//------------------------------// // Chapter 82 Blasted wind // Story: Spike the Knight // by vadram //------------------------------// Blasted wind The sun has long since set, leaving only the moon and stars to light their way. Under the pale moonlight, Apple Bloom and Spike continued their journey through the forest. As they guessed, the images of the dead forest at night filled them with fear and terror. A cold wind blew from the direction they were heading in, bringing with it clouds that at times blocked what little light Luna provided for all those who were willing to travel at that hour. Spike tried to keep up with Apple Bloom, but his body was too tired after a whole day of walking, while his mind was exhausted after spending the previous night “training” with Kirabo. This, along with the added weight of his backpack, caused him to fall flat on his face, scaring the filly. “Spike!” she shouted when she noticed him falling to the ground. “Hey,” Spike said gasping for breath as he turned to his sides. “I think we should rest for a bit.” “Sure,” she said as she took of her saddlebags and placed them next to Spike. Apple Bloom walked towards an old tree and turned around so her hindlegs were pointing towards it. Her plan was to buck the tree and hopefully knock a few loose branches off so they could make a fire and keep warm while they rested. She firmly planted her forelegs into the ground and took a swing at the tree, just like her sister had taught her. The tree offered little resistance, and with a loud crackling noise broke under the force of the filly’s hit, much to her surprise. The tree’s branches touched those of another tree, but these did nothing to stop its descent, instead snapping off themselves. Apple Bloom picked up a few of the larger branches that had fallen and returned them to their makeshift campsite. She placed them into a small pile next to Spike and headed back to grab another load. When she turned back, she could see a bright orange flame burning next to Spike; he had already started the fire. The wood she brought back was placed some distance away so that it would not be ignited by a stray ember. The wind picked up, almost as if it was mocking their attempts to keep warm while the moon was completely hidden behind the thick cloud cover that stretched as far as the eye could see. The fire itself did little to keep them warm; but, it’s mere presence, as well as the light it provided, helped lift their spirits. A strong gust of wind came and blew their fire out, leaving the two in total darkness. “You think you will be able to move now?” Apple Bloom asked Spike, not sure if the brief rest he had would be enough to keep him going the rest of the way. “I think so,” Spike replied standing up. He could feel his legs and his back screaming out in pain, but he chose to ignore them. “I hope this counts as homework,” Spike thought as a smile crept onto his face. “Then let’s get going,” Apple Bloom told Spike after she put her saddlebag back on. “I’ve got an idea,” Spike said as he bend down and grabbed a large branch from the second pile. He inhaled and let out a small flame that ignited the end of the branch. “Let’s go.” The torch provided even less light than the campfire, but it did help them feel a lot safer while they traveled. While the wind would occasionally blow out the torch, Spike was able to reignite the flame with a small breath of fire. Moving against the wind slowed them down considerably, but eventually the remnants of a large stone archway stood in front of them. It took them a few hours, but they finally reached the city. Spike was the first to enter; but, when Apple Bloom’s hoof first touch the stone street beyond the archway, her eyes widened in terror and she froze. “Apple Bloom!” Spike yelled when he noticed that she was no longer beside him. Turning around, he noticed that the yellow pony was standing underneath the archway that once served as the gateway to the city. “Are you alright?” he asked; she did not respond. Worried, he turned around and walked towards the filly, calling her name; still, she did not respond. When he was beside her, Spike stretched out his hand and slapped her across the face, as one would with a person that had passed out; this snapped her out of her trance. “What?” she asked, surprised by Spike’s actions, who slapped her twice more just to make sure she was fine. “What happened? You just froze there.” “I... I don’t know. When I stepped into the city, I felt something... Something scary.” “You felt something?” Spike asked sceptical. “This place... there is something wrong with this place,” Apple Bloom said taking a second step into the city. “I really don’t like it.”