The sun shone brightly down upon the green and grassy hill, the wind blowing fiercely with every moment. Atop that hill stood a creature larger and more imposing than any pony could ever be; a dragon. But this was not the same as all the winged, fire-breathing monsters that so often plagued ponykind. No, this one was different. Covered in light-lavender scales, this drake stood tall upon his hind legs, bearing a suit of silver armour than shone brightly in the light of the sun. Upon his back was a flowing red cape, which billowed in the fierce winds. In his right hand was a magnificent spear, reaching higher than he did and bearing a sharp and dangerous edge. His face was one of bravery and resolve, as he looked out at the town of Ponyville before him. One looked at this drake and knew one thing; that he was a protector. A champion. But, his solitary time atop that hill did not last forever, for soon enough, he was joined by a pony. A young unicorn mare, white in her fur and bearing a mane of both purple and pink. Upon her flank was the mark of a heart with a musical note on top of it. As she approached him, she bore a look of great affection, as she began to speak in a soft tone.

"Oh, Spike! You wonderful, brilliant, handsome drake! We ponies are indebted to you for saving our town and our lives!"

The drake merely let out a hearty chuckle at that, raising a single clawed hand and gently placing it upon the mare's shoulder.

"There's no need for thanks, Sweetie Belle! I'm simply doing my duty to the realm!"

The mare giggled slightly before taking a step forward, her affectionate smile growing with every moment.

"We are so lucky to have you, you flawless knight! Is there nothing we ponies can do to reward your heroism?"

The drake, looking down upon the mare, gained an affectionate look of his own, dropping his spear and getting down on one knee. With one hand he took her hoof and looked lovingly into her eyes.

"I ask for nothing...except perhaps...the heart of the fairest maiden in the land."

Immediately, Sweetie blushed a great deal, turning her head away in an embarrassed manner.

"Oh! But I am but a singer! Surely there are other mares more worthy of your affections, good Sir!"

But Spike just kept on smiling, raising her hoof to his lips and planting a gentle kiss upon it.

"There are none more worthy than you, Sweetie."

The mare turned to him, her expression one of utter love, as was Spike's. There was silence between the two as they stared into each other's eyes, into their very souls. In time, they began to move closer, their eyes slowly closing as they approached one another. Their lips were slightly puckered outwards, ready to make contact in a delicate kiss, when they finally closed their eyes. Spike's heart was beating more and more quickly in anticipation of that moment. But, before their lips could finally meet, he began to hear a sound. Even over the still-fierce winds, he was able to recognise it; a song. Sweet and melodic, it began to fill his senses, calming his heart and leading him to smile.

"You truly sing well, Sweetie...but this is hardly the time for a musical number."

While his eyes were still closed, Spike suddenly felt the mare pull her hoof out of his hand.

"Um...I'm not singing."

Gaining a look of confusion, Spike finally opened his eyes, only to discover that his companion had the right of it. Her mouth was shut closed, and yet that same song could still be heard all around him. Looking around, he tried to find the source of the voice, only to find that it was starting to sound more than a little familiar.

"Huh...kinda sounds like...oh no."

And with that, the scene before him, the sky, the hills, and even Sweetie Belle, all faded away, leaving nothing but darkness as he finally began to realise what all this was.

Being roused from a pleasant dream was, needless to say, not an experience anypony likes. Spike seemed especially annoyed by this, as what was one a nice dreamscape was now replaced by the distinct darkness of him keeping his eyes closed, but nevertheless remaining awake in his small bed. He frowned slightly at having been woken, letting out a slight grunt. Ugh! Always at the best part! Does the universe just hate me or something? But, that anger quickly subsided as he discovered, to his surprise, that the singing he heard from earlier was still going on. It was a pleasing sound, a low melodic hum, occasionally interspersed with what Spike now recognised as the lyrics to a lullaby of some sort. Slowly, he cracked one eye open and saw, there beside his bed, was Twilight. She was looking down at him in an affectionate manner, quietly singing that lullaby while having gently placed a hoof upon his head, carefully stroking the green scales there. Mom? But Spike remained silent for the time being, instead feeling more and more relaxed as his adopted mother continued to be here with him, singing while he lay in his bed. This...this is nice.

Time went on, and eventually, the singing stopped, with Twilight leaning forward and gently nuzzling her son. Only now did Spike fully open his eyes, looking up at Twilight with a smile on his face.

"Er...hi."

Twilight smiled back.

"Good morning. Sleep well?"

In spite of his earlier annoyance at having his lovely dream prematurely ended, Spike nevertheless nodded in response.

"I did. But...is something wrong?"

Upon hearing that, Twilight's smile faded, but only a little.

"No. It's just..."

The young unicorn let out a sigh before moving her head forward, nuzzling her son's yet again. As she did this, and as Spike enjoyed the warm feeling from it, Twilight began to speak softly to him.

"It's just...I'm going to be going away for a while."

Spike turned to her, a look of curiosity upon his face.

"Away? Where?"

Looking to him, Twilight's expression became one of slight sadness.

"Do you trust me, Spike?"

As one would expect, confusion now plastered Spike's own face after hearing that. After all the time we've known each other, why would she need to ask that question?

"Of...of course I trust you!"

Twilight smiled again, thought it was only a small one.

"Because I need you to believe me when I say that what I'm going to be doing is important. But neither you nor my friends are going to be coming with me."

Spike's face became one of concern as he looked to his adopted mother. If she's going away for something important, why would she look so worried? She's done that before, right? However, a new notion began to make itself known in his mind, though he initially hesitated to speak it. Eventually, the young drake finally got his words out.

"How...how long are you going to be gone?"

Twilight looked away, looking almost shamed at being asked that question. Needless to say, Spike didn't like the look of that one bit, but he kept quiet and waited for his carer to give her response. When she finally did so, her tone was low and hushed.

"At most...maybe a month."

Upon hearing that, Spike's eyes immediately shot open and he sat upright in his bed, bearing a mixed look of both shock and worry.

"A...a month?! But...you've never been away that long!"

Seeing the worry on her son's face, Twilight raised a hoof and carefully placed it upon his shoulder.

"I know this is going to be difficult. But you're not going to be alone. Applejack, Rarity and all the others will be there for you for whatever you need."

With a small smile growing on her face, Twilight leaned forward, planting a gentle kiss upon Spike's forehead.

"And I will be coming back, Spike. I could never leave you."

The moment became a silent one as Spike looked up to her, seeing the honesty in her face. It was clear just from looking that he was still uncomfortable with what he'd just learned, though Twilight could hardly blame him for it. Raising both hands, Spike poked two fingers together in a gesture of nervousness, before moving forward and embracing her in a warm hug. Although she was taken aback by this at first, Twilight soon broke out into an affectionate smile as she returned the embrace. There was a time when the idea of Twilight being my mother was so strange to me. Now...I can't imagine it being anything else. I can't believe I'm going to be without her for a whole month. But...she says she's coming back. I have to trust her. She wouldn't lie to me like that. Eventually, the two parted, and Spike looked to her with a still somewhat concerned look.

"You...you promise you're coming back?"

Smiling affectionately yet again, Twilight placed her hoof upon his head and once more stroked his green scales.

"I promise."