//------------------------------//
// Chapter 61 - A Long Journey 
// Story: Quest For Harmony 
// by destinedjagold 
//------------------------------//

	"Spike," I hissed, for the thousandth time already, "stop tapping my wound with your tail!"

Spike winced, and immediately lifted his tail and rested it on the other side of my thigh. "I'm sorry," he said, "but I couldn't help it!"

I know he doesn't mean it though, but really, I've told him to mind his tail for so many times ever since we started our journey. It should have already stuck in his brain by now.

I sighed. "I know you don't," I said, lying to myself, since I also said that to him a countless times already, "just, mind your tail," and I have no idea why I kept on saying that. But it just felt like I needed to say it anyway.

Spike nodded, nonetheless.

Anyway, we already exited the Everfree Forest for half an hour ago. We're now walking through the western forest of the War Planes, away from the edge of the forest to avoid being detected. Hm... Maybe I should correct that it's only me who's doing the walking. Strangely, if I were human, I'm pretty sure I would be dead because of exhaustion not long ago, but I guess ponies have more stamina than humans. At least, they have more stamina than a skinny human being...like myself back in the human world.

"How'd you get so good with a lance, anyway?" I asked, just so we have something to talk about. He already told me that it was Sweetie Belle who taught him how to make a lance out of his green magical fire.

"Scootaloo and Apple Bloom thought me," Spike replied. "They taught me how to defend myself while we were in the castle. You know, when you left..." He trailed off.

I couldn't blame him though. It wasn't really a good memory to hold on. Anyway, I'm still amazed that he learned a lot for only a short time. I guess he's really built for fighting. Dragons should know how to fight, after all, right?

We continued our little trek, exchanging a few short stories here and there, while yelping in pain and yelling at Spike about his darn tail tapping my still-healing wound.

The forest really isn't that thick or difficult to go through though. The only thing making things difficult is the cold rain shower and the thin fog that shrouded the forest.

Food wasn't much of a problem though, for there were several fruit-bearing trees in the forest. Often times, I'd need to use Applejack's methods of bucking a tree for fruits to fall off. If that won't work, then Spike would climb up and pick some for us.

There were also several wild animals we came across while continuing our journey. They were mostly herbivores though, from rabbits to deers. There were carnivores, like a leaf-covered wolf, or a rock-scaled croc, but Spike managed to scare off the former, and the latter was pretty much acting like a rock while it continued its sleep.

We reached a small clearing though, and in the middle was a clear pond. The instant we set our eyes on it, we suddenly realized how thirsty we were. Spike jumped off of me and was about to dash straight towards the pond when I bit his tail to stop him.

Of course, he asked what was the big idea, so I told him that the water might not be safe. He rolled his eyes but listened to me anyway. We waited for other animals to come by and take a drink. It took us a minute or so when a red fox came out from the trees and took a quick drink from the watering hole before running back. We took that as a good sign and so we drank. The water was cool, and Spike even dared jumping to the water and started splashing all over. I simply rolled my eyes and let him be. He is, after all, still a baby dragon.

Eventually, I joined him, not for the splashing, but for the cool water to bless the wound I had. It was refreshing, and I really didn't feel like going out, but we needed to, after resting there for two or so minutes. And, the water was cold anyway, and I really didn't like the cold so much.

Shaking the water off of me, we continued our journey through the forest. Aside from my own hooves touching the forest floor, the rain was also the only noises that our ears were receiving.

Soon though, I felt that Spike was already sleeping on my back. Not that I mind. At least it'll stop him from poking my wound. I smiled as I continued the journey, though I stopped after I saw a large hollow on the foot of a rather giant tree. I suppose it's time for a quick rest. I am not really that tired, but meh, what the heck.

It was rather warm inside though, to my relief. And the ground was dry, obviously. I carefully removed Spike from my back and gently placed him on a corner as I settled down beside him. Man, his gentle snores reminded me of my brother. I sure hope Luna was right about my brother being okay back in my world.

It wasn't long before I noticed that I was already lying down on the ground, my head resting in between my front limbs. I sighed lightly. This is going to be a long journey...