Living in Equestria

Twilight Sparkle barely made it through the door of the library and had just enough time to close it before the princess collapsed in a heap of emotional wreckage. Somehow she'd managed to hold it together as she walked alone through Ponyville, greeting eveypony courteously but in a detached way that she felt was probably very noticeable.

Once alone and in the privacy of her home, it came roaring out like a thunderstorm of regret, shame and disappointment at herself that wiped the strength from her legs, causing her to crumple to the floor and weep openly. Spike's admonishments of how he'd been treated over the last few months wounded her deeper than any spell or physical harm could have ever done. He was absolutely right, too. She had never once placed herself in his position because she was too secure in her own false knowledge... and because she wasn't mature enough to handle it.

She could see that now. She could see just how unwilling to deal with Spike's problem she had been simply because it made her uncomfortable. Worse yet, she pulled all of her friends into that same situation without even getting their opinions. Spike, her most faithful and loyal companion, who she'd raised from the day he hatched, had been treated like an object because of her own shortcomings.

Waves of sobbing wracked her purple body, her wings lay limp on the floor to either side and her ears flattened against her head as she let it all out. It only got worse when she though about how long her and Spike had been together and how many times she'd felt the same self assured smugness over the years when dealing with him. Were all those other times instances where she had been treating him poorly and he'd just never said anything? Taking him for granted? Twilight always prided herself on how well she learned the magic of friendship her in Ponyville, but now she doubted if she ever learned it with the one dragon who mattered most to her.

The alicon lay there for some time, crying and whirling around in self doubt and anger at her own stupidity. What made matters worse was she didn't even know where Spike was right now. They'd never fought before... never argued like this to the point where they weren't by each others side at all times. The fact that he wasn't here and patting her head awkwardly like he always did whenever she cried only made it worse.

Eventually, the sobs and tears slowed as her body couldn't keep up anymore and she fell into a silent, brooding misery where her eyes glazed over, not really seeing anything. As emotionally distraught as she was, she found her mind drifting off into the dim awareness of being half awake as she lay on the floor. Her eyes first half lidded... then slowly slid shut with a wet seal that blocked out the misty view of the barely noticed library.

When Luna suddenly came down the stairs from the second floor, Twilight raised her head in surprise, wiping away the tears that still soaked the short fur on her face with a hoof.

"L-Luna! What are you doing here?" she croaked in a thick voice.

"Twilight, I have come to discover why my sister's urgent scrolls have not been answered. Although... you need not explain to me now. I have seen your thoughts and know what has happened. It seems you are in the middle of a problem where Spike has left you for the moment." Luna's dark face looked impassively down on the smaller alicorn, her tail swishing slightly behind her.

"Y- yes... Oh Luna! I have made a horrible mistake and it's all my fault!" her face twisted in anquish again, fresh tears welling up in already saturated eyes, "I let Spike down by not being able to confront my own embarrassment! I let him suffer while I hid behind my own false reasons! And now... and now I'm sure he's gone forever!"

The princess of the night stepped forward and nuzzled Twilight gently with sisterly reassurance. A small smile appeared on her lips. "Twilight Sparkle. You are so promising in your power and knowledge, yet still have so much to learn. Spike has not abandoned you. Spike has only become aware of his own needs with the maturity now to stand up for them. Why, Twilight, did you not seek our council on Spike's condition? There is nothing in this land that causes us to be uncomfortable and we thought you could ask us anything."

"I... I'm sorry Luna. I should have! I shouldn't have been such a filly and talked to you or Celestia as soon as it came up!"

"Being a princess requires us to confront our problems no matter how embarrassing they may be. You need to learn to set aside your own comfort when it comes to your friends... and your royal duties. Hiding behind your books will not remove the problem or make it go away. I believe you see that now."

"I do, Luna... I'm so sorry that I didn't understand that sooner!"

"I do not think you will make the same mistake again. Everypony must learn the hard lessons that cannot be taught by books. They are rarely easy, and never without some pain."

"But... but what about Spike, Luna? I'm so sorry for how I've treated him but I don't know where he is to tell him!"

Luna took a step back and then glanced at the door behind where she lay. "He is already here."

Her eyes flew open as the door bumped against her flank resting on the ground just inside the library. She looked around frantically and noticed that Luna was gone. She had been asleep and dreaming.

"Twilight?" came Spike's tentative voice from the crack of the door and Twilight Sparkle's whole body energized with love and gratitude for hearing it again. She stood with a wild, clopping sound of hooves on wood and whirled around, yanking the door open and snatching the small purple dragon into her hooves in a tight embrace. Tears came again, but this time they were of happiness.

"Oh Spike! Oh Spike I'm so sorry! I'm such a ninny, please... please forgive me! I'll never take you for granted again!" she sobbed into his scaly shoulder.

Spike gave her a polite hug in return and while it wasn't the response Twilight was hoping for, it was at least better than the last time she'd held him. When she released her grip and looked into his face, it was still firm. But there were tears of his own there.

"Twilight... I'm still mad at you. You locked me in a cage and let me suffer for.. for like ever! That's just not something a dragon can forget, you know."

"I know, Spike." Twilight began but then stopped, shaking her head and then dropping her gaze from his piercing green stare. "No... I don't know, do I? I don't know nearly enough about you because I've never took the time to ask. I've always just taken you for granted that you'll be here with me that... that I never realized you have your own life I should be considering."

Spike considered this before he spoke. "What I don't understand is why it bothered you so much to ask somepony who would know? Like Celestia? I mean, it's not like I wanted her to get involved with something like that, but it would have been better than what you did!"

"Be... because I was selfish... and I cared more about not being embarrassed than I cared about how you felt. It was wrong, Spike, and I'll never do it again." Twilight said. She wanted to add more, but there was nothing more to say. Her ears remained pressed against her head as she looked away.

"Twilight, I'm your best friend. My whole life revolves around you. It... it really hurt me that you did that." Spike's own voice was breaking now, "Please... don't forget I'm more than just your assistant. I love you."

"Oh Spike... I love you, too" Twilight's tears rolled from her eyes and this time when she reached out for him slowly, he rushed forward and they sank into a loving embrace, both crying with the alicorn saying "I'm so sorry..." repeatedly.

Long moments passed while they healed together, mending the wounds and rebuilding a new level of understanding before the intense bonding faded. When they stepped back, each wearing a face of relief, Ashley appeared in the door.

"Well aren't you two just a couple of saps..." she said mockingly with a disapproving frown, "You almost had me crying there for a second."

"Hello, Ashley." Twilight said, wiping her eyes one final time, "Thank you for going after Spike today."

"Don't thank me, Sparkles... I wanted him to leave with me but he can't pull himself away from being your little pet, I guess."

"Ashley..." Spike warned, "I told you it's not like that!"

"Yeah.. whatever." she dismissed with a wave of her hand.

"If you have such a problem with it then why did you follow me here, huh? You said you were going to leave anyways!"

"Ehh, I wanted to see where this library was. I can read, ya know." she shrugged.

"Ashley, you're more than welcome to stay with us until you get on your feet. There's plenty of room here for you... that is if Spike doesn't mind." she added.

"Nah, I think I'll take my chances somewhere else. I still don't trust you ponies no matter what Spike says. See ya round, Spike, don't let Sparkles work you too hard and this time, ask for a bigger cage!" she smirked and walked into the gloom beyond the door.

"Ashley! You take that back!" Spike growled. But it went unanswered and a few seconds later, the red dragoness was gone.

"Stupid girl..." Spike mumbled and turned towards Twilight.

"What was that about?" she asked, a shocked look on her face.

"I dunno... she really wants me to leave with her and go somewhere. But she doesn't know where! She doesn't trust you guys but... but Ponyville is where all my friends are. It's all I know! It's all I want to know right now and she didn't like that.

"Spike..." Twilight smiled at her friend. "But aren't you worried about where she'll go?"

Spike shrugged. "Ehh, she can take care of herself. Here, Twilight." he said, holding out the scroll he'd carried with him from the clearing, "Celestia really wants to talk to you."

"Thank you Spike." Twilight said, taking the scroll from him with her magic and nuzzling him affectionately. "I really mean that. Thank you for being who you are."

Spike's face turned a little red at Twilight words and he watched as she opened the parchment, reading it carefully.

Twilight Sparkle,

It is time for you to perform your first royal court proceeding and I will need you here in Canterlot to attend at midday on the sunrise after next. We must decide the fate of Whipwind for his crimes against not only Scootaloo, but also Apple Bloom and his wife, Nightleaf.

I do not wish to ask you this, however official proceedings must be followed. Whipwind is afforded the chance to speak his side one last time to an audience of his choosing and he has requested Scootaloo to be in attendance. While she is not required to be present, she must still be informed and offered the chance to see him one last time. I ask that you and the young pegasus, if she chooses to attend, to be in the east wing assembly hall by that morning for instructions. It is an open audience and anypony who chooses to attend, may.

Also, I have some troubling news. I have no doubts that my most faithful and brightest student has learned of the group known as The Flock. This cult seeks to end the harmony of the three races of ponies and establish a pegasi regime that rules over all. Twilight, they are dangerous and wish harm on the land and unicorn race, believing that both races are below them in status. Whipwind was a member of this cult and I have extracted some troubling news that I will discuss with you in person.

I will see you soon,

Princess Celestia.

Twilight let the scroll drop, her eyes flicking back and forth as her brain searched its extensive catalog of information regarding The Flock.

"Spike... Take a memo. Please."

______________________________________________

Ashley stomped away from the library, fuming over Spike's decision to stay with Twilight and the ponies here in Ponyville. The longer she walked, the less she was mad at Spike for staying... and more angry at herself for not taking Twilight up on her offer. She had heard the exchange between the purple alicorn and her fellow dragon and even had to bite her tongue to keep her from tearing up and looking like a softie herself. Maybe the ponies here weren't all that bad...

But she couldn't bring herself to reverse her attitude. Once you made a decision you had to stick with it or others will think you're weak! Shepard had taught her this long ago and it always seemed to serve her well enough. The only problem was she didn't have him to curl up safely with now when her rigid stance left her out in the cold with no place to go.

She wandered aimlessly through the night in Ponyville, her glittering eyes filled with barely masked fear and doubt as she looked for a nook or hole to crawl into and hide. She could see the massive castle looming on the north edge of town but it no longer interested her. Spike had told her there was no way in Tartarus she could get in because of the spell Twilight put on it and she had no reason to doubt him. With no place to go and nopony or dragon to turn to, she eventually found herself in an alley near the south edge of town behind a shop, squatting miserably beside a large trashcan when her feet and weary mind couldn't carry her any further.

She gathered a small amount of dried paper and leaves and put them in a pile. It was getting cold and she wanted to warm up her hands with a little fire before she moved on. Trying to center herself, she felt the fire in her belly begin to rise and she breathed out onto the tiny kindle. But her fire was especially cold right now and only scattered the light items into the alley without so much as a wisp of smoke. Ashley wasn't surprised and she chuffed a small sob of despair. Her fire was always coldest when she felt alone. She didn't want to cry but found herself wiping silent, frustrated tears away as she wished she was warm and safe with Spike back in the library.

It even smelled nice there... she thought, Nicer than this stupid 'ol trashcan!

Suddenly, a door further down the alley popped open and the sound of somepony humming a nameless tune filled the narrow, dark space. It was deep and distinctly male, but also pleasant and soothing because it reminded her of when Shepard would hum while he was showing her things like how to clean her bed roll so bugs wont live in it. The door closed and the sound of a lock snicking shut came just before the pony began to walk towards her where she crouched semi-hidden behind the trashcan. A rush of panic rose in the little dragoness but she was too tired and drained to do anything about it. Ashley resigned herself that she was going to be discovered and a small part of her was even a little hopeful that somepony might help her.

The sound of the stranger's hoofsteps grew close and when the looming stallion came into view, he stopped, looking at her with curious eyes and a cocked head.

"Well... hello there, little one." he said with a surprised but warm voice, "I did not expect to see a small dragon behind my shop this evening! In fact, the only dragon I'm aware of around here is Spike... but you don't seem to be him, are you?" he chuckled.

"N-no sir." she said, curling her arms around her bent legs.

"Ahh, a young dragoness too, given the sound of your voice. Well, you don't much belong here behind my store, young one. Ponyville is a safe place but an alley is a crummy spot for anypony to hang out in. Where are your parents?"

She looked up at him, trying to muster the hard edge needed to show him that she could take care of herself but found she just couldn't do it. Ashley had nothing left. Instead, her face was a wide open expression of fear and innocence that for one of the few times in her life, was a genuine emotion with no protective barrier.

"Hmm. That look says all I need to know." he said in a solemn voice, "You don't have anywhere to go, do you?"

Ashley shook her head slightly, her eyes falling away from his and to the hard ground under his hooves.

"Well, I know a mare in this town who would be glad to help you, I'm almost positive of it! She is the very element of generosity and would be honored to meet such a pretty young dragon, considering she's already rather fond of another young dragon here in town. And a darn good seamstress too! Summer is fading and it will get rather chilly soon. If you're going to go wandering around alone, wouldn't it be nice to have a warm scarf on your travels?" he chuckled again, holding his hoof out to her, "At the very least, she could give you a warm place to stay tonight."

"My name is Wilson, little one. What's yours?"

"A- Ashley." she said, her mind not quite ready to trust him but her heart was longing to be safe and warm somewhere. Wilson continued to patiently hold his hoof out for her, smiling that gentle smile that reminded her so much of Shepard.

"Might I add that my friend has quite the gem collection? She would probably part with a couple for you to snack on, you know. I'm no dragon, but I've heard they are quite delicious!"

Her stomach growled loudly at the thought of biting into another gem. She'd never had one until today... and didn't know how she had lived this long without them. "A... are they rubies?"

"Rubies, Emeralds. There's even a few Topaz in there and she says they're Spike's favorite!"

"She... she knows Spike?"

"Heh, why of course! We all know Spike here. He's our favorite dragon in all of Equestria. I can tell you about the time he saved the Equestria Games and became a hero on the way to her house if you'd like!"

"You.. you think he's a hero?" she said, getting to her feet now and looking up at Wilson with wide eyes.

"Certainly! We even put his name on the Wall of Honor in the stadium. Come on!"

While Ashley didn't take Wilson's hoof, she walked beside him trustingly enough into the street and towards the center of Ponyville towards the great gazebo in the near distance.