Stolen hopes

Five years had passed by since the accident, since the fire. Everypony were there watching how the house was tearing down, burning. The firefighters were struggling against the threat, and making the ponies to step back every time they wanted to approach to see more

He and his friends were there, standing, with a face of shock, wishing this was a nightmare, but, unfortunately it wasn't. All of it was real, was happening through their eyes.  The Carousel boutique was burning down.

_______

Spike woke up covered in sweat, he was dreaming. Spike shook his head trying to send those thoughts far away in his dragon head, he was remembering all of this again. Felling the sadness going through his not so young body, he finally stood up.  He had changed. Over the years, he searched for ways to keep his mind distracted from those thoughts . He was now a full reader, he also had been doing a lot of exercise, training his body for unexpected situations like…well, he didn`t wanted to remember it.

“Time to get up, Spike” said Twilight while arriving to the bedroom, “I prepared the breakfast, if you are interested” Spike knew that she wasn't the best cooker in Equestria, because some of the things she made were still moving in the plate when served.  One time, he swore that, whatever was on that dish, said something.

“I’ll pass this time Twi” he said as he got off of his new big bed.

His teen body was much taller and stronger and the baby fat had disappeared completely. He was tall like Celestia, his wings hadn't appeared yet but in time they will. He directed himself to the lower floor looking for books.  This was his new routine: every morning he would get up, maybe eat something, help Twilight, read, read and read and do some exercise.

Twilight could see his number one assistant and almost her little brother doing this every day. She was glad that Spike grabbed a passion for reading and being healthy but he also was quieter, more serious, he didn't make jokes anymore and he stopped eating gems. He had become in someone else.

“Hey Spike! Umm… the girls and I are going to have a picnic, and I thought if you wanted to join us”

“No, thanks” he said without taking his eyes from the book he was staring at

“Come on, Spike… you will like it: the fresh air, the sun and… we have some gems” Twilight said trying to convincing the dragon

“I said no thanks” Spike said giving a serious look to his friend

“Please Spike” Twilight said with a lot of worry in her voice “you know you can’t do this for the rest of your life, you will have to come out some time and not for exercising”. Spike remained silent.

“I need to try” he said

Twilight could see that he was still affected by that terrible day. She knew how much he loved Rarity, all the days he could have used for resting he was there, helping Rarity searching for gems. Sometimes he got back to the library exhausted but with a great smile in the face.

Inside of those four walls covered with sadness and stolen hopes was a closed coffin surrounded with several photos of her, at one side was a inexpressive Spike, the pain he felt was too much to express it with tears. He must thought  that all that was happening was  another nightmare, just an horrible dream, that Twiight would come at any time to wake him up, he would open his eyes and everything would be back to normal, but she never came,  nothing happened.

Everything was real.

Twilight woke up from the flashback and frowned. She grabbed her things and walked out of the library, heading towards to meet her friends.

  “Hi twilight” said a shy voice, while arranging everything for the picnic

“Hi Flutterhy..how are you...” said Twilight

“INCOMING” said a fast Rainbow dash, before crashing into the ready picnic making all the things flying through the air

“Did you started the party without me?” said Pinkie pie, bouncing towards twilight

“What’s goin’ on over here?” said Applejack while walking into the mess

“Nothing much” said Twilight “Just Rainbow dash…..crashing into picnics, as usual”  “we should call you Rainbow Crash again”

The five mares laughed

After having eaten, the mares started to talk about how they were, talking about the past, about the future and how the time had passed so fast.

“So… you know… How is Spike? Asked Pinkie Pie

“He is fine, I guess reading and reading all he can” said Twilight hiding the worry in her voice

“He still refuses going out, doesn’t he?”  Said Rainbow Dash, “Is he ever going to get over it?”

“It can be so easy, imagine if the pony of your dreams dies? You would be as same as depressed as Spike or even worst” said an angry Fluttershy.  Whenever she decided to talk like this, getting all the shy of her voice, she was talking seriously

“But, five years have passed; he should look for another mare or maybe, a dragoness? Said AppleJack

“I know what we can do!” “Why don’t we throw him a party?”

The four mares looked at her with serious glances.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea” “If he doesn’t want to go out, he will definitely not be in the mood for a surprise party” Twilight said

“But, we have to do something to cheer him up!” Pinkie Pie insisted

“I… I think I have a solution, but, is to dangerous” Twilight said “Princess Celestia told me about it one time…”

In the other side of the park, inside the library, was a young dragon reading. He was in a time of concentration, separate form everypony and everything.  He was getting ready. He got a backpack, in which he put some flowers, gems and candles. He used to do this once a month.

Spike grabbed his book and put it inside of a backpack.

He got out of the library, heading towards to the place where Carousel Boutique once was. In the place was now a statue commemorating Rarity’s memory. He remembered that day: Celestia herself ordered the construction of the statue, all Ponyville was there, it was a sunny day, Rainbow Dash cleared all the sky. The 5 mares spoke about the good times with Rarity, all their adventures that they shared. Spike stood in front of his beloved Rarity, he put the backpack on the floor, opened it, pulled the flowers and put them in front of the statue, then he took the candles and with a flame he light up the candles, finally he grabbed the gems and spread all over the statue.

He stood there, admiring the construction. Rarity was in her usual model-like posture, with her beautiful mane and look. Spike was remembering all, her little sister Sweetie Belle was the only survivor, the only thing she could rescued from the fire was the gem in form of heart that Spike gave to her. Spike couldn't see the little cutie mark crusader around. The accident had hurt her as much as Spike, but that little filly was stronger than him.

“I can’t believe that a filly is more mature than I am” Spike thought while he chuckled

Spike grabbed his book and opened it on the page where he left. The book had the name of “The princess and the Guardian” a story that Rarity used to tell to Spike while they searched for gems. Spike always dreamed about him and Rarity, dancing under the moon light, looking into each other eyes, just loving in silence. She would be his Princess and he would be her Guardian living happily ever after.

Spike grabbed a photo that was in the middle of two pages. The photograph showed Both Rarity and Spike smiling to each other, she was wearing her most incredible dress and the heart shaped gem as a necklace and he was incredibly uncomfortable with the tuxedo. They danced, laughed and had a good time. That was a good day for everypony.

Spike stood there, watching the photography, his eyes grew watery and he whispered something

“I miss you”