Only Just A Dream

by Desert Nocturne

Two: The Everfree Forest

Spike examined the forest curiously. He was deeper in the Everfree Forest than he had ever been before, having left Zecora's hut behind some miles ago. Huge evergreens loomed around him, surrounded by occasional patches of luxuriant bushes and underbrush. There was a thick carpet of pine needles on the forest floor which cushioned and dampened his footfalls. The canopy of the tree leaves blocked most of the light from reaching the floor, though what light did pass through was diffused so as to produce angled bars of light as the sun westered. It was beautiful in its own way, gloomy and peaceful, and he took a moment to appreciate the sight.

Movement caught his eye. He watched a squirrel leap from branch to branch, eventually settling on one of the lower branches and nibbling on an acorn. He shuddered, reminded forcefully of how different things were here. The animals feed themselves, how bizarre. How do they know where to find food or where to stay for that matter? Naturally, he would never think to explore such a place on his own. However, according to Rarity, the best sapphires in Equestria were to be found in the Everfree Forest. From what she had told him, using these gems she could make dresses of unmatched brilliance, even surpassing the tailors of Canterlot.

He had been ecstatic when Rarity had approached him about assisting her in harvesting the gems. Ever since he had first laid eyes on her, Spike had been infatuated with Rarity, often daydreaming of ways to impress her. Admittedly his fantasies usually did not include him digging out gems deep within the Everfree Forest, but he would take alone time with her in any form he could. Actually, things had worked out quite well, all things considered. Zecora, who was familiar with the Everfree Forest, had been kind enough to point them in the direction of a path that led into the heart of the forest, where Rarity had insisted the best sapphires were to be found. She had also warned them to keep their eyes open for the myriad dangerous creatures that inhabited the forest, creatures such as ursas, dragons, manticores, cockatrices, timber-wolves, and their ilk. They had been at it for about two hours when the wagon they had brought reached its capacity.

And the sapphires... they were glorious! Even Spike, who normally viewed gems with an eye for their culinary delights rather than for their beauty, had to admit that these particular sapphires were breathtaking. Several were so large that they would either have to cut for use, sold, or perhaps displayed inside the Carousel Boutique as an art piece. One in particular, a massive specimen which Rarity had claimed was at least sixty carats with no inclusions, was the single finest gem Spike had ever seen or even heard of. The color of the pile of sapphires was so deep and striking that he almost felt bad when his mouth started watering of its own accord. After the first hour, Rarity had allowed him to sample a few of the smaller gems. The taste of them had been so exquisite that he had contemplated asking Twilight Sparkle if she would allow him to return to this area to harvest some gems for his own personal cache.

Spike came out of his reverie as he notice the squirrel turn its head sharply and scamper further up the tree it was on, chattering all the while. It was not the only animal to react in alarm; a sudden cacophony of assorted speaks, chirps, caws, and other various animal calls erupted, followed by silence. Suddenly the forest no longer seemed peaceful, on the contrary the atmosphere had suddenly turned menacing. He started as he heard a long, mournful howl in the distance. “Rarity, maybe we should start heading back,” he said, trying to keep his fear out of his voice.

“An excellent idea Spike,” replied Rarity, “I think I have a good enough idea of the amount of gems in this area to go on with.” After they had filled the wagon, Rarity had insisted on surveying the area for other gem deposits. They had spent the last half hour wandering in larger and larger circles as she used her gem finding spell to mark the locations of further deposits. Apparently the search had gone well, judging from the gleam in her eyes. “I believe that without having to stop to dig, we should make good time. We should be back at Zecora's within an hour. It's about time to head back anyway. It looks like the sun has started to set.”

Either Rarity did not sense the change in the atmosphere, or she was doing a admirable job ignoring it. Spike, for his part, was not about to look the coward in front of the mare of his dreams, and did his best to hide his discomfort. They walked onward in companionable silence, stealing glances at the mountain of gems in the wagon, and grinning occasionally. Despite his earlier trepidation, Spike now felt a warm glow filling his being. I actually helped Rarity accomplish something she could not do on her own. This may be the foothold I need to make my move.

He glanced quickly at Rarity, who was in the lead, accidentally getting a good view of her shapely rear and flanks. He blushed furiously, mentally chiding himself for allowing himself to commit such an act. She is a lady! She should not have to put up with ogling from the likes of me! His blush receding, he looked up again, looking determinedly away from Rarity and looking instead at the path ahead of him. He saw smoke rising gracefully from what could only be Zecora's hut, although it wasn't yet visible because of the thick foliage; they had left behind the massive trunks of the sapphire mother lode some time ago and were now traversing the stands of vine-strewn mangroves that inhabited the outer reaches of the forest. A howl rose again, this time sounding closer, though still a ways away. He and Rarity exchanged a glance and by unspoken consent redouble their pace, hoping to make Zecora's hut before the sun dipped below the trees. If she had been ignorant of the threat the forest presented before, she was certainly aware of it now.

Timber wolves, it turned out, were much more cunning that Spike had given them credit for. They had apparently left one of their number to howl in the distance in order to provide a false sense of security to the two creatures that would soon be their prey. Spike found this out when he and Rarity rounded a bend in the patch about a quarter of a mile from their destination. A timber wolf, likely the alpha, was blocking the path, a disturbingly intelligent leer already spreading across its face. Spike heard movement all around the two of them. Before he knew it they were surrounded by a pack of the snarling creatures. Horror flooded his mind and soul. Is this it? Is today the day I die? I'm still so young... A drawn out scream brought him back to himself in a hurry. RARITY!

“Oh no! This can't be happening! Run, Rarity, RUN! I'll hold them off!” he screamed. Please, Celestia, Luna, what other gods there may be, let Rarity make it out of here alive, he prayed desperately. As if in response to his thought he felt a strange gathering of force around him as time appeared to slow, then stop entirely. He had time to observe the alpha wolf frozen in a leap toward him, teeth bared in a snarl and razor claws extended toward him, before the force exploded sending him flying.

For a moment he saw a strange creature splayed out on a bed, appearing to be asleep. He shook himself mentally, hoping to clear the image, and saw that creature was still there and still asleep. After a long moment he felt more force gathering around him; he was drawn swiftly in inexorably towards the creature and it toward him. Its eyes opened and they stared at each other for an infinitesimal moment before they collided.

He gasped softly as he landed on a cold, hard, surface skidding a distance before coming to a rest. What just happened to me? He could have sworn that he had just flown through some type of void before he landed. He gasped as he remembered the situation he was in. “Rarity!” he yelled. His yell appeared to precipitate several events which happened in close succession. A loud scream emanated from nearby and lights sprang on, blinding Spike. Almost instantly, he heard a door bang open as he was forced to the ground and restrained in what felt like powerful magic. Most disturbing of all was the realization that his voice was not his voice. He was in some... thing's body. He was no longer in the forest, fighting to defend his love. As threatening figures surrounded him, he broke down as he realized he had somehow abandoned Rarity to her fate. Rarity...