Author's Note

Hey everyone! I wanted to thank you guys for your comments and such. It does a lot and makes me feel incredibly happy. It even encouraged me to write more so thank you.

If you have any ideas then don't be afraid to let me know by the way! I'm always looking for ways to improve my story and add to it in a meaningful way. Love ya guys!

Story Time! Sort of...

Spike was sitting in the field of white flowers that resided within his dreamscape again, his eyes closed and his body at peace. Sadly, the same could not be said for his mind, which was racing with thoughts. Thoughts of what? Why the hunt of course. More specifically, the first hunt he ever partook in... He had been thinking about it quite a lot recently and not even he was sure as to why.

Perhaps he was asking himself some sort of question. Perhaps he was simply reliving his memories to remind himself of what type of creature he was. If that were the case then why? He still didn't know but with time he settled on one answer... He was punishing himself. He was doing it because he had almost snapped. Because he had somehow managed to become weak enough to let his emotions take hold.

That was one of the main rules as a hunter. To disregard emotion. It had come into use multiple times during his hunts and even outside of them. It allowed him to assess situations in a way that others wouldn't be able to. Without emotion, you were able to stare your nightmares directly in the eye and it allowed you to think in an unbiased manner. It even allowed you to forgo the titles of another and look at them as an equal which was one of his favorite things about lacking emotion.

His eyes cracked open and he slowly looked up at the moon from the position he sat in and then to the city beneath it. Perhaps he could explore the city of which he created? There was still a lot to explore after all, and since none of the pathways were blocked he could explore freely. He mentally shook his head and sighed. Dawn was approaching soon and he had promised that he would leave the castle. Technically he wasn't in the castle though so a little exploration couldn't hurt. Besides, he could teleport from the castle and to the town at any point so why should he rush?

Spike let himself stand up and approach the strange lantern once more. Once he knelt before it, he let his arm stretch out to it. The feeling was strange but he welcomed it as he always did. The world became dark and he soon arrived at his special city. It still needed a name... Lordran perhaps? No... It felt as if that was already tainted by something dark. He wanted something that was new and that had a feeling of life to it. He stood up and looked around a bit. Perhaps he could just call it The Lunar Wake. It sounded nice and he couldn't help but agree with the name more and more.

The smile that graced his lips was the brightest it had ever been as he began to walk through the open streets of his city. Tonight would last forever if he so willed it. And for several hours, he did. This realm was a gift to himself. It wasn't a bad thing to indulge himself either, was it? It probably wasn't, and if it was bad then he had done far worse.

He had lost track of time after an hour or so. He was just lost in his own tame excitement. He knew he should probably wake up though since he could recall somebody running after him before he vanished into his dreamscape. They were most likely worried about him if he guessed correctly. He sighed and closed his eyes with a small smile. At least tonight was peaceful.

After a few moments, he let his eyes open up to a small flash of green flame. It appeared that his little teleportation spell had worked and that he had managed to successfully travel from his dreamscape to his chosen point in reality. Now, he could go where he pleased and the one place he could think right now would be the Ponyville park. So it was there that he went.

As he traveled, he took note of ponies hat were glancing at him awkwardly. Thankfully these glances disappeared after a few seconds and he was quite happy with such a simple thing. Nobody had seemed afraid of him and nothing wanted to attack him. Except for the Cutie Mark Crusaders which promptly slammed into his back and rolled with him as he went forward several feet, only for him to land on his back with three exited fillies on top of him. Their unified shout of happiness made him smile.

"Spike!"

The dragon in question let out a jovial laugh as he sat up, setting the fillies aside as he did so. He could at least act happy. Maybe he'd trick himself into being happy

"Why hello you three! You've most definitely grown!"

By now some ponies were looking at the group and a few mutters were beginning to travel. Spike didn't seem to care as he stood up and brushed himself off.

"Yep! And we won't stop for a long while!" Scootaloo chimed.

He chuckled a bit as he bent down and ruffled her mane.

"I believe it. Now, would you three care to tell me why you tackled me to the ground with extreme force?"

Spike asked, his smile not wavering in the slightest. Scootaloo squirmed out from under his claw and went to stand by the other two.

"Well, ah was kind of against it for a moment but the other two wanted to do it and I didn't want to be left out."

"So you joined them in a welcome-back-Spike cannonball?" Spike asked. The three nodded excitedly.

"Makes sense I suppose. Now, is there anything you'd like to do before I continue on my way? I'm headed to the park so I can relax a bit. I want to stay out of Twilights feathers so I'm off on my own."

Scootaloo was the first to speak up out of the three of them.

"Yeah! Why were you gone for so long? It's been ages since we saw you! Even Celestia was worried!"

Spike raised a brow and summoned his cane in a flash of green flame then began to lean on it a bit.

"Oh really? Interesting. But, I've been off on an adventure if you'd like to know. A dangerous adventure that I don't want to speak in detail about, but an adventure none the less."

A series of disappointed Aww's came from the three causing Spike to chuckle and ruffle Scootaloo's mane again.

"Don't worry. There is some stuff I can tell you about so you'll still have something to work off of."

"Really!?" The three asked in unison. He nodded once, still smiling even though he was slightly unsettled by how in sync they were.

"Really."

They looked at each other exited then looked up at him.

"Can you tell us a story now?" Sweetie Belle asked suddenly.

He placed a claw on his chin and let out a "Hmm" in mock thought. He placed it back on the cane and looked at them with a now genuine smile.

"Aw heck, I don't see why not. Come on, follow me to the park and I'll tell you about a dear friend of mine."

Another unified yay was given as well as a shout about them being "Cutie Mark Crusader story listeners" even though they had their cutie marks. A soft laugh came from him as he turned around and began to walk. He heard the scampering of some hooves as he walked forward, signifying that they were trying to catch up, which they did in a short moment.

He looked down to his right and saw Applebloom who was trotting with a cheerful pep in her step. To his left was Scootaloo who was doing the same. Then there was Sweetie Belle who was behind them. When he slowed down and stopped, he felt her bump into his leg and grew concerned when he turned and saw her on her rump. He gave her a worried look.

"Hey, are you alright?"

She nodded. "Yeah! I was just thinking is all..."

He raised a brow and looked at her, clearly not buying it.

"About..?"

"Just about stuff really. Nothing I wanna talk about really."

He smiled and nodded. He was glad that she was honest like that.

"I can understand that. Would you like me to give you a horsey back ride so you can think as we travel?"

A nod and smile was the response he received so he bent down, picked her up, and set her on his shoulders which received a comment from Scootaloo.

"Hey, unfair!"

"Oh hush you, you can get a ride next time."

She looked as if she was going to reply but instead remained silent, satisfied with the promise of a ride. After a few feet or so of walking, the small farm pony beside him spoke up, albeit nervously.

"Uh, hey Spike? If Sweetie is gettin' a ride now, and Scoots is getting one next, does this mean that ahm third?"

"If you'd like. If not then you can pass."

He answered. He felt a soft nudge on his side and looked down to see a smiling Applebloom.

"Thanks Spike..."

He reached a claw down and ruffled her mane.

"Its nothing Applebloom."

They arrived at the park after a few more minutes of walking, the mood still bright between them all. After going over to a tree, he set Sweetie Belle down and sat against the tree with his legs crossed. The others sat down expectantly and Spike took a moment to take in his surroundings. There were a few families out here, some with young foals, and some with young adults. He even saw a few couples. One of them was a pegasus and an earth pony, and surprisingly, there was a unicorn and a wolf sitting on a bench. His smile became a bit brighter as he saw the unicorn blush after receiving a boop to the muzzle. It was truly a strange yet marvelous world he resided in.

This was a nice change of pace to be honest. Maybe he could do this some more. A small cough was heard from Scootaloo and he turned to the fillies once more.

"Oh! My apologies. I got lost in thought. Now, you wanted to hear a story, correct?"

They nodded with eager smiles.

"In that case, this may take a while. If you want, go grab a snack or do your business. I'll wait."

They didn't move.

"Alright then. In this case, allow me to tell a story. A story about an old friend of mine named... Gehrman..."

And that is where the story began. The story of how he hated the man who seemed so cold. How he eventually began to understand the man. Even how he began to take after the man and how when he passed, he honored his memory by fulfilling an oath he had sworn to him.

By the time the story ended, the sun had began to set and the others were looking somewhat tired, clearly forcing themselves to sit up. It would have taken longer if he didn't leave out the violence though. He left out a lot of things, to be honest. He left out the fact that Gehrman was the very first hunter of beasts and that the hunt existed. He left out the existence of beasts. How Gehrman had been enslaved by a great being known as the Moon Presence. Spike even left out the part where he killed him as an act of mercy. Perhaps when they were older he would retell the story. For now, he would tell them the good of his journey.

Right as his story came to an end, a series of rapid hoof steps came to him, causing him and the other three to turn to the source. Soon, they stopped and were replaced by some pony catching their breath.

"Heya Starlight! Spike was just telling us about a friend of his named Gehrman!"

Starlight looked up and smiled, still catching her breath.

"That's great Applebloom... Maybe I'll ask for him to tell me about them... For now though, I wanted to come ask if he's alright... I've been searching for him all day after all..." She said.

Spike stood up and he heard his joints pop. He stretched a bit as well and when he was done, he looked at the fillies and smiled a bit.

"If that's the case, you three should leave. I'm sure that she's tracked me down for something important. Plus its late..."

Several Aww's were heard once more.

"But I can stay up Spike. Besides... I don't need sleep."

Scootaloo said. She yawned right after and Spike shook his head. Fillies...

"Uhuh. I can stay up a while longer too!"

Sweetie chimed. Spike was about to speak up only to hear two thuds as the two speakers passed out. Applebaum was just staring at them in shock.

"Don't worry Applebloom. I'll get them home. You go ahead and rest."

"Thanks, Spike. Can we spend some time together tomorrow?"

He shook his head.

"I'm afraid not. I want to help some ponies around town and find out what I've missed."

To his surprise, she was fine with that

"Alrighty. I'll see ya later then. G'night Spike."

She said as she stood up. He tipped his hat and smiled

"Goodnight Applebloom. Sleep well..."

He smiled and watched her walk off towards her home. Then he turned to the two fillies and hoisted them over his shoulders. Once that was done, he turned to a smiling and somewhat worried Starlight. He began to walk.

"Come along Starlight. If you wish to say something then now would be a good time."

She perked up and chased after him, only to walk beside him shortly after, not speaking for several moments. He decided to try again.

"So, what is it that you wanted Starlight?" He asked plainly. She gave a weak smile.

"Um... Well, I was wondering if you were alright after what happened. You seemed rather hurt."

He nodded as he walked onto the pathway.

"That I did. And yes, I am alright Starlight. I am still hurt by what was said but there is nothing I can do."

When he spoke, she seemed a bit uneasy from this as they walked. It felt as if he wasn't being honest. It was getting darker now as well so that only added to the feeling of worry.

"Alright. Well, if you're alright then that's good. If you ever need to talk though, I'm more than willing to listen..."

"Thank you Starlight. Now, you wouldn't happen to know where Scootaloo lives do you?"

"Oh, I know. I can lead you there if you'd like." She asked hopefully. He shook his head and dismissed her.

"No thank you. Directions are all I need."

"Oh... In that case, take a left on the next path. It'll be the seventh house on the right."

Spike nodded.

"Thank you. You may go do your own thing now."

She nodded and slowed down a bit until Spike turned the corner. She probably should have tried more... Spike, on the other hand, was thankful she didn't try more. He just wanted to get these two home and go rest. So he did. He sped up his pace a small bit and walked forward and took the left. After that, he counted houses and set Scootaloo on the correct doorstep. After knocking, he walked away and began to head to the Carousel Boutique. Once he arrived, he repeated the same process and walked off into the night, only to be engulfed once more by a flash of green flame...