Everything was dark. It was all so dark. He couldn't see the flowers or bushes. He didn't see the pathway of which he stood upon. He could only see himself within the darkness. His mirror image just stood there and watched him, not moving just as he did. They stood there. He simply watched them. It wasn't uncommon for him to see this though. It had happened a lot ever since he had taken his mentors place. Gehrman was his name. He had taught him not with actions but instead words. Some would think that his mentors methods were horrible, useless, or unhelpful. Those who said that could never be more wrong. He opened his mouth to speak to again...

"Hello Celestia"

The world seemed to come back to him as he opened his eyes and looked at the rose bushes in front of him. He reached out with a hand that was behind his back and pulled a rose off with two of his claws then began to observe it, taking in every detail of which he could. It didn't stop him from hearing the nervous exhale of Celestia. He almost felt her unease when she spoke.

"Hello Spike. Are you enjoying the gardens?"

He looked to her with a turn of his head and set the rose in the colorful wall of a bush.

"Indeed. I find it soothing. It has its ways of calming me."

He replied as he turned his body to meet hers.

"What about you? Do you enjoy this place?"

"I do. It helped me many times when Luna was away. I don't know why though. I like to beleive that it was because she and I would go to the gardens to escape our work when we were younger"

The princess told him. Spike had begun to walk to the right and there was smile on his face. It seemed genuine. Celestia followed him shortly after. She took note of the nod from Spike that told her that he had listened, something a lot of ponies didn't do.

"Do you have any other reasons as to why the garden soothes you?"

He asked. Celestia was silent for a moment as she thought. There wasn't much now that she thought about it.

"No, I don't really. What about you? Is there a reason as to why to find it soothing?"

Spikes smile faded a bit. Celestia was trying to lead up to something. A question probably. Wonderful... he slowed to a stop and sighed.

"What is it that you want to know princess?"

She stopped and looked at him in bewilderment. How did he..? Whatever. He wanted to know so she would go to the point. She went over to a nearby bench and motioned for him to sit as she had just done. He refused by simply watching her and waiting for a response from her which she gave, albeit vague.

"What I want to know is what happened Spike."

He stopped and turned to her. He almost laughed a slight bit. She was still keeping up the "casual conversation" act.

"Celestia, I already know that you're building up to ask a separate question so ask what you truly wish to know, will you? I will not hate you for your words, only your actions..."

He said with a hint of annoyance in his voice. It was clear he had seen right through her and it was obvious that Celestia was confused. The two beings shared a moment of silence as the Princess thought only for that same princesses sigh to brake it soon after.

"Very well young Spike..."

He stiffled a chuckle and Celestia looked to him, confused.

"Oh, nothing. Just something you said."

He told her with a new smile. As she looked away to the bushes it disappeared and was replaced by a normal face.

"If you insist... Now, Spike, on the night of your arrival you had summoned a scyth of flame and my sister felt as if you had drawn your power from her... did you?"

She asked. Spike had raised a brow and looked to her curiously during this. When she finished though his look became one of disapontment.

"I guess that you are asking this for Luna, are you not?"

She nodded.

"Then she can ask me herself. Tell her to meet me in the gardens tomorrow evening. If she wishes to not come then she may refuse."

He said as he began to walk away. His voice and face had become devoid of life during it and Celestia almost felt as if she had hurt him. Before she could speak he had turned a corner and when she had gotten up to follow him he was gone.

"What has become of you Spike... you seem so distant now"

She said to herself sadly. She almost began to cry yet she couldn't bring herself to. She was thankful for that though because there was a sound of approaching footsteps behind her.

"Sister... We observed it all. Do not blame yourself for his pain. It is us who caused it. Let us put your mind on other matters. Would you willing to play another chess game with us?"

Luna asked somewhat hopefully. Celestia decided to not look to her sister when she spoke out.

"No..."

"Please~? We will attempt to speak normally if thou chooses to"

She couldn't help but smile a bit. She figured that she could humor her.

"Very well. Let us play a chess game sister"

Author's Note

So how's this look? Any recommendations or errors? If so then let me know. I'll listen.