Spike spent the rest of the day training in the woods, pushing his body to its threshold before collapsing in an emotional puddle on the ground.
"Stronger...I have to get stronger..."
His life flashed before his eyes. He reflected on everything that transpired since he was a child: the loss of his love, his brotherhood with Flash and Shining, the grieving soul haunting the streets in the present day - everything.
"I can't let things end this way...I promise to whatever gods are out there, this will end on my terms..."
Returning to the room, Spike jumped in the shower so he could lay down to rest.
"Feel better?" Twilight asked.
"Today turned out rougher than I expected."
"I know. It's not every day you find a ghost stuck here because she was lonely. This whole situation reminds me of Acetone by Clear."
"How?"
"Your heart and soul bleed for her."
"Yeah, well...You're not wrong..."
The pair were silent for a moment, unsure of where to go from there...Or at least...One of them was...
"Hey, Twilight?"
"Hm?"
"Do you think she can feel what I'm thinking?"
"Why don't you ask her?"
"How?"
Twilight pointed to the other side of her brother's bed. Behind him stood a white mare with a brown mane and eyes. A sparkling aura danced around her form...
"Jesus Christ!"
Spike nearly fell off the mattress from the shock. Even more surprising, Maple found this to be amusing.
"Sorry," the dragon apologized, "I uh...Didn't hear you come in..."
A sudden echo reverberated across the room.
"Can you hear my voice?" the apparition asked.
The expressions on the guests' faces told her everything she needed to know.
"I'll take that as a yes."
"I don't understand." Spike voiced.
"Without vocal chords, I can't exactly communicate directly. Fortunately, some limitations were removed upon my passing."
"You know you're dead!?"
"Twilight told you death doesn't work like in the movies, didn't she?"
"Yeah, but...How did you know that?"
"In order to speak with you, I have to look into your mind. I know everything you know."
"Talk about invasive. Guess it's a good thing I have nothing to hide."
"I'm sorry. I should've asked first."
"Don't worry about it. My humor's become a bit more cynical with age."
"I understand more than you think."
"I guess that's true."
"I can see her...Rarity...You miss her, don't you...?"
"Every day. I feel pathetic because I can't let it go."
"You have one advantage I didn't. Emotional scars heal with time. Physical...It all depends..."
"Listen...I'm really sorry for what happened to you. You didn't deserve that...Nobody does..."
"Don't grieve for me. I actually kind of enjoy being a ghost."
"You do?"
"People recognize me in a way I never knew was possible. Tourists seem to enjoy the legends, though I wish they'd do away with the murder and gore parts. As I'm sure you've discovered, that's all a bunch of BS."
"Yeah. We figured that out from the reports."
"I can see into your hearts. I feel the light reaching out from deep inside, but it's been tainted by longing. As it happens, I wouldn't mind some company as things stand. I know you can't stay long, but maybe we can spend some time together before you leave."
Spike's smile was warm and genuine. Twilight could see where this was going. She was happy to sit back while the two got acquainted with one another.
"Yeah," Spike agreed, "I'd like that."