The first ever Friendship Festival had drawn to a close, the spirits of all who had attended were greatly lifted. And now most of the participants had gone home or had otherwise left the streets of Canterlot.
But inside the hallways of Canterlot Castle, six ponies were still very excited and chatting about what had gone down at the festival.
“That was the bestest Friendship Festival ever!” Pinkie Pie proudly declared! “I really gotta hoof it to you, Twilight! For a pony who’s never planned any kind of big party before, you sure threw one doozy of a bash! It made a lot of my parties look like child’s play in comparison! Not bad for a first attempt.”
“And did you see those awesome fireworks Tempest displayed?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed! “I’m surprised she managed to find a use for her broken horn, and that it’s thanks to her that the Storm King is history!”
“It’s really a shame she’s not coming back with us, I feel like we really could’ve gotten to know her better,” Fluttershy commented. “After the Storm King was defeated it was like she became a different pony.”
“I just can’t believe I missed all the action,” Starlight Glimmer remarked. “I spent the whole invasion cowering through Canterlot with Trixie. I should’ve been there, should’ve done something!”
Applejack shook her head. “There wasn’t anythin’ you could’ve done, Starlight. That there invasion caught us all by surprise. Runnin’ away like that was probably the sensible thing to do in that situation. ‘Course, we would’ve loved to have you by our side. We got to see some pretty interestin’ places, and make some new friends.”
“I for one am just glad things are back to normal. It seems like we’ve had plenty of adventures in our life times,” Rarity observed. “But that Friendship Festival was a splendid conclusion to everything. And I must say that Capper looked positively splendid in that outfit I made for him.”
But there was one pony in the room that wasn’t speaking. She was sitting on her bed, deep in thought about something. Applejack was the first one to notice. “Somethin’ the matter, Twilight?” She questioned her friend. “You haven’t spoken a word since the festival ended.”
Twilight let out a sigh. “It’s about Spike,” She admitted to her friends. “I only saw glimpses of him during the festival but it seemed like he was doing better than when I last saw him.”
“Well, that’s awesome, Twilight!” Pinkie chirped. “He’s not in a super funk, anymore!”
“But I know Spike too well, Pinkie.” Twilight said. “I know when he’s trying to put on a brave face because he doesn’t want me to worry. I really wish he wouldn’t do that, it only makes me worry about him more. I feel like I should talk to him about everything that happened on our journey, everything we’ve been through. But what should I say? How do I even go about this in the right way?”
“If you want my honest opinion, sugarcube,” Applejack spoke up. “Might be best to step back a bit and let Spike be alone with his thoughts. Give him some time to come to terms with everythin’, then you can have a talk about the journey and what’s really botherin’ him. It’s how Granny Smith broke the news to me and my siblings about what happened to my folks.”
“I too think it would be best if you slept on it and waited until at least tomorrow to talk to him, Twilight,” Rarity encouraged as she put a hoof around her friend. “Poor Spikey-Wikey has been through a lot as it is. But I think I did see the princesses go off in a general direction similar to his during the festival, though I didn’t get a chance to ask about it. I assume they’ve already had a talk with Spike, and their words will need time to sink in.”
“I’m sure Spike will tell you when he feels ready. You shouldn’t try to force him, Twilight,” Fluttershy cautioned. “If you do, you might accidentally make things worse instead of better.”
“Guess you’re right, Fluttershy,” Twilight sighed in reluctance. “Besides, it’s getting late and it’s important that we all get a good night’s rest for our journey home tomorrow. Whenever Spike’s ready to talk, I’ll be there for him.”
Though she did not know Spike as well as Twilight did, Starlight was still more than a little concerned by Twilight’s decision. “Not that I mean to question your judgement but are you sure that’s wise? Remember what happened with me when you wanted to give me time to think? I didn’t exactly make the right decision.”
“My friends and I certainly didn’t help matters. Plus, we had no way to know where you’d run off too or if you were even in those caves,” Twilight told Starlight and then replied. “I know Spike well enough to know that when something’s on his mind it doesn’t stay secret for long. But I want our talk to be on his terms, not mine.” And that was the last thing the alicorn said before she climbed into bed, ready to call it a night.
In another part of the castle and unbeknownst to any of his friends, Spike was sleeping with the princesses. Celestia and Luna shared two sides of a guest bed with Spike curled up beside Luna, while Cadence rested in a nearby chair just across from the little dragon.
But no matter how hard he tossed and turned, Spike found it almost impossible to sleep. It seemed like something kept waking him up every couple of seconds. This time around, it was a need to use the bathroom. That wasn’t anything out of the ordinary, he usually got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom anyway.
Slowly and quietly the little dragon scooted his way to the side of the bed and gently rolled off it, taking great care not to make too much noise. He didn’t want to wake up the princesses. He owed them for having comforted him during the festival and felt like he didn’t want to burden them further.
As he made his way down the hallway to the nearby bathroom, the young dragon found himself pondering a dilemma. He still hadn’t told Twilight about what had happened earlier between him and the princesses. In fact, he hadn’t told any of his friends at all. As far as they knew everything was just fine.
Which is exactly what Spike wanted them to think. It’s not that he didn’t trust them but he didn’t want to burden them when they were clearly interested in enjoying the festival. And after all that they’d been through and all they’d had to endure, they deserved to be happy. Twilight especially since the Friendship Festival had been her idea, and it had come so close to not happening.
Still, Spike wondered silently to himself. “When would be the right time to tell Twilight how I feel about why I was so sad? She kinda already knew earlier. Or is she waiting for me to tell her?”
As Spike reached the bathroom and resolved his need to use it, he had no idea that Twilight was also awake. She too couldn’t sleep and had taken to roaming the castle halls to try and and settle her mind. Currently, the alicorn was in the throne room and was silently gazing up at one of the stained glass windows. Particularly the one that depicted Spike saving the Crystal Empire from the evil King Sombra.
Speaking not a word, Twilight put her hoof on the window. It was a moment she could never forget. The moment in which she had entrusted Spike to save the day, seeing no way to escape her crystal prison. And it had been during the same assignment during which she’d learned how much she meant to the little dragon. How much he feared being sent away by her forever.
It seemed like she had a tendency to forget just how much she meant to Spike, and how much he meant to her.
Unable to ease her troubled mind, Twilight reluctantly turned and trotted back to the bedroom. But as it so happened, at that very moment Spike was leaving the bathroom. The two ended up bumping into each other in the connecting hallway, face to face with one another.
“O-oh… T-Twilight,” Spike nervously stuttered out a greeting. “Sorry if I woke you up. I was just using the bathroom.”
“That’s okay, Spike,” Twilight replied as she tried to make small talk. “I was already up anyway. Just sort of… going for a walk. Yeah, that’s it, a late night walk!”
“Right,” Spike slowly responded as he started to back away real slowly. “Well, I guess… I’ll just be on my way then. I’m actually sleeping with the princesses in case you’re wondering.”
“Oh, that’s okay, but I wish you would’ve told me first. I was wondering where you were,” Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. “I thought maybe you’d gotten lost or something.”
Spike tried to reply with a giggle, but it sounded far less relaxed and a lot more nervous than he would’ve liked. “Lost? Me? Never,” When Twilight picked up on it, he tried to deflect from the subject he knew was coming by asking. “Would you really be okay with talking in the middle of the-”
But Twilight gave a gentle nod and interrupted. “-It’s alright, Spike. I’m here to talk. This is something we need to discuss.”
Spike reluctantly sighed. “Guess you’re right, the time has come. But at least no one but us is around to hear any of this.”
What neither Spike or Twilight were aware of, was that from afar six very familiar ponies had stumbled awake. Having picked up the faint traces of conversation, they were silently peeking out from the bedroom door and watching.
Immediately, Spike launched into an explanation as to his whereabouts. “I missed Celestia, and Luna, and Cadence. Like really missed them!” He explained to Twilight. “I didn’t talk much the whole time we were outside Equestria, that’s because I was worried about the princesses. I was worried what could’ve happened if we weren’t able to save them, or what Tempest or the Storm King might have done to them anyway!” He shivered with noticeable fear at his statement.
Twilight used her wings to pull Spike in for a hug. “It’s okay, Spike. It makes sense you’d feel that way, you have just as strong a connection to the princesses as I do. Of course you’d be worried about them,” And she admitted. “While I never showed it, a part of me was always thinking about them. Worried about what was happening back in Equestria. But just remember. You’re not alone.”
Spike nuzzled himself deep into Twilight’s warm embrace. “I’m glad I told you all of this now, after the festival.”
At that, the alicorn adopted the most perplexed look. “Why would that matter, Spike? It really shouldn't. I would’ve loved to have this conversation earlier if you were ready to tell me. Why would you want to wait?”
The little dragon hesitated for a moment, almost wondering if he should try to take it back. But then he realized that he couldn’t. He had said it, and now he had to own up to it. “Well...well, I...I know how much you’d been preparing for the Friendship Festival,” He explained. “I saw how down you were when the princesses turned down your idea for the concert. I didn’t bring it up after Equestria was saved because,” He gulped. “You’d worked so hard on it. I thought worrying about me would be the last thing you would want.”
But at that Twilight frowned. “Spike, even if I was excited for that festival, I would never have wanted you to think it was more important than worrying about you. Sure, I was down about my idea being rejected. I thought it was a really good one and I was so sure the princesses would say yes. But regardless of that little detail, that was okay. My friends helped me realize we could still have a celebration. Maybe not the one I wanted or envisioned, but still one worthwhile,” Then her tone of voice became serious as she added. “But if something ever happened to you, and I wasn’t there to stop it, I’d never forgive myself! If I had to choose between you and some festival, I’d know what to pick in a heartbeat!”
“Do you really mean it, Twilight?” Spike asked in a hopeful tone as he looked up at her.
Twilight responded by levitating over a small mirror, showing Spike his reflection. “It’s simple, Spike. The festival wasn’t there when I needed help, or when I was most in need of encouragement and support,” In a more playful tone of voice she began to add. “It also doesn’t have little green scales, a strong tail, or stubby little arms that don’t cover up a good ticklish spot.”
Before Spike had a chance to stop Twilight, he felt her wings brush under his arms and start to tickle his exposed belly. Unable to stop himself, he burst into a fit of joyful laughter. “No! Twilight, stop! Please!” He pleaded in between giggles.
Fortunately Twilight ended her tickling session before long. Then she told the little dragon. “No matter what may happen, Spike, I’ll always know who and what is worth more of my attention. Don’t ever doubt that fact.”
With tears welling up inside his eyes, Spike leaped up and hugged Twilight (as opposed to earlier where she was hugging him) as he whispered to her. “I love you, Twilight...”
Twilight simply smiled and shared the hug as she whispered back. “I love you too, Spike...”
Twilight’s friends had been watching the entire scene, and all of them had to admit it was so heartwarming.
Pinkie Pie found herself struggling to hold back tears of her own. “It’s so beautiful!” She exclaimed and reached a hoof out to grab what she thought was a handkerchief. It wasn’t, but she didn’t notice this as she blew into a very noticeable rainbow colored tail.
Rainbow reacted immediately, grabbing her tail and pulling it away! “Oh come on!” Then she complained. “Why does everypony keep using my tail?!”