//------------------------------// // Prologue // Story: Where We Belong // by The Wandering Draconian //------------------------------// Where We Belong One year. It had already been one year. Spike lay awake, staring up at the ceiling of his cave. He was lucky enough to have found one so large, and with a viable stream of water coming in. Even though he was lucky to have a place to call home so deep in the badlands, and even closer to the oceans coast, his mind was plagued with loneliness. To think that he was already twenty-seven and was still searching for his place in the world. And to think that he had left Twilight and her friends a year to date, a decision he regretted making only a month in to his departure. Twilight. A name he once associated with family, but considered now to be just short of a friend. After her coronation, both of them had moved into the newly formed castle, and she started her role as a princess of Equestria. Back then she was different; nice, fun, dedicated to her studies, and a pony who could really brighten your day. But after a few years of taking on the role, she started to change. She hid her emotions, was reclusive, and seldom spent time with her friends. Her dedication to her role as a princess began to override her true personality, and he got the short end of the stick as a result. Twilight had begun to distance herself from him so she could spend more time tending to her role as an influential figure. Rarely did she spend time with him, or treat him like the family she claimed him to be. Every time he asked her to do something with him she would shut him out with the same excuse that she used for everyone; that she was far too busy with “princess matters”. The only time she would actively talk to him was when she was asking him to do chores. Even after becoming a princess she somehow found more work from him. Part of this was due to the fact that there was a far larger library stationed inside of the castle, but sometimes it seemed as though she would purposely make more work for him to silence his requests for brother-sister time. Even though Spike had grown up considerably in the passing decade, he still was treated like a child by Twilight. He was already a good 2 heads taller than twilight, and stronger that even Big Mac, but the facts seemed to have little effect on his position. Not only was he stronger, but, in a vague sense, as smart as Twilight. He even had lost his love for Rarity after seeing numerous suitors come and go, taking it as a sign she had other plans for life. He didn’t hold it against her that she never returned his feelings, even if it did appear that she was simply using him. One time he even comforted her after a particularly bad breakup with some high ranking general in the Royal Guard. Heck, the only ponies who treated him as an adult were Applejack, Fluttershy, and Derpy Hooves. He had few things to hold against the main six in his decision, but all of these things made Spike reminisce over what had happened just a little over a year ago. ~~One Year and One Day~~ ~~Winter Wrap Up~~ Spike began his walk home from Rarity’s boutique, thinking over what had just transpired. Rarity had invited him along on a gem hunting trip, which he accepted out of compliance with their monthly tradition. Everything was just like it had been for the last two years; he would go help Rarity for the day, they would sit down and talk about life stuff, then he would be back on his way home. Only today was different. Although he had let up on pursuing Rarity, she still held a place in his heart, a place that disappeared in about five seconds when they reached the boutique. Upon walking in the door, a stallion by the name of Thunderlane stood in the entrance, a bouquet of roses ranging from white to lavender clamped firmly in his jaw. Rarity, half out of surprise and joy, quickly trotted over him, leaving Spike at the door. He watched from the open doorway as the stallion made a few comments, most of which he could not make out, then Rarity practically threw her fore-hooves at him and wrapped him in an embrace. They walked out of the main room and towards Rarity’s ‘inspiration room,' completely neglecting his presence, a somewhat surprising feat given his size. Spike continued his walk home, dragging his claws in the dirt at the knockout punch to his pride. He had seen her with stallions before, but never once seen her openly accept one in his presence. It only really hurt because he was completely forgotten in about ten seconds flat. Looking up, spike noticed the crystal castle the stood before him. “Just another day...” Spike muttered under his breath, a face that almost spoke sadness. Spike pushed open the large doors to the castle, proceeding to his chambers finally get some rest. On his way up, Twilight yelled from her study. “Spike? Spike! I need you to come here and clean up the study. I have to leave for Canterlot tomorrow for a meeting with the ambassadors from the Griffon Kingdom and I don’t have time to deal with this mess!" Spike froze on the steps and hung his head low at the sound of the command. Turning his neck, he looked past his folded wings back down the stairs towards the study. Reluctantly, Spike put off his need for sleep and descended the stairs and proceeded towards his impending chore. Upon entering the study, Spikes jaw dropped at the scene. All around the study, there were books strewn about the floor, spilled inkwells, broken quills, crumpled paper, and a bowl of something that Twilight was apparently eating. Spike stared at the mess for a good minute before Twilight appeared behind him. “I need the books returned to their proper place, the stains from the inkwells cleaned up, the quills thrown away and replaced, along with the ink, the paper put in the recycling, and the dishes cleaned. I have to go to sleep and prepare for the meeting tomorrow, but I have faith that you can finish this in no time.” Twilight started to walk away when he finally spoke up. “Twilight! It’s only 6:30! And how did you manage pull out half the books from the shelves!?” Spike walked towards one of the books and picked it up, reading the title. “How is this even relevant to anything you are studying? What does A Stallion's Pride have anything to do with your study of aquatic plant life?” Spike proceeded to walk over to bookshelf to put it away, but then noticed that something was off... “Twilight... why are all of the books in the romantic novels section splayed across the floor... and why are there books missing from the fictional adventure section?” Twilight looked down, fumbling with her words in a desperate attempt to come up with an excuse, but Spike spoke again before she could reply. “Twilight, why are you doing this? I wasn’t even going to ask you if were busy! I was helping Rarity all day digging gems and I just want to go to sleep! Can’t a drake catch a break without his sister purposely destroying her study to keep him occupied for Celestia knows why?” Twilight looked back at him, sporting an emotional mask to hide her own guilt of the situation. “Spike, can you please just clean this up? I really do have important matters to attend to the morning.” She spoke with a calm tone that was rather unwarranted in the given situation. Spike lifted his head, staring twilight in the eyes, and balled his claws into a fist. He was about ready to hit her upside the face, but lost his motivation, and spoke with a voice that could freeze fire. “Fine” Spike had set to work on the record mess almost 6 hours ago and he only had a few more books left to put away, and a stain on the ground. When he first began the monstrous task, he immediately strode over to the main desk, carefully avoiding the piles of books and ink puddles on the floor. Picking up the bowl of mysterious food, he took a quick sniff to see just what the grey paste, soup… thing… was. He soon regretted his curiosity, and reared his head back from the onslaught of foul spells emanating from the dish. He couldn't even describe how horrible it was, gaging. Never before had he seen something so bland and terrible, and was certain it was something they would feed to the prisoners in Tartus. Upon completion the assignment, Spike dragged himself up the stairs, mumbling some uncouth phrases pertaining to Twilight and her ‘royal duties’ to the solar princess. Spike silently trudged to his quarters, plopping himself down on his oversized bed. Spike rolled over onto his side, staring out the window at Luna’s night. “Things are just so different from what they used to be...” Spike muttered to himself, still staring out the window, watching stars. He had kept a lot of secrets from Twilight over the years, for personal reasons, but they never interfered with his life with her. Thinking back to a few hours ago, he was now contemplating just what he means Twilight. As sleep came to take him into the dreamscape, a few thoughts made themselves known to Spike. “There just isn’t anything here for me anymore...” Spike awoke the next morning, it being an hour past noon already. He wondered why he wasn’t woken by Twilight, but then remembered her meeting. Spike climbed downstairs and into the dining hall, then proceeded to make himself some sapphire pancakes with what was left of his gem supply. “At least some things never change.” Spike smirked, staring at his freshly made breakfast, then, after lathering on a heavy dose of syrup, proceeded to eat the meal in peaceful silence. Spike thought back to what happened the prior night, then back to his plan. He wandered over into the castle’s study quarters, then, grabbing a quill and parchment, wrote his letter. Dear Twilight, After recent years it has come to my attention that my presence has seemed to become a... burden in your eyes. With what transpired last night, and many other nights, I have decided to find my own path in life. I’m sorry that it somehow came to this, but with even my presence in Ponyville being one of novelty, I feel that there just isn’t a future for me here. Tell the others, but make sure to say that I’m sorry to Fluttershy. I know how much she loved spending time with me and her animals, even though she is still rather afraid ever since my last growth spurt, and I hold nothing against her. But remember Twilight, my decision wasn’t based on your actions alone, but many others. Other things... happened yesterday, and if you really want to know, you could probably ask Rarity. Now this isn’t goodbye, for I will be back later. I just need time to myself, and although you may find it drastic... I won’t be back, for what I plan to be, ten years. Everyone has their place in the world, and it’s high time I found mine. Your Friend, Spike. Spike read the letter over several times before tacking it to her bedroom door. He walked back down to the study, grabbed another parchment, and wrote another note, this one to Celestia. It was a simple letter, simply stating that he would stay in touch with her after he left, but that she not tell anyone of his future conditions, with the exception of Luna. Spike rolled up the letter, and blew a gout of his emerald flames, sending the letter on to its destination. He went back upstairs, gathered a few simple keepsakes, and flew off towards the Badlands.