Thirty Minute Pony Stories

“Spike?” Twilight Sparkle looked up at the adolescent dragon.

He nodded, holding her hoof. He was sitting next to her bed at Ponyville Hospital. She had fallen again, one too many times for Nurse Kindheart to let her stay at the library for a while.

“Yes, Twilight?” Spike whispered, afraid if he spoke too loud he’d break the mare.

“I think it’s near end of visitor’s hours.” Twilight Sparkle smiled sadly up at the dragon.

“I know.” Spike said softly.

Twilight coughed into her free hoof, clenching her eyes shut, before letting out a low shuddering sigh. “I’m glad you come to be with me, Spike.”

“It’s not like I’d leave you in this place by yourself. It smells like…” He trailed off. He shouldn’t tempt the fates. “It smells funny is all.”

Twilight smiled. “Spike… I really should give you access to the Restricted Section now.”

Spike perked up. “Twilight?”

She chuckled, “You’re old enough to read everything in there, and responsible enough not to let any of it fall into the wrong hooves.”

“Twilight…” He said softly, unable to think of anything substantive to say.

“You do well, Spike. You’re a good librarian. Better than I ever was.” The greyed mare said softly, looking away.

“Don’t say that.” Spike gently squeezed the hoof in his claw.

“It’s the honest truth, as AJ woulda said.” She smiled.

Spike looked away, hiding the pain in his face.

Nurse Kindheart, one of Fluttershy’s daughters, walked gracefully into the room. “Spike? It’s time for Twilight to get some sleep.”

Twilight nodded. “Go home, Spike. I’ll always be here for you.”

Spike sighed, and gently let go of the frail hoof, and carefully slipped through the hospital, compressing his body to slide through the doorways. The dragon finally exited the hospital, looking up at the stars, before heading back to the Library.

He didn’t see the winged shape headed the other way.

Spike, instead of going to his own room, slipped into Twilight’s room, and curled up atop her bed, barely fitting. He sighed, picking up a book, and carefully starting to read. He was there for a long time, or perhaps no time at all. He couldn’t be sure.

The window opened of it’s own accord, sending the chill of night air through the room. Princess Luna soared into the room, landing silently as the dragon looked up from the tome.

Luna looked at him, as if unable to think of what to say, before she spoke softly. “Twilight Sparkle is dead.”

Spike felt a dull pain in his chest sharpen and renew, pressing towards his heart. “In her sleep?”

Princess Luna nodded serenely. “My sister came to sit with her in the night. She was there when Twilight passed.”

Spike nodded, “That is how it should be.” He felt like the pain in his chest was drilling into his heart, draining away his emotions. He should be crying, right? He cried when he realized she was getting older. But now that she was dead, no tears came.

“If you need to talk, Spike, my sister and I will always listen.” Luna said softly, her hoofshoes making nary a sound on the hardwood floor as she walked to the side of the bed.

“I think…” Spike paused. He didn’t know what to think. “I think I need to be alone. For now.” He mechanically looked away from her, and into the book. There, on the page were two words, at the very bottom. The End.

——

Comments by Kyronea:

I knew we’d get at least one story along these lines, but it’s still so hard to read. Twilight Sparkle dying of old age, while Spike outlives her. Spike can’t even really grasp it at first. He’s known Twilight his whole life, grew up with her, alongside her…though their relationship is odd, she’s always been something of an older sister to him, till she finally passes on, while he remains, ever solid. She was probably the last of the Mane Six to pass away too, meaning Spike only has the Princesses left—everyone else he knows is so much younger, descendents. This had powerful emotion, Cinnamon.