> The light at the end of the tunnel > by the ninja king > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was the start of summer vacation in Canterlot. In the Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, Twilight walking down the hall. She had a bruise and slight limp on her hind left leg. As she walked outside the school, she saw many unicorns with their parents. "Hey, Twilight!" A voice shouted. The mare quickly found the source of the sound. The sound came from a white stallion, with blue hair. "Hey, Shining!" she said as she hugged her brother, as a smile grew on her face. "How, are you doing little sis?" "I'm doing amazing Shining! Mr.Fire Spit showed us a movie!" "Nice, what movie?" "The Adventures of Star Swirl the bearded!" she said with a huge grin on her face. While they were walking home Shining spotted that his sis had a slight limp. "Are you ok Twili; you have a limp." He asked in a worried voice. "I'm ok! I got it when I played baseball. Somepony hit the baseball in my leg. Don't worry it was an accident, they didn't mean it." She replied defensively. They walked the rest of the way home in silence. __________________________________________________________________________________ The next day in Canterlot Castle. A purple alicorn, by the name of Spike was sleeping in bed. He had an emerald green mane and eyes. He was less buff than most stallions his age, but he was also taller than them. His cutie mark was a supernova, its outline was in an emerald flame. He was waking up as the sun the striking his face, like an alarm clock. He cursed grumbled under his breath a bit, before climbing out of bed. He walked over to his bathroom, cleaned up for the day, and fed his pet Phoenix. When he finished he walked over to his personal classroom. When he entered he saw a white alicorn with a rainbow mane, where his teacher would be. "Hey, Mom." He said before looking around the room. "Where is Mr. Storm?" "Well, now you are old enough I will teach you now." She replied. "Does that mean that I have summer off?" The stallion asked with a cheerful tone. His mom chuckled. "No, it's going to be the same schedule." He showed some disappointment as he walked over to his desk. ________________________________________________________ 5 hours later, at the Sparkle's Twilight was in the living room playing a board game with her brother. When they finished Shining said that he had to go to work. After saying their goodbyes Twilight decided to grab the book she was reading. She wrote a letter to her family telling them where she is, before heading out to Canterlot gardens. When she arrived she only saw a few guards. Most ponies must be on vacation. Good, I won't be disturbed. She found a bench surrounded by a hedge. Sure she could stay at home, read and not be disturbed. However her parents and her brother were pushing her to go outside more, plus the day was beautiful. As she was reading two unicorns were walking up to her. One of them a stallion with gray fur, ruby red mane, and sky blue eyes. His cutie marks a brain with a magical orah surrounding it. The other one was a mare with an onyx black fur, snow white mane, and gray eyes. Her cutie mark was an open book with overflowing. "Hey, Twilight what are you reading." The mare said. The stallion walked over to Twilight before she could respond to see what she was reading. "Oh, your reading Daring Do!" He said before taking it with his magic. "Hey!" Twilight yelled. She got up and tried to take the book back. The stallion levitated the book over to his partner. "Ah, I see you have one of the newer books." She said while examining the book. "Please, give it back, Grayscale!" Twilight pleaded. "It was a gift from my brother!" When she said that they both looked at each other with evil grins on their faces. "Well, if it's so important to you," the onyx mare said while levitating the book to Twilight, "we better give it back to you." When she finished her sentence they set it ablaze. "NO!!" Twilight screamed, as the book turning into ash. Then the stallion walked over to her. "Remember, you did it by accident." He whispered venom in Twilight's ear as he cast a spell on her. The guards came over to investigate the scream. Twilight explained the lie that the stallion told her. The guards told Twilight to watch her magic so she doesn't burn down the garden. When the guards left, Twilight looked at the stallion with an angry face and tears in her eyes. "Don't you have anything better to do, Ruby?" The only response she got was a punch. The two just walked away as Twilight was crying over her destroyed book. A minute later, Spike was taking a walk around the garden. As he was walking he heard Twilight faint sobs. So, he went to see the source. When he found the mare crying at the ash that was once her book. "What's wrong?" The prince asked trying to copy his mom's tone. She looked up from her destroyed book. When she saw Spike, she immediately bowed. "I accidentally destroyed my book," Twilight responded. "So, what's your name?" "Twilight, sir." "Well Twilight, do you want to head to the royal library to get another copy?" She sniffles before answering. "Won't you get into trouble?" "I won't when mom realizes why I did it. Plus, she almost never gets angry. So, you still want another copy?" Twilight nodded. When they arrived at the library Twilight was in complete awe of how many books there were. Spike chuckled "I know it's a lot of books." "Why are so many books blocked off from public view?" She asked. "First most books in here you can get at the public library. Second, there are books that mom wants to keep on hand, but not for public access." He explained. "What kind of books are restricted?" She asked. "Mostly black magic, but the rest are banned books." When he said banned books Twilights face lit up. "We are only here to replace your book." He said with a stern face. "So, what book is it?" "The first Daring Do novel." "Wait here, I'll be right back." He said before flying off to where the adventure books were. Twilight was trying to stand still to not get Spike into trouble. However, she was starting to fail due to how many books there were. Then the young alicorn came with the book in his telekinesis. He handed the book over to Twilight. "Thank-you!" she said as she hugged the alicorn. When she did Spike's heart skipped a beat. He was a little bit confused by this because he was hugged by girls before. However, as soon the hug started it ended. Spike wanting to break the silence he asked Twilight about her life. She told him that she goes to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns and that she lives with her parents and her brother. Then she asked him the same thing. He told her how it was like being homeschooled, and living with his mom, and his two cousins. Their conversations soon went on to what books they liked the most to what kind of spells that they were practicing. They spent so much time talking to each other they didn't notice Princess Celestia right behind them. "Hey, Spike showing a new friend around?" she asked, scaring the two. Twilight quickly bowed as Spike was trying to convince his mother not to ground him or send Twilight to jail. She only chuckled and told him that since she was with him, it was ok. Realizing, the time Twilight left the two and told Spike, that they can meet again. When Twilight left Celesta spoke up. "So, Spike why did you bring her here?" "Well, she accidentally destroyed her book and I wanted to give her our copy." Celesta smiled warmly. "Sometimes you can be too kind for your own good," she said as she tousled his mane. > Chapter 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- About three years later at Celestia's Schools for Gifted Unicorns Twilight Sparkle was in her dorm room reading a letter from her brother. Hey, Twili Everything is fine over at Saddle Arabia. Blueblood is doing fine, even though he can run his mouth a little too much. One time, he tried to get the dragon princess Ember to go into bed with him. Luckily we stopped him before Ember got the what the other guards called the Blueblood "treatment." After stopping, he told us that he was just like his sister, cousin, and aunt. I have no idea what he means by the Blueblood "treatment" or how we were like his family. So, I asked around and, my fellow guards told me that he was infamous for sleeping with a different girl than the one he slept the night before. They also say that his family stopped a few wars between ponies and another race due to his treatment. So, how are things over at School? How is Spike? Love, Shining When she finished reading went over to her desk and started to write back. Hey, Shining Everything is going well over here at school. I'm passing all my classes with flying colors. Spike, doing well. We're doing a lot of spell practicing since you left. Even Princess Celestia has helped us with spells training. Most of the time she was our test dummy. Don't worry she was never harmed her that much, she even said that raising Spike, was more dangerous. Love, Twilight She put the finished letter into an envelope and put the letter where it was supposed to go. When she got back to her room, a sticky note was on her door. On it read: You'll die alone!. She only sighed before taking it down. She entered her room and tossed the note into her trash can. __________________________________________________________________ A few hours later at the Canterlot Castle Spike was eating dinner with his mom. However, he was just fiddling around with his food and looking into the distance. "Is there something wrong Spike? You haven't eaten your food," she asked. Spike snapped out of trance before saying. “It’s Twilight.” "Well, Spike you are a stallion, and you are at that age." "It's not like that." He blushed. "I think there is something wrong with Twilight. When we meet, she comes like she just cried or without any emotion at all. Sometimes she asks if anyone will love her." “Well, she has a family, and you, she knows that all of you love her." "Not like, that mom. It's not just emotional, and she comes with visible scratches and bruises. Last week she came with a black eye." "I think she's being, bullied. Have you tried talking to her about it?" "I have, but every time I do, she either dodge the question or gives me a fake answer." "Did you ever try to push harder?" "Ya, but every time I do she becomes extremely defensive." Knowing how caring her son was, Celestia thought up an idea. "Spike if you want to go to my School? I can arrange something so that you can see Twilight." "I would like that." ________________________________________________________________ At the morning at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns Twilight woke up and went to her desk and opened a drawer. In the drawer, there was a knife. She looked at the blade. After about a minute looking at it, she put it into her saddlebag and went to school for the day. As she went to her class, most unicorns called her names or that she get out of the school. When the school day ended Twilight walked back to the library to do her homework.She would usually work in her room, but she didn't have the books she needs to help with the work. As she worked, unicorns tossed papers or books at her. The messages on the paper ranged from how unskillful she was to how no one will ever love her. When ponies called her inept, it never got to her. However, it was the comments that no stallion would love her and she will die alone that got to her. She always tried to put on a straight face when reading those letters and ignore them. However, in her mind, the statement lingered. No, matter how many times Spike or her family tell the opposite. She believed that she would die alone and not loved. When she finished her work, she went into her room. ________________________________________________________________ Half an hour at a hallway of the school Spike was talking to the principal. "I'm delighted that you are looking at mother's school, your highness." She said "My mom never brought me here. I was all was homeschooled. But, I’m just seeing a friend.” “So, thinking of coming to this school?” “No," Spike said sternly. “Why not, you'll be an amazing student!" "One, I’m senior, and this school doesn't go up to college. And two, you and the teachers kiss my mom's ass so much that her fur is permanently in all of your mouths. I won't get any challenge here. Don’t try to kiss my ass; mom has taught me how do detect that." "So, who is your teacher?" She asked, wanting to shift the conversation. "My, mom is right now. I did have a stallion by the name of Brain Storm.” Once Spike finished, the principal made a quick mental note to hire his old teacher. “So, who are you here to see?" "I'm here to see my friend, Twilight Sparkle." "Ah, Twilight Sparkle, she is one of the most brilliant students. How did someone like her, become friends to someone like you?" Spike soon told the story how the two of them became friends. As Spike talked, the Principal showed him where the mare dorm was. _____________________________________________________________ Meanwhile at the mare dorm Twilight was walking back to her room from the bathroom. "Hey, mule!" Grayscale yelled as she stepped in front of her. Twilight tried to back up but was stopped by Ruby. "What are you doing here?" Twilight asked, Ruby. "I was here to see my friend," he responded. "Do you have any friends?" Grayscale asked. "Yes, you know who he is." "Ah, yes your brother, that's not that special," the gray pony said. Twilight only glared in response. "OH! Him, the prince. I don't see how you are friends." "What do you mean? We hang out together; sometimes I have lunch with him and Princess Celestia." "Sure, but what happens when you are done with this school, hmm? Do you think he will remember you?" "He will," Twilight said as tears started to fill her eyes and walked back into the nearby wall. Then the two stepped closer to her. "No, he won't," Ruby said. "To him, you are tiny and insignificant." "How are you so sure? He is one of the most humble ponies that I ever met." "Well, he doesn't have many royal jobs yet. Once he does his only memory of you will be a distant one." At this point, Twilight started to cry. "Then you'll die alone, forgotten." "Don't forget your brother," Grayscale spoke up. "If he wants to be captain of the royal guard he has a lot to do." "But he will still have time for me." "Sure, but a royal guard is one of the most dangerous jobs. He'll die eventually. And you'll be alone, and you'll never be remembered." At this point, Twilight curled up into a ball to cry even harder. Then a furious roar came behind the two bullies. "What the hell is going on!?” The yell made them jump out of their skin. They slowly turned around to see the source of the roar. When they turned around, they saw the principal furious. However, Spike was a different story. His mane was up in flames, his fur turned into the color of magma, and looked like was going to murder the two. While anyone wasn’t looking, Twilight ran off to her bedroom. Then the principal barked at the bullies to meet her at her office immediately. Wanting to comfort Twilight he calmed down making his mane and fur return to their normal colors. Then, he ran over to where her room was. When he found her room, Twilight was crying on her bed. "Look Twilight, I didn't hear everything that they said, but they were speaking nothing but bullshit." Twilight didn't respond. "Look, do you want to go to my room? I can get some ice cream for you." Twilight looked up from her bed before saying,"I'll like that. Before we go can I get my saddlebag?" Twilight asked. Spike nodded, and she got off the bed and grabbed her bag. On the way, Spike put his wing over Twilight and comforted her. When they arrived at his room, Spike brought her over to his bed. "Thanks, Spike, for everything," Twilight said in a sad tone. "You're welcome Twilight, what kind of ice cream do you want?" Spike said with his mom's warm smile. "Carmel." Spike nodded and walked out of the room. Seeing Twilight in that state she was in a memory of them together started to come back. ______________________________________________________________ Canterlot in the winter two years ago. Outside the snow was falling slowly, as the cold arctic wind was hallowing. In the Royal Library, it was cold but not as severe as outside. In the library, Spike and Twilight were reading a book on shield spells. The library was almost pitch black, with only the glow of a candle provided light. As they were studying Twilight yawned and batted her eyes. “Tired?” Spike asked. “A little,” Twilight responded. “However, I’m still awake enough to study.” She slowly closed her eyes and fell on Spike’s side. Once he felt his friend's warm body on his side, he blushed. Looking how cute she looked sleeping, he raped one of his wings around her. She, slowly woke up once she felt his feathers. ”Spike?” she said as she blushed. “Ya?” he responded. “Can, we stay like this?” “Why?” “You’re warm, and you’re very comfortable.” “Sure Twilight.” Then the two spent the rest of the night reading and cuddling. ___________________________________________________________________ Remembering it now, the cuddle felt different to him now. Sure, friends could cuddle, but he felt slight pleasure like he was in love with her. However, he just passed it off, because he was at that age. Then, before he could think more of it, he came to the kitchen. He grabbed everything he need to eat icecream and then left. As, he walked back to his room another memory flooded back to him. ________________________________________________________________ Last year around prom Spike waking to the kitchen to grab a snack when a guard came to him. She told him that Twilight was looking for him and that she was near the castle entrance. Once he came to Twilight, she invited to prom, but as friends. He agreed, and once his mom heard this, she became happy beyond belief. Her son was going to prom with a mare that he liked. Both of his cousins were happy to him too since they both went to prom and wanted to help. The two siblings did know that he was going with Twilight as a friend. That didn’t stop the two making sure he had a good night. Blueblood brought him to his tailor so he can have a suit. While Candace gave him a spa day the day of the prom. When the two arrived at the dance most ponies were shocked to see the two. The mares, however, were the most jealous. They jealous because, was Twilight Sparkle a known mare, and she was the prince of the sun! In their egotistical nature, they thought they were better suited to date him. So, they tried to pull him away from her. However, every time they tried they failed. Once prom ended, Spike led Twilight back to her home. “Thanks, Spike for coming. I loved the night,” Twilight said as she could see her house. “You’re welcome! I loved it too,” Spike responded. Once they got to her house, Twilight said,“Good...” Twilight said before she was cut off by a scatter pushing her by accident. “Sorry!” He yelled as he scattered off. Twilight fell face first into Spike and kissed him on the lips. Their faces turned into tomatoes as they were kissing. When they broke the kiss, (which lasted a little too long), they only had a silent goodbye. ___________________________________________________ When that memory came back, Spike remembered how good the kiss felt even though it was by accident. Then the memory of their first hug came back to him. Recalling how his heart skipped a beat when she hugged him. After, that he remembered him and Twilight that winter night winter. After looking back at the memories, he realized something: he was in love with Twilight. Before, he could think more of it he arrived back at his room. When he opened the door, he saw Twilight was missing from his bedroom, and he saw the bathroom door was open. “Twilight!” He screamed as he walked into the bathroom. In the bathroom was Twilight was about slit her throat. “Spike!?” Twilight said as tears started to flow. Spike ran to her and gave her a deep hug. “Please don’t do it.” Tears started to flow from his eyes. “Why, once I’m done with school you’ll forget about me.” “No, I won't, I love you!” “Thanks, but your a prince and I’m not. Once you have important jobs, our friendship will die. And I’ll be alone.” “Not like that!” “What do you mean?” Then Spike kissed her on the lips.