soon. I’ll grow into a full grown dragon and probably a monster too! I can’t tell you how I know…I just do. It happens to all dragons my age. And when I do that…I’m afraid I’ll hurt somepony! Even more so that it’ll be you!” 
Twilight help Spike tightly. “No matter what happens to you Spike, no matter what you become, I swear to Celestia, Luna, and on the grave of my mother that I’ll help you!”
Spike pushed Twilight away. “Twilight, it can’t be stopped. I looked through all of your spell books; there is nothing that can help me. I’m going to grow up, and probably hurt you…or worse.” 
“But Spike I can’t just leave you on your own! You’re my best friend, I can’t let you do this to yourself!”
“I’m sorry Twilight, but you’re going to have to.” He started to cry. “What’s going to happen can’t be stopped. Please, for you own sake…” He ran towards the cave’s entrance. “Forget about me!”