Sleep Therapy

She'd liked to have blamed it on the fact that she was sleeping in a new room, in a new bed. She could, if she wanted to, come up with all kinds of psychological reasons why it was taking her so long to adjust to her new bedroom in the Friendship Rainbow Kingdom Castle after having spent years sleeping in the now former Golden Oaks library, which could turn into a lecture that would bore most of her friends and new subjects to sleep. 

But Princess Twilight Sparkle knew that the reason she was having trouble sleeping wasn't the new surroundings, the new bed (which, despite seemingly made of crystals, was surprisingly comfortable and boasted sheets that were so soft and cozy that they would make a Saddle Arabian weaver jealous). 

It was everything associated with it. 

Somehow, she'd been okay with being a princess, so long as she still lived out of the library, could walk normally among the other ponies...so long as she could live a relatively normal life. Of course, there had been that desire to do something, to be more than just a figurehead or another pretty face to wave and smile, but she'd never considered how much she'd have to sacrifice in order to achieve that dream. 

But when...he came, that all changed. He was gone now, his powers broken, put back in his proper place in the lower regions of Tartarus (where he would stay for all eternity, she hoped from the very bottom of her heart, which still skipped a beat every time she thought of him), but not before destroying the Golden Oaks Library. And in doing so, destroying her last illusion that anything could ever be normal again. 

Now, here she was, a princess in her brand new castle, the ruler of a brand new kingdom...well, technically, co-ruler. There were six other thrones in the throne room, after all. One for her, and one for each of her friends. 

And of course, the small throne right next to hers. Speaking of which...

Twilight rolled over and looked down towards the foot of her bed, focusing some magic energy to her horn to provide a soft lavender glow so that she could see. There, on the ground, in a basket decorated with crystals, asleep beneath a silk blanket, was Spike. 

As she watched him sleep, occasionally letting out a little snore or twitching a claw or tail in his dreams, Twilight couldn't help but think of what advice he would give her if he was awake. 

Hey, don't worry, Twilight. The Elements of Harmony chose you for a reason: you were meant for this. And I know you can do this; it's what you've been practicing for all your life. And besides, it's not like you'll have to do it alone; you'll always have your friends, and you'll have me to help. 

She smiled. Yes, that is exactly what he'd say. He was her voice of reason, keeping her grounded in times of stress, maintaining her faith in herself even when she didn't believe that she could do it. He would remind her that what would come, would come, and there was no use worrying about it. He would point out that she and her friends had accomplished so much, and they would always stand by her, together, in the face of adversity. 

And he would promise her once more that he, like always, even before she came to Ponyville, would be right next to her, ready to drop everything and help at a moment's notice. 

Even in his sleep, he was her number one assistant. 

"Good night, Spike," she whispered, turning off the light from her horn and returning to sleep beneath the covers. 

When morning came and Celestia's sun shone upon the castle, the rays causing the crystalline structure to sparkle magnificently in the morning light, the two would arise, both agreeing that the sleep they'd just had was the best they'd had in a long time.