//------------------------------// // Chapter 23 Till the sun goes down // Story: Spike the Knight // by vadram //------------------------------// Till the sun goes down The journey towards Sweet Apple Acres would usually take him awhile, about an half an hour riding on Twilights back or, a lot more if he went by himself. But today, judging by the suns position, he made the journey in just over an hour. Like last week he saw Applejack working, unlike last time when she was busy getting some water from the well, today she was feeding the chickens. “Morning A.J.” “Morning Spike. Looking for Apple Bloom?” “Yep.” “Sorry sugarcube, she left for Zecora yesterday. She told me she would see you there.” “Okay, thanks A.J.” “Spike! Tell her that she has school tomorrow.” “Sure.” He said waving his arm before he ran of. “Morning, kid.” “Morning... wait... you again?” “You should learn to use your inner voice, ponies will start thinking you’re crazy or something.” “Well I am hearing voices, so...” “Don’t worry about us kid.” “Ha, when the voice in my head tells me not to worry, this is exactly when I start worrying.” “Aham...” “Right... inner voice.” “Is this better?” “Much. Now kid, where are you going?” “Over to Zecora’s.” “And you know the way?” Spike stopped. “No.” “Inner voice kid, inner voice.” “Right.” “So if you don’t know the way how were you planning on getting to Zecora?” “Umm... I was going to go to Fluttershys, the try to remember the path Apple Bloom took me on.” “Great plan...” “Thanks.” “If you are trying to get yourself lost. Look kid I like you, you show promise and it would be a shame if I lost another before you even see me, so... Here.” “Huh? Did you just give me something?” “Uh... Listen how do you get to the manticore caves?” “Oh that’s easy. Well I enter the Everfree and the closest entrance is the twenty third and to get to the caves from there I need to follow path seven hundred fifty five, past the sulphur pits number eight, take a right at the split tree, walk around... or above the field of Poison Joke, and follow the sound of cracking bones for about an hour, descent into the tunnels and take the first left, then the second right and open the fifth door to the left, then the pop the lid, and I’m right in the middle of the pit.” “And what will happen when you pop out?” “Well... I guess they will tear me to pieces and fight over each piece of me... Unless...” “Unless?” “I before I enter the tunnels I first stop to grab a little sulphur from the pits and a little hidra... dunk, and rub myself with it, making myself smell horrible to a manticore.” “I see I gave you a little too much.” “How did I know that?” “I gave you a part of my memories, I only wanted to give you a map of the Everfree, but it appears I overdid it.” “So... I got a ‘Everfree survival guide’ or something?” “That’s... Quite accurate actually... You know what kid, ‘The Everfree survival guide’ is a great idea. Now, run over to Zecora, she will be waiting for you.” “Okay.” He said as he ran off towards the forest. “And don’t worry, the memories will be gone in a couple of days.” “Great...” Spike made good time in reaching Zecora’s. It was easy since he basically knew about everything he needed to know about the Everfree, he knew about every creature that made it their home, and about every plant that could eat him or worse. He covered the couple of miles that separated the Orchard from Zecora’s hut in less than an hour. Upon reaching his destination he knocked on the door and expected to see the zebra open it. To his surprise, he was greeted by a yellow filly, only she was not yellow anymore, the filly, Apple Bloom was covered in a dark shade of bluish green from head to tail. “What happened to you?” Spike asked carefully examining the pony as if making sure there was no part of her still yellow. “Would you stop doing that!” She shouted annoyed by him looking so closely at her. “Just go in and take a dip in the tub and lets get going before I freeze.” Apple Bloom took a step to her side, Spike looked behind her and saw a tub of multi colored goo, but before he could protest he felt the fillies head pushing him in. He reached the end of the tub and dipped his finger into it. “You are not kidding...” He said turning his head around still struggling with Apple Bloom. “This stuff is cold. I don’t think I want to...” Apple Bloom stopped pushing, turned in place, and then just bucked him in the tub. When he landed he could feel all the heat leaving his body, fearing for his life he jumped out immediately but it was too late. Just like the filly he was now covered in that stuff and he was getting colder by the minute. “Come on,” she said, “we've got a long way to go.” “Where are we going? Why are we covered in this?” “I messed up... I got a potion wrong and now we need to go and fix it.” “We? Why we? And what are we covered in?” “Sulph and...” “Let me guess... hydra dung?” “Yes, how did you know?” “Um... A little birdy told me. Listen I know a shortcut, so except manicure venom what else do we need?” “Umm... Tears?” “Of?” Spike reluctantly asked. “An ursa...” “Tears? Form an ursa? Apple Bloom where is Zecora?” He was starting to panic, a manticore was one thing but a ursa. “Umm... Here.” She pointed towards her head. “What the hay were you making?” “Um... well you see Big Mac got a cold, and I was trying to make some cold medicine, but I got the proportions wrong and I accidently added something I shouldn't have and then Zecora... And why am I explaining this to you?” “HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO MAKE A ‘LAST WISH’ POTIONS FROM A COLD REMEDY?” “Last wish? Is that... Wait Zecora is telling me something... She is not rhyming... it sounds so odd...” “Focus Apple Bloom what is she telling you?” “Right... She is telling me... to tell you.. that we...” “We? We what?” “We only have till moonrise to make the cure before it is permanent.” “Oh for the love of... HEY VOICES ARE YOU THERE?” “Spike?” “Shush.” “Yes Spike, I am here, and I heard everything. Tell Apple Bloom to get the rest of the ingredients and that you will make the cure on the spot. I will send you some help with the ursa, but you have to deal with the manticore's yourselves.” “Right. Apple Bloom get the rest of the ingredients we are going to make the cure elsewhere.” “Spike how do you know all this?” “I have a voice in my head too.” Spike answered with a smile.