Spike has always been Twilight's number one assistant, many times fighting through lack of sleep (and interest) to help his unicorn friend achieve her magical goals. Be it research or experimentation the young dragon never thinks twice about aiding his best friend. Sometimes though, the two become blind to each other's weaknesses; Spike allowing Twilight to work herself to death and Twilight not realizing just how exhausting Spike's job can actually be. One day as Twilight concludes weeks of theoretical magic research, the library covered in chemical apparatuses all simmering, boiling, or magically stirring themselves an innocent fumble from the tired dragon leaves half the equipment destroyed, their contents mixing together to form a noxious cloud. Unable to react in time Spike inhales too much of the fumes and is thrown into a deep slumber, so great not even Zecora can bring him about. What's worse, Princess Luna arrives with the ill news that Spike has drifted beyond the realm of sleep into the wild dream lands where evil spirits and nightmares reign supreme. If only he could find his way back to Luna's moonlit domain he could be saved, but for now he is lost, and though Twilight is right by his side, utterly alone in this strange world. Spike longs to be home, and fear grips him as he witnesses nightmares fly about this new sky, but not all is lost for him. New friends are to be made here. New adventures. Even something close to a family he may have had if fate had charted a different course. In time he even comes to enjoy himself: the freedom, the excitement, the new bonds forged by danger and camaraderie, so is it any wonder that part of him wants to stay? Not to mention the trials he'll have to pass in order to return.
