Chapter 4 - A Rude Awakening
by LightningStrike34

Stephen's Perspective
Continuing our Journey to the shimmering cavern we made it to the foot of the cave when we heard a screech from inside, the sound alone was enough to frighten some of my men as they backed away a couple meters.

"Aye cap'n, there some kinna bloomin' monst'r in there, are ye sure we sho'd be goin' there?"

Responding to Bucky's question I said, "We wouldn't be real pirates if we always cowered in fear at the face of danger, come on lads." As we made our way into the cave we could see the walls were lined with gemstones as far as the eye could see, from Rubies to Opals and Sapphires to Diamonds we awed the spectacle from what we had witnessed. "Alright lads, one of ya head back to the ship for the spare mining equipment below deck, we're gonna need it." I turn to face Private Richard Long, "You, go and head back and you'll be given a raise in payment for this."

Richard gives me a salute, "AYY AYY CAPTAIN!" He runs to the ship as fast as his stocky body will carry him.

Soon after he left to gather supplies the screeching sound from earlier was back again, it sounded rather close and felt to be roughly 10ft away from us as My Men and I drew in a defensive stance with swords at the ready. As the creature's screeching grew louder I could see a pair of glowing eyes resembling gemstones heading our way as we prepared for what was to come, after about a few more feet the creature's appearance came clearly into view from the light of the various gemstones lining the walls. The creature's appearance closely resembled that of a goblin, but it's body was purple instead of green and it appeared to have Diamonds where the eyes should have been.

"AYE CAP'N? What be that there Monstrosity?" I gave Bucky a stern look as I turned my face back towards the creature, "Cap'n, Do you know what this beast is?"

I gave him an affirmative response, "I've trifled with this Creature's kind before, they eat gemstones as a source of food and it is their diet that made them what they are today. They have Diamonds for eyes as well as three gemstones embedded in their backs with one red one on their chest as you can see, what I can't understand is how they found their way onto this Island." As soon as I had finished speaking the creature gave out an ear piercing screech as we covered our ears in pain, after about a moment had passed the ground started to shake as a massive swarm of them rushed towards us as My Crew and I were dragged deeper and deeper inside the cave unknowing if we would ever see the light of day again.

Rainbow's POV
After Twilight had left to help deal with Spike's injuries, I was busy reading the book Twilight gave me until I saw Rarity and a little unicorn filly walk in as she talked to the nurse at the front desk as I drew her attention, "Hey Rarity, over here!" She appeared startled at the sound of my voice before walking over to me with the filly following behind her.

"Oh Rainbow Dash, I didn't expect to see you here, are you here for Spike?"

I gave her a curious look, "How would you know about that? Also I believe you've yet to introduce me to somepony here."

"Oh yes, I guess I haven't introduced you to my little sister before, say hello Sweetie Belle."

Rarity said nudging her sister forward with her muzzle, "Hi Rainbow Dash, I'm Sweetie Belle." squee

"Well it's nice to meet you too squirt, but that still begs the question Rarity, how did you know Spike was injured?"

I asked again, "Well I was on my way to give Twilight and Spike some housewarming gifts when my sister wanted to tag along and when I looked inside Twilight's home upon arrival I could see the broken ladder step as well as the shelf and trophy lying down on the floor covered in droplets of red, I put two and two together and here I am."

I gave them the benefit of the doubt, "Ok that makes sense, I should at least tell you about the incident from what Twilight told me, so from what I heard Spike fell off of the ladder after one of the legs broke and fell with a thud, Twilight heard what happened as she ran to help, what she didn't notice was the trophy and the shelf in time and tried to levitate them away but it was no use. Now we're in the hospital and Spike has a black eye and a dripping nostril."

Sweetie Belle had a sad look on her face, "Oh No! Is he gonna be alright? That's so sad."

I reassured her, "Hey kid, that little guy doesn't go down easily, besides it's not any seriously fatal injury he'll be just fine in no time."

She perked up at this, "Oh okay, thanks Rainbow Dash!"

"Anytime kid, I never leave one of my friends hanging."

Stephen's Perspective
After what felt like an eternity of pain and humiliation, the swarm threw us into an open part of the cavern as we all heard a voice call out to us, "Well well well, look what the cat dragged in, it's the little bodysnatcher and his friends."

Looking up to see what the hell was going on I turned my head to see a Small purple dragon sitting atop a throne with a scowl drawn across his face. "I guess I should say 'nice to meet you' but seeing the creature that stole my life from me I can't exactly be generous now, can I?"

I was very confused, “Bodysnatcher? Life stealer? What the hell are you talking about? Who the fuck are you even?"

The Dragon laughs maniacally, "Oh well now, I guess I should explain myself shouldn't I? I am Spike the Dragon or more accurately put I am his Subconscious mind and you have taken over as the more dominant personality effectively stealing my life away thank you very much." Those last four words were seething with a venomous malice one only could hear from a work of fiction. "Although I have to admit finding a creature like this within your memories certainly piqued my curiousity, very interesting."

"CAP'N, WHAT'S GOING ON? What's that Scaly bloke talking about?" One of my crewmates shouted in fear, I was unable to see who it was as what happened soon after rendered him out of sight.

"Swarm the Figments! Leave them all to drown under a pile of your own bodies, CHARGE!" As soon as the Swarm of Gem Goblins heard this they all came rushing towards my crew leaving me speechless as they were all left lying underneath piles of purple bodies. Seeing this I yelled in anger, " What are you doing!? What do they have to do with me?"

"They are the only thing tying you to the dream world, now that they're out of the way all I need to take care of is you."

"Now,
GEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTT OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!"

The scream was echoing to the point I could barely stand up as I was knocked out of the Dreamscape and back into Consciousness.

Author's Note

I want to see someone give their best guess as to the creature I used in this Chapter is called, good luck