Star In The Dark

I - Spike

Spike's feet thumped against the ground. His toes dug into the soft dirt, and he launched himself forwards with a leap. He rolled to a stop, panting slightly from the exertion, his breathing the only noise in the silent forest.

He was alone. He knew this, almost instinctively. Despite this, he had soldiered on, trying to find someone - anyone - that he could talk to.

He hadn't seen anyone for his entire time in this place. The trees, the jagged tear that somehow had physical form, the glowing river - he was alone in this place, and he hated it. His fist clenched.

There was nothing. No need, none of the driving force that life normally provided. He didn't need food, didn't get thirsty, and couldn't fall asleep. The only break from the monotony was the damnable pulses from the center of this place. They were so regular and consistent that he had taken to counting their release as a way of measuring the time. At this point? One-hundred and sixty two.

He slumped. He just wanted to see one more pony again...

The glowing river pulsed.

Spike gasped and turned, trying to block out the sound he knew was beginning to force its way out of the crack above him. He glanced up.

The glow hit his retina, and he immediately hunkered down, whimpering.

One-hundred and sixty three...

The sound roared over Spike. He could feel something in him, pulsing in time. He panicked, trying to stop its pulse. It began, slowly, to morph out of synch.

He clenched his hands as hard as he could.

He knew that he shouldn't conform, that he had to stay strong and be different. That was what drove him now, for he had no other purpose. He had to stave off the endless monotony.

Spike opened his eyes as the pulsing abated. He curled upwards, getting back up onto his feet. He groaned as he stretched, his muscles untightening after such a frantic experience. He stepped forwards -

The air in front of him shifted, shimmering  as if it was just a mirage.

He vanished.