Time Stops For No Dragon
Chapter 2-Reflections Of A Dream
Spike stared out the window, on the train to Canterlot. The beautiful scenery reminded him of the wonders of nature, and in turn, made him think about his ex-marefriend. The dragon was starting to slip into depression from his recent break-up. What upset him the most, however, was that he had been kicked out without much of a reason at all. Spike closed his eyes to block out the scenery, deciding to take a nap for the hour he had until he arrived in Canterlot.
The dream that followed, was the most realistic one that he had ever had.
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He stood in a cave of some sort, in front of a crystal mirror. Normally, a mirror would reflect one's features exactly, and copy their movements to a tee. This wasn't the case, however, as the dragon walked closer to the mirror.
"What the…" Spike muttered, upon seeing his image in the pane.
The glass showed a reflection that looked like him, but wasn't quite the same. He was slightly taller, wearing some type of black jacket, and he had a scar on his cheek, opposite from the side that had a cutie mark on it. The image stared back at him, and they blinked in unison. The reflection moved forward on its own, and Spike stepped back, as it exited the mirror to stand in front of him.
The taller, other Spike began to talk, in a slightly deeper voice than the regular one. "Spike, I come bearing news from the future. The future I come from is horrible, much like the one you were in with Discord. You have to stop him and find a cure for Fluttershy. If you don't, MY future will soon be yours."
"Wait a minute. You keep referring to 'Him'. Who exactly, is that?"
The other Spike scratched his chin in thought for a moment, deciding on an answer. "Well, I can't really tell you much, but I suppose it won't hurt to tell you his name. I was referring to, 'Starswirl the Bearded'."
"That can't be right. He died a long time ago, and it's even written in all of the history books!"
"I know what you're thinking. After all, I was you, once. I didn't believe it, either, but I was wrong. So very wrong. I don't want you to end up like me. I paid a terrible price, losing the mare I loved, and my friends. There's got to be a way to fix this, and I aim to help you find it." The other Spike explained.
"I-I'm not sure whether to trust you or not, but right now, you're my only chance. It looks like I have no choice."
Both Spikes shook hands, sealing the deal.
"I'll see you again, Spike. Remember that you're never alone, even when you think you are. That's a lesson, I wish I had learned sooner." The other Spike walked back into the mirror, leaving Spike in the cave.
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Spike was jolted awake by the shaking of the train, as it came to a stop. "Was any of that even real? It felt like it was, but I don't know how to tell." Spike sighed, feeling a headache coming on. "Why does my life have to be so complicated?"
The dragon got off the train and strolled around town. The other Spike's words were on repeat in his mind, particularly the part about what would happen if he couldn't fix things.
"So, apparently, Starswirl was never dead. That can't be good, since Twilight said he was one of the most powerful unicorns in history. According to me…er, the other me, I have to find a cure for Fluttershy. I guess, that means she has some kind of sickness. When I get to the castle, I need to do some research on Starswirl and a cure for mysterious illnesses. But, if I'm going to do that, I'll need help, and nopony knows the Royal Archives like Twilight."
"Hey, Spike!" A raspy voice called from above, very familiar to the dragon.