//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1: The plight of the Great Deku Tree 
// Story: Legend of Rarity: Ocarina of Time 
// by Striker Fang 
//------------------------------//

	Spike exited his treehouse, letting out a big yawn as he started to look around. He noticed his friend Fluttershy running up to greet him. He always thought of Fluttershy kind of like a sister, but the one thing he didn't understand was why as he continued to grow, the rest of the villagers retained their filly-like forms. He decided to ponder on that later, and climbed down the ladder leading to his house to greet Fluttershy. "Good morning Spike.", said Fluttershy. Fluttershy was always,for lack of a better word, shy around the other villagers, but something about Spike made her feel safe. 

"Mornin", replied Spike. "Why are you up so early?", Fluttershy asked, with a puzzled look on her face. "Apparently the Great Deku Tree wants to see me." "The Great Deku Tree?!", exclaimed Fluttershy. "That must be real exciting!" Spike nodded in response. It was then that Fluttershy began to notice the winged lavender orb floating around Spike's head. Out of nowhere she grabbed Spike in a big yet gentle hug, and exclaimed, "You finally got your own fairy! I'm so happy for you!" Spike thanked her while trying to get free from her embrace. Fluttershy then released her friend, saying "Well, I gotta go now. Have fun meeting the Great Deku Tree!" Spike then set off for his destination.


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As Spike neared the entrance to the Great Deku Tree's grove, he suddenly ran into an invisible barrier. "HALT!", yelled a blue unicorn. "The Great and Powerful Trixie demands to know why a squirt such as yourself dares to approach the sacred grove of the Great Deku Tree!" "I-I was summoned b-by him.", stammered Spike. "HA! A squirt such as yourself has no business with the Great Deku Tree unless he has a sword and shield! Come back with both and Trixie MIGHT just let you inside." 

As Spike walked around the village, having purchased a Deku shield for 40 bits moments ago, he wondered, Where am I going to find a sword? None of the shops around here sell any, and no one else here owns one I could borrow. Suddenly Spike stopped as he heard his name being called. He looked around, and when he saw no pony else, shrugged, and continued walking. Spike. There it was again. He decided to follow the voice as it called to him. The voice led him through a tunnel and down a winding path, until he came upon a large wooden treasure chest. As he approached the chest, it burst upon in a flash of light, and spike heard the whispers of spirits as they conveyed their message. "Spike, The chosen one, we bequeath to you the Everfree Blade spoken of in legends passed down from long ago. May it aid you in your coming quest." Then, The light dissipated leaving a shining short sword in it's place. Discounting the spirits and their message as nothing but a hallucination left over from the bad mushrooms he had for dinner last night, Spike picked up the sword, and headed back towards the sacred grove.

As Spike neared the Entrance, Trixie stopped him saying "Ugh, you again? Did I not tell you la-" Trixie stopped as she took notice of the young dragons new gear. "Trixie sees you have a Deku shield now. That's all fine and well bu-". Spike cut her off by showing her the blade strapped to his back. Trixie gasped, and then replied, "THE EVERFREE BLADE?!" Regaining her composure, she coughed, then continued, "You may pass, but know this. Trixie shall NEVER see you as one of us." As Trixie moved out of the way, Spike rolled his eyes, and continued to meeting the Great Deku Tree.

As Spike entered the clearing, he heard a deep voice calling to him. "Ah Spike. I have been waiting for you." 
"What is it Great Deku Tree?"
"Surely Twilight Sparkle has told you?" Spike glared at Twilight, who replied meekly, "I thought it would be better for the Great Deku Tree to explain." Spike turned to the great guardian of the forest, and waited for an explanation. "Spike, a great journey lies ahead of you, but first I must make a request of you."
"What is it?"
"Many weeks ago, a stallion came to me demanding what I could not give him. In retaliation, he cast a death curse upon me. I need you to find the source of the curse within me, and destroy it. Do you accept?"
"Of course I do!"
"Then enter." A hole then appeared in the front of the Great Deku Tree. Spike stepped up to the hole, looked at Twilight, nodded, and embarked into the unknown.