Chapter 4: Loved
The cave was lit from the sunlight out side, but darkness still fell over Twilight Sparkle. Longing was eating at the pony's inside. She wanted to see Spike. No, she needed to see Spike.
Her eyes were mid-adjusting when she heard a shriek from Rarity. Twilight lit her horn and ran towards her. On the ground in a heap, lay a large beat up and worn out purple figure.
“Spike!” Twilight shouted, sliding on the cave floor next to him. He was just a bit over the size of a full grown Stallion, but Twilight could see the chipped off scales and wounds. She pushed him off his belly and put her ear by his mouth. Faint breaths came in and shortly came out. There wasn't much time. Fear came over Twilight, but she wasn't letting him get away this time.
“Sp-Spike.” She said as softly and calmly as she could. When no response came, Twilight shook him slowly. She put her hoof on his neck and lifted it and held him.
It was a long time before anypony moved. Twilight felt a hoof on her shoulder. It was Applejack.
“Look, uh, Twilight-” Twilight shook it off and held Spike closer. She held him close to her chest. Her heart beat was beginning to grow rapid, but she couldn't move. She held him tight, with more strength she knew she had.
“Come on Spike.” Twilight thought, “Don't leave me here.” She heard a deep cough from the dragon's throat.
Twilight moved back to see him opening his eyes. He droopingly turned his head toward her.
“Spike!” Twilight said relieved. Spike returned a toothy smile.
“Hehe, what's up Twi?” This made Twilight want to laugh and cry at the same time. Spike tried to get up, but fell back down, his eyes almost rolling back.
“He needs water.” Twilight ordered. Pinkie Pie placed a canteen in her hoof. Twilight shakily poured water into Spike's mouth. Which Spike, a little too eagerly, swallowed. Twilight helped him eat and drink, as though it were when she first met him. When he was her baby dragon.
********************************
Spike was sitting on his own now, his back against the cold cave wall. He gnawed on his sapphire, savoring the taste. He ate so many already, it was hard to eat anymore. Spike felt his strength returning to him, his scales growing back. That would take time, but it didn't matter.
He was with his friends again. After all that time. And they went through all that trouble, for him.
“Spike?” Spike lifted his head part way to see the most beautiful fire ruby he'd ever seen, then even higher to look into the eyes of the most beautiful mare he'd ever seen. Her deep, seeking blue eyes stared into his.
“Rarity...” She stared at him, almost blankly.
She wanted something from him, he could tell that. Spike composed himself on all fours to face her. Too many emotions came at once for Spike to sort out, but he pushed them back. She watched him, noticing how beat his body was. Her eyes wavered, tears growing. Spike wrapped his arm around her, holding her. Her arms came around his back.
“Rarity, I missed y-” Spike felt a warm stream come from where her head was burrowed in his shoulder. Like a flood, emotions filled his being. He was tired, frustrated, happy, angry, but above all he felt loved. They all cared about him. He almost couldn't contain it. His emotions were his whole being. But this mare felt so attached to him she was actually crying because she found him. Spike swallowed hard.
“I missed you Rarity.” He managed to say. Her frost white head rose from his shoulder.
“I missed you too, Spike.”
********************************
“It's getting late fast, we should set up the camp in the cave.” Twilight said. Pinkie Pie jumped at the opportunity.
“We'll set up camp, and have a PARTY!”
The pink pony zipped to seemingly no where and came back with a cannon. She lit up the string and with a loud bang and a flash of light, there were tables with snacks and drinks with tents and couches to spare.
“Never seizes to amaze me.” Applejack whispered to Twilight. They both laughed.
“I've learned never to under estimate Pinkie.” Pinkie rose from between them, and jumped into the air.
“Let's party!!”
Rainbow Dash flew over with streamers, making them fall all over the cave. A record started to play and the party of Spike's return officially started. Twilight laughed with her friends as they all picked up Spike and threw him into the air. He was heavy, but the six of them managed to get the joyful dragon airborne. He came down laughing as they all crashed onto the floor. Twilight hadn't done this in a while, but she felt so good a party felt like the right way to let go.
Twilight actually danced and they all made Spike dance, much to his embarrassment. Twilight and Spike stuck together throughout the party. She knew the feelings were mutual, but Twilight wasn't exactly sure what those feelings were.
After a round of pin the tail on the pony, Pinkie swung by Spike and started dancing with him. Spike desperately tried to keep up with the energetic pony, but simply couldn't. Twilight laughed as she watched this, and decided it would be a good time to take a breather. She stepped outside the cave and sat down against a rock. She felt tired, but too exited to sleep. The moon was full but not high yet.
Looking out over Equestria, all the vast land, forests, hills, and towns she hadn't gone to yet. But out of all the places in Equestria she could be, Twilight was glad to be here.
“Hey...” Twilight turned to see Spike standing awkwardly.
“Do you- um mind if I join you?” Twilight smiled at this.
“Get over here you silly dragon.” Spike smiled and strolled to the rock she was resting against, and took a seat next to her.
“Missing your own party?” Twilight teased. They laughed together, and it felt good. She had missed moments like these.
“Twilight, I wanted to ask you something.” The unicorn turned to look at him. He was looking at his feet nervously. She stared at him. Her Spike was back, who she raised. Her assistant, her baby, but most of all...
“Did you ever miss me?” Twilight thought hard. Of course she missed him, it seemed almost dumb to ask so, but staring at him she saw something in him that needed an answer.
“Of course Spike. How could I not miss my best friend?” Spike looked up to beam at her, and they both started to laugh. Twilight wasn't sure why, but she didn't care. It felt so good to get everything off her chest. After a few minutes they calmed down.
“You're my best friend too Twilight.” Spike replied. At this, Twilight embraced him. She didn't know what came over her, but it felt needed.
“I messed you so much Spike.” Twilight felt his claws around her. She knew she had to control her emotions, for Spike.
“But you're here now.” She backed up slowly to look him in the eyes.
“and that's all that matters now.” They smiled at each other, and returned to the cave.
********************************
“Hello?” Spike was alone in a pitch black room. No pony responded. A feeling of dread came over him.
“I don't want to be alone again.” Spike groaned. A scream came from behind him. Rarity's scream.
Spike moved on all fours incredibly fast, thrusting himself straight into whatever dangers lie ahead. The scene suddenly changed to white, as he saw five of his friends fighting an enormous blue monster. Spike looked around but could not find Rarity.
“Spike run!” Twilight shouted.
Spike didn't move, and felt fear, not for himself, but for his friends when he stared at the beast. He recognized him, it wasn't safe here.
“Spike!” Twilight shrieked. The beast moved a claw with unbelievable force by his friends. Four of them got out of the way, one didn't move.
“Twilight!”
********************************
Spike jolted up. His heart was racing, he felt as though he was going to explode. He squirmed and thrashed out. His rapid pulse slowed as he turned to look at his sleeping friends. He was sitting on a mat where he'd previously been asleep. He got up and saw Twilight sound asleep, right next to him. Relief and love blew over him.
“They really care about me.” Spike whispered to himself. He looked around to see all his friends by him. All except one.
“Rarity...” Spike felt a magic breeze touch his chin, turning it toward the cave exit. Spike avoided stepping on any of his friends while going out. The moon was casting a pale blue rays over the mountain. Spike turned around to see a rocky slope, with Rarity at the top. Rarity teasingly winked at him and bolted off. Spike smiled slyly.
“Okay then, here I come!” Spike swiftly ran up the mountain.
The breeze in his ears, Spike running through the cool night air. He felt free. Spike reached a flat field at the top of the slope. Rarity was still running. Spike chuckled as he was easily catching up with her.
“Come on Spike, you slow poke dragon!” She teased laughing. She turned quickly to throw Spike off. Spike saw this coming, but slowed down anyway. He was enjoying himself too much.
“You're so slow Spike!” Rarity teased again. Spike smiled and burst forward tackling her. They laughed as they rolled together on the soft grass.
Momentum and time caught up with them however, leaving Spike and her on the wet grass together. Spike realized that he was on top of the pony, pinning her down. He looked into her eyes, his heart slowing to a loud steady thump. He knew he should move, allow her to get up.
But Spike didn't want to. And from what he could tell she didn't want him to either. Rarity's eyes softened before they closed. She leaned in and kissed him. Spike felt like he could get off the ground and soar, but even if he could, he didn't want to. He felt all the pain and anger that filled him before vanish. This was all he needed. Eventually she retreated. Spike opened his eyes to see her biting her lip. He had always found that cute.
“Oh Spike...” Rarity said softly. He backed off of her so they could lie down together. They watched the brightest stars. Spike had ever seen on this beautiful full moon night. He noticed the snow white mare getting cold. He reached out to pull her close. She fell asleep in his arms.