A Journey

Ponytown

Thousands of Years Later

Spike POV

3:57 P.M.

Beep!

Crush!

“Crap…”

Spike looked over at his arm, which had a now crushed alarm clock under the fist. Why did he buy such a cheap alarm clock, he will never remember. All that matters would be to get the hell up, put on some clothes, make breakfast, and then leave before his roommate got up. He had stuff to do.

He looked up from where his head was resting, and saw a map the he had etched slowly over the past month. He didn’t know why he wrote that map, or what it was, but it intrigued him, so he kept it.  Spike reached over to a chair next to his bed, grabbed a towel, flipped out of bed, and went to a shower. After the water was at optimal temperature, the only things that could be heard from the bathroom for the next seven minutes was singing.

As he exited the bathroom, the first thing Spike did was look into a mirror next to his bed. Although having mirrors within inches of a sleeping body was never a good idea, he had one anyway. “Why is this happening?” He asked himself after looking. He has asked himself this very question every day for the last month. There was obviously something wrong with him, as a body does not just do this in just a month, especially an immortal’s body. The very thought was putting more stress on his mind than need be.

Why is his hair getting paler?

Now, normally when one asks that question while sounding genuinely distressed, people tend to outright ignore that person. Hair related emergencies are not that important, and can get fixed at any time. Even if the person’s conundrum could very easily spell disaster for the world, people would just ignore it. It’s only hair.

But Spike’s conundrum was not as simple of hair fading color. Sure, his hair has gone from a forest green to a pale yellowish-green, but is that so bad? No, it was much more than that. As the days pass, he could feel himself become weaker and feverish. His perception of time was also affected, as things to seem way slower to him. His magic was so wiped, that he can’t even send mail to people, so he has become pretty much useless. 

The question is why.

Being a different species than humans, Spike was going through something that they had no experience with, and was thus presented with an inevitability. He knew this would happen sometime, but he was really hoping for it to happen when his friends and caretaker has long passed away, and he has his own bloodline to attend to, but time has forced his hand. Being a burden on others, unable to pull your own weight or even lift heavy things was not the Spike way. Spike is a happy, energetic, humorous and positive person, not this sad, depressed… Thing that looks like him.

“So what are you going to do about it?”

Oh, and he has a creepy voice that came around the same time his hair began fading. He named it Cedrik.

“I don’t know, Cedrik. What do I do?”

“You know what to do… I told you, multiple times.”

“Can I wait a little longer?”

“Do what you want, I’m just a voice. Just don't be a coward like last time”

Sighing, the naked teenager put some clothes on, and began his day. Right next to his bed was the clothes he would wear, so that was a good start. Putting on the clothes (a white jacket with black pants and running shoes), he thought up a checklist.

Wake up: Check:

Shower: Check

Argue with Cedrik: Check

Make breakfast:

Discreetly say goodbye:

Leave town and find my own way:

“Okay, now just to make sure that I always keep this in a pocket that people won't see it from, and I’m good to start my day.” He said to himself. He knew that multiple times, in the past, he has had important and secret information just sitting around for the next passerby to find, but this time he would be fully prepared to not let that happen. Nope, he would do this the correct way.

‘What are you going to do next?’

‘I dunno. I have a plan as to where we are going too, though.’

‘Where? I thought the book Garble gave you said that you should head to the valley. Head there first. Get this over with.’ Cedrik seemed different about this. Usually, he was just saying slightly relevant stuff, but whenever Spike mentions having to leave, Cedrik jumps on it and keeps telling him that he should leave as soon as possible.

‘Come on, bro. We have plenty of time.’ Spike reasoned. He heard Cedrik scoff and mutter something before he stood silent. ‘Bro?’ Spike called out into his subconscious. He knew Cedrik was in there somewhere, but if he wanted to act like this, then so be it.

Spike turned around, thought about it, and headed to the bakery, since it was the closest. And by closest, he meant the giant gingerbread house was right behind him. He walked through the doors, was met with the smells that tempted him to float into the air and devour all the sweets, and ignored said smell. The building was surprisingly empty, as all of the booth were void of anyone. That didn’t matter right now, as he was only here for one girl.

She was currently cleaning one of the booths with a spray bottle and some cloth. He was silently happy that she didn’t notice him walking over to her. He was almost there, and her bubblegum smell was starting to get to him. It was odd, considering her usual fragrance was that of those little cherries that you would find on top of a milkshake, but those were just details. She could change her smell as often as she wanted. As long as her hair was recognizably pink, poofy, and bouncy, he didn’t care.

He was about to surprise her by grabbing her shoulder, but as he reached over, it happened. She turned around and looked at him with the creepiest french mask he had ever seen in his life. The Guy Fawkes mask looked at him with all of it’s French fury, daring him not to scream at the incoming mind rape. “Hello.” she said in a manly voice. “We have awaited your arrival. Take a seat so we may have fun.” she completed her statement, as her voice got deeper with every word.

Spike flailed his arms and fell backwards, while his lips moved to scream, but no sound came.  “Pinkie, what the-” he groaned when he felt something hard on his side. He lifted his shirt, revealing a broken knife. The broken knife that apparently broke off of skin. “Wha?”

He looked up to find Pinkie laughing hysterically. She was on a table, clutching her sides, and all. He decided it was best to not tell her she almost killed him, had the knife not clipped off the table. “Why in the gods’ name did you put that mask on today?” he said, while slowly getting up. The broken knife slid back into its correct place. He would need a better sheathe than this one. Knives usually aren't blade facing upwards.

She kept laughing for a moment, and Spike waited with an unamused expression. She ended her laughter with an “Ah.” and looked at him. She was dressed in jeans, a shirt, and an apron around her neck. He didn’t care about that though. Just an observation. “I knew you would come to me today. I just had to scare you with the mask is all. Couldn’t help myself.” she said. He was prepared to speak, but she continued. “Do you want any cake?” he shook his head. “Cookies?” he shook his head. “Fruit?” he shook his head. “Candy?” he shook his head. “Gemstones?” he shook his head. “Oh! how about a-”

“No, I just wanted to talk with you about something.” he said. She looked at him with her crystal blue eyes, and it scared him a little. She clearly wanted to sell him a pastry, but she couldn’t decide. He feels like she is reaching into his soul and grabbing the pastry he craves from it.

“Do you want ruby cookies?”

“Sure.” he gave up on her. Clearly, he was making a good choice when he didn’t visit her yesterday. Yep, a good call right there. He should stop saying ‘It’s future Spike’s problem’, as it is now his problem. Hopefully, this wont take long, as he hopes to get on the only train going to his destination within two hours. ‘Shouldn’t have backed out yesterday. You could’ve been on an earlier train. Perhaps the midnight train, where people are less likely to notice you. The lack of sunlight could have aided you.’ Spike ignored Cedrik for now, as he was really just pointing out the obvious. ‘Shut up.’ Spike was never really good at just silently ignoring anyone.

Pinkie came back with the cupcakes, when she made them is a mystery, and how she knew he was coming was a bigger one, but one does not simply question her. He accepted the cookies, and they both took a seat. “So, whacha doing ‘round these here parts, partner?” she asked, Applejack’s hat on her head. She was sure to give Pinkie hell for that later.

“I came here to-” he was going to continue, but Cedrik stopped him. ‘She is the most perceptive of your friends. Tread carefully around her.’ Spike heeded his words and took a deep breath. “Just spend some time and talk.” he said after a pause. Her brow furrowed and unclenched so fast that he doubted it ever clenched in the first place. ‘She caught the pause.’

“Sure. I dont really have much time to chat. The customers would roll in,” she looked at a clock halfway across the shop. “Five minutes.” she said, then she relaxed into the chair. “So what does my favorite little guy have to say, hmm?” she said. Spike huffed a little, but she just giggled at this. “Silly boy.” she whispered to herself.

‘End this quickly. You know what shes like.’ Not missing a beat, Spike said “Yeah, I just wanted to just talk with you. Ya know, just say hi and stuff, but if you’re too busy-” She laughed some more. She was looking at him intensely, and he began to sweat. ‘You need to separate from her immediately, or the plan would be ruined.’

“No, stay Spikey. The customers won't be rolling in for three more minutes. Thats plenty of time to chat. Stay here so we can chat, please?” she said. Spike could feel Cedrik’s cringe without seeing it. ‘Something’s not right with her.’ he said. ‘It is Pinkie Pie.” Spike replied. Cedrik mumbled something that sounded like ‘no excuse’, and then he was gone.

“You know what, I actually have something to do suddenly. Gotta go!” with that, he got up, and ran out of the shop. Before he made it to the door, he felt Pinkie hug hum from behind, and whisper in his ear. “BYE!” It was as much of a whisper as anyone could get from her. He was then released from her grasp.

---Line Break---

Spike’s sprint turned into a slow jog, and in no time at all, he made it to Rarity’s place. Her sister, wearing a dress that Rarity probably told her to wear, was sitting on the bench outside the house/dress shop. Spike should have saved her for last, but that would just be an inconvenience, as Cedrik puts it. He approached her, as she looked pretty indifferent. “Hey Sweetie, how are you? You alright?”

She looked at him, squinted, and blinked silently. A few moments passed with them looking at each other, then she spoke. “Whats wrong with your hair?” A tear almost escaped Spike’s eye. How did she not notice? They see each other all the time?

“What?” he asked. ‘She didn’t notice? Well, theres one candidate of a vast, shared future thrown out the window.’ Cedrik chuckled within the confines of Spike’s subconscious. “You didn’t notice my hair getting pale?” he chuckled a bit. “Sweetie, my hair was as green as a forest in the summer last month, and now it’s barely green!” he laughed a bit. “Whatever, what’s with you?”

“What do you mean?” she asked, clearly ignoring the previous laughs diverted towards her.

“You look sad.”

“I’m not sad. It’s just-” Spike interrupter her with an ‘Ah?’, but she kept talking. “It’s just I still haven’t received a confirmation letter to the academy.” Spike nodded a little. He understood just how important this Academy of Musical Arts thing was so important to her. She tried out singing a while ago, and Spike thought she was pretty good. She then sent a tape of her singing to the academy, and they have yet to respond apparently. Too bad, she was a good singer in his eyes.

“Dont worry, I’m sure they just have other things to do. You did only send that five days ago.” he looked up. “Do you know where your sister is?” he asked.

“No, she left right before you came.” Sweetie said, as a random person walked by and tipped his hat. Why he did that was an unknown reason, but he was never heard from again. ‘So, you can't talk to Rarity? It’s for the best. You can't bear to speak to her and would leave abruptly, wouldn’t you?’

“Oh, thats unfortunate.” Spike sighed. “Well, I’m off. See ya later, Sweetie.” he waved her goodbye, and she returned the gesture. ‘Are we done now? You don’t exactly have all the time in the world.’ Spike waved him off and walked over to the own market. ‘Be that way.’

---At the Market (Nicknamed Merchant Square)---

Spike sighed. “Applejack’s stand is usually right behind a tree, right?” he asked Cedrik.

‘And how would I know that?’

“I dont know.”

‘Cant we just leave without saying anything? We were pushing it with Pinkie, and the others know you almost as well. You could have been subconsciously sending off distress or a means to be pursued for all you know.’ Cedrik had a point, this wouldn't be the first time something like this had happened. Leaving sooner had started to look like more and more of a good idea to him. ‘I will ask again, do you think it would be wise to speak to everyone before you leave?’

‘No.’ Spike responded. ‘But I feel like I should do it anyway. Is that so wrong?’

‘Well, her stand is right there.’ Cedrik turned Spike’s attention to the stand, which was not anywhere near a tree. In fact, it was on the edge of the road, being pulled away from merchant square. ‘And she appears to be leaving.’ Indeed she did. She looked relatively normal, just a shirt and some pants, nothing really that important, although her hat was strapped to her back. She never really went anywhere without one. She was pulling the cart away because she was sold out of apples. ‘Think about how you are going to go about this.’

“Hey, AJ!” Spike ran over to her, and his yelling caught the farmgirl’s attention. She looked up, waved her hand, and waited for him to catch up. “Hey.”

“Howdy.” she pulled the hat over her head. “It’s gettin hot today, aint it?”

“I don’t know, I don’t feel heat the same way you guys do.” he shrugged. “How hot is it out here?”

“About… Maybe ninety degrees, I reckon.” she looked up. “Yup, that seems about right. So what brings you ‘ere?” she asked while pulling out a cup of water.

“Oh, just saying hi.” Spike said. ‘Just saying hello?’ Cedrik laughed. ‘If you were just doing that, there would be no reason to come over here.’ ‘Shut up.’ “You know, because I saw you over here with your cart, and I thought ‘Sup.’, so here I am. Just here.” he tried not to sound nervous, but that’s just what happened to him. Trying to sound nonchalant was not his strong suit. He was absent for that lesson.

“This isn’t the best time.” she pulled the cart some. It wasn’t that heavy to either of them. Pretty light, in fact. Especially with nothing in it. “Ah got three more runs of apples to give before I can close the stand for the day. Come back later, and ah will have time fer ya.” she pushed onwards. ‘Would it be too soon if I said I knew this would happen?’

‘Yes.’ Spike answered.

‘I knew it would happen.’ Cedrik said anyways. ‘You know why we shall not go to Rainbow Dash, right?’ he asked. Spike didn’t answer. He knew Rainbow would follow him around if she was bored, and who knows what she would do if she continued to follow. Thats just the kind of girl she was. A stalker. ‘Shes not that bad, but she is still bad.’ he thought about it. ‘Um… Im not sure if going to either of those two would be a good idea.’

‘Go to the train then.’ Cedrik offered.

‘I don’t wanna.’

‘Do you want to be the one that goes to Fluttershy, the one person who might be able to read minds, while knowing where you are going? Is that seriously your best plan of action?’ he had pretty good point. Fluttershy could speak to animals, yet she doesn't actually speak to them, and over time, Spike started thinking she could read minds. ‘Um… Do I leave?’

‘You should.’ Spike turned around and walked to the train station.

In no time at all, he made it to the Equestrian Express, the only other train in Equis besides the Friendship express, walked inside, and found a seat. Not long after, the train started to move. ‘It’s for the best.’ Cedrik said. Spike wasn’t so sure about that, but it didn’t matter now. ‘Did you happen to get your stuff before you left? Because if you didn’t, you would have to use a spell to summon them.’

“Fuck.”