Spike whistled mindlessly as he entered the Everfree forest once again. It had been a few weeks since he had met Oceanflame and it was amazing how they were getting along. Sure Ocean was a bit rough on the outside and still held plenty of secrets but, since their first meeting she has opened up greatly. He could see the care she put into things like her little cavern, even small projects she had shown him. What he loved most was the magic she would show him. It took some convincing but, she finally explained and showed more of her magic could. It was stunning; she could do basic things like levitation but, that was nothing compared to what she could do with fire and water. Not even Twilight could do anything she could. It was almost like the elements themselves were part of her very soul and being. Spike couldn't understand why she was hiding such skill, then again she was hiding a lot. He just wished he could get her to tell him more about herself.

"Spike?" Twilight asked confused to see him in the forest.

"Twilight! What are you doing here?" he asked frantically not expecting her to be in the forest at all.

It was rare for any of them to come to the forest, the most they usually came for was visits to Zecora. Though it wasn't as often as it probably should be. Honestly Spike thinks one of the ponies that keeps a more constant contact with Zecora is Apple Bloom. Twilight being the new princess she was always busy with things Celestia wanted her to learn. Apple Jack was always working on the farm, Rarity was busy with her store and getting close to owning her own place in Canterlot. Pinkie Pie was hosting parties or helping Mr. and Mrs. Cake with their foals. Rainbow Dash was busy training at the academy and helping control the weather of Ponyville, and Fluttershy, well, Fluttershy was just to scared of the forest sometimes. The event's from the summer soloist and the forest sort of invading Ponyville didn't really help.

"I was on my way to visit Zecora and get some new tea. Plus it would be nice to catch up with her a little bit. What are you doing here Spike?" She asked looking at him slightly skeptical.

"I...uh...was on my way to the castle of the two sisters." He said looking everywhere but, at her, "To...um...get some more...uh...tapestries for Rarity. She wants to restore a few more."

"Oh, well that makes sense. Just be careful okay, maybe I'll come later on and help you get them down." she smiled rubbing his head playfully. "Oh and if you are going to read any of your comics please just be extra careful. I don't want you sucked into one again like with the power ponies." she joked before continuing on.

"No worries, I don't even have one with me this time." he said waving to her before running off in his own direction.

When Twilight was finally out of sight, Spike sighed wiping the sweat from his fore head. That was closer than he ever wanted, besides Ocean wouldn't be happy if Twilight was to suddenly show up. He may not know why but, he was smart enough to know Ocean has a very strong 'opinion' when it comes to ponies. He definitely didn't want an explosion from her if that happened. Then again what if she saw Twilight and just never came out, and then never came out again for him. Spike stopped walking some shuddering at the thought of her just leaving like that. Ocean was one of his few personal friends, with no ties to Twilight. It frightened him to think of Ocean leaving him alone; though strangely not frightening to him personally but, of what could happen to Ocean. She has explained, several times, that she has been in the castle for many moons, with no one for company. Just the thought of being alone for that long with out anyone scared Spike. Clenching his fists Spike swore he wouldn't let that happen to her and raced the rest of the way to the castle.

On arrival he was confused to see Ocean out and about, it was rare for her to leave the walls of the castle. The stranger thing is she was picking flowers, she never does things like that. It was, to a degree, terrifying to see; Ocean had always struck him to be sporty and well more like apple jack or rainbow dash. Spike just imagined her to enjoy anything other than picking flowers. Taking another confused look at the scene before him Spike walked over to her tapping on a tree trunk three times just like with the castle walls. Though once he did he had to reel backwards because of how fast she turned around.

"Spike! There you are come on we don't have much time!" she smiled at him as she quickly pulled him back into balance.

"Hi Ocean, and not much time for what?" he asked still greatly confused.

"For the gathering of the hippocampi." she said clapping her hooves together.

Spike blinked at her not understanding anything she said. "What the heck are hippocampi?" he finally asked.

"Oh right, you probably know nothing about them." Ocean said her excitement diming some, "Hippocampi are horse fish hybrids. They can be very reclusive and never visit the surface. The only time they come to the surface is to sing and dance, once every ten moons."

"I'm still very lost but, alright." Spike said smiling at her. "What's the flowers then?"

"Oh I bring them to the celebration all the time. The point of the celebration is to bring vitality back to the oceans." she said nonchalantly before going back to picking the flowers.

"Mind if I help? We'll cover more ground that way." Spike said trying to be as helpful as he could.

"Of course Spike. Just pick the healthiest looking ones." she smiled at him.

Spike smiled back as he quickly got to work. He was intrigued by what Ocean had told him of the hippocampi, though not because of the creatures themselves. Ocean's eye during her description of this ritual they went through shinned, as if she was reliving memories. Even her very presence next to him seemed a flame with joy and excitement. He couldn't help but, join in the merriment even going as far as playing some tricks with her. Tricks like swiping her flowers or gently shoving her over and even having Ocean return such pranks. Having do this for at least few hours did grow tiring at some point and it just dissolved it to lazily laying down in the bed of flowers and talking.

"So when does this gathering take place?" Spike asked as he sat next to Ocean carefully weaving a small flower crown for her.

"It start's just as the moon rises. So if you don't have time to come I'm fine with that." she said flicking him her tail at him jokingly.

"Hmm...depends if I can get away. What do you say in meeting at the castle at sunset then if I don't show up you can go ahead by yourself?"

"Sounds fine to me." she smiled at him flicking her tail again.

Spike sputtered some as it hit him in the face though quickly recovered to blow a spark of fire at her. Chuckling as she coughed slightly at the smoke it left, before continuing his work on the flower crown. He was sort of glad Rarity should him how to weave such a delicate object and was a big help at the winter wrap up since he could help make more nests; when Twilight didn't need him of course. Picking the last flower and weaving it perfectly he smiled as he looked it over. Another thing he has learned from being with Rarity so often was what colors went well with others. Enjoying the darker flowers her had chosen for it to go with Ocean's bright eyes and colorful mane. Carefully Spike turned to her, making sure the crown didn't tear from the movement, then gently placed it on her head mindful of her ears. Ocean looked at him slightly confused with what he was doing but, let him mess with her head and mane.

"There all done!" Spike announced triumphantly.

"And what pray tell have you done?" Ocean asked jokingly.

"I just weaved you the flower crown and put it on your head like to see another dragon do that." he boasted back at her chuckling some.

"Oh yes you truly are the master of all dragons great and honorable Spike." she teased right back at him.

"Yeah, yeah, no need to get jealous." he said before looking back into the Everfree forest. "I better get going. Twilight said she might come around so it's best i go try and stop her. I'll see you at sunset okay?"

"Sure Spike." she smiled at him as he raced back into the forest.

Spike sent her one final wave before disappearing completely into the thick brush. He was really looking forward to seeing this gather of Hippocampi. Thinking back he was sure he heard something about them before but, just couldn't quite put his claw on it. Well he was going back to the castle maybe he could look again, or just ask Twilight if she knew anything about them. Unknown to him Ocean was gazing at the small crown he had made her. A loving smile capturing both her lips and eyes as she carefully stroked the delicate gift. Small tears formed just at the corner of her long lashes as her hoof fell back to the ground.

"Spike you ridiculous dragon. If you only knew." she whispered as one lone tear feel into the pool she had been gazing into.

Author's Note

I know the title sucks please forgive me. T~T