Around the World (Spike's Journey)

Day: Twenty-Five

Location: Unknown

Time: 7:43 a.m.

It has been a over two weeks since we left Equestria. Things have been slow and quiet so far. I've befriended one of the only other girls on the ship. She's really nice, pretty too. They call her Mona,even though her name is Ocean Monsoon. She's a dark blue pegasus  form Vanhoover. Funny, I had always thought that pegasi lived in Cloudsdale,or somewhere in the sky. I didn't really expect to make any friends this early or at all for that matter. Speaking of friends,the crew absolutely adore Spike. They're always asking him to breathe fire.I don't know what really much to sayso far. I'm really nervous mainly because I don't know where we're going,or what will happen when we get there, but I hope that I'll see something mind-blowing!

~Sweetie Belle

Sweetie Belle rolled the letter with her magic and wrapped a blue ribbon around it. She left her room and walked through the closed doors of the living quarters with the letter still encased by her magic. She crept up the squeaky stairs as quietly as they would allow, the morning sun's rays fighting their way down the stairs as she neared the top. She pushed open the small wood hatch door letting in the blinding sun.

“Mornin' Sweetie Belle.” a dark brown hand extended out to get. She looked up greeted by two amber eyes.

“Hi Timberjack.” she took his hand and sped up the last steps. Timberjack was a large stallion who was a year older than her, but his appearance seemed to show otherwise. “Have you seen Spike? I need to send something.”

“Last I saw him he was on the bow, looking out over the water.” he looked at Sweetie Belle who cocked her head slightly. “The front.”

“Oh, sorry.”

“No worries.” he chuckled as watched her walk away. “It's a shame, those two are up and at ‘em before the actual crew is.” he threw open the hatch. “Time to get off your bums!”

Spike looked out to the open ocean basking in the salty air adorned by the sunrise. “Hey Celestia.” he whispered to himself.

“Spike!” Sweetie Belle yelled waving the letter.

“Good Morning, Sweetie Belle.” he turned to see her levitating a letter. “Another one?”

“Yeah, when was the last time you wrote one?”

“Yesterday, I told Twilight that everything was going fine so far.” he took the letter and blew a soft green fire turning it into a magical mist.

“Why are you out here?” she leaned on the railing next to him.

“Just enjoying the sunrise.” he said turning back to the sea. Sweetie Belle sighed and looked out over the golden waters.

“It's a very beautiful sunrise.”

“It truly is. Wait, do you see that?” Spike asked excitedly.

“See what?”

“I think I can see… land over there!” he pointed to the left of the ship. Sweetie Belle squinted as hard as she could only seeing a near imperceptible speck on the horizon.

“Are you sure that's land?”

“Positive! Is Scope in the bird's nest?”

“I don't know.”

“I'm going to go find him!” Spike ran off with haste, leaving Sweetie Belle alone and confused.

“Or we could've just stayed here and talked a little. No? Oh okay.” she angrily mumbled.

Spike ran up to the Captain's quarters and knocked on the door frantically.

“Whoever it is, come back later! I'm busy!” the captain yelled muffled by the door.

“Captain Gildcrest, it's Spike, and I have to tell you something!” he yelled excitedly.

“Dragon? Can't it wait?”

“I'm afraid not.”

“Very well.” There was some rustling followed by the sound of creaking wood. “What do you need?” she threw the door open. Gildcrest was an earth pony similar to Applejack in appearance, but she had light yellow fur similar to Fluttershy's.

“Sorry captain, I-I thought that you were working.” Spike stuttered while covering his eyes.

“I was trying to get some extra rest, but you thought your news was so urgent that you had to wake me. So speak.” she said while running a hand through her long brown hair, parting her gray streak.

“I was out on the front-”

“Bow”

 “-of the ship, looking out over the water, and I looked to the left and saw some land.” he explained.

“Are you sure that being out at sea hasn't affected your mind?” she turned around with a chuckle.

“No, we've only been sailing for a couple weeks at the most after all.” Spike defended.

“And that is why there is no land. Besides, I've been charting our course. We shouldn't see any land until at least next month.” she said as she put on a pair of white leggings.

“Just trust me. I know what I saw.”

She put her hand to her chin. “Then again, you are a dragon and your eyes may be sharper than that of a pony. Hmmmm, I'll see into it.” she said as she grabbed a blouse from a drawer. “Is that all?”

“Yes captain.”

“Good, now let me make myself at least somewhat decent.”

“Sure, you just opened the door in nothing but your bra and panties, now you're worried about decency?”

“Okay Captain.”

“Honestly, I don’t know what I'm gonna do after this. I may just go to school.” Mona explained.

“I haven't thought about when all this is over. I'll probably just go back to what I was doing in Ponyville.” Sweetie Belle added.

“What was that?”

“I was working wi..”

“Hey guys!” Spike yelled.

“Hi Spike!” Mona yelled in return. “What's up?”

“Hold on, I'm coming over.” He ran towards, them tripping over a deckhand's broom. The girls laughed at the dragon scrambling to get off the ground.

“He's always clumsy when he's excited.” Sweetie Belle giggled. “So did you find Scope?”

“No, I went to go talk to the captain.” Spike said while brushing himself off.

“Why?” Mons asked.

“I thought that if there was something big going on she should know.”

“Hard to argue with that logic.” Mona simply answered.

“Captain on deck!” one of the crewponies shouted. They all turned to see the sunny yellow mare walk authoritatively towards Spike.

“Tell me where you spotted the land.” Spike led her over to where he and Sweetie Belle were previously standing. He looked out over the water a couple of times then yelled out “There it is!” Gildcrest took out her binoculars and focused on the area that Spike pointed out.

“Well I'll be.” she mumbled. “Spike was right, it looks like an entire landmass.” she handed the binoculars to Timberjack.

“You're right captain!” He exclaimed. “It looks to be about… three or so hours out or so out.”

“Good eye Spike, prepare to change course! We set foot on dry land in an hour!” all crew members cheered loudly while Spike spat out a celebrational flame.

“Goodness, dragon! Don't do that so close to me!” Gildcrest scolded.

“Heh, sorry.” he replied bashfully.

Spike was in his room gathering any gear he thought necessary. He carefully stuffed his pack full of food, water, and the tools that Twilight had given him. He opened a case full of the potions and elixirs that Zecora helped Twilight brew. One by one he put them all into his utility belt. One familiar one sat still in the crate; the one that caused instant paralysis. He cringed remembering how they had had to carry his limp body home as if he were a dummy if some sort. He closed the case and grabbed his pack and headed for the door. Just as he was about to leave he hesitated and ran back to get the last potion. He made sure that the cork was in tight and carefully lowered it into one of his pouches.

He walked down the hall to Sweetie Belle's quarters and knocked on the door. “Are you ready Sweetie Belle?”

“Yes, give me a second.” a few moments later she appeared with her pack on and a massive smile.

“You look kinda creepy...”

“Exited? Of course I'm excited! This will be the first time that anypony had ever stepped foot on foreign land!” she squealed with delight. “Come on! What're you waiting for?!” she yelled as she bolted past him.

Sweetie Belle ran up on deck seeing five crew members including Mona lined up. She joined in the line next to Mona. “What's going on?” she whispered to her ocean blue counterpart.

“These are all the volunteers for the landing party. The captain usually takes nine of us, but since you and Spike are here she can only take seven.”

“Quiet down!” Gildcrest ordered. She looked up and down the line. “Sweetie Belle, where's Spike?” Sweetie Belle looked left, and right then back to the stairs.

“There he is.” Spike jogged up the stairs looking down the most of the way.

“Spike!” Gildcrest shouted causing him to look up with confusion. “Fall in line.” he ran next to Sweetie Belle standing as still as a pole.

“Listen up! We are going to be exploring uncharted areas that could hold some of the most vile creatures this side of creation! This is not Equestria, so you better throw that mindset overboard now before you forget!” the furthest right crew member hit his head a few times, acting like he knocked something out onto his hand and throwing it like a rock. She buried her muzzle in her hand. “Why must you be an idiot in the most serious of times?” he lowered his head in mock shame. “Now, as I was saying. This is not your home. We move as if the next step could be our last. What is the main priority of this trek you ask? To boldly go where nopony has gone before. Now let's do this.” all that were in line walked single file to the nearest lifeboat. “Tim,” she pulled the large stallion back. “Make sure nothing happens to the unicorn and the dragon.”

“Will do, sis.” he joined the others on the lifeboat. Captain Gildcrest looked at her ship one last time before boarding with her others.

“Is all who are going ashore present?” she asked.

“Aye!”

“Good, lower us in.” slowly the small craft neared the water swaying gently. Spike sat as quiet as a mouse while Sweetie Belle clutched the trim.

“Sweetie Belle must be really afraid of water.” Mona chided.

“I-I'm not scared of water! Now, falling into the water, that's a completely different story!” she stuttered.

“It's alright Sweetie Belle. We've touched down now, and we’re ready to row to shore.” Gildcrest chucked. “Alright, stallions: row!”

They reached the shore in less than fifteen minutes. Gildcrest was the first to step foot on the strange new land.

“Be very cautious, we don't know what could be here.” she said quietly. One by one they all followed Gildcrest up the beach. Spike admired the white sandy beach that was bordered by a dense forest up ahead. Then he heard a loud crack coming from the thicket. He stared down the area from where the sound originated.

“Spike, are you okay?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Yeah, I just thought I heard something.” her trained his eyes harder.

“Come on, you two. Stay with the group.” Timberjack said while urging the two on. Spike dismissed the sound lightly and pressed onwards. Him, Sweetie Belle, and Timberjack caught up with the rest of the group who stood at the edge of the ominous jungle.

“I don't wanna be the first pony to go in there.” said a black crewpony. Gildcrest patted him in the back and wished him good luck.

“Captain, you can't be serious.” he protested.

“I'm very serious, Void. You saying that you do not want to enter told me that you had thoughts of entering.” she explained.

“... huh.”

“Just go and scout it out, you big foal.”

“Why not ask Spike? He's a fire breathing dragon, and he has tough scales.” he pointed to a confused Spike.

“Fine, I'll ask somepony else since you lack the fortitude to do so.” she turned to the rest of the group quickly startling most of them. “Even though he is a coward, Void has a point. Spike, you and Timberjack are to scout ahead.”

“I'd like to scout ahead also!” Sweetie Belle involuntarily shouted.

“Uh… me too!” Mona followed.

“Absolutely not.”

“No worries, Captain. I can watch after them.” Timberjack added. Gildcrest looked on him with worry. Timberjack winked at his sister telling her that everything will be okay.

“Alright then. Spike, Sweetie Belle, Ocean Monsoon, and Timberjack will report back to us the safest path to follow.” she walked over to Timberjack. “Please try to be back before sunset.”

“I will.” he reassured.

“Sweetie Belle, are you sure you want to do this?” Spike asked concernedly.

“You're talking to a Cutie Mark Crusader. We never back down from a challenge!”

“Cutie Mark Crusader?” Mona giggled.

“It's a club that she and her friends made when they were fillies.” Spike answered.

“Alright you three. Let's get a move on.” Timberjack commanded. Gildcrest watched as they all disappeared into the dense vegetation.

“Please be careful, little brother.”

“We've been walking for over an hour.” Mona complained.

“You're a pegasus, just fly.” Timberjack countered flatly.

“I would if it weren't for this overgrown salad bowl!” she said while brushing some leaves out if her hair.

“You decided to come.” Mona crossed her arms with a pout.

“How long do we have till sunset?” Spike asked. Timberjack looked to the sky.

“I can't really tell. Hey Mona, do you think that you can find an opening to fly through?”

“Maybe, why?”

“Because I can't see the sun from down here.”

“Maybe I can help.” Sweetie Belle added in. “Twilight showed me this spell that campers use to tell time.” her horn lit up, then shot a beam at the sun. A few seconds later, holographic numbers began to appear.

“Sixteen thirty-eight? It's four in the afternoon?!” Timberjack yelled. “We've been walking for five hours?!”

Mona collapsed on the ground while Spike hung his head down.

“Does this mean that we should head back?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“If we wanna make it back before sunset, we need to go now.” he stated.

“Oh come on! My feet are going to be swollen by the end of this.” Mona wined. Timberjack picked her up and slung her over his shoulder.

“There. Is that better?”

“You didn't have to be so forceful.” she mumbled.

The darkness of Luna's night shrouded the land only to be parted by the faint moonlight.

“The captain is gonna kill me.” Timberjack said in a low tired tone.

“We’re not that late.” Spike said.

“Trust me Spike, even if we were a second late I'd get in trouble.”

“You two have been working together for a long time huh?”

“Well, beyond years my frie...” he stopped. “What the?” there was no one to be found. “Isn't this where we landed?”

“Yeah, I can see the lifeboat, but where's the ship?” Spike added.

“Something is wrong here.” Timberjack to a step forward and tripped over a sharp stick pulling it out of the sand. He eyed it curiously. “I need some light.” Sweetie Belle moved in closer and lit her horn. He picked it up examining it closely. “It looks like a weapon of some kind.” he continued to examine it finding blood on the tip. “No!” he gasped.

“What's wrong?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Whoever or whatever is here took the landing party.”

“Timberjack, I found some tracks.”

“How can you see that?” Mona asked.

“Dragon eyes.” Spike simply answered. Timberjack and Sweetie Belle joined the two.

“They were dragged this way.” Timberjack said as he ran along the trail. “Come on!”

“I'm coming for you sis!”

Gildcrest woke tied to a tree in the middle of a tent. She looked around trying to get an idea of where she was.

“Quis tu? Quid agis hic?” a dark figure asked.

She lifted her head in a search for the voice. “Responde mihi: Quid venistis ad sacrum terra?” the figure asked again.

“Wh-what?” she asked with a weak exhausted tone.

“Ah sic Latine loquantur.”

“I… I don't know what y-you're saying.”

“Can you understand me now?” it asked in a deep ominous voice. “Why have you come here?”

“I'm an e-explorer. S… sent from Equestria.” she gasped. The figure looked at the others surrounding it.

“Equestria is only a land forged in myth and legend.” the figure stepped forward revealing a large white wolf creature. “Tell us where you are from or suffer the consequences.”

“I told… you. I am a traveler from Equestria.”

“Lies!” he slapped her across the face with his large hand. “Tell us where you are from wench!”

“I-I am of… Eq-Equestria!” she protested. He punched her in the stomach hard enough to be heard.

“Tell me where are you from now!”

“I... I'm E… Eque-strian.” she gasped in pain. He wrapped his hand around her throat.

“I grow tired of your lies. We will deal with you soon enough. Caneen! Deal with the trash.”

A gray female wolf appeared and offered her some water. “Please drink.” Gildcrest greedily gulped down the small bowl. “I'm so sorry. He doesn't trust anything that's non canine.” the wolf explained. “Are you really from Equestria? I've heard legends, but I've always thought them false.”

“Yes, Equestria is..”

“Caneen! That's enough, now step away from that harlot!” the larger white wolf ordered.

“I'll sneak you something to eat later.” she whispered before running off.

“Spike, can you still see the trail?” Mona asked.

“Yeah,” he sniffed the air. “Now I'm starting to smell smoke!” he said excitedly. “This way!” he led them through side thick bushes to the edge of a village.

“Do you think that they're here?” Timberjack asked

“Yeah, the tracks lead to here, and this is the only village for miles.”

“Where are they?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Most likely in the largest tent.” Timberjack answered.

“Like that one with the tree in the middle?” Mona pointed.

“It could be, but how are we going to get there?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“A distraction.” Mona declared. “Since I can fly, I’ll get their attention so you guys can go and get them out if the tent.”

“If they're in there.” Spike added. They all stared daggers at him. “Sorry.”

“Let's do this.” Timberjack whispered as he Spike and Sweetie Belle snuck around to the tent. Mona landed daintily in the village attracting all of the attention.

“Um hello... I am Ocean Monsoon and I was wondering if you knew saw some ponies around here?” she asked nervously.

“Est et aliud genus unum. Quod equi in nobis expugnare posse putant; Et succendit eam caperet, ipse cum reliquis eius feci.” the large white wolf pointed at her, several warriors running to apprehend her.

“Uh oh!” with one large downbeat of her wings, she took to the night sky followed on foot by the wolves. Meanwhile Spike, Sweetie Belle, and Timberjack waited until they were out of sight and snuck into the tent.

“Gildcrest?” Timberjack was about to help her when he saw the same young wolf who was with her earlier. “Get away from her, you little runt!” he boomed.

“Be quiet please!” Caneen shot back.

“I will the moment you get your hands off my sister!”

“Sister?!” Spike and Sweetie Belle asked in unison.

“Timberjack!” Gildcrest shouted. “She means no harm. She's been trying to free me.” she explained.

“I-I'm sorry.” Timberjack said submissively.

“I accept your apology. Now, I would like some help before someone gets suspicious.”

“Don't worry, runt. I got this.”

“My name is Caneen.” she mumbled. Timberjack took hold of the ropes binding Gildcrest and ripped them in one swift move.

“Whoa.” Spike said in amazement.

“Oh my goodness.” Sweetie Belle said with her hand to get mouth.

“Such strength.” Caneen crooned.

Timberjack held Gildcrest close. “I'm so glad that you're okay.”

“I'm glad to see you too Tim, but we need to get out of here.” Timberjack happily nodded and proceeded to walk out of the tent. The moment he was outside, he was met with a village of angry wolves looking down on him holding Mona in a net on the ground.

“I must say you horses are quite the pest.” the white wolf started. “And now you've included my daughter in this failed attempt at escape. We would've spared you, but now you are too dangerous to let live.”

“How are we dangerous? You kidnapped our crew and...”

“Silence, oaf. You have trespassed on our grounds, and for that your sentence is a slow painful death.” he stated sternly. Spike tried to squeeze out from behind Timberjack.

“What are you doing?” Timberjack asked.

“Maybe if I tell them why were here they'll let us go.”

“They won't.” Gildcrest weakly added.

“Look, dog things, we are on a peaceful expedition from Equestria. We only want the rest of our crew and safe passage.” there was absolute silence until the white wolf spoke.

“Dragon! Please have mercy on us.” he said as he bowed. Spike looked around at all of them confused.

“Wait what?”

“We did not know that these horses were in the company of a mighty dragon.”

“Mighty huh?” Spike or a claw to his chin.

“I, the mighty dragon,” he started authoritatively. “request that you release the horse in the net.” they cut the net and released Mona.

“I'm glad you're okay.” Sweetie Belle hugged her.

“Now for the others!” he demanded.

“There were only three that we captured.  One fled soon after we captured him and the other...” he trailed.

“They killed him!” Caneen shouted. The large wolf scowled at her. Spike couldn't imagine anypony being murdered.

“We're done here! You are not to follow us or else I'll unleash a deadly fire.” they turned cautiously towards the village's exit.

“Wait!” Caneen yelled. “May I please travel with you. I don't want to live another day cut off from the world.”

Spike looked at her seeing his own desire for freedom in her eyes. “As punishment for the unjust murder of an innocent pony I shall take your daughter to be my eternal servant!”

They left the village then started running as fast as they could.

“Why are we running?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Anything to get away from that place.” Timberjack respond.

“Ditto that!” Mona agreed.

“First day on land and we lost our crew, the ship, and were nearly slaughtered by wolves.” Spike said while looking to the sky.

“I wonder what else could happen.” Sweetie Belle sighed.

“I do too.”

“Goodnight Spike.”

“Goodnight Sweetie belle.”