//------------------------------// // Chapters 3 & 4 // Story: Somewhere Special // by Anonympony //------------------------------// Chapter 3 One hoof in. Twilight could feel the drastic change with even a hoof step from the Kingdom of Equestria. Not even fully enclosed in the forest’s mystery, Twilight felt its bind of uncertainty wrapping her like a snake. The Everfree forest seemed to expand endlessly, trees and swamps strewn at random, yet all working in harmony. It was untamed and lacking uniform. Free of everything Twilight was forced to conform to on a daily basis. During her extensive and arduous studies with Princess Celestia. Her arrival in Ponyville. Restoring order after Discord took control. Everything was prim and proper, and Twilight had to try her best to keep it that way. Never tardy, never stressed, it was difficult. But no longer. Now, she was free. She needed nopony else, just freedom. Another hoof in, the marsh pressing and indenting beneath it. The wet soil almost encompassed her hoof, instantly bringing her joy. Mud was everywhere in Ponyville, but this mud was different. It felt like a pillow, comforting her, allowing her to let go and be free. It was foreign, who knows what it could contain? She lifted her dirtied foreleg to her face, inspecting the mud. She squints her eyes, concentrating hard on the topsoil. She watched it for several minutes, taking note every detail and action. Then a lonely maggot popped its head, crawling on the fresh Earth on the unicorn’s hoof. Her eyes went a glow as she began to laugh frantically, dropping the dirt and galloping into the unknown. “Ahahaha! It’s here! It’s here!” Twilight shouted at the top of her lungs, almost skipping with glee as she galloped through the forest. Her echoes could be heard for miles, causing birds to flee in a panic. The Everfree forest was dark, even in the fresh morning. Twilight had ran for what felt like miles, before finally arriving at a large hollow tree, her muscles tired and weak. The thick and muggy air weighed her down further, as she struggled to climb into the large knot in the tree, which she claimed for herself. To anypony else, it would appear to just be another victim of the Everfree Forest’s inhospitable and sometimes unpredictable weather pattern, as she was now lethargic and unwilling to move any further. Twilight observed the rotting wood with a serious eye. She noted every knot, crook, and crack. The inside was hollow, allowing her just enough room to lie down and stand up. She looked above, the sun beaming into the open top of the unicorn’s new home. She smiled and chuckled to herself softly. A new beginning brought new hardships. One of those hardships was staying safe. Twilight disregarded it wholeheartedly; safety was for the weak. Twilight was a new pony, on a new quest; to find new things. The sky grew darker, as the light in the unicorn’s tree home began to fade. Twilight looked up again, met by a single drop from the sky. It was going to rain. Twilight chuckled again, louder, and laid her head down on the cold ground. The rain fell harder, washing the pony of her past life. Thunder rolled in the distance, welcoming her to her new life with roaring applause. Lightning flashed as the sky grew darker, giving the pony a fleeting glimpse of promise. Twilight looked to the ground once more, noting its sudden change in colour. It now held a faint green, moss growing over the once barren land. “Here. It begins here.” Chapter 4 “Spiiiiike!” Spike awoke from his stupor. He had fallen asleep hoping and waiting that Twilight would come home later in the night. He only assumed that his name being shouted to high Heaven meant that she returned. He brought himself up from his crib and rubbed his eyes. “Spiiiiike!!” the voice shouted louder. Spike recognised it, but not as Twilight’s. It sounded as if it was coming from outside. The baby dragon dragged himself to the bedroom window to see Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rarity. The pony that had shouted his name was Pinkie Pie, who was bouncing around in her usual manner. “What is it, Pinkie Pie?” Spike yawned. He stretched his small arms and shot them up as far as they could go. “Spike, where’s Twilight? I haven’t seen her. I hope she isn’t sick. I know that if I was sick I’d stay home all day too. I mean, who wants to be around other ponies when they’re sick? That’s just plain rude and downright dangerous...!” the pink Earth pony jabbered on before getting a hoofful in her mouth from the other Earth pony, Applejack. “Wha’ we mean is, is she home?” the farmer asked, trying to keep Pinkie subdued. Spike remembered what had happened last night, when Twilight had just up and left. It wasn’t uncommon for her to have nightmares, but Spike hadn’t expected her to just leave with no rhyme or reason. Yet he felt confident in her abilities, to some extent. He just hoped she wasn’t hurt, or worse. “I haven’t seen her. I guess she went off to Canterlot or something.” Spike said, trying to mask his lie with sleepiness. He couldn’t tell them the truth; he didn’t want them to worry. The three looked at him with a hint of suspicion. “Are you sure? I couldn’t imagine Twilight being sick or lost somewhere in the big wide land of Equestria without a tough and strong dragon like you to protect her.” Rarity coaxed. She knew that something was amiss, and she wanted to know the truth. Spike was flattered. He had always had a huge crush on Rarity, and her flirtatious compliments weren’t helping him keep the truth inside. “No, no, I’m sure she’s fine. She’s a big filly.” Spike reassured the group. The group slowly trotted off, returning to Sugarcube Corner. Spike wiped away the sweat from his brow, exhaling with relief. He was never the best liar, he was just glad that they bought it. Nopony could find out, Spike himself didn’t know. He returned to his crib, snuggling under his blankets again. The baby dragon was now swaddled in the baby blue sheets, unable to be touched by the worries of the outside world. He dug his snout deeper into the sheets. They even kind of smelt like Twilight. He was worried. The dragon tossed and turned, the blanket catching on his scales. “I’m sure she’s all right.” he thought to himself. He tossed again. “Then again, what if she isn’t? What if she’s hurt, or lost, or...” he stopped himself. He didn’t want to even think about what would happen if she did. He removed himself from the security of his blanket and waddled to Twilight’s desk. There sat an aged piece of parchment and a quill. He began to write. Dear Princess Celestia, Twilight is missing. Well, not missing, but she has left Ponyville. I’m worried. She has been acting strange lately. She’s had a lot of nightmares and sometimes wakes up screaming. She just left last night without telling me where she was going. I need your help. And I can’t let anypony know. Your Faithful Student's Assistant, Spike. “I hope she’ll respond.” Spike said aloud. He rolled the letter and sealed it with a red ribbon and the seal of Equestria. He held it in his claw and burped a flame, taking the letter instantly. “I REALLY hope she’ll respond.”