Spike looked around the library. Quiet, as usual. It had closed for the night, and he was supposed to be in bed. Twilight had been admonishing him for reading comics under his covers, and she'd be even more mad about him sneaking around the library so late when they had to wake up early. Rarity and Fluttershy had decided that the best time to reveal their new designs for the Castle of the Two Sisters was at dawn. Rarity was especially adamant about the dawn reveal of her new designs, which he of course assisted in the production of.
"The things I do for my friends..." he yawned as he climbed out of his basket.
He crept down the stairs, right past a sleepy, snoring princess all bundled up in her blankets. She whinnied slightly, something that always amused Spike.
“And she says I snore, jeez...” Spike thought to himself.
But he couldn't let that distract him. He had but one thing to do this night. Write a letter that was long overdue to be written.
“I'm sure she'll be able to see what I'm saying if I just am clear about what I want to talk to her about. What pony would say no to such a simple question, even if it is personal?”
As he walked up to the library's writing desk, his mind continued to wander. About him. About Twilight. And more importantly, about Cadance.
Spike realized he never really knew Cadance until her wedding. He'd always heard Twilight tell tales about how much fun she had with her, something that almost completely dropped off once she took up studying full-time. He never bothered to ask again, especially as Celestia kept sending more and more books for her to study.
He remembered the Crystal Empire, and his contribution to its rise. In less time than most buildings in Canterlot are built, the empire rose from the wastes, overpowered an ancient evil, and became host of Equestria's largest sporting event. It had become the miracle of Equestria, and the news of the Crystal Princess was constantly on the mouths of all of the elite.
And yet, his one return visit to the empire was surreptitious and rather something he would forget. If you could even call it a visit. One thing was for sure, he wasn't watching all of those pets again. He sighed, trying to remember the good times there.
“And the ponies there didn't even mind if I liked to chew on their buildings for a little bit...” Spike thought, giving a little smirk as he remembered their amazement when he took a bite out of a crystal brick. He picked up a quill and began writing swiftly. He resolved that matters would be solved in this letter, and things would change.
Dear Princess Mi Amore Cadenza of the Crystal Empire...
Spike looked down at the paper. Her full title seemed a bit much for what he was discussing. Even a princess can go off the record and just talk as a pony, as he had seen from the three he spent much of his time with. He crumpled up the scroll and picked up a new one.
Dear Cadance,
“Much better,” he thought. There was no need for formalities when he was being personal. Even if it did kind of involve her kingdom.
I just wanted to share something very near and dear to my heart with you. I'm sure you recall the day where your empire was saved, correct? And the adoration you, Shining Armor, and myself all earned for freeing an entire society from King Sombra? Seems like only yesterday, and now your kingdom is pretty awesome, huh? Anyway, I just want to ask a simple question, one I've been afraid to ask Twilight: am I remembered there? Do ponies talk about me? I just....
Spike thought he heard a noise from upstairs. Twilight had just rolled over in her sleep and whinnied. But he thought about what he was going to write next, and shuddered.
“Celestia, I'm going to sound so selfish to her! She's a princess of love, not gossip! I just need to know something, couldn't hurt to ask, even if it seems too awkward....” he thought, letting out a wistful sigh.
...wonder, do ponies there want me back? Do you and Shining Armor want me back? The Games are coming up there soon, and I want to know if your subjects have heard about my....”incident” in Ponyville yet. You know me, Cadance. You know Twilight. I'm a noble dragon and have my instincts under control. I would never do anything that would hurt my friends. Working with you and Shining Armor on the Games would be an honor. I'll understand if you can't write back and know you're a busy mare but if you could, please do. It would really help me out knowing that I'm more than welcome. It would mean an awful lot to me.
Warmest regards,
Spike the Dragon
Spike set down the quill and rolled up the scroll. He placed the royal seal of the Crystal Empire around it and thought of the empire, its green fields and spires of crystal an oasis in a sea of snow and ice. With one breath of green flame, it was gone into the ether and on its way.
“Well, I at least tried...” he thought. Twilight always told him to try. Even when it seemed pointless. He always thought that it was funny coming from her mouth.
He yawned and rubbed his eyes. He looked at the clock. It had taken him over an hour to write a simple letter. Spike crept silently upstairs, lowered himself into his basket, and pulled the covers over himself tightly.
As he tried to fall back asleep, he could almost feel the crisp air of the Crystal Empire on his scales, and worries about their princess dominated his mind until his exhaustion got the best of him, falling off into a deep sleep.