“So what you mean to tell me sister, is that Spike managed to break away from your dreamscape?"

Luna nodded. It was true and it had terrified her. The very moment she had entered the dreamscape of Spike she had been forced out with an almost unfathomable force. She almost shuddered at the memory. The sound it made had terrified her and she woke up sweating as if it were a nightmare. Only now did she have the courage to speak to Celestia about it and even then it was touchy at that.

It was not that she afraid to discuss it. It was simply because she didn't know how to. It was like when she was young. She tried to start painting and she had all of these grand ideas that were right there, she could even almost see them but the words to explain it and the actions that would be needed escaped her. Now she was simply throwing the paint onto the canvas in hopes of understanding. She didn't know what to do really So She simply spoke, or in this case, nodded.

A small sigh managed to escape Celestia as she looked out to the gardens. If Spike had changed so much then... She didn't know what to say. She saw her son but couldn't seem to beleive he was there. His gaze was unreadable even by herself and that was a feat in its own right. The tea cup that held her favorite tea was lifted up to her lips with her magic and, once it was she took a sip then set it down. She turned back to Luna and took in her features. She seemed to be confused and she couldn't blame her because she was confused as well.

"Well... that's interesting i suppose. It shows that he's not only powerful but very serious about his privacy. He almost seems like Twilight when she was my student..."

Several moments passed and Luna couldn't help but agree. He had only spoken to ponies when needed and hadn't said a word otherwise. If he didnt interact with anybody else then it could be unhealthy as well.

"What do you suggest we do then sister? He has stayed here for about two weeks and although he seems to be comfortable here, he hasn't done anything but roam the gardens."

For once, Celestia didn't have an answer. She didn't quite know what to do. He hasn't done anything wrong and he's incredibly kind when interacting with others. He's just... distant though.

Luna had already begun to think of things to do in order to hopefully help. Maybe they could send him to Ponyville? She knew that this would take away her chess buddy but maybe if she had a talk with him she could find a way to play anyways. Perhaps there was a magical chess board that acted similar to Twilights magical book she had heard of? It could work. She could even get it as a gift for him and eve-

"-una? Luna? Are you alright?"

Luna was pulled from her thoughts and looked back up to her sister.

"Hm? What was that sister?"She asked innocently.

Celestia just cracked a smile. It appeared that her sister was thinking about something. She wouldn't ask.

"You seemed to fall into thought for a solid minute or so. Are you feeling alright?"

Luna felt her cheeks grow red out of embarrassment but kept a steady tone nonetheless.

"Of course sister. We are simply thinking of how we are to continue our chess games if he were to move to Ponyville"

The sun princess raised a brow. "Move to Ponyville you say? Why are you thinking of that?"

Luna shrugged. It was clear she was going off of a whim.

"Well, when Twilight refused to socialise you sent her there. This isn't quite the same case but if he were to go back there then he would be able to interact with a friendly community and possibly make friends."

Celestia seemed to be listening closely and the more she listened, the more it made sense. Her argument, or rather, suggestion made perfect sense. It could work out smoothly. Spike was sure to catch on but he most likely wouldn't mind either. Or so she hoped.

"Very well. We can send him there within the week. I am sure he will understand as to why we are sending him there as well."

Luna nodded in agreement as she stood up. She had a soft smile on her face.

"Would you like us to inform him now Sister?"

"Yes Luna. It would be best for him to hear it from a somebody he is aquanted with."

"Very well. And sister..?"

"Yes Luna?"

"Is there a spell that can allow a chess game to be played from afar? Such as having two separate boards that mimic each other?"

She smiled softly. She still wanted to play chess with him which, admittedly, was sweet. They seemed to get along somewhat well too. Maybe Luna had made a good friend? Well, more of an aquantence at this rate but still, maybe she had.

"Yes sister... I believe that there is. Would you like me to have a set of boards linked for you and Spike?"

Celestia could see a small smile begin to take form on her sisters face.

"Yes sister. That would be wonderful..."

With that, the lunar princess began to walk off and through the halls of the castle in search of Spike. He was most likely in the gardens so all she had to do was walk down the stairs, through a hall, turn right, turn left, go down some more stairs, realise she took a wrong turn, go back, take a right, take a left, then take another left. After that she had arrived to the gardens and began her search.

Hopefully it wouldn't take too long. She released a breath and then her search began yet, just as it started it seemed to end. Spike was right there. He just walked around the corner and started to head towards the doors of which she was standing in. It was almost funny really. She was expecting something difficult but nope, he was right here, walking beside her and into the castle. She should probably stop him and talk now that she thought about it. She shook her head then turned to see Spike walk further and further away. She quickly ran up beside him and started trotting along side him.

"Hello Spike. How have you been?"

Right now she was expecting was expecting him to sigh and say something along the lines of 'Your not here to talk, what do you want?' Or something. She was surprised for him to reply with the exact opposite though.

"I've been well. And as for you princess?" He asked.

His hands went behind his back as they walked. A small smile seemed to have fell upon his face at some point as well. Probably from her awkward silence that lasted for a few moments.

"I have been... well, I suppose."

He nodded o show he heard her as they walked. "That's good to hear. No nightmares I hope?"

"None lately. It's nice I suppose. I actually was able to sleep early."

"Really? That sounds enjoyable to say the least. I also realise that your not speaking in the royal "we". Is there a reason for that if I may ask?"

Luna just kinda stopped thinking for a moment. Was she not using it? Well... that was something she supposed. She supposed she could try to keep it up then.

"Um... no actually. It has just seemed to occur."

"Well, it sounds interesting if I'm to be honest. I think I enjoy it."

She smiled a bit.

"Thank you young Spike. It is nice to know that our-"

She stopped herself and her cheeks turned red in embarrassment.

"My efforts haven't gone unnoticed"

Spike seemed to crack a smile, almost as if showing a slight approval for her correction.

"I doubt they would princess. Now, I beleive you would like to ask me a question?"

He said as they walked. They ended up arriving in the dining room which was seemingly empty.

"Indeed I would Spike, and although it is rather sudden, I would like to ask, on behalf of my sister, if you would be willing to move to Ponyville. She has a fear that you are becoming anti social and most likely fears that your seclusion would amount to an awakening of your "nightmare self" if you will. Or that's what I felt she was trying to convey."

Spike had stopped moving right when she said the words "nightmare self". When she looked back to him, her gaze was pulled into his eyes. Within them was... nothing... She turned to him fully and began to approach slowly.

"Um, Spike..? Spike?"

His eyes seemed to travel to hers as he snapped out of his trance. His smile was gone and he wasn't readable. At all. He just looked... empty.

"Spike are you Alright?"

She asked nervously. She had stopped on front of him and looked to him. Then he nodded.

"Yes Luna. I am alright. I am simply thinking, is all."

He answered. Luna frowned. Did she hear pain within his voice?

"And tell Celestia that I will be ready to leave within the hour. I would rather leave sooner than later"

Spike continued as he began to walk forward and past her. He was blank and his steps were again much more sharp. It was like he was wearing a mask. Should she stop him? Maybe... She didn't quite know. He probably needed some time to think but... She would need to tell him about when he would leave.

She began to follow him and called his name as soon as he rounded the corner. He didn't seem to hear so when she turned the corner she... stopped. He was gone. She wasn't even three seconds late and he was gone... Luna sighed and began to head back to Celestia but... She could wait. She needed a few moments to think. Maybe she could go to the gardens. Still, wherever Spike was and whatever he had done, she didn't know and whatever he would do was another question in itself. Thankfully, that question was being answered as she walked.

Spike had gone and left the physical plane of Eques, now within his own dream. More specifically he was within the same field of flowers he had started in. And he was just sitting down in the flowers, thinking. Meditating really. Not to contain his nightmare, no. He had mastered that long ago. A nightmare was like a beast after all and he knew all that there was about them. Now he was simply evaluating how he felt and holding in his emotions.

The simple fact that Celestia thought of him as unstable was insulting. Those may not have been the words but that's how it came across. Perhaps she was simply afraid of him and wanting to take all of the precautions possible. He couldn't blame her. He was quite afraid of himself if he were to be honest. He sighed and closed his eyes. If it made the princess feel better then he would move... Besides, Ponyville was calm and such. The only downside was that Twilight was there... there wasn't a doubt that she would ask him questions though and he didn't want to bother with them. She already thought he wasn't who he claimed to be and avoiding her traps and questions would just be annoying.

"And to think This all started so I could save her..."

He muttered to himself as he shook his head. He was stupid for doing such a thing... Maybe he would still have his childhood if he had refused. He sighed and opened his eyes, allowing himself to stand up and look around. He didnt have any physical belongings so he could simply go wherever he pleased and retrieve them from the dream without need of baggage. Perhaps he could just leave now and get it over with. He wasn't one to run from his fears after all. He would wait as requested though. Celestia would most likely panic if he left immedietly and send out search parties again. The drama wasn't worth it so for now, until then, he would relax. Maybe even practice a bit... It wouldn't be the same as fighting a beast but he could still try. And so he did so until the morning sun came.

He awoke within the waking world and let his eyes open. He stared at the plain ceiling above and sighed. Once he got off the bed he looked around and then to the corner where a familiar lamp resided. He let a small grin spread across his face and approached it. It appeared that his connection to the real world had grown stronger. He knelt down and touched it with an outstretched hand and felt a familiar rush of wind greet him as he did so. He closed his eyes then began to feel a familiar pull that would bring him to the dream, yet he refused it and simply enjoyed the familiar feeling of the icy cold metal upon his scales. He stood up and let out a calm, pleased breath as he opened his eyes again. The lantern sunk back into the floor and disappeared, the little messengers that surrounded it following it into the emptyness of which it was dismissed. Today was starting off well. Celestia had apparently decided to let him "sleep in" and such so that made it a bit better as well he supposed.

He turned around and opened his door and walked out into the halls. He would most likely be leaving today if Celestia really wanted to make this happen so he brought his cane to his hand with a flash of harmless green fire and began to walk forward. Not even three minutes had passed when a servant came by and approached him. After a small exchange of the servant telling him that Celestia wished to greet him and such he began to head there, taking his time as he walked. It was too early for this but he didn't really have a say. The arrival to the throne room came all too soon as he took note of Celestia sitting on her throne, the mask of "I am a ruler and I love my subjects" was shining bright as day for him. He almost envied the ponies for their ignorance to the obvious mask. He shook his head and stepped onto the carpet and approached her. He didn't bother with kneeling once he was in front of her which would most likely send nobles into a frenzy of confusion. Thankfully there weren't any here to annoy him. He stared forward and watched Celestia. He had to admit, she had a decent mask but it was still easy to tell that she was slightly unnerved by his silence and mere presence.

"Hello Celestia..." He greeted plainly. "I assume that you have called me here to discuss my travel to the town of ponyville, no?"

There was a nod of confirmation before she spoke. "Yes I have Spike. I would like you to know that I can arrange your travel with whatever mode of transportation you would like. I wish for you to feel comfortable in your arrival and not feel out of place."

He scoffed at that last bit. Not feel out of place? Like that would happen.

"Very well then. I shall travel there by foot. It has been a long time since I have been allowed to travel on my own. Especially over such a long distance."

He answered. Celestia opened her eyes a bit. Travel there by foot? It was miles away! He must have been mad. And what did he mean by "allowed"? She pushed the thought away and kept her smile on as she brought over her tea cup.

"Then it that case, you are free to leave whenever you'd like Spike... Just please stay safe. I would hate to lose you after seeing you after so long" She told him earnestly.

"Do not worry Celestia. I am more than capable of defending myself. They do not call me a Hunter without a reason to after all..."

He said with a smirk. Before Celestia could reply, Spike had vanished. She had merely blinked and all that was left was a flicker of bright green flame which gifted her even more questions that she desired to have answered.

Author's Note

Hope you guys enjoyed this. I was experiencing a bit of writers block but I think I may have gotten over it.

If you have ideas or recommendations then be sure to leave a comment and such As well. I would love to hear your thoughts.

And also, chapter names are hard to come up with so feel free to recommend some names for them.