//------------------------------//
// Promises 
// Story: Secret of My Excess 
// by ApplejackEquestria 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 3: Promises

It was dark. Spike rolled over on the cold hard stone. Somepony was calling him, somepony needed him. Spike rolled off his stone and landed on his large four feet. He instantly collapsed. His knees felt weak, he clutched his empty stomach. This was antagonizing, he thought. This shouldn't have happened. Spike's eyes dilated as he felt a surge of anger flow through him. But he stopped himself, he couldn’t let that happen. 
It was natural for dragons to feel this way, but it wasn't him. His friends would come, he knew it. Spike moved his head enough so he could see out the cave entrance. He saw a bright moon, almost full. Somepony was watching the moon to, he could feel it. The moon calmed him, he could feel it soothing his entire body. Spike closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

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Rarity had begun to wake up. She fell asleep on the semi-comfy party couch Pinkie prepared. When Rarity stepped up she felt a little stiff. She looked around at her friends, all asleep on this misty morning. All except one. Rarity turned her head to see Applejack sitting on the edge of the cliff, watching the morning sky. She nimbly avoided her friends to go to Applejack. Without even turning around, Applejack asked:
“Watcha' doin' up?” Rarity was startled for a second, standing very still. She finally responded 
“I could ask you the same question.” Applejack chuckled.
“Fair enough. When I feel in doubt, I like to watch the sunrise.” She paused for a second, allowing Rarity enough time to sit next to her. “It gives me comfort that maybe Celestia is watchin' us, ya know?” 
Rarity noticed something change in her dark green eyes, so Rarity turned toward the sun. It was magnificent, rising over the misty-eyed world. Rarity could feel a breeze flowing around her. They sat in silence for a while, watching the sun creak over Equestria. Rarity and Applejack didn't always see eye to eye, but Rarity knew she liked her. And as much as she hated to admit it, they were similar in some ways too. 
“Now it's your turn.” Applejack finally said, breaking the silence. “What's got you so worried?” Rarity felt out of place, not sure what to say, or even how exactly she felt. Could she really talk to Applejack about it? She turned to look into the pony's eyes. Rarity knew she could trust her. 
“I always thought that for somepony to like me, they needed me to do them... favors. That is to see me as a good pony. To some I may seem stuck up or even snotty, but not to Spike. I didn't do anything for him, but he instantly saw me for who I was.” Rarity knew she was opening up farther than she'd ever dare go, but it felt good. She pressed on. 
“I suppose he's a good judge of character, seeing me for who I am. But I don't think he knows how I feel. I-” 
“That's enough.” Applejack said putting a hoof up to silence her, “Let's just enjoy the sunrise.” They smiled at each other for a moment, and turned to watch the sun. 
“Maybe...” Rarity thought to herself, “Maybe I don't even know how I feel.” Rarity and Applejack watched the sun warm up the waking world.

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“There's no time to waste! Let's move everypony.” Twilight Sparkle's voice rang. If everything went as planned, they would reach Spike in less than an hour. Over rocks and sketchy paths the brave little ponies traveled across the treacherous mountain side. 
They worked as one, helping each other up when needing it. They knew each other well, their strengths. Their flaws. But this let them really know each other, this made them friends. 
“It's what holds us together.” Twilight thought. That's why they had stayed together all this time, why they needed each other. 
It's why she needs Spike. He was there before anypony else was and he understood her the best. Even though Twilight felt like she ignored him sometimes, he had always been there for her. Twilight's mind went back to a rainy Spring night she remembered so well. 
Twilight was in her warm bed closing her heavy lavender eyes. It had been a rough day, plenty of problems to fix between her friends and hours of studying. Rain pounded against the window with booming thunder on the other side. But she didn't mind. Without a care, only sleep on her clear mind, she was on the verge of a perfect night's sleep.
“Tw-Twilight?” Although she hates herself now for feeling annoyed, she was. 
“What is it Spike?” Twilight said crossly. Her eyes were on the shaky shadow of a figure Spike. 
“I uh... I had a nightmare.” Spike replied shakily. Lightning flashed showing his horrified face, holding onto the side of her bed just to stay balanced. 
Twilight magically pulled back her covers and made room for Spike. He crawled in and rested his head on the other half of Twilight's pillow. She turned her back to him, closing her eyes again allowing sleep to take over her body. Twilight felt her bed shudder and heard Spike trying to hold back tears. Twilight rolled around and squeezed him. 
“It's okay.” She whispered, feeling his claws clutching her. “It was only a dream, Spike. I'll protect you.” She watched him slowly calm down, his head on her stomach him listening to her heartbeat. Spike was falling asleep, and Twilight leaned in and kissed his forehead. 
“Twi...Twilight?” Spike whispered drowsily. 
“Yes my silly dragon?” Twilight said, rubbing her hoof on his shaking back. 
“Can you promise me something?” Twilight was taken by surprise, but didn't let it show. 
“Of course.” Spike's eyes were wavering. 
“Promise you'll never give up on me?” Twilight let out a soft laugh. 
“I never wou-” 
“Twilight.” He said more urgently. “Please...” Twilight was taken aback, why was he asking this? Did it have to do with his nightmare? “Twilight?” 
“I promise Spike.” She said from the bottom of her heart. “I couldn't give up on you even if I wanted to.” 
Spike let out a breath of relief, and was asleep. “That obviously meant a lot to him.” Twilight thought. She held him there all night. She wished she could hold him now. 
“Look! The cave!” Twilight came to reality to see her friends running into the cave entrance. Twilight suddenly felt nervous, what would he be like? Is he her Spike? Twilight started to gallop faster, whether he was in the right mind, or completely changed, she would still be there for him. She promised. 
“I won't give up on you Spike.” Twilight said to herself. “I promise.”