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// The End 
// Story: Spike's Centennial 
// by CinnamonFritter 
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	Pinkie easily made her way up the stairs despite her ancient form, smiling serenely as she made her way up to her friend’s room. The Restricted Section of the Golden Oaks Public Library was a room of shelves with a lofted bed space over it to one side. It was where Spike slept when he first came to Ponyville, and where he slept now that he was in charge of the library, protecting the most valuable and most dangerous parts of his horde. 
Spike was already at the bookshelf when Pinkie arrived in the room, her eyes tracing the scars of years of magical research on the wooden floor, as well as the scars of a growing dragon. Her eyes turned from the floor to her friend, the birthday boy, as he felt along the shelves. All of them were recessed into the wall. “Well, it’s no use trying to move the bookshelves themselves.”
He deftly started taking books down in rows, setting them gently down on the floor with his large claws. After a few minutes of this, he uncovered a panel just below the stairs, marked with a six pointed starburst. Spike swallowed, remembering how he showed Twilight a similar panel downstairs from before their tenure at the library. She must have copied the construction to make this. He very gently pressed on the shape of Twilight’s cutie mark, and the panel pulled back, and slid to one side. The space beyond was filled with scrolls.
Pinkie was now at his side, gently nuzzling her way under his wing.
Spike perked up, before smiling and holding his friend close. “Thank you, Pinkie.”
Pinkie chortled, “I know better than to let a friend face the past alone. Now go on. Read.”
Trembling, Spike reached a claw inside and very carefully lifted it. This seemed to have the least aging out of the scrolls there. He flicked the tip of his claw and broke the seal, unfurling it delicately.


My Dearest Assistant and Beloved Little Brother Spike:
I am sorry I cannot be with you much longer. I have looked into spells and magic to prolong my aging, just to try to be there for you, but all spells that would do so, I fear would rob you of the pony that I am. So although I don’t wish to leave you, I must go on ahead to the next world. It’s alright, Spike. I know you will do well in the oncoming years. Though the ponies of Ponyville can be a panicky lot, they have accepted you so fully, even after you have grown up twice. I go on to be with my friends who passed before me, our big brother and parents. You’ll always be my little brother, and my number one assistant. I love you, Spike.
Sincerely, Twilight Sparkle.
PS: Pinkie, if you happen to read this, take care of him. I’ll be expecting a full report when you get here.


Pinkie smirked, “Oh Twilight. You know I don’t do reports.”
Spike sniffled. Twilight must have written this scroll shortly before her death, while she was in hospital. His mind travelled back before he could stop the memories.


“Spike?” Twilight Sparkle looked up at the adolescent dragon.
He nodded, holding her hoof. He was sitting next to her bed at Ponyville Hospital. She had fallen again, one too many times for Nurse Kindheart to let her stay at the library for a while.
“Yes, Twilight?” Spike whispered, afraid if he spoke too loud he’d break the mare.
“I think it’s near end of visitor’s hours.” Twilight Sparkle smiled sadly up at the dragon.
“I know.” Spike said softly.
Twilight coughed into her free hoof, clenching her eyes shut, before letting out a low shuddering sigh. “I’m glad you come to be with me, Spike.”
“It’s not like I’d leave you in this place by yourself. It smells like…” He trailed off. He shouldn’t tempt the fates. “It smells funny is all.”
Twilight smiled. “Spike… I really should give you access to the Restricted Section now.”
Spike perked up. “Twilight?”
She chuckled, “You’re old enough to read everything in there, and responsible enough not to let any of it fall into the wrong hooves.”
“Twilight…” He said softly, unable to think of anything substantive to say.
“You do well, Spike. You’re a good librarian. Better than I ever was.” The greyed mare said softly, looking away.
“Don’t say that.” Spike gently squeezed the hoof in his claw.
“It’s the honest truth, as AJ woulda said.” She smiled.
Spike looked away, hiding the pain in his face.
Nurse Kindheart, one of Fluttershy’s daughters, walked gracefully into the room. “Spike? It’s time for Twilight to get some sleep.”
Twilight nodded. “Go home, Spike. I’ll always be here for you.”
Spike sighed, and gently let go of the frail hoof, and carefully slipped through the hospital, compressing his body to slide through the doorways. The dragon finally exited the hospital, looking up at the stars, before heading back to the Library.
He didn’t see the winged shape headed the other way.
Spike, instead of going to his own room, slipped into Twilight’s room, and curled up atop her bed, barely fitting. He sighed, picking up a book, and carefully starting to read. He was there for a long time, or perhaps no time at all. He couldn’t be sure.
The window opened of its own accord, sending the chill of night air through the room. Princess Luna soared into the room, landing silently as the dragon looked up from the tome.
Luna looked at him, as if unable to think of what to say, before she spoke softly. “Twilight Sparkle is dead.”
Spike felt a dull pain in his chest sharpen and renew, pressing towards his heart. “In her sleep?”
Princess Luna nodded serenely. “My sister came to sit with her in the night. She was there when Twilight passed.”
Spike nodded, “That is how it should be.” He felt like the pain in his chest was drilling into his heart, draining away his emotions. He should be crying, right? He cried when he realized she was getting older. But now that she was dead, no tears came.
“If you need to talk, Spike, my sister and I will always listen.” Luna said softly, her hoofshoes making nary a sound on the hardwood floor as she walked to the side of the bed.
“I think…” Spike paused. He didn’t know what to think. “I think I need to be alone. For now.” He mechanically looked away from her, and into the book. There, on the page were two words, at the very bottom. The End.