//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: Those that lie in our hearts 
// by TheColtWithNoName 
//------------------------------//

It was dark when she entered the mountain. A tiny spark suddenly twinkled out in the darkness, followed by the unmistakable sound of magic, and the once darkened area shone with a brilliant golden light equal to the sun. At the centre of light stood Princess Celestia, her prismatic mane and tail billowing around her despite the still air in the tunnel. She looked around for a few seconds, surveying the smooth walls of the tunnel that was large enough to quite easily fit a house in. The golden light emanating from her horn began to recede to a soft glow, just enough to dimly coat the walls of the immense tunnel.   
Her momentary survey at an end, Celestia continued on. As gentle as her hoof-steps were, the sharp click of her shoes seemed to echo out forever as they struck the smooth stone beneath. She continued down the tunnel for many minutes more, the smooth walls twisting and turning almost in a maze-like fashion, until finally the tunnel came to an end and the princess found herself in an immense cavern. The soft light from her magic was no longer able to reach the outlying walls or ceiling. It was however able to illuminate the enormous pile of gold coins and shining jewels before her.
Along with something else.
It felt as if the whole mountain was shaking as the creature that lay atop the glittering wealth stirred. Princess Celestia held her ground, the light from her horn slowly brightening until the creature was totally bathed in the golden rays.
A wall of purple scales, the creature’s tail, slid across the bed of gold and gems to reveal the face of a dragon that lay behind it. Its eyelid snapped open, and a green eye, almost completely clouded over with blindness, focused itself towards the alicorn before it.
‘Hello, Princess Celestia.’ The whole room seemed to shake at the dragon’s rumbling voice. Several coins and jewels skipped across the pile and bounced across the hard stone ground. 
‘Hello, Spike,’ Celestia replied, watching as the colossal dragon’s head rose and turned to her.
‘It has been many a year since we have talked.’ Spike shook his head, and dislodged coins and jewels from his neck rained down around the Princess. ‘I’d send you a letter, but I’m afraid these old eyes aren’t what they used to be.’ His deep laugh caused even more of his horde to fall. ‘Tell me, how fairs Equestria after all these years?’
‘She is as prosperous as ever,’ the princess replied. ‘Ponyville as well, little has changed in the thousand years past.’
‘You are wrong, Princess,’ A deep rumbled sounded in Spike’s scaly throat. ‘There has been a spark missing in that place ever since Twilight and the others passed on. That you cannot deny.’
Celestia sighed internally. ‘This is old territory, my friend, and we have been over this many times before. Even as the bearers of the spirits of harmony, they could not last forever. And even they could, they would not want –’
‘I didn’t want them to live forever!’ Despite his age, Spike’s claw was as lightning fast as ever as it slammed down next to Celestia. ‘I just didn’t want to be left alone for a thousand years!’
Celestia did not move an inch as the claw came down. She was ever the image of calmness, no matter the circumstance. ‘I did not come here to argue with you, Spike.’
Spike slowly returned his claw to his side. ‘Then why did you disturb my sleep?’
‘The elements of harmony have chosen new bearers. I thought you would like to know.’
A great jet of warm air blasted across the chamber as Spike snorted. ‘Well, it seems likes it’s taken almost a thousand years for you to do it, but you’ve finally found your replacement for Twilight.’
‘No!’ For once Celestia’s cool demeanour broke and pain clung to her words. ‘Twilight can never be replaced, Spike, none of them can. Do you think I not grieve for them? That I don’t wish I didn’t have to bear the pain time and time again as those I hold dear grow old and inevitably die? Friends cannot be replaced, Spike, but life still must go on. You cannot spend the rest of your life dwelling on what cannot be changed, or it is surely a waste of a life. No matter how long I live, I will hold every friend I have made close to my heart.’
Spike’s eyes narrowed on the Alicorn, and for a brief second his dark pupils seemed to shine through the blinding haze. Nothing came of it though, his old eyes turned from her and he rolled back over into his horde. ‘If that is all, Princess Celestia, then good day. I wish to return to my slumber.’
‘No, that is not all, Spike.’ The princess’s prismatic mane waved wildly as she shook her head. ‘I have a gift for you, for all your years of service protecting Equestria, even after twilight and the others passed on.’
‘I have enough shiny trinkets, thank you,’ said Spike, not bothering to face her.
‘Nothing of the sort, Spike. It has taken me centuries, but I have finally managed to create a spell that can pull a pony out of the time-stream and swap places with me for as long as needed. Anywhere, from anytime.’
The horde of coins and gems seemed to explode as Spike’s massive body whipped back around towards the princess. ‘Does this mean...’
Celestia nodded. ‘Yes, you will be able to see Twilight once more.’
With eyes glowing with the full intensity of the sun, golden light swirled around Celestia, encasing her in a cocoon of temporal energy. And when the cocoon burst and the light faded, the majestic white alicorn was replaced with a small, purple unicorn.
‘Spike? Is that you?’
Tears as big as a pony sprung from the dragon’s eyes. ‘Twilight, my dear Twilight. It has been so long since I have heard your voice.’
Twilight sparkle carefully navigated the pile of coins to stand next to the dragon. ‘You’ve gotten so big, Spike. I’m really proud of you for keeping Equestria safe for me.’
‘Of course I did. I’ve been so lonely since you’ve been gone, Twilight. There’s so much I want to tell you.’
‘We have all the time in the world in the world now, Spike.’
‘Twilight?’
‘Yes, Spike?’
A loud yawn echoed across the chamber. ‘I’m suddenly feeling sleepy. Would you mind if we talked after I’ve taken a little nap?’ 
‘Of course not, Spike, whenever you’re ready, I’ll be here.’
‘Do you think you could read to me? Like you used to do?’
‘Of course, Spike.’ There was a whoosh of magic and a book suddenly appeared in Twilight’s hooves. ‘How about: ‘The little hungry dragon?’
Spike laid his head down and curled himself around Twilight. ‘I’d like that very much. I love you, Twilight.’
'I love you too, Spike.'

*

It was sunset by the time Twilight Sparkle exited the mountain tunnel. The flapping of wings caught her ears and she looked up to find Princess Luna descending towards her.
‘How did it go.’ the keeper of the night asked.
‘His life-force is gone.’ Twilight answered. ‘He went as peacefully as possible. A luxury few of us are afforded.’
‘Do you think he knew it was you all along?’
‘No, he was too happy at seeing Twilight to notice.’ Golden light once again surrounded Twilight, and when it dissipated Princess Celestia was in the unicorn’s place. ‘But even if he did, I doubt he would have minded.’
Luna gazed up at the mountain peak. ‘A fitting burial place, I suppose.’
‘Yes, but I wish to add something.’ Celestia turned back towards the dark tunnel. Golden energy shone brilliantly in her horn before shooting out into the tunnel. There was a loud bang and a brilliant flash, and the entrance to the tunnel was sealed as several tonnes of stone came crashing down.  Her magic flared once more, and the haphazard wall of boulders was transformed into a smooth sheet of stone. One last bolt of magical energy struck the wall, and both alicorn princesses smiled at the elder’s work.
Princess Luna took flight with a powerful flap of her wings. ‘Come, Sister, let us return home.’
Celestia paused for a second, admiring her work, before joining her sister in the sky.
On that sheet of stone were inscribed the words:


Here lies the dragon Spike
Defender of Equestria and hero to many
Loved very much by Twilight Sparkle