It was deafening, the silence that ran through the halls and the room was eerie. Huddled in the blankets and trying to fight off sleep as it crept up. Her head kept bobbing as she tried to keep her vigil but, as the night passed nothing happened. She started to doubt if anything actually would happen in the end.

"What am I doing? This is crazy even for me. Do I really not trust Spike that much?" she sighed taking the cover off her head.

A knock came from the door which caused her to jump and a voice rang that sent chills down her spine.

"Twilight?" Spike called from beyond the door. "Are you awake?"

She kept quiet and the silence grew but as to why she did so, even Twilight didn't know. She wondered why she couldn't just answer like she usually did. Why she couldn't just shout out yes to the young drake. She heard his footsteps echo as they went further and further away. The sound of a door closing resounded through the air which signaled him entering his room. Twilight let out a breath she didn't know she was even holding and flew off the bed. Reaching the door to her room she hesitated a moment before opening it and revealing nothing except the cold dark hallway.

She walked out and down the corridor, to a door she rarely took much notice of; whether it was because she respected his privacy or she didn't really care, not even Twilight knew. She silenced the door in a blanket of magic and opened it slightly to see the room dark with a basket in plain view with it's owner. She closed it and turned back to try once again to sleep only to get knocked down as she failed to notice the obstacle in front of her.

"Ow, I should really move... that... table." she whispered feeling for the object in question only to touch familiar dry, and hard scales.

"Are you alright, Twilight?"

A pair of emerald eyes flashed in the darkness as a claw made its way towards her. Whether it was due to being caught off guard or something more instinctual, she immediately used her magic and released a shockwave that sent the poor drake flying into the wall. The sound of his body suddenly colliding with the crystal wall and floor sparked her back into the present situation with immediate regret.

"Spike!" she rushed towards her young ward only to encounter a flash of red and sharp pain when she reached out. "Ahhh!" she stumbled back clutching her right hoof as blood started to flow from the claw marks left in her skin. "Spike?" her voice full of fear more than concern.

The drake in question was still face down from the blast and unmoving. Whether he was knocked unconscious or not Twilight couldn't tell as her attention was diverted elsewhere. The soft magenta light of her horn cascaded through the area to reveal his shadow towering above the two of them. In any other situation, it would not be much of anything due to the fact that light was what made shadows appear. Unfortunately, this wasn't just any situation at the moment. The shadow of Spike, unlike its owner, was very much standing with an outstretched claw that had something dripping onto the floor.

The figure in question grew into an incredibly massive state as Spike continued to lay unmoving. It seemed to crawl closer and closer to the alicorn who had been frozen in fear. It wasn't until it reached toward her that she enveloped herself in a shield. She watched in horror as it did nothing to stop it's approach and felt a tremendous pressure as it wrapped around her. She struggled to break free and tried to teleport away only for the thing to break off her horn sending waves of magical feedback into her brain.

"Ahhh!" the scream echoed through the empty halls reaching no one as the creature covered them all in its darkness.

Twilight felt herself being shaken gently. She opened her eyes in a panic to find that she was still in her bedroom and on the floor. The sheets that were used to cover herself wrapped around her barrel and sweat covered most of her body. A feeling of nausea overtook everything as she threw up then and there which caused someone to responded in disgust and concern.

"Goodness. Twilight, what is going on?"

The voice echoed through her mind as a headache made it impossible to determine who it was that asked. She turned her head to see Rarity floating a napkin near her muzzle to block the unappealing aroma of her friend's stomach acid.

"R-Rarity?"

The fashion savvy mare helped her up and proceeded to clean the mess Twilight had made despite the disgust that washed over her. That left Twilight to clean herself up while the deed was in progress.

"I'm sorry you had to see that Rarity."

"It's fine dear. Care to explain what happened?"

"It was a nightmare... I think."

"You think?" Rarity watched as her winged friend looked around the room and cast a quick spell which enclosed the whole area. "What are you doing?"

"I just, I had to make sure no one was listening."

"Darling, who would be listening that would cause you to be so cautious?"

Twilight took a moment to look at Rarity which caused the mare to back away slightly as the alicorn approached. "I had a dream about Spike. It was so real, I thought for sure that it really happened. The fear and pain I felt weren't just caused by my psyche. I don't know how but I'm sure that he had something to do with it. I just... I don't know how."

"Twilight, you can't be serious about this. It was just a nightmare; nothing more and nothing less. I'm sure that if you let Princess Luna help you'd see it was just nonsense."

"Yea, I guess you're right. Sorry, I didn't even ask if there was something you needed."

"Oh, yes. I came to see how Spike was doing but I can't find him anywhere. I may just be getting lost in the castle again or we might be missing each other somehow. Do you know where he is?"

"You can't find him? He shouldn't be anywhere else but his room recovering. Have you checked there yet?" She dropped the spells and fixed the covers before heading towards the door with Rarity close behind.

"I've already checked his room but it was completely empty. In fact, the whole castle is eerily silent. I don't know if I could ever live in such a large place with only one other pony around if it means dealing with this kind of atmosphere."

The two moved through the hall towards the dragon's room only to find it empty just as Rarity described.

"It looks as if he hasn't been here in days but that can't be right." Twilight closed the door as Rarity came up next to her. "Spike!" she shouted through the air causing Rarity to fold her ears back from the slight shrill.

"You called?" came a voice immediately behind the pair causing them both to jump away.

"Gracious, Spike. You practically gave us a heart attack. Where have you been? Twilight and I have been trying to find you for quite some time now."

"I was taking out the trash and cleaning the cellar."

"Why in all of Equestria were you cleaning when you've only just regained consciousness? You should be resting Spike. I know that right now is a truly troubling time with Rainbow missing and all but we can't have you collapsing again."

"Y-Yea. Rarity is right, Spike. You should just take a few days off to recov-." Twilight took a moment and looked at the dragon closely as she felt something had been off. "Spike, where's your cast?"

"No can do. I already promised to go help Fluttershy today as thanks for rescuing me. As a matter of fact, I need to get going or I'll be late." He took a look towards the clock that hung above the entryway and walked off without answering.

The two merely watched as the dragon, that had once been so severely injured, was now seemingly fully recovered and showed no signs of his previous injuries disappeared beyond the entryway.

"I wasn't just seeing things right? Please tell me that he wasn't wearing a cast."

"No, you're eyesight is perfectly okay Twilight, Darling. Maybe, he wasn't as injured as we thought he was? Or maybe dragons just heal faster?"

"Nothing can possibly heal that fast Rarity. Even Dragons need more than just three or four days for a bone to set." Panic rose through the alicorn's body as the feeling she had from the night before washed over her again. She turned around only to see nothing beyond the immaculate room that Spike had left behind.

"What is it Twilight? You're sweating rather profusely and look positively pale."

"I- It's nothing. I just haven't been getting enough sleep lately."

"You should really see Luna about this before it grows into something more serious."

"I don't- No, I guess you're right. I can't have this affecting the relationship between Spike and I. I'll go ahead and let her know I'm coming. I should be back before the day ends but if I take longer would you mind looking after Spike?"

"Of course, Darling. Take your time with Luna and don't worry I'll look after him. It'll be the perfect chance for the two of us to spend some time together and for him to get some rest with everything that's been going on."

Rarity waved as her friend left through an open window. The pop of teleportation signaled the alicorn which immediately caused the alabaster unicorn to drop her facade.

"Curse my need for social grace. I didn't really expect her to leave me in charge of Spike like she did. Oh, why did I just immediately agree?"

"So, I'll be staying with you until Twilight gets back?"

Rarity immediately turned around to find the cause of her worry standing by the entrance to the castle. A slight sense of panic immediately ran through her body as it was unknown how long Spike had been standing there. Let alone how much the young dragon had heard.

"Spike!" her voice belted an octave higher than she wanted. "What are you doing back so early?"

Closing the door and walked past her he picked up a pair of gloves only he could wear that were left on a small table.

"I forgot to get the gloves I need to collect the honey Fluttershy wanted. It shouldn't take long but I have other things to attend to afterward. I'll check back here to see if Twilight is back when I'm finished and if not I'll head to your place Rarity."

"Ah, yes. Well, do take your time Darling; I don't want you to feel as if you need to rush through things."

"Oh, don't worry." Spike said stopping a couple steps short of her face. "I'll be sure to take my time with everything today."

The smile on the young dragon's face was beyond anything Rarity could have even begun to imagine as, even with her white and pristine coat, she went visibly pale. She stood motionless as he simply walked past her without another word and collapsed the moment the door's lock clicked.

The road leading to Fluttershy's house was one ponies seemed to love taking for walks. They would, of course, stop before actually reaching the building itself out courtesy of the owner's rather unique social skills. Regardless, it was a much-loved path due to the many varieties of animals that had made their homes near the Element of Kindness. The sweet songs of the birds and the occasional rustling of leaves as adorable animals ran by made for rather picturesque scenery for anypony that strolled through.

Taking this into account it was strange that silence and solitude dominated the path as Spike continued towards his destination. No song echoed through the air. No leaves shook off branches or bushes other than by the wind. No living beings other than the dragon himself was seen walking down that dirt road carrying the gloves he'd forgotten. It was incredibly disturbing as the silence extended even to the areas further down the path itself where he was heading. It wasn't until he reached Fluttershy's house that a sound rang through the air demolishing the silence.

With the way things were, the knocking on the door could have been heard for miles around. Yet, it seemed like the resident of the house itself did not hear it. He was about to knock once more until the door opened and Spike was greeted by a rather stubborn looking orange mare.

"Spike." A.J said stepping aside to let the dragon enter.

"Hello, Applejack."

Walking past her he noticed Fluttershy in the kitchen preparing tea. He took a seat on the couch as A.J took the seat across from him.

"What is it? You've obviously got something to say so just come out with it A.J. I'm too busy today to deal with any of this passive aggressive nonsense going on with you."

"Is something wrong?" Fluttershy asked stepping into the room with a tray of cookies.

"It's nothing Shy. How's the tea coming?" The farmer asked with a smile.

"Oh, it's almost done. I'll be right back with it."

"Can't say anything in front of Fluttershy?"

"Stop it, Spike. You know darn well what I want to say to you."

"I can guess, but it's like I told you before. I can't remember anything that happened."

"So you say, but none of this feels right at all. Rainbow Dash is nowhere near the type of pony to be caught up in something like this."

"So what? You're saying that it should have been me that ended up being missing?"

"What?" The farmer said curtly as their host came back with the tea.

"Oh my, are you sure everything is okay? You seem awfully mad about something A.J."

"It's f... No, you know what? It's not fine. How can you just go about your daily chores like this Shy? Rainbow is out there somewhere and no pony knows what happened except for Spike and he's claiming he doesn't remember. Aren't you worried about her at all?"

"I-"

"Don't take this out on her Applejack. It's me you have a problem with and you know it."

"Yea, I do have a bone to pick with you but that doesn't mean I understand why no one else is even giving this a second thought. You've had to remember something by now Spike. Just give us something, anything to prove me wrong."

"I. DON'T. REMEMBER. Get that through your thick skull you ill-mannered, uneducated mule."

"What did you just call me?"

"You heard me."

"Stop it! Just stop!"

The shout from the pegasus caused A.J to falter back from advancing on the dragon. It also made her look towards her friend to see her visibly shaking and tearing up.

"Fluttershy?"

"How could you?"

"Wha-"

"How could you even ask me if I care or not? Rainbow is my best friend." She shouted causing A.J to take a step back. "She's been there for me far longer than any of you have and you have the nerve to ask if I even care? I've been worried sick ever since I found Spike with one of her feathers and the only reason I haven't done anything is because of what I might find. I'm doing everything I can to keep my mind away from negative thoughts but I have never once stopped thinking about her! Spike has been helping me out by spending time with me around the house despite his injuries. Yet, you not only come here and accuse him of something but you also have the nerve to say I don't care?!"

"Fluttershy, I didn't mea-."

"I think you've said enough." Spike interjected getting off the couch and trying to comfort the distraught yellow mare. "You should leave. Now."

A.J turned and brought her hat down to hid her expression. As she opened the door only the sounds of her friend crying could be heard through the eerie silence that seemed to blanket the area. She took a final look at the pair inside as the door closed to find Spike holding onto the pegasus. The only thing that made her worried more than causing unwanted pain to her emotionally fragile friend was the fact that Spike wore a smile as he watched her leave. It was one she'd never seen him do and hoped right then to never see again for the sheer terror it seemed to spark in her body.

A few minutes passed after A.J left and Fluttershy had finally calmed down enough to wipe away some most of the tears. After a few nose blowing breaks and words of thanks she headed upstairs to clean herself up and came back refreshed.

"I'm sorry you had to see me like that Spike. I don't know what came over me."

"It's fine Fluttershy. It's only natural for you to get angry at A.J for saying something like that. I know how much you want Rainbow to be alright. I'm sorry I can't remember anything about the whole thing."

"Thank you, Spike. Don't worry about it so much, I know you'd let us know if there was anything you did remember. I know A.J didn't really mean it but I guess the stress of it all just got to me in the end. I'll have to go apologize later on today."

"How's about we skip the honey gathering today and take a walk?"

"Oh, I don't know. Harry was really looking forward to it ever since a month ago."

"Come on Fluttershy. One more day can't hurt and I think you need to relax. You said yourself that the stress has been too much lately."

She took a moment to look towards the honey pots left at the table and looked back to Spike who stood there with hopeful eyes.

"Okay. I guess you're right. Where do you want to go?"

"I've found the perfect place for a walk the other day. It's not far from here and the meadow is full of Butterflies."

"Oh, that sounds lovely Spike. I'll prepare a small lunch for us to eat when we get there."

"Alright." Spike said as his happy expression dropped when the mare turned. "Take your time, Fluttershy. Take your time."

Author's Note

Not as lengthy as I wanted to make this chapter originally but I feel like it's a good one to keep up the pace of getting these out. I apologize for the delay in having these come out but I'm trying my best to complete them with the time I have available. I not only write things on the fly but I have to edit these things myself and that's a bit time-consuming. I'm really trying to make these at least 4,000 or more but for now, I'll have to settle for writing enough to continue this kind of story in a timely manner.

As always, thank you for taking the time to read my story. Please leave a comment or critique below as it helps me improve my writing. A like is always appreciated and have a wonderful day.