Spike stood upon a dark precipice, struggling against the powerful gale forces trying to send him into the void below. Ice chunks bit into his scaly skin like tiny knives. The rings on his hands glowed with the power of his friends who bestowed their strength to him in the hopes that he could save them all. The wails of the to-be condemned ponies screeched in the distance.

And yet, all the powers he gained could not prepare him for the beast before him. He stood with every ounce of defiance in his being.

"You continue to resist, yet you know you can't win!" the shadowy minotaur-like being snarled.

"I don't care who you are! I came this far for my friends, and I'm not backing down now!" Spike shouted back, despite his injuries.

"Such courage from such a small dragon. Are you really that same dragon from before?"

"I've been through a lot on this journey… and I won't fail my friends now! Not after everything!"

"Then come if you dare! The nightmares shall consume you just like the rest of your friends."

“I WILL SAVE THEM!”

Spike bolted upright in his bed, ready to fight back, only to find... his bedroom. Spike startled himself when he saw the determined look in his reflection in the mirror, and he looked around in confusion.

Huh? Where did-... Wait… that was all, a dream wasn’t it?” It was a disappointment to be just himself again instead of the hero of his dreams. Spike hopped off his bed and walked to the bathroom, but he could not help but think about the dream while brushing his teeth.

“It was so vivid and real… I need to lay off the late-night gemstones… I really do… After breakfast!” After washing up Spike went downstairs and began prepping breakfast.

Spike could hear Twilight and Starlight talking together on the stairs long before they reached the kitchen. Both mares gave appreciative sniffs as they came through the doorway, which was only fair since Spike had spent so much time on his hay pancakes and fruit bowls this morning.

"That smells great, Spike." Twilight sat down on a chair, although Starlight merely grabbed a banana and headed for the door.

"I'm going to find Trixie and see how the preparations for the upcoming festivities are going,” Starlight said.

“Good idea. We need to make sure everything is prepared for the princesses when they arrive.” Twilight took a bite of her pancakes.

“I can’t wait to light the torch,” Spike said. After all, it was the first holiday the princesses had declared for Twilight and her friends because of their repeated saving of Equestria. Both princesses were going to be in Ponyville along with all of their friends, which was going to make it all a grand celebration.

“We have a lot of prep before that, Spike,” Twilight said.

“I know,” Spike said, pausing with a spoonful of gemstones held above his bowl. "Hey, Twilight? Can I ask you about a strange dream I had last night?"

“Sure,” Twilight said.

“I was in some fiery dimension and there was this flaming minotaur guy and I don’t know why but I felt like a lot was riding on me defeating him…”

“Dreams can be pretty surreal. What did Luna say when she arrived?” Twilight asked.

“That’s the thing, she didn’t appear at all.”

“What?” Twilight frowned with a speculative look. “But Luna always shows up when somepony is having a nightmare.”

“It felt too real, like I really was there,” Spike said.

“Hmm, odd. Well, Luna is going to be over shortly with updates for the coming celebration. You can ask her about it then,” Twilight suggested.

“Sounds like a plan,” Spike said, resuming his eating.

The next few hours were filled with sorting books, rearranging furniture and preparing tea. Just when they had gotten the castle in presentable form, a knock sounded at the door.

“Ohmygosh, she’s here! Did I get everything together right? Is the tea made? Where’s the happy snacks?!” Twilight panicked a little before Spike managed to calm her.

“Twilight, please calm down! I know you both started dating a month ago but you don’t have to panic every time she arrives at the door,” Spike said and Twilight blushed.

“I know, it’s just… things didn’t work out with Flash due to the fact that he lives too far away and… I just don’t want to mess this up,” Twilight said with a hint of sorrow.

“Is that why I saw you cuddling that picture of him while you were taking a power nap?” Spike said jokingly, hoping to defuse the tension.

“Spike! What do you mean! You saw that?” Twilight’s sorrow was replaced by fluster when she suddenly heard the knocking intensifying. “Oh! Sorry, Luna! I’m coming!” Twilight galloped to let her marefriend in.

As Spike reclined on a nearby chair, he looked up towards the ceiling and was thinking of taking a small nap when he saw something odd.

The corner of the ceiling... flickered, just like the TV set had done in Sunset's world once.

“Huh? Wait what?” Spike said while standing up. He scrutinized the spot where he had seen the glitch with prejudice but saw nothing.

"That was weird… must have imagined it." Spike gave a shrug and walked away.

---later---

The living room of Twilight's castle was fairly large, but most of the space was unneeded since both Luna and Twilight were curled up on the same couch. Spike had avoided the cuddling because he was busy taking notes over his upcoming responsibilities for the ceremony.

"Remember," said Luna firmly. "Only set fire to the torch after my sister gives the word."

"And there's no need to make it big or flashy,” Twilight added

“Aww, can’t I show off my fire just a little?” Spike begged.

“We will see what is acceptable,” Luna said.

“So… Um Luna, do you want to…” Twilight muttered nervously.

“Of course, we will accompany you to the ceremony. You’ve only asked multiple times by now,” Luna chuckled.

“S-sorry, it’s just that dating is new to me. Because of Flash’s work, we never got a chance,” Twilight sadly replied.

“Well we’ll always have time for you,” Luna playfully said.

“Ugh, gross.” Spike watched the couple nuzzle lovingly.

“You may not mind one day,” Luna chuckled.

“Ok, going to my room,” Spike said, hopping off the couch and heading up the stairs much to the amusement of the two alicorns.

Finally, the lights were set up and the festival was nearly ready. Celestia had just laid the sun down to rest and Luna brought up the moon, and the two alicorns were taking a brief break while waiting for events to continue.

“The town looks lovely tonight, don’t you think Lulu?” Celestia said.

“Tis a perfect night indeed,” Luna said, using her magic to aid a couple of earth ponies with hanging the last lights.

“Now if only my student and your lover would arrive by now,” Celestia joked.

“Celly!” Luna admonished despite her blush.

“Oh, come now. Is making a jab at my sister’s choice in partners so wrong?”

“Princess! Luna!” The two diarchs turned their eyes to the sound and saw Twilight running to them, dressed simply.

“Oh, hello there, Twilight,” Celestia said, giving her student a nuzzle.

“Hi there! So ready to begin our date, Lulu?” Twilight said with a playful wink.

Luna’s expression turned speculative before becoming annoyed.

“It’s you, isn't it, Discord?” Luna said.

“Aww… Darn it.” Twilight turned into Discord in a puff of plaid smoke. “How’d you know?” Discord asked.

“Twilight knows I only like to be called ‘Lulu’ by my sister,” Luna admonished.

“Well, you can’t blame a guy for trying.” Discord snapped his finger and poofed the Mane six and Spike to their location.

“Huh?!” was the collective response save for a few.

“What the!?” Rainbow said in surprise.

“Discord, ah was in the middle of baking!” Applejack snapped.

“Oh, you have plenty. Nopony will notice a single burnt pie. In any case, the festivities are about to begin and I refuse to let my best buddies miss a second of it!” Discord cheered.

“I really need to finish getting ready, Discord,” Rarity admonished. While they argued, Twilight approached Luna.

“Hey,” Twilight said nervously.

“Hello, Twilight. Are you well?” Luna asked.

“Y-yeah, just nervous,” Twilight replied.

“Then follow my lead and hopefully thine jitters will cease,” Luna assured Twilight, calming her down.

“Luna, your Old Equestrian is showing again,” Celestia teased again.

“Oh hush now Celly.” Luna gave her sister a playful jab with her wing.

Starlight was placing some decorations when she turned and saw Trixie setting up her stage.

“Hey! Trixie!” Starlight waved her friend over.

“Ah, Starlight! Are you here to watch the Great and powerful Trrrrrixie’s show?” Trixie boasted.

“No, I'm just wondering how you're doing, and how the stage is going.”

“Well, Trixie is doing fine and so is her stage and her stage assistant!” Trixie exclaimed.

“Stage assistant?” Starlight questioned. A loud bang was heard and a figure cartwheeled through the air before landing next to Trixie.

“Taaaa Daaaa!” Cheese Sandwich exclaimed.

“Ah!” Starlight stumbled back a little in surprise. “Where did you come from?”

“My cheesy sense told me that there was a stage magician who needed help, so I offered and she said yes,” Cheese sang.

“Um… that’s good,” Starlight said, a little weirded out by the eccentric stallion.

“Run along now. Trixie is preparing a show that will wow you to the end of your days!” Trixie said with a flourish.

“Yeppers! Be seein ya!” Cheese said before he somehow bounced up to a rafter with one jump.

“He’s like a male Pinkie Pie,” Starlight pointed out.

“Yes, but he was the only one that would take the job.” Trixie shrugged.

Twilight was walking close to Luna and was heading towards the stands surrounding the torch that would signal the beginning of the festival.

Then she heard galloping noises and turned in time to see Shining Armor close in and hug her.

“Aaah!” Twilight cried in surprise

“Hey there Twiley!” Shining said as he spun her around and set her down.

“Hey there, Shiny!” Twilight hugged him back when she recovered from her shock.

Cadence approached and they did their ladybug song together before hugging. Twilight backed off and looked around but didn’t see Flurry.

“Where’s Flurry Heart?” Twilight asked

“Sunburst is watching her. The last time Shiny here took her to a festival, the loud noises made her cry and she deafened three ponies with her Canterlot voice,” Cadence said with a wince.

“Are they okay?” Twilight asked concerned.

“Yes, but we’ll wait on bringing Flurry to another party until she’s older.”

Suddenly, a speaker sounded.

“Can everypony gather at the torch for the lighting?” the voice of the mayor called.

“Well, best we get going then,” Shining said.

“Indeed,” Luna agreed before the group went off to the bleachers.

-----

“Okay, Spike. Today is the day,” Spike told himself as the festivities were beginning. The small dragon carried a flower over to Rarity, who was wearing a silky red dress. “Hey, Rarity?” Spike meekly asked.

“Hmm? Oh, hello there Spikey, darling,” Rarity said with a smile.

“C-can I tell you s-something,” Spike said nervously.

“Sure darling, anything,” Rarity replied, wondering what’s got the little drake so nervous.

“Well you see-” Spike began before he was teleported away. “I-I like you Rarity! Can we go on a date tonight!” Spike blurted out with all his remaining courage.

“Sounds like a good confession there, champ. Better save it for later.” Discord's voice rang out, startling Spike.

“Huh?! Discord?! Where’s Rarity?” Spike said with frustration that the one time he finally worked up the nerve to confess, Discord interrupted.

“Time to light the torch, kid. You can confess your currently unrequited love afterwards.”

Spike looked over and saw his friends gathered in the stands next to the torch. Looking farther up he saw Cadance and Shining Armor as well as some Wonderbolts. Spike could feel a little bit of nervousness creep into his mind as he saw the important figures in the crowd, but swallowing his nervousness, he turned back to Discord.

“Okay,” Spike said, moderately disappointed he didn’t get a chance to tell Rarity he liked her.

As Spike walked past his friends, he saw their encouraging looks and the princesses silently wishing him luck for his second torch lighting.

“Okay Spike, you can do this, just ignore the crowd and focus, no stage jitters.” Spike approached the torch and after a moment of waiting Celestia teleported on stage.

“Ladies and gentlecolts! We are glad to have you here today! We have this celebration for the ones who have protected the peace and harmony in this land. And I would like to acknowledge my niece and nephew in law in the crowd who-”

As Celestia prattled on, Spike got a weird feeling and looked over to Celestia just in time to see the air ripple and distort like it had back in the castle.

“What?” Spike said and he turned and saw more of it happening throughout the area, and yet it seemed he was the only one noticing. “What’s happening?” Spike asked.

“-and with that speech out of the way our local dragon shall now light the torch to begin the festivities. Spike! Take it from here!” Celestia said cheerfully.

Spike continued to watch the world ripple and distort some more, looking like some kind of malfunctioning tv.

“Um, Celestia?” Spike said nervously.

“Go on, Spike. The crowd is waiting,” Celestia urged.

“Celestia, something is wrong… The world is...” Spike tried to put it into words but couldn’t.

“Spike? Are you okay?” Celestia asked, getting worried. Meanwhile, the crowd began to murmur.

Luna suddenly tensed as she sensed something… it was a feeling almost like an old enemy was approaching.

“Get a hold of yourself, Spike,” Spike said, convincing himself that it was just a hallucination because of stage fright. He turned to the torch, took a deep breath, and let loose his flames.

The crowd cheered, thinking he finally worked up the nerve… before they as well as the dragon noticed something. His flames flowed upwards instead of hitting the torch.

“Huh? What the?” Spike saw his flames going up and he followed their path until they dissipated. What really caught his attention was that the sky itself was warping in ways that was almost disorienting.

“Ok, this is getting really weird,” Spike said before something else began to happen.

He felt a pull, like something was digging into his very being and yanking him upwards.

“Huh?” Spike staggered back a few paces and when he looked he saw the crowd beginning to panic as they were likely feeling the same thing.

---In the crowd---

“What’s going on?” Twilight said, feeling queasy all of the sudden.

“Luna, do you know what is happen- LUNA!” Twilight cried when she saw Luna laying on the ground unconscious.

Before Twilight could question it, ponies began collapsing around her, including her friends and family.

“Oh no! What’s happening” Twilight cried before seeing Spike amidst the chaos. “Spike! Run! I don’t know what’s happening but-” Suddenly a powerful feeling struck Twilight like her very being was being torn away from her and she was out before she hit the ground.

---on stage---

“Twilight!” Spike cried as he saw his sister collapse. “Princess Celestia, we need to-” Spike stopped when he saw Celestia had collapsed too.

“Oh no! What’s happening!?” Spike said before the feeling intensified and he felt his body go limp.

He knew nothing more when he hit the ground.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

...

….

……...

………..

….Wa-

Wake-

Wake up!

Wake up Spike!

SPIKE!

“Gyaaaah!” Spike shot up on his bed in a panic. After calming down he put his claw to his chest to check his heart rate. “Another dream? It...It was just another dream… Thank goodne-” Looking around, Spike saw that he was in fact not in his room.

In fact he had no idea where he was… it looked like…

“A ballroom?” Spike hopped off the bed and walked around.

“Don’t tell me I'm in a dream that’s in a dream,” Spike grumbled.

“Yes and no,” a voice behind him said.

“AAAH!” Spike yelped and whirled around, seeing Luna. She had a look on her face that carried a great sorrow and dread.

“W-what?” Spike stammered.

“Hello, Spike. It seems that we’re both in for quite a few long nights, aren’t we?” Luna said wryly.

“L-Luna? Wh-where-” Spike said, trying to calm down.

“All will be answered. Come.” Luna gestured for him to follow as she trotted away.

Spike’s mind—unusually sharp for his age— ran a mile a minute on all the possible bad scenarios where Luna was an imposter who kidnapped him but he ultimately decided on two things.

One he had no other choice but to follow her because he didn’t know his way around.

And two.

These probably are going to be a long few nights...

And here it is! My newest story, to hopefully make up for the loooooooooong wait for Friendship is absolute chaos two.

I made this, but we're only on the tip of the iceberg here.

The real meat is coming soon.

Till then!