Author's Note

Saberking2012 wrote this story and gave me permission to use it.

Chance Encounters written by Saberking2012

I close my eyes as I walk through Ponyville aimlessly. I don't need to see it; I have been through this place too many times to not remember it. As I continue my night walk, I fell myself become worse rather than better. How could I not? It was my fault this whole thing happened in the first place.

It has only been a few hours since Twilight was admitted into the hospital. And with every hour that passes, I feel one more ounce of guilt fall on my shoulders. It was my fault she was hurt by my careless actions. My reasonable side tells me that there was no way I could be blamed for this. But, my heart overwhelmes it and reminds me every passing minute that this is my fault.

A few hours ago, I had been cleaning the shelf and a few books where on the stand. I had accidently knocked them down while cleaning and at the time, I hadn't realized Twilight was below me. By the time I had noticed, it was too late. The books had hit her on the head and she feel unconscious as a result. I had rushed down and tried to wake her up, hoping that it wasn't to serious. She wasn't waking up, so I rushed her to the hospital, begging for the nurses to help her asap. Once I had done that, I had to wait outside while she was being treated.

After about a few more hours, I was able to go into the room to see her. She was drowsy and didn't look like she would stay awake for long. I had apologized to her but she simply smiled, telling me that it wasn't my fault. After she had said that, she fainted; she had suffered severe injury on her head. The injury that I caused. The accident I carelessly caused. I open my eyes and notice that I had walked myself back to the castle. I am actually right in front of my home. I can't help but look down at my feet.

If only I had been able to catch those books earlier. If only I had been able to use magic. I have always been the more levelheaded than Twilight sometimes. I should have been more careful. I should have been the one that got hurt. It is my fault that she's in a hospital room, having to be by herself. It is my fault that I was unable to stop what happened. All of it was is fault.

"Spike? What are you doing up so late?" a small voice asks, breaking my internal thoughts.

I jump at the sound of my crush.

"Rarity! Don't startle me like that!"

"Sorry, Spike," she apologizes with a small smile, "So, what are you doing up so late?"

"Couldn't sleep, so I was just walking around," I say.

The truth is I haven't actually slept at all since the incident and my guilt is keeping me awake.

"What are you up to? It's three in the morning," I ask.

"Oh…um…" Her cheeks turn red, "I…um….just walking around."

"What?"

She sighs as she repeats herself once more.

"Just walking around. I know that it's late but I was just bored so I thought by walking around, I would get tired much quicker than simply standing around."

"At three in the morning?" I ask, rather confused.

She nods and I can't help but give a short laugh. I know that she can be bored at times, but I never really considered her going out this late. Of course, I'm not one to talk.

"Is Twilight okay? We got worried when she didn't show up at Canterlot," she asks.

I tense up as I remember her lying at the hospital bed, completely separated from the rest of the world. I looke back at her and say, "She's , she's at the hospital."

She wraps her hooves around me. "Oh dear, we had no idea."

"It's okay. We can all go see her in the morning."

"Of course, darling. I suppose I best get home then." She smiles.

"Oh…,"

She turns to leave, hesitates, then she faces me again.

"So…how are you?" she asks, with a smile.

"What?"

"Well, you're out here by yourself so I just thought…"

I sigh. How could I tell her that I'm the reason why she was sent to the hospital? How could I tell her about the guilt I feel about the whole incident?

"I guess I'm not doing too great. I keep on thinking there was some way I could have stopped it. Some way that Twilight couldn't have been…"

In a split second, she hugs me, her hooves gripping me tightly.

"I'm sorry," she whisphers.

I feel my words catch in my throat as I accept her gesture.

"I'm sorry that Twilight's in the hospital. But what happend wasn't your fault," she says.

"Rarity…how'd you…"

"I know that you would do anything to make sure that your friends never got hurt. But sometimes, things happen. Rather directly or indirectly, it's not your fault, Spike. You can't change the past. Sometimes, things just happen and no matter how much we want to change it…we can't. I…I just don't want you to beat yourself up over it. What's done is done," she says as she lets go of me.

She flashes a warm smile at me.

"Rarity…thanks," I say.

"What else are friends for? So, I'll see you tomorrow?"

"If you come with me to see Twilight..."

"I will tell the other girls, and we will go see Twilight in the morning. Bye, Spike."

As she leaves, I can't help but wonder if she is somehow telepathic. How in Equestria had she guessed what I was thinking? I shrug and walk inside the castle; perhaps she just knows me that well. What I do know is that she's right. I can't change the past. It makes no sense beating myself down for a mistake already done. I still feel bad but thanks to her, I feel better then I did earlier. As I close the door behind me, the guilt starts to fade away.