"Whoa, wait..." said Celestia, pausing in thought. She was now pacing around the unconscious black dragon. "So you're saying Twilight Sparkle just decided to storm the castle at random? How did she know Luna was?... Even I didn't know anything..."

Spike was oddly amused at Celestia's distraught. He exhaled through his nose, blowing out a large portion of black smoke and then chuckled a bit. "If I understood at all what happened, I would be in Canterlot right now. Not on the top of some big rock."

Celestia only sighed in response. She dropped to her knees and rested again on the underbelly of the purple and green dragon, somewhat calmed by his slow breathing and warm body.

"What happened after? I mean, well..." began Celestia.

Spike let out another breath and began to speak. "I woke up at the library a week later, everyone was there. I guess some guard had taken me home. The remaining of my friends explained to me what at happened. At first, I was in denial. I didn't ever want to accept that my big sister had passed. I assumed hard times for everyone would be ahead under Luna, however, I could have never imagined..."

"The sacrifices." completed Celestia.

"I still cannot understand them. Alicorns are supposed to be immortal, or am I mistaken? Why does an immortal being need to drain the life energy of other ponies?" asked Spike, rhetorically.

"Probably just showing off her power. By killing innocents just for the sake of it, she creates an aura of fear in which nopony will try to rebel against her. It's a sick, twisted way to protect yourself." added Celestia.

Spike was interested now. "So, like Discord?" he asked.

"No. Discord would never hurt a fly. He was in things just for the fun of it. His personal entertainment is screwing with the laws of physics, and that's why he was locked up. If not for twisting the fabric of the universe, he would of been a very kind leader. I've known him for thousands of years, Discord is no murderer." answered Celestia, now focused on the black dragon beside them. Spike had long since stopped eating emeralds, apparently he had his fill.

"Hmm. I guess I misjudged the fellow then." replied Spike.

The black dragon before them stirred and let out a yawn.

It startled Celestia. "We should.. Probably get going.." she said.

"I agree. After you, my dear." said Spike, smiling.

Celestia giggled. She spread her majestic white wings and took flight, closely followed by her dragon companion.

----------

"Do you.. Want to talk about it?" asked Celestia.

"About what?" asked Spike. They had been flying for quite a few hours now and were going to be halfway to sweet apple acres by nightfall. Neither of them were particularly tired from all of the flying - they were used to it.

"How you felt. When Twilight died. It's unhealthy to have kept all of your emotions in for thirty years, Spike.." she said. Worry spread through her face. She hadn't wanted to ask the dragon about this before, she feared upsetting him. Now that it was all going to return to him, it was best she got it out of the way, though.

"No, I don't. I want to keep to happy thoughts. I remember Twilight for what she was, and I've accepted her passing. She died for a good cause. She could have won if she hadn't gone up against Luna herself. I assume she feared for the life of her friends, which is why she went alone. Noble and brave, but futile and stupid." Spike stared off into the distance while he spoke.

"Are you sure?" she asked, cautiously.

"Yes. I am content. I have you now, and with you, I am happy. I do not need to dwell on the past anymore. We will get through this fight together, and I promise, I will not let you fall before me as Twilight did. I would spend an eternity of suffering to protect you." reassured Spike.

Celestia's heart felt as if it was trying to escape from her chest. She flew closer to the dragon until she was only flying a few feet away from his face. They turned and smiled at each other, and continued onward.

-----------

It was growing dark outside, and they decided to land soon. They came across a hilly region with a few trees, and one river which flowed to create multiple waterfalls. It was unanimous, what a perfect spot to sleep for the night.

"I never knew the countries outside of Equestria were so... Breathtaking..." said Celestia as they landed, having surveyed the scene with amazement just moments before while flying over it.

"You should get out more, Tia." laughed Spike, as he watched Celestia cool off in the flowing river. "Absolutely adorable.." he thought, smiling as he lied down to take a rest.

"Never had the time when I was princess. So many things to do, royal duties never at rest." she said.

"No vacations at all?" asked Spike.

Celestia got out of the water, dried herself up and lied down on Spike's side as usual. He wrapped his long neck around her and covered his wing atop both her and his head. "No. For the thousand years that Luna was imprisoned on the moon, I had never the time to take a break." she replied.

"The bastards!" exclaimed Spike, using as funny an accent that he could come up with on the spot. He got a long laugh from Celestia in response, who then rested her head on his and closed her eyes.

"Did you notice anything different about Twilight before she went off and attacked Luna? She must have known what was going on obviously, were there any signs of it?" asked Celestia.

The question caught Spike off guard. Nonetheless, he began reciting his memories once again.

"A few weeks before the event, Twilight had gone to Canterlot library to pick up a few new books to add to her collection..."