//------------------------------// // 4 – "Hellooo?" // Story: Spike Quits His Job and Goes on Numerous Quests // by B_25 //------------------------------// ~4~ "Hellooo?" The night air snipped at Spike’s scales. In his outburst, he’d forgotten to bring anything to keep him warm. Heck, he didn’t bring anything at all. To think, whenever I thought about this moment, I always imagined myself dashing out the door and bolting to who knows where, Spike thought to himself, as he let feet take him wherever they pleased. But now, I’m to tired run. I’m too tired to think, ‘where I should go?’ I’m too tired to think at all. Spike exhaled. Why am I thinking? So Spike stopped thinking. He acknowledged the passing landscapes but didn’t pay them much eye – for they were too focused watching his feet move. Spike walked like this until he bumped his head into a tree. Spike breathed as he felt an urge to punch the tree like he did earlier back in the library. But he was too tired to do so. Instead, the drake rested his back against the tree and slid down its length. He closed his eyes yet fought the oncoming sleep. Despite being tired, he didn’t want to slumber. Even if it was the best thing for him to do right now, his mind still fought against the notion. Eventually, sleep won. And Spike was protected under the night sky. “Spike?” Tap tap. Tap tap. “Spikeee.” Tap tap. “M-mom?” “Spike?” “Oh, mom, it’s you. I got a fight, the other day…” “Hello?” “It was with a friend. A good friend. And, I’m not sure what to do.” “Hellooo?” “Mom?” It was the taps on Spike’s chest that woke him up. He looked down at the hoof and would’ve been a fool had the hoof been blue. Fortunately for him, it was the beautiful color of yellow. “You’re awake!” Spike followed the hoof as it retracted itself back to the ground. The hoof belonged to the one and only– “Fluttershy,” Spike said. “Yes,” Fluttershy replied. “Oh dear, don’t tell me you were purposely sleeping out here and didn’t want anyone to wake you up.” “Oh, no.” Spike shook his head to better load the world around him. “I slept out here by mistake. Well, it was kinda a mistake.” Fluttershy scanned his body. She took a step back when Spike flashed his teeth to yawn and stretch. Once he finished, he looked to Fluttershy who looked like she was holding back her tongue.“So, what are you doing out here, Fluttershy?” “Me?” Fluttershy asked. Spike nodded his head, a bit confused. “Oh, I was just going down to the market to buy some things. But, I saw you up here and wondered what was wrong.” “What was wrong,” Spike repeated to himself, casting his glance elsewhere. “Is there something wrong?” “No, no. Everything’s fine.” “Oh-oh, okay. Just, know Spike, I’m here if you need me.” Spike smiled at her kindness. “Thank you, Fluttershy. But please, don’t let me stop you from your errands.” “Oh, Spike,” Fluttershy said as she took a moment to giggle. “Don’t be silly as to think you’re ever imposing. But, if nothing is troubling you, then I’ll be on my way.” Spike offered a smile and a wave of a claw. He watched her as she left the hill and walked down the dirt path. She didn’t walk fast nor slow. She walked at a pace where she could gaze at everyone thing. Spike watched Fluttershy as she left. When she looked at trees and plants, it a brought a smile to her face. Nature never gave Spike that reaction, but seeing how Fluttershy smiled at the world. Well, that made Spike himself smile. I wonder how she get’s so happy over the littlest things. How she’s already content with her life. Once Fluttershy faded out into the distance, Spike looked around his environment. The cottage belonging to the veterinarian was only a small bridge away. He laughed at the distance. I’m thankful I didn’t go any further: timber wolves would’ve nipped at me while I was asleep. His eyes wandered past the Everfree Forest to the mountains that awaited him. The hills he would have to climb for his adventure – for the goal of finding something out there that doesn’t exist in this town. I’ll find myself out there. The thought gave his body energy. The power to bounce up and start this quest right away. And the idea of leaving at this moment was enticing. But Spike’s legs wouldn’t move. Tried as might to move them, his body refused to get up. What point is there in leaving now? Just, sit down, and, do it later. That’s what Spike’s body told him. Spike sighed as he placed his full weight against the tree. “Eh, I haven’t had a day off in a while. I, I deserve to have to have one, right?” Memories of last night flooded in, but Spike did his best to ignore the voices. “Yeah. You know what?” Spike said as if he were talking to Twilight. “I do deserve a day off.” Spike sat for a moment and licked his lips. “Even though I’m talking to myself and have to justify my reasons.” Spike sighed once more. Spike sat in silence. He looked around the area with a plastered smile, not quite sure at what to look. He dropped the smile after a few moments. What am I supposed to do? Spike thought. Think up a story? Figure out what I’m meant to do next? Wh-What am I supposed to do? Spike breathed. He tried to look at everything just as Fluttershy had. The grass was green, and the trees were brown. They looked somewhat cool. But just what entertainment did Fluttershy find in nature? The boredom and the urge to do something almost bolted Spike up to his feet. The only problem was, Spike’s legs wouldn’t move. So he sat still. Gave up the notion of having to do something, and just sat there. He watched a patch of grass being blown by the wind. The chilly breeze touched his scales and filled his nostrils with its scent. Normally, Spike disliked the wind. But the weather was warm enough that, whenever a breeze struck, it was a treat to behold. Spike’s mind was empty of thoughts. And that felt wrong. But it felt right at the same time as well. But which one was the correct feeling? Once those type of thoughts crept up on Spike, he ignored them and let them pass. He found more enjoyment in how the wind blew over the grass.