//------------------------------//
// Chapter Four:The Grass Isn't Always Greener 
// Story: Distorted World 
// by FluttershyLover55 
//------------------------------//

Chapter Four:The Grass Isn't Always Greener

Fluttershy and Spike stepped out of the portal as it closed behind them, shrinking until it faded out of existence completely. Both of them felt like somepony had flashed a camera in their face, as they stumbled around dazed. She shook her headm until she could see clearly, and reached a hoof out to steady Spike. The littled dragon nodded in thanks, turning to glance behind them.
" Somehow, I knew this would happen. We're trapped here." Spike sighed in frustration, " Why does this always happen to me?" Fluttershy looked confused.
" Has this happened to you before?"
" Yes, but it's a long story."
" O-Okay..." 
Fluttershy was curious, but let the subject drop. Since he didn't seem to want to talk about it at the moment. Spike began walking beside the pegasus, reliving the events of his first adventure. Fluttershy looked for any sign that Rainbow Dash was nearby, but found nothing, not even a multi-colored streak in the sky. After a few minutes of silence, Spike looked up from the ground and his thoughts.
" Fluttershy, I've been thinking, and there's something I don't understand.
" Yes, Spike?"
" They say that the grass is always greener on the other side. Well,  whoever came up with that saying must have been lying, because this grass isn't green at all!" Spike pointed out, referring to the grass that constantly crunched under their hooves and feet.
The strands of grass weren't leafy green like they should have been. Instead, they were a dark brown, almost burnt color.
" I think you're missing the point, Spike." Fluttershy giggled, earning a chuckle from Spike, as well.The mood quickly became serious,though, as they remembered their mission.
" I wonder where Rainbow Dash is, anyway?" Spike asked, aloud.
" I don't know, but I haven't seen her since we entered the portal." Fluttershy revealed, sounding concerned.
The duo reached a town, or what was left of one. The whole place was deserted, with most of the buildings completely destroyed, and an eerie vibe surrounded the place, unnerving Fluttershy and Spike. Over the town, the sky was blood-red, with no clouds in sight. A sign post had snapped in half, the top half reading the town's name. Spike noticed it first, and ran over to it, as Fluttershy followed closely behind. The dragon lifted up the top half of the sign, which was facedown in the dirt, but quickly dropped it with a gasp, like it had burned his hand. He backed away, accidently bumping into Fluttershy, who was right behind him. The timid pegasus picked upon his distress, and asked him what was wrong. Spike could hardly speak. It felt just like someone had decked him in the gut, effectively knocking the wind out of him.
" F-F-Fluttershy...L-Look at the sign..." Spike stammered, pointing a claw at the fallen sign piece.
Fluttershy cautiously approached the area where Spike had previously dropped the sign half, not sure why it was so important. She lifted one edge of it with her hoof, but dropped it, after glimpsing the word etched into it. She was shocked. Surely, this must be a joke or at least a dream. Fluttershy waited for somepony to jump out and laugh, admitting that it WAS a joke, but nopony did. Spike tried to make sense of what was happening.
" I...how could...this can't be...Ponyville..." He said, uttering the word as if it was cursed.
" I-Is this real?" Fluttershy whimpered. The side of her face closest to Spike was hidden by her long pink mane.
" I don't know what to believe in, anymore." Spike stated, on his knees in the dirt.
At the sight of Spike with nearly no hope left, something snapped within the normally shy and scared pegasus. She felt that she needed to be strong for Spike, he WAS just a kid, after all. Clouds had recently moved in over the town, releasing their load onto the two, now in the rain. Fluttershy trotted over to the distraught dragon, and draped a wing over him, shielding Spike from the rain. He was crying now, overwhelmed with the sense of loss of who he cared about, believing their friends for dead. She leaned down and embraced him in a hug. He accepted it, and bawled into her fur, as she did her best to comfort him.
" You can believe in me, if you want." She whispered into his ear, in her sweet soft voice.
Spike just hugged her tighter, not able to respond. After a minute, he dried his eyes, and stood up.
" I don't see how this could have happened. We were just here, and now Ponyville's in ruins!"
" It's okay, Spike. I'm sure somepony survived. We can search for them."
" Okay...thanks Fluttershy." Spike managed to form a small smile as they headed for the tree library for shelter.
" You're welcome, Spike." Fluttershy replied, hoping that the old tree was still in one piece.