The Ancient Heart of the Everwood Dragon

Chapters

The Long Walk
Dead Wood and Ink
Empty Land
In the Unquiet Silence
Clearings of Knowledge
The Wandering Land
Seasons Gone
Streams to Rivers to Valleys
Epilogue: What was is now

The Long Walk

She walked.

Heartwood walked through the forest. The trees bended and shuffled out of her way. Her mossy footsteps grew into the ground. The brush swayed from her movement. The birds flew up to the tree tops on her back. The animals crawled through the underbrush on her wings. The treetops of the forest ruffled as she passed.

How long had she been walking?

How long is forever and a day? A night?

The forest opened up to her. The canopy intermixed with her own. A stream flowed by her roots. Her tail laid a trail of seeds the squirrels and mice were quick to pick up before the birds flew in.

Her head swayed as she walked. She remembered walking. She remembered the smell of the changing seasons. How many had gone by? Her head shook in a fashion of speech.

A clearing reached her senses. It was bare and ground up. She stopped walking. Heartwood leaned down, the trails of vines and branches reached out as well to the torn up ground. She sniffed.

This was not natural.

There was no seem of decay. Or of a passing fire. It seemed as though the trees and plants had been ripped from their home to the sky. The chips of bark and inner wood littered the ground.

This was a battle field. A field of empty graves. The holes in the dirt left screaming and cold. She leaned up and looked around. It was too clear. Too empty. She turned back to the crowded forest. Its trees warm and comforting each other. They reached out to each other in fear of losing its neighbor.

The trees by the edge of the forest shivered. Their roots searched the dry dirt only to find nothing in its place.

What had happened here?

Heartwood walked out into the empty burial ground. She walked to the out most center and shook.

A rain of seeds and seedlings feel from her head. A flap of wings gave off the small bushes growing onto each other. Her tail flicked, encouraging the trees out. Young and curious saplings wandered their rooted bodies over to the clearing. They settled down in a hollowed out space of ground. Their roots curled and wiggled, pulling earth over their chilled roots until they were snuggled down deep.

The seeds sprouted and the barren ground became ripe with new greenery. She smiled and walked on back to the forest.

Such a sight it was. She looked at the bare ground. It had been so rich with new life when she came last. Now, it was dead again. She walked out and shook. Her tail encouraged the fearful trees out to the clearing. They whimpered at the call. She felt a feeling fall over her. A strange need to call out in sound her distress.

The moist ground had been clawed through. The earthed turned up onto itself. The smell of the healthy dirt was there even as it laid exposed to the harsh sun. Such a crime it was to have ripped apart the fledgling trees she felt that need to call out in sound again.

Full grown trees shook in rage and ventured forth. They shifted their massive roots into the fresh dirt. It was soft and lively. She smiled and walked on.

How strange it was. The new forest had been torn up. The earth once again left clawed free and turned up to the sun. She walked out to the barren ground only to see movement on the horizon.

Small creatures ventured out. They screamed at her. Their howls called out to their others. A few walked bravely out to the clearing. They chattered at her. She cocked her head. They chattered and chirped angrily.

She paid no mind to the chittering creatures. She shook her head and let fall the new seeds. They made their new homes in the fresh soil.

The small animals chittered like a squirrel with its hollow of nuts being disrupted. They howled out to each other. She paid them no mind still. They were drowned out like the chirping birds that made their nests in her twisting limps.

Something hit her. Another something struck her again. She looked toward the creatures. They threw lights that pained at her. She cocked her head. Her rooted feet reached out and swatted the light thrower. Best to teach them to behave. A wolf left to gnaw on her roots will soon take to tearing them out.

They howled some more. Only more fearful this time. They wouldn't leave? They ran around and hide behind dead wood. More came running. They would stop and shake. More of the light throwers came. They shot at her. She shook off their light and turned around. Her tail flicked. The trees of the forest shuffled along tangents of roots and fibers. Their bark groaned in anger.

The creatures threw light at them. The trees moaned as they fell. Some righted themselves and dug into the earth. There was a strange feeling as they were pulled by the air out of their place. They fell over on to the ground with a thud. They groaned in dull pain. Heartwood ached at the sight. She turned around and walked to the creatures. They were termites then. Pests to be cleaned out of her roots.

They scattered and screamed. She held them in roots and pulled some down to a place in the earth. They struggled and screamed more in a strange call. She pulled them down until the call was drowned out by earth. There, their call was mixed with the roots of the seedlings. The roots grew towards the call. It made its place in the hollows of the creature. Wounding its way through the hot cavities of the inner most parts.

Moisture filled the ground and soaked up to the top were the grass drank at it. The strange call was more urgent now. It howled and they fled away, back to their nests of dead wood. The new trees and plants crawled across the dirt. They settled down in joy. These creatures would know better than to gnaw on the roots again.

Heartwood smiled. She had taught the little creatures to behave. She turned and walked back to the forest.

Dead Wood and Ink

Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle,

I am writing to you on urgent matters. Yesterday afternoon, precisely at 14:23, the new west fields by the outer region of Fillydephia were under attack from an unknown source. The farmers and field hands had reported unexplained new growth in the area of the plow fields. It had been suspected to be the work of renegades against the clearing of that part of the forest. The new growth had happened the first time right after the clearing of the trees and stumps. The second time came after the fields had been cleared again, plowed, then fertilized.

An attack happened during a stakeout for the culprits. The farmers and field hands camped out by the fields for a week before the unknown came back. Their reports were vague about what creature it exactly was. Some write it was a giant tree wraith. Others said it was a living tree. Another said it looked like a dragon. We are uncertain how true and reliable these descriptions are.

At the moment, fourteen reported deaths are caused by the creature. The cause of death was asphyxiation by tree roots then being dragged underground. Some were strangled to death with the roots above ground when the other farmers tried to pull them to safety. The unicorns tried to attack the creature, but it only shook off the blows.

We humbly request your aid in this venture. The situation has gotten out of hand and we are ill prepared to deal with such an event. Please respond with your answer as soon as possible.

Helden Guard, Chief of Forest Police, Fillydephia

Twilight read through the letter again. She had been sitting in her kitchen when the mailmare came and asked for a signature for an official looking letter. Twilight rubbed her head. Her first official business as princess and it was cleaning up a massacre. What exactly she was to do was vague at best, but it was clear she had to move quickly.

"Spike! Spike! I'm going to need you to pack," she called out. Twilight walked out to the main library while holding up the letter with her magic as she scanned the line of books.

"For what?" Spike came running around the corner. "Is that a letter?" He bent over to look at the floating piece of paper.

"Yes, it seems there's something attacking farmers by Fillydephia. I'll go get the other girls. Can you go pack for me?" She took out a book on magic creatures.

"Sure! Hey, there's a new comic book shop that just opened there. Do you think um... I can go to? Please, Twilight?"

"This isn't a vacation, Spike! It's official work. Most times sent from the Princess herself."

"It's never a vacation." Spike threw up his arms. "Even when we go to somewhere really cool. Can't I just go with to hang out at the store? I won't even be anywhere near where you are." He crossed his arms and pouted.

Twilight sighed. "This is a very grave matter, Spike. Some creature is attacking farmers and I don't want to be worrying about you off alone in the big city." She looked over a map of the area. "It seems too that the place I'm going to is a farm area outside the city. There are smaller towns dotted along the region."

"Then I'll just stay at the hotel all day! Please, Twilight." He folded his hands and stared at her.

Twilight rubbed her forehead. "Spike, I just..you can come. But, you have to be careful and stay at the hotel! I don't want you to be getting hurt."

"Yes!" Spiked jumped for joy and ran off to pack the bags. Twilight shook her head.

Twilight knocked on Pinkie's door. "Pinkie! Pinkie!"

Pinkie groaned and turned over. She was having the best dream! So much sugar and frosting donuts. Would frosting go well with donuts?

Twilight heard hoofsteps and eagerly awaited for the door to open.

"Oh, Pinkie, I just got a let--"

"What is it, Twilight?" Pinkie grumbled the respond and rubbed her eyes. "It's my day off. I want to go dream again."

"Oh, well, I just got a letter from Fillydephia. There's been an attack on farmers by an unknown creature."

"And this couldn't wait until later?" Pinkie blinked at her. "Wait, what!?"

"Ponies have been killed."

"Oh," Her eyes grew wide. "I'll get my bag and meet you at your house."

"Thanks."

"Applejack! Where are you?"

"Over here Sugarcube."

Twilight walked through the rows of trees to where AJ was bucking.

"Hey, we have to go to Fillydephia," Twilight started.

"I don't have much time for that today. I've got the whole Northern field to tend to, a shipment of fertilizer coming in that I've got to sign for, then I've got all my other chores! I'm sorry. Maybe somepony else can come with you." She turned back around and bucked the tree.

"This isn't for fun! Some creature has attacked some farmers! And killed them."

AJ's eyes widened, "I'll go talk to my brother and Granny Smith."

"Okay, meet me at my house."

"Rarity there's a--" Twilight stopped in the doorway. Rarity stood with a mouth full of pins. She looked up from the hemline of a dress she was fitting on a mare. "--Oh, hi." Twilight waved.

"What was that, dear?" Rarity put in the last pins with her magic.

"There's danger in Fillydephia. Ponies have been killed."

"Oh dear" Rarity looked around for her bag. "I'm sorry. Requiem, duty calls."

"But what about my recital!?"

"I'll write you a note and you can go to my friend Velveteen. She'll finish you up!" Rarity exclaimed while pushing the mare out the door.

"Fluttershy--" Twilight gasped for breath "--can you--" she gasped again "--go find Rainbow Dash for me?" Twilight was out of breath from going all around town.

"Oh, okay. What do you need her for? She's usually practicing over the lake during this time." Fluttershy threw seeds on the ground. The birds squawked in excitement.

"There is danger. Ponies getting killed." Twilight took a big breath in. "You're not busy too today are you?"

"Oh dear. Well, I was going feed the rest of my animals but I'll ask Tamer. Don't you worry, I'll go get Rainbow Dash. We'll meet you at your house." She pulled the strings on the seed bag and tied it up.

"Thank you, Fluttershy." Twilight trotted off back to her house.

Twilight trotted up the street towards her home. She held up the book on magical creatures while flipping madly through the pages. A moving tree? A dragon? Or a tree wraith! But a tree dragon? Loud chatting brought her head up from the book and she welcomed the sight of all the girls waiting outside her house.

"Hey, girls. Sorry to pull you away." She tucked the book in her saddle bag.

"It's no problem, Twi. So, what exactly are we facing, cause I've got a few new moves." Rainbow Dash punched the air.

"I don't know."

"What? What do you mean you don't know?" Rainbow deflated.

"The letter wasn't clear about what the thing is. They only have guesses. They keep describing it like some sort of forest wraith. We do know exactly where this incident happened though. We'll be taking the train there as soon as possible." Twilight pulled out the tickets.

"How many died?" AJ asked.

Twilight grimaced. "14."

AJ nodded grimly.

A purple tail exited the doorway of the house, followed by a huge pile of luggage. "I've got all the bags ready! Do you really need all these books?" Spike heaved the bags out of the house and onto a cart.

"Are you sure we should be taking Spike with us?" Applejack asked.

"Yes, I can't be having my little Spikey Wikey in harms way." Rarity added with a squeeze to Spike's face.

"He's just going with us so he can go to a comic store in Fillydephia." Twilight looked over the bag of books. Should she bring more?

"Are you just going to leave him all by his lonesome in a big ol' city?" AJ asked.

"Well, I was thinking after this mission we would go. It'll be a nice trip after dealing with some creature." Twilight pulled open one of the books she was unsure of.

"What about the during? We can't just leave him all alone in some hotel room. He'll get bored and eat his way through more ice cream then your tab can take." Pinkie laughed.

"Well..." They were making some good points.

"Oh please, Twilight! You said I can go. I really really want to go. I'll be good. I promise." He pouted at her.

Twilight sighed and put the book back. "I did say he could come. We'll see about maybe getting a foalsitter to make sure he behaves in the room."

"A foalsitter!? I'm not a little kid!"

"You know what I mean." She gave him a hard look, "We'll just ask if you can stay some where. Like helping out at a library or city hall so you're supervised. This is not a time for you to be running off."

"Okay."

Empty Land

Spike happily bounced in his seat. He was off on an adventure! He and the girls were all walking from the train station. Twilight grumped a little as he was bouncing on her back. They had reached the outskirts of Fillydephia and were on their way to the farm land. The long road was a wide stone path big enough for at least four carts side by side to go along its course through the forest. The green forest trees hung off to the side over the shallow ditch that curved along the road for run off water.

The smell of the air was fresh and clear with insects buzzing in the air. The trees offered shade by the road and some ponies did stop to take a break. Twilight levitated the map. The next turn off was only a few minutes away. It was a smaller road, only two carts wide, running close to the forest. The stone gradually turned to dirt marked up by wheels from the times carts passed through on rainy days.

The forest soon parted and continued to run full to the right side. The left opened to flat fields of new wheat and other grain. They walked along the path branching off toward town. The fields swayed in the wind with hints of a hat here and there. The farm ponies stopped to look at them so Applejack gave a tip of the hat.

The town appeared over the flat land in short time but they still had to walk a while until they finally arrived. It was small and wooden with dirt streets. Overall, it was very simple. It reminded Twilight of Appleloosa, only with more greenery.

It was very quiet. The townsponies darted to alleyways and hung in doorways. As the girls came to the town's center they came to a somber scene. Many coffins sat off the side of the road, being inspected by a woodworker. Some of them were foal sized.

"Princess Twilight! Vat an honor zis is." A grey earth pony in light armor walked up to them. His short purple hair hung over blue eyes that stared at the rest of them.

"Hello, are you Helden Guard, the one who wrote to me?"

"Yes I am. You even remembered my name." He gave a small bow. "But vee don't have much time for pleasantries. Come with me to the main hall."

She nodded and they all followed him. Pinkie kept staring at the coffins. She turned to Fluttershy and whispered, "Do you think there has been more attacks? Or are they just getting ready to be massacred?"

Fluttershy's eyes widened and she could only shake her head.

The inside of the Town's main hall was filled with tables and maps. The workers looked up as they entered. One pony ran forward and grabbed Twilight's hoof.

"Oh, thank Celestia, you've come! We've been so overwhelmed by this thing."

Helden pulled him away and held an arm out between them. "Lit! Mind your manners. I'm sorry Princess. Zis is zee mayor, Pol Lit. Vee've all been on edge lately."

"It's okay. I saw the coffins." Twilight rubbed her hoof.

"Vee've had anozer attack. Two more vere killed. Zee forest around the new field land has been acting very strange. Zee two vere civilians zat had vandered over to take a look. Zee fines had pulled zem apart."

"Eep!" Lit shook.

"Zee vines and trees have been on the move. Zey're coming toward the town."

"Do you know anything about what we're dealing with? Your letter wasn't very clear."

Helden sighed. "Vee don't know. Zee survivors veren't very coherent ven vee got to zem. It sounds like some sort of forest wraith. Zey all agreed it looked like a tree."

"Where are the survivors? I might want to talk to them." Twilight looked around at the hall.

"Zey'll at the hospital. But you'll have time later. For now, vee've got to show you where the attacks vere." Helden nodded his head to the side.

Twilight nodded and they walked over to a table with a large map on it.

"It vas here about 10 miles out of town. Vee had been slowly clearing land and zis vas the latest point." Helden pointed out a circled part on the map.

"There isn't any protection on it," Lit started. "It's not noted as a preserve or dangerous land. We had been given it a few years ago for new farm land by the city council of Fillydephia. We did have some backlash from those that didn't want the land razed and that's why we thought it was renegades. We weren't prepared for anything else."

"Okay, well, we're going to have to see this place. I brought along some of my books and have been trying to look up what's been sited. But so far, nothing comes up. It's either something new or never seen before." Twilight still had the luggage with her at the time. Her books could be seen poking out of a bag.

"Never seen! How are we suppose to defeat it then?" Lit panicked.

"Don't ya worry. We've been up against worse things." Applejack put a hoof on his shoulder.

"Hmm, can I take this map? I want to see if it correlates with any other know sightings of strange creatures."

"Oh, yes, of course. Anyzing you need Princess." Helden nodded.

"Can we go see the survivors now too? If there isn't anything else."

"Yes, I'll take you," Helden said.

"Um, excuse me," Fluttershy said. They looked at her. "Can I go out later, with some pony of course, to near the site? I want to see if I can get any answers from the animals."

"That's brilliant Flutters! I'll come with you too," Rarity said.

"I'll come as well. You might need some muscle," Applejack added.

"How about we split up then?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I don't like the idea of splitting up so soon," Twilight said. "Maybe after we visit the hospital and settle in."

"Yeah! And we've got to leave little Spikey somewhere." Pinkie said.

"You're right! I totally forgot."

"Aww, but I wanted to come." Spike crossed his arms.

"No." Twilight turned to the guard pony. "Helden, can you take Spike to the hotel for me? And maybe have someone take the bags as well."

"Uhhhh." Spike complained.

Helden chuckled, "He can stay vith me if you don't mind. I am going on my rounds in a moment. Guard Den! Get Outer and take these bags to the inn."

"That sounds fine," Twilight said. Spike gave a whoop and ran to Helden's side.

The girls followed Helden and Spike as they walked to the hospital. It was a simple wooden building that had been painted white. Helden greeted the mare at the front then turned to the girls.

"Nurse Lightwind vill take you zere."

"Okay, thanks. I'll see you later, Spike." Twilight hugged him and they all said good bye.

Spike still moped as he and Helden Guard walked out of the building. He kicked at the dirt. "I wanted to go with them."

"It's not so bad. Zere's a time and place for everyone."

Spike crossed his arms.

Helden looked around then smiled. "Do you vant to learn somezing cool?"

Spike's eyes widen. He nodded excitedly.

"Come along zen."

"Hold it closer to your mouth. Yes, like zat." Helden said. He had taken Spike with him to the archery range. Spike was given a very real, but child sized bow. After Helden showed him what to do, Spike got into position with his arm pulling back the string. He looked along the shaft of the arrow towards the target. He breathed out and let his fingers loosen. The arrow hit right near the red center.

"Brilliant! Your sight is very good."

Spike gave a whoop and danced around.

"Now zat you have zat down, you can come vith me on my rounds."

"Really?"

"Yes. Now come along."

Spike walked with Helden around the town. He felt so cool! He had a quiver and bow on his back. He was even given a vest with the sheriff logo on it.

"This is so great! I never get to do anything."

"You are very young."

"I'm not that young! Sometimes I feel more mature than Twilight when she's being all crazy again." Spike spun his finger in a circle by his head and stuck out his tongue.

Helden smiled in amusement. "You are still young enough. You do not need zee pressures of adulthood on you just yet."

"But I want pressures. I want responsibility." Spike threw up his arms. "They all see me as just a baby. When are they suppose to see me as a teenager or just older?" He put his hands on his hips.

"Hmm, I don't know. How old are you as a dragon? How do dragons age?" Helden tilted his head at the young dragon.

Spike tapped his lip. "Well, I don't know. I did go through this one growth spurt and got all big like an adult but that was only because of greed."

"Do you need greed to grow up? And if zat's zee case, if you never fulfill your greed, vill you stay small?"

"I... I don't know. I don't want that. It didn't feel right." Spike's face went grey at the thought of the greed growth.

"I'm sorry about zat." Helden nodded to a market vendor then turned back to the dragon. "Vat do you do for zee Princess?"

"Oh, I'm her number one assistant! I help out in the library and hang out with her. I'm always cleaning up her mess after she gets study crazy." Spike laughed.

"Zat sounds nice."

The market place was very quiet compared to Ponyville. Glistering in the sun light, Spike smiled at some wind chimes. The ponies gave them no attention either which Spike found a little odd. Everyone was so friendly in Ponyville! But here, they gave them as much of a glance before moving back to their business. Spike looked up at Helden Guard. He didn't seem to mind or even notice.

"Yeah, I live with her. She's like my big sis." He shrugged. "We used live in Canterlot. I've lived with Princess Celestia too. She was like my mom but also like my boss. Kinda like how it's with Twilight. Twilight used to visit all the time until I was old enough to live with her." Spike smiled up at the guard pony.

"Zat sounds exciting. Do you miss zee castle?" Helden looked at Spike.

"Hmm, I don't think so." He shook his head. "I am used to the big place with all the fancy carpets and nobles. But, I don't exactly miss it. I think I mostly miss the library. We used to live there in the formal servant's quarters." Spike chuckled a little. "We live in the library in Ponyville now. I think I miss the gardens as well. They were so cool."

"Wonderful. You must be very smart."

"Oh, you know it, comes with the territory. Hey, can I learn some sword work later?" Spike's eyes brightened.

"Maybe, if you listen to me and be good all day." Helden smirked.

"Yes!"

In the Unquiet Silence

"Okay, thanks. I'll see you later Spike." Twilight hugged him and they all said good bye.

Nurse Lightwind guided them to the back, through a hallway and passed closed doors. The painted white wooden walls looked raw. The doors creaked as they walked by. At the back of the hospital was the mental ward. It sat closed and cold.

She opened the doors and they followed. At the end of the main room, the patients sat shivering. Their wounds could be seen sneaking out from under the bandages. Rope burns and scrapes reddened their skin. The twisting vines had torn at their skin wishing to be let in. They dragged them down hungering for the refreshing drink that ran in their veins.

The survivors weren't very coherent when we got to them. It sounds like some sort of forest wraith. They all agreed it looked like a tree. Twilight shivered again. She walked forward to the closest one.

"Um, excuse me? Can I have a moment to talk to you?" She crept slowly towards the stallion.

"What! What? What is it? Where is it?" His arms pressed hard around his body. He gripped himself ever tighter.

"Please. Tell me. What was it you saw?" She implored quietly.

"It... It was a tree. It was huge. As big as the surrounding trees, no! Even bigger! The vines oh the vines..." He pressed his eyes shut as tight as they would go.

"I'm sorry, but please, what else. What exactly did it look like?"

"It... well, it looked sort of like a dragon."

"A dragon?" She looked at the other girls. They looked just as surprised.

They walked back to the city hall. The rest of the patients had said the same things. It looked like a tree, the vines attacked them, it resembled a dragon as well.

"A dragon that looks like a tree. Or a tree that looks like a dragon. How odd." Twilight muttered to herself.

"Now, hold zee sword firmly. Good. Raise it up over your head and strike down." Helden Guard smiled. Spike had gotten the hang of the sword pretty quick. He had been sloppy at first, just swinging it around. But now he was practicing the basic forms.

"Just know, in a real battle, no one vill care about correct form, but, it is very important. It's about skill." Helden swung the sword in an arc, "Technique." He passed it from hoof to hoof. "And talent." He struck the wooden pole with the sword in mouth. He took it out. "Remembering how to swing the sword correctly is a matter of life and death."

Spike smiled and got into position. There were six areas of the body. High, middle, and low, left and right side.

"Hey! This part is sort of like fencing. I've done this a little with some of guard ponies." He struck out in a fencing pose.

"Yes, zat is correct. You vill find zat some principles carry over. Oh, greetings, Princess." Helden bowed to Twilight.

"Hello Helden. Has Spike been good?"

"Yes, very much so. He is a very good student." He smiled at Spike who blushed.

"Look, look! I have a bow and arrow, and a sword too! I'm like a real knight now." Spike puffed out his chest.

Twilight chuckled and tilted her head. "Are you sure you should be having those? They aren't toys."

"I know that! Helden said to 'Only point at a target you are villing to kill,' " he said in his best imitation.

"I guess. Come on. We're going to the hotel we're staying at. It's called the Carrie Inn. We need to discuss the plans for our next move."

"Alright then. Bye, Helden! I'll keep practicing!"

Helden nodded and walked away as well.

"... It's all so cool you've got to see me. It's like a zis and like zis." Spike swung the sword.

"Hey! Don't be swinging that so much. I still can't believe he gave you a real sword." Twilight huffed.

"We're here!" Twilight announced as they entered the room. The girls had two rooms to sleep in but were all currently in the main banquet room for planning.

"Hey, Twilight!" Pinkie waved at her.

"Hi, girls. Spike, put those things down now. We're inside."

Spike grumped at her and put down the bow and quiver. He keep the sword though and walked to the far part of the room to practice.

"Wow! That's so cool!" Pinkie remarked.

"Isn't it? Helden gave it to me. I'm practicing to be a soldier like him," Spike said proudly. Rarity giggled.

Spike stabbed the empty air as he imagined the six points and stuck out at them. He raised the sword and struck it down over and over until arms were getting tired. At times, he would look over at the girls as they talked over the map. Spike sat on the chair, picking up his cup of water and sipped from the straw. The girls all looked so grown up. It was always so odd to him. On a normal day, they were just ponies of Ponyville. Going to market, taking walks, playing games. But here they were planning a defense against an unknown creature of the forest.

Twilight was pursing her lips. That could only mean she was in deep thought. She tapped her lips now. Did she have an idea? No, she looked at the map with frustration.

Spike looked around the room but it was plain and wooden. The top part of the walls were plastered white with pictures of landscapes of hills and forests. Couldn't they just have put in a window? Those things are right outside.

Oh hey! The girls were getting up.

"So where are we going?" Spike jumped off the chair.

"You are staying here. I'm going to go look for more sightings of strange creatures with Pinkie, Rainbow, and Rarity. Applejack and Fluttershy are going to look into communicating with the animals."

"What! But I want to do something." Spike complained.

"Why don't you go to the city hall then? I think they would enjoy having an excellent assistant like you there."

Spike kicked at the dust. "Fine."

It was odd. The forest was silent. There were trees scattered along the way to the new field clearing. Fluttershy smelt it first, fresh dirt and metallic. A barricade was set up down the path. It looked unharmed. Broken logs and twigs started to cover the ground. The ruins of a barricade came within sight. A red tinge covered parts of the shattered wood. The open field was covered with saplings and full trees but they could tell the ground had been recently dug up.

Copper smell and red stains were all that was left of the ponies underfoot. Applejack shuffled uncomfortably on the dirt. They walked closer to the field. There were no sounds of bird song. Fluttershy looked around more closely. They both cautiously trotted through the trees. Nothing was stirring.

The tree line for the forest came within sight. They stopped to listen. The only sound was the shaking of leaves in the wind. Fluttershy was trembling when Applejack looked over to her. She looked at Applejack with uncertainty. Applejack nodded to the forest. They needed answers.

The shadows of the forest fell on them with owl wings. Quick and silent, it only promised death. Fluttershy strained her ears for the sound of birds, squirrels, anything. There was only nothing.

The two of them now wish they had the other girls with them. They were out here in enemy territory. The lush underbrush gave what little sound there was to the forest. They both stopped and looked around. Fluttershy cringed and held her eyes shut. It was too strange to her.

"Hello! Is anybody there!?" Fluttershy called out.

"Wha... By golly, Flutters, you've got to be quiet."

"Hello!! Anybody! Anything! Where are you?" Fluttershy ran around calling out. Applejack tried in vain to get her to quiet down. The noise covered any that might have been made by another creature.

A bird flew down into Fluttershy's face. She squeaked in fright then realized what it was.

"A bird! Hello, friend." Fluttershy was still twitching with nerves.

It chirped back to her. Applejack calmed down as well. Fluttershy talked with the bird for a few minutes. Her face was contorted in confusion. She shook her head. Finally, she looked defeated and nodded.

"So?"

"It's... I don't know." Fluttershy shook her head.

They got back to the hotel near night fall. The girls and Spike all crowded in one of the bedrooms.

"It's so strange." Twilight started, "There have been no sightings before of any 'tree creatures'. I've looked through every reference book I could find. Nothing. No mention of dragons or trees intermixed."

"It was too quiet. No birds. No little animals." Fluttershy's eyes were wide. "We did managed to find one bird." A strained smile crossed her face.

"What did it say?" Twilight asked.

"It was confusing. It said we shouldn't mess with the tree dragon. That it is a part of the forest, it's not bad, it's just protecting the land. I couldn't understand all of what it was saying. It kept going on about the land, the trees, moving land in the forest. About living in the dragon. I don't get it." She shook her head and sighed. "I asked why there were no animals in the area. It said it was because it was tainted land. They were too scared to go back yet."

"This is just great." Twilight rubbed her forehead, "Let's get some rest. We have a lot to do tomorrow."

Clearings of Knowledge

The next day brought nothing new. Pinkie, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash had all left to find any information in the neighboring towns. They came back empty handed. Fluttershy had venture along the forest line to ask the critters about the tree creature. They all gave her mixed signals on its nature. Applejack and Twilight had been busy reassuring the townspeople and looking through more books Twilight had summoned from her library.

"Ugh! It's all just nothing!" Twilight had thrown her arms up and now was laying face down on the table in the banquet room. "Not a single word."

"It'll be alright, Twilight. Whatever this thing is doesn't seem to be hanging around too often. It's sightings have weeks in between."

"I know. It's just so frustrating. I think I might have to message the Princess. I just don't know what this could be." Twilight waved a hoof around.

"I think that would be a good idea. But also, think of this. It's a tree right? We could always just burn it if we need to." AJ leaned on a hoof.

"That is correct. I just don't think I like the idea of burning a creature to death. Igg." Twilight shuttered. "I would much rather see if we can't come to an agreement. Fluttershy did say that it was just protecting the land."

"It's also killed. I'm not sure how far an agreement will go."

Twilight nodded mostly to herself. "Let's go find Spike."

She picked up a piece of parchment and pen. Applejack chuckled. She lead the way to made sure the purple pony didn't run into anything while writing.

"Aaaaha!" The sword clanked on the metal of Helden Guard's sword. "Awww. I thought I had you."

"Too soon. Now, I know it can be hard to do, but try to be quiet ven swinging the sword. Taken in a breath ven attacking. You don't vant to vaste breath on yelling nor do you vant the enemy to know you are zere."

"Oh, I guess that's good to know." Spike rubbed his arm.

"You are better zan I could have imagined. You pick up the lessons so quickly. I vould say vee are already on zee intermediate level."

"Yeah, I get that a lot. This is fun too!" He had been rubbing his arm while blushing but now he pointed his sword up to the sky. "This is so exciting. I keep thinking about it. Oh, I was practicing with the bow earlier today too. I'm pretty good at it." He leaned on the sword like a cane.

Helden chuckled. "Quick to pick up, but too quick to be sure of yourself. Humility vill safe your life more times zan you vill zink. Never give zee enemy an opening. Arrogance and pride vill be all zey need to know about you to be able to kill you."

"Heh, that is true. You're so smart! How did you end up out here in the countryside?"

"Vell," He sat down on the ground. "I lived my early life in Germareny until I vas about thirteen. Zen my parents surprised me vith telling me vee vere moving. I vas so mad. I didn't vant to move. But vee did. Vee moved all the vay to middle of novere. Out in the countryside. I hated it."

Spike chuckled and sat next to him.

"I hated everyzing and everybody. I had already gotten my cutie mark. I vanted to be a proud guard and solider. I trained vith zee local police and an old former var veteran. Zen my parents die. They died in a construction accident vile in the city. A large pole fell from its bindings."

"I'm so sorry."

"It's fine. I vas so mad. I hated zem and being out in the middle of novere. So, I left. I vent to a city and became a guard pony. I vas in the guard for a vile until zere vas a fight on the border of main Equestria and Germareny. I vas zere to fight for months. I hated it even more. It was zen zat I learned of more fighting. Zere vere factions zat vanted to take over the country. My parents didn't vant me as a guard pony in our own country, having to kill my own ponies.

"I left the guard after zee fighting vas stopped. I had no vere else to go. So, I come back to zee countryside vere I had been living. It vas so nice. All zee time in the world is out here. I'm a part of zee forest patrol now. I vatch zis town and a few other towns as vell. I and my squad get called in to monitor the forest. We go on missions to safe lost folk and keep wolves out of zee fields. I don't regret it."

"Not at all?"

"No, I am happy here. I move from town to town helping the good country folk and valk in zee forest. I am also, um, I'm not made for zee front lines. I never vant to have to shoot another pony ever again. Not like zat at least."

"Yeah, that makes sense."

"Now! Enough rest. You need more practice." He smiled at Spike.

Spike was on another break when Twilight and Applejack showed up.

"Spike! There you are. I need you to send a letter to the princess."

"Why's that, Twilight?"

"I need to see if she knows anything about this tree dragon thing."

Spike nodded, took the letter and sent it.

"Good, now I just have to wait for her reply. Are you being good?"

"Yep! Helden says I'm a natural." He grinned.

"Really?" Twilight said with a laugh, "Want to show me a few things? I could use the mental break."

Spike's face lit up and he ran off to get his bow as well.

"Maybe we should try to lure it out?" Rainbow Dash said. She was upside down on the bed with her head hanging off the edge.

Spike was sitting on his bed looking at the scabbard Helden had given him. It was a plain leather and wood sword sheath at the moment. Helden had said Spike should decorate it as he used it. Spike looked down at it like a precious tome empty at first sight. How he wished he had something to decorate it with right now! He could always put in carvings of past events like the Crystal Heart or when Rarity turned into a nightmare version of herself. But the point was to put in things he had done with the sword. He hugged it to himself. He felt so content.

The quiver and bow were plain as well. He thought about times he might have to use it. Exciting times with him as the hero! His face fell a little as he thought about it more. A comment Helden had made was nagging at him. He never wanted to shoot another pony. Would Spike have to kill anyone? These aren't like a kitchen knife or a shield. Their purpose is to kill. Would the marking on the scabbard only serve to remind him of the horrible things he had to do with the sword? Spike sighed in annoyance.

"Are you getting tired?"

Spike jolted and looked up at Twilight, "No, I was just thinking about some stuff Helden had told me."

"Hehe, you really seem to like this guy Spiky." Pinkie was jumping on the bed Rainbow was upside down on.

"Yeah! He's super cool and has this weird but equally cool accent, and he treats me like an adult," Spike pointed out.

"Well I'm glad for you. I have always felt you needed more of a male role model to look up to," Applejack commented. She was laying back on the headboard of Spike's bed.

"Yeah, well, for a while Twilight's brother was like my role model. He's the one who told me all about being a knight. Shining used to even read me and Twilight knight stories when we went to bed. He's cool."

"Haha, that's so cute. I can just imagine you and a little Twilly cuddled up for bed," Rarity cooed. She was on a bed to herself.

Twilight blushed. "My brother is pretty cool. He introduced Spike to some guard at our old library to talk to when I was busy studying."

"Oh yeah, I told Helden about how I learned some fencing from the guards."

"That's nice," Fluttershy said. She was on the floor with Twilight laying with a pillow under her front hooves.

"So, what's the plan?" Spike asked.

"We think we might have to lure it out." A gloom fell over the room when Twilight recounted the decision.

"How are you going to do that?" Spike asked.

Twilight sighed. "We are going to have to do what lured it out those other times. We will tear up the field and hope it comes before the vines start to attack. We don't quite know if they are set to attack without it there or if it controls them."

"Oh, that sounds dangerous." Spike looked down at the scabbard.

"Yeah, that's why we need to get a good night's sleep and plan it all out in the morning." Twilight dictated.

The girls nodded. Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie said their goodnights and left for their room. Applejack and Fluttershy got in their beds.

"Move all that out will you?" Twilight asked nicely. Spike sheathed his sword and set it by the bow and quiver leaning on the wall. Twilight wrapped her arms around Spike. "I hope you never get too big to be able to hug."

"Hey, I've got to grow sometime. Don't jinx me," Spike joked. "Just like when we were younger and I was at your house for the night, huh?"

"Yeah, goodnight, number one."

"Goodnight, Twilight."

Creaking branches snapped back into position. Leaves shook violently on the branches giving a cacophony to the still night. The small footfalls of critters were the only sign of forest life as the bird were all asleep in their hollows.

Heartwood walked.

The small bird had told a song of the small creatures venturing into the forest by the torn land. It was still alive like she left it. She smiled. One of the creatures though, had been able to talk to the bird. That was an odd thought. The call of one creature did not transcend to the call of another. Birds called to birds. Birds did not call to a squirrel. So, how did this strange creature call to a bird? She shook at the memory of their light hitting the trees.

She will go again to that place. How many times had she come there already? She did not think in terms of numbers. There was only the sun and the moon. The earth and the sky. Seasons came to bring the land to sleep. All sleep under the cold still rain that littered the ground. She looked up. Did she still remember what a moon and sun were? They were the strange light that flowed in the sky. Her eyes had watched them for a long time once. The only movement was her eyes trailing the turning sky. Then she had walked on.

The Wandering Land

Spike squinted and rubbed his eyes. He rolled over on his back then looked around. Twilight was on her side lightly snoring. He chuckled and felt heavy as he heaved himself into a sitting up position. Spike stretched his arms up then swung his legs over the side. It seemed no one was awake yet. He grinned and snatched up his weapons. He ran for the door, stopping only long enough to leave the girls a note.

The morning in the countryside was crisp and clear. He breathed in deeply and looked towards the training grounds for the forest patrol ponies. His bag of gems for lunch bounced on his hip while he ran. He felt so cool! His chest flooded with excitement as the forest raced by his side. But then, he stopped and stared. The path to the new fields. Spike looked over his shoulder to the horizon. He had time before Helden started his rounds in this town. The grey stallion started each day with a morning patrol of the town, then spent a few hours with Spike at the training grounds before going back on patrol after lunch. He stopped by the grounds for a while during dinner hours then did his evening patrol by the forest then went back to the town to meet up with the evening guards.

Spike loved going on rounds with him after training. He felt so grown up walking with Helden. He never talked to him like he was young or looked at him like a child when he messed up. Zere is no reason for me to do so. If one treats a pony as a child zee pony vill stay a child. Spike remembered the words Helden told him when explaining why he treated him like a new recruit. That made Spike all the more sad to know Helden rotated what towns he patrolled. In a week's time, he'll be in the next town over. Which wouldn't be so bad if the towns weren't miles apart. Ugh, I might not even be here for a week! Either way, he was going to miss Helden. I should get an address so I can send him letters.

The path to the field lands was well worn. The ponies had started it as a forest path but since the clearing happened, the dragged logs and plows gave it a wide berth from the meadows and small patches of trees. The morning sun was still weak but everything was lit up.

Spike noticed a strange but familiar smell. Then he noticed the still whole barricade. Wow. The twigs scattered around snapped and crackled under his feet. The shattered barricade came into view. He now knew what the smell was. He shuddered. The clearing itself looked unremarkable. There were small young trees, there were big old trees, and some bushes here and there. His brow wrinkled. There weren't any vines here. Maybe it was roots they were talking about.

He shrugged and walked on. His foot fell into a patch of loose dirt. He looked down and recoiled in disgust. The patch of dirt was red and caved in. He pulled his foot back. This must have been where the ponies had been dragged down. He gulped and watched where he put his feet.

Wow, I see now why Fluttershy had freaked out. It is too quiet. Spike looked up at the trees. Nothing moved.

He walked and turned to look at everything. The bushes stood there like they had always been there. He walked backwards a few steps and fell over a root.

"Hey! Oww, of course I would fall." He got up and rubbed his backside. He turned around to face the forest. Was something moving? Fluttershy and Applejack had said they saw a bird. Hey! Maybe the animals are coming back. He should go see if they will agree to go see Fluttershy. They might know something new.

Spike walked bristly into the main forest. He looked up at the tree tops. There was nothing to the plain eye to see. He had better eye sight than a pony but he wasn't train in tracking and hunting. Spike thought to himself that he needs to remember to ask Helden if he could train him in a little forest patrolling. He slid down a slope. The ground was covered in light brush and pebbles. Not a lot grew in the shade of the thick trees.

There! Movement in the corner of his eye. He turned sharply and stared ahead. Darn, nothing. He relaxed. No use getting all worked up. Spike thought to himself but he couldn't shake the sudden feeling of being watched. He walked faster.

"Oh, no. Come on, Spike. Get a hold of yourself! We're in here to look for movement. We need to find a bird or a chipmunk for Fluttershy. But, they had said they were going to lure it out." He stopped stilled. "Lure it out. Which means it has to be close right? It does have to be close. Otherwise, how would they lure it out. It's like a fish in a lake. It has to...be...here." Spike cringed and curled up into himself. He looked around with wide eyes.

What was he to do now!? It could be watching him.

"Hello, Helden." Twilight yawned and drank from her cup of coffee. She had gotten up early today so she had started going over the map of the area again. She stood hunched over the marked up map of the forest.

"Hello, Princess. How is zee mission going?" He sat on the other side of the table.

Twilight sighed. "I can't really say at the moment. It's both going and not going. I still don't know what this thing is or if it even is still in this area. Applejack had made a point that it had been weeks in between the sightings. We have a plan to lure it out by tearing up some trees."

"Are you sure zat is vise? I vasn't zere ven it happened but all zee ponies claim a monster. I am here if you need any back up."

Twilight smiled sweetly. "Thanks so much Helden, you have been a big help. But I don't need you there. We can handle it ourselves, and besides, I don't think Spike will forgive me if his favorite person in the world got hurt."

Helden laughed. "Nov zat is not somezing you hear everyday. Are you absolutely sure? I vouldn't vant you girls going in vithout help. Vat if you got hurt? I zink zat could upset our young dragon even more."

"No, no." Twilight shook her head more seriously. "This is now royal affairs. We Elements are going to take care of the problem and it wouldn't be wise to drag in others. I know each of my friends can take care of herself. We work well as a team. I don't want to chance distraction from an outsider."

"You speak as if I am a civilian. But I do understand vere you are coming from. Royal matters." He nodded in agreement. "Vere is our young dragon by zee vay? Still asleep, hmm? He has been working so hard and it's only been two days!" He chuckled. "I vorry he might strain himself but he is much more durable zen he looks."

Twilight nodded as she took another sip of coffee. "Hhmm ahh, he left a note saying he woke up early and went out to the training grounds."

"Hmm, thank you. I vill go zere ven I pass by on my rounds. Good day to you."

"Good day!" Twilight smiled and waved as he left.

Spike unpleasantly felt his heart pound in his ears coupled with a knotted up stomach. He slowly backed away from the forest. He turned around to face where he had just come from. He gripped his hands to his chest.

"Come on, Spike. Nothing's out here, not even any animals. It was just the wind." He walked as quickly as his fear stiffened legs would let him.

He kept turning his head every which way so much it was obvious after the fact that he would eventually run into something or trip. His face proved it when it met the hard wood of a tree. Oww. Spike looked up as he rubbed his face. The brown bark was covered in moss and twisted around like it was made up of different vines pressed together.

"Huh, how weird." It didn't look like any of the trees he had seen before. He would have noticed this one tree from the rest. It was huge, moss covered and not smooth like the others. To put it plainly, it stuck out like a sore thumb. The sound of chirping and rustling brought his attention to the tree top. "Hey! Animals."

He grinned and laughed at himself. Getting all worked up over what turned out to be just what he was looking for.

"Hi there!"

His smile froze on his face. The tree moved. It creaked and shuffled over. He could now see three other tree trunks just like it. Sunshine fell on him when the wings folded in. He was standing in a clearing he remember passing earlier. A long fifth tree trunk curled down from the canopy of the true trees. It looked just like the face of a dragon. Two smaller trees crowned it as horns. He stared into what looked like a knot in the middle of a hollow. It was the eye of the creature.

Spike gaped at the creature. "Aaaaahhhh... hi?" He waved stiffly.

It looked at him. It shifted around until it was mostly facing him with its body partially wrapped around him. Its tail curled up on the clearing floor. Spike stood still watching the creature move. Should he run? He was afraid of what might happen if it decided to give chase. Its face seemed to regard him before shaking its head. Spike didn't know what to do so he simply stood there as still as he could.

A loud snapping noise accompanied its grand mouth opening. Spike shut his eyes tight. He was ram rod still as the creature's breath wafted onto him.

Creaking noise filled the air. "Aaaaeeeeeehhhhh." He peeked open an eye. Did it just talk? Groaning noises of trees being pulled sounded out. "Eeeeeeaaaaaaaahhhhhhh." It seemed to prompt him.

"Um, I'm Spike." He said awkwardly.

The rustling of leaves was an odd sound to hear out of a mouth. "Ssssssssshhhhhhhhssssssss."

"I'm a dragon." He added.

The snapping sound of trees in winter entered the summer forest. "Kkkkkkccccccceeeeeeeeee."

Spike felt so nervous his brain started to shut down. He found himself babbling on just to delay the inevitable. "I'm only about 12 years old right now. Actually, it's kinda complicated. I'm 10 years old but dragons age differently and I'm starting puberty so my mental age is going leaps and bounds beyond normal ponies."

More creaking sound came as it moved its lips and tongue. "Cccccccceeeeee. Ddddddddddddeeeeeeee. Sssssssshhhhhheeeeee. Pppppppppaaaaaaaaa. Kkkkkccccccceeeeeeeee."

"Yeah! That's my name. Spike!" He jumped up pumping a fist. He grinned ear to ear. It could talk! Maybe they could come to an understanding of some sort. "Who are you?"

It took a few minutes for it to work out the syllables. Its mouth had been grown over by moss, vines, and other plants.

"HHhheeeearrrtttaa. Wwwoooodddddeee."

"Heartwood? That's cool." He looked around at it. It most definitely looked like a dragon. "Are you a dragon?"

It nodded.

"Really!?" Spike couldn't believe it. "How? You don't look like any dragon I know. Well, that I've seen. I went to the migration. There were all sorts of weird dragons but none that look like you."

"AAAeeee aaammm Heeearrttewwoodde. Iiiee hhhaavvee seeccekconddd deeaatthh."

"Huh? Second death? What does that mean?" He posed thinking.

"Iii noootttee ffiirrrssttt death."

"Well, your speech is starting to clear up."

"Yoouu aareee Spike. Yoouu arree Arccanee."

"Arccanee, arcane? Like arcane magic? Grr, I don't get it." He held his head in frustration. It laughed. The sound of laughter was like wind blowing through wooden poles. It still spoke in broken syllables but he could now understand what she was saying. Or at least it was sounding like a she.

"That is what you are. Knowledge seeker. Hoarder of gems for archiving written and unwritten knowledge. You will become a library of stone one day. Much as I will be a mound in a forest one day."

"I don't get it. A library of stone? It sounds cool and all, but what does it mean?"

"You. Do you know your kind?"

"No. I've lived with Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight all my life. They're ponies."

"Ahhhh. Ponies." She nodded. "One time long ago, during my first life, dragons of all realms came together with young ponies. They each gave an egg in the name of peace. All peace between the races in exchange of the eggs. Many others had done so as well. Their children didn't grow. They were hatched only to die soon after. The hatching, only same magic make it grow. You survived from the energy of your mother. Her pure arcane magic reacted with your life. Her nature of knowledge matched your own. You hatch and you live." She stared at him.

"Wow. That's... she isn't really my mother. Twilight I mean. She's more like a big sis. Or a mentor. I look up to her. But, I also care about her. She's my family." He chuckled and shook his head at the irony. "Who would have thought Twilight's eggheadedness would be what saved me. But what is all this? I've never heard anything about this." He put his arms on his hips.

"Time. Time passes beyond us. I grow old. I die. Then I return to my realm and live till my second death. Ponies, small creatures. Yes, the same small creatures I had seen. Not seen them for so long. I forget all and everything. Small creatures die quickly. They die and leave nothing behind. All forget."

"I can understand that. Ponies sure don't live very long compared to a dragon. Some dragons take hundred year naps."

Spike shook his head. He hated where this was going. His heart felt heavy every time he thought about the differences in the races. He looked at Heartwood. Is this how he was going to end up one day? So old he would forget everything... and everyone. To look back and only feel he had known some ponies before yet can't remember their faces. To not even know what a pony is?

He looked at her with wonder and the sadness of understanding. I don't think she even understands what she did. He huffed and rubbed his head before looking back at her.

"Let's go back. Twilight and the others need to talk to you. You shouldn't have hurt those ponies like that." He waved a finger at her. "Now everyone thinks you're some sort of tree monster."

She titled her head at him. She then lowered her head so he could climbed on top. The feeling of being elevated filled his stomach. Spike looked at the scenery. It was amazing!

The bright canopy of leaves swayed out of their way. A sea of greens rippled on the horizon as he could see over the tops of the forest. Her back was covered in lush greenery and fertile earth. The smell of spring was strong here. Chipmunks scurried across between bushes. Birds chirped songs in hollows of open wood. Her flesh was wood. Her blood was a stream. To decompose into earth and layer onto yourself a hill of life. The body dies to become dirt so the grass can grow. So the animals can eat the grass so animals could eat animals.

The roots of seedlings grew into her dead flesh. They sprouted leafs then raised up towards the sun. They were made tall by her nutrition. The strength of the trees gave her limbs the ability to stand. The roots and vines held the earth together. What had once been blood now ran clear. Wading into pools or stepping into streams, she replenished her supply. She was the earth. She was the greenery. The sun gave her system of greenery energy. The system grew.

Spike felt a sense of awe and wonder as he sat atop this creature. He could understand now what she had been talking about. She had been like him at one time. Then she died. It was a first death all achieve but now she was alive again. She had returned to her 'realm'. He guessed she had been a nature dragon. She would live like this until her second death when she became a mount of earth in the forest.

His brow furrowed. But what of him? A library of stone. Will he wonder around, knowing nothing until his body became stone? He shook his head. But what of the library part? I guess I'm just going to have to wait and ask her more later.

Seasons Gone

Twilight and the girls approached the west fields. They looked at the scattered trees and plants that marked the land battles between the farmers and the tree wraith.

"Should we clean up the debris, Twi? I don't want to be thrown and stuck through with a broken log," Applejack commented. Twilight eyed the mess. She felt rushed to lure out the beast already so she can take care of it. But Applejack was right.

"Yeah, let's clean up first," she sighed.

Spelled up rakes and levitation made quick work of taking apart the shattered barricades. Pinkie and Applejack muscled some of the huge logs towards the thicker parts of the tree patches. Rarity transformed the largest of the broken pieces into sawdust. Rakes ground into the softened dirt pulling twigs, leaves, and roots into piles. Twilight narrowed her eyes. She had been practicing with an age spell.

"Stand back, girls."

She pointed her horn and took a solid stance. The purple glow of magic lit up bright then struck out towards the piles. Slowly, the sawdust and other plant debris melted into dark browns. Twilight blew out a breath. She stood up tall and inspected the work. The piles of plant debris were now a bunch of compost on the ground. She looked around at the path area. The huge logs were safely out of the way. Twilight nodded. This was good.

"I think everything is ready. Are you girls ready?" Twilight said.

"Ha, what are you getting all nervous for Twilight? The thing might not even be around. Let's just get the field cleared." Rainbow Dash sped off to grab a sapling before Twilight could protest.

It pulled out of the ground with a ripping sound. Dark earth fell from the clumps on the tangled roots as Rainbow tossed it. The snapping thud announced the start of the clearing. Applejack gave a whoop and bucked at an older tree with all her strength. Its roots tore out of the ground throwing up a spray of dirt. Pinkie jumped up to swing from branches pulling the smaller trees over. She laughed as she fell on the soft dirt after it came down.

Rarity sniffed at the rambunctious display. She trotted over to an area with smaller plants. She smiled and turned the bushes into her topiaries. They stood up in a pot made of roots. Fluttershy came over and complimented at them. She had been left behind by her more energetic friends. She smiled shyly as she helped to move the topiaries off to the side. Twilight on the other hand, felt the sweat drip down her face. She strained from the force of pulling a huge old tree from the ground. It lifted up and she manuvered to float it to the forest line.

Pinkie and Applejack peeked at what she was doing. They realized her intent and ran over to dig a new hole for it. They did the same for the other trees too big to simply tear down. The field was now littered with the felled trees. Twilight walked around to make compost of the plants. The late morning sunshine was starting to heat up the air. Pinkie busied herself with hopping around over the still open holes. Fluttershy helped Rarity and Applejack with filling the holes back in. Rainbow and Twilight did a bit of raking to spread out the compost. In the end, the clearing was now, well, clear.

"Ooweee, look at that. I'd say this worked out faster than snow clearing in Winter Wrap up." Applejack stood proud fanning herself with her hat.

"Yeah!" Pinkie shouted. "I thought we were just going to pull a few weeds out. Not clear the whole thing! Wee, I wonder what they are going to grow here?" Pinkie hopped back and forth over the huge hole from the first tree Twilight pulled.

The trees of the forest moved, and a distinct dragon head rose up from it. The eyes of the tree wraith stared down at them.

"Ohhhh sss..." Rainbow Dash started. She cut off the next word in lieu of joining up with the other girls.

"I thought it wouldn't be around!?" Fluttershy shook.

"We thought is the main word there. We hoped is another word to use." Rarity said.

The mane six, Representatives of the Elements of Harmony, stood in line ready for battle. Twilight stood slightly in front and called out to the creature.

"We are the Elements of Harmony. I, Princess Twilight, demand to know your reasoning for killing ponies of Equestria. You will face punishment for the crime of murder." She could see it clearly in across the empty land.

It tilted its head at her. The rustling of leaves echoed to them. It seem to smile. Was it laughing? Or simply regarding her? Twilight scowled.

"What do you have to say in your defense?" She called out in her strongest voice. It was all justified anger and authority.

It stared at her.

The girls were tense with anticipation but they were starting to waver.

It still stared at them.

Twilight looked back over her shoulder to the girls. She tried to look confident but the wait was killing her. Should she do something? A speck of movement could be seen in the corner of her eye. Twilight snapped back to attention. She stared down the creature. But the movement was... on it? Yes, a purple speck could be seen climbing down the tree creature. It ran towards them.

"Spike? Spike! What are you thinking?" Twilight ran towards him as well. He crossed the clearing to meet her in a hug.

"Hey Twilight." He squeezed her. They parted and she looked him over.

"What are you doing?" She lectured. "Are you hurt? Why were you with that thing? What made you even go over here huh!?"

Spike reddened at the barrage. "It... well I... hey! This is Heartwood." He smiled widely and stuck out a hand towards the dragon. Twilight leaned over to look at the creature. She gave Spike an incredulous look.

"Heart Wood?" She raised an eyebrow. "You know this thing's name?"

"Yeah! She's real nice and she's a dragon too! She can talk. It's just been a really really long time for her. We met up in the forest. I thought she was going to eat me!" He laughed. "But then, she was telling me all about dragon lore and that she didn't mean to do harm to the ponies. She didn't know what they were doing or even what they were," he explained. His boyish smile remained.

Twilight looked at him with a bit of shock. "And how do you know any of this for sure? Why were you here at all, Spike? If I can remind you, the only reason I brought you here was so you can go to your comic book store. You were supposed to stay in your room and behave or stay with Helden Guard." Her anger lower her voice to growl.

Spike looked between her and Heartwood trying to explain. Twilight huffed heavily cutting him off. She looked back at the girls. Their moods seemed to be a mix of concerned and angry. Twilight looked towards the dragon in the distance. This creature had causes so much terror and harm to the town. Yet, here was Spike gushing about her.

She turned back to Spike with a look promising a later lecture. "I don't like this, but we need to talk to her and explain to her that she can't be attacking innocent like she did. It wasn't right." Twilight glared off towards the large dragon. "And tell her not to show up around towns anymore. It puts everypony in a panic."

Spike nodded sadly. "Alright, let me go talk to her." He ran off towards the dragon. Twilight looked back at the girls again. They were gawking at the dragon and Spike talking like old friends. Though, it was more like Spike doing all the talking. He talked up at Heartwood waving his arms, putting his hands on his hips, thinking. She nodded here and there. Finally, she made a couple of weird noises which made Spike smile and run back to Twilight.

"She said she understands. I explained everything and while she's still really sad that you ponies are tearing up the forest, since you're going to plant new stuff, it's fine. I did also tell her not to come too close, but the farmers should be told to steer clear of the forest next time they look for land. She doesn't want the trees to be killed."

Twilight sighed then nodded. "Let's go back then. If we've gotten everything cleared up here, we need to go back and tell the mayor. It's going to be hard to explain all of this to the townsponies. Especially the ones still in the hospital," Twilight said.

They rest of the girls agreed with her. They were a cluster of mummers about 'How are going to explain this?' and 'At least, this means no pony else will be getting hurt.'

Spike's felt a sense of unease as his smile fell. He look back and forth between Twilight and Heartwood.

"Ahh, Twilight! Wait! I ah..."

Twilight stopped and looked back at him. "Spike? What is it? Let's go." She nudged with her head.

"No. It's just... Heartwood has a lot to say to me. We had been talking and... I want to know more about myself."

She turned back to face him. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"When we were in the forest, Heartwood called me an Arcane dragon. She spoke of a lot of different things most dragons don't even know. And then while walking here, she had offered to tell me more! She said that she even knew of an old Arcane cave around here! I want to go with her." He looked at her with bright eyes.

"No," Twilight said.

"What? What do you mean no? I want to go with her."

"I said no. You're in a enough trouble as it is and she's some tree dragon for pony's sake! I don't even know where to start with that. We don't know anything about this creature."

"I know more than you do! Besides, she knows a bunch of stuff all about me and my kind apparently."

"That could be just something she told you."

"That's not true." Spike felt his body shake. "I'm going with her."

Twilight laughed. "And what would you eat? When was the last time we even went camping? There are violent creatures in a forest. It's not a place for a baby dragon."

"I'm almost a teenager! I'm not a baby anymore." Spike's fist shook by his side. A baby. Must she always call him that?

"We are going back Spike. That is final." Twilight looked down on him. Her face was grim.

Spike ground his teeth. Twilight turned around and walked away. He looked back at Heartwood for one last time. She tilted her head. He quietly waved at her. His frown trembled. She blinked at him and turned away.

"Zere you are! I have been looking everyvere for you." Helden Guard stalked over to Spike. He was doing his afternoon rounds when he spotted Spike walking down Main Street. "It does not do one's heart good to vorry vere zeir friends have run off to. I vaited an hour for you at zee Training Grounds. I left and came back to spend my entire lunch zere just vaiting for you to show up! You veren't around zee town. Just vat do you have to say for yourself?"

Spike stared down at the ground. He was sniffing. Helden's frown lost its hard edge. "Spike? Vat is wrong?"

"I went to the West Fields on my way to the Training grounds this morning and met the dragon that had been tearing everything up. She's not what everyone thought she'll be like! She's kind and old and knows about my kind. I want to go with her to learn more. I feel like she has so much to tell me. But Twilight keeps treating me like a baby who doesn't know not to talk to strangers. She doesn't want me to go." His fists shook again.

Helden reached out a hoof and lifted Spike's chin. "She cares about you. She is your family."

"I know. It's just so frustrating."

"Vat is so important about zis? Zis is some old dragon you've just met right? Why do you feel zis is absolutely vorth going with some creature? She might be dangerous."

"You don't understand. I've lived my entire life with ponies. I've never wanted for anything. I've lived in a castle, with nobles, in a library and surrounded by friends who care about me. But it's the fact that they're all ponies. I feel like a pony in the wrong body sometimes. I feel... weird. Abnormal. I'm so different from everyone around me! But now there's a dragon that can tell me everything I could want to know and more! It wouldn't be like the time with at the dragon migration." He shook his head at the memory, "I want to know more about myself. I want... to feel like a dragon sometimes. I want to be able to feel a complete sense of myself."

Helden nodded. "I understand. Zis is vorth it zan?"

"Worth it? I guess."

"No, you must be certain. More certain zan anyzing. Your family are not going to be happy to know you ran off like zat. You are going to be leaving everyzing behind but you vill be coming back afterwards. Are the consequences you vill face be vorth zee trip?"

"Yes! It will be. I want to go. I want to know everything the ponies can't teach me."

Helden smiled and laughed. "Zen go back to zee inn. Pack your food. I have yet to see you today."

"Huh? Ohh," Spike grinned. "Yes, you never saw me."

"Yes, yes, and zere for couldn't have any knowledge of vere you vent or at all talked you into anyzing." He winked.

Helden turned around and quickly trotted off. Spike smiled. Would it be worth it? Well, how many times is he going to come across someone like Heartwood? He nodded to himself. He'll just have to deal with Twilight's wrath afterwards. This'll definitely be worth the lecture.

Spike laid on Heartwood's back. The sunshine warmed him just sooo right. He stretched his arms out. Spike looked up into the sky streaming by.

"So, what am I exactly? I'm still confused by the 'library of stone'."

"You are called a Crystalline dragon. Your element instills itself in gems and stone. You will understand what you will become one day when we go see the cave."

"Hmm, okay." He felt impatient. "What can you tell me then? Anything cool?"

"As an Arcane, you can instill knowledge into a stone. Each facet is a page of text. A breathe of flame brings forth the knowledge to the mind."

"Hhhuhhh. I don't get it." He sprayed out on her head. His pout was deep on his face.

She chuckled. It was like wooden chimes clinking. "Your flame can carry knowledge."

"Oh! Is that why I'm so good with the teleportation spell for the letters?"

"Hmm, letters. Knowledge on dead wood and ink. When you hold the stone, your kind blows its flame. The flame engraves the words into the stone's foundation. You hold the stone again, your flame is trapped inside now. It glows and you know all it knows."

"Oohh, I get it. It's like the stone holds the knowledge inside and when you active it, you know what's been written inside. Cool. What else?"

"Arcane dragons are small in nature. Their growth is by the amount of knowledge they have. A hoard of stone is equal to the prized libraries of other species. They do not grow wings. They have no need for such when they tunnel into the earth for stones."

"Oh, I've always wondered about that." Spike titled his head to look longingly at his bare back. Didn't all the other dragons at the migration have wings? They probably need them cause they migrate. Kinda like birds. He sucked in his cheek in thought. His kind most likely didn't need to migrate. I wonder what it'll be like to live underground. What about the diamond dogs?

He sighed.

"Well, what about you? What are you?"

"I am an Everwood dragon. A nature dragon. I felt the plants and the ground. I felt the cycles of the seasons. I know where the best soil is. I spread the seeds and convince them to grow tall."

"Cool. So, what exactly is this whole 'second death' you keep mentioning?"

"When a dragon reached the age for their first death, they are given a choice. They could either choose to die there with all of themselves intact or, they could choose the obtain Second Death. Second Death is a dragon choosing to return to their element. They decay and their body is replaced with the pure essence of their element. My body is turning into the forest. One day, I will obtain my second death. At that time, I will have added my magic to the element."

"Hmm, okay."

She nodded then went on. "I will become a tree one day, but, my magic will infuse with it. The lasting magic from my time in first death will mix with my element making it greater than it would have been on its own. The element left behind by a dragon after Second Death is as awe and great as the dragon it comes from."

"Wow, that's so cool."

He rather enjoyed laying on her head. It was all soft moss and twisting wood. He had tucked his bow and quiver into a bush by her left tree horn. His bag of gems was tucked in the branches. Spike felt a stone in his stomach. This was such a rare opportunity! He could bring back knowledge he hadn't ever come across in any of the libraries. But...

His heart was heavy. He had left a note for Twilight to find. Spike stared up at the passing sky. She just had to understand. This felt like something he had to do.

He was laying on the ground when the sounds of scuffling came. Spike sat up. Three wolves stood in the clearing.

They had stopped by a stream for Heartwood to 'replenish' herself. Spike had taken a dip in and was sunning himself in a nearby clearing. She had said they were only a short way from the cave. There were many mountains in the area. They had to be traveling north by the way the sun moved through the sky.

Spike slowly climbed to his feet. Growls and snarls echoed into the clearing as two more wolves appeared out of the shadows of the underbrush. Drool fell from the front most one's mouth.

"My, what big teeth you have." Spike swallowed but a lump was in the way. Spike drew his sword. It shined all sparkly and new in the late afternoon light.

The front wolf snared again. The others spread out. Spike shifted his eyes around the clearing.

"Only point at what you are willing to kill. I don't want to kill you. You just want some food. But I'm not going to be a meal today. And you'll end up dead. Back off. Now."

His racing heart didn't help to steady his already shaking hands. His stomach felt hollow and nonexistent. Spike stared them down. Each growl sent a jolt through him.

Now? Now? Now? Now? Now?

When?

Come at me.

Leave!

Run!

Now? Now? Now? Now? Now?

The first one jumped at him.

Swing? Don't swing? Think. Stab!

Spike snapped his eyes shut the moment the wolf lunged at him, and stabbed blindly at where the wolf's stomach should be. His upwards made a strange sound and sent warm liquid running down his face. The heavy body of the wolf fell on top of him. Spike shouted and managed to push it off. He looked down.

The other wolves howled in frustration and ran off into the forest brush. The heavy thunk of Heartwood's footfalls filled the clearing. Spike could vaguely feel his unsteady breaths. He sat there breathing, unmoving and not looking away. It was something horrible, yet, he cannot stop looking it.

"I... I killed it."

The dead wolf was now laying in his lap. The blood dripped off his head and chest. Entrails leaked out from where the force of the blade had ripped open the soft belly. Spike panicked and screamed trying to push it off. He ran blindly away. Wind whistled passed his ears until he had jumped straight into the water.

"Hhhhaauuuhhhh." Spike gasped when he surfaced. "Ahhhhh!"

He wiped at his face and spat water out. The coppery taste quickly washed out. Spike felt a weight climbing out of the water. It was his scabbard filling with water. He tipped it over to dump it out. Spike stared up into the streaking sky. Rays of red and purple marked the ending of the day. The dark night sky looked prime to over take the light.

"Your metal." Heartwood dropped the sword by him. It plopped into the swallow water. Clouds of red and soft browns floated up. His hand still shook when he reached out for it.

"I killed it. I didn't want to." He curled up and held his legs. The sword rested in his clenched hand.

"We must go now."

He nodded. Heartwood lowered her head for him. He climbed up to his spot on her head. He could see the bow and quiver still rested in a bush by the left tree horn.

"I will tell you a story."

"Why?" Spike undid the belt for his scabbard. The sword rested in the green moss. Some water still dripped from them so he pulled out a cloth to wipe them down. It didn't look as shiny and new anymore.

"The cycles are many. Death is many. Many is life. I will tell you a story."

Spike sighed. "Alright."

Winter fell heavy on the forest. The wolf trekked through the snow looking for food. The pack was starved. Anything to be eaten had moved south. The rabbit was starved. He huddled under a snow covered bush. All that was to be eaten had hidden under the snow. The wind brought the smell of life to the wolf. It ran through the trees. The rabbit panicked and ran from its spot. It ran and ran until its breathe labored in its chest. The wolf gave chase still.

The rabbit came across a large wooden warren for another animal. Outside the warren stood the animal. It beckoned the rabbit to it. The wolf stopped and stared at the two creatures. Without its pack, it wouldn't be able to take them both down. The other animal carried the rabbit into the warren. The wolf howled to its pack and ran back.

The animal had the ability to harvest food for the cold season. It could not hear the screams of the plants as it cut them down. The plants did not know of harvest. It only knew of cold, sun, water and soil. The rabbit ate the plants. He could not here the calls of the plants either. But it seemed, the other animal could understand the calls of animals not like itself.

The wolves came back to the place the rabbit hid and waited. They howled at the warren.

The creature stood in the yard with the rabbit. The wolves called out to it.

Let us eat. It is food.

The rabbit called out to it as well.

Don't let me be eaten. I wish to go home!

The wolf cried out.

The winter is long. The prey all leave. Our pups need food.

The rabbit cried out.

I must return home! They are waiting for me. I am needed.

The creature realized it had interfered. It let the rabbit go and walked back to its home. What will happen must happen. The wolf can not talk to the rabbit just as the rabbit can not talk to the grass. Could you eat another while it cries out for mercy? When it speaks of children? To eat is life. To kill is necessary to eat.

"Even the plants cry out when they are torn apart by dull mouths. I can hear them but I do not interfere. The wolf will kill you or you kill the wolf. For we are all the wolf and the rabbit. We are all the rabbit and the grass. That must never be forgotten."

Spike looked down at his scabbard. He rubbed the smooth surface then pulled out a small knife and dug into the wood.

Streams to Rivers to Valleys

Light faded from the sky. The blues of little birds turned to dark colors of forest wolves. Heartwood looked up to the sky. She could see specks of light glowing in the murk. The moon did not come out tonight. It rested once a month so the stars could shine brighter. The din of the day receded with the light. It carried away the joyous life of the forest like the ebbing tide. Where did that life go during the night? Was the darkness, so reminiscence of the forever closing of eyes, trying to steal it away? Life ebbs and leaves the day, yet the dark brings about a new kind of life. She stepped by rotting logs covered in moss.

Light leaves the eyes just as it flees the sky. It closes over all sight just as it did in her first death. Sleeping was practice for death, Heartwood felt. The eternal sleep that keeps the light from ever reaching the creature again. The stars flicker in fright. They flickered in awe at the darkness. Should they run? They were the rabbit in the bush waiting to know. Should it stay? Too afraid to make a move. Dark and light moved on forever. Each had their own sense of what life should be defined as.

The dirt and pebbles called out in mewls to her moving feet. They beckoned her to stay. Tall trees swayed in a gentle bow. They gave their respects to her. Branches and leaves only brushed past her form in light kisses. She was the forest in truest form.

Up ahead, Heartwood felt where the earth had been worn away not only by wind and water but also by claw. She gave a sniff. It was an unnatural form. The stone still ached from the deep wounds made long ago. Only time will soothe them with gentle wind. Soon, all will be gone.

Darkness fell heavy. It clogged up the air with its cool breath. Light suffocated. The darkness felt small and narrow around her. Echos of footfalls rang out. There was nothing here but dark. She walked through with a strong will. She stood in a wide emptiness after it had been so small. Her roots feed into the beckoning earth. Heartwood closed her eyes and let herself be felled.

Spike stretched out his body allowing his spine to crack pleasantly. He rubbed his eyes. His eyes blinked several times in the darkness. Spike sat up with a groan. There was a large hole in the ceiling that let light in. It must still be very early as the room was still so dark. Spike gave a dead stare off into the distance. He yawned and stretched again. A flickering light caught his eye so he turned around.

The rose colored light illuminated the dark cave. Spike look up and heard himself gasp. It must have been at least twenty feet tall. The sculpture stood in a gentle pose of a dragon looking up to the skylight. It was posed as if it might have been in deep thought. The light of the morning sun started to reveal more of the cave's contents. The dragon stood with no wings upon its back. The rose color of the main scales were offset by cyan crystals of the belly and frills.

He tilted his head around till it hurt looking at it. Just how many crystals did it take to make this thing?! Each one was so beautifully cut. The scales were their own individual gems! The nails on the claws looked too perfect to have been rounded that way.

But it was the eyes that captivated him most. They were so, so...Spike stared up at the creature's face. It looked like it was thinking deeply about the most wonderful things. Thoughts that brought rose colored realizations to mind. He chuckled at that. Things were truly rose colored in here.

Sparkling rays of light turned his head to the ground. Piles and piles of gems filled most of the floor. Curiously enough, there were cubby holes pox marking the walls. Gems and crystals filled them too. He slowly climbed down Heartwood's tangles to the floor. The gems smelled wonderful up close! He reached out for a sapphire. His hand tingled instantly and Spike almost dropped it. He pulled it close to his face. It was so odd.

The sweet smell was tinged with a crackle of static. It wasn't like a spice. Spike breathed in deeply. He felt it more than smelt it. It turned over in his claws. Each facet shined up at him but...

That was it. The facets didn't shine right. It was so smooth and perfect. Not a single flaw. Yet why did some shine dimly like it was smudged? Snapping came from behind him as Heartwood woke up. She pulled her roots from the floor.

"Hey, Heartwood!" Spike warmly smiled. She slow blinked at him.

Her long neck popped with each stretching inch towards him. "Gems. Crystals. Knowledge. We are here."

"Yeah, I could guess that." Spike looked up around the cave again. "Hey, what's up with this gem? It looks smudged, like the light doesn't shine right." He held it up to the light to show her.

"The only imperfections are those etched with arcane magic. All other imperfections are to be consumed."

Spike's face contorted in confusion and he raised an eyebrow at her. The gem still turned over in his hands. A thought passed him mind to make his eyes widen.

"Is this one of the gems that holds a book in it?!" He held it up again.

She nodded. "Magic and knowledge. To become a library of stone. This is the place."

Spike's mouth gaped open. His eyes looked straight to the sculpture of the dragon again. This is no sculpture. It's a body. The peaceful look of the dragon staring up to the light. What had he or she been thinking about? Spike left the sapphire forgotten on the ground. His hand reached out for the rose colored crystals. His claws gently tapped the surface before he pressed his palm to the cool surface. A rage of magic tingled up his whole arm. It reached out for his mind and searched his chest.

The veins of power talked to him. Each one shouting, calling, whispering, chanting its words to him. His hand snapped back like he had touched the hot stove. Spike cradled his hand.

"Woah."

Heartwood sniffed the crystal dragon. "Voices of the past will whisper to the future its warnings. Do not take lightly what they have to offer. It will tell you both yes and no in the same answer. Riddles dot even the simplest nodding of the head. A library will hold any book it comes across. Not all are for reading."

"Yeah." Spike chuckled. "I've come across a few books that shouldn't be read." He looked down at his claw. It still felt as if he had been shocked or burnt, but nothing appeared wrong. "Heartwood? Can you show me how to read the gems?"

She tiled her head at him. Spike felt a punch of fear in his stomach. What if she can't? Heartwood walked over to the honeycombed wall of gems. A vine reached out to a tiny purple gem. It was no bigger than a hair pin. The vine dropped it in Spike's out reaching hands. He held it up with two fingers. Not even a prickling came off of it.

"Are you sure about this one? It seems empty." He raised an eyebrow.

"Five Seven Five is, all that is needed in here. The empty is wide."

"A haiku! I get it. This must hold something really small but could unlock something bigger. Or it even means more than its simple words would suggest." Spike scratched his chin, "I guess this is what you meant by riddles. So, what do I do?"

Heartwood turned around and started to walk out the cave. "Stay in the wide empty. Be the wide empty. Look into the gem and find the color in the white for color is nothing and something. There is no meaning. Just realization."

Spike stared after her too stunned to move. What in Equestria did that mean!??? He stared at the gem. It felt like nothing in between his finger and thumb. Spike sigh deeply and sat down. Zecora would make more sense than her.

Spike had fallen asleep after hours of staring at the gem. He had only taken a break to have breakfast and lunch. The light of the sun grew dimmer in his sight even though it was still well within the skylight. In a moment, his mind was gone.

white is all. all is white. burning glow of light. white is all and all is white, burning glow of light.
Don't let go of the light that burns in my eyes.
We are here to hear you are near.
That light should burn in your eyes as it burns in your heart. Alight! Light the burning and let it glow.

Spike squeezed his eyes tightly. He grimaced as the whispering sounds kept at it. It was like they were trying to needle their way into his skin. His body tossed around onto its belly. His hands gripped his head.

A simple and concrete saying, popularly known and repeated, that expresses a truth based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity. They are often metaphorical. A proverb that describes a basic rule of conduct may also be known as a maxim.

..associating it with spiritual and mystical theories about alignments of land forms, drawing on the...

..in association with anomie to explain the general mood of despair at a perceived pointlessness of existence that one may develop upon realising there are no necessary norms, rules, or laws.

The voices rang out in his head now. What started as meaningless words soon turned to a lecture hall of differing topics. Spike's eyes opened on their own. Words and letters, runes and lines all laid out before him. They swirled around without a clear path. He could hear bit and pieces of the different conversations. It all reminded him of the times the Canterlot library hosted the Philosopher's Maxim. All sorts of old scholars from all over the country came to seemingly argue about anything they got in their heads.

Spike would tune them out but Twilight would sit in the doorway listening in. Maps whizzed by his head making him duck down. Sharp words and clever sentences clashed against each other like blades. Their metallic sound send Spike into the fetal position. The words above started to crush down on him. They fell like hail in a winter storm. Screams echoed over the void. They all wanted him to answer them. To agree with them and not the other.

Listen! Listen!
I'm right!
You're wrong!
Mine are the words you should be hearing.

Spike gasped out for breath. Why were they talking to him? What was the point!? It was all mindless chatter anyway!

Like being pulled out of the cool waters of a still pool, Spike opened his eyes. He stared up at the light. His body was laying on its back covered in a cold sweat. A shadow blocked the light out. His eyes tilted up to the figure obscured by shadows. Spike hiccuped a sigh. It was Heartwood.

"Talking too loud. You could never hear the one small voice. The empty is wide but here is it closed. Are you okay?"

Spike trembled as he pushed up into a sitting position. His chest felt tight. "I'm fine now. What was that?"

"Words are meant to be known. Read and heard." She stepped on a pile of glittering gems. "They were too excited to tell you everything. You have to teach them patience even after so long in the dark." She pursed her brows. "Being alone too long. It can make you forget manners. I forgot how to talk while they forgot how to stop. They were rude but you should forgive them." She smiled at him like a spring meadow.

Spike grinned at her. He stood up on unsteady legs. A prickling made him look down at his right claw. It uncurled slowly after gripping so hard. The little gem still laid in his palm.

"Go out to the air and the light. The chattering is too loud here." Heartwood gave a swat of her hand to push the pile over. A few gems scattered onto the stone floor. Spike felt strangely sad for them.

A breeze of air brushed past his scales. Spike stretched out his arms over his head. He had been asleep when they got here so he took the time to look around. It looked as if a path had been made leading to the entrance of the cave. Stones laid under grass and the trees stayed out of the way. He walked down the path. The sun felt nice out here.

Spike found a large oak tree growing in its own clearing. He sat down in a space between the roots. Reminds me of the old library. I wonder if it'll be growing back. Spike's eyes watered. He rubbed at them.

"Stop that. The new library isn't that bad. It's cool in fact! It's... it's like..." An image crossed his mind. "It's like the dragon in there! A library of stone." Spike laughed out loud. "How fitting." He held up the gem in the light again. "Now, what were all those things Heartwood said."

"As an Arcane, you can instill knowledge into a stone. Each facet is a page of text. A breathe of flame brings forth the knowledge to the mind."

"Your flame can carry knowledge."

...When you hold the stone, your kind blows its flame. The flame engraves the words into the stone's foundation. You hold the stone again, your flame is trapped inside now. It glows and you know all it knows."

"WELL DUH!" Spike yelled out. He laughed and slapped his head. "She told me what to do. Good going, Spike."

He looked at the small gem she had given him. A flame no bigger than a candle's blew out of his mouth. The purple grew bright. A fire within burned and flickered. Spike was entranced by it. Magic started to uncurl itself into little veins of power. Only this time, he could control the place it traveled to and how fast. It was just like the teleportation spell! Spike squirted his eyes.

A void opened up. It was as if he was opening a book and the first few pages were flypaper. Then, the words appeared. They looked more like colors. Runic swirls of color. Each one pulsed to a foreign code. Spike pushed forward with his flame. The colors reminded him of the time Twilight had shown him how some materials give off different colored flames. There were only five colors.

The green flame opened like a flower. He gasped as a feeling fell over him. He wasn't reading it. He was feeling it.

The Everwood dragon is the element of Nature. Upon its second death, it will turn into a form of magical plant life. Such examples are a tree that bears fruit all year round, a tree that gives magic infused wood used for staffs, and a fruit that cures all illnesses.

The purple flame unfurled in a rush of pages.

The Crystalline dragon is the element of arcane power. Upon its second death, it will turn into a form of stone. Such examples are gems to hold power, silver used for scrying mirrors, and metal used to forge weapons of unbreakable strength.

The yellow flame rushed past him.

The Barometer dragon is the element of air. Upon its second death, it will turn into a form of gas. Such examples are clouds of illuminating gas that lights up the sky, winds that never stop blowing, and clouds that always give water.

The red flame burst and popped at him.

The Hazemire dragon is the element of fire. Upon its second death, it will turn into a form of flame. Such examples are flames that never go out, flames cool to the touch, and flames that do not need a fuel source.

The last blue flame whooshed over him.

The Ebbing pool dragon is the element of water. Upon its second death, it will turn into a form of liquid. Such examples are magic pools of healing waters, ice that never melts, and waters with strange abilities.

Spike felt like he had just pulled his head out of the apple bobbing tub. The small gem was dark now. He was still in the same position as before. Spike grasped the gem with both hands. There was still more to know! The little thing was a quick index of the types of dragons. He could feel it after the sentences ended. There were other things like where they mostly lived, what their body types were like, and other things like food needs!

He jumped up out of the roots and ran back towards the cave.

"Heartwood! Hey!" He called out.

She was staring into the face of the stone dragon. She made a hollow sound he took as a 'hmm'.

"I figured it out. Well, you had told me what to do. Exactly what to do in fact. But I did it!" He held up the dark gem.

She turned her head down to his level. "The color in the wide emptiness is only a feeling of realization."

"Yeah! It's more like a thought or feeling than actually reading or hearing something."

Heartwood nodded.

"What should I do now though?" He looked puzzled at the gem.

"What did the voices tell you?"

"Huh? Oh, um, at first it was some stuff about burning lights then it was some stuff like out of a book."

"Then burn." She pulled her head away to stare back at the dragon. Spike was still. His face fell into a glum frown. More riddles.

"Am I supposed to put in knowledge now or something?" He waved his hand around and inquisitively looked at her. She made the hollow sound again. "And how am I to do that?"

"Dead wood and ink."

"Ahhh." A letter? Spike slapped his head again. "Wow, I'm just not getting anything today. I can send knowledge with my flame." He walked over to a large stone to sit down. Heartwood moved her eyes to look at him. She stood the bag of gems at him. It fell in a clatter. "Hey! That's my dinner."

Spike opened the bag to see if any had cracked. He realized her intentions. "Do I have to? Only the perfect gems taste the best." He whined. She didn't make any moment or noise. He signed. The best gem in the bag was an opal he had scooped up for dessert.

"Hmmm, hmmmm, hmmmm." He hummed with each tilt of the head. Should I make a letter then burn it to send into the gem? No, that would just make the paper appear in the gem and that wouldn't be good. "But how do you transmit a thought? That's something Twilight would know."

Spike's lip trembled. Twilight. He kept thinking about her. It had only been a day and his guilt was already gnawing at this thoughts. She would be so worried about him. They had grown up together! He was her only real friend for so long. She might have been over reacting again but she would have given it some better thought afterwards just like she always did.

"Heartwood." Spike looked up at her. "I think I want to go home."

She curled down to him, "You have not learned all yet. Why go now?"

"I miss my friends. I shouldn't have run off like that. I think they would be so worried about me. I know how overly protective Twilight came get." Spike grimaced. "They would also love to see this! I don't want to be here on my own. Let's go back and get them."

"If that is what you wish."

"Ick! Mud." Rarity squealed again for what seemed the tenth time that hour.

"For Applebucking's sake, Rarity. It's the forest! What did you expect? Canterlot Plaza? It's all mud and dirt and leaves and germs. Now quiet up and keep moving. We want to be there by next night fall. Or do you want to sleep out here in the mud?" Applejack was ashamed of her outburst but Rarity's complaining was grating on her nerves.

"We don't even know where are going," Rarity shot back.

"Now, now Rarity. No need to be a downer!" Pinkie hopped up besides her. "Twilight and Helden are following the trail. The trail that we blaze!" She pointed to a large rock wall, stopped, then pointed to the path they were following. "That trail that we blaze!" Pinkie laughed till she had to slow down from a trot to walking.

Rarity's face relaxed into a smile. "You're right, I am being a downer and we really can't be too pessimistic when we have those two leading the way."

Twilight and Helden Guard lead the way through the forest. Twilight held up a map of the area. They had joined up the previous day after Twilight had come back to hotel only to find Spike gone. The rest of the girls had all been busy spreading word to the townsponies about the creature not being a threat anymore. She hadn't been sure how much to tell them. They had all wanted to know about the epic battle they must have raged against it. Especially the ponies still in the hospital. It hurt her to have to lie to them.

The path wasn't a clear one. Heartwood, or so her name was, didn't leave much in the way of footsteps or broken twigs. It all looked like nothing that big had ever been there. It was a mix of Twilight's magic and Helden's tracking abilities that lead the way.

A thumping in the forest stopped the group. Helden held up an arm. He motioned for them to fall back. Twilight felt silly letting a mere guard pony take the lead when she was 'Princess Element of Magic'! No wind was blowing, yet there was a loud rustling of leaves.

Creaking and popping came out from the direction in front of them. They gasped as the trees started to bend back out of the way. A wooden face appeared in front of them along with a purple speck.

"Twilight!" Spike jumped up to his feet. He nearly leap down Heartwood's side. Twilight, in turn, came running towards him to scoop him up in a hug.

"I'm so sorry I ran off like that." Spike didn't mind the crushing hug Twilight was giving him.

She looked at him with puffed out cheeks. He could already feel the words coming out at him. Yet, she breathed out and rubbed his head. "I'm glad you're okay. Are you well?"

"Ahh, yeah. I'm really well. I missed you."

"I missed you too. And I'm sorry too, Spike. I shouldn't have written you off like that. You're right, you aren't a baby anymore. You need to go out on your own and learn about being a dragon."

"Thank you, Twilight." They parted only for Spike to be enveloped by the other girls in a group hug. Helden smiled at him.

Twilight looked up at Heartwood. She was still wary of the strange creature. "I... thank you for taking care of him."

Heartwood bent down to Twilight who jumped back. "You... are arcane too." She smiled. Twilight looked at Spike.

"It means you're one of us." Spike laughed. Twilight relaxed and smiled up at Heartwood too. "Oh, Twilight! I have so much to tell you I don't even know where to start!"

"We go," Heartwood said. She turned back around and walked off.

"Hey, slow down! Come on you guys. We have something cool to show you!"

Twilight shook her head in mock disapproval. They ran after Spike to climb up onto Heartwood's back.

Epilogue: What was is now

The ground crunched underfoot; gravel gave way to the clear toes that pressed upon it. The Crystalline dragon bobbed its head in the pale morning light. How long has he been walking now? Light flickered through the leaves to his coat of prisms. Multicolored rays blinked in and out of sight as the rustling leaves flickered the light even more. He smiled. What did it matter?

Rays of light fell on him without resistance as he walked further from the forest. A path of rocks and gray stone lead to the canyon below. A figure stood in the open area. His smiled beckoned remembrance.

The Crystalline dragon stopped to stare. There stood an old friend of many creatures now and gone. His mouth lifted at the corners as his eyes laid on me. Was he happy? I stopped and stared. He was, and he was an old friend. How odd to remember such a thing. The dragon tilted his head. This creature made his stone heart feel like it sat in the spring sun by the meadow.

"Hello there! Long time, no see." The creature laughed. "How have you been?"

The dragon cracked open his geode mouth. The churning of gravel echoed out.

"Ahh, that's good. I glad to see you're well. Won't be much longer now, will it?" It struck a pose reminisce of thinking. "I've come to do as you've asked. You're currently on the far end of The Everfree Forest right now, but if you leave now, you should be by New Ponyville by winter." He relaxed and smiled again.

The Crystalline dragon nodded his head. He turned around to face away from the canyon. How many times had he passed this road before? Yet, each time was so far in between.

"You will look perfect next to that ridiculous crystal tree castle. Really! A crystal tree castle? That's just gaudy."

How does one choose to forget all they had known to become something else? To leave and never return?

He had known the answer at one time, but that was all gone now. He felt a warmness in his chest again. It felt like a summer afternoon spent in the fields. The quaint houses of the town sent shock waves throughout his body. The warmth turned to a strong beating of the heart. New Ponyville stood before him.

Little creatures moved to gather around his path. They barked and howled and chattered at each other. The path was familiar to him. Had this not changed from the last time he walked here? No, it had changed. Just not enough for him to forget how it was.

A full afternoon sun shined weakly through the frigid air. A crunch of snow pressed underfoot. The whiteness only seemed to reflect more beauty onto his crystalline form. It became mirrored in the crystal structure ahead of him. Three creatures stood before him. The old friend from before, a tall, the Sun in the form of one of the small creatures, and the Moon in that same form.

He greeted the Sun and the Moon with a nod. The old friend received a smile. He felt sad for an odd reason. The dragon bowed his head to the level of the two false creatures. They smiled weakly.

"Your time has come. It was so wonderful knowing you." The Sun caressed his muzzle and laid her head on it. "We will always remember you and your service to Equestria." Warm sea water fell from her eyes.

The Moon also expelled the salt water and pressed her face to his. "You were the greatest friend we could have asked for. Twilight would have loved to be here to see this. In mere moments, we will see what kind of wonder you will fully become."

The old friend only stood to the side. His head bowed, their goodbyes had been given before. The Sun and the Moon moved away from him to join with the old friend.

The Crystalline dragon raised his head for what seemed like the first time. Has this place always been so bright? Awe inspiring sights crossed his eyes as he looked around. He moved to what had to be his spot. It just felt right. The ground was warm even with snow covering it. Or was that his imagination? Did he still have one even at this state? It didn't matter. He was home now.

"Goodbye, Spike."

Author's Note

This is the end. I do understand that some may see this as too short or that I've cut it off too soon, but I have my reasons. I might continue the story in the future or simply never get back to it.

I am opening this story to any one who wants to continue it or use it for a headcannon. It would be interesting to see how other writers would use these ideas. If you do write anything related to this story, send me a link so I can read it.