Twilight was trying to comfort the broken dragon in front of her, to no avail. Rarity you're so gonna get it this time... What could have she said? Spike had been depressed before, sure, but this was a very unique sadness.
She decided to wait until he stopped sobbing to ask once again “What happened?”
Spike wiped his tears and looked up to her. There was no point in hiding anymore. If it wasn't him, it was going to be Rarity, and it would be worse to hear it from her rather than from the one who committed the crime.
“I lied.”
“Lied?” Twilight rehearsed. “About what?”
Spike sniffed and shook his head, then he sat in front of Twilight, breaking her hug “About almost everything... About what truly happened when I was gone.”
For a moment, Twilight forgot the confession began because of Rarity “You lied about that?!” she mentally slapped herself for that scold as she saw Spike back a step away and lowered her voice “W-why would you do that? I thought you were finally going to be honest with us.”
“I was! Just, after this...”
“'After this'? What's that even supposed to mean?!”
“Twi', please, I know you must be very upset to say the least but just hear me out first!”
Twilight thought everything would be alright from now on. That every doubt and secret had been cleared out. It didn't matter if this was actually the last thing Spike was hiding, he had already failed her enough to keep her trust. She turned around and felt how her eyes began to water “I don't want to hear it,” she said sharply.
Spike didn't know how to approach, surely there was a way to make her listen and understand “Why not? I'm going to tell you whatever you want! Just ask anything and I'll answer!”
Without turning her head to stare, she asked “Anything, you say?”
“Yes, Twilight! I said I'd never hide the truth from you again and I meant it!”
“Then answer this:-” she looked over her shoulder “How can I ever trust you again?”
Spike knew she would be disappointed to an extreme level. He had even expected a reply like this, but no matter how much it was anticipated, it hurt him deeply. He looked at the floor in shame; This time, he wouldn't drop a single tear. Instead, he would take the charges for his acts. His journey had taught him many things, and slowly and painfully, in the end it showed him how to be responsible.
“I don't know if you can.”
Twilight then turned completely, not knowing if Spike was serious. She knew Spike wasn't just a cynical dragon who just didn't care, so what was this about?
“I mean, after all I haven't been sincere or nice to you in the past months,” he sighed and gave a quick 'hmph' to himself before continuing “Come to think of it, I understand why you wouldn't want to hear a word from me. What good could more lies do, right?” Spike stood up and went towards the room's entrance “If I can get your forgiveness... And the other's too... It will be great. But for now, I can only make things right as much as I can.”
Spike left without another word, leaving the alicorn with her thoughts. After a moment, she heard the castle's gate open and close. Still in Spike's room, she climbed onto the bed and pondered the situation.
Could she really trust him even after this? Yes, without a doubt.Why though? Her subconscious was practically begging her to stay mad at him, but the way he accepted his mistake, his determination to correct it, it was something Twilight was proud of.
For Spike's entire life and most of Twilight's, both of them had shared many experiences which helped them develop into the pony and dragon they were today. Since they lived together, it was always hard to categorize their relationship.
They were seen many times as sister and brother; mother and son; even master and servant, which for some reason never bothered Spike when mentioned.
Truth is, none of those were accurate. Whenever they discussed the matter only between them, their relation took some turns, making them either take some distance or bringing them closer, sometimes very, very close.
There was no type that could define their relationship other than Twilight and Spike. They were unique in their behavior when it came to each other. And in every stage of their ups and downs, the one thing that never went missing, was love and care for each other.
Twilight hugged the bed's pillow. The two could find a way out of every bitter moment, so this would be no different.
“I will do what I must as a Princess of Equestria, Spike,” she whispered “Maybe I will have to do things that I won't like or take decisions I'd rather not,” a sad smile curved in her muzzle “But I forgive you, and I will always love you no matter what.”
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That night, Spike slept by the hills; Thinking about his place between ponies again.
If he was right, this following week would be challenging. Full of a display of hatred from most of those ponies, mainly from those directly affected by his actions. After that, they would eventually regain their distinctive attitude and harmony that made Spike want to stay by their side.
Granted, not everypony was like that, but he didn't need everypony, he only needed his friends.
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The following morning, Celestia's sun shone over Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack gave a precise kick, knocking many apples off a tree. She was proudly wearing the black stetson Spike gave her the day before. Although she did prefer her original hat, she decided to give it a rest for the day. It was also an opportunity to clean it and still have her head covered from said sun's heat.
Applejack smirked and adjusted her brand new hat, thinking it would be a nice adorn to keep in her room.
Just then, she saw a not-so-familiar figure approaching; It wasn't until it was very close to her that she distinguished it: Spike in his recently acquired form.
“Howdy there, Spike!” she waved a hoof at him, taking slow steps to close the distance between them “What brings you here t'day? An errand of sorts?”
Spike stayed in front of her for a moment, staring at anything but her. His mouth was opening and closing constantly, giving the impression that he wanted to say something.
“Uh, you alright, sugarcube?”she immediately understood there was a problem with him.
Spike looked directly into her eyes “I wish I was,” he simply said.
There wasn't much to talk about, really, it was more like an explanation to be given. One that would pretty much shatter a friendship in a couple of minutes.
From afar in the barn, Macintosh heard a sudden shout which made him stop his work to check outside. He could see his sister agitated, her words were out of earshot, but he could notice the anger in them.
Although he couldn't recognize who she was talking to, he decided it was best to leave it to her. It was easy to make out her silhouette, but he had a hard time with the other. He was probably a pony as big if not bigger than him A coltfriend? he thought Could it be a break up? he discarded the idea almost immediately. Applejack shared almost everything with her brother, whatever was going on, he sure would ask as soon as she were done.
Surely enough, Applejack returned to the farmhouse huffing and muttering under her breath. The mysterious stallion was still a shadow in the distance, Mac could see him grasp the black stetson that supposedly Spike gave his sister just yesterday, with his... Claws? Huh... Applejack did tell him that Spike was bigger than before, but he didn't expect such a change.
He shook his head, Either way. Mac intercepted his sister just as she was about to enter the house, giving her a look that read 'What happened?'
“Later, Big Mac. Not in the mood for a talk,” she eluded him after that, trotting towards her room upstairs.
Mac wasn't one to press anypony, so he decided to let her leave. Later it'll be then. He turned his head, noticing that Spike wasn't there anymore, You better not have harmed my sister, fella.
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And so, one by one, Spike confessed what he'd done to all of his friends. Fortunately for him, the last ones showed to be a little more comprehensive, since Applejack, Twilight and Rarity had special reasons to hold a little grudge.
Below her cloud home, Rainbow Dash listened to what he had to say, surprisingly not interrupting a single time. After he was done, she stayed silent for a moment, then sighed and said “Well, you were trying to be your best,” she went indoors to retrieve the 'present' and handed it over to Spike “You went about it the wrong way, but you were still just trying to be your best,” Rainbow noticed that despite his confidence, Spike was emotionally shattered “Dude, I had that statue thing for like, ten hours and I'm going to miss it anyways,” she gave a small hoof bump to his shoulder, making him look at her in the eye. She smirked “Cheer up, pal, if I told you of the stuff I've gotten myself into, you'd consider yourself lucky.”
It didn't do much to lessen the guilt, but it was good to hear such words through the hard time “Thank you, Dash,” he smiled for a couple of seconds before recovering his grim expression. Then he left.
Pinkie Pie was a special challenge, she seemed to get everything wrong, often overhearing or replacing words on purpose so she didn't get the complete story. It was something she often did unconsciously: Twisting phrases in her mind to make bad or sad news seem harmless or unimportant.
This particular event was something Spike wouldn't let go so easily though. Pinkie deserved to know, so he stopped arguing with her and try to explain the situation. Instead, he headed to Sugarcube Corner's exit with the pyramid in his back and finished the conversation with a rather sad sentence “I'm sorry, Pinkie, I wish it was the way you want it to be... I wish I hadn't betrayed you... But I did.”
Nowhere to run, no twist to make, Pinkamena's brain processed the whole tale correctly this time. Making her stare blankly at the open door with a horrendous feeling she had always struggled to contain. She tried to keep her puffy mane from deflating, but she eventually teared up in the kitchen, sobbing silently.
Flutteshy had followed Spike's steps up until this point. She'd watched him descend to the path of greed once again, and lie to his closest, long-life companions; But even after those deeds, she was the one to assure him that no rancor remained in her, that he was the greatest dragon to ever exist thanks to his courage, and even took the time to speak with him about how she and Rarity knew what happened.
Spike felt somewhat betrayed for being spied on, but he couldn't complain at all.
Finally, the long day was done. With the items recovered, Spike was unsure if it was a good idea to return to the castle in order to depart in the morning to return what he stole. Would Twilight be alright with him staying there? He would have to risk it.
On his way back, 'the warning' returned, making his body get a tingling sensation Talk about the worst day ever. In a way, this larger version of himself was a reminder of his actions, and therefore it should be better to leave it behind. On the other hand, it was the only thing Spike had earned from all of this. At least, it was the only thing Spike had acknowledged he had earned. It would also be very humiliating to show up in his real form. It was weak, it was everything he so desperately tried to change from himself, yet it would be truthful.
The weight in his back started to grow, and then he was unable to keep going on four legs. The rest of the trip, he carried the objects as he was used to carrying Rarity's suitcases and bags: Miraculously holding all the weight with his front arms.
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Twilight opened the gates a minute after hearing a knock. She had a pretty good idea of who it could be, and she was right.
Spike stood there, with the big pile in his shaking arms, threatening to fall any second “A little h-help?” he said.
Before lending a hoof, she took a time to inspect Spike's appearance. Once again, he was as small as he used to be, and his voice returned to normal, which was odd after hearing the peculiar masculinity in his grown-up form.
Snapping back to reality, she levitated the stash for Spike, allowing him to take a break “So, should I assume this means what I think it does?”
The little dragon was breathing heavily, looking at the floor “Depends,” he said between breaths “On what you... Think... It means.”
“What I would expect, is to hear how sorry you are, mister,” her tone wasn't very serious, it more like the one of a teacher who is too kind to even be taken menacing.
“Then, you won't be disappointed,” Spike looked at her, now completely recovered from the previous effort. He extended his arms and smiled “Is this better for you?”
Twilight allowed herself to drop the things she was holding carelessly, focusing solely on lifting Spike off the ground “Way better,” she wrapped him in a hug that he reciprocated “It's who you really are, after all.”
The mention made him grunt “Ugh... I only wish it wasn't,”
“Don't worry, I'm sure your time to shine will come soon.”
If soon is between tomorrow and before a year, count me in. Of course he would keep that to himself, but it was what he wanted more than anything.
Spike freed himself from Twilight's grasp “So... What's it gonna be? Dungeon? Banishment? Dungeon in the place you banish me to?”
His Fluttershy impression made the alicorn roll her eyes “I'm not going to do any of that, Spike,” she picked up the antiques hopefully undamaged after the fall “Also, you need to take this seriously. We don't know how laws work in that place where these are from,” she pointed at one of the many items.
“I'm willing to bet they don't have any.”
“They have to, even if it isn't written down, every place has a way to make justice.”
“Yeah, well... Whatever comes, I guess serves me right,” Twilight grimaced, but didn't reply “At least I know I won't face it alone.”
“You're right, Spike,” she approached him and put her cheek against his “We've had worse moments before, we'll get through this too.”
After the short talk, Spike went to clean his room while Twilight continued her studies. Sure, she had forgiven his friend wholeheartedly, but there was tension between them; Only time would fix that.
The hours passed slowly with no sign of changing. The two inhabitants of the enormous castle were at different rooms, and every time they walked up on each other, they awkwardly stared another way or stayed silent.
Dinner time forced them to hold a larger conversation tough, as the atmosphere grew more uncomfortable they both had had enough.
“Nice meal, Spike,” Twilight commented while chewing on one of the spiced lettuces “I think I'll never have enough of your cooking!”
“Oh hush, Twilight, you know sappy stuff like that makes me blush,” he chuckled.
The princess joined him, trying to bring up a new topic “Oh! We should invite the girls over sometime! We can have a party to make up to them, don't you think?”
“Er... Sure... It's a good idea, just not now... Or for the next two weeks I'd say.”
Twilight inclined her head “Why?” she straightened “They'll have to show up whether they are mad or not. And if you ask me, the sooner the better,” she remembered when she had left her Canterlot's friends behind, forgetting about at the point of no even caring for them or their wherabouts “Besides, if you explained yourself and talked to them they should forgive you.”
“...” Spike scratched his nape.
“You have talked to all of them, haven't you?”
“Well... Do you remember yesterday? When Rarity stormed off? We didn't really 'talk', it was more like a reveling facts thing. That's how I'd call it.”
“Why didn't you go to her boutique then? Rarity can be a drama queen, I know, but it can't be more complicated than it is for the others.”
“Um... It... It kind of is,” he smiled sheepishly.
Twilight half-closed her eyelids, sharply staring at Spike “What do you mean by that? Because if this is about that crush of yours-”
“No no! I uh... kinda kissed her...”
“What?” Twilight got closer, almost laying over the table.
“I kissed her!” Spike threw his arms up.
Twilight's eyes widened “YOU WHAT?!”