> Glimmering Gems > by CloudyZu > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1: Worry Not > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inside the castle of Twilight with her friends here including Starlight and Spike were all gathered around in the throne room with the holographic map called the Cutie Map. All of their cutie marks shone on their flanks as they were marked on that spot; someplace where it's almost far from Ponyville where the location is at for the problem. "Alright girls, we've got another friendship problem to fix!" Twilight said with full of pride. "Wait, so this time it's now US to handle this?" Rainbow said looking a bit confused to Twilight. "Well exactly Rainbow Dash, it is our duty to help other ponies in all of Equestria if anything is in jeopardy, like we always do week by week." Rarity said. "Yeah!!! Like a stallion in danger who merely got lost in the forest, or OR a mare trying to befriend all of the manticores! Or! Or! O-" Rarity abruptly puts her hoof to Pinkie's mouth; covering her mouth with unnecessary meanings or thoughts that Pinkie would've predict in the future. "Pinkie, it's a 'Friendship Problem', darling... not some type of distresses to make up with." "Or maybe it's some kind of friendship problem and ponies to have some kind of distress!" Pinkie said, as she would thought to anticipate if that might happen. "Pinkie, we've faced all of our friendship problems almost from around Equestria. Coincidentally... I'm definitely sure if there's anypony here in danger in the lands of Equestria like you said, Pinkie." Rarity stated. "Well, we'll better find out if there's anything we can do to help them due to the fact that there is a friendship problem in our hooves." Twilight said. "And what about Starlight, what is she gonna do?" Applejack questioned, which made Starlight feel a bit nervous. "Oh... as for Starlight, I guess she could just dwell in here and study a bit more for some of my friendship lessons. So, are you okay with that Starlight?" Twilight asked Starlight if she could be okay to live herself alone. She's done it in the past and it didn't even go to well without her very first friend, Sunburst. Seeing her all alone makes her feel unhappy and upset. Twilight was her mentor, her teacher, and most importantly her friend. "O-oh... I-I'm sure I'm okay with that, no problem indeed, heh heh...yeah..." Starlight laughs nervously as she gets a little worried, hearing that Twilight and the rest of the Mane 5 going off to an adventure without her. Twilight felt the same way of Starlight's expression, of course she actually won't abandon her new friend and protege after everything of what she did in the past. Starlight acting that she was the victim who's been suffering for days seeking for revenge and all. Twilight doesn't even mind about Starlight's evil past. "Starlight, I know how you feel about being alone here makes you upset. But I swear everything's gonna be okay, we will be back in some time, maybe for two days," Twilight points directly at Spike "Spike here will give you company, he'll give you some of the friendship lessons I made inside my library." She winked at Starlight. Starlight took a quick glance at Spike which he didn't even notice her. She wasn't actually sure if she can handle this alone with Spike. She and Spike did very well get along with each other but still, she looks a bit nervous at Spike. "A-are you sure you'll be okay to handle this along with your friends?" Starlight said frankly. "I'm sure we'll be okay by the time we get back, don't worry yourself too much." Twilight patted Starlight's shoulder for comfort so she could worry less just to get herself calm. "I-I'm kinda worried that you might end up trapped in there like I trap you girls before, back when I stole all of your cutie marks from the village that you trespassed and violated my domain... what happens if this happens twice like I did to you all?" Starlight grew more and more worried as she was about to water her eyes. "Honestly Starlight, I wouldn't doubt that was going to happen like ya did in the past just stealin' other's cutie marks just to make you feel superior, but this doesn't even mean that we might get a deja vu feelin' that we're trapped in here and all, it's all in the past Starlight, don't worry." Applejack said, truthfully. Starlight took a deep breathe to let go of all of the pressure she took. So she decided to trust them without trying not to be worried of them. "Okay, I trust you all... all of you to be safe. I'll try not to worry myself too much, but still please be extra careful on your adventure otherwise I might be the one who'll be in charge in this castle along with Spike." Spike was shocked at hearing Starlight's situation. "Wh-what.?!" Spike said. "S-sorry Spike, It was a joke." Starlight admitted. "Oh.... um ok-okay then..." Spike stuttered a bit. Twilight rolled her eyes and smirked at Starlight, she lightly punches Starlight into the shoulder which it didn't deal too much force. Starlight didn't even mind that light pain as she giggles lightly at Spike being concerned. Spike felt a bit worried that Twilight and the rest of the Mane 5 might be in danger or something worse, he begins shaking like he was lost in a cold night forest with red glowing eyes. Twilight trots to him and hugs Spike for comfort, she whispers to him and quietly said, "Everything's gonna be okay so as Rarity, I promise.". Spike felt almost relieved and solaced as he broke the hug and asked the girls, "Are you sure all of you will be okay?". Pinkie out of nowhere made an answer to Spike, "Of course, silly! Don't you know we've done soooo many friendship problems? I mean, it's so easy to confront strangers who mentally and emotionally have problems about something or to help anypony in need. Like when the time we stopped Starlight from stealing our c-" Rainbow abruptly and interrupts Pinkie by covering her mouth using her hoof which almost made Starlight to hear her. "Ehehe.... what Pinkie meant to say is we got this. We've faced so many dangers, traveling far away in the land of Equestria, and saving the ponies by our own bare hooves." Rainbow said, proudly as Pinkie nods and agrees the statement of Rainbow. "Rainbow Dash is right, we do accomplish more quests for being life-savers, although it seems a bit more decisive to predict. But don't you worry Spikey, everything's gonna be alright." Rarity boops at Spike's dragon nose, nuzzling him affectionately which made him less worried. Spike blushed a little at Rarity and said, "Aww... okay, I trust you all, for reals this time. I hope all of you might not end up the same way like Starlight did to ya all in the past. Like she said, we're gonna take over this castle and do absolutely nothing." He winked at Starlight. Starlight thought it would be a joke, but she still finds that funny as she giggles at Spike. "Are we ready to go Twilight?" Fluttershy said, asking Twilight if they're ready to go. "Yes, let's go find this friendship problem." Twilight felt very determined that her optimism can't stop her from being hesitant. "YEAH!!!" All shouted yeah in unison. As the rest of the Mane 5 were making their way into the entrance of the castle which leads outside Ponyville, Twilight stymies for a second and said, "Starlight." Starlight can hear her say her name, maybe it's some kind of message of 'take care' which Starlight probably know what was she gonna say, but the message that she's given is a bit more different. "Promise me, you take good care of Spike. He may be hungry at times but he really needs some help of his chores that I've listed him to do, and like I said, promise?" Starlight thought it was pretty cliche for her that she's heard that a few times, not like when the time Sunburst said to Starlight that he'll always remember to take care. Starlight nods lightly at Twilight. "I promise..." Twilight smiled at her as she hugged Starlight, which made her feel less concerned. So she hugs back even more tighter than Twilight's grip. They broke the hug for seconds. Starlight starts waving at Twilight for her dismissal along with her friends saying, "See ya!". She waved back with a smile in her face filled with delight. Starlight felt less considerate in taking care of Spike, so she starts trotting way back in the castle and heads towards the library peeking for some books to read like spellbooks where Twilight used to read. "Keep it together Starlight, everything's gonna be fine, just wait til Twilight gets back." Starlight started talking to herself. "It's not that I'm only in charge to protect here in this castle..." She reassured slightly, still talking to herself. A sudden footsteps can be heard, Starlight could almost hear somepony entering into the library room, which gives her goosebumps to check if somepony is entering. Her mind raced that she thought it might probably be Spike. The silhouette appeared in the door as he turns the chandelier lights on which made the silhouette's shade disappear. Starlight almost jumped out of the table and sighs with relief as it turns out that the silhouette was a certain purple dragon, Spike. He seems to be worried at Starlight being very worried to Twilight suffice to say. He came to Starlight and asked her if she's feeling alright. "Are you okay Starlight, you seem to be... ya know, worried?" He smiled nervously without looking at her in the eyes. "Oh... I'm actually fine Spike, truly I am." She sarcastically said, as her sweat drops beginning to drip on the floor. Spike cocked an eyebrow in confusion it's like that she's actually being sarcastic. He grabbed a chair in a nearby vacated table spot and placed it on a table where Starlight was reading on with and clarifies to her feeling reassured. "Okay, I may not think if you're actually being sarcastic or something, but I know how you felt of Twilight and the others. So are you still worried of them?" Spike asked. "By the looks on my face, I-I am... I should've gone with them before they left." Starlight stated. "What, why? So you still worry about the others so much? C'mon now, You still have me as a friend, remember?" "Yeah I know that, but... I'm not sure if Twilight and the others are going to handle this without me... are they?" "Starlight," Spike said "Twilight has faced a lot of dangers in her life along with her friends! They possess the Elements of Harmony as well to protect us from evil, even though I was included too to be a hero in the Crystal Empire." He said proudly. "Look here Spike, I know the others got the bad guy's flank whooped, but this is a lot different. What if it's exactly the same as me who-" Spike quickly puts his claw into her muzzle, as if it would turn to be an interruption to her. "You don't know what it's like to predict that Twilight is in danger, you still don't know that." Spike stated reassuringly. Starlight has no words to say as she relented herself from worrying Twilight. She sighed and hops off her chair, going to the next room. Spike stopped her from leaving and said, "Wait! I know you may be upset that I said all those kinds of stuff, but I just wanted to cheer you up... so uh... you wanted to talk about your relationship with Sunburst?" He shrugged. Starlight slightly blushed of hearing the name Sunburst that Spike recalled. She looked away feeling a bit embarrassed of explaining about him with her. She really does have secret feelings for him without him knowing, but Spike does know her secret crush to Starlight to her first friend. She went past Spike and said, "I don't want to talk about it..." And then she left. Spike didn't actually know what to do, so he rushed to Starlight and he has decided to make a deal for her. "Okay then, I'll make a deal for ya, I'll tell you all about my feelings for Rarity, and then you'll tell me your secret feelings to Sunburst, how about that...?" Starlight wasn't sure of this, so she declined his deal. "I'm sorry Spike, I-I can't take that deal." "Oh... so you can't take that deal...? Oh... well I guess I'll have to tell everypony that you've got a secret crush on Sunburst~." Spike smirked devilishly. Starlight felt embarrassed if Spike would tell everypony from around Ponyville. Starlight relented with a sigh and turns her whole body around trotting towards Spike with a slight smile on her face. "Fine... you win....." She slightly smiled in defeat. Spike chortled triumphantly with glee as he's willing to cheer her up without putting her in a gloomy place. Starlight felt a bit calm of Spike being here without any doubt of being alone and isolated. She's slowly growing to like Spike in a nice and a friendly way because of before when they teamed up with him finding her first friend, and also telling amazing stories to her when he defeated The Shadow King himself, King Sombra. Starlight felt happy to Spike like I said, for being here with her as he was about to get his own chair, quickly placing his chair in front of the table. Starlight made an evil smirk at Spike on her face. "So, I heard that you have feelings for Rarity like you said a while ago, right?" She repeatedly elbowed Spike, teasing him on his crush. Spike's face was in a shade of red of hearing Starlight's question, his mouth came stammering and stammering all over until he gets his position back reassuringly. He boldly said, "Well yeah but.... I would not be too sure if she'd ever liked me back after my confession for my love for Rarity to our fall into our doom.... but I guess my relationship with Rarity is..... pretty normal... just regular best friends, enough said." Starlight genuinely felt awful that Spike got him down to the friendzone. "Just normal best friends? What ever happened to you and Rarity? Does she still need you for anything?" "Actually yeah, though honestly I do love keeping Rarity in company, like I've always helped her from making some of her new projects. Sometimes we took a break and chat for a while and she keeps looking at me in the eyes, fluttering her eyelids.... seductively. I don't know what to put in there." Spike said as he felt his scales chill. "So, does she like you or something?" Starlight asked. "I'm not sure if she's ever going to like me back, it seems that I'm just an alone... single... baby dragon, and I should live with that." He began to grew upset, he hugged his knees as he tries his best not to cry. Starlight felt the empathy of Spike, he felt pretty upset not looking directly at her eyes, so she responds to Spike in his answer. "Spike listen to me, I know this is my first time to respond with somepony... or dragon but c'mon! Spike you're not that amazing to show how your expectations went regardless if you'd still fawn on her, you're amazing that you showed yourself on who you are, like you defeated... King Sombra whatshisname. Any mare can accept you, just by showing the real you. If I were Rarity, I would....." She suddenly stopped from the line as she felt that slight awkward moment that she was about to say something for him, she blushed lightly at that moment as she looks directly at Spike in the eyes. Spike can barely understand her statement, yet confused by the fact. "You would what if you were Rarity?" Starlight began to sweat heavily as she came to think of an another way which it seems pretty inevitable for her to think of what to state, so she came up of a statement and said while stuttering in complete awkwardness, "I-I.. I-I would explain everything about...... my.... feelings." She quickly clenched her eyes shut, feeling a bit embarrassed right in front of Spike. "Uhh.... Okay...?" Spike cocked his eyebrow. "So uh... I've been meaning to ask you this Starlight, so... do you actually have crush on Sunburst right when you came to his place due to your first friendship lesson with awkward silences, gestures and all?" Spike cocked his eyebrow with curiosity on his face placing one of his finger claws into his chin. Starlight can see Spike's face looking too serious and nosy in that question he made, she felt her heart pound like a drum. "Uhh.... uh.... I guess..... we're....we're just best friends..." Starlight stuttered in a nervous tone. "Just best friends?" Spike said, "What about the promise you made to Sunburst? Like you said that he'll keep you in touch? Does that mean you like him right?" Starlight turns her head in the other direction, not facing Spike while blushing in red. It's like that she's hiding something, Spike would definitely think that she may have a crush on her friend who adores her. "Y-yeah, I did made a promise to him to stay in touch whenever there's something he needed to do with as a friend, although we've been very best friends... it's like that Sunburst, he's like a brother to me." She lied without showing guilt. "So that means you platonically told him to keep in touch with you is that what you mean?" "To be clearly honest, yes. I do like Sunburst but not in an affectionate kind of way of liking him." Starlight said as she told him the truth, which in the inside she may be lying. "Oh... so, you're staying as a single mare in Ponyville with no love interest in you?" Spike questioned. "Uhh...... uhm... y-yeah...?" Starlight said in a nervous tone. "Oh... well same goes for me, I should probably take a break on wooing Rarity for now." Spike drooped his head with disappointment. "I kinda felt bad for Spike that he wasn't able to be with Rarity." Starlight thought with a frown at him. She wanted to help Spike from giving him an another chance for dating Rarity, unfortunately they ended up as friends. Spike was a little down that Rarity rejected him from being his special friend and supportive dragon, but he was still happy to assist her in any kind without showing any doubts in mind. Rarity and Spike have known a lot each other since him and Twilight moved to Ponyville. Before, Spike started to fawn over Rarity just for her to take advantage over his feelings which she doesn't like to treat him like that. So Starlight has decided to change the subject. "Oh.... I see, is there anything to talk about your stories of saving the Equestria Games like one of the crystal ponies mentioned, and all of your adventures with Twilight with you?" Starlight asked. "Hmm... I guess I haven't told you all about my heroic deeds in saving the Equestria Games, hmm sure, I'll tell you all of my stories of me, which I turn out to be a diary who explains all about my past livelihood." Spike said as he cleared up his throat, beginning to tell her the story of where he used to save the Equestria Games. Starlight begins to listen Spike's story which she grew attached to him in some weird way she's feeling. She wanted to know a lot more about Spike's personal ego alongside with the adventures they had with Twilight. As Spike begins to speak out of his story, Starlight felt a bit distracted of looking into the dragon's eyes, which she can barely listen to him. She felt that really strange and peculiar feeling about him, she shook her head to revert her reality back and now ready to listen to Spike's story. "Oh Spike~" She thought of him, filled with bliss. End of Chapter 1 > Chapter 2: An Odd Dream > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spike kept telling the moments about the Equestria Games about the times where he gets embarrassed from singing the Cloudsdale Anthem without even knowing the song and lyrics, and also not to forget that he saved everypony from that gigantic mass of ice that was about crash down to the ground inside the stadium where the athletes that were competing for the gold. After with all the ice melted away, gratefully thanking Spike for saving them, he told everypony that he was pretty upset that he failed to ignite the torch by his breath and also didn't follow instructions that Ms. Harshwhinny told him to do. But despite all of the ruckus... Spike did the unthinkable of saving every pony from danger. He was glad that he'll never forget the moment he had where he saved the Equestria Games. "And that's how I saved every pony at the Equestria Games with all my might!" Spike proudly exclaimed as he placed his hands in his waist with sheer confidence. Starlight chuckled and was amused of hearing the story of Spike saving the Equestria Games. "Wow... you did risk your life for saving those ponies. That must've been... brave of you!" Starlight said as she smiled at him for his heroic deeds. "Yup, and that's how I got to be a hero of the Crystal Empire, which is after I got to save the Crystal Empire from King Sombra. And they also built a statue of me with crystals. Those are the moments that I'll never forget about..." Starlight pulled Spike closer to her placing her right foreleg on his right shoulder with a mischievous grin on her face. "Oh... so if you're the great and honorable Spike the brave and glorious, does any of the crystal mares admire you a lot for being a hero?" Spike was surprised with that question which made him blush. "Wh-what are you talking about? Not only if almost every pony in the Crystal Empire had a crush on me just because I saved the Crystal Empire once, if they do... that would be crazy weird!" Spike stated with a nervous tone as he begins to laugh nervously. "Come on Spike, I was just kidding around." Starlight gently punches Spike in his shoulder in a joking manner, which made Spike getting his own composure back. He punched her gently in the shoulder in return as he starts to chortle. "Hey! I said was kidding around." Starlight giggled while feeling the weak pain, and then she pushed Spike lightly. It seems like she's enjoying herself with Spike alone inside the crystal castle. Like the time where she enjoyed herself alone with Sunburst when they had good times when they were foals. The scene of it was just like a long time ago. She reminded of him of his very first friend. "So Spike, now that you've told me your bravery towards evil and disaster, how about I told you my past about Su-" "You told me that story already... like for the past two weeks, I guess..." "O-oh... right... I was just too excited that you're here..." Starlight stuttered with a nervous laugh as she blushed lightly with embarrassment. "What...?" "Nothing!" Starlight exclaimed nervously, quickly pacing her word. "Okay...?" The library was now silent as the two awkwardly glanced everywhere around the library while not talking about anything. Little do they know that they were unaware of each other's understandings and all. So Starlight broke all the awkwardly silence away as she began talking to Spike in order to change the subject. "Sooo Spike, is there anything you want to talk about?" "Actually, I've got nothing... How about you? Is there anything would you like to talk about?" Spike then thought of something and said, "How about the time where you met Trixie?" Starlight perked her ears up which Spike mentioned the name Trixie, her best friend. That actually triggered Starlight's motion which excites her, yet nervous of talking about her. She has nothing to do with Trixie after they were reunited once more despite how things didn't even go as if it was Twilight's fault for not making Starlight her own decisions on befriending any pony. Starlight realized that it was the best to tell him how she met Trixie. "T-Trixie...? Oh... I met her at the Ponyville Spa right after where I struggled to find a friend which is quite challenging in my perspective." Starlight declared. "So have you talked to her since then?" "Well... no, she's probably busy practicing her latest solo performance to impress everypony in Ponyville." "Oh... wait... that reminds me! Twilight told me that you and Trixie performed a really cool stunt. I thought that Trixie would've got eaten by the manticore, and then you came for her aid to save her by your magic." Starlight was chuckled, "Yup, and that's how we got to be best friends..." "I guess you and Trixie are destined to become the best of friends, probably the amazing unicorn duo." Spike admitted. Starlight chuckled at his statement, "Maybe you're right, I do seem to get along with Trixie even though we had rough times together..." The two kept talking to each other back and forth, throwing questions and returning answers about their past livelihood that they've experienced so far, all about their ways and morals. Every scenario and every part of their adventures, they kept talking about it in every hour until it was getting late. They were chatting way too long. "By the way... it's getting pretty late... Looks like I really need to get to bed." Spike said as he yawned, groggily. "Oh! Right... get to bed... yeah... me too..." Starlight felt a little disappointed as she watched Spike walking to his room which basically leads to Twilight's room, regardless to say if it is his room. Before Starlight could say anything, Spike suddenly stopped here for a moment feeling a bit anxious. Starlight came to him with concern and then grew baffled at the little dragon's odd behavior. "What's the matter Spike? You seem to be scared of some sort..." "Um Starlight...?" "Yes Spike?" "W-would you not mind if you wanted to... stay in my room...?" Spike said as he barely reassured. Starlight blushed furiously while hearing the words of Spike. This isn't a joke, he's pretty serious about it. Starlight was now nervous as she shivered her legs lightly. So she replied while stuttering, barely uttering her words. "U-uhm... why?" Starlight asked with nervousness. "Uh... Twilight told me that you can sleep in her room while she's gone if you'd like, even though Twilight and I had the same room together... It's okay if you refuse..." "O-oh... so that's why you're acting funny for all the sudden?" "Yeah..." "Spike, I'm not really interested in staying in your bedroom, really..." Starlight reassured. "Oh... so it's a no?" Starlight nods, confirming that she's made up her decision seriously. Although, it didn't make Spike look upset about letting her stay in Twilight's room for her to sleep there, it contended him with relief. She's actually okay of resting in her own room alone even if she wanted too. Nevertheless, he made his way to Twilight's room without feeling doubtful as he was not trying to remember what happened a while ago. And as for Starlight, she made her way back into her room while her cheeks are in full shade of red with embarrassment. Her mind starts to race her thoughts to what happened a minute ago. "What was Spike even thinking...?!" Starlight thought to herself while her face is in red. "Maybe those are his own reasons..." "I think I should wipe all my embarrassment away by going to sleep... I'm exhausted." Starlight yawned softly. Starlight leapt into her bed, covered herself with her blanket as she stares up at the ceiling feeling a bit uncomfortable not because of her bed getting cramped, but because of her times with Spike with all those weird feelings around her. At first, she was very glad to have Spike around here in the library, trying her best to cheer up by telling her the story of how he became a hero to the Crystal Empire after she was feeling down getting all worried to Twilight and her friends. To her thoughts to Spike, he was pretty cheerful whenever Starlight's around alone. It made her think that she may developed feelings for him for a bit, which she denied of thinking that way. So she drifted herself to sleep as she slowly closed her eyes. "Please be careful, Twilight..." She faintly whispered, still remembering her friend. Starlight woke up in a middle of a meadow with all the flowers blooming around her, wind gently blows through the sky, and the atmosphere of the scenery is quite beautiful and divine. "Where am I...?" She had no idea where she came here into this magnificent field of flowers. She stands there bewildered, watching the petals fly above the sky and feeling the sweet scent by the flower's aroma. "This place is... quite extraordinary...." That's all she could say in awe. Then she heard a noise rustling through the flower fields. She perked her ears up as she noticed a certain purple dragon walking through the flowers. It seems that the little dragon was walking towards Starlight! And then he stopped as he is facing her. Starlight realized that the purple dragon that has been walking towards him was Spike. "Starlight?" Starlight was blushing lightly as she gazed at Spike's beautiful emerald eyes with a shocking yet dreamy look on her face. "Spike...? What is this about?" Starlight asked in a calm and soothing tone. Before Spike could explain, he gently plucked a flower, holding its stem with his right claw. Starlight was completely astonished of Spike holding a flower, thinking that he was about to give to her. She can't help herself but to blush at him at the sight of his handsomeness. "About you Star..." Spike gently placed a flower on Starlight's mane with a cute smile, calling her Star as her nickname made her blush even more. Starlight giggled sweetly, "Spike... you shouldn't ha-" Before she could finish her sentence, Spike pulled her closer to his face, locking his eyes to hers. "Star... there's something I've been wanting to say to you..." Starlight was still gazing at his eyes as she anticipates before he could utter those words. "I love you... I've always loved you..." The words that Spike uttered made Starlight shed multiple tears of joy. She happily pounces Spike with a loving embrace, locked him up with a love hug. She replied back saying, "I love you too!" He returned the hug while he was being squeezed by the unicorn's grip. The two broke the hug as they now stare into each others eyes. They inched closer to their faces, closing their eyes as they were about to have their magical moment until... "Spike!!! Spike!!! What are you... Gah!!!" She woke up with fear. Just at that very moment, it was interrupted by her wake. "W-what was that all about...?" Starlight questions herself as she sat up on her bed feeling twitchy. "It was just a dream a really... weird dream to put into that... but... why would I dream something about Spike being sweet and gentlemanly towards me...? I-Isn't he younger than you?" She stuttered with her reactions about the dreams she's having, she could hear Spike's voice coming through the door. "Starlight! Starlight, what's wrong?!" Spike asked with concern as he barged through the door. Starlight's heart skipped a beat as she heard the door crashed. Spike came across to Starlight's bed with full of worry. Starlight tries her best not to blush but it didn't last that long, so she relented with a blush. "S-s-spike...? W-what are you doing here...?", She stuttered. "I came here to check on you Starlight. When I heard you screaming and calling my name, it brought my attention to you that you needed me. So here I am." Spike said with concern. "W-wait... was I... screaming your name...?" Starlight asked with complete horror. "Well, there's no lying about it, I definitely heard you scream." Spike told the truth that he wasn't lying, she was actually screaming after that weird dream she's having. All she could say is "Oh..." as her reaction. "So... has something been bothering you? Is it about that dream you're having?" Spike asked Starlight with a worried tone. "No..." Starlight lied reassuringly. "Then what has been going through your mind lately? You look scared for all the sudden..." Spike said with a worried tone. Starlight hasn't said anything but all she could do is lie about her having dreams of her and Spike, but she lied directly without any doubt at all. She was shaking with anxiety that Spike could barely notice her fear, but he was still dense. Her decision of lying to him about her having dreams about him is actually the best choice she made, not only to make Spike's feelings a bit weird if she told him the truth, on the other hoof it's best for her to keep her mouth shut. But, she regretted on lying to her friend who was really worried. Spike wanted to know what's been bothering her, although he wasn't that stupid enough to know that she was lying. So he hopped on Starlight's bed with a serious look on his face. "Don't tell me you're lying..." Spike stated seriously. Starlight was blushing immensely as she didn't even know what was coming but to watch Spike hop into her bed. Her heart beats fast when Spike's staring at her sternly. She used her magic to cover herself with her blanket, but that didn't stop him from hiding the truth. However, it seems like Spike's been bothering her. He actually didn't want to force her to speak out, he was trying to help her from her problems, but it looked like he took way too seriously to her. Starlight felt ashamed for hiding herself from Spike, feeling this odd essence around her to him. Starlight's inner conscience told her to stay calm, "It's okay Starlight, he'll probably leave for a-" But then it was interrupted by Spike's voice as he spoke out softly to her. "S-starlight...?" Spike asked her lightly with concern. He patted Starlight's left shoulder even though she covered herself with her blanket. Starlight hasn't uttered a single word on her mouth, so she stood silent without responding to Spike. In the inside of her thoughts, she's really eager to tell Spike about her dream. "I-I guess it's best for me to leave you alone for your sleep, if this is what you want..." Spike stated as he hopped off of her bed feeling unhappy for what he did to her. "S-spike..." Starlight murmured sadly. Spike started walking towards the door unhappily. Starlight wanted to tell him about her dreams but she was still nervous. Spike stopped there for a moment while not facing Starlight before he could reach the doorknob to open, "Starlight... I know you can hear me but to tell you this... I was just worried of you... I mean, you desperately called out my name like you're in danger, and after I came into your room, you think that I did something wrong, didn't I?" Starlight could still hear Spike while she's still covering herself up, "S-spike... I-I didn't say it was y-" Spike interrupted again as he continued. "I was just trying to help out your problems... but then I was the one who made you upset." Spike went out of Starlight's room but he was still grasping the doorknob as he stopped again, "Anyways... goodnight, Starlight...". He finally closed the door quietly as not to disturb Starlight. And so Starlight lied on her bed once again feeling bad about what she said to him. She lied to him that she was feeling fine but she wasn't. "What have I done...? I should've told him right after he asked me that very moment, but then I lied to him!" Starlight thought to herself. "Fine... I'm gonna tell him about the dreams I'm having!" Starlight exclaimed. "But... what if he's scared of me right after when I told everything about my dream!?" "You don't know whether it's gonna happen or not, you have to at least try." Her inner conscience told her. "Maybe you're right, I should tell him!" Starlight yawned, feeling very tired that she wasn't yet motivated. The night was getting late as she realized that was past 1 AM. "Maybe I should tell him later..." She went back to bed, tucked herself with her blanket, drifting her back to sleep. It was now morning as the sun rose beautifully by Celestia's power and possession. The birds chirp gracefully, the wind blows breezily, and also the ponies having their morning routines, taking breakfasts, etc. A ray of sunshine shone across the castle's window were Starlight was sleeping. The beam of sunlight aimed on her face making her to lose weariness of her sleep. She opened her eyes groggily that she realized it was now daytime. She hopped off of bed and slowly makes her way to the bathroom to groom herself up. Starlight gazed at the mirror to her reflection with her mane all tangled, "Geez... I look like a mess!", she exclaimed to herself while facing the mirror. So she used her magic to levitate her brush and gently brushed her mane thoroughly. Starlight was calm in the process while she's still fixing her mane style. She wasn't thinking about how what happened last night. After she finishes her mane fixed, she made her way to the throne room where Twilight and her friends were at for meetings, discussions, etc. Starlight are now up to the thoughts of Twilight whether is she going to be okay... or not if anything goes wrong, but she wasn't worried about Twilight that much. She then made her way to the castle's main gate as she was about to go outside. Before Starlight could exit her way outside, she could hear a voice calling her name. "Starlight... where are you going?" Spike asked in a worried tone on his voice. "Uhm... going outside for some fresh air." Starlight stated with a nervous smile, but then her conscience told her that it is time to explain to him, "Starlight! This is your chance! Tell him about that dream you're having!!!", her inner conscience made her gulp with fear. "B-but before I go outside, there's something that I want to explain about last night of my... odd behavior towards you." Starlight reassured. Spike sighed, "Starlight, that's fine... I wouldn't want to force you to speak about how you're feeling. Maybe it's because of me that I'm involved of." "Spike, it wasn't you that upsets me. It's because of...." "Because of... what?" Spike raised his eyebrow with curiosity. "A dream I'm having last night..." "Oh... so you were dreaming... dreaming of what, exactly?" "A-About-" Before Starlight could finish her sentence, she was interrupted once again by the sound of the gates swiftly opened and thudded against the walls. Then a certain blue unicorn appeared with a joyous look on her face. Starlight has lost all of her confidence again and wouldn't regain it, as she took her eyes away off from him and facing to the pony that entered the castle that it was none other than Trixie Lulamoon herself, her best friend. "Hi Starlight!" Trixie greeted her gleefully. "Trixie...!?" Starlight said surprisingly. End of Chapter 2